A Feel Good Story

The DH and I were very upset to read in the Daily Herald earlier that a man's pit bulls had been stolen. We know what unscrupulous people will do with that breed. Before Rascal, we didn't care for Amstaffs ourselves. That all changed when we adopted her.

Anyway, here's the new story we saw today, which makes us feel really good. It would make Rascal feel good, too, if she knew -
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=352525

THE BRIEFS AND A BRIEF RESPITE

The Briefs - I thought the DH was kidding when he mentioned my Killer Career Book Launch Party announcement had made it to The Briefs on front page of the Neighbor Section of the Daily Herald Newspaper. I'd been in such a hurry this morning, I hadn't checked the paper thoroughly. It was a nice surprise.

Also, it's a reminder to everyone to take advantage of free publicity. How this got in was by my submitting the information over the Internet one night. Actually, I hit a button before putting my name in, so I didn't think it would appear. I'm happy it made it anyway.

A Brief Respite - I've got only a few days rest before the next stop on my blog book tour which will happen on August 16 at http://booklandheights.blogspot.com.
That will be a fun filled day for me, since my book launch party is also that day.

Hope to see some of you at both spots.

Facebook's New Rules

Power to the People!

I just read in the Daily Herald that Facebook's new rules specify that users do own their own information when posting to Facebook.

Some months back a great storm brewed with Facebook's attempt to hold rights to certain personal content posted by members. Objections were overwhelming. I, among others, rushed over to our Facebook accounts and removed photos and articles we didn't wish to be claimed by Facebook.

Anyway, a vote was taken, the members spoke their minds, and we won!

Goes to show, if you don't like something, don't gripe where it doesn't count. Speak up to those that matter and you could make a difference.

What about you, do you use Facebook? Why? If you don't, why not? What do you think about the new rules and/or speaking up? Please share.

Dann & Raymond's Movie Club 2008 By Morgan Mandel

Dann Gire, film critic for the Daily Herald in blue, Raymond Benson, former James Bond novelist, in brown, hosts of In The Library, No One Can Hear You Scream.

Silent screams, scary monsters, familiar and unfamiliar screen images...what a great way to spend a Thursday evening at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library.

Along with short film clips of horror films, Film Critic, Dann Gire, and Mystery/Thriller Author, Raymond Benson, filled the audience in on little known facts about Universal Studios, talented cinematographer, Karl Freund, and ever-popular actors, Lon Chaney, Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and others.

Lights and shadows, musical scores, and monster makeup application were some of the topics discussed, along with types of monsters, such as werewolves, vampires, things with no names, and ghosts.

With so much information to impart, the deadly duo had only enough time to cover the '30s. On the third Thursday of October, at 7:30 pm they'll return to go through the '40s to the present day.

Also on their agenda is a political movie evening the third Thursday of November and a Holiday movie theme in the same time slot for December.

Anyone in the Arlington Heights area, come on over to the library at 500 North Dunton Avenue, Arlington Heights, Illinois, and join the fun. These two hosts are not only entertaining, but also quite knowledgeable.

Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com

ARE NEWSPAPERS DEAD? by Morgan Mandel

I wonder how many people read newspapers any more.

We get the Daily Herald delivered to our doorstep every morning. I read the Neighbor Section, the front page, sometimes the Business Section, depending if I'm running late for work or not.

It used to be newspapers were our primary source for news, along with radio and TV. Now it seems most people find out what's happening faster on the Internet instead.
To accommodate this, the newspapers have set up web sites. Many columnists have their own blogs also. Often something that's just happened appears on a newspaper's website right away, which gets confusing.

Despite trying to keep up with the times, I've heard that newspapers like the Chicago Sun Times are hurting for readership and laying off people.

So, I wonder how many people are still faithful to the printed word? Also, how does this apply to books?

At the Frontier Days Festival when I was selling my mystery, Two Wrongs, and my romantic comedy, Girl of My Dreams, I had one woman ask if I had audio versions. It's the only way she can fit books into her busy schedules.

Since the Internet and everything associated with it is so popular, ebooks are gaining in popularity. What used to be the cache of small publishing companies has now become a marketplace for NY publishing houses. Let's face it, ebooks are very convenient. They fit on just about any gizmo, even the popular Iphone, plus you can loads scads of them and carry them around in your purse or pocket, unlike the printed books.

Still, there are many diehard readers out there who prefer the look of paper, the feel of turning actual pages, the satisfaction of physically opening a new book.

I'm glad to say both my books are in print and ebook forms. To me, they both have their merits.

Which do you prefer? I've got a small quiz here where you can show your preference.

Thanks,
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com
http://mysteryturtlesblogspot.com