A few weeks ago, I reported that Amanda Hocking had signed a huge deal with a major publisher for her upcoming series. Not only this produced headlines and a change of direction with the indie self pubbed author, another interesting tidbit emerged during the bidding process. Amazon who is traditionally an online vendor for books and ebooks although they offer self published authors to sell their books via their site. However it was recently known that Amazon teamed up with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt during their bid for Hocking’s new series, with HMH offering the print rights while they would offer the world ebook rights. The combined bid actually beat out St Martin’s Press’ offer – but this is just another sign that Amazon is focusing more on the publishing end of things.

I think right now there will be something wrong in the world if there is not another author behaving badly. So here is one – Author meltdown number 20490583. Self Published author Zoe Whitten has announced her retirement from writing because readers are not picking up her books and we are sloths for doing that. I wont go into much detail because if you click on the link you will see the spectacular meltdown there.

I came across this funny article about author Sheridan Simove who has a book on sale at Amazon, titled What Every Man Thinks Apart From Sex. It became an Amazon bestseller but the unique thing about it? It is a blank book! I have to say that this must be one of the most easiest reads around but do check out the reviews at amazon – it sure made me giggle!

Author Sonya Bateman has a new series out under the penname, S.W Vaughn and the first book, Broken Angel is free on Smashwords in most formats.  – for more info – Our Stella has Sonya introducing the series here. 

We have some fantastic ze mantitty covers for y’all!

First up check out the next Guild Hunter book by Nalini Singh, which will focus on Dmitri!

And here is the cover for Meljean Brook’s next Iron Seas book – Heart of Steel!

And finally an anthology to watch out for!

Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives – has a fantastic line up of authors – for more deets check the list below.

Got Vampires? Ghosts? Monsters? We Can Help!

Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives, is your one-stop-shop for Urban Fantasy’s finest anthology of the supernatural. 14 sleuths are gathered together for the first time in all-original tales of unusual cases which require services that go far beyond mere deduction!

Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives brings together popular characters from many Urban Fantasy paranormal investigative series, for your enjoyment.
Meet the Detectives:
Danny Hendrickson – from Laura Anne Gilman’s Cosa Nostradamus series.
Kate Connor – from Julie Kenner’s Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom series.
John Taylor – from Simon R. Green’s Nightside series.
Jill Kismet – from Lilith Saintcrow’s Jill Kismet series.
Jessi Hardin – from Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series.
Quincey Morris – from Justin Gustainis’ Morris/Chastain Investigations series.
Marla Mason – from T. A. Pratt’s Marla Mason series.
Tony Foster – from Tanya Huff’s Smoke and Shadows series.
Dawn Madison – from Chris Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon series.
Pete Caldecott – from Caitlin Kittredge’s Black London series.
Tony Giodone – from C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp’s Tales of the Sazi series.
Jezebel – from Jackie Kessler’s Hell on Earth series.
Piers Knight – from C. J. Henderson’s Brooklyn Knight series.
Cassiel – from Rachel Caine’s Outcast Season series.

Here’s a post about the Taxomony of Celebrety Baby names. Take a look at this chart. It’s good for a chuckle or two.