Temporary Hiatus & Updates

It's been far too long since I've updated here at Lyrique Tragedy Reviews. A large reason for that has to do with the complete 180 my life has taken over the course of the past year. It also has a lot to do with the fact that my library is still in storage from the move from Pittsburgh, Pa to Baltimore, MD. As it stands I'll be moving (yet again) in October to a location closer to work to cut back on the 1 1/2 to 2 hour commute I have each way (if only I had 10 more hours a day, things would be a cake walk). Ideally, once that happens I can rescue my books from storage and jump back in the reviewing saddle and hopefully add on a few new voices who would like to contribute.

That being said, I've been reviewing Comic Books and Graphic Novels over at my other site Reality 101 and there promises to be an exciting announcement regarding that coming very soon. This may lead LTR down some interesting new avenues, but until the nuts and bolts are worked out, LTR will remain a general review site that will regain activity once I can get to my books. I'll be re-posting some of those reviews here in the coming weeks. So, if you see some changes around here in terms of layout and organization (let's not forget to clean up the blog roll and links while we're at it), don't be too alarmed.

In the meantime, you should look for a post on October 5, 2009 both here and at Reality 101! I've agreed to be one of the stops on Ruth Rymer's upcoming Virtual Book Tour promoting her new novel Susannah, A Lawyer. Ruth has graciously also agreed to answer a few interview questions, which will also be posted here. While you wait, pop over to her website and read an excerpt from the book! I'm always suspicious of Historical Fiction, but I've really enjoyed reading Susannah, A Lawyer thus far, and I'm looking forward to writing the review.


As always, write well...

Dawn

Update: New site!

It's been a while since I've posted here, mostly because I've recently taken a new job in the "real world" and my mind and body are just now starting to acclimate to no longer working 14 hours a day, late nights reaching into the dawning hours, and the chaos of running between schools with minutes to spare. I'm still teaching classes at two universities, but my load has lightened significantly, and for the first time in my life I actually have time to do the things I want without the anxiety of being late or missing a day of work from one of my jobs. I have to say, it's doing me wonders. I feel like a new world has opened up to me, and I now understand why folks leave the Ivory Tower for BnG jobs.

Along with finally having the time to rip through the stack of books that are in line for review, I've been working on developing my new site: DawnPapuga.com. As it stands, I'll be posting my reviews here on LTR and linking back to them, but I have a page dedicated to all of my reviews here.

DawnPapuga.com is my personal site that will house my daily blog, which will recount pretty much any and every thing that catches my interest. At the moment I'm participating in NaBloPoMo to try and prepare for the next round of NaNoWriMo (which, you may remember, my real life interfered with miserably). I have a page to post my lengthier essays and articles that I'm working on colleting, and a page for my photography. Depending on how long the design takes, and how brave I'm feeling, I also plan to install a page for my own writing.

This doesn't change much here at LTR, and if you're only interested in the reviews, then you're safe with the link, RSS feed, or email subscription you already have (you have subscribed, haven't you? It's free, you know. That's how I roll.). But if you're interested in the carnival of regular updates and more diverse content, head over to DawnPapuga.com and either update your links, or add that site as well!

Expect more reviews soon, as I have more time to read and review (finally!).

Write well,

~Dawn

Reading and Review Updates

As you all know, I have quite a reading list going at the moment, and I’m enjoying everything that has been sent my way for review. Because I'm reading, I haven't been able to post as often as I would like here on LTR. Between reviews, I've taken to posting related commentaries and I intend to do more of that in the coming weeks. I’ve returned to my process of reading multiple books at once for a few reasons, really. I gave single book reading the old college try, but it’s just not my style. Once I abandoned the uncharacteristic practice, things have returned to highly enjoyable, productive levels. Here’s an update on where my list currently stands, and what you can expect in the way of reviews soon:

Books finished and in the review process:

Engleby by Sebastian Faulks
Evauation Plan by Joe M. O’Connell

Currently Reading:
Rodney by Dick Baldwin
Shadow of Innocence by Ric Wasley
Women of Magdalene by Rosemary-Poole Carter
Juliette Ascending by Rosemary-Poole Carter
Resonance by Chris Dolley



Interviews:
Interviews for authors whose books I've finished reviewing will be sent out this weekend. Plans for live call-in interviews are still in the works. Once the program is finalized and the Talkshoe show is set up, invites will be sent to authors expressing interest in being interviewed on the show as well as via email. Live show interviews will not be required.


Special Projects (Currently reading):
The Seige of Zolodex and Quest for the Shard by Clifford B. Bowyer

The Bowyer Project, as I've dubbed it, will be a look at all of the books in both author Clifford B. Bowyer's Young Adult and Adult fantasy series, and will be more in depth than a regular review because of the length of the project. I'll post occasional updates as the project continues to move along.

In terms of exhibit and event reviews, I will be posting a review of the poetry reading that took place at PPU last night, featuring Lynn Emanuel. When I get a free day I'll be attending the Body Exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center and posting a review as well.

In the meanwhile, if you have any issues or topics you'd like to see discussed, or books reviewed here on LTR, send an email my way, and I'll see what I can do! As always, thank you for the feedback!

Write Well,
Dawn Papuga

Updates from Boxtopia

I just wanted to pop by to remind everyone that moving is no fun at all, and that I'm still trying to juggle this hectic life on top of organizing a new home. More than once I have considered figuring out how to just make the boxes in my home part of the decor, but I've come up with no satisfying solutions. Since my last post, I have received a number of requests for book reviews and interviews, so here is an updated list of those I agreed to:

Unfinished Business:
* Unscarred by R.M. Hamilton (Interview and Book Review to be posted ASAP)
* The Seige of Zolodex by Clifford B. Bowyer
* Quest for the Shard by Clifford B. Bowyer (Both of Mr. Bowyer's reviews to be posted ASAP)
* Resonance by Chris Dolley

New Business:
* Evacuation Plan by Joe M. O'Connell which will be released nationally in August of 2007.
* Rodney by Dick Baldwin, and
* Shadow of Innocence by Ric Wasley, who will also be doing an interview with LTR.

I've updated the sidebar to include these latest additions, and as more come in I will be sure to keep you posted. Also, keep an eye out for my pending review of Lerner & Lowe's Camelot that just ended at the CLO in Pittsburgh. I attended the show Saturday night, and there is much to say about the production and Mr. Michael York as King Arthur!

Write Well,
Dawn

The World is Not Flat

As the title of this post suggests, the world is, indeed, not flat. Because it is round, there is no true direct line between points A and B, and any travel between A and B will result in some round about way of getting there--even if it looks like a direct, as the crow flies, shot. And it is because of this non-flat point that I am still in the process of moving into an apartment that is no more than seven blocks from my current residence. You'd imagine it would be an easy process. A done deal, even. Not so. Not in my world.

In my enthusiasm to move into this new apartment, I agreed to do the painting and minor repairs myself. I'm by no means complaining here. I truly enjoy every glob of Spackle that I have slathered onto my walls, and every drip of paint that found its way onto my clothes rather than the walls. But there were quite a bit more cracks than I had originally thought, and the painting became somewhat tedious, as it does with all perfectionists. So in a perfect world, I should be back to normal, in my new apartment, in my new office in my new apartment, by the weekend. That's if the universe allows it.

I haven't forgotten about LTR--not by a long shot! And I thank you all for your patience during this move. Here's what's on tap for the upcoming reviews:

• Unscarred by R.M. Hamilton
• Both of Clifford B. Bowyer's series (Fantasy, and young adult)
• Resonance by Chris Dolley

Again, my sincere thanks to the above mentioned authors who have been beyond patient with me and my reviews. Also, I'll be accepting new books to review once I'm settled and able to function normally. This move has taken far longer than I would have liked, but it's given me some valuable insight on both the correct and incorrect way to move things. Perhaps there's a book in there somewhere.

Write Well,

~Dawn M. Papuga

Pre-Update Update

So this week has been full of things to keep me from posting a proper review of the events of the weekend, notably BootCamp PGH. Said busy making things have also kept me from properly emailing and contacting those phenomenal folks I met there. But I promise I'm not being snobby, or rude--I just haven't had time to do much of anything except prepare for classes this week and work on a book review that I am trying valiantly to complete by April 27th. Here's a quick list of things I have to do and will make every effort to accomplish in the next few days (both here and on my other pages) in no particular order (kinda):

• Post a rockin' update about BootCamp PGH!
• Refine and post the review of Cinco de Mayo: The story behind Mexico's battle of Puebla by Donald Miles.
• Make sure I've responded to all the great emails sitting with stars on them because stars mean they're important (If you mailed me from Bootcamp and I haven't responded, that's you. You're stared. A gold star, even).
• Update the list of PGH Blogger and new sites I accumulated at Bootcamp (I even created a space there on the right. I promise. Scroll down and look!)
• Post the reviews of R.M. Hamilton's Unscarred
• Finish the series and post the reviews of Clifford B. Bowyer's books (NB: I'm working on finishing each series for more comprehensive reviews, and believe me, they're worth it!)
• Work on dolling up the Minute Lit blog with some "flair" (How many pieces are you wearing? Hmm?)
• Figuring out how to work this damn digital camera so I can start my adventures as a photographer.
• Get creatively thinking about the next Minute Lit podcast, and record with Alex when our schedules stop getting in the way of literary discussion.

I have the sneaking suspicion that I'm forgetting something, but you get the idea here. So be on the look out for multiple posts and updates soon!

~D.M. Papuga

BootCamp PGH and Updates!

As I've mentioned elsewhere, the universe has been against me recently. I've spent more time in Vet hospitals, graduation ceremonies, and funeral homes than is good for any one person in the past two weeks. The next review (Sandra Worth's The Rose of York: Fall from Grace) will be posted by the end of the week, and as long as things continue to improve and move smoothly, so will the review of R.M. Hamilton's Unscarred. I apologize for the delay, but illness and death waits for no one, though most often we wish it would.

There are two updates in addition to the above:

The final edit of Minute Lit, episode 2 is posted and has been finalized with the appropriate images and fine tuning (Thank you Alex!). And the second installment of Minute Lit-Tech has been posted there as well. We enjoy bouncing between the worlds of media, literature, technology, and creativity so give it a look and listen!

And second, BootCamp PGH is fast approaching! If you're in the area, and want to attend please see the information below to register! There promise to be some interesting workshops and sessions. Fear not, you needn't know much (or anything at all) about the topic of blogging, podcasting, vlogging, or viral marketing to attend. That's what the bootcamp is for! So check out the line up and the schedule, and plan accordingly. I won't be presenting (at least I don't believe so!) this round, but I'll certainly be there and bouncing between sessions. Hope to see you there!

BootCamp PGH is a free one-day, immersive "entry level" version of PodCamp. It is designed to educate students, small businesses and corporate communications professionals on the power and possibilities of new media.

WHAT: BootCamp Pittsburgh

WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 2007, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

WHERE: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, 420 Boulevard of the Allies, 15219

WHO: New media experts, aspiring new media creators, communications and PR personnel, and you!

HOW MUCH: Free!

Register or get more information at http://www.bootcamppgh.com/

Update!

There has been a lapse in posting here at LTR, but it certainly is not for want of things to post! Aside from running this site, I have been busy organizing a symposium about world conflict that will be taking place March 30th. As you might imagine, that has kept me more than busy in my free time, but I'm quite certain the cause is worth it. (There was also a birthday involved, an 80's hair band cover band, all night bowling, and a collection of talkative movie-goers whose single goal in life was to disrupt my enjoyment of a film, but we won't talk about those things. Well, not all of them...)

In the mean time, please feel free to check out the pre-release of the next episode of Minute Lit (Just go ahead and click on the icon on the right and it will take you right there!). In Episode 2, Alex and I discuss how literature is defined, exactly what is and is not considered "literature," the importance of literary journals, we discuss a sonnet and the common misinterpretation and reading of metaphors, the word concatenate (just try and get me to say that without stumbling over my tongue!), and of course, our quiz. Also feel free to check out the Minute Lit Blog for more updates on production and notes from Alex and me.

Also, I will be updating the list of reviews to come soon (already there are a few that are waiting to be added, and I will do so ASAP). There will be a new review posted here within the next few days, and maybe, just maybe, a discussion question!

Apologies for the delay. In the meantime, if you haven't yet been to see 300, do so. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. There's something to be said for the wave of graphic novels and comics being adapted for the big screen, and (surprise!) there will be at least one post discussing this trend in the near future.

Write Well...

~D.M. Papuga

In The Works

It's been quiet here at LTR, but that doesn't mean there aren't things going on behind the scenes. Part of being a book reviewer is actually reading the books that come across my desk. But even with my high average words per minute reading speed, I can't help but wish I had a photographic memory. So while I engulf myself in the various worlds that these authors have welcomed me into, I'll be working on more interludes and news from the book world to post between the Reviews and Interviews that will aim to inform and to generate an open forum for commentary an conversation about various topics, the books to be reviewed, and commonly faced issues for aspiring writers.

So what's in the works currently?

• Interview with author Bridie Clark! Following the successful release of her first book, Because She Can, I'll be posting an interview with Ms. Clark soon.

• The Rose of York: Fall from Grace by Sandra Worth is proving to be an enticing read. I love works that challenge commonly accepted (however right or wrong they might prove to be) notions of history!

• The Siege of Zoldex and Quest for the Shard by Clifford B. Bowyer are busy pulling me into the wonderful world of the Seven Kingdoms, and I look forward to adding the reviews soon!

• Unscarred by R.M. Hamilton will be the first self published, but widely available, book that I review on LTR, and it will be followed by an interview with the author that will cover everything from the creation of Eir, to his experience with self publishing.

And in some pleasant news, my reviews have been picked up by the MidWest Book Review, so the readership is growing yet again. There are fantastic reviews and reviewers there, so please do check them out!

That's all for now! Write well...

~D.M. Papuga

What's Next?

Wonderful news! More reviews and author interviews have been added to the list! In the coming weeks there should be a steady flow of reviews and interviews posted here, on the sister site, and at BookPleasures.com. Some of the great new additions coming next:

• The review of Bridie Clark’s first novel, Because She Can, will be posted today or tomorrow and the review will be followed by an interview with the author, as well!

• Award winning novelist Sandra Worth’s next novel, The Rose of York: Fall from Grace, will be hitting the shelves in May of 2007. The Rose of York: Fall from Grace has already won the Francis Ford Coppola New Century Writers Award, and concludes her The Rose of York series which has been the recipient of ten different awards. A review will be posted sometime in the coming weeks prior to its release. For more info on the book and the Rose of York series, see the Sandra Worth website.

Stay warm and keep reading!

~D.M. Papuga

Procrastination Via Updates!

I'm convinced.

I need a draconian taskmaster standing over me with a cat-o-nine tails, hot coals, and possibly a braiding wheel, while withholding my caffeine to get me to actually sit down and write. Then again, part of me doesn't believe that even Torquemada could get me to turn off my phone, DVD commentaries, IM's and email programs to devote full attention to the book I'm working on. It's not that I don't like it. It's not that I don't want to write it. I think part of the problem is that I placed that deadline on myself and I got so wrapped up in the launching of the various sites (there's going to be even more interference when I launch the actual site that will combine all of these disparate blogs, journals, and message boards) that I am now dreadfully behind on the task at hand. I've considered moving the deadline, but that isn't going to do me any good. I'll just procrastinate even more until the new deadline arrives. I'm just going to have to buckle down.

This isn't a bad thing though. I have quite a number of reviews forthcoming from various authors, publicists, and agents who have contacted me to do reviews-- so the foundation of Lyrique Tragedy Reviews is growing at a pace that I am elated about. In fact, you should check out the following sites regarding the upcoming reviews and interviews!

• The Tara Ison interview for her upcoming book The List, which was just reviewed on Lyrique Tragedy Reviews (and the sister site on Lyrique Tragedy's MySpace) will be posted soon!
• Because She Can by Bridie Clark will be reviewed and posted here in the next few days. With any luck, there will be an interview to follow!
• R.M. Hamilton's debut dark fantasy novel, Unscarred will be reviewed and followed up with an interview as well. R.M. Hamilton is also the founder of Authors of MySpace, a site used to promote the writing talents of authors who also have MySpace accounts and to promote their new releases.
• Clifford B. Bowyer's "The Imperium Saga" continues with the third book of the "Fall of Imperium" trilogy called The Siege of Zoldex, and the sixth book in the spin off YA Adventures of Kyria series, Quest for the Shard. Both were released this month and will be posted here and at BookPleasures.com soon!

~ D.M. Papuga