Roald Dahl stamps

Aren't they fantastic? More here.

(Via Cup of Jo)

Furball Friday

Bookstores around the world

Happy valentine's day!

If you are in love with the printed word, you will be delighted to peruse this article about the twenty most beautiful bookstores in the world (thanks Laila!). Aren't they stunning? I want to go on a world tour.

Etsy video on Missed Connections

I am a huge fan of Sophie Blackall's work, both in and out of children's books. Here is a lovely Etsy video about the artwork she recently created for the New York MTA Arts for Transit program (can't wait to find it on the subway on my next trip to NYC!):

On writing

Last week I was listening to NPR on the way to the grocery store and they were talking about the subject of writing. There were two quotes that have stuck with me all week.

“I'm not a very good writer, but I'm an excellent rewriter.”
- James Michener

and

"Becoming a writer is not a 'career decision' like becoming a doctor or a policeman. You don't choose it so much as get chosen, and once you accept the fact that you're not fit for anything else, you have to be prepared to walk a long, hard road for the rest of your days."
- Paul Auster

They both seemed quite true and particularly relevant as I chug slowly uphill, knee deep in revisions...

Furball Friday

B&N vs Amazon

As a follow up to this post, this article explains what B&N is doing in response to Amazon's business tactics (essentially refusing to carry any books published under Amazon's imprint). In a way it seems only fair; if Amazon is going to try to undermine brick and mortar book stores, doesn't it make sense that they fight back?