"And all my life that now disturbs my fingers."

[greygirlbeast]

Phase One seems to have left no one burned, mangled, and/or bleeding. So, tomorrow, I have to finally turn my attention to the blasted CEM of The Drowning Girl: A Memoir. Always I have found dealing with CEMs a distasteful, and, often, infuriating experience. And I expect I always will. I even recognize that my reaction to CEMs is not always rational. But I hate the things. I especially hate the things when copyeditors try to rewrite my prose; I can only hope that has not happened this time. I'm not in the mood for pyrotechnics.

Truth be told, I only want to be at the sea today. There is nothing else I want. There is nothing else I need, but that one thing I almost certainly will not get.

Summer is almost over.

Day before yesterday, I received contributor's copies of the limited and slip-cased edition of Subterranean: Tales of Dark Fantasy 3, which reprints my SF story, "Hydraguros," possibly my best SF story to date. The limited is sold out, but the trade edition is still available.

My thanks to Maria Gerspacher for a marvelous package, which reached me day before yesterday. Somehow, yesterday, when writing my blog entry, I apparently forgot any mail arrived the day before.

Last night, I read "A revision of the Lari (Aves, Charadriiformes) from the early Miocene of Saint-Gérand-le-Puy (Allier, France)" and "New materials of Argentoconodon fariasorum (Mammaliaformes, Triconodontidae) from the Jurassic of Argentina" in the July JVP. The first article was of especial significance, as I'm trying to begin to puzzle out the morphology of some of the local seabirds, many of which belong to this group (most notably, gulls).

I should clarify something: The second entry that showed up in this LJ yesterday wasn't written by me. It said, right at the top of the post, "Originally posted by yuki_onna at The Year of the Unlimited Free Ebooks Brought to You By Amazon.com." Now, we can't be much clearer than that, can we? It wasn't my idea, but LJ posts can now be "shared," reposted in one's own LJ, and, in this case, I thought Cat was speaking very articulately on a subject that desperately needs addressing. But a number of people seem to think I wrote the post, and I didn't, and that was always plain as day. Pay attention, please.

And no, I will not write a story for your shitty little self-published anthology, and no, not even at the princely sum of 1¢ a word.

I want to write about how I've seen readership of the LJ falling off dramatically, and how I think a lot of that's to blame on the DDOS attacks against LJ (hence, the hackers win). I want to write about how LJ was already in decline before the DDOS attacks, because of Facebook and Twitter, and I want to write about how I believe this is because most people want instant gratification and so gravitate towards those more immediate and transient "social media," because, you know, blogging requires actual words, thoughtfulness, and the effort of reading. I want to write about how I've watched comments decline, and how I used to look at this journal as a means of communicating to my readers – that's why it exists – but how it's becoming something I write for myself, as fewer and fewer of my readers come to it, and even fewer comment. I wanted to ask that people please not comment just to tell me why they rarely comment because they think I'll think that by doing so I'll think they're being either fannish or behaving like stalkers. But I'm tired, and it's going to be a long day.

There are more important things to write about.

Whatever Comes Next,
Aunt Beast

Comments

[pwtucker.livejournal.com]

John Scalzi is of the opinion that Amazon was 'floating' that Amazon Prime loaning idea as a means to test the public's reaction, and given the backlash from author's he doubts it will come to pass. Here's hoping.

And yes. Yuki Onna wrote quite lucidly and convincingly on the subject, so thanks for re-posting.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

John Scalzi is of the opinion that Amazon was 'floating' that Amazon Prime loaning idea as a means to test the public's reaction, and given the backlash from author's he doubts it will come to pass. Here's hoping.

Indeed.

[gallifreyangoth]

I'm actually finding myself returning to LJ after deciding that I am fairly sick of Facebook in general.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

I'm actually finding myself returning to LJ after deciding that I am fairly sick of Facebook in general.

Thank you. If only ten million more would return. And LJ would be sold to a more responsible and capable company.

[spank-an-elf.livejournal.com]

Some leaves are turning yellow, certainly not from lack of rain. Only nine more days until autumn? Wow.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, just last month we were bitching about the heat.

Thanks for re-posting the article about Amazon's evil scheme. Fuck them for trying to cheat writers.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Only nine more days until autumn?

And that brings to me great sadness.

[yuki-onna.livejournal.com]

I feel the passing of LJ too and I hate it. I hate that its very presence was played as a period-joke in The Social Network (har har, look what people used to do!) and that there is no real substitute for the community here, yet the community here is fading. And that I can't blame them, the DDOS attacks may actually have killed this company in the long run.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Agreed, on all counts.

[jdack.livejournal.com]

Still here, still reading.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Thank you. The few, the proud.

[cucumberseed.livejournal.com]

I am "content" (the noun) in my day job, and when they think we are not listening, the people upstairs call us "conts." Thank you so much, Amazon, for attempting to make the same of all of us and pay us nothing for it.

Last night, I was there, making content, when they turned the lights out for the night. I will be here on LJ when they do the same.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

the people upstairs call us "conts."

For fuck's sake. Isn't this harassment?

[r-darkstorm.livejournal.com]

Nothing to say that hasn't been said, except that the mere mention of "The Rake's Song" causes it to play in my head. Subject matter notwithstanding, it's a very catchy song. And it was because of your mentions of The Decemberists that I decided to check them out. Thanks, and I apologize for this having nothing to do with your blog post.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

except that the mere mention of "The Rake's Song" causes it to play in my head.

It is a GREAT song.

[cdennismoore.livejournal.com]

"I especially hate the things when copyeditors try to rewrite my prose; I can only hope that has not happened this time. I'm not in the mood for pyrotechnics."

REWRITE? Beyond reversing an accidental OR when you meant FROM instead of FORM? But actually RE-writing? Wow.

Actually, I think you mentioned something similar after THE RED TREE, and my reaction was the same then, too.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

REWRITE? Beyond reversing an accidental OR when you meant FROM instead of FORM? But actually RE-writing? Wow.

Yes. It's quite common. And then I write STET in the margin. I have write ten thousand STETS.

[sovay]

because, you know, blogging requires actual words, thoughtfulness, and the effort of reading.

I do not know what Facebook is for. It has enabled me to reconnect with some people I'd lost track of, but it's certainly not any good for having actual conversations with them; that has to be e-mail or those archaic telephones. I think all it does is give you more people to not talk to.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

It has enabled me to reconnect with some people I'd lost track of

It's enabled a number of people I never wanted contact with again to contact me.

I think all it does is give you more people to not talk to.

Yes!

[martianmooncrab.livejournal.com]

I dont have a FB account, and really dont care. Its just one more way to harvest personal information.

Not enough people think about what they are typing before they post in most cases, and they really should.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Its just one more way to harvest personal information.

Yep.

[from-ashes.livejournal.com]

I'm also saddened by the decline in LiveJournal users that I'm seeing. Instead of getting details about what's going on in people's lives (some of who I consider close friends), I now get little snippets that tell me absolutely nothing. I've gone on about it at great length in my own LiveJournal. But it's easier to type 140 characters for most people than something a bit longer.

Personally, I have trouble putting details down into 140 characters. My mind refuses to work like that. I think in paragraphs and not abbreviated sentences.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

But it's easier to type 140 characters for most people than something a bit longer.

I suspect these are the same people who can't be bothered with birth control, recycling, etc.

[ardentdelirium.livejournal.com]

I will probably hang on to LJ long after no one else uses it. But I post less and less often, and only negatives, it seems sometimes.

also I use wordpress for my public blog, simply because people are more likely to link to it than to an LJ for some reason

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

I may move to either WordPress or TypePad (why do we not put spaces between words any longer?), but would still mirror here. As long as there is a here,

[xjenavivex.livejournal.com]

Do you ever think the sea misses you, when you don't get to go when called as today?

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Do you ever think the sea misses you, when you don't get to go when called as today?

It's a nice thought. But no. Panthalassa is nonconscious.

[blackestdarkness]

I realized that I haven't visited the sea in nearly 7 months. It's a shame. The beach is about an hour or so from my house and my motivation has been seriously lacking. I should go, my sanity depends on it, but unlike you I hate the summer. I am so looking forward to fall and winter and hopefully many trips to the sea.

I can understand people liking the instant gratification of Facebook and Twitter but I don't understand why they use them as a substitute for LJ instead of in addition to. I've always written on LJ for myself but it's nice to have readers/comments. I used to have a few friends who read and commented regularly but now I'm lucky if I get a comment.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

I can understand people liking the instant gratification of Facebook and Twitter but I don't understand why they use them as a substitute for LJ instead of in addition to.

My theory: Most of them never liked blogging. Too much work. But it was cool. So they did it. Now, they have something better suited to a society afflicted with "AADD," and they're much, much happier.

reading you ...

[lost-typeface.livejournal.com]

i read you
i read your blue blog pages
your stuff is my dinner
(i would maybe starve otherwise)

Re: reading you ...

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[xanadu-dreamer.livejournal.com]

I mostly stopped writing entries here because I got sick of hearing myself, and most of the friends I had on here have disappeared and stopped updating. I miss it, though. I like seeing, in a casual way, what people are up to on Facebook, but I miss the more intimate nature of Livejournal.

You're lucky you're as close to the ocean as you are, even if you can't get there enough. (Although I guess maybe that makes it more of a tease and more frustrating.) I'm in Wisconsin and have been enjoying living vicariously through your photos and descriptions. The last time I saw the ocean was probably six years ago, and I've only been to it a handful of times before that. Being on the coast of Oregon is more like being home than being home.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

I mostly stopped writing entries here because I got sick of hearing myself,

Mostly, I continue for the same reason I kept a pen-and-paper journal for so long. I hate losing memories.

[fornikate.livejournal.com]

i will never leave LJ, even if no one reads it. i'm too stubborn.

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

This is a healthy attitude.

[ashlyme.livejournal.com]

Gulls now seem to me more reminiscent of prehistory than a any other bird; not sure why I think this. (Try an early Ballard, "Storm-Bird, Storm-Dreamer".)

Hopefully not sounding sycophantic, you're mostly the reason I got an LJ account - I rarely post myself, but I'll read and comment until you close the journal (gods forbid).

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Gulls now seem to me more reminiscent of prehistory than a any other bird; not sure why I think this.

However, they appear fairly recently in the fossil record.

Hopefully not sounding sycophantic

No, you're not. But I love sycophants....

[albionidaho.livejournal.com]

I don't comment because I don't have a lot to add, nor do I write on my own LJ much anymore (dealing with life stuff that's not appropriate to write about publicly for the past years), but I come to your LJ, daily, thrilled you're still here.

Incidentally, mostly because someday I would like to put together an anthology of Native American speculative fiction, what is a good rate to offer an established writer for a story? (And yes, 1¢ a word is a pretty ridiculous offer for someone like yourself.)

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

Incidentally, mostly because someday I would like to put together an anthology of Native American speculative fiction, what is a good rate to offer an established writer for a story? (And yes, 1¢ a word is a pretty ridiculous offer for someone like yourself.)

For an obscenely long time, the "pro" rate has been three cents a word. It may have gone up a penny or two. I no longer write anything for less than five to eight cents, and I've lost track.

Won't Leave LJ

[whiskeychick.livejournal.com]

I don't want to leave either. The DDOS attacks are a pain, but they work hard to secure against them. I have paid accounts, but am asking for "gifts" for the accounts this year after diving into the life that does pay me about one cent a word. I'm not able to say no, just yet.

I don't always comment. I always read; but, feel sometimes that I don't have anything of real value for _you_, especially given that your time is very precious and should be spent at the sea or writing.

I think a general malaise has struck as we transition from glorious Summer to Autumn; I'm noticing my energy for tolerating the little shit is worn, as is the tolerance level of most of my circle. Hopefully we'll get a a last blast of summer to ease our ennui and lift our spirits.

Re: Won't Leave LJ

[greygirlbeast.livejournal.com]

your time is very precious and should be spent at the sea or writing.

If only the whole world felt this way.

I think a general malaise has struck as we transition from glorious Summer to Autumn; I'm noticing my energy for tolerating the little shit is worn, as is the tolerance level of most of my circle.

I can only speak for myself, but recently I instituted a "no more bullshit from anyone" policy, thanks to one of my more effective meds and the clarity of mind it has given me.

[eluneth.livejournal.com]

a marvelous package
I like hearing about the packages you receive, for some reason - vicarious mail-enjoyment, I guess! Plus I've gotten some really cool reading recommendations out of them.

I'm sorry you couldn't get to the sea today.

[kirby-crow.livejournal.com]

I've got a blog, a domain, a FB, Twitter, all of it, everything, and I still love Livejournal the most. FB gets ignored utterly, except for gnashing my teeth whenever someone asks me to send them a Heart or feed their dinosaur or play Farmtwunts or whatever they do there. NO, I won't feed your dino, and if I do, it will be laced with strychnine.

Apologies to anyone who reads this whose FB pet I've fed. I love you. Really.

Twitter gets maybe single tweet a year from me, because it's fucking Twitter and for Zog's sake who wants to know that I'm eating a panini for lunch? WHO? WHY? Should I be frightened? There's just no minutia of my daily life that's worth tweeting about. Trust me on this.

LJ is my primary means of internet communication, because everything else is either too shotty, too little, too frenzied, too much work, boring, or run by evil Moneylords only interested in how they can harvest and market my consumer information. I just can't get used to posting at Dreamwidth. I tried. I'm staying here until they close the tequila bar and throw me out.

I'm far away from the coast, so I cruise for live beachcams and watch the best ones. It's not a substitute, but it makes me wistful to hear the waves "live". All this from someone who has been known to sit on the beach from dawn to midnight, but will not go into the water past her knees.

[kore-on-lj.livejournal.com]

NO, I won't feed your dino, and if I do, it will be laced with strychnine.

....I like you!

Those horrible little pastel "dinosaurs" with wings that look like mutant My Little Ponies give me the pip.

[kirby-crow.livejournal.com]

Oh, by the way, I love this blog. Yours is the first post I run to in the morning. Never stop writing. Never never stop writing it.

[chris-walsh.livejournal.com]

Maybe we're freaks or at least unusual because we chronicle life through blogging, but I'm glad I chronicle, and I'm glad you do, too. I've done it in letter-writing in the 1980s (it helped that it was best to write letters to Dad when he served on aircraft carriers; in one six-month cruise I wrote him 40 letters and postcards, and he'd read them to his crewmates in the Air Ops office), in diaries (or "logs" as I called them to be different) since 1990, in emails that I'd write to a few dozen people and call "blast emails," and, since 2004, this. I sometimes post more, I sometimes post less, but I don't feel like stopping. I appreciate that you keep going, too. If blogging survives, even as a niche thing, I'll be reasonably happy.

This is making me want to finally start printing some of my journal, because there's still the problem of how easy it is to lose what's only digitally saved, but damn it, this is important enough to me that I should save what's good about it.

I don't need to say "Still here, still reading," because you know. But it feels good to reiterate.

Honest Question

[lilith-333.livejournal.com]

In your opinion, what is the most "ethical" way to buy books that supports the authors and the print-publishing field? I read the guest post and am worried about this new Amazon scheme. I am NOT ever switching to ebooks (about which I've sounded off at boring length) but I will admit that I DO purchase books from Amazon because I can find many books there that I do not find in local bookstores, even in NYC. I love used bookstores like the Strand and East Village Books, but I know that when I buy a used book the profit doesn't benefit the author. I occasionally even find myself patronizing the evil that is Barnes and Noble because sometimes for my teaching or personal writing I need a text immediately and/or at odd hours.

I try to consume ethically when I can and I want to make sure authors get their fair due when I buy their books; what do you suggest?