Ack! Amazon Has Changed Its Layout!I looked up a couple of books, and the display was changed from the usual. The cover was on the right, and the "Add to Cart" stuff and related items were on the left. Other things probably moved around as well.
Ewwww. I'm so used to having it the other way. At first I was hoping it's just a glitch, but I learned other people were seeing it, too. So it looks as if it's here to stay. Ewww.
I did send a feedback comment from the form at the bottom of their page. Maybe if enough people complain... Otherwise, ewww..
"Danuta Kean on the real, shameful reasons we're so snooty about romantic fiction"Here's another
Guardian article, again discovered because of Book Trade News Digest.
I love this opening:
"When I announce the Romantic Novel of the Year today, bets will be on to see how long it takes for the winner to declare, "I am not a romantic novelist", while keeping a tight hold on the £10,000 cheque."
Also, one of the authors points out a theory many readers and writers (including some associated with All About Romance) have brought up before: that romantic fiction often comes under fire because of sexism. The fact that it's popular also riles some people up.
I don't know about blaming Barbara Cartland for the way people think about romantic fiction. People would still be prejudiced about it anyway. And of course, the article gets its digs into Mills and Boons with "Crime writing is judged by the best of the lot, romantic novelists smeared with the same cheap rouge as Mills & Boon." Hah, let's see one of these know-it-alls write one. Or for that matter, actually read one. ;-)
They do manage to mention Nora Roberts in a good way, though!
