Friday Finds

This video kind of made my morning.

- Brain Pickings brought the good stuff this week with E.B. White's thoughts on the future of reading in 1951,  Dani Shapiro's tips on the pleasure and perils of a creative life and the collected advice on writing from great writers.

- These new covers for the Discworld novels are pretty awesome.

- These pictures of photographer Gjon Mili's cat, Blackie, are basically the best.

- 21 everyday things you might not know were invented by women.

- And to take you out for the weekend, why not try one of these controversial teen dance crazes that pissed parents off throughout the ages?

Friday Finds

I've been listening to so much Lesley Gore of late. She's such an awesome singer and a powerhouse and basically my favourite. People should listen to her immediately.

- Press releases from self-published authors. Kind of works as both a what-not-to-do and, well, a bringer of second-hand embarrassment. Have six easy tips for self-editing in response!

- 17 of the most screwed up relationships in fiction! These are great.

- Vanessa Murray wrote an excellent piece over for The Vine on the Problem with Porn.

- These pics of a young Hugh Hefner are all sorts of fascinating.

Friday Finds

Some Mumford and Sons, The Vaccines, Vampire Weekend, The Staves and First Aid Kit covering The Beatles for your Friday.

- Connor Thomas O'Brien has written a really excellent post on paying writers and new online platforms. Definitely one to check out if you're actively contributing to any online blogs or journals.

- Literary agent, Ginger Clark has a new column over on The Toast! And it is super awesome.

- The London Evening Standard has a rather lovely interview with Zadie Smith up over on their website.

- The Atlantic has a great one too from Stephen King talking about opening sentences.

- Five rules for writing crime.

- These wordart book covers of classic novels are slaying me right now. So good.

- This Wall Street Journal article on Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, the nature of kawaii culture in J-Pop and how Kyary is turning it on its head is kind of awesome.

- This ad for HelloFlo is my new favourite thing also. Well, maybe second to this hammerhead shark ring.