More Smart Things + Follow Up

First a couple of follow up posts on Agent Kristin's query post. The first, wherein the author give her take on the exact same query. The http://pubrants.blogspot.com/2009/01/editor-letter-for-proof-by-seduction.html, wherein Agent Kristin shows you what she does after taking on the book in terms of her own letter to the editors. Together these make for a great dissection of the whole query process.

Jay Lake saying smart things about the issue of cultural appropriation and speculative fiction--much of interest in the comments as well.

J. Steven York on vanity publishing and how even when it's a success it's generally a lot more work than the traditional route for a lot less reward. A blog in three part 1, 2, 3.