PEN World Voices Festival 2012: New Technology & Conventional Literature Strike a Balance

I had the total lit-nerdy thrill to attend some exciting events during the 8th annual PEN World Voices Festival of International Literature. PEN American Center is the American chapter of International PEN, which is a literary and human rights organization that fights for the freedom of expression of writers all over the world. This year, PEN American Center's festival celebrated the ways in which literary expression expands across multiple artistic and technological mediums. The festival took place in various New York venues, from April 30th through May 6th, and included such authors as Martin Amis, Margaret Atwood, Jennifer Egan, Tony Kushner, Marjane Satrapi, Brian Selznick, and Salman Rushdie (who served as the Festival Chair).

From Margaret Atwood arguing for the internet as a useful literary tool, to Jennifer Egan discussing how Power Point worked conceptually and structurally in her novel, the festival events I attended proved that literature is evolving with (and not being destroyed by) new technology. The festival also showcased writers like Marjane Satrapi and Brian Selznick who are breaking literary conventions with their genre-challenging and medium-crossing narratives.

Highlights from my experience at the festival, after the jump.
See full post

I love Marjane Satrapi

I know it's the first day of October but I'm already looking forward to November when The Sigh, Marjane Satrapi's new graphic novel, will be released by Archaia Entertainment.



But actually, even before November, you can catch the book's debut in a couple of weeks at New York Comic Con! I absolutely adore Satrapi's ridiculously awesome and super popular Persepolis I and II. I can't properly express my eagerness to get my hands on her new book. If it's half as beautifully written and illustrated as Persepolis, I will feel as though my expectations have been met.

Check back here at ATFG in November for a review of The Sigh! See full post

When Soaps Meet Geek?

Was doing my late night soap tweet thang last night (don't act like you don't LIKE IT) when a new ad popped up for John McBain, Llanview's resident hard boiled detective. Llanview is the fake town in One Life To Live, btw. In case you were wondering. which you probably weren't.

Anyway, the ad has a very Sin City vibe to it, and even though it's totally ridiculous (okay, pretty damn ridiculous), it's also kind of neat and, in my mind, worth posting. When soaps start imitating comic book noir, I'm totally on board.

In researching the internets to find this clip, I also discovered that Michael Easton, the dude who plays John McBain (and also played vampire-in-love-with-a-human Caleb on Port Charles like SEVEN years ago, Twilight) is a fantasy novel AND graphic novel writer. Baaazuhhh???

Check it out - his Fantasy Novel series, Soul Stealer and his upcoming Graphic Novel, The Green Woman.

How totally random. See full post

First Annual Fangirl Awards - Major Awards

And now for the major awards - Best Graphic Novel, Comic Series, Video Game, TV Shows & Movies, plus all the acting & writing awards. If you like a little suspense with your award winners, watch the videos below! Note: We only have 7 categories to offer you in "suspense" form this year.

After the videos and the jump, you'll find all the winners typed out, once again, following Nathaniel R's method of highlighting first place in gold, 2nd in silver and in some cases, 3rd place in bronze. Thanks to the fangirls who participated in voting and in presenting! I hope next year we have an even bigger academy and even more fangirls presenting :). Sign up to be a voting member for next year's awards, by clicking here.

Editors note: Looks like for some reason you have to click on the post to view the videos anyway. Ohhhh blogspot.

Best Comic Series

Best Video Game

(in which an out of place voiceover is utilized!)

Best TV Comedy

Best TV Drama

Best Supporting Actress

Best Actor

Best Picture

The rest of the major awards after the jump!

See full post

After Watchmen...What's Next? [ATTN Comic Noobs!]

When I bought all my new comics yesterday at Golden Apple, inside the bag I found this handy dandy "After Watchmen, What's Next?" booklet. Inside is a list of "Award-winning titles for new fans just discovering graphic novels and established readers looking to try something new" and holy effer, is this list right on. Granted, it's only DC, including Vertigo, so Marvel fans look elsewhere, but wow.

The ones on the list that I've read and agree you all should read right now:
Batman: The Killing Joke
Fables Vol 1: Legends in Exile
League of Extraordinary Gentleman Vol 1
Preacher Vol 1: Gone to Texas
Y: The Last Man Vol 1: Unmanned

The ones on the list that I own and are currently waiting for me to read them:
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
Ex Machina Vol 1: The First Hundred Days
Kingdom Come
V For Vendetta

The ones on the list that I've heard of and want to read, but don't own:
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Joker
Transmetropolitan
Planetary Book 1: All Over the World & Other Stories
Saga of the Swamp Thing
Sandman Vol 1: Preludes & Nocturnes
Superman: Red Son

The ones on the list that I haven't heard, but hell, I'll read!
All-Star Superman Vol 1
Identity Crisis
Ronin
We3

Pretty cool, no? Last week, one of the fine folks from Film School Rejects wondered what graphic novel would take the place of Watchmen as the greatest of all time should Watchmen lose the title due to overexposure/the movie. I personally don't think anything should/will take Watchmen's title, but this list is a great place to start. Also on my list for you to read is Powers and for me to read is Walking Dead, Invisibles, The Long Halloween, 100 Bullets...the list goes on

There is also a website that divides everything up into 5 categories:
-Books that redefine modern superheroes
-More books by Alan Moore
-Books that push the boundaries of Science Fiction
-Best-selling books from best-selling authors
-Books for mature readers

Thanks for doing this, DC! I actually think it's really cool. Enter new wave of comic book fans! I hope! See full post