Media headlines are like cow pies in a country field.  Their purpose is to create a stink that attracts attention.  Truth is often a causality.   I’ve felt the sting of phony headlines as an elected official.  When I refused to relocate my office to the 14th floor of a new high

Like everyone else, I worry about identify theft.  The stories I’ve read of what people have to go through to reclaim their personal information are harrowing.  Losing your identify  can happen to anyone.  Certainly, the recent stories about hackers stealing thousands of persona

A Facebook friend requested that l like her Facebook fan page, the site where she promotes her books.  She said she’d nearly reached 7,000 and hoped a few of us would put her over the top.  My eyes popped when I saw the number.  I have a fan page on Facebook.  My likes stand at

I’ve just finished an article in Harper’s about life coaches. Though largely unschooled and uncredentialed, these people make a living as cheerleaders for those who can afford to pay.  Their role is to tell strangers how to live their lives.  Nice work if you can get it. (“50,

I’ve just finished an article in Harper’s about people who serve as life coaches. Though largely unschooled and uncredentialed, these folks make a living advising others on how to conduct their lives.  “Why didn’t I think of that?” I asked myself as I put the magazine aside

Want your son or daughter to be admitted to the university of his or her dreams? You can if your child lives abroad and you are willing to spend between $15,000 – $30,000. For that sum, a consultant will pad an admission packet with a false history and false recommendations. Acc

I mentioned earlier that Susan Stoner, author of the Sage Adair mystery series, and I are preparing for our YouTube book program, “Just Read it.” Our first 5 airings begin with a review of top paperback sellers listed in the New York Times. Recently, she and I met to compare notes

I received an email this morning which looked like a reply from an literary agent. Surprised to hear from her after so long an interval, I opened the message with my heart aflutter.  “Hello,” the greeting began. That no name was appended to the salutation was a clue this was a pi

To be a writer is to court two things: a) rejection and b) people who want to sell you promotion services. As sure as dead bodies attract blow flies, both encounters are inescapable.  Believe me, no one knows a sure way to shatter the glass barrier between wannabe authors and top sel

I have seen the future and it’s scary. Not only is NSA monitoring us but so are electronic gadgets. If we let them, they’ll control our lives, telling us it’s time for our valium, nagging us to exercise more or alerting us to some advertising special we might have missed. (“El