It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. I encourage everyone to visit at least a dozen new blogs and leave a comment. Your words might be the encouragement someone needs.
The awesome co-hosts for the August 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Natalie Aguirre, Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, and Olga Godim!
August 6 question - What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
Right now, I would say it was all of the people on X and other social media who follow you, send you what seems to be a friendly message, and after a few exchanges they are pushing you to let them market your book or do other work for you. Anne R. Allen talks about getting a lot of marketing emails, so I guess this is just a new way for them to get to you.
Movie Reviews
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Must say, I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish. It’s a very fun film.
I really dug the 60’s vibe of Earth 828. The retro was stylish and complete but with futuristic elements woven in.
There is great chemistry between the four leads. They come off as real people and a genuine team.
Galactus and the Silver Surfer are great villains, with the later having a full character arc.
Great special effects, good story, and unlike the next film, it all made sense.
Highly recommended!
Superman
I wanted to love it. But sadly, I was disappointed. Watching Superman get his ass kicked for two hours is not my idea of fun.
Lex Luther was way too powerful. He could make his own superhero, pocket dimensions… His whole thing was jealousy and he wanted Superman dead, and yet when he had Superman in his grasp, he did not kill him.
Like most of the movie, it didn’t make sense.
Not all was lost. Mr. Terrific and Krypto were the best parts of the film.
Sorry, can’t recommend it.
New Releases!
If The Quest for Orichalcum was a movie, how would it be compared?
Well, it’s in the scifi realm, but more Star Trek than Star Wars. At this stage of this galaxy, wars are trifling things. And Pete and Lars wouldn’t be anywhere near them, because they meet at college, and are more interested in launching their careers than in fighting for powers they don’t believe in. Their adventures with planet surveys, space walking, girls, and bullies fit well into a Star Trek universe, but Pete has a secret destiny, and there’s a lot of lovely scenery, so maybe I can claim affinity with Lord of the Rings? There’s a touch of Casablanca about it, too, largely because the origin of my series started with a flash fiction mash-up of Casablanca and Star Wars… and all before they hit it rich… mining orichalcum.
- Jemima
Out August 12!
The Quest for Orichalcum by Jemima Pett
The Quest for Orichalcum tells how it all started – the revolution that transformed the galactic economy, let alone space travel.
Find it on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo
Available now!
Past and Present by Rosemary Johnson
We need to know about the past in order to make sense of the present.
Find it on Amazon
August Movie Preview
Here are the theatrical releases for August. Descriptions courtesy of the IMDB. Snark provided by me.
1 –
The Naked Gun
Director: Akiva Schaffer
Stars: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser
Only one man has the particular set of skills - to lead Police Squad and save the world.
I wonder if this one also has a nice beaver?
8 –
Weapons
Director: Zach Cregger
Stars: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin, Alden Ehrenreich
When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.
The real weapons are the Legos those kids left all over their bedroom floor…
15 –
Red Sonja
Director: MJ Bassett
Stars: Matilda Lutz, Martyn Ford, Rhona Mitra
An adaptation of the comic book, Red Sonja, a vengeful warrior known as a "She-Devil with a sword.”
She-devil with a sword, puppy with nunchucks, dik-dik with brass knuckles…
22 –
Primitive War
Director: Luke Sparke
Star: Tricia Helfer, Ana Thu Nguyen, Jeremy Piven
Vietnam. 1968. A recon unit known as Vulture Squad is sent to an isolated jungle valley to uncover the fate of a missing Green Beret platoon. They soon discover they are not alone.
Predator meets Jurassic Park meets the Vietnam War meets super low budget…you can see where this is headed.
29 –
The Toxic Avenger
Director: Macon Blair
Stars: Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige
A horrible toxic accident transforms downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze into a new evolution of hero: The Toxic Avenger.
Remake of an awful 1984 cult classic – is this what Dinklage gets for insisting Snow White not use real little people?
What do you think is an unethical practice? Seen either superhero movie? Picking up either book? Seeing any of the movies coming out in August?
I’ll be posting at the IWSG site on August 18. Otherwise, see you September 3 for the next IWSG post!
I’ll be posting at the IWSG site on August 18. Otherwise, see you September 3 for the next IWSG post!
44 comments:
I haven't seen any of those movies yet! I keep spoilering myself with reviews though because they're fun to read -- the reviews on Scalzi's blog were interesting!
I do want to see the new naked Gun, though, ha ha!
Too bad about Superman! It seems pretty far outside the story canon for him to be losing for that much of the film.
I've not seen the Superman film, sometimes the films are just too over the top! Looking forward the the Fantastic 4!
Good to hear Fantastic Four is fun. I'm really struggling to care enough to see any new superhero films. I'm just superheroed out. I'll probably watch on streaming at some point. Congratulations to Jemima and Rosemary! All the people who try to take advantage of writers are awful, and there are just so many.
I haven't seen any of the movies yet but would like to watch Superman and The Naked Gun.
I agree that they X reach outs are bizarre. I don't know if I would call it the worst but I'm very cynical right now.
Too many scammers everywhere. Feel a bit sad about Superman, family are avid fans.
Elizabeth, not sure what Gunn was aiming for with this Superman.
Kalpana, it's just driving me nuts. I'm getting messages every day!
Yes, there are sadly people who contact us to market their books. There are so many scams to watch for. It's good to know you enjoyed The Fantastic Four.
Interesting. I had to sit on Superman for a minute. Ultimately, I decided I liked it -- the humor was quirky, the main theme (kindness/being who you are despite what the world tells you you are), they felt solid & won me over in the end. I didn't spend too much time mulling over the plot in favor of those considerations.
It appears we have the same problem with X. Very disconcerting. Alex, have a great August!
When I watched the Superman trailers, I was turned off. Not the Superman I admired as a kid. Apparently, the movie confirmed my first impression.
I saw Superman as well. I'm not a big fan of superhero movies, but I loved the Christopher Reeves editions, and it got high ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. I was also a bit meh on the movie. I liked the lead actors, though. LOL on the beaver for Naked Gun.
I'm getting many spam emails. I don't get notifications for X messages--maybe a good thing!
That whole DM thing is rife on social filled. It's kind of creepy.
I've got a note of the Weapons movie. Still haven't seen 28 Years Later, because I'm debating whether to watch it more as a standalone or if it would be better to re-watch the other two first...hmm....
I wonder if all those X "friends" are bots. I agree, unethical.
I'm looking forward to watching Fantastic Four with my kids. It looks fun!
Not seen any movies in theaters for a while. *sigh* And Vanity Presses I think are horrible.
Weapons looks interesting and I can't believe they remade Toxic Avenger.
Happy IWSG Day. Thanks for the prayers last month and thanks for another great hop this month. I like your recommendations and have heard mixed things about Superman. I will wait to watch it on streaming. As usual, I love your snark, especially your thoughts on Toxic Avenger.
I was on the fence about Superman. I'd heard some bad, and then good, and now yours tips it to the nogo side.
I think I'll go watch the original movies with Christopher Reeves... If it ain't broke, don't fix it :-)
Ronel visiting for IWSG day Unethical Publishing Industry Practices 2025
I'm disappointed that Superman didn't make your grade. I'm always intrigued by a new Superman flic.
Way to go Jemima and Rosemary! Congratulations on those new books!
I enjoyed Fantastic Four, and I mostly liked Superman despite the flaws - I got the sense that Lex enjoyed torturing Superman and that's why he didn't kill him despite saying he wanted to.
Happy Wednesday and welcome back! I have been seeing a lot of promo for Naked Gun but, most are talking about the stars new relationship instead of the movie. I think I could use a bit of humor.
I have to admit I enjoyed the older version of Superman. I am not sure I want to see him as weak.
Have a great week!
So many remakes. So sick of remakes. As a member of the toxic avenger cult, can't we just leave our awful gems as they were and move on to new things?
And yes, all the scammy spammy unsolicited marketing messages are so annoying! Does that technique actually get them enough business to make the effort worthwhile? I wouldn't think so, but they keep at it, so it must.
I hate to hear Superman was a disappointment. Come on, it's difficult to make a re-make of such a popular original movie. But, I get it when most of the movie is beating up Superman. Duh....Congrats to Jemima and Rosemary!
I’m with everyone on why make remakes especially of the wonderful Christopher Reeve. Did you hear of ANOTHER remake of Thomas Crown… with someone I hate so much I’ve blanked his name?!
Thanks for featuring Quest for Orichalcum today.
Jemima @ jemimapett.com
I hate all the marketing spam! You get one exciting moment of thinking someone really liked your stuff, then the let-down as you realize it's junk.
Nothing worse than the over-hype of a mediocre movie. That's why I wait for reviews I can trust. And why I always read yours!
Glad Fantastic 4 was good! Sorry to hear about Superman. I was looking forward to seeing it because it was filmed in my hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Yeah, I've been getting a ridiculous number of people wanting to promote my books. I was wondering where they were coming from.
What a cool question you asked Jemima, Alex, and what an equally cool answer! I haven't seen a movie in a theatre for a long time. I keep threatening to go by myself, but I've been too busy. 😂 And we've been without a tv for over a month. 😵💫 That's changing very soon. Have a great day, and thanks for all you do!
That's interesting about people contacting you about promoting your books. It's unfortunate that there are so many scammers in publishing. You have to be careful. Thanks for the reviews. I was sort of interested in Superman, but your review along with a few others made me change my mind. I'm glad Fantastic 4 was good! I love a good retro take.
I get far too many emails wanting to help me in many ways as a writer--from increasing my online ranking to promoting my books. It's irritating.
thanks for all the movie news - wasn’t expecting Fan4 to be very good, but I trust you!
I never open fishing emails of strangers, they scare me!
and it’s hard to tell if followers on social media are bots (especially judging by suspicious comments on the blog!)
happy august!
Tara Tyler Talks
People on Twitter can be very pushy. Superman looks good.
Heck, yes! I've been getting more of those in DMs and my author email. Delete, delete, delete + block.
Happy August! Pedro Pascal can do no wrong right now, so I'm glad Fantastic Four continues his success story. Too many Superman movies in this world - Christopher Reeve was THE one.
As always, your snark is hilarious. Stay chill.
What happened to movies? Or rather, what happened to me? I'm sure I'll see Superman eventually, but I'm not burning to see it. Ah well. It'll be streaming eventually.
Cathrina, you as well???
Jennifer, glad that gave you a chuckle.
Madeline, I think you could get by with what you remember.
Toi, I'm here to amuse.
Jacqui, wait until you can see it for free.
Ronel, I watched the second one with Reeves recently and it did not hold up as well as I'd hoped.
Trudessa, it was hard to watch. Like the second Wolverine movie set in Japan. He's supposed to be bad-ass!
Jean, good to know I am not the only one.
Jemima, you are welcome and the second one was brilliant, why mess with it?
Rebecca, yes!
Nancy, thank you.
Sherry, seems there are quite a few of us in that boat.
Fundy, no TV for a month would make me nuts.
Lee, yes!
Melissa, need to delete!
Another social media one is people creating profiles in famous authors names then dm’ing to ask authors to send their manuscript to beta. I’ve had two of these fake accounts try it with me.
I haven't used "X" in years. And I refuse to call it that.
Hubby and I saw the Naked Gun on Friday. You'll have to keep your eye out for the beaver.
A big thanks to you and our co-hosts. Sorry to hear that Superman disappointed.
We tend to not go to movies - or stream them at home - during the summer because we want to enjoy the longer days of sunshine while we have them. Besides, books are better! I'm currently binge-reading Jonathan Kellerman.
I'm SOOOO sick of those follow/DM/chitchat/pitch patterns. I've started to unfollow and block people who go to DM when we haven't connected through posts yet.
And I also really enjoyed Fantastic 4! @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
I hope you are having a nice summer. I have no idea, since I haven’t written anything, what is horrible except that chick who made tons of money writing that dreck called 50 Shades of Sheisse. I have talked to people who like Superman even though it doesn’t seem that interesting to me. Neither does the Fantastic 4 even though I like to 2 acting leads. I want to see Police Squad which looks funny. I wonder if Pamela Anderson got her beaver stuffed?
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