I’ve been pondering a few uncomfortable questions since watching President Obama’s third State of the Union speech last night on KLRU. I must admit that it was a stunningly crafted speech, thoroughly moving and exquisitely written. That said, there was one point that struck me in an off-key way. This was the topic of job [...]

After a little over two years, the genius horror review site Fear Zone has shut its virtual doors, another victim of these harsh economic times. I, for one, am very depressed at this news. Not only was Fear Zone one of the top rated horror sites with insightful, cleverly written interviews, reviews and other industry [...]

I am writing an article for Examiner.com on how the current economic recession has affected artists and the local Austin art scene in particular. I’d like to ask you, the artist or gallery owner, the following questions: • How has the recession affected you and your work? • How have you seen it impact the [...]

Recently when I went to the Gateway 16 movie theater here in Austin I was aghast at how expensive the concessions have gotten these days! I must admit, I rarely go to mainstream movie theaters anymore now that we have the fabulous Alamo Drafthouses here which allow you to order dinner and drinks while you [...]

The Starving Author Diet by Gabrielle S. Faust Being an working author is not a glamorous job. Anyone who tells you differently is lying through their teeth. Long hours by yourself behind a computer laboring away on articles, short stories, essays and novels, half of which will not see the light of day while the [...]

The Sky is Falling by Janet Reid, Literary Agent It’s been an interesting year and the onslaught of layoff news yesterday, that caused more than one normally balanced writer to use the phrase “Black Wednesday,” was the icing on the cake. Remember when Borders decided to turn more books face out on the shelves last [...]

Economic turmoil has New Orleans worried CNN.com | September 24, 2008 NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AP) — Bill Vogel predicted the third year after Hurricane Katrina would be the toughest for his French Quarter gallery. He just didn’t think it would be this bad — tough enough for him to consider getting out. Bill Vogel poses [...]