• Last reminder (I’m on the road…er…in the air today): Win Rebecca Walker’s new book about modern families: http://is.gd/hoNd #
• Reminder about the contest to win Rebecca Walker’s new book about modern families: http://is.gd/hoNd #
• RT @tayari John Updike has died #
• RT: Giveaway of @rebeccawalker’s new book about modern families: http://writeblack.com/?p=461 (I’ll keep posting this for next several days) #
• @mikecane No problem. Thanks for RT! #
• @carleenbrice Congratulations! #
• Folks, pls spread word abt giveaway of @rebeccawalker’s new book: http://is.gd/hoNd Winner will have it before it’s in stores! Thanks! #
• @mikecane Thanks. I await further news… #
• Interesting. Amazon to drop Microsoft and Adobe e-book formats http://is.gd/hiCB #
• @skinnyblackgirl Say no to Omar Tyree. Black chick lit? Connie Briscoe, Donna Hill, Trisha Thomas, Kimberla Lawson Roby, Gwynne Forster. #
• @LitPark Of course my experience was 20 years ago, but I don’t imagine these kinds of programs have changed too much. #
• @LitPark Let’s see: Latin, chemistry, Greek, philosophy, physics, writing. Yes to dorm (fun!). Was…challenging fun. Totally worth it. #
• @LitPark Loved it. Went to Duke program for 3 summers. Made friends, loved exploring academic pursuits beyond what I got in school. #
• @LitPark I remember when I had to do same at that age for program at Duke. I was intimidated, but wouldn’t let anyone (even mom!) know. #

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• An interview with young-adult fantasy author Nnedi Okorafor
• The UK’s Guardian has listed 1,000 novels everyone must read
• The Washington Post confirms longstanding rumors: It’s cancelling its standalone book-review section, “Book World”
• The one book seller with good news in this economy is Amazon

The second version of the Kindle will reportedly make its debut Feb. 9, with some technical improvements, but little to make it sexier.

More at TeleRead.

Thanks to Riverhead Books/Penguin Group, which sent me an extra copy, here’s your chance to win One Big Happy Family: 18 Writers Talk About Polyamory, Open Adoption, Mixed Marriage, Househusbandry, Single Motherhood, and Other Realities of Truly Modern Love (whew!), edited by Rebecca Walker.

(You can read my review of it for a sneak peek at what you’ll find in its pages)

Comment below about what you think makes a truly modern family — and tell as many people as you can to do the same. I’ll use randomizer to choose a winner Friday night and will mail the book to the winner.

EDIT: Winner chosen. Congrats, NINA. You’ll get an e-mail from me soon.

The Breakthrough: Gwen Ifill – The best bloopers are here

A few black authors are among the list of nominees for the prestigious National Book Critics Circle awards.

Check it:

• The Hemingses of Monticello, Annette Gordon-Reed
• The House on Sugar Beach, Helene Cooper
• Ida, A Sword Among Lions, Paula J. Giddings
• Orpheus in the Bronx, Reginald Shepherd

Winners will be announced March 12.

• From the “Who knew?” files: Author Samuel Delany (arguably the dean of black sciffy writers) wrote a book about writing: http://is.gd/h0xU #
• We talked about E. Alexander’s inaugural poem at WriteBlack (http://is.gd/gJz3), now see discussion at T-N Coates’ spot: http://is.gd/gZYZ #
• Excited about a giveaway I’m doing next week. Info will probably go up on the blog Monday. #
• @mikecane @ashleygscott Thanks. Trying to stay mostly med-free (and awake!) during the day, will have ginger tea when I get home. #
• I am sick, but at work today. Cannot wait to go home and curl up in bed with a book and a cup of tea. #
• Never apologize for reading romance: http://is.gd/gXej #
• November e-book sales up 108 percent? With the sweet spot of price and format, I expect many more months like that: http://is.gd/gX6P #
• I’ve re-read Alexander’s inaugural poem a couple of times now, and I’m really appreciating it a lot more. #
• @mikecane No problem! It’s about the message, not me! in reply to mikecane #
• RT @HarlemWriter Seeking MALE Horror/Sci-Fi/Spec Fiction Writers for NYC-based workshop. Spread the word: http://snipr.com/ajg7u #
• @claudia_m I thought she did really well, too. Too many people get discombobulated on Colbert, so I’m glad she didn’t. in reply to claudia_m #
• Watching Elizabeth Alexander on Colbert. #
• Back from D.C. Tired, possibly sick, but exhilarated. In meantime, share thoughts on Elizabeth Alexander’s inaugural poem. http://is.gd/gJz3 #
• Ten OTHER things MLK said (from @jsmooth995): http://is.gd/gsQ2 #
• I may have picked up a book editing project, for a young-adult book. Pretty cool. #
• Headed to Washington tomorrow for the inauguration. Since I’ve yet to buy an e-reader, need to decide what I’ll read on the plane… #

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Sister2Sister magazine and Genesis Press are sponsoring a writing contest for aspiring romance authors.

Some details:

Aspiring, unpublished romance writers have the opportunity to participate in this national talent search and jump-start their publishing career. The contest runs through April 30, with one winner announced on May 31, 2009. The winner will receive a $1,500 cash prize, a full book contract with Genesis Press and appear in the August issue of Sister2Sister with CEO/publisher, Jamie Foster Brown.

Genesis Press is a black-owned publisher, with imprints including Indigo and Love Spectrum. Sister2Sister has more than 800,000 readers monthly.

• Stand up if, like me, you’ve got a “weird” African name, you integrated the doll collection at your school and/or you educated people on race matters even when you or they didn’t feel like it. Artist and author damali ayo says we get some of the credit for Obama’s victory
• The Day that Black History Met American History
• Elizabeth Alexander’s poem is the top-selling book of poetry on Amazon — and it’s not even out yet
• Author Tayari Jones hit the Congressional Black Caucus ball during inauguration week
• Author Terry McMillan also popped up, at the BET Inaugural Gala
• Did I mention that memoirist Barack Obama is now president of the United States, and that I was present for his inauguration? I’m sorry. It must’ve slipped my mind :)