"Esther M. Friesner - Chicks 05 - Turn The Other Chick" - читать интересную книгу автора (Friesner Esther M)

they limited these desires to women's roles in books, movies, and TV. It's a sad truth that many of our
fellow human beings can't feel tall unless they're standing on someone else's face. For some folks a mad
dash back into the Dark Ages ("When Underlings Knew Their Proper Place!") looks like progress
simply because it's motion at high speed.

Are we going to see more strong heroines appear on the big and little screens, or are we going to get a
pat on the head and the jovial reassurance that everything will be taken care of for us, go have a manicure
and let the nice media moguls handle it?

Um, how many female media moguls are there, by the way? And how many of them think of the rest of
us as more than just a Marketing Demographic?

It's tiring, swinging a sword all day, and it's hell on that darling manicure, but it beats having to fight the
same battles all over again because you assumed someone else would guard your freedom for you. If you
haven't got a sword handy, you can always wield your wallet.

You can also choose not to worry your pretty little head about it. (Note: This is still your choice, not a
constraint. For now.)

And while we're talking about choices, here's hoping all of us will forever be free to choose laughter.

Buffy would have wanted it that way.

***

You'll notice that the dedication of the book is for Tanya and Grant Van Der Ploeg. "Why?" you may
ask. (Unless you are still demanding to know when the heck you're going to get your chocolate ice cream
soda. Stop that.)

Go tohttp://www.dolls-n-daggers.comand you'll understand. Heh.



Mightier Than the Sword


John G. Hemry

Suzanne entered the temple hesitantly, her footsteps sounding small in the great structure whose marble
pillars reached toward a ceiling emblazoned with pictures dark and bright. Before her, torches flared
around the great statue of Inspiration, Goddess of Writers. To either side of the goddess, lesser idols in
Inspiration's pantheon were ranked behind their altars. There stood proud Contract next to faceless
Writer's Block, while Slush was almost invisible behind the pile of offerings on his altar. Not far away,
several petitioners were down on their knees before the grim visage of Deadline, praying for the extra
time only she could grant.

Suzanne rendered honors to Inspiration, then turned toward the cubicles lining the sides of the temple
and approached the tiny cells where the Editors worked. One glanced up as Suzanne reached her desk.
"Do you have an offering?"