Monday, July 1, 2013

Summer Fare

I don't watch tons of TV but there are some shows I enjoy. I often as not watch them on demand as live, but I still try to keep up. More and more the TV shows  I watch are not on the major networks. I watching last season Hell on Wheels as I write this. I've been enjoying Graceland on USA, Copper on BBC America, and Defiance on Syfy.

I'm so glad those cable stations pick up the entertainment slack in the summer. I like those little stations competing against the big guys even if some of the have affiliation with the big networks. I love how they're making inroads into the rankings of top shows and how some of them attract some big stars to appear on them and how they give a break to some actors just starting out.

These shows on networks like AMC, USA, SyFy, and others like them remind me of the independent publishers competing against the powerhouses based in New York. More and more fans are finding the quality work put out by some of these wonderful presses. More readers are finding new authors and falling in love with them. Those tough little presses don't get the exposure, the big advertising dollars or special spots in the front of the book store. But new technologies like ereaders (like on demand programing) levels the playing field quite a bit.

So this summer when you're packing for that trip to the beach or even a stacation on the deck, pick up that light weight ereader, buy some books from small presses and enjoy the wonderful offerings of the 'little guys' who are making a big splash.

Don't forget this Wednesday is Alex Cavanaugh's Insecure Writers Support Group.

How do you spend your TV hours? What summer fare are you enjoying? Are you giving a little love to any small presses lately?

14 comments:

Unknown said...

I've been out of the loop for a little while, Susan, but I notice your countdown is missing- does that make it official? Are you retired? If so, congratulations!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Those smaller networks have the best shows! Plus they are willing to take a chance on a series and let it run for a while to find an audience.

mshatch said...

no satellite = no tv, except for what I rent or buy, neither of which I do anymore. I miss The Walking Dead. and Burn Notice, Law & Order, and Criminal Minds to name a few. *sigh*

shelly said...

We have Brighthouse cable, but really there is not much on. And God forbid if I get hooked on anymore series. Walking Dead fan here. If I lived for several series, I'd get nothing done.

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

Robin said...

I like Graceland, Perception (TNT), Falling Skies (TNT), and The Glades (A&E). I love that cable runs on a different season!

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

It's no secret I'm a huge fan of AMC's THE WALKING DEAD, and I'm looking forward to one called THE BRIDGE that I believe starts in July on FX.

Unknown said...

I'm not a TV person, so I spend my TV hours reading :)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Yes, Melanie, all retired here!
Good point that I should have made, Alex. Firefly is the perfect example of a big network not giving a show a chance.
How could I forget to mention The Walking Dead? That show has made a big impact and brought a lot of attention to the little guys.

David P. King said...

Thanks to Netflix, I'm not completely out of the TV scene, what with the cable gone and all. Choices are still limited, but having only a little TV helps me write more, right? :)

LD Masterson said...

Definitely love the cable shows. This summer I'm enjoying Burn Notice, Major Crimes, Rizzoli and Isles, and I'm waiting for the return of Covert Affairs and Suits.

Chancelet said...

I don't plan on forgetting IWSG! Yeah, if I have free time (or time stolen from writing and blogging), I watch quite a bit of tv. I love cooking competition shows the most, but also The Amazing Race. And I try and catch up on movies as well. Sad situation at times, but heh! :) Writer’s Mark

Chantel said...

I am a BBC & Syfy addict, I confess. Did you catch Orphan Black by any chance? I recorded every one and refuse to delete them! lol

Christine Rains said...

I don't watch much TV at all during the summer, but I love the shows like that. I started watching Defiance, but I had to give up that time to make my deadline! I always give love to the small presses.

jan said...

I don't watch a lot of TV. It's so much more fun to read, to write, and to play with friends. Hope retirement is treating you kindly.