You know the drill. These are what I consider to be the best of the best of what I've read in the blogosphere this week. I'm not trying to make any negative quality statements about any other posts. Just that these particularly struck me as being helpful, funny, interesting, quirky, insert adjective here.

* Nicola Cornick wrote a fascinating post on toilets and waterclosets that would be especially helpful to those of us who write historicals, and names a really great resource.

* Loved this post "To Anonymous" on how to lose readers and alienate people. Would *love* to know who the "anonymous" was, so I can stop reading his/her books. I hate it when professional people don't act like professional people. Anyway, very interesting read.

* I thought that Rachelle Gardner's post on how to pitch was particularly helpful. Well, at least for where I am right now. And of course, like she said, it's conference season coming up, and we'll be pitching to editors and agents... and we need to know these things!

* Oh, and did I mention... I finaled in the Genesis contest??? :-) Here's the announcement of the finalists.

* The greatest idea in writing lately: The very well-organized (and successful) fundraiser for Nashville run by a group of Tennessee writers called "Do the Write Thing for Nashville". There are some really amazing prizes there. And still a big editor/agent lunch package. Check it out. 

* Maeve Greyson wrote a great comic post about charm and responding under duress. (When you get down to the joke part, you have to read it out loud... it's the best.)

* Steena Holmes wrote a great post on the Genesis contest. I remember what it felt like not to final in the Golden Heart, and to have critique partners who did. It is definitely the worst. I applaud Steena for the way she is approaching this. She's handling it much better than I did. :-)

* Nicole duCleroir said some very interesting things about book ratings and negative feedback that made me think. I'm not sure whether I would read my negative reviews on Amazon or not. What do you think?

* They're doing a "Successful Queries" series over at Guide to Literary Agents. I particularly liked the one he posted this week. It reminds me of how important it is to get to know all you can about your agent and their tastes before you query. Sound advice.