Some of our favorite independent bookstores in LA (Skylight Books, Vroman's, Diesel, Book Soup) have been targeted by scammers claiming to be some of our favorite writers. Here's how it works: a would-be writer calls a bookstore (impersonating a writer who has a scheduled store appearance in the next few hours or days), complains of car trouble, and asks to have cash wired to them immediately to avert their made-up crisis. These pranksters have impersonated......

One thing I love about L.A. are all the little shops and cafes that let us poor starving artists leave flyers or put up posters for our many different events. Here is a list of just a few such kind souls, to help my fellow independents, and also just to say a heartfelt thanks! (I hope you don't hate me.) Hollywood: Amoeba Karma Coffeehouse Sabor y Cultura *Nearly all of Melrose. Los Feliz: Psychobabble......