So Lovely Salomé (with whose name I will play fast and loose, thx) asks: "What is SBD technically? Can I play?"

Don't take it personally, Salomé dahlink, but I feel like I've explained SBD a gazillion times and I will now explain it in permanent form and link it to the side so's we all have a definition forevermore. Ready?

SBD stands for Smart Bitches Day. It is a day to celebrate the fantabulousness of talking intelligently and honestly about your reading material, which is what the original Smart Bitches do every day. We only do it on Mondays, though, because it's a very demanding activity and you wouldn't want to pull a hamstring. Don't be a hero, man.

It works like this:

Step 1: Choose a topic. It can be anything about the world of reading. It does not have to be Romance, but it usually is.

Step 2: Write it. It can be ill-tempered or gushing with praise or somewhere in between. The only ABSOLUTE requirement* is that you are thoroughly honest. Kindness is not discouraged, but if ever you must make the choice between politesse and honesty, SBD requires you to ditch your nice-girl side and get down and dirty with the truth.

*Foul language is not a requirement, though it is strongly encouraged and soundly enjoyed.

Step 3: Let me know that you've smart-bitched and I'll link you as a participant.

Et voilà. Easy-peasey.

For the history of this illustrious tradition, go here.

For fine examples of SBD entries - mine and links to many many others, that is (otherwise known as "The Mother Lode") - go here.

And yes, anyone can participate. Even if you don't have a blog, you can email it to me and I'll publish it here. Lurkers and total strangers and dirty hippies and pinko commies and soft fuzzy kittens: all are welome. Come forth and be heard, o ye smartbitching masses.

The most common misconception is that it MUST be about Romance - but no. Talk about any genre you want. Please.

After that, the other common misconception is that one has to bitch. As in "angry, pissed-off commentary". But no no no - there is a difference between plain ole bitching, and smart-bitching. Here's a cut-n-paste from an old entry where I explained it in yet more plain terms:

To clarify: a SBD entry isn't just What I Blogged On Monday. The point of SBD is to talk about any aspect of literature (preferably Romance, but it doesn't have to be) you care to, without mincing words. There is no apologizing in SBD. There is little, if any, cushioning of the blow. One does not sit down at one's keyboard and carefully put Kindness before Truth. In short, it's a day for talking (blogging) about your reading material without inhibitions. Stop playing nicey-nice and call it crap if it's crap. Also call it fab if it's fab.

So that's it.

Questions? Seriously, please, if I have failed to cover any aspect of SBD, please ask here and I shall answer. But I hope that covers it.