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By PR Newswire | Article Rating: |
February 27, 2013 07:30 AM EST | Reads: |
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EXTON, Pa., Feb. 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- ViroPharma Incorporated (Nasdaq: VPHM) reported today its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012.
In 2012, we:
- Achieved $428 million in annual net product sales, highlighted by $327 million in Worldwide net sales of Cinryze® (C1 esterase inhibitor [human]);
- Generated net sales of approximately $17 million in Europe;
- Attained GAAP net income of $6 million; and non-GAAP adjusted net income of $51 million;
- Delivered positive cash flows from operations of $43 million;
- Utilized $180 million of cash to repurchase approximately 7 million shares of ViroPharma stock; and
- Finished the year with working capital of $339 million, including cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $247 million.
Net sales were $106.5 million and $427.9 million for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2012, respectively, as compared to $145.6 million and $544.4 million in the comparative periods of 2011, respectively. The decline in net sales quarter over quarter and year over year was driven as a result of the loss of Vancocin revenues partially offset by Cinryze growth. The 2012 U.S. Cinryze net sales of $320.6 million included approximately $311 million of patient demand. The balance represented additional inventory in the channel.
"ViroPharma enters 2013 in a strong position to generate significant growth for years to come," stated Vincent Milano, ViroPharma's chief executive officer. "Cinryze in the U.S. continues to exceed our expectations, our products in Europe are beginning to demonstrate traction as we continue to expand those launches throughout the EU, the pipeline is more robust than it has ever been in our company's history and financially our company is in a very good position to remain opportunistic for the right business development assets. Additionally, we've very aggressively improved our capital structure through our stock repurchase program. In 2013, our focus will remain on execution and continuing to deliver positive results to all of our key stakeholders and most importantly those that are at the core of our mission, the patients."
Our GAAP net loss was $4 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to net income of $53.2 million in the 2011 fourth quarter. GAAP diluted loss per share was $(0.06) for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to GAAP diluted earnings per share of $0.65 for the same period in 2011. For the full year in 2012, GAAP net income was $5.6 million compared to $140.7 million of GAAP net income during 2011. GAAP diluted earnings per share was $0.08 for the full year 2012 compared to $1.68 during 2011.
Non-GAAP adjusted net income for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012 was $7.1 million and $50.8 million, respectively, compared to $50.6 million and $181.9 million for the same periods in 2011. Non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.10 for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $0.61 for the same period in 2011. Non-GAAP adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.64 for the full year 2012 compared to $2.09 for the full year 2011. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted measures is provided in the Selected Financial Information – Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation table included with this release.
Operating Highlights
Cinryze net sales during the three months and year ended December 31, 2012 were $97.0 million and $327.1 million, respectively, a 45 percent and 30 percent increase over the respective periods in 2011 due to demand growth. Vancocin net sales during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2012 were $5.0 million and $90.8 million, respectively, compared to $77.8 million and $288.9 million during the three months and year ended December 31, 2011, respectively. The decrease is due to the introduction of generic vancomycin.
Cost of sales increased for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012 primarily due to the effect of continuing growth of Cinryze and the royalty due to Genzyme for Vancocin sales which was not payable in 2011.
Research and development costs incurred during 2012 were relatively flat compared to 2011 as the increased spending during 2012 in our various programs was offset by upfront and license payments of $15.5 million to Halozyme and a $3.0 million license payment to Intellect Neurosciences in 2011. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 was driven by the growth of our global organization and our commercialization efforts.
We incurred other operating expenses of $8.7 million in the year ended December 31, 2012 compared to $8.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2011. During 2012, we recognized $4.5 million of expense due to the re-measurement of the fair value of the contingent consideration and $3.7 million of start-up cost paid to suppliers. Results for 2011 included $4.7 million of expense due to the re-measurement of the fair value of the contingent consideration, $3.4 million of costs to expand Cinryze manufacturing capacity at Sanquin and an $8.5 million impairment charge related to certain assets acquired from Auralis.
Our tax expense for the quarter was $2.5 million and $13.4 million for the year versus $10.2 million and $67.3 million for the respective prior year periods. Our effective tax rate for 2012 was 71 percent up from 32 percent for the previous year. The effective tax rate for 2012 was impacted by approximately 170 basis points due to the recording of a valuation allowance related to certain state net operating losses.
Working Capital Highlights
At December 31, 2012, our working capital was $339.4 million compared to $537.3 million at December 31, 2011 as we generated $43 million in cash flow from operations and deployed $180.3 million to repurchase 6.9 million shares during 2012.
Looking ahead in 2013
ViroPharma is providing guidance for the year 2013 as a convenience to investors. The following guidance provided by ViroPharma are projections, based upon numerous assumptions, all of which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties associated with these forward looking statements, please see the Disclosure Notice below.
For the year 2013, ViroPharma expects the following:
- Worldwide net product sales are expected to be $450 to $475 million;
- Net North American Cinryze sales are expected to be $390 to $400 million; and
- Research and development (R&D) and selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses are expected to be $240 to $260 million.
Non-GAAP Disclosures
The Company is reporting both GAAP net income (loss) and non-GAAP adjusted results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2012 and 2011. Non-GAAP adjusted net income is GAAP net income (loss) excluding (1) non-cash interest expense, (2) amortization related to intangible assets acquired, (3) share-based compensation expenses, (4) contingent consideration, and (5) certain non-recurring events. Non-GAAP adjusted diluted net income per share reflects the Non-GAAP adjusted net income, after the incremental effect of applying the "if converted" method of accounting to the senior convertible notes, and the diluted shares used in determining our GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share. A reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP adjusted measures is provided in the Selected Financial Information – Non-GAAP Financial Measures Reconciliation table included with this release. The Company believes that its presentation of historical non-GAAP financial measures provides useful supplementary information to and facilitates additional analysis by investors. These historical non-GAAP financial measures are in addition to, not a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
Conference Call and Webcast
ViroPharma is hosting a live teleconference and webcast with senior management to discuss the financial announcement, guidance, and other business results on February 27, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern. To participate in the conference call, please dial (800) 874-4559 (domestic) and (302) 607-2019 (international). After placing the call, please tell the operator you wish to join the ViroPharma investor conference call.
Alternatively, the live webcast of the conference call can be accessed via ViroPharma's website at http://www.viropharma.com. Windows Media or Real Player will be needed to access the webcast. An audio archive will be available at the same address until March 15, 2013.
About ViroPharma Incorporated
ViroPharma Incorporated is an international biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing novel solutions for physician specialists to address unmet medical needs of patients living with diseases that have few if any clinical therapeutic options. ViroPharma is developing a portfolio of therapeutics for rare and Orphan diseases including C1 esterase inhibitor deficiency, Friedreich's Ataxia, and adrenal insufficiency, cytomegalovirus (CMV); and recurrent C. difficile infection (CDI). Our goal is to provide rewarding careers to employees, to create new standards of care in the way serious diseases are treated, and to build international partnerships with the patients, advocates, and health care professionals we serve. ViroPharma's commercial products address diseases including hereditary angioedema (HAE), seizures, adrenal insufficiency and C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD); for full U.S. prescribing information on our products, please download the package inserts at http://www.viropharma.com/Products.aspx; the prescribing information for other countries can be found at www.viropharma.com.
ViroPharma routinely posts information, including press releases, which may be important to investors in the investor relations and media sections of our company's web site, www.viropharma.com. The company encourages investors to consult these sections, and the risk factors included in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for more information on ViroPharma and our business.
Disclosure Notice
Certain statements in this press release contain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements provide our current expectations or forecasts of future events. Forward looking statements in this press release include our financial guidance for 2013, forecasted future tax rates, our belief that we are in a strong position to generate significant growth for years to come, the rate of future growth, our ability to continue to successfully commercialize our products in the United States and Europe, and our ability to identify and execute upon business development opportunities.
Our actual results may vary depending on a variety of factors, including:
- our ability to continue to identify Cinryze patients in the United States and Europe at the rate we anticipate and the total number of potential Cinryze patients in the United States and Europe;
- the size of the market, future growth potential and market share for Cinryze in the United States, Europe and other territories;
- the size of the market, future growth potential and market share for Cinryze, Buccolam and Plenadren in Europe;
- the availability of sufficient third party payer reimbursement for each of our products in the United States and Europe;
- fluctuations in wholesaler order patterns and inventory levels;
- competition from the approval of products which are currently marketed for other indications by other companies or new pharmaceuticals and technological advances to treat the conditions addressed by Cinryze, Vancocin, Buccolam and Plenadren;
- changes in prescribing or procedural practices of physicians, including off-label prescribing of products competitive with Vancocin, Cinryze, Buccolam and Plenadren;
- manufacturing, supply or distribution interruptions, including but not limited to our ability to acquire adequate supplies of Cinryze and our other products in order to meet demand for each product;
- our ability to receive regulatory approval for the use of Cinryze for additional indications and routes of administration and in additional territories in the timeframes we anticipate or at all;
- the impact of healthcare reform legislation in the United States;
- actions by the FDA and EMA or other government regulatory agencies;
- the timing and results of anticipated events in our clinical development programs including studies with Cinryze subcutaneous formulation, Cinryze for antibody mediated rejection, maribavir for treatment of CMV infections in transplant recipients, as well as VP20621 for recurrence of C. difficile; and,
- the timing and nature of potential business development activities related to our efforts to expand our current portfolio through in-licensing or other means of acquiring products in clinical development or marketed products.
There can be no assurance that we will conduct additional studies or that we will be successful in gaining regulatory approval of Cinryze for additional indications, routes of administration or in additional territories. The entry of competing generic products following FDA approval in April 2012 has and will continue to significantly affect our sales of Vancocin and our financial performance. Biologics such as Cinryze require processing steps that are more difficult than those required for most chemical pharmaceuticals, and as a result, Sanquin, our manufacturer of Cinryze has received observations on Form 483 which require us to continue to meet commitments made to the FDA related to various manufacturing issues. In the event Sanquin fails to meet these commitments, the FDA may take actions that limit our ability to manufacture Cinryze. In the event Sanquin is not able to manufacture the anticipated volume of product at the industrial scale as a result of either FDA requirements, batch failures, variability in batch yields, required maintenance or other causes, we may not be able to satisfy patient demand or build safety stock. Additionally, the ability to increase the number of shifts to produce Cinryze at Sanquin is subject to labor relations at Sanquin, including but not limited to labor availability and the time necessary to train such additional labor. Our inability to obtain adequate product supplies to satisfy our patient demand may create opportunities for our competitors and we will suffer a loss of potential future revenues. These factors, and other factors, including, but not limited to those described in ViroPharma's Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012, could cause future results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in this press release. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release may become outdated over time. ViroPharma does not assume any responsibility for updating any forward-looking statements.
Selected Financial Information | |||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||
Consolidated Statements of Operations: |
Three months ended |
Year ended | |||||
(in thousands, except per share data) |
December 31, |
December 31, | |||||
2012 |
2011 |
2012 |
2011 | ||||
Revenues: |
Net product sales |
$ 106,490 |
$ 145,575 |
$ 427,933 |
$ 544,374 | |||
Costs and Expenses: |
Cost of sales (excluding amortization of product rights) |
26,827 |
19,683 |
108,547 |
79,976 | |||
Research and development |
19,142 |
12,707 |
67,709 |
66,477 | |||
Selling, general and administrative |
50,978 |
36,022 |
174,315 |
127,775 | |||
Intangible amortization |
8,857 |
7,774 |
35,301 |
31,035 | |||
Impairment loss |
- |
- |
- |
8,495 | |||
Other operating expenses |
2,710 |
94 |
8,718 |
8,488 | |||
Total costs and expenses |
108,514 |
76,280 |
394,590 |
322,246 | |||
Operating income (loss) |
(2,024) |
69,295 |
33,343 |
222,128 | |||
Interest income |
188 |
140 |
594 |
655 | |||
Interest expense |
(3,599) |
(3,475) |
(14,093) |
(12,640) | |||
Other income (loss), net |
3,941 |
(2,563) |
(823) |
(2,136) | |||
Income (loss) before income tax expense |
(1,494) |
63,397 |
19,021 |
208,007 | |||
Income tax expense |
2,489 |
10,219 |
13,410 |
67,348 | |||
Net income (loss) |
$ (3,983) |
$ 53,178 |
$ 5,611 |
$ 140,659 | |||
Basic net income (loss) per share |
$ (0.06) |
$ 0.75 |
$ 0.08 |
$ 1.89 | |||
Diluted net income (loss) per share |
$ (0.06) |
$ 0.65 |
$ 0.08 |
$ 1.68 | |||
Shares used in computing net income per share: |
Basic |
65,385 |
70,499 |
68,214 |
74,517 | |||
Diluted |
65,385 |
84,493 |
71,764 |
88,076 | |||
Selected Financial Information | |||||||
(unaudited) | |||||||
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income (Loss) to Non-GAAP Adjusted Net Income |
An itemized reconciliation between net income (loss) and adjusted net income on a non-GAAP basis is as follows: | |||||||
(in thousands) |
Three months ended |
Twelve months ended | |||||
December 31, |
December 31, | ||||||
2012 |
2011 |
2012 |
2011 | ||||
GAAP net income (loss) |
$ (3,983) |
$ 53,178 |
$ 5,611 |
$ 140,659 | |||
Adjustments: |
Non-cash interest expense |
2,395 |
2,232 |
9,277 |
8,268 | |||
Intangible amortization |
8,857 |
7,774 |
35,301 |
31,035 | |||
Up front license fees |
- |
- |
- |
18,500 | |||
Share-based compensation |
5,021 |
3,371 |
21,132 |
14,242 | |||
Option amortization |
1,085 |
- |
3,825 |
- | |||
Contingent consideration expense |
883 |
- |
4,477 |
4,664 | |||
Asset impairment |
- |
- |
- |
8,495 | |||
Tax effect of the above |
(7,114) |
(5,217) |
(28,865) |
(33,230) | |||
Manufacturing deduction tax benefit |
- |
(6,206) |
- |
(6,206) | |||
Net operating loss tax benefit |
- |
(4,521) |
- |
(4,521) | |||
Non-GAAP adjusted net income |
$ 7,144 |
$ 50,611 |
$ 50,758 |
$ 181,906 | |||
Computation of Non-GAAP Adjusted Diluted Net Income per Share |
Non-GAAP adjusted net income |
$ 7,144 |
$ 50,611 |
$ 50,758 |
$ 181,906 | |||
Add interest expense on senior convertible notes, net of income tax |
625 |
625 |
2,501 |
2,501 | |||
Non-GAAP adjusted diluted net income |
$ 7,769 |
$ 51,236 |
$ 53,259 |
$ 184,407 | |||
Shares used in computing GAAP diluted net income per share |
65,385 |
84,493 |
71,764 |
88,076 | |||
Shares used in computing Non-GAAP adjusted diluted net income per share |
79,490 |
84,493 |
82,628 |
88,076 | |||
GAAP diluted net income (loss) per share |
$ (0.06) |
$ 0.65 |
$ 0.08 |
$ 1.68 | |||
Non-GAAP adjusted diluted net income per share |
$ 0.10 |
$ 0.61 |
$ 0.64 |
$ 2.09 | |||
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Our "non-GAAP adjusted net income" excludes the following items from GAAP net income (loss):
1. Non-cash interest expense: Non-GAAP adjusted net income excludes non-cash interest expense on our convertible notes. We believe that excluding the non-cash portion of our interest expense allows management and investors an alternative view of our financial results "as if" our net income reflected only the cash portion of our interest expense.
2. Purchase accounting and product acquisition related adjustments: Non-GAAP adjusted net income excludes certain items related to our acquisitions. The excluded items may include among other adjustments; charges related to amortization of intangible assets arising from acquisitions and changes in the fair value of future contingent consideration or significant transaction costs.
3. Share-based compensation expense: Non-GAAP adjusted net income excludes the impact of our non-cash share-based compensation expense. We believe that excluding the impact of expensing share-based compensation better reflects the recurring economic characteristics of our business.
Non-GAAP net income may exclude unusual or non-recurring items that are evaluated on an individual basis. Our evaluation of whether to exclude an item for purposes of determining our non-GAAP financial measures considers both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the item, including, among other things (i) its size and nature, (ii) whether or not it relates to our ongoing business operations, and (iii) whether or not we expect it to occur as part of our normal business on a regular basis. For purposes of determining non-GAAP net income, items such as asset impairment or upfront fees or milestone payments under license agreements, may be excluded, among others, which will be evaluated on an individual basis.
VIROPHARMA INCORPORATED Selected Financial Information (unaudited) Selected Consolidated Balance Sheet Data December 31, December 31, (in thousands) 2012 2011 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 175,518 $ 331,352 Short-term investments 71,338 128,478 Inventory 64,384 60,316 Total current assets 453,418 635,931 Intangible assets, net 617,539 648,659 Goodwill 96,759 13,184 Total assets 1,219,952 1,336,797 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Total current liabilities 114,028 98,651 Deferred tax liabilities 167,484 178,706 Long-term debt 161,793 153,453 Total liabilities 462,913 445,673 Total stockholders' equity 757,039 891,124 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 1,219,952 1,336,797 Years Ended December 31, December 31, Statement of Cash Flows: 2012 2011 (in thousands) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 43,015 $ 170,726 Net cash used in investing activities $ (38,049) $ (101,047) Net cash used in by financing activities $ (161,267) $ (163,214)
SOURCE ViroPharma Incorporated
Published February 27, 2013 Reads 338
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By Mark Shenton
Musicals in the West End
The Beatles musical Rain, re-titled Let it Be, comes from Broadway to the Prince of Wales (from Sept. 14), before The Book of Mormon follows it into the same theatre (from Feb. 25, 2013). Will Young will star as the Emcee in the return of Rufus Norris' production of Kander and Ebb's Cabaret (Savoy Theatre from Oct. 3), with Michelle Ryan as Sally Bowles and veteran actress Sian Phillips as Fraulein Schneider.
Loserville, a new rock musical by James Bourne (best known for being a member of Busted and Son of Dork) and Elliot Davis, comes to the Garrick (from Oct. 1) after previously being seen at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds.
01 Sep 2012
Photo by Matt Crockett
The biggest new musicals are, of course, Viva Forever!, featuring the song catalogue of the Spice Girls that have been worked into a new story by Jennifer Saunders, under the stewardship of Mamma Mia! producer Judy Craymer (at the Piccadilly Theatre from Nov. 27); and The Bodyguard, based on the Kevin Costner/Whitney Houston film of the same name that will use Houston's hits and star Heather Headley and Lloyd Owen (at the Adelphi from Nov. 6).

subset: commoncrawl


text:
LAKEWOOD RANCH — Years of hard work and dedication have finally paid off for Lakewood Ranch High standout catcher Michael Ohlman.
The Baltimore Orioles selected Ohlman with the 326th pick (11th round) of the Major League Baseball 2009 First-Year Player Draft June 10. Ohlman was with his mother, Tracy, when he learned the good news.
"I'm probably the most excited I've been in my whole life … equal to signing with (the University of) Miami," Ohlman said. "This has been a childhood dream of mine since I knew what baseball was. This whole experience has been amazing."
Ohlman has been perfecting his game since he was 5 years old. His strong work ethic and dedication to the game paid dividends this past November when Ohlman signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Miami — a dream he has harbored since he was a little kid.
"He's an example to all of our younger athletes about what can happen when you commit your life to something," Lakewood coach Mike Mullen said. "He committed his life to baseball- it doesn't happen by itself."
During his senior season, Ohlman posted a .550 batting average with 22 RBIs, 30 walks, 23 stolen bases and three homeruns. Ohlman plans to take some time to just sit back and enjoy the moment before deciding whether or not he'll enter into Baltimore's system or play for the Hurricanes.
"Everything has fallen into place," Ohlman said.
Read our recent in-depth story on Michael Ohlman here.
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The Tabernacle Christian School middle school student Lauren Medred, an East County resident, earned top vocal honors, taking first place in vocal solo female category of the Florida League of Christian School's Festival of the Academics and Arts Feb. 28 and March 1 at Southeastern University in Lakeland. -
Tech takeover
Manatee County schools dominated a state technology competition with five of six top-three finishes earned by Manatee County schools during the 35th annual Technology Student Association State Competition late February.


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Declining Prices in the Sequential Dutch Flower Auction of Roses
According to basic models of sequential private value auctions of identical objects, consecutive prices are on average constant or rising. In empirical studies, prices are often found to decline. Several explanations have been put forward for this declining price anomaly. In this paper we analyze data on sequential Dutch auctions of roses from the largest flower auction in the world. We find that there is a substantial price decline and suggest that the presence of a buyer's option, whereby the winner of the first auction has the opportunity to buy the remaining units at the winning price, is a main determinant of the observed price decline. We advance on the empirical literature on sequential auctions by using formal panel data estimation techniques.Download Info
If you experience problems downloading a file, check if you have the proper application to view it first. In case of further problems read the IDEAS help page. Note that these files are not on the IDEAS site. Please be patient as the files may be large.Bibliographic Info
Paper provided by Tinbergen Institute in its series Tinbergen Institute Discussion Papers with number 99-074/3.Length:
Date of creation: 21 Sep 1999
Date of revision:
Handle: RePEc:dgr:uvatin:19990074
Contact details of provider:
Web page: http://www.tinbergen.nl
Related research
Keywords: Sequential Auctions; Declining Prices; Buyer's Option;Other versions of this item:
- Berg, G. van den & Ours, J.C. van & Pradhan, M.P., 1999. "Declining Prices in the Sequential Dutch Flower Auction of Roses," Discussion Paper 1999-52, Tilburg University, Center for Economic Research.
- Berg, Gerard J. van den & Ours, Jan C. van & Pradhan, Menno P., 1999. "Declining prices in the sequential Dutch flower auction of roses," Serie Research Memoranda 0040, VU University Amsterdam, Faculty of Economics, Business Administration and Econometrics.
- D44 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure and Pricing - - - Auctions
This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:
- NEP-ALL-1999-10-04 (All new papers)
References listed on IDEASPlease report citation or reference errors to , or , if you are the registered author of the cited work, log in to your RePEc Author Service profile, click on "citations" and make appropriate adjustments.:
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"Economics of the arts: selected essays,"
ULB Institutional Repository
2013/1655, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
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"Testing for Price Anomalies in real Estate Auctions,"
128, Princeton, Department of Economics - Financial Research Center.
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- Orley Ashenfelter & David Genesove, 1992. "Testing for Price Anomalies in Real Estate Auctions," NBER Working Papers 4036, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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"A Note on Sequential Auctions,"
American Economic Review,
American Economic Association, vol. 84(3), pages 653-57, June.
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"Auctions Price Anomalies: Evidence from Wool Auctions in Australia,"
303, Australian National University - Department of Economics.
- Chris Jones & Flavio Menezes & Francis Vella, 2004. "Auction Price Anomalies: Evidence from Wool Auctions in Australia," The Economic Record, The Economic Society of Australia, vol. 80(250), pages 271-288, 09.
- Gale Ian L. & Hausch Donald B., 1994. "Bottom-Fishing and Declining Prices in Sequential Auctions," Games and Economic Behavior, Elsevier, vol. 7(3), pages 318-331, November.
- GINSBURGH, Victor, .
"Absentee bidders and the declining price anomaly in wine auctions,"
CORE Discussion Papers RP
-1364, Université catholique de Louvain, Center for Operations Research and Econometrics (CORE).
- Victor A. Ginsburgh, 1998. "Absentee Bidders and the Declining Price Anomaly in Wine Auctions," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 106(6), pages 1302-1331, December.
- Victor Ginsburgh, 1998. "Absentee bidders and the declining price anomaly in wine auctions," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/1701, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
- Ashenfelter, Orley, 1989. "How Auctions Work for Wine and Art," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 3(3), pages 23-36, Summer.
- McAfee R. Preston & Vincent Daniel, 1993. "The Declining Price Anomaly," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 60(1), pages 191-212, June.
- Black, Jane & De Meza, David, 1992. "Systematic Price Differences between Successive Auctions Are No Anomaly," Journal of Economics & Management Strategy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 1(4), pages 607-28, Winter.
- McAfee, R Preston & McMillan, John, 1987. "Auctions and Bidding," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 25(2), pages 699-738, June.
- Fl. Menezes & P.K.Monteiro, 1994.
"Sequential Asymmetric Auctions With Endogenous Participation,"
9402001, EconWPA, revised 09 Jun 1994.
- Flavio Menezes & Paulo Monteiro, 1997. "Sequential asymmetric auctions with endogenous participation," Theory and Decision, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 187-202, September.
- Laffont, J.J., 1996.
"Game Theory and Empirical Economics: The Case of Auction Data,"
95.394, Toulouse - GREMAQ.
- Laffont, Jean-Jacques, 1997. "Game theory and empirical economics: The case of auction data 1," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 1-35, January.
- Branco, Fernando, 1997. "Sequential auctions with synergies: An example," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 159-163, February.
- repec:att:wimass:9215 is not listed on IDEAS
- von der Fehr, Nils-Henrik Morch, 1994. "Predatory Bidding in Sequential Auctions," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 46(3), pages 345-56, July.
- Milgrom, Paul R & Weber, Robert J, 1982.
"A Theory of Auctions and Competitive Bidding,"
Econometric Society, vol. 50(5), pages 1089-1122, September.
- Paul Milgrom & Robert J. Weber, 1981. "A Theory of Auctions and Competitive Bidding," Discussion Papers 447R, Northwestern University, Center for Mathematical Studies in Economics and Management Science.
- Robert J. Weber, 1981. "Multiple-Object Auctions," Discussion Papers 496, Northwestern University, Center for Mathematical Studies in Economics and Management Science.
- Engelbrecht-Wiggans, Richard, 1994. "Sequential auctions of stochastically equivalent objects," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 44(1-2), pages 87-90.
Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.Cited by:
- Gerard J. van den Berg & Jan C. van Ours & Menno P. Pradhan, 2001. "The Declining Price Anomaly in Dutch Dutch Rose Auctions," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 91(4), pages 1055-1062, September.
- Kleijnen, Jack P.C. & van Schaik, Frans D.J., 2011. "Sealed-bid auction of Netherlands mussels: Statistical analysis," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 132(1), pages 154-161, July.
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SOURCE Cognizant
TEANECK, N.J., Feb. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH), a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, today announced that Karen McLoughlin, Chief Financial Officer, will present at the following investor conference:
2014 Morgan Stanley Technology, Media and Telecom Conference
Live audio webcast of this presentation will be available at Cognizant's website:
A replay of the webcast will remain available on the company's website for 60 days.
About Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services, dedicated to helping the world's leading companies build stronger businesses. Headquartered in Teaneck, New Jersey (U.S.), Cognizant combines a passion for client satisfaction, technology innovation, deep industry and business process expertise, and a global, collaborative workforce that embodies the future of work. With over 50 delivery centers worldwide and approximately 171,400 employees as of December 31, 2013, Cognizant is a member of the NASDAQ-100, the S&P 500, the Forbes Global 2000, and the Fortune 500 and is ranked among the top performing and fastest growing companies in the world. Visit us online at www.cognizant.com or follow us on Twitter: Cognizant.
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Kew magazine is changing – we thought you might like a peek at our brand new design and what's inside the spring issue.
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The past few months have, by turns, been exciting, nerve-wracking, tense and very busy. This is not a comment on my family Christmas and New Year but rather the fact that as a team we have been completely redesigning Kew magazine. We've spent the past few months working to make the magazine better for you - the readers - as well as making it serve Kew better too. The past week has been particularly eventful as we've just sent all our final files off to press.
New look
The new design is clean, sleek and contemporary and now looks very much a part of Kew. Our designer has done sterling work to meet our very finicky standards, and hasn't lost his rag once (well, not that I know of anyway). We've still got all our great features and columns, news pages and wonderful photography. We're also being that bit more sustainable and will be switching to FSC paper (rather than PEFC paper as now), and we still have our degradable packaging.
You may have heard that Kew's membership has been changing so this seemed the best time to also bring Kew magazine bang up to date and help welcome in all our new members.
The new look Kew magazine - spring 2012
Value for money
Another big change is that we're now only publishing three times a year – in spring, summer and autumn. We know that we can bring you plenty of great stories in three issues, while the money that would have contributed to the fourth issue will be used directly by the Kew Foundation for vital Kew projects. That means more of your membership or subscription money goes directly to Kew's work.
We hope to make more of our pages on the web so we do hope you'll keep in touch with us here in between issues. Kew magazine will now come out in March, June and October.
What's in the spring issue?
In the spring issue we've got some great behind-the-scenes features. We take a look at the wonderful range of Narcissus at Kew and give you some tips on how to grow them in your garden. We meet up with Sir David Attenborough as he finishes filming at Kew for the new 3D TV series by Atlantic Productions (for Sky 3D). He talks to us about how he thinks the new series will inspire people everywhere about the wonders of plants.
We also head into the steamy forests of Ecuador to find some very peculiar mushroom-mimicking orchids that specialise in tricking their pollinators. And, as always, we bring you the best of the International Garden Photographer of the Year – at Kew from March until early April.
Kew magazine's purpose, as ever, is to bring you the best and most interesting stories about what's going on at Kew – the science and conservation, the collections, the archives, meeting people behind the scenes, exploring the exhibitions and festivals, and most of all, enjoying the wonderful plants that grow at Kew and Wakehurst.
We hope you'll like the new design, the spring issue is out on 9 March.
Related Links
- Find out more about Kew magazine
- How to get your copy
- Search the Kew magazine archive
- Support Kew's work
Tags: for friends | creative | inspiring | interesting | english garden
About Christina
Christina accepts a Kew Publishing award at the Garden Media Guild awards in 2012.
Christina joined Kew in 1999 after finishing a BSc. degree in Plant Ecology and an Advanced National Certificate in Horticulture. After initially working as a horticulturist in Kew's Arboretum and the Hardy Display section (on the Grass Garden) she went on to become Festivals Interpretation Officer between 2002-2008, helping Kew's onsite visitors understand what makes Kew tick. In the meantime she completed an MA in Garden History, a subject that continues to be one of her passions.
Christina was short-listed for a Garden Writers Guild award in 2007 for one of her articles in Kew magazine, and is the author of Kew's Big Trees, published in 2008. She became editor of Kew magazine in September 2008. "I see Kew magazine as a window on the world of Kew," she says. "I hope between its pages the many facets of Kew's work and the people who make it happen are revealed for all to see and encourage readers to continue to support Kew."
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Cedar Rapids Weather
WBB: Cornell Bounced From NCAA Tournament By St. ThomasBy Douglas Miles and Scott Saville, Reporters
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — A landmark season came to an abrupt end.
Sophomore Rikki Mulloy missed a three-pointer with three seconds left Saturday night and 12th-ranked Cornell lost to St. Thomas (Minn.), 53-52, in a second-round NCAA tournament game at the Small Multi-Sport Center. Both teams entered on 10-game win streaks, but Cornell was harassed into 23 turnovers by an athletic, experienced St. Thomas squad in the NCAA tournament for the 21st time and won the third-place game last season. "They were the more athletic team," Cornell Coach Ben Brase said. "We were bigger, but they were more athletic." Cornell scored the first seven points, sparked by a 25-footer from Mulloy. St. Thomas turned up the press and responded with an 11-2 run behind standout Kelly Brandenburg (15 points) to take a 19-15 lead. It was 25-25 at halftime. The second half featured five ties and nine lead changes, but the Tommies gained some distance with five straight free throws to go up 47-42 with 8:20 left. A Mulloy three-pointer with 5:08 to play made it 47-47, but Brandenburg took the lead right back with a jumper. Freshman Kellie Kuzmanic scored three of her 12 points to pull Cornell within one at 53-52 with about two minutes to go, but neither team scored the rest of the way. Mulloy led all scorers with 16 points. Midwest Conference Player of the Year Camille Marie, who prepped at Cedar Rapids Washington, was held to eight. Taylor Dicus scored 10 points and pulled down 15 rebounds. "They were the most athletic team we faced all year, and if you looked at the stats, it said that," senior Kathryn Schilling said. The loss snapped a 17-game home winning streak for Cornell (25-2), but a first trip to the NCAA tournament is a considerable achievement for a team picked to finish eighth in preseason polls for the Midwest Conference. Conversation GuidelinesBe KindDon't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language. Share KnowledgeBe truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about. Stay focusedPromote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic. Report TroubleHelp us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it. read the full guidelines here » Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Crime, sexual abuse, property fires, automobile accidents, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides. |
What's On KCRG |


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Enabled by the Power Wash cycle, this washer provides the best cleaning in its class.
Extra cleaning action and a thorough rinse power out tough stains like coffee and soda as well as ground-in mud. Select washers have a built-in water heater that delivers increased wash temperatures to ensure better soil and stain removal.
Maxima XL™ & Maxima X™ washers bring long-lasting, commercial-grade components that you can depend on into your home. The pump impeller, corrosion-resistant springs and dampers are all built to easily handle load after load, week after week.


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In Chicago and Northern Illinois
Search The Entire News Archive
A rolling list of reported and/or active check scams and advance fee loan scams.
A brief pamphlet intended for business owners, explaining how to watch for, and protect against, business directory scams.
The dietary supplement industry is a dynamic one. Scientific research on the associations between supplements and health is accumulating rapidly. The number of products — and the variety of uses for which they are promoted — have increased significantly in the last few years. The role of the Federal Trade Commission, which enforces laws outlawing "unfair or deceptive acts or practices," is to ensure that consumers get accurate information about dietary supplements so that they can make informed decisions about these products.
If your company offers consumer credit, you probably communicate with your customers using many different standardized forms and notices. These may range from short notices to complicated contracts that explain the terms of your credit plan. This manual is intended to help you write consumer credit contracts and other forms in "Plain English" so that your customers can easily understand them.
In 1975, Congress enacted the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. One of the goals of the Act is to encourage businesspersons like you to write your warranties in "simple and readily understood" language. We, the Federal Trade Commission staff, receive many requests for guidance in achieving this goal. This manual is designed to give you achieving this goal. This manual is designed to help you achieve your goals by giving you practical suggestions to for writing a simple and easy-to-understand warranty.


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The Pew Charitable Trusts is driven by the power of knowledge to solve today's most challenging problems. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improve public policy, inform the public and stimulate civic life.
Stay updated with Pew News Now! We invite you to sign up to receive our weekly e-mail newsletter.
Pew offers news delivered to your desktop via RSS feed. Subscribing is easy. To learn more or get started, follow the link below.
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Source Organization: Pew Research Center
03/07/2006 - The recent reports about corruption on Capitol Hill have not resonated widely with the public. But the allegations swirling around Congress may be fueling the political discontent of independents, who are unhappy with Congress in general and, in many cases, with their own representative in particular. Last month, 36% of independent voters said they don't want to see the incumbent in their district reelected. This is as high as in October 1994 (34%), shortly before the historic 1994 midterm when Democrats lost control of Congress.Anti-incumbent sentiment is also up among Democratic voters – 31% today believe their representative should not be reelected compared with around 20% in previous midterms, including 1994 when the GOP gained control of Congress.There is, however, no increase in anti-incumbent feelings among Republican voters, just 18% of whom say their representative should not be reelected. Still more widespread among independents is the belief that their own member of Congress is guilty of taking bribes. Read the full analysis Independents Sour On Incumbents; Many Say Their Member Has Taken Bribes on the Pew Research Center Web site.


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Highlights: Scotland (Inverness) , Europe & Baltic (Scottish Highlands Cruise)
Cruise Loch Ness, Loch Oich, Loch Lochy and the Caledonian Canal as you voyage the Scottish Highlands aboard a luxury barge. With a maximum of only 8 guests aboard, you'll enjoy an intimate sailing, with daily guided excursions, and an onboard chef who prepares regional specialties daily from freshly harvested local products. Visit Cawdor Castle, home of Shakespere's Macbeth, and Culloden Moor, the last British based battleground from 1746. Visit Glencoe, recalling treachery between the Campbell and MacDonald clans, and tour the Ben Nevis Whiskey distillery for a genuine Scotch tasting experience. See the impressive Eilean Donan and Urquhart castles, and revel in the spectacular scenery, wildlife and folklore that this majestic region has to offer.
2014: Cruise departs every Sunday between Mar 30 - Oct 26.
Meet your driver for a private transfer to the Inverness Airport.
Glenmoriston Town House Hotel is an award winning 4 star hotel situated on the banks of the River Ness in the Scottish Highlands. The decor is warm, welcoming and elegant while the rooms are dedicated to comfort and relaxation. Guests can indulge in a delicious meal from the award winning restaurant, and take in all the sights that are situated nearby.
Please note that this hotel does not have an elevator. Please let your Sales Advisor know if you would like to arrange porterage service prior to your arrival.
Inverness is the City in the Highlands where you'll find the warmest of welcomes - whether you choose to visit, explore, shop, relax or just live Inverness. It's in a Scot's nature to be friendly and helpful, and the locals are always up for a chat. Explore this city with your private guide by foot.
With a pickup at your desginated meeting place, you'll be transfered by minibus to your awaiting ship at port.
Welcome aboard!Take some time to get settled in your stateroom. A champagne welcome will be followed by an evening stroll to the sea lock with wonderful views over the Moray and Beauly Firths.
The 8 passenger Scottish Highlander has the atmosphere of a Scottish Country House with subtle use of tartan furnishings and landscape paintings. At 117 feet she is spacious and has every comfort needed for year round cruising. She is also equipped with 8 bikes and your tour guide would be happy to recommend the best routes to explore. On board you will find four en-suite cabins each with a choice of twin or double beds. One of the cabins is a larger suite which has been designed for those who want extra space during their cruise. The experienced crew of four, led by your captain, ensure attention to your every need. Cuisine is traditional Scottish fare, salmon, game, venison and seafood, prepared by your own Master Chef.
This morning you visit the 14th century fairytale Cawdor Castle immortalised by Shakespeare with Macbeth, housing a superb collection of tapestries, pictures and furniture with beautiful landscaped gardens. If Cawdor is not open you'll visit Fort George, the finest example of 18th-century military engineering you'll find anywhere in the British Isles. This vast garrison fortress was begun in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden (1746), which crushed the final Jacobite Rising. You'll also visit Culloden Moor, site of the last battle on British soil in 1746. The cruise today takes you up the Muirtown lock flight and through Tomnahurich swing bridge, with an option to walk alongside the delightful River Ness to the hamlet of Dochgarroch.
A tour today drives you through stunning hilly scenery to take a closer look at one of Scotland's best known exports, whisky, at the Glen Ord distillery founded in 1838 on the Black Isle by the Mackenzies of Ord. A fascinating description of the maturing and aging process of single and blended malts is followed by a special tasting. You also visit the Clava Cairns, a pre-historic clan chieftain burial site dating back to 2000 BC. Your cruise today takes you through Loch Dochfour past the Burton family estate and down the world famous Loch Ness with perhaps a chance of spotting "Nessie" before arriving at Fort Augustus.
After breakfast, you encounter some of the finest scenery Scotland has to offer as you take a drive to one of Scotland's best known and most photographed castles, Eilean Donan, which has featured in movies such as "Highlander" and James Bond' "The World Is Not Enough". The idyllic setting betrays the castle's tactical importance as it also overlooks three sea lochs. Later your cruise will take you up the "flight", as the locals call it, at Fort Augustus. This evening you have dinner ashore at a local restaurant.
In the morning you again encounter some of Scotland's bloody past with a visit to the ruins of Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness. A short film explains some of the history from St Columba's day to the present with a spectacular finale. A gentle drive takes you back to the Invermoriston Falls and a chance to see the "Old Bridge" designed by one Thomas Telford and if you are very lucky you may even see a salmon leaping. The cruise today can again be partially walked and will take you all the way through stunning Loch Oich and onto the Laggan Avenue, often described as the prettiest part of the canal. Approaching Laggan, a Highland Piper greets you with a stirring rendition of traditional Scottish music.
Visit the mystical and ethereal area called Glencoe, known for its geographical beauty and famed for one of the darkest days in Scottish history. If time permits, you'll also visit the ruins of the 13th century Old Inverlochy Castle, the original site of a Pictish fortress said to have been attacked by the Vikings. The cruise today will see you sail along Loch Lochy, and you'll encounter Moy Bridge, the last original and fully hand-operated bridge on the canal, before mooring at Banavie beneath Ben Nevis and a stroll from Neptune's Staircase leading down to Loch Eil.
This morning you'll disembark from your barge, bidding your captain and crew farewell as you make landfall.
Upon disembarkation, you'll be transfered by minibus back to your initial meeting point.
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You Ain't No Picasso's Favorite Songs of 2012
December 17th, 2012 by Matt
Another year, another great crop of songs. Some of you might be surprised to see a handful of radio smash hits on here, but I'd be lying to myself and you if I didn't include them in a list of my favorite songs of 2012. There's a Spotify playlist (with a few extra songs) to […]
Tags:Amanda Mair·Amanda Palmer·Andre 3000·Animal Collective·Carly Rae Jepsen·Cody Chesnutt·Dan Deacon·David Byrne·Deerhoof·Diplo·Divine Fits·Django Django·Dr John·Electric Guest·Friends·Gorillaz·grizzly bear·Here We Go Magic·Hot Chip·James Murphy·Jesca Hoop·King Tuff·Kishi Bashi·Lumineers·Macklemore & Lewis·Major Lazer·Maps and Atlases·Menomena·Michael Kiwanuka·Miniature Tigers·mp3·Psy·Santigold·Shearwater·St Vincent·Sword·Tame Impala·Warm Weather·Yellow Ostrich
[video] Gorillaz, James Murphy, Andre 3000: "DoYaThing"
February 29th, 2012 by Matt
The Gorillaz, James Murphy, Andre 3000 collaboration on "DoYaThing" now has a video to go along with it. It's goofy, but still satisfying. I would've liked to have seen James Murphy's avatar get a little more screen time, though.
[mp3] Gorillaz, Andre 3000, James Murphy collab "Do Ya Thing"
February 23rd, 2012 by Matt
Converse's 3 Artists 1 Song just gave us this great present. They brought together Gorillaz, Andre 3000 and James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem to collaborate on one track. It's a little less than the sum of its parts, but when its parts are three of the best in their field, how can it not be? […]


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Evening Programs
Most of our students are also working at least part-time, so we know the value of flexibility in an academic schedule.
For those who work during the day, Penn State New Kensington offers 4 degree programs that can be completed exclusively in the evenings. All required courses for the following programs are offered after 6:00 p.m.:
Evening courses are a convenient way to pick up a few credits for some students. But for those with daytime commitments, they are the path to complete several degree programs.
Evening Hours
Additionally, many of our campus facilities, such as the Library, Computer Center, Athletics Center and Cafe hold evening hours. Most campus departments offer extended hours on Mondays until 7:30 p.m. for the convenience of current and prospective students as well.
- Admissions
- Admissions Events
- Admissions Requirements
- After Admission
- Air Force ROTC
- Apply to Penn State
- Contact Admissions
- Credit Acquisition
- Dual Enrollment
- Evaluate Transfer Credits
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Housing
- New Student Orientation
- Parents and Families
- Request Information
- The 2+2 Plan
- The G.R.E.A.T. Program
- Tuition and Costs


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The Montreal Alouettes announced contract extensions for three veteran pieces on Wednesday.
LB Chip Cox and receivers S.J. Green and Eric Deslauriers each agreed to new two-year deals with the club.
Cox, an Alouette since 2006, has three times been named a CFL All-Star with Montreal and last year led the team with four interceptions. The 29-year-old also finished second on the team in tackles with 82.
Green missed four games last season but still produced his second-straight 1,000-plus yards receiving season. Green was also named an East Division All-Star for the second straight season last year.
Deslauriers, a first-round draft pick of the Als in 2007, caught 13 passes for 299 yards last season. The Gatineau, Quebec native also plays a role on special teams for the Als.
Montreal also announced the release of import linebacker Rod Davis and non-import kicker Derek Schiavone on Wednesday.
Take a look back at the career of one of the greatest CFLers ever, Anthony Calvillo. More...
Check out the full list of players with CFL experience now playing in the NFL. More...
Take a look back at a selection of hot topic questions from around the league. More...
As always, it's Your! Call.


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3ds ipad pc ps3 wii Wii-U xbox360 Although we've heard rumors that Star Wars and Marvel are a go in a current or future iteration of Disney Infinity, it appears as if a group of fans have uncovered a Skywalker-sized Easter egg in the existing game.... | 12-03-2013 | ||
3ds Welp, now I feel bad I left my Animal Crossing: New Leaf town to squalor. I assume banditry is on the rise, everyone locks their doors, and floor is filthy with weeds. At least Shrunk's club is booming for the black market s... | 11-27-2013 | ||
3ds I consider myself a Mario Party veteran -- I've been a huge fan of the series, with a particular emphasis on the cutthroat days of the N64 titles. There's nothing like losing the skin on the palm of your hands t... | 11-27-2013 | ||
3ds pc ps3 Wii-U Xbox One xbox360 I remember my first episode of Adventure Time. It randomly came on the TV one day and I had no idea what it was -- but I couldn't stop watching. There was something about the show that kept my eyes glued to the screen, watchi... | 11-25-2013 | ||
3ds pc ps3 ps4 Wii-U Xbox One xbox360 If somehow you still have yet to get a PlayStation 3 and also happen to really love The Hobbit and LEGO, then you're in luck. A new PlayStation 3 bundle is on the way that will pack in LEGO The Hobbit. It'll be a 500GB PS3 sy... | 11-22-2013 | ||
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Read. It. Aloud.
Ray Rhamey on Jun 17 2010 | Filed under: CRAFT
Confident (overconfident, perhaps) in my narrative skills, until recently I had never followed a piece of advice that I've heard and sometimes given. To read your manuscript aloud. I have now learned the value of this simple technique. I've also seen the suggestion to listen to your writing with text-to-speech software, but I haven't tried that, and don't know that you'd get the same benefits as reading it aloud yourself.
Now, I've advised writers to read aloud as a way to sense whether or not the narrative they've crafted is doing the job of being compelling or not. I came to this because many of the submissions I get on my blog, Flogging the Quill, fall considerably short of that mark because they open with backstory, or you-need-to-know-this-to-understand info dump.
My thought there was that if you're reading your manuscript aloud and your mind starts to wander, that's a sure sign of a narrative that has bogged down and is taking the reader nowhere. This happens to me when I'm reading such a manuscript silently, but I can see how a writer might not be able to do that with his own work, and it made sense that reading it aloud could help them become aware of pacelessness.
I think it's a difference in how our minds process
In reading words and sentences to pronounce them out loud, we use additional parts of our brains, and I think that's what makes us more aware of the actual content of the sentences than when we're reading silently. Necessarily, there's a tighter focus, too, and less tendency to skim and skip.
As I mentioned, I hadn't been in the practice of reading my stuff aloud. I now regret that I haven't been. This epiphany is due to creating podcasts for my latest novel, The Vampire Kitty-cat Chronicles. The manuscript was copyedited by a reasonably sharp-eyed colleague who performs that function for the university where I work. It was read by my sharp-eyed English-major wife. And I read it again and again and again before publishing it, both in manuscript form and in book form.
Yet reading it aloud has uncovered at least a dozen typos and other linguistic mistakes. Argh! Despite all the care and attention, there they embarrassingly were. I'm almost finished with the podcasts, and will load a revised version into the POD supplier, Lightning Source, when I'm done. Because it costs $40 for me to make that change, current copies purchased will have embarrassing glitches in them. (Maybe they'll become collector's items—get your copy today!)
On the other hand, there's a good chance the errors will go unnoticed. After all, they escaped the beady-eyed gazes of people who were on the alert for goofs. I also think that the nature of the narrative is a factor. There's plenty of humor to distract you, not to mention seeing the world through a cat's eyes, and fast-paced action that becomes quite involving. Readers (not all, it does have its critics) speed through the story, constantly racing forward to find out what's going to happen next in the madcap tale. I like to think that, in a way, quality of storytelling is the culprit.
The goofs have primarily been just that—goofs. A typo now and then. A word out of place. Once a description that didn't make a whole lot of sense.
Here's an interesting sidebar: I use contractions in the narrative quite a lot, partly because it's in first person. However, in reading it aloud for the podcast recording, I found that the rhythm and sense of the words play better when the contractions revert to whole words. I'm not going to change them in the typeset narrative, but, when I record, I find myself de-contracting the contractions more and more.
So now I'm reading another one aloud
I'm still working on getting my We the Enemy story ready for publication (I just rewrote the opening and some key parts thanks to the input of a beta reader–thanks, Jami), and now I've embarked on reading it aloud, though not for recording.
And guess what—I'm finding a word missing now and then, some hidden echoes, and other glitches that have not been seen by the same crew that missed those in vampire kitty-cat—the wife, the editor, and myself. Just this morning I found a line that had a character finishing a beer—only I'd cut the earlier reference to him having one! Argh!
(I'm still interested in finding beta readers for this book. Here's ad copy I've composed about We the Enemy: "Madmen, madchildren, and criminals kill us with terrifying firepower. Revolving-door law spits felons back onto streets uncaught, unreformed. But maybe there are ways to change. A gripping ride in a unique speculative thriller that sparks thought." If you'd like to give it a read and give me feedback, email me at ray at ftqpress dot com.)
On the positive side, I'm still confident of my narrative ability. I'm finding that the prose reads well and is involving, and doesn't need much in the way of revision—but I am also seeing ways to clarify now and then, which means a better read. This reinforces the lesson I learned with the kitty-cat novel—storytelling and writing craft abilities aside, my ability to get it right is only 98 percent accurate. Read it aloud. A valuable and humbling lesson learned. I'm going to do it with the other WIP that's been "finished" for years, Finding Magic.
If you think this advice doesn't mean you . . .
I ignored this advice for years, to my detriment. So why not do this? Take a couple of chapters of something you feel is polished and tight, right now, and read them aloud. Then post the result in comments for this post. If you don't discover anything, excellent. But it you do . . .
For what it's worth.
About Ray Rhamey
Ray Rhamey is the author of five novels and one craft book, Flogging the Quill, Crafting a Novel that Sells. He's also an editor who has recently expanded his creative services to include book cover and interior design. His website, crrreative.com, offers an a la carte menu of creative services for self-publishers and Indie authors. Learn more about Ray's fiction at rayrhamey.com.
23 Responses to "Read. It. Aloud."
I can't edit without reading my manuscript out loud. When I read it out loud I feel the flow of the language. It gets the story out of my head and gives the words a life of their own.
I probably drive my husband nuts when I get in a focused revision mode because I read, revise, read again, revise, and on and on. But the flow of the language has to be just right or it won't work.
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I find reading out loud to be a great help for teaching me how to edit my work. Wherever I stumble in the reading, that is a place I know I need to work on.
.-= Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist´s last blog ..For the love of bad writing =-.Like? 0
We find this technique pretty invaluable in my writing group.
Alternately, reading it aloud and finding that (at last!) no one stumbles, no one wanders, etc. can be very, VERY encouraging!
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..First thing's first =-.Like? 0
Great insight from a veteran writer. I've never taken that advice either. I am a non-fiction writer, but I think this could work just as well for any kind of writing.
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Excellent advice. Author Alton Gansky taught me this early in my journey on the road to writing. At that time I was frustrated that he took the time to read aloud a bit of material on which I wanted his advice. Later, I learned how necessary this step is. Thanks for sharing.Like? 0
It works! Reading aloud one's writing is an excellent practice. I recommend it to anyone who is writing an essay, poem or story.
.-= Patricia A. McGoldrick´s last blog ..JUNE 13 FATHER'S DAY COMING SEE JUNE 12 POST! =-.Like? 0
I was talking to another writer recently who uses a device (I forget what it's called) that's basically a tube shaped like a hollowed-out telephone handset. You whisper into it, and it magnifies the sound straight to your ear.
Also, bonus, if you use it in public, people will think you're certifiably insane.
.-= Laurence MacNaughton, Author´s last blog ..Brand New Look — But No Surveys?! =-.Like? 0
Hi Ray:
Great advice and one I always use as it's a hard lesson to swallow once that book is in print. Because proofreading is done by people, not by a computer, one must take into consideration room for human error. Just take comfort in knowing that I find the odd typo or missing word in even bestselling novels written by well-known authors that are printed by some of the biggest publishing houses.
This is not a problem restricted to those who self-publish!
Having attended writing workshops hosted by the great Terry Brooks, he said that people will forgive the author if the story is wonderful even if there's the odd typos, punctation error, etc.
What they will not forgive is a 'perfect' book, but the story falls flat.
Thanks for a great post.Like? 0
I've been trying this technique for the first time, and one thing I've learned is that you shouldn't edit this way too early in your revision process. As I've been trying to read out loud, I've just been frustrating myself because it isn't smooth enough. Reading out loud can help you find the places that need to be smoothed out – but if the whole thing is still in that condition, perhaps it's best to wait until you've eliminated some of those extra words.
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The bnefeit of txet to sepceh stfoware over redaing aolud is taht we have the bad hbait of auto-correcting mitskaes before we even realize they're there…
Plus playing it back to music can make for some highly entertaining reading :-)
.-= S0BeUrself´s last blog ..Plot First, Characters Second? =-.Like? 0
Ray, I'm completely with you on the importance of reading aloud as a revising tool. But more than that, reading aloud has become a crucial performance skill that every writer should have. Given the bookstore/bookgroup reading circuit that's so vital to the marketing success of any book, a writer who can really create an enjoyable listening experience wins more points than one who drones on and on.
How committed am I to reading aloud? So committed that I founded The Drum, a literary magazine online that publishes new fiction and essays only as audio files.Like? 0
Great post – I have (much to the annoyance of anyone within earshot) always tried to read my writing aloud while editing. Even my essays and such for school. And when I wrote ad copy at a newspaper, my co-workers got used to my constant mumbling.
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I absolutely agree with this! My latest short story was read aloud four times and changed each time. It is the perfect way to really find where things don't flow, and to also stay very connected to your work.
.-= Kristy Philbrick ´s last blog ..Unleash Your Inner Muse! =-.Like? 0
I totally agree with reading aloud to check for errors and flow. After reading a few chapters out loud, I found I needed to change a character's name. In my head the name flowed along with everything else. Out loud, I could hear how the name sounded too much like another word–one potentially offensive and embarrassing. All fixed now. But I wouldn't have caught it if I hadn't read those chapters out loud.
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I also find the read-aloud test helps craft better dialogue. Otherwise, my characters require lungs the size of two swimming pools.
Jan O'Hara´s last blog post ..Twitter Identity Change: Do You Rip or Do You Peel?Like? 0
Thank you for this advice. It's easy and free! I will use it, for sure!
Isabelle´s last blog post ..Enfin l'été!Like? 0
Great post, and excellent advice. I discovered the benefits of reading everything aloud when I first began to do readings and kept finding things I wanted to change as the words emerged from my mouth. That was a frustrating experience! I also find reading aloud is the BEST way of catching unintended word repetitions… the sound of words lingers longer in the memory that the sight of them on a page.
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[...] Read. It. Aloud. How do you make sure your words (which look fabulous on the page, thank you very much) actually work? Try reading them aloud, especially if you are working on your dialogue. Perhaps I will use this tip with my little one after he is born. He won't understand the words yet, I'll be stimulating his mind by reading to him, and I'll get some possible revisions for my WIP. [...]
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I used to do a lot of public reading and speaking competitions in high school. When I started critiquing my friends novels and then my own, reading out loud was the most natural and by far the most helpful thing for me to do when revising. Apparently I'm pretty interesting to listen to because my natural habits make me read – with emotion – even on first passes. I very much suggest reading things out loud!
Cid´s last blog post ..Tiaras and BoasLike? 0
Even before I knew I was supposed to, I read my work aloud. It's the only way to feel the cadence and structure. Plus – I catch more typing errors reading aloud.
Unlike Cid, when I'm reading aloud (to myself) I keep the reading "flat". For me, it's a better way to hear sentence structure and rhythm.
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With just a bit of humor, when I read aloud, I feel like the little boy in the classroom corner who just had his knuckles rapped by Mrs. Geitline for not being able to read assignments quietly. "Reading should be in your head, not your mouth. You will never amount to anything if your brain cannot control your mouth!" she would yell at me.
Much later in my mid-life, a college teacher of mine was reading aloud various responses to book-report test we had taken the week before. As she read the last response to one of her test questions, the answer given by the student literally summed up the entire essence of the book in wonderfully crafted prose that left the whole class speechless. The silence was broken by a voice rarely heard in any classroom, my own. "That was really beautiful," I remember saying, looking about the room full of much younger students, trying to imagine who had written it. When I asked who had written the paragraph, the teacher shrugged her shoulder, flipped the test pages back to its coversheet, look straight at me and said, "You did."
I felt like a conceded old fool trying to be a show-off. While hastily trying to answer all the test questions in the allotted time, I vaguely remembered what I had written, but the experience seared into my mind the power a voice has when married to well crafted words. Reading my work aloud is good advice, but I still find it hard to get past the phobia of Mrs. Geitline's well intended advice. May she rest in peace.
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