I just finished the above title by Toronto Star columnist and crime writer several times over Linwood Barclay. Prompted mostly by those who know better, I dipped into No Time for Goodbye and ripped through it in one sitting. We stocked his earlier stuff, but I didn't pick it up at the time. I'm going to rectify that in a hell of a hurry because the new one (pub date Sept 25) is damn near flawless. Even when crime fiction has some of the conventions of the genre around plotting; it's the really good stuff that can move briskly along, possessed with strong characters and rest comfortably on one hell of a hook. I read in pretty much in one sitting and damn me for not picking him up sooner.
I'll review closer to pub date, but I'm going to have a great deal of fun in the falling haranguing everyone to pick this up.
Nicely done, Mr. Barclay
Posted by Dave
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Someone had to say it
A former publishing scion opines on what makes for a bad author.
I would add learn how to pull off a decent reading.
This applies for both fiction and nonfiction authors.
Most authors know enough to put some effort into their voices and performance when reading to a room full (or half full) of people who've after all, come to meet them and hear them read.
Years ago a nameless author who a few of us at Words Worth especially liked published a couple novels from a major house over a three or four year period. We were thrilled to arrange with the publisher to book them as part of our annual spring and fall author series.
The first time said author read in a flat almost depressive state and read a section of the book that did next to nothing to arouse anyone's interest. There were many sections of the novel that illustrated plot and character much better. It would also have resulted in sales of the authors book.
We lamented a missed opportunity afterwords, and excitedly booked same author a couple years later, figuring the first time out was a fluke.
Same result. Another great book that we still enjoy selling, but you'd never know it from the response that evening.
Woody Allen said "Ninety per cent of life is just showing up." It's not.
Engaged booksellers can't do much to hand sell a fine novel when the author sounds like an accountant at the microphone.
Posted by Dave
I would add learn how to pull off a decent reading.
This applies for both fiction and nonfiction authors.
Most authors know enough to put some effort into their voices and performance when reading to a room full (or half full) of people who've after all, come to meet them and hear them read.
Years ago a nameless author who a few of us at Words Worth especially liked published a couple novels from a major house over a three or four year period. We were thrilled to arrange with the publisher to book them as part of our annual spring and fall author series.
The first time said author read in a flat almost depressive state and read a section of the book that did next to nothing to arouse anyone's interest. There were many sections of the novel that illustrated plot and character much better. It would also have resulted in sales of the authors book.
We lamented a missed opportunity afterwords, and excitedly booked same author a couple years later, figuring the first time out was a fluke.
Same result. Another great book that we still enjoy selling, but you'd never know it from the response that evening.
Woody Allen said "Ninety per cent of life is just showing up." It's not.
Engaged booksellers can't do much to hand sell a fine novel when the author sounds like an accountant at the microphone.
Posted by Dave
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
too hot to sleep
and to be awake actually.
I finished the new Ann Patchett, due in October and as usual, she rarely puts a foot wrong in the novel Run.
A story of a politically connected blended family in present day Boston is told over a twenty four hour period, opening with a road accident during a snowstorm.
Run doesn't have the immediate impact of Bel Canto, but it's pleasures are a bit more cerebral, and revealed slowly and with great care.
It's representative of what's going to be a good fall, (if we get some rain around here)
Posted by Dave
I finished the new Ann Patchett, due in October and as usual, she rarely puts a foot wrong in the novel Run.
A story of a politically connected blended family in present day Boston is told over a twenty four hour period, opening with a road accident during a snowstorm.
Run doesn't have the immediate impact of Bel Canto, but it's pleasures are a bit more cerebral, and revealed slowly and with great care.
It's representative of what's going to be a good fall, (if we get some rain around here)
Posted by Dave
Sunday, June 24, 2007
God may not be great but Chris Hitchens is doing pretty well
so says the Wall Street Journal.
I've always been of two minds on Christopher Hitchens. I think he's a fine essayist and can construct arguments with the best political thinkers. Love, Poverty & War is a great book.
But he stirs the pot to the point of leaving his erudition at the side of the road when his inner polemicist takes over. Granted, he's no fool and in a visual culture, he's great television.
It just muddies up his books from time to time.
Anyway, he's a hit.
Massive sales to atheists, sure but it looks like both cash registers are ringing.
"Part of what is driving the sales of "God is Not Great" falls under the concept of know thine enemy. Conservative-minded customers have been snapping up the book because they want to be familiar with its message, says Vivien Jennings, owner of Rainy Day Books in Fairway, Kan. "There is a very strong presence of the religious right, and they want to know what's being said and figure out how to move against it."
I'm not so sure about that. I very rarely see any Michael Moore lookalikes snapping up anything by Ann Coulter. Sorry, I just wanted to see how that sentence looked.
Still, booksellers do love an author who can do some of the lifting.
"Booksellers say Mr. Hitchens has helped his own cause by staging colorful confrontations with religious figures and by making incendiary statements about the late Jerry Falwell. On "Anderson Cooper 360," Mr. Hitchens was asked if he thought Mr. Falwell would go to heaven. His response: "No. And I think it's a pity there isn't a hell for him to go to."
Actually, I'm better with his thoughts on reading literature to get a sense of morality.
Never mind, Hitchens is a hell of a guy.
Posted by Dave
I've always been of two minds on Christopher Hitchens. I think he's a fine essayist and can construct arguments with the best political thinkers. Love, Poverty & War is a great book.
But he stirs the pot to the point of leaving his erudition at the side of the road when his inner polemicist takes over. Granted, he's no fool and in a visual culture, he's great television.
It just muddies up his books from time to time.
Anyway, he's a hit.
Massive sales to atheists, sure but it looks like both cash registers are ringing.
"Part of what is driving the sales of "God is Not Great" falls under the concept of know thine enemy. Conservative-minded customers have been snapping up the book because they want to be familiar with its message, says Vivien Jennings, owner of Rainy Day Books in Fairway, Kan. "There is a very strong presence of the religious right, and they want to know what's being said and figure out how to move against it."
I'm not so sure about that. I very rarely see any Michael Moore lookalikes snapping up anything by Ann Coulter. Sorry, I just wanted to see how that sentence looked.
Still, booksellers do love an author who can do some of the lifting.
"Booksellers say Mr. Hitchens has helped his own cause by staging colorful confrontations with religious figures and by making incendiary statements about the late Jerry Falwell. On "Anderson Cooper 360," Mr. Hitchens was asked if he thought Mr. Falwell would go to heaven. His response: "No. And I think it's a pity there isn't a hell for him to go to."
Actually, I'm better with his thoughts on reading literature to get a sense of morality.
Never mind, Hitchens is a hell of a guy.
Posted by Dave
Friday, June 22, 2007
I'm so happy. Having a really, really good time
Wow. I've seen the future of marketing fiction and it looks like this.
Apparently, the next contestant in the Devil Wears Prada sweepstakes is upon us.
Holly Peterson's novel, The Manny (nanny but a man, get it?) is poised to ooze all over the summer with all the stuff one needs to guarantee a hit.
A young, promotable author with pedigree, a slickly produced promo film, and most importantly, a two book $1 million advance; so you know it's going to be promoted to the outer edges of the known universe.
All it seems to lack is an ending that doesn't make one unintentionally laugh out loud.
This just might be the funniest thing ever.
Posted by Dave
large hearted fan
One of my favourite blogs has gathered everything so far on Ming Jin Lee's first novel, Free Food for Millionaires, a book that my better half read a few weeks back, and rather liked.
I haven't been there yet, but I'll make time for it.
The author has clearly done the work putting a profile together. Nice job.
Posted by Dave
I haven't been there yet, but I'll make time for it.
The author has clearly done the work putting a profile together. Nice job.
Posted by Dave
That's one dynamic art department
I think Sarah got there first, but the Guardian gets to the Rap Sheet blog which lists all the trees that can really hurt you.
Who knew Britain had a favourite dead tree stock photo?
Posted by Dave
Who knew Britain had a favourite dead tree stock photo?
Posted by Dave
buzzards overhead?
The future of Indigo: more stuff that if you squint and hold your nose, kind of in some small way relates to books.
And less and less books.
Is it too early to wonder if the golden goose (turkey neck?) that is Indigo is being fattened up for resale?
"Ms. Reisman said it is "not anywhere in our plans" to consider selling more stock, the price of which has gained considerable ground over the past couple of years.
Indigo has been attracting more investor attention as it improves its operations and broadens its non-book offerings of gifts and toys."
And less and less books.
Is it too early to wonder if the golden goose (turkey neck?) that is Indigo is being fattened up for resale?
"Ms. Reisman said it is "not anywhere in our plans" to consider selling more stock, the price of which has gained considerable ground over the past couple of years.
Indigo has been attracting more investor attention as it improves its operations and broadens its non-book offerings of gifts and toys."
same as it ever was..
Over at the Toronto Star, a hopeful novelist gets in the way of a bucket of cold water.
"And what about the creators of the product on which the book industry is based – the writers? Ironically, if my experience is anything to go by, every second Canadian seems to be writing some kind of tome. There is little time to read, but certainly hours to kill spawning the Great Canadian whatever.
Again, however, the romance of writing, as with publishing and selling, is being challenged, possibly diminished, by the virtual. One non-fiction writer announced at a BookExpo workshop that she had managed to attract an American publisher. But she had been told in no uncertain terms that she would have a daunting variety of responsibilities unrelated to her muse."
Uh..yeah. And a second job, perhaps.
Posted by Dave
"And what about the creators of the product on which the book industry is based – the writers? Ironically, if my experience is anything to go by, every second Canadian seems to be writing some kind of tome. There is little time to read, but certainly hours to kill spawning the Great Canadian whatever.
Again, however, the romance of writing, as with publishing and selling, is being challenged, possibly diminished, by the virtual. One non-fiction writer announced at a BookExpo workshop that she had managed to attract an American publisher. But she had been told in no uncertain terms that she would have a daunting variety of responsibilities unrelated to her muse."
Uh..yeah. And a second job, perhaps.
Posted by Dave
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Everything old is new again
See, this is why I never accept any of the accolades that routinely come my way.
I'm with Will Self on this (bottom of the link)
Posted by Dave
I'm with Will Self on this (bottom of the link)
Posted by Dave
New England White
We had some good success with Stephen Carter's brainy first mystery novel, Emperor of Ocean Park. Slate magazine signs off on the second book.
Posted by Dave
Posted by Dave
and a copy of "footprints in the sand" for later
The Philadelphia Inquirer runs down options for the atheists in your circle of friends.
The article rightly point out that we've been here before and the prose was of a better quality back in the day, too.
Not on the list?
These.
Loved, loved, loved the first book, and there's not much I'm looking forward to more than the second.
Posted by Dave
The article rightly point out that we've been here before and the prose was of a better quality back in the day, too.
Not on the list?
These.
Loved, loved, loved the first book, and there's not much I'm looking forward to more than the second.
Posted by Dave
coming from Simon & Schuster...Nickleback on federal provincial transfer payments
The Bon Jovi biography slated for this fall has been abruptly shelved as lead singer Jon Bon Jovi is at heart, just a shy kid from New Jersey.
"One of those big publishers gave us a million dollars recently to write a book about our experiences but we just gave the money right back because it's no one's business," said the frontman.
"They wanted the clichéd story about being a rock star and I'm not going to tell them. It doesn't mean it didn't happen, it just means isn't there anything more important to talk about."
Well sure there is, but....dude, you're Bon Jovi.
And damn you for denying me my trip to rock and roll fantasy camp.
Posted by Dave
"One of those big publishers gave us a million dollars recently to write a book about our experiences but we just gave the money right back because it's no one's business," said the frontman.
"They wanted the clichéd story about being a rock star and I'm not going to tell them. It doesn't mean it didn't happen, it just means isn't there anything more important to talk about."
Well sure there is, but....dude, you're Bon Jovi.
And damn you for denying me my trip to rock and roll fantasy camp.
Posted by Dave
Sunday, June 17, 2007
As the goat said
Great piece at Bookforum on the experience of seeing ones book made into a film.
Michael Tolkin and Elmore Leonard probably know as much as anyone on the process, but for my money the best line comes from Tim Krabbe, loved by cyclists everywhere.
"If you liked the book, don’t see the film. Why let the images that the words stirred up be overruled by some director? No matter how painstakingly a writer describes his heroine, each reader sees her differently. But on the screen, everybody sees Sandra Bullock. As the goat said after it had eaten a few reels of film, “I like the book better.” The book is always better—but why? Perhaps because films cost more and must cater to a wider audience."
Truer words were never spoken.
Posted by Dave
Michael Tolkin and Elmore Leonard probably know as much as anyone on the process, but for my money the best line comes from Tim Krabbe, loved by cyclists everywhere.
"If you liked the book, don’t see the film. Why let the images that the words stirred up be overruled by some director? No matter how painstakingly a writer describes his heroine, each reader sees her differently. But on the screen, everybody sees Sandra Bullock. As the goat said after it had eaten a few reels of film, “I like the book better.” The book is always better—but why? Perhaps because films cost more and must cater to a wider audience."
Truer words were never spoken.
Posted by Dave
there you have it, Amazon is uncool
I'm a bit dubious about this, but the Times sez so, so it's gotta be true.
Being partial to bricks and mortar, I see this as a fine development.
For all the merits of buying locally, it seems we humans just like to see other humans from time to time. How about that?
“There’s a recognition that some customers like a more interactive experience,” said Alex Gruzen, senior vice president for consumer products at Dell. “They like shopping and they want to go retail.”
I'm not squaring this with Amazon's recent stock price surge, but maybe the time for them to pay off that stubborn long term debt is now. Except they won't do it with any help from that Potter kid.
Of course, neither will anyone else, but this is the business we've chosen.
Posted by Dave
Being partial to bricks and mortar, I see this as a fine development.
For all the merits of buying locally, it seems we humans just like to see other humans from time to time. How about that?
“There’s a recognition that some customers like a more interactive experience,” said Alex Gruzen, senior vice president for consumer products at Dell. “They like shopping and they want to go retail.”
I'm not squaring this with Amazon's recent stock price surge, but maybe the time for them to pay off that stubborn long term debt is now. Except they won't do it with any help from that Potter kid.
Of course, neither will anyone else, but this is the business we've chosen.
Posted by Dave
So now you know
George over at Ninja gets to hold forth on how to do it all here.
"Have any advice for would be bloggers? What do you think is the best route to raise a blog's profile?"
"Update several times a day with good new material. It's about personality, quality of content and frequency. If people know the product is going to be good and going to be consistent, they will return, and bring friends."
Umm..several times a day? Hell, it's all I can do to, well you get the idea.
Posted by Dave
"Have any advice for would be bloggers? What do you think is the best route to raise a blog's profile?"
"Update several times a day with good new material. It's about personality, quality of content and frequency. If people know the product is going to be good and going to be consistent, they will return, and bring friends."
Umm..several times a day? Hell, it's all I can do to, well you get the idea.
Posted by Dave
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
whereupon Hell gets a momentary chill
Recently there's been a bit of a flareup around Heather (Indigo) Reisman and Gerry Schwartz's establishment of the HESEG Foundation for Lone Soldiers, which makes scholarships available for lone soldiers who join the Israeli Defence Force.
According to this, HESEG plans to donate about $3 million dollars a year to the estimated 5000 to 6000 soldiers eligible. The reason this comes up now is that June 8 was the fortieth anniversary of Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
There are a lot of reasons for Indigo to be viewed negatively in the book trade. I've done so rather often; obviously out of some self interest, but also because I have real problems with some of their fundamental tactics and practices. I'll spare you the list, it's kind of long and not particularly relevant here.
But because a politically connected business person decides to put some money into a cause (a cause in which there are two sides worth considering) it doesn't automatically merit a boycott, as some are calling for.
Without getting into the sticky politics of the issue, Reisman's organization is the result of one power couple flexing a bit of muscle for a cause close to them. This differs from Amazon.com giving sixty per cent of their political action money to the Republicans in 2004. The political connection is a good deal more solid, and make no mistake; when you go sixty vs forty in a presidential election, that's still playing to win.
Heather & Gerry actually quit the Liberal party federally last year over the flare up last year, when new PM Stephen Harper backed Israel unequivocally. That's just fine, though now that she's a connected Tory, I'd like to hear her thoughts on the Kyoto accord for example.
Ah well, that's likely not going to happen.
Still and all, in terms of choosing to put your book budget somewhere other than Indigo, there are far better reasons than this.
The video of the protest is here.
Posted by Dave
According to this, HESEG plans to donate about $3 million dollars a year to the estimated 5000 to 6000 soldiers eligible. The reason this comes up now is that June 8 was the fortieth anniversary of Israel's occupation of the Golan Heights, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
There are a lot of reasons for Indigo to be viewed negatively in the book trade. I've done so rather often; obviously out of some self interest, but also because I have real problems with some of their fundamental tactics and practices. I'll spare you the list, it's kind of long and not particularly relevant here.
But because a politically connected business person decides to put some money into a cause (a cause in which there are two sides worth considering) it doesn't automatically merit a boycott, as some are calling for.
Without getting into the sticky politics of the issue, Reisman's organization is the result of one power couple flexing a bit of muscle for a cause close to them. This differs from Amazon.com giving sixty per cent of their political action money to the Republicans in 2004. The political connection is a good deal more solid, and make no mistake; when you go sixty vs forty in a presidential election, that's still playing to win.
Heather & Gerry actually quit the Liberal party federally last year over the flare up last year, when new PM Stephen Harper backed Israel unequivocally. That's just fine, though now that she's a connected Tory, I'd like to hear her thoughts on the Kyoto accord for example.
Ah well, that's likely not going to happen.
Still and all, in terms of choosing to put your book budget somewhere other than Indigo, there are far better reasons than this.
The video of the protest is here.
Posted by Dave
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
post book expo
Everyone in the room was congenial, well fed and leaden with trinkets, posters ARC's...and then we all went home.
I could write a long spiel on what took place or I could just crib from here.
Nice work from Quillblog.
My favourite bits are:
"“Will Carol Shields be signing today?” – An Indigo staffer at the Goose Lane booth."
and
"Linwood Barclay, on what distinguishes Canadian mystery writers from their international brethren: “Lower sales.”'
Saturday and early Sunday was the worky part, but afterward, I got hands on new books from Elizabeth Hay and Richard Wright (blue chip, both of them) and got a hand in for the new Denis Johnson, which FSG is rightly excited about.
A review of Elizabeth Hay's Late Nights on Air will be posted with publication in the fall.
Posted by Dave
Posted by Dave
I could write a long spiel on what took place or I could just crib from here.
Nice work from Quillblog.
My favourite bits are:
"“Will Carol Shields be signing today?” – An Indigo staffer at the Goose Lane booth."
and
"Linwood Barclay, on what distinguishes Canadian mystery writers from their international brethren: “Lower sales.”'
Saturday and early Sunday was the worky part, but afterward, I got hands on new books from Elizabeth Hay and Richard Wright (blue chip, both of them) and got a hand in for the new Denis Johnson, which FSG is rightly excited about.
A review of Elizabeth Hay's Late Nights on Air will be posted with publication in the fall.
Posted by Dave
Posted by Dave
Sunday, June 10, 2007
just a little dusty, it's still good, it's still good
Book Expo all weekend.
Tired, cranky, going to bed.
Back with some regularity tomorrow.
Posted by Dave
Tired, cranky, going to bed.
Back with some regularity tomorrow.
Posted by Dave
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
more to come
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
See, its easy to make money in publishing
New York Magazine scores again with a nice bit on the numbers game over at Random House.
Fiction accounts for a huge percentage of the profit and they best way to make a buck?
Skim from the writers:
“The most-profitable books are highly successful authors early in their career with a contract that doesn’t reflect their success,”says CEO Peter Olson.
Classy.
Posted by Dave
Fiction accounts for a huge percentage of the profit and they best way to make a buck?
Skim from the writers:
“The most-profitable books are highly successful authors early in their career with a contract that doesn’t reflect their success,”says CEO Peter Olson.
Classy.
Posted by Dave
That would be a no
Monday, June 04, 2007
lists for the lazy
or merely curious.
Both good lists, though.
New York Magazine lists the Best Novels You've Never Read.
The two David Markson's are just sitting in our place. They probably need an advocate closer to home.
In the other New York print shop the Times asked eight authors (head shots for all, if you've never seen 'em) what they've been jazzed about lately.
Robert Bolano doesn't need a champion, everyone seems to love him lately. If Savage Detectives ever gets off of back order status, I'm going to give it a go as well.
Right after I flip through this.
I finally got back to Lost City Radio and I'm largely glad that I did. A literate political thriller that I have up on too soon several months back.
Posted by Dave
Both good lists, though.
New York Magazine lists the Best Novels You've Never Read.
The two David Markson's are just sitting in our place. They probably need an advocate closer to home.
In the other New York print shop the Times asked eight authors (head shots for all, if you've never seen 'em) what they've been jazzed about lately.
Robert Bolano doesn't need a champion, everyone seems to love him lately. If Savage Detectives ever gets off of back order status, I'm going to give it a go as well.
Right after I flip through this.
I finally got back to Lost City Radio and I'm largely glad that I did. A literate political thriller that I have up on too soon several months back.
Posted by Dave
Friday, June 01, 2007
There are a lot of wacko's in the publishing industry but
this is a very strange and weird special case.
The fact that his first book sold as well as it did just means that people in Texas Wal-Marts can move their lips in unison.
Kind of sad that the followup book for kids on "activist judges" tanked though.
Hilarious, and my smile for the day, this.
Posted by Dave
The fact that his first book sold as well as it did just means that people in Texas Wal-Marts can move their lips in unison.
Kind of sad that the followup book for kids on "activist judges" tanked though.
Hilarious, and my smile for the day, this.
Posted by Dave
whereupon visitors will be forcibly overturned by dementors until all their money falls out
It's the Harry Potter Theme Park.
Er...sorry, I meant the Harry Potter "environment."
Warner Brothers and Universal Orlando Entertainment are partnering to create "the world's first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment" envisioned as a "theme park within a theme park" and based on the best-selling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros. "Over the years we’ve received thousands of letters from fans around the world wishing they could visit Hogwarts and the wonderful locations described in each of J.K. Rowling’s beloved stories,” Barry Meyer, Warner Bros Entertainment chairman/CEO said in the press release.'
This classy, understated gem could only exist in Florida.
Posted by Dave
Er...sorry, I meant the Harry Potter "environment."
Warner Brothers and Universal Orlando Entertainment are partnering to create "the world's first fully immersive Harry Potter themed environment" envisioned as a "theme park within a theme park" and based on the best-selling books by J.K. Rowling and blockbuster feature films from Warner Bros. "Over the years we’ve received thousands of letters from fans around the world wishing they could visit Hogwarts and the wonderful locations described in each of J.K. Rowling’s beloved stories,” Barry Meyer, Warner Bros Entertainment chairman/CEO said in the press release.'
This classy, understated gem could only exist in Florida.
Posted by Dave
Guess it's time to pack it up then, yes?
God, I'm so f...ing tired of articles like "my tale of woe trying to break into this business, it's all going to hell anyway."
It seems that Jules Evans is in Britain trying to get his book out into the cold uncaring world and it's not working. Whatever could be wrong with your manuscript?
Oh, likely nothing at all.
It's everything else.
"One can blame agents or publishers for this, but the real ‘fault’ lies with us, the people: we’re not really buying books any more. I’m a writer, and I’m barely buying books any more. Since I finished the research for my book, which involved a huge amount of reading, I’ve barely read a single book. When did you last buy a book?
What do we do instead? We surf the net, which gives us instant easily-digestible bites of information, we snack on information, and spoil our appetites, so that we can’t be bothered to eat the main course of a book.
We want information that flashes, web articles that include music and Youtube video, and the ability to interact, to add online comments, and blogs, and links to our friends. The digital revolution means we barely have the attention to read a newspaper, much less a book."
Prat.
Posted by Dave
It seems that Jules Evans is in Britain trying to get his book out into the cold uncaring world and it's not working. Whatever could be wrong with your manuscript?
Oh, likely nothing at all.
It's everything else.
"One can blame agents or publishers for this, but the real ‘fault’ lies with us, the people: we’re not really buying books any more. I’m a writer, and I’m barely buying books any more. Since I finished the research for my book, which involved a huge amount of reading, I’ve barely read a single book. When did you last buy a book?
What do we do instead? We surf the net, which gives us instant easily-digestible bites of information, we snack on information, and spoil our appetites, so that we can’t be bothered to eat the main course of a book.
We want information that flashes, web articles that include music and Youtube video, and the ability to interact, to add online comments, and blogs, and links to our friends. The digital revolution means we barely have the attention to read a newspaper, much less a book."
Prat.
Posted by Dave
making the world safe...
for spook memoirs.
Valerie Plame, who worked for the CIA had her cover blown by a cabal of Republican nasties,
(Dick Cheney's going to a special corner of Hell for a bunch of reasons, this is just one more)
and is suing the government, citing interference around her to be released memoir.
"Plame contends in court documents that the CIA released information about her work history in an unclassified letter about her retirement benefits. The letter, which the CIA says was sent inadvertently, was ultimately entered into the Congressional Record and says that Plame worked at the CIA for more than 20 years.The lawsuit was announced on the eve of the annual trade convention BookExpo America, when publishers often try to release big news. The book deal for Plame's memoir, "Fair Game," is widely believed to be worth seven figures."
Uh, can someone get to work on Oliver North? He's still allowed to write novels.
God, I'm old.
Posted by Dave
Valerie Plame, who worked for the CIA had her cover blown by a cabal of Republican nasties,
(Dick Cheney's going to a special corner of Hell for a bunch of reasons, this is just one more)
and is suing the government, citing interference around her to be released memoir.
"Plame contends in court documents that the CIA released information about her work history in an unclassified letter about her retirement benefits. The letter, which the CIA says was sent inadvertently, was ultimately entered into the Congressional Record and says that Plame worked at the CIA for more than 20 years.The lawsuit was announced on the eve of the annual trade convention BookExpo America, when publishers often try to release big news. The book deal for Plame's memoir, "Fair Game," is widely believed to be worth seven figures."
Uh, can someone get to work on Oliver North? He's still allowed to write novels.
God, I'm old.
Posted by Dave
portable, engaging and a bulwark against fascism
the beleaguered novel as political savior?
Absolutely, although I wonder if Vargas Llosa is still on board in Iraq.
Good piece from the always reliably heady Prospect magazine.
Posted by Dave
Absolutely, although I wonder if Vargas Llosa is still on board in Iraq.
Good piece from the always reliably heady Prospect magazine.
Posted by Dave
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