The most important things Ann Patchett learned about the art of book touring were conveyed at a Southeast Booksellers Association conference in the 90s by Allan Gurganus and Clyde Edgerton, she writes in an Atlantic essay. Edgerton advised, “You’ve got to drink plenty of water” or you get dehydrated. Gurganus noted, “The only thing worse than going on book tour, is not going on book tour.” Patchett says: “The reason I have so assiduously followed Clyde’s advice (I drink it by the bucketful whenever I’m out on the road) and chanted Allan’s words like a mantra in my head (It […]
Authors
Former Rushdie Guard Complains in Book
Former UK detective Ron Evans has written ON HER MAJESTY’S SERVICE to complain about his three years guarding Salman Rusdhie “at the height of the threats on his life generated by a fatwa issued by the Iranian Ayatollah.” The Telegraph writes: “Evans paints an unflattering picture of Rushdie as tight-fisted, rude and arrogant, and claims the team of protection officers nicknamed him Scruffy because of his unkempt appearance. He said the protection team were expected to pay him rent for their sparse lodgings in a safe house.”Telegraph
The Two Mr. Banvilles
John Banville claims mixed feelings about his work. On his thriller-writing alter ego he says, “I’m proud of the Benjamin Black books in the way that a craftsman would be proud of a nicely finished table.” As for the Booker-winner’s titles, “John Banville books I loathe and despise and hate. They’re a standing affront to me.” He adds, “I have this fantasy,” says the much-lauded Irish novelist. “I’m walking past a bookshop and I click my fingers and all my books go blank. So I can start again and get it right.” What else is different between the two writers? […]
Last Lecture Author Randy Pausch, 47, Dies
The Carnegie Mellon University computer science professor made famous by his bestselling video lecture and book adaptation died today from complications from pancreatic cancer. The book has been translated into 30 languages. Pausch’s rich career is celebrated in a long statement release today by CMU.Obituary
S&S Sues Foxy Brown, Lil' Kim
The AP says the Simon & Schuster has filed two separate suits in NY State court against female rappers Foxy Brown (Inga Marchand) and Lil’ Kim (Kimberly Jones) for books they did not deliver. The publisher says they paid Brown $75,000 in 2005 for an autobiography due on February 2006, and that they paid Lil’ Kim $40,000 in 2003 for a novel that was due in June 2004. Spokesman Adam Rothberg says, “both accepted the money and both books never were delivered.” Both women also served stints in prison, Kim in 2005 and Brown in 2007. I guess two was […]
WSJ on ThrillerFest
The WSJ covers the recent ThrillerFest in New York: “Six hundred thriller writers, fans and industry professionals, some from as far away as Britain, Australia and New Zealand, were on hand…, a 30% increase from last year, according to Kathleen Antrim, author of ‘Capital Offense,’ [and vp of the organization] the saga of a first lady plotting to overthrow the president. ThrillerFest 2007 netted multibook deals for two attendees, and while it would be premature to speculate about the contracts that may come out of this gathering, ‘at least 25 people came up to me to say that agents had […]