The Return of the Original Dirty Joke

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As we move toward increased censorship (seriously, people it was a breast, not a murder), it’s nice to know there’s still a place for down and dirty sex in books. The classic novel Naked Came The Stranger is being rereleased. If you don’t know (and if you don’t know, shame on you!), this book is not a classic because of its fine writing and tasteful scenes…quite the opposite. Plus it’s a fine literary joke (ah, to have more of those), mostly because it was funny where folks like Jayson Blair are just pathetic. Crass Act

Books/Mags/Blogs

When Agents Shack Up

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The way I see it, it’s a great way to save on office supplies — three prominent New York agencies have combined to form a new super-company. Arthur Pine Associates, Witherspoon Associates, and Carlisle & Company will now be known as InkWell Management. Focus will be publishing, intellectual property licensing, brand building, and lectures with an international flair. Calls the the InkWell website were not returned; the Carlisle site had no additional revealing details. Hopefully, the New York operator will be able to provide a phone number or something. Pine, Witherspoon and Carlisle Form InkWell Management Carlisle & Company Website

Agents

How To Get Published, I

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It is common knowledge that those who head successful multi-national corporations are excellent writers. After all, they have the time to spend crafting clever sentences and all that crafty stuff that makes for compelling reading. Okay, I’m making all this up. Just as Jack Welch before him, Sandy Weill of Citigroup will author a tome filled with management advice. Who reads this stuff? Head straight to the last item for the scoop. Rush & Malloy, 4/26/2004

Square Pegs

Stupid Human Tricks

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I know it’s mean to make fun other people, but I can’t help myself. Seriously kids, if you’re gonna plagiarize, do it right. This is the age of the Internet and we can discover your secrets easily. Onion Taken Seriously, Film at 11

Square Pegs

Above the Knees, Below the Shoulders

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I think it’s nice that there’s a book out there for just about every unpleasant task we humans must do. For authors, pitching is the root canal of our business (I’ve met very few who consider it to be fun). Agent Katharine Sands, in her book Making the Perfect Pitch, holds an author’s hand through the pitching process. Alas, it’s only a book — it gets you in the door, then leaves you do the hard work by yourself. Making the Perfect Pitch

Agents

Have e-Reader, Off to the Beach

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It is inevitable that someday, somebody will invent the perfect e-reader, a handy dandy electronic device that holds umpteen books, is portable, easy-to-read, stylish, the usual (yes, an iPod for word addicts). Sony’s Librie EBR-1000EP takes us to the next level of our e-reader quest. Except for the stylish part, but I have faith that too wil come. Library without books

Square Pegs

Ready, Set, Query

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Sally Kim has joined the Shaye Areheart Books/Harmony team at the Crown Publishing division of Random House (bloodlines are so important). Welcome her to her new office in a traditional way: query! They’re looking to expand their list of commercial and literary fiction. Shaye Areheart Books

Publishers and Editors

You Too Can Go To Texas

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The Austin Film Festival’s screenplay competition is open for business. Feature screenplay deadline is May 7, 2004. Television (aka Prime Time) is June 1. Check out the website for rules and legal stuff. Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition

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Sun, Fun, Long Lines

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It’s time for the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books. Based on the birds I hear chirping and the endless blue sky outside my window (Southern Californians are nothing if not smug), the coming weekend will be gorgeous…and yet so many will spend their days in the urban village that is the UCLA campus, grasping armloads of books and hoping to get them signed before the author’s time is up. Loads of authors, loads of discussion, loads of advice, loads of sun. Los Angeles Times Festival of Books

Square Pegs

Next Up: Vampires Do Suburbs

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It is, in my opinion, rare that the Los Angeles Times does a front page story on an author. Even more rare that they do a story on an author moving. Sheesh. Anne Rice is moving out of New Orleans. To the suburbs. What’s the big deal? Oh right…she is New Orleans. Not the suburbs. Anyway, there’s a big ole house for sale in the Big Easy if you have three or four million. Adieu to Big Easy Haunt (Note: The LA Times calendar requires registration, and for non-print subscribers, money.)

Square Pegs
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