The future of reading

When the iPad was revealed there was a lot of snickering. Tampon jokes were made and the web cried out in furious anger: "This is it?". It just looked like a big iPhone, but without calling capability. "Ha ha, Steve Jobs," the internet said, "We've got you this time." And thus began a mass posting of iPad picture into cat photos with the words "FAIL" written at the bottom.

But perhaps the full range of capabilities was not made clear to us. Or perhaps it was and we were just too busy with the tampon jokes? Isn't that always the way? In this presentation from Wired magazine, they show us what exactly magazine publishing on the iPad could mean... if you're a good magazine that's willing to put in the time and effort into making sure the icy collapse of the publishing industry doesn't drag you down with it.



Intriguing. Maybe that's worth... $500-$800 dollars? Perhaps I may need to divert some cash from the TB Weapons Stockpiling and Impregnable Fort Construction Fund.

Awful Library Books

Want to waste untold time scanning literary horrors that have almost nothing to do with Meghan McCain and Sarah Palin getting millions to "write" "books" or Dan Brown shitting out a mystery about the Trilateral Commission and Beethoven? Go check out Awful Library Books, because how else would you learn about a book where George Burns teaches you to become immortal through his specialized eating and fucking techniques?

Glenn Beck is coming for your children

Yes, I understand that book publishing is a business. Yes, I understand that Glenn Beck has a following amongst certain crypto-fascist Morlock factions. And yes, I understand that saying the following might well be a career-limiting act...

But seriously, fuck you, Simon & Schuster:

Today Simon & Schuster announced "a global multi-book, multi-imprint co-publishing agreement" with conservative personality Glenn Beck--a book deal that will put the television host's literary efforts on YA bookshelves, audiobook collections, e-readers, and children's libraries.

Possible titles include Our First Black Hitler, Taxation = Immolation and Dumber Than I Look: How to Get Paid Ungodly Sums of Money to Act Like a Home Shopping Network Host While Soft-Peddling Pseudo-Libertarianism Wrapped in The Flag.

Support your independent presses

In tandem with the Real Labor Day, today is "Buy Indie Day." Support you local independent presses and bookstores by buying a book, doesn't matter which or for what reason, at an independent bookseller.

Don't know where to find an independent bookstore? No matter. Go HERE.

Fuck the system, damn the man, man the parapets, etc. Go, be good.

Speaking of people who need to go away

It's nice to know that while the book publishing industry continues to hemorrhage revenue and shitcan employees by the barrel, there remain brave institutions committed to providing underexposed intellectuals a voice.

Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich today signed a six figure book deal with one of the largest independent book publishers in the U.S., the PR firm representing Blagojevich announced today.

The publisher in question is Phoenix Books, known for turning a cheap buck on tackling such vital stories as those of Siegfried & Roy, Chris Benoit, and former New York escort Natalie McLennan.

Two animal abusers, a drug addict, and a whore. At least Blagojevich is in proper company.

Today's reason to hate life

According to Fashionista, the DABA harpies I discovered earlier now have a book deal.

To quote the Zen philosopher, David Della Rocco, "Fuckin', what the fuckin', fuck, who the fuck, fuck this fucking, how did you two fucking fucks... FUCK!"

It's a deal it's a steal

W. Commemorative Book

Here’s your chance to be one of the very first to own this compelling coffee table styled book about an extraordinary president in turbulent times. “W” is packed with gripping pictures and stories all beautifully presented in this historical keepsake presentation of all eight years of the Presidency of George W. Bush. Be the first to own this memorable book and be proud to share it with your friends and family.

$24.99 (+ $6.00 shipping)

"Why yes that is a book commemorating the most disastrous President in my, or possibly anyone's, lifetime. Why do you ask? No, it isn't ironic. Wait, where are you going?"

Proud moments in American publishing: Laura Bush edition

The New York Observer reported today that Simon & Schuster paid two-fitty an undisclosed amount at auction last month for the right to publish Laura Bush's memoir under its Scribner imprint. While neither author nor publisher have been forthcoming about either the book's content or the amount forked over for the rights, odds are a typical passage will disclose the First Lady's tactics for rebuffing advances by Paul Wolfowitz, what to tell your anvil-smart daughter after pictures of her doing tequila slammers in Cabo San Lucas surface in the tabloids, and how many boilermakers it takes to make the pain stop. I also suspect the printed book will be complemented by an audio version for George to read.