The no-politics edition (I'm trying, at least)

In a two-part post, author Shannon Hale delves into the relationship between writers and readers.

Sarah Weinman has begun analyzing the state of imprints at the six major publishers. So far she's covered Hachette, Simon & Schuster, and Macmillan.

Even if you're underwhelmed <raises hand> by Chrome (Google's new browser), take a look at the user manual/behind-the-scenes look at browsers/excellent marketing device created by Scott McCloud, who sat on ABA's graphic novels panel in Los Angeles.

This was the first week of classes for (many) college students around the country, which meant it was once again time for my Google Alerts to turn up all kinds of complaints about textbook pricing and availability. The strangest story, by far, comes from Amherst, where an employee of the official campus bookstore called a professor and pretended to be the parent of one of the professor's students in order to find out what books the professor would be using.

Back-to-school time is apparently also the time to reminisce about most-hated reading assignments. Read Street asks if there are "any books out there you're still bitter about."

GalleyCat links to a geek test based on the pop culture references in The Brief Wonderous Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. (I got 56; let me know if you beat me.)

Just in case anyone still thought pre-publication embargoes were working, Fox News got its hands on a copy of Bob Woodward's new book, due out Tuesday. The Washington Post, Woodward's sort-of-former-employer, was supposed to have first dibs, so they had to push an article of their own -- but the four-part series will start Sunday as planned.

A post by Jessica Faust at BookEnds Literary Agency sparked a discussion of big-city bias in fiction.

One of my favorite books of this season, Graceling, has started appearing in stores ahead of its official pub date, but author Kristin Cashore reminds readers that they can get signed copies by contacting her local indie.

Okay, I've been good so far. I haven't said anything about the conventions or the rumors or the Daily Show. Will you indulge me for one politics-related item? There's a prize in it for you, courtesy of author Joshua Henkin.

Henkin has realized that he doesn't know any John McCain supporters except his in-laws. But he'd like to. In a guest post at The Elegant Variation, Henkin offers a signed copy of his new-to-paperback Matrimony to the person who e-mails him with the best explanation for why he or she will vote for McCain. Anyone care to try their luck?

Posted at 01:09PM Sep 05, 2008 by Sarah Rettger in General  |  Comments[2]