“Here’s how it’s supposed to work: T.C. Boyle has published more than 20 books since 1979. For his new story collection, ‘Wild Child,’ his publisher set up a classic book tour; he traveled to a dozen cities, staying in hotels and reading to audiences of 50 to 1,000 people.” By now, that kind of tour is largely for literary stars. “[H]ow will their lesser-known counterparts connect?”
Author: Laura Collins Hughes
Bruce Graham, Architect Of Sears Tower, Dies At 84
“At the peak of his influence, from the 1960s through the 1980s, Graham was the top man at Chicago’s biggest architectural firm, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill…. [H]e shaped a legacy that suggests the epitaph on the tomb of Sir Christopher Wren, who is buried in his masterpiece, St. Paul’s Cathedral in London: ‘Reader, if you seek his monument, look around you.’ “
Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Don’t Be So Girly!
“Boys didn’t want to see a movie with ‘princess’ in the title.” So Disney has renamed its upcoming animated version of the Rapunzel tale “Tangled,” and its “marketing campaign will amp up the role of the dashing Errol Flynn-styled male lead…. Hints of swashbuckling action are already being leaked online.”
Not Even Broadcast TV Wants To Be Free
“One of the oldest free mediums, [television] has something to teach us about free information: It can be expensive. And, perhaps, we would be better off if we were allowed to pay for it.”
Is It A Publisher’s Job To Make Sure Authors Are Truthful?
“Publishers say that responsibility for errors and fabrications ultimately must lie with the author. ‘It would not be humanly possible to fact-check books the way magazine articles can be fact-checked,’ ” editor Robert A. Gottlieb said. “But in many recent cases publishers did not seem to ask basic questions of authors, accepting their versions on almost blind faith.”
Private Equity Firm Takes Over Annie Leibovitz’s Debt
“Under terms of their arrangement, Colony will become Ms Leibovitz’s sole creditor and help her market a library of photographs that includes such images as her Vanity Fair magazine cover of a naked, pregnant Demi Moore and her Rolling Stone photo of a nude John Lennon embracing Yoko Ono.”
Coming Soon To An E-Reader Near You: NYT Book Review
The New York Times plans to “introduce a separate version of its Book Review for three e-reader platforms, beginning with the Sony e-reader in the next couple of weeks. Versions for Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes & Noble’s Nook will follow.”
Before Long, Another Respected Critic Will Get The Axe
“As an art form, criticism should be placed on the endangered species list. Dozens upon dozens of critics have been laid off or taken buyouts at newspapers and magazines in the last several years. And the ones who have survived have less influence than ever before. “
Trimming Budget, Variety Cuts Chief Film, Theatre Critics
“[T]he trade let go chief film critic Todd McCarthy and chief theater critic David Rooney. Longtime film critic Derek Elley also was cut, as was features editor/indie film reporter Sharon Swart, along with several copy and design desk employees.” All three critics were asked to work as freelancers. The paper’s editor said the “changes won’t be noticed by readers.”
Daniyal Mueenuddin Wins $20K Story Prize
“He splits his time between his farm in Pakistan — the setting for the stories in his book — and cities like New York and London. … Mueenuddin has plenty of responsibilities in Pakistan — he manages the large farm — but beyond that, he’s got nothing but time to work.”