Wolfe’s Book Falls Flat At The Cash Register

Thomas Wolfe’s new book is on the bestseller lists to be sure. But crappy reviews have translated into sales of “only” 250,000, far below the announced first printing of 1.5 million. “Despite its continued tenure on most national best-seller lists, “I Am Charlotte Simmons” is being discounted by 50 percent or more at bookstores and online, a move publishers often make to try to recoup some of their investment in a book that has not met expectations.”

Orchestra Victoria Finds Success Is Free

Melbourne’s Orchestra Victoria performs in the State Theatre. But its real griowth has been for free concerts outside the theatre. “This year, it expects to increase its audiences at free concerts in regional centres by 10,000, to more than 70,000, a jump of more than 16 per cent. Orchestra Victoria is expanding its pioneering scheme of free concerts supported by charities and philanthropic bodies in regional centres and suburban Melbourne. Now into its fourth year, the community program raised $1.4 million last year from Melbourne-based organisations.