So what does it all mean, then? Or to paraphrase, what’s it all about, Author? This week on the world’s favorite podcast for writers we brood over some of life’s greatest imponderables. Should a book have some meaning in order to have value? What’s the point and meaning of the world’s book fairs? Why did the BBC call Monty Pythons’ humor “nihilistic, cruel and disgusting”? And what is HarperCollins going to do about it all then, Rupert?
Questions, questions. On this week’s interrogatory yet waterboarding-free show we ask the big ones – and even answer a few of them. Holding their stress positions with magnificent fortitude are… leading Florida lawyer and Litopia Daily’s newshound, Donna Ballman… from England’s West country writer and Litopia stalwart Dave Bartram… from London, it’s Richard Howse, a student at Britain’s National Academy of Writing and half of the creative duo that produces LITOON, the cartoon strip that’s recently been launched on Litopia… and tonight’s ultra-special guest – Martyn Daniels one of the most highly respected consultants in the publishing business. He blogs for the Booksellers’ Association at bookseller-association.blogspot.com – it’s one of the industry’s must-reads.
Topics covered (and links) from tonight’s show include:
- Is it enough to write a page turner – or should a story have a real meaning?
- Augustus John famously had an accident when he dived off cliffs to go swimming and as a result became a master draughtsman. History seems to have repeated itself…
- What is the future of the book fair – do Frankfurt, London, BEA and the others really justify the cost, effort and hype?
- HarperCollins UK restructures but does it just prove that the publishing industry is still banging its head against the digital wall?
- Are your book sales being counted properly?
- “Hi, I’m Donna and I’m a bookaholic…” At least if the book industry has its way…
This week’s titles from the Commissioning Meeting are:
“Happy Pollyooly – The Rich Little Poor Girl”
By Edgar Jepson, 1863-1938“How to Cook Husbands”
By Elizabeth Strong Worthington“Hooking Watermelons”
Edward Bellamy, 1850-1898“The Head Hunters of Northern Luzon”
By Cornélis de Witt Willcox
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