Author and renowned curmudgeon VS Naipaul is one of the most prolific writers around. But it wasn't a sure thing. Early in his career, Naipaul was looking at other options. He tells the Scotsman:"I would have liked to work for a big company in India. I did apply, but didn't get it. To get those … Continue reading What Might Have Been

The Boston Phoenix has posted an investigative article on the increased visibility of pretty authors. Drawing attention to beauty may not be the most necessary bit of journalism, but the run-down of literary pulchritude is a fun read with some good gossip.While the Phoenix ultimately decides that pretty doesn't hurt an author's chances of success, … Continue reading Travails and (Ultimately)Triumphs

Every once in a while, I come across a neologism that sings in my ears: "anger brigades" and "technicals", are good examples. Add the phrase "oligarch copies" to that list.The term in refers to a diamond-encrusted edition of Dancing with the Bear: An Entrepreneur Goes East which is aimed, according to the BBC, at rich … Continue reading Oligarch Copies