Fred Armisen and Carries Brownstein have a site with a few video shorts called ThunderAnt, that is pretty damn funny. Best of all is Feminist Bookstore, click below or visit the site. Anyone who has worked in, shopped in or walked past an indy bookstore will love this. Or hate this. Or won't care at all. I think it's god damn funny!!!
My friend Carl Lennertz over at Harper Collins, has been dabbling in editing while he’s not being the Veep of marketing to Indy Bookstores for Harper. And his dabbles only continue with his acquisition of CAPTAIN FREEDOM: A Superhero’s Quest for Truth, Justice and the Celebrity He So Richly Deserves by G. Xavier Robillard to be published in January 09.
Carl told me about this last month and when I checked out Robillard’s posts on McSweeney’s I realized that I’d read several of them over the months and loved them – Home School Progress Report is excellent. His blog is also good – All Day Coffee
Congrats to Carl (who I affectionately refer to Yoda as he knows all things publishing and I go to him when I need wisdom) for landing such a cool book. And selfishly one that fits so well into my world of BEA and NYCC. And congrats to Robillard on his first book deal, call me when you are ready to come to BEA and ComicCon.
Here’s an synopsis: Packed with pop culture references, Robillard goes non-stop from page one, racing through the laugh-out-loud story of Captain Freedom (aka Tzadik Freidman). This runs the gamut from his absurd superpowers, his real identity, his fall from grace on the world stage and in the kitchen, his search for a sidekick and archenemy, his flagging comic book sales, his stint in rehab, his disastrous children’s book, and finally, a run for political office. This wild ride of a novel sends up Hollywood, the fashion world, upper management, parenting, politics and much, much more.
-L
I believe part of our mission on both New York ComicCon and BookExpo is to help foster new talent. Well foster we have in the form of the Comic Book Idol contest for NYCC. This year’s winner is Jon Reed, an accounting assistant from Alexandria, VA, who will be met at New York Comic Con by Comic Book Idol host and comic book writer J. Torres, who will help introduce him to industry leaders over the course of the three day weekend. We'll also give Jon an all-expense paid trip to this year’s convention.
Our partner in this contest is CBI 3, which is part of the massively cool Comic Book Resources and has rapidly become a source of encouragement and recognition for talented artists who are eager to jump start their careers in the world of comics.
The field of people competing for the prize was really pretty diverse, a cool sign for the comic industry. Contestants ranged from the United States, England, Brazil and Canada. We also saw a ton of fans weigh in there favorites – combookresources.com experienced a 500% increase in new traffic to its forum during the Comic Book Idol contest.
So congrats to Jon Reed for being the 2007 Comic Book Idol winner. We'll see him at NYCC in a few months and the good news is that Jon Reed just makes the December 1st cut off for free registration for professionals and creators!
-L
Here is a sneak preview of some (ok one) of the cool new New York ComicCon merch we'll be rolling out for you very soon.
Because I will only sell products that I stand behind 100% I had no choice but to test this new NYCC bag in the field. Connecticut didn't seem like it would provide the UV rigours, and other real life conditions I would need to fully endorse this fine product and place the sacred NYCC brand upon it. So in Nader like defense of you the consumer, I flew to Guadalajara Mexico for harsh field testing.
I'm happy to say that the bag performed beautifully. Holding up not just to the balmy Mexican sun, but it also withstood stitch stretching and stain repellent tests (tequila comes out with a bit of club soda).
So all this means that this New York ComicCon bag, and other fine products tested as equally thoroughly by yours truly, will be available at http://www.nycomiccon.com/ soon. Stay tuned for the full line of new merch!!
No thanks necessary, I do it out of love for you, the fans.
-L
The American theatrical premiere of CASSHERN will take place at 10 PM on December 8, 2007 at The ImaginAsian Theater as yet another bonus to come to the New York Anime Festival. Tickets will not be sold to the New York Anime Festival screening of CASSHERN. Instead, admission is exclusively and complimentary available to anyone with a New York Anime Festival badge. Fans need only to show their NYAF badge at the door to the ImaginAsian to attend.
So get your NY Anime Fest badge now! What more do you want? Low interest, high risk home loan deals? Come on!
If you don’t know, CASSHERN was released in 2004 in Japan, features real actors and actresses in digital environments heavily manipulated in post-production to give the film the appearance of a "live-action anime." It is based on the 1973 anime Shinzo Ningen Casshern, the story of a slain soldier brought back to life to battle an army of super humans called the Neo-Sapiens. CASSHERN was written and directed by Kazuaki Kiriya and features an ending theme by Japanese pop star Hikaru Utada. In addition, two of New York Anime Festival's guests, Shin-go (Guitarist of UNICORN TABLE) and Yasuhiro Koshi (Military Advisor for films including Battle Royale and Gozilla: Final Wars) each played a role in the production of the film -- Shin-go serving as the soundtrack's producer, and Koshi acting as military advisor. Both Shin-go and Koshi will speak during a special introduction before the premiere.
- L
I met a new friend in Guadalajara this past week at the gigantic public market. On the first floor of the market you see the food you'll be served on the third floor - though not nearly as neatly wrapped. Just after this picture was taken I heard a series of chops and then the guy in the apron went wee, wee, wee all the tu casa.
I promised dispatches from around the world, but I never said it'd be pretty. Mrs. BEA grew up in a Hormel company town and at Hormel they say they sell everything but the squeal, and I think they learned that from the vendors as the Guadalajara public market.
- L
There, I said it and I feel better. Every blog I read seems to feel compelled to write something about it. Enough.
I`m in Guadalajara Mexico writing you from the Guadalajara Book Fair. I´m down here finalizing a cooperative partnership between BEA and the fair. It´s a great cultural event that the entire city gets wrapped up in. Most impressive, but hard on English speakers, which to be clear, is my loss and fault.
Join me in not writing about the Kindle anymore. It got the front page of Newsweek, now give it a few months and see if it makes an impact and then feel free to rekindle the posts.
Adios,
-L
Cool, I found some sketches of earlier versions of art for BEA 2008........Scroll down a few posts to see the final design of art for 2008.....
-L
A few quick Cliffs Notes for you from the world of Comic, Anime and Books......
Gateway Books: Comic pioneers Francoise Mouly and Art Spiegelman are launching Toon Books (from the Little Lit Library), a new line of kids comics in book form, in 2008. Call it a gateway book as it's targeting kids 4 and up. Pretty cool. Man, I'd love to see them at BEA and NYCC.
What to get the Graphic Novel Lover for Christmas: Our good friends over at The Shelf (Shelf Awareness to the uninitiated) made there Graphic Novel picks for the gift season.
Anime Update, Now With Art! New York Anime Fest is inching closer every day (December 7th if you didn't already know). Forbidden Planet has already sold out of tickets – twice. I have a felling this Festival is going to be berserk. We’ve also narrowed down the finalists for the fan art contest from Del Ray and TheOtaku.com, which can be seen here… Anime Fan Art
Poor Publishers: In the UK concerns over low pay in publishing have led to the creation of a Facebook group entitled "I work in publishing and I'm underpaid". The group has attracted 654 members. No U.S. version has been created...Yet. Try working in a bookshop, that's my advice! Check out the article from The Bookseller : Low salaries lead to Facebook revolt
Emerge and Drink Beer: Emerging Leaders NYC is hosting our 4th quarterly Emerging Leaders Night Out! When: Wednesday, November 28th, 7pm-9pm Where: Housing Works Bookstore Who: Like all our ELNO mixers, this gathering is for young people in bookstores and publishing houses in the New York City area. What: Informal networking opportunities as well as a sense of community for young professionals in the city. *The good folks at Housing Works Bookstore have been kind enough to volunteer happy hour prices in the cafe all evening. In addition to bookish conversation , excellent people, and affordable drinks, we'll have new books and some special guest appearances by NYC authors in our midst.
On My Nightstand: I took a bookstore holiday on Monday and hit about 6 stores in NYC looking for gift inspiration. It worked - I found a book I didn't even know I wanted (or existed)! The Replacements: All Over But the Shouting: An Oral History by Jim Walsh. The Replacements are quite possibly the greatest band you've never heard of. Take this opportunity to acquaint yourself, you will not regret it. And if you don't, I'll look down my nose at you.
-L
Here it is, the unofficial unveiling of the show art for BEA 2008! Pretty cool stuff by Michael Crampton, the artist I've been working with for the last 2 years. It's really fun to watch this process evolve, from rough sketches of concepts to detailed sketches to color treatments and then the final. Amazing stuff. I remember the process with last years art and i marveled at Michael's talents when I asked him to make a river a road and the boats taxis - a day later it was in my email in box for reviewing......
I must say, after reading comic blogs every day, it's nice to be able to come up with a sneak peak at some art......
- L
Ok, I can finally write about a burr that’s been in my saddle for over a month. I got a call from friend, Akashic Publisher and honcho at the Brooklyn Book Festival (BBF) Johnny Temple while in Frankfurt last month regarding rumors of New York is Book Country being revived and choosing the same dates as BBF. As the story evolved it became clear it was no rumor. PW does a better job of telling the tale than I can – New York Book Fests Collide. This is just silly and classless on the part of the New York is Book Country people. In the PW piece AAP Vice President and good friend of BEA Tina Jordan said it best,
“There are 365 dates in the year to choose from, where the city can celebrate its literary richness and culture in many a borough and community. I would hope that there is a way to spread the bookish wealth in New York across multiple days throughout the year.”
I was copied on the letter Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz sent to New York is Book Country officials, and while it was professional, cordial and polite, I have spent enough time around Markowitz to know that this will not be taken “lying down”. When Temple and I talked last month he was fair and supportive towards NYIBC, with a big if; saying that Akashic would event exhibit at NYIBC, but why must they make such a blatantly aggressive move?
We are literary people who are not afraid to share an opinion - write an email to Tore Erickson at Kirkus Reviews in support of the Brooklyn Book Festival.
-L
I actually think traveling as much as I do (I'm pushing 100,000 miles flown for the year!) Helps my productivity. I'm not known as a patient man, but there is little else to do while sitting at the gate or on a plane than work!
A few random Cliffs Notes:
From Shelf Awareness and The Bookseller: "The German-language edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which went on sale Saturday, October 27, sold more than one million copies in the first 24 hours, "marking a 13.5% lift on sales of the previous title. The English-language original sold 500,000 copies on the launch day and has sold more than a million copies to date.".
50% of all Harry's sold in the first day were in English - that is astounding and fully supportive of the rise in global English reading we documented at BEA this year. It also supports my theroy that one language and liquid content flowing across borders (small "b"!) Will reshape the book industry globally in coming years. Wow. I know Harry is the exception to every rule, but these sales are in line with the research we presented at BEA.
Library Thing has claimed that similar site Shelfari has been "astroturfing" or having employees make blog posts praising its own site. Library Thing posts evidence here (sorry, no links, I'm mlogging:
http://www.librarything.com/thingology/2007/11/shelfari-astroturfing-evidence.php
I really love both sites and have been sort of torn on who to put on my blog and which site to use for book links (I used Shelfari on my post from last night). I did an event with Shelfari at BEA last year, but also got to spend some time with the Library Thing folks this summer. I'm pretty dumb on blog rules, but Library Thing seems upset. You read and decide........
Planes leaving......
-L
http://www.librarything.com/blog/
Lance Fensterman
Industry Vice President
BookExpo America
New York ComicCon
Blog:
www.bookexpo-lance.blogspot.com
203.840.5507 (o) 203.417.33607 (m)
--------------------------
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld - Please excuse any typos!
I’m traveling to DC early tomorrow to see Jed Lyons and the NBN crew, so I’ll be in transit all day Tuesday , followed by the NY ComicCon panel COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS HARNESSING THE POWER OF VISUAL LITERATURE on Wednesday. So the blog will go silent for a day or so (yes, try to eek by as if life were normal). But I’ll be back in the saddle Wednesday night so for now, skip the full text and enjoy some Cliffs Notes from the last few days:
Iron Books: Random House has acquired rights to produce books based on Iron Man, in conjunction with the film next year. Pretty cool. Something tells me you might see a little about this at NY ComicCon.
HC on iPhone: HarperCollins has signed an exclusive deal with Apple to provide free book content for the iPhone, which launches in the UK today (9th November).All iPhone users will be able to download 15 "tasters" of HC titles.
Where’s The Anime? I’ll Tells Ya Where: The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) has its full program schedule, including a complete listing of screenings, panels, and special events, on it’s web site. The chatter on the NYAF MySpace page is buzzing…..Remember, less than 4 weeks until The Anime Fest invades NYC for the first time.
Pink Manga; Is That a Tropical Drink? Daniel Pink is a former speechwriter for Al Gore and the author of several influential examinations of the contemporary workplace and the place of workers in a post information age economy, including Free Agent Nation (2002) and A Whole New Mind (2006). In April of 2008 Penguin Books will publish Pink's latest work, The Adventure of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You Will Ever Need ($15), the first American business manga. I loved A Whole New Mind and have blogged it mercilessly. ICV2 had this Pink piece about his new manga book weeks ago before Wired also picked up on the Pink Manga connection. Check them both out, but I really think Pink is a visionary……OK, I hate that word. He’s a smart cookie, that’s more my style.
Embarrassing Brush with an Idol part 1: Here is a nice profile of the coolest graphic designer on the planet from the London Telegraph, Chip Kidd. I was at a publishing party with my BEA cohort Steve Rosato when he wanted to introduce me to who he thought was Chip Kidd, who I am completely enthralled with. As I gushed about his book and his work, it turned out it was not Chip Kidd, but another publishing Chip which I won’t name. Yes, red faced, he walked away and Steve and I felt like asses – and not for the last time. This embarrassing moment does ntot change the fact the Chip Kidd Book One is one of the coolest books you’ll ever pick up if you love design or books.
Embarrassing Brush with an Idol part 2: If pushed, I would label myself a libertarian and for that reason, along with the fact that he’s god damn funny, I’ve long enjoyed P.J. O’Rourke. The New York Times Paper Cuts Blog has a nice Q & A with him here, which includes the following beautiful, classic Rourkian quote when asked about what he is currently working on:
The caterpillar or larva or worm that is my creative consciousness has encased itself in a chrysalis, and I have no idea what will emerge. It may be a splendid butterfly. It may be a nasty moth that kills trees and excretes remaindered books.
The first book reading I ever went to, when I was about 18, was at the now defunct Odegard Books in St. Paul, MN and it was P.J. O’Rourke. I remember I asked him a really idiotic question like, “So how about an O’Rourke Powell ticket for president?”
-L
I started a blog post on the plane from Miami last Friday that for a series of attention span related reasons, I never finished. So now as I prepare to write a final wrap up of The Translation Market, I find that Chad Post of the University of Rochester has already done it for me on his blog – Three Percent. Check it out, it’s waaaay better than your truly would have done! But nonetheless I’ll give you a few tidbits:
The Translation Market wrapped up Thursday night and was by most accounts a success. It’s clear we have something to build on and I think I've got some ideas as to what direction the event should move in. The goal for the first year was to reach the already converted and get them excited and intrigued about the concept and expand form there. I think the converted were axcited and intrigued, so now the questions is, where can we take the event? We’ve had visions of a two day event complete with conference, networking, rights exchanges and more.
I did get an idea from the last panel of the event - A Bookseller Point of View which featured Sarah McNally (McNally Robinson Booksellers), Karl Pohrt (Shamen Drum), Rick Simonson (Elliott Bay) and Paul Yamazaki (City Lights) discussing how they sell translated books - and sell them often. The panel really evolved into a roundtable discussion between literary publishers and booksellers on tactics and ideas of how to better sell translated works. This fits with what my friend and publishing oracle Alun Davies said when I pitched the concept of the Translation Market to him 5 months ago: It’s all about the marketing.
Before returning to chilly NYC I had a great dinner with Dan Halpren, Sara Nelson, Lindsay Blessing, Sarah McNally, Lorin Stein, Eric Banks, and more. Slurping down oysters with that crew was a great way to end the event.
Good quote:
"'Ably' is the only mention a translator ever receives in a book review."
- Michael Moore of Pen American Center
-L
The collective brain power of everyone in this picture - besides the schmuck in the tie - could power one of those espresso book machines for 100 years. This afternoon at The Translation Market we've got a great panel on the view of books in translation from the booksellers perspective. A good excuse to bring some friends to Miami. From left to right: Sara Nelson of PW, Paul Yamazaki of City Lights Books, Rick Simonson of Elliott Bay Book Company and Mitchell Kaplan of Books and Books. And yes, we all broke out into song after this picture was taken.
A good tidbit from this afternoon's lunch which featured Judith Thurmamn (New Yorker staff writer) in conversation with David Rieff (author and son of Susan Sontag). Rieff stated that the only true work of art is the original work. He used the example of Alexander Pushkin being considered by Russians as their greatest writer, "However by all proof, meaning what I have read in English, that is completely absurd. That does not mean that he is not in fact the greatest Russian writer, but my only articles of proof are not original articles."
By this logic, this blog is a true work of art as it is the original.
In other bookseller news, BEA sponsored scholarships to the ABA Winter Institute and L.A. next year for BEA. We took entries fro booksellers at all the regional shows this fall. We're proud to support booksellers attendance at both of these events and the winners who will be announced in Bookselling this Week this afternoon are:
BookExpo Scholarship: Britton Trice, Garden District Bookshop, New Orleans, LA
Winter Institute Scholorship: Thom McElhany, Books Inc., San Francisco
Ciao from Miami,
-L
After a panel and half, The Translation Market in Miami is going exceptionally well. The room is full with attendees that work in all fields of the industry; rights agents, translators, Latin American author representatives and authors. We also had a strong interest from students currently studying language looking towards a career as a translator, the students provided a great walk up crowd and has brought a good energy to the room. It’s exciting to see a project that BookExpo had worked on so closely with our friends at the Miami Book Fair come to fruition. It further bolsters my confidence in the future of our industry to see such passion for broadening the literary landscape of our countryu. OK, enough about aspirations…..
The introductory panel, moderated by Sara Nelson of PW, featured Daniel Halpern (Publisher of Ecco), Kent Carroll (Publisher of Europa Editions), Barbara Epler (Editor in Chief of New Directions) and Peter Mayer (Publisher of Overlook Press). While there were a multitude of viewpoints thrown around on the current state of translation in the U.S. Halpern put it most succinctly when he said that, "There is a new generation coming up now that is standing on the shoulders of what publishers like those sitting on this stage have done. The question is where can they take this business of translation in the future? Can they continue what we started doing?" The group also seemed fairly unanimous in the belief that Barnes and Noble had no interest in selling books of translation. Barbra Epler even eluded that "translated by" credits on book covers were often taken off just to appease the company.
The news was mostly standard; that currently books of translation do not sell well in the U.S. but with proper marketing, a small amount of money and creative tactics this can change. Agent Isobel Dixon, commenting from the audience, pointed out that often German publishers will send authors on tour with actors to do the book reading while the author is just responsible for fielding questions from the audience. Nelson retorted, “And who si going to pay for that?” Peter Mayer pointed out a bookseller in the United Terminal of the San Francisco airport that had sold 1,200 copies (or 10% of the total sales!) of one of his books. "He knew the books, believed in it and then built modest displays - nothing fancy"
From the Comic Book Resources blog, Comics Should Be Good, check this out:
Top Five Superheroes Featured in Bob Dylan Songs
What about a comic based on a Dylan song? I'll write it - hell, it writes itself. To wit:
The motorcycle black madonna
Two-wheeled gypsy queen
And her silver-studded phantom cause
The gray flannel dwarf to scream
As he weeps to wicked birds of prey
Who pick up on his bread crumb sins
And there are no sins inside the Gates of Eden
-L
BEA in China? Kind Of, Sign Up Now – It’s Free (maybe!)
I promised a few days back more information on the opportunity to attend the Chinese version of BEA, well here goes. I was asked by friends at Publishing Today (The PW of China) and Sichuan Xinhua Winshare Chainstore Co., Ltd and Xinhua Publication Circulation Co. Ltd (The Ingram and Borders of China all rolled into one) to organize a group of U.S. booksellers and librarians interested in or currently doing business with, Chinese publishers to attend the Beijing Book Fair in January. The Beijing Book Fair is the domestic book fair in Beijing organized to provide booksellers, distributors and librarians with information on the latest’s and greatest upcoming Chinese books (sound familiar?). This is an exceptional opportunity to learn about the Chinese publishing, library and bookseller market. If you are interested in attending, sharing your knowledge of the U.S. market and learning about the Chinese publishing world, please contact me ASAP so I can help to arrange for this delegation. This truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the larger world of books and publishing. I’ve been to Beijing twice now and it is an eye opening and mind broadening experience. To be clear, a simple desire to go will not guarantee making the trip, Xinhua is looking for a specific type of delegate….. Email me with your interest or if you know of anyone…..
Brick by Brick Dear Friends, Brick by Brick
TwoMorrows Publishing will launch BrickJournal, a new quarterly magazine for Lego enthusiasts, in February. The full color magazine will be produced with assistance from Lego headquarters in Denmark. I have few passions in life, but Legos are one of them. In a big way. I have lived in no less than 10 places in the last 10 years, but in every move a big ole box of Legos comes with me. Check out the full article from our friends at ICv2:
'BrickJournal' for Lego Devotees
Found In Translation?
Lastly, I’m heading off to Miami Tuesday afternoon for the first ever BEA-Miami Book Fair International Translation Market. We’ve been planning this conference for about 3 months and I’m extremely proud to be partnering not just with the Miami Book Fair but on the subject of translations. In doing research for this conference, most agents I spoke with all said that works of translation were a passion for them, but that there was little money to be made. Idealistically, The Translation Market will help change that. OK, that’s overstating things, but I am proud to be a part of an event that will explore this field and maybe some day help to encourage the proliferation of words moving across borders, and in particular into the U.S. I’ll Mlog (mobile blog) form the event and give you updates on the conference.
-L
From this Sunday's New York Times Style Magazine (no fun making, I like to know what's hot in style so I am aware precisely how square I really am): Custom Comics as art? Cool idea, though not for those of us light in the wallet, check out the story....
Be Your Own Superhero
Art I can afford? Clipping pieces out of Chinese comics I got in Beijing and pasting them onto an old mirror. Maybe Mrs. BEA's project will make her the new Roy Lichtenstein and I can retire.
-L
As I've mentioned in a previous update from my nightstand, I'm currently reading Rock On - An Office Power Ballad by Dan Kennedy (to be published by Algonquin in February) and loving it. I came a across a great quote the other night about working in an office of a major corporation that I liked:
"The meeting is getting underway, and I recede and fade, walking backward out of the room with a pleasant and vacant look frozen on my face, convinced that the line between today's anxiety attack and tomorrow's stroke or unemployed cross-country spree of petty theft committed in a blackout is thinner than ever now that I'm working in an office full time."
So if you walk away from your Monday meetings today NOT thinking about cross country crime sprees, count it a good day.
Also, on the front cover of the galley for Rock On, this little gem:
"Uncorrected advance proof. File on eBay between '3D Laser Crystal Sculpture of Grizzly Bear Sitting on a Rock' and 'Adorable Angel - Rock On Silicone Soap Candle Mold!!!'"
I have to believe the Algonquin's Craig Poplars had something to do with that cover quote.......
And for the record, there were no copies for sale on eBay, but once again, ABE Books was more than happy to sell you a galley - Rock On
-L
Just a short post tonight as I have been busy basking in the glow of a rare Minnesota Vikings Win. And not just a win, but a record breaking performance by rookie running back Adrian Peterson who broke the NFL single game rushing record - and in just his 8th game as a pro! I huge sports fan I am not, but I am passionate about my native state's Twins and Vikings. At last I have some bragging rights around the office amongst all of the Yankee, Red Sox, Patriots and Giants fans (no links for them, they get enough media accolades!)- typically I just get a sympathetic pat on the head when I say I’m a Twins or Vikings fan......
Where's The Anime?
The inaugural New York Anime Fest is just 5 weeks away and they are still adding exceptional events to the already awesome lineup. In the past month or so we’ve announced killer guests like Kobun Shizuno (Co-Director of Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone) and Peter Fernandez (the voice of Speed Racer). And this past week some excellent screenings were also added, including Adventures in Voice Acting, Appleseed: Ex Machina, and One Piece: Episode of Alabaster. For a full lineup, follow the links to the web site, but trust me, for Anime fans the festival is not to be missed. If you don’t trust me, check out these vids - I don’t like to brag, but I actually know these people (and yes since becoming YouTube darlings they no longer talk to me and are in full diva mode)!
Lastly (and selfishly), I am completely stuck on a new name for the blog. I’m driving my office and house mates mad. In the words of the Simpson’s (The episode where Homer tells the Story of the Be Sharps), “We want a name that is clever at first and then less so every time you hear it.”
Medium at Large? Notes from the Margins? Medium Cool?
Argh!
-L
Our friends the New York Jedi walked in the NYC Halloween Parade last night. NY Comic Con help them out with the appearance so they were nice enough to march featuring a banner for NYAF and NYCC.
In a run to wrestle the market on cute cat pictures away from Galley Cat, I offer you this: Bob the Cat in his Super Cat Halloween cape greeting trick or treaters in Borwalk last night. Happy Halloween.......
Why is that almost any time I post pictures, I feel I've offered you a glimpse of my life that should inspire shame in me? I need to work on that....
A few Cliff's Notes for you:
Calling All Cos Players - This Saturday The New York Anime Fest is sponsoring Cosplay Day to celebrate the opening of Kinokuniya Bookstore's new flagship store in New York City. from 10 AM to 8 PM will receive a 10% discount off all anime and manga purchases and be entered into a raffle to win one of 10 complimentary weekend passes to the New York Anime Festival. In addition, the first 500 cosplayers will all take home a gift bag courtesy of VIZ Media.
The
To China Without Digging a Hole - I need to offer an expanded post on this, but I've been contacted by a publishing trade magazine in Beijing about identifying some booksellers and librarians to come to Beijing in January to discuss there respective roles in the U.S. book industry. More on this, but know of anyone who's been dying to see
Meeting-a-Rama - Had a great meeting with the gang over at News-a-Rama yesterday and if you're not already reading it, which I'm sure you are, start now. Pop culture news handed to you on the digital equivalent of a silver platter.
More after lunch today.......
-L
