Weldon Owen Explains How A Book is Born (Infographic)

West coast publisher Weldon Owen created a nifty little infographic (because kids love their infographics) to explain exactly how a book is “born.”

They say:

Here’s the heartwarming, only slightly messy, and roughly 74 percent accurate story of how an idea churns through the publishing process just like—as a publisher we once knew put it—a rat travels through an anaconda. Don’t think too much about that analogy. Just enjoy this flowchart that takes you from a brilliant idea to a best-selling trade book.

Hunter S. Thompson Rejects Biography by William McKeen

The folks over at Flavorwire compiled a list of the harshest rejection letters received by famous authors. The list includes literary luminaries like Gertrude Stein, Kurt Vonnegut, Sylvia Plath, Vladimir Nabokov, and Jack Kerouac. But my absolute favorite is the letter you see above, written by gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson to his biographer William McKeen.

You’re So Vain, You Probably Think GUESTLIST is About You #GLIST

Upon completion of a work, writers are always asked the same two questions.

The first is, “Which character is you?” or some variation thereof. It is constantly speculated that the story you’ve written is nothing more than a roman à clef, the fictionalization of real events and real people, a potentially damning bit of prose designed to humiliate those fucktards who’ve wrong the author in real life.

And that leads to second question – “Is [Character X] based on me?”

Or some variation thereof.

Walking Home From Cookers (Video)

Recorded last night as I walked home, a bit tipsy, from Night of the Cookers. I’m not really saying anything, but hey, I promised you more videos. Here ya go.

Oh, the song playing in the background is “She” by Tyler, the Creator featuring Frank Ocean. GOLF WANG!

That’s A Nice Handbag, Ma’am

This morning on the train, when an older woman stood in front next to me, my eyes immediately fell to her handbag. It was made by Dereon, Beyonce’s fashion label, and was constructed from fabric and patent leather with polished silvertone hardware.

I find myself doing this all the time now, and not just with handbags. Clothing, shoes, accessories of all kinds — I evaluate them all and attempt to discern the materials from which they were made and then I begin writing copy in my head.

Drinking A Lot of Wine Alone is Not Lonely, It Is Romantic

Happy Friday, y’all!

Did the Olsen Twins Even Read Tyra Banks’ Novel?

Sad-yet-Hilarious News of the Day: celebutante twins Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen were the recipients of copies of Modelland, the “fantasy novel” written by Tyra Banks. Apparently, they weren’t too impressed with the adventures of Tookie De La Crème as both signed copies were donated, in near pristine condition, to Housing Works.

From the Housing Works Tumblr:

This happened/is happening, this being we seem to have gotten a donation of Tyra Banks’ “fantasy novel” Modelland, with one copy for Ashley Olsen and one for Mary-Kate Olsen. Note: Tyra’s notes are different. Ashley’s ends “smile” [update: or is that “smize”?] and MK’s ends “stay fierce and fabulous.” Also, from the two pages I read Modelland is like ANTM meets Hunger Games. The pair can be yours! Holler if you’re interested [UPDATE: AUCTION DETAILS FORTHCOMING.].