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Ejusdem Generis
As we all know, the literary world does not begin and end with the major publishing companies (in spite of their best efforts). Fanfiction is one of the strange, beautiful corners of literature, gifted us by postmodernity and hated, beloved, mistrusted, and sometimes grudgingly accepted by both publishers and established authors. This week, Vox.com has an interesting piece on what is likely the most famous work of fanfic ever (if you’re not counting 50 Shades of Grey), My Immortal. The author’s identity, long unknown, yet diligently sought for, has been revealed through the concomitance of seemingly unrelated events: the attempted gaming of the NYT Best Seller List, and the no-longer-anonymous author getting a book deal. Take 5 minutes out of your day and check it out.
Speaking of the Big Five, The New Republic explores the increasing homogenization of the Booker Prize list and winners ever since the competition was opened up to Americans, and notes that this is bad for everybody, especially Americans. Check it out, and think about whether your imminent inclusion on the Short List is indicative of your betrayal of the avant-garde.
Finally, what else have you considered regarding that Booker Prize short-listed novel, anyway? Besides hopefully gaining the ability to pay off student loans and buy a meat grinder attachment for your stand mixer, I mean (maybe that’s just me)? The helpful folks at Authors Publish are thinking for you, thankfully. Check out their recent essay on some of the long-term things that authors should be planning for with respect to the future life of their work.