Demise of publishing power couple?

Word on the street is that the so-called "publishing power couple" - Galleycatter Andy Heidel and Soho Press Publicity Director Sarah Reidy - have called it quits. If Reidy's facebook status and twitters are to be believed, she is definitely single and working through something. When I reached out for comment though, she replied very quickly with, "Fuck you. Don't you dare post about this on slunch," which leads me to believe this rumor is true. Heidel didn't respond to my emails, and sadly, his last twitter update is over a month old.

--Pagie Sexie

Gas Attack

Apparently, the Weinstein Company has acquired the rights to Larry King's autobiography. Will this "definitive biography" tackle the most pressing question about King? Why, why is he so gassy? Several sources have confirmed that if you have a meeting with King, be prepared for some unpleasant odors to waft your way. Perhaps gas is the secret to living so long? Or maybe it's some side effect of having your suspenders on too tight...

--Ladytron

I love the Michael Ian Black

One of my favorite VH1 comics will be showing up in Bryant Park this Wednesday to say hilarious things and continue his quest to fight David Sedaris. If you haven't read any of this book yet, you should. It's laugh-out-loud-on-the-subway-like-a-crazy-person funny. Oh, and hilarious side note. Amazon is offering the book with Sedaris's new one in the "buy together today" deal.

Details for this week's literary event below.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Michael Ian Black, My Custom Van (And 46 Other Mind-Blowing Essays That Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face)

Hosted by: Amelie Gillette, Staff Writer at The Onion

Rev up for comedian, actor, director, blogger, and co-creator of comedy favorites The State and Stella, Michael Ian Black, as he presents his debut collection of hilarious irreverent essays.

Do Tell,

The Editor

Biblical Babbling

Time Magazine has a new article out a 1st century BC tablet that challenges the idea that Jesus's resurrection was unique. Since the Bible is a book, I'm going to stretch this into the realm of publishing news. As in OMG, did the apostles totes rip off some other author's work? I mean, one of the basic arguments about the resurrection (according to Time, at least, and I'll go with them since I assume they did research and junk) is that it's unique:

This, in turn, undermines one of the strongest literary arguments employed by Christians over centuries to support the historicity of the Resurrection (in which they believe on faith): the specificity and novelty of the idea that the Messiah would die on a Friday and rise on a Sunday. Who could make such stuff up?

If certain interpretations of the tablet are to be believed, well, I guess the apostles kinda did. Or at least, stole someone else's miracle and applied it for their own uses. Hmm, well. I guess if that's true, we should all feel a little bad about coming down so hard on Frey, Jones/Seltzer, and all the other fake memorists. If even saints (are the apostles saints? some of them are, right? I mean, except for judas) fall victim to the temptation of a better story, how are we mere humans supposed to do better?

--Ladytron

ps. in a preventative measure to ward off hate mail, no, I am not actually equating James Frey with Matthew, Luke, John, etc. it's called sarcasm. please don't write me lectures about the merits of christianity. if you feel that strongly, you shouldn't be reading this blog.