Despite Economy, Frankfurt Book Fair Thrives


Yesterday’s post about readers selling their old books for gas money depressed me a little, but I was encouraged by this bit of news from Publishers Weekly. According to statistics, attendees at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair were up 5.6% from last year. 

The Frankfurt Book Fair is the world’s largest trade fair for books and is held each October in Frankfurt, Germany. Publishers and multimedia companies descend annually upon the fifth-largest city in Germany to negotiate international publishing rights and licensing fees. Fair director Juergen Boos credits this year’s boost in numbers to the topic of digitization in the publishing industry, which we all know is becoming more and more prevalent. “One of the main reasons for the increase in trade visitors is the need for guidance with regards to the new business models and fields of business which digitisation creates,” Boos explained.

The 2008 fair also included a speech by Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk and visits from the presidents of Germany and Turkey. Turkey was this year’s Guest of Honour, with 250 publishers and 100 authors in attendance to present their country’s literary prowess on an international stage. Next year’s Guest of Honour is China.

I am inspired by this. The economy might be in the crapper, but let’s keep focus on the vital importance books play in any society. If we need to sell things for gas money, why not get rid of those Adam Sandler movies cluttering our shelves? I’m reminded of that terrific quote by Erasmus: “When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.”

 

Story Source  Publishers Weekly, Frankfurt Book Fair, Wikipedia  |  Image Source  Frankfurt Book Fair

October 23, 2008 | Filed Under Authors, Newsies | 4 Comments 

And the Nobel Goes to…

Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio!

Earlier today, the French novelist, children’s writer, and essayist was announced as the recipient of the 2008 Nobel Prize for Literature. The prize is worth $1.43 million.

Le Clézio, though relatively unknown in the States, has long been considered one of France’s greatest living writers. He has written 40 books, which include an impressive selection of novels, commentary, and children’s books. Much of his work is inspired by his rather nomadic childhood, which was spent in places as diverse as Europe, Africa, Mexico, and Central America. Le Clézio, 68, is the 14th French writer to win the Nobel.

In recent weeks, the Nobel Prize for Literature has been the source of some controversy surrounding remarks made by the Academy’s permanent secretary, Horace Engdahl. Engdahl asserted that Europe was “the center of the literary world”, and American writers are “too isolated”, “insular”, and “sensitive to trends in their own mass culture” to be considered truly great artisans. Mr. Engdahl has obviously never visited my bookshelf, which includes a great big heap o’ kick-ass books by American writers.

He’s also obviously never visited the “Casual Encounters” section of Craig’s List. Now THAT’S American writing at its best! (I kid, I kid.)

Strangely-hot French president Nicolas Sarkozy called Le Clézio’s accomplishment “an honor for France, the French language and the French-speaking world.”

Mr. Le Clézio divides his time between Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mauritius, and Nice. His latest book is 2007’s Ballaciner.

 

Story Source  The New York Times, Yahoo  |  Image Source  Bibliothèque Delirium

October 9, 2008 | Filed Under Authors, Newsies | 7 Comments 

Former Simpsons Writer Wins Thurber Prize

Larry Doyle, a former writer and producer for one of the greatest television shows in history, The Simpsons, has been named the winner of the 2008 Thurber Prize for American Humor. The honor, named after author and illustrator James Thurber, was awarded to Doyle for his novel I Love You, Beth Cooper. Judge Firoozeh Dumas called the book “a hilarious yet painfully accurate account of high school in all its pimply glory.” Mr. Doyle was at the Algonquin Hotel reception Monday night to accept the award, which also comes with a $5000 purse. Well, not an actual purse, though that would be a cool prize too.

Also on the shortlist for this year’s Thurber Prize were Him Her Him Again The End of Him by Patricia Marx and Ant Farm, an essay collection by Simon Rich.

I Love You, Beth Cooper has already been adapted into a major motion picture. The film version, with Heroes star Hayden Panettiere, is slated to be released in early 2009.

Congratulations, Larry Doyle! And thanks for giving us some high-larious Simpsons lines over the years. 

Here’s one of my favorite Doyle-scripted moments from the show:

Moe: Yeah, hey, I’ve got a gift. As a child, I was bitten by the acting bug. Then it burrowed under my skin and laid eggs in my heart. Now those eggs are hatching and I… the feeling is indescribable. 

Homer: I know what you mean. Our dog had that. 

 

Story Source  Yahoo, Galleycat

October 8, 2008 | Filed Under Authors, Newsies | Leave a Comment 

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      WHAT IS A SNARK?




      The Snark is a creature created by Lewis Carroll in his poem "The Hunting of the Snark". To give a proper description of Snarks, one must look no further than Carroll himself, who summed them up in one word: Unimaginable.

      But this much we do know: some have feathers, some have whiskers. Snarks sleep a lot, yet they are an ambitious lot -- with very little sense of humor. They love bathing-machines and tend to bring them wherever they go; they are also handy for striking a light. Snarks live on a far-off island, a place filled with chasms and crags, and are constantly on the lookout for Snark-hunters. Their mortal enemies are hope, care, thimbles and forks.

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