I’ve decided that all authors should have home gyms. I’ve been spending a lot of time writing lately, and it’s definitely taking a toll on my waistline. I’m currently working on a huge project for a client and between that and other responsibilities, there’s just no time to waste driving across town to a gym where I will then wait in line to use equipment. That hardly seems worth paying for.

So, I’ve purchased a couple of home gym items and I’ll definitely be getting more. There’s just too much winter here to rely on the “good old outdoors”.

I know, I know - drugs and drug rehab are tired subjects. That’s why I was surprised to see a picture of A Million Little Pieces accompanying this article on Yahoo! today.

The article itself talks about a couple of recent books that were found to be untrue, but it seems like people can’t write an article on that topic without mentioning the crime and drug ridden fake memoirs of James Frey. I am just so, so over it that I can’t even think straight to write this.

Does it both anyone else that people take the time to find out if there’s truth in the stories? As far as I’m concerned, if it’s entertainment, screw the truth. Just give me an interesting story.

The big publishing news of the day is that Bill Clinton is doing another book. Yay. I’m like, so excited. Obviously, none of the good stuff will be in there, but regardless, it will be a best-seller.

Who would you rather see publish a book? I’d be very interested in seeing a book on…David Blaine. Unless it already exists. If it does, I’m buying it this weekend.

For the last 6 months or so, I’ve been treated to some dreadful Teri Hatcher quotes every time I log into my account. I haven’t the slightest idea why, since I’ve never bought anything that’s even remotely related to Teri Hatcher, and nothing on my wishlist relates to her in any way - but regardless, I log into her “I have to get a boyfriend.” quote almost every time.

Does anyone else have this problem? Is anyone else equally irritated by it? Can anyone think of a WORSE celebrity author than Teri Hatcher?

Okay, okay, we’re going to eliminate Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie for the purpose of this post. Clearly, no one else could even compete if they were in the running.

Technorati Tags: amazon, teri hatcher, irritations, celebrity authors

This is what I’m talking about, people. Just more proof that authors really are a screwed up bunch. Their books may be outward signs of success, but inside they’re still the same old nerds - men and women who can’t just “let it be”, who have to “be different” and act the rebel…

So people, the question of the day is this: If you wish to rebel against MySpace, why have a page at all? Just let it be.

I did like PopCo, though.

Sometimes there are great artists who make beautiful work and gracefully accept the gains that come with it. Other times, there are artists who create equally wonderful works and foolishly turn away the monetary rewards. A couple of authors come to mind…

Charles Webb - Author of The Graduate and New Cardiff, this guy gave away most of his money and totally screwed himself on the film rights of The Graduate. On top of it, he turned down an inheritance from his wealthy father. Yeah, I know, poverty is like, super cool and stuff, but maybe you should have put a little of that cash in a safe deposit box somewhere - Assuming the normal places, like bank accounts and index funds are too sane for you. Maybe then you wouldn’t have to sell yourself out with a sequel just to pay the rent.

Maddox - What, no ads? I’ve heard all the nonsense about maintaining integrity and truly being in control of your content, but please - with that kind of site traffic, I seriously doubt it would be difficult to find advertisers that would keep their noses out of your content.

Funny as the guy is (and I’ve purchased three copies of his book, The Alphabet of Manliness, so don’t take this as a statement that I hate his work), there is just something very juvenile about his demeanor - The whole “mainstream sucks, I’ve gotta keep my integrity and protect my art from the man” shtick is a little tired. Oh well, he’s got a bestseller, I’m sure he’ll live.

I’ve been away for a while, so posts have been pretty much nonexistent. I did go to a booksale last night, though, and it as positively frightening. Just a few years ago, I remember booksales as these wonderful, quiet events where you could go and pick out all kinds of great books at your own pace.

Apparently, things have changed. I arrived to the early preview night about ten minutes early. This place was camped like a boy band concert. Except everyone there was really funny looking. There were at LEAST 40-50 fatasses sitting on blankets by the door with rolling crates and ScoutPals. eBay resellers, every last one of them.

Now don’t get me wrong - I have no problem with seeing people make a little profit. The ScoutPal people, however, have taken it to an entirely new level. So you know, a ScoutPal is a little barcode scanning device that you hook to your phone to get the current low/average prices for used books at major online retailers. The people carrying them, without exception, are assholes - yet somehow, I almost managed to get myself kicked out of this little church booksale because of them.

The campers pushed and shoved to get in once the doors opened, and they immediately RAN for the tables with textbooks and technical manuals. As I flipped through a stack, looking for CSS Manuals, arms reached in front of and around me, grabbing books left and right. I saw a promising box of books under one of the tables and bent down to look through it. Without a moment’s hesitation, and without any form of polite warning, a woman cried out, “We’ve got a book stealer over here!”

Everyone turned to look, and there I was, looking through a box under the table like a criminal. One of the volunteers came over and gave me a stern warning before apologizing to the shrieker. Apparently, books can be “saved” by sticking them under the table or by putting a blanket over the top. That’s news to me. I always thought you had to take them up to the coordinators - but I guess that would kill too much precious book-hogging time.

I just don’t see why they allow those things in, though. If I were running a book fair, I’d ban ScoutPals until the last few hours. Let people spend the first few days guessing the old-fashioned way. Since a lot of books LOOK more valuable than they are, they would sell a ton of “worthless” books on the first few days, and give a chance to the people who really know and love books.

Unfortunately, since CSS books go for a decent price on eBay, there were none to speak of by the time I made it in the door. One land-cow did offer to sell me some of hers for $20 each, though. Thanks, but no thanks.