Publishing Insider

Blues Magoos

Found the LP online of my college roommate's favorite album - the Blues Magoos' Never Goin' Back to Georgia. Now I just have to track him down! Anyone know Jesse Schachter, circa Stony Brook and Queens?

a beach grows in Brooklyn

Was over at DUMBO late the other afternoon and what did I see, but a teeny pebble-covered beach on the East River! I loved it! The whole area was a slice of paradise under the 2 bridges.

pat on back from Patterson!

I love this news, courtesy of Bookselling This Week: Houston's Murder By The Book is the recipient of a 2007 James Patterson PageTurner Award in the amount of $2,500. The awards were created in 2005 by author James Patterson to recognize individuals, companies, schools, and other institutions that find original and effective ways to promote the excitement of books.

"What we love about this recognition is how Patterson targets individuals and organizations that spread the excitement of reading and books," said David Thompson, Murder By The Book's assistant manager and the founder of Busted Flush Press. "And we couldn't be more honored to be considered part of that group."

Other honors for the 28-year-old bookstore, owned by Martha Farrington, include a Mystery Writers of America Raven Award and nominations for the Publishers Weekly Bookseller of the Year Award. Murder By The Book's inventory is mostly American and British new and used mysteries.

Thompson said he thought Murder By The Book was selected for the award because, like many independents, "We pride ourselves on our knowledge of the stock ... and helpful and passionate employees. It is our goal with each sale to share our excitement for books -- mysteries and thrillers, of course! -- and to give people a reason to support independent booksellers and local businesses. We try to make it fun and we hope our passion is contagious."

Murder By The Book is planning to use some of its award money to throw a small party for its loyal customers.

The winner of a $50,000 PageTurner Award is Literacy Partners, which provides free, community-based adult and family literacy programs to more than 25,000 New York City residents. First Book Marketplace, a subsidiary of the award-winning nonprofit organization First Book, an online store that sells high-quality children's books at deeply discounted prices to organizations serving children from low-income families, won $25,000. And One More Story, Inc., an online library of the best of children's classic and contemporary literature, also won $25,000. The full list of winners is available on the PageTurner website.

hot indie press

Check out the edgy, smart offerings at Melville House Publishing.

Spinal Tap meets Queen

From a colleague comes a story about Spinal Tap in a concert in the UK, with Christopher Guest going into a soaring solo. The crowd went nuts, and all the more so when Brian May of Queen came on stage, being the one who had actually played the solo! And this news via Shelf Awareness: Book Soup,featured an appearance by Queen guitarist Brian May, who instead of signing CDs or guitars, signed copies of Bang! The Complete History of the Universe (Johns Hopkins , $29.95, 9780801889851), which he co-wrote with astronomer Patrick Moore and astrophysicist Chris Lintott. Proud owner of Ph.D. in astrophysics, May met perhaps more Queen than Universe fans, although several apparently came in from far ends of the country, if not universe.

cover me

2 wonderful cover versions of 2 of my favorite all-time songs playing on XM of late: Jill Sobule covering Laura Nyro's Stoned Soul Picnic and Thomas Dolby (!) covering Dan Hicks' incredible I Scare Myself. 2 of the most beautiful, bittersweet, transportive songs of all time. At least I think so.

Amistad speaks..a wonderful new blog

My colleague Christina has started up a wonderful new blog about books, notably those by and about African-Americans.

bag a Birkin

Enter the sweepstakes for a birkin (whatever that is..ok, ok..i hear they're expensive). Contest at our site, and the book about the search for said item is out and selling very well.

clinking glasses and broken hearts, part 2

Word soon spread around the Street that The Caboose was the hangout for the best and the brightest.  You had to have flair to hold your own at the bar rail. The majority of Dennis’ clients were floor brokers, upstairs partners, secretaries, bankers and insurance executives. Last but not least were several lawyers who spent more time in The Caboose than in court.  These attorneys, who would bill a client for asking the time of day, gave information free of charge to regulars of The Caboose.  The brotherhood of boozers.

The Pope of Pine Street tended his flock with loving care. As busy as the place always was, Dennis knew most everyone and if you came often enough, you enjoyed the privilege of his full range of services: father confessor, judge and jury, psychologist, mediator, job consultant, patient listener, and, most of all, friend, especially to the regulars.

The pinnacle was having a nickname bestowed upon you by Dennis. There was: Fast Freddy, Banker Ben, Lucky Louie, Mr. Money, Bennie Bucks, Stiff Sam, Henpecked Hank, Lovely Louise, Rusty Nails Rita, and. Tiny Tina. There was: Oil Henry (one of the Pope’s proudest nicknames, as he didn’t think many of the regulars got this literary entendre), The Boss (there were a few of those, and Dennis had to be nimble if two came in together), and Mr. Bow Tie (ditto). Also: Slugger, Too Tall, Too Wide, Button Down, Red, Dutch, Shoe Shine, and Tassles.

Regulars ruled the roost, but newcomers were welcome with open arms, especially if they had a good story to tell.  Many a conversation at The Caboose began with “Hey, did you hear what happened to…” or “You won’t believe what I saw….”  Stories swirled in this collision of booze and bravado, fellowship and oneups-menship.

This was what The Caboose meant to hundreds of men and women: Refuge, release, and a place to swap stories about good or bad luck, good or bad love, sports, money, heroes and villains, and often just too outrageous not to be true. More tomorrow.

Rock on ballad bookseller winner!

See the lyrics; hear the tune!