Mark Halperin’s Career, or: How Low Can You Go?

Mark Halperin?s sudden fall from grace began after five women disclosed he was as frightening as any Halloween spectre: accounts of unwanted physical advances while he was the political director for ABC News have caused Penguin Press to kill his upcoming (and as yet untitled) book. In a statement to CNN, Penguin asserted that, ?In…

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If I’m under ground, sell all my shit you can sell

Here’s an interesting article on whether whether an author’s wishes must be honored after death. The article mentions that famed writer Terry Pratchett instructed that his hard drive should be crushed after his death. I suppose every writer has a right to decide for themselves, but as far as I’m concerned, if I’m pushing up…

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The inevitability of book deals

There are shortcomings to energetically following any industry. If you’re a sportswriter, you learn that heroes are actually fallible and sometimes frail human beings. If you are a tech blogger, you probably get sick of hearing new pitches about how this gadget is going to “make the world a better place.” If you constantly write…

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4 decades since Skynyrd plan crash

Today is the fortieth anniversary of the plane crash that claimed the lives of Ronnie Van Zant and five others associated with the rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. Rolling Stone magazine remembers the tragedy that altered music history. A number of interesting books have been published about the band over the years, including Lynyrd Skynyrd: Remembering…

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Hillbilly meets presidential stormer

Reports are circulating that bestselling author and unofficial spokesperson for Appalachia JD Vance has met with controversial strategist Steve Bannon regarding openings at the Heritage Foundation. The Washington Post reports that a number of powerful folks are being considered for leadership at the influential think tank. Then, at the bottom of the article, writer Vance’s…

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