Morning, readers.
*Don’t tell Beaujon! The Times previews forthcoming Obama bio by New Yorker editor David Remnick, makes goofy little gaffe. To wit, the correx:
An earlier version of this post misquoted Mr. Remnick on his comparison between the book and a New Yorker article he had previously written. He said the book would not be a “pumped up” version of the article; he did not say that it would not be a “pimped out” version of the article.
Dicey. But at least Harry Reid wasn’t involved. (Hat-tip to Steve Kolowich. Who also composed the hed.)
*The Guardian solicits 10 rules for writing fiction from the likes of Margaret Atwood, Elmore Leonard, Richard Ford, Jonathan Franzen, Neil Gaiman, and PD James. My favorites come from Colm Tóibín (number three: “Stay in your mental pajamas all day”; number nine: “No going to London”), though number five (“No alcohol, sex or drugs while you are working”) can’t help but stick in the craw.
*Beacon Press hosts a contest for the most arresting Howard Zinn video tribute. Simple format: Read a pre-selected excerpt from Zinn’s autobio, You Can’t Stay Neutral on a Moving Train; upload to YouTube; submit by March 5. Could produce some moving stuff—though I believe Zinn would appreciate the irony thousands of people reciting an identical script on command. (Viz. the “Non-Conformist’s Oath“) More details here. (Via GalleyCat.)
*Remember how EMI was set to sell Abbey Road last week? Yeah, well…it’s off.
*Time to dust off that little gray Mario cartridge—here comes the Steampunk Game Boy!
*Tonight in City Lights: Bullitt at American City Diner & Café.