Seth Godin to Traditional Publishing: RIP

The Financial Times published a story about literary agent Andrew Wylie and Random House kissing and making up over their recent e-book spat. Looking at Mr. Wylie's photo, I'm wondering who at Random House couldn't wait to smooch with the publishing world's version of Scott Boras.

The more interesting part of the story involved best selling writer Seth Godin. He has decided to abandon publishing traditional books, and focus on a viral, guerrilla-style marketing/publishing hybrid business model. Key to his approach is personal appearances, which are very lucrative for highly visible authors.

Godin's approach isn't for everyone. It's hard to imagine publicity-shy writers, such as Don DeLillo, embracing relentless self-promotion tactics. Sometimes, privacy is a virtue, and many writers have preferred productive privacy to publicity's siren song.

Audition with a Vampire

Since tonight isn't my night for communicating developed story lines or thoughtful lines of reasoning, I'll let five news items do the evening's heavy lifting.

1. Anne Rice leaves Christianity. The story notes she's seen two of the movies in the Vampire series, but hasn't read any of Stephenie Meyer's books.

2. Literary agent Andrew Wylie "threatens broad digital expansion." -- A story of interest to Ms. Rice, Ms. Meyer, and authors who have signed away their e-book rights.

3. Newark municipal swimming pools kept open via corporate donation. -- Strictly personal. I did some business with the donating firm some years ago. The more intriguing part of the story is the reference to a donation from another firm. In this case, the beneficiary is Newark's collective tush, as the donation consisted of thousands of rolls of toilet paper.

4. California governor orders new round of unpaid furloughs. How much TP would the Golden State need? State and local government finance crisis will be very prominent in 2011. Where will the money come from?

5. Don't do this at home. Go to the link. The Mischa Barton photo is the story. There are some things you just can't make up.

PS. The top image is a still from The Vampire Lovers, a UK production featuring a Polish actress portraying one of film's first explicitly lesbian vampires.