Strange Ads Promote an Author Who Isn't Real and a Book That Doesn't Exist

IFC's upcoming The Spoils of Bablyon, a comedy miniseries that spoofs serious miniseries, is based on a book that seems to be sold out in Hudson News stores around the country. The problem with keeping the book in stock, though, is that there were never any printed copies. Eric Jonrosh (and the jig will be up when he shows up on TV and looks a lot like Will Ferrell, who produces the series along with the rest of the Funny or Die crew) is the megalomaniacal author of the book, and his persona has become the avatar of IFC's marketing for the show. "[Andrew Steele and Matt Piedmont, who wrote the series] created a character—well, we don't even like to call him a character," head of marketing Blake Callaway tells AdFreak. "We like to pretend he's real. We've written the fake book reviews. He's committed to literacy, because if you can't read, you can't read Jonrosh." The writer's megalomaniacal streak is borne out in the ambitions of the miniseries, which appears to span a period from the 1930s to the 1980s, if the trailer (see below) is any indication. So IFC has an appropriately grandiose ad campaign, with the book-focused executions littering bookstores and branded Little Free Libraries installed in cities like Dallas and Minneapolis in partnership with that organization. Callaway says he hopes to entice writers from the blockbuster-ier end of the literary spectrum to turn out for the show's Los Angeles premiere in January. "[James Patterson] is on our wish list,"... Continue reading at 'AdWeek'

[ AdWeek | 2013-11-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Diana Kennedy, cookbook author who promoted Mexican cuisine, dies at 99

In defense of authenticity, she influenced generations of chefs and deplored Americans’ fast-food experience of wan tacos and overseasoned enchiladas. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-07-24 17:44:03 UTC ]
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New and Forthcoming Books by Latinx Authors

This fall, publishers will deliver a bounty of new books on the diverse communities that make up the Latinx diaspora. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-07-22 04:00:00 UTC ]
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S&S Launches Banned Books Promotion for Bookstores

In response to growing book censorship, Simon & Schuster has launched a “Read banned books!” promotion that provides information on challenged titles, in-store displays, and social media materials. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-30 04:00:00 UTC ]
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111 Queer Books Recommended by Librarians, Booksellers, and Authors

While we celebrate queer literature and history all year long at Lit Hub dot com, we also love a good book list. This year, in honor of Pride, we reached out to some of our favorite librarians, booksellers, and authors and asked them about the queer books they find themselves recommending over... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-06-24 08:52:38 UTC ]
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Children's Institute 10: Charlie Jane Anders Says ‘Magical Portals Exist, and Adults Aren’t Real’

The science fiction author drew a standing ovation from the Ci10 audience as she discussed her childhood and start as a writer. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-06-23 04:00:00 UTC ]
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A book on leadership that offers real leaders, not abstract theories

There's no universal model of leadership, David Gergen argues, presenting an array of examples to inspire readers. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-06-03 12:00:43 UTC ]
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U.S. Book Show: Humor, History, and Hope at Adult Authors Chat

Sisters confront racism with humor, a fantasy novelist delves into short stories, a military history expert salutes the civil rights movement, and a movie star's memoir goes behind the scenes. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-05-25 04:00:00 UTC ]
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11 Books by Filipino American Authors You Should Be Reading

The first time I read a book about a person who even minorly resembled me, I was 19 and teaching at a creative writing summer camp. My coworker Sophie Lee’s YA novel What Things Mean tells the story of a young Filipina girl named Olive who uses reading to cope with feelings of loneliness and... Continue reading at Electric Literature

[ Electric Literature | 2022-05-06 11:00:00 UTC ]
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Penguin Random House, Authors Guild on Book Bannings

As book-bannings sweep the United States, two campaigns from the industry demonstrate different styles and tones of response. The post Penguin Random House, Authors Guild on Book Bannings appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-05-06 00:17:19 UTC ]
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AAPI Communities in Conversation #4: Sheldon Simeon, author of 'Cook Real Hawai’i'

If you missed the livestream, check out the recording of Sheldon Simeon, author of 'Cook Real Hawai’i' in conversation with Michelle Young of the Waimea Public Library. And register today for the next discussion, featuring Jai Chakrabarti, author of 'A Play for the End of the World.' Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-15 04:00:00 UTC ]
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At London Book Fair: A Look at Translator-Author Relations

In London Book Fair's Literary Translation Center, one session was about how author-translator relationships aren't always easy. The post At London Book Fair: A Look at Translator-Author Relations appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-04-07 20:28:50 UTC ]
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Colin Kaepernick talks about his new venture: Children’s book author

The activist-quarterback discusses the defining moment that sparked his new children’s book, ‘I Color Myself Different.' Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-04-06 09:00:00 UTC ]
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Bestselling Swedish Author to Pen Next Three 'Dragon Tattoo' Books

Knopf will be publishing three new books in its Millennium series, which launched with Stieg Larsson's 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.' The new titles will be written by bestselling Swedish author Karin Smirnoff, with the first of them set to be released on September 5, 2023. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2022-04-05 04:00:00 UTC ]
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Why Authors Love You When You Leave a Book Review Online

Why do authors always ask for readers to leave reviews? Do reviews really help sell their books? Bottom line: yes. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-03-30 10:35:00 UTC ]
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Children’s Books by Black Authors: A Reading List 

A reading list hints at the richness and breadth of African American children’s writing before Brown v. Board of Education. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-03-19 09:00:07 UTC ]
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Children’s Book Author Shirley Hughes has Died at 94

Shirley Hughes was the English author and illustrator of beloved picture books like Out and About, Dogger, and the Alfie series. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-03-02 13:57:50 UTC ]
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Hamilton author had his children's book translated into a sign language, and says everyone should do it

Bruce Simpson self published Paislee and the Talking Tree, and put an American Sign Language version online. Members of the deaf community say such translations are still not that common with newer books and applaud the move. Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2022-02-28 21:15:37 UTC ]
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Leonard Kessler, children’s author whose books endured, dies at 101

A writer and illustrator, he created more than 200 books for young readers, including the ode to individuality “Mr. Pine’s Purple House." Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2022-02-26 04:19:15 UTC ]
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Leonard Kessler, Colorful Children’s Book Author, Dies at 101

He crafted tales of everyday life for early readers. His “Mr. Pine’s Purple House,” first published in 1965, later inspired a new publishing company — and Jeff Bezos. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-02-24 23:32:36 UTC ]
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Author Joanne Harris turns down US book deal over censoring of ‘f-bomb’

Author of Chocolat says she does not use words ‘accidentally’The bestselling author Joanne Harris has turned down a US book deal after the publishers demanded she take out an “f-bomb” from the novel.The Chocolat author, who lives near Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, tweeted on Saturday: “Today I... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-02-19 14:04:53 UTC ]
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