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 ]
News tagged with: #wall street #fifty shades #makes sense

Other news stories related to: "Strange Ads Promote an Author Who Isn't Real and a Book That Doesn't Exist"


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 ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #children’s book #jeff bezos #purple house #early readers #everyday life #book author #leonard kessler


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 ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #book deal #bestselling author #west yorkshire


12 Middle Grade Asian Historical Fiction Books by Authors of Color

These middle grade AAPI and Asian historical fiction books, including Troublemaker by John Cho, transport readers into past, learning about important moments in history. Continue reading at Book Riot

[ Book Riot | 2022-02-17 11:36:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #historical fiction #transport readers


Bologna and London Book Fair Highlight Authors Roberts and O’Farrell

Michèle Roberts in Italy and Maggie O'Farrell in England: Bologna and London announce brand-name author participation. The post Bologna and London Book Fair Highlight Authors Roberts and O’Farrell appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2022-02-17 07:23:24 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #london book fair #post bologna


Want to help stop book bans? The Authors Guild has tools for you.

If you’ve been paying attention to local news in the past year, you’ve likely noticed the concerning wave of book bans sweeping the nation. Books by authors of color; books that acknowledge historical atrocities; books featuring LGBTQ+ characters; sex education books for teens; all are under... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-02-09 19:49:33 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #authors guild #local news #paying attention


Incredible Books By Black Authors, According To Black Bookstore Owners

Works by writers like bell hooks, Damon Young and James Baldwin that will educate and make an impact on everyone. Continue reading at HuffPost

[ HuffPost | 2022-01-31 16:37:38 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #bookstore #james baldwin #bell hooks #black authors


Chita Rivera’s Book Will Introduce Fans to the Real Her

The Broadway star is writing a memoir with the help of a journalist who encouraged her to share what she’s really like, alter ego and all. Continue reading at The New York Times

[ The New York Times | 2022-01-28 20:55:08 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #memoir #alter ego #chita rivera


Benjamin Zephaniah | 'To tell the real, honest truth about the history of Britain would mean changing the history books'

The latest book by Benjamin Zephaniah follows a Trinidadian woman who boarded the Windrush to pursue her singing dream. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2022-01-22 07:13:29 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #benjamin zephaniah #history books


That “book exchange” making the rounds on Instagram again isn’t what it seems.

Over this past week, you might have seen a familiar message popping up on your friends’ Instagram stories: something to the effect of, “I’m looking for people to participate in a huge book exchange. You can be anywhere in the world. All you have to do is buy your favorite book (just one) and... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2022-01-18 17:44:38 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #favorite book #past week #instagram stories


Book readers have realised that you can’t replace the feel of turning a real page | Tim Adams

Record sales show that even the ability to carry thousands of books in one portable electronic device is not enoughIn 2009, when Amazon’s Kindle ebook was launched in the UK, it seemed impossible to imagine that a dozen years later booksellers would be reporting a record year of sales of... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2022-01-15 17:00:27 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #kindle #printed word #tech companies #figures show #months early #record year #dozen years #kindle ebook #book readers #printed books


Authors Guild Fights School Book Bans

The Authors Guild has launched a National Letter Writing campaign, asking its 11,000 members and supporters to send emails and letters to school boards, lawmakers, and newspapers arguing that banning books harms students. Continue reading at Publishers Weekly

[ Publishers Weekly | 2021-12-16 05:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #authors guild #school boards


Now there’s a real-life Grinch cave, for people who’ve misunderstood the book or enjoy suffering.

Here’s something sick, deviant, and against nature: Dr. Seuss Enterprises has partnered with vacation rental management company Vacasa to create a real-life version of the Grinch’s cave—home of the Grinch, the titular role in the book about the Grinch. I’m a little perplexed by why someone would... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2021-12-10 19:05:11 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #dr. seuss #titular role #seuss enterprises


Ann Patchett on why she isn't doing a conventional book tour — possibly ever again

Bestselling author Ann Patchett talks about book tours, Tom Hanks and 'These Precious Days,' her new book of essays. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2021-11-23 14:00:12 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #book tour #bestselling author #precious days #tom hanks #ann patchett #book tours


Julia Fine: Ghosts of Rebel Children’s Book Authors

The author of The Upstairs House on postpartum depression, hauntings, and the legacy of Margaret Wise Brown. Continue reading at Guernica

[ Guernica | 2021-11-18 03:45:32 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #children’s book #book authors


Sheikh Zayed Book Award Longlists: Young Author and Children’s Literature

Based in Abu Dhabi, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award releases the first two of its eight longlists showcasing Arabic literature, scholarship, and writing. The post Sheikh Zayed Book Award Longlists: Young Author and Children’s Literature appeared first on Publishing Perspectives. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2021-11-18 01:57:08 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #zayed book #abu dhabi #young author #literature appeared


John Lewis sued by self-published children’s author over Christmas ad

Fay Evans alleges a ‘striking similarity’ between the 2019 Excitable Edgar TV campaign and her 2017 book Fred the Fire-Sneezing DragonThe author of a self-published children’s book about a dragon that causes havoc with its fiery sneezes is suing John Lewis over its 2019 Christmas ad about a... Continue reading at The Guardian

[ The Guardian | 2021-11-16 14:46:45 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #children’s book #john lewis #striking similarity #self-published children #fire-sneezing dragon #trouble-making dragon #picture book #christmas ad


Carey promoted to commissioning editor at Joffe Books

Joffe Books’ Stephanie Carey has been promoted to associate commissioning editor from her previous role of project editor, effective immediately. Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2021-11-09 12:49:18 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #effective immediately #previous role


H.G. Wells wanted to change the world. A new book explores the author’s outsize ambitions

Claire Tomalin’s ‘The Young H.G. Wells’ is a fascinating look at the prolific writer’s rocky beginnings and complicated personal life. Continue reading at The Washington Post

[ The Washington Post | 2021-11-03 12:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #prolific writer #claire tomalin #book explores


Children's book on Governor General's Literary Award short list a win for Indigenous publishing, author says

A children's book shortlisted for a 2021 Governor General's Literary Award was written by a University of Guelph associate professor who specializes in the history of Indigenous Peoples and illustrated by an Ojibway multidisciplinary artist. ... Continue reading at CBC

[ CBC | 2021-11-02 08:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #literary award #children's book #indigenous peoples #governor general


How Do You Find a Book When You Can’t Remember the Title or the Author?

Anyone who has worked in a bookstore knows only too well that moment when a customer approaches by saying, “So I don’t remember the title, or the author, but—.” And we’ve all been on the other side of the counter, trying to pinpoint something we can’t quite describe at a bookstore (“It’s a... Continue reading at Literrary Hub

[ Literrary Hub | 2021-10-21 08:55:42 UTC ]
More news stories like this | All news stories tagged with: #bookstore #murder mystery