Free bits o' books
There's an interesting article in today's Washington Post about Shannon MacDonald, who has created a mini-magazine of book excerpts for Metro riders. Bit o' Lit, which made its debut in May, was born from her frustration at having nothing to read on her commute. For a small fee, publishers pay to have an excerpt included. The current issue includes bits o' The Story of Daniel Sawtelle and Grand New Party (they can also be read online.).
I admit that I'm a tad neurotic about previews, at least at movies. I'm the guy covering my eyes and ears, to avoid being exposed to punch lines and the entire plot (which seems to be the norm in previews). But I like this alternative. Would you read it? Or would you stick with your books, magazines and newspapers?
While she always preferred The Hardy Boys to Nancy Drew, 
Comments
I'd definitely read it. Literary journals often have excerpts from books, and so do booksellers' websites. I go to author readings too, just to hear excerpts. The notion that only novels are worth publishing, that people don't want short pieces, is rubbish. Did you see today's Q&A with editor Janet Silver at Poets&Writers? She's the one who promoted the short pieces of Jhumpa Lahiri as a first book. Defying naysayers, she also promoted soft covers as first editions. I have a lot of respect for those decisions, so I say to Ms. MacDonald, go for it!
Posted by: Nicole Schultheis | July 1, 2008 7:22 PM