Hi--Ami Greko here, a publicity assistant over at Viking Penguin. It's great to be asked to comment on the LBC site, since I'm so enthusiastic about this format for promoting and discussing books. I was thrilled to hear that Steve Stern's novel had been chosen for the Fall pick, because it meant that this intelligent, noisy, and demanding group of people (demanding in a good way, of course) was going to be recommending The Angel of Forgetfulness to anyone who would listen.
This particular noisy group is what’s got me so excited about the where literary fiction is going. I guess from the outside it can seem a bit dismal to push literary fiction--especially in the case of Steve Stern, where you’d think that the sheer number and enthusiasm of his reviewers would send the entirety of readers in this country barreling into bookstores. I mean, honestly, shouldn't you be able to relax and live solely off your royalties after Harold Bloom calls you "a throwback to the Yiddish sublime"?
But that’s what this young, starry-eyed publicity assistant sees as so great about the LBC. If they’re coming from a blog that you follow regularly, book recommendations can take on a much more personal tone, almost on par with a suggestion from your favorite bookstore. So in addition to all of this mainstream praise, which is incredibly important, there can also be a personal, also important voice in your ear that insists you pay attention to a book. For me, this realization hit halfway through Rainbow Stories––when I realized I was only reading the book because so many bloggers had mentioned William Vollmann that I had to see what all the fuss was about (and now I'm up to my eyeballs in 1,000-page novels––thanks, Ed).
To me, this seems like the best way to get novels right into the hands of people who are the most interested in reading, buying, and talking about them. It's exciting, and it makes my job exciting.
And, just a note: be sure to check out the LBC tomorrow—Paul Slovak, Steve Stern’s editor and publicist will be here to share some insight into the creation of The Angel of Forgetfulness.
Nice to hear some thoughts from Ami, one of those publicists who realized the possibilities dealing with online reviewing from the very beginning - she's one of the true pleasures to work with.
Enjoy,
Posted by: Dan Wickett | Sep 29, 2005 at 12:35 PM
One sign of a mature, creative society is that it expects its bright movers and shakers to carp at their own culture. The web is helping to tear down the old barriers and one and all seem to be in some way able to enter the world of the insiders.
Paul Klee once said that 'art does not reproduce the invisible; rather it makes it visible.'
Credit must go to one and all for this thred peppered with thought-provoking suggestions and experiences... Only on the web can so much detail become visible!
Posted by: Jozef Imrich | Oct 03, 2005 at 09:30 AM
Thank you for introducing me the wonderful information.And .....Totally boring.!
Posted by: Health News | Mar 15, 2011 at 12:23 AM