Read Me

First of all, this site is a work in progress, so bear with us. Find mistakes or broken links (there are a few), just let me know.

So what's this book about?

Here's the copy off the back of the book:

Thanks to online Web journals, or blogs as they're affectionately nicknamed by Net savvy voyeurs, anyone can jump into the shoes of a TV star, international journalist, criminal court lawyer, video sales clerk and a busy mom, among others. These online diaries serve as an entertaining and educating cross-section of the people dwelling online.

The Best of Blogs features the most provocative online writing by unknown writers and underground celebs. MTV's The Real World's cast member Neil Forrester gives new meaning to the phrase "Bite your tongue." Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Wil Wheaton gives his take on the Hollywood system and fleeting stardom. Web designer Heather Hamilton finds herself in the unemployment line after publishing work stories in her blog, Dooce.com. Humorist Choire Sicha gives advice on broken hearts and timeshares. Illustrator Mark Frauenfelder throws out his cell phone and uproots his family from Los Angeles to the sandy beaches of Rarotonga. Plus tales of creepy video store customers, online love lies, Iraqi politics, office pranks gone wrong, jury duty, a childhood meeting with Darth Vader and so much more.

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Intrigued? Read the Foreword by Doc Searls.

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How did this come about?

I guess I can explain this best by having you read the introduction to the book.

If you still have questions, take a gander at the FAQ that can be found in the book.

If you want to know something else, you can ask me here.

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Is this a book about blogging?

Uh no. There isn't one piece in the book about actually making a blog. This book is devoted entirely to the idea that there is a revolution about to take place in literature. Blogs are going to reverse the way talent has typically been treated by the literary elite. Creating this book series was my first salvo across the deck of the literary machine.

What you'll find in this book is basically a sample of some of the best content from the brightest minds blogging today.

Revolutionize literature?

Yes. If you are interested in why I say this, you can download/view (coming soon) this small movie which conveys my thoughts on the subject. I consider it my warning to the literary establishment...or as I like to call it, The Machine.

In the past, The Machine kept the relationship between writer and reader distant. There was no personal connection. The Machine also made decisions on what you would read and what you would not. More vile than the FCC, The Machine made censorship a business decision. The Machine used it's power and influence to keep you from reading ideas, simply because they didn't feel it was commercial enough. Unlike the FCC which bans free speech under the pretense of morality, The Machine does it out of pure greed.They mock that which they do not understand, and when it catches on they exploit it to death, as if they thought of it first. A select few people stood between the writer and retail, and if you got rejected by them all, you were out of luck. If your last book didn't sell well, they wouldn't publish your next book.

The arrogance of deciding what is of value and what is garbage for the public, is astonishing. And we gave them that power. We went for the lowest common denominator and voted with our dollar. Blogging took it back.

Two years ago when I started this project, I knew that blogging would revolutionize publishing. I realized that while many people associate blogs with banality, what has happened in reality is that us serfs...were deciding what was important to us. What is banal to one is interesting to another. And no one can tell you what to say, no one can force you to change your view, and no one can hold money over your head as a means of coercion. Also, no one can keep content from you.

If you like a particular blog, that is an exercise in your personal freedom to think for yourself. And with the exception of the "corporate sponsored" blogs, the relationship between you and the blogger is one to one, a personal exchange of ideas and feelings.

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Why should I buy this book?

Read this. If you still aren't convinced, I am open to begging.

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What is the availability?

Buy it now via Amazon and it should ship second week of April. Brick and mortar stores will take another week or so after that.

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Who are the bloggers that appear in the book?

You can find a list here.

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I want to help support your efforts. What can I do?

Funny you should ask. For one thing you can ask your local bookseller to order or promote the book. I'm concerned the book will be mistaken as a technology book and get buried among the computer manuals.

Another thing you can do is tell your friends and family about the book. Send them a link to it on Amazon.

We'd really appreciate it if you would put a link to it on your blog/website or mention it in a blog entry. Word of mouth online is a very powerful thing.

Ask your local library to get a copy or just donate one.

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Last, but not least...

Thank You!

Posted: Sat - March 27, 2004 at 12:41 PM Feedback| |