The Simon reviews DYK

OK, since this blog is about "Adventures in Publishing" and the premise that we will tell all when it comes to the story of our little press, let me share with you how happy it makes us when we read something as thoughtful and well written as this. Irish playwright Brendan Behan said, "There is no such thing as bad publicity except your own obituary," but I'm guessing he didn't run a small press. Bad reviews — not critical ones, but the hack jobs we've had to endure in Japan — make my blood boil. It makes me hanker for the days of Michelangelo, wheen he could unleash a band of thugs to beat up rival artists and critics. But good reviews do the opposite — they reaffirm that other people are willing to consider what we're doing based on the book in front of them and not the press release, the pitches on voice mail, the name of the publishing firm. So without further ado, a couple of my favorite lines about Do You Know in the review:

In future evacuations, this is the book to throw in the suitcase.

Do You Know What It Means? marks the first literary incarnation of a jazz funeral. Such an inspired idea arriving under such circumstances is bittersweet to say the least. Compiled in only 89 days following Katrina’s hit, this diminutive book is a procession of dirges and celebrations, libations and anecdotes, all in a layout recalling the simplicity and intricate sophistication of McSweeney’s but with none of their all-knowing, wink-wink pretension.

Thanks for reading. Now back to your taxes.