OK, here I go. I’m going to make this whole website right now on this dry-erase board.
— No one belongs here more than you. Stories by Miranda July
Most creative website I’ve seen in a long time. Well worth 5 minutes of anyone’s time, and I want to read the book now.
Hat tip: Daring Fireball.
Wow, this is great news.
Diamond Age, based on Neal Stephenson’s best-selling novel The Diamond Age: Or a Young Lady’s Illustrated Primer, is a six-hour miniseries from Clooney and fellow executive producer Grant Heslov of Smokehouse Productions.
When a prominent member of society concludes that the futuristic civilization in which he lives is stifling creativity, he commissions an interactive book for his daughter that serves as a guide through a surreal alternate world. Stephenson will adapt his novel for the miniseries, the first time the Hugo and Nebula award winner has written for TV.
So lets see, we have the Sci-Fi channel who continue to keep me on the edge of my seat with Battlestar Galactica, George Clooney whose recent output behind the camera has been enthralling (Good Night, and Good Luck, Syriana), working with Neal Stephenson on an adaption of one of his books (which also happens to be one of my favourites) …
… pleasedon’tfuckitup pleasedon’tfuckitup!
Hat tip: Boingboing
Now this is a stroke of genius. Penguin are starting a new series of classic books, but with plain white covers, giving everyone the opportunity to create their own design.
According to consumer research conducted on what factors matter to people when they decide whether or not to pick up a book in a bookshop, the cover design comes out as most important. So this might be the stupidest thing we’ve ever done.
These “naked” covers will be made of art quality paper and shrink wrapped to stop them getting dirty before purchase, there is also an associated gallery for people to submit their creations.
The first six to be released are:
I’ve always had a soft spot for Penguin, I feel they’ve been a genuine innovator in publishing ever since their inception in 1935 (the history of the company is a fascinating read), and this latest idea is right up there with their best.
By a complete coincidence I’m right in the middle of The True History Of The Elephant Man, their presence in my book collection is that pervasive.
Hat tip: BoingBoing