A.S. Byatt: “Cyclists. I really hate them. I wish they would not be so self-righteous and realise they are a danger to pedestrians. I wish cyclists would not vindictively snap off wing mirrors on cars when they were trying to cross in front of the car at a danger to motorists and pedestrians.”

The Old Hag has broken her silence! And she addresses an issue that I’ve been frankly too lazy to pursue: is there not a single publicist at Viking who will send out copies of Marisha Pessl’s Special Topics in Calamity Physics? I still don’t have a copy.

[UPDATE: Perhaps concerned with their public perception on the accommodation front, Viking has contacted me and they are indeed sending me a copy of the book. Many thanks!]

Stephen Elliott, a writer who I don’t believe will ever appear on the Bat Segundo Show, has been ably interviewed over at Pinky’s Paperhaus. One interesting revelation from the interview: Paul Auster Billy Corgan* doesn’t believe in voting.

* — That’s what I get for paying continuous partial attention. Apologies to Mr. Auster for the error.

Stuff: “The Te Uku-bred Barnevelder chick – hatched at Marlene Dickey’s property at the start of last month – has died. But it wasn’t the extra legs that led to its death, more likely an extra anus, Mrs Dickey believes.”