• The New York Times investigates Aleksey Verner and he still comes across as a wanker. Paul Collins suggests that Verner is the second coming of Hugh Gallagher.
• Jason Boog asks Áine MacDermot about investigative journalism and procures a list of helpful links.
• Hurray, film noir! And speaking of film, I saw The Departed over the weekend and hope to offer some thoughts on what this means for both Scorsese and the film business later this week.
• Housekeeping #1: For those who have emailed me on the Millenia Black story this past week, after several conversations calling into question the veracity of what has been claimed, I have decided to stop pursuing it. I have neither the time nor the inclination to proceed further — unless, of course, a reputable publication pays me to write an investigative article. But if you remain curious as to the why, Lynne Scanlon comes the closest in her speculations.
• Housekeeping #2: And while we’re on the subject of overblown publishing industry scandals, a big amen to Miss Snark for her thoughts on L’Affaire Armstrong.
• Jim Holt quibbles over Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion, but Mr. Asher finds problems within Mr. Holt’s review.
• Anthony Grafton on the history of academic charisma — specifically, William Clark’s book on the subject.
• Patrick Kurp reviews Richard Powers’ The Echo Maker.
• Are awards the death knell for literary culture? (via Bookninja)
• RIP Jane Wyatt.
• Poppy Z. Brite on planning out her novel. (via Chasing Ray)
• You say that Oprah is a thoughtful television show? Think again.
• At 64, Harrison Ford is “fit enough” to star as Indiana Jones. And by “fit,” Spielberg assures us that he’s only using the walker on weekends.
• Robert Bly will receive $775,000 for his personal archives. Memo to University of Minnesota: you can have my personal archives for the low, low price of $235,000. And you can pay 10% of this with a lifetime supply of Tootsie Roll Pops. Get in touch with my attorney.
• Is ghostwriting where the real money’s at?
• Video of Chris Ware at the Wisconsin Book Festival.
• You make the call: Does Tanenhaus thinks bloggers are dickheads? (Perhaps penis-shaped brownies are the remedy here.)
• Lauren Cerand on how important bloggers are to publicity.
• As yet unpublished in the States (a solecism for which this Faber fan hopes some publisher will atone for), John Barlow takes a look at Michael Faber’s The Apple.
• Stephen King: MoveOn pitchman.

© 2006, Edward Champion. All rights reserved.