RotR-endorsed Ian Rankin is hosting a BBC4 series in which crime fiction writers talk about the music that influences and inspires them. (via Sarah)

Several readers have alerted me to Dave Itzkoff’s science fiction column. For regular Tanenhaus watchers, Mr. Itzkoff’s uninformed stance on science fiction isn’t much of a surprise. I’ll have more to say after the weekend, but thankfully, Matt Cheney, Nick Matmas and Lucius Sorrentino are on the case.

Paula Fox, the author of such great novels as Desperate Characters and Poor George is is Courtney Love’s grandmother? WTF? (via Escape Grace)

Gerard Jones, author of Ginny Good, certainly hasn’t been resting on his laurels. His latest effort is something called Propagandaville, in which he continues his crusading against bogus marketing devices and the troubling limitations on free speech. Indeed, I don’t think there’s any other author around who has not only offered a complete audio version of his book, but who has been so passionate enough to record his sentiments about the publishing industry.