news for the literati

NYT Bestseller Barry Eisler has opted to self-publish his next book instead of taking a $500,000 book deal, writes J. A. Konrath.

Five Dials, British publisher Hamish Hamilton's PDF magazine "best downloaded, printed out and enjoyed (we hope) away from the computer," has released their 18th issue, featuring work Sybille Bedford and Aliette Martin, released its 18th issue this morning. From the press release:

We are sending this, our eighteenth issue, from the vaults of Berry Brothers & Rudd, London's oldest wine merchants, founded by the Widow Bourne in 1698 on St James St in London, whose cellars have supplied the needs of Lord Byron and a host of other writers over the centuries. They've never been short of business.

Once promising Underground Library died last year due to lack of funding from owner, disproductions, as well as lack of public interest. About the same time as it died, a new wiki was founded, called The Literary Underground Wiki. We are just getting word of it, but have learned in quick earnest that it is owned by Michele McDannold. Our heart goes out to her.

Orange Alert Press has taken its books online via the Google eBookstore. 25% of its proceeds are going to charities of the author's choice. More information here.

Electric Literature, estimated by some to be highest paying independent, digital magazine in the world (paying $1,000 per story to its contributors), is offering a 25% discount on yearly subscriptions through 15 March 2011. From their dispatch:

In celebration of the Ides of March, in honor of the great god Mars, and in memorandum of the late Julius Caesar, we're offering 25% discounts on subscriptions and single issues to all friends, Romans, and countrymen--as little as $12 for four issues. Head to our online store before the Ides of March are gone; the offer expires March 15.

FL is now on Twitter. Site improvements coming between now and June. Stay tuned, thanks for your support. -FL Crew

Loudlever, Inc. is operating a service called HeyPublisher which, while relatively new, offers the same (though apparently limited; this reporter has not fully investigated) functionality of both Duotrope's Digest and the submishmash submissions manager in one place. A discussion is taking place here. Our thanks to Indie Press Int'l for the alert.

Santa Cruz, CA-based Menda City Review has taken an indefinite hiatus. It is explained in this letter from Terry Rogers, founding editor.