Book News, In Brief

A new book, The Dracula Dossier, speculates a link between Jack the Ripper and Bram Stoker. This is, of course, complete and utter horseshit, but kudos to the author for finding an effective hook. If only he'd chosen to feature a pouty, pale, teenage Dracula on the cover, TDD would've been a bestseller for sure.

November 1 marks the start of National Novel Writing Month. The ridiculous idea behind this shameless software sales gimmick is this: Write a novel -- from start to finish -- in just one month. Then spend the next eleven months sending unread query letters to uninterested agents, editors and publishers.

And I thought Obama was geek-chic. Via AFP: Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso complained on Sunday he cannot find enough time to devote himself to his lifelong hobby -- reading comics. Aso, who takes comics on trips abroad, said he finished reading two weekly magazines last week but has yet to find time to read two others.