At least the U.L.A. (unlike the NY Press) has a sense of humor. I just got a t-shirt in the mail from U.L.A. chief troublemaker, Karl Wenclas. "U.L.A. Underground Literary Alliance" is screenprinted in on the front. On the back: According to Wenclas's description, "the severed head of Dave Eggers." Har.
"Underground"? Is that like, the new "Alternative"?
I feel a dose of "So Five Minutes Ago" coming on...
Posted by: hugh macleod at September 28, 2003 09:07 PMplease let us see a picture of said garment!
Posted by: hey at September 28, 2003 10:23 PMrookie here ...
Can anyone clue me in on the snarkiness toward Eggers? The (very) little I've read of him has been good.
Posted by: Jason at September 28, 2003 11:33 PMHe's young, funny and rich. And you require more information because why...?
Posted by: hugh macleod at September 29, 2003 03:20 PMThe Underground Literary Alliance was born from the print-zine world. We're authentic DIYers, if you know that concept. We're creating an alternative to the conglomerate-backed lit world. Eggers, on the other hand, despite his image, has been since 1999 a creation of outfits like Simon and Schuster, publishers of his memoir who got much of the early publicity for McSweeney's for him. He represents an alternative to nothing. The ULA likes free publicity, even from glossies, because we have no advertising or marketing budget-- actually no budget at all. I hope this provides a glimmer of understanding. Thank you.(I'm happy Ms. Spiers likes the t-shirt. I hope she'll wear it all over town.)
Posted by: Karl Wenclas's Press Agent at October 6, 2003 10:27 AM