Hoax Forum Topic: I, Libertine

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I, Libertine

Posted By:
M. Bruener
Mar 30, 2005

Sometime in the mid-1950's, a radio host (Jean Shepard) incited a number of
people to go to bookstores and order "I, Libertine" by Frederick Ewing.
Neither the book or the author existed. This didn't stop the society crowd,
some of whom even claimed to have dined with the author! Eventually,
Shepard wrote "I, Libertine" for the paperback trade, in collaboration with
Theodore Sturgeon. Copies can still be found, for $100 or more.

Category: Literature; Replies: 25

Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.

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Cranky Media Guy	Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2005 \| 12:25 AM If you're interested in Jean Shepherd, the hoaxer and later author behind "I, Libertine," you might be interested to know that there's a biography of him entitled "Excelsior, you Fathead!" available. I just bought a copy of it on Amazon and haven't even had time to open it yet.
Nettie in Perth, Western Australia Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 04:21 AM Has no one actually read Alex's book? Come on now people! This topic is on page 143 (well in my edition anyway)
Nettie in Perth, Western Australia Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 04:23 AM That just makes me think, how many of us actually own a copy? Who is supporting this noble cause? Who has made all that hard work and effort of Alex's actually worth while? Well, I have. Alex, you can count on me!
Nettie in Perth, Western Australia Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 04:24 AM Was that sucky enough???
Smerk in to mischief Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 04:28 AM Make that two! The whole family's read my copy...
Nettie in Perth, Western Australia Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 04:36 AM Yes, mine is getting a little dog eared. Looks like I might have to buy a new copy soon... Yes, I'm paying for Alex's retirement.
Smerk in to mischief Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 04:42 AM Last I saw of Alex's book in the shops is they were throwing it out at the special price of $10...from my 'inside knowledge' of the writing industry, he's getting bugger all out of it!
Nettie in Perth, Western Australia Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 04:58 AM Smerk! I don't think Alex knows his book is bargain bin material! We were supposed to leave him in ignorant bliss. His mental breakdown will be ALL YOUR FAULT! I hope you feel bad now! (well, not too bad)
Nettie in Perth, Western Australia Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 05:00 AM Oh gee, you know I can't stay mad at you! So, shall we take turns visiting Alex at the asylum?
Smerk in to mischief Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 05:03 AM Provided I can be released from mine!
Charybdis in Hell Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 05:15 AM I'll have you know that I own TWO copies. One in English and another in that funny pseudo-language that Dutch people claim to read. So, until you own a second copy you won't be allowed to play at my house.
Nettie in Perth, Western Australia Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 05:23 AM Oh! I'm telling my mum on you!
Winona in USA Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 06:13 AM You two kids, stop it RIGHT NOW! (mad look)
Charybdis in Hell Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 06:18 AM nettie and Smerk started it. I don't know why you're yelling at me. I didn't do anything. You've always loved them best.
Winona in USA Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 06:26 AM Yes, yes I do. LOL!
Winona in USA Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 06:28 AM BTW, yesterday my son was mad at me (madder than I've ever seen him) and started the whole "I don't love you anymore" thing. You know, it's a lot of fun to just reply "But I loooove you." It seemed to piss him off a little. Sometimes it is fun to be a parent.
Alex in San Diego Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 07:14 AM Nettie, you get extra karma points for knowing I discussed this in my book. You made my day. You obviously have great taste in reading material! But unfortunately Smerk is right also. I do get 'bugger all' out of sales of the book. But hey, it was a first book. The opportunity to write it came totally out of the blue. So I can't complain. It's the next book I'm focused on now... and which I need to get back to writing, so why am I on here procrastinating?
Winona in USA Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 07:35 AM Becasue you wuff us so.
LaMa in Europe Member	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 08:08 AM another in that funny pseudo-language that Dutch people claim to read. Hey hey hey! At least our language is original, you Yanks just copied it from the Brits. Except that you write flavour as flavor and that kind of stuff.
Cranky Media Guy	Posted: Fri Apr 08, 2005 \| 05:23 PM Alex, you'll be happy to know that I, too, own a copy of your book. My copy, in fact, was "pre-publication" whatever the Hell that means. Actually, I think what it means is that my copy was sent to a critic to review and then he or she sold it.
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