Author John Edgar Wideman is choosing to bypass traditional publishing methods and is partnering instead with Raleigh-based Lulu.com for his next book, Briefs, Stories for the Palm of the Mind.
The book will be available exclusively on lulu.com beginning March 14 (more info here). It is a collection of stories, some of which have already been chosen for the O. Henry Prize Stories 2010 and Best African American Fiction 2010 awards.
Wideman chose to publish his new book this way in order to have more control over the publishing process and connect more personally with readers. In addition, he already had a connection to the company: His son works there.
"I've been thinking about alternatives for a long time," he said. "Lulu seems to represent a very live possibility as the publishing industry mutates. I like the idea of being in charge. I have more control over what happens to my book. And I have more control over whom I reach."
Retail reporter Sue Stock came to the N&O in 2004 and has been covering retail and shopping in the Triangle since then. She is the author of the popular