Kathleen Schmidt’s Publishing Confidential is always worth reading, but today’s post is a humdinger titled Publishing Has Lost the Plot…and It’s Only February.

Among a few stories about boneheaded PR tactics to promote books this year, the headline is Author J.D. Barker Got Creepy on TikTok:

In January, J.D. Barker, a male author who writes thrillers, sent emails to female influencers on BookTok encouraging them to create sexually suggestive videos to promote his upcoming release Behind a Closed Door. The emails suggested the creators show “something racy,” use “only the book cover to show your naughty bits,” and share “the most taboo place you’ve ever had sex.” Barker noted in the email that he would review all videos personally. Nothing shocks me in this industry, but after reading about this, I was skeptical that an author could be this stupid.

There’s a twist in the next paragraph that I won’t spoil (it’s a free post, no paywall) but I’m absolutely stoked to see where this leads.

She also links to this article about a publisher doing bizarre and unprofessional things, and recommends a book called A Year on Earth with Mr. Hell by Young Kim (where my title comes from).

If that won’t get you to subscribe I’m not sure what will. Click the link.