Comments for RealityStudio

Comment on Bullshit Signed Bookplate by Dave

Dave — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 00:55:58 +0000

“But if the Bard were alive today, I suspect his signature would not be worth much. He would be a celebrity. Signing books at Barnes & Noble. Writing shows for Netflix and HBO”

I imagine you’ve seen this, but in case you haven’t:
Twilight Zone “The Bard”
Season 4 Episode 18

“Julius Moomer, a talentless, but relentless, self-promoting hack who dreams of becoming a successful television writer, uses a book of magic to summon William Shakespeare to write dramatic teleplays that Moomer will pass off as his own. Shakespeare becomes irritated by Moomer’s lack of appreciation and is even more appalled when he discovers the changes wrought on his plays by cynical television executives.” — via IMDB

(The highlight of this one is actually not the Shakespeare parts but a young Burt Reynolds doing his very best Brando impression)

I just received a “signed bookplate” edition of a book from a musician who just released a memoir/autobiography/whatever. I thought having his signature even on a sticker in the book would be cool when I ordered it, but now that it’s sitting here in front of me, I feel kinda stupid. The guy didn’t even hold or come in contact with the book, he just mailed some signed stickers to the publisher. I knew this going in, but again, sounded cool at the time. I guess he held the sticker. Whoop de doo.

I realize this isn’t what your post above isn’t about really, but I found this page from searching “signed bookplates are bullshit” in my frustration (both at myself and at the concept). Anyway, for anyone reading, buyer beware, you might feel as dumb as I do if you order a “signed bookplate” instead of a “signed copy”!

PS — thank you for still having an actual site that you control yourself and is not just a substack or social media channel. The internet was so much more interesting when people had their own sites like this.

Comment on Rhinozeros Archive by John LeBow

John LeBow — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 12:50:05 +0000

Dear Jed,

I just bought a Henry Miller Collection. I found 1-4 of the Rhinozereros Mag. In beautiful shape. They belonged to journalist Ben Grauer. I am curious as to what they would sell for?

Love to hear from you… my phone number is 603-3701644.

Comment on Tornado Alley by Alex

Alex — Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:59:42 +0000

I assume “simultaneous wraps” means trade paperback? That’s the version I bought at Forbidden Planet in London back in 1991.

Comment on William S. Burroughs, Jacques Stern, and The Fluke by Jacques Stern

Jacques Stern — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:36:16 +0000

“The Fluke” – I could barely get through 2 pages of that before tossing it aside. I didn’t necessarily agree with his dad (my grandfather) on politics but at least he knew how to write. I’m the son (or so I’ve been told) who he set out to forget about. Trust me, he got his karma on that. Anyway, he’s gone.

Comment on The Digit Junkie by Demi Raven

Demi Raven — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 18:11:03 +0000

Pedantic detail: the Ace Junkie wasn’t published dos-a-dos (sharing a central board/cover), but rather tête-a-tête (flipped and sharing a spine).

Comment on William Burroughs and David Solomon by Den Browne

Den Browne — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:31:48 +0000

Richard Mullens – I was at Jesus 70-73. Met Andy Munro thru Paul Sieveking & knew him up to the Big Bust. As far as I know he lives in Ireland now. He declined to work with a friend on writing his side o the Jukie story
I never knew Alan Terry but he was legendary among the Jesus college freak community – see slso Tim Evans
No idea if its the same guy but I remember seeing Alan Terry credited on various Peter Gabriel albums

Comment on About Burroughs by Andy

Andy — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:59:05 +0000

“The War Universe” from Grand Street Issue 37 (1991) can be found here online for free on JSOR:

https://www.jstor.org/stable/25007430?origin=crossref

The War Universe

Raymond Foye and William S. Burroughs
Grand Street
No. 37 (1991), pp. 92-108 (17 pages)

Comment on Pistol Poem No. 2 by Demi Raven

Demi Raven — Sat, 30 May 2026 23:18:44 +0000

How do we know that the Pistol Poems in the Birthday Book are created by William S. Burroughs?
There is no point in that Birthday Book where William S. Burroughs is noted as the author, and Burroughs is not mentioned in its bibliographical notes, and is not noted on the cover as a contributor.

Comment on My Burroughs by Ross

Ross — Mon, 25 May 2026 20:04:46 +0000

Speaking of September 17, 1899, do you know what (if any) significance it had for Burroughs? I know he mentions it in connection with the New York Times of that date.

Comment on Association Copies by Joshua Bodwell

Joshua Bodwell — Tue, 05 May 2026 20:39:28 +0000

I’ve been reading a bit of correspondence from the early 1970s between James Laughlin of New Directions and John Martin of Black Sparrow Press. At one point they are both complaining about Harvey Brown.

And then I found my way to this piece.

I think the trouble with describing Brown’s copyright infringement as though he’s some joyful pirate is laid bare by Laughlin’s comment to Martin: Brown promised to pay a royalty to William Carlos William’s widow Floss…but then never paid her a cent.

Can you imagine being such a piece of shit that you won’t pay the widow of a poet (you claim to admire) some pittance of a royalty…even though you’re personally brimming with old family money?

Personally, it’s difficult for me to imagine.