Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:39:52 -0400
From: "Michael Walsh" <MJW at press.jhu.edu>
To: <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>,<wsfa-forum at yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [WSFA] New Tor imprint ...
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at KeithLynch.net>

>From Locusmag.com yesterday:

Judith Regan to Receive own Imprint at Tor

Tor Books publisher Tom Doherty, beaming proudly and standing
side-by-side with renegade pariah editor Judith Regan at Tor World HQ in
the glamorous Flatiron Building in New York City, today announced that
he has hired the controversial woman responsible for O. J. Simpson's If
I Did It.

"With the launch of her 'Stargasm' imprint, Judith is going to bring a
much-needed fresh sensibility to Tor Books," said Doherty. "That of a
foul-mouthed publicity-hound, celebrity-hag and brawling
yellow-journalist. Since the founding of Tor in 1980, we've established
a reputation for publishing quality fiction in hardcover format. Well,
that era is over. Frankly, sales on many of our critically praised books
wouldn't collectively amount to the first day's unit-shifting on Jenna
Jameson's How to Make Love Like a Porn Star from just the Los Angeles
branch of Borders. SF authors complain all the time about not reaching
the biggest possible audience. Well, Judith is here to make sure there
will never be any more such grievances."

Stepping to the microphone, Regan announced her debut titles. "I've
managed to snag Margaret Atwood, who will be contributing a book-length
essay regarding her love-hate affair with science fiction, as-yet
untitled. This cuddly Canadian reveals among other juicy secrets that
her aversion to 'space squids' comes from an unfortunate addiction to
Japanese 'tentacle porn' manga.

"The second book in my line is The 300 Makeover Book by Frank Miller.
This famous creator of the hit film has assembled a team of personal
trainers, dieticians, cosmetologists and costumers who collectively lay
out a plan whereby any male fan, however schlubby, can end up looking
like Gerard Butler in only sixty days.

"And the final book I'm able to reveal at this time is a collaborative
novel penned by both Lemony Snicket and J. K. Rowling. A Series of
Unfortunate Career Decisions features as its protagonists a best-selling
husband-and-wife fantasy-writing team who decide to kill the hero who's
earned them a fortune. Unable to come up with another equally exciting
creation, the writers turn to crime, black magic and drugs in an attempt
to revive their failed career."

The press conference was opened at this point to questions from the
floor, which focused exclusively on Ms. Regan's favorite fashion
designer and hair stylist.