"There's a book to be written on Zen and the art of dog training"
  - Susan Conant in A New Leash on Death

¶ Recommended Reading - lists have a new entry by me as I reveal the "Secrets of the Canine Obedience Champions" Petra Ford & Tyler in Slate.

¶ The Metropolitan Opera - has a new fan. Hint: She's still working on "Walking on a Loose Leash" (CGC test item #4).

¶ That Barking - you hear is the raffish response of my beloved Bernese mountain dog, Hola, as she learns that her suspiciously beta Master has sold his third book to Random House's most literary imprint - and it's all about her! For a hint at the theme, see the quote above. More to come.

¶ Best of Opposite - was won by me as I was thrilled to spend time with my own American Writer Idol, the fabulous Susan Conant, recently in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The legendary canine (and culinary) caper author was gracious enough to indulge my staggering woofy ignorance with wit, wisdom and an armload of encouragement.

¶ Mavens of Holly Winter - malamute-driven heroine of Conant's 18 Dog Lover's Mysteries will be interested to know that Holly's house at the corner of Concord and Appleton in Cambridge, Mass., looks exactly as described in the books, and turns out to contain Conant's husband's psychotherapy practice:

Regarding my previous office-based satirical work, "A$$hole":

¶ Pay an A$$hole - to speak at your funeral, debutante ball or child's birthday party! Interested? Of course. Enjoy the Author's "demo reel" here:

¶ Listen up - to the totally original theme song for the book: "Too Nice (A$$hole)." The artist is supersexy Julia DouglA$$. Sorry, pirates - it's actually free!

¶ Be the first - in your cellblock to enjoy the new A$$hole infomercial! Here it is:

¶ Europe loses - its heart to the A$$hole. #45 in Germany! And in the wake of this wet kiss from the Sunday Times of London - #33 on England's Amazon list! (#1 in "Humour")

¶ See here now - the original A$$hole video directed by a man who should in fact be writing:

¶ The Truth - makes a cameo appearance in a rich new "Q&A" with the Author in the pressroom

¶ Author's Notes - for "non-fiction" memoirs prove they're all "fiction." Don't believe me? Have your mind expanded here!

¶ New BFF? - the Author went to see his idol Dave Barry at B&N 17th Street. Here's the magic moment:

¶ "A$$hole" - is erupting now - and its cover is here to enjoy today:

¶ Incredible - coincidence in the world of pet names, as my own dog suddenly leads the pack. Woof!

¶ At long last - Yes - it's true what you have been dreaming - the Author has completed yet another Masterpiece. This one an outrageous satire of all that is holy. Publisher is Broadway Books. Pub date Spring '08. Film rights to Spring Creek/Warner Brothers. Worth the wait. xo

Regarding my first Work, House of Lies -

¶ "A more entertaining book - about business is unlikely to appear for a long time!" raves the Economist (4/10) - read the rhapsody here

¶ Great honor - bestowed on the Author by the Peoples of China & Portugal as his work is pirated!

  global domination  

¶ Here now this - flexible paperback editions of the Work - Enjoy some now!

¶ Who calls - the Author "provocative and absolutely cynical!" Why - it's merely transcendental Harvard Business newsletter

¶ Catch up! - to great hits of Fast Company's Consultant Debunking Unit product offerings: as in What's Bain to ya! (pdf) and Standin' for nothin'! (pdf) and 99.997% perfect 6-Sigma debunkin'! (pdf)

¶ IT'S HERE!! - the breath-taking Flash-animated VIDEO VERSION OF 'HOUSE OF LIES'!!

¶ Pleasure seek - a very sensible and guiding "Reader's Guide" to the work!

¶ When - will the raves stop? Never? The New York Times in 3/06 Business section opines: "Mr. Kihn spends his time telling amusing tales of partners with an overinflated sense of self-worth, and of consultants who find themselves in a situation for which they are not prepared." Read it here! (registration required)

¶ Radio - loves the author - commentary on NPR's delicious "Marketplace" by me can be heard here (I'm at the end)

¶ Q&A - With your ubiquitous author in Inc. magazine

¶ Who says - 'House of Lies' is "Deeply intelligent and highly funny" - none other than Publishers Weekly - read the rave here!

¶ At last - More, yes, more from that endless font of wonder known as things-that-were-deleted from first text by the Author; in this case, the much-heralded, little-understood entirely circumstantial bibliography!