Author: W.J. Elvin III

W.J. Elvin III is known to many AOTP readers as author of the rollicking LiteratEye column exploring literary fakes, fraud and folly. His journalistic career focused on investigative reporting and feature writing for national markets. He wrote an award-winning Washington based \"insider\" column during the Reagan era, known on Capitol Hill as \"coffee-spilling time.\" While the column was accused of excessive reliance on a warped imagination, he asserts \"there was some truth to it.\" He has edited newspapers, newsletters and magazines, several of which survived the experience. In addition to investigative work, he has written extensively in fields ranging from antiques to national security. Despite his insistence that "I was nowhere in the vicinity at the time of the alleged incidents," Elvin has been outed as author of the anonymous "Ask the Fiddler" columns archived here. His two mystery novels, "Murder By Bay Breezes" and "Sherlock Holmes and the Eye of Mad Bear," were published by GunBoss Books and may be found on Amazon and other book dispensing sites. A second novel in the Andy Holliday mystery series is currently being hatched.
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LiteratEye #21: Crusading British Journalist Combats Stupidity

Here’s the twenty first installment of LiteratEye, a series found only on The Art of the Prank Blog, by W.J. Elvin III, editor and publisher of FIONA: Mysteries & Curiosities of Literary Fraud & Folly and the LitFraud blog.

LiteratEye #21: Crusading British Journalist Combats Stupidity
By W.J. Elvin III
July 10, 2009

ufo believerDavid Aaronovitch calls his new book “my war on stupidity.” Before dashing into the fray, it seemed prudent to figure which side I’m on. So I ordered the book.

“Voodoo Histories: The Role of the Conspiracy Theory in Shaping Modern History” is an incredibly difficult book to obtain. Amazon will send it to you in 2010. Several vendors offer it at a ridiculously high price. The one reasonable source backed out when I put in an order.

So, over to the UK, where it was published. By golly, the outfit I ordered from there suddenly pulled out of the deal. Conspiracy, or what?

I finally got a copy, shipped from “¦ France?

Aaronovitch is a popular media heavy in Britain and has lots of admirers and friends who write or talk for money, so his book will probably sell well. Some of the reviews are so positive you’d think the reviewer wanted to cuddle up and kiss the guy.

He’s a former Communist who doesn’t seem to mind when described by his media mates as a hawkish leftist intellectual.

Aaronovitch explains that the reason some of us qualify as stupid is that we assume conspiracy when an event is really the result of accident or chance. Such beliefs are harmful because they distort reality and lead to “disastrous decisions.” Continue reading “LiteratEye #21: Crusading British Journalist Combats Stupidity”

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Antony Gormley”s One & Other

Submitted by W.J. Elvin III:

Watching each other… Live coverage starts Monday on Sky Arts

one-and-other-flash-425

From the Sky Arts Web site:

This summer, Antony Gormley”s One & Other takes over London”s Trafalgar Square in one of the biggest public art projects the country has seen. 2400 people will get their chance to make their mark in the glare of the public eye and our cameras. We will be streaming everyone”s hour of fame live on our dedicated One & Other website.

Even the most dedicated would struggle to see every bit of this round the clock, 100 day -project, so to make sure you don”t miss out on the best bits, we”re bringing you a live show from Trafalgar Square every Friday at 7pm. Here”s what”s coming up in the forthcoming shows:

The launch
8:15am, 6 July on Sky Arts 1 / HD

Highlights of the first week
7pm, 10 July on Sky Arts 1 / HD

Tune in for the weekly highlights show with the best plinthers and interviews at 7pm every Friday from 10 July on Sky Arts 1 / HD

Read more about this event:

  • Living statues chosen for Trafalgar Square’s Fourth Plinth, by Ian Johnston, 14 June 2009
  • Fun, but is it art?, by Stephen Armstrong, The Sunday Times, July 5, 2009

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    Michael Jackson Signature Forgeries on the Rise

    Submitted by W.J. Elvin III, as posted on International Autograph Collector’s Club and Dealer’s Alliance (IADA-CC):

    Fake Michael Jackson autographs everywhere after death of the King of Pop, June 26, 2009

    Beware of fake Michael Jackson signed items throughout the industry.

    MJAutographing

    Michael Jackson signed memorabilia and other artifacts have more then tripled in price and Forgeries are on the raise.The Internet is now bombarded with non authentic Michael Jackson signed items. Well they can only go up in value and in many cases by huge amounts. Beware as 70% of Michael Jackson autographs on eBay are forged or printed signatures. There will be loads of people out there trying to make some fast money off of Michael Jackson’s valued signature.

    Actual Michael Jackson Signatures:
    MJSignatures
    Continue reading “Michael Jackson Signature Forgeries on the Rise”

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    LiteratEye #20: Can a Spoof Morph Into the Real Deal?

    Here’s the twentieth installment of LiteratEye, a series found only on The Art of the Prank Blog, by W.J. Elvin III, editor and publisher of FIONA: Mysteries & Curiosities of Literary Fraud & Folly and the LitFraud blog.

    LiteratEye #20: Can a Spoof Morph Into the Real Deal?
    By W.J. Elvin III
    July 3, 2009

    Ern Malley Movie PosterThe intemperate torch grazed
    With fire the umbel of the dark.
    The pond-lilies could not stifle
    The green descant of frogs.

    Is it possible for a hoax, a masterpiece of ridicule, to morph into a respected example of exactly what it was meant to spoof? That’s a serious question regarding the lines quoted above, a snippet of work of the poor lost legendary poet, Ern Malley.

    An obscure, young Australian insurance salesman and part-time watch repairman in the days prior to World War II, Malley never lived to see his work become world famous. Well, for that matter, he never lived at all. Continue reading “LiteratEye #20: Can a Spoof Morph Into the Real Deal?”

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    Condoms & Cabbages Safe Sex Restaurant: Dinner and a Vasectomy

    Submitted by W.J. Elvin III:

    Cabbages and Condoms is a restaurant, hotel, museum, and vasectomy clinic in Bankok, Thailand. This Condom Couture was the Picture of the Day from Telegraph.co.uk, June 30, 2009:
    condom-mannequins_1433565i-425

    Here’s an amusing video produced by Brent Madden Productions:

    Read more:

  • A Restaurant with a Mission: Cabbages and Condoms, Bangkok

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