LUDIC LOG

Hi, gang!

People often ask me: what's the secret of the man behind the Ludic Log? What makes Leonard Pierce seem so brilliant, so sexy, so goddamn good? Well, I'll tell you the secret: I have smart friends. That's right: I surround myself with talented, intelligent creative people whose presence makes me appear better than I actually am.

So today, instead of the normal dullsville links that I throw up on Saturdays, I'm going to ask everyone who reads this to visit a few of my friends. Each of them is offering an example of what I mean when I say I have smart friends; take a look at what's on display, and then? Buy it.

Yeah, yeah, I know. But this isn't just your standard run of the mill whoring. I have read the stuff in all these items, and take my word for it: every single one of these things are definitely worth your eyes. I'm not just logrolling here: you have my word, for all that it's worth (hint: nothing) that if you pony up some jack for this stuff, you will not for a moment regret it. Best of all, one of them is free, so it's like getting five for the price of four! A piddly forty bucks gets you all of them; less than a hundred bones and you can give a set as gifts.

These are skillful, brilliant, funny, sharp and sometimes inspiring pieces of writing from some of the finest folks I know. I feel completely justified in asking my six loyal readers to give them a shot. Come on, gang! Have your credit cards ready, and buy this stuff. If nothing else, it will probably lead to at least one of these people buying me a drink, and without liquor, the Ludic Log cannot continue.

First of all, Mr. Brian Hogg is selling a collection of the first year of his online writing. It's chock full of intrigue and razor-keen design sense.

Second, Jon Morris and Manning Krull have a brand-new collection of Halloween-themed comics. Order now for a spooky-ooky holiday!

Third, the lovely and talented Claire Zulkey has just had her very first book published by the fine folks at So New Media. Smart, silly, sassy web-writing.

Fourth, B. Clay Moore's '50s tiki-noir detective comic miniseries, "Hawaiian Dick", is still available. Look for it at a comic shop near you or order online from Image.

Finally, please pay a call on the High Hat. It's got some of the brightest and best writing on art, music, literature, movies and culture around. And best of all, it's free!

Thanks to each of you for reading the Ludic Log, and thanks for supporting my smart friends.