Posnanski and the Paterno book

joe, I am confident that you, too, could one day produce someone's favorite Internet moment.

 

http://blog.amamanualofstyle.com/2012/03/27/a-few-thoughts-on-fewer-and-less/

 

So you're trying to argue books cannot be counted? Can one buy half a book?

 

I am less than whelmed at this sudden detour.

 

can one buy less than two books?

 

No. You can't. But you can buy fewer than two books.

Less than = things that can't be itemized or counted. I have less courage than she has.
Fewer than = things that can be. Fewer books. Fewer dollar bills. Fewer conversations.

 

I less than three this discussion.

 

i fewer than three this discussion.

 

I'd like to read less whitewashes.

 

And outside to the sales to libraries, you're really looking at scraps.

That's the way it goes.

 

I recently heard some "bestseller" numbers for a couple of sports-related books that blew me away--insanely low. Keep in mind those Bookscan numbers account for around 70=75% of what we now call "physical books" (non-digital), and they don't include any ebooks (digital).

But that said, this business is a disaster.

 

From an author's standpoint - and I am one/have been one - it seems like it's better approached at this point as a hobby or resume-builder than a money-maker. And I say that as someone who made a decent amount of coin on a book. Not Posnanski money, mind you, but well into five figures.

Can't imagine I'd get it now.