The Iron Lady is gone, and with her another nail is driven into the coffin of journalism.

I confess up front to not being a fan of their business tactics, but my initial thought was that it was pretty cool that they would sponsor an internal contest for their authors. Putting some cash on the line to encourage their folks to raise the bar in production quality and all that.

Geesh, was I wrong.

You have to at least admire the sheer hubris of an author who simultaneously spends $500 on a Kirkus review and then claims that they asked Kirkus not to publish it for “Branding Reasons.”

I thought I was being nice. Giving him a little encouragement and a push in the right direction. That was, of course, my mistake.

I sincerely doubt Simon & Schuster shoot off press releases to Penguin.

Forgive me for my complete lack of enthusiasm over my own non-achievements. I should try to be more perky.

Have you ever found yourself trapped in a conversation that only happens because you are surrounded by stupid people? And you can’t get out of the conversation without seeming rude or outright calling people stupid?

Because I know how much you all love to laugh at the people who send me emails. Names and identifiable information have been removed to protect the innocent and stupid.

Because I know how much you all love the bizarre emails that I get.

My problem is not “big government” or “small government.” My problem is stupid government.