Napkin Fiction

February 27, 2007 4:12 PM

Esquire sends out 250 napkins to writers across America - from prolific novelists to those finishing off first works. Nearly a hundred respond back - from sex to frustration, poetry to twisted liaisons, even a mini book and plans for murder.
posted by divabat (22 comments total)

I admire, but do not envy, the man who had to transcribe all that chicken scratch.
posted by shmegegge at 4:28 PM on February 27, 2007

I clicked on the "twisted liasons" link above, because it appealed to me most. Then when I looked at the list of writers who responded, I clicked on "Unknown," because it appealed to me most. Neat.
posted by JamesToast at 4:31 PM on February 27, 2007

instant psych profile test: which link did *you* click first?

i clicked plans for murder, expecting exactly what i got: a perfectly disturbing diagram.
posted by sxtxixtxcxh at 4:39 PM on February 27, 2007

this is an awesome post, thanks for this
posted by petsounds at 4:40 PM on February 27, 2007

Either I don't read enough or all of my favorite authors are too busy to scrawl on napkins.

Still, cool post.
posted by Cyrano at 4:46 PM on February 27, 2007

i totally clicked "unknown" first too.
posted by phaedon at 4:46 PM on February 27, 2007

anybody send back a napkin stained with beer ring or a snotshot? I'd just be too tempted, which is probably why I'm not a best selling author.
posted by jonmc at 4:54 PM on February 27, 2007

I also clicked "plans for murder," first. I'm not disturbed by that, but I am a little disturbed to think that every single person who knows me would guess that I'd click that first.
posted by Bookhouse at 4:59 PM on February 27, 2007

The "plans for murder" one is hilarious.

No Room For Error. As Many Dead As Possible. HAHAHA.
posted by synaesthetichaze at 5:02 PM on February 27, 2007

Clicking around Esquire's site I found this now ironic piece from a writer who almost got to see Britney Spears' snatch and is excited.

Oh, sweet yesteryear.
posted by Bookhouse at 5:05 PM on February 27, 2007

The "sex" story isn't bad. I, too, have wondered why condom marketers would advertise X-cide in their product.
posted by bardic at 5:25 PM on February 27, 2007

This would have been perfect bedtime reading material for Ronald Reagan, who insisted that his aides reduce every Presidential decision to an index card. (Hey, maybe George Bush, too ...)
posted by webcruncher at 5:48 PM on February 27, 2007

This reminds me of an anecdote I heard about Joseph Papp, founder of the Public Theater. In his early days, Papp saw Samuel Beckett in a bar, went up to him, and convinced him to give him a play on a bar napkin.

Anybody else heard it? Apocryphal? Real?
posted by HeroZero at 5:54 PM on February 27, 2007

anybody send back a napkin stained with beer ring or a snotshot? I'd just be too tempted, which is probably why I'm not a best selling author.

My first thought was that I'd like to think that I'd wipe my bum with it and send it back, but that I probably wouldn't, because I'm a big suck-up sometimes.



OK, usually.
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:05 PM on February 27, 2007

Plains for Murder was good, but it should have been left on the table in a fast-food restaurant.
posted by Citizen Premier at 6:56 PM on February 27, 2007

loved The Rise and Fall of Circumcision.
posted by stackmonster at 7:48 PM on February 27, 2007

synaesthetichaze: No Room For Error. As Many Dead As Possible. HAHAHA.

Aw, mistaken italics. I liked the original more when I thought it had evil laughter tacked on.
posted by dreamsign at 7:48 PM on February 27, 2007

very cool. and i clicked the murder one first.ah well.
posted by virga at 8:50 PM on February 27, 2007

This is really cool, thanks!

instant psych profile test: which link did *you* click first?

I clicked the first linked text ("Nearly a hundred respond back"), like a good girl.
posted by amyms at 9:32 PM on February 27, 2007

Ditto what amyms said, but then, scrolling through the list of names, I clicked on the first one I recognized: "Unknown".
posted by parilous at 6:42 AM on February 28, 2007

this post is soooo good
posted by KokuRyu at 6:57 AM on February 28, 2007

Another cool way to do this would be to try to collect "napkin contracts." I remember someone who was signed to Grand Royal said his contract was literally written in a napkin.

Very good post.
posted by micayetoca at 8:17 AM on February 28, 2007