Kathi Kamen Goldmark, R. I. P.

NYTimes.com: Kathi Kamen Goldmark had made a lot of friends in the literary world by shepherding authors on book tours when one day inspiration struck: what the very best authors yearn to be, she realized, are rock stars.


So was born the Rock Bottom Remainders, a musical group named for the booksellers’ term for books that languish on the shelves so long they have to be dumped at a discount. Composed of a shifting cast of literary luminaries that include Stephen King, Amy Tan, Scott Turow and Dave Barry, the Remainders have come together once a year or so since 1992 to play gigs — how they love that word! — in big halls around the country, raising $2 million for charity. In an interview, Mr. Barry said the group aspires to mediocrity and has sometimes achieved it.


Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.