Image, Synergy, and Fluffy Mackerel Pudding

Wendy McClure is an avatar for the new world of publishing. She comes to her readers via internet websites, blogs, traditional print media like books and journals, newspapers and magazines, and via live readings. Take notice: she's making it work, and it's happening fast.

Last year, her first book was published: I'm Not the New Me: A Memoir (New York: Riverhead Books, 2005). It combines a practical slant -- tracking her progress (and occasional regress) while dieting and launching various online endeavors -- with raucous humor and charm.

One of the funniest sections of the book combines pictures of 1970s Weight Watchers recipe cards with her quips; indeed, this part was so inspired that just this May, Riverhead brought out McClure's second book, a 128-page paperback revolving around this concept called The Amazing Mackerel Pudding Plan: Classic Diet Recipe Cards from the 1970s.

McClure is a busy writer. Her two primary sites are Pound and Candyboots, but there is another well-linked site just for I'm Not the New Me. You can read and see much more by checking them out directly.

Kudos to Wendy McClure!