I received an email with some startling bad news today - the fantastic McSweeney’s, the publishing house set up by Dave Eggers is in trouble. This from them:

“As you may know, it’s been tough going for many independent publishers, McSweeney’s included, since our distributor filed for bankruptcy last December 29. We lost about $130,000 — actual earnings that were simply erased. Due to the intricacies of the settlement, the real hurt didn’t hit right away, but it’s hitting now. Like most small publishers, our business is basically a break-even proposition in the best of times, so there’s really no way to absorb a loss that big.”

But fear not! You can help McSweeney’s in their time of need. They have set up a special auction that includes some very rare items, such as an original painting of an amputee George W Bush by Eggers himself, for you to bid on. If that is a little rich for your blood, then head over to their online store, and look at the many spectacular offers on back issues of McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern, The Believer, and much more.

This may sound like a horrific advertising post, but here at Transmission, we love McSweeney’s. It is an original publishing house, presenting excellent writing in a unique way - that they support the promotion of independent literature is an added bonus.If you care about independent literature, help save McSweeney’s!