Christopher Buckley, author of the humorous novel "Thank You For Smoking," pretends to light up for photographers as he arrives at the premiere of the new movie based on his book on Sunday, March 12, 2006, in New York. The movie follows the adventures of a beleaguered spokesman for the tobacco industry.
Margaret Atwood may be fed up with book tours. The Booker Prize-winning author has unveiled her new invention: a remote-controlled pen that allows writers to sign books for fans thousands of miles away. Guess she'd rather stay home in Toronto than attend events like London's Book Fair, where she answered questions, left, on Sunday, March 5, 2006. Atwood wrote "The Blind Assassin" and, most recently, "Oryx and Crake."
The things authors have to do to get readers' attention! Herpetologist David Nieves imitates a rhino rat snake before an audience of kids at the annual River Read Literature Festival on Friday, March 10, 2006, at Park University in Parkville, Mo. Nieves, who lives in Belleview, Neb., wrote and photographed two books, "Reptiles Up Close" and "More Reptiles Up Close," and is now working on "Amphibians Up Close."
Children's book author and illustrator Laura Huliska-Beith of Kansas City, Mo., draws a picture of her character Mean Jean from "The Recess Queen" for children who attended the River Read Literature Festival on Friday, March 10, 2006, at Park University in Parkville, Mo. Hundreds of students from Park Hill School District attended the festival. Huliska-Beith has illustrated nine children's books and written one.
"The Sopranos" actor Frank Vincent, far left, appears with Magic Johnson, Chuck Zito and Tony Sirico at a party to celebrate Vincent's new book, "A Guy's Guide To Being a Man's Man" at Capitale in New York on Wednesday, March 8, 2006. In his book, Vincent covers such topics as dressing like a champ and savoring a great cigar.
Actresses Daniela Sea, left, and Laurel Holloman of the Showtime series "L Word" attend a book signing of "The L Word: Welcome to Our Planet," by Kera Bolonik, at the Virgin Mega Store Times Square in New York on Friday, March 8, 2006. The book is an official guide to the show, featuring behind-the-scenes photos and interviews with the cast, crew, and creators.
Designer Kimora Lee Simmons signs copies of her new self-help book for women, "Fabulosity: What It Is and How to Get It" at Harlem's Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe in New York on Monday, Feb. 27, 2006. Simmons is president and creative director of Baby Phat and is married to hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.
Carl Reiner signs a copy of his new book, "NNNNN," on Feb. 10, 2006 in New York. The writer-comedian said on CBS News' The Early Show that his latest novel is his version of the story of Genesis. "The fellow who wrote that way back when -- 5,000 years ago -- didn't have the information that I have today," Reiner explained.
Evangelist Billy Graham gestures during a visit to New Orleans on Thursday, March 9, 2006. Graham, who has visited some of the world's least-developed countries, said he was left speechless by the devastation he saw in the hurricane-ravaged city. Graham, now 87, just published his 25th book, "The Journey."
A visitor adds an entry in a giant crossword puzzle displayed during Sao Paulo's Book Biennal on Thursday, March 9, 2006. The puzzle is 10.66 feet wide and 4.92 feet tall, and contains 3,200 clues. The creators, Ediouro publishing, will present it to the Guinness organization to be considered for listing as the world's largest crossword puzzle.
The smallest known book, a 5x5 millimeter edition of "The Lord's Prayer," is displayed, lower left, at Christie's Auction House in London on Thursday, March 9, 2006. The book and its companions, a miniature Bible, at right, and a New Testament, are to be auctioned at Christie's Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts sale on March 16. The auction estimate is 200 to 300 British pounds.
Chip Jewell, a firefighter in Frederick County, Md., wears a vintage county firefighter's uniform in the bay of the Independent Hose Company on Monday, Feb. 27, 2006, in Frederick. Jewell has written his second book on the fire service, a pictorial history called "Firefighting in Frederick County."
Children's author Jacqueline Wilson releases 500 balloons to launch World Book Day, the U.K.'s largest celebration of books and reading, at the Unicorn Theatre in London on Thursday, March 2, 2006. The balloons carry contest entries for book tokens. Every school child in England also received a one-pound book token as part of the campaign to encourage reading.
Allegra Goodman, author of "Intuition," poses for a portrait in New York on Tuesday, March 7, 2006. Goodman's latest novel is set in a Boston cancer research center, where a breakthrough in laboratory results may literally be too good to be true.
Writer Gerald Clarke talks about his book "Capote: A Biography" at an appearance at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in New York on Friday, Feb. 24, 2006. Clarke's 1988 book, newly reissued in paperback, was the basis of the film 2005 film "Capote."
Terri Schiavo's family has written a book about their tumultuous days inside Woodside Hospice, where the brain-damaged woman died last year during a legal firestorm over her fate. In a photo taken March 30, 2005, Shiavo's sister Suzanne Vitadamo, left, and parents Mary and Bob Schindler appear outside the hospice. "A Life That Matters: The Legacy of Terri Schiavo -- A Lesson For Us All," goes on sale on Tuesday, March 28.
Film critic Roger Ebert speaks at a signing for his new book, "Great Movies II" at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Santa Monuca, Calif., on Tuesday, March 7, 2006.
Author Yiyun Li, an acclaimed short story writer who is fighting for permission to remain in the U.S., was among the finalists announced Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2006, for the Kiriyama Prize, given annually for books about the Pacific Rim and South Asia. This undated photo was supplied by Random House.