The other day I mentioned books with bedbugs, and now it appears that "one of New York's largest publishers" has been struck by an "insect issue" that may be in the same line. They won't say which of New York's largest publishers, mind you, in case the others start avoiding them in the playground. This also seems somehow relevant.

• At Bookninja, a poet fails to welcome his robo-Twitter overlord. Bad move.

• Jenny Davidson on how novelistic characterisation may have evolved from stage description (mildly knotty, but very interesting).

• "Sky flower", "heaven flower", and how mixing the two up can give you a lightswitch marked smallpox.

• Unsuitable sandwiches for reading.