FIRST PRIZE: Didion (Helen Mirren) and Dunne (Anthony Hopkins). They always write in the nude (she wears heels) and have high tea at 4 and a celibate relationship.

RUNNER UP: Dear Madame HBO Prez: Your contest intrigues me. How about a sexy, dark flick about the complex relationship btwn. Susan Sontag (Susan Sarandon) & Annie Leibovitz (Meryl Streep) for your next project? Yes, Annie writes books, too, and Susan’s, well, she’s a legend. Just thinking..

DISHONORABLE MENTION: Well, what about a work in progress? The relationship between B Lerner and J Donatich – filled with varieties of religious experience, ambivalence, food, loathing, and trees. A child and a dog. Not to be missed.

MISERY: Tabitha and Stephen King. He’d be the box office name but she’d be the star. It’s clear, from his alcoholism to his car accident, that she’s a force to be reckoned with. Plus, I’d love to see the inside of their home.

JUST BECAUSE: The irascible ghost of Samuel Clemens appears to a wannabe country singer, and guides her to fortune, fame, and an unrequited love that spans the ages: NEVER THE TWAIN SHALL MEET: THE MARK AND SHANIA STORY.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest. Will the winners please send me your snail mail address to askbetsylerner@gmail.com and you I will send you a treat.

This week I’ll be reporting from the Book Expo, the industry’s annual book trade show, the goal of which is to score hot galleys and tote bags. I’m not that great at it to be completely honest. I’m a lot of things, but a schnorer I’m not. I think it’s connected to not feeling particularly entitled. I’ve always admired and been disgusted in equal measure by people who seem to feel entitled. And I’ve often wondered how this relates to writing. Some writers can actually presuppose interest in their work, others strive to believe that  someone somewhere will care, and most spend thousands in therapy coping with imposter complexes and the like.

What about you??