That means there may be a twelfth actor stepping in to wear the fez soon. Of course, fans could be misreading what Smith stated (and he’s hinted at this kind of exit before) — but depending on scheduling for the new season, the actor may find himself enjoying a longer holiday where it’s possible he’d head to Tinseltown for a spell. Will we see Smith stay in part until Doctor Who’s 50th anniversary in 2013, or do you sense a goodbye approaching? [via Hero Chan]

[via The Notebook]

[via Super Punch]

In the introduction, you mention some prominent writers who have adopted pen names. Why do writers chose to use a pseudonym?

The motivations are so varied. Often people want to come up with different categories, but one of the points my book is making is that even if the choice of a pseudonym is straightforward I would argue that it’s much deeper than that. For example, George Eliot was trying to escape her life as Mary Anne (Marian) Evans. She wanted a new name and a new identity. Or there is the example of Patricia Highsmith –- she didn’t want to offend her 84-year-old grandmother.

When V.S. Naipaul recently asserted that he knew when he was reading a novel by a female author, I kept thinking about the case of Alice Sheldon writing as James Tiptree, Jr., which you describe in the book.

This comes up all the time still. “I can always tell if a woman’s writing.” I think George Elliot wrote “male” novels, and so did James Tiptree, Jr. When I read [Tiptree's] letters to people, the voice is very “male” for lack of a better way to put it. There’s a sort of swagger to her writing. She’s flirtatious and confident. If I showed you those letters you would agree. She wasn’t a woman when she was writing those letters — she became someone else.

In the digital age we’re living in, is it still possible to use a pseudonym without being discovered?

Obviously there are writers using pseudonyms today, but for the most part no, it’s not possible. In the 19^th century writers weren’t having their photographs taken, they weren’t writing e-mails. The guy who wrote the Gay Girl in Damascus blog (Tom MacMaster) had his IP addresses traced back to him. So I think it’s very hard today. On the one hand it’s impossible to keep up a pseudonym because everything is done via email, but on the other hand there’s more pseudonyms than ever before because of people online. However, they do tend to get found out. The people featured in my book weren’t looking for publicity, they were simply trying to do their work. But now on the Internet [pseudonyms are] more an expression of our narcissistic culture than they are for producing serious work. It was a much different enterprise before.

If you were to use a pseudonym, what name would you choose?

When I was in college I would write poems and stories and would write Carmela Smith. It’s kind of aspirational in a way, and was a joke. Now I joke that my pen name would be Carmela von Plume. Alice Sheldon found her name on a jar of marmalade. You can actually come up with a really great name from products at the grocery store.

Watch the entertaining book trailer for Nom de Plume below.

We’re kicking off the series with Flavorpill favorite Eugene Mirman, the comedian and performer known for his hilarious standup, regular New York comedy events, three sidesplitting albums, a fake advice book, and roles on Flight of the Conchords and Delocated. Mirman’s latest project is voicing the character of Gene on Fox’s new animated series Bob’s Burgers, which he reveals more about after the jump.

To view the interactive interview with Eugene Mirman, simply scroll through the questions in the video player and click on the one you want answered. Eugene’s video response will play instantly. Don’t see the question you would have asked? Just click “Interact with Eugene Mirman” to be taken to VYou.com, where you can submit additional questions of your own, and be notified if Eugene responds.

[via ANIMAL]

Flavorpill: What memories do you have of mealtime from your childhood?

Aimee Bender: Well — for one, it was very seventies. Lots of meat. We’d have veal on special occasions. Veal! That seems shocking now. Fried veal. Beef Stroganoff. Pot roast also on occasion. Tuna casserole. There was only one Chinese food place at all nearby with takeout, and we’d get food from there every now and then and it was a big deal and thrilling.

FP: What are a few of your all-time favorite foods?

AB: I used to get a hamburger at the Brentwood Mart, 26th and San Vicente, by a man with a thick Eastern European accent who asked if I wanted seasoning salt on the fries, and it was just wonderful. I’d walk there with my sisters, and it was a little hint of summer. I have a great memory of sitting on a stoop in fall in NYC eating a slice of just hot pizza and watching people walk around in their day and feeling so utterly connected to the city, in a way that made me massively appreciate New York. My grandmother would make amazing matzo ball soup which my parents dubbed “liquid gold”; she’d make a ton of it for a holiday and it always tasted like pure health.

FP: Are there specific meals that you’ve had that stick out in your memory?

AB: I was in Japan a few years ago, in an inn, where a family did a ten small course meal including things like pumpkin soup in a small wine glass, or one tiny piece of fish on a leaf. It was so delicate and carefully and lovingly created. I also lived a year abroad in France, and remember eating with friends by the Seine with a picnic of a baguette, some cheese, great tomatoes, wine, sun setting late in the day, beautiful.

FP: It’s said that, regarding food cravings, men tend to crave bitter and savory, and women crave sugar and sweet.

AB: I actually far prefer savory. The man in me. I crave salt: olives, cheese, hot dogs, tomato sauce.

FP: Given the love and appreciation of food and the experience of it in the book, how do you feel about the current climate, particularly in America, in which society seems to war constantly with food, nutrition and body?

AB: I think it’s complicated. People are treating food differently, which is good. Awareness is on a huge learning curve. But I guess there is a strong pull to that processed stuff and I do get curious about why. I can understand it; I still really like a lot of it. Sometimes all I want are Cheetos. There’s something magnetically compelling about food that tastes exactly the same, even as it is awful for you, and maybe in part because of that.

1. Double Hummingbird Feeder Hat, Roy Road Fish Company

“I nearly fell out of my chair when I saw this. And then I saw the YouTube video of this thing in action, and it was all over. The double hummingbird feeder hat immediately rocketed to my top 5 finds, ever.”

2. Dirty Diaper Cat Toy, Oh Boy Cat Toy

“I asked this woman to create a piece to illustrate a chapter in the book, and she came back with a giant vagina stuffed with 15 pounds of catnip. She’s trying to get it into The Guinness Book of World Records. I think she has a real shot.”

3. Log Purse, Lynn Cyr Art

“If you don’t mind carrying a piece of wood around at social functions, this is a great purse. Oh, you’ll still have to find matching shoes, but as long as you’re Dutch, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

4. Chicken Poncho, Goose on the Loose

“There’s a section in the book where sellers get to speak their minds about being on Regretsy, and how it’s affected them. The woman who made this poncho provided my favorite quote: ‘I haven’t been able to think about it much because my goat is expecting.’”

5. Fairy Toilet, Fairy Furnishings

“It’s easy to find crap on Etsy. But you know you’ve hit pay dirt when you find something to crap in.”

6. Wedding Gown Painting, Blablover5 (Introverted Painting)

“I’ve got to tell you, I would have been impressed by someone who paints your wedding dress on a hanger. But a painting of your clothes being worn by an invisible presence, posing with your dogs on the beach, well, now you’re talking about an heirloom.”

7. F*cking Flies, Dark Vomit

“I’m proud to say I actually bought this painting. I gave it to my best friend for his birthday, who hung it over his toilet with a halogen spot on it. It really classes up the place.”

8. Lady Gaga Embroidered Toilet Paper, Hi Bird

“When I first posted this, I called it ‘Lady Caca.’ The seller was such a good sport that she now refers to them that way in her store. And she’s always coming up with new products. I was so taken by her presidential series that I commissioned her to make embroidered panty liner bookmarks that I give away at signings. Between you and me, I think it’s the real reason people buy the book.”

Bonus: We’re giving away three copies of the book to lucky readers. Keep reading to find out how to snag one. Last day to submit a comment is Tuesday, March 30. We’ll be asking winners for photo evidence to post on the blog, so keep those descriptions accurate! CONTEST CLOSED. Winner will be announced Monday, April 5.

And some of our favorite shots from the bajillion amazing living spaces scoped by The Selby and featured in The Selby Is In Your Place:

Barneys New York creative director Simon Doonan and potter/interior designer Jonathan Adler playing ping-pong in “hyper decorated ’70s shag pad.”

Fanny Bostrom and Bill Gentle in the backyard of their Williamsburg, Brooklyn home. Fanny, a multimedia artist from Sweden, made the teepee.

Kenyan and Grace Kelsey in the bedroom of their farmhouse in upstate Warwick, New York.

Items from Kenyan and Kelsey’s collection of antiques.

So, you want to win the 256 pages of full-color photography and illustration (plus a title page with stickers) wrapped into The Selby Is In Your Place? Leave us a comment telling us what weird/rare/funny items you collect that would be worth photographing. Let the best three win!