McSweeney's as a publishing company is built on a business model that only works when we sell physical books. So we try to put a lot of effort into the design and production of the book-as-object.

Paper is a uniquely beautiful format, more so than the web, I think: you need to invest in the aesthetics.

It was just an idea I had, that it could be cool to have a book covered in fake fur.

Loneliness is just a thing that I'm not personally interested in. So far, it hasn't been on my docket of things to write about.

Because I grew up with this naive expectation of people doing right, I get shocked by every little violation.

There's nothing to be gained from passive observance, the simple documenting of conditions, because, at its core, it sets a bad example. Every time something is observed and not fixed, or when one has a chance to give in some way and does not, there is a lie being told, the same lie we all know by heart but which needn't be reiterated.

He must trust, and he must have faith. And so he builds, because what is building, and rebuilding and rebuilding again, but an act of faith?