Editing I, Libertine (section)

== Creation ==
Shepherd was annoyed at the way [[bestseller]] lists were compiled in the mid-1950s. These lists were determined from sales figures and from the number of requests for new and upcoming books at bookstores. Shepherd urged his listeners to enter bookstores and ask for a non-existent book. He fabricated the author (Frederick R. Ewing) of this imaginary novel, concocted a title (''I, Libertine''), and outlined a basic plot for his listeners to use on bookstore clerks. Fans of the show took it further, planting references to the book and author so widely that demand for the book led to unsupported claims of its inclusion on [[The New York Times Best Seller list|''The New York Times'' Best Seller list]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2017 |title=8 Notable Attempts to Hack the New York Times Bestseller List |url=https://lithub.com/8-notable-attempts-to-hack-the-new-york-times-bestseller-list/ |access-date=March 2, 2022 |first=Emily|last=Temple|website=[[Literary Hub]] |language=en-US}} "[T]here's no evidence that this is true." Bergmann, Eugene B. (2005) ''Excelsior You Fathead! The Art and Enigma of Jean Shepherd''. Applause Theatre and Cinema Books. ISBN 978-1-55783-600-7. p. 133 "[P]roof of this has not been found."</ref>