June 17th, 2010 / 10:02 am
Behind the Scenes

HTMLGIANT’s 400 Under 1

What follows is a list of what we at HTMLGIANT consider the top 400 writers worth watching under the age of 1. We all know it’s kind of hard to make predictions of the young artist, but that’s why we picked 400. These up-and-coming writers are from a lot of different countries and are of at least two different sexes. Some of them are probably even poets! We feel pretty good about it.

I keep saying we, but really I don’t want to trick you. I just compiled this all by myself. There have been many lists and lots of pining. But I, too, was scientific. Look:

During my extensive research process of compiling the 400, I talked to more than a couple dozen parents, nannies, day care owners, playground lingerers, pediatricians, obstetricians, and jr. agents. The infants range anywhere from second trimester (if its got a heart (for narrative), it’s legal) to the cut off period of exactly one year. Unfortunately there were some fantastic young pen holders who’d just had their first birthday party who we had to cross off the list. I also crossed off those babies who didn’t quite have that look in their eye. You know what I mean.

Other than their age, the work of these young authors have absolutely nothing in common that I can see. It’s a group of enormous, enormous promise. It is the future of all language. I hope you will join us as we watch these young Hemingwhos and Faulkwhatzits rise into the storyteller’s light.

Jody Pensmann, 4 months 8 days
Rob Bipp, 2 months 2 days
Jan Farthrite, 8 days
Amanda Qi, 11 weeks
Horse LaFrenza, in utero
Jon R. White, in utero
Dedra Beeder, 11 months 30 days
Nan Smart, 9 months 11 days
Jerry Kullsbedmendensen, 3 weeks
Yolanda Werth, 4 days
Pedro “Sugar” Wilson, 4 months and some change
Anne Fence, in utero
Richard Richardsmith, 6 months 8 hours
Oi Ban, 3 months
Lucy Qunders, in utero
Boyd Upchurch, 9 weeks
Tim Nash, 3 hours
Yellow Fitzcarraldo, in delivery
“Pal” Undermen, Jr., 10 months 4 days
LaQuienta Applet, 10 months 20 minutes
Joe Bean, 8 days
Candy Tucker, 2 weeks
Olive Rearden, 9 months 11 days
Paul Shirt, 11 weeks
Harold Peter Jacobs, two months ten days
T.T. Ritt, in utero
Antonio Carlotti, 3 months 8 days
Jack Paulsen, 11 weeks
Amanda Hunter, 14 weeks
Joey Hunter, 10 months 11 days
Adam Beeder, 10 months 1 day
Unquant Pordoononnnon, 1 month
Pap Jabbert, 4 weeks 1 day
Jo Ann Landis, 9 days
Troy Dearth, 30 days
Ana P. Bacon, 18 weeks
Rod Grease, 4 months 18 days
Rechard Riordan, 9 weeks
Barbara Lee, in utero
Queenie Ibbelt, in utero
99 White, 1 hour
Ryan Stensmart, 18 weeks
S. Bob Lackey, 27 weeks
Herb Grit, 3 months 2 days
Lucien Underwood, 2 days
Jack Snow, 97 hours
Jack Morris, 1 week
Jack Williams, 11 months 20 days
Randy Trump Munder, 11 months 11 days
Amy Stance, 9 months 11 days
Gene Sims-Worthteneaching, 10 months 1 day
Landyard Apelstert, 18 weeks
Noy Roth, 11 months 6 days
Achardyru Achduiuidoo, in utero
B. Beard, 3 weeks 1 day
Matt “Matty” Munt, 3 weeks 6 days
John Houstons, 3 months
Lacey Cordcrinin, 7 months 2 days
Luke House, 2 weeks
Mallomar Umbendenstein, 2 hours
Boudfjlkj Ddihfoaiujflaksjdlkfjalskdjflaskdjflkajoiuoriue, in utero
Jonathan Sheen, in utero
Jonathan Unders, in utero
Jonathan Arounderton, in utero
Jonathan Jonathanorrow, 11 months 3 weeks
Jonathan Beefheart, in utero
Jonathan Smith, 6 months 1 day
Jonathan Anderson, 2 days
Jonathan Black, in utero
Jonathan White, in utero
Jonathan Henderson, in utero
Jonathan DeMartini, in utero
Jonathanmy Jonathansensen, 6 months 9 days
Andi Leer, 5 hours
Arlene Wicker, 5 weeks 4 days
Oooooo Beltran, 4 months 11 days
Jonathan Patterson, 11 days
Jonathan Pattersen, in utero
Pom Tattersen, 9 months 27 days
Joey Card, 8 months 11 days
Janice Bickers, 6 weeks
Hallie A. Grant, 4 months 4 days
Grant B. Peters, 1 week 1 day
Sting Young, 9 months 22 days
Ginni Youngwen, in utero
Hoyt Lipp, 3 weeks 1 day
Errol Mailer, 5 months 11 days
Oona Ball, 3 hours
Sarah Anderson, 11 days 14 hours
Perry Appleseed, 3 months
Paul Jones, 2 months 29 days
Annie Waters, in utero
Joey Griers, 11 months
Hannah Fallmen, 10 months 20 days
Paul Kweeep, 2 weeks 1 day
E. R. Richards, 1 day
Paula Nomenclature, 1 day
Hal Peep, 1 day
Giluli Giovanni, 2 day
Al Bell, in utero
George Moore, 8 months 2 days
Jimmy Chinn, 10 months 11 days
Alfred E. Wool, 3 weeks
Edna Wright, 2 weeks 2 days
Jessica Jasons, in delivery
Oundoran Fexii, 8 hours
Tillie Night, 8 months 18 days
P. Sarah Mathers, 9 months 1 day
Howdy Clam Beep, 47 weeks
Ben Wrath, 3 days
Bob Shirtclamp, in utero
Pamela Pamela, 11 weeks
Tina Hasbro, 15 days 3 hours
Sandra McDonalds, 5 minutes
Polly Anger, 8 months 27 days
James Schuylenstein, 3.5 weeks or something
Jamon Loble, in utero
Rick Geary, in utero in utero
Bot Liu, 1 day
Martina Martincia Ruez Lopez, 2 months 2 weeks 1 hour 1 day 34 minutes
Landy Quick, in utero
R. Poles, 9 months
Paula Breastmilk, 9 months
Yolanda House, 6 weeks 2 days
Hugo Aparicio, 9 months 19 hours
Char Soowege, 2 months
Dad Richard Howe, 11 months 23 days
Kristy Miasma, Jr. , 1 month 22 days
Ashley Jonathanpkins, 8 weeks
Askold Nordmen, 9 weeks
Gordon Texas, 1 month 30 days
Mark Bent, in utero
Beardsley A. Howards, 11 months 22 days
Cliff Stance, 6 weeks
Po Beers, 1 week 1 day
Ully Taylors, 8 months 22 days
Robert Ross, 9 weeks
Caleb Doorbait, in utero
Sally Sizemore, 2 weeks 6 days
Awt Jones, 4 months 2 days
Jo Umbrage, 11 months
Kristina Sal Salmens, in utero
Keith Pointer, 11 days
York Fredriksen, 18 hours
Manny Froish, 6 minutes
Pop Withers, 47 weeks
David Ricky Housley, 9 months 12 days
David Leak, in utero
Chrissy Halloway, 11 months 30 days 23 hours
Nordic Botmaker, 9 months 27 days
Applet iJones, in utero
Tony Clift, in utero
Jane Beef, in utero
Dana Edmond, 3 months 3 days
Undoaif alidjfl aijsdlfijalsdfjl Ajsdklfja, in utero
Squeegee Simpson, 8 weeks
Hair Lartmitse, 2 days
Christian Swallows, 6 months 6 days 6 hours
Bart Young, 9 days 8 hours
Mamie Jenkins, 9 days
Susie Jenkins, 7 months 25 days
Ethel Hardy-Spence, 7 months 3 days
Barry O. O, in utero
Derry Quikley, 6 days
Joey Paultier, 4 months 27 days
Vanessa Peach, 8 months
Kimberly Rash, 9 months 3 days
Tim Snoik, 5 weeks
Hera Helmston, 8 weeks 3 days
Yina Worth, 3 minutes
Joe Berryment, 9 months 23 days
Jak Aridit-Kwob, 147 days
Peep Bittles, 8 months 1 days
Jana Worth, 4 weeks
Jesus Quick, in utero
Jimmy Life, a week and a lifetime
Barry Mallah, 3 weeks
Dame Greer, 9 weeks
Dennis P. Patterstein, 4 months 29 days
Wally Hammil, 30 days
Jordan Sleen, 90 hours
Sloane Beep-Smith-Grind, three weeks
Greg Podd, 6 months 2 days
Fella Shurisikiski, 2 months 19 days
Barbara Bowery, 3.5 hours
Nula F. Feans, 2 weeks 9 days
Jack Dowd, 6 months
Tom Adams, 11 months 10 days
Sarah A. Adams, 10 months 8 days
Sally A. A. Addams, in utero
Job A. A. A. Adddams, in utero
Hank, 3 days
Jaime Cruz-Martin, 7 months 19 days
Stella Box, 9 weeks
Janet Pinkersmith, 4 months 2 days
Joey Labmate, 7 months 29 days
Lava Pinky, in utero
Haley Kore, 4 weeks
Peter Loudment, 9 weeks 4 days
Yuri Wheat, 1 week
Becky Blythe, in utero
Ricardo Pofe, 9 weeks
Christy Swanson, 5 months 8 hours
George Lamp, the parents are working on it
Pedro Martinez, 9 days
Iba Klaus, 9 months 12 days
Bard Jefferson, 3 months 22 days
Schroeder Schitz, 7 months 6 days
Magda Boidmaker, 5 hours
Hal Peemp, 5 minutes
Reggie Dickerson, 5 seconds
Pol Pampine, in utero
Bill Reacher, in utero
Red Hardy, 2 months
Sally Maye Eakerston, 9 days
Joy Biff, 11 months 29 days
Lola Blunt, in utero
Richard Browning, 4 weeks
Pammy Sedgwick, 4 months 29 days
Morgan Beefetsten, 9 months 3 days
Francois Clempt, 3 weeks 3 days
R. Richard Loud, 9 months 26 days
Gore Bodula, 3 minutes
Darrell “Holy Fuck” Richardo, 7 months
Gilbert Ricer, 3 weeks
Gail Tweak, 9 weeks 3 days
Susie Looper, 8 hours
Richard Powers, 8 months 11 hours
Richard Ross, 9 weeks 2 days
Ally K. Kilmanjan, 11 months 4 days
Wanda Yeart, 5 months 13 days
Julie James Hetfield, 18 weeks
Palberto Humerbstore, in utero
Unjkdfa Ljdf, 9 months 16 days
K. Kord, 18 days
Listerd Korodone, 3 weeks
Val Beef, 7 months 5 days
William V. Undersmith II, 11 weeks
Jules Maynard, 4 weeks
Horace Poppert, 8 months 6 days
William V. Rucksack, Jr. , 8 months 8 days
Joe Bin, in utero
Joe Hyatt, 11 weeks
J. Baul Hyatt, 37 weeks
Randy Gill, 9 months 27 days
Mary Selvetts, 14 weeks
Amanda Hy, 2 weeks
Hu Sun Ju Bib Soc Rim, 18 hours
Panda Beach, 6 months 1 day
Edgar Reesings, 3 days
Adam Bat, in utero
Horticulture Variety-Rutz, 8 months 16 days
Harry Beer, 6 months 27 days
Ursula Wiggit, 9 months 19 days
Jane Richardson, 9 weeks
Janet Vermont, 14 days
Hal Pumpy, 14 days
Jefferey Wortht, 15 days
John E. Earther, 9 months 11 days
Hale Sanders, 7 months 3 days
Hoi Ed, 10 months 14 days
Fannie Bat Wickersearch, 2 hours
Tuo Mumnm, 11 weeks 6 days
Kally Habersmith, 3 months
Josh Pulitz, 5 months 28 days
Rack Yunderstoppes, 4 months 30 days
Gay Earf, 6 weeks
Vern-Joey Lakbinderlitz, in utero
Honey Hayes, 12 weeks
Al Feldman, 10 months 10 days
Nanna Bickerstep, 8 weeks
G. A. Farmer, 11 months 16 days
Dudley Redsun, 11 months 22 days
Joey Ashley Back, 4 minutes
King Sanders, 11 minutes
Nancy Eaker, 3 months 6 days
Paris Dice, 6 months 9 days
Hannah Cordbumps, in utero
Fred Smith, in utero
Joe Tall, 4 days
William Ask, 19 weeks
Mary Beeber-Rothstein-Witt, 11 minutes
Yung Hi, 24 hours
Heather Sodyard, 2 months 30 days
Hale Earrings, 9 months 9 days
Velma Pencil, 8 months 16 days
Cal Farmer, 8 months 1 day
Wally Kleaner, 9 months 9 days
Joseph Tee, 14 weeks
Helly Undermoney, in utero
Rex Yelly, 7 hours
John Nash, 18 days
Todd Miller, 11 weeks 6 days
Tom Sellings, 90 mintues
Sara Bacon, 120 minutes
Drew Akers, 1 day
Lee Winters, 1 day
Ashley Sommerstein, 2 days
Pear Winslow, 4 days
Kreed, 9 months
Gregory Whistle, in utero
Jacquelin Air, 9 months 27 days
P. R. Brothel, 9 days 9 hours
Noey Johnson, 10 months
Lola Pushlight, 11 months 12 days
Adam Adams, in test tube
Tony Stark, 9 hours
Matthew Kornreich, 11 weeks 100 minutes
Matthew Todd, 10 days
Matthew Williams, 4 hours
William Barry, in utero
French Cleave, in utero
Mary Archer, 9 months 3 days
Joseph Loudyard, 8 months 8 days
Chuck Stein, 14 weeks
Bill Stein, 2 months 5 days
Robert A. Abrahams, 5 months 17 days
Goldenrod Hall, 13 hours
D.D. Coleridge, 7 months
Tim Furth, 3 months 4 days
Ashertbenebensten Podwidowwitz, 3 weeks
George Love, 100 weeks
Gregorich Viddle, 3 months 18 days
Ryan Allen, 4 months 24 days
Jonathan Box, in utero
Jonathan Carter, 3 hours
Michel Eckstein, 11 minutes
Gary Bon Jovi, 11 months 4 days
Kathy Tarr, 15 weeks 2 hours
Stephen Sellers, 8 months 20 days
Janet Waters, 4 months 27 days
Pobulum Reynolds-Wash, 2 weeks 2 days
Hay Alors, 6 months 15 days
Understance Colluvition, in utero
Jack Spritt, 4 months 6 days
Bob Mall, in utero
Allison A. Mint, 8 months 18 days
Edith Pertners, 4 weeks
Nori Koldulvellum, 16 weeks 4 days
Jack Roth, 6 months 7 days
Ira Mundt, 19 days
Marion Teague, 4 months 24 days
Marcis Monroe, 3 months 10 days
Stephanie Conolly, in utero
Neal Nalmbert, 9 weeks
Kristine Woodards, 14 months 2 days
Joey Beeflaugh, 5 weeks
Marcis Ugger, 4 months 16 days 8 hours
Hazel Song, 8 minutes
Gretchen Raynor-Wash, 10 weeks 5 days
Curtis O. McLennon, 6 months 15 days
Gladys Pearsonsmith, 9 months 9 hours
Brett Chandler, 6 weeks 3 days
Stacy Lambs, 3 hours
Stacy Scarbrough, 3 weeks
Gary Watts, 3 months
Kule A. Unnn, 3 months 3 weeks
Dana Suttons, 3 months 3 weeks 3 days
Kelly Stouty, 7 months 14 days
Faye Spoon, in utero
Sherri Bowmans, 14 minutes
Calvin Christensen, 5 months 22 days
Joy Bo, 11 weeks
Boi Hunhunhunhunhun, 4 months 18 days
James Whitefaith, in utero
Cooper Crème, in utero
Harvey Frederick Hoyle, 3 weeks
James Barton, 9 weeks 3 days
Joey Shakepeare Clyde, 11 months 16 days
Melinda Pottsmith, 9 months 28 days
Portia Ferrari, 3 months 22 days
Under-the-Moon Hammersmith, 11 months 6 days
Tok Ball, 18 weeks
Evan Jessica Rich, 4 minutes
Vickie Trappers, 8 months 8 hours
Allan Hinton, 3 weeks
Luis I. Diaz, 17 weeks
Louis Reynalds, 7 months 18 days
Don Joseph, 2 months 18 das
Wayne Barton, 1 month
Marianne Solomon, 5 months 17 days
Faith Firth, 8 hours
Priscilla Baskerville, 4.5 minutes
Lois E. Chung, 1 minute
Frank Eden, 12 seconds
Frank Krammer, 11 months 2 days
Wesley Teague, a week and a half
Douglas Beetlebumper A. Fitzheight, 8 days
839309, 8 hours
Calamity Wisconsin, in utero
Paul O. Oot, in utero
Franklin Salad, 9 months 9 days
Dolores Ice, 6 months
Sandy I. Hill, 6 weeks 6 hours
Vick Manguso, in utero
Eric Jeffrey Hazels, 7 months 17 days
Lon Chute, 14 weeks
Beth McNamara McLaughlin, 8 seconds
Pet Wegner, 6 months 4 days
Ronnie Bee, 4 days

Tags: ,

138 Comments

  1. Today I didn't even have to use my A.K.

      Yes, Allison A. Mint’s NOBODY BELONGS HERE MORE THAN MY MOTHER’S LAMAZE COACH blew my mind.

  2. stephen

      lol… well done, blake

  3. stephen

      lol…

      I really enjoyed my galley copy of Gay Earf’s debut roman à clef, “A Thousand Minutes of Good Suckling.”

  4. John Domini

      Not bad, but I’ve got to give a shout-out to the brilliant & talented Fionn McClung Coppoc, 2 months, in Ames, IA.

  5. Blake Butler

      she’s a little wizard

  6. Christen Clifford

      Dude, so upset my baby is not on this list. Fuck! She’s doomed to literary obscurity forever.

  7. stephen

      these names are so good… *contented sigh*…

  8. keedee

      Maybe a third of these writers will still be read in twenty years, they’re not all going to live up to their promise. As it is Mark Bent just miscarried.

  9. Rick Hale

      I do hereby betroth young misters Christian Swallows and Cooper Creme

  10. Mike Meginnis

      Guffaw.

  11. Adam Robinson

      hahaha

  12. Alec Niedenthal

      A few months ago I saw Douglas Beetlebumper A. Fitzheight read and we went milk-drinking afterward. He’s really down-to-earth. Glad to see that he’s getting the recognition that he deserves.

  13. Salvatore Pane
  14. Tim Jones-Yelvington

      Oh my God, I am in love with this.

  15. alan

      Look at all those Jonathans. The next generation of Foers, Franzens, and Ameses is on the way.

  16. Mike Meginnis

      Haha… Jeeze.

  17. Joseph Riippi

      Can’t wait to see what Stacy Lambs comes up with. Rumor has it she’s at work on a semi-autobiographical novella about the Lambs family. Something Easton Ellis-y called “Little Boy Peeper.”

  18. mykle

      Ah, to be nine months old again …

  19. mark leidner

      lol 100x

  20. Jonny Mess

      My baby didn’t make the list? Why, because he was published in n+1?

  21. Pela Via

      Very nice, Blake.

  22. Blake Butler

      Jonny, we asked your baby but he said he didn’t have a story we could publish in the baby anthology. dude needs ta put down the rattle and pick up the pen!

  23. Matt Bell

      Man, I saw a picture of Joey Card sleeping through preschool, because he’s not really taking writing seriously. Fucking actors. I can’t believe he made this list after that crap he published in ZYZZYVA: SOUNDS BABIES MAKE.

  24. Matthew Simmons

      I’d like to point out that almost everyone on Blake’s list is either in the Columbia Daycare Program, the Iowa Baby Workshop, or has Joyce Carol Oates as a nanny.

  25. Blake Butler

      Joey is sleeping in the confidence of his recently completed novel, “Horsies and the Life of Sunshine,” which only we have read, and about which: just you wait.

  26. Blake Butler

      Joey is sleeping in the confidence of his recently completed novel, “Horsies and the Life of Sunshine,” which only we have read, and about which: just you wait.

  27. Rebecca Loudon

      100% SNORK-worthy.

  28. Blake Butler

      not true, Matthew. Kimberly Rash, for one, we’re pretty sure, is enrolled at Johns Hopkins Center for the Aspiring Baby Creator of Light

  29. Blake Butler

      not true, Matthew. Kimberly Rash, for one, we’re pretty sure, is enrolled at Johns Hopkins Center for the Aspiring Baby Creator of Light

  30. Blake Butler

      Christen, we’ll be glad to consider her in a few years for the 47 Toddlers Who Weren’t on the 400 Baby List a Few Years Ago list when we make it. please keep in touch.

  31. Blake Butler

      Christen, we’ll be glad to consider her in a few years for the 47 Toddlers Who Weren’t on the 400 Baby List a Few Years Ago list when we make it. please keep in touch.

  32. Matthew Simmons

      Oh, sure. And William Ask got his start as the editor of Mite Magazine.

  33. Jonny Mess

      I know. He’s been writing screenplays. It’s embarrassing.

  34. Ellen Parker

      I don’t think it’s fair that some babies who aren’t even 0 have to compete with those old babies who are pushing 1. Can’t you put out 12 lists instead? Like: 400 In Utero, 400 Being Born, 400 0-4 Weeks, 400 4-8 Weeks, 400 8-12 weeks, and so on. Perhaps create a special category for the Developmentally Delayed. We want to include everyone.

  35. Tyler

      Gay Earf was my favorite name.

  36. danny

      A lot of ‘North-American’ names on that list, huh?

  37. jereme

      hahahaha

      i really like reading some of these names.

  38. Gian

      This is a bullshit list. I know for fact that ten of these babies were aborted (and rightly so).

  39. Brad Green

      I’m glad you included the heart criteria. That validates the whole thing.

  40. Blake Butler

      someone just needs to put a new title and cover on the phonebook

  41. Blake Butler

      abortion babies make the best language minds

  42. Blake Butler

      someone just needs to put a new title and cover on the phonebook

  43. jereme

      in my mind i am lying on the ground and “steamrolling” over those babies.

  44. Today I didn't even have to us

      Yes, Allison A. Mint’s NOBODY BELONGS HERE MORE THAN MY MOTHER’S LAMAZE COACH blew my mind.

  45. stephen

      lol… well done, blake

  46. stephen

      lol…

      I really enjoyed my galley copy of Gay Earf’s debut roman à clef, “A Thousand Minutes of Good Suckling.”

  47. John Domini

      Not bad, but I’ve got to give a shout-out to the brilliant & talented Fionn McClung Coppoc, 2 months, in Ames, IA.

  48. Blake Butler

      she’s a little wizard

  49. Christen Clifford

      Dude, so upset my baby is not on this list. Fuck! She’s doomed to literary obscurity forever.

  50. stephen

      these names are so good… *contented sigh*…

  51. steve

      seems hotter than hot; trying now to solicit tony clift for my blog

  52. keedee

      Maybe a third of these writers will still be read in twenty years, they’re not all going to live up to their promise. As it is Mark Bent just miscarried.

  53. Rick Hale

      I do hereby betroth young misters Christian Swallows and Cooper Creme

  54. Adam Robinson

      hahaha

  55. mykle

      The New Yorker’s Still-Breathing Eight Million

  56. Alec Niedenthal

      A few months ago I saw Douglas Beetlebumper A. Fitzheight read and we went milk-drinking afterward. He’s really down-to-earth. Glad to see that he’s getting the recognition that he deserves.

  57. Salvatore Pane
  58. Tim Jones-Yelvington

      Oh my God, I am in love with this.

  59. alan

      Look at all those Jonathans. The next generation of Foers, Franzens, and Ameses is on the way.

  60. frank

      id like to sit down and talk craft with Manguso.

  61. Joseph Marcure

      I love this, Blake.

      For a second I’m going to pretend it’s a sequel Urs Alleman’s Babyfucker. In that one all the babies have names and are writers.

      Actually your list is like a great absurdist poem.

  62. Joseph Riippi

      Can’t wait to see what Stacy Lambs comes up with. Rumor has it she’s at work on a semi-autobiographical novella about the Lambs family. Something Easton Ellis-y called “Little Boy Peeper.”

  63. mykle

      Ah, to be nine months old again …

  64. mark leidner

      lol 100x

  65. Jonny Mess

      My baby didn’t make the list? Why, because he was published in n+1?

  66. Pela Via

      Very nice, Blake.

  67. Blake Butler

      Jonny, we asked your baby but he said he didn’t have a story we could publish in the baby anthology. dude needs ta put down the rattle and pick up the pen!

  68. D.W. Lichtenberg

      I think this list totally ignores the exploding possibilities of integrating traditional writing with the interactive possibilities of the internet. With the exception of a few, none of these writers are really exploring the web.

  69. Matt Bell

      Man, I saw a picture of Joey Card sleeping through preschool, because he’s not really taking writing seriously. Fucking actors. I can’t believe he made this list after that crap he published in ZYZZYVA: SOUNDS BABIES MAKE.

  70. Matthew Simmons

      I’d like to point out that almost everyone on Blake’s list is either in the Columbia Daycare Program, the Iowa Baby Workshop, or has Joyce Carol Oates as a nanny.

  71. Rebecca Loudon

      100% SNORK-worthy.

  72. Matthew Simmons

      Oh, sure. And William Ask got his start as the editor of Mite Magazine.

  73. Jonny Mess

      I know. He’s been writing screenplays. It’s embarrassing.

  74. Ellen Parker

      I don’t think it’s fair that some babies who aren’t even 0 have to compete with those old babies who are pushing 1. Can’t you put out 12 lists instead? Like: 400 In Utero, 400 Being Born, 400 0-4 Weeks, 400 4-8 Weeks, 400 8-12 weeks, and so on. Perhaps create a special category for the Developmentally Delayed. We want to include everyone.

  75. EC

      At last, a lit-list I can endorse! (While adding in the mind-blowing genre-bending collaborative neoconceptual-epical-lyrical-fantastical-fartical-dramatical prosetry improvisations of Elias Joseph Caldwell-Harris and Raymond Kellstadt Caldwell-Harris, both 10 weeks).

  76. Lily Hoang

      This is wonderful.

  77. Tyler

      Gay Earf was my favorite name.

  78. danny

      A lot of ‘North-American’ names on that list, huh?

  79. Gian

      I see your point but they all write the same thing: “ouch, stop, ouch, I want to live, whaaaa whaaa gurgle” and them it always ends right there. It’s as formulaic as a New Yorker story. Yawn.

  80. Schulyer Prinz

      totally badass. Yr. a little wizard too, Butler.

  81. jereme

      hahahaha

      i really like reading some of these names.

  82. Gian

      This is a bullshit list. I know for fact that ten of these babies were aborted (and rightly so).

  83. Brad Green

      I’m glad you included the heart criteria. That validates the whole thing.

  84. Blake Butler

      abortion babies make the best language minds

  85. jereme

      in my mind i am lying on the ground and “steamrolling” over those babies.

  86. JimR

      So great. Now have Kelsey Grammer read this list and send it to my Kindle ASAP!

  87. steve

      seems hotter than hot; trying now to solicit tony clift for my blog

  88. Ken Baumann

      Fuck this list. All upper-middle class babies with moms. Secret handshake baby motherfuckers.

  89. mykle

      The New Yorker’s Still-Breathing Eight Million

  90. frank

      id like to sit down and talk craft with Manguso.

  91. Joseph Marcure

      I love this, Blake.

      For a second I’m going to pretend it’s a sequel Urs Alleman’s Babyfucker. In that one all the babies have names and are writers.

      Actually your list is like a great absurdist poem.

  92. D.W. Lichtenberg

      I think this list totally ignores the exploding possibilities of integrating traditional writing with the interactive possibilities of the internet. With the exception of a few, none of these writers are really exploring the web.

  93. Ryan Call

      i hope they start a group lit blog!

  94. jereme

      hahaha

  95. EC

      At last, a lit-list I can endorse! (While adding in the mind-blowing genre-bending collaborative neoconceptual-epical-lyrical-fantastical-fartical-dramatical prosetry improvisations of Elias Joseph Caldwell-Harris and Raymond Kellstadt Caldwell-Harris, both 10 weeks).

  96. lily hoang

      This is wonderful.

  97. Gian

      I see your point but they all write the same thing: “ouch, stop, ouch, I want to live, whaaaa whaaa gurgle” and them it always ends right there. It’s as formulaic as a New Yorker story. Yawn.

  98. Schulyer Prinz

      totally badass. Yr. a little wizard too, Butler.

  99. JimR

      So great. Now have Kelsey Grammer read this list and send it to my Kindle ASAP!

  100. helensayers

      hehe; hope they know how to ebook!

  101. Catherine Lacey

      When will people stop naming their babies Jonathan!? WHEN!!??

  102. Ken Baumann

      Fuck this list. All upper-middle class babies with moms. Secret handshake baby motherfuckers.

  103. mimi

      I long ago stopped saying “Jonathan” and started saying instead “Joe – Nathan” because so many Jonathans is just too much. This works for me.

  104. Ryan Call

      i hope they start a group lit blog!

  105. jereme

      hahaha

  106. helensayers

      hehe; hope they know how to ebook!

  107. Catherine Lacey

      When will people stop naming their babies Jonathan!? WHEN!!??

  108. mimi

      I long ago stopped saying “Jonathan” and started saying instead “Joe – Nathan” because so many Jonathans is just too much. This works for me.

  109. Daniel Romo

      As usual, no love for Latino writers.

  110. Links: Lost Pages « Mark Athitakis’ American Fiction Notes

      […] nice to see Lola Pushlight get the respect she deserves, though frankly I prefer her embryonic […]

  111. Guest

      As usual, no love for Latino writers.

  112. billy lombardo

      are you kidding me? I read it really fast, but really? only one italian in the whole bunch?

  113. lisa peet

      Didn’t Steve Almond’s baby just write something about how disenfranchising the Terrible Twos are?

  114. Casey

      Very Funny Blake. But where is Rowan McKinney in this list? Ah but he’s still doing the ‘goo goo goo, da da da’, that’s all he ever says to me. Going to Ellis tonight? Man I had to take a couple of weeks off the internet, even if it doesn’t seem that way. Your interview soon.

  115. Casey

      Oh yeah and I’m with Shiro, as I said on Facebook, my money is on the Jonathans… it’s like that soccer family from Mexico. One’s gonna score a goal. Oh and 40 under 40 is almost more absurd. Or is it 30 under 30? In any case, most of my picks….not on the list. Who picks that shit?

  116. mykle

      But … the depth of feeling!

  117. billy lombardo

      are you kidding me? I read it really fast, but really? only one italian in the whole bunch?

  118. Blake Butler

      thanks yall

  119. Blake Butler

      thanks yall

  120. lisa peet

      Didn’t Steve Almond’s baby just write something about how disenfranchising the Terrible Twos are?

  121. Casey

      Very Funny Blake. But where is Rowan McKinney in this list? Ah but he’s still doing the ‘goo goo goo, da da da’, that’s all he ever says to me. Going to Ellis tonight? Man I had to take a couple of weeks off the internet, even if it doesn’t seem that way. Your interview soon.

  122. Casey

      Oh yeah and I’m with Shiro, as I said on Facebook, my money is on the Jonathans… it’s like that soccer family from Mexico. One’s gonna score a goal. Oh and 40 under 40 is almost more absurd. Or is it 30 under 30? In any case, most of my picks….not on the list. Who picks that shit?

  123. mykle

      But … the depth of feeling!

  124. Matthew Simmons

      BIlly!

  125. Matthew Simmons

      BIlly!

  126. JR

      This is definitely a tough list to crack. I missed it by forty-five years, whereas, in that OTHER list I was much much closer.

  127. Ani

      Quite surprised no one counted the number baby girls vs. baby boys. :)

  128. JR

      This is definitely a tough list to crack. I missed it by forty-five years, whereas, in that OTHER list I was much much closer.

  129. Ani Smith

      Quite surprised no one counted the number baby girls vs. baby boys. :)

  130. Living in a Post-20 Under 40 World « Vol. 1 Brooklyn

      […] HTMLGIANT picked 400 Under 1.  I’m glad Blake Butler is thinking ahead. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Bites: Lord Byron knows what women want, (un)successful indie ventures, and…RrrRRRrrrroooooooaaaarrrrrrr!!DiscussionNo Title […]

  131. Is Literature a Young Person’s Games? Thoughts on 20 Under 40 and Sam Tanenhaus | Fiction

      […] the web, reactions varied from the humorous (Blake Butler names the 400 under 1) to the competitive (The Millions provides an alternate 20 under 40) to the angry. The response […]

  132. Is Greater Than – Pressing Issues: June

      […] HTML Giant kicked the discussion up a notch (or, refreshingly, down) by offering a list of the “Top 400 Writers Worth Watching Under the Age of 1.” According to HTML Editor Blake Butler, selecting the baby scribes was a difficult process. […]

  133. Steven Augustine

      Brilliant gag. Comments ruin it. Should have been a thumb in NYer’s eye.

  134. Steven Augustine

      Brilliant gag. Comments ruin it. Should have been a thumb in NYer’s eye.

  135. 6 Under 40: New Yorker's Favorite Young Authors Read in Tribeca | Bookish | THIRTEEN

      […] list was released this summer and it prompted parodies (a 400 under 1 list, for example), alternative suggestions, existential essays, and even New York Times […]

  136. The best HTMLGIANT posts as chosen by you the readers of HTMLGIANT or at least some of you | HTMLGIANT

      […] HTMLGIANT’s 400 Under 1 […]

  137. 6 Under 40: New Yorker's Favorite Young Authors Read in Tribeca » Bookish

      […] list was released this summer and it prompted parodies (a 400 under 1 list, for example), alternative suggestions, existential essays, and even New York Times […]

  138. Adam

      “Julie James Hetfield, 18
      weeks”