How well-known do you have to be to have someone make a costume out of you?  Do you have to be involved in a presidential sex scandal? Have a long-running cult television show? Be a legendary beast with blood dripping from your teeth?

Well, you could also be a twenty-something Williamsburg-based avant garde writer.

That’s right.  This year, we at Melville House had our first author become a Halloween costume: Tao Lin.  I discovered this upon arriving to work several days into the week, mindless surfing the internet culture that’s built itself around Tao and his writing.  And lo and behold, I found this photo at — where else? — Hipster Runoff.

If only I had known about this costume possibility early, I would have suggested it.  It makes me a little sad that no one came to my Halloween party dressed like one of my authors, but oh well.  Maybe next year.