Episode 198: The Baker Street Irregulars' New Wiggins

"step up, Wiggins" [STUD] Earlier this year, Mike Whelan, BSI ("Vincent Spaulding") passed the gavel to Michael Kean, BSI ("General Gordon") as the latter assumed the position of "Wiggins," or head administrator of the Baker Street Irregulars. It was a momentous occasion, as Kean is only the sixth head of the BSI since its founding in 1934. Burt and Scott had an opportunity to speak with Michael on a wide range of topics, including his Sherlockian origins (which were induced rather than pursued), his career in the publishing industry, early days in Sherlockian scions, and his role with the BSI Press. Michael also takes us behind the scenes to give us the story of his selection as the next BSI, going back a number of years. We discuss his vision for the role of a literary society in the twenty-first century and more pointedly, the difficult decision to make the 2021 BSI Weekend a virtual affair. Also covered is our upcoming 200th episode: we are looking for your feedback. And of course, the latest round of Canonical Couplets. We had a record number of submissions in the last episode; the prize this time is a copy of Sherlock Holmes: The Writings of John H. Watson, M.D., compiled by Edgar W. Smith and printed in 1962 by the Baker Street Irregulars. Entries are due by 11:59 pm EDT on August 29, 2020. Information on sponsors, links, and notes available below. Please do consider becoming a Patron of the Arts. Your support helps us to ensure we can keep doing what we do, covering file hosting costs, production, and this year, transcription services. SponsorsWessex Press is the premiere publisher of books about Sherlock Holmes, including the Sherlock Holmes Reference Library, scholarly work, and titles dedicated to the stage and screen, including Terence Faherty's The True Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. MX Publishing has the largest collection of new Sherlock Holmes novels, biographies, graphic novels and short story collections in the world. Their Kickstarter for The Sherlock Holmes Advent Calendar Vol. 2 ends on September 1. Would you care to advertise with us? You can find more information here. Let's chat! Download [Save As] | File size 36.3 MB, 1:22:02ihearofsherlock · The Baker Street Irregulars' New Wiggins LinksThis episode: ihose.co/ihose198The Baker Street IrregularsThe BSI PressThe Baker Street JournalPrevious episodes referenced on this show:Episode 14 and Episode 15: Michael Whelan, Wiggins of the Baker Street Irregulars Episode 71: A Conversation with the Head of the BSIEpisode 196: Commissionaire: Julian Wolff and His Baker Street Irregulars Many more links, articles and images are available in our Flipboard magazine at ihose.co/flipsherlock as well as through our accounts on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter. Please subscribe on the podcast provider of your choosing: Listen to I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere And would you consider leaving us a rating and review? It would help other Sherlockians to find us. Your thoughts on the show? Leave a comment below, send us an email (comment AT ihearofsherlock DOT com), call us at (774) 221-READ (7323). TranscriptTranscript costs have risen and you can help us to reach the $125 per episode level on Patreon to cover these costs. Please consider signing up by clicking the link, for as little as $1 an episode. Transcript will be here soon (if you can contribute to making that happen). --amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "scottmonty-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; amzn_assoc_asins = "1250224209"; amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "35fbec72bcf21078d3c925dad0ab6432";