Godin is Seth Godin, who writes about online marketing and product development here:

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/

Many of his articles are immediately applicable to your start up, and in my opinion, are extraordinarily valuable.

Eric Ries writes about agile development and small start up culture/strategy here:

http://www.startuplessonslearned.com/

I have not read many of his articles, but my understanding is that he is making quite a name for himself as a start up guru.

Trout escapes me as well, I have not heard of him.