Why it takes me Three Months to Post

Well, as some people have pointed out, I don't really blog that much. Okay, pretty much never, but I decided that i'd do more than just point out that I procrastinate and avoid putting any real content on here. Mostly, lack of time is the culprit. But let me just say this, you'll see some of my work over at Bookslut and at Tarpaulin Sky soon. I have reviews upon reviews coming out soon. Let me just say, a new work that is wonderfully unique and deserves more press than those who subscribe to this blog, is Leni Zumas's latest work. Open City has had the pleasure of publishing her stories and you all can have the luxury of reading quality fiction for a small, yet appropriate fee. And there will be a review of said work in June's Bookslut. I promise to write more about Easter bunnies, trips to Target, why car repairs happen all at once and things that make me itchy. Stay tunes y'all. I know you can hardly wait. Really. Stay tuned.

2008 is off to a good start!

Well, not that there's a huge following here yet for my posts, but I'm going to try and at least post here fairly frequently--if not for anything more than my own sanity. So, the latest is that Jason Jones has written a great new book that has been published by Open City Books that I'm hearing great things about and will review for March Bookslut. Just reviewed a wonderful, quirky writer named Veronika Gonzalez, who's debut work is: Twin Time (Or how death Befell me) and next month an interview with Derek White of Calamari Press and Sleepingfish magazine and a review of Michael Boyko's latest and Selah Saterstrom's The Meat and Spirit Plan. So all of these things are going to be up in the next few weeks and I say, check them out! Also, you should really think about reading the latest Tarpaulin Sky, print edition. It's also something great to look forward to. In the meantime, check back in for updates on other things too --

Back up and running--sort of!

Well, not that I have a huge following here on this thing, but I did want to let everyone know that this blog will be back up and running in October. September is devoted to my recovery of the surgery I just had for Crohn's Disease and it's taken it all out of me for sure! I just wanted to post about the great authors, books and so on of 2007 but since it's more than 1/2 over it might take a lot to post about all the goings on I've failed to post about thus far. So, what I can promise is that there will be a somewhat regular post beginning October on here. In the meantime, go forth and read some good books and I'll be checking back in then.

More Hours in the day, please!

Hello all. Greetings from beyond the paper stacks and post-it notes. I have been away too long on here and have to say I'm terrible about posting. I have lots to post but it's finding th etime to do so that creates the problem. So, new car on the horizon, maybe a wedding ring on the horizon and I'm hoping that some new stories from yours truly will also be a part of that bright future of mine. Yes, it's been a busy few months. New job and being domestic will definetely take it out of yah! Look for some interesting stuff at Bookslut.com for next month. There should be an interview iwth the author, Heidi Julavits. A great review of "In the colorless round" by Joanna Howard and my review of Casual. I have been so behind on things and the writing has suffered. People, I know, writing has to be a priority or else . . . well, you end up sucking. And no one wants to intentionally suck. Also, know that I'll be interviewing Denver's very own Danielle Dutton for one of her latest books entitled, Attempts at a Life. You can pre-order now at TSP (Taurpaulin Sky Press). IN the meantime, wish me luck that I'll be able to put together the bookshelf I bought at Ikea 2 weeks ago. Something tells me that 8 pages of directions with pictures in Swedish aren't going to be helpful. We'll see. Stay tuned . . .

I'm Intrigued with all things French

and this book is no exception. Please stop by Powell's and read the Laird Hunt's review of Gregoire Boullier's latest novel, The Mystery Guest. It's on the TBR list and hope to get to it by say . . . January! Sorry for the long delay in posts. I've been transitioning into a new day job and working hard as OSGOODS manager for the band. More to come this month . . .

Why it's good to be Brian Evenson

So, a couple weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting Brian Evenson on the telephone as we chatted about writing, words, the meaning of words, Mormonism and the violence that exists in that culture and elsewhere. What I realized in my hour + chat with him, aside from the fact that my recording device decided to crap out and now we are chatting again about said topics via email, is that he is one of the true great writers out there that gets under the readers skin. Sleepingfish ran a small piece of his not long ago, in the same issue as my dear friend Danielle and I realized then that I wanted more, please. More stories, more words, more beautifully crafted sentences and creepy characters. His latest novel, The Open Curtain (see forthcoming interview for November in Bookslut) chronicles the life of a high-school student/mormon who becomes infatuated with a past murder committed by Brigham Young's grandson. This novel blends the past and present in such a unique way that the reader as well as the main character can no longer tell what's the here and now and what's not. It's actually about a lot more than that, but I don't want to give the whole thing away by divulging the plot and its twists and turns to you now. I advise you to go buy the book. You can even do it right now at Coffee House Press. Brian Evenson is the best kind of writer.

He is passionate about his work beyond most other things, which I respect immensly. Anyone who can stand up to a huge institution like BYU and can express himself with his writing in such a way that moves you (whether you're freaked out by the words on the page or intrigued or impressed) I'd say at the end of the day, if your reader is doing or feeling any of those things, then you've done your job. And here, I definetely say it's good to be Brian Evenson.

If you live in LA and would like the chance to meet him, please stop on by Beyond Baroque, Thursday, November 2nd at 7:30. The cost is $7.00, but it'll be worth it to be in the presence of a literary genius, no? And speaking of literary geniuses, Danielle Dutton's forthcoming release from Tarpaulin Sky has a small blurb and photo up about Attempts at a Life. I highly recommed stopping over there and reading up on it. If you have any class at all, that is . . .

Swamped for now, but had to let you in on the news. And thanks to Laird for the post on his site too about our mutual friend, Ms. Dutton.

Isn't it weird when . . .

you are in the middle of watching a movie like, In her Shoes and all the sudden you see a friend of yours as Toni Collette's receptionist on the screen. Initially, I thought this is my pain-killer playing jokes on me and it's someone else who looks like and talks like her, but thanks to the DVR--I rewound to pause it and I found myself yelling, YES! I knew it! to no one but our cats. I was having a moment yesterday and found myself with no one around to tell about it. I'm sure Diesel and Annie really could empathize with me since the world of a cat is so complicated.

Things that make you go "Hmmm"

When I think about how tough the publishing world is out there for all of us writers, I try to stay motivated/focused on the important things like, the writing and the creative process. Big publishing houses want things that sell and so I guess it shouldn't surprise me that American Idol winner, Taylor Hicks has been paid a $750,000 advance to write a memoir about his life as a musician and the struggles he endured prior to becoming the current Idol winner. While I enjoy the American Idol show, not necessarily because I think its quality television (and yes, I do work for FOX) but rather because it's entertaining and I get a lot of laughs out of it. Aside from the Colbert Report and the Daily Show, there are few other television shows that I get that belly laugh from.

Why is Taylor Hicks story as a musician in a small band in Alabama worthy of a memoir? When I think of memoir, I think of a great story that's being told by someone who's truly endured something that is extraordinary or unique to the general population in some way. I have a tough time thinking about how someone who is a singer will be able to write an enticing story when he's not a writer. He's a singer. He's a singer, people. And a singer that was catapulted into this weird category of celebrity that makes advertisers and marketing executives think anything that has his name on it will make them lots of money. Now, I'm sure Taylor Hicks probably passed his English 101 course in college and it's likely he knows how to use subjects, verbs and maybe even adjectives and adverbs correctly, but can he write a memoir? I guess the topic at hand is one that's familiar to him, but my issue is that we all have that story in us. It doesn't mean we all deserve 750K to tell our story.

As a writer, I know plenty of hard-working, talented, experienced writers that deserve an advance like that for a work that truly is remarkable. Winning a contest like American Idol takes talent, just as writing any novel or non-fiction work. It's sad to realize that big publishing houses like Random House (Crown) are only interested in what's going to make them money and not so much about whether or not Taylor Hicks or any other game show winner is talented enough to actually write anything aside from their name on a credit card receipt. I'm troubled, and yet, this scenario seems to play itself out time and time again. (See upcoming interview with Bruce Bauman at Bookslut for September.)

If you really are interested in reading a great book, check out the new Brian Evenson novel, The Open Curtain. You'll be creeped out and intrigued all at the same time. Evenson is the kind of author that deserves a 750K advance, but I doubt the publishing world will change its ways anytime soon.

Why you should submit to Avery Anthology

What is the Avery Anthology, you ask? Well, it's like a literary magazine but as the founders of the anthology say, " it's not a means to an end" but rather the other way around. This is not one of those publications that you publish in on your way to being published somewhere else. Ander Monson has work for the 1st issue of Avery and you can too! Dan Wickett at Emerging Writer's Network blurbed this anthology and yours truly may just submit something to them. I urge you all to check it out. It's also been added to the blog roll on the side of my page here. Do check it out. This is going to be one of the coolest anthologies you'll ever read and if you're smart, you'll submit something and maybe, just maybe if you're cool like Ander, they'll publish you. It does look like I'll be pressing send from my yahoo account and passing on a story. C'mon, you all know you want to . . . all the cool kids are doing it and if you don't well . . . you'll be missing out!

I have to run, as there's lots of work to be done! And August will be uninterrupted writing time for yours truly. Which means I only have a few days left of really getting down to it! Oh and not melting in my 114 degree apartment or say sitting in the dark due to a power outage. Gotta love summer in the San Fernando Valley (and I firmly believe this is all related to Global Warming because this is ridiculous!!!)

Go check out the blog at Avery too! Happy Writing!

The overwhelming TBR pile

If you are like me and you have an insatiable desire to buy books, then you will also understand how the To Be Read pile ends up towering over the bedside lamp on my nighttable. I have yet to move the TBR stack or to make it smaller since I have also run out of bookshelf space. There's really no more room for books anywhere in the house, but you can be sure it won't stop me from buying more or reading more. I'm in the midst of Bruce Bauman's "And the Word Was" and it's quite good. Also on the plate, T.C. Boyle's latest, Talk Talk. It looks great but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Rest assured, it will be finished by the time the August issue of Bookslut comes out. Also, Seth Greenland's"The Bones" looks awesome. I know it's been out for awhile, but I heard him read from the book at his final tour reading at Skylight with Bruce Bauman and the novel sounds like it'll be great read!

Additionally, you should check out some of the books being reviewed at Bookslut this month. Lara Vapnyar is one author who's fiction has always appealed to me. She published in the New Yorker in their debut fiction issue several years ago and then published a collection of short stories, There are Jews in My House. Her new work, (reviewed at Bookslut) Memoirs of a Muse looks great. Also, The Memory Artists by Jeffrey Moore is featured at Bookslut. The interview made me want to read the book even more than the press it's been getting. One to check out . . . And you'll have to wait for Danielle Dutton's second release, Attempts at a Life which will be published Spring 2007 by Tarpaulin Sky Press. If you enjoy authors who play with form you'll love Danielle and likewise, Jenny Boully's new work One Love Affair. She had previously published The Body by Slope Press and both books are intriguing.

So, for now, those are a few things on the TBR pile. Now if Tod Goldberg would only share some of that new Richard Ford with me. If you like Ford, you'll probably want to order an advanced copy of The Lay of the Land, which isn't due out until late October.

If you have other good recommendations, feel free to email me with them. I love finding great treasures like My Sister's Continent. Happy Reading, people!

The Book You Absolutely Must Read This Summer

For those of you who haven't found a great novel to read for the summer, you must go now and buy My Sister's Continent by Gina Frangello. Let me now tell you the reasons why you must read this book! #1: Gina Frangello is incredibly smart and witty and she's Italian, what other reason do you need??? #2: She knows her psychology and she won't blow psych theories at you or make it necessary to have taken psych 101 to understand this book, #3: Anxiety-ridden sexual encounters are exceptionally well-written, #4: You won't be able to put the book down, #5: This book will keep you thinking about it long after you've read it. For more proof of this and additional info on the book, you can read my review at Bookslut (and please ignore the 2 places that weren't edited and that I didn't catch.) Gina Frangello is such a gifted writer and there will be more to come in the future from her. And, while you're at it, check out the literary magazine, Other Voices. She's the editor there and it's a great site with well-written stories. And you might even want to subscribe to Other Voices because it's that good! I will be giving my Summer Reading suggestions for any of you who care or who are in need of help in that regard. You can be sure My Sister's Continent will be at the top of the list!

Denver's Best Kept Secret

I happen to know that the city of Denver, Colorado is serving as home for the moment to one of the city's finest writers. There are many who reside there--some teach, some write, some do both. Danielle Dutton would be someone who does both of these. Associate Editor of the Denver Quarterly, PhD student and my dear childhood friend is publishing her first novel, SPRAWL. Although I'm not sure of its debut, Clear Cut Press will have the honor of publishing her work and I just couldn't be more excited for her. I had to post about this, not because my blog gets tons of traffic, but really because I want to share with those who pass by this blog, to keep an eye out for her. You'll be seeing more of her. She's a great writer and friend, one whom I miss and wish I saw more often. Danielle has always been a good friend to me and all of my craziness back in high school, she supported, whether I was deciding to become Jewish that month or whether I was stealing Barbra Streisand's trash from Bel Air, she humored me. I rest assured her great hubby and writer, Martin Riker as well as their equally intelligent cat (apparently), Dr. Spanglestein will keep her happy, but in the meantime, this bookwacked girl is sending all good thoughts, positive vibes and universal goodness her way! You are an inspiration and whether you end up back in Chicago or stay where you are in Denver, you'll know that I'm always in your corner! We'll always have Visalia in common and and quirky celebrity stories whether they involve Jackson Browne or say, Barbra Streisand--we share a common love--the love of writing. Ms. Dutton has "it" and I highly recommend you check her out. To read some of Danielle's work, you may check her out at: Tarpaulin Sky, Fence, Octopus, Double Room as well as many others. You can always use the google option to find 10 or so other publications. I"m telling you, if you are loving all those great writers (the Ben Marcuses, the Lyn Hejinians, the Ander Monsons, etc.) and other experimental writers of that ilk, you're gonna love Danielle's style. Plus, she's a really nice person--:)Danielle, in the words of Ali G, "biggie up yourself-- Boyakasha!"

Fun with Carpel Tunnel and other Mishaps

Well, I feel like a huge moron for several reasons today. One, I haven't posted on here in a month and it gets tough to write anything on this here blog when I don't have a free second in the day to do much else but drive to work, drive from work and eat, maybe sleep, read, read and read some more, oh yeah, and that thing I"m supposed to do---write. My efforts to work on my own stuff have been thwarted by a myriad of things, running the gamut from researching how to finance a new car when you obliterated your good credit standing back in college and are just now out of the clear, thinking about future wedding costs and trying to figure out a way to add about 6 more hours to the day. In the midst of all the stuff floating around in my head I seemed to have posted or rather mis-posted information about my interview coming up with the fabulous, Gina Frangello. With my brain on auto-pilot, I'd made a mistake. And thanks to Gina for pointing it out. My interview with Gina will still post, just not at Publisher's Weekly, but rather on Susan Henderson's blog over at Publisher's Marketplace. This should happen in August or whenever Ms. Henderson decides she would like to. The crazy thing is, My Sister's Continent is a book I had been dying to read when it came out but had no free time to do so since I had over committed myself to several projects. Then Tod Goldberg came along and played the part of some jewish-matchmaker and helped introduce Gina, Susan and myself to each other. Now, for the interview! (it's coming, I swear!)

While I still have yet to stop "over-committing" myself, I find that I do work best under pressure. For starters, you can check out my interview with the very interesting and funny Salvador Plascencia over at Bookslut for the June issue. Next up will be an interview with the Open City author, Rachel Sherman. Rachel's new collection of short stories, The First Hurt was published by Open City Books and this collection is one that you will love. T.C. Boyle's new TalkTalk will be out in early July and I will have a review of that along with Daphne Kalotay's new collection, Calamity and other stories. So, my eyes will be tired and maybe that's a good thing because I truly believe that I have some early signs of carpel tunnel, which I hear is really painful if you have to get the surgery. I don't even want to think about it!

And hey, my apologies too for my somewhat cheesy post about the Natasha Bedingfield song. I just get all mushy about liking to write and feeling inspired by things like art, music and other writers. I really wish they'd stop playing that song so damned much! But, yeah . . . cheesy, I just couldn't help it. Anyhow . . . I will be posting again and I'm hoping it won't be a month from now! In the meantime, stop over to Bookslut and check out the June issue.

In the name of Persuasion

. . . I urge you all to go on over to Skylight Books tonight and see George Saunders read from his new collection of short stories, In Persuasion Nation. Mr. Saunder's work is some of the greatest stuff out there and we as readers have the pleasure of hearing him read tonight. If anyone goes, please let me know how it is. I have to get my car out of the shop after work, so that's going to be fun. And while you're at it you should read what's happening over at the LBC. Gina Frangello's essay (author of the book, My Sister's Continent ) about (polite Sex and the City) is being discussed and I'll be speaking with Gina very soon about her book in an interview that will appear over at Sue Henderson's blog this June. Keep your eyes open! In the meantime, enjoy the Mother's Day weekend and be nice to your mom!

A.M. Homes wants to Save Your Life

A.M. Homes will be at Skylight Books this Friday, May 5th at 7:30pm. If you missed her at the LA Times Festival of Books, you really should try to stop by. Bookslut will have a feature on her as well by the lovely Michael Schaub and yours truly will also have a review of her latest work, This Book Will Save Your Life. This latest novel is definitely a true divergence from Homes's usual tone in her stories. Not that that's ever been a bad thing. In fact, one of the reasons I love Homes's writing is for her style and mood is very much a part of that. Kids, this one's an uplifter in some ways. And dare I say, a positive look at life and what it has to offer. I know I'm already walking on pillows on clouds on air.

George Saunders -- Busy Persuading

Boldtype has a very interesting interview with George Saunders wherein he speaks about his newest work, Persuasion Nation. A collection of short-stories by George, well now, that's practically like having your cake and eating it too. I love it, love it, love it! You really should buy this book and read this interview. And any interview that has the words "dystopian" and "fantasy" in it is my kind of interview.

Will Post Soon!

Sorry for the month delay in posting! A "real" post will follow later today or early tomorrow morning. Thanks to my few readers who actually check in with me.

Unwritten

I have been thinking about posting this for at least 3 days, but this week has flown by. Let me begin by saying that I don't watch a lot of music videos that often. I do have 900+ channels at home, but I don't find myself sitting down and watching them like I did in the 80's. I did get sucked back into 1985 on Sunday. All I did for several hours was watch music videos. And not on an ipod either. On my television. There's this song that I hear a lot on the radio by Natasha Bedingfield called Unwritten. I tend to like songs for their lyrics before I like them for the melody--I guess both are necessary for a good song. Anyhow, aside from some of the cliches in the lyrics of this song, I really love it. And I happened to catch the video on the VH1 countdown. One of the lyrics reads: "Live your life with arms wide open--Today is where your book begins--The rest is still unwritten." While I like the idea of this it got me thinking actually about really doing my own writing. Not metaphorically speaking. I really do find myself hesitating to tackle things with my writing that I know I can, but being a perfectionist, I've gotten into a rut of being afraid to put things on paper unless they land on the page perfectly. While my brain knows this idea is ridiculous, I think at the same time, in some small way I actually fear the revision. Which, once I have the blue print of my story--the hard part truly is over. I've actually forgotten that for me, revision is fun. Making it better. But I'm trying like mad to figure out why on this subconscious level, I'm avoiding it.

And I've pondered and thought about my writing and only recently did I sit down to actually work on something that's been in my head for almost 1 year. I can hardly believe I let it linger there for so long. Now that it's out there, I'm so relieved. I can do something with it--craft it, mold it into something good. Something, dare I say--publishable???

So folks, all this thought-provoking stuff was brought upon by lyrics to a catchy song. I wonder how many of us are really influenced on a conscious or even subconscious level by other artforms when it comes to doing what we do best (whatever that may be). I'm just curious. More than anything, the title of Bedingfield's song is almost taunting me--giving me proper grief for keeping the good stuff rolling around in my head-unwritten.

Now That's Devotion

Last night I went to Dutton's Beverly Hills where author Carolyn See introduced Stephen Cooper, the author of John Fante's biography, Full of Life. Although I'm aware of the long journey travelled to finally produce this biography, I'm still amazed at the devotion it took to write it. There are months, years even to do a thorough job, but it seems in this case, Cooper was as impressed with Fante's work 30 some years ago when he read Ask the Dust as he still is today. So much so that his work lingered in Cooper's mind for years. This is one example of the power of the written word and the effect it can have on us if we let it. While Charles Bukowski was one of the first people to declare his love of Fante, Cooper does more than that. This biography gives an honest account of John Fante's life, work and Cooper has no qualms about giving an truthful account of the kind of man he was--at home and as a writer. And lovers of Bukowski (there are many of you) should love Fante just as much, if not more for the influence he's had over so many successful writers. And for all of those writers trying to make a living at writing especially in Los Angeles, I think you'll find Fante's work to be of interest to you. If there are any newbies to the world of Fante, please do yourself a favor and read any one of his books. Better yet, begin with the John Fante Reader so you can get a taste of what he's all about. You can still catch Carolyn See (who's also a wonderful author in her own right) with Stephen Cooper at Skylight Books, April 1st. No April Fools jokes involved. I promise.

Bonaduce Lovers, Unite!

Last season on VH1, Danny Bonaduce's reality show, "Breaking Bonaduce" premiered. I didn't think I'd be an avid fan, but yes, it's true, I was. I am. And he's back this year for a second season. And if you live here in LA, you can come to a taping of the show. Details, you ask? Well, first let me begin by saying that in addition to a live show with Gretchen Bonaduce's band, The lead singer from Berlin, Terri Nunn will be there as well as Jaclyn Bradley . If you don't have plans this Friday night, come out to the Hard Rock Cafe at the Beverly Center. And if we're lucky, Danny will like OSGOODS music and it may be heard this upcoming season on the show as well. Here are some details you might wanna write down. Are you writing it down?

Hard Rock Cafe at the Beverly Center
8600 Beverly Blvd.
Friday, March 24th @8pm.

Cover $5 (proceeds go to VH1 Save the Music)
Be early--seating is limited.