Just Buy It

My friend Kevin Pilkington has just had another collection of his poetry published.

Buy it.

Click here.

Good Thing She Didn't Hate It

I've just completed revising the manuscript for my novel, Bill Warrington's Last Chance, based on line-by-line edits suggested by my peerless editor, Liz Van Hoose of Viking/Penguin.

During the process, Liz kept telling me how much she "loved" the work I'd done.

Really?

See all the pretty green on the page to the left? That's an actual page from the manuscript, with Liz's line edits. My manuscript is 300 pages. This is one of the reasons I haven't posted for two weeks.

Fortunately, not every page was this, um, busy. But every page was proof that every writer needs an editor. I lucked out with mine.

Here's Why

A lot of people ask me why there's a year's gap between acceptance of a book and the actual release of said book. My strategy is to mumble something about marketing and strategy, and hope to hell there are no follow-up questions. But thanks to this, all is revealed.

Twerrific Twitterers

I haven't quite figured out how Twitter is useful for most writers, but there are two people I enjoy following on this... social network? ... whatever it is:

• Ron Charles of the Washington Post for great news and reviews on books, publishing, writers, and all things literary (and not so literary) .
• Andy Borowtiz of the Borowitz Report for when I need a laugh. (Thanks to Sheila O'Brien for the tip!)

Book Club Basics

Last night I participated in the first meeting of a book club that a friend of mine has started. I've never been in a book club before and wasn't sure what to expect. The other five guys in the club are all hugely successful in their respective fields--primarily investment/money/fund management. Then, there's me. Here's roughly how it went.

6pm - Meeting called to order at Yasuda, 204 E 43, NY, NY.
6-6:15 - Small talk.
6:15 - Someone mentions the title of the book we were supposed to be discussing. Rationale for its selection offered.
6:17 - Discussion of the situation in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan. Opinions shared on current administration, previous administration.
6:30 - Huge platters of sashimi and sushi arrive at our table. Political discussion continues.
7:00 - One of the members reads reviews of the book we were supposed to be discussing. In-depth discussion and analysis of each member's feelings about the book followed.
7:07 - Back to Obama and Bush, with some digressions to the Roman and Egyptian empires.
8:00 - Unanimous decision to continue book discussion across the street at an excellent Sake Bar.
8:03 - Arrive at Sake bar. Began drinking sake.
8:04 - In lieu of further discussion of the book we were supposed to be discussing, discussed potential books for next meeting and discussion.
9:00 - Decision made on book and date for next meeting.
9:01 - Near unanimous decision to test one more variety of Japanese wine.
9:29 - I begin mad dash for Grand Central Station to catch the 9:37.
9:36 - I board the train, grab a seat, and try to ignore my sake-filled bladder.

Ah... the literary life...