Big Kid Corner

Spain!!!

2009-11-09T07:31:00.003-05:00

A Taste For Red will be published in Spanish and Catalan by Macmillan Spain! Fantastico!
And a big shout out to all of the terrific students and faculty at Desoto Trail Elementary School. I had a great time. I loved seeing so many students dressed up as their favorite book characters; it was like Halloween all over again--which is a good thing.

Tallahassee Democrat

2009-09-18T06:17:00.004-04:00

This week the Tallahassee Democrat printed a very nice article featuring myself and A Taste For Red. The reporter, Kathleen Laufenberg, drove out to the house and delved deep into the shallows of my writerly process. She managed to make me look and sound way cooler than I actually am, but I do deserve some credit since I constantly mentioned the heights of my coolness during the interview. You can check out the piece online at this little link here as well as a short video where I'm sounding a wee bit authorly and sporting an overly round head.

Making Svetlana Grimm

2009-08-29T07:01:00.001-04:00

This is not a brand-spanking new video, but I wanted to see how Vimeo loaded on the blog.

Making Svetlana Grimm from lewis harris on Vimeo.

School Library Journal and Booklist Reviews

2009-08-20T21:29:00.008-04:00

A Taste For Red scored two very nice reviews this week.

Booklist declared "In the glut of novels about vampires and other supernatural beings, it's refreshing to find such a slim, sharp tale....A tasty read indeed" while School Library Journal predicted that the book is "Sure to be a crowd-pleaser..."

I certainly hope so.

I'm receiving terrific feedback from readers at my website. I love to see the nice reviews in the press, but a note from a happy reader is the absolute best. I certainly appreciate hearing from all the students who have written to say how much they have enjoyed Svetlana's adventure.

Thanks!

A Taste For Red Down Under

2009-08-13T16:53:00.008-04:00

Here are some things (off the top of my head) that I like about Australia: Baz Luhrmann, Mel Gibson, George Miller, Nicole Kidman, Guy Pearce, David Gulpilil---and I could go on, but you get the idea: most of what I know about Australia can be rented at Blockbuster. Is this my fault? Probably. But if I try...I think I can name all the territories: Queensland, New South Wales, (um........) Victoria, (um.......) Northwest Territory, Southern Territory, (um.........) Tazmania, (um.......)(um.......)(um.......)
Okay--I can't think of anymore. So now it's time to Google and see where I went wrong!
(minutes later)
Hey--not too bad. I forgot Australian Capital Territory (it only looks as big as my little toenail), and I falsely merged Northern Territory and Western Australia into one. And misspelled Tasmania. And I called South Australia 'Southern Territory'--is that bad? So maybe I didn't do so well, either.
But I've recently discovered another nice thing about Australia: Tania McCartney. She's given my book a terrific write up on Australian Women Online. So check it out .

Back From....?

2009-08-12T14:53:00.004-04:00

Vacation? Yep...I'll definitely have to call it that (South Beach and Key West--beautiful!). And what did I do on vacation? Almost nothing...so nice. Good books, great food, palm trees, bicycles, swimming pools, big hats, SPF 50 sun protection...ahhh.

But now it's time to get back to work. Only I'm not sure what that means, or even where to start.

Maybe I should write something.

New Writers Event in Orlando 7/11/09

2009-07-07T15:31:00.005-04:00

I'll be in Orlando, Florida on June 11 at the Barnes and Noble Colonial for a New Writers Event featuring Florida authors Judy Lindquist, Lola Wert, Melinda Driscoll, Ginger Bryant, Doris Bloodsworth, Antone Christopher, Reg Ivory, and myself. The event is Saturday afternoon between 1-3pm, so if you're in the Orlando area please stop by and say hi. I'll be signing copies of A Taste For Red and wearing my good shoes and a brand new shirt. Maybe new pants, too. My partner and I are still arguing about the pants.

Book Advances

2009-07-01T10:09:00.006-04:00

I was happy with my book advance, and would have been happy with less. Or more. The great thing about selling a first book is that IT SOLD. Everything that comes after is cream, although that's sometimes easy to forget. But cream will turn if not properly stored. And it turns anyway, eventually. It has a shelf life, after all.
For insight into advances and other less romantic features of the writing life, here are two thoughtful posts from writers John Green and Jessica Burkhart. The comments under the Green post are lengthy and worth a peek.
My own opinions about book advances, book promotion, and the book business in general are hazy at best--and may remain so. Serious consideration of all things practical eludes me; it's one of my gifts. But, if you're dabbling in writing and hoping for publication, the business end of the stick can't be avoided.
Whack.

Publishers Weekly Likes A Taste For Red

2009-06-30T11:42:00.007-04:00

My editor emailed me a nice review for A Taste For Red from Publishers Weekly.
Of course, I like this part:

"Harris sets up deliciously sinister scenes between Svetlana and her teacher, whom Svetlana suspects is involved in the disappearance of three classmates. Reluctant heroine Svetlana has plenty of personality and wit...and although Harris leaves the door open for sequels, his fast-paced debut stands on its own."

I need to be mindful, however, not to let the opinions of others get too great a grip on my emotional steerage. That's a slippery slope, inevitably leading to back waxing and overpriced slacks.

Still, I deserve a cupcake or slice of pie or something in celebration. Maybe a cannoli.

THE BULLETIN OF THE CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS

2009-06-29T17:45:00.001-04:00

The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books likes A TASTE FOR RED. In fact, they think "The snarky, clever mix of mystery, horror, and goth-girl humor results in a novel that will easily cross genre lines to reach a wide variety of readers."

I certainly hope so!
And another nice review is offered at MISS PRINT.

"A Taste for Red is a humorous, sometimes suspenseful, always fun book that takes the conventions of vampire stories and throws them out the window."

If you read the book, you'll find that's not the only thing that goes out the window. The reviewer even compares Svetlana to Stewie from FAMILY GUY, which probably makes me happier than it should.
But I can't help it.
Stewie's one of my favorites.

Ruby Winkle, Rockford, and Bad Car Decisions

2009-06-29T15:15:00.013-04:00

Writer and illustrator Meghan Killeen has a post about myself and A Taste for Red up at her blog. Meghan attended the Art Institute of California in San Francisco and hung out with the circus, which sounds cool. But what really sounds cool (at least to me) is that she once worked for a detective agency.

I was a huge fan of The Rockford Files when I was a kid. I wanted to grow up and wear sport coats and sideburns and cruise around town behind the wheel of a gold Firebird thwarting bad guys and tossing off clever remarks.

What person in their right mind wouldn't?

But I kinda shot myself in the foot when I bought my first car, a 1982 Toyota Tercel.

Powers Of Ten

2009-06-26T10:29:00.005-04:00

I had a sneaking suspicion that I was insignificant, but this is ridiculous...

"Powers of Ten: A film dealing with the relative size of things in the universe and the effect of adding another zero."

This is a fantastic little film from Charles and Ray Eames (just under nine minutes). I might've viewed this as a young student and then needed about 30 years to appreciate it. Or maybe I didn't see it, but it certainly reminds me of the short movies we watched in science class back in the day. Do you remember the clack-clack-clack of the projector? And the sound of the film finally tearing apart, like it always seemed to do?

Nice Review from The Miss Rumphius Effect

2009-06-25T11:39:00.009-04:00

Kind words for A Taste for Red can be found at The Miss Rumphius Effect!

I like this part:

"There was one twist that I didn't see coming that was both stunning and hilarious. When things got to the nail biting stage I found myself cheering for Svetlana and her friends. You will too. This is an enchanting romp that middle school kids will thoroughly enjoy. I hope Mr. Harris is hard at work on a sequel, because I'm ready for one."

I'm ready, too. (Sandpapers palms together in an anticipatory fashion. Attempts to manifest twinkle in eye, but probably doesn't.)

Advice For Newbie Writers

2009-06-24T15:18:00.021-04:00

A fellow writer asked me for advice today. Unfortunately, and surprisingly, I seem to have offered up a straight answer (for the most part). Straight answers really kill the entertainment potential, but do make for a nice break.

I've written most of my life, but only sought publication about three years ago. Up until that time, I'd written journals, poetry, and short stories. I'd always wanted to write and sell a novel, and fancied I could if I put my mind to it. I love crime thrillers, so I tapped out a Jim Thompson-type noir. It took me about six months to polish the novel into something that I believed was good enough to send out. I researched the book biz and realized publication would be a tough nut to crack, still...I was pretty confident. I'd written a great story after all.

I decided that the best way to get my story published was through an agent. I'm talking mainstream publishing. You can self-publish and create a quality book, but I wanted to be a writer, not a publisher. The best tool I found for locating an agent was agentquery.com and the best tool I found for writing a decent query was Evil Editor.

I sent out queries and no one was interested. And it was a great story! Thrills, chills, spills, and all that...
But a great story is not enough. Luck and timing are involved. And sometimes the story needs more work. And sometimes it needs to go into a drawer for a few weeks or months or years. Everyone says it, and it's true: Keep writing, keep re-writing, keep polishing, and keep submitting. When you get feedback, listen to it. You don't have to agree, but listen to it.

So I sent out queries and collected rejections. Mostly form rejections and the occasional form rejection with a personalized scribble at the bottom. I decided that while I was submitting the crime thriller to agents that repped crime thrillers, I could write another novel to send to agents that repped other novels. Like what? I'd read somewhere that the thing to sell was a romance novel. So I tried my hand at romance...and didn't have much luck. It wasn't fun. I'm not a romance reader and I didn't enjoy writing it. And you have to write something you enjoy. I have three chapters of a romance titled TRAIL TO LOVE that I hope no one will ever see.

As a kid I was a big reader, so I took a stab at a story for young readers. I cooked up a middle grade adventure and loved it. I loved writing it. I sent it out and collected more rejections. I wrote a second middle grade work and began sending that one out. I collected rejections, refined my queries, filled the occasional request for sample chapters and manuscripts, and refined my queries even more.

Next I thought I'd give horror fiction a try. I was in the middle of writing a novel about underwater vampires when the notion of an eleven year old girl who only "thinks" she's a vampire entered my head. That idea eventually became the story that is currently sitting on shelves in libraries and bookstores around the country.

A TASTE FOR RED. (Does happy dance)

So my advice to newbies is simply a regurgitation of my own experience: Write things you LOVE to write, read all the time, listen to informed feedback when you're lucky enough to get it, set reasonable goals, and don't be discouraged.

It's hardly original, but there you have it. One nugget I'll offer that veers slightly from the run-of-the-mill is this: If you have a day job, quit. Even if you don't want to be a writer, quit your day job.

Work is silly.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway

2009-06-22T20:15:00.005-04:00

Over On J. Kaye's Book Blog, an advance reader copy of A Taste For Red is up for grabs.
She's even thrown in a nice comment about my book! Simply post a comment at her blog for a chance to win.

Book on the Brain

2009-06-18T10:45:00.007-04:00

I dreamed about A TASTE FOR RED last night. I could relate to you the specifics of the dream--I'm sure that you can be trusted--but best not to risk it. Someone we don't know might read this post and then--wham!-- I'd find uniformed men brandishing enormous butterfly nets banging at the front door.
Best to be safe.
And best to take a break for a few days...or at least after today. Later I'm heading to a couple of bookstores and then to the Ocala Library, but after that I'll be laying low for the weekend. I'll be trapped in the Parent Zone, where nothing productive can happen anyway. I see lots of sausage and cake and baking soda in my future.
Surprisingly, it sounds just right.

Fuzzy rabbits, underwater vampires, and Lewis Harris

2009-06-17T09:40:00.013-04:00

I like the above title, but it's not mine --it's from Bartography where Chris Barton has a nice interview with me posted at his blog.

Thanks for the great questions, Chris.

And congrats on your recent starred review from Kirkus! (along with the many other rave reviews for The Day-Glo Brothers)

BookPeople Recommends A Taste For Red

2009-06-16T17:40:00.018-04:00

Svetlana Grimm is a favorite at BookPeople !
Thanks Emily for the kind words. Here are a few choice tidbits:

"...wonderful, funny read..."
"...perfect for girls and guys..."
"...not one you want to miss this summer."

Definitely not :^)
Check out the full skinny at BookKids Recommends.

A Taste for Red is Released!!

2009-06-15T17:44:00.007-04:00

I went into the wonderful Inkwood Books in Tampa and it's available there. It's at BookPeople in Austin. It appears to be in stock at most Barnes and Noble. It's available online wherever fine books are sold online. It's on my mom's coffee table. It's in the trunk of my car. It's in libraries in Arizona, Vancouver, Boston, Tallahassee, and on and on and on. It's propping up the wobbly work bench in my brother's garage.

If it's not available on the shelf at your favorite bookseller, just ask. They'll be happy to order it. Seriously...they'll be "very happy." By simply requesting A Taste For Red, you'll be spreading thick spoonfuls of joy! You can't put a price on that (although for business purposes, your local book retailer might.)

I have to thank Clarion Books and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for doing a fantastic job getting A Taste For Red out into the world.

But mostly I have to thank my wonderful friends and family who have supported and encouraged me along the winding path to this happy moment. I thank the folks who've bought the book and the one's who will buy the book and those that will tell their friends about the book and that they must buy the book even if their children have to go without a meal to offset the cost of the book. I know...it's cruel, but really, what's one meal? Or two? A Taste For Red is distracting and oh so nutritious--they won't even notice.

Postcards From The Edge

2009-06-08T17:13:00.007-04:00

I've been working on postcards and bookmarks lately. Do I need these things? Sure, I guess...everything says that I need them. It makes sense. I need something to show that I was there...I need to leave a trail.

I picked up an order of postcards the other day and they look terrific. I've been working on my bookmarks this afternoon and I've finalized the design. Haven't I? Well...at least for the moment. I've talked to some printers and then some more printers and then spoke to some other printers and now I'm ready to call a printer. I'm trying to determine if I want gloss or matte or one-sided color or two-side color or coating --whatever coating is...

It's just a bookmark...relax.

Just pick something and pay for it--big deal...but a get a receipt.

I'm a page folder anyway. Bookmarks are...well, for other folks. I love to fold the corners of pages. The top corner, the bottom corner, left page or right--it doesn't matter.

I used to worship books, and still do, but with less reverence. Now I like to abuse a book a bit. Take ownership of it. Leave a nice fat thumbprint or mustard stain. While backpacking, I've even ripped the pages from books to start a fire--then burned the rest of the book to lighten my load. Self-help books burn best.

I think it's the fumes.

Janette Rallison Mind-Rain Give Away

2009-06-05T03:40:00.011-04:00

Would you trade five years of your life to be beautiful?
I think a lot of us already do.
When you factor time spent on the cleansing mask, pedicure/manicure/beauty salon, lipstick, hairspray, eyeliner, exfoliant, abdominal crunches, choose shoes, five outfits on and off to find the one you're wearing, accessorizing, tweezing and teasing and straightening and curling, long-longer-longest lashes, lip-defining, blush-blending, hip-hugging-push-upping, hair coloring, sit-center "love me, love me, love me" mantra that makes up so much of so many days for both gals AND guys...well...it has to add up.

Author Janette Rallison has an essay about the role of beauty in our society included in Mind-Rain, a collection of essays centered around the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld. Janette has an excerpt from her essay posted and is giving away a copy of Mind-Rain over at her blog.
You just have to answer the question: would you?

Five Questions for Chris Barton

2009-06-02T13:36:00.021-04:00

"It all started with a magic act and an accident at the ketchup factory..."

How can a reader walk away from a great teaser like that?

Here's the lowdown from Charlesbridge:
"Joe and Bob Switzer were very different brothers. Bob was a studious planner who wanted to grow up to be a doctor. Joe dreamed of making his fortune in show business and loved magic tricks and problem-solving. When an accident left Bob recovering in a darkened basement, the brothers began experimenting with ultraviolet light and fluorescent paints. Together they invented a whole new kind of color, one that glows with an extra-special intensity Day-Glo."

Now that sounds like a great book for young readers.

And the writer is definitely on a roll. Chris Barton's debut picture book, THE DAY-GLO BROTHERS, has just been released from Charlesbridge, his second book, the awesomely titled SHARK VS. TRAIN, is slated for a 2010 release from Little, Brown, and he is currently hard at work on a YA non-fiction project for Dial. That's almost more than I can cram into one sentence.

Thankfully, Chris slowed down long enough for five questions:

1) What book had the most influence on you as a young reader? Was there a title that inspired you, that lingers as a defining book in your life?

There wasn't a particular book, actually, but there was a magazine: Rolling Stone. By that time, it had moved from breaking the story of Patty Hearst's kidnapping to putting out things like "The Hot Issue," but it still opened up a cultural window in my pre-Web teenage small-town East Texas life. I liked the subjects it covered, and I loved the story of how the magazine had come into being through scrappiness and determination and good timing. As I got older, I became less directly inspired by it -- I no longer wanted to be a rock critic, and I no longer wanted to be the editor of Rolling Stone -- but I think it did give me a sense of what professional satisfaction and fulfillment through the written word should feel like, and when I stumbled into children's writing, I recognized that sensation immediately.

2) Your debut THE DAY-GLO BROTHERS has just been released and you have several other projects in the pipeline. What was the most unexpected discovery that you made on your road to publication, the thing that surprised you the most?

The entire world of writing and publishing books for children was an unexpected discovery. It was like lifting a big flat rock and finding this thriving, fascinating ecosystem that had been nearby all along but hidden from view. I was most surprised by the sense of community, the mere existence of an organization like SCBWI, and the lengths that children's writers and illustrators will go to in order to help and support each other.

3) You seem to do a lot of research for your books, doesn’t that drive you nuts?

I love doing research. What drives me nuts is having to stop researching and go with whatever information I've managed to accumulate. Because if I'd been able to keep going, who knows what cool fact I might have found next?

4) When I lived in New Orleans, I noticed that everyone leaving New Orleans was either going to New York City or Austin. Why Austin?

The second-most-influential publication on the teenage me was The Daily Texan, the student newspaper at the University of Texas. I happened to be in Austin each spring when the graduating seniors would publish their farewell columns, and those made the basement where the Texan staff worked seem like nirvana. So, I came to Austin to attend UT and write for the Texan, and I've been here mostly ever since. I did live in New York for a little while (interning for Rolling Stone), and in Houston and Atlanta, and my wife and I had the good sense to honeymoon in New Orleans in December when the French Quarter was pretty much empty and there was no one to get between us and the food.

5) If a picture book, a middle grade reader, and a YA novel got into a knife fight, which would emerge victorious?

The knife maker -- the weapons manufacturer always comes out ahead.

Very clever answer. I was hoping for a gory and detailed fight scene, but you've thwarted me! (Shakes fist).

Check out Chris's website and blog and join him at Facebook for all the latest news.

THE DAY-GLO BROTHERS: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors is illustrated by Tony Persiani, written by Chris Barton, and available online or at your local bookseller.

A Taste for Red Arrives

2009-05-28T16:19:00.006-04:00

It's an actual book! And I've got it in my hands! Thanks to all the folks at Clarion Books who helped make such a beautiful edition! If you're wondering how to get the book into your hands, here's a fragrant bouquet of online links. Or ask at your favorite bookstore!

Happens Every Day

2009-05-27T16:53:00.005-04:00

I just finished Happens Every Day by Isabel Gillies. It's not a book for young readers and it's not a book to dive into if you're looking for a little light escapist entertainment. It's an uncomfortably frank memoir of divorce and family disintegration told from the POV of a woman struggling to keep her marriage intact. As the title suggests, there's nothing remarkable about the story itself, although the honesty with which it's told is remarkable. And painful. It comes with the subtitle an all-too-true story. And it's a bummer. I've never been divorced or married and that had zero impact on my ability to identify with the writer. It's a book about hard reality, about the gut wrenching fact that sometimes a person has absolutely no control over the biggest things in life. The story made me mad. It frustrated me. I couldn't say I enjoyed (it's not that kinda book) --but I'm glad I read it. And I can recommend it.

I'd be interested what other readers think about this book--especially if you're married.

Happens Every Day: An All-Too-True Story by Isabel Gillies, Simon & Schuster 2009

Nice Review from Shelf Awareness

2009-05-19T07:53:00.004-04:00

Shelf Awareness has posted a nice review of A Taste For Red, my forthcoming release from Clarion Books. I love the words funny pleasingly creepy debut. Especially in that order. Deliciously ironic twist make a fine trio of words as well.

Time is flying. The release of ATFR is now less than a month away! Unbelievable...and exciting. Pretty soon I'll be able to countdown the days on my fingers and toes! Unless something unfortunate happens. Just to play it safe, for the next few weeks I'll avoid working with threshers, combines, deli meat slicers, chainsaws, and power tools in general. I guess I should also make a payment to my bookie. Salvatore can be frighteningly operatic at times.

Summer Reading

2009-05-15T08:08:00.008-04:00

School is almost out! It's time to visit your local bookstore and grab a few books for young readers. Last week I passed along selections to my niece and nephew. I hooked them up with Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry, Skellig by David Almond, Monster by Walter Dean Myers, and The Road by Cormac McCarthy. The Road? Yep, it's the odd man out in the group, but I think my nephew will appreciate the story. Plus, it's going to be a movie soon, and one should always read the book before seeing the movie, right? Hopefully they'll read many more than these four works, but I think the collection is a good start.

It's always fun to search for a gift read with a particular person in mind. But it's tricky, too. You have to make the right selection or your influence on the reader's habits will be critically compromised. Take The Pickwick Papers for example. It's one of my all-time favorites, but I doubt 800+ pages of Dickens will hold much curb appeal for cool kids on the go, go, go.

I'm a big fan of broccoli, but when I was a kid, not so much.
So get the young people in your life excited about reading.
Steer them toward great books.
But not broccoli books, they'll eat those when they're ready.

The Hunger Games

2009-04-30T16:26:00.005-04:00

Just finished reading The Hunger Games, and I was sad to see it end. It's the kind of futuristic, post-apocalyptic read I love --but doubly love since it's targeted toward a younger audience. I wish this book had been around when I was a teenager. It's a great stepping-stone read on the way to The Stand and The Road, a mish-mash of Lord of the Flies meets Battle Royale with a generous scoop of The Running Man thrown in for hi-tech effect--but still wholly surprising and original.

Suzanne Collins has mastered mad skillz to pull off this book.

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, Scholastic 2008

Paranoid Park

2009-04-23T14:08:00.010-04:00

I've been looking forward to checking out Paranoid Park on DVD, but before I could make that move, I first needed to read the novel.

And now that I have, I really want to see the movie.

The book is gripping--just the kind of nail biter I crave. In Portland, the lives of "streeters" and "preps" converge at a sketchy, downtown skate park. The story opens like a wound, with a crime that compels the reader to the final pages, waiting for the already disintegrating world of one "prep" skater to unravel completely. Will it? Or will life somehow work out less disastrously for our teen skater? Is that even possible? Maybe, no matter what occurs, things cannot possibly work out. It's a lot to think about. And obsess over. Maybe enough to drive one to paranoia. But with good reason.

Once started, I couldn't put it down.
Paranoid Park by Blake Nelson, 2006 Penguin/Viking.

Audio and Egg News

2009-04-15T10:26:00.013-04:00

On the book front: Random House is ready to begin production this month on the audio book edition of A TASTE FOR RED. The production will take place at studios in Los Angeles --which, however misplaced, makes me feel all "Hollywoody" inside. The book will be read by Jacklyn Gaines, and I can't wait to hear the results! The audio release is scheduled for June 23, 2009 --which is about a week after the hardcover debut.

And Easter has come and gone...
I'm still scratching at the scrapes and bites suffered during the course of the egg hunt. The obvious evidence of the bee sting to my forehead has completely disappeared. My face still looks a bit off, but that's mostly genetics, I think. I do have to applaud the folks charged with hiding the eggs --they took their task quite seriously. In fact, 3 of the 61 eggs remain undiscovered.

And libraries around the country have started ordering editions of A TASTE FOR RED! Google postings reveal that hardcover, audio, and digital versions of the book will eventually be making their way into the hands of unsuspecting readers! It's very exciting. So far, the majority of readers have been adults --and the feedback has been terrific! But what will young readers think? I'm both eager and nervous to find out...

My niece loved it --but she has too.

Links and Sausages

2009-04-03T10:16:00.004-04:00

The first link is to Ingram Library Services and a nice review for A Taste for Red! Yes!
The second link is to my latest video on Youtube, Snake Attack, an amateurish attempt at animation based on a poetic diddy I composed back in my French Quarter days.
Let me know what you think --is it too depressing?...violent?...
and as for sausages...
Flip.
I'm out of sausage.

Morning 40 Federation Powers Down

2009-03-28T19:18:00.011-04:00

Earth Hour will be upon my slice of the globe in minutes. For one hour, beginning at 8:30 p.m., We The People are encouraged to switch off the lights. This is an effort to draw attention to our personal energy use and its effect on the planet. My local power company has chipped into the effort with enthusiasm. The electricity at my residence went kaput at around 5 p.m.. If past performance by the power company is any indication, I'm not looking for a resumption of service anytime soon--certainly not today, but who knows? Life is full of surprises. Still, it will make my participation in Earth Hour a given.

Currently, I'm enjoying a brief jolt of power at my local bagel shop --complementary wi-fi included.

And speaking of power--it's nice, but there seems to be less of it in my world. I received the tragic news last week that Morning 40 Federation has gone splitsville. Morning 40 (for mature audiences only) is one of my favorite bands, a local New Orleans phenomenon. I remember stumbling home from their shows just before dawn and undressing on my narrow balcony. It was important to leave all of my clothes outside so as to avoid contaminating my apartment with residual chaos. I'm not sure if I've technically ever been in a mosh pit, but a Morning 40 show was the closest I've ever come. I went back to New Orleans about a year ago, specifically to catch a 40's show at Checkpoint Charlies. My knees still ache when I think about it. It's been eons since I was in any kind of shape to do "the pogo" --and certainly not for two hours straight. What's "the pogo"? Well if you've been to a raucous rock explosion and witnessed a middle-aged man jumping up and down like a wild idiot and flirting with a heart-attack, then you've probably seen "the pogo." I can only hope that the 40's will bless us with a reunion from time to time.

And that I'm in better shape when I get there.

For now, it's time to power down and look to the future.

Post Print Seattle Post Intelligencer

2009-03-17T15:54:00.005-04:00

I read a line from a fellow writer lamenting the passing of the print edition of the Seattle Post Intelligencer. And I'm not happy about it either. Other newspaper print editions will inevitably follow. For me, the ritual of reading a print newspaper is an act of relaxation. "Coffee and a newspaper" sounds so soothing. Online papers can certainly provide the news, but what about the relaxation? The joy of the print newspaper is that you can see the end of it; sadly and reluctantly turn that final page and sigh "ahhh...time to get back to work." (or whatever)
But then there are other things to read, yes? And there will always be upstart, subversive rags trying to make a go of it. Maybe not always, but you know what I mean--for some time to come. And then there are the other joys, too numerous to mention (like Indian food and zombie movies) . And new rituals on the horizon.
And a billion different kinds of coffee.
Or at least a dozen different kinds with a billion different names.

Facebook, vids, colored pencils...

2009-03-16T14:22:00.004-04:00

I've taken the plunge into the Facebook fray. I'm floundering a wee bit, but the sea legs will come...or they usually do...
If you're on Facebook then lets...do that friend thing...c'mon...
Today is comprised of writing and a little promo and even some scribbling with colored pencils. I've been having a great time producing youtube videos. I've got three up at the moment and more to follow. I'm trying to incorporate my book into some of the videos, but I'm also going to dust off and exploit a few of my tried and true poems and song-stylings.
And yes...that IS a threat.
And you should definitely be very, very afraid.

I'll have my latest video posted this week (or that's the plan.)

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

2009-03-11T11:53:00.011-04:00

I just finished Sherman Alexie's novel The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. It's hilarious, heartbreaking, embarrassing, uncomfortable and...did I mention hilarious? I stumbled across the work just before Christmas at E. Shaver, Bookseller's in Savannah, Ga.. I read the first chapter standing in the book shop and was blown away. I snatched up a copy as a gift for my niece and promised myself that I would check out a copy from the Tallahassee library. I finally did--and was happy to discover that the chapters following the first were equally entertaining. I was also surprised at the level of intimacy in the story. It's an uncomfortably accurate glimpse into the workings of a fourteen year old mind --at least as far as I can remember. Plus it's just plain funny--and sweet. I hope my niece gleaned some useful intel on the adolescent male psyche!

It's published by Little, Brown with terrific illustrations by graphic artist Ellen Forney.

Random House Germany Will Publish A Taste for Red!

2009-03-06T14:39:00.004-05:00

Is this old news? Kind of...
It was almost a year ago that the deal was in the works. And I was thrilled, of course--who wouldn't be? I never dreamed Svetlana Grimm would make her way beyond the English language. But the wheels of publishing can move at a glacial pace. Not much happened in the past year. Then this week I received, signed, and sent off the contracts! Yay! Now I'm one step closer to laying claim to the title International Author. The idea makes me salivate like Homer Simpson over a donut. I think it will be terrific to have a copy of my own book in a language that I can't even read. Now that's the height of excitement.
Will the title of the book be A Taste for Red? Or will it be the original title: Svetlana Grimm and the Circle of Red? Will the cover art be different? I don't have a clue, but I'm looking forward to finding out!
My heart swells with love for all things German. Maybe tonight I'll go for some wienerschnitzel and throw a Herzog flick in the DVD player. That sounds just about perfect.

Jessica Burkhart Book Signing

2009-03-04T09:00:00.009-05:00

On Saturday I stopped by Books-a-Million to meet 'tween author Jessica Burkhart and pick up her debut novel Take The Reins, which is part of the eight book Canterwood Crest Series from Aladdin. Take The Reins follows Sasha Silver and her horse Charm as they begin life at the elite Canterwood Crest Academy and compete for a spot on the advanced riding team. Unfortunately, not everyone at the academy is thrilled at the prospect of competition from a new and talented rider. Drama ensues.

Lisa has already devoured the book and given it "a big thumbs up!". For more info on the series check out Jessicaburkhart.com. She offers great advice for writers and blogs almost daily at jessicaburkhart.blogspot.com (which makes me look sooooo bad. But I won't mope. I'll let her be an inspiration to become a better blogger myself).

Check her stuff out!

And if you're in the North Florida area, keep an eye open for her next bookstore appearance (an event calender can be found at her blog).

The next book in the Canterwood Crest Series, Chasing Blue, will be available March 24th.

A Taste for Red Music Video

2009-02-27T16:00:00.010-05:00

I've posted two more videos on my Youtube page.

"A Taste for Red" is a sorta-kinda music video and "Making Svetlana Grimm" is a sorta-kinda making of "A Taste for Red" --or rather a making of the 'star' of the music video --which just happens to be a thrift shop doll that I did a Frankenstein number on. Check the videos out and give me some feedback. Feel free to rate and comment and share with everyone you know.

Seriously.

Everyone that you know.

Your eyelids are getting heavy.

Share the videos with everyone in your email address book.

Your arms are becoming heavy sandbags.

Send the video links to all of your contacts.

Relax.

You can hear only the sound of my...blog.

View my videos and share them with all of your contacts.

ALL of your contacts.

Comment, rate, and subscribe to my Youtube Channel.

Breathe.

You are in a safe place. Relax...relax...

Add my website to your favorites.

Shhhh.....

When I snap my fingers you will feel a deep inner peace.

Then you will squat and become a chicken.

You will try with all of your heart to lay an egg.

Good luck.

Seriously.

Snap.

Youtube

2009-02-12T14:49:00.013-05:00

Like most writers, what I really want to do is...direct.

So why not? What do you need anyway?

A camera. Check.

A computer. Check.

Some lame footage. Check.

I've thrown together a Youtube Page and my first video effort, Birds (have it tough), has been posted. All you aspiring Roger Ebert-types can bring it on!! If you like the clip, please comment and subscribe. If for some INSANE reason you don't like the clip, then you probably didn't get it.

Silly you.

Take another look.

I'll explain to optimize your viewing pleasure:

The birds represent the "Ego". They symbolize Man's futile search for infinite meaning while concurrently struggling with the pain of a transitory existence. In the video, observe the manner in which the seagulls align themselves and then later how the ducks model a similar behaviour--this despite the fact that gulls and ducks are sworn enemies with wholly conflicting philosophies. Wild isn't it? And disturbing...

I'm almost halfway through the CliffNotes of Friedrich Nietzsche's Jenseits von Gut und Böse, so another video shouldn't be far off!

Maybe something with turtles.

Dr. Franklin's Island

2009-02-02T09:30:00.010-05:00

Here's a book I read a while back and haven't gotten out of my head. It's a take on the H. G. Wells classic The Island of Dr. Moreau, except this time the unfortunate guinea pigs are three young people. The wide-eyed youths are part of a conservation group en route to a fabulous jungle adventure in Ecuador, but they suffer more adventure than they bargained for when a terrifying air disaster lands them in the ocean. Most of the party are deep-sixed in the crash while Semi, Miranda, and Arnie survive to find themselves stranded on a mysterious island. As bad luck would have it (for them, but not the reader) a mad scientist has also taken up residence on the island.
Trouble ensues as the tale plows full steam ahead in a surprisingly creepy direction. It's a fun read if you want a break from cotton candy, syrupy smiles, and a world where things work out just fine.

Dr. Franklin's Island by Ann Halam, published by Random House Children's Books, 2002.

Give it a read and tell me what you think.

Manatee Trip

2009-01-27T13:37:00.025-05:00

Finally home after weeks of packing and unpacking, rolling and rambling.
And eating.
And swimming.
One excursion was a snorkeling trip on the west coast of Florida. We spent a long weekend in Crystal River squeezing ourselves into wetsuits and braving the chilly waters. The water wasn't TOO bad, but I was definitely grateful for the rubber skin. The wetsuit also played a great part in my survival; I'm blessed with the buoyancy of a rock and the aquatic instincts of a camel with an ear infection.

Have you heard how being in the water adds an element of grace to one's movements? Yeah? I've heard that one, too.

Doesn't seem to apply to me.

But I did enjoy flipping my flippers, flapping my arms, and flailing my way through the semi-murky depths in search of the wily sea cow. Not that they're so hard to locate around Crystal River. In fact, I bumped into several quite by accident. They can grow to be the size of a barn door and weigh nearly as much as I do after an evening at Seminole Wind country buffet. Maybe more.

But my wrinkly fingers are smooth now, and my wet socks are dry. It's time to get back to work and back into a routine.

At least for a little while.

Rock Band 2, Fried Foods, and No Discipline

2009-01-15T13:01:00.009-05:00

Two weeks into the new year and I feel I'm still in the midst of the holidays. For all practical purpose, I've been on vacation since Thanksgiving. Almost two months. It's horrible (but not really). As a writer, one should try to write a bit every day. Have you encountered that nugget of advice before? I have --it's quite standard. Sounds solid. Hard to argue against it. Practice makes perfect and all that.
But I've a confession. It's been several weeks since I've written a word. I did do a bit of research at Paula Deen's place in Savannah, though. Very nice. Terrific fried chicken. From Savannah, we cruised south to Daytona and shacked up on the beach. Nice and quiet there this time of year. Empty really. Good time to film a zombie movie. Very nice.
We drove east and racked up loads of family time in Tampa and Ocala. Lots more food. Fried things and chocolate covered things and cream and sugar and shortening. I've since developed a shortness of breath and tingling numbness in my fingers and toes. I'm hoping a salad will clear it up.
On the heels of the new year, we gathered for a festival of sorts. We titled it Cuzapalooza 2, since we'd had one before. Cousins from my partner's side arrived bearing adult beverages and an electronic thingamabob titled Rock Band 2. Ever heard of it? We played about 11 hours straight that first day. Bon Jovi's "Wanted! Wannnn--te-ed! Dead or al--liiiiiive" is still stuck in my head. Like a knife. It's not good. Really horrible.
And I want to play again.
Luckily it's gone now. Along with the mixers and deep fried pita chips and most of the cream cheese.
At the moment it's freezing. Soon we'll head out for a swim with the manatees. Two more weeks of vacation to go. Might as well make it two months even.
Then I'll write some more.
Maybe struggle through a set of sit-ups.
Happy New Year and all that.

Crazy Life

2008-12-15T14:21:00.001-05:00

I heard a lady on the radio talking about the benefit of books and reading and the promotion of literacy. She touched, also, on the challenges kids face growing up in a tech-heavy world; short attention spans, an attraction toward blinking lights, and a tolerance (even preference) for obnoxious sounds (think Top 40 ring tones). Of course, youth always appears silly and shortsighted when viewed from the vantage of years (and it only takes a couple).
The radio lady said that books are a good thing. And who's not on board with that? Then she said that audiobooks are good, and that's okay, too. But she went on to say that an audiobook is the same as a book-book, book-type book.
And I don't think so.
An audiobook is better than television (at least commercial television). It's better than Halo or a gambling problem or a pomegranate. It is a very good thing. A terrific thing! Heck, I've got one coming out in June. But it's not the same as reading a book.
When you read, the voice is entirely your own. The pictures are your own. The squiggles on the page are pieces to build a world inside your mind. But the reader builds it. It's a workout.
An audiobook lightens the load.
Which can be nice.
You can do homework as you listen to an audiobook. You can drive. Make spaghetti or mudpies or build a ship in a bottle. You can multi-task.
And some people have to.
Multi-task, that is.
They can't relax and lose themselves in a book. Because they can't do ONE thing. Can't. They don't enjoy it. Or understand it. They're not built for it. It's a feature found on fewer models. Going out of style.
Replaced with...technology.
I listen to audiobooks and I read books, too. They're both good things, but not the same thing.
And one isn't a substitute for the other.
I could go on, and want to, but the tinny strains of Livin' La Vida Loca demand I answer the phone.

Buy A Kid A Book!

2008-12-10T14:34:00.006-05:00

It's almost Christmas! And even if you're not a Christmas person, you'll probably still shell out dough for something lousy, something that a loved one (or boss) probably doesn't need, or even want. Junk, really.
But it has to be done. And a random swipe of a trusty credit card will make it happen, take the chore off of your plate. You're only a Chia Pet or Ginsu Knife away from not even having to think about it anymore. And wrapping? Hey, that's just a little newspaper and duct tape.
Finis.
But if you're getting a gift for a young person, an impressionable mind, then a Ronco Rhinestone Applicator won't do. Not even an Ironman Action Figure will suffice. Or a Wii.
Seriously.
Remember back to those long-gone yesteryears. What was the best gift you ever received? It was a book, right? Right! The Hobbit, The Cay, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Conan of Cimmeria, War of the Worlds, and on and on and on and on...
Books are the things that last; in your mind and on a shelf somewhere. They might even be ready for a re-read. And inside the jacket flap is a scribbled line that says "Merry Christmas! Love Grandma" or Aunt June or Mom or Santa or somebody that loved you enough to give the very best gift.
It doesn't require batteries. Or make an obnoxious noise. And hardly ever wastes time. A book teaches patience, it rests the soul and races the mind and lasts.
Where's all that electronic junk you got when you were a kid?
Uh-huh.
So buy a kid a book for Christmas. They make an excellent birthday gift as well. Or just a nice surprise. You'll be doing the kid a favor, and the world, too.
But skip Harry Potter or Twilight --they already read those.

A Taste for Red --Coming June 15, 2009

2008-11-21T00:35:00.006-05:00

The publication date is official! June 15, 2009. (Only 7 months away!)

I received the Clarion Books Spring 2009 catalog.
My book, A Taste for Red, is featured in a super sweet two page spread; it includes an excerpt from the book and an author photo. The layout is terrific. I hadn't expected my picture to be in the catalog! It's the same photograph I use for the blog, but in the catalog it appears much darker.

I look mean in the catalog shot. A little smirky, and dangerous. The photo seems better suited to accompany a by-line in Soldier of Fortune magazine, maybe next to an article on grenade polishing or tips for spicing up those blah-blah C-rations (try adding curry!).

There's also a short author bio. My editor wrote it up for the book jacket. It describes me so: "He's worked as a massage therapist, a short-order cook, a room-service waiter, and a janitor."

At one point she had my stint as a "dishwasher" included, but I figured we could lose that one; I didn't want to look like I was bragging.

Back To School

2008-11-07T13:16:00.005-05:00

I spent the morning at a local elementary school observing young people. I could say "interacting" with young people, but that would be a wild stretch. It was terrific fun--if not a completely natural situation for yours truly. I'm embarrassed to say that at one point I found myself informing a pair of energetic boys to cease their "horseplay". Ouch. I cringe to think I've become one of those adults. One of those non-fun adults. One of those responsible worry-worry adults. But at some point that simply becomes our job, doesn't it? To worry so kids don't have to. What a rip-off! Those lucky ducks! It was all for a good cause, though --namely to prevent the inexperienced youth from "interacting" intimately with the unforgiving pavement. Head vs. Concrete is a battle we all fight and lose sooner or later, but later is always better.
So this morning I found myself acting as a monitor at the "poofy" slide exit of one of those giant, inflatable, rumpus-room-type thingamabobs. My job was to make serious demands in a serious voice; things like: "Don't bounce!", "Slide on your butt!", "Feet first! Feet first!"
It was actually kind of hard for me.
Sure--I write books for kids, but not because I have a knack for communicating with kids; I write kid's books 'cause I'm sort of a kid myself (don't let the gut and the gray hair fool you). I can certainly empathize with a youngster's strong desire to launch himself mid-air off the parapet of an inflatable castle, especially if he's dressed up like Superman, which more than a few of them were.
Believe me, if I had basic health insurance, who knows what I might do! I might even think about jumping off something myself.

I'd probably think about it a long time, though.

A Taste For Red will be an audio book!

2008-11-04T12:51:00.005-05:00

I've received some terrific news from my publisher, Clarion Books. The audio rights for A Taste For Red have sold to Random House. Listening Library, the children's book division of Random House Audio, will release an audio version of A Taste For Red in June 2009 (estimated release). I found some initial info at Books On Tape. It looks like the book will be unabridged and on four cd's! Very exciting news. I'm all tingly! Who will do the reading? I hope it's Angelina Jolie! Or David Hyde Pierce (my mom loves him)! Or maybe even Dog the Bounty Hunter! Sometimes casting against type can be very effective...

The Tragedy of Sweet Pumpkin

2008-11-01T15:35:00.032-04:00

Happy Post-Halloween! Thanks to everyone who voted in our pumpkin election!
I hope a wonderful and spooky holiday was had by all.
Things on our end were a bit grim. The pumpkin vote was tallied and the winner, by a landslide, was Scary Pumpkin.

Oh the cruelty! Scary defeated Sweet Pumpkin soundly in a 26 to 10 victory. I, equally defeated, was the creator of Sweet Pumpkin and Lisa (the winner!) was the artistic force behind Scary. As the victor of our little contest, she will get to choose a fancy night out on the town (plus bragging rights!).
And I must wallow in defeat! --at least until next Halloween.
But what did the victor, Scary Pumpkin, get out of this?

The newly-crowned Evil Pumpkin King wasted no time in ridding his empire of all who would seek to usurp his glory. He immediately issued a Decree of Death for poor Sweet.

"Blindfold the prisoner!" Scary commanded. "Nooooooo!" cried Sweet.

But Scary was unmoved. He laughed cruelly and declared, "Death by Truck! Any last words?"

"Boo hoo," whimpered Sweet.

"That's Boo to you!" sneered Scary Pumpkin, and hit the gas. "Ooooooooohhhhh!" Splat!

And Scary Pumpkin gloated!

But his gloating was short-lived! While jumping for joy, he slipped and landed poorly. Oh sad, clumsy Evil Pumpkin King.

Happy Halloween!

The Legend of the Jack O' Lantern

2008-10-27T10:09:00.020-04:00

Happy Halloween!

Almost!

Yesterday Lisa and I carved our pumpkins. Of course mine is awesome, but Lisa foolishly insists that hers is the better. Can you help us out? In the comment section below, vote for your favorite: Scary Pumpkin or Sweet Pumpkin. Of course, Scary Pumpkin is the one sporting the gleeful BOO. We've wagered a dinner out on the town. Hopefully, my pumpkin will garner me a nice, juicy steak! On Halloween night we'll reveal which pumpkin is mine and which is Lisa's, then tally the votes and declare a winner!

But what is the story behind the Jack O' Lantern? The legend goes back several centuries to old Ireland where the miserable drunkard Stingy Jack met the Devil on a lonely road and invited him for a drink. The two traveled to a pub in a nearby village. Stingy Jack, tight with his purse strings, suggested that the Devil turn himself into a coin so that Jack might pay for the drinks. The Devil agreed and transformed into a coin. Stingy Jack quickly placed the coin inside his coat pocket where he also kept a silver cross. The Devil was trapped! Jack made a deal with the Devil. In return for his freedom, the Devil agreed never to claim Stingy Jack's soul.

Stingy Jack led a long and miserly life. Upon his death, his soul traveled to the Pearly Gates where St. Peter turned him away. "But where will I go?" cried Jack. He wandered in darkness to the mouth of Hell where the Devil was waiting. "Away!" shouted the Devil. The Devil reached into Hellfire and tossed a burning coal at Jack. Stingy Jack placed the coal in a hollowed out turnip and wanders the darkness to this day.

There are several legends of Jack and the Devil. The stories traveled from Ireland on the tongues of immigrants. In England, beets and rutabagas were carved out to hold the Devil's fire. In the United States, pumpkins are perfect. So now we light Jack O' Lanterns to remind us of Stingy Jack, poor wandering Jack. And to be wary of the Devil on a lonely road.

Celery, Rhubarb, and the Dow Jones

2008-10-20T17:41:00.001-04:00

I belong to a discussion group on the web. It's a forum for writers, a place to bring questions, observations, and publishing news. The current subject under discussion touches upon an author and a case of excessive attention on the part of a reader. Hmm...It's kind of an uncomfortable subject. And a puzzle for me. I'm a bit of a wallflower myself --shy I would say. Most of my friends would disagree. They would probably describe me as a...ham. I love to perform at open mics. I usually do well with a toast or speech. I'm not nearly as afraid of girls as I used to be. But still--I'd say a shy person. Private, maybe.

But suddenly I find myself with a website and a blog, splattering myself across the WORLD WIDE WEB. Hoping. Hoping for attention. For successful self-promotion. For my book to fare well(A Taste For Red --available Spring 2009 from Clarion Books! Check out http://lewisharrisbooks.com/ for details! And Fun! Fun! Fun!).

See.

So I'm inviting people in. Strangers. And almost everybody is terrific. People are great --for the most part. But sometimes folks are a bit off. A little too enthusiastic maybe. Or cuckoo.

I used to work as a room service waiter in New Orleans. We'd get tons of celebrities in the hotel, especially around Mardis Gras. My fellow room service waiters would go ga-ga for the chance to deliver a grilled cheese to John Stamos or joint of mutton to John Goodman. They wanted to make that contact. To have that personal connection. That reference.

I never got the fever. I was always just the opposite (and not simply because the 'handlers' tended to tip poorly, either). I had zero desire to impose myself upon someone just because I'd seen them in the movies or read their book or caught the sentencing portion of their trial on Court TV. The only exception was Gerry Spence. Utilizing a steak knife, I did once liberate a leather fringe from his jacket. I couldn't help myself--he's such a...nice country lawyer. I just had to have a piece.

A Good Query

2008-10-15T10:39:00.005-04:00

I just checked out http://evileditor.blogspot.com/ , almost a daily exercise for me. I've been addicted to EE's blog for several years now. It's a great source for writers looking to whittle their queries down to fighting weight. Writing an effective query is essential if one hopes to catch the eye of an agent or editor. Of course, you've got to follow up by having the goods in your manuscript. That's a wildly subjective proposition at best, so the more folks you have asking for your work the better (I know--super duh).

So how do you begin to write an effective query? The same way you write a story! You read, read, read...

I recommend beginning at the beginning of Evil Editor's blog and sifting through the 200+ Face-lifts that EE has performed on a host of sagging queries, each offered for your instruction and entertainment. Do it! Even if your brain has all the qualities of a fine colander, you'll at least laugh your fanny off.

Writing Ideas

2008-09-30T07:00:00.000-04:00

Where do writing ideas come from? Who knows...
The important thing is that when you do have an idea --write it down! I keep a folder with all the ideas that pop into my head that I think I might want to later perhaps take a look at, maybe. Often, the seed of an idea grows into a stinkweed. Every idea is not a winner. It definitely helps to set an idea aside and let it percolate and gestate and...just ate.

Two ideas came to me this weekend that I think have potential for future writing projects. One is a picture book idea. I have tons of picture book ideas --most of them lousy. Not lousy at first, but lousier and lousier as I think about them. I'd love to get a picture book off the ground. The first time I attempted a picture book script, I thought it'd be easy. And it was! Of course, I ended up with a lousy picture book. That was about a year ago. I've since decided that picture book writing is NOT easy, and I'm still working at it.

The project I'm currently working on is from a "situational" idea. I envision a situation and start writing. For example: A kid dressed as a skunk grabs an orange from a market stall and hightails it with the stallkeeper in hot pursuit.

Is that really a writing idea? Why not?

You simply follow the scenario and see where it leads. Why is the kid dressed as a skunk? Why is he stealing an orange? Will he get caught? There are many questions right off the bat that demand answers. For me, the fun of writing is finding out the answers.

As I tap away at the keyboard, I get a general feel for what is going to happen in a story, but I never know for sure! The key (and the pleasure) is to keep tapping away.

And then re-write.

:-)

The Adventures of Sir Lancelot The Great

2008-09-26T14:08:00.001-04:00

The Adventures of Sir Lancelot The Great

by Gerald Morris

Published by Houghton Mifflin

What a marvelous book this is! I whipped through the ninety pages, sad to see it end. It's sandwiched somewhere between being a chapter book and a middle grade work, but definitely a pleasurable read for any age. The writing is hilarious in a good-natured fashion. I laughed aloud at each of the fearless knight's adventures. When Lancelot finds himself trapped in a tree, he bests Sir Phelot by dropping acorns onto the frustrated knight's armor. And it works! I'd never realized the comedic value of the word plink!

The work is the first in a new series from Morris called The Knights' Tales. My expectations are certainly high for number two!

A Taste For Red

2008-09-25T13:51:00.004-04:00

The cover art for A Taste For Red has finally arrived! Great thanks to artist Victor Rivas and the folks at Clarion Books! I've sweated through many a night dreading the day when I would first view the cover of my very own book. Dreading it! What if I hated it? What if it curled my toes (in the worst way, I mean)? But no fear...it's terrific!

(Cover illustration copyright 2009 by Victor Rivas)

And now I can feel it --the release date for my book inching closer and closer...and I do mean inching. If there's one thing that the wonderful world of publishing teaches, it's patience --and I'm on the fast track! Spring 2009!

It seems that there is SO much to do to get ready...or at least I think that there is. When will I ever find the time to write? I've got so much...networking to do. Ugh. Can that be fun? Hmm...it's probably one of those Zen deals where perspective is everything, or the only thing. But I am looking forward to it --whatever it is...