I'll be bringing Morgann to her first book festival later on in the morning, but have a lot of planning (and dishes) to do now, so this is a relatively short first post of NaBloPoMo. Our chosen sessions start at 11, I have a few errands to do beforehand (including a 'scrip pickup), and I've no idea what sort of parking will remain by the time we arrive. I'll be packing as much food as possible for myself, so I won't be tempted to spend money on eating (I'll save it for fry bread at the Pow Wow later in the afternoon). Anyway, these are the sessions we hope to attend:
11-11:45 Reading the Classics This is not your father's list of classics. In the delightful essays in Classics for Pleasure, Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Dirda introduces nearly 90 of the world’s most entertaining books. Writing with affection as well as authority, Dirda covers masterpieces of fantasy and science fiction, horror and adventure, as well as epics, history, essay, and children's literature. Organized thematically, these are works that have shaped our imaginations. Love's Mysteries moves from Sappho and Arthurian romance to Soren Kierkegaard and Georgette Heyer. In other categories Dirda discusses not only Dracula and Sherlock Holmes but also the Tao Te Ching and Icelandic sagas, Frederick Douglass, and Fowler’s Modern English Usage. Whether writing about Petronius or Perelman, Dirda makes literature come alive. Classics for Pleasure is a perfect companion for any reading group or lover of books.
OR
Jim Hightower National radio commentator, writer, and public speaker, Jim Hightower has spent three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be – consumers, working families, environmentalists, small businesses, and just-plain-folks. His book Swim Against the Current: Even A Dead Fish Can Go With The Flow tells the stories of mavericks who have broken free of the corporate tentacles, free of business-as-usual politics, free of top-down elites, revealing paths that regular folks can use to escape those rigid, hierarchical structures and discover a bit more satisfaction in life. As political columnist Molly Ivins said, "If Will Rogers and Mother Jones had a baby, Jim Hightower would be that rambunctious child – mad as hell, with a sense of humor."
[I'll have to see what sort of mood I'm in when we get there]
12-12:45 Mother on Fire: A True Story About Parenting Sandra Tsing Loh is the fiercest, funniest, and most incredibly honest and self-deprecating voice to emerge from the “mommy war” debates. In Mother on Fire: A True Motherf%#$@ Story About Parenting!, she fires away with her trademark hilarious satire of societal and personal irks large and small. Prompted by her own midlife crisis, Loh throws her frantic energy into the harrowing heart of contemporary, dysfunctional L.A. life. When she realizes she can’t afford private school for her daughter, her only alternative is her neighborhood’s public school where most of the kids qualify for free lunches and the academic quality is less than stellar. In a theater-of-the-absurd-style odyssey, Loh documents her “year of living dangerously” among pompous school admissions officials, lactose-intolerant, Prius-driving parents, mafia dons of public radio, vindictive bosses, and old friends with new money as she first kisses ass — then kicks it.
1-1:45 Slob-Proof: Real-Life Home Decorating Solutions Debbie Wiener presents her practical home-design book, Slob Proof! Real-Life Home Decorating Solutions, that offers realistic, attractive, and comfortable design solutions to families overrun by messy kids, muddy dogs, and sloppy spouses who make beige carpeting an endangered species. What these families (and even sloppy singles) need are reasonable, no-nonsense design choices that can withstand the wear and tear of real everyday life and still look great.
3-4 Memo to the President-Elect Whichever candidate wins the presidential election the Tuesday after the Festival weekend, he is going to inherit a raft of problems to solve – among them, the need to attempt to unify the country. The writers on this panel, some of the nation's most astute political observers, will offer their insights about the first steps our next president should be taking. David Patterson, senior editor at publisher Henry Holt & Co., moderates.
Authors: John Stauffer
Reihan Salam
Bob Moser
Ross Douthat
I still don't know if BookCrossing is going to have a presence like they did last year. I'll still bring books to release, and I'll grab a program to see if they're listed.
Showing posts with label festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label festival. Show all posts
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Texas Book Festival, Sunday sessions
Women Writers of the Southwest, first session
Susan Wittig Albert wrote for the Nancy Drew Case Files; Heart of Danger was the only book set in Texas. She reccommends to writers that they read their work out loud while they're editing. SWA founded the Story Circle, focusing on writing about place, blogs daily now. Her latest (edited collection) includes both published and non-published rural and urban writers. She's been fascinated about "coming to the West" stories since childhood (fueled especially by the Little House series). When asked, stated that she's not had a problem selling her regional work. She finds that Western writers tend to be more open, brash, and forthright. Female writers tend to be more realistic within their freedom. Buddhists find "joy in limitation", and western female writers understand and embody this. When asked about the differences between men and women (western writers), said: whereas women see the threat to our environment, have concern for their homes, and are passionate about resource management, men tend to keep these issues at an arms-length abstraction. She closed by mentioning that Native and Hispanic voices are raising about community.
JS loves writing a good footnote. Suggests reading My Antonia in the original publication, as you really need the illustrations to get the full effect. Mary Austen [in? sp?] Little...Rain has similar illustrations to My Antonia. Austen was better known than Cather; they eventually met, interacted, and fell out. She regrets not having any formal training in art history. Her interest in the West comes from being born in Fort Worth ("where the west began"). Katherine Anne Porter and Willa Cather were favorite authhors who moved to New Mexico. "There's just an identity of being from the West." Laments that some Easterners don't know the difference between places in the same state [I believe she used Dallas and Fort Worth as an example]. She says that Austen and Cather were conscious of enjoying new freedoms (at least within expectations of social propriety). When asked about the differences between men and women (western writers), said: the general pattern for men is to write about conquest and violence, women generally focus on the dometic side of life, nature, freedom, physical vigor, and peace. In closing, she stated that Austen's political agenda worked against her in regards to her posterity (that is, why no one knows who she is now)--she wrote about environmental issues, gender wars, and Native American groups (when no one else was).
Books and authors recommended:
Terry Temple Williams
Waist High in the World
Leslie Silco, Storyteller (essay: "Not You, He Said")
Texas Comics Scene, second session
[thank goodness this one was literally, next door to the first I attended, oh, and I saw my friend, too--we were the ones giggling maniacally occasionally in the left front row]
Panelists
Terry Moore--Strangers in Paradise (set in Houston, 110 issues/6 collections, self-published)
--an expanded audience changes the way you write (characters MUST be taken care of, and you have to balance having a huge arc versus keeping audience interest)
--one creative reason to continue serialization, is that the periodicals meet the audience's attention span
Paul Benjamin--Pantheon High (manga, set in L.A.)
Matthew Sturges--Jack of Fables, House of Mystery
--one creative reason to continue serialization, is that the comic book is a legitimate slab of culture.
When writing/promoting your comic, ask yourself: How big do I want my audience to be? (place your limits)
Graphic novels boomed when bookstores started distributing them.
Most publishers have their own graphic novel line.
Movies don't promote comic book sales significantly.
Diamond Comics is THE only comics distributor.
Yard Art and Handmade Places
Speaker introduced as the "original environmentalist", and has a show on NPR.
Opened her talk by asking: "Why do we have a fascination with these places?" and suggests that too many places look the same.
Book/quest seeks how people modify their outside spaces to make the exterior more welcoming. Criteria for inclusion in the book mandated that the place be occupied, and that the creations be original. She was also looking for soulful connections, and sense of an intermediate zone between outside and in.
Themes covered in the book: landmarks, recreating paradise, staying or coming home, overcoming personal adversity, indoor collections spill outside, sacred gardens.
*go to Paint Rock to see pictographs, look up JD Jackson regarding landmarks
*looked like an interesting book, but not enough to bring home at $30. I'll keep an eye out for it at the library.
Yay! Not much more to add about the festival, except that I'd like to be more on the ball next year, have babysitting set up better (or maybe bring sitter and Anthony with, he may be old enough then for some of the kids' programs), get some of my friends to hang out with me (at least for lunch), and maybe have some money in the budget for books.
Susan Wittig Albert wrote for the Nancy Drew Case Files; Heart of Danger was the only book set in Texas. She reccommends to writers that they read their work out loud while they're editing. SWA founded the Story Circle, focusing on writing about place, blogs daily now. Her latest (edited collection) includes both published and non-published rural and urban writers. She's been fascinated about "coming to the West" stories since childhood (fueled especially by the Little House series). When asked, stated that she's not had a problem selling her regional work. She finds that Western writers tend to be more open, brash, and forthright. Female writers tend to be more realistic within their freedom. Buddhists find "joy in limitation", and western female writers understand and embody this. When asked about the differences between men and women (western writers), said: whereas women see the threat to our environment, have concern for their homes, and are passionate about resource management, men tend to keep these issues at an arms-length abstraction. She closed by mentioning that Native and Hispanic voices are raising about community.
JS loves writing a good footnote. Suggests reading My Antonia in the original publication, as you really need the illustrations to get the full effect. Mary Austen [in? sp?] Little...Rain has similar illustrations to My Antonia. Austen was better known than Cather; they eventually met, interacted, and fell out. She regrets not having any formal training in art history. Her interest in the West comes from being born in Fort Worth ("where the west began"). Katherine Anne Porter and Willa Cather were favorite authhors who moved to New Mexico. "There's just an identity of being from the West." Laments that some Easterners don't know the difference between places in the same state [I believe she used Dallas and Fort Worth as an example]. She says that Austen and Cather were conscious of enjoying new freedoms (at least within expectations of social propriety). When asked about the differences between men and women (western writers), said: the general pattern for men is to write about conquest and violence, women generally focus on the dometic side of life, nature, freedom, physical vigor, and peace. In closing, she stated that Austen's political agenda worked against her in regards to her posterity (that is, why no one knows who she is now)--she wrote about environmental issues, gender wars, and Native American groups (when no one else was).
Books and authors recommended:
Terry Temple Williams
Waist High in the World
Leslie Silco, Storyteller (essay: "Not You, He Said")
Texas Comics Scene, second session
[thank goodness this one was literally, next door to the first I attended, oh, and I saw my friend, too--we were the ones giggling maniacally occasionally in the left front row]
Panelists
Terry Moore--Strangers in Paradise (set in Houston, 110 issues/6 collections, self-published)
--an expanded audience changes the way you write (characters MUST be taken care of, and you have to balance having a huge arc versus keeping audience interest)
--one creative reason to continue serialization, is that the periodicals meet the audience's attention span
Paul Benjamin--Pantheon High (manga, set in L.A.)
Matthew Sturges--Jack of Fables, House of Mystery
--one creative reason to continue serialization, is that the comic book is a legitimate slab of culture.
When writing/promoting your comic, ask yourself: How big do I want my audience to be? (place your limits)
Graphic novels boomed when bookstores started distributing them.
Most publishers have their own graphic novel line.
Movies don't promote comic book sales significantly.
Diamond Comics is THE only comics distributor.
Yard Art and Handmade Places
Speaker introduced as the "original environmentalist", and has a show on NPR.
Opened her talk by asking: "Why do we have a fascination with these places?" and suggests that too many places look the same.
Book/quest seeks how people modify their outside spaces to make the exterior more welcoming. Criteria for inclusion in the book mandated that the place be occupied, and that the creations be original. She was also looking for soulful connections, and sense of an intermediate zone between outside and in.
Themes covered in the book: landmarks, recreating paradise, staying or coming home, overcoming personal adversity, indoor collections spill outside, sacred gardens.
*go to Paint Rock to see pictographs, look up JD Jackson regarding landmarks
*looked like an interesting book, but not enough to bring home at $30. I'll keep an eye out for it at the library.
Yay! Not much more to add about the festival, except that I'd like to be more on the ball next year, have babysitting set up better (or maybe bring sitter and Anthony with, he may be old enough then for some of the kids' programs), get some of my friends to hang out with me (at least for lunch), and maybe have some money in the budget for books.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Texas Book Festival, Literary Criticism
As I'd stated before, this session was the most disappointing I'd attended thus far, even though it gave me a lot to think about. From the description, I'd somehow pulled the idea that the panel would speak to those of us who are trying to get our thoughts out to a readership, but even the panelist who (I believe) got her start online seems to have made herself too comfortable in her elite spot to consort with the rest of us wannabes.
These notes, unfortunately, are a little disjointed, but there are some really good nuggets here:
The big-newspaper market is drying up, and any hit to part of that ecology will affect the whole (I think he was speaking to the removal or lessening of the "Books" section)
General readers are becoming "non-newspaper" readers.
The diversity of authors/published books is not reflected in the current coverage of reviews.
Gail Poole [sp?]--Faint Praise
Edgar Allen Poe was a reviewer in his time, in fact, was a "tomahawk man."
The professor on the panel (Steven G. Kellman) was dismayed about the "Ebertization" (thumbs up/down) of book criticism.
Of course, one has to account for the time/space factor in reviewing.
It's hard to find intelligent negative reviews.
Rebecca Westwood--(essay, 1914) "Duty of Harsh Criticism"
Literary journals produce good reviews, but since they have such a long lead time, they can't be relied on for book promotion.
Kirkus Reviews [are they hiring?]
Try judging by what choices the reviewers make, not necessarily what they write.
None of the panelists review self-publshed books, for legal reasons (essentially, publishing a libel makes you liable).
In the "old days" intelligent people used literature to think.
don't silence the imaginative writers (character Amy Bellett, via Philip Roth)
A good critic helps the reader understand the book.
On the web, more people are writing about books, there's more access to these reviews, and to the books.
One panelist wished for a book show that was set up to be as entertaining as the Daily Show.
Alan Cheuse stated that "we're [critics/authors] at war" with capturing and keeping readers.
Librarians know the value of the book page, and usually choose from print materials (like BookPages).
Jessa Crispin (BookSlut) says that book bloggers will be taken seriously [by her level, I'm presuming] when they have something to say.
One attendee wished for an IBDB (Internet Book Database).
Complete Review [internet? publication?]
B.R. Myers--Reader's Manifesto Atlantic Monthly [2001?]
For authors, is better to go with a small press than to self-publish (better shot at getting underwriters and promotion)
Critical Mass (National Book Critics' Circle)
These notes, unfortunately, are a little disjointed, but there are some really good nuggets here:
The big-newspaper market is drying up, and any hit to part of that ecology will affect the whole (I think he was speaking to the removal or lessening of the "Books" section)
General readers are becoming "non-newspaper" readers.
The diversity of authors/published books is not reflected in the current coverage of reviews.
Gail Poole [sp?]--Faint Praise
Edgar Allen Poe was a reviewer in his time, in fact, was a "tomahawk man."
The professor on the panel (Steven G. Kellman) was dismayed about the "Ebertization" (thumbs up/down) of book criticism.
Of course, one has to account for the time/space factor in reviewing.
It's hard to find intelligent negative reviews.
Rebecca Westwood--(essay, 1914) "Duty of Harsh Criticism"
Literary journals produce good reviews, but since they have such a long lead time, they can't be relied on for book promotion.
Kirkus Reviews [are they hiring?]
Try judging by what choices the reviewers make, not necessarily what they write.
None of the panelists review self-publshed books, for legal reasons (essentially, publishing a libel makes you liable).
In the "old days" intelligent people used literature to think.
don't silence the imaginative writers (character Amy Bellett, via Philip Roth)
A good critic helps the reader understand the book.
On the web, more people are writing about books, there's more access to these reviews, and to the books.
One panelist wished for a book show that was set up to be as entertaining as the Daily Show.
Alan Cheuse stated that "we're [critics/authors] at war" with capturing and keeping readers.
Librarians know the value of the book page, and usually choose from print materials (like BookPages).
Jessa Crispin (BookSlut) says that book bloggers will be taken seriously [by her level, I'm presuming] when they have something to say.
One attendee wished for an IBDB (Internet Book Database).
Complete Review [internet? publication?]
B.R. Myers--Reader's Manifesto Atlantic Monthly [2001?]
For authors, is better to go with a small press than to self-publish (better shot at getting underwriters and promotion)
Critical Mass (National Book Critics' Circle)
Friday, November 9, 2007
A lazy day for books...
I spent the earlier part of my day preparing my son for public consumption (fed, bathed, dressed, diapered and packed for a 2-hour drive and visit with his grandparents), and about two minutes doing a Home-Alone-Kevin-frenzied-freedom-scamper-around-the-house-dance. Then I applied myself to some chores, and some tv-watching (bonus--only Friday Night Lights to catch up with this weekend--maybe I'll finally get the chance to watch a few episodes of Weeds and get a new dvd from Netflix next week). While I was doing said chores, I was able to get through a few chapters of Puss 'n' Cahoots (Rita Mae Brown )via my iPod. Best!Present!Ever!
Today was supposed to be Fantasy Friday--I want to get through my huge backlog of fantasy novel reviews by doing at least 4 per month (regardless of whether I'm currently reading any)--but I'm not exactly in a state to knock one out in the next 20 minutes. So, my last write-up for Saturday's sessions at the Texas Book festival will have to wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow is also supposed to be a post for Saturday Review of Books, but I'll have to see what kind of slave-driving mood my husband is in.
Today was supposed to be Fantasy Friday--I want to get through my huge backlog of fantasy novel reviews by doing at least 4 per month (regardless of whether I'm currently reading any)--but I'm not exactly in a state to knock one out in the next 20 minutes. So, my last write-up for Saturday's sessions at the Texas Book festival will have to wait for tomorrow. Tomorrow is also supposed to be a post for Saturday Review of Books, but I'll have to see what kind of slave-driving mood my husband is in.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
TXBF Saturday session #3
After my hearty lunch of peanut butter-and-whole wheat bagel, lemonade, and Ghirardelli caramel squares, I walked over to the Methodist Family Life Center to hear Rick Riordan talk about his Greek-mythology-inspired series. What I didn't know was that this was a children's series; my only clue being the crowds of said children as I looked for a seat (most of the YA/kids sessions were duly noted on the program--this one wasn't). I stayed on, though, as there are times when reading a good children's book is time better spent than with a poorly written adult novel. Riordan has won 3 different mystery awards for earlier adult books, and he told the audience at one point that his first book was rejected 13 times (this was in response to someone who asked Riordan's advice for aspiring authors)--his point being to not give up easily on something you truly believe to be worth doing. One realization that convinced him to become an author was that books aren't only written by dead people.
Riordan's publisher is releasing the fourth installment (Battle of the Labyrinth) in this series soon, and the author read us a chapter from it (not that the kids in the room had to be convinced to pester their parents for a copy). He took several questions from the audience afterwards, but I refrained from asking him if he was inspired by the late Fred Saberhagen's Masks of the Gods series (I didn't want to run the risk of putting a too-young child on a search for those books). When asked if this series was going to be made into movies, he replied that the first installment (The Lightning Thief) was in development, and that Chris Columbus (who directed the first few Harry Potter films, if I'm not mistaken) has signed on to direct. So, I'll be keeping an eye out for that release.
The last session of the day, Literary Criticism, was probably the most disappointing of all, even though it was the most thought-provoking. I managed to take about 3 index cards worth of notes, which, honestly, look quite daunting to write up at this hour. So, even though I really wanted to be done with these before now, I'm now going to shoot for the end of this week, and hope that I can start meeting some reading deadlines, work on more of my challenge books (I'm about halfway through one for the Armchair Traveler challenge), do a Booking Through Thursday meme, and get back to schmoozing on other's blogs. I need readership if I'm going to have a chance at getting paid work!
Riordan's publisher is releasing the fourth installment (Battle of the Labyrinth) in this series soon, and the author read us a chapter from it (not that the kids in the room had to be convinced to pester their parents for a copy). He took several questions from the audience afterwards, but I refrained from asking him if he was inspired by the late Fred Saberhagen's Masks of the Gods series (I didn't want to run the risk of putting a too-young child on a search for those books). When asked if this series was going to be made into movies, he replied that the first installment (The Lightning Thief) was in development, and that Chris Columbus (who directed the first few Harry Potter films, if I'm not mistaken) has signed on to direct. So, I'll be keeping an eye out for that release.
The last session of the day, Literary Criticism, was probably the most disappointing of all, even though it was the most thought-provoking. I managed to take about 3 index cards worth of notes, which, honestly, look quite daunting to write up at this hour. So, even though I really wanted to be done with these before now, I'm now going to shoot for the end of this week, and hope that I can start meeting some reading deadlines, work on more of my challenge books (I'm about halfway through one for the Armchair Traveler challenge), do a Booking Through Thursday meme, and get back to schmoozing on other's blogs. I need readership if I'm going to have a chance at getting paid work!
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
More Saturday sessions (Molly Ivins)
When I'd heard of Molly's passing earlier this year, I was greatly saddened that we'd never hear her voice of reason again. I'd listened to one of her audiobooks [the title escapes me at the moment, of course], and I'd kept up with her column at AlterNet for the past few years. One of the things I appreciated about her was her sense of Texas political history--whenever she referenced past shenanigans, she left me with sense of someone who was really passionate within her career. While I can't say the same about myself, I can still admire others who have achieved that.
Anyway, when I saw that there was to be a tribute to Molly at the festival, I was glad that there was a place made for her fans to attend without impinging on a funeral/memorial service (IMO, those services are for family and friends who actually knew her). A crew for C-SPAN filmed the proceedings in the First United Methodist Church [and I was able to snarf it as a landmark! the church, not the crew]. The sanctuary was pretty packed downstairs, and from my vantage point, quite a few people were upstairs also. I've no idea what the official capacity is in there, but I'd bet they could have filled a bigger venue had they one available.
I have to say that I deeply regret that I never took a chance to see her speak, and I'm making this assessment based on only seven minutes worth of documentary shown during the tribute. I have at least two of her books on my shelf, and I'll read those when I can [who knows, maybe I'll get all ambitious and host a Political Writings Challenge in "honor" of next year's elections]. Her last book, Bill of Wrongs, was available for sale and signing (by her writing partner, dear silly readers) during the festival, but our family is feeling poor at the moment, and I didn't want to make any frivolous purchases this weekend.
As I said before, Molly was admired for being someone who maintained a lifelong passion for her career, and I think that political writing as we know it has lost a voice we could still use around here.
Long day today, had lunch with DH, did grocery sopping on the fly, and voted at the Baptist Church (and once again managed to not burst into flame--I think it helps that the polling is actually held in the auditorium) on the way home. I should do another short one, but I think I should hit the sack until I fall asleep.
Anyway, when I saw that there was to be a tribute to Molly at the festival, I was glad that there was a place made for her fans to attend without impinging on a funeral/memorial service (IMO, those services are for family and friends who actually knew her). A crew for C-SPAN filmed the proceedings in the First United Methodist Church [and I was able to snarf it as a landmark! the church, not the crew]. The sanctuary was pretty packed downstairs, and from my vantage point, quite a few people were upstairs also. I've no idea what the official capacity is in there, but I'd bet they could have filled a bigger venue had they one available.
I have to say that I deeply regret that I never took a chance to see her speak, and I'm making this assessment based on only seven minutes worth of documentary shown during the tribute. I have at least two of her books on my shelf, and I'll read those when I can [who knows, maybe I'll get all ambitious and host a Political Writings Challenge in "honor" of next year's elections]. Her last book, Bill of Wrongs, was available for sale and signing (by her writing partner, dear silly readers) during the festival, but our family is feeling poor at the moment, and I didn't want to make any frivolous purchases this weekend.
As I said before, Molly was admired for being someone who maintained a lifelong passion for her career, and I think that political writing as we know it has lost a voice we could still use around here.
Long day today, had lunch with DH, did grocery sopping on the fly, and voted at the Baptist Church (and once again managed to not burst into flame--I think it helps that the polling is actually held in the auditorium) on the way home. I should do another short one, but I think I should hit the sack until I fall asleep.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Texas Book Festival, Writers on Reading
Session 1, Writers on Reading: Valerie Martin and Jane Hamilton, Russell Perreault (moderator)
[I arrived plenty early to this one (I was worried that it would be packed, as free books were part of the deal), despite leaving 25 minutes late. Anthony had awoken, and I decided to get him diapered and started on his breakfast so it would be one less thing for DH to manage without caffeine, and in his state of Ick-fighting. I finished preparing the books I’d be releasing with all the BookCrossing information I could manage, and ate my breakast.]
Jane Hamilton started the discussion off by opining that the book festival raised Austin to the “highest state of grooviosity” she knew. She said that she doesn’t think of herself as a genre writer, but if pressed, says that she writes thrillers. Hamilton also talked about her experiences with Heart of Darkness, and admitted that authors sometimes could not answer the discussion questions in reader’s guides.
Valerie Martin opened her portion of the talk by sharing a story illustrating how some people are nervous about talking to authors, and suggested to book group leaders that they provide plenty of good food and drink if an author comes to talk to their group. She also defined fiction as a conversation between the author and all the books they have read before, and directed our attention to specific novel mentions in books--the author is really telling you “go read this” (also). One good discussion topic in book group is what other books to which the author leads your reading. She explains further that novelists write from a disagreement with something that another author has written, that everything an author has to say about the book is in the book (this is why she feels strange talking about her books).
A few more points the Hamilton had to make (in response to questions) include: if an author reads while writing, they run risk of incorporating the style and voice of the other author (Martin agrees about fiction, but acknowledges that one always has non-fiction research to do, but that this doesn’t interfere--Hamilton concurred), that her characters always evolve while she’s writing them, and that writers are either never really alone while working, or are completely comfortable with it.
Works and people cited or written by the authors:
Trespass (VM)
Light of the Piazza (novella and movie)
Sephora and the Slave Girl (Willa Cather)
Elizabeth Taylor (author, not actress)
Disgrace (Coetzee)
Property (VM?)
Tomorrow is storytime and errand day, and voting day. I’ll write up another talk from Saturday after I’ve wound down from all that. Oh--good news--my aunt is rallying, and it looks like she may have some more time with us yet after all. Our family will probably pay her a special visit when we go out to see our new nephew in December.
[I arrived plenty early to this one (I was worried that it would be packed, as free books were part of the deal), despite leaving 25 minutes late. Anthony had awoken, and I decided to get him diapered and started on his breakfast so it would be one less thing for DH to manage without caffeine, and in his state of Ick-fighting. I finished preparing the books I’d be releasing with all the BookCrossing information I could manage, and ate my breakast.]
Jane Hamilton started the discussion off by opining that the book festival raised Austin to the “highest state of grooviosity” she knew. She said that she doesn’t think of herself as a genre writer, but if pressed, says that she writes thrillers. Hamilton also talked about her experiences with Heart of Darkness, and admitted that authors sometimes could not answer the discussion questions in reader’s guides.
Valerie Martin opened her portion of the talk by sharing a story illustrating how some people are nervous about talking to authors, and suggested to book group leaders that they provide plenty of good food and drink if an author comes to talk to their group. She also defined fiction as a conversation between the author and all the books they have read before, and directed our attention to specific novel mentions in books--the author is really telling you “go read this” (also). One good discussion topic in book group is what other books to which the author leads your reading. She explains further that novelists write from a disagreement with something that another author has written, that everything an author has to say about the book is in the book (this is why she feels strange talking about her books).
A few more points the Hamilton had to make (in response to questions) include: if an author reads while writing, they run risk of incorporating the style and voice of the other author (Martin agrees about fiction, but acknowledges that one always has non-fiction research to do, but that this doesn’t interfere--Hamilton concurred), that her characters always evolve while she’s writing them, and that writers are either never really alone while working, or are completely comfortable with it.
Works and people cited or written by the authors:
Trespass (VM)
Light of the Piazza (novella and movie)
Sephora and the Slave Girl (Willa Cather)
Elizabeth Taylor (author, not actress)
Disgrace (Coetzee)
Property (VM?)
Tomorrow is storytime and errand day, and voting day. I’ll write up another talk from Saturday after I’ve wound down from all that. Oh--good news--my aunt is rallying, and it looks like she may have some more time with us yet after all. Our family will probably pay her a special visit when we go out to see our new nephew in December.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Texas Book Festival, Sunday summary
The first session I wanted to attend did not start until 11:30, so I not only got some extra sleep (from the time change), but I also had time to eat breakfast and have a shower. First session was interesting--it made me want to make an effort to join a local Story Circle, but in reality, it will probably be a few years before I can do anything about it. My next session was next door, so I had a little time to chat with my friend Brandy (her husband was moderating), and to let her know that I won't be able to do Indian this week, because of the pending California trip. I dropped 5 more books off at the BookCrossing table, and chatted with Heather before the Yard Art session down the way. I was impressed overall with the idea, but the book was not worth what I could get out of it ($30). While our long-term housing plans are up in the air, it doesn't really seem right to be investing time in whimsy.
I had to buy nail clippers for Boudreaux (our original pair has gone awol), so I arrived at the Austin Celtic festival at about 4:00. DH and Anthony were already there, so I spent some time following Anthony's random forward progress across the grounds. We said hello to our friends from Things Celtic, chatted with my online book group leader (which reminds me, I need to get back to reading the book), saw some friends I hadn't seen in over two years (I know this only because they hadn't met Anthony). I promised to try a restart of our yahoo group, so we'll see if we can get everyone together again. I went primarily for the music, and I even got to dance with my son (while most of the band members were out dancing with the audience)--which he absolutely loved.
Tonight's post must be short, as I need to get some reading done, so I will probably do that until I nod off. Tomorrow, I'll start writing up my notes from the various talks on Saturday, and see how far I get.
I had to buy nail clippers for Boudreaux (our original pair has gone awol), so I arrived at the Austin Celtic festival at about 4:00. DH and Anthony were already there, so I spent some time following Anthony's random forward progress across the grounds. We said hello to our friends from Things Celtic, chatted with my online book group leader (which reminds me, I need to get back to reading the book), saw some friends I hadn't seen in over two years (I know this only because they hadn't met Anthony). I promised to try a restart of our yahoo group, so we'll see if we can get everyone together again. I went primarily for the music, and I even got to dance with my son (while most of the band members were out dancing with the audience)--which he absolutely loved.
Tonight's post must be short, as I need to get some reading done, so I will probably do that until I nod off. Tomorrow, I'll start writing up my notes from the various talks on Saturday, and see how far I get.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Sunday Schedule, Saturday Summary
This is my schedule for tomorrow... I'm reading 2 of the 3 series that Susan Wittig Albert has written, so that's why I'll be there. The comics forum is being moderated by a friend's husband, so I am hoping more to see her, and the handmade places book looks like an interesting one; we might be able to take some ideas away from it to incorporate on the homestead.
11:30-12:30 Women Writers of the Southwest:
Janis P. Stout, author of Picturing a Different West, is professor emerita of English at Texas A&M University as well as dean of faculties and associate provost emerita. Other works include Willa Cather: The Writer and Her World, A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather, Willa Cather and Material Culture, and Coming Out of War: Poetry, Grieving, and the Culture of the World Wars.
Susan Wittig Albert is the co-editor of What Wildness Is This: Women Write about the Southwest as well as the founder and president of the Story Circle Network, a non-profit organization that encourages women to write about their lives. She has written over two dozen mysteries (in three mystery series, including the China Bayles herbal mysteries series) and also writes a regular column called "The Herbal Thymes" for Country Living Gardener.
12:30-1:30 The Texas Comics Scene
We've asked four of the state's hottest graphic novelists and comics creators - both writers and illustrators - to talk about their latest works and what's going on in the Texas comics scene. Come hear how Texas is influencing the comics world.
2-2:45 [plus signing time] Yard Art and Handmade Places
Relatively few people in America build their own homes, but many yearn to make the places they live in more truly their own. Yard Art and Handmade Places profiles twenty homemakers who have used their yards and gardens to express their sense of individuality, to maintain connections to family and heritage, or even to create sacred spaces for personal and community refreshment and healing. Jill Nokes, an authority on native plants and ecological restoration, traveled across the state of Texas, seeking out residents who had transformed their yards and gardens into oases of art and exuberant personal expression. In this book, she presents their stories, told in their own words, about why they created these handmade places and what their yard art has come to mean to them and to their communities. Krista Whitson, the photographer who collaborated with Nokes on the book, will also be at this session.
I wound up leaving about 20 minutes later than I'd planned--Anthony had woken up and needed a start on his morning routine before his daddy got up--but I still made good time and arrived at the first session with enough time to eat my breakfast (juice and protein bar) and to finish labelling the books I'd be releasing that day. I received three books in the free totebag ("Read, read, read. Read everything." (Faulkner) it says), all bound galleys or manuscripts: The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz, The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, and Songs Without Words by Ann Packer. The talk by authors Jane Hamilton and Valerie Martin went well [details to follow in Monday's blog]. It ended a bit early, so I had plenty of time to walk over to the Methodist Church (which is a historic landmark--so I snapped a picture of the plaque) for the Tribute to Molly Ivins. The sanctuary was pretty well packed, even the upstairs. After this, I dropped by the BookCrossing table, and said hey to Heather and Bruce, and I was really surprised that they remembered me, as I hadn't seen them in a few years. I ate my lunch on the capitol grounds, and was eventually joined by a little boy who was polishing off a yummy-looking cookie. On my way over to Rick Riordan's reading, I walked through a few of the tents, and picked up a copy of the Texas Observer (Molly Ivins contributed to them for 6 years, I believe). Riordan was promoting the latest in his Young Adult series, so I was surrounded by many school-age kids. The series looks promising, though, maybe even good enough to start collecting for Anthony. Finished there, I walked back over to the BookCrossing table, and gave Heather a much-needed break. I received another free book (Rituals of the Imagination by Thomas Moore) and a nice handful of labels. The last forum of the day, Lit Crit, was semi-informative, but I was a little disappointed with some in the panel. One was (IMO) too full enough of herself to be taken seriously, but then again, she's getting paid for what she does, so what does this little blogger know?
11:30-12:30 Women Writers of the Southwest:
Janis P. Stout, author of Picturing a Different West, is professor emerita of English at Texas A&M University as well as dean of faculties and associate provost emerita. Other works include Willa Cather: The Writer and Her World, A Calendar of the Letters of Willa Cather, Willa Cather and Material Culture, and Coming Out of War: Poetry, Grieving, and the Culture of the World Wars.
Susan Wittig Albert is the co-editor of What Wildness Is This: Women Write about the Southwest as well as the founder and president of the Story Circle Network, a non-profit organization that encourages women to write about their lives. She has written over two dozen mysteries (in three mystery series, including the China Bayles herbal mysteries series) and also writes a regular column called "The Herbal Thymes" for Country Living Gardener.
12:30-1:30 The Texas Comics Scene
We've asked four of the state's hottest graphic novelists and comics creators - both writers and illustrators - to talk about their latest works and what's going on in the Texas comics scene. Come hear how Texas is influencing the comics world.
2-2:45 [plus signing time] Yard Art and Handmade Places
Relatively few people in America build their own homes, but many yearn to make the places they live in more truly their own. Yard Art and Handmade Places profiles twenty homemakers who have used their yards and gardens to express their sense of individuality, to maintain connections to family and heritage, or even to create sacred spaces for personal and community refreshment and healing. Jill Nokes, an authority on native plants and ecological restoration, traveled across the state of Texas, seeking out residents who had transformed their yards and gardens into oases of art and exuberant personal expression. In this book, she presents their stories, told in their own words, about why they created these handmade places and what their yard art has come to mean to them and to their communities. Krista Whitson, the photographer who collaborated with Nokes on the book, will also be at this session.
I wound up leaving about 20 minutes later than I'd planned--Anthony had woken up and needed a start on his morning routine before his daddy got up--but I still made good time and arrived at the first session with enough time to eat my breakfast (juice and protein bar) and to finish labelling the books I'd be releasing that day. I received three books in the free totebag ("Read, read, read. Read everything." (Faulkner) it says), all bound galleys or manuscripts: The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz, The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, and Songs Without Words by Ann Packer. The talk by authors Jane Hamilton and Valerie Martin went well [details to follow in Monday's blog]. It ended a bit early, so I had plenty of time to walk over to the Methodist Church (which is a historic landmark--so I snapped a picture of the plaque) for the Tribute to Molly Ivins. The sanctuary was pretty well packed, even the upstairs. After this, I dropped by the BookCrossing table, and said hey to Heather and Bruce, and I was really surprised that they remembered me, as I hadn't seen them in a few years. I ate my lunch on the capitol grounds, and was eventually joined by a little boy who was polishing off a yummy-looking cookie. On my way over to Rick Riordan's reading, I walked through a few of the tents, and picked up a copy of the Texas Observer (Molly Ivins contributed to them for 6 years, I believe). Riordan was promoting the latest in his Young Adult series, so I was surrounded by many school-age kids. The series looks promising, though, maybe even good enough to start collecting for Anthony. Finished there, I walked back over to the BookCrossing table, and gave Heather a much-needed break. I received another free book (Rituals of the Imagination by Thomas Moore) and a nice handful of labels. The last forum of the day, Lit Crit, was semi-informative, but I was a little disappointed with some in the panel. One was (IMO) too full enough of herself to be taken seriously, but then again, she's getting paid for what she does, so what does this little blogger know?
Friday, November 2, 2007
Texas Book Festival, Capitol grounds, Austin
Events officially begin today, but this year I'm focusing more on the talks and treating this like a professional development weekend. This is my schedule for Saturday (all descriptions are from the festival web site):
10:00 - 11:00 Vintage/Anchor Books Presents: Writers on Reading [totebags and free books!]
Writers on Reading is a special event presented by Vintage/Anchor Books featuring Jane Hamilton and Valerie Martin. The event is not like a regular reading; it's an intimate seminar for readers interested in reading groups. Hamilton and Martin will talk about reading and writing, or more specifically what they personally read, how they decide what to read and how they write. Vintage/Anchor Books will be handing out special tote bags with complimentary new Vintage/Anchor paperbacks at the event. The session's moderator, Russell Perreault, is the director of publicity for Vintage and Anchor Books.
11:15 - 12:15 A Tribute to Molly Ivins
We pay tribute here to Molly Ivins, who died earlier this year and was one of the nation's most iconic political commentators and humorists. At this session, we'll hear from Lou Dubose, Ivins' frequent co-author (their new book is titled Bill of Wrongs: The Executive Branch's Assault on America's Fundamental Rights); humorist Roy Blount, Jr.; and noted documentary filmmaker Paul Stekler will screen never-before-seen footage of Ivins that appears in Remembering Molly Ivins, a short film he recently made.
Ivins' friend Ellen Sweets will also speak about Ivins - Sweets recently retired as a food writer with the Denver Post, but met Ivins shortly after moving to Dallas to become a reporter for the Dallas Morning News. Their friendship was built around an interest in progressive politics; French, Mexican, Italian, Greek, African, and Southern food; dinner parties, movies, lots of laughter and, of course, some sadness.
1:30 - 2:15 Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan's latest entry in his myth-tinged bestselling series Percy Jackson and the Olympians has been called "a winner of Olympic proportions"; the adventures of Percy and his array of often clashing pals have to find Annabeth (the daughter of Athena) as well as Artemis, not to mention deal with the all-consuming prophecy of the Oracle. Riordan will be giving the world premiere reading from the yet-to-be-released fourth entry in the Percy Jackson series at this event!
3:00 - 4:00 Lit Crit: The State of Book Criticism
The amount of editorial space (and broadcast time) devoted to coverage of books and writers - and cultural reporting and criticism in general - always seems to be under threat. It's understood that breaking news trumps arts coverage, but with the layoff earlier this year of the respected book editor from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the publishing industry reacted with more fear than usual about the declining coverage of books in mainstream media. What kinds of books are getting reviewed now? How is the book industry adapting to that coverage? Are informed and well-written reviews only showing up on blogs and boutique literary journals? These panelists, all insiders in the literary scene, will talk about what's at stake in current literary criticism and whether the scene is all gloom-and-doom.
I'll be posting Sunday's schedule and a very short wrap-up tomorrow. More detailed notes about the talks will follow in future posts starting on Monday.
Oh! I almost forgot to mention that BookCrossing will have a presence there for the first time! Here's the announcement from CEO Scott Sorochak:
"BookCrossing and Ghirardelli Chocolate are teaming up at the Austin, Texas Book Festival, November 3rd and 4th at the State Capital Building to promote reading and literacy awareness. With over 50,000 attendees and 1,400 authors expected to attend this exciting 2 day event, this is a bibliophile’s dream!
Please join BookCrossing and Ghirardelli’s “Savor Every Page” campaign and realize the simple pleasure of curling up with a good book and great chocolate. Ghirardelli reminds us, “Whether you’re losing yourself in the latest Amy Tan, indulging in the newest Mitch Albom, or reaching for that dog-eared Jane Austen that’s never far from your nightstand, this is the joy of reading--a pleasure as deep as indigo ink, and as rich as the finest chocolates ever made. At Ghirardelli, we’ve been crafting fine chocolates for the past 150 years--Chocolates that cater to all literary tastes. So if you’re ready to escape for a few hours in that novel you’ve been dying to read, indulge with Ghirardelli chocolate. It’s the perfect complement to your favorite page-turner. “
Of course, we are encouraging all BookCrossers in Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston and San Antonio to stop by the Ghirardelli tent this weekend at the Texas Book Festival for a complimentary chocolate sample and $1 off coupon for chocolate. Co-Founders Heather and Bruce Pedersen will be there to welcome you with free BookCrossing labels, bookmarks and other items. Drop by, say hello and help turn the Texas Book Festival into a BookCrossing zone!"
Well, I think that the pairing with Ghirardelli is fate tapping me on the shoulder... that is where my great-grandfather got his first job in America (nothing spectacular, I think he was a janitor or somesuch). Anyway, my family has a fondness for the place. If I'd prepared better, I would have gathered a stack of Texas-authored or -set books, or maybe some reading- or writing-themed books. I'll have to settle for what's in my regular Panera pile, and hope that my printer will behave itself/make the labels I need.
10:00 - 11:00 Vintage/Anchor Books Presents: Writers on Reading [totebags and free books!]
Writers on Reading is a special event presented by Vintage/Anchor Books featuring Jane Hamilton and Valerie Martin. The event is not like a regular reading; it's an intimate seminar for readers interested in reading groups. Hamilton and Martin will talk about reading and writing, or more specifically what they personally read, how they decide what to read and how they write. Vintage/Anchor Books will be handing out special tote bags with complimentary new Vintage/Anchor paperbacks at the event. The session's moderator, Russell Perreault, is the director of publicity for Vintage and Anchor Books.
11:15 - 12:15 A Tribute to Molly Ivins
We pay tribute here to Molly Ivins, who died earlier this year and was one of the nation's most iconic political commentators and humorists. At this session, we'll hear from Lou Dubose, Ivins' frequent co-author (their new book is titled Bill of Wrongs: The Executive Branch's Assault on America's Fundamental Rights); humorist Roy Blount, Jr.; and noted documentary filmmaker Paul Stekler will screen never-before-seen footage of Ivins that appears in Remembering Molly Ivins, a short film he recently made.
Ivins' friend Ellen Sweets will also speak about Ivins - Sweets recently retired as a food writer with the Denver Post, but met Ivins shortly after moving to Dallas to become a reporter for the Dallas Morning News. Their friendship was built around an interest in progressive politics; French, Mexican, Italian, Greek, African, and Southern food; dinner parties, movies, lots of laughter and, of course, some sadness.
1:30 - 2:15 Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan's latest entry in his myth-tinged bestselling series Percy Jackson and the Olympians has been called "a winner of Olympic proportions"; the adventures of Percy and his array of often clashing pals have to find Annabeth (the daughter of Athena) as well as Artemis, not to mention deal with the all-consuming prophecy of the Oracle. Riordan will be giving the world premiere reading from the yet-to-be-released fourth entry in the Percy Jackson series at this event!
3:00 - 4:00 Lit Crit: The State of Book Criticism
The amount of editorial space (and broadcast time) devoted to coverage of books and writers - and cultural reporting and criticism in general - always seems to be under threat. It's understood that breaking news trumps arts coverage, but with the layoff earlier this year of the respected book editor from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the publishing industry reacted with more fear than usual about the declining coverage of books in mainstream media. What kinds of books are getting reviewed now? How is the book industry adapting to that coverage? Are informed and well-written reviews only showing up on blogs and boutique literary journals? These panelists, all insiders in the literary scene, will talk about what's at stake in current literary criticism and whether the scene is all gloom-and-doom.
I'll be posting Sunday's schedule and a very short wrap-up tomorrow. More detailed notes about the talks will follow in future posts starting on Monday.
Oh! I almost forgot to mention that BookCrossing will have a presence there for the first time! Here's the announcement from CEO Scott Sorochak:
"BookCrossing and Ghirardelli Chocolate are teaming up at the Austin, Texas Book Festival, November 3rd and 4th at the State Capital Building to promote reading and literacy awareness. With over 50,000 attendees and 1,400 authors expected to attend this exciting 2 day event, this is a bibliophile’s dream!
Please join BookCrossing and Ghirardelli’s “Savor Every Page” campaign and realize the simple pleasure of curling up with a good book and great chocolate. Ghirardelli reminds us, “Whether you’re losing yourself in the latest Amy Tan, indulging in the newest Mitch Albom, or reaching for that dog-eared Jane Austen that’s never far from your nightstand, this is the joy of reading--a pleasure as deep as indigo ink, and as rich as the finest chocolates ever made. At Ghirardelli, we’ve been crafting fine chocolates for the past 150 years--Chocolates that cater to all literary tastes. So if you’re ready to escape for a few hours in that novel you’ve been dying to read, indulge with Ghirardelli chocolate. It’s the perfect complement to your favorite page-turner. “
Of course, we are encouraging all BookCrossers in Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston and San Antonio to stop by the Ghirardelli tent this weekend at the Texas Book Festival for a complimentary chocolate sample and $1 off coupon for chocolate. Co-Founders Heather and Bruce Pedersen will be there to welcome you with free BookCrossing labels, bookmarks and other items. Drop by, say hello and help turn the Texas Book Festival into a BookCrossing zone!"
Well, I think that the pairing with Ghirardelli is fate tapping me on the shoulder... that is where my great-grandfather got his first job in America (nothing spectacular, I think he was a janitor or somesuch). Anyway, my family has a fondness for the place. If I'd prepared better, I would have gathered a stack of Texas-authored or -set books, or maybe some reading- or writing-themed books. I'll have to settle for what's in my regular Panera pile, and hope that my printer will behave itself/make the labels I need.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
