In August, I Intend to #WRITELIKECRAZY!

Soooo, if you haven't already heard Tayari Jones is launching #WRITELIKECRAZY for August. Joining authors together to set goals for the month in terms of what we hope to accomplish. Unlike NaNoWriMo this doesn't necessarily mean finishing a whole work in 30 or 31 days but to maintain a daily schedule or finishing a query letter and most importantly to write for yourself and set some boundaries that no one, not even yourself, will cross. So here's my goal:

Write at least 60 minutes a day, everyday. And this means taking this time out for every day in August whether I am up for it or not. It also means that should I do five hours one day that I still need to write for at least sixty minutes for the next five days. The goal is not just to rack up thirty hours but to make sure I am giving myself time to write and carving that niche out for myself and pushing aside anything else that may deter from that goal.

So far I've done well for the first day of #WRITELIKECRAZY. And I hope tomorrow, being a free day at the conference I am at, will allow me to take on many more hours. Make sure to use the #WRITELIKECRAZY hashtag on Twitter and you can post goals and support on Tayari's Facebook page.

Have fun writing in August everyone! 

MIA for Writing Conferences

Just an FYI that I'm traveling for the next couple of weeks, so there'll be no updates until early/mid-August. First stop is Napa Valley for the Napa Valley Writers' Conference. I'm psyched to be in Tayari Jones' fiction workshop and will be discussing one of the pieces from my linked story collection. It's been one of the hardest stories for me to tackle and I finally (read: finally) found the right way in which to tell this character's story, so we'll see if I'm on the right track. Some of us attendees have been connecting via Google Groups and I'm already indebted to their generosity and kindness regarding rides and such. And I'm super stoked about staying in a cottage during my stay in Napa. Pics will be taken!

After that I'm headed to New Mexico. First few days will be with a friend I met at the Postgraduate Writers' Conference three years ago (and you know how much I loved that conference) to see the sights of Albuquerque before she drops me off in Sante Fe for the Glen West Workshop. I'm also excited to be in a workshop with another author I admire, Sara Zarr. The workshop is YA focused and I'll be workshopping another story from the collection from a teenage boy's POV. So I'm intrigued to hear what others think, and to see Santa Fe.

Needless to say there'll be lots reading and artist immersion (and possibly drinking) over the next two weeks, well at least in Napa Valley. And then it's residency application season!

So far I've been blown away by the manuscripts I've been reading for both conferences and I cannot wait to meet my workshop groups.

When I get back I promise a nice summary of events and then a cookbook giveaway of Rasa Malaysia's Easy Chinese Recipes. (Thanks to the generosity of Tuttle Publishing.)

Have a great summer. Stay busy and creative! 

Mandy's Blogger Book Club: "America, You Sexy Bitch" by Michael Ian Black & Meghan McCain

Book Blogger and fellow book enthusiast Mandy (aka the Well-Read Wife) is holding her first ever Mandy's Blogger Book Club. The inaugural book is America, You Sexy Bitch by Michael Ian Black and Meghan McCain.

I was glad to attain a copy at Book Expo last month and psyched to participate in Mandy's book club. Other bloggers can feel free to participate by visiting Well-Read Wife or reading the book and posting about it as well.

In my review I'm going to tackle a couple of questions Mandy has posed about the book for discussion as well as my overall thoughts about the book.

America is told from the perspectives of Meghan McCain (daughter of Senator John McCain and political blogger & pundit) and Michael Ian Black (comedian and actor, for me best known for The State). It's like a journal entry from both interspersed about their 30 day travels around the heart of America from Vegas to Tennessee to Louisiana to DC.

We start off learning how anxious Michael and Meghan are to actually be delving into this project not really knowing each other, but having decided to ride cross-country in an RV talking to the heart of America. Michael has said Meghan is one of his favorite Republicans and Meghan notes that she is a fan of Michael's. Having seen Meghan handle her own on Bill Maher's show I liked her side of things. While Meghan is conservative when it comes to the main aspects of the Republican party (small government, fiscal conservativeness, freedom to bear arms) she is very much open to other platforms that have been considered more "democratic" or liberal in nature (same sex marriages and the legalization of marijuana).

As someone who considers herself a liberal it's nice to get to know the perspective of someone raised Republican and still connected to the party as a young woman. Meghan has had premarital sex, doesn't always go to church, and can drink many under the table. She's not ashamed of this but apparently these aspects of her personality, and what makes her relatable to a younger audience, seem to be chastised by the harder conservatives catering to the overtly religious. I think Meghan could be a great representative for her party and rather than being shoved to the back as some "little girl" she should be pushed to the forefront more as someone that a younger generation can relate to, especially when it comes to the Republican party, who is often considered "out of touch" and catering to an older sect in society.

Meghan loves her country and proclaims that "Freedom doesn't come free." Michael is elitist and jaded and can't understand organizations like the Log Cabin Republicans. And I can't disagree that many of us liberals may become that way and openly say how sick our country makes us, whereas Meghan can say we must take the good with the bad.

Michael and Meghan foster a kind of big brother/little sister relationship along the way despite their differences in opinion on many things. And it's noted at the end that when looking at the way Michael and Meghan live their lives one may put Michael in the more conservative category (married man in a quiet neighborhood in Connecticut with two kids and a nice house who has a lot of "White guilt" and is averse to drinking and strippers [you have to read how he handles himself in Vegas to get the info on that]) and Meghan more in the liberal end (lovely young fashionista who does not leave her house without having make up on, dates, drinks, and dances living in major cities and who loves, loves Vegas as a getaway). Meanwhile their interiors are completely switched. Intriguing, no?

What I enjoyed was learning more about how both Michael and Meghan listened to the other side. That after awhile it wasn't just about yelling louder to be heard but taking in what  your partner is saying and responding to it in a way that makes sense while also considering their opinion. I think both represent what America needs more of: listening! Each side is too eager to paint the other bad and even Obama who wanted to be "the great uniter" hasn't succeeded because the other side is just not willing to listen. So what do you do?

One of Mandy's discussion points is that Michael notes America needs a mission statement, a clear declaration of what our goal is as a nation and I agree. America has always considered itself the "Land of the Free" but this seems to contrast a lot of what we're being told these days. No freedom for same sex couples, no freedom for the poor, no freedom for immigrants, and a staunch protection for corporations and the rich who can aid in funding political campaigns.

Meghan's comment of "Freedom doesn't come free" seems quite trite to Michael initially but upon thinking about it further and meeting more people from destitute areas of the U.S. where race is still a dividing line that it isn't something to be laughed at when considering it further. People have died for various freedoms earned and people died to right many wrongs. So while it may sound cliche it's not, not when you really ponder the truth of the matter.

Overall, I'd recommend America, You Sexy Bitch because it really gives you a clear vision of people who are malleable in their consideration of the bigger picture. It's not staunch liberal criticism or conservative hooey, it's a mixture with both sides learning more about different religions like Mormonism and Islam and talking to rich and poor while learning what makes people lean the way they do whether they are working class or middle class or straight up poor. It's also funny to read how Michael and Meghan relate to each other and look deeper into themselves. The kind of reflections they note are both humorous and heartfelt.

America, You Sexy Bitch was published by DaCapo Press (part of Perseus Book Group). You can currently find it in hardcover at any bookstore.

Book Expo 2012: Lots to Celebrate (and Learn)

Last week the largest book convention for those of us in the book industry reared it's head again in midtown Manhattan. Book Expo of America (BEA) was held in conjunction with the newly purchased BEA (formerly Book) Blogger Convention, IDPF, and Blog & New Media Expo. And New York City will be the home of BEA up until 2015, which makes me particularly happy as it's been housed at Javits steadily since 2008 after it used to rotate locations between Los Angeles and Chicago. This year BEA focused on different ways of thinking. Publishers connecting with consumers directly and cutting out the middle man. Sessions have steadily been geared towards how to utilize social media to its highest potential and how to make books (particularly young adult and middle grade titles) that much more exciting and interactive for the end user.

Many articles in the media have touted Amazon as an enemy for publishers with low-cost products and small returns. Becoming the Walmart of the book world Amazon has it's own self-publishing imprint (CreateSpace), has launched it's own publishing sector, and is still one of the first places consumers go to purchase books at a deeply discounted rate with free shipping and many other goods available from clothes to music to appliances and various technology. And Amazon continues it's growth in the publication industry with the purchase of Avalon Books which specialized in romance and mystery titles.

In a market that is slowly on the uptick publishers are trying new ways and harder than ever to connect with consumers directly. Book Expo allows them this opportunity but many times it is press/media and booksellers that get more of the publishers attention. Book bloggers have been indelible in spreading the word about little known books becoming the next big thing. A prime example of this is The Hunger Games which is a true word-of-mouth success from book 1 to the final book Mockingjay released in 2010. As is there was a huge blow up in the media blogger realm when numerous book bloggers and other forms of press were denied press credentials months after registering for BEA. To Reed Exhibitions credit they reneged on the subsequent denials noting their mishap in cancelling registration for bloggers who had registered in January and February and not informing them until the day before Good Friday (when much Reed staff was already out of the office.) Next year I'm sure whatever stringent guidelines that make press press will be clearly outlined early on and handled much more swiftly post-registration. But this sent flurries throughout the blogosphere noting how important bloggers can be to publishers and how important they are to spreading the word about books many may not be aware of and providing a hardcore fan base for authors of various genres, particularly in the young adult (YA) market.

BEA Buzz Panels for both YA and Adult books were huge draws for bloggers, booksellers, and fans alike giving attendees the inside track on what publishers are noting as their big debuts for the year. This included Kat Zhang's YA paranormal book What's Left of Me from HarperTeen and Shani Bioanjiu's The People of Forever Are Not Afraid from Hogarth (a division of Crown Publishers). Bioanjiu was also a National Book Award 5 Under 35 Honoree this year. But debuts weren't the only things lauded at Book Expo of America, prize winning authors like Junot Diaz, Mark Helprin, and Tracy K. Smith were on-hand for autographing. Pulitzer Prize winner Diaz spent hours with fans lined up to read an excerpt from his new collection from Riverhead (an imprint of Penguin) This Is How You Lose Her. He even said it was great to meet readers. "I'm like thank God," he said. The realization of meeting those who enjoy your work can be refreshing. Dennis Lehane (Live By Night) from William Morrow (HarperCollins) and native New Yorker Victor LaValle (The Devil in Silver) from Penguin they were appreciative of those lined up to meet them and of the compliments received and were happy to promote new work.

Book clubs are another big score for publishers and this year a speed dating event was held on Wednesday by The Book Report Network where leaders and members of book clubs could meet with publishers and hear about upcoming titles (in hardcover & paperback) they think would fit with book clubs. In meeting Erin Morgenstern for a signing of the paperback version of The Night Circus she had said that she thinks her book is great for book clubs. Being "fun" to discuss. Her editor was also quick to note that during Erin's tour they would be happy to speak more with those interested in doing Night Circus for book club discussions. Not only was Morgenstern there promoting the paperback version of her book but so was National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward for Salvage the Bones also in paperback. My book club is fond of books in this format and it is often when reprinted in PB that publishers add book club guides to the back to promote discussion. Book clubs can generate great sales especially if they meet regularly and have a dozen or more members. Many of the members of my book club have turned to digital means and so have a friend of mine with me being one of the few still pursuing the printed text. But the printed text still has a great ways to go before being eliminated and so publishers are aching for book clubs to "adopt" their titles.

And there were numerous celebrations! The arrival of Book Expo of America also initiates NY Book Week with lots of parties going on around NYC hosted by bookstores, publishers, authors, and bloggers. But within the realm of Javits Center there many anniversaries to be celebrated from Little, Brown's 175th to The New Press' 20th to Scholastic's Clifford the Big Red Dog turning 50 to Sourcebooks celebrating the quarter century mark. Russia served as the guest of honor at Book Expo this year and had a huge section devoted to "Read Russia" where champagne in crystal flutes was on-hand to celebrate new and established authors from their homeland introducing them to an international audience. Taunton Press had signings by cookbook author (and local foodie) Abby Dodge offering great samples of her orange sesame cookies. Tuttle Publishing had daily samples of desserts from Sushi Secrets and gluten-free items. HarperCollins had beer and cupcakes, Perseus had an open bar and there were wine tastings near the ever winding Starbuck's line and check in downstairs.

Discussions on Uptown and Downtown stages ranged from the Bellwether prize where winners Heidi Durrow and Hillary Jordan sat with veteran author and Bellwether judge Barbara Kingsolver to the always advancing digital age in publishing to applications that can help sell your ebook. Scholastic was heavily promoting their new series Infinity Ring that is both a print book and available as a game, readers can choose either (or both) formats to enter the world of this new middle grade series, each book written by a different author. The author breakfast and lunches welcomed (back) Stephen Colbert, Junot Diaz, Barbara Kingsolver, Zadie Smith, Chris Colfer, Lois Lowry, Michael Chabon and John Green to name a few.

And while in years past Book Expo of America had been slim in pickings there was much available to take in and take home. BEA is an avid reader's playland and a future writer's inspiration. Meeting authors, publishers, agents, bloggers, and booksellers immersed in the same love is a great way to be reinvigorated and well informed. BEA provides a way to connect all facets of the industry to learn more about what is working, what isn't, and what the larger masses want in terms of upcoming titles and their platforms. Next year I imagine much of the conversations will be the same discussing the success of some strategies and the complications of others, but it's good to know that those within the industry seek to change the way literature is provided and taken in and that there's always a format for everyone. After all books should be celebrated and Book Expo of America is one of the biggest venues to do so.

The Multi-Faceted Writer

Nowadays authors aren’t only creating the tome you purchase in a bookstore, online, or via your e-reader. Writers are also publicists, web content editors, marketers, and geniuses of social media. Authors have full websites, many have blogs consistently updating them with new content. Some writers are also illustrators or composers or music aficionados who post music lists they write to, tweet regularly with fans, and host giveaways. Emerging writers have it even harder these days as it seems we have to build a base before the work itself is complete. A former co-worker and fellow writer has a blog, a big Twitter presence, an agent, and a few books under her belt to revise before being sent out to publishers. She writes during her commute to/from work, during her lunch hour, and when she goes home as well as on weekends. She eats, sleeps, and drinks writing, yet also attends networking events, SCBWI conferences, and reads voraciously in her genre. When I asked her about her online presence, as I saw her follower count on Twitter steadily rise past the 1,000 mark, she admitted to me that she enjoys being on Twitter to an extent but she hated writing her blog. She felt she had to write the blog because having an online presence is important, especially for those in the young adult (YA) genre. Word of mouth has helped many books climb the bestseller lists and it is seen as necessary, as she was told, that she garner many followers and gain a web presence to add to the overall luster of her work when submitting to publishing houses.

Another writer friend has spent over 10 years working on her novel and has started to send it out to agents and enter it in contests. She created a website for herself because she felt she had to. There’s no blog connected just basic information about her and her work that she felt was necessary to advertise herself and have a place where one could go and get to know her creative activity. Another fellow writer from grad school, non-fiction, has redeveloped his website to have a cleaner look and updates it with short articles, celebrity obituaries, and such so that his name is constantly out there in terms of content and the freelance work he does on the arts.

When I started my blog five years ago there was no focus. It was a year or two ago that I realized I needed to change that. To have a blog is to have a brand. As artists in the 21st century we need to expose ourselves to be accessible and recognizable. So, I decided to focus on my two loves: baking and writing. From there I hired a designer & coder and voila, the new site you see before you has branded me. :-)

The same founder of a writing group I was in encouraged members to consider creating a character blog to attract interest in our books. Yet another project of developing more content. I initiated this for my short story collection, making the character blog a new goal. I established the URL, sketched out a design, outlined characters to be featured, and even looked into having the designer of my site do icons for each character. But, in time this fell by the wayside as more ideas filled my head and required scribing, residency & conference application due dates creeped up, personal things impeded upon development. Every moment I spend blogging, though it is writing, I am not writing towards my collection or my flash fiction or my YA novel(s). And so the laundry list grows: I have to write short fiction and refine it in hopes of publications to add to my resume. I have to focus on my current website and place that everywhere for people to be able to identify me. I have to increase my proficiency in Photoshop so I can modify photos on my website and add a watermark so as not to worry about copyright infringement. I have to learn HTML5! I have to network at Book Expo. I have to attend a reading in Brooklyn to meet an author I admire. I have to read work from my writing group and critique partners and submit something for them to review. Mind you, this is only the creative items, not the full-time job or the freelance work or the housework and cooking and having been the sole financial earner for a couple as one-half dealt with being unemployed, and other personal issues that may arise.

I’m not saying I don’t enjoy interacting with writers, foodies, friends, commiserates, book bloggers and so forth via the interwebs or maintaining my site. I love it! It’s a great break from the rigmarole, especially when you’re just not feeling it creatively or when you need some sort of cheering on when it comes to the process. But it must be said that now that we rely heavily on the internet to provide our entertainment and information--and some validation in the case of the artist--that it becomes daunting to know that the work itself may not be enough. With publishers having smaller staffs working longer hours, I can attest to this personally, and companies publishing thousands of books a year they may not have time to focus on your book to give it the marketing/publicity campaign and TLC you feel your work deserves. This is where you The Writer come in because no one will be as big an advocate for your work (well, perhaps your mom and dad) as you.

Yet, there are always exceptions. There are many artists, popular and critically acclaimed, who do not have a strong online presence but perhaps more of one when it comes to live events (readings, conferences, courses). Pulitzer Prize winner Junot Diaz has a website but he does not blog. He’s someone you can find via quotes online and at VONA Voices or other writer events in NYC and around the country. Jennifer Egan, another Pulitzer Prize winner, also has a website and a Twitter account but she does not log on to both regularly. She’s on Facebook but even then she keeps her time limited. She’s a mom and a wife and a writer and a reader and so many other things. But she’s maintained her own popularity via her work and her cool, humble, and kind demeanor. These are artists who when they meet you are very supportive and encouraging of your process. It’s in that way that they can serve as a reminder that the work will speak for itself and readers will find it whether or not you tweet about what you’re having for dinner or whether today is a good or bad writing day.

Conversely, YA writers like Maggie Stiefvater and Laini Taylor are regularly in contact with their fans via Facebook and Twitter as well as in live appearances. They blog regularly, host giveaways, and offer chances for other writers to learn their process and realize it’s not exactly easy when you’re published either. Established writers like Colson Whitehead, Tayari Jones, and Margaret Atwood are often visible on Twitter noting appearances, quips, and other information they find interesting as well as asking for advice from followers (Colson had inquired if anyone knew of any good driving schools in NYC).

So much of our correspondence is done online that the inability to see people is often accepted as natural. So when it comes to this additional work of getting to know people (your potential audience) virtually, to know what and who you need to contact to get the word out the artist’s job is so much more than creative, it’s social as well.