Of Geese and Galleries

Want to catch an autographed goose for Thanksgiving? You can do just that — and sample some impressive, original artwork from local, national, and international artists — while enjoying free refreshments on Sunday, November 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s inner harbor. The event is free and open to the public.

In addition to featuring the author and artist of Flightless Goose, the event is a multi-cultural affair featuring the original artwork of local, national, and international artists including the Watermark’s resident artist, Manzar, up-and-coming artists from MICA, and a sampling of international art from around the world — including paintings, sketches, jewelry, ceramics , wearable arts, fiber arts and more.

You’ll also enjoy a taste of international food, refreshments, and music. As with all events at the Watermark Gallery, the mission is to “Embrace Diversity, Create Peace, and Celebrate Life.”

My wife and I will be signing copies of Flightless Goose, our full-color, hardcover story book for children,. This is the perfect opportunity to get your autographed copies inscribed to the children on your holiday wish list.

Flightless Goose teaches important lessons about dealing with challenges, focusing on positive strengths, and treating others with respect and dignity. The book is fun for children and it educates as it entertains.

The book has been compared to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Ugly Duckling in that it is a classic “underdog story” about a goose who is made fun of as a misfit, but who ends up gaining the respect of peers in the end. A portion of the proceeds will help provide warm sleepwear and nurturing books to children in need through a partnership with The Pajama Project, endorsed by Oprah and Parenting Magazine.

Flightless Goose is available in book stores, at www.Amazon.com, and at www.RunGoose.com, where you can see some of the illustrations and read more about it.

But why not meet us in person and get your autographed copy inscribed to the children on your holiday gift list. Enjoy the gallery exhibit, a glass of wine, and international cuisine and music as you do. This is an affair to put you in the Thanksgiving mood.

The event takes place on Sunday, November 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Watermark Gallery. The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Black Hawk Down at Baltimore Writers' Conference

The Baltimore Writers' Conference is coming up November 14 at Towson University.

Keynote address will be delivered by Mark Bowden of Black Hawk Down fame. It's been 10 years since the book was published. Bowden has gone on to write books about Pablo Escobar, the Iran hostage crisis, and the Greatest Game Ever Played. He is currently a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, and has written for the Atlantic Monthly, Sports Illustrated, and Rolling Stone. He teaches at his alma mater: Loyola University.

Poetry, screenwriting, freelancing, fiction, and getting published serve simply a sampling of the sixteen sessions available to attendees. Writers can also get "quick critiques" in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by such experts as literary agent Jeff Kleinman, Baltimore Review editor Susan Muaddi-Darraj, novelists Elise Levine and James Magruder, and Washington Post Magazine editor Lynda Robinson.

Registration includes lunch and closing reception. Presented by Towson University, Johns Hopkins University, and CityLit Project, BWC is the area's premiere craft, business, and networking opportunity for writers. Learn more (and register) at the link below.

www.towson.edu/writersconference

Visit Poe's Grave on His 200th Halloween

Looking for a frightful way to spend Halloween night? Or a way to commemorate Edgar Allen Poe’s 200th year? Why not do both at once?

Visit Westminster burying grounds and catacombs at the corner of Fayette and Green streets in downtown Baltimore for more than a glimpse of Poe’s final resting place. The address is 519 W. Fayette St, Baltimore, Maryland.

The event includes eerie music, performed on the restored 1882 Johnson pipe organ, a haunting performance of The Usher Waltz by guitarist Andy Mitchell, words on the War of 1812 from General John Stricker (also buried in the graveyard), ghost hunting tips with a paranormal investigator, a loving tribute to Edgar Allan Poe by his wife, Virginia, a nerve-tingling performance by Frank the Body Snatcher, a stroll through the catacombs and graveyard, and to top it all off … a reading of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart and The Raven over the author’s grave.

Is that a heart I hear beating below?

Halloween night only there will be continuous tours from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. No reservations are required. Tickets available at the door: $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children (12 & under) & seniors (60 & over).

Once Halloween is over the event is, quoth the raven, nevermore.

Goose Goes Back to Elementary School

Flightless Goose has another elementary school appearance — today! That’s right. I’ll be presenting Flightless Goose and leading discussions about the book and the lessons it teaches to students at Warren Elementary School in Cockysville, Maryland today from 1 to 3 p.m.

There will be four mini-event as part of the Warren Elementary’s Special Awareness Day. Each event will start with an introduction and reading of the book, move into a discussion, then close with book sales and a signing.

If you’re a student at Warren Elementary, look for the goose there! If you go to another school, ask your teacher to get in touch with Eric & Nataliya at www.RunGoose.com to have an event at your school.

Lit and Art Turns Two

Since October 2007, the Lit and Art series at the Watermark Gallery has provided a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities. Fresh off its Baltimore Book Festival success, the Watermark Gallery will hold the next Lit and Art event on Sunday, October 25 at 2 p.m. Come help this series enter its Terrible Twos!

Returning writers include Lauren Beth Eisenberg and Nitin Jagdish. Making their Lit and Art debuts will be Sherry Audette Morrow, Elizabeth Moser, and Blanche Cohen Sachs.

Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr will present some of her artwork.

Red Tractor Factory, the Lit and Art house band, will provide live music.

Like previous events in this series, it is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served, and audience members will have a chance to share their own work during the open mic session.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

www.manzar.net

Fitzgerald Conference Offers Unique Opportunity for Writers

According to F. Scott Fitzgerald, “Action is Character.”

Now, 113 years after the great American author’s birth, many writers will put their character in action by registering for 14th annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference in Rockville, Maryland. You can too.

The conference takes place on Saturday, October 17.

The Fitzgerald conference offers the unique opportunity for writers to hone their craft in top-notch workshops, and then listen to the masters who already have.

Julia Alvarez is this year’s honoree. Alvarez excels in multiple fields of writing: storybooks for children, young adult books, nonfiction, poetry — and most notably, novels. She is best known for her critically acclaimed novels How the García Girls Lost Their Accents and In the Time of the Butterflies. More recent fiction includes Return to Sender and Saving the World.

Alvarez joins a diverse and prestigious list of honorees, including John Updike, Norman Mailer, E.L. Doctorow, Joyce Carol Oates, Ernest J. Gaines, Edward Albee, William Styron, John Barth, Grace Paley, Pat Conroy, Jane Smiley, William J. Kennedy, and most recently, Elmore Leonard.

Azar Nafisi, best known for her national bestseller Reading Lolita in Tehran: a memoir in books, will share her experiences teaching The Great Gatsby in Tehran.

Pulitzer-prize winner Henry Allen will moderate a panel discussion on Literary Border Crossings. The panel will include authors H.G. Carillo (Loosing my Espanish) and Olga Grushin (The Dream Life of Sukhanov).

In addition to talks from these masters, writers attending the conference will participate in writing workshops lead by top-notch professionals, including editors of literary journals, authors of books, writing instructors, publishers, and others involved with the art and industry of writing.

Workshop topics include short story, novel, poetry, screenplay adaptation, voice, writing for children, and more.

Adding flavor to this year’s international theme, coffee from Julia Alvarez’s own coffee farm in Dominican Republic has been generously donated by Vermont Coffee Company, and the lunch menu features a selection of international cuisine.

Support comes from the City of Rockville, Montgomery College, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Gazette Newspapers, the Rockville Cultural Arts Commission, Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd., Legacy Hotel and Meeting Center, Vermont Coffee Company, Roundhouse Theater and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society.

The conference runs from 7:30 a.m. until 6:15 p.m. with events for everyone. Visit www.peerlessrockville.org/FSF for a complete schedule.

Learn more about Julia Alvarez and her work at her website.
www.juliaalvarez.com

Lit Lights Up the Region this Weekend

If you love literature, this weekend is made for you. The National Book Festival runs all day on Saturday, October 26 on the National Mall in Washington, DC and features some of the nation’s best and most popular writers from John Irving to John Grisham, Julia Alvarez to TimO’Brien. They’ll be talking about books, reading their work, and signing their books.

And, lest your glass be half empty, let the Baltimore Book Festival make it overflow. The Mid-Atlantic region’s largest celebration of the literary arts begins Friday, September 25 and runs through Sunday, September 27. The festival includes writers of all sorts and is a great way to get to know the local literary scene. Be sure to visit the tents of the Maryland Writers Association, CityLit Project, and Creative Café.

I’ll be joining some friends for the Lit and Art at the Watermark reading at the Baltimore Book Festival’s Creative Café on Sunday afternoon from 5 to 6 p.m. The event will include fiction, poetry, nonfiction, memoir, music, and art.

Learn more about the National Book Festival at their website.
www.loc.gov/bookfest

Drop in on the Baltimore Book Festival online.
http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/

And visit the Lit and Art page on the Baltimore Book Festival’s website.
www.baltimorebookfestival.com/index.cfm?page=schedules&id=477

National Book Festival Lives

Washington may have changed, but the National Book Festival lives on.

The ninth annual National Book Festival, organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress, will be held this Saturday, September 26, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., between 7th and 14th streets from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The festival is free and open to the public.

Authors will talk about their work, read from it, and conduct book signings. The list of featured authors is long, but some of the headliners include Tim O’Brien, John Irving, James Patterson, John Grisham, Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, Julia Glass, Julia Alvarez, Judy Blume, Jeff Kinney, Jodi Picoult, Nicholas Sparks, Junot Diaz, Sue Monk Kidd, Ken Burns, Walter Mosley, George Pelecanos, Azar Nafisi, and Lisa Scottoline.

Learn more about the event at the National Book Festival’s official website.

www.loc.gov/bookfest

Coffee and Cuisine Add Flavor to Fitzgerald

Every year, the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference offers workshops, readings, and the chance to meet with other writers—from novice to pro—for a full day of literary activities. An international theme dominates this year’s F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference. The 14th annual conference is scheduled for October 17, 2009 in Rockville Maryland.

Popular novelist Julia Alvarez is the 2009 honoree for the prestigious F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Award. She will accept the award and give a reading from her work at the conference. And she wants to give back to those in attendance — so she has graciously donated the coffee to be served at the event, grown on her own farm.

Her farm the Dominican Republic, Finca Alta Gracia, is named after the country’s spiritual protector, La Altagracia. Since purchasing
the farm, Julia Alvarez and her husband, Bill Eichner, have been restoring and improving the land. Beyond growing coffee, they work for the social, environmental, spiritual, and political issues that comprise sustainability.

“I like to think of Alta Gracia, named after our national Virgencita de la Altagracia (The Virgin of High Grace), as not just a place high in the mountains of the Cordillera Central that we hope will spread grace,” said Alvarez. “I also like to think of it as a state of mind, accessible to all of us through stories, in which we come together and sustain each other through community and the magic of song."

The coffee, roasted and packaged by Vermont Coffee Company, will be served throughout the day at the conference, which runs from 7:30 a.m. until 6:15 p.m. at Montgomery College’s Rockville campus.

In keeping with the international theme of the conference, lunch will consist of international selections, including Hispanic, Asian, Italian, and American dishes. Lunch will be catered by Rock Terrace School of Rockville, where they have a training program for students going into the culinary arts.

Even more filling than the breakfast, lunch, afternoon refreshments, and coffee (all included in the registration fee) will be the conference sessions — on such topics as Teaching The Great Gatsby in Tehran, Literary Border Crossings and a number of workshops on craft and style. Julia Alvarez will read from her work after she accepts the 14th Annual Fitzgerald Award.

Support comes from the City of Rockville, Montgomery College, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Gazette Newspapers, the Rockville Cultural Arts Commission, Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd., Legacy Hotel and Meeting Center, Vermont Coffee Company, Roundhouse Theater and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society.

Learn more about Julia Alvarez and her work at her website.
http://www.juliaalvarez.com/

For a taste of Julia’s coffee, visit http://www.vermontcoffeecompany.com/.

Make plans to participate in the international literary celebration at the next F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference on October 17, 2009. Visit the conference website, where you can find an brochure, schedule, registration form, and more details on the big event.www.peerlessrockville.org/FSF

Lit & Art at the Baltimore Book Festival

What many people in the local literary community refer to as our “literary new year” will be here before you know it: The Baltimore Book Festival takes place on the weekend of September 25, 26 and 27, and offers a little bit of lit for everyone. The event is free and fun!

As a part of the festival, the “Lit & Art at the Watermark” series will bring fiction, poetry, non-fiction, live music and original artwork to the Creative Café on Sunday, September 27 from 5 to 6 p.m.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a wide variety of artistic sensibilities in one sitting. The program will feature series regulars Eric D. Goodman, Nitin Jagdish, Deanna Nikaido, Angela Render, Fernando Quijano III, music by Red Tractor Factory and original artwork by Manzar.

Come experience what has been called “the best excuse to get lit in Baltimore on a Sunday afternoon.”

Learn more about the Baltimore Book Festival and all it has to offer at the festival’s official website.
www.baltimorebookfestival.com

Learn more about the Lit & Art event at the BBF website too.
http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/index.cfm?page=schedules&id=477

Visit the Watermark’s online gallery.

www.manzar.net

Signaling the Future

This Friday, I’ll be reading an abridged version of my story “Futures” on WYPR’s popular radio program, The Signal. Listen for it on Baltimore’s NPR station, 88.1 FM.

“Futures” is the story of a woman who must consider two possible destinations: the comfort of home in Baltimore, or the challenge of a new career in Chicago. It’s an excerpt from TRACKS, a novel in stories. “Futures” was originally published in JMWW’s annual print anthology.

The Signal takes listeners on a tour of Baltimore’s cultural landscape and airs every Friday at noon and again at 7 p.m.

Listen for my reading of “Futures” this Friday, September 11, at noon and at 7 p.m. on 88.1 FM.

Live out of range? You can listen to the program live at www.wypr.org.

Visit The Signal online at www.signalradio.org.

Read more about TRACKS at www.Train-Tracks.blogspot.com.

Write There, Write Now

Since beginning in an upstairs art room in the historic Patterson Theater back in 2005 (I know, I was there!), the Write Here, Write Now workshops have expanded to meet the needs of the growing Baltimore literary community.

Co-sponsored by the CityLit Project and with sessions at Creative Alliance in Baltimore, Howard County Center for the Arts, and Towson Arts Collective, WHWN is the area’s only on-going series of workshops for writers.

Now it’s back to school time — and there are several WHWN courses to consider. Whether you want to learn about marketing your work, tempt your writing palate with some poetry, get the ins and outs of self-publishing and do-it-yourself ethics, learn the basics of blogging, or enjoy a writing workout with personal trainer Jessica Anya Blau, WHWN has something for you.

Learn more at the CityLit Project website.

www.citylitproject.org/index.cfm?page=writeherewritenow

Get Ready for the Festivities

What many people in the local literary community refer to as our “literary new year” will be here before you know it: The Baltimore Book Festival takes place on the weekend of September 25, 26 and 27 and offers a little bit of lit for everyone. The event is free and fun!

Tens of thousands of people visit the Baltimore Book Festival each year—it’s the largest celebration of the literary arts in the mid-Atlantic region. All of the regulars will be there: Maryland Writers’ Association, CityLit Project, Creative Café, Literary Salon, Children’s Bookstore Stage, and more!

This year's authors include Buzz Aldrin, Gwen Ifill, Ralph Nader, Chris Gardner, Amiri Baraka, Ingrid Hoffmann, Farai Chideya, Maureen McCormick, Dale DeGroff, Lourdes Castro, Adam Ried, Mordicai Gerstein and James Warhola.

The regular “Lit & Art at the Watermark” reading series will bring fiction, poetry, non-fiction, live music, original artwork, and refreshments to the Creative Café on Sunday. And you’ll find copies of Flightless Goose for sale at the tent of the Maryland Writer’s Association.

Learn more about the Baltimore Book Festival and all it has to offer at their official website.
http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/

Learn more about the Lit & Art event at their website too.
http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/index.cfm?page=schedules&id=477

International Celebration at Fitzgerald Conference

An international theme dominates this year’s F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference. The 14th annual conference is scheduled for October 17, 2009 in Rockville Maryland.

Popular novelist Julia Alvarez is the 2009 honoree for the prestigious F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Award. She will accept the award and give a reading from her work at the conference.

The keynote address, Teaching The Great Gatsby in Tehran, will be presented by Azar Nafisi. Literary Border Crossings is the subject of a panel discussion moderated by Pulitzer Prize winner Henry Allen and featuring H.G. Carillo, Olga Grushin, and another panelist to be announced.

Workshops on subjects such as creative nonfiction, short story style, screenplay adaptation, voice, and novel writing are offered in the morning and afternoon.

Registration includes an international lunch representing three national food types and coffee throughout the day provided by Vermont Coffee Company — Julia Alvarez’s favorite coffee.

In being selected as an F. Scott Fitzgerald Honoree, Julia Alvarez Leonard joins an impressive group of talented authors. Previous award winners to accept the Fitzgerald award at the annual conference in Rockville include John Updike, Norman Mailer, E.L. Doctorow, Joyce Carol Oates, Ernest J. Gaines, Edward Albee , William Styron, John Barth, Grace Paley, Pat Conroy, William J. Kennedy, and Jane Smiley. Last year’s honoree was Elmore “Dutch” Leonard.

Support comes from the City of Rockville, Montgomery College, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Gazette Newspapers, the Rockville Cultural Arts Commission, Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd., Vermont Coffee Company, Roundhouse Theater, The Legacy Hotel & Meeting Center of Rockville, and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society.

Learn more about Julia Alvarez and her work at her website.
www.juliaalvarez.com

Make plans to participate in the international literary celebration at the next F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference on October 17, 2009. Stay tuned to the conference website for details as they become available.

www.peerlessrockville.org/FSF

Goose Review in The Potomac

Flightless Goose got a glowing review in the most recent issue of The Potomac.

The Potomac is a popular literary journal of “poetry and politics” that regularly features short fiction and book reviews. The summer 2009 issue features a positive review from YA author Paul Lagasse.

The review says, “… Flightless Goose is appropriately simple without being simplistic, and its lessons -- that challenges can be overcome, that being different doesn’t mean being less of a person, and that everyone has something they are good at -- are important ones for the intended audience of children 4 to 8 years old. The story is told in a way that is likely to be appealing and exciting to younger children without being condescending to older ones.”

Paul Lagasse and The Potomac have good things to say about Nataliya’s artwork …

“Natalya's watercolors of the lightly anthropomorphized geese (they play ball, skip rope, and wear clothes and shoes) are vibrant and detailed, and her style evokes the illustrations from the classic editions of fairy tales and nursery rhymes that many parents will remember from when they were children.”

… and my writing …

“Eric’s words are well-chosen and presented in a friendly font that frequently undulates and trickles in time with the ups and downs of the story. The word choice and presentation will encourage younger readers to expand their vocabularies without missing the key meanings, and will also satisfy older and more skilled readers.”

See the full review in the current issue of The Potomac at the link below.

http://thepotomacjournal.com/issue9/eric_goodman.html

Lit & Art is Made in the Shade

Need a unique way to observe Sir Mick Jagger’s 66th birthday? On Sunday, July 26 at 2 p.m., the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor continues its Lit and Art series. Lit and Art is a series that will start you up and leave you shattered.

Returning writers include Caryn Coyle, Eric D. Goodman, Deanna Nikaido, and Fernando Quijano III. Making her Lit and Art debut will be Christine Stewart.

Fresh off her successful German exhibition, Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr will present some of her artwork.

Red Tractor Factory, the Lit and Art house band, will provide live music. An open mic session will follow, and an intermission and wrap-up social will include refreshments. That's right, free wine.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities. Like previous events in this series, it is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served, and audience members will have a chance to share their own work during the open mic session.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

www.manzar.net

When Research Finds the Writer

As novelist E.L. Doctorow will tell you, sometimes the best kind of research is the kind that comes to you without effort. I experienced that sort of research recently.

I was out for a walk with my son in our neighborhood, full of large, old trees. One of them had a sign posted on it. “Scheduled for elimination by Division of Forestry.” The reasons checked off were “Dying” and “Diseased.”

Just days earlier, I happened to pull out a story I wrote a couple years ago and was putting some polish on it. The story, “Leaving,” is about a woman infatuated with her yard. In the end, the government tends to her dying tree when she refuses to.

Some readers asked me, can this really happen? I told them that I knew of a person whose tree had been felled by the government. But their questions planted a seed of doubt.

Seeing the sign nailed to a tree was more than just validation — it was the perfect detail to add to my story. I copied the sign verbatim and have added it to "Leaving."

It reminds me of the method of research Doctorow shared when he spoke at the National Book Festival. He explained that he once bumped a library shelf, a book fell out, and the open page led him to write Ragtime.

Not to say that “Leaving” is my Ragtime, but at least I seem to have the “stumble upon research” bit down.

New Lines at The Writer's Center

You’re invited to a reading event this Sunday at The Writer’s Center. Authors published in New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers will read from their published work.

I’ve been invited to read an excerpt from my own story, which opens up the anthology. “Cicadas” has been featured in the past on NPR’s The Signal, at the Baltimore Book Festival, Patterson Theater, libraries, book stores, art galleries, and more.

The Writer’s Center is America's premier independent literary center, founded in 1976. It is also the publisher of Poet Lore, the oldest continuously published poetry magazine in the United States, having started in 1889.

The New Lines anthology reading at The Writer’s Center runs from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 12. The Writer’s Center is located at 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD 20815. Parking is free. You can find directions and more information at their website, http://www.writer.org/.

Can’t make it or want a preview? Listen to a reading of “Cicadas” from NPR’s The Signal at the link below — music and sound effects included!

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-754738.mp3

WHATEVER Has Chemistry

My story, “Chemistry,” has been published in WHATEVER Literary Journal.

WHATEVER Literary Journal is described as “a collection of the Northeast's finest writers and poets with a few international names to round it out.”

“Chemistry” is a story from Tracks, my novel in stories set on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. “Chemistry” is a story of teenage angst, about a young man hungry for attention from parents and peers who don’t seem to notice him. It’s about how a person can end up speeding down the wrong track and not realize it until it’s too late to slam on the brakes.

Learn more about WHATEVER at their online store.

http://stores.lulu.com/WhateverLiteraryJournal.

The Novel Fosters Community

Pulizter-Prize winning author Junot Diaz filled the room (two, in fact, with the event televised in a second room due to the enormous crowd) at the 2009 CityLit Festival.

After a reading from The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Woa, he opened the floor to questions. During the session, he was asked whether he was intentionally trying to confuse people who “didn’t get” science fiction references or know Spanish.

His answer was interesting.

Diaz explained that the intent of a novel is to foster community. He said that he imagined a situation in which a fan boy on a bus would reach out to an old Dominican grandmother and ask what something meant, or vice versa.

Although the creation of a novel is a solitary thing, it is designed to encourage community – the gathering together of people to discuss the novel and what is in it.

Just an interesting thought to come out of the brief, wondrous session of Junot Diaz at this year’s CityLit Festival! (The image of the fan boy and Dominican woman having a conversation they normally would have is a scene worthy of a Diaz novel itself.)

Learn more about Junot Diaz at www.junotdiaz.com.

Julia Alvarez Announced as Next F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Honoree

Popular novelist Julia Alvarez has been announced as the 2009 honoree for the prestigious F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Award. She will accept the award at the 14th Annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference on October 17.

Julia Alvarez is an author who excels in multiple fields of writing: storybooks for children, young adult books, nonfiction, poetry — and most notably, novels. She is best known for critically acclaimed novels How the García Girls Lost Their Accents and In the Time of the Butterflies. More recent fiction includes Return to Sender and Saving the World.

In being selected as an F. Scott Fitzgerald Honoree, Julia Alvarez Leonard joins an impressive group of talented authors. Previous award winners to accept the Fitzgerald award at the annual conference in Rockville, Maryland include John Updike, Norman Mailer, E.L. Doctorow, Joyce Carol Oates, Ernest J. Gaines, Edward Albee , William Styron, John Barth, Grace Paley, Pat Conroy, William J. Kennedy, and Jane Smiley. Last year’s honoree was Elmore “Dutch” Leonard.

Support comes from the City of Rockville, Montgomery College, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Gazette Newspapers, the Rockville Cultural Arts Commission, Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd., Vermont Coffee Company, The Legacy Hotel & Meeting Center of Rockville, Roundhouse Theater and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society.

Learn more about Julia Alvarez and her work at her website.
http://www.juliaalvarez.com/

Make plans to see Julia Alvarez in person at the next F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference on October 17, 2009. Stay tuned to the conference website for details as they become available.
www.peerlessrockville.org/FSF

Smile, Hon, You're Invited!

William P. Tandy, the editor of Smile, Hon, You’re in Baltimore, invites you to get hot and bothered this summer with Issue No. 11, the latest installment in the award-winning series published by Eight-Stone Press. Listen to authors read from the zine and get your copy autographed at the Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore! No. 11 Release Party at Cyclops Books!

The event will feature William P. Tandy, Caryn Coyle, Fernando Quijano III, Jen Michalski, Alex Hewett, Eric D. Goodman and more!

Here are the details …

WHO: Eight-Stone Press and Cyclops Books

WHAT: "Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore!" No. 11 Release Party

WHERE: Cyclops Books, Corner of Maryland Ave. and North Ave., Baltimore

WHEN: Wednesday, June 17, 7:00 p.m.

WHY: Because Detroit will never be able to take it away from us.

HOW: They're bankrupt.

Cyclops is right on the corner of Maryland and North, and there is PLENTY of parking on both avenues. And after 6 is free!

Learn more at www.eightstonepress.com/hon/hon11.htm.

Smile, Hon, You're Published!

Well, that’s almost what the editor said.

I’m smiling because my fiction has been published in the latest issue of Smile, Hon, You’re In Baltimore!

For a little literary zine, it packs a big punch. Smile, Hon, You’re In Baltimore! has gotten rave reviews from UTNE Reader, Urbanite and Pop Candy (USA Today’s Blog).

Baltimore Magazine named Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore! the city's "Best Zine" in its August "Best of Baltimore 2008" issue.

Baltimore City Paper also called Smile Hon Baltimore’s best zine, describing it as “surprisingly fascinating, consistently absurd, and often weird as hell . . . Baltimore at its bizarre best.”

Zine World says Smile Hon “adequately captures Baltimore's grit and glitter, horror and heroes.”

The Johns Hopkins Newsletter says, “Smile Hon revels in Baltimore's every eccentricity”

Even Maryland Mayor Martin O’Malley (how’s that for alliteration?) said that Smile Hon “caused a bit of a stir in my office.”

My story, “Little B&O,” is featured in the latest issue. “Little B&O” is an outtake from TRACKS, my novel in stories. Other authors in issue 11 include Caryn Coyle, Fernando Quijano III, Ben Shaberman, Rosalia Scalia and Alex Hewett.

Learn more — and see the cover — at the link below.


http://eightstonepress.com/hon/hon11.htm

JMWW Extends an Invitation You Shouldn't Refuse

JMWW, the popular literary journal based in Baltimore, invites you to a celebration of the first three years of print anthologies featuring the best work from the online quarterly.

This is the anthology series and literary journal that the Baltimore City Paper says “hooks you from the fist paragraph. A hybrid of poetry and prose, of cold-blooded talent pigtailed with aspiring word artists, JMWW has a cough-syrup twang that keeps you reading. Something addictive about it provokes the dormant writer within.”

My story, “Futures,” is featured in volume II of the trilogy — and everyone knows act two is the best, right?

That’s debatable, because all three volumes of this anthology series offers something for everyone. This Saturday at Cyclops Bookstore, authors from the second and third anthologies will share their work.

Here’s your invitation — directly from the JMWW editor herself:

Cyclops Bookstore (formerly The Baltimore ChopShop) and JMWW (http://jmww.150m.com/) are proud to celebrate JMWW’s authors with a special evening featuring readings from the second and third anthologies. Join editor Jen Michalski along with writers Jessica Anya Blau, William Duell, Pete Pazmino, Justin Sirois, Joseph Young, Savannah Schroll Guz, and Eric D. Goodman.

Copies of the third anthology will be on sale for $7.

Join us for the best pizza in town at Joe Squared afterward.Cyclops is right on the corner of Maryland and North, and there is PLENTY of parking on both avenues. Cyclops will even pay for your meter — just park and come in real quick for some change. After six is free too!

Date: Saturday, June 6, 2009
Time: 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: CyclopsStreet: 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore, Maryland

Learn more about JMWW and browse the latest issue at http://jmww.150m.com.

“Futures” Published in JMWW Literary Anthology

My story, “Futures,” was published in JMWW Literary Journal’s annual print anthology.

JMWW is a popular literary journal based in Baltimore. Although it has a Baltimore flavor, the quarterly online journal publishes fiction, poetry, non-fiction and reviews from around the world. Once a year, it selects the best items of the year to include in a print anthology.

“The writing hooks you from the fist paragraph,” says the Baltimore City Paper of JMWW. “A hybrid of poetry and prose, of cold-blooded talent pigtailed with aspiring word artists, JMWW has a cough-syrup twang that keeps you reading. Something addictive about it provokes the dormant writer within.”

My story, “Futures,” is an excerpt from TRACKS, my novel in stories that takes place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. The story offers readers attention to place, romance, breakup, transition, heartache (in the most literal sense) and hope.

Other authors included in this print anthology are Rafael Alvarez, Nathan Leslie and Christian Bell. Authors featured in other JMWW issues include Jessica Anya Blau, William Duell, Pete Pazmino, Justin Sirois, Joseph Young and Savannah Schroll Guz.

Learn more about the JMWW anthology at the following link, where you can even order your own copy!


www.lulu.com/content/1728622

See the latest issue of the online journal here.


http://jmww.150m.com/

Flightless Goose Featured at BookExpo America

The 2009 BookExpo America hits New York City this weekend — the largest and most important book event in North America. And Flightless Goose will be there!

Flightless Goose author and illustrator Eric & Nataliya Goodman will be giving away copies of their new hardcover, full-color story book for children at the big event. Other authors doing the same at BookExpo America include Julie Andrews, Joyce Carol Oates, Nicholas Sparks, Omar Tyree, Dave Barry, R. L. Stine, Craig Ferguson, Jan Brett, Berkeley Breathed, Julianne Moore, Kathy Lee Gifford, Emeril Lagasse, Mary Higgins Clark, Carol Higgins Clark, Ridley Pearson, George Pelecanos, Robert McNeely, Paul F. Wilson, Tim Wendell, Kwame Alexander, M. J. Rose, Lizzie Skurnick, Meg Cabot, Lev Grossman and Chuck Klosterman.

Join these authors and thousands of attendees at the new and reformatted BookExpo America — the premier event for the North American publishing industry.

This year, you'll benefit from quality over quantity, seeing and learning exactly what you need to survive today's changing industry and challenging economy. Meet 500+ authors and discover hundreds of new titles on a Show floor bristling with 1,500 exhibitors (check out BEA Exhibitor Show Specials) and featuring the NEW Downtown Stage and Uptown Stage and the ever popular BEA Autographing Area. Learn the trends during 60+ focused sessions at the NEW "Big Ideas at BEA" Conference and don’t miss this year’s Global Market Forum: Books & Publishing in the Arab World. Experience the buzz of the book business at dynamic Special Events (buy your Special Events Tickets now). Conduct rights business at the largest North American International Rights Center. And enjoy NEW Show floor amenities such as more seating and places to eat. All of this, plus all of New York City — the publishing capital of the world.

Flightless Goose will be featured in the autographing area on Friday. See the full schedule of Friday’s autographing authors at this link.


And learn more about Book Expo America — including how to register and attend — at the BEA website.



www.bookexpoamerica.com/en

Fitzgerald Wants Your Stories

Do you have a Great Gatsby of a short story that you’d like to share with the world? Now is the time. The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference is sponsoring its 14th annual short story competition. The F. Scott Fitzgerald Short Story Contest is open to residents of Maryland, Washington D. C. and Virginia.


Send in your polished and unpublished stories of no more than 3,000 words. First prize includes $1000, presented at the 14th Annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, and publication in The Potomac Review. Three runner-ups will receive $200 each at the conference. There is a $25 entry fee, and the deadline to enter is July 17, 2009.


The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, Inc. promotes appreciation for the literary arts and appreciation for the literature of F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of America's most celebrated writers.

The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference is held every year in Rockville, Maryland, the resting place of F. Scott Fitzgerald. The conference includes workshops and panels for writers of all skill levels. Past honorees featured at the conference have included John Updike, Norman Mailer, Edward Albee, E. L. Doctorow, Joyce Carol Oates, and Elmore Leonard.


Support comes from the City of Rockville, Montgomery College, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Gazette Newspapers, the Rockville Cultural Arts Commission, Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd., Chase Hotel Suites, Vermont Coffee Company and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society.


For more information about the F. Scott Fitzgerald Short Story Contest and Conference, visit www.peerlessrockville.org/FSF and visit the “Short Story Contest” link on the left of the page. Or call (301) 309-9461.


And be sure to make plans to attend the next F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference on October 17, 2009. You can learn more by visiting the conference website at www.peerlessrockville.org/FSF.

Goose Soars at Maryland Writers Conference

This weekend is the 21st Annual Maryland Writers’ Conference. There’s a full list of sessions and speakers. One of the featured sessions is called From Quill To Flightless Goose: Making a Childrens’ Book Soar, presented by yours truly.

Here’s how the Maryland Writers’ Conference program describes it:

"In this session, Children's author and public relations expert Eric D. Goodman will share his experiences from first lines to final publication. Drawing on his experience, he will talk about the long and winding road to publication, and the bumpy path beyond it to successful sales. Learn about writer-publisher relations, writer-illustrator relations and about working on a children's book as a husband-wife team. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask your own burning questions about the challenges and rewards of being a published children's author.

"Eric D. Goodman is a full-time writer and editor. National Public Radio's WYPR called him "a regular on the Baltimore literary scene." His work has been published in The Washington Post, Baltimore Review, Writers Weekly, The Potomac, Slow Trains, Freshly Squeezed, JMWW, Grub Street, and New Lines from the Old Line State. His children's book, Flightless Goose, is available in bookstores, at http://www.amazon.com/, and at http://www.rungoose.com/. Eric is also the Public Relations Director for MWA and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, and makes his living as a PR writer. You can learn more about Eric's creative writing or contact him at http://www.writeful.blogspot.com/."

Visit www.marylandwriters.org/conferences-2009list.html for more about this session, and a full list of all the sessions, speakers, agents, and editors at this year’s Maryland Writers’ Conference.

Maryland Writers conference Serves Writers This Weekend

For 21 years, the Maryland Writers’ Association has served local writers of all levels—from novice to expert—with the Annual Maryland Writers’ Conference.


The big event for 2009 takes place on Saturday, May 9 from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum Heights.


Keynote speaker Robert L. Booth is one of many professional, successful writers planning to spend the day helping writers reach their own goals. Booth was managing editor for National Geographic and has recently retired after a 35-year career with the magazine.


Other speakers include Kevin Bolk, David E. Booth, A. C. Crispin, Michael Downs, Joya Fields, Eric D. Goodman, Gary L. Lester, Vicki Meade, Ally Peltier, Angela Render, Cynthia Blake Sanders, Linda Shertzer, Christine Stewart, David Warfield, Elissa Brent Weissman, Richard White, Gregg Wilhelm and Betsy Greenleaf Yarrison.


Topics range from writing for children to the various aspects of writing adult fiction (literary, genre, commercial), from the business side of writing to the creative side, finding a publisher, avoiding scams, polishing your work, resurrecting your poetry and organizing your work station. There’s a little something for everyone.


Literary agents and editors on hand include Brian Michael Lawrence, Dan Patrell, Allisa D. Davis, Chelsea Gilmore, Carla Jablonski, Emmanuelle Alspaugh, Andrea Barzvi, Jenny Brent, and Jennifer Sinsheimer.


Join local and national experts and established writers at the 21st annual Maryland Writers' Association's conference. You’ll have the opportunity to hone your craft in sessions led by established authors, instructors, and experts. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s plenty for you at the conference. Come write your own success story.


Visit www.marylandwriters.org/conferences-2009list.html for a full list of sessions, speakers, agents, and editors.


To register, or for more information, visit the conference website at www.marylandwriters.org/conferences.html.


Or, if you don’t find time to register but still want to attend, just show up! The Maryland Writers’ Association will make room for walk-ins.


In addition to the conference, there will be a Writers’ Banquet on Friday, May 8 at the same location from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Join fellow writers for a buffet dinner and join a discussion with Brian Michael Lawrence, editor-in-chief and director for Style magazine, and Dan Patrell, editor of Maryland Life magazine, on the current state of magazine publishing and what it means for writers.


Though the Banquet is presented in conjunction with our Annual Writers’ Conference, you do not have to be registered for the Conference to attend.


Learn more about the conference and the banquet at
www.marylandwriters.org/conferences.html

Inspiring Children in Need

Last week, Flightless Goose had a very special afternoon inspiring the children of Gaudenzia at Park Heights. Gaudenzia is a residential for men, women, and women with children.

Flightless Goose’s publisher, Shana Johnson, and I visited the shelter to share the story book with the children. After reading the book to the children, each child got a free Flightless Goose pencil and animal - eraser head. A copy of the book was autographed and donated to the facility’s daycare.

Stay in the know about future Flightless Goose events by hitting the “News & Events” button at http://www.rungoose.com/.

Goose a Hit at Catonsville Book Festival

Last weekend, book aficionados and lovers of literature celebrated Catonsville Library’s 4th Annual Book Festival. The event kicked off with an Authors’ Wine and Cheese Reception. Flightless Goose was one of the featured books at the event.

There were more than a dozen featured authors, including yours truly. There were even more bottles of wine than authors, more cheeses than wine, and more books than anything else! It made for an exciting Friday night.

Surrounded by books, with live music in the background, fans and authors mingled over wine and cheese and books. All of the featured authors had books for sale at the library desk (and copies of Flightless Goose flew off the shelves). Proceeds from the event benefit Catonsville High School’s Ellipsis Literary Magazine, the Catonsville Library, and the Dictionary Projects of the Rotary Club of Catonsville-Sunrise.

Stay in the know about future Flightless Goose events by hitting the “News & Events” button at www.RunGoose.com.

My Guest Spot in Baltimore Sun’s Read Street

As a panelist at tomorrow’s CityLit Festival, I was asked by the editors of the Baltimore Sun’s Read Street to submit a guest column.

In my spot, I wrote about my own history with the CityLit Project — my own introduction to Baltimore’s thriving literary scene. I also talk a bit about my book, Flightless Goose, which is being featured in the exhibitor’s booth all day long, is available at CityLit’s official bookseller, Barnes & Noble, and is one of the “fist books” featured in one of the panel discussions.

The CityLit Project (and the CityLit Festival in particular) is one of the reasons for Baltimore’s lively literary community. If you love literature, you won’t want to miss tomorrow’s day-long event.

Read my column in the Baltimore Sun’s Read Street.

CityLit Fest Set to be Best Yet!

Baltimore has long been known as "The City that Reads." And it is true that there is a thriving literary community in city. If you need evidence of this (or just want to have a great day), look no further than this Saturday’s CityLit Festival VI.

If you love books and literature, you won’t want to miss the CityLit Festival at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral Street. You’ll have the chance to see last year’s winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Literature, Junot Diaz, and last year’s National Book Award for Poetry winner Mark Doty. There are sessions on what’s becoming of our book culture, lifelong literature — too much to mention here! Plus, exhibitors will be showing off their books, literary journals, services, and all things bookish in the exhibitors’ hall all day long.

I’ll be there for a session on “first books, new authors,” and my children’s book, Flightless Goose, will be in the exhibitor’s hall all day. There really is something for everyone!

Hope to see you there. If you love books, it’s a great way to “get lit” this Saturday.

Learn more (and see a full schedule of events) at CityLit’s website.

www.citylitproject.org/index.php?q=node/262

Roland Park Library Features Maryland Authors

Need an excuse to visit the library this weekend? How about the chance to meet several local authors, and to listen to them read from their published work?

This Saturday, April 11, the Roland Park library hosts an afternoon with Maryland authors featured in the popular book, New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers. The reading begins at 2 p.m. and offers something for everyone.

The reading includes short works from authors Eric D. Goodman, Austin S. Camacho, Lalita Noronha, Liz Moser, Frank S. Joseph, and Barbara Morrison. New Lines will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the readings. In addition, authors will have their own published works on had for sale and signing — including the children’s story book, Flightless Goose!

New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers is the first book published by MWA Books. For more information about the book, visit the Maryland Writers’ Association website.

www.marylandwriters.org

Learn more about the recently renovated Roland Park Library, directions and this event at their website.

www.prattlibrary.org/calendar/atpratt.aspx?id=27882

Where in the World are the Goodmans and the Goose?

Where are the Goodmans and the Goose? Back in Baltimore for the moment. But last week, we spent a bit of time migrating north, to Stamford, Connecticut for a reading.

While in Stamford, we did a bit of sight seeing. There was the Stamford Cone, a sort of artistic beacon of colored light, a tall cone of stained glass that you can actually go inside. In daylight, the sun shines in; at night, lights inside shine out and the cone glows in warm hues.

The murals at Norwalk City Hall were interesting. And the Hoyt-Barnum House, a historic home built in 1699 and made in part of clay and animal hair. The First Presbeterian Church, shaped a bit like a ship, had some interesting stained glass.

But now the Goodmans and the Goose are back in the Baltimore area, ready for some readings closer to home!

Alice McDermott Headlines Fitzgerald Spring Event

Renowned author and National Book Award winner Alice McDermott will read from her work and lead a literary discussion at the Spring Event of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference.

The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 16 at the Faculty Staff Dining Room in the Campus Center of Montgomery College’s Rockville campus.

Alice McDermott has been a finalist for the National Book Award twice and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize twice. She charmed her way to the National Book Award with 1988’s Charming Billy. Other acclaimed novels include The Bigamist’s Daughter, That Night, At Weddings and Wakes, Child of My Heart and most recently After This.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Alice McDermott read from her work and answer questions from the audience. The author will be available to sign books after the presentation.

The event is free to members of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, Inc. and their guests. Admission is $10 for the general public and $6 for students and seniors. Refreshments will be served.

Support comes from the City of Rockville, Montgomery College, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Gazette Newspapers, the Rockville Cultural Arts Commission, Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd., Chase Hotel Suites and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society.

To learn more about the spring event, about the F. Scott Fitzgerald Short Story Contest or about the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview/fsf_notice.html

Happy New Year from Lit and Art

Iranian New Year is around the corner. As part of its Lit and Art series, the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor will celebrate the New Year series by honoring the contributions Iran has made to world culture. The program takes place on Sunday, March 29 at 2 p.m.

Returning writers include Caryn Coyle, Eric Kestler, Nitin Jagdish and Sonia Linebaugh. Making their Lit and Art debuts will be Al Karasa and Paul Lagasse.

Red Tractor Factory, the Lit and Art house band, will provide live music.

A collection of surreal artwork by Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr will be on display.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities. Like previous events in this series, it is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served, and audience members will have a chance to share their own work during the open mic session.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

http://www.manzar.net/

Feature Story in Writers Weekly: Go Back To School

Once again, my work has been published in Writers Weekly — the world’s most popular writing eZine. In fact, Writers Weekly has more subscribers than any other freelance-writing eZine in history.

My story is the feature article in the latest issue. The title of the latest article: “Go Back to School to Sell Your Story.”

In the article, I give tips on an innovative way writers can bring attention to their work. If you have a published book that has lessons to teach to children, then contact local schools to see if you can visit and present your book (and the lessons taught within) to the students.

It’s a great way to bring your work to a new audience in a positive way — and to build what can become your fan base of tomorrow.

To read the feature article about how we went about promoting Flightless Goose at a local school, see the latest issue of Writers Weekly. You can find it at the link below.

www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/005262_03182009.html

Where in the World is Eric D. Goodman?

This year, we’ve beat Matt Lauer to the punch with our most recent installment of Where in the World!

I’m just back from a lovely week in London, and my illustrator (wife) and I took copies of our book, Flightless Goose, along for the ride. That’s right — the Goose has gone global!

Hocking the book to international audiences was fun, but more exciting were some of the amazing sights London: The overwhelming British Museum, the beautiful National Gallery and National Portrait Gallery. We enjoyed the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace and took a look at the Queen’s Gallery. The Victoria and Albert Museum was amazing.

We toured Windsor Castle, Apsley House, the Wallace Collection, Sir John Soan House, Kensignton Palace and even took high tea at The Orangery on the Kensington grounds.

Of course we saw Big Ben and Parliament, Westminster Abby and St. Paul’s Cathedral, Wellington Arch, the Jewel Tower, and spent several hours with the Beefeaters in Tower of London.

And how could a writer not visit the British Library with handwritten notes and manuscripts of Shakespeare, Oscar Wilde, Jane Austin, Handle, Beethoven, and even The Beatles? Not to mention 221 Baker Street.

We enjoyed a ride through the Cotswolds, dined in an old pub in Andover, saw the giant chalk horse in the mountains, and strolled around Stonehenge.

Of all these marvels, some of the most enjoyable times were those spent on streets with locals, relaxing on leather couches in English pubs, and cruising along the Thames as the sights passed us by.

It has all passed by, but the memories of London will linger. Perhaps long enough to form a travel story …

The Goose has Arrived

For some time, the most common question I received was this: when will the books be arriving?

That’s because Flightless Goose, my full-color, hardcover story book for children, was temporarily out of stock. And due to a series of mishaps with the printer, there was little we or the publishers could do to get it back in stock any faster.

Friends, buyers, and members of the press who had asked for review copies were all cornering us with constant questions, each one the same: when can we get our copy of the book?

I’m relieved to report that the answer is NOW! At last, Flightless Goose is in stock, available at www.RunGoose.com, www.Amazon.com, and at other book sellers — both online and at brick and mortar stores across the nation.

But they’re going fast! So get your copy before they fly off the shelf!

Just go to www.RunGoose.com for your copy of Flightless Goose!

Romantic Track from NPR

A couple weeks back, I was featured on Baltimore’s National Public Radio station with a reading from my novel in stories, TRACKS. I read “The Silences” on WYPR’s The Signal.

The Signal is broadcast on 88.1 FM to about 20,000 listeners in the Baltimore-DC area. It airs at 12 noon and again at 7 p.m. and offers a tour of Baltimore's cultural landscape.

"The Silences" is a story from TRACKS, my novel in stories which takes place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. In the story, a young woman traveling with the love of her life imagines a grim future together, and she longs for him to prove her wrong.

Miss the broadcast or want to hear it again? Here’s the official podcast of the reading, music, train sound effects and all.

Enjoy “The Silences!”


www.publicbroadcasting.net/wypr/arts.artsmain?action=viewArticle&id=1469301

Goose Goes To School

It looks like the Towson Times was right when they wrote that Flightless Goose “has lessons to teach.” Flightless Goose proved it last week with a day full of lessons for elementary school kids.

That’s because Gilbert the Flightless Goose was invited for a full-day of readings, lessons, and discussions about the book, Flightless Goose, at Meadow Hall Elementary School in Montgomery County.

We arrived to find our names in lights on the marquee in front of the school, a prime parking spot reserved for us, and a warm welcome from the principal, secretary, reading specialist, and teachers. Then, we got to work – having fun and sharing our book and message.

Flightless Goose was presented to each grade (K-5) followed by age-appropriate discussions, lessons, and activities. We talked about such lessons from the book as treating others with respect and dignity, not making fun of others, everyone having potential regardless of differences, and not playing near roads. With older kids, we also discussed what it was like to be an author and artist.

The children were enthusiastic, attentive, and really latched onto the book and the messages. They were mesmerized by the pictures and fervently talked about the book and what they liked about it and learned from it.

The adults seemed excited about the event too. Here’s what the principal had to say to his “shout out” on the Principal’s Page newsletter after the event: “We are very pleased and excited about the opportunity MHES had to meet and work with Mr. Eric D. Goodman and Mrs. Nataliya A. Goodman, author and illustrator of the Flightless Goose. Throughout the day, all students attended workshops that gave them the chance to read, write, illustrate, and reflect on what it means to be a good writer. Thank you to Mrs. Moser for arranging this wonderful day for our students.”

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/meadowhalles/Ppage%2012.pdf

In their newsletter, the Meadow Hall PTA described the event as “extremely exciting” They went on to say, “There is no better way to get the kids excited about reading and writing than to hear from the author directly.”

www.mhespta.org/pdf%20files/MHES_Fridge_012309.pdf

Although we’ve done readings and events before, such as the Festival of Trees, this was our first day-long, in-school event. After an exhilarating day, we can’t wait for the next one.

Learn more about the school event by visiting the brochure Meadow Hall’s reading specialist, Marlene Moser, put together.

www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/schools/meadowhalles/Author%20Visit.pdf

Poetry Wins on Super Bowl Sunday

Springsteen rocked the arena. But did you catch the hottest pre-bowl party?

Billy Collins, one of the nation’s best-selling poets and a former U.S. Poet Laureate, read from his poetry at the Weinberg Center in Frederick, Maryland. Collins has been described as an American phenomenon who rivals Robert Frost in popularity and critical acclaim.

But … poetry before football?

Yes, it was Super Bowl Sunday. And yes, this was a poetry reading. But, believe it or not, the venue was packed! They were sending people to the bleachers (or rather the balcony) because there weren’t enough seats in the theater to hold all of the audience members who had come to latch onto Billy’s poetic lines.

When I contacted The Weinberg Center after the event, they confirmed that there were approximately 700 people in attendance.

“The crowd came from near and far,” said Elizabeth Cromwell, Chairwoman of the Frederick Reads Committee. “In a few moments in the lobby, I heard attendees saying they had driven in from Washington, DC, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, the Eastern Shore, and more. I even met a lady who came to Maryland from Maine when she heard about the reading."

Frederick Reads brought Billy Collins to Frederick for the reading, in partnership with the Weinberg Center and the C. Burr Artz Trust.

Elizabeth had expected good turnouts for other authors who visited in the past year, such as Alexander McCall Smith and David Sedaris. In fact, David Sedaris is slated to return on Saturday, April 4.

But poetry? On Super Bowl Sunday?

“We didn't know how a poet would be received here, even one as highly regarded as Billy Collins,” said Elizabeth. “You can imagine my delight at seeing so many people in attendance.”

Indeed, it was worth putting down the chicken wings and beer … if only for an hour or two. And getting to meet and talk with Billy Collins after the reading was a pleasure.

Learn more about the Weinberg Center for the Arts at their website.
www.weinbergcenter.org

Find out about Frederick Reads at their page.
www.frederickreads.org

Share a cigarette with Billy Collins at the link below.
www.archive.org/details/BillyCollinsTheBestCigarette

Goose Dons New Pajamas

“Have you ever seen a goose in pajamas?” asks Writer’s Lair Books, the publisher of Flightless Goose. Well, you just might when you join Gilbert the Flightless Goose in his fundraising effort for The Pajama Program, a non-profit organization that provides nurturing books and warm sleepwear to children in need.

The Pajama Program has appeared on Oprah and has been praised by NYC Mayor Bloomberg, Parenting Magazine and many other trusted sources.

For every copy of Flightless Goose purchased, one dollar will be donated to The Pajama Project.

Learn more about the Pajama Program partnership with Flightless Goose at the publisher’s website.

www.writerslairbooks.com/pajamaprogram.html

Or jump right into the online pond below.

www.RunGoose.com

Romantic "Silence" for Valentine's Day

This Friday may be the 13th, but it also happens to be the day before Valentine’s Day. So the producers of The Signal on National Public Radio’s WYPR in Baltimore have a treat in store for listeners with an ear for quiet romance.

I’ll be returning to The Signal to read from my fiction. And with Valentine’s Day in mind (more so than Friday the 13th), I picked out what is probably the closest my fiction has come to a romance story.

“The Silences” is a story from TRACKS, my novel in stories which takes place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. In the story, a young woman traveling with the love of her life imagines a grim future together, and she longs for him to prove her wrong.

The Signal is broadcast to about 20,000 listeners in the Baltimore-DC area. It airs at 12 noon and again at 7 p.m. and offers a tour of Baltimore’s cultural landscape. Tune into 88.1 FM.

Can’t pick it up, or doesn’t fit your schedule. No worries — you can also listen to it live or in podcast form at the WYPR’s website (www.wypr.org) or The Signal’s site (www.SignalRadio.org).

Once you’ve listened to the abridged version, read the entire story as it was originally published in Slow Trains. You can visit the online literary journal at the link below.

www.slowtrains.com/vol7issue3/goodmanvol7issue3.html

Real Writer on the Radio

Christine Stewart, aka The Real Writer, is reading her fiction on WYPR’s The Signal today. Chris reads her novel Inventory, a story about her experiences sorting through the remnants of her late grandparents' home.

The Signal is broadcast at noon and 7 p.m. and offers a tour of the Baltimore area’s cultural landscape.

Can’t tune in for the broadcast? Then check out the podcast! The link is below.

www.publicbroadcasting.net/wypr/arts.artsmain?action=viewArticle&id=1466510

Literary Journal Reccommends Flightless Goose

One of Baltimore’s most popular literary journals, JMWW, recommended Flightless Goose in their most recent issue.

Under the News heading in the right column of the front page, JMWW features my photo and a link to www.RunGoose.com.

“Eric D. Goodman’s The Flightless Goose is now available from Writers Lair Books,” the message informs.

Enjoy the latest issue of JMWW now at the link below. While you’re there, peruse the selection of poetry, fiction, art and photography. You’ll even find some reviews — including a favorable review of New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers, which opens with a story from yours truly.

http://jmww.150m.com

Something to Cheer for this Sunday

You may have heard, there’s a big event coming this Sunday. No, I’m not talking about the Super Bowl, although there will be that, too.

This Sunday, February 1, Billy Collins will be reading from his poetry at the Weinberg Center in Frederick.

Collins is one of the nation’s best-selling poets, hailed as an American phenomenon who rivals Robert Frost in popularity and critical acclaim.

This is a can’t-miss event for the die-hard poetry fans out there. Learn more at the link below.

www.fcpl.org/information/programs/2009/billy_collins.html

Goodman on the Tube

I was recently asked to be a guest on a literary-focused television show produced by Loyola College. In the interview, I was asked about Flightless Goose (my children’s story book), TRACKS (my novel-in-stories), and WOMB (my novel-in-progress).

We also talked about tips on writing, and the Baltimore literary scene. I even discuss what got me started writing in the first place.

The interview is split into three segments which, all together, run about 10 minutes.

You don't have to be a Loyola College student or faculty member to enjoy the show – you can view it now on YouTube at the link below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj-GI78kCxE

Goose Makes Agri Digest Once Again

In November, Agri Digest, the magazine dedicated to agricultural initiative and innovation, ran a story on Flightless Goose.

It must have been a big hit in the agricultural arena, because the story ran again in their December issue — and again in January!

If you missed it in November and December, take a look at the article now in the current issue of Agri Digest.

www.agridigest.com/bookGoose.html

Lit and Art -- Yes We Can!

Help extend a bohemian welcome to the new Administration! On Sunday, January 25 at 2 p.m., the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor continues its Lit and Art series. You’ll find that Lit and Art is a series you can believe in.

Returning writers include Caryn Coyle, Eric D. Goodman, and Angela Render. Making their Lit and Art debuts will be Sonia L. Linebaugh and Fernando Quijano III.

Red Tractor Factory, the Lit and Art house band, will provide live music.

A collection of surreal artwork by Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr will be on display.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities. Like previous events in this series, it is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served, and audience members will have a chance to share their own work during the open mic session.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

www.manzar.net

PEN IN HAND Features Flightless Goose

The most recent issue of PEN IN HAND features an interview about Flightless Goose. Writer and Editor Nancy O. Greene interviewed Nataliya and me about our new story book for children.

In the interview, featured both in print and online, we talk about everything from where we came up with the idea for the book to our creative process as we worked together to write and illustrate the story. The story also covers inspirations, aspirations, and advice. It even mentions our adventure getting time NBC’s TODAY show.

To read “The Flightless Goose: An Interview with Eric and Nataliya Goodman,” take a look at the online version of PEN IN HAND at the link below and go to page 6 and 7.

Also, note the shout-out for Flightless Goose in the “Recent Achievements” section on page 9.

And, while browsing the photos from the Baltimore Book Festival on the cover and inside, you may catch a glimpse of someone you know.

Enjoy the latest issue of PEN IN HAND online at the link below.

http://marylandwriters.org/PenInHand/2008-12.pdf

Two Literary Events in Baltimore

In the Baltimore area, it’s already an eventful year for lovers of literature. Here are two upcoming events sponsored by the Maryland Writers’ Association.

Filmmaker Talks About Picturing Words

Christpher Reed, filmmaker and Assistant Professor of Film, Video and Theatre at Stevenson University, discusses "Picturing Words: How to Write for and about the Cinema." The cinema is a visual art form, but it also uses sound (dialogue, music, effects). Movies begin as written scripts, but, once filmed, these scripts are reshaped in the editing process.

"I believe that filmmaking is a wonderful pastiche of different disciplines, from which emerges a unique art form. It is deeply collaborative. There is no one author, unless only one person has been involved, filming him- or herself, from start to finish," says Reed. "Still, at the start of every filming process, there needs to be a blueprint, and that blueprint is the script."

Using examples from his favorite films and film texts, Reed will address the ideas behind successful screenwriting. How does one write visually, so that the words appear as moving pictures before the eyes of the reader? And how does one write about films, so that a simple description can transport the reader into the world of the movie?

Picturing Words: How to Write for and about the Cinema takes place Wednesday, January 14 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the annex building of the Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park, Maryland 21225.

And …

Maryland Authors Share Their Work

The Maryland Writers’ Association’s Baltimore Chapter, co-sponsored by the CityLit Project and the Write Here, Write Now workshops, invites the public to help us kick off the new year right with another in the popular series of open mic readings in the relaxed coffee-house atmosphere of Baltimore Chop Books in downtown Baltimore.

For members, this is a chance to try out your latest writing in front of an audience of fellow writers -- no critiques, just claps! For guests and visitors, we invite you to come and enjoy this literary sampler.

Come early to shop the Chop's terrific collection of books (it's Baltimore City's only remaining independent general bookstore), and to get a nice hot mug of your favorite hot beverage and fresh desert before you read. (Browsing and caffeinating is also encouraged throughout the evening's festivities, of course.)

The event takes place at Baltimore Chop Bookstore and Espresso Bar, Baltimore City's only independent general bookstore, 625 Washington Blvd, in Baltimore.

To learn more about these events, visit the website of the Maryland Writers’ Association.

www.marylandwriters.org.

Happy New Year from the Goodmans and the Goose

It has been an exciting 2008. One of the most exciting things to happen to us over the past year has been the great reception we've gotten for Flightless Goose, our new children's book.

We hope to see even more reviews and coverage early in 2009.

To see some of the goose coverage so far, visit The Goose Who Could Not Fly Blog at www.flightlessgoose.blogspot.com.

Here’s to a fine 2009!

Happy Holidays from the Goodmans and the Goose

Today is Christmas Eve. Gilbert, the Flightless Goose, and the Goodmans would like to wish you a happy holiday season.

Please remember that this is the time of year to eat turkey, not goose. Put another way, remember to make your goose printed, not roasted.

If you'd like to spend a moment with Gilbert the Flightless Goose over the holidays, you're welcome to join us at www.RunGoose.com anytime.

Season's greetings!

Do You Hear What I Hear?

Have you heard the latest about Flightless Goose? An article about the children’s book was published in The Hearing Review —The Hearing Industry Resource.

The article is entitled “Children’s Book Deals With Differences, Disability, Positivity.”

In the article, The Hearing Review said that Flightless Goose “deals with disability and aims to promote tolerance and build self-esteem.”

See the story for yourself at the link below.

http://www.hearingreview.com/news/2008-11-19_01.asp

Auto Industry On Board With Goose

The U.S, automotive industry may be going through a rough time right now, but they've given Flightless Goose a lift.

Automotive Industries Magazine is the world's oldest magazine to cover the automotive industry. In the most recent issue of the print and online versions of the magazine, they've confirmed that Flightless Goose is a hit.

Automotive Industries Magazine's article focuses on the book's subtle lessons on road safety. In Flightless Goose, the main character, Gilbert, falls into the street and is hit by a moving car. The auto accident renders him unable to fly. The life-altering accident could have been prevented had Gilbert been more careful when playing near the road, or had the driver been more cautious when driving near a residential and play area.

The article stated, "Flightless Goose teaches important lessons to children about automotive safety, being watchful of play areas, how to deal with accidents and disabilities when they happen, how to focus on positive strengths, and how to treat others with dignity and respect, despite how different they may be."

As Towson Times recently noted, "Gilbert has lessons to teach." Not only lessons about how to focus on positive strengths and how to cope with difficulties, but even lessons about road safety.

Take a look at the story, "Flightless Goose Teaches Lesson About Safety" in the last issue of Automotive Industries Magazine at the link below.

http://www.ai-online.com/Adv/Previous/show_issue.php?id=2353

Local Entertainment During Your Holiday Shopping

As you’re doing your holiday shopping this weekend, be sure to make Ukazoo Books one of your stops. The best time to stop in is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 20. Browse the books, enjoy a coplimentary cup of coffee or tea, and best of all, enjoy local entertainment from a group of Maryland writers.

On Saturday, December 20, Ukazoo Books in Towson is hosting an afternoon with nine of the local authors featured in New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers. The reading begins at 2 p.m. and offers something for everyone.

The reading includes short fiction from Angela Render, Eric D. Goodman, Sonia Linebaugh, Gary Lester and Austin Camacho; essays from Ami Spencer, Sherry Bosley, and Al Karasa; and poetry from Barbara Morrison. New Lines will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the readings.

New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers is the first book published by MWA Books. For more information about the book, this reading, and other exciting literary events, visit the Maryland Writers’ Association website.

www.marylandwriters.org

"Aim Off Target" To Hit Your Mark

My story, “Aim Off Target,” has been published as the feature article in this week’s issue of Writers Weekly — the highest-circulation freelance writing ezine in the world.

In the story, I share my tips and experience in marketing my new book, Flightless Goose. I explain that although you still want to use your laser to target obvious media choices (like book reviewers and subject area editors), you should also consider aiming your shotgun at less obvious places.

Read the article at the link below.

www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/005080_12102008.html

Bathsheba Monk Explains Flightless Goose

Bathsheba Monk is one of America’s great new writers. Critics from such magazines as Esquire and The New Yorker praise her first book, Now You See It … Stories from Cokesville, PA. The Chicago Tribune called it one of the best books of 2006.

She’s now at work on her second book, Nude Walker, which will be published in 2010. In the meantime, you can keep up with her at her blog, Bathsheba Monk Explains Everything where she writes about everything from literature to politics to … flightless geese.

Yes, even the popular author, described by American great Tim O’Brien as “a writer I’ll be talking about when I talk about brilliant new writers,” has written about Flightless Goose!

Check it out at the link below.

http://bathshebamonk.blogspot.com/2008/10/soar-with-these-geese.html

See what all the squawking is about! Visit www.RunGoose.com where you can learn more about Flightless Goose and even order your own autographed copy.

Towson Times Says Goose has Lessons to Teach

From the Baltimore Messenger to the Baltimore Sun, the Los Angeles Times to the Towson Times, Flightless Goose is getting good ink!

The story, “Gilbert has lessons to teach—Real-life incident inspired Rodgers Forge couple to produce book,” was written by the Towson Times editor, Loni Ingraham.

It got a full-page spread with a nice-sized illustration of the cover, as well as the top front-page blurb.

“Gilbert, the 'Flightless Goose,' lives on, thanks to a Rodgers Forge couple who have immortalized him in a full-color, hardcover children's book,” wrote Ingrahm. “The story behind the story is overcoming challenges …”

Missed the printed issue? Take a look at the online version at the link below.

http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/community/5303/gilbert-has-lessons-teach/

Great Opportunity for Baltimore Writers

When Local Literary figures Gregg Wilhelm, Christine Steart, and Paul Lagasse get behind a literary event, you can rest assured it's one worth checking out. Here's the who, what, where, when, why and how on a great opportunity for writers in the Baltimore area.

WHO: Eight-Stone Press

WHAT: Open-mic "audition" for Baltimore-related stories for possible inclusion in a future issue of the award-winning zine Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore!

WHERE: Baltimore Chop Books, Music & Coffee House, 625 Washington Blvd., Balto. 21230 (near the stadiums)

WHEN: 7 p.m., Wednesday, December 17, 2008

WHY: Because we like you, no matter what's written in the bathroom stall

HOW: Just open up and say, "…."

For more information, visit the Chop online at http://www.myspace.com/baltimorechop or e-mail wpt@eightstonepress.com.

LA Times Mentions Flightless Goose

This week, the Los Angeles Times featured Flightless Goose in the business section.

When a reader asked LA Times business columnist Karen E. Klein a question about how to go about getting a children’s book published, she turned to me for advice. I’m quoted in first section of the column. In fact, the first paragraph of the answer even includes Flightless Goose and the www.RunGoose.com website. The column appeared in the print and online version of the LA Times.

Here is the front page of this week’s LA Times business section, where you can see the headline “Tips for getting your book published.”

http://www.latimes.com/business/smallbusiness/

Here’s the direct link to Karen E. Klein’s column, which quotes me and mentions Flightless Goose and the RunGoose website.

http://www.latimes.com/business/smallbusiness/la-fi-inbox1-2008dec01,0,5330406.story

See the ACREAGE Holiday Gift Guide

Its official: The Macy’s Thanksgiving’s Day Parade has ended, the Festival of Trees is over, and the holiday shopping season has begun!

The Flightless Goose reading at the Festival of Trees (the largest family festival on the east coast with more than 500 theme-decorated trees) was a success. We read the book to three different audiences during the allotted hour. Nicole, my daughter, even took the stage and read it to one of the audiences – her public reading debut!

Looking for some holiday gift ideas? Why not peruse the “ACREAGE Holiday Gift Ideas” guide? If you don’t have a printed copy, see the online PDF version at the link below. Pay special attention to the page 2-3 spread. Flightless Goose is the ACREAGE centerfold!

Start your holiday shopping now at the link below!

http://www.acreagelife.com/pdfs/Gift_Idea_11-20-08.pdf

Goose Hits 1K on Turkey Day

The Flightless Goose got 1,000 visitors for Thanksgiving; the official Flightless Goose website, www.RunGoose.com, reached 1,000 unique visitors on Thanksgiving Day! Talk about something to be thankful for.

To celebrate, don’t forget that Flightless Goose is one of the featured events at this year’s Festival of Trees at the Maryland State Fairgrounds — the east cost’s largest family-oriented festival, and the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season!

We'll share our new book with children and their families at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 29. Look for us by the fireside in the Cozy Corner.

Kennedy Kreiger Institute's Festival of Trees was established in 1990 as a fundraiser to benefit children with neurological disorders served by the Institute. This festival is the largest fundraising event of the year and the largest holiday-themed event in Mid-Atlantic region. Festival of Trees includes more than 500 beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses designed by local artists, businesses and community groups, plus holiday crafts shopping, amazing items up for grabs at the silent auction, hourly live entertainment and, of course, Santa!

Festival benefits the more than 13,000 children with disorders of the brain and spinal cord served by Kennedy Krieger each year, raising funds for patient care, education and research. Since its inception, Festival of Trees has raised over $10 million to support these important programs. You can print a $2 off coupon to bring with you to the event. Just go to the online forest.

www.festivaloftrees.kennedykrieger.org

For more about the Flightless Goose reading and other fun events, visit the festival’s entertainment page.

http://www.festivaloftrees.kennedykrieger.org/entertainment.html

Thankful Goose Makes Cover of Baltimore Messenger

We’re thankful Flightless Goose has been getting a lot of attention lately. There have been well more than a hundred requests for review copies from the press! Not to mention some of the places Flightless Goose has already been featured.

The latest feature appeared on the front page of this week’s Baltimore Messenger. The book’s cover is featured on the front page, along with the story, “Grounded ‘Goose’ Walks away winner” by Loni Ingraham.

The Baltimore Messenger is delivered to about 50,000 readers in the communities of Roland Park, Mt. Washington, Homeland, Guilford, and Hamden.

See the front page of the Baltimore Messenger, with the Grounded Goose and headline, at the link below.
http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/publications/ms/

Or go directly to the full story here.
http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/community/5412/grounded-goose-walks-away-winner/

And Gilbert, the flightless goose, would like us to remind you: eat turkey, not goose, for a happy Thanksgiving.

Festival of Trees Features Flightless Goose

Flightless Goose is one of the featured events at this year’s Festival of Trees at the Maryland State Fairgrounds — the east cost’s largest family-oriented festival, and the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season!

My wife and I will share the new book with children and their families at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 29. Look for them in the Cozy Corner.

“If Santa had a theme park, this would be it,” boasts the website about the Festival of Trees — a three-day extravaganza of fairyland forests, gingerbread towns and toy train gardens, complimented by over 100 craft boutiques, holiday goodies and activities for kids of all ages. Not to mention a special line-up of entertainment for the whole family — including this premiere presentation of Flightless Goose.

Kennedy Kreiger Institute's Festival of Trees was established in 1990 as a fundraiser to benefit children with neurological disorders served by the Institute. This festival is the largest fundraising event of the year and the largest holiday-themed event in Mid-Atlantic region. Festival of Trees includes more than 500 beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses designed by local artists, businesses and community groups, plus holiday crafts shopping, amazing items up for grabs at the silent auction, hourly live entertainment and, of course, Santa!

The 19th annual Festival of Trees takes place November 28 to 30 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

The festival benefits the more than 13,000 children with disorders of the brain and spinal cord served by Kennedy Krieger each year, raising funds for patient care, education and research. Since its inception, Festival of Trees has raised over $10 million to support these important programs.

You can print a $2 off coupon to bring with you to the event. Just go to the online forest!

www.festivaloftrees.kennedykrieger.org

For more about the Flightless Goose reading and other fun events, visit the festival’s entertainment page.

www.festivaloftrees.kennedykrieger.org

To learn more about Flightless Goose, the new childrens’ book by Eric & Nataliya Goodman, visit the online pond.

www.RunGoose.com

Marion Winik Talks About the Dead

The Baltimore Chapter of the Maryland Writers’ Association presents author Marion Winik giving a special talk, "The Making of The Glen Rock Book of the Dead." The event takes place Monday, November 24 at 7:00 p.m., at Ukazoo Books, 730 Dulaney Valley Road, in Towson. It is free for MWA members and first-time visitors, and $5 for returning guests.

Winik will talk about how she came up with and refined the idea for her unusual new work of creative non-fiction, which is a collection of 51 very brief portraits of people she has known who have died. Winik finds that inventing definite structures for her essays and memoirs (perhaps analogous to poetic forms) has been incredibly useful, and she will share lists of ideas and sources of inspiration for writers who want to try this in their own work. She will also read briefly from the book.

Marion Winik is the author of eight books of creative nonfiction and poetry, most recently The Glen Rock Book of the Dead (Counterpoint, 11/2008). Her other works include Telling (Random House, 1994), a best-selling collection of personal essays; First Comes Love (Random House, 1996), a memoir now in development for motion-picture release; The Lunch-Box Chronicles(Random House, 1998); Rules for the Unruly (Simon and Schuster, 2001) and Above Us Only Sky (Seal Press, 2005). She is also the author of two books of poetry. Her essays and articles have been published in The New York Times Magazine, O, Salon, Real Simple, and The Los Angeles Times, among others. Her commentaries have been heard on All Things Considered since 1991, and are collected on the NPR website.

She was the 2008 "My Life As A Mom" columnist for Ladies Home Journal, and continues in 2009 as that publication's "Advice Lady." Currently teaching writing at the University of Baltimore, Winik was the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship in Creative Non-Fiction and has been inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters. She has appeared on the Today Show, Politically Incorrect and Oprah.

For more information, visit the MWAB website.

www.mwabaltimore.org

You Never Know Where Flightless Goose Will Turn Up

Watch out – you never know where Flightless Goose will turn up next!

Last week a Flightless Goose interview was featured on the popular blog, GottaWriteGirl: Adventures in Childrens’ Literature.

http://gottawritegirl.blogspot.com/2008/11/dont-duck-this-goose.html

You may expect to find Flightless Goose featured in a blog about childrens’ literature. But what about Agri Digest – dedicated to agricultural initiative and innovation.

Sure enough, Flightless Goose is featured in the most recent issue of Agri Digest. Check it out at the link below!

http://www.agridigest.com/bookGoose.html

Check out the online pond yourself at www.RunGoose.com, where you can learn more about the book and even order your own copy.

Who knows – maybe the place Flightless Goose will turn up next is at your doorstep!

www.RunGoose.com

Three Literary Readings This Week

When it comes to the literary arts in the Baltimore area, it seems there are always a number of events going on. This week is a perfect example, with three exciting literary readings to choose from.

This Thursday, November 13, at 8 p.m. is the next Speak Freely event at Studio 221. I’ll be one of the featured readers this time around, joined by Ron Williams, Christine Stewart, and Fernando Quijano III, among others. There will be an open mic session, and refreshments. The event takes place at 221 W. Saratoga Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Join us for an evening of speaking freely.

This Saturday, November 15 there are two back-to-back reading events to enjoy – and each one promises to deliver.

I’ll be one of the featured readers at a Constellation Books presentation of New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers. Other featured readers include Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Scott E. Frias, Sally Whitney, Frank S. Joseph, Mary Stojak, and Laura Shovan. The event takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. at Constellation Books, 303 Main Street in Reisterstown, www.constellationbooks.com.


The 510 reading series, hosted by Jen Michalski and Michael Kimball, presents its first nonfiction-focused reading event at Minas Gallery, 815 W. 36th St., Hampden. Featured readers include Deborah Rudacille, Lia Purpura, and Brian Eden. The event takes place at 5 p.m. on every third Saturday of the month.

Come to one, come to all, and enjoy all that Baltimore’s active literary scene has to offer.

Baltimore Writers’ Conference This Saturday

Writers across Baltimore and throughout Maryland and DC will join in Towson, Maryland this Saturday, November 8 for the 17th Annual Baltimore Writers’ Conference.


This year’s keynote speaker is Larry Doyle, author of the novel I Love You, Beth Cooper, soon to be released as a film directed by Chris Columbus and starring Hayden Panettiere as Beth. He was a writer and producer for The Simpsons for four years and now writes for The New Yorker magazine. He recently won the Thurber Prize for American Humor.


Also featured at the conference: Ned Balbo, Poet; Mark Drew, editor; James Grady, thriller novelist; Jessica Anya Blau, novelist; Geoff Becker, novelist; Liz Purpura, poet and essayist; Margaret Meacham, childrens’ author; Cynthia Sanders, contract lawyer; and Shannon O’Neill, agent.


You can register now online, or at the door – the cost is $95, or $50 for students.


Learn more about the Baltimore Writers’ Conference at their website.

http://www.towson.edu/writersconference/

GottaWriteGirl Interviews GottaReadGoose

As my first childrens’ book, Flightless Goose, runs into bookstores across the nation, I’m finding myself wearing the publicity hat more often — communicating with the press, preparing events, doing interviews …

Today, GottaWriteGirl features my interview, "Don’t Duck This Goose," at her popular blog with a focus on childrens’ literature: GottaWriteGirl: Adventures in Children’s Literature.

About a month ago, GottaWriteGirl interviewed the esteemed, Newberry-winning Katherine Paterson, author of Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved.

Check out both interviews at www.GottaWriteGirl.com.

For my interview, you can even participate in a discussion at the end of the post. I’m happy to respond to any questions about the book, the long road to publication, or anything else related to writing and childrens’ literature.

Hope to see you there!

http://gottawritegirl.blogspot.com/2008/11/dont-duck-this-goose.html

Cursed With A Desire To Read This Halloween?

Halloween is in the air. In the mood for a spooky read? Check out The Curse of the Moonless Knight, the second in the mis-adventures of Alyson Bell series.

A veil weaves thinly between the world of the living and the land of the dead. Spirits are amiss in the town of Hollow Creek when a portal that should’ve stayed closed is accidentally opened.
Alyson learns that sometimes in this magical world, you have to close your eyes… to see.

The Curse of the Moonless Knight is written in chick lit style and targeted for girls aged 13-18.

Learn more at author Kristin Groulx’s website. There, you can find information about her, and the entire Alyson Bell series.

http://www.kristingroulx.com

Still Time to See Elmore Leonard

The 13th annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference is a rare opportunity for writers of all levels to learn from successful writers—including Elmore “Dutch” Leonard, Susan Cheever, George Pelcanos and Laura Lippman.

The literary conference takes place on Saturday, October 25 at Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland. There’s still time to register, but writers and fans of the featured authors will want to do so right away.

Writers will appreciate the workshops; readers and lovers of literature will enjoy the rare opportunity to listen to and meet renowned authors.

Elmore “Dutch” Leonard, the prolific author of 42 novels and countless short stories, is this year’s honoree. Leonard’s work includes Freaky Deaky, Killshot, Maximum Bob, Get Shorty, 3:10 to Yuma, 52-Pick Up, Rum Punch, and Ten Rules of Writing. Conference Attendees will get to listen to Leonard talk about writing and read from his work.

Leonard joins a diverse and prestigious list of honorees, including Norman Mailer, John Updike, E.L. Doctorow, Joyce Carol Oates, Ernest J. Gaines, Edward Albee, William Styron, John Barth, Grace Paley, Pat Conroy, Jane Smiley, and William J. Kennedy.

Susan Cheever, author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction including American Bloomsbury, My Name is Bill, Note Found in a Bottle, As Good as I Could Be,Home Before Dark, and Treetops, will deliver the keynote address.

Laura Lippman and George Pelcanos will participate in a panel discussion on successful mystery writing. Lippman was a reporter for The Baltimore Sun before writing novels full time — including seven “Tess Monaghan” mysteries. George Pelcanos published his first novel in 1992 and is the author of fifteen novels set in and around Washington DC. Their conversation will be monitored by Michael Dirda of The Washington Post Book World and Dirda on Books.

In addition to talks from these masters, writers attending the conference will participate in writing workshops lead by top-notch professionals, including editors of literary journals, authors of books, writing instructors, publishers, and others involved with the art and industry of writing.

Workshop topics include short story, novel, memoir, and story writing, from the page to the stage adaptation, author-publisher relationships, and more.

A limited number of registrants will have the opportunity to submit their work to a literary consultant or journal editor for a one-on-one consultation. This will be first-come, first served—an incentive to register sooner rather than later.

The conference will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 6:15 p.m. with events for everyone. The presentation of the annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Award to Mr. Leonard will take place at 2:15. Visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview/fscott/ for a complete schedule.

Learn more about Leonard “Dutch” Leonard in The Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/26/AR2008052602219.html


Conference sponsors include the City of Rockville, Montgomery College, Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Gazette newspapers, Chase Suite Hotel, Round House Theater, Peerless Rockville Historic Preservation, Ltd., and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society.

Learn more about the conference—and register now—at the conference website.
www.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview/fscott/

Three Literary Events in Baltimore

The Maryland Writers’s Association (MWA) and Maryland Writers Association Baltimore Chapter (MWAB) along with the Lit and Art at the Watermark Reading Series are proud to announce three events that are sure to be of interest to area writers and lovers of literature.


Baltimore Sun Editor Dave Rosenthal and Blogger Heather Johnson
Monday, October 27

The Maryland Writers’ Association Baltimore Chapter presents Baltimore Sun assistant managing editor and Sunday editor Dave Rosenthal, co-editor of the Sun's popular "Read Street" book blog, and blogger and book club coordinator Heather Johnson of Storie delle Sorelle, talking about how the Web is changing the way the media covers the literary arts.

Financial pressures have forced U. S. newspapers to shrink, and that has meant big changes in covering books. At some newspapers, full-time book editors have left and were not replaced. The Los Angeles Times eliminated its book review section and moved reviews into the lifestyle pages. Other papers, including The Baltimore Sun, have trimmed book coverage. As these changes unfold, the Sun and some other newspapers have started book blogs to supplement print coverage, and dozens (if not hundreds) of independent blogs have sprung up. Can the two co-exist? Do they have distinct roles? And how does that affect writers who are trying to get their works noticed?

The event takes place Monday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m., at Baltimore Chop Bookstore and Espresso Bar, 625 Washington Blvd, Baltimore, MD 21230, across from Camden Yards. For directions, visit Baltimore Chop's MySpace page or call (410) 752-4487. The event is free for MWA members, free for first time visitors, and $5 for returning guests.


Lit and Art in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor
Sunday, October 26

Need cheap entertainment to distract you from the plummeting stock market? On Sunday, October 26 at 2 p.m., the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor will celebrate the first anniversary of its “Lit and Art at the Watermark” reading series.

Newcomers Angela Render, Sally Whitney, and Sherri Woosley will read their contributions to the recently published anthology, New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers. Also reading their contributions will be Lit and Art regulars Lauren Beth Eisenberg and Eric D. Goodman. A sampling of Iranian poetry and live music, played by Erik Kestler and Robert Waldeck, will round out the celebration. The surreal artwork of Manzar will be on display.

This celebration is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served, and audience members will have a chance to share their own work.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

http://www.manzar.net/


Bea Scott on Gathering Stories and Family Heritage
Wednesday, November 12

Finally, Bea Scott will be speaking on gathering stories and family heritage -- a good topic for the pre-Thanksgiving days! This event is the Maryland Writers’ Association’s November Monthly Meeting and is free to all MWA members, free to first-time guests and visitors, and $5 for returning guests and visitors. It takes place from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in the annex building of the Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park, Maryland 21225, 410-636-6597.

For more information about these events, visit the following websites.

Maryland Writers’ Association Baltimore chapter
http://www.mwabaltimore.org/

Maryland Writers’ Association
www.marylandwriters.org/meetings.html

Learn more about these and other events at Writeful.
http://www.writeful.blogspot.com/

Dialogue with Elmore Leonard

Elmore Leonard is known for his great dialogue. Now, you have the opportunity to share a dialogue with him. You can meet Elmore Leonard, Susan Cheever, George Pelcanos, Laura Lippman and More at the Fitzgerald Literary Conference this month.

The 13th annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference is a rare opportunity for writers of all levels to learn from successful writers.

The literary conference takes place in Rockville, Maryland on Saturday, October 25.

In addition to meeting these accomplished authors, the Fitzgerald conference offers the unique opportunity for writers to hone their craft in top-notch workshops.

Elmore “Dutch” Leonard, the prolific author of 42 novels and countless short stories, is this year’s honoree. Leonard’s work includes Freaky Deaky, Killshot, Maximum Bob, Get Shorty, 3:10 to Yuma, 52-Pick Up, Rum Punch, Tishomingo Blues, When the Women Come Out to Dance, Mr. Paradise, Pagan Babies, and Ten Rules of Writing. Conference Attendees will get to listen to Leonard talk about writing and read from his work.

Leonard joins a diverse and prestigious list of honorees, including Norman Mailer, John Updike, E.L. Doctorow, Joyce Carol Oates, Ernest J. Gaines, Edward Albee, William Styron, John Barth, Grace Paley, Pat Conroy, Jane Smiley, and William J. Kennedy.

Susan Cheever, author of numerous works of fiction and nonfiction including American Bloomsbury, My Name is Bill, Note Found in a Bottle, As Good as I Could Be,Home Before Dark, and Treetops, will deliver the keynote address.

Laura Lippman and George Pelcanos will participate in a panel discussion on successful mystery writing. Lippman was a reporter for The Baltimore Sun before writing novels full time — including seven “Tess Monaghan” mysteries. George Pelcanos published his first novel in 1992 and is the author of fifteen novels set in and around Washington DC. Their conversation will be monitored by Michael Dirda of The Washington Post Book World and Dirda on Books.

In addition to talks from these masters, writers attending the conference will participate in writing workshops lead by top-notch professionals, including editors of literary journals, authors of books, writing instructors, publishers, and others involved with the art and industry of writing.

Workshop topics include short story, novel, memoir, and story writing, from the page to the stage adaptation, author-publisher relationships, and more.

A limited number of registrants will have the opportunity to submit their work to a literary consultant or journal editor for a one-on-one consultation. This will be first-come, first served—an incentive to register sooner rather than later.

The conference will be open from 7:30 a.m. until 6:15 p.m. with events for everyone. Visit www.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview/fscott/ for a complete schedule.

Learn more about Leonard “Dutch” Leonard in The Washington Post.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/26/AR2008052602219.html

Learn more about the conference—and register now—at the conference website.
www.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview/fscott/

Get Your Goose Now!

On November 1, Writers’ Lair Books will officially release Flightless Goose as a full-color hardcover. The book is available now at http://www.rungoose.com/.

I wrote Flightless Goose, and my wife, Nataliya, illustrated it with beautiful watercolors.

In the book, the flightless goose must learn to tolerate teasing and the challenges of being different. He is even left behind as the geese fly south for the winter. In the end, the flightless goose develops a talent no other goose has, and that helps him save the day.

The publisher has announced that all pre-orders placed before November 1 will receive a 10 percent discount, and the copies will be autographed by me and Nataliya.

For every book purchased, one dollar will be donated to The Pajama Project to help provide warm pajamas and nurturing books to underprivileged children.

Flightless Goose will be available in book stores and at Amazon.com, but to get the discount and help the Pajama Project, order now at http://www.writerslairbooks.com/goodman1.html.

Visit http://www.rungoose.com/ to learn more about Flightless Goose.

Weather Only Whets Appetite for Literature

Did last weekend’s rain put a damper on the festivities? Not really.

The National Book Festival, which usually boasts about 100,000 visitors, actually topped 120,000 despite the puddle-pocked walkways along the National Mall and the overcast skies that drizzled on readers and writers. Readers flocked to meet such authors as Salman Rushdie, Neil Gaiman, Bob Schieffer, David Shannon, Dionne Warwick, Andrea Davis Pickney, Charles S. Smith Jr., Geraldine Brooks, Peter Robinson, Warren Brown, Cokie Roberts, Kimberly Dozier, Arthur & Pauline Frommer, Dan Chiasson and Jill Allyn Rosser.

Children enjoyed new books by authors like Laura and Jenna Bush, Tiki Barber, and R.L. Stein. Children also noticed special decorations along the walkways on all the lamp posts: free magnets announcing Flightless Goose and the book’s website, www.RunGoose.com. Flightless Goose was also represented with fliers, magnets, and gift bags, at the big event in Baltimore.

And how about the Mid Atlantic region's most important celebration of the literary arts—the Baltimore Book Festival? The “typhoon” may have kept some of the fainter souls away, but it only whet the appetites of die-hard literary buffs. Thousands of people gathered around the original Washington Monument to celebrate books and all things literary.

Headliners included such authors as Walter Mosley, T.D. Jakes, Madison Smartt Bell, Rafael Alvarez, Michael Kimball, Jen Michalski, and even Mark Twain. (That last one may have been an imposter). Tim Wendell read from his novel Red Rain and conducted a writing workshop.

As in past years, the CityLit tent was a hot spot. That’s where there was a reading of the Freshly Squeezed anthology on Saturday (which features my story “One Last Hit” from Tracks, a novel in stories) and a reading from New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers on Sunday (which features my story “Cicadas.”)

Speaking of Maryland writers, the Maryland Writers’ Association tent always had a crowd collected around it, garnering much interest with the commune story (passer-bys could add a line) and information for and about Maryland writers.

As Paul Lagasse (President of MWA’s Baltimore Chapter) coined, the Book Fest is the “Literary New Year’s” celebration for writers.

Visit The Baltimore Sun’s book blog, Read Street, for another recap.

And visit the Library of Congress’s Book Fest page for podcasts from featured authors.

http://www.loc.gov/podcasts/


Happy Literary New Year, readers!

New Lines at Baltimore Book Festival

The new anthology Marylanders have been waiting for is premiering at the Baltimore book Festival - the mid-Atlantic's largest celebration of the literary arts - this weekend.

That is fitting, since the anthology is a celebration of the rich and diverse literary scene in the state of Maryland.

New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers features fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by 29 Maryland authors.

On September 26, 27, and 28, the Maryland Writers' Association will release the exciting new anthology of Maryland authors. A reading from the anthology will close out the Baltimore Book Festival's CityLit tent on Sunday, September 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. Authors will be on hand to autograph the anthologies.

The authors of New Lines have been featured in publications such as Potomac Review, the Baltimore Review, Christian Science Monitor, Chattahoochee Review, Slow Trains, the Arabesques Review, Poetry Online, Chesapeake Life magazine, the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, Writers Weekly, Scribble, and have won awards from the Maryland Literary Arts Award, the Maryland Individual Artist Award, and the Atlantic Monthly, among others.

A Maryland author is unique, just like the state itself. A person needs to spend a day in Maryland (or read an anthology of its writers) to understand what "Mid-Atlantic" means. There is an indefinable "something" in Maryland that makes it different than Northeast or South; it straddles both regions but can be claimed by neither.

This anthology features the best work of the Maryland Writers' Association, which has served the state for more than 20 years. New Lines continues Maryland's literary legacy-one that stretches as far back as America's written history.

Maryland's cities and shores have inspired such literary greats as Edgar Allan Poe, and Gertrude Stein, as well as more contemporary writers such as Madison Smartt Bell and Laura Lippman. A flag atop Maryland's Fort McHenry was even Francis Scott Key's inspiration for our nation's national anthem.

You will enjoy and celebrate the artistic vision of Maryland authors as they take you on a tour of the state and beyond.

New Lines from the Old Line State has it all. Edited by Allyson E. Peltier, the anthology is $15.95. Can't make the Baltimore Book Festival this year? You can ask for New Lines at your local book store. Or visit the Maryland Writers' Association's online book shop at www.marylandwriters.org/publications.html.

Literary Advice from Top Editors

Many writers — from the aspiring to the established — already know about the impressive highlights of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference coming up this October 25 in Rockville, Md. Registrants will have the opportunity to learn from such pros as Elmore “Dutch” Leonard, Susan Cheever, George Pelecanos, Laura Lippman, and many others. Writers can participate in workshops with subjects ranging from novel structure to the relationship between authors and publishers.

For the first time, the Fitzgerald Conference now offers writers the opportunity of a one-on-one meeting with a literary magazine editor (Gettysburg Review, Narrative, Blackbird) or literary consultant Amy Holman. This is an opportunity to sit face-to-face for 20 minutes discussing your manuscript in a scheduled appointment.

How it works:

-- once you’ve registered for the conference, you can sign up for an appointment with the consultant of your choice for only $30.
-- you’ll have the opportunity to submit 10-15 manuscript pages – the deadline is Friday, October 10.
-- during the conference, you’ll sit down with the literary consultant and discuss your work.

It’s that easy. This is a rare opportunity to get face time with a professional. The consults will be offered during the morning and afternoon workshop times, so no one will miss Elmore Leonard, Laura Lippman, Michael Dirda, George Pelecanos, or Susan Cheever.

Participating editors include …

Mark Drew of The Gettysburg Review
Gregory Donovan of Blackbird
Patricia Schultheis of Narrative.
Mary Flinn of Blackbird
Amy Holman, literary consultant

Space is limited, so what are you waiting for? Register today at www.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview/fscott/ or call (301) 309-9461.

First come first scheduled for these consultations. Your manuscript must be received by October 11 (Fiction 12-15 pages, Poetry 5-7 pages).

Listen to Cicadas Here

It's been a few years since the last outbreak of Cicadas. But from all the recent buzz, it seems they've returned.

My short story, "Cicadas," appeared on National Public Radio's Baltimore station, WYPR, earlier this month. "Cicadas" opened up the weekly radio program, The Signal, NPR's "weekly tour through hidden corners of Maryland's cultural landscape." The program aired at 12 noon and again at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 5.

WYPR had this to say about the story: "Many a florid metaphor has been penned about the buzz of young romance, but Signal contributor Eric D. Goodman may be the first to compare it a seething horde of insects. He joins us with a skeptic's love story called Cicadas."

The "Cicadas" reading even infested the Baltimore Sun.

Not to mention the CityLit Project.

Missed the broadcast? Then find out what the buzz is about! Listen to NPR's pod cast of this "story about romance, cynicism and a wedding set against the otherworldly buzz of Horde X."


Or, go directly to the "Cicadacast" here.


Learn more about The Signal, and even see a picture of a Cicada, at their website.
http://www.signalradio.org/index.php?p=359

Flightless Goose To Be Released

Flightless Goose has an official release date.

On November 1, Writers’ Lair Books will release Flightless Goose as a full-color hardcover book. The 32-page book is available now at www.RunGoose.com.

Flightless Goose is written by me and illustrated by my wife, Nataliya Goodman.

In the book, the flightless goose must learn to tolerate teasing and the challenges of being different. He is even left behind as the geese fly south for the winter. In the end, the flightless goose develops a talent no other goose has, and that helps him save the day.

The publisher has announced that all pre-orders placed before November 1 will receive a 10 percent discount, and the copies will be autographed by both the author and the artist. The book will be available in book stores, but to get to discount, order now at http://www.writerslairbooks.com/goodman1.html.


Visit www.RunGoose.com to learn more about Flightless Goose.

Cicadas Infest NPR

This Friday, September 5, I’ll read from my fiction on WYPR, Baltimore’s National Public Radio station. The Signal will broadcast my reading of “Cicadas.”

“Cicadas” is a work of fiction published in New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers. The anthology, as Editor Allyson E. Peltier put it, “features a rich collection of contemporary literature” from “stylistically and culturally diverse writers.”

“Cicadas” is about a playboy returning to Virginia to be the best man in his friend’s wedding. Cicadas are everywhere. Stu believes his friend’s newfound romance is doomed to a cicada cycle — a brief buzz of excitement followed by years of monotony.

Tune in to Baltimore’s WYPR at 88.1 FM this Friday to hear me read from the anthology. The Signal airs at 12 noon and 7 p.m. every Friday. My fiction will be featured on the programs of Friday, September 5 -- This Friday. Or, tune in online at http://www.signalradio.org.

Learn more about Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR at their website.

http://www.wypr.org/

Or learn more about The Signal here.

http://www.signalradio.org/

Quick! Visit RunGoose.com!

If you thought my former neighbor Michael Phelps was quick as he racked up Olympic Gold, you’ll be blown away by the Flightless Goose. If you blink, you may miss him. So hurry and check him out at www.RunGoose.com!

Flightless Goose is a new childrens’ book being published this fall by Writers’ Lair Books. I wrote the book and my wife, Nataliya, painted the beautiful watercolor illustrations.

The website is live and the online pond is open for your enjoyment. Jump right in at www.RunGoose.com.

Or, take a gander at the publisher’s page devoted to Flightless Goose at www.writerslairbooks.com/goodman1.html

Enjoy Lit & Art This Labor Day Weekend

Come celebrate Labor Day in high bohemian style! On Sunday, August 31 at 2 p.m., the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor continues its Lit and Art series. You’ll find that Lit and Art is a labor of love.

Returning writers include Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Eric D. Goodman, Nitin Jagdish, and Cliff Lynn.

In what hopes to be a permanent feature of the series, there will be live music. Lit and Art perennial Erik Kestler and his band will perform.

A collection of surreal artwork by Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr will be on display.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities. Like previous events in this series, it is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served, and audience members will have a chance to share their own work during the open mic session.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

http://www.manzar.net/

Learn more about the “Lit and Art” reading event at Writeful.

http://www.writeful.blogspot.com/

Maryland's Literary Legacy Lives in New Anthology

A new anthology, due out on September 15, celebrates the rich and diverse literary scene in the state of Maryland.

New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers features 36 pieces of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by 29 Maryland authors.

The authors of New Lines have been featured in publications such as Potomac Review, the Baltimore Review, Christian Science Monitor, Chattahoochee Review, Slow Trains, the Arabesques Review, Poetry Online, Chesapeake Life magazine, the Washington Post, the Baltimore Sun, Writers Weekly, and have been winners of the Maryland Literary Arts Award, the Maryland Individual Artist Award, and awards from the Atlantic Monthly, among others.

A Maryland author is unique, just like the state itself. A person needs to spend a day in Maryland (or read an anthology of its writers) to understand what “Mid-Atlantic” means. There is an indefinable “something” in Maryland that makes it different than Northeast or South; it straddles both regions but can be claimed by neither. Each city and county has its own distinct character that further flavors the language and imagery of its artists. Lush, early springs to hot, sauna-like summers to long, beautiful autumns and mild winters. Harbors filled with boats. Rolling hills dotted with farms. Cicadas. Cherry blossoms.

Maryland’s cities and shores have inspired such literary greats as Edgar Allan Poe and Gertrude Stein, as well as more contemporary writers such as Madison Smartt Bell and Laura Lippman. The bombardment of Maryland’s Fort McHenry was even Francis Scott Key’s inspiration for America’s national anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.”

You’ll enjoy and celebrate the artistic vision of Maryland authors as they take you on a tour of the state and beyond. With seven essays, fourteen poems, and fifteen short stories in genres ranging from mystery to fantasy to literary fiction, New Lines from the Old Line State has it all.

Edited by Allyson E. Peltier, the anthology is $15.95. You can find it at your local bookstore or via the Maryland Writers’ Association’s website: www.marylandwriters.org

Cicadas in Print

My fiction is being published in the anthology New Lines from the Old Line State!

New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers features fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by 29 Maryland authors. It is edited by Allyson E. Peltier.

My story, "Cicadas," follows a man returning to Virginia for the first time in seventeen years to be the best man in his friend’s wedding. The cicadas have returned for the first time in seventeen years as well. Stu believes his friend’s newfound romance is doomed to a cicada cycle — a brief buzz of excitement to be followed by years of mundane monotony.

The new anthology Marylanders have been waiting for is premiering in September at the Baltimore Book Festival — the mid-Atlantic’s largest celebration of the literary arts. It will also be available in bookstores and online.

Be on the lookout for more news on the anthology, the book festival, and more coming down the line soon!

McDermott on Drafts

We've all heard it: writing is rewriting. A first draft should never be considered complete. In order to be successful as a writer, it's important not to fall in love with your own first draft.

Alice McDermott knows a thing or two about the various stages of a successful novel. Here's her take.

"The first draft is spillage." A writer should just let the words and story flow from you without regard to rules, structure, plot, character development, what makes sense, what doesn't jive. Write the first draft from your heart, as it comes to you. Hey, it's only a first draft.

"Then," McDermott suggests, "write at least three drafts. In rewrites, spend the time, don't try to save time. Hone the prose, shape it, redo it. Don't just re-copy with minor edits-that's the easy way out."

With the soul of your first draft already on paper, the second, third, and any additional drafts should be where the true craftsmanship comes in. Sculpt your clay into something wonderful and unique, something others will want to read as well as yourself.

"A Novel should evolve from its own predictable themes," McDermott suggests. And those themes will be present in your first draft. "

F. Scott Fitzgerald's Legacy Lives in Honored Authors

The newest recipient of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Award is Elmore “Dutch” Leonard, the prolific author of 42 novels and countless short stories, many of them household names: 3:10 to Yuma, Get Shorty, Rum Punch, The Big Bounce, and 52 Pickup.

Leonard joins a list of impressive and diverse honorees. Given each year at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference in Rockville Maryland, the coveted award has been granted to thirteen world-renowned authors.

One such author is the late Norman Mailer. Mailer, known best for The Naked and the Dead but also for his sometimes controversial writing and views, accepted the award at the annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Conference in 2000.

John Updike received the honor in 2002. One of the most well-known writers living today, Updike has written 22 novels and more than a dozen collections of short fiction—from the Rabbit favorites to his most recent Terrorist.

E.L. Doctorow came to Rockville to receive his Fitzgerald in 1999. That was before his most recent bestseller, The March, but after the fame of Ragtime, hailed by critics as the best novel of the 1990s.

Acclaimed literary novelist Joyce Carol Oates, author of such novels as Them and The Gravedigger’s Daughter, came to the Fitzgerald Conference to receive accept her honor in 1998.

In 2001, long after A Kiss Before Dying, Ernest J. Gaines received his Fitzgerald. And the award does not go to novelists alone. Playwright Edward Albee accepted the award in 2003.

That’s just the beginning of the impressive list of honorees. Others to receive the honor at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Conference in Rockville include William Styron (the first recipient), John Barth, Grace Paley, Pat Conroy, and Jane Smiley.

The most recent recipient, William J. Kennedy, accepted his Fitzgerald at the last conference, on October 13, 2007. After receiving his award, the author of Ironweed spoke of his own writing experiences, his fondness for F. Scott Fitzgerald, and even read passages from his new, still-unpublished novel.

Learn more about Dutch Leonard and his acceptance of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Award by reading the recent profile in The Washington Post.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/26/AR2008052602219.html


Visit Dutch Leonard at his website.

www.elmoreleonard.com/

And be sure to make plans to see Elmore “Dutch” Leonard in person at the next F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference on October 25, 2008. Stay tuned to the conference website for details as they come.

www.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview/fscott/

Bathsheba Monk Explains Everything

Here at Writeful, I strive to provide readers with a quick fix of literature at least once each week. Whether it’s advice from an experienced author, news about an upcoming literary event, a report on a conference or reading, thoughts about a writing process, or sharing a recently published work, you can count on Writeful to give you your lit bit fix.

But sometimes, you may want another writer’s perspective – someone who can explain everything simply.

Just for fun, check out Bathsheba Monk's new blog, Bathsheba Monk Explains Everything. Bathsheba has discovered the instant gratification of blogging while she finishes up her next book, a novel, Nude Walker which will be published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux in 2010. Nude Walker is a follow up to her popular book Now You See It … Stories from Cokesville, PA.

Visit Bathsheba’s blog at the link below.

www.bathshebamonk.blogspot.com

Looking to Look Through a Looking Glass?

If you’re looking to look through a looking glass with a slightly different perspective, have we got a show for you.

Local theatre artist Scott Davis's original adaptation of Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass premiers at the Capital Fringe Festival on Thursday July 10 at 6 p.m., with subsequent performances on Sunday July 13 at 2 p.m., Wednesday July 16 at 8 p.m., and Sunday July 20 at 8 p.m.. A montage of drama, movement and puppetry set to Daniel Davis' musical score, Through the Looking Glass epitomizes the mantra of the festival: risk-taking, independent performing arts. Venue is The Shop, 607 New York Avenue NW, in DC.

For more, look through the online glass at www.capfringe.org.

The Flightless Goose on The Today Show

Last Wednesday, there was a big event on The Today Show – America’s number one morning show. No, we’re not talking about the wedding. The Flightless Goose made an appearance on The Today Show to announce the new website.

To promote our childrens’ book, The Flightless Goose, my wife Nataliya (the illustrator) and I (the author) went to Rockefeller Plaza during the taping of the show with a handmade poster announcing the publication of The Flightless Goose and launching the brand-new website.

As Matt spoke to the camera inside Studio 1A, “RunGoose” appeared above his head, curving over it like a hat. It appeared for a good 20 or 30 seconds as Matt came on and off screen.

Later during the show, Al Roker gave his animated weather report, part of it in front of the RunGoose sign.

Meredith Vieria saw our RunGoose sign and even asked us for a copy once it goes to print in the fall.

As you may have guessed, the official website for The Flightless Goose is …

www.RunGoose.com

Go to the online pond today! And visit often to be the first to know about the release date, how to get advance copies, and events surrounding The Flightless Goose.

www.RunGoose.com

Lit and Art in Baltimore's Inner Harbor

June is not just about Bloomsday anymore.

On Sunday, June 29 at 2 p.m., the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore's Inner Harbor will continue its Lit and Art series. Five local authors will present their fiction and poetry and an original collection of art by local artist Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr will be on display.

Returning writers include Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Eric D. Goodman, Nitin Jagdish, and Cliff Lynn. Making his Lit and Art debut will be Irwin Greenstein.

A collection of surreal artwork by Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr will be on display.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities. Like previous events in this series, it is free and open to the public. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

Bring your own work for a chance to share it aloud with the crowd after the scheduled readers.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

www.manzar.net

Gluckman's Characters Find Themselves in Deadly Exchange

Think you’ve had an identity crisis at one time or another? Ever feel like your boss or coworkers are a little too intrusive? Think again.

The two main characters in Geoffrey Gluckman’s novel, Deadly Exchange, go against all odds to find one another—but first they have to tackle the struggle of finding themselves.

It’s hard to fit Deadly Exchange into one neat category, other than to describe it as a fast-paced thriller. Part conspiracy theory mystery, part spy action-adventure, garnished with philosophy, self-help, espionage, and romance, Gluckman weaves his characters, themes, plots and subplots together as they travel from coast to coast.

Frank Revere, a former federal agent who has lost his wife and never been himself since, doesn’t know who Jennifer Chance is when he meets her. But then, neither does Jennifer Chance.

As one of the world’s most successful motivational speakers, she’s at the top of her game—and yet unsatisfied. Together, they rediscover not only themselves and one another—they discover what true motivation really is.

To write the thriller, Gluckman drew on his experience as a federal agent and recruitment by the CIA, as well as his experience as an exercise physiologist and international lecturer.

Learn more about Geoffrey Gluckman’s novel, Deadly Exchange, by visiting his website. You can even read the first chapter while you’re there.

http://geoffreygluckman.com/

The Flightless Goose Goes to 30 Rock

The Flightless Goose is flying high … figuratively speaking.

Watch The Today Show on NBC early next week and keep an eye out for the goose!

To promote our childrens’ book, The Flightless Goose, my wife Nataliya (the illustrator) and I (the author) are attempting to get onto The Today Show—America’s number one morning show. We'll go to Rockefeller Plaza during the taping of the show with a handmade poster board announcing the publication of The Flightless Goose and launching the brand-new website.

We'll be in New York City all next week and hope to score a few seconds of air time for The Flightless Goose on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

So stay tuned to the tube and watch for geese! And stay tuned to the online pond at the link below.

www.FlightlessGoose.blogspot.com.

McDermott on Stumbling Along

When it comes to writing fiction, Alice McDermott believes the best way to write a novel is in the dark—figuratively speaking, that is.


“There’s a danger in loosing enthusiasm if you know the plot before you start writing. It’s best, for literary fiction, to begin without knowing exactly where it’s going.”


That’s in direct conflict with what many other successful authors suggest—that you should begin with the ending in mind, plot ahead to know where you’re going.


But it’s not like Alice—New York Times Bestseller, National Book Award winner, Pulitzer nominee—doesn’t know what she’s talking about.


“Novels open up—one thing leads to another, unexpected and unplanned. The puzzle of putting it all together.”


One such puzzle, for Alice, was That Night.


“Writing That Night was a slow process, lots of rewriting, following the language, letting characters show what to write next. It’s a process, stumbling along. A lot of hard work.”


But when done right, it’s a lot of hard work that pays off.


“Don’t be afraid of what’s next. The novel will fill in from behind. It won’t peter out if you’re interested in the story.”

F. Scott Fitzgerald Wants Your Stories

Do you have a great short story that you're dying to share with the world? Now is the time. The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, Inc. is sponsoring its 13th annual short story competition. The F. Scott Fitzgerald Short Story Contest is open to residents of Maryland, Washington D. C. and Virginia.

Send in your polished and unpublished stories of no more than 3,000 words. First prize includes $1,000, an invitation to speak at the 13th Annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, and publication in The Potomac Review. Three runner-ups will receive $200 each. There is a $25 entry fee, and the deadline to enter is July 18, 2008.

In addition to the larger contest, the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, Inc. also sponsors a student short story contest. There is no entry fee, and the competition is open to all high school students who reside or attend school in Montgomery County.

The F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, Inc. promotes appreciation for the literary arts and appreciation for the literature of F. Scott Fitzgerald, one of America's most celebrated writers.

The literary conference is held every year in Rockville, Maryland, the resting place of F. Scott Fitzgerald. The conference includes workshops and panels for writers of all skill levels. The organization's supporters include the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, the Rockville Cultural Arts Commission and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Society.

Visit the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference website at www.montgomerycollege.edu/PotomacReview/fscott/index.htm for complete contest guidelines and more information, or call (301) 309-9461.

And be sure to make plans to attend the next F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference on October 25, 2008. You can learn more by visiting the conference website above.

Elmore Leonard Announced as Next F. Scott Fitzgerald Honoree

Popular novelist Elmore Leonard has been announced as the most recent honoree for the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Award.

Elmore “Dutch” Leonard is the author of 42 novels and countless short stories, many of them household names: 3:10 to Yuma, Get Shorty, Rum Punch (upon which Quentin Tarantino's film Jackie Brown was based), The Big Bounce, The Hot Kid, and 52 Pickup. Currently he is at work on his 43rd novel, Road Dogs, due out in 2009.

In being selected as an F. Scott Fitzgerald Honoree, Dutch Leonard joins an impressive group of talented authors. Previous award winners to accept the award at the annual F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference in Rockville Maryland, include Norman Mailer, John Updike, E.L. Doctorow, Joyce Carol Oates, Ernest J. Gaines, Edward Albee , William Styron, John Barth, Grace Paley, Pat Conroy, William J. Kennedy, and Jane Smiley.

Learn more about Dutch Leonard and his acceptance of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Award by reading the recent profile in The Washington Post.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/26/AR2008052602219.html


Visit Dutch Leonard at his website.
http://www.elmoreleonard.com/


And be sure to make plans to see Dutch Leonard in person at the next F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference on October 25, 2008. Stay tuned to the conference website for details as they come.

www.montgomerycollege.edu/potomacreview/fscott/

Celebrating 90 Years

You think aging heroes like Indiana Jones and Superman are growing old gracefully as they celebrate their lives in their 60s? You should see my grandfather.

This weekend is the big party in the Bluegrass State. Family and friends from around the country and many friends and neighbors from the community are coming out to celebrate his 90th birthday party.

To be healthy and active on your 90th birthday ... now that's something worth writing about.

What do you expect to be doing in celebration of your own 90th birthday?

Get Freshly Squeezed Tonight!

Tonight’s the night. Come to the historic Patterson Theater for the Release Party of Freshly Squeezed: The Write Here Write Now Anthology.

The event, sponsored by the Creative Alliance and the CityLit Project, is free and open to the public. It takes place tonight at 7:30. Refreshments will be served –not just the anthology!

The anthology includes more than 250 pages of select works from the Write Here Write Now Workshop Series. The work ranges from fiction and non-fiction to poetry and plays.

Cant’ make it to the party? Freshly Squeezed is available at Barnes & Nobel, in the stores and online.

Contributors to the anthology include Rick Connor, Fernando Quijano III, Nicole Walton, Tamara Keurejian, Barbara Friedland, Holly Myers, Mare Cromwell, Eric D. Goodman, Nancy O. Greene, and Leo Horrigan.

My contribution to the anthology, “One Last Hit,” is a story from TRACKS, my novel in stories.

Learn more about tonight’s release party at http://www.creativealliance.org/events/eventItem1372.html


Or buy your copy online at Barnes & Noble.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Freshly-Squeezed/Christine-Stewart/e/9781934074329/?itm=4

Indiana Jones and the Historic Senator

It’s been said, as much as authors like myself hate to admit it, that the movie is the new novel. That is, people used to sit by the fireside with a good book; now the average person is more likely to catch a movie. With that in mind, I’d like to shelve the book this week and join the conversation about the latest adventure of Indiana Jones.

Last night I was invited to an advanced screening of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull at The Senator Theater, one of our nation’s few remaining historic theaters. The theater seats 950 and barely a seat remained open. There must have been close to a thousand people there — from theater owners and critics to politicians and the ticket-winners. And you know what? Regardless of what they may say today, last night they were laughing, jumping, cheering – enjoying themselves.

Isn’t that what a summertime popcorn movie is supposed to do?

Indy 4 was a romping rollercoaster ride. Was the film as good as the original trilogy? Not quite — but that’s the nostalgia of 27 years creeping in. Sure the new movie gets a little far out, but so did the other movies. A 700-year-old knight guarding the Holy Grail? Beating hearts bursting into flames, anyone? That’s part of the comic-book fun. Indy movies don’t take themselves seriously.

Sure, the new movie includes some monkey business that would have been better left out. And, given the 17 years that have passed since Last Crusade, it’s more a tribute to the 50s than the 30s. And yes, it starts a little better than it finishes.

That said, Indy delivers. If you enjoyed the original three films, you’ll enjoy this one. It’s as fun as the originals.

So what are you waiting for? Hit the theater, grab your popcorn, get a good seat. And remember that the best place to see an old-style movie like this one is at a historic theater – like The Senator.

Visit Indy at his official website, where you can watch the trailers and TV spots.

http://www.indianajones.com/

Get the consensus from reviewers at Rotten Tomatoes.

www.rottentomatoes.com

Read Roger Ebert’s Indy confession at his blog.

blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2008/05/i_admit_it_i_loved_ind.html

Finally, visit The Senator Theater online.

http://www.senator.com/

Big News: Goose Contract Signed!

There's big news at the publishing pond! We have a publisher for our illustrated childrens’ book, The Flightless Goose! We have signed a publishing contract.

The book will be published by Writers’ Lair Books and is due out this summer.

The picture book, which tells the story of a goose who must cope with a disability and learn to focus on other strengths, has been a long time swimming. Based on the true story of a Canadian goose living on a pond in a neighborhood we once lived in, I wrote the story nearly ten years ago. Over the next few years, my wife, Nataliya, illustrated the book with her beautiful watercolors, bringing the characters to life.

Then came the grueling part—finding a publisher. Over the years, we submitted The Flightless Goose to dozens of publishers and agents. Some responses were form rejection letters, others were complimentary, but ultimately most of them passed on the project.

When the CEO of Writers’ Lair Books took a look at the book, she knew she wanted to publish it. She issued a contract, which we eagerly signed.

So, after years of wading in the water, The Flightless Goose is about to take flight. Look for it online and in bookstores summer 2008!

And be sure to stay tuned for news about the publication date, special pre-publication offers, the release party, and events in the area and around the country! You can read about it here at www.Writeful.blogspot.com -- just subscribe to our RSS feed. Or go directlyto the online pond.

You can visit the online pond at www.flightlessgoose.blogspot.com.

Chatting with Author Tom Monteleone

Last Saturday, the 20th Annual Maryland Writers Conference went well. More than a hundred writers at all levels—from beginners to seasoned experts—joined together to share and learn.

My own session went well. I participated in a panel discussion on marketing your writing. Joining me were authors Austin Camacho, Diane Marquette, and Peter Abresch. We provided tips on our own unique ways of marketing our writing to new audiences—through blogs, articles, book signings, book readings, conferences, and more.

The highlight of the conference was the keynote address by author Thomas F. Montelone. Tom is the author of thirty-six books and has published more than 100 stories. He’s also the author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing a Novel.

I had the pleasure of chatting with Tom over coffee during the conference for about half an hour. But I didn’t conduct an interview since I knew that there were already two great ones out there by fellow conference-goers.

Read an interview with Tom conducted by Nancy O. Greene at The Writer’s Block here.

http://writersgroupblog.wordpress.com/2008/04/29/interview-with-thomas-f-monteleone-multiple-bram-stoker-award-winner/

And listen to an interview with Tom conducted by Austin Camacho here.

http://www.marylandwriters.org/audio/mwa-monteleone.mp3

Small Places Published in The Potomac

My fiction has been published in the May issue of The Potomac, a journal of poetry and politics—and fiction!

“Small Places” is a short excerpt from Womb. Although this short piece is written in the third person, the novel itself is written in the first person – from the unique point-of-view of a child still in his mother’s womb.

“Small Places” is the only excerpt from Womb that has been submitted for publication. Revisions on the novel are still in progress with plans to begin submitting to agents late this year.

Small as it is, enjoy “Small Places” in the current issue of The Potomac now! Just scroll down to the “Quicktions” section on the lower left-hand side.

http://webdelsol.com/The_Potomac/

Deepak Chopra Wellness Retreats Mark 100th Anniversary of The Spencer

The Spencer, a literary-themed hotel and spa nestled in the heart of the Chautauqua Institution, is in its 100th year of continuous operation.

To celebrate, The Spencer offers an exciting program of health and wellness retreats by certified Deepak Chopra Center instructors.

Primordial sound meditation, Yoga, and Healthy Life Styles are a few of the services offered to guests to help them relax, refresh and renew.

For the literary buff looking to release the words from within, professional, award-winning instructors are offering three to five day workshops tailored to everyone’s lifestyle.

The Spencer’s spa offers a variety of invigorating, anti-aging treatments. The Signature Spencer Grape Country massage with essential oils of grape seed and lavender, as well as the Swedish Massage, Hot Stone Massage, and body wraps are designed to reduce stress and to complete your wellness experience. Guests will learn to grow younger with guided healthy food instruction. The Spencer’s spa services now include a sauna, relaxation room, and outdoor massages.

The 24 guest rooms celebrate the life and work of history’s most revered authors—from John Keats to Beatrice Potter; from Charles Dickens to Agatha Christie. Each room in this unique hotel pays homage to a renowned author. This is another reason people are making The Spencer Hotel not only a place to stay but also a destination in itself.

The Spencer Hotel and Spa is located in the heart of the illustrious Chautauqua Institution, the historic community renowned as a center for the performing and literary arts, and the discussion of the most important social and political issues of our time.

Whether guest are seeking a literary getaway, health and wellness retreat featuring certified Deepak Chopra Center instructors, or spa pampering, all are possible at The Spencer Hotel & Spa.

To learn more about The Spencer—the nation’s only literary-themed boutique hotel—visit www.thespencer.com. While you’re there make your reservations online or call The Spencer Hotel at 1-800-398-1306. Be sure to ask about The Spencer’s Deepak Chopra wellness retreats, spa packages, and writing workshops and literary getaways.

Where in the World is Eric D. Goodman?

Millions of Americans are watching "Where in the world is Matt Lauer" this week. But I'm enjoying my own adventure this week in the land of enchantment.


I'm in Albuquerque, New Mexico for a communications conference. The conference is good, but the location is really worth writing about.


I flew in Friday and, immediately after checking in, I enjoyed the nightlife on Rout 66 along with hundreds of American Indians in town for the Gathering of Nations -- the world's largest pow-wow.


I took a day trip to Taos where I enjoyed the historic pueblo there -- the world's first living community still existing today. Near Taos, I hiked to two natural hot springs where I soaked in the hot mineral water in the valley and along the Rio Grande. One of the springs was believed by the Spaniards to bew the fountain of youth due to its medicinal properties.


Kasha-Katuwe's tent rock formations were a wonder: tepee-shaped mountains above and below the trail. And the Coronado monument offered a glimpse of the remains of an ancient civilization. The National Petroglyph National Monument gave a sampling of rock paintings dating back to 1,000 BC.


I rode the world's longest areal tram up to the top of the Sandia mountains, enjoyed some good, authentic food in Bernalillo at a restaurant recommended by a master bead worker I met at an American Indian art gallery. Despite my short time in a Casino, the experiences have left me feeling like a winner.


The gem of Albuquerque is Old Town. I've been to the plaza twice and plan to return again. During my first trip to Old Town, I attended a Christening at San Felipe Neri Church and ate authentic New Mexican food in the Courtyard.


Still a few days to go and so much more to see. So, where in the world will Eric D. Goodman go next? (Probably out for margaritas in the sun.)

Twentieth Annual Maryland Writers Conference

I'll be speaking at the 20th annual Maryland Writers' Conference! I'll be part of a panel discussion on marketing your writing.


There’s still time to register for the 20th annual Maryland Writers’ Conference—but just barely. The big event takes place on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum.


Keynote speaker Thomas F. Monteleone is but one of many professional, successful writers planning to spend the day helping you reach your own writing goals. Monteleone is author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel.


Other speakers include Patricia Fry, Dana Kollman, Richard White, Cynthia Polansky, Gregg Wilhelm, and C.M. Mayo.


Panelists include Austin Camacho, Eric D. Goodman, Tamara Keurejian, Jill Earl, and Bill Glose.


Join local experts and established writers at the 20th annual Maryland Writers' Association's conference. You’ll have the opportunity to hone your craft in sessions led by established authors, instructors, and experts. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s plenty for you at the conference. Come explore the many worlds of writing.


To register, or for more information, visit the conference website.


Or, if you don’t find time to register but still want to attend, just show up! The Maryland Writers’ Association will make room for you.


www.marylandwriters.org/conferences.html

Two Lit-Filled Days in Baltimore

This past weekend offered a lot for lovers of literature to latch on to.

Saturday marked the fifth annual CityLit Festival, one of the region's largest celebrations of the literary arts. The event featured far too many sessions and speakers to mention here, but included Afaa Michael Weaver, Dr. Ben Carson, Laura Lippman, and authors featured in the upcoming Freshly Squeezed anthology.

The Freshly Squeezed anthology reading was well attended - more audience members than in some of the sessions featuring best-selling authors. (Talk about the local literary community supporting its own!) Authors reading their work from the new anthology from Loyola's Apprentice House included Rick Connor, Fernando Quijano III, Nicole Walton, Tamara Keurejian, Barbara Friedland, Holly Myers, Mare Cromwell, Eric D. Goodman, Nancy O. Greene, and Leo Horrigan.

And as though that wasn't enough to fill the day, the monthly 510 reading featured readings by popular authors Michael Kimball, Maude Casey, and Michael Downs.

When I drove to Sunday's Lit & Art at the Watermark event, I was surprised to see the extremely crowded streets, "event parking" signs all around, and lack of usual parking spaces. "Lit & Art has gone far," I thought. The modest crowd inside didn't correspond with the cars all around.

We were competing with the Baltmore Oriels AND the New York Yankees. And the SPCA March for Animals. And several concerts. And probably a thousand other non-literary events.

Still, the Lit & Art event was a good one, filled with creative readings, fine art, and good food, wine, and company. Authors reading from their work included Caryn Coyle, Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Eric D. Goodman, Nitin Jagdish, Eric Kestler, Deanna Nikaido, and Nancy O. Greene.

And the winner was ... everyone who came out and had a great time.

Stay tuned for more information on future events!

And take a sneak peek at the Freshly Squeezed anthology on the Apprentice House website.

www.apprenticehouse.com/

Get Lit This Weekend

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Get lit! (Literature, that is.)

This weekend’s literary offerings are fully stocked.

On Saturday, check out the fifth annual CityLit Festival. It takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Library in downtown Baltimore and features something for everyone. Featured guests include Afaa Michael Weaver, Dr. Ben Carson, Laura Lippman, and authors featured in the upcoming Freshly Squeezed anthology.

The Freshly Squeezed anthology reading takes place at 3:30 at the CityLit Festival. Featured authors reading their work will include Rick Connor, Fernando Quijano III, Nicole Walton, Tamara Keurejian, Barbara Friedland, Holly Myers, Mare Cromwell, Eric D. Goodman, Nancy O. Greene, and Leo Horrigan. The reading – like the festival – is free and open to the public.

And if that doesn’t fill your day, there’s another reading well worth attending after the festival ends. Head over to the Minas gallery in Hampden for the next 510 reading. The event begins at 5 p.m. and features fiction readings by authors Michael Kimball, Maude Casey, and Michael Downs.

Finally, consider Sunday’s Lit & Art at the Watermark event your dessert after a well-rounded meal. Authors reading from their work include Caryn Coyle, Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Eric D. Goodman, Nitin Jagdish, Eric Kestler, Cliff Lynn, Deanna Nikaido, and Nancy O. Greene.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center, Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

All of these events are free and open to the public.


To learn more about the reading, visit the CityLit Project.

www.CityLitProject.org


Take a sneak peek at the Freshly Squeezed anthology at Apprentice House.

http://www.apprenticehouse.com/


Find out about 510 here at their blog.

http://www.510readings.blogspot.com


Learn more about the Watermark at the online gallery.

www.manzar.net


There’s no excuse not to enjoy the weekend!

My Fiction Published in Freshly Squeezed

My fiction is being published in Freshly Squeezed, an anthology being published by Loyola College’s Apprentice House.

“One Last Hit” is a story from TRACKS, my novel in stories. It follows the footsteps of a hit man as he seeks out a career in crime, then just as eagerly seeks to get out.

The anthology includes more than 250 pages of select works from the Write Here Write Now Workshop Series run by the Creative Alliance and CityLit Project. The work ranges from fiction and non-fiction to poetry and plays.

Freshly Squeezed will be available in late May at Barnes & Nobel, Target, and directly from the publisher, Apprentice House. The anthology’s release party takes place at the Patterson Theater on May 28.

Contributors to the anthology will present a special pre-publication preview at this weekend’s CityLit Fest. The “Freshly Squeezed” reading takes place at 3:30 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Library in downtown Baltimore. Featured authors reading their work from the anthology include Rick Connor, Fernando Quijano III, Nicole Walton, Tamara Keurejian, Barbara Friedland, Holly Myers, Mare Cromwell, Eric D. Goodman, Nancy O. Greene, and Leo Horrigan.

To learn more about the reading, visit the CityLit Project.


http://www.citylitproject.org/

Take a sneak peek at the cover at Apprentice House.


http://www.apprenticehouse.com/

Lit and Art Returns to Baltimore's Inner Harbor

Tax season may be upon us, but April does not have to be the cruelest month.

On Sunday, April 20 at 2 p.m., the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor will continue its popular Lit and Art series. Eight local authors will present their fiction and poetry. An original collection of art by local artist Manzar will be on display.

Returning writers include Caryn Coyle, Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Eric D. Goodman, Nitin Jagdish, Eric Kestler, Cliff Lynn, and Deanna Nikaido. Making her Lit and Art debut will be Nancy O. Greene.

I'll be reading "One Last Hit," a story from TRACKS being published in the upcoming anthology Freshly Squeezed under Loyola College's Apprentice House imprint.

A collection of surreal artwork by Manzar will be on display.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities.

Like previous events in this series, it is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center, Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

www.manzar.net

Stay tuned to Writeful for more on this and other literary news and events.

www.Writeful.blogspot.com

CityLit Project's Fifth Annual Celebration of Literature

Poet Afaa Michael Weaver joins authors Lippman, Fesperman, Suri, Carson, and others at the CityLit Festival V.

The fifth edition of the festival takes place on Saturday, April 19, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Enoch Pratt Free Library. The event is free and open to the public.

Deputy Mayor Salima Siler Marriott, Pratt Library Executive Director Dr. Carla Hayden, and CityLit Project Executive Director Gregg Wilhelm join the poet at 10:30 to declare April 19 “Afaa Michael Weaver Day.” Weaver reads from The Plum Flower Dance at 2:00.

The Maryland Writers’ Association will be present all day at the Festival—find out more about the MWA and learn how you can become a part of the organization by stopping by the booth.

Meanwhile, three of Baltimore’s most prominent literati share their brand new books at 1:00 in Pratt Library’s Wheeler Auditorium. Tom Hall, Culture Editor for WYPR’s “Maryland Morning,” talks with Dan Fesperman, The Amateur Spy; Laura Lippman, Another Thing to Fall; and Manil Suri, The Age of Shiva.

Dr. Ben Carson, world-renowned pediatric neurosurgeon, shares his insight and advice from Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk. Dr. Carson presents at 3:00.

The Maryland Humanities Council’s Maryland Center for the Book honors its “Letters About Literature” contest winners from around the state at 11:00 with special guest children’s chapter book author Margaret Meacham. S. James Guitard and Victoria Christopher Murray read from and discuss their latest novels, and sports writer John Eisenberg revisits the Barbaro story in his new book.

Contributors to a new anthology based on writing from the popular “Write Here, Write Now” workshops all present special pre-publication previews of their new books. Featured authors reading their work from the anthology include Rick Connor, Fernando Quijano III, Nicole Walton, Tamara Keurejian, Barbara Friedland, Holly Myers, Mare Cromwell, Eric D. Goodman, Nancy O. Greene, and Leo Horrigan.

For families, Caldecott Honoree and New York Times bestselling children’s book author Carole Boston Weatherford shares her latest book, Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins.
Programs take place throughout the library.

A complete schedule of times and locations is available at CityLit’s website below.

www.CityLitProject.org

More Than a Writers Conference

The Second Annual Conversations and Connections Convention will help you get the connections and information you need to take your writing — and publishing — to the next level.

This year’s keynote speaker is Mary Gaitskill, author of the novels Veronica and Two Girls, Fat and Thin, and the story collections Because They Wanted To and Bad Behavior.

Gaitskill will give a reading at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Spring Event tonight, and will be the keynote speaker at the conference Saturday.

Panelists at the conference are experts in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, writing for children, making connections, using the web, marketing, and everything in between.

More than 30 literary magazines will be represented.

Get the real deal straight from the editor’s mouth and advice specific to your work.

Your $45 registration fee includes the Friday night reading, full day Saturday conference, plus face-to-face “speed dating” with literary magazine editors, a subscription to the lit mag of your choice, and a book by featured speakers.

To learn more, visit the Conversations and Connections Conference website.

writersconnectconference.com/wordpress/

Be the First to Hear Fresh Work at CityLit

You can be the first to hear freshly-squeezed fiction, non-fiction, poetry and more from the first Write Here Write Now Anthology. Select authors published in the anthology will read from their work at the CityLit Festival.

The CityLit Festival is one of the most popular events in the Baltimore literary community. It takes place on April 19th, Enoch Pratt Library in downtown Baltimore.

The official release of the new anthology isn’t until late May, so this is your opportunity to get a special sneak peek at the work. The anthology includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, even short plays. There’s something in the anthology for everyone. Featured authors reading their work will include Rick Connor, Fernando Quijano III, Nicole Walton, Tamara Keurejian, Barbara Friedland, Holly Myers, Mare Cromwell, Eric D. Goodman, Nancy O. Greene, and Leo Horrigan.

The reading takes place at 3:30 at the CityLit Festival. The reading – like the festival – is free and open to the public.

Visit the link below for more information.

www.citylitproject.org/index.php?q=node/199

Fitzgerald Spring Event This Friday

Don’t forget: this Friday renowned author Mary Gaitskill will read from her work at the Spring Event of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference. The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 4 at the Rockville Vis Arts Center.

Mary Gaitskill has been nominated for the National Book Award, National Book Critics’ Circle Award and PEN/Faulkner Award. She is the author of Two Girls, Fat and Thin; Veronica; Bad Behavior; and Because They Wanted To. Her short story “Secretary” was made into a feature film.

Gaitskill will be joined by four local authors: Dave Housley (Ryan Seacrest is Famous), Nathan Leslie (Madre, Believers), Susan Muaddi-Darraj (The Inheritance of Exile), and Lalita Noronha (Where Monsoons Cry).

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Gaitskill and other talented authors read from their work. The event is free to members of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, Inc. and their guests, and the cost is $10 for the general public. There will be a minimal charge for students. Parking at Town Center is free after 7 p.m., and refreshments will be served.

For directions to the Vis Arts Center, visit www.visartscenter.org.

To learn more about this event or about the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, Inc., email FSFconference@gmail.com or potomacrevieweditor@montgomerycollege.edu.

Fiction to be Published in Write Here Write Now Anthology

“One Last Hit,” a story from TRACKS, my novel in stories, is slated for publication in the first Write Here Write Now Anthology.

The Write Here Write Now Anthology is published by Loyola College’s Apprentice House, a new press that has gotten a bit of good ink in the media recently. The new anthology, due out this spring, includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays, and more from Baltimore-area writers.

“One Last Hit” follows the progression of a man as he goes from mere mischief to a career of crime. Although it stands alone as a story, it follows up the story “Reset,” which made TRACKS a semi-finalist in the First Chapters novel competition last year. “Reset” was from the perspective of the target; “One Last Hit” comes from the point-of-view of the hunter.

Look for “One Last Hit” in the Write Here Write Now Anthology soon.

Learn more about TRACKS at www.train-tracks.blogspot.com

The Nation's Only Literary-Themed Hotel

Many people have heard about the illustrious Chautauqua Institution — the historic community renowned as a center for the performing arts, literary arts, and the discussion of the important social and political issues of our time.


But did you know that at the heart of the Chautauqua Institution stands The Spencer — the nation’s only literary-themed boutique hotel?


The historic Spencer is a popular vacation spot not only during the Chautauqua Institution’s summer season, but year-round. That’s because the hotel is not just a place to stay — for many visitors, it is the destination itself.


The 25 rooms in the Spencer celebrate the life and works of history’s most revered authors—from John Keats to Beatrix Potter, Charles Dickens to Agatha Christie.


Each room in this unique hotel pays homage to a renowned author, depicting scenes from their most famous works.


For instance, in the C.S. Lewis (Room 302), a mural dedicated to The lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe depicts the image of stepping into Narnia, complete with the famed Wardrobe. In the Isak Dinesen (Room 203), a play on the Out of Africa theme allows guests to slumber under their very own dream-like safari tent while the Jules Verne (Room 306) offers the playful impression of sleeping up in a balloon traveling Around the World in 80 Days.


In addition to the beautiful murals and decorations, each room features a musical CD to add to the mood of the theme. Copies of the featured writer’s works are also shelved in each room, and available for purchase — the perfect souvenir to remember your stay.


Many visitors come just to relax in the literary surroundings. Others take advantage of workshops, packages, and events sponsored by The Spencer, such as the poetry workshops in May and June with Douglass Goetsch and Madeline Tiger or the Murder Mystery Theater. There are also spa packages, wine-and-cheese packages, and more.


To learn more about The Spencer — the nation’s only literary-themed boutique hotel — visit www.thespencer.com. While you’re there, make your reservations online, or call The Spencer at 1-800-398-1306.

How to Build an Author Platform

The Baltimore chapter of the Maryland Writers' Association (MWAB) invites writers in Baltimore and the surrounding area to an event that will detail how to build an author's platform, and why it's important to do so.


Like all of MWAB's monthly meetings, the event is free to members and first-time guests and $5 for returning visitors.


Ally E. Peltier, MWAB regular and professional freelance editor, writer, and publishing consultant, will give her talk "Your Author's Platform: Why Background Matters, and How to Get the Right One" at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 24 at Ukazoo Books in Towson.


This talk will introduce writers to the thinking process of acquiring editors and agents and give you the edge you need to get your book published and sold.


In today's highly saturated book market, a strong publicity and marketing campaign requires that authors have a solid platform to get the kind of media attention necessary for sales. But what is a platform, what is it used for, and how do you acquire one? Ally will discuss the difference between a fiction and nonfiction platform and the role each plays in developing a book proposal, and also address the reasons why you should write a proposal even if you're a novelist.


Ally E. Peltier is an editor, writer, and publishing consultant working with businesses and individuals in need of editorial services. Ally has been an editorial staff member at both small and large book publishers, and has worked as a freelance writer for nearly a decade. Her ever-expanding client list includes such companies as Simon & Schuster, Penguin Group USA, F&W Publications, Warner Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, iUniverse, and more. Ally's work has appeared in a variety of places, including Writer's Digest, Writers' Journal, Circle Magazine, and J3tlag.com. She also ghostwrites nonfiction books. www.ambitiousenterprises.com/.


The Baltimore Chapter of the Maryland Writers' Association was the first official chapter to launch. Serving members in and around Baltimore City, the chapter is co-sponsored by CityLit Project (www.citylitproject.org) and the Write Here, Write Now workshops at the Creative Alliance (www.whwnwriters.com/).


For more information, visit the website at www.mwabaltimore.org/.

Mary Gaitskill Headlines Authors at Fitzgerald Spring Event

Renowned author Mary Gaitskill will read from her work at the Spring Event of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference. The event takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 4 at the Rockville Vis Arts Center.

Mary Gaitskill has been nominated for the National Book Award, National Book Critics’ Circle Award and PEN/Faulkner Award. She is the author of Two Girls, Fat and Thin; Veronica; Bad Behavior; and Because They Wanted To. Her short story “Secretary” was made into a feature film.

Gaitskill will be joined by four local authors: Dave Housley (Ryan Seacrest is Famous), Nathan Leslie (Madre, Believers), Susan Muaddi-Darraj (The Inheritance of Exile), and Lalita Noronha (Where Monsoons Cry).

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see Gaitskill and other talented authors read from their work. The event is free to members of the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, Inc. and their guests, and the cost is $10 for the general public. There will be a minimal charge for students. Parking at Town Center is free after 7 p.m., and refreshments will be served.

For directions to the Vis Arts Center, visit www.visartscenter.org.

To learn more about this event or about the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, Inc., email FSFconference@gmail.com or potomacrevieweditor@montgomerycollege.edu.

Successful Reading Tips in Writers Weekly

My story, “Reading Your Work Aloud,” was published in the latest edition of Writers Weekly — the most widely-circulated freelance writing ezine in the world!

The story is all about how to be a successful reader at a public event — even when you feel like it’s the last thing you’d be able to do at all, let alone successfully.

Just a couple years ago, you’d never have convinced me that I’d be reading my fiction in front of an audience. After all, I’m the writer, not the speaker. I’d rather write the speech than deliver it. But now, I’m not only reading my work at several events each year, but I’m actually hosting the “Lit and Art” reading series in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

If I can do it, so can you. Take a look at my story, “Reading Your Work Aloud,” in the latest edition of Writers Weekly for tips and advice on giving successful readings.

http://writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/004560_03052008.html

An Exultation of Editors

Want to learn about getting your writing published right from the source? Then consider the exciting "Exultation of Editors" coming to Baltimore this coming Monday evening.


"An Exultation of Editors" is the next event in the University of Baltimore's Spring Reading Series on Monday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in the fifth floor multipurpose room of the Student Center, 21 W. Mt. Royal Ave. The event will feature David Dudley, editor of The Urbanite, Jen Michalski of JMWW, and Gregg Wilhelm of Apprentice House. Marion Winik, assistant professor in the School of Communication Design, will serve as panel moderator. The event is free and open to the public.


You may want to edit your schedule to be sure you can make this one.

This Book May Make You Forget To Laugh

Regarded by the world as one of the greatest Czech writers, Milan Kundera now lives in Paris but still writes about his homeland.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being is probably his most known work. Told in seven parts, it interweaves the stories of several characters and, more importantly, themes, ideas, and philosophies.

In Slowness, his first novel originally written in French, Kundera examines the lives of two sets of lovers in the same chateaux, separated by eras but not all that different.

But my favorite of the Kundera novels I’ve read so far is the one that put him on the map of literary success in the 1970’s: The Book of Laughter and Forgetting.

In Laughter and Forgetting, Kundera uses his unique style to examine the ideas of memory and forgetting, of routine and newness. Although he claims within the novel that the book is the story of one main character—Tamina—the novel is made up of seven separate sections, each one delving into another person’s story, although all of the stories mirror or accentuate Tamina’s. The book opens and closes with the stories of different characters, with different themes, and yet they belong to Tamina. Kundera smoothly weaves his own narrative, stories from his own life and experience, his own opinions and even his writing of this book, and it works seamlessly. His short chapters of a few pages each make it easy to enter and exit the minds of the characters, and yet they fit together like pieces of a puzzle. One gets the impression that you could throw the chapters up like a deck of cards, stack them in any order, and The Book of Laughter and Forgetting would still work.

The Book of Laughter and Forgetting offered a number of “aha moments,” eye-openers that got me to thinking about new things, or considering old ideas in a new way. It is a book I won’t soon forget.

Alice McDermott's Writing Process

Ever wonder how a master novelist like Alice McDermott approaches her writing? She explained her process in Bethesda Maryland as she shared her novel-writing with me and a group of local writers.


Alice McDermott treats fiction writing like a full time job — because it is one.


Alice writes four days a week and treats writing like a real job on those four days. She’s never been exclusively a full-time fiction writer. She teaches, does workshops, and fills her time with other activities as well. Few writers actually write full time … or rather, few of them make it an exclusive job.


“As literary fiction writers, we’re trying to get to something true of us all. So write about common humanity, communal experience, not about a place, plot. Show universal truth to the reader in an interesting way.”


That sounds like a full-time job to me.


Do you treat your writing like a job or a hobby?

Readings, Readings

If you’re in the Baltimore area this weekend, you’re in luck. It’s a great weekend for readings!


On Saturday, February 16 at 5:00, visit Minas Gallery for the 5ive: ten reading series. The 5ive: ten series is the only reading series in Baltimore dedicated exclusively to fiction. This Saturday’s readers are Rachel Bradley, Luca Dipierro, and David R. Matthews. The event is hosted by authors Michael Kimball and Jen Michalski.


Speaking of Jen Michalski … you can catch her reading from her own fiction the following day, Sunday, February 17 at BaltimoreChop Books, Music & Coffee House. The reading begins at 2 p.m. and also features local authors Jessica Anya Blau and Geoffrey Becker.


Itching for some Fiction? Here are two events to scratch down on your to do list.


5ive: ten Reading, Saturday, February 16, 5 p.m., Minas Gallery.

http://510readings.blogspot.com/2008/01/february-16th-reading-authors-of-santi.html

BaltimoreChop Books Music & Coffee House Reading, 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 17.

www.baltimorechop.com

Bracken Moves Writers from Ideas to Action

Ann Bracken will show Maryland Writers some fresh ways to use the power and magic of writing and apply them to everyday life at the February meeting of the Maryland Writers Association.

Write for Your Life is a multi-faceted presentation that combines tried-and true journaling activities with some improv and poetry to help you uncover and rewrite trouble-spots of your story.

As an expressive arts coach and writer, Ann will guide you through a few exercises using specific journaling tools. Some of the benefits people experience from journaling include breaking through recurring blocks, accessing deeper layers of meaning, analyzing troubling situation from multiple perspectives, and achieving goals more quickly and effortlessly.

Ann owns The Possibility Project, a coaching practice that uses expressive arts (journaling, poetry, visual art, and improv) for helping people move from ideas to action and achieve positive results.

Write for Your Life takes place this Wednesday, February 13 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the annex building of the Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park, Maryland 21225.

The event is free for members and first-time visitors, or $5 for returning guests.

For more information about Ann and The Possibility Project, visit her website.
www.possibilityproject.com.

For more information about this event, visit the Maryland Writers Association.
www.marylandwriters.org

Silence on a Slow Train

A perfect fit: one of my stories from TRACKS, a novel in stories that takes place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago, has been published in the latest edition of Slow Trains, an online literary journal. You can find “The Silences” in Volume 7, Issue 3, Winter 2007-2008.

And perhaps there’s no better time than now, as Valentine’s Day approaches, for the publication of this story, an innocent, romantic tale of a young couple in love that balances some of the book’s harsher stories.

“The Silences” was featured earlier this year at the Baltimore Book Festival. Now, it finds its way to readers across the nation via Slow Trains.

Slow Trains is read by a large and diverse audience each day, including editors and agents. Fiction from the journal has been selected for "E2Ink - Best of the Online Journals," and in anthology award series, including one guest-edited by Pam Houston.

The editors of Slow Trains also forward appropriate writing to various awards, including the "Best American" series, Pushcart, and O’Henry.

You can read “The Silences” in the current edition of Slow Trains at the link below. Look for me in the fiction column, seated on the left side of the page.

And enjoy the ride!

www.slowtrains.com

Fiction to be Published in Scribble

“Prewitt’s Plans,” a story from TRACKS, my novel in stories, has been accepted for publication in Scribble Magazine.

Scribble is a print literary journal published in Maryland. Although it is produced and distributed by an independent publisher, it is the official publication of the Maryland Writers’ Association.

“Prewitt’s Plans” is the opening story to TRACKS, my novel in stories. It follows Prewitt’s struggle with his life plans as he boards a train in Baltimore, headed for Chicago, and debates whether he’s headed in the right direction.

Look for “Prewitt’s Plans” in the next edition of Scribble later this season.

Patry Francis Blog Day

It's Patry Francis Blog Day!

Patry was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer and can not promote her book, The Liar's Diary, to the extent necessary, so her friends, Laura Benedict and Karen Dionne, initiated this project to bring together as many people as possible to help promote The Liar's Diary.

I'm happy to help promote the book as it's a good one. In fact, you'll find another post about the book here at Writeful.

To learn more about Patry Francis Blog Day, visit The Writers' Block.

http://writersgroupblog.wordpress.com/2008/01/29/patry-francis-blog-day-the-liars-diary

Get the story behind how Patry Francis Blog Day started at this link.

http://litpark.com/2008/01/28/the-liars-diary-blog-day/

Or visit Patry's website here.

http://www.patryfrancis.com/

Keep Your Literary Resolutions

Each year, countless writers make resolutions about their writing goals. This is the year you’ll publish that short story, write that novel, or at least put pen in hand and write a few pages each day.

And in May, where will you be? Here’s a great way to keep your writerly resolutions in check.

Register yourself now to attend the 20th annual Maryland Writers Association on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum.

Keynote speaker Thomas F. Monteleone is but one of many professional, successful writers planning to spend the day helping you reach your own writing goals.

Join local experts and established writers at the 20th annual Maryland Writers' Association's conference. You’ll have the opportunity to hone your craft in sessions led by established authors, instructors, and experts. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s plenty for you at the conference. Come explore the many worlds of writing.

To register, or for more information, visit the conference website.

http://www.marylandwriters.org/conferences.html

The Online Pond is Open

The online pond is open to the public! A new goose blog has been launched to update readers about the progress of The Flightless Goose.


You can visit the online pond at www.flightlessgoose.blogspot.com.


The Flightless Goose is the story of a goose named Gilbert. He is like many of the other geese at the pond, until one day, an accident renders him unable to fly. He must learn not only to deal with the taunting of others, but to compensate for his new disability by finding strengths in other traits.


This book is a collaboration between me and my wife. I wrote the story and Nataliya brought it to live with her beautiful watercolor illustrations.


Keep up with the pond gossip by visiting the online pond regularly!

www.flightlessgoose.blogspot.com

Lit and Art Event Warms the Harbor

The cold weather wasn’t enough to keep authors, artists, and their fans from blowing into Baltimore’s inner harbor for the second “Lit and Art” reading at the Watermark Gallery.


Those in attendance got to listen to six local authors read from their original prose and poetry, and got to take in the original artwork of Manzar.


Eric Kestler and Cliff Lynn read from their poetry. Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Eric D. Goodman, Caryn Coyle, and Nitin Jagdish read from their prose. Every last drop of wine was consumed, and so were most of the homemade edibles.


The audience consisted of familiar faces as well as new ones, and several people expressed interest in learning about future readings.


The next “Lit and Art” reading is tentatively set for mid to late March.


The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.


Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.


www.manzar.net


Learn more about the “Lit and Art” reading series by continuing to read Writeful each week.

www.Writeful.blogspot.com

Your Chance to Steer Baltimore Writers

The year’s first monthly meeting of the Maryland Writers Association’s Baltimore Chapter (MWAB) is your chance to join in the discussion of what the organization will do in 2008.

The event takes place at Ukazoo Books in on Monday, January 28 from 7 to 9 pm. and is free and open to the public.

We're not having a guest speaker this time -- instead, we're inaugurating what may become an annual tradition, a roundtable member discussion to map out where we'd like the organization to go in the coming year.

Topics up for discussion will include meeting dates, venues, topics, guest speakers, activities, the financing of signs for the organization, and more. We will also discuss ways in which to reach out to other writers in the community, how to get more involved with the community and other organizations, and what sorts of activities the MWAB should initiate or participate in during the coming years.

If you are a writer in Baltimore or the surrounding area, you won’t want to miss this opportunity to make your voice heard.

For more information, visit the website at http://www.mwabaltimore.org.

Resolutions Worth Writing About

As I took my son for a walk through the neighborhood — the winter weather temporarily rising from the 20s to the 70s — there must have been a hundred discarded Christmas trees lining the curbs. Possibly enough to heat the entire city for a day!

It made me realize something: the holidays are over.

(What, did you detect an environmental message here?)

The holidays are over, and that means it’s time to get serious about getting back into the work of writing. Time to dust off last year’s New Years Resolutions, see how we did, and craft a new set of reachable goals and resolutions.

I think the important thing to remember when it comes to New Years Resolutions is to keep them within your control. I don’t mean to limit yourself to what you can accomplish -- we should all strive to go beyond, to reach further, and to break barriers so that we can reach our goals. What I mean is that we should define our goals and then resolve to do all that we can within our power to make them come true -- not make a goal outside of our control the resolution in itself.

Here’s an example: for several years one of my top New Years resolutions was to get a novel published by one of the major publisher. In an industry where only about one out of every 30,000 (yes, that’s thirty thousand!) submissions is accepted by a major publisher, I’m as likely to be hit by lightening or win the lottery. So when the end of the year would come and I hadn’t published a novel, I’d failed at my resolution despite my strong resolve.

Now I frame my resolution in a way that I can accomplish it. I instead resolve to do everything I can to polish my work, submit it professionally, and to keep my manuscripts from ‘sleeping at home’ by always having my work in the hands of an agent, editor, or publisher. I resolve to have another query in the mail as soon as I get a “no thanks.” And I resolve to keep at it.

Rather than “get published,” resolve to send a polished story to 20 literary journals and magazines. Instead of “finish that novel,” resolve to spend a set number of hours each week working on the novel. Instead of an elusive “go to more literary events,” resolve to go to at least one event per month — even if you have to travel to do so. Concrete resolutions make the abstract goals obtainable.

Having said that, here are some of my resolutions for 2008: to actively promote my novel, TRACKS, and to find it a home with an agent or publisher; to actively promote my children’s book, The Flightless Goose, due out later this year; to write at least five days a week; to send out at least one submission each month.

What are your New Years Resolutions worth writing about?

Lit and Art in Baltimore's Inner Harbor

As winter winds blow, the harbor may not seem the warmest place to visit this time of year—unless you’re going to the Watermark Gallery to enjoy a gathering of literature and artwork.

This Sunday, six local authors will present fiction and poetry—and an original collection of art by local artist Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr will be on display.

The event takes place at the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor on Sunday, January 20 at 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Wine and refreshments will be served.

Eric Kestler will read from his poetry.

Lauren Beth Eisenberg will read “Lust,” an excerpt from her book, Excess Baggage.

Eric D. Goodman will take the audience “Out for a Walk” with a story recently published in The Baltimore Review.

Caryn Coyle will share her story “Mom’s Memorial Mass.”

Nitin Jagdish goes madcap with his “Manifesto.”

Cliff Lynn will close the lineup with readings from his poetry.

A collection of surreal artwork by Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr will be on display.

During the intermission as well as after the readings, members will have the opportunity to mingle with the authors, artists, and each other.

This is the second reading in this series, following the successful “Rumi-esque Reading” in October.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

www.manzar.net

Learn more about the “Lit and Art” reading event at by checking back here at Writeful.

www.Writeful.blogspot.com

Rare Opportunity to Learn from a Master

Baltimore writer Rafael Alvarez (Life, Homicide, The Wire, Orlo and Leini, The Fountain of Highlandtown, The Baltimore Sun) invites you to participate in personalized writing lessons with him via e-mail. This is a rare opportunity to be mentored by a master who has experience writing in the genres of fiction, television, essay, journalism, and more.


Here are the details, direct from Mr. Alvarez himself:


"As the writers' strike drags on with no end in sight, I have begun offering writing lessons via email. I am offering classes in all genres: short story, journalism, essay and screenwriting.


"The cost is $50 an hour. As for how the hour will be used, that is up to the client. I will edit, give notes, answer any and all questions, direct the client to proper resources and draw on my 30 years of experience in newspapers, fiction and television writing.


"I keep track of the time in 15 minute increments and bill at the end of the month. I let the client know when they've reached 60 minutes and do not charge for any time the client does not want. My one strict rule is that all work is done via email.”


This is a tremendous opportunity. So how come you're not writing to him already? Here’s his address.


orlo.leini@gmail.com

Levit Sparks Creativity

Rob Levit is the guest speaker for the monthly meeting of the Maryland Writers Association this Wednesday, January 9.

Creativity is an often-mentioned buzz word in the arts -- but how does one acquire creativity, develop, and retain it? Is creativity a natural gift, a set of techniques, or both?

In this participatory, experiential and interactive workshop, renowned creative artist Rob Levit demonstrates the many, yet often overlooked, creative options available to artists of all disciplines that increase productivity, erase blocks, and deepen experience.

Rob is the 2006 Annie Award recipient for performing arts from the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, 2007, recipient of the Capital-Gazette Leadership Anne Arundel Community Trustee Award, and numerous Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist awards. He has recorded over 17 albums as a jazz musician/composer and is an accomplished painter and essayist.

The meeting takes place this Wednesday, January 9th from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the annex building of the Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park, Maryland 21225.

The event is free for members and first-time visitors, or $5 for returning guests.

For information about Rob, visit www.roblevit.com, www.creativityexpert.com, and www.creatingcommunities.net.

For more information about this event, visit the Maryland Writers Association website.
www.marylandwriters.org

Goose for the New Year

This time of year, in the midst of the holidays, people tend to focus on the family, on friends and loved ones, feasts and children.

And so do we.

What better time than this festive season to announce our upcoming Goose book for children?

No, it's not a cook book.

The Flightless Goose is the story of a goose named Gilbert. He is like many of the other geese at the pond, until one day, an accident renders him unable to fly. He must learn not only to deal with the taunting of others, but to compensate for his new disability by finding strengths in other traits.

This book is a collaboration between me and my wife. I wrote the story and Nataliya brought it to life with her beautiful watercolor illustrations.

Gilbert's new year resolution is to get published. Here's to The Flightless Goose taking flight in 2008 -- and continued health, success, and happiness to us all.

Highlandtown for the Holidays

Baltimore author Rafael Alvarez returns home for the holidays — and for a reading at the Highlandtown branch of the Pratt Library at 2 p.m. on Sunday, December 23.

An appropriate venue since his first collection of short fiction was entitled The Fountain of Highlandtown.

You may know Rafael from his years as a reporter for The Baltimore Sun, or as author of the fiction collections, Orlo and Leini and The Fountain of Highlandtown. Or you may know his work as a television writer for Homocide, The Wire, and The Black Donnelly’s. Many people know him as the Mister Baltimore, the teller of Baltimore stories.

His most recent television show hit is Life, for which he is writer and producer.

Alvarez reads his work alongside Mimi Zannino and Airin Miller at the new Highlandtown branch of the Pratt located on the corner of Conkling and Eastern avenue.

Learn more about Rafael Alvarez at the following link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rafael_Alvarez

National Novel Writing Month Tops 100,000

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) was a big success this year. Novelists from more than 70 countries typed frantically toward the finish line of a 50,000 word manuscript.

This year, more than 100,000 novelists participated in NaNoWriMo — only about 15,000 authors actually crossed the finish line. And while NaNoWriMo stresses fun and creative exploration above publication, sixteen NaNoWriMo novelists have had their NaNo-novels published, including Sarah Gruen, author of New York Times #1 Best Seller, Water for Elephants.

My own novel in stories, TRACKS, began as a NaNoWriMo winner. Sure, it took more than a year to rewrite and revise, but only a month for that initial draft. So far, six of the stories from TRACKS have been published or accepted for publication in literary journals and magazines; excerpts from TRACKS have been read at book festivals and on National Public Radio's WYPR.

Not to mention that TRACKS was a semi-finalist in the Gather-Borders-Simon & Schuster sponsored First Chapters Novel Contest.

All this is to say that writing a novel draft in a month is nothing to scoff at. It can be done, has been done, and the seed that results can reap success if properly cultivated.

This year was my fifth consecutive win with National Novel Writing Month. Don’t expect to see CLICK! in stores anytime soon. My NaNo-Novel from 2004, however …

You can learn more about National Novel Writing Month -- and even read an excerpt of CLICK! — in my NaNoWriMo lounge.

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/34003


Learn more about TRACKS at the online station.

http://www.train-tracks.blogspot.com/

My Fiction on a Slow Train

It almost seems a perfect match: a story from TRACKS, my novel in stories taking place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago, has been accepted for publication in the literary journal Slow Trains.

“The Silences” will be published in the December edition of Slow Trains, later this month. “The Silences” was featured earlier this year at the Baltimore Book Festival.

Slow Trains is read by a large and diverse audience each day, including editors and agents. Fiction from the journal has been selected for "E2Ink - Best of the Online Journals," and in anthology award series, including one guest-edited by Pam Houston.

The editors of Slow Trains also forward appropriate writing to various awards, including the "Best American" series, Pushcart, and O’Henry.

Look for “The Silences” in the next issue of Slow Trains.


www.slowtrains.com/aboutus.html

Get to Know a Good Liar

Want to get to know a liar? There are plenty of them around. But one in particular is well worth spending some time with. And the best way to get to know her is to read her steamy diary.

I recently put down The Liar's Diary by my friend and fellow author Patry Francis. It really was the kind of book that was hard to put down, each chapter ending on a cliffhanger that made you want to read on.

The story may sound usual enough on the surface: Jeanne Cross is a suburban wife in a dead-end job living in the shadow of a successful husband and in fear of her teenaged son getting into trouble. But when the main character gets to be friends with the scandalous new music teacher, the story proves anything but normal.

Patry has written a novel that is both a page-turner and of literary quality. She even got the attention of bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard, who said "The Liar's Diary twits and turns but never lets go." And bestselling author Tess Gerritsen said, "This is one of my favorite reads of the year!"

Learn more about The Liar's Diary by visiting Patry's website below. Then take the next step and order a copy for yourself.

www.PatryFrancis.com

Monteleone Keynotes Maryland Writers' Conference

Maryland author Thomas F. Monteleone is confirmed as the keynote speaker for the Maryland Writers’ Association 20th Anniversary Conference.

The Conference, which draws writers from across the state of Maryland and beyond, takes place on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Maritime Institute of Technology conference center. The address is 692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthicum Heights, MD 21090.

Thomas F. Monteleone has been a professional writer since 1972, and is four-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award. He has published more than 100 short stories in numerous magazines and anthologies. His stories have been nominated for many awards, and have appeared in a number of best-of-the-year compilations.

He has written thirty-six books, including The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing a Novel.

Monteleone is one of many successful authors presenting an array of literary topics at the day-long conference.

Join local experts and established writers for an opportunity to hone your craft in sessions led by established authors, instructors, and experts. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s plenty for you at the conference. Come explore the many worlds of writing.

Register now to take advantage of our EARLY BIRD SPECIAL -- now through December 31!
To register, or for more information, visit the conference website.

http://www.marylandwriters.org/conferences.html

Local Author Wins Strauss Literary Award

Madison Smartt Bell, a novelist and an English professor at Goucher College, has been presented with the 2008 Strauss Living Award from the American Academy ofArts and Letters. The literary award includes a cash prize of $250,000. The association made the official announcement yesterday.

I’ve met Madison at local readings and literary events and am thrilled that the local writer — a neighbor — has been presented with such an honor. And a nice windfall to go with it.

The news of his prize has been published in the New York Times and The Baltimore Sun.

Read more about it in The Sun.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/education/college/bal-md.bell29nov29,0,6434345.story

My Thanksgiving Interview with Deborah Norville

Being thankful is still in season.

Today I’m thankful that my Thanksgiving-themed story was published in last week’s Thanksgiving edition of Writers Weekly — the most widely-circulated freelance writing ezine in the world.

The story is not just about giving thanks. In fact, it’s an exclusive interview with Deborah Norville — anchor of Inside Edition and author of the new bestselling book, Thank You Power.

I had the pleasure of meeting Deborah at a luncheon last month called “A Movable Feast.” She’d already read Writeful prior to our meeting and was open to the idea of an interview centered on Thank You Power.

The article appearing as the feature in last week's edition of Writers Weekly, “Give Thanks for Your Writing” specifically addresses Norville’s Thank You Power and how it relates to writers.

In a nutshell, Norville suggests you write down three things you’re grateful for every day. Doing so can have a physical and emotional impact on your life — as proven in her book.

This works specifically for writers and their careers when they focus on what they are grateful for in the writing arena.

I’m grateful because this is the third story I’ve had published in Writers Weekly this year. Hey, I met my quote for the day — see how easy it is?

To learn more, read my article, “Give Thanks for Your Writing,” in Writers Weekly.

http://www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/004378_11202007.html


And to learn even more, visit Deborah Norville at her site.

http://www.thankyoupower.net/

A Feast of Books

I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. I did. In fact, I had two. One on Thanksgiving Day with my family. The other, about a month prior, was a sort of literary thanksgiving with other writers.

The luncheon, called “A Movable Feast,” was part of the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association Conference. I was there to talk with the authors about their books, and about writing in general.

The authors were there to talk about their own new books, either freshly available or coming soon. I got a chance to talk with several of them, and have kept in touch with a few. Here are some of the authors who participated in the “Movable Feast” and their new books.

Sunshine O’Donnell has gotten a lot of good ink this year. Her book, Open Me, enters the secretive world of professional wailers. The prose is beautifully written and well-paced. Learn more at Sunshine’s website.

http://www.sunshineodonnell.com/


Deborah Norville, best known for her Inside Edition gig, talked about her book Thank You Power. This extensively-researched book provides evidence that people who count their blessings are healthier, happier, and more successful. Find out more at her site.

http://www.thankyoupower.net/


Barbara Lehman writes wordless books. That is, her childrens’ books are filled with pictures that tell a story. And she tells her stories so well that she’s even won a Caldecott Medal. Her newest book is Rainstorm. Find out more about Barbara’s books here.

http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/catalog/searchresults.cfm?adv=y&authorID=9620


Bathsheeba Monk has gotten great reviews for her novel in stories, Now You See It … Stories from Cokesville, PA. Tim O’Brian of The Things They Carried has called her a brilliant new writer. What more is there to say? Novels in stories can be successful! Find out more about hers here.

http://www.bathshebamonk.com/


Felicia Sullivan has written her memoir, The Sky Isn’t Visible From Here. You can learn more about her, and even pre-order her book, at her website.

http://feliciasullivan.com/


Matthew Reinhart has done his part to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Star Wars with a ground-breaking pop-up book. And get this – Matthew’s Star Wars: A Pop-Up Guide to the Galaxy actually got a stunningly favorable review in the New York Time’s Sunday Book Review. When’s the last time you’ve seen a pop-up book there? Read the review here.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/11/books/review/Pogue-t.html


Now that you’ve filled up on turkey, time to fill up on books. Each book here is a good place to start.

When Your Novel In Progress Does Not

When I met author Alice McDermott for the first time, it was at a craft lecture she was presenting at The Writers’ Center in Bethesda, Maryland. The topic of the craft lecture was, “When Your Novel-in-Progress Doesn’t.”

Most authors who have written a novel — or tried to — can relate to that.

Alice McDermott, despite her two Pulitzer Prize nominations, her National Book Award Win, and her regular trips onto the New York Times Bestseller list, is no exception.

She described a novel she has never finished to date. “I was in middle-book syndrome,” she explained. She was halfway through the novel, she knew where it was headed, but she didn’t want to finish it.

“The best practice is to write through your reluctance to continue — even if you begin writing a different story, keep writing.”

That’s what Alice did. She shelved the project she was no longer interested in and focused on another.

So if you’ve lost interest in what you’re writing, perhaps it’s time to move on.

Learn more about Alice McDermott’s words of writing wisdom at the following links.


http://writeful.blogspot.com/2007/07/writing-to-convey-pain-and-sweetness-of.html


http://writeful.blogspot.com/2005/11/mcdermott-on-flow-of-words.html

The Perfect Place for Maryland Writers

A popular location has been set for writers from all across Maryland and the surrounding states to join together.

The Maryland Writers’ Association 20th Anniversary Conference will take place at the Maritime Institute of Technology, in the conference center. The address is 692 Maritime Boulevard, Linthicum Heights, Maryland 21090.

This was the setting for last year’s MWA contest, and the writers in the crowd seemed to agree — this is the perfect place for Maryland Writers to come together and hone their crafts.

The Conference takes place on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m..

Join local experts and established writers at the 20th annual Maryland Writers' Association's conference. You’ll have the opportunity to hone your craft in sessions led by established authors, instructors, and experts. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, there’s plenty for you at the conference. Come explore the many worlds of writing.

Register now to take advantage of our EARLY BIRD SPECIAL -- now through December 31!
To register, or for more information, visit the conference website.

http://www.marylandwriters.org/conferences.html

National Novel Writing Month Is Underway

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is off to a fast-paced start. More than 100,000 writers from 70 countries are already well into their NaNoWriMo novels.

Last year, about 79,000 people took part in the challenge. And while the event stresses fun and creative exploration above publication, sixteen NaNoWriMo novelists have had their NaNo-novels published, including Sarah Gruen, author of New York Times #1 Best Seller, Water for Elephants.

My own novel-in-fast-progress, CLICK!, is off to a good start with about 27,000 words — well on its way to the 50,000 word goal.

You can learn more about National Novel Writing Month -- and even read an excerpt from CLICK! -- in my NaNoWriMo lounge.

While you’re lounging, I’ve got to get back to writing!

http://www.nanowrimo.org/userinfo.php?uid=34003

Gluckman Brings Espionage and Conspircy

At the November meeting of the Maryland Writers’ Association Baltimore Chapter, author Geoffrey M. Gluckman brings espionage and conspiracy to Baltimore as he talks about how to use research to add authenticity to fiction, including where to find resources and how to cultivate them. The name of his presentation is Authenticity: Facts in Fiction.

Gluckman is the author of the spy thriller Deadly Exchange, an exciting novel of espionage and conspiracy. To write the thriller, he drew on his experience as a federal agent and recruitment by the CIA, as well as his experience as an exercise physiologist and international lecturer.

This exciting event takes place at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore in the Power Plant Live complex, right in the heart of Baltimore’s Inner harbor at 601 E. Pratt Street. Just look for the Hard Rock’s guitar. The event takes place at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 26 and is sure to be a thrilling one.

This will be the last monthly meeting of the MWAB for 2007, but an exciting line up is in the works for 2008.

To learn more about Geoffrey Gluckman and Deadly Exchange, visit his website.

http://www.geoffreygluckman.com/

For more information, visit the MWAB website.

http://www.mwabaltimore.org/

Baltimore Writers Conference This Weekend

If you’re a writer, and you’re in the Baltimore area, you’ll want to check out this weekend’s Baltimore Writers’ Conference. The CityLit Project, Towson University, and Johns Hopkins University always put on a great conference.

This year’s conference takes place this Saturday, November 17, 2007 from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. — at which time the wine and cheese reception begins.

Diverse sessions taught by experienced professionals allow you to tailor your day to your needs and interests. Whether you’re into fiction, poetry, non-fiction, screenwriting, or you’d like to get a taste of it all, you can do it at this conference.

The keynote speaker this year is Marion Winik, a regular commentator on NPR’s All Things Considered, and author of several books, including First Comes Love, Telling, The Lunch-Box Chronicles, and Above Us Only Sky.

To learn more about the Baltimore Writers’ conference and to see the full schedule, visit the conference website. From there, you can also register online – reserve your spot now!

www.towson.edu/writersconference

My High Five Published in JMWW

I’m published in the Fall issue of JMWW. Give me a high five!

JMWW is a popular online literary journal based in Baltimore that publishes “the best fiction, poetry, essays, and art on the web. Or at least a close approximation.”

Jen Michalski, the editor, recently announced the new issue: “The Fall 07 issue of JMWW is now floating in space — featuring artists Elizabeth Crisman and Peter Schwartz; Eric D. Goodman's five favorite Johns; and new expanded fiction, flash, essays, poetry, and book reviews! We are seriously rich with pleasure this issue, so sit back and have a cuppa.”

Each issue of JMWW begins with a note from the editor, then a “High Five.” In this issue, I write about my “five favorite Johns” of writing.

“We're definitely excited that Baltimore writer Eric D. Goodman meditates on his five favorite Johns in this issue's High Five,” Jen wrote in her editor’s note.

Enjoy the fall 2007 issue of JMWW now!

http://jmww.150m.com/

A Year of Happy Hours for Writers

Join us where it all started.

One year ago, writers began joining together in the Baltimore area for a series of Writers’ Happy Hours. The events draw writers from all over the Baltimore area. It’s a great opportunity to celebrate and commiserate with other writers while doing something that many writers do best – drinking!

The eighth Writers Happy Hour takes place from 6:30 p.m. until the cows come home on this Friday, November 9th at Max's on Broadway, in Fells Point. We’ll be staking our claim in the upstairs lounge.

It’s worth noting that this very lounge is the setting of a pivotal scene in “Futures,” a story from TRACKS, my novel in stories. What an ideal place for a literary setting!Bring your leftover Halloween candy.

And remember what Homer said about alcohol: “Here’s to Alcohol: the cause of and solution to all of life’s problems.”

Homer Simpson, that is.

Election Already Decided

The election has already been decided. No, not that one — the election for the Maryland Writers Association’s Public Relations Director.

The state-wide organization needed someone to help promote the MWA events, including the monthly meetings, writing contests, and convention. They wanted someone with experience doing PR writing. Someone with a proven record of getting results.

They couldn’t find their ideal candidate, so they elected me.

In part because I’ve already been helping to promote literary events, in part because of how persistent I’ve been at promoting literary events and news, not to mention my novel in stories, TRACKS – especially during the time when it was a semi-finalist in the Gather First Chapters Contest. I do PR writing for a living and seem to have a knack for it.

If I could just use these PR skills to convince a publisher to give my novel a chance.

In the meantime, I’ll be telling you all about MWA meetings, conferences, contests and events … as I usually do.

To learn more about the MWA, visit the website.

http://www.marylandwriters.org/about.html

Be sure to check out the Baltimore Chapter here.

http://www.mwabaltimore.org/

Can You Hear Poe's Heart Beating?

Every Halloween night, a crowd joins together over Poe’s grave in Baltimore and listens to a dramatic reading from the work of Edgar Allen Poe.


Poe, after all, lived and died in Baltimore. His grave and memorial are in downtown Baltimore at the Westminster burying ground and the “Poe House” where he once lived is a few blocks away.


The last time I attended the graveside gathering on Halloween night, after listening to spooky music on the old Westminster organ and exploring the catacombs beneath the church, I remember actually sitting above Poe’s grave and listening to a reading of “The Tell-Tale Heart.”


I remember thinking, as I sat over his grave, how appropriate it was to read that particular story with his clay-cold body right beneath us. I could almost hear his heart beating.


Around Halloween, I often turn to Poe’s writing. It seems to go with the holiday. Sure there’s the horror of Stephen King and the vampires of Anne Rice. But they don’t seem to hold a candle to Poe.


If you’re looking for new voices in the art of the ghost story, be sure to check out these books.


The Ghost of Colby Drive, by Kristin Groulx:

http://www.kristingroulx.com/books.html


Portraits in the Dark, by Nancy Greene:

http://www.portraits.bravehost.com/


Or, you can always trust Edgar Allen Poe for a good scare.

http://www.eapoe.org/

Dark Reading for Halloween

There’s scary, and then there’s bone-chilling. I remember as a kid, sometimes I could watch an rated-R horror flick and laugh at it … then watch a g-rated episode of The Twilight Zone alone and creep around the house making sure nothing lurked behind the doors.

Nancy O. Greene’s Portraits in the Dark falls into that second category.

Portraits in the Dark is a slender collection of nine short stories examining the uncertainty, vulnerability, and darkness present in human nature and the world we live in. What it lacks in size it makes up for in substance.

Portraits won both the Editor’s Choice and Publisher’s Choice Awards from iUniverse, and some of the stories have placed in contests individually.

Find out why; read the reviews and more about the book on Nancy Greene’s website.

http://www.portraits.bravehost.com/

Literary Getaway

As one reader recently pointed out, it seems like I’ve been so busy lately with literary events, I haven’t even had time to write about them. I mean really write about the events instead of just mentioning them.

That’s true. Fall is always a busy time for literature. But this year seems to have been packed with more pages than usual. I’ve barely had time to transcribe notes from the events — let alone actually write about what the authors have said, what words of wisdom and writerly advice they had to share.

Rest assured that such posts will come in the near future. In the meantime, rest alone would be nice.

So I’m relieved to have the opportunity to experience a literary getaway of a different type this weekend. My wife and I have been invited to enjoy a weekend at The Spencer in Chautauqua, New York.

The Spencer is a literary-themed boutique hotel located on the grounds of the illustrious Chautauqua Institution, and is celebrating 100 years of history this year. The literary hotel celebrates the life and works of history’s most revered authors.

Each room at The Spencer pays homage to a renowned author, depicting scenes from their most famous works. For instance, in the C.S. Lewis (Room 302), a mural dedicated to The lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe depicts the image of stepping into Narnia, complete with the famed Wardrobe. In the Isak Dinesen (Room 203), a play on the Out of Africa theme allows guests to slumber under their very own dream-like safari tent while the Jules Verne (Room 306) gives the playful feel of sleeping up in a balloon traveling Around the World in 80 Days.

We’ll be staying in the Brownings Suite, named after English poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning, wife of Robert Browning. Elizabeth Browning is best known for Sonnets from the Portuguese, a collection of love sonnets to her husband. We’ll be taking our copy along.

I look forward to reporting on the weekend. Well, the literary parts, at least. In the meantime, feel free to book your own literary getaway by visiting The Spencer online.

http://www.thespencer.com/

Join us in the Brownings Suite.

http://www.thespencer.com/browning.htm#

Mixing Fiction, Poetry, Music, and Art

The “Rumi-esque Reading” last Sunday afternoon at the Watermark Gallery turned out to be a great event.

In the warm, inviting environment of the Watermark Gallery, decorated with the original works of Manzar, lovers of the arts gathered to hear two poets and three fiction writers read their work.

Deanna Nikaido opened the event by reading several poems by Rumi. She then read from her own collection of poetry, Vibrating with Silence.

Nitin Jagdish read two stories: “Lines: A Portrait Contemplates Its Audience" and “Fragments from a Backyard Melodrama.” Two other readers read dialogue within Nitin’s narrative, which enlivened the reading.

Caryn Coyle read her story “She Walks in Beauty,” about a Native American ancestor guiding a twentieth century woman on a spiritual journey.

I read two sections from the novel I’m still revising: Womb. It’s a novel narrated by an unborn child still in the womb. I hope to have it polished and ready for agents and publishers around the middle of next year.

Cliff Lynn closed the program with a reading of his own award-winning poetry, followed by a reading of Rumi’s work.

During the intermission, live music was performed, over wine, refreshments, and conversation. Another live performance – from a musician at the Peabody Institute – was enjoyed after the readings.

Perhaps the most enjoyable part of the event was just gathering together during the intermission and after the readings to talk with fellow writers, poets, artists, musicians, and lovers of the arts.

Whether you’re an artist or a writer, a poet or a reader, I encourage you to go out and get involved with events such as this. Visit the art galleries, attend the readings, enjoy the company of fellow creative people. Beyond being fun, it can be an inspiration.

In the Mood for a Canadian Ghost Story?

Halloween is only nine days away. What better time than the present to sit by the fire with a good ghost story? Especially if you’re into teen chick-lit.

My friend and fellow author Kristin Groulx published her first novel earlier this year. The Ghost of Colby Drive is the story of Alyson Bell, a teenaged girl who moves with her family to a new town and experiences more than the usual bout of culture shock.

This young adult paranormal romance novel will appeal to readers who enjoy authors Katie Maxwell, Sophie Kinsella and Ann Brashares. It’s perfect for anyone interested in writing paranormal young adult novels.

Or for anyone who wants a good scare this Halloween.

Learn more about The Ghost of Colby Drive by visiting Kristin at her website.

http://www.kristingroulx.com/books.html

Watermark Gallery Reading This Sunday

Just a reminder: this Sunday at 2 p.m. is the “Rumi-esque Reading” event. I’ll be reading from my new novel, Womb, and will be joined by two other fiction writers and two poets. In addition to literature and readings from Rumi’s work, there will be artwork, music, and refreshments.

You’re invited!

Below is information directly from a recent advertisement on the event.


A Rumi-esque Reading:

Celebrating 800 years of Rumi

at

The Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor


Sunday, October 21 at 2 p.m.

Hightlights include:

· Readings from Rumi’s work

· Original, Rumi-inspired work from poets
Deanna Nikaido and Cliff Lynn.


Original, Rumi-esque fiction from three local authors:


· Womb by Eric D. Goodman

· “She Walks in Beauty” by Caryn Coyle

· "Lines: A Portrait Contemplates Its Audience" and
"Fragments from a Backyard Melodrama.” by Nitin Jagdish

Also for your enjoyment:

· “Diverse Expressions,” surreal artwork by Manzar

· Live, Rumi-inspired music

· Wine and refreshments


The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

The event is free and open to the public.

And, if the event leaves you hungry for more, don’t forget that on Monday night, a number of Maryland writers — myself included — will share our work aloud at the new Ukazoo Books in Towson.

Learn more about both events at www.Writeful.blogspot.com.