Author Fest of the Rockies

Well, last week's "Author Fest of the Rockies" turned out to be a lot of fun. Met lots of new folks, drank some literary branded wine at D'Vine Wine's kick-off party, talked to students at Manitou Springs High School, and attended a couple of great sessions on social networking and teen fiction.

I also gave my own presentation on getting my first novel published. Over 40 people showed up with lots of great questions and feedback. Many thanks!

Also thanks to Author Fest of the Rockies, Black Cat Books and Cliff House for a wonderful two days by the mountains.

Back to School

Had fun visiting with Mrs. Wecks’s class and Mrs. Holladay’s class today at Manitou Springs High School for Authorfest of the Rockies week. We talked about writing, banned books, and even a little bit about music.

Thanks for all the questions and the cool shirt! And thanks Ron Cree (author of Desert Blood) for keeping the conversation going.

THE GREAT LAKES READER

Now on the shelves at your local independent bookstore—THE GREAT LAKES READER.

A collection of essays written by local booksellers and librarians. Edited by the estimable Carl Lennertz.

My essay about living in Wisconsin is in there (even though I live in CO now).

Stop into your local indie bookstore and buy a copy! This book benefits the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, and who doesn’t like those guys???

Mountains & Plains

Yesterday I attended my first book trade show, the Mountains & Plains Independent Book Sellers Association (MPIBA).

What a great experience--two giant conference rooms filled with books and people who love selling, reading, writing, and talking about them.

I met so many wonderful people: booksellers, publishers, agents, authors. I also got to meet the HarperCollins reps who are working hard getting the word out--thanks Bob for making Postcards your rep pick!

Also signed advanced reading copies for interested independent booksellers. Can't wait to stop into all these regional stores and say hello next spring. What a great group of passionate book people.

Support these independent bookstores--visit INDIE BOUND

Here Comes the Snow!

Living in Colorado has developed in me an unhealthy obsession with snow. Just this week, the snow has begun to fall. And while it's only in the mountains for now, it's there on the peak, staring back at me, letting me know it's time to start thinking of powder days. I can't wait.

Literary vs Mainstream

I just read a great blog & discussion titled "Why Must the Novel Be Boring?" over at author Alexander Chee's blog: http://koreanish.com/2009/09/09/why-must-the-novel-be-boring/

Good question.

Do you find literary novels to be boring? And what the heck is a "literary" novel anyway? I never understood that term.

Wikipedia says: In broad terms, literary fiction focuses more on style, psychological depth, and character, whereas mainstream commercial fiction (the page-turner) focuses more on narrative and plot.

I guess I like ALL of that in a novel. What's that called?

American Icon 5

Last night I attended the Pikes Peak Writer's "American Icon" contest--the writing/reading equivalent to American Idol. Held at the Marriott Hotel here in Colorado Springs, American Icon has twenty local writers read two-minute segments in front of a panel of guest judges--an agent, author, and publisher.

This year had a huge amount of talent, and was a highly entertaining night. Contestants' excerpts ranged from urban fantasy and science fiction to creative non-fiction and literary fiction.

The Overall prize went to Samuel A. Johnson, for his mainstream fiction excerpt called "The Evangelist in the Bathtub." And the Audience Favorite went to Erin Spradlin for her humorous essay "Mazel tov!"

(Okay, I actually read too--an excerpt from my upcoming novel--as the winner in 2007, I was invited back to start off the night with a guest reading.)

If you'd like to take part in American Icon 6, contact Pikes Peak Writers. It's a fun chance to get immediate feedback on your writing from professionals, possibly win some great prizes like literary agent critiques, and socialize with other writers.

Thanks, PPW, for putting on another great event.