Reading at the Rez -- October 28, 2008, NYC

The REZ Reading Series was conceived as a way to create community around books and the people who love them. Writers give several readings during the year around a specific theme (i.e., "Fright Night" for Halloween (during which I read "Dreams on Racks," or "The Spirit of Poetry" right before the beginning of Advent and Chanukah). Writers range from well-known, published authors to those to have never been published. There is no charge for this event, although they do ask for a donation to cover refreshments. All are welcome and the audience has been steadily growing. If you live in the area, I heartily recommend you check it out.

Local Author Day -- Written Words Bookstore, Shelton, CT -- July 20, 2008

Written Words Bookstore, Shelton, CT

Dorothy Sim-Broder, owner of Written Words, and Melissa Crandall

A word about Dorothy and her store: this is one of the best (if not the best) independent bookstores I've ever been in. It is spacious, clean, well-lit, each area is clearly marked, and there's a clean and well-appointed bathroom for customer use. Obvious thought and care go into Dorothy's stock choices. You'll find books carried by the larger chain stores, but you'll also find books you might not normally get a chance to see. Dorothy believes in supporting her local authors (as she put it, who knows which one of us might be the next big household name?) and we, in turn, support her. Check out her website under my Links.

The gathered authors. From left to right: Neil Spagna ("Welcome to Pottersville"), Michael Sweeney ("In Memory of the Fast Break"), Michael Ruscoe ("You'll Do Anything"), Michelle Pranger ("A Child's Voice"), Celine Mariotti ("Olivia McAllister, Who Are You?" and "Through Celine's Eyes"), Gimpel Lee ("The Lost Prophets"), Robert C. Kenny ("Archive"), Melissa Crandall ("Darling Wendy and Other Stories"), Fred Cisko ("Body English"), and Henry Banville ("Your Personal Math Tutor").

During the meet-n-greet/book signing.

Talking with a lovely woman named Kathy.

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Some photos and news from the New York Book Festival, June 27, 2008

June 28, New York Book Festival

Hello, Central Park! A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since I lived in The Big Apple (Bay Ridge Brooklyn -- Yea! Is Peggy O'Neill's still there?). A HOTHOTHOT day, made manageable by good food, lots of water, and oodles of good company in the form of writers, vendors, and visitors. (And the thunder storm that passed through around 5:30 wasn't bad either.)

One of the high points (heads up here, people) was the chance to hear Brent Grunow & The Bandits. Brent and his boys took a bunch of hot, tired, wrung-out individuals, got us onto our feet, and had us rockin'! Give them a listen if you don't know who they are (www.brentgrunow.com) and I heartily recommend you purchase their CD "Push and Pull."

The Seventh Circle Press Booth at the NYBF.

Seventh Circle Press founder Rise S. Shamansky.

Author Melissa Crandall (right) with Annette Thies.

Author Melissa Crandall signs a copy of her book Darling Wendy and Other Stories for poet Ellen Wright.

Melissa Crandall with documentary filmmaker Roberta Pyzel and Seventh Circle Press founder Rise S. Shamansky.

Author Melissa Crandall (right) with poet Ellen Wright.