Nice News

I just learned that a flash piece of mine entitled "How Bright Their Frail Deeds" will be published in Controlled Burn -- a Michigan-based literary magazine out of Kirtland Community College.

CB is a handsome-looking magazine and has published many Michigan and national writers. They've been fighting the good fight for sometime. If you're thinking of subscribing to a literary magazine, Controlled Burn would be a good one.

Upcoming Readings

I have a few readings coming up in September. On Wednesday, September 19, I'll be reading with Ken Meisel at the West Branch Public Library. Ken always gives a great reading. I think the reading starts somewhere between 6:30 and 7 p.m.

Also, on Monday, September 24, I'll be reading at Kirtland Community College as a part of its visiting writers series. There's a reception at 5:00, and the reading will take place around 5:30.

Hope to see you at one (or both) of these events.

A Post Before Parting

Tomorrow I leave for seven relaxing days on the Gulf. I won't have access to email or the Internet -- which will bring sudden withdrawl symptoms, but then eventual relief. Man, we are tied to our machines.

To leave my few readers (Hi, Mom) with something new, I decided to say a little something about the book I'm reading. Jerry Dennis' book The Living Great Lakes is an incredible read. If you live in Michigan and love the lakes, you have to read this book. It's a tribute, a history, and a memoir -- all three of which are excellent. This is coming from a guy who seldom reads non-fiction. I am glued to this book, and I'm already sad at the idea that I'll probably finish it while I'm on vacation.

A New Blog in Town

Speaking of my friend, Josh Maday, he has a blog of his own. Check it out at: www.joshmaday.blogspot.com

Great Book Signing

On Saturday, August 4, my friend Josh Maday and I drove over to Lexington for my book signing at the Lexington Booksmith. What a great day. Jim and Sheila Dunbar really know how to host a signing. First, they had me during the Lexington Fine Arts fair. Second, they contacted the local newspaper. Third, they planned the signing for seven hours (a no-name writer can't sell many books in two hours -- which is the typical signing length). Fourth, they talked up the book to every customer that came in their store. Fifth, they bought not only me, but also Josh (to whom they were not beholden), coffee, potato chips, trail mix, pop, and bottled water. Jim also printed some great fliers about the signing, and would periodically walk down to the art fair to distribute them. Jim and Sheila could write a "how to" article on hosting book signings.

In short, the entire thing was pleasurable and a success. I sold twenty-two books in total. Plus, by selling sixteen copies of the novel, I hit another milestone. To date, Into the Desperate Country has sold 300 copies. I'm still a long way from 500 by next June, but I'm getting closer.

Finally, I'd like to say a big thanks to Josh Maday. What a great friend. He made the trip with me, sat at the table with me, and laughed and talked with me. It was his company that really made the day excellent. He's a helluva writer in his own right, too -- with many recent publication acceptances, including a story in Rivet -- a cutting-edge magazine that no writer worth his spit can say he hasn't heard of. Congrats, Josh, on all of your recent success.