Tayari's Blog: Travels & Rambles

July 07, 2008

SITTING PRETTY

I just wanted to make a public thank you to everyone who heard my cry for hair and body products. Well, actually, I just asked for hair stuff, but you wisely deduced that a region without pink oil, probably isn't equipped to handle chronic ashiness. So right you were. As you can see from the photo, I have two bottles of pink oil. I think I will leave one in the common cupboard. The next sister that comes here will be soooo grateful.

Posted at 11:43 AM | Comments (4)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 02, 2008

Lovely Day Links

Here are a few interesting things on the web these days:

If you notice that you book cover looks a lot like Dan Savage's magazine cover, don't tell him. He'll put you on blast.

Maud saw this first. Imagine this. A woman sells her dearly departed husband's treaured book collection and guess what? The "books" are actually secret containers for his freaky polaroids.

Barbara Bauer is suing everyone from bloggers to YouTube for saying she is the worst agent in the biz. Ed Leave-No-Stone-Unturned Champion, has a nice set of links on the subject.

Michael Bourett explains how the book advance game works. (Short version, it's

a lot like playing spades.)

And last, this is not a link, but I had a really bad day yesterday. I took a trip to the post office to get some stamps and I got totally skeeved by this old dude. I lost a whole day's work fretting about it, thinking of what I should have said, should have done. Today, my new friend Liese emailed me the photo you see here; she took on her morning hike. Beauty heals, y'all.

Posted at 09:22 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 27, 2008

Row Row Row Your Boat!

15 artists, 6 canoes, shenannigans ensued.
More photos, of course.

Posted at 06:25 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 26, 2008

GOT TO BE THERE!

For Colored Girls.... back on broadway!

Posted at 09:29 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 24, 2008

Classified Ad

Writer visiting the Adirondacks seeks pen pal. (I promise to write you back!) Also, I am need of African-American hair products. Nothing fancy. Pink Oil will do. I used olive oil (swiped from the kitchen) in my hair to make cornrows, but these will come down in a week. Please don’t make me resort to Vaseline. No one within 100 miles has ever heard of Pink Oil, let alone Mimosa Hair Honey or Baby Buttercreme. Because we don’t have a UPS address, only a P.O. Box, I can’t order. Please email if you can help.

P.O. Box 109, Blue Mountain Lake, NY 12812

Posted at 08:36 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 22, 2008

Blue Mountain Center Photo Collage

Click on the mosaic to see more photos!

Posted at 03:29 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 21, 2008

ARRIVED!

It was a six hour drive, but I made it to the Blue Mountain Center. I am happy to report that the rusticness is more a motif than a living condition. Apparently, this place was built to be a golfing retreat for the super rich-- think Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, etc. The property now belongs to the Hochschild family. Adam Hochschild, author of the excellent King Leopold's Ghost, a long time activist and friend of the arts, decided to make it into a resting place for artists and activists.

I will take more pictures soon, but here is my room/work area. Pretty sweet, huh.

The people here are really cool. Many of non fiction writers working on books about social justice. There's a film maker, several painters, and a couple of poets. The food is yummy, but since one of my goals is getting in shape while I am here, I wil avoid the cookie table. (Homemade!)

There is a tour of the grounds this afternoon and I wil try and get some shots so you can see how beautiful it is up here.

(You can click on the pictures to make them bigger.)

Posted at 09:01 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 18, 2008

Fabulous Things Are Happening

to members of our blog community:

Lillian Bertram is going to be a waiter at Breadloaf.

Karen Paul-Stern is having an excellent summer. She has essays in The Washington Post and Red Wheelbarrow Literary Magazine.

And the Bellwether Prize goes to: Heidi Durrow for her novel Light Skinned Girl. Look for it from Algonquin in 2009.

Willett Thomas was chosen by yours truly as the 2008 winner of the Poets and Writers Maureen Egen Writers Exchange winner in fiction.

Got good news? I want to know about it!

Posted at 09:28 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Getting Ready For The Wild Blue Yonder

Well, we are at the end of the countdown to Blue Mountain. I'll be heading out on Friday morning. As you can imagine, I am goodbye-ing like a 19-year old exchange students. Also, I am packing my things. Although I am staying for a full month, it took me only about 35 minutes to pack. (For contrast: I spend a couple of days packing for AWP, which lasts only three days.)

The best thing about the colony life is that I am free of most of the trappings of real life. Fashion is meaningless. Hair? Bring on the bandanna. Shoes? Rubber soles every day.

I am looking forward to the simple life, although Blue Mountain seems to be a bit more rustic than MacDowell, where I spent last summer. I was so psyched to be accepted that I didn't look closely at the welcome materials. Last night, I was sitting up in bed, perusing the literature when I ran across this:
"Shopping here is very limited, and it is difficult to get things like ... printer cartridges and special food items." I almost choked on my Ben and Jerry's. If a place is so remote that you can't get a HP printer cartridge, this is going to be a challenge.

But this is the thing that is going to show me what I am made of: "Cell phones are prohibited." Gulp. There will be Internet and a payphone situation. But still. I luurve my blackberry. Here is an essay saying how great it is to be without your cell phone for a month.

While I am away, I'll be blogging less. I am thinking 2-3 times a week. I will post pictures. (People say the place is gorgeous. And although I am a indoorsy kind of woman, I plan to try my hand at canoeing.)

I have a lot of work to do this summer. I let myself get so sidetracked this year and I kind of lost my way. Maybe it will be good to be out in the middle of nowhere having to confront the page. I go on a retreat every summer but this is the first time where I have felt like I really really need it.

Wish me luck.

Posted at 09:02 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 16, 2008

Hottest Link Bucket!

Gawker wants us to vote for the hottest guy in book publishing. I say, any

ballot that doesn't include Clarence Haynes (pictured on the right)is totally corrupt!**update** It has come to my attention that I didn't read the fine print for the competition. I don't care. Clarence gets my vote, irregardless.

Alex Chee is crazy about Honor Moore. I am, too. Honor's family endowed the Jenny McKean Moore position, which I held in 2006, in remembrance of her amazing mother.

When a little boy's fondest wish is for his very own bookshelf, then we know the First Book program is doing something right!

Kwame Dawes has written a series of powerful poems and essays on HIV in Jamaica.

Erika is tired of people who take the "write what you know" thing too seriously.

Pinksy rubbed Joy the wrong way with his review of Kathryn Harrison's latest book.

Posted at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 10, 2008

Long Form Links

Writers are getting tired of having to crank out a book a year. Highlight: This quote from Dennis LeHane--"Then they asked me to turn a book around in a year ... I did it, but the week it was published I

realized what would have made it a really good book. The anger of that realization haunted me. I said I would never go back on that hamster wheel."

Salon has some pretty thoughtful commentary on the Alice/Rebecca Walker situation. Highlight: "The children of greatly talented public figures, as Alice surely is, are often sacrificed to the Great Work. The children can barely breathe in the shadow of -- usually it's the Great Man; in this case, it's the Great Woman. However, great men are allowed every excess and failure; great women are never forgiven for making a single mistake. "

Erika talks about how she "gets it all done." The highlight: Learning to say NO.

Got books you need to get rid of, but are too good to throw away? You can donate them to charity. The highlight: depending on where you live, they will pick them up at your house!

Want to write your life story, but aren't sure that it hasn't already been done? EW presents one sentence summaries of about 100 contemporary memoirs. Highlight: Friends of the blog like Janice Earlbaum and Rigoberto Gonzalez are included! Lowlight: Why are all the books by African-Americans filed under "racial identity"???

Posted at 01:29 PM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 04, 2008

Be The Flower

My horoscope today was so lovely, that I had to share it. Also, it gives me a chance to post the photos I took this weekend at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardrens.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
"Take time to stop and smell the flowers," says an old homily. Albert Hoffman, the Swiss scientist who discovered LSD and lived to age 102, had a different approach. "Take the time to stop and be the flowers," he said. That's my advice to you, Sagittarius. Don't just set aside a few stolen moments to sniff the snapdragons, taste the rain, chase the wind, watch the hummingbirds, and listen to a friend. Use your imagination to actually BE the snapdragons and rain and wind and hummingbirds and friend. It's time to not just behold the Other, but to become the Other.

Posted at 09:11 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 03, 2008

Tuesday Reads

I am weaning myself from coffee and lack the energy to properly get out of bed, let alone blog any original content. Meanwhile, here is a sampling from the blogs of the caffeinated.

Everyone else is hating on this, but I think it's cool that McSweeny's is publishing formal poetry. (pantoums & sunryu only!)

Rarely Likeable has a a really good link bucket up. Nice opportunities over there.

Speaking of links, Erika's Monday Opportunities are pretty sweet! She posts a call for a $10K fellowship!

Patrick House knows the secret to winning the New Yorker cartoon caption contest. (As for me, I look at the cartoons, see that there is a joke in there somewhere, and then I give up.)

The New Yorker summer fiction issue is out. George Saunders is in it!

The New York Times has asked writers what books they'd recommend to the presidential candidates. Who knew Junot Diaz could be so sentimental?

Lizzie Skurnick reads all the S.E. Hinton books. (You remember The Outsiders, right? Did you know the author was a woman? Did you know she was just 17 when she published her first book??)

Posted at 02:48 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 31, 2008

Weekend Links

The blogosphere has been pretty quiet this week. Most of the literary bloggers are at BEA and the Champ has some roundup links.

Here is an overview of the African-American programming at BEA.

I heard through the grapevine that Terry MacMillian read from her new book yesterday, and it was really good.

F.R.L. has advice for job seekers. She disagrees with Cliff Landis on some pretty significant points and I agree with her.

The Lammies have been announced.

NPR has announced its summer reading list. Has anyone over there heard of diversity?

The NYer review of Sex in the City is pretty smart. The last line may be a little too cutesy/meany, but all in all, an interesting piece.

This photo piece on very young mothers was moving.

If you're into John Cheever, you'll dig this excerpt from his biography forthcoming from Knopf.

Of course your life story is interesting to you, but will be it interesting to others? The agents at DGLM tell what makes a memoir work.

Did you know that Harelquin Romances now has an African-American imprint? Tracy Montoya hosts an interview with Kelly Martin, Senior Editor of Kimani Romance.

That's it for now. I'll be back on Monday.

Posted at 07:56 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 30, 2008

Good Things Are Happening

To people in our blog community!

Delana Dameron won SC Poetry Initiative book contest for her poetry manuscript How God Ends Us.

Nigerian fiction writer,Victor Ehikhamenor, got into Bread Loaf with a scholarship.

Maud Newton's essay, "Conversations You Have at Twenty," has nabbed the 2nd place prize in the Narrative Love Stories Contest

K.G. Schneider's essay, "The Outlaw Bride" is coming out in the new issue of Ninth Letter.

Lillian Bertrand and Lamar Wilson are going to Cave Canem!

Got good news? Let me know about it!

Posted at 11:18 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 26, 2008

Are You Truly Occupied?

I wasn't going to blog today, but I ran across this great quote from Roger Ebert talking about Studs Terkel, the writer/activist who is still going strong at age 95.

The lesson Studs has taught me is that your life is over when you stop living it. If you can truly ‘retire,’ you had a job, but not an occupation. ... I have seen those whose lifelong occupations absorb them, and who are not merely maintaining, but growing.

Posted at 10:50 AM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 25, 2008

Back From Philly

I'm back from the 24th Annual Celebration of Black Writing in Philadelphia. I am sorry to report that neither Chuck D. nor Sapphire were on my panel. Tragic. I was planning on asking Chuck D. what he thinks about Flavor Flav. Now we will never know.

The young men on the photo are a African Drum Troupe who performed on the main stage. Adorable.

Posted at 11:44 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 22, 2008

Thursday Links!

The LA Times has a long article on gay

students at Morehouse College. (Friend of the blog, Jafari, is quoted!) I am looking forward to seeing reactions to this piece.

Hyperion has purchased a book about a family that is changed forever by thier love of an obese Chihuahua. It's a "memoir–cum–weight-loss and fitness guide."

Why is it that almost all the writers I know grind thier teeth? I have tried to tell myself it is because we are just so deep and intense. I have lately started using my mouthguard when writing. Takes the edge off.

Is UPS stealing cartons of books and selling them to The Strand? Just what I needed. Another reason not to shop there.

Self promotion isn't always obnoxious. Buy yourself an ad for the Girls Write Now Fundraiser!

The Free Range Librarian is a genius! Her travel tips are great. My fave-- take a photo of your parking space with your camera phone, so you can find your car after your trip!

Is this title-jacking or a literary allusion? I can't help but wonder what Julia Alvarez thinks.

In other disturbing publishing news: Condoms in a press kit? Ewww. What will Harper Perennial think of next?

Posted at 07:50 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 19, 2008

The Meant-To-Be Factor

So this morning, I was oohing and ahing over Alice Smith. And, yes, it is summer. And you know summer is for concerts. Sadly, The Brand New Heavies are doing Europe this year. So, on a lark, I googled Miz Smith. And I'll be doggone. She is playing NYC.... THURSDAY. And to up the fate-factor, she'll be at the Highline Ballroom. You remember the last time I was there....

I feel a powerful obsession coming on!

Posted at 03:57 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 16, 2008

Lobster Rolling Links

I'll be back to real blogging on Monday. But until then, here are some pretty nifty sites to keep you occupied!

This will make you think twice before dating a poet.(Pay attention to the "to" and the "cc".)

BEA Black Pack Party. If you are in LA, please go. Please take pictures. Please bring me back a souvineer!

The folks at Kore press say "Let’s take up arms against our conditioning, our self-defeat." I agree, tho, I am not so keen on being used as an example of what-not-to-do!

I don't know if you remember the Millenia Black controversy. If you don't, you're kind of out of luck because she has settled her lawsuit

and part of the deal is that she took down her blog posts explaining the whole darn thing. Ed Champion put up a few posts, like this one.The short version is that Ms. Black is black, but writes about white characters. Her publisher wanted her to change them to black characters. She wouldn't because she thought it would limit her sales. They canceled the contract. She sued. Or something like that.

Houghton Mifflin will not allow racists to use the image of Curious George to demean Barak Obama. (Yay, Houghton)

And Seal Press is sorry for portraying black people as savages. The editors swear they didn't notice. (File under Boo, Hiss)

Ed Champion is really irritated that Publisher's Weekly is cutting pay to $25 a review. (And I have to say that it freaks me out that such an important review for a book is being handled by the $25-a-pop crowd.

Slate is trying to figure out how to tell the difference

between writer's block and procrastination. It's tricky since the results are the same- NO BOOK!

Time Magazie readers have ten questions for Toni Morrison. You would think that people would be a little more original with the queries... (via Carleen.)

Okay, well there is a cape codder out here with my name on it, so I've got to sign off. See you Monday!

Posted at 05:40 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 13, 2008

Leaving Town Links

I am on my way to Cape Cod for a few days, so I won't be blogging. Well, I think I won't be blogging. Maybe I'll break down, but the plan is to take a break. No blogging til Monday. But I can't bear to leave you with nothing to read, so here are some things you may find interesting to tide you over until I get back.

Not to make anyone jealous, but the photo on the left, is from the place I am going. I need to get my peace on.

While some people use the "Best American.." anthologies to torture themselves, Alexander Chee has a better idea.

Amistad has launched a blog. The first order of business, a discussion of the "African American" section at the bookstore. Galleycat is kind of like, "Haven't we talked about this already?" And I point out that I wrote about The Colored Section way back in 2005.

Lauren, who is always out saving the world, told me that Girls Write Now is looking for mentors who will work with teenage-writers. Check out the NYT profile of this amazing organization. C'mon. Download the application and get ready to do some good.

From manuscript pages to a bound book, The Writing Group sheds some light on the subject.

Maud is more concise, but here goes: Authonomy is a site where aspiring writers can upload thier work and get feedback from other people on the site. It's suppossed to help you write better. Gawker thinks it's stupid. And you and I can't really have an opinion because you can only use the site if you have an invitation.

Posted at 01:53 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 11, 2008

Sunday Stay-In-Bed Links

There is more to Zane than meets the eye. She has just issued a statement decrying the homophobia that has been launched against her newest book, Purple Panties. Apparently, people are saying her books are too raunchy. Zane strikes back saying that no one complained about her other books such as "Succulent" and "Dear G-Spot." What's the difference? Purple Panties is lesbian erotica. (Photo on the left is Zane and her editor. Zane is wearing black.)

Mother's Day isn't just about flowers and breakfast in bed. For the daughters whose mothers have passed away, or who just weren't/aren't available, Carleen opens her big heart.

Despite box office gold and the star power of Debbie Allen, Phylicis Rashaad and Terrance Howard, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof is shut out of the Drama Desk Awards. I didn't see it. Some people are really annoyed, but others say it is justified. Your thoughts?

LL Cool J will star in a new TV series being developed called The Man. It will be the first prime-time drama with a black male lead. (That last sentence was my statement. I think it's true. By "lead," I mean a story that revolves around a single character.)

Posted at 01:18 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 06, 2008

Gossip Hounds, Lend Me Your Snouts

Keith Josef Adkis is dishing about his time as an assistant to a famous black woman writer, but he won't say her name. Galleycat says its an easy guess. The article is here. And here are the clues:

She's a she

She was up-and-coming when he worked for her

She is rude in public

She publishes with Random House

She has a son

she lives (lived) in California

she has won several "top notch" awards. (See this is what threw me off. I was of course thinking about who you are thinking about. But then I was thinking "has she won any top notch awards? Then I was thinking that KJA may not be a really literary dude and may have different ideas about which notch is top....

So, what do you think?

And I should also say that the article itself is sort of luke-warm for the dish factor. I mean, being an assistant is a rough job. I've done it. I pray I won't do it again. I pray that one day I'll have the means to hire an assistant and I hope that I will be a bit more sane than the woman I assisted, but then again, the reason you need an assistant is that your life is driving you insane. But the article is a little bit of drama taking up a loooot of column inches. And if he is writing about who I think he is writing about, he shouldn't mess with her over something this small. She. Will. Get. Him. Back.

Posted at 01:30 PM | Comments (8)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 05, 2008

Linko de Mayo!*

Since today is officially Cinco de Mayo, check out Rigoberto's essay and recipe! And go out of your way to have some fun today, while you're at it. And tell me all about it in comments.

My job was in the NYT.

Pearl Cleage gives an interview over in pajamaland.

Erika has some interesting opportunities listed this fine morning, including a contest for aspiring book reviewers.

Am I the only one surprised that google didn't have a special logo for Cinco de Mayo?

*I appropriated the cool headline from a really cool librarian.

Posted at 08:04 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 27, 2008

Passing the Tiara to Frank X. Walker

As much as I loved being the Mosaic covergirl, my reign is over. All Hail King Frank!

Posted at 01:05 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 26, 2008

Great Things Are Happening

to folks who read this blog! I know I just did a good news post about a week ago, but so much high-five-worthy news keeps pouring in!

My student, Chidi Asoluka, has been named a finalist for the Hurston/Wright Award!

Jean Thompson's short-story collection, "Throw Like A Girl", has been named a Target Breakout Book.

FeLicia Elam has more good news than I can even list here. Here are the highlights: Not only did she get into the MFA at Whidbey Island, WA, but she is the 2008-2009 recipient of the Elizabeth George Foundation full scholarship. And to cap it off, she's going to the Tin House Workshops.

Is there more good news out there? Shoot me an email!

Posted at 08:36 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATASHA!

Posted at 08:12 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 23, 2008

Round Midnight Links

Melanie Jones of The Columbia Spectator is such a peach!

The Hurston/Wright Foundation has extended the deadline for the workshops for highschool students.

If you want to go to AWP next year, reserve your room now. You can cancel for up to a week before the event without penalty. Go ahead, don't wait. The last thing you want is to be at some boot-leg, non-affiliated hotel, 8 blocks away. This is FEBRUARY in Chicago. You want to be able to get from the bar to your bed without going outside.

I know that we are all very serious intellectual types so I won't mention Star Jones's divorce.

Posted at 10:24 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 21, 2008

Feeling a Little Bit Weird Today? Me too.

Bert and Cookie Monster were created by the same puppeteer. He thinks of them as two sides of the human psyche. You know, Bert so uptight and Cookie Monster letting it all hang out.

This is a gramatically correct sentence in the English Language: “Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo.” Prestwick hipped me to it and (thank heavens) Mental Floss explains it.

I don't know why I can't stop watching this train wreck. But alternet got thier hands on a copy of Love and Consequences and gives a quick and dirty critique.

I still have laryngitis. I am going to have to teach my classes by pantomime. And Day-Quil is making me loopy.

graphic nicked from Miami Milestones.

Posted at 10:09 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 18, 2008

Negritudinous Links

Still suffering from the alergy situation. I've lost my voice!

R.I.P. Aime Cesaire, the father of the Negritude movement.

Publishing Opportunity: APLA Writing Project 2009 is focusing on writing and images that grapple with the questions of what it means to be, know and love gay men of African descent in the 21st century.

Zoreh's larygytis cure. (It's complicated but it works.)

Ahem. Has the Washington Post ever heard of Langston Hughes?

Got video? PBS is offering $2000 to help citizens create three-minute videos about thier feelings on the electon. SheCodes is lobbying hard for someone to make a video about black women that is not set in a beauty parlor.

Janice went to a screening of the Showtime film "Very Young Girls" and returned home hating the word "pimp" even more than I do. Well maybe not more, but she and I are totally on the same page with this.

Posted at 09:27 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 16, 2008

Ah-Choo!! Not Feeling Well Links

I am sorry for not having much orginal content here. There is one tree in NY and apparently, I am allergic to it. I have taken a lot of medicine in an attempt to feel better and as a result I just feel really loopy-- and not in a fun way. So, here are some links to keep you busy while I get my constitution together.

Janice writes about a really bad date.

Vic LaValle talks about writing about his highy unusual family.

One my my favorite programs, Girls Write Now!, was profiled in the NYT.

And stay tuned, I will soon list the names of the winners of the auction. Big bucks, folks. We really did it.

Posted at 10:18 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 14, 2008

What You Missed

I was looking at the blog and realized that a lot of cool posts got eaten up in the auction frenzy! Here is a recap of what I blogged about when I wasn't obsessing over the auction.

Min Jin Lee put forth such a charming drink recipe and personal essay.

Erykah Badu broke it down.

Publishing is like riding a roller coaster and the conductor is on crack.

Houston Baker says "psyche" to Michael Eric Dyson.

Posted at 11:37 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 13, 2008

Just To Get You In The Mood

The auction ends tonight!

Posted at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 10, 2008

Thursday Afternoon Links!

As I realise that there is more to life than the AUCTION, I humbly present this set of links.

Intellectuals behaving badly: In his new book, Betrayal, Houston Baker takes back any praise he ever gave Michael Eric Dyson.

"SheCodes" on of the bloggers on the forefront of the Dunbar Village situation, is on NPR! (My friends know I call it "the" NPR, but I try to be classy here on the blog.

Can you deduct your writing expenses on your taxes? It depends. And it's complicated.

And I can't help but say this.. the auction is going really really well. Even my dad is getting into the act!

Posted at 12:42 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 02, 2008

People Sleep On Newark, but....

I was heading to lunch with my Ace, Dahlia, when we were stopped by a (very cute) policeman who told us that Beyonce is filming a movie here in Newark! The movie is called Cadilac Records. Beyonce will play the role of legendary blues singer, Etta James.

The policeman (adorably) kept us far away from the action, but we did get close enough to snap this photo with Dahlia's iPhone. Instant time warp!

And speaking of Newark. I am giving a reading tonight at 5:30 on the campus of Rutgers. I am reading something new, so if you show up, remember what Erykah said. "Keep in ming that I'm an artist. And I'm sensitive...."

Posted at 12:51 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 26, 2008

Great Things Are Happening

To people who read this blog!

Meet Saaed Jones, an exciting young poet, who will be joining the MFA at Rutgers-Newark!

Remember when Sarah Schulman wrote in Slate about the novel she spent eight years trying to publish? Well that novel, The Child, is up for a Lambda Award. File that under Keep on keeping on.

Nichelle, my favorite cupcake enthusiast, is going to be on the Martha Stewart Show.

And Kirk, whom I taught when he was just a wee freshman, has been accepted into the Creative Writing major at George Washington. That young man is going places!

Another reader who is feeling shy, has won an 11-month fellowship here. (I had never heard of this place, but it seems really cool. Not to sound like a little old lady, but where were such opportunities when I was starting out???)

I know there's more good news out there. Drop me an email and let me tell the whole world about it!

Posted at 06:48 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 15, 2008

Stay In Bed All Day Links

I spent the bulk of the day trying to decide if I was sick or just lazy. The verdict-- both. Here are some links I came up with while vegging out for the last fourteen hours:

At Steve Madden you can design your own shoes. Check out this this cute one Alex Chee designed for me!

David Simon on the end of The Wire: ""The best journalism and the best storytelling used to outrage people. In these times, people are inured to outrage.""

Did you enjoy trashy sexy novels by V.C. Andrews when you were in highschool? Lizzie Skurnick is rereading those smutty classics now that she's all grown up.

A side note to the link above, writers for the Gawker blogs get paid for every time someone clicks on their articles. So click just to help a sister out.

Friend of the blog, Fred Smith has been nominated for a Lammy!

I would take some Airborne to be on the safe side, but it's be biggest hoax since Margaret Seltzer!

Posted at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 05, 2008

Wednesday Afternoon Link Up

Co-opting Pain For Profit: The Angry Black Woman gets ultra-real about the recent fake-memoir drama.

redroom.com is a new social networking site for readers and writers.

Registration for my class at Split Rock, Tales From The Kidscape, is now open!

A Nude Horse Is A Rude Horse: Hoaxes as performance art!

Posted at 02:11 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 03, 2008

Monday Morning Link Up

Happy New Week!

Reggie has the bestest, cheerfulest, picture ever.

Erica, as always, is on top of all the writing opportunities out there.

Angel has a lot of feedback for my post about being accused of being anti-man!

K.G.Schneider took her essay to workshop because she knew it needed work, but why is it still so hard to hear what's wrong? Big Hug!

Posted at 08:52 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 21, 2008

Fairly Famous Writers Behaving Foolishly

Yesterday, I drove waaay up to Princeton University to see Natasha T. read with George Saunders. She read some new stuff and he read a really really funny short story-- much of it set at a restaurant like HOOTERS, except the half-naked waiters are all men. The name of this fictional establishment: JOYSTICKS. Gotta love it.

Afterwards, we all went out for dinner, cocktails, and other shennanigans. Goofy photographs here.

Posted at 03:29 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 19, 2008

Tuesday's To-Do!

Got your summer plans together? I'm teaching a one-week class on writing the coming of age story. More details to come, but just to whet your appetite, here's a link!

Ooh, Evie. So Pretty!

So you've got your MFA.. now what? Well, Beginning fall 2008, The Southern Review will offer a post-graduate editing/teaching fellowship to a recent graduate of an MFA or PhD program.

The above notice came from the blog, Practicing Writing, which is a great source for practical advice and opportunities for writers.

Posted at 09:40 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 17, 2008

8 Things About Me

This is the oldest meme in the cyberverse, but Alex Chee tagged me and I happen to love him, so here we go.

I was a meidocre student in high school: 2 As, 2 Bs, and 2 Cs. Nobody ever said "You are not living up to your potential."

The first story I ever wrote was called "A Trip To Mars." I was about seven years old and a stapled it to make it look like a book.

I have lived in nine cities in the last sixteen years-- Atlanta, Iowa City, Houston, Athens (GA), Phoenix, Johnson City (TN), Urbana (IL), DC, and Jersey City.

When I was little, I wanted to change my name to LaToya.

I drink 3 cans of Diet Dr. Pepper a day.

I love this perfume.

Went I went to my first artist colony, I was scared to go. (2 months!) But I was afriad that if I didn't show, they would never invite another black person.

I went to see Rufus Wainwright on Valentine's day!

I will do the world a favor and not tag anyone. The buck stops with me.

Posted at 03:18 PM | Comments (4)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 16, 2008

Cute Overload

orginal source

Posted at 04:43 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 14, 2008

Opportunities!

Since this is Valentine's Day and nothing says I Love You like shared information, here is a post all about opportunities.

Go On Girl! Book Club, Inc. offers a $500 scholarship to college junior and seniors.

ASTR offers the Errol Hill Award for the best book-length manuscript or scholarly essay in recognition of outstanding scholarship in African American theater, drama, and/or performance studies.

The gorgeous Byrdcliffe Arts Colony is taking applications!

Posted at 12:20 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 13, 2008

OMG, Did You Say CORNELL?

The man attached to beautiful tattoo is headed to Cornell to get his MFA! Cornell only accepts a handfull of writers in fiction and JUSTIN TORRES is one of them. And don't even ask about the aid package... sweet!

Justin! Justin! Justin!

Posted at 09:49 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 07, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADYLEE!

Our Blog-Sister, Ladylee, is having a birthday today.

I met Ladylee (Dr. Ladylee to you!) right here on line. She was one of the first commenters when I started this blog a couple of years ago. Sometimes when I invite guest bloggers to submit articles, they ask me what is the audience of the blog. I often tell them about Ladylee.

I chose her because she has a PhD is bio-physical-chemical something or the other, but she is just getting her feet wet in this writing thing. I tell guest posters to think about her as a reader-- she's so smart, she has a degree in something we can't even properly pronounce, let alone explain, but at the same time, she is interested in the world of writing. If they still don't get it, I send them to her crazy blog and they say... Okay, I am writing to a brilliant scientist who is really really down to earth, serious about writing, and also really really silly sometimes. Yes, I say. That's about the size of it.

So go over there and leave her a birthday comment. And don't forget to tell her who sent you.

Posted at 09:36 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Linka-licious

Over on Mosaic, Ron K. has posted an interview with Simba Sana about the closing of Karibu. It's an audio dealie and I must admit to not listening to the whole of it. The reason is because it starts off with a recording of MLK. I am a Atlanta native, so you know I have nothing but love for Dr. King, but this year has been a little King-heavy for even me. I was in the dentist the other day and "I Have A Dream" was being piped in like Muzak. I felt like I was trapped in a Chapelle skit. But somebody listen to the interview and comment with the 4-1-1. I have heard lots of contradictory stories about what really went down with the bookstore closing. (The black grapevine is a amazing thing...)

Trey Ellis writes in Salon about how hard it is for him as a single father to get in the dating game again. There are some out-loud laughs in the piece and if you read the comments, you might spit out your coffee.

Evelyn White spent ten years writing her biography of Alice Walker. She was over deadline and the advance money ran out, so she worked in a factory.

Update: I am ten minutes into the interview and I haven't heard one peep about Karibu Books.

Posted at 09:24 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 06, 2008

Shall We Go To The Theater?

There is an interesting article in The Village Voice about Adrienne Kennedy's play, "Mom, How Did You Meet The Beatles." (You may remember that I went to see another of her plays, "The Ohio State Murders", a few months ago.) The best news is that tickets to "Mom, How Did You Meet The Beatles" are only TEN BUCKS. The show will run from Feb 4-23 at The Public Theater. You can get the tix on line. (Ten bucks! That's less than a dirty martini in midtown!)

(thx Sarah for keeping me hooked in to all things theater!)

Posted at 10:31 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 03, 2008

Now That's It All Over, Let's Debrief

I am back home from AWP. The journey was only about ten miles, but I feel like I am back from a visit to another world. The question for today is whether or not bringing AWP to New York City was a good move for the conference. I've been mulling it over for the last three days and I think I am going to have to say that No, AWP should not return to New York.

Here's why:

It's just too darn expensive. I had breakfast at the hotel-- $30 for a waffle and bacon.

The bookfair-- too much of a good thing. The bookfair was three levels, making it very hard to see everything. I gave up and just sort of stuck to the floor where the Rutgers booth was.

Way too many off-site events. When AWP is located in a city like Atlanta where there isn's so much public transportation, everyone stayed at the hotel. This way, conference goers really interacted. This year, I'd see someone and say "Let's hang out later!" and then never see the person again because he'd be off to a party in Harlem or something.

The good-ol-boy factor was pretty high. Check out the list of headliners. And find someone who saw Richard Baush wearing a red lame cape at the penthouse party.

The diversity sort of tanked. I think this is because many of the arts organizations that celebrate writers of color planned off-site events. (I heard that receptions in the hotel were just way too expensive.)

Posted at 01:22 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 02, 2008

Congratulations, Natasha!

Here is a photo of Natasha T and Robert P. He is said to be the "Bruce Springsteen of poetry." She is said to be a genius.

Posted at 09:51 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

I Heart AWP

I know that the cool things to do is to roll your eyes and sneer at the mere mention of AWP. I have really good friends that go along with that charade. But me, I am not to proud to admit that I love the AWP conference. For me, it's most wonderful time of the year. I kind of think of it as my reward for surviving Christmas.

This year has been extra terrific. Rutgers-Newark, where I teach, gave a great faculty reading. Alice Elliot Dark and James Goodman stole the show. Then, Jayne Anne Philips (our fearless leader) spoke on a panel called Town/Gown: The New Urban University and Social Activism. Needless to say, they spoke real truths and everyone left inspired.

Tonight, Friend o' The Blog, Natasha Trethewey is giving a major reading. (In the pictures attached, she is being her down to earth self.) You know I will be front row for tonight's event. In the meanwhile I have taken lots of pics. Check them out.

Posted at 06:09 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 21, 2008

Don't You Love Art?

This was taken at the Custom House Galley in Key West. The exhibit of bronze scuptures is called Icons and the artist is J. Seward Johnson.

Posted at 10:58 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Andrew Ervin's Mac and Cheese

Drew, another friend of the blog, texted me to ask about making my Mac and Cheese. Of course I encouraged his to go all the way-- whole milk! extra cheese! And of course he did. When he was done he sent a snapshot from his cameraphone.

Posted at 07:20 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

RED VELVET CAKE

Yesterday, I received this email message from Lillian:

glad to hear that you are enjoying the balmy breeze in
key west....you dont wanna know how cold it is here. single digits
baby, single digits! anyways, i am planning on taking a crack at the
red velvet cake this weekend since i love cake and this one looks
absolutely thrilling. but i gotta ask--just one teaspoon of cocoa? i
dont know why i thought this cake was primarily chocolate, but for
some reason i did...but its basically white cake with a hint of chocolate and mostly red? ...keep having fun in florida, get some extra warm sun for me!!

Oh, Lillian. So many people have tried to define the undefineable red velvet cake. I try and tell people that it isn't a white cake, it isn't a chocolate cake. It is a RED VELVET CAKE. It is what it is. Think of it as a philosophcal matter.

I am happy to report that Lillian did make the cake. If you know Lililian, you know that she had to add a little twist-- she put chocolate frosting in the middle layers. And if you know Lillian, you'll know she took photos!

P.S. I really should add a new category on the blog for red velvet cake related posts.

Posted at 07:09 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 20, 2008

The Key West Wind Down

Well, this is the last day of the Key West Literary Seminars. It's been a tremendous conference. You know I call myself being cool,

There were lots of great readings today-- Kevin Young and Junot Diaz (podacst) really pleased the crowd. But the thrill was hearing from the scholarship winners. You will be delighted to know that Jaci really really brought the house down with her beautiful and heartbreaking poems about missing African American children. I have known Jaci forever but I had no idea that she could read like that!

Yesterday, I gave a reading and I also had a great time being on panels with Silas House, Lee Smith and Manuel Munoz. It's kind of weird having a three way conversations on the mic in front of a couple hundred people, but we seemed to have pulled it off.

I want to wrap this up by thanking the sponsors. Can you belive that the people of Key West put thier personal money together to endow the scholarships that allowed new voices to attend the seminars-- as speakers and as participants? That's impressive.

Posted at 05:02 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 19, 2008

Baby, It's Warm Outside!

Greetings from the Key West Literary Seminars. I've been here about a day and a half. There was all manner of airport drama-- stuck on the runway for a couple of hours, lost luggage, et cetera, et cetera. But I am here not and that's all that matters.

The weather is terrific.. 80 degrees. It's supposed to dip down the 70 tomorrow. (I overheard someone say, "Make sure you bundle up!) I have been spending a lot of time by the pool where I came up with my motto for 2008: LIFE IS SHORT. GET YOUR HAIR WET!

Today I have two events-- a reading in about an hour, and then a panel discussion with Silas House and Lee Smith. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some photos.

Yesterday, Jaci and I went exploring on the bikes we rented. (The bokes on which we got LOST.) We wanted to go to the Hemmingway House to get some pictures of the Old Man's famous six-toed cats, but when we saw that it cost $12 bucks to get in, we reconsidered. (Did I mention that everything here is expensive? For lunch, I had a $17 fish sandwich!) We did get some pictures from the street.

Jaci and I got confused about the time of last night's dinner, showing up about a hour and a half early. The staff let us in and allowed us to climb to the top of the lighthouse. We were also allowed to hit the bar if we didn't mind drinking from plastic cups. We didn't.

Okay, one more detail from The Amazing Adventures of Tayari-and-Jaci. We have undertaken a comparative study of the local key lime pies. We will post our findings at the end of the trip.

More details to come!

Posted at 07:16 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 14, 2008

Too Beat to Blog

Can't quite get it together today. It's 5:30, I am still at work. Why? Because I am trying to get in some applications for colonies this summer. Because I am writing letters of reccommendations for other people trying to go to colonies this summer. Because I have to get my syllabi together. So, to keep you occupied as I work hard to keep my head above water, making a way when I can... Here are some links.

Friend o' the blog, Lester K. Spense, weighs in on the Obama-Clinton clash.

And over in Pajamaland, Carleen takes on the same subject.

Jen, weighing in, takes it to a whole nother level.

Professor Tracy is mad at Maxine Waters for attending the BET Awards at all while Jezebel is mad at Cornell West for what he had on.

I, on the other hand, am beat down tired, and school hasn't even started yet.

Posted at 04:24 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 09, 2008

The Maine Event

Yesterday, I went to Freeport, Maine to give a reading at the Stonecoast MFA program. Check out Autumn. Love the poetry tats!

I had a number of authentic Maine experiences including a lobster roll lunch. I missed out on the typical Maine weather. It was almost 60 degrees. The "2008" ice sculpture in front of the hotel was turning into slush.

Highlights included reading with Charles Martin, meeting Kelly Link (!!!) and Patricia Smith. I also reconnected with old buddies like Tim Seibels and Annie Finch. And how could I forget the student/faculty talent show-- complete with Saturday Night Live style skits, (think "America's Next Top Author.") Loved. It.

BTW, I took more pics, but I need someone from the program to email me and help me identify the photos.

Posted at 07:54 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 07, 2008

2007: The Year in Photos

Here's a little photo collage of the year's highlights.

Posted at 10:37 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

RVC, NYC Style

Yesterday, I had brunch in Manhattan with my girl, Kamilah Moon, at Cafeteria on 16th and 7th Ave. The food was quite yummy, including the mac and cheese although it did have a little bit of a northern-ness to it. (I think it had something to do with the creaminess.) Anyway, we were having such a good time that I decided to stop being such a tribalist and order the Red Velvet Cupcake. (I am on the record several times asserting that a northern red velvet cake is like an Alabama bagel. Just not a good idea.)

It was pretty, I'll give it that much. And the icing was the appropriate style-- cream cheese. The cake itself... Well, as we say in the south, if you can't say something nice... So, I'll say it was red. It was certainly red. And, I guess I can also say that I did eat it. So I guess it was okay. Not $10 worth of okay, but okay enough.

(I didn't go home for the holidays. Do you imagine that I am just homesick and taking it out on an innocent cupcake?)

And for those who care, here are my recipes for Red Velvet Cake and Mac & Cheese.

Posted at 10:08 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 05, 2008

Mindnight Links

It would be a little premature to call this insomnia, but I am all decked out in my foot pajamas, but I just can't drift off. So here are some links for anyone who is still up.

I thought my dad was the only parent who colored in the faces of cartoon characters to make them match our skin tones. Professor Tracy says this was her first lesson in being black. [via racialicious]

Eventhough I am a die-hard cat person, I was really touched by this essay about a dog that comforts the dying.

The child beauty pageant circuit provides so much bizzare video. (And for some reason, I can't stop watching it.)

To quote Salt N Pepa, What a Man, What a Man, What a Mighty Good Man. Please remember this brother in your thoughts and prayers. I always said that the reason more people don't do the right thing is because being right can have dire consequences.

Posted at 11:30 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 04, 2008

This Makes Me Wanna Be a Poet

Have you noticed that there are a lot of opportunities for poets to get together for a common cause? Here is the latest, Split This Rock Poetry Festival. The theme is Poems of Provocation and Witness. The amazing line-up includes Jimmy Santiago Baca, Melissa Best (aka Princess of Controversy), Robert Bly, Lucille Clifton, Joel Dias Porter (aka DJ Renegade), Mark Doty, Martín Espada, Carolyn Forché, Brian Gilmore, Joy Harjo, Galway Kinnell, Sharon Olds,Sonia Sanchez, Patricia Smith, and so many others. Go to the website to be truly impressed and energized. And if you get really jazzed, they are looking for volunteers. Help make it happen!

Split This Rock Poetry Festival will feature readings, workshops, panel discussions on poetry and social change, youth programming, films, parties, walking tours, and activism—a unique opportunity to hone your activist skills while you assess and debate the public role of the poet and the poem in this time of crisis.

Also, there is a contest, so send in your work for a chance to win a $500 prize.

Of course, of course, the event is in DC, where poetry rules.

Posted at 04:26 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 01, 2008

Six Feet Under

Okay, so maybe that's an exaggeration. It's more like twelve inches under here in Montreal, but it's plenty of snow. In honor of the new year, I am indulging my inner child. When I was young, I read about "snow angels" in a Judy Blume book. As a Georgia Girl, I had NO idea what she was talking about. Well, we can now say there is one less mystery in the world.

Have a great year everyone. Don't be afraid to be silly in public. It's the snow ball thrownig, snow angeling part of you that gives you the freedom to make art!

(And here is the $100,000 question-- will I be able to drive out of here tomorrow?)

Posted at 09:28 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

December 27, 2007

I'm Back!

I'm easing back into blogging with a little link-a-dink.

Debra Dickerson and Jonathan Safran Foer may

be haters, but Melonyce McAfee has a soft spot for the other December holiday:

My simple defense of Kwanzaa is that in the short time that we celebrated the holiday, it brought my family together. We weren't hitting the after-Christmas sales or trying out our new bicycles. We were kneeling around an altar and watching as the water ran from the jug in my brother's hands.

Creeped out by "Christmas letters?" Me too, but K.G. Schneider provides us with an honest and inspirational report from 2007.

2007 started out badly for me, and got worse. I was unhappy, and getting more so. I was mourning my old life, where I had the perfect job, in the perfect place to live, and had ever so perfectly spent my free time happily studying writing. Here, in this new place, I was sad, but so stressed and busy that I did not have time to do any of the things that make me happy (like writing).

Brad Listi loves himself some YouTube. He's got four videos up to help promote his books. The latest is a sort of "BUY MY BOOK!" direct approach. I thought it was pretty funny, but I didn't run over to amazon to place an order. But then again, the video did move me to post here. I guess that's something.

Not that you asked, but it is snowing like crazy here in Montreal.

Posted at 01:52 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

December 23, 2007

Christmas in Canada!

I am blogging from Montreal. I would send pictures, but it is raining and yucky and, well, just not very photogenic. The blogging will slow down between now and the holidays. I am really trying to get in touch with my fiction writing again.

It's been a great year, but I am pretty tired. Why it is so hard to admit when you're exhausted? Have a great holiday everyone. I'll be back soon.

Posted at 04:55 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

December 20, 2007

Office Hour Links

As I am waiting on my darling undergraduates to turn in their finals, here are some things worth checking out.

My favorite librarian has posted a terrific list of gifts for writers. Who knew you could buy a ten-visit punch card to a really cook writer's space?

Ladylee points out that I would make a terrible table dancer.

"No, she wouldn't be a good table dancer. Look how close the heel of that boot is to the table. **Lee pointing at monitor with an ink pen**"One more inch and she's on the floor. She don't need to be dancing in nobody's club."

New Letters has a recording of Grace Paley reading a holiday story. Click and scroll down a little. And, there is a catch.. the recording will only be up until Decemeber 26.

Posted at 01:37 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

December 19, 2007

Blog Holiday Customs

As this blog is only a couple years old, and I have serious holiday anxiety, we just haven't established too many holiday traditions here. But there are a few. Three to be exact. And here they are.

My Holiday Story, "Have You Known Me Lately". What happens when a 14 year old girl comes home from secretly meeting her boyfriend, only to find her older sister making out with her soror? And happens when all this happens on Christmas Eve? (I told you I have holiday anxiety. I set out to write a happy story. I promise!)

Red Velvet Cake recipe. This is an authentic southern recipe. They have RVCs here in the New York area, but they tend to be rather lame. The reason is, I think, that the Northern RVCs tend to be bought in bakeries and a true, genuine, southern red velvet cake is extra-rich and doesn't have the stiff texture that lets a cake stand in a bakery window for a day, get shoved into a cardboard box, endure a subway ride, be lugged up to a 5th floor walk-up, and still look good.

~~Elf Yourself. Or someone you love. Or someone you don't. The techonology has come a long way since last year. The voice you hear .. that's me. Yes. You heard me.~~ Forget the elf thing. I made the elf, recorded a cheerful greeting, but the website keeps erasing it! What a lump of cyber coal! This is not helping my holidays blues!

Posted at 03:20 PM | Comments (2) <

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