Tayari's Blog: Travels & Rambles

November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving Mac and Cheese

AE's Mac and Cheese
Originally uploaded by kleopatrjones

Last year, I participated in a series on writers and their recipes over at maudnewton.com. A couple of people went back there looking for my contribution, a southern mac and cheese recipe. Apparently, Maud's site is down, so I am posting the recipe here. That's Drew in the photo-- he tried the recipe gave the thumbs up.

10 oz of elbow macaroni

6 oz sharp cheddar cheese

6 oz mild cheddar

1 stick of butter

4 eggs

1 cup whole milk

½ cup evaporated milk

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

pinch of paprika

½ small onion diced (optional)
Preheat oven to 350. Whip eggs in small bowl and put aside. Mix cheeses in small bowl and put aside.
Boil pasta in LARGE pot and drain off most of the water. While pasta in still steaming, stir in the butter and about ¾ of the cheese. Stir until everything is all melty. Add salt, pepper, and paprika. (This is your last opportunity to taste, so please do.) Next add eggs, and all milk. You can add the onion now, if you like. The whole concoction should be really soupy. Stir, stir and stir some more.
Pour mixture into a casserole dish and bake for about 30 minutes. It will rise up like soufflé. Carefully open the oven and slide the rack out halfway so you can sprinkle to remaining cheese on top. Continue to bake about another ten minutes until the cheese is bubbly. Take it out of the oven and let it set about 10-15 minutes while it sets.
*Dieters can substitute skim or 2% milk and the butter can be cut down by half. You might be able to scale back the cheese a little, but just use less cheese, not a 2% or fat free.

Posted at 08:11 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 24, 2009

And The Winner Is....

Posted at 09:44 AM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 27, 2009

Wiped Out In The Third Round!

H-A-W-T-H-O-R-N-E??
Originally uploaded by kleopatrjones

Last night, I participated in "Let It Bee", the annual spelling bee to benefit the Council of Literary Magazines and Presses. CLMP is an organization of literary magazines and independent publishers.

Things got off to a rocky start. I took the wrong train, so I had to walk about ten blocks to get to the Diane von Furstenberg Studio. (Thank goodness for Aerosoles!) Once I arrived, I had to give the name of my "plus one." I have been friends with Tyehimba Jess for a million years, but I couldn't spell his name for the guest list. I just blanked. This did not bode well for the bee.

In addition to the spelling bee, there was a silent auction of some really nice items. Fancy designer clothes, purses, and jewelery were available for bid. I also saw a spa weekend. I had my eye on an adorable handbag, but the bidding quickly got a little too rich for my blood. To take the edge off there were fruity drinks and fru-fru snacks.

But on to the bee.

All I really was hoping for was not to wipe out in the first round. My first word was "whirlybird", which I spelled right. I almost blew it, thinking it was a trick question. Other first round survivors included the ultra-charming Victor LaValle and Francine Prose. First round losers included James Frey-- I have to say that I developed some affection for him when I laughed so hard on stage that I spit out my drink. He didn't mock me.

The winner was Ben Greenman, who sat beside me. He even helped cover for me when I was called out for having my blackberry on stage!

The word that send me home: HAWTHORN. I put an "e" on the end.

Posted at 07:39 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 08, 2009

Crazy As a Bunch of Cliantro

Here it is, the next-to-last day of my visit to Recife, Brazil and I am just updating this blog. My schedule has been so hectic. When I havent been giving a reading, I have been in my hotel room asleep from a major FOOD COMA because Recife has the best restaurants I have experienced in my whole life. I may have to write a blog post about what all I ate here. Really.

I am at an internet cafe being charged by the second, so this is going to be a really brief and random update. (For more brief randomness, follow me on twitter, where I am even briefer and more random!)

I have given about half a dozen readings and lectures. Since I dont speak Portugeuse, I have a translator. (He is a 22 year old language genius.) Anyway, I speak into a special microphone, which leads to his headset. As I speak, he talks into another miscrophone which connects to the headsets worn by the audience. I speak normall and he is somehow able to keep up. It was like speaking to the UN.

Race is Brazil is so different than race in the US. I will dedicate a whole post to this when I get home. Brazilians pride themselves on a sort of color blindness. However, the culture is very divided. For example, there is hardly anyone we would call "black" in my very nice hotel. But among squeegie men and other street folks. Black, black, black. But here is something that happened yesterday: I was looking at a group of three young men, one was black. I asked about him and my guide said, You mean the one in the green shirt. The color of his shirt was more important than the color of his skin. Amazing.

The food, as I said, is amazing. Who eats filet mignon in a food court in a mall? And who knew Recife is the risotto capital of the world? And who has had a fancy cocktail made of the fruit of the cashew tree? Dont even get me started.

Beaches-- gorgeous. Weather tropical and humid. My hair-- fuzzy wuzzy.

The North of Brazil has a similar reputation as the South of the US. The city where I am, Recife, is sort of the Atlanta of Brazil and I love it here.

And finally, to explain the heading of this post. At the book festival there were all these Tshirts with regional Brazillian idioms. For example when we would say someone is "the bees knees" (like that makes sense), they would say that person is "the dog sucking mango". But my favorite of these phrases is "You are crazy as a bunch of cilantro."

Okay, signing off before my card expires and I lose all my work. Firgive any spelling errors because the spell check doesnt speak English. Also forgive me because I cannot find the apostrophe on this keyboard. I will be home in a couple days and will resume blogging and I will post photos. I promise.

Posted at 06:17 AM | Comments (4)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 26, 2009

Six Degrees of Denene Milner

This is a little bit of randomness, but here goes: I was watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta yesterday. (Consider it research; after all, my book are all set in the A.) Anyway, if you follow the show you will know that Nene has written a book with the help of a ghost writer, Denene Milner. (My favorite moment in the last episode was when Nene's friends consoled her by saying "Don't worry about them, girl. You're writing a book!")

Ms. Milner, it seems, is the hardest working woman in the business! I first heard her name years ago when she along with her husband, Nick Chiles, wrote a book called What Brothers Think, What Sistahs Know About Sex. And then remember when her husband wrote that famous anti-street-lit article, "Their Eyes Were Reading Smut."

And what about The Sistah's Rules-- it was supposed to be that black woman's guide to catching a man. I didn't read it but if I recall the message was that playing hard-to-get was a luxury sisters cannot afford. (Remember that drama surrounding that?)

She also wrote the book based on the movie, "Dreamgirls"? It's tricky, but Milner's book is not to be confused with Mary Wilson's book Dreamgirl (no 's') on which the Broadway show was based.

And here is her biggest title: the Steve Harvey mega-hit Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man.

It seems that Denene Milner is the writing equivalent of a character actor. You may not remember her name, but you have seen her work.

(Look at all the listings she has on amazon.)

Posted at 07:32 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 11, 2009

Hitting the High Seas!

You'll see that I posted a lot of links below. This is because I am going on vacation today. No blogging, no tweeting, no nothing. It's time for me to unplug and get in the moment. I'm going on a cruise to the Mediterranean- flying to Barcelona then boarding the boat to Rome, Florence, Naples, Malta, and Cannes. I'll be away ten days.

It's a big deal for me. Although I travel a lot, I hardly ever vacation. I'm taking just a little carry-on suitcase-- it's time to give the fashion-diva aspect of my life a rest, too. ATT has made it easy to leave the blackberry behind-- $2.49 a minute! So I will just be sort of free and floaty.

I'll meet you here when I get home.

Love,
Tayari

Posted at 09:03 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 04, 2009

You're Invited To The Launch Party

It's time to celebrate another year of great southern writing. Join us at Idlewild Books in Union Square (NYC). I'll read my very short story, "Some Thing Blue" and then we'll get our wine and cheese on!
Tuesday, September 8, at 7pm.

Posted at 08:26 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 11, 2009

Great Things Are Happening...

..to people who read this blog!

In addition to the MFA classes I teach at Rutgers-Newark, I have had the pleasure of leading workshops with writers who are not enrolled in a formal degree program. Although we work together only a short period of time, the classes really connect and keep in touch. I am so very happy to share with you some very good news from two of my former workshop participants:

Karen L. Simpson has found a home for her novel, Acts of Grace. Karen brought excerpts of the novel to the Callalloo workshops and I knew that she was on to something. Despite the high caliber of the work, the road hasn't been easy. She tells the whole story on her blog. .

Tinesha Davis is also publishing her first novel! She brought excerpt of Holler At The Moon to the Jenny McKean Moore workshop at George Washington University, to the utter deilght of her classmates. Well in November, we'll have it in our hot little hands.

Congratulations, Ladies. I love myself a happy ending.

Posted at 10:15 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 15, 2009

(At Least) One More Round of Revisions

I am heading out for the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts to take my manuscript through another draft. Check out my horoscope:

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Don't leave me hanging, Sagittarius. What happens next? How could you even imagine you've wrapped the whole thing up? According to my analysis, you've got at least one more riddle to solve, one more gift to negotiate, one more scar to wish upon. (Yes, that says "scar," not "star.") To stop pushing for more adventure at this pregnant moment would be a crime against nature and a whole chapter short of a bestseller. Get out there and bring this story home.

Is that right on time, or what? I'll be deep into my work, but if you want to be pen pals, send me a letter or postcard. I'll write you back:

Tayari Jones
c/o VCCA
154 San Angelo Drive
Amherst, Virginia 24521

Posted at 09:05 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 14, 2009

Soon and Very Soon: Notes from Ghana

While I was away, I caught some of the news coverage of the Obama's visit to the Cape Coast Slave "Castle" in Accra, Ghana. I caught a few minutes of the report on CNN and I had to turn it off. This visit just wasn't treated with the respect that it deserved.

Last November, I visited the "castle"-- and that word must be used with quotation marks. It is no more a castle than Abu Graib is a castle, and more than Treblinka-- despite the size and architecture. These structures-- which dot the seafronts of Ghana-- were torture chambers. I have never encountered a more wretched space in my life. After the "tour", I understood why I felt haunted during my entire visit to Ghana. This was the site of mass murder of mass kidnapping, of torture and rape.

When I visited Cape Coast, I was so full of emotion that I could not speak. I mutely followed the guide from room to room. My Ghanain companion, Aisha, held my hand and it meant a lot that she was there. This was the moment in our history when we had been pulled apart. She might have been my sister, were it not for this place. Even typing this now, I am crying, although my face was oddly dry as I listened to the guide explained what had happened in that place. I didn't cry when I touched a mark etched two feet from the floor-- this is what archaeologists have determined was the level of human filth in which my ancestors had wallowed, for months. The famous "Door of No Return" is a full sized door now, through which tourists may pass, but when our ancestors went through, it was a half door, through which they were forced to crawl. Overwhelmed with grief, I found myself taking comfort in gospel music, humming "Soon and Very Soon." My humming was sometimes so loud I couldn't even hear the guide.

I didn't blog this in November, because I felt like an African-American cliche. And maybe on some level, I felt shame about my level of grief, some residual generation shame about having been victimized. I evn felt a little exposed even writing about the haunted beaches of Accra. It seemed a little too New-Age or Afrocentric, but what happened on that beach did happen.

And this happened too: I left the Cape Coast "Castle", dry-eyed, but shaken to my core. I made my way to the courtyard where my driver was to meet me. I took off my ordinary sunglasses and from them poured a steady stream of water. There was so much water streaming from my sunglasses that it wet the cobblestones and splashed on my feet. Generations of tears, as salty as the cruel ocean itself.

photos here

Posted at 12:29 PM | Comments (7)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 09, 2009

Socks On The Hands

Now that I have a draft of my next novel, The Silver Girl, the next stage is to read the entire manuscript, twice. The first time, I'll read it through with my pencil, making changes. Then, I'll read the whole thing aloud, with my fountain pen, making changes. I am thinking this whole process should take about sixty days. The frustrating thing is that the manuscript has to sit at least two weeks before I start fiddling with it. I need to let some new ideas sprout.

It's not like there are not other things to do. Right now-- thanks to a busted knee-- I am lying in bed reading the entries for the Kore Press fiction contest. (Excellent entries. It will be hard to pick just one.) I'm also getting my materials together for my Provincetown class, "Tales From the Kidscape." We're reading ZZ Packer, Doreen Baingana, Michael Cunningham, Ron Carlson (how do I love thee?), Julie Orringer, and others. There is so much good writing out there that features young protagonists. Do you have any other suggestions?

All that said, it is taking every ounce of self-control to keep from picking up my manuscript again. It reminds me of when I had chicken pox as a little girl and someone had to put socks over my hands to keep me from scratching.

And, sorry folks. No links today. The internet seems to be in a slump.

Posted at 10:43 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 20, 2009

Back Home

I'm back from my natural habitat. It was a good trip. How did I forget how beautiful Atlanta is in spring? Dogwoods and Azaleas eveywhere! My lecture at The University of Georgia went well. Much love to Derrick Barrett who drove waaay out to Athens to see me do my things, and of course thanks to Dr. Lesley Feracho and the African American Studies department who hosted me. Back in Atlanta I spent some quality time with my favorite Atlanta ladies of letters-- Pearl Cleage and Natasha Trethewey. (They inspire me every time!) I went with my darling nephew to see the Chinese terra cotta warriors and then visited Cafe Intemezzo one of my favorite haunts when I was in college. Hit a huge sale at Bloomingdales with my mother and, of course, hung out talking about politcs and life with dear old dad.

I'm back in New Jersey now, getting my act together. I've posted some links below. Regular blogging to resume in the morning.

Posted at 04:58 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 19, 2009

Let's Work Together This Summer

I am teaching a class at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts this summer. The class, Tales From The Kidscape, is all about writing believable stories about young people. It's not a course about writing YA fiction, rather we are writing coming-of-age stories. Think Baby of The Family, that great ZZ Packer story "Brownies", Michael Cunningham's "White Angel", Angela's Ashes, Leaving Atlanta (smile), and that great book YOU'VE been working on. I hope that you will consider signing up.

And if you can't join us, please help me spread the word. Here is a really nice flyer that you can print out and put on bulletin boards, post on your facebook page or you can forward to your friends. (And you know what friend I am talking about. The one who has been secretly working on a story, but won't take the leap. Tell her to hop in!)

Posted at 05:29 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 16, 2009

Clothes For The Fabulous Writer

Cozbi Cabrera in her store
Originally uploaded by theBrooklynDude

I know this is a literary blog, but I am going to veer off topic just a little bit, but not too far. The topic is fashion. At the AWP conference this year, several people asked me about my outfits. I'll admit that I was feeling pretty flouncy, and giving the wardrobe a little extra umph. Well, pretty much all my outfits were made my Cozbi Cabrera, a local (Brooklyn) designer whom I love love love. And you know how I am when I am crazy about something-- think The Brand New Heavies, red velvet cake and my Slanket-- I can't shut up about it.

My good friend Nichelle Gainer, who blogs at 55 Secret Street, went along with me to COZBI. While we were there, she made a great video of Cozbi talking about her shop and of me gushing, gushing, gushing while being fitted for my spring looks.

Ladies, if you are in the NY area, you should swing by Cozbi's shop. You will love all Cozbi's special attention and her clothes which she will cut-to-fit. Seriously, once you have worn cut-to-fit, you will never want off-the-rack-again. I know we have all had the experience of feeling like you are wearing clothes designed for some other woman. Well, when you wear clothes from COZBI, you know they are really yours.

Posted at 08:52 AM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 09, 2009

Beautiful Things Are Happening

Congratulations, Jamey!
Originally uploaded by kleopatrjones

to people who read this blog!!

Jamey Hatley is celebrating her first literary publication. Her story, "Dream Season," will be published in Oxford American!

Andria Nacina Cole is busy going over the proofs for her story slated to appear in (omg)Ploughshares!

Allison Joseph's sixth poetry collecton, My Father's Kites, has been accepted for publication by Steel Toe Books.

Dwayne Betts recevied an Honorable Mention from the Atlantic Monthly Student Writing Competition.

Shelley Ettinger in enjoying a double-header with her story: "John and Yoko and Rowena and Me" in Cream City Review and "The Typist's Widow" is in Stone Canoe.

Got good news? I want to know about it!

Posted at 12:25 PM | Comments (7)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 01, 2009

Coming to Central Georgia

Just a heads up.

On Wednesday March 4, I am giving two readings in central Georgia at Macon State College:

11am: in the Arts Complex Theater on the Macon campus

7pm: in Walker Auditorium in the Academic Services Building on the Warner Robins Campus.

Posted at 12:34 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 18, 2009

All Aboard!

Well, I made it to D.C. I took the Amtrak from Newark Penn Station where I ran into an old friend, which I am taking as a really good omen for the festivities to come. The Amtrak was PACKED and everyone was in good cheer, at first. After an hour or so in, the train was stopped. Apparently we were on the rails behind the Obama train. When they stopped in Delaware to pick up Biden, we were stranded on the tracks. Then, the train went so slowly that I wanted to get out and jog ahead. I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. TaRessa said, "It's historical." I said, "It's hysterical." I think this is going to be one of the themes of the weekend. When is there just too much performative drama associated with the event? I'll let you know.

Anyway, we finally we arrived in DC. The energy in the city is sort of like spring break week. Lots of excited, giggly people with suitcases. I am glad to have traveled on Saturday when everyone was still in a good mood. Also, I think the Amtrak crowd is more likely to be made up of Obama supporters. At the airport, another friend said he overheard two McCainiacs. (I guess they are the last ones.) Anyway, he said he heard them say, "It's crazy in DC this weekend. You would think they were handing out free gas and reparations." (I *wish*. The little jaunt is expensive!)

I opted to stay a little outside of town in Bethesda. My hotel is pretty good but not good enough to justify the price tag, but I am not even going to worry about it. Tomorrow is the American Scholars Ball. I am mad that I let my friend convince me to leave the stilettos at home. Her reasoning, "We don't know what to expect. What is there is no where to sit? What is we have to walk a couple of blocks to get to the Four Seasons? If you can't walk, no one has any fun. And you are wearing a LONG DRESS! No one is going to see your feet!"

If you look at the time stamp on this post, you'll see it's about 6:30am. I am waiting for the shoe stores to open....

Posted at 05:41 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 13, 2009

A Beautiful Community of Writers

Today, was an excellent day in the FEMRITE residential writing conference. We rolled up our sleeves and got down to business. The day is structured so that we meet from 8am to about 10am—when we break for tea, and then back to work again until lunch at one. Afterwards, we get together again and work until 3pm tea and then plow on until 5pm. It took a while to get used to stopping for tea—which means hot chocolate and cookies, but it doesn’t take long to be accustomed to luxury.

The bulk of today was spent with my advanced class, who are in the picture. We workshopped a really interesting story about a girl returning to school after escaping abduction by rebels. The conversation went on so long, we almost missed our tea. As we sipped on our cocoa (made with hot milk, not water. Hot WHOLE milk.) we also discussed Dorreen Baingana, with whom I am obsessed. The conversation was lively and I think we all learned a lot from each other.

Tonight, there is a dinner with the folks from the US Embassy. It will be cool to meet them after so much emailing. Tomorrow morning, it’s back to the conference. There is a part of me that’s a little disappointed that I haven’t been able to do much sight-seeing. But at the end of the day, it’s the people that make a place and I have made such wonderful new friends.

Posted at 09:24 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 11, 2009

What? No Refrigerator Magnets?

I am writing this post from the lovely Protea Hotel in Kampala. I was so tired when I got in, that I didn't even notice how posh everything is. I woke up this morning and thought I was in the W.

One thing I was looking forward to in Uganda was meeting the other TAYARIs out there. Afterall, the name is Kiswahili and this is east Africa. I imagined myself, at last, being a person with a common name. I saw myself buying TAYARI coffee mugs, key chains,and refrigerator magnets. It would feel like being a JENNIFER.

I was so disappointed when my wonderful hosts gently explained that TAYARI is not exactly used as a name here. It's more like an abstract now meaning "preparedness" or "ready." Not exactly coffee mug copy. I was so crushed that one of my hosts offered kindly, "we can always look."

More later...

Posted at 06:47 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

January 09, 2009

On My Way Out

Just a quick goodbye as I head out for my trip to Uganda. I wanted to leave you with a nice collection of links to tide you over until I got back, but I am just too swamped. Pls forgive.

I'll be in Uganda just about a week giving a workshop to the women of FEMRITE, a woman's writers organization. The schedule is INTENSE. I'll be in class about five hours a day, but I am really looking forward to it. (My hotel looks pretty swanky, but I won't be spending much time in it!) I believe I will have internet, although I am not bringing my laptop. I'll take photos and will happily post. No twitter this time, tweeting on my phone from Ghana cost me about $300!

On January 15th, at the National Theatre in Kampala, I'll give a lecture for MLK Day which is going to be about the "gentrification" of his memory and how we, as writers, must preserve the truth as we experience it. I'll also give a reading from my own work. Then, I'll come on home and take a nap, then head out to DC.

I am not sure if tickets are available for the Dreams From My Father Inaugural Ball, but if they are, you should totally go. I'm going to be presenting awards to two of my favorite folks: Johnetta B. Cole and Natasha Trethewey. Also in the line-up: Pearl Cleage.

So, I am hoping to check in before I get home, if not, I'll see you here on the 17th when I make my pit stop in Jersey to grab my ball gown.

xo, Tayari

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

December 21, 2008

Happy Holidays

On my way home for the holidays. I'm taking a little blogging break. I'll be back on the 26th. Try and remember to grab those teenage pics if you are venturing to your parents' house. And even if you don't, have a great holiday. Here's a snapshot of me on Christmas, 1975. Of my resolutions for 09 is to get that little-girl-joy back into my life.

Posted at 07:47 PM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

December 12, 2008

The Year in Pictures

click to enlarge

Posted at 01:26 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 27, 2008

So Thankful

Dear Blog Community,
Since it is Thanksgiving, I thought I would take a minute to let you know how thankful I am to have you all in my life. This year has been quite a ride, and I have a lot to be thankful for, but looking though the archves of this blog, and my own personal journal, it hasn't been all champagne and party dresses. There have been some rough patches and one of the things that kept me "up and at 'em" (as my Dad likes to say) has been this blog and the folks that read it.

A lot of people don't really understand that blog-thing. Some writers look it is only as a marketing tool and ask me ridiculous questions like "how many books do you sell from your blog?" Other writers look at blogging as competition for their creative work. "But if you're so busy blogging when do you have time to write." Others are just plain snooty. "Oh God. A blogger." Well, that's their problem.

I've been keeping this blog for just about four years now and through it, have have met some remarkable people. I love getting your "good news" updates and nothing cheers me more than to hear from a first-time commenter, long-time lurker. When I am invited to give readings in sort of out of the way places and there may be only three people in the audience and one of them will be from this blog community. Once I was stranded and neeed a jump for my car. I put out a blog SOS, and somebody came to help. And speaking of SOSes, thank you for coming through with the Pink Oil when I was up in the mountains this summer. Bless you for coming through when the woman in Florida needed our help to get her life started again. And remember when that lady said my book was too "depressing" to represent the State of Georgia? Thanks for taking up for me. That incident bothered more than I was willing to admit and you all came riding to the rescue, comenting like crazy on her blog. For this and so much more, I am grateful for you this holiday.

Have a great Thanksgiving everyone. I hope you are with people you care about. I'll be back here tomorrow.

Love,
Tayari

Posted at 06:35 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 26, 2008

Pre-Bliss Links

Ododo Orginal Barette!
Originally uploaded by kleopatrjones

Since this is my birthday week, I am spending today in the spa. (I love myself a scrub-and-a-rub.) But while I am all blissed out, here's a little reading material.

Typepad introduces a journlaist bailout program for free-lancers who are feeling the crunch.

Speaking of the crunch, Houghton Mifflin is putting a freeze on accepting new projects. Despite HM's insistence that it's not such a big deal, people are freaking out, and rightfully so.

The Bad Sex Awards are announced. Updike gets a lifetime acheivement citation.

Me, buzzing up Shirley Chisolm on The Daily Beast.

More Toni Morrison deliciousness. With audio links!

As always, Erika's got the good stuff, including a link for a $10,000 fellowship for an emerging writer living in Queens.

And THANK YOU Ododo Originals who sent me the lovely beaded barette I am wearing on the photo to your right. On a cold dreary NY night, it was fun to have a little sun in my hair!

Posted at 10:11 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 23, 2008

Can't Believe The Weekend's Over Links

My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due
Originally uploaded by HPL

Do you feel out of the loop with the whole Twilight thing? Lizzie breaks it down and Gina wonders if Tananarive Due can get some of that vampire tailwind.

Poetry D-R-A-M-A. New England College claims Drew College stole their MFA.

Don't let rejection letters get you down. Here are ten silver linings.

Carleen says that Decemeber is Give-A-Book-By-A-Black-Author-To-Someone-Who-Isn't-Black Month.

Border Senes is looking for stories and poems about dual indentities.

Joy Castro wants to make you care about the situation in Haiti. She also wants you read this short story by Edwidge Danticat.

The Gauradian makes a weird argument for why we shouldn't hate on Palin and Joe The Plumber for having book deals.

Sarah Weinman graciously read all the weekend book reviews and gives this convenient summary.

And let's wrap it up with a cute little kitty-kat.

Posted at 06:22 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 22, 2008

Playing Catch Up!

Here is an email I received yesterday:
Dear Tayari,
You never did tell us what you were doing in Ghana in the first place.

Please forgive me for that huge oversight! Here is a quick overview: The Pan African Writers Association held their annual meeting in Ghana this year. Writers from all over the African Continent gathered to discuss the state of African Diasporic Literature. Also in attendance were a few African-descended people who live in other parts of the world.

My attendance was sponsored by the US Embassy.

This was a conference not so different from academic conferences you might attend in the US like AWP or MLA, but on a smaller scale. I guess you could say it was more like a seminar. Since African nations speak a variety of languages, there were headphone on the seats which you could use hear translation into French or English. (I must say, this was one of my favorite parts. It felt so UN!)

Most of the conversation was geared to the political implications of African Writing, with much of the discussion centered on language. I was especially struck by the speaker who confessed that he now thinks in English and wondered what this means for not only the writer he is, but the man he is. This conversation was especially intriguing to me. As an African American, I have no other tongue besides English. And although there is a certain vernacular which is more associated with African American culture, it is not the same as having another language. Not for the first time on my trip to Ghana, I really understood what had been lost as a result of the middle passage and slavery.

There were also poetry and fiction readings. Each evening we gathered at the Pan African Writers Association headquarters for poetry marathons. Kwame Dawes and Arundhathi Subramanian were among my favorites. Young Senegalese author, Ayesha H. Attah, shared her new novel Harmattan Rain along with sketches inspired by that work. Andries Oliphant of South African made my little heart go pitter-pat with his passionate call for gender equality.

And then, there was the fashion. But I'll save that for another post.

Photos? Of course!

Posted at 11:49 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 08, 2008

Passing Through London

I'm just in the airport on a layover, but I could not resist using the free computers in the Admiral's Lounge to file a brief report. My trip to Ghana is over. I am so glad that I went, although I have become a complete African-American cliche. Being in Accra for a week made me see how people get caught up and decide to repatriate, especially since there is an open invitation to members of the diaspora to come back and make a life.

But don't worry. I am not going anywhere. This time tomorrow, I be back in "the Land of Obama."

I don't know how I am going to go about posting and blogging about my experiences. There was just so much to process. Of course there is Obama, Obama, Obama. But also the questions raised in the writers conference. History was everywhere. I went to a "slave castle" and cried so hard I thought I would choke. But on a lighter note, there was the wonderful food and gorgeous scenery. I also want to talk about the different social reality for Black American women in Accra. Let's just say, again, I can see how people get caught up and repatriate. And what cultural commentary would be complete with out talking about HAIR? "Afrobellas" were few and far between. Overall, people were so kind to me. When they say "Akwaba" it means you are welcome. Again, I have become an African American cliche, but I felt like I was reunited with relatives lost a long time ago. I'll post photos of all my friends when I get home, probably Tuesday.

I'm on my way to Chicago now. I'll try and post from there.

Posted at 02:06 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 01, 2008

Off to Ghana

I am ripping and running trying to get myself together for my tip to Ghana for the Pan African Writers Association annual conference. I am not taking my laptop, so I don't know how often I will be able to update the blog. If I have computer access, but not much time, I will give a few shouts on twitter. Also a have a few buzzes for The Daily Beast in the hopper which will probably be posted before I get back. Check them out, if you can.

I'll be back in the US on November 9, but I won't be home until the 11th. I bought a new camera with a 4G memory card, so lots of photos to come.

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

En Route to LaGuardia Links

Studs Terkel's red socks
Originally uploaded by raypride

RIP Studs Terkel, a true American hero. Sarah's got nice links, Ed, too.

Manuel Munoz won a Whiting Award last week, that officially makes hima hot-shot young writer. But we knew him when. But check out his video on "The Writing Vote."

I'm not the only one heading to Africa. Dave Eggers is returning to Sudan.

Writers writing back: Trisha R. Thomas answers a blog post about Halle's new do and Nappily Ever After. Alisa Valdes Rodriguez give a Ph.D. student the smackdown.

Kelly Links tells us what scares her.

Posted at 08:35 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 29, 2008

Mid-Week, Procrastination Links

Elmhurst Haunted Library,
Originally uploaded by daryldarko

The most cynical thing I have ever read in my life, an true account of writing term papers for hire.

I can't believe that this list of haunted libraries in the South has NO representation from Georgia! When I am a ghost, I promise to haunt the West Hunter Street Branch of the Atlanta Public Library (on MLK).

This is juicy. A woman is suing her sister because she claims her sister stole her manuscript by secretly downloading it from her laptop!

For the love of Nannie. Crystal Senter Brown found a hilarious haiku in a helpful suggestion from her grandma.

Shelley gets to the good part of the Toni Morrison article in Poets and Writers and I am still spellbound by the NPR readings.

And I know this is not literary, but I cannot resist kids in costumes.

Free Range Kids: a publisher paid big money for a book about letting your kids run free. (I can't help but think there is a race/class dynamic at play here.)

Last month, everyone was wondering can women writers be funny. This month the question is can women writers be scary?

I don't know the significance of this, but apparently, people twitter about books a lot around midnight.

Posted at 08:09 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 25, 2008

I'm Baaaaack!

I'm back from Nebraska. The visit was terrific, but I returned with a terrible case of laryngitis. Ugh. I am spending the day in bed, catching up with the 225 emails waiting for me and of course, updating the blog. Here are some links just to get warmed up. More posts to come in the next day or so, including a report from the heartland!

I Need To Write: A spoken word performance to get you up and scribbling.

I am a contributor to The Daily Beast!

Tips on how freelancers can survive the recession.

The Shiksa Syndrome: A nice Jewish girl decides that the best way to meet a nice Jewish boy is to pretend not to be Jewish. (Ladies, do not try this at home.)

Because I link anytime I see a black person on Galleycat: Samuel Delaney remembers Thomas M. Disch.

So, Eminem is publishing a memoir. Groan, right? Well, his mom has one coming out, too. The title: "My Son, Marshall. My Son, Eminem." I can not imagine the nightmare it would be to read a book that your mother wrote about you.

Laila Lalami has found a great site that features recording of classic authors. Every wondered what the voice of Virginia Woolf sounds like?

Posted at 08:33 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 20, 2008

Un-bought, Un-bossed Links

I know I've been a bad blogger. My upcoming trip to Ghana has been a little intense in the preparation department. I went this morning and got my vaccinations--- but I had to spend all day Friday finding a doctor who could provide them on such short notice! Visa application: complicated. Then there was the drama of finding subs for my classes. So, please forgive me folks, not being my usual up-to-date self. Luckily for us, other people are blogging and have posted some interesting stuff.

Coolness. A scholarship for students-- or would-be students-- who blog. $10,000.

Janice Earlbaum has written a charming essay over at nerve.com about the time her boyfriend gave her a Tomagotchi when she thought she was getting a ring. I keep thinking that I should mine my romantic life for material. I've got some crazy stories archived from my 20s and I think I should have a sense of humor about it by now.

This is pretty interesting. The Today show is now accepting pitches from self-published authors. I think this is pretty cool. I've always felt uncomfortable with the way indie authors get played.

Shelley is pretty irritated with the NYT review of the new biography of Virginia Wolf that focuses on Wolf's relationship with her servants. Apparently the NYT thinks servants are an every day part of average women's lives.

Ready or Not: Shirley Chisholm for President. A curated show in Brooklyn. I am so going to see it! (via Supperhussy)

Ron Davis is profiled over at Nat Creole. He's got some beautiful work over there.

Posted at 06:58 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 18, 2008

Weekend Links!

Sorry for the slow-down in posting. There is just so much prep-work for my trips to Ghana-- forms to fill out, vaccinations to get, weather to research... You get the idea. Meanwhile, here are some cool things to check out on the web.

The new Poets and Writers is out! Good stuff this issue. It starts with a Toni Morrison cover story and keeps on going with a special section dedicated to the MFA. Check out the article about my boss, Jayne Anne Phillips and our terrific program at Rutgers-Newark.

Shelley points out that the recent Kundera scandal is skewed by the bourgeois leanings of the mainstream media.

The Urban Muse has ten posts about how free lancers can keep their heads up in this ugly economy.

Malcolm Gladwell reminds us that just because a book is written by a very young author, doesn't mean it's brilliant.

Farafina has posted special issue edited by Laila Lalami. The focus: writers from Northern Africa.

Reggie H. offers a poem by the late great Gwendolyn Brooks as he blogs against poverty.

Drama in the A. The King children are fighting over their mother's papers. There is a book deal hanging in the balance.

Book Club Cookbook offers tasty-looking recipes submitted by authors.

Posted at 10:49 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 15, 2008

Re-Enfranchising Links!

STEAL BACK YOUR VOTE
Originally uploaded by kleopatrjones

Steal Back Your Vote is a graphic guide to how to get around the low-down dirty dogs who would try and keep your vote from counting this year. Brought to you by none other than RFK Jr, and Greg Pallast.

Kundera, a snitch? Say it ain't so, Milan! Sez Kundera: "It ain't so."

Cover story: I was so pleased to see that Felicia Sullivan's memoir, which I blogged about in March, has been published in Austrailia. Is it me, or is the cover art a little familiar.

Nine tips for writers who want to get the big bucks.

I heard on Twitter that the Morningside Writing Center has opening in all it's workshops.

Yemisi Blake has come across a really beautiful description of an artist explaining why she creates.

Posted at 07:02 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 13, 2008

The Blog is Back! Links

Toni Morrison signing posters
Originally uploaded by Badcoffeesucks

My blog was down for about five hours this morning. Very stressful.

Toni Morrison profiled in the Observer. Can you believe I went through all that trouble to get her new novel, and I have not read it. I'm like those old ladies that save their nice stuff for a special occasion that never comes.

Creative Nonfiction will publish blog posts in its next Best Of.. anthology. This and other opportunities from The Practicing Writer.

Khaled Hosseini, author of The Kite Runner, weighs in on all of the anti-Arab attacks on Obama.

I am no Madonna fan, but as a writer who has given a reading while folks are doing twitter on the back row, I know how she feels.

Javier Huerta gets satirical about the Nobel Prize and Rich Villar gets serious.

Bernice McFadden sits down for an audio interview.

Check out Girlsalon, a NYC based forum for women writers.

Posted at 10:06 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 10, 2008

Weekend Links

Writers Protesting at Tyler Perry's Studios
Originally uploaded by kleopatrjones

Tyler Perry is not paying his writers even the minimum wages outlined by the Writers Guild. The writers are fighting back.

Congrats to Kim Reid who won the Colorado Book Award for her memoir about growing up during the Atlanta Child Murders.

Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clezio has won the Nobel Prize in Literature. If you haven't heard of him, is it because he's too obscure, or you're not well-read enough? Meanwhile, Reggie H cuts through the madness and offers up some sane reflections.

She wanted to lead the ~~glamorous~~ Bohemian Life, but it is really expensive.

Rejected? You might still be able to publish it anyway.

I loved Story of An Hour when I first read it in Mrs. Cathcart's 12th grade English class.

Kwame Dawes is featured on PBS for his work on AIDS in Jamaica.

RIP Charles Wright, African-American novelist. I am so embarrassed that I was not familiar with his work.

Random House has posted a kooky story by Janice Earlbaum.

Posted at 08:27 AM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 06, 2008

Long Day Links

James Baldwin in Harlem
Originally uploaded by Genek´s cards

Thanks everyone for helping me out with my facebook situation.

Dreams of Their Fathers: Barack Obama and James Baldwin.

I was wrong. The NYT wasn't totally lame this Sunday. Shelly found an interesting article on short vs long fiction.

To make the leap from journalism to novel writing, Linda Villarosa had to change the way she thinks.

Farewell, Olson's Books. Indies are dropping left and right. Sigh.

The Saartjie Project is a black woman's artists collaborative, specializing in work around the black female body. Cocoa interviews Jessica Solomon, the founder of this groundbreaking project.

Well, The Jewel of Medina is the topic that never seems to run out of blogable issues. Galleycat ponders the origins of the artwork on the cover... The painter is German, for whatever that's worth.I was going to leave it at that, but I just have to say that with there being so much drama about whether the book is a reasonable portrayal of Muslim life, wouldn't it be a nice gesture, at least, to use some artwork that comes from the culture depicted?

Posted at 08:37 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 05, 2008

Before Coffee Links

Joy is out of town, so I have to read the NYT for myself. Well, I kind of scanned it. The book section is pretty dry this week. There's the sad news that neither John Updike, Philip Roth, Don DeLillo or Joyce Carol Oates will be getting the Nobel Prize. Also, a new book on the Thomas Jefferson/Sally Hemmings relationship. And by the way, OJ is going to jail. (The OJ story wasn't in the book section, but it is sort of in the same category of *yawn.*)

The Anisfield-Wolf Awards is taking submissions. I have been aware of the declining showing of African-Americans in American literary awards scene, but even I was surprized that the Anisfield-Wolf Awards, nicknamed "The Black Pulitzer" did not honor a single African-American author for new work this year.

In Manhattan, Redbone Press is hosting "Reclamation: The Value of Black Gay Writing" to celebrate the reissue of Brother to Brother and In The Life. (Event is on Tuesday October 14. More details here.)

Third Coast is holding a contest for both fiction and poetry. Winner gets a thousand bucks!

Jezebel is thinking about starting a book club. They are looking for suggestions about what to read.

File this under Dudes Talking to Dudes About Dudes. Officially the question is whether you need an agent based in NY.

Posted at 08:16 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 04, 2008

Weekend Links

Kids Love to Read!
Originally uploaded by BOOKphotoSA

Dave Eggers says kids do too read.

My mom was tickled to death by this poem in which an author reacts with glee upon seeing a rival's book on the remainder table.

Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez, a pretty funny lady, weighs in on the girls-aren't-funny argument.

Ron over at Mosiac books says the party's over.

Victor LaValle talks about his new book. I can't even begin to summarize. You have to check it out for yourself.

A letter Ted Hughes sent to Sylvia Plath's mother after her Sylvia's death.

Feministe points out that the banned book list is one of the few where there is gender parity. (This and lots of other interesting links from Omnibus.)

If you love Kelly Link like I love Kelly Link, you'll be delighted to see that you can download Magic For Beginners for free free free!

Happy Birthday LitMatch!

I often get emails about a character in Leaving Atlanta who willingly gets into a car with a stranger. An article in Slate says that sadly, children are suicidal more often than you think.

Posted at 09:51 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 02, 2008

Debatable Links

Gwen Ifill at 2007 Annual Awards Dinner
Originally uploaded by national_press_foundation

Another episode in the reality show that passes for democracy in this country is airing tonight. Being the internet freak that I am, I am going to stream it on my computer while doing "hack the debate" on twitter. I will not participate in any of the #bidenshot or #palinshot drinking games. (Maybe I'll do one #ifillshot out of solidarity, but that's it!)

In the spirit of the debate, Slate diagrams Sarah Palin's sentences. Don't you love it when politics and word-nerdom collide.

This is exactly the kind of ridiculous advice that ruins young writers.

You can win a free trip to the Texas Book Festival. This and other goodies over at Practicing Writing.

High-minded literary drama-fest. The collected letters of Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell.

You remember when J.T. Leroy's novels turned out to written by Laura Albert, right? But I bet you forgot that there was another person involved-- the person who pretended to be J.T. Leroy during his public appearances. Well, she has written a tell all.

The Nobel Chief is so over American novelists.

Marylinne Robinson talks technique by not talking about technique.

Posted at 09:06 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 30, 2008

Lunchbreak Links

Back of a postcard (circa 1930)
Originally uploaded by kingofkerwood

A writerly Xmas gift for the parents who have everything-- a copy of your sex memoirs!

I love The Postcard Project. It's a little complicated, but I am totally going to participate.

Joy reads the Sunday NYT, so you don't have to!

Universal Blackness reflects on the one-year anniversary of the Dunbar Village tragedy. (Our fundraiser on this blog remains one of my proudest moments.)

The UK publisher of Jewel of Medina was firebombed over the weekend.

Zora Neale Hurston's hometown Eatonville is featured in the NYT.

How many copies sold make your literary novel a success? Fewer than you think!

Alisa Valdes Rodriguez wants to know which version of her novel in progess you prefer. (Me, I say go with the first person.)

Posted at 01:15 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 28, 2008

Six-Toed Links

Hemingway's Cats Have Extra Toes
Originally uploaded by seabright hoffman

The Hemingway house is going to be allowed to keep it's 6-toed cats. (I know that's not pressing news, but I am always happy when cats are happy.)

The economic crisis may cost two very different writers their homes: Mark Twain and Alisa Valdes-Rodriguez.

Stephen King has struck a blow for gender equality. He has generalized and stereotyped the male reader!

R. Erica Doyle is hosting a free workshop for queer women of color. Hurry, up. Deadline is September 30.

If you're going on the academic job market, you might want to check out The CV doctor. Here's a column dedicated to the MFA.

A Novelista reports on the ZZ Packer/New Stories From The South party at Housing Works last month.

Posted at 09:29 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 25, 2008

Read This While I Go Fix The Economy

We Knew Him When: That's Nam Le To My Right
Originally uploaded by kleopatrjones

Yusef Komunyakaa gave a gorgeous reading last night and the audience asked dynamite questions. Our reading series at Rutgers-Newark is the only one that I know of that pulls in our university community, but also teenagers, and regular readers from Newark. I love my job.

The National Book Foundation has announced it's Five under 35 list. My opinion on this hasn't changed, so I'll just restate what I wrote in last year's post.

I now am wondering if these lists are inherently biased in terms of socio-economic class. Think about it. Most of what anyone, not just writers, accomplish at a young age has much to do with that person's family background. It takes a few years for the boot-strappy among us catch up with the accomplishments of the silver-spoon crowd.

But still, congrats to Nam Le-- he's on the photo above. I met him at MacDowell before his ship came in and he's a really nice guy and a fine writer.

Erin isn't thrilled about the concept either, but she says it with a cartoon.

Chris Offutt defines literary terms so when you go to a party, you'll know what people really mean. It's worth a chuckle.

Check to see what festivities are planned in your town for Banned Book Week.

Don't forget to enter the Indiana Review fiction contest. (There's poetry too, but I'm not judging that.)

Apparently I have a namesake out there and she bakes cakes.

Feeling snarky? Have a little fun at Sarah Palin's expense.

Posted at 07:18 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 22, 2008

700 Billion Dollar Links

Caged man
Originally uploaded by Mieke Miwian

Teaching makes author, David Gessner, feel like a caged beast. Aww. Poor baby.

The Guardian says writers need to know when to say when. You can write until you die, but you don't have to publish all of it.

Esquire has its (boring) list of the 75 Books Every Man Should Read and Jezebel hits back with the 75 books for Every Woman.

Have you ever heard the voice of Zora Neale Hurston? My dad sent this link.

Dennis Lehane is tired of writing whodunnits. Even though his publishers have offered him a truckfull of money, he will not write another Patrick Kenzie novel.

The Blogger and the Cop. Don't ask me why I found this so amusing, but I did.

Posted at 10:15 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 18, 2008

Well-Compensated Links

Steve Inskeep, NPR, (Host of Morning Edition)
Originally uploaded by onanov

You will not believe how much money the reporters at NPR are making!(Photo is of Steve Inskeep who is taking home a niiiice little check.)

Erika, as always, has the news you can use. She provides links to helpful hints for winning grants and also tips on how to give a better public reading.

Laila says the Republicans aren't the only elephants to watch. Babar may look innocent in his coat and tie, but....

A Concerned Citizen was disgusted to see the anti-Obama books on the bestseller rack at the airport. So, she fixed it.

Annie Proulx is really irritated by Brokeback fans that keep revising the screenplay and sending it to her.

Nothing is worse than a bad audio book.

Since the news has been so crazy depressing lately, here is something really really funny.

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

September 16, 2008

Totally Exhausted Links

Sleepy Rex - BB Zai 2
Originally uploaded by ~✽ Yen ✽~

Carleen wants to know what you think about prologues. (And you get a sneak peek of her new novel!)

Would critics of urban lit simmer down if they knew that the French do it too?

Acephalous points out ten or so ways that you can show yourself to be an unpleasant person depending on how you react to the death of David Foster Wallace.

Harper's Magazine has made available all the articles that DFW wrote for them.

This is from Ed. Tod Goldberg posts a recent interview, but not before giving the behind-the-scenes weirdness.

Bitch magazine, which I really dig, is going under.

The NYT can't name any funny novels by women. Jezebel lists a few. But none of them are by women of color. Can you think of any sister-sidesplitters?

Have you ever heard the voice of William Faulkner? Me either. But that's why we love Maud for always having the best links.

Okay. I am totally exhausted. G'night everyone. Don't forget Patricia Smith and Dennis Nurkse's party at Housing Works 9/17.

I found the cute cat pic when I put the word "sleepy" into flickr. That kitty is me in about ten minutes.

Posted at 09:26 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 15, 2008

New Week Links

Butterfly Boy (1949)
Originally uploaded by Omega418

Don't forget the Indiana Review contest. Prize is $1000 and I'm the judge.

New York Magazine has a long dishy article about how publishing is going to hell in a handbasket.

Ed Champion has collected tributes to David Foster Wallace by various writers. I must say, I knew DFW was famous, but I didn't quite know the depth of emotion he provoked. It sort of reminds me of when I was at Prairie View A&M trying to teach class the day after Tupac got shot.

There's a children's book about Kenyan environmental activist and Nobel Prize winner, Wangari Maathai.

Ever wonder what's up with the used books an amazon that sell for a penny?

Maud Newton talks with Kathlee Kent about her new book The Heretic's Daughter. (Can I say again how glad I am that I changed the name of my book from The Bigamist's Daughters?)

The movie version of "Push" by Sapphire is almost here. Mo'Nique gives an interview to Essence.

Barack Obama gives advice to writers. It's nothing you haven't heard before, but still. It's Obama.

Ouch! This is the funkiest review i ever got on amazon. Someone needs to teach that young man some manners!

Photo on the right is called "Butterfly Boy" which made me think of my good friend, Rigoberto, and his beautiful memoir by the very same name.

Posted at 03:19 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 12, 2008

Survived The Week Links

Reggie Harris remembers the poet Reginald Shepherd who passed away on Wednesday.

Reginald Shepherd's blog.

Erika has resources for writers in crisis.

Here's something positive. There is an agent out there looking for unknown writers.

Galleycat is putting thier money on Ed P. Jones as the next already famous writer who gets even more famous by being on Oprah.

Ella Curry conducts an audio interview with Maya Angelou on her blog.

Jess Row recalls William Styron's Confessions of Nat Turner and the 10 Black Writers who struck back.

Rarely Likeable says the best way to get writing done is to leave home!

Stuff White People Like was rewarded with a big bookdeal. Does the guy who wrote 10% of the entries deserve a cut?

"Baad Bitches” and Sassy Supermamas: Stephanie Dunn takes a close look at race and gender in Blaxploitation films.

Posted at 12:14 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 09, 2008

Home at Last Links!

I am beat-down tired after a really long day at work. Why is so hard to transition back into the race after a gorgeously productive summer??? But here are some links before I throw in the towel.

When looking for information on Mary Gaitskill for my grad class, I found this treasre trove of author-audio!

Best American Poetry gives a close reading of the undergraduate verse of one Barack Obama.

Salt Press, a British publisher, is the leading source for poetry by Native Americans, including friend of the blog, LeAnne Howe. (That's her book to the left!)

LibraianInBlack points out the poor libraries in rural areas.

TOW Books was ready to publish a new line of humour titles. The problem is, once they did, nobody really got the joke. Check out the article. Read to the end and they'll send you a free book.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary, Booker Prize judges give up the hot gossip. They even tell about the judge who threatened to kill himself as part of the negotiations.

That's it. I gotta go to bed.

Posted at 09:30 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 07, 2008

Lovely Day Links!

Singer Betty Wright
Originally uploaded by Shavar

Man-oh-man it's gorgeous outside and here I am slaving over this hot computer.

Beaufort Books is the clean-up woman (a la Betty Wright) of publishing. They've just bought The Jewel of Medina after Random House backed out of the contract. Another title swept up up by Beaufort: If I Did It, by The Juice. Can you believe that it has quietly sold 100,000 copies?

Feeling guilty and/or lame for missing Patricia Smith's book party on Friday? You'll get another chance on on 9/17 when she'll read along with D. Nurkse (I am so crazy for his poetry!) at Housing Works.

Michael Gonzalez has a healthy sense of self. This afternoon, he sent around a link to a review that describes his work as "absolutely depressing ... where the future looks anything but bright — a postapocalyptic scenario of disease and drugs, of sex and segregation." Is this Freakonomical because it so made me want to buy the book.

On The Media gives a brief recap on the black women who changed the democratic party.

This is a helpful link about planning booksignings. I think the title reaches a bit when it calls the event described a "disaster." I think book signings are like romantic breakups. They only qualify as disasters if law-enforcement is involved.

CCH Pounder, the actress from "The Shield", says a British accent is an effective racism repellent.

A sweet story about a writer and her grandmama.

Posted at 02:32 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 05, 2008

In The Mood for Links

Jennifer Baker-Henry reports on her trip to Ghana as part of the Pan African Literary Forum. Sounds

like a good opportunity to see the world while taking great writing courses.

Sarah Palin wanted to ban A Wrinkle In Time from Alaska libraries?

In researching Sapphire for my Af-Am Lit class, I came accross this interview with the author and Charlie Rose.

The NY Post's feature "Writers on The Rocks" sounds a lot like the feature on this blog: Cocktails With Writers....

Laila Lalami reminds of a terrific Harry Lime quote. It's perfect for those of us who like our inspiration with a little bit of edge. (When you read the quote, the graphic on the right will make sense, and if you have a wicked sense of humor, you will chuckle.)

U.K. author offers a cash prize to whomever can come up with a plot for her new novel.

Publisher's Marketplace can help you find a bookstore in your area.

The ABA Omnibus liked my post about my local independent bookstore, but check out the haterade in comments. Good grief.

Posted at 10:26 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 01, 2008

Back To Work Links

School starts tomorrow. This will likely mean a little less blogging, I fear.

A one-man publishing operation hit pay dirt after the subject of a little biography it published won the Veepstakes.

Happy 10th Anniversary to Moasic Magazine. More details to come, but check out the reading series celebrating this milestone.

Everyone knows that I love twitter, but this is ridiculous.

Art Noveau, the funkiest on-line magazine I know, has just posted the new issue. I am thinking to do a Q&A with one of the founders!

Maud Newton has posted the Southern Trivia Quiz that was handed out at the ZZ Packer/New Stories From The South party.

In an interview with Ed Champion, Sarah Manguso tried to explain how hard it is to remember which wriing choices are intuitive and which are instinctive.

Posted at 06:26 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 29, 2008

Labor Day Links!

In light of history being made all over the place, he blogosphere is pretty slow in terms of literary stuff today. This is all I could come up with.

The Book Blog award nominations are open. There is even a category for best author blog. (wink)

Crab Orchard Review is seeking submissions for their new issue focusing on heritages. (note the plural.)

Zelda Lockhart is hosting a masterclass in Hillsboro, North Carolina. The all-day workshop is only $90 and includes lunch!

Everybody loves Judy Blume. Watch her on the Today show. She is so cool.

Has it been a decade? I feel so old! But on a sort of serious note, I don't know if it's fair to look at Lauryn Hill's lyrics as though they were autobiography.

Here are ten novels about writers. How they forgot Erasure, I have no idea. Well, I do have an idea, but I will keep it to myself.

Just because books are out of print, doesn't mean that people don't want to read them. This is oddly encuraging.

Photo source.

Posted at 02:30 PM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 26, 2008

Tuesday's Finds

Poets Beware: This is the publishing horror story of horror stories. Stacey

Lynn Brown finally found a publisher for her poetry debut. That's the only good news in this whole dismaying story. (Thanks, Shayla for telling me about this.)

This is sort of a fluff piece on Breadloaf, but Lillian from our blog community is quoted, so that right there is worth a click.

Fernham ofers a very kind review of The Untelling. I really appreciate it. Sometimes it feels like that baby just fell through the cracks.

"I love you" is such a cliche, but no one gets tired of hearing it.

Erika lists ten writing workshop faux-pas (faux-pases?). #2 made me laugh out loud.

Thanks Reggie for the adorable photo of Sasha Obama.

Posted at 07:15 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 25, 2008

Requiem for A Sweater

I love this one orange sweater. I bought it years ago, when I was living in Champaign, IL. It cost me a pretty penny, but I figured I deserved it because I was staying home over spring break to write. It turned out to be the perfect garment for the travelling writer. The color looked great on camera and if I wore it at the podium it really showed up well. I could wear it upside down as a shrug! It could be casual or spiffy, depending on what I wore it with. Foxy or reserved, all depending on what I wore under it. Oh, I love it so.

It's an all purpose good-vibe article of clothing. It's a great first date sweater-- because it's so bright, yet classy. It's a terrific post-break-up garment, in the spirit of Chrissette Michelle's "Be Okay." I can throw it on with jeans to make a ratty outfit "casual-cute." I can put it on with a black pencil skirt to say "at work, but not lame." Sigh.

But all things must come to an end. My sweater is old now. It's sort of stretched out of shape. After several weeks of research, I tracked down the manufacturer, Skif International. They don't have the orange yarn anymore. After comforting me as I sobbed into the phone, the customer service person asked me to mail in my beloved sweater. Maybe they could match it? In any case, she is going to send me some yarn swatches, so I can see is there is something else I would like to have.

I must admit that I feel a little silly even writing this post. Does this put me in same category as that kooky lady who spent her life savings cloning "Booger," her dearly departed pit bull? Maybe so. But still, as I am boxing up my sweater now, I ask you send it some positive energy. I haven't been this nervous since I sent Johnny Baby Feline to Alabama on Fly Pets!

(click mosaic to enlarge.)

Posted at 11:18 AM | Comments (4)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Monday Morning Links

Hey everybody, this is my 1100th post!

The woman who accused the Duke Lacross team of rape is writing her memoirs. When I saw her picture, all I could think was Pecola Breedlove.

Jacqueline Woodson, reigning queen of YA, has been censored in Brittain. 150,000 copies of her novel, My Sister Jodie, have been sold in UK since March, but three-- count them 1-2-3-- parents have complained about language so the book will be reprinted so one letter-- count it 1-- will be changed. (Via)

Random House, the publisher responsible for the shennanigans above, also has its YA authors sign a contract saying that if they behave in a non-YA appropriate fashion, they could lose thier book deals.

Here's another link from accross the pond: Jodi Henley-Einon says that she doesn't mind if the label "lesbian author" helps her sell books. Compare that with Sarah Schulman's article about the way "lesbian writers" are treated in the US.

And another YA issue. A new children's books lets its princess live happily without a prince. ( A good first step. Now, if we can only ditch the princess construct. It drives me nuts!)

Debut novelist, Shawn Stewart Ruff, laughs when people compliment him on Finlater his first novel. "It's more like my fifth," he says.

The literary journal of Spelman College is seeking submissions. Ah, was it only seventeen years ago that I was editor myself?

Posted at 07:20 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 23, 2008

Saturday Morning Masochism

Circa 1983.

Posted at 09:54 AM | Comments (6)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 22, 2008

Living For The Weekend Links

Going to See "Trouble The Water" tonight! Will review on Monday.

There is a new episode of Cake and Potatoes up. Kickback and enjoy it along with the ultimate night cap: Old E, Black & Mild, and a pack of Watermelon Now & Laters. (You have to read the comic to know what I'm talking about here.)

Make your own READ poster. The lady on the the left is none other than my magnificant publicist, Lauren Cerand.

Jail time for library fines.

Book signing is more intense than we thought. 60,000 copies in one sitting? Using your own blood for ink? Deepness.

Need help with publishing lingo? Here's a quick primer. You will be able to use terms like "remainder", "french flaps", and "first pass proofs" with ease the next time you are at a frufy cocktail party.

Ladylee, since you like fiction prompts so much, check this one out from Alex Chee.

This is pretty gosh darm heroic and it is the weekend. It's enough to make me into a dog person.

Posted at 12:56 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 20, 2008

Back Home Links

I'm home! I have to go buy some milk, coffee, etc. But meanwhile, here's some reading material.

Cave Canem didn't award their first book prize this year. There's no explanation given. Does this mean that judge,Clarence Major,

couldn't find a worthy manuscript?? If anyone knows anything, email me!(Mr. Major, btw, is the stern looking gentleman on the right.)

Joanne found an excerpt of the new Toni Morrison novel, A Mercy.

Galleycat points out that none of Simon and Schuster's authors are complaining that their publisher is taking part in the anti-Obama smear campaign.

Over at Huffington Post, they think that the pro-Obama book is being mired by in-fighting.

Laila Lalami laments that she didn't see Darwish read while she had the chance.

When a glimpse over the shoulder is a glimpse into the soul.

Chris Adrian's new novel, A Better Angel, features child characters and Lizzie isn't buying it. A little dramafest has broken out as a result.

Reggie H. weighs in on A Hope in the Unseen, the Maryland One-Book Selection.

Posted at 07:29 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 19, 2008

So Far, So Magical

I'm back in my room after a busy but rewarding day. At 9am, I met with the terrific 9th graders from the Early College program. They had all read Leaving Atlanta and had lots of questions for me in Q&A. The organizers told me about ten times that these were 9th graders, but I kept forgetting. They were sharp and funny, respectful and curious. (That's them on the left)

After the Early College students, I met with the freshmen who read Leaving Atlanta on their own over the summer. I think it's safe to say that we had a great time. The students met with their reading circles right before the Q&A, so they arrived with questions in hand.

Sometimes before paying me a compliment, a student sometimes said, "I am sure you hear this all the time.." The truth of the matter is that writers go really long stretches without any feedback from the world. The encouraging words from these readers will prop me up for a long time to come. (The students on the right are members of the GCSU's class of 2010!)

Well, I am all talked out and am drinking herbal tea to get my voice right for tonight.

more photos!

Posted at 02:58 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Andalusia-- The O'Connor Home

After the morning sessions, Karen McElmurray took me over to Adalusia, the Flannery O'Connor home. The small staff was very enthusiastic and took me on a tour. The home is large, but not very fancy. The dedicated caretakers have done a good job preserving the grounds. You can see their care on the photo here. I also took photos in Flannery's bedroom, which is lovingly preserved. Unfortunately, love and dedication could not mend the disrepair of the buildings. Mending takes money.

As a daughter of the state of Georgia, I am ashamed that the state legislature or some other body has not stepped up to the plate to protect such an important historical landmark. I foolishly expected the home to be refurbished, perhaps a gift shop and welcome center. I secretly hoped to see at least a few peacocks, as Flannery was famous for her flock of 50 birds. In short, I fully expected to see something on the scale of the Hemmingway Home in Key West.

Instead, the house is in sad shape despite the hard work of the Andalusia Foundation. There is a hole in the staircase wall that leads clear to the outside. Other homes on the property are almost falling down.

Our national treasures deserve so much more than this.

photos here.

Posted at 02:52 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Hitting The Ground Running

Just a quick entry in the only down-time I think I'll have between now and the convocation tonight.

I am here in Milledgeville, Georgia. They put me up in the sweetest B&B ever, The Antebellum Inn. I've stayed here before and the lovely inn keeper, Jane, remembered me. If you ever stay here, be sure to ask for The Garden Room. (If I lived in Atlanta, I would drive down here just for a little getaway.) The photo is of my room. They are going to have to drag me out of here when it's time to check out!

Today's agenda involves a Q&A session with local highschoolers, 2 Q&As with the GCSU students, lunch with faculty, dinner at the president's house, and then the Convocation address. Although I should ask to be taken by to the hotel between lunch and dinner, I MUST go get a quick peek at Flannery O'Connor's home. THEN, I'll come back to The Garden Room.

Thanks again, everybody for the input on the speech. I like what I've written, but I need to practise. I am not trying to memorize it like an Easter Speech, but I would like to be comfortable enough that I don't have to keep my eyes glued to the page!

Wish me luck!

Posted at 07:36 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 16, 2008

Southern Fried Links

I've been ripping and running around Atlanta and I also took a quick trip to Hilton Head with Dear Old Dad. I'm low on new material to blog about, but I did find some good-looking links I wanted to share with you.

But first, thanks for all the responses to my plea for help writing my speech. Where were you all when I was a freshman? I

could have used the advice!

I saw on facebook that Andrew Ervin has managed to get his hot little hands on the new Toni Morrison novel. It's called A MERCY. I am going to die if I don't get to read it. Natasha T. heard Ms. Morrison read from it at Harvard. She says it's fantastic and but refuses to recite it for me again.

A Mercy already has its own Wikipedia page.

You don't love Frida Kahlo like they love Frida Khalo.

The Lace Reader is the little self-published book that could. a $2M contract is nothing to play with. So why is the original publicist so pissed off? Bella Stander says being mad in public is not good for business.

How the other half learns. Reports from Iowa.

Abdel is all about Chris Abani.

Janice found out that she isn't the only literary celebrity who spent some time in a NYC youth home. She wasn't even the only one living in her room!

Waiting2Speak post a complicated and moving account of a chance meeting and a tragic misunderstanding.

Here's a sad story about the children James Brown didn't claim, and the children he did. It reminded me of my novel-in-progress.

Alex Chee has all the news you wish you didn't know about the new anti-Obama literature. For example, conservative millionaires are buying copies in bulk to make sure Obama Nation debuts at #1.

To take your mind off of the item above, let's kick back with some polar bear cuteness.

Posted at 07:48 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 14, 2008

Quality Time

It's good to be back in the A.

Posted at 05:02 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 12, 2008

Some Things To Read While I Get Situated

I am on my way to Atlanta and I am not sure what the blogging situation is going to be. So, here are some things to read while I am getting myself together.

Joy Castro shares five writing commandments that kept her going as she was writing her gorgeous book.

In the mood for something graphic? Here are 22 unflattering moments in autobiographical comics. Also, the brilliant & adorable Jackson Brown has-- I don't know what to call it. It's not a comic strip exactly-- he has a thing going on his blog. It's a story. In pictures, captions, and in installments. I think it's pretty smart and sort of funny.

A 93-year old debut novelist is using her loot to move herself and her friends out of a nursing home.

I mentioned Hope: Living and Loving with HIV In Jamaica in yesterday's good news post when it won an award, but I am reposting because it is a powerful multimedia event. Go take a look.

The special black women writers issue of PoemMemoirStory is all sold out from amazon. If you're interested, you have to go straight to the source. (I have a story published there and so do a number of other members of this blog community, including Honoree Fannonne Jeffers, editor.)

Courtney steered me to The Moth. Imagine a poetry slam, except the people are telling STORIES. You can listen to some of the greatest hits on line.

Agent Jim McCarthy brings back a report from the annual meeting of Romance Writers of America.

The page 69 test. Marshal Zeringue has an innovative blog where she asks authors to examine page 69 of their novels to see if it is representative of the book. Well, I took the challenge and talked about page 69 of The Untelling.

Galleycat is looking for feedback.

RIP Mahmoud Darwish, the Poet Laureate of the West Bank.

Check out Spring/Summer 2008 issue of Torch: poetry, prose, and short stories by African American Women. There's a nice conversation between me and Ana-Maurine Lara and a terrific feature of Kamilah Aisha Moon.

Am I the only one that thinks this is a hoax? The so-called "monster" seems to be giving the viewer the finger!

Well, I guess since I am in the tabloid zone: The woman involved in the Edwards drama was the inspiration for a novel written 20 years ago. In short she has been a trip for a loooong time.

Posted at 12:10 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 11, 2008

Standing Ovations

for folks who read this blog! Keep the good news coming!

Joanne Sills has signed with an agent! Write her name down. Good things are ahead.

Kelly Kennedy got in touch when I sent out my SOS for Pink Oil, but she forgot to mention that she won the Hurston/Wright Award! I had to hear it in the street. Congrats, Kelly.

Carolyn Kellogg has earned her MFA degree.

Kwame Dawes's project Hope: Living and Loving with HIV in Jamaica has been given an honorable mention for the Knight-Batten Awards!

Abdel Shakur is going to bring his brilliance to the country's youth. He's just graduated from his Teach for America training. So proud of him!

Posted at 10:19 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 10, 2008

Rainy Sunday Links

Kelefa Sanneh talks about Tavis Smiley talking about Barack Obama.

RIP Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac. Old people say these things happen in threes. Let's hope they're wrong.

The folks are the NYT are feeling stabby. Joyce Carol Oates and Robert Olen Butler, both got the smackdown on the book review page. Both were given the grade-school admonition that they aren't living up to their potential.

Techinically, I could blog about this John Edwards situation since my book is all about a love child, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

Here is a chat with "superstar agent" Sandy Dijkstra.

It's rainy and a little bit cold out. I'm eating cookies and listening to sad songs.

Posted at 04:32 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 08, 2008

End O' The Week Links

I am the luckiest writer in the whole wide world! Look what Ladylee sent to encourage me as I try and finish my book. She knows how to make me laugh out loud. I love the plot suggestions. She keeps me real. (A disclaimer: the people she mentions are just characters and the violent acts they may or may not commit are all fictional!)

This Beyonce drama regarding the lightening of her skin for L'oreal isn't literary, but it does touch on some of the themes I write about. Check out this disturbing video about skin bleaching.

Jody Rosen was tipped off to another writer who was seriously plagiarizing her stuff!

Can you believe the feds are busting into libraries and confiscating computers?

My Spelman sister, Riche Richardson, is being feted internationally for her handmade quilts. Here is a YouTube Documentary.

This memoir sounds creepy. The thing that's interesting is the paragraph devoted to fact-checking. It seems the Gray Lady has learned her lesson at last.

Posted at 03:28 PM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 06, 2008

Lunch Hour Links

Some interesting stuff out there today.

I really really want to see the new muscial, Fela. Maybe I can sneak away to check out a matinee?

My girl, Vickie, is obsessed with the movie version of Sapphire's 1996 novel, PUSH. If anybody has seen a trailer, or knows anything about the production schedule, please let me know.

David Carr's memoir, The Night of The Gun, is summarized by Jezebel as "serious addiction, poverty, rehab and eventual redemption as the full custodial parent of his twin girls, decent husband, New York Times columnist, etc., etc." The problem is that he left out many of his bad deeds because they make him unsympathetic. Is that okay?

Ever wonder where ghost writers come from?

Should authors suffer in silence when thier pulishers do them wrong? Remember Jervey Tervalon's famous article, Literary Sharecropper? Somebody needs to follow up on that situation.

Is it fair to the bookstore if you return a book just because you didn't like it?

Posted at 10:57 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 04, 2008

Monday Links

I think I am going to have to up the espresso intake. I am typing with my forehead on the keyboard.

Why I moved to New York: Erykah Badu is giving a FREE concert tonight in

Brooklyn.

SAVE SEGUNDO. When Ed Champion announced that he was closing up shop, listeners from all over the world got in touch. Now, he floats a few proposals on how to save the show.

People are pretty excited about Disney's first Black "princess". I am not so thrilled. It feels to me like the "black" issue of Vogue. Is it really progress that black girls can now be princesses, too? I hate that Disney crap and I am not flattered to be included in that pathology. (OOh, let's get some more coffee in me, ASAP. I think I almost copped an attitude.)

Something for the file labeled "High Class Problems": Ann Patchett talks about her book tours.

Here is a list of literary journals with RSS feeds.

I can't figure out if Word Hustler is a service pitched toward slackers or the highly ambitious. It's a service that, for a small fee, will handle all your submission needs.

Tara Betts takes a moment to remember the writers who have recently passed away this year.

Posted at 08:51 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 01, 2008

Congratulations Are In Order

for people who read this blog! (thank goodness. I needed a good news fix!) Drumroll please....

Rigoberto Gonzalez's poetry collection, Other Fugitives and Other Strangers has won the The Poetry Center Book Award from San Francisco State University.

Andria Cole has a story, "Small Crimes" published in the Baltimore Urbanite.

Buffy Mckay has won the "Poetry: Open to the Public" category for this year's Anchorage Daily News Creative Writing Contest. The poem is called "How Springtime Travels in Alaska,"

Scott Bowman is now a published writer! His story will be in the next edition of Quarter After Eight.

Posted at 12:47 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 31, 2008

If It Ain't One Thing, It's Another

This is usually a pretty up-beat blog, but there is a lot of woe on the internet today.Okay. Here we go. In no particular order.

The all-black issue of Vogue? File it under one step forward, two steps back.

What do you do when you get a letter from an editor using out-right racist language?

What happens when you make a book deal, but never write the book? Just ask Lil' Kim and Foxy Brown.

Lemons: there are death threats against you because of your book. Lemonade: you can make your police protectors pay you rent!

There's not enough money to bring "For Colored Girls" to Broadway, afterall.

This is really annoying.

I tried to go to my favorite local coffee shop to unwind with a Fizzie Lizzie and a pastry. When I got there, it was CLOSED DOWN!

I need a hug!

Posted at 04:03 PM | Comments (4)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 29, 2008

Folks Who Read This Blog Are On a Roll!

Whoa. To say "good news" is an understatement.

Kyla Marshell(my Spelman sister, c'09!) has won an endowed poetry prize from the Academy of American Poets!

Natasha Trethewey will be named Georgia Woman of the Year today!

Jacqueline Woodson has won the Newberry Medal!

Andrew Ervin has been named to be the first Southern Review Resident Scholar. This may be the sweetest post-MFA gig ever.

CoCo Harris's memoir "Parting Words" has been excerpted in Blood Lotus.

Charles Gonzalez has just received his MFA from Goddard College. Coo-coo-ca-choo!

If you've got good news, I want to hear about it!

Posted at 09:35 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 28, 2008

Some Links, Just In Case...

Not to be a pessimist, but the computer guy is coming to look at my machine and I have a baaaad feeling that he is going to take it away. I figured that I should post my links etc. now while I still can.

Emmanuel Constant, the leader of a Haitian death squad has finally been found guilty-- of real estate fraud. Constant is said to be the inspiration for Edwidge Danticat's novel, The Dew Breaker, in which Hatian-Americans are traumatized by seeing their torturer walking the streets of NY, a free and happy man.

The Washington Post really really dug Breena Clarke's new novel, Stand The Storm. This takes gushing review to a whole nother level.

More and more writers are supplementing their incomes with speaking gigs.

An author asks The Ethicist what to do when a friend hands you a manuscript to read and it's "clearly autobiographical, abounding in self-aggrandizement and intimate sexual details".

Got Slang? If you are kind of over American urban slang, Ed has a nifty guide to a Northern English dialect.

Attention Illinois poets. It's time to apply for your state artist grant. There's $7000 out there with your name on it! (This and other goodies posted over at Erika's house.)

That's all I have today. I need to go and back up my stuff and get ready for the repairman. Wish me luck!

Posted at 10:27 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 26, 2008

Saturday Afternoon Reading

The ladies at Aunt Jemima's Revenge are so OVER Omar Tyree.

When a book doesn't sell, who's at fault? The writer or the publisher?

Did you know that a black woman, Big Mama Thornton, recorded "Hound Dog" three years before Elvis?

With Wings and a Halo is a non-profit that seeks to put books in places where kids are in crisis, including in squad cars.

Erika is loving reading Jean Thompson's new story in One Story. (Jean, BTW, is a friend o' the blog!)

Posted at 01:55 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 23, 2008

mid-week linkage

I am really interested in the Narrative Magazine contest. The winner gets $3K, but I am really drawn to the idea that all stories must be first person point of view. Fiction or non fiction doesn't matter. It's all about the POV.

I wasn't going to post about the all-black-model edition of Vogue. Why? Because I don't like the idea that fashion mags get back to determine who matters and who doesn't. However, the magazine has had to go back to press for a second run and I guess that's a big deal. So, I am ambivalently linking to the story.

I want. I cannot afford.

Margot Raab wrote in the NYT Sunday about her book, which she had written for adults, being sold as a YA title. Ed was not impressed or amused and responded as such. Margo responded to the reponse. Ed responded to the response to the response to the response.

R.I.P. Estelle Getty. The Goldenest Girl.

Kyle Dargan has debuted his online magazine Post No Ills. Click for interviews, reviews, and more.

Posted at 11:25 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 22, 2008

Tuesday Reader

In Alabama a local artist is getting his due-- at age 112.

The Brand New Heavies are featured on the Ebony/Jet Podcast.

Amazon is strong-arming the Hachette Book group. Right now, it's just the UK titles, but if this drama moves to the US, I am going to have a nervous breakdown as the Hachette is my publisher, too!

I'm at the age, where I often have wake-up calls that make me feel old. Well, there is something that made me feel young: I just can't understand all the histrionics surrounding the way that young men wear their pants.

I couldn't decide if this was satire or not.

Each year, I see the annual Cave Canem group shot and get jealous.

Writers, John McCain feels your pain. The NYT rejected his essay.

Posted at 10:07 AM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 20, 2008

At Home, At Last

I'm back home from Blue Mountain Center. (As I was leaving, there was a beautiful sunrise.) It was a very nice retreat, but I am glad to be back in my own apartment. Since I have been home, I have been thinking quite a bit about what I can do to my home more conducive to writing. My apartment isn't all that fabulous, but since I live in the NY area it costs me a LOT of money to live up in here, so it only makes sense that I should be able to use this space for my writing. The first order of business when I got in was to clean and brighten up my writing space. (Results above!)

Once I got things tidied up, I tried to figure out what would make the place more encouraging. I have a hard time taking satisfaction for my accomplishments. (To do a little amateur psychology on myself: I think this comes from the way I was brought up. As the daughter in a fairly typical black family, the thinking was that "she'll be fine", meaning there was no need to pay special attention to what I was up to. When I did accomplish things, the general vibe was "we never expected anything less from you." It's a weird combination of pride and indifference.) This said, I have little practice in really celebrating my achievements.

So, what could I put in my writing room to remind me of what's going right? About ten years ago, I was in Jewell Parker Rhodes's living room where I saw all of her book covers beautifully framed and hung on the wall. She said her husband gave them to her. I remember thinking "When I have a book, I hope someone will get my covers framed for me." I never occurred to me that I could (or should!) do these things for myself. Yesterday, I walked over to the local frame shop on the corner and dropped off my book covers and also a poster. I even splurged on the nice matting.

It's a small step in the right direction. Maybe I'll find my degrees and frame them, too. (Truthfully, I have no idea where they could be.) It's okay to be proud of myself, right?

On Monday, I plan to hit the ground running, picking up where I left off at the end of my retreat.

I have a feeling that I am not the only one out there has trouble really celebrating what I have achieved so far. Let's all do *something* this week to reward ourselves for how hard we've worked. If you feel like it, tell us about it in comments.

Posted at 10:01 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 16, 2008

In The Mood For Links!

My dear friend, Jafari Allen, has written a very moving essay about his experiences as a gay man at Morehouse College. It's a little long, but well worth the time. It will make you think.

Vic Lavalle has some thoughts on that crazy New Yorker cover.

Look at this place! Wow. It's a gorgeous residency in Colorado. Too bad it's in October and I have this whole JOB situation,or I would so be there. Deadline is August.

Ed! Say it ain't so! After four years, Ed Champion is suspending the excellent Bat Segundo Show. Bat Segundo is an excellent audio interview show and I'm not just saying it because I'm on the masthead. But after four years of running it from his own pocket, Ed has to take care of himself. I'm sad, but I understand.

Fred Smith has a link for freebies for writers!

I don't know if talking into your editor's tape recorder is the same as writing a book, but that's how Hunter S. Thompson got his books out when he was stalled.

Tomorrow is my vidoe conference with FEMRITE, a Ugandan women's writers group. The video site is only 97 miles away, but these country roads are slow going. I have to leave at 5am to get there by 8:30! So, it's time for me to go night-night. Wish me luck!

Posted at 05:38 PM | Comments (0)
Category: 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 (1)
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)
Category: Travels & Rambles

December 14, 2007

and speaking of gifts...

a certain member of our blog comminity crochetted me an afghan. It arrived in so much bubble wrap and other protection (certified mail, signature, etc) that I thought it was a flat screen TV! This, of course, would have been a problem since I don't even have cable, let alone HD! Anyway, I opened up the carton and received a box full of love.

Just call me Linus as I drag it from room to room!

Posted at 12:00 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

December 12, 2007

Meme-Of-The-Month Club!

Ed Champion has tagged me for a very unsual meme. The blogger has to post the first line of the first post of each month of 2007. Okie dokie. Here goes--

January- Over the New Year's holiday, my cat, Johnny Baby, was banished to the animal hotel.

February- On Tuesday, I had the pleasure of visiting Mills College, in Oakland at the invitation of Cornelia Nixon, a terrific novelist and cool individual.

March- Yesterday, Lee Smith and I were on the program at The Margaret Mitchell House.

April- I am thrilled to tell you that Aletha Spann of 30Nineteen Productions has renewed her option on the film rights for Leaving Atlanta.

May- My friend, Jaci, called me on the phone about a month ago. "I'm in love," she sighed.

June- As you all know, I sometimes find myself in conversations with writers, and I will cut them off in mid-sentence and say "Please write about this for the blog community!"

July- So, on my way back to DC, I had to change planes in a major airport.

August- In 2004, I applied and was accepted to Cave Canem’s (CC) New York regional poetry workshop with Patricia Smith and, as my mother would say, “[began] to smell myself” soon after.

September- I am so sorry for the silence here on the blog.

October- Up and at 'em, folks. Here's a little reading while I figure out how to operate my espresso machine.

November- I am just getting back from Washington, DC where I gave a reading and workshop at American University.

December- Birthfest is over.

Okay, Carleen, Ladylee, Reggie H , and Janice, let's see what you have been up to this year!

Posted at 12:56 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

December 10, 2007

Great Things Are Happening...

to people who read this blog!

Remember last summer when we all did research on state arts grants and posted our findings? Well, Cheryl Miner paid attention and WON ONE!

Mat Johnson has won a USA Fellowship.

Felicia Elam is going to the Whidbey Island Writers Residency. (It's part of thier MFA, but Felicia has won a spot as a non-credit student. I hope she'll write us a report on this opportunity. *hint hint*)

James V. Jordan wrote a short story called "Stalemate" in 2004, has been working on it ever since and it will be published in August in Limstone.

Got good news? Send it here. We love good news.

Posted at 08:43 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

December 07, 2007

Mac and Cheese

The great Maud Newton is running a holiday series in which writers submit thier favorite holiday recipes. (She's so clever!) I figured the world has seen my red velvet cake recipe way too many times. (Also, that cake has 300 Weight Watchers points! I did the math! That's about two weeks worth of calories!) Anyway, so I sent her my mac and cheese recipe.

The question was: what to call it? I always think of it as a African-American style Mac and Cheese-- the qualities that make it "black" are that it is baked and there are NO bread crumbs. Then, I started thinking: who made ME and my mac and cheese the authority to decide what food is black and what isn't (But I can't help thinking that my mac and cheese is truly colored.)

Then, this got me to thinking about literature (what doesn't?) and Obama (tis the season), and I decided to call my dish a SOUTHERN Mac and Cheese. For some reason, there doesn't seem to be much hullabaloo about what's southern and what's not and all soul food is southern food.

So, with no further ado, hike on over to Maud's house and see my recipe!

Posted at 04:05 PM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

December 06, 2007

Love You Some Luther?

Check out the Luther Vandross Estate Sale.

(I know, I know.. I am not being very literary these days. It's the end of semester and I am sort of slammed. I'll be brainy and high-minded again, soon. I promise.)

Posted at 08:23 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

December 04, 2007

Sweet as a Georgia Peach!

I must say that I love Sharon Jones And The Dap Kings. I know this video seems retro, but this is a new video. Sharon Jones is from Augusta, Georgia-- home of James Brown and Jessye Norman. (Must be something in the water.) You can hear a great interview on Fresh Air.

Thanks, Katie Bear, for the link!

Posted at 03:52 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 29, 2007

On My Birthday Eve

Yes, it is possible to get two dozen roses home on the subway!

Posted at 01:24 PM | Comments (4)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 27, 2007

Throw The Book At Me

Okay, I was trying not to go on and on about my upcoming birthday. (It's Friday.) But since Ladylee is raising a ruckus up on her blog, and Nichelle (a birthday girl TODAY!) is so cute about her special day, I will do a birthday-themed post.

The question is whether or not books make good gifts. I say YES YES YES. I'm a person who both loves to read and who also likes the idea of people actually buying books, so you can just imagine how much I like the idea of people purchasing books for ME!

Well, a friend of mine, let's call him Mr. Poetry Man, begs to differ. He says on the one hand, it seems obvious to give a book as a gift to a writer. She'll love it and it is always a good idea to keep women happy. On other hand, reading is such a solitary pleasure, that you are actually giving the person a gift that will take the person away from you. And if you like her enough to choose a book for her, you probably like her enough to want her attention.

"Well," I said, "I get it that you might be sad to be away from her while she is reading, but maybe the gift is that she gets a little time away from you."

"That's not very nice," said Mr. Poetry Man, handing me an early birthday gift. It is rectangular, a little bit heavy, about an inch thick.....

Posted at 07:27 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 24, 2007

Saturday Links

An ATM for books? You punch in the title, swipe your card, and the machine prints one up for you.

Shelley Ettlinger, a member of our blog community, will be reading in NYC on 11/28 at the Lambda Literary Foundation Reading.

Everyone is talking about The Kindle, the ebook reader from Amazon. It costs $400 and sold out in 5 and-a-half hours.

Not literary, not intellectual, but sooo funny and NOT holiday themed.

Posted at 02:18 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 19, 2007

Sleep Deprived

I am sorry about the posting slow-down. I asked a friend, "Why have I been so tired lately?" He said, "Because you've been crazy busy." The man is a genius. So, I am trying to take it easy this holiday week, so there won't be so many posts. But I'll be back at my normal rate starting Monday, which, incidently kicks of what I am calling BIRTHFEST 2007! Can you believe I'll be 37 on Novemeber 30?

Posted at 08:29 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 12, 2007

Link! Link! Link!

There is some good stuff on the web today!

A.C. Crispin points out that after watching too many movies about writers, folks get a warped idea of the agent/writer/publisher relationship. The bottom line: in real life the only agents who act like Holywood's version are scam artists.

Nathan McCall's new book, "Them," is about gentrification and it is set in Atlanta. (Are you wondering why I am just now finding this out? Me, too!)

K.G. Schneider is planning a workshop on writing for the web. The syllabus is really interesting. (And she mentions this blog!)

Reggie gives a moving report about Troy Smith's recent visit to a juvinile detention center. Make sure you read your way down to the poem by Essex Hemphill.

Posted at 09:21 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 10, 2007

Oops!

Lauren dashed off a quick post about meeting a reader of her blog in just a beautiful happy-accident kind of way. I, too, love running to members of this community. (Remember the first time I met Ladylee??)

Anyway, I have a story in a similar vein. I woke up this morning missing an old friend of mine whom I hadn't seen in forever. Scrolling through my phone memory I saw a number labeled CAROL. I pressed "call."

Well, here's the short version. The CAROL on the phone book wasn't my old friend, CAROL. It was CAROL, a member of the blog community, who had contacted me by email. Our phone conversation went like this:

CAROL: Hello
Me: Carol! It's TAYARI
CAROL: (hesitantly, and sleepily) Tayari. Oh, hi!
Me: Did I wake you up? What time is it where you are?
CAROL: Six in the morning.
Me: What? Where are you?
CAROL: At home. In San Francisco. Pacific time.
Me: What?? When did you leave St. Louis?
CAROL: I am confused. Who did you say you were again?

Okay, so that was awkward, but we ended up having a nice little chat! (Note to self, start putting people's LAST NAMES in my cell phone memory! Another note to self, also use people's REAL NAMES. Who in the world are "Uncle Ricky", "The Future", or "Airplane Guy"????)

Posted at 02:20 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Lazy Saturday Links

Janice and the homeless Cat-man:

He looked at me with something between bemusement and contempt. "Miss, I'm homeless, course I ain't got no place to go indoors, you ain't never been homeless, otherwise..."
"I've been homeless," I told him. "I lived at [the shelter], I'm just trying..."
"That ain't homeless," he grumbled. "That's indoors. You try living outside....

Over at Rarely Likebale, there about about a zillion cool writing-related links!

Friend of the blog, Jean Thompson, is reading her story, Lost, on The Writer's Block!

Posted at 01:30 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 08, 2007

Fabulocity!

Two things I am crazy about!

Posted at 12:54 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 06, 2007

Why Not To Hate On Jersey

Ladylee, I know you think this song is about you, but it's not.

Moving right along, I just found out about "Winter Getaway in Cape May", a four-day artists get-away on the coast of New Jersey. The dates for the workshops are over the King holiday, so you don't have to use vacation dates.. and.. here's the good part.. THERE IS A NEW SCHOLARSHIP.

This seems like a good way to get your year off on the good foot!

Posted at 12:39 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

November 04, 2007

"Fall-Back" Links

Please remember to change your clock! (And then watch out. Apparently you are 3 times more likely to get hit by a car right after the time changes.

And here's a warning for my sisters in shoe-fabulousness, please be careful-- high heels can be deadly!

Friend o' the blog, Sarah Schulman challenges "the myth of merit-based publishing."

Can I just say that I love this story? Print it out and read it at home with a nice cup of hot chocolate. Go ahead and float the marshmallows on top.

Posted at 08:57 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 30, 2007

Tuesday Morning Linka-Dinka

Tuesday is my crazy day, so here are some links to keep you busy.

If you're in DC, I'm reading at American University tomorrow. (Haven't packed, have no idea what I'll wear, but I know what I'm reading. That's what's important, right?)

Reggie has his Callaloo post up and Rachel sent the link to her photos.

Harper's won't post this month's index on line for another six months, so I can't link. But it was cool upon leaving Callaloo after participating in a sort of disturbing discussion about the state of African American publishing to run across this statistic: "Percentage of Americans who have not read a book in the last year: 27. Percentage of African Americans who have not: 20." That means that black folks are 35% more likely than the rest of the country to have read a book this year. How bout that!

Posted at 07:44 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 23, 2007

Got Ops?

Here are a couple of opportunities that have crossed my desk.

The application for Breadloaf isn't up yet, but I was thrilled to see that the Rona Jaffe Foundation is sponsoring 3 full rides to Breadloaf for women! This award will go to women who are either a) first time participants, have non-traditional backgrounds, or c)are working outside academia. I love it that they are trying to bring in folks who are outside of the loop.

It's Hurston/Wright season. Full time university students can compete for the Hurston/Wright college award. This was my first lucky break with Leaving Atlanta. I won the prize in 2000. (Mind you I sent in excerpts from the manuscript in 1997, 1998 and 1999, but the fourth time, apparently, was the charm.)

Posted at 04:12 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 16, 2007

Girls Write Now!

New Yorkers, don't forget that Thursday night is the fall fundraiser for Girls Write Now! GWN is an organization that pairs high school girls with writing mentors. The party on Thursday is a 2-fer. We kick it off at Bluestockings Bookstore (NO COVER) at 5:30 pm and then head over to The Slipper Room (NO COVER) at 7:30 for fun, drinks, music, etc. I'll be reading (also, I will dance, but not at the same time) and so will "girlbomb" Janice Erlbaum, and indy rockers Royal Pink will provide the music. So be there!

And, while you're at it, check out this clip of last year's Girls Write Now reading. The young lady in the video is one of the girl-mentees. I dare you not to be impressed.

Posted at 01:32 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 11, 2007

The Nobel Linky-Dink

Reggie breaks down the gender-thing with the recent announcement of Doris Lessing as the Nobel winner!

Did you know that only 34 women have ever won the Nobel in any category? Lauren gives this fact and more. (And this is why we need Girls Write Now!)

Doris Lessing herself is sooo over it!

Posted at 06:00 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 06, 2007

Weekend Reading

A few links to go with your morning coffee:

Terry McMillan is still clashing with her ex-husband, Jonathan

Plummer. With her permission, AALBC posted the email she sent to the co-writer and publishers of his new book, berating them for -among other things- peddling smut. What's really interesting about this is that she links it to the debate about "street literature." On her blog, Ms. McMillan goes into more detail. (I must say that it's clear that this is a little more more personal than a defense of meaningful literature, but at the same time, the smut factor is getting a little out of control in many of these so-called African-American publishing imprints.) Thx Eisa for the links.

At the risk of being petty and small, I reccommend that you go over to Plummer's amazon page. A couple of the reviews are really really funny. And the first chapter, it's so bad it's good.

Khaled Hosseini's best-selling novel, The Kite Runner, has been made into a film. The movie was suppossed to be released in November but Paramount has had to push it back because of concerns about the welfare of the child actors and their families. The movie depicts the rape of a boy and there is fear that there will be retalliation against the cast members for being associated with this cultural taboo. The families will have to be relocated! Full story here.

Over at Slate, Dahlia Lithwick provides such a clever review of Clarence Thomas's new memoir, My Grandfather's Son.

The real black/white problem Justice Thomas reveals is his own binary worldview. Everything is good or bad; everyone is either angel or devil. You might say the justice has produced the world's longest Santa Claus list: everything in America classified as either naughty or nice.

Okay, that's it for this morning. Coffee awaits!

Posted at 07:06 AM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 04, 2007

Thursday Links

Ecotone is looking for Black folks who write poems about nature. "We’re looking for poems that re-imagine the boundaries of the genre, poems that remind readers that we are always part of the natural world, even when we feel most alienated from it." Camille Dungy, friend o' the blog, is guest editing.

Um, I don't even know what to say about this. (You have to click the link to see the graphic.) As you all know, I am not all that weirded out by the concept of labels.. but these designs! Hideous!

Don't forget the 30th Anniversary of Callaloo will be celebrated in Baltimore on October 24-27!

Are you a sister that gets around? Anene Ejikeme is soliciting submissions for an anthology she is putting together of Black women's travel writing. You can email her for more details.

AWP is in NYC this year. I am in need of a pithy tshirt.

Posted at 04:27 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

October 01, 2007

Monday Linky Dinky

Up and at 'em, folks. Here's a little reading while I figure out how to operate my espresso machine.

Poem of the Week is featuring Ed Pavlic, a member of our blog community!

Girlbomb cracks me up. (Don't forget that we'll be doing our thing at the Girls Write Now party on 10/18!)

Persistence takes the book meme challenge.

There is a new issue of Beltway Poetry. Theme: The Evolving City.

Posted at 09:05 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 25, 2007

Linky Linky Linky

Monica Brown, children's book author, and friend of this blog is interviewed at la bloga.

The National Book Award people have chosen 5 Writers Under 35. Does it mean I am getting old and difficult because I really hate this sort of thing.

Over in Pajamaville, folks are talking about Kim Reid's memoir, No Place Safe, which is about growing up in Atlanta during the Child Murders.

Posted at 08:22 AM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 20, 2007

Memorabilia I'd Go To Jail For

Last weekend, I was in Gulfport with Natasha T. We were there for research, but we found some time for R&R at the Hard Rock Casino. If you've ever been there, you know that place is packed with music memorabilia. I spent a full five minutes staring in awe at the quilt made entirely of panties women threw at Frank Zappa! While Natasha and I were sitting at the bar, we saw on CNN that O.J. had been arrested for trying to steal back some of his belongings in Vegas. This got us to thinking, is there much of a market for author memorabilia?

Of course we are willing to concede that our own particular belongings may be worthless, but there are other goodies that I wouldn't mind nabbing. For example:

Do you remember about ten years ago when there was this rumor that Terry Mac was mad because Toni M. and Alice W. didn't send flowers to celebrate her record breaking paperback deal? The story is that Toni M, after hearing the tale, told her secretary: "Send the child some roses." I WANT THAT VASE.

And speaking of the Great Miz Morrison, I wonder how much one her sliver dreadlocks would go for.

For one of Zora's hats, I would sell my car!

I wonder if Colson Whitehead would sell the suit he was wearing when Richard Ford spit on him at the Poets and Writers gala. (This would make a great gift for the cynical black writer in your life.)

What writerly cast-offs do you covet? No interest is too weird to put in comments!

Posted at 06:18 AM | Comments (4)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 17, 2007

Monday is Funday

(The above heading is my desperate attempt to employ the power of positive thinking.)

This Wedneday, the MFA at Rutgers-Newark will be hosting a reading by Rick Moody at JoAnne Beard! Come on out. Did I mention that it is free?!?! This is our first rodeo and we want to have a full house. The reading is at 5:30 pm. Be there or be a rhombus.

I have gotten my act together and updated my appearances page. I think I waited so long because I was in denial about what all I have to do in October. If you are in NY, DC, or CHI, come out and say hello.

The poets gathered on Friday at Lillian Vernon Creative Writers House to remember Phebus Ettiene who passed away last year. Rachel was there.

Steve Almond clowns Oprah. Apparently we wouldn't be on her show even if she were to invite him.

Chimananda Ngozi Adiche will be on The Bat Segundo Show. You have to hand it to Ed Champion. He really books A-list talent.

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

September 16, 2007

She's The Publicist, I'm the DJ!

Mme. Lauren is gone to the Omaha Literary Festival and I volunteered to cover her blog with some of my favorite songs. The hook: all the songs I chose were duets. Go over and lend an ear. I've got something for everybody-- Erykah Badu and The Roots to Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn. For the really old school there's Marvin and Tammy. For those who love the classics, there's Ella & Louis.

Remember "Very Special" by Ronnie and Deborah Laws? I got it.

So go!

Posted at 03:10 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 07, 2007

Morning Reading

Happy Friday, y'all! This was my first week at my new job and I am happy to report that I am really digging Rutgers-Newark. Here are a few things to keep your eyes busy this morning while I go have my mid-morning nap!

Donna Grant and Virginia DeBerry, who consider themselves a single author, have a terrific blog. Today they have a post up about the cross-over concept. Did you know that they wrote their first book with all white characters?

I have an idea for anthology: writers should submit stories that were accepted for anthologies, but the anthologies were never published! Carleen, taking it in stride, published her charming essay on her blog. It's a wedding story called "Not a Princess, But Still a Bride."

Sarah Schulman, the hardest working writer in America, is back at MacDowell collaborating with Michael Korie and Anthony Davis. They are adapting her novel, Shimmer, into a musical. Read the NYT article.

Posted at 08:07 AM | Comments (4)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 05, 2007

I Need A Favor

I am so sorry for the silence here on the blog. My new job at Rutgers-Newark just started this week. So far, so wonderful. The students are terrfic, my colleagues are top notch, but I am ripping and running trying to get my ID made, computer set up, etc. I'll be back here at my usual pace in a couple of days. I promise!

Meanwhile, please, won't you help me out? Like I said, my schedule is slammed and my dear friend, Kamiliah Aisha Moon is having a birthday today. Won't you help me wish her well in comments? (Photo by the crazy talented Rachel Eliza Griffith, and taken at the BNH concert) She is an extra-terrific wonderful sister, the kind of friend that makes you feel like you're in the fifth grade again, sharing secrets in your pajamas.

Posted at 06:41 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

September 03, 2007

Labor Day Links

Here are a few links to keep you busy on your day off!

Last week, Martin Espada turned 50! All the poets came out to the Bowery Poetry Club to fete one of thier own! I was there and you know I took photos. (Sorry they came out so dark!)

Reggie H on the intersection of smart and sexy.

Erin says "Don't quit your day job!"

Maud remembers Gracy Paley.

Colorlines has the best Katrina coverage I've seen. All the angles from news to art.

Chris Abani and Gayle Brandeis will share the stage in Malibu on Wednesday. The topic: Art and Activism.

Posted at 09:36 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 26, 2007

Summer's Gone!

Bread Loaf is the last writerly event for the summer. Pulling away from the Ripton, Vermont campus, I was reminded of Charlotte's Web, when the whipper whills say "Summer's Gone!"

For people who want to know more about the Bread Loaf experience, Monica Brown, a member of our blog community, has agreed to write up a report. Meanwhile, I'll just give you my impressions as a person who visited the conference in no official capacity:

Bread Loaf is located in Ripton, Vermont, which is not particularly close to any city. To get there, I took small local streets and even a dirt road or two. You'll know that you have arrived on the campus when you see the yellow-painted buildings all along the stretch of highway.

Try and imagine about 500 writers living in a closed world-- the only phone service is a single pay phone near the laundry rooms. This is not the tranquil space of a colony like MacDowell. Bread Loaf swarms with writers at all stages in their careers. Much of the time is spent talking about writing, going to readings, attending craft-lectures, participating in craft classes, and having one-on-one conversations with publishing execs. The only writing-related thing that doesn't happen is actual writing. (But that's okay, you can write about your experiences when you get home.)

In addition to the official work of the conference, there are all kinds of social networking and cross-purposing going on. Back in the day, the conference was nick-named (ahem)"Bed Loaf." Though Michael Collier cleaned up the place, there is still enough romantic melodrama to satisfy even the most ravenous gossip-monger.

As for diversity, I'll give this year's conference a passing grade, but not a gold star. Again, since Michael Collier took over almost twenty years ago, the conference has gotten much more diverse. The year I was a fellow (2003)I declared that it was the most diverse writers conference I had ever attended. I imagine that it must fluctuate from year to year.

I was sort of surprised at how different it felt for me to attend just as a visitor. (I drove up to hang out with my friend, Natasha, who was serving on the faculty.) When I attended as a participant, I felt a sort of pressure to make my Bread Loaf experience "count". I wanted to meet people and maybe make the sort of career-changing connection that is the stuff of legend. I returned home emotionally exhausted. (I tell people that you will have at least one crying breakdown during the two weeks on the mountain.) This time, I just went to hang out and I really enjoyed myself much more. I didn't even take my business cards with me. I did things like meet a poet on the roof of my building just to talk. I drank beer by the bonfire. I had the pleasure of running into another writer who shares my passion for The Brand New Heavies, Teena Marie, and Donny Hathaway. In town, I ordered a hamburger that I washed down with a really good bottle of wine. I didn't write a word. Like I said, nobody does. But the first thing I did when I got home was fire up my computer and got to work.

photos here!

Posted at 08:06 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 23, 2007

Greetings From Bread Loaf

I'm blogging from the Bread Loaf Writers Conference in Ripton, Vermont. I got in yesterday afternoon just in time for the turn-about lunch. On this day, the faculty and fellows act as waiters. Have you ever had a Pulitzer Prize winning poet bring you a bowl of cold soup? Well, I have.

I'll post photos, etc. later. Meanwhile here are a few highlights. Upon arrival, I ran into a young woman who looked very familiar. It was none other than Tiphanie Yanique, whom I blogged about yesterday! Last night, Percival Everett read from his new novel, The Water Cure-- but only after reciting his one year old son's favorite story.

This evening Natasha Trethewey will read from her prize winning collection, Native Guard, as well as a few new poems.

I am having a great time, although the weather is kind of marshy. More details later!

Posted at 02:00 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 17, 2007

Callaloo Karaoke

Being as our reading was rained out, we had to come up with another way to entertain the troops. Crazy pictures here.

Posted at 12:19 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 16, 2007

HOUSTON EVENT CANCELLED

Rained out!

Posted at 03:09 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

A Hard Act To Follow

Last night the members of the Callaloo Workshops gave a reading last night on the campus of Texas A&M University. The event was really showcased the talent we have here at the workshops, but also the community that they have formed. I have taken a few photos, but the light wasn't so great. (If you want to see really good photos from the week, check out Lillian's flickr.)

Meanwhile, tonight, in Houston, the Callaloo faculty will be reading. The weather is wet and rainy, but we'd love to see you. Here's the flyer.

Posted at 09:13 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 08, 2007

Five Part Harmony

This evening, the Callaloo faculty visited local radio station, 89.1 FM to publicize our upcoming reading. Imagine this-- five writers: me, Terrence Hayes, Tracy K. Smith, Mat Johnson and Kyle Dargan in one really small studio with an interviewer who has no idea who any of us are. I am happy to report that we had a really fun time.

Terrence, the joker in the pack, started improvising when asked about his process. Midway through something complicated about the relationship between jogging and sleep deprivation and something about a monkey and a lion on a desert island, he confessed: "I made all that up."

Tracy K, gave insightful comments about poetry and read from her prize-winning collection Duende. Mat Johnson showed the world why he got that job at University of Houston.. he is one serious brother. (On the mike at least.) Last but not least, Kyle Dargan, managing editor of Callaloo who ferries us to and fro, runs interference when it is needed, and is a fine poet is his own right, held it down for the organization.

If you're in College Station tomorrow, the four of us will be reading tomorrow (Thursday) at 6 pm.

A few more pics here.

Posted at 10:21 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 06, 2007

Monday Morning Links

Just some things to look at at the start of the week. I'm in Texas teaching at Callaloo, so my posting may be a little slow this week.

MySpace/FaceBook=Town vs Gown. I listened to this report on "On The Media" about how FaceBook is the gated community of social networking sites. I have a page on the more "round the way" site, MySpace. If you are a member, please add me as a friend!

Katherine Webber gives the backstory of her deicison to write about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911. She was inspired when she read of the death of the last survivor who died at age 101.

There exists a book called "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: A Woman's Guide to Unblocking Creativity." I must have it! (I am so into self-help these days. I have started saying a mantra in the morning while I brush my teeth.)

Colorlines has an Q&A with Chris Abani.

Slunch walks us through the career path of the average young woman who wants a career in publishing. Also, folks in the biz share thier stories. Should I share this with my students??

Posted at 07:14 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 03, 2007

Take Me Home, Country Roads

suitcase
Originally uploaded by girlhula

Well, I am busy packing my suitcases (again). This time, I am bound for Texas, where I will be teaching in the Callaloo Summer Writing Workshops.

I am looking forward to the experience. I know that I have lived in so many places, that it doesn't seem so exciting when I say "I used to live there!". Never the less, I will tell you that I have a special place in my heart for the Lone Star State. I lived there from 1993-95.

In those years, I was in a strange place in terms of my development. I knew I wanted to be a writer, but had no idea how to go about doing it. Truthfully, things could have gone either way.

During those years, I held down my first real job-- teaching Developmental Reading at Prairie View A&M University. My students there remain among my favorites. I also wrote my very first novel. I never published it, but just writing it let me know I had what it took to stick with a story long enough to finish a novel. So, all of this is to say that this is a sort of homecoming for me.

And what a wonderful opportunity to go back! Callaloo only accepts five students per class, so we will have time enough to give each student the attention they deserve. (Make sure you apply for next year!)

Also, for any members of our blog community thatlive in Houston, the Callaloo faculty will be giving a reading on Thursday, August 16, 6pm at The Esemble Theatre. It's free and I'd love to see you there.

Posted at 04:47 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

August 01, 2007

Linky Linky Linky

Galleycat has the footage of Nan Talese criticizing Oprah and defending James Frey. If I didn't know better, I would think that Talese was Frey's mother. She has that sort of blinded-by-love defensiveness that I have seen when mothers come to protest thier college-aged sons' bad grades.

The Boston Globe has an interesting piece on blacks in Science Fiction. (Of course, Ed got there first!)

Your printer might be killing you. All this time, I thought it was my manuscript that was making me sick! (I got the link from Laila Lalami's excellent blog.)

Randy Kearse wrote "Street Talk," his guide to urban slang, while he was in prison. Slate says it reads like a "bleak, heartbreaking memoir."

Percival Everett's new book, The Water Cure, is out. TEV was giving it away, but I found out about it too late to enter the contest. I am not sure how I feel about the cover, tho...

Posted at 01:56 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 30, 2007

Linky Winky!

I am on my way to the DMV to get my new drivers licence and tags. Let's hope one trip is all it takes. Here are some links in case it takes me all day....

Go visit Maud. Her blog is really yummy today, just scroll down and gobble up the whole thing-- Toni Morrison talks about Writing While Angry. She has new missives from her ancestry project, featuring from the other women in her granddad's life. Junot Diaz's latest and more.

Word on the street, according to Galley Cat, is that Nan Talese dissed Oprah over the Frey thing.

And, I know you don't care about this as much as I do, but... The Brand New Heavies are touring again!! I just cannot get enough!

Posted at 08:16 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 24, 2007

Tombstone Tuesday

This is the grand finale. Ladies and Gents, I present you with the signature of (drumroll.......)

JAMES BALDWIN!

Here is Baetz Studio where Baldwin stayed, and the large view of the tombstone. And another tombstone with more recent visitors.. some of whom are members of our blog comminity.

Posted at 08:16 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 23, 2007

HOT YAMN! Link time!

I missed The Harlem Book Fair. (I tend to miss it every year as I have not once ever been invited.) There is a pretty comprehensive report at Syntax of Things. There are lots of good links there. The debate continues about whether "street" fiction is over represented at black literary events. I started to type *yawn* because I am so tired of the debate. Then I started to type *damn* because I am so frustrated by the debate and all of it's troublesome and depressing implications. So, instead, I'll make a new word: Yamn!

Ed Champion has a piece in LA Times about confessional blogging.

Ladylee sent me SIX MIX TAPES!

The MFA Blog is talking about diversity.

Posted at 09:31 AM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 22, 2007

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Yesterday, I climbed a mountain. Why? Well, I am still on my writer's break and there's not much to do at a writers retreat when you're not writing. I was told it would be easy, afterall, Mount Monadnock is the most climbed mountain in the world. The kitchen staff at MacDowell even prepared a special travel lunch for those of us taking the hike.

Patricia McCormick, who has written three books for young readers, including National Book Award Finialist, Sold, assured me that this would be fun. I completely believed her until she said, "Did anyone think to bring toilet paper."

I was sort of expecting to have an experience that I could relate to writing. Afterall, a mountain is a metaphor looking for somewhere to happen. Instead, I just had a wonderful time. The hike was physically demanding-- it took 4 hours and I burned 2000 calories-- but it was such a unusual experience. Frank, our unofficial leader, is an experienced hiker, give fun facts about native plants and also told scary stories of people who had gotten lost in the woods and survived through extraordinary means.

And, lo and behold.. I came home with something close to inspiration. I can't say that looking off from the edge of the earth taught me anything about writing, but being so far away from my desk caused me to long for it.

Go figure.

full gallery here.

Posted at 09:44 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 19, 2007

I Know This Is Suppossed to be A Seirous Blog

But I am feeling so goofy today.. Maybe it's the Simpsonsmania.. Or maybe it's my little writers ~~block~~ break... Here's a silly silly link-dink:

Phil Spector has been flat ironed! Even the late great Madame CJ Walker would have been impressed.

Publisher's reject Jane Austin novels! Of course they did. No one wants another Opal Mehta plagiarism debacle on their hands.

Martha Southgate, who wrote for us last week about the plight of black writers in the literary world, has recommended her top summer read for Time Magazine. In that spirit, I'll urge you all to curl up with a frothy mixed drink and read One Must Wait by Penny Mickelbury-- a totally engrossing mystery.

Posted at 01:26 PM | Comments (4)
Category: Travels & Rambles

There Has Been A Demographic Shift

in Springfield. I love your Simpsons Selves so much that I have made a gallery of all the ones you've sent it. Check us out! And, while you're at it, make your own avatar and join in!

Posted at 12:43 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 17, 2007

If I Lived in Springfield....

Make your own Simpson's Self here. And when you do send it to me!

Posted at 08:47 PM | Comments (5)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Tombstone Tuesday

Audre Lorde is second from the bottom

Today’s Tombstone Tuesday is a Two-fer to make up for last week’s internet outage. I’m sorry for posting so late but this has been quite a day—I lost my keys and then a mishap involving a Ceasar salad destroyed my digital camera! Nevertheless, I was able to visit Heyward Studio and grab a few snaps. The studio is currently occupied by Lisa Howorth who was nice enough to let me have a look-see—which was especially nice since her studio is a live-in.

The Heyward Studio is named to honor Dorothy and Dubose Haeyward who met at MacDowell, fell in love, got married, and collaborated on "Porgy and Bess". The royalties from the novella go to MacDowell.

Earlier today, Lamar sent me a poem by Audre Lorde to encourage me during my writer’s “break.” It seems like karma that I found Audre Lorde’s signature on the wall. (To read the poem, go to the comments.) While I was there, I found lots of really good names. The late Lucy Grealy, author of Autobiography of A Face used this space toward the end of her life. Another former occupant is Etheridge Knight who identified himself as “Black Revolutionary Poet”…. in 1983. You got to love the true-believers.

you can check out the full collection of tombstone pics here.

Posted at 04:03 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 15, 2007

Rainy Day Links

It's raining. I'm bored. I am going to try to do the answers.com creative writing challenge. They provide seven or so words and you ahve to blend them into a short story. There are prizes to be won! Fame to be attained.

Almost ten years ago, Sarah Schulman's novel, The Child, was ready for publication. The novel was inspired by the case of 15-year-old Sam Manzie who sexually assaulted and murdered 11-year-old Eddie Werner. Schulman's novel takes a look behind the headline and traces the blame for the 15-year old's violence to his family and the police who criminalized his consensual relationship with an adult boyfriend. It took her almost a decade to find a publisher who would touch this taboo breaking novel about teen homosexuality. The LA Weekly gives a review and Q&A.

Rotraut Susanne Berner lost a book deal over this drawing. **update**Maud found an article with the real skinny (dip).

Pay attention: Justin Cronin, a literary novelist, has changed his name to Jordan Ainsley. He'll publish a post-apocolyptic vampire trilogy under the new name. My only question is to which name will Ballantine write the check for his $3,750,000 advance?!?! Okay, folks, I need a pseudonymn, pronto! (thx ed)

Posted at 03:39 PM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

NH Snapshot: What the Hail?

Frank Meuschke and I decided to forgo the delicious MacDowell luncheon fare for a mid-day meal of comfort food. I think we are both suffering from the Colony Blues, which is a kind of homesickness. So we went searching for grilled cheese sandwiches. When we left it was sort of gray out. The weather channel warned that a storm was afoot, but I insisted that we go into town. After all, Peterborough is only about a mile away. Midway there, we were caught in a rain storm that turned into a hail storm. Ice struck my poor car (affectionately nicknamed "The Bucket")with such violence that I feared the windshield would shatter.

I pulled to the side of the road.
"What are you doing?" Frank said.
"Taking a picture for my blog!"

Posted at 03:11 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 12, 2007

8 Things About Me, A Meme

I've been tagged by The Champ. Here are the rules:
Anyway, time to pass the meme on. Here are the rules:

1. We have to post these rules before we give you the facts.
2. Players start with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
3. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
4. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
5. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

So, with no further ado:
8 Things Meme

I have a secret ambition to go to beauty school. I have, on my occasions investigated the license requirements in the states in which I have lived. When I was a little girl, I would spend all day in the beauty shop owned and operated in the basement of a woman known to most as “Mama Jimmie.” I would sit there looking at her and think, “That’s what I want to do with my life.”

I am hooked on watching “The Closer.” I don’t have a TV so I buy it for 2 bucks an episode on iTunes. I watch it in my studio when I am supposed to be working. And, in a related random fact—I am a sucker for the black men they cast on cop shoes. (Corey Reynolds on "The Closer" is the second most adorable brother on TV.)Jesse L. Martin from Law and Order? Crush is not a strong enough of a word.

I can’t swim.

I have not read The Catcher in the Rye.

There was a time in my life when I wore a wig. Sadly, it was destroyed in the great Iowa flood of 1993. I never replaced it.

When I came here to MacDowell, I secretly feared that my novel-in-progress was dead. I was literally losing sleep over it.

Astrologically speaking—my sign is Sagittarius. My moon is in Capricorn and my rising is Cancer. This means something, but I am not quite sure what.

I love receiving mail and I answer all letters received. I’ll be here at MacDowell until July 27. (hint hint.)

Okay,
Ladylee, Michael,Fred, Eduardo, Ore, Tara, Carleen and, Ms. Peri

y'all are it!

Posted at 01:14 PM | Comments (7)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 11, 2007

Working Hard/ Hardly Working

Mask is from The Renaissance Room!

Posted at 04:49 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Sorry About Yesterday

I am so sorry that there was no "Tombstone Tuesday" yesterday. There was a terrible storm at MacDowell and there was no internet or phone or anything. I'll give a 2-fer next week.

Posted at 12:10 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 09, 2007

Feeling Sorta Linky

Ed always gets the best scoops first. It seems that dictionaries are trying to de-offensify (a new word invented by moi) by giving words an "Offensiveness Quotient." Check it out. A word can score from 1-5. It isn't said explicitly, but a word that scores a 5 will get you beat up. A 3 will get you cussed out. I find it interesting that they lessen the score if the people saying it don't mean to be offensive. For example, pickininny only rates a 3.5 because "the older the user, the less likely the intent to offend." I'll be sure to keep that in mind.

My student, Michael, is at Yaddo and has posted pictures of his swanky digs.

Red is the New Red. Erykah Badu is so beautiful. (thx lauren)

I'm hitting the road this afternoon. I am bound for Boston to visit Joy Castro who is teaching in the fabulous low-residency MFA at Pine Manor College.

I'm here at MacDowell for three more weeks. There's still time to send mail. I promise to write back!

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

July 08, 2007

MacDowell Dance Party

For some reason, this cracks me up.

and this was pretty funny too.

Posted at 12:18 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

A Bit of Belated Thanks

This is not my first time at MacDowell. I was here in the winter of 2002, about six months after the publication of Leaving Atlanta. My stay coincided with the Christmas holiday, making the first of the Jones children not to come home for the holidays. Needless to say, this was not a welcome development in the eyes of my parents.

I generally associate that visit with all the good friends I made during those weeks in the Winter Wonderland that is New Hampshire in December, however, something else special happened that I had almost forgotten.

Today, one of my new friends was sad at breakfast because her computer charger malfunctioned and she will be unable to do any work until the stores open on Monday. I was trying to cheer her up and this story fell out of my mouth:

When I was at MacDowell five years ago, my computer crashed. I was really upset. For one, I was out of my element up in New Hampshire. Everyone else was accustomed to cold weather and they were used to being around famous people. They were all really skinny and seemed to have money and here I was desperately counting on the "writers aid" to pay my bills. It was my first Christmas away from home, and even though I really hate the holidays, I felt a little sad about it. My boyfriend had just turned out to be a sociopath and I was trying to push forward and work on my new novel that wasn't going so well and then my computer-- that my dad had lent me-- crashed. It was making a ticking sound which means that it is absolutely dead. This was December 23.
I called my family crying. How could I do my work without a computer? And I felt so poor-- everyone else seemed to have sleek fancy machines. Teeny-tiny Macs with stylish carying cases. Amanda Davis was here and she even had an iPod, before anyone else every heard of them. All I had was my dad's old Toshiba and now it was gone.

About four days later, UPS delivered to me a brand new Dell computer. To understand this, you must know that my family is famous for the no-frills approach to child-rearing. (Oh, the stories I could share.) And this computer had everything that Dell had to offer-- DVD, even. (This was a big deal at the time.) I was so excited to have the machine. I loved letting other people see that my family had come to my rescue. More importantly, it meant everything for me to see that my family supported my work enough for my emergency to become thier emergency.

So, although I thanked them then, I want to thank them once more. This was the best gift I have ever received.

Posted at 10:25 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

July 06, 2007

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know

about The MacDowell Colony.... but were afraid to ask

Yesterday, I went on a tour of the grounds of MacDowell and found out some interesting facts about the place. I took notes and I will just give you the highlights. I also took pictures of most of the studios. You can see them and I put some notes by most. So, with no further ado, what I learned about MacDowell on yesterday’s tour:

MacDowell was a woman-only place for the first five years. Men were allowed and they lived in the Mannex (men’s annex, get it? MANnex.) and bathed in the river.

Mrs. MacDowell wanted all the studios to be rustic, but they have gotten more fabulous over the years—the latest addition, Calderwood Studio, was designed by I.M. Pei.

James Baldwin visited the colony in the 50s, but no one knows when the colony was integrated, or if it was ever segregated. (Although I can’t imagine that it wasn’t segregated in the early 1900s!). No one knows when the first African-American visited the colony, but there is no record of Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Langston Hughes, or any of the other early stars of the turn-of-the-century African-American literary scene visiting.

Mrs. MacDowell insisted that none of the studios be within view of the other, so although some studios are as close as several hundred feet, there is adequate vegetation to obscure the sight-line.

There are 32 studios in all. There are usually around 27 visitors here.

In the 70s, one studio burned down and all the composer’s work was lost!

In 1938 there was a terrible hurricane that destroyed much of the campus.

In 1980, the colony was running out of money and was 5 years from closing!

Women’s organizations funded many of the studio constructions. Children also did fundraising through a program called Penny-Of-The-Month. Every now and again, elderly women want to know what was done with the pennies they donated 70 years ago.

full set of photos here.

Posted at 11:20 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 28, 2007

Linky-Dinky

Some things worth reading on the web:

Agent Jim McCarthy defends his love of commercial fiction.

Years ago, I was getting a ride to a train station from an MFA student in Massachusetts, and we talked about the challenges of fiction writing and writer’s block, not to mention how competitive the marketplace is. And then he unleashed this on me: “I could knock out the sort of mystery novels that sell hundreds of thousands of copies, but I’m better than that.” If he weren’t behind the wheel of the car, I would have smacked him upside the head.

It seems that publishers are trying to buy love in the blogosphere. (specifically, Ed's!)

Because to accept cash from a publicist would imply that my perspective can be irreversibly colored by the Almighty Dollar. At BookExpo, another publicist told me that he could send me audio clips of authors to me and that, together, “we might be able to construct an interview.” I am not in the business of “constructing” interviews or designing questions for preprogrammed answers. That is not journalism. That is corruption. And it is not fair to all parties.

Someone stole Chimanada Ngozi Adiche's bag at the Royal Festival Hall during the Orange Prize ceremony! And that's not the worst part:

What the author of Half of a Yellow Sun didn't say was that these included nothing less than the outline and notes for her next novel. She could have won the prize for her stoicism alone.

(thx maud)

Posted at 08:11 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 26, 2007

Tombstone Tuesday

This is the most recent "tombstone" in the Mansfield Studio, where I am working on my third novel. You can see from the signatures one of the reasons MacDowell is my favorite colony.

I am not ashamed to say that I have been around the colony block, so I am in a position to compare and contrast. Some of the more elite colonies operate on a caste system-- the more famous people get the better workspaces. When I went to one such place, I spent the first week and a half trying to figure out how to interpret my room assignment!

But as you can see here a writers at various stages in their careers have been in the humble Mansfield studio. Publishing powerhouses like Michael Chabon and Mary Gaitskill have worked here as well as younger writers like me and Julie Orringer.

Posted at 12:40 PM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLAKE!

Who is Blake? He is a patron saint of the MacDowell Colony! Perhaps he is best known as the conductor of the lunchmobile, but his role is larger than that. If you need a flashlight so that you don't get lost in the worrds at night, ask Blake. He has the keys to the flashlight stash and any other stash that would make a person's stay more enjoyable. Institutional memory? You know where to go.

Last night, Terri and I gave a little reading in the library. Blake was there even though he had worked all day. And he didn't show up empty-handed. He came bearing CHOCOLATE!

Blake is the go-to guy and all around good person. I was too shy to ask him how how he is, but I did ask how long he has been at MacDowell. "Since 1983." I can't imagine how they managed to run the colony for 76 years without him.

Posted at 11:47 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 24, 2007

Was That The Dinner Bell?

Taking a cue from Lauren, I am posting food pictures. This is what we had for dinner yesterday, here at MacDowell. Tuna steaks! It was so pretty (and tasty) that I had to take a picture. Needless to say, this represents a big step up in my standard of ~~living~~ eating!

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

June 22, 2007

THANK YOU!

for making "Mail Call" the best part of my day! Today, I was sort of not accomplishing anything in my studio. I took a walk up to Colony Hall to look in my mail box. (I do this because I am a Keep Hope Alive kind of person.) I was so thrilled to find letters, parcels, and even a home-made card from folks in this blog community! Thank you so much for being so kind and thoughtful. Watch your mailboxes. There's a letter coming in return!

Posted at 01:33 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Introducing Deke Weaver

Last night, Deke Weaver put on a terrific one-man show. Or maybe I should say, I series of one-man-shows. It's hard to say it was a single show, or a showing of singles. Whatever the case, it was like nothing I had ever seen.

I asked Deke to describe last night's exhibition and he said, "I am not good at that." I said, "Well, would you say that it was a multimedia experience combining memoir, animation, news headlines, and kind of a anthropological look at our own culture?"

"Yes," he said. "That's true."

"But don't you think we should mention to way you challenge the boundaries between civilization and nature? And we have to think of a way to talk about the show that doesn't leave out the monologue about Rich Dad, Poor Dad. I love that part."

"Yes," he said.

"Yes?" I said.

"Uh huh," said Deke.

"And I really like the graphics with the elephants. Is it true that some elephants in Hawaii escaped and trampled their trainers?"

"That happened."

"Is there really a Prague, Nebraska?"

"Yep."

"Have you ever really spoken English to an animal?"

"I spoke English to them," Deke explained. "But the part of them talking back, that's creative license."

"What about the Fuzzy Kitty episode? That was um, discomforting? Kinda funny? Is that some sort of Minnesota fairy tale that I missed out on growing up in the south?"

"No, Fuzzy Kitty is all original."

"Wow, It must be cool to make your own myths," I said. "I mean that in the very best way."

If you like your ~~funk~~ art uncut and you happen to live in Minneapolis, Deke Weaver will be performing "The Ghosts of Prague" at Bryant Lake Bowl Theatre.

Posted at 01:13 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 21, 2007

Getting Ready For My Close-Up

Tomorrow, I will make my acting debut. Fellow colonist, Steve Harper, is putting on a staged reading of his new play "Urban Rabbit Chronicles". I am reading the part of ROSE. He says it's not a big deal, but I am excited. (I also want to put it on YouTube but he says no. Two words: Party Pooper.) There will be at least be snaphots.

You can see Steve's website and headshot here. And you can see him looking smug about bowling a strike, here.

More details to come!

Posted at 06:57 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 20, 2007

Tombstone Tuesday

(I know that today is Wednesday, but I wasn't able to post yesterday.)

On the walls of every studio in MacDowell is a plaque, known as a "tombstone", signed by every artist to work in that studio. I was looking at the ones on the walls of mine workspace and noticed two names from circa 1965-- Studs Terkel, the great ethnographer and Alice Childress, playright, best known for her novel "A Hero Ain't Nothing but a Sandwich." I'll keep hunting for famous names and post the pictures. (Click here to see the really big version of the picture. I have added the black lines with photoshop to help you see the signatures.)

You can see here, the walls of the studio to see how the tombstones are arranged. And, a bonus. Here is a really cool tombstone from one of the visual arts studios. The visual folks really go all out.

Posted at 03:51 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Biking Back to Brooklyn

You all may remember me whining about having to make the 6-hour, 358 mile drive from New York City to the MacDowell colony. It was a rough drive and I stand by my whimpering. Well, this is Stephen Nguyen, a visual artist here at MacDowell. His residency is over and he is BIKING back to Brooklyn.

I asked him what was the hardest part about biking across the country. He said that in small towns, when people see you biking, they think you must have lost your driver's liscense because of DUI, so they heckle you.

See, you learn something new every day. I am trying to figure out how to work that detail into a story.

Travel safely, Stephen. Don't forget to call every night so we won't worry!

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

June 17, 2007

New Hampshire Snapshot

I saw this beast crossing the road near my studio. I asked my best-friend-at-camp, Sam, "What's up with the Turkey?"

Sam said, "That's Flyer. He's the turkey Bush pardoned last year."

"He's not very friendly," I said. "He ran when he saw me coming."

"Cut him some slack," said Sam. "He's under deadline pressure. His memoir has to be finished by Thanksgiving."

(forgive the dumb joke. Laughs are few and far between up here on the mountain.)

Posted at 02:54 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 15, 2007

New Hampshire Snapshot

I decided to venture off the colony grounds, just to clear my mind and to get a good cell singnal. As I was strolling through downtown Peterborough, I saw a sign that said "wearable art." The key word was "art". It wasn't shopping if there was "art" involved. I peeked in The Renaissance Room.

What fantastic clothing! The proprietress, Jacquie, was more than happy to show me around. I fell hard for the white dress you see here. I asked her where I could wear it. She said, "You could get married in it." I said, "Are there any other options?"

While I was running through the store trying on dresses, hats, necklaces, and shawls, she started telling me stories about the other MacDowell artists she's met over the years. Then she said, "You know who you remind me of?" I said, "No, who?" She said, "Jill Nelson." I happen to LOVE Jill Nelson.

Apparently, Jill hung out in the Renaissance Room when she was writing Sexual Healing. She and the women who hang out among the gorgeous clothes, exchanged ideas for Jill's bold novel-- the novel is about a brothel that caters to women. The Renaissance Room is the kind of place where you feel like you can really speak your mind. My guess is that Jill took a lot of notes.

After about an hour, I had to head back to colony. She said she'll hold the dress for me. But in case I can't ever make the purchase, she was kind enough to take photos!

Posted at 04:56 PM | Comments (5)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 13, 2007

Even More Links!

The New Letters on the Air interview is up in full. It's sort of hard to find. The best bet is to just subscribe to the podcast or just click here to stream.

Lisa Warren says that authors should not go to BEA with the hopes of finding a publisher. She suggests you try and less "soul crushing" venue like a writers conference or something. (Via Ed)

Your Dreams Miss You.

Okay. NO MORE PROCRASTINATION. Isn't there a book I am suppossed to be writing? But wait! The chef just walked by with a tray of cupcakes. And cupcakes are food for the mind. If you don't believe me, ask Nichelle.(And I love this picture of her. It makes me want to go to the Afro-Punk Conference.)

Posted at 03:54 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Linky-Dink!

Tova Reich didn't like the review of her new novel, My Holocaust, that appeared in the NYT. So what did she do? She answered the review... in the voice of one of the characters... and the NYT printed it. Amazing. (Galleycat, of course, is having a field day.)

I don't get the "how" or "why" of this, but here's what I do know. One of the book distributors has gone under, which has (somehow) cost independent publishers thousands of dollars. McSweeny's, for one, has been hit at the tune of $130,000. They are having a fire sale. My guess is that if McSweeny's is hurting, other indies are bleeding to death. If you have a favorite indie publisher, go to their website and see what you can do to help. (If you know of one in particular, leave it in comments, please.)

I meant to link to this last week. Maud Newton is tracing her family history, and on Fridays, she posts pictures from the archives. Last Friday (or was it the one before?) she posted a picture of her grandad and the woman he dumped her grandma for. (That Maud has a wicked sense of humour.)

And Holy Smoke! Chinua Achebe won the Man Booker International Prize! How did I miss that. (Maybe it has something to do with being out in the woods.) It is a proud year from Nigerians with Chimananda Ngozi Adiche scoring the Orange Prize. (Would it be tacky for me to put in bold the line on my bio that says that I lived in Nigeria for a year??)

Okay. That's it. I've got to go to my little studio and work. It's good being out here, but a little lonely. Any mail is welcome. Send it c/o The MacDowell Colony. I promise to write back!

Posted at 09:34 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 11, 2007

New Hampshire Snapshot

Greetings, again, from MacDowell. Here's a photo of the library which contains all the books written by previous visitors. (There are also videos, musical recordings, images of works by visual artists.) The library is kept locked, but the key is avilable at the desk. It's a great place to spend the afternoon and just enjoy the fruits of 100 years of American creativity.

Books I checked out yesterday:
Shelter, by Jayne Anne Philips
The Boy on the Bus, by Deborah Schupack
Tell Me How Long the Train's Been Gone, James Baldwin

What I wanted to borrow, but it was gone:
The Weather Underground, directed by Sam Green

Posted at 12:32 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 08, 2007

Greetings From MacDowell!

Greetings from The MacDowell Colony! I arrived yesterday afternoon. Here’s a little run down of how things work here. There are about twenty artists on site—writers, composers, sculptors, you name it. We are each given a little cottage as a workspace. At in the evening we all get together for dinner, conversation and ping-pong. We sleep in a dormitory. (Here’s my sweet little room!)

The picture on the right is my studio, “Mansfield.” I get the idea that each studio is named after the donor who sponsored the construction. If I ever get rich, I’ll donate and sponsor a writers studio called “Spelman”, after my alma mater, the place where I found my voice.

I am very pleased with this studio. It’s an older one. There are brand new cabins which are a bit more slick. The artists actually live in those. (I’ll try and get a photo of one.) Of course, being the prima donna that I am, I would love a fancy studio, but I am too much of a chicken to sleep out in the woods. And furthermore, I like living and working in different spaces. I feel like I am going to work when I hike out here after breakfast.

As for the writing, so far, so good. I am writing long-hand. I just thought about the characters in my novel and I was able to write a scene, the voice came back to me. This is good. I haven’t worked in so long, I was afraid that I had killed the novel. My mentor, Ron Carlson, used to say, “Just because you haven’t been fishing for awhile, doesn’t mean the fish won’t be biting when you get there.”

Amen.

A few more photos here.

Posted at 09:49 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

June 07, 2007

Very, Very, Nice Things Are Happening

to people who read this blog! It seems that every time I turn around, I am posting a "good news" post. But to quote the late great Luther Vandross, it's "never too much."

Camille Dungy has received a fellowship to Breadloaf!

Tara Betts has been invited to participate in the Slam Legends showcase at the 2008 National Poetry Slam in Austin this August.

James Jordan has joined the ranks of the published. His first story is coming out in Limestone this August!

Posted at 04:39 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

I Made It!

Just a note to let you know that I did make it safely to MacDowell. The drive through NYC was pretty intense. I called myself being smart enough to miss rush hour, but apparently, every hour is rush hour in New York. But six and a half hours later, I pulled up at the colony.

The last time I was here it was December of 2001. Major Blizzard. 22 inches of snow. But now it's all green and pretty. There will be pictures soon-- I left my usb cord at home so I will have to go into town tomorrow to buy one.

I will say this: I have been in New Hampshire about an hour and I have already learned something new. There are MAJOR mosquitoes here in New England. They dive-bombed me. Or maybe they were just saying hello.

Posted at 04:10 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Retreating to the Retreat!

I am off to The MacDowell Colony. I will continue to post, but I am not sure what the internet situation will be like. To pick up the slack, I've comissioned some guest posts from community members. We've been promised reports from the Tin House Workshops, VONA, Yaddo, and more.

Send some positive vibes my way. I thought the distance from Jersey City to MacDowell was in the three hour range, but it's five hours and it requires me to drive through NYC. (gulp)

Posted at 06:38 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 31, 2007

Age Ain't Nothin But A Number

78 year old Ed Reed has just released his gorgeous debut CD, Love Stories. I heard a review on Here and Now, one of my favorite NPR shows. The interviewer asked why Mr. Reed too so long to record his first album. The answer? "In a word, heroin." For some reason, that just made the story all the more inspire. It's like you never screw up to forfeit your second chance. I am so frustrated that the CD isn't on iTunes. The radio program played some snippets and I am SPRUNG. The songs are gorgeous jazz standards but also unheard songs with lyrics by Truman Capote. So beautiful.

Posted at 04:00 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 29, 2007

As I Leave DC...

My good friend, Troy, brought me a going away gift: a bottle of Moet (I love that stuff) and a card with what he says is essential advice for relocating to the NY area:

No matter what you see, act like you've seen it before. Even if it's someone walking a rat on a leash or picking his nose with a stick of dynamite. Don't show show any shock or fear. Just keep on rolling.

Thanks for the wise words, Troy. I'm rolling out in the am.

Posted at 05:24 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 28, 2007

Stupendous Things Are Happening

to people who read this blog!

Jordan Benchich, the world's greatest bartender, is also a full time student. She made straight As again!

Monica Brown is going to Breadloaf!

Dwayne Betts will be there too.. he's going to be a waiter!

Lamar Wilson is starting his MFA next year and he's going to Callaloo this summer!

Jacqueline Jones Lamon won a scholarship to KWLS!

I know there's more good news out there. Send it on!

Posted at 08:44 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 25, 2007

Please Forgive The Posting Slow-Down

The time has come for me to pack up my books and shoes, an emotional and tedious task. I need to learn to move like professionals. (Having moved nine times in fifteen years, you would think I would have the hang of it.)

The pros just toss the stuff in a box, seal it up and keep pushing. Not me. I handle each book and say things like, "Wasn't there something weird about the point of view?" Then, I want to sit down and leaf through and find whatever it was, then I get caught up in the plot again.

And with shoes, I think "Oh! I remember these! Wasn't there a handbag to match? Wait, no. There was a dress....." And I will actually open a sealed box to look for it.

I am determined to have everything packed up before my dad gets here with the car on Monday. I don't want him to have a flashback from picking me up at Spelman twenty years ago. My father loves me, but even he has his limits..

Posted at 07:11 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 24, 2007

OMG!

Look who's coming to NYC the day AFTER I get there! It's F-A-T-E!

THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES!

Lord, I love them.

Posted at 09:02 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Straight and To The Point

More info here.

Posted at 07:28 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

At Last!

Victor Ehikhamenor came by yesterday to deliver the two gorgeous paintings I bought at his show last month.

Posted at 06:32 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 22, 2007

Some Fun Links

It's summer.. school is out.. let's look at some sort of cool links. This is the link equivalent of leafing through a shiny magazine..

The Unger Report on not being able to dance. Pretty funny.

Look at these cool paintings. Make sure you scroll for full effect.

Too tall to play ball? Basketball leagues in shorter countries have a height cut off.

Lauren says a recent radio broadcast about literary publishing is "scarier than a town full of zombies." She's so clever! So funny! So smart! So good! I need to hurry up and finish my book so she and I can work together again!

Posted at 09:51 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 21, 2007

A New Crop Of Writers On The Loose!

This Sunday, George Washington University held commencement exercises. The English Department threw a special reception for our undergraduates and within this group were our extra special creative writing majors. I rooted through the crowd until I found "my" seniors.. the ones who had taken a CW class from me. So, here they are.

Congratulations to you,
Katie, John, Olga, Michael, and Alex! Keep writing. I am so proud of you!

Posted at 06:49 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 19, 2007

Happy Birthday, Sweet Lorraine

Today is the birthday of Lorraine Hansberry, author of many plays, but most famously, A Raisin In The Sun. In his beautiful elegy for her, "Sweet Lorraine," that was reprinted as the Preface of To Be Young, Gifted, and Black, James Baldwin wrote of his experience going to see A Raisin in the Sun:

I had never in my life seen so many black people in the theatre... Never before, in the entire history of the American theatre, had so much of the truth of black people's lives been seen on the stage. Black people ignored the theater because the theater had always ignored them.

Lorraine Hansberry died in 1965, at the age of 34.

Posted at 08:06 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

May 17, 2007

Back In DC!

Please forgive me! There seems to a bit of a mix up about my relocation schedule. It's a long story, but I don't leave DC for good until the end of May. The Jersey trip was part of a two-part move. I wouldn't slink off and leave DC in the middle of the night without saying goodbye. I'm sorry for the confusion.

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

May 07, 2007

How To Know You've Made It

When you google just your first name and your website comes up. That's the state of things for sister-blogger Nichelle Stephens! She's featured in the NYT today in an article about folks who have more than one hustle. (Nichelle is a blogger, a comedy producer, a PR person, accountant.. the list goes on.) Anyway, just google "Nichelle".. and there she is.

Congrats Nichelle. I love it when the NYT finally finds out about some treasure I've known about all along.

Posted at 04:22 PM | Comments (3)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 29, 2007

People Who Read This Blog Are Going Places

this summer!

It's almost May, and people are hearing back from the applications they sent out for summer workshops. I am happy to tell you that the news has been good.

LeConte Dill is going to the VONA workshops in San Francisco where she will be in Suheir Hammad's poetry workshop. She's a third-timer, having worked in the past with Z.Z. Packer and Ruth Foreman. She says she picked the VONA workshops because she likes to mix social justice with her creativity.

FeLicia Elam will be participating in the Tin House Writer's Workshop in Portland where she will be studying with Colson Whitehead. Also, FeLicia broadened her horizons by learning to write short-shorts, and one has been published already!

There must be something lucky with the name Elam because Teri Elam is going to VONA as well! She'll be taking a poetry class with David Mura. If things go the way she's hoping, she'll come home with her first full length poetry manuscript polished and ready to send out.

Congrats to all of them. Have you heard some good news? Let us know about it. Don't fight the love!

Posted at 07:29 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 26, 2007

Key West Literary Seminars- **update

I just gotten word that I will be participating in the second session of the Key West Literary Seminars. The dates are Thursday, January 17- Sunday, January 20th. Read my original excited post. Apply! Apply! Key West in January? What's not to like?

Posted at 04:34 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 24, 2007

Tayari's First Art!

Tonight I went to see Victor Ehikhamenor's art opening on U-Street. I am leaving DC in just a few weeks and I am trying to binge on the happenings of the city.

I am sad to admit to you that before tonight, I owned no real art. I was still enjoying my prints that I bought when I was in grad school. Not classy, but the walls were covered and I was sort of pleased with the looks of things.

This was until I got my eyes on some original artwork, specifically Victor's. I'm posting photos here, but photos just don't do justice to the texturing and layering of his work. I am thinking that I may just have to get a new couch. My current furniture isn't worthy of this beauty!

Continue reading this entry

Posted at 10:59 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 15, 2007

Weekend Links

Nichelle was not, as the saying goes, instigating, when she sent me the lastest link in the Kiri Davis/Cosmogirl drama. Word on the (internet) street is that Ms. Kiri Davis had actually taken the lead.

Tea, cakes, art and poetry Sunday at The Cakebar in DC. Me and Tara will so be there.

By the time the Brand New Heavies perform at the Capitol Jazz Festival in DC, I'll already be gone!

Posted at 05:13 PM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 13, 2007

Cassandra Wilson to Honor Toni Morrison

I wish, I wish, I wish, I could be there!

On May 5th in NYC. Cassandra Wilson, Ron Brown, and Evidence Dance Company will perform to celebrate Toni Morrison receiving the Ellie Charles Award. Ms. Morrison will be in attendance and if I didn't have to work, I would be there too! More details here!

Posted at 05:25 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 11, 2007

Don't Forget Kiri Davis-- A GIRL LIKE ME

Yes, I am beating this drum, AGAIN. Let's vote for Kiri Davis's "A Girl Like Me" in the Cosmogirl film competition. I went to the site this morning and Kiri is out of last place, but she is no where near winning... YET.

And, if you're in the the mood for early-morning irony... Kiri is the only girl like her on the Cosmogirl site.

So, go vote! It's a little tricky. The site is clearly designed for a younger demographic. I was over there trying to figure out where to click while a perky voice was advising me how to more effectively shave my legs...

Anyway, here's how it works:

you go to the site, you click on VOTE underneath Miss Kiri's picture. (You'll have no trouble spotting her.)

Then it takes you to another page. You then click on Kiri,

then once her pictures glides to the middle, you click VOTE!

Finally, you run back over here and tell me what the tally is!

I really want this young lady to win. Help out. (And FYI. I'm not trying to be trifling, but I think you can vote more than once as long as it is on a different day...)

Posted at 07:45 AM | Comments (5)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 09, 2007

Really Good Things Are Happening

To people who read this blog!

Eduardo Corral is going to Yaddo, too. And right after that, he'll be going to Colgate University to accept the O'Connor Creative Writing Fellowship!

Tara Betts if going international! The NY based poet is going a reading tour of the UK. Y'all know how I love Tara. Listen to her read her poem that won Def Poetry Jam poem, "Switch."

And Dwayne Betts, who was profiled last year in the Washington Post for his work with young people, has scored a internship with The Atlantic! (Here's the Post Article: From Inmate To Mentor Through The Power of Books.)

You can congratulate them in the comments. And, if you have good news, don't be shy. Or even if you have news about someone else that is a member of our community and want help shouting it to the rooftops, shoot me an note.

Posted at 07:11 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

April 07, 2007

Happy Easter

Posted at 10:02 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Unclaimed Baggage!

Last year, I read a story called "Some Thing Blue" at the Pen/Faulkner Gala. (You can listen to me read it on my myspace page.) The story begins,

"In Scottsboro, Alabama, there is a warehouse store that sells everything that people leave behind on airplanes. This is where your mother has found your wedding dress." (more.)

Anyway, I just got an email letting me know that the Unclaimed Baggage store is now on line! I think I feel a new obsession coming on...

Posted at 10:07 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 26, 2007

Linky-Dinky!

The story that just won't die: Terry McMillan just filed a $40M suit against her ex-husband, who gave up dog grooming for hair styling. (thx ed)

"This American Life" is now on Showtime. You can watch the first episode for free. Slate magazine has a review.

Maud Newton is giving away books!

What the heck! I can give away books too! Does anyone want a copy of Fruit of the Lemon by Andrea Levy? I've got an extra. I need something to decide the winner. Well, the person who sends a link to funniest thing on YouTube gets the book. I need a laugh. It's Monday.

Posted at 11:08 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

Remembering C. Delores Tucker

C. Delores Tucker died in 2005, and I didn't know anything about it.

Ms. Tucker was a civil rights activist and a crusader for black women, too. She is best known for her bold stand against Sony Music and the misogyny in some rap music. (She raised money and bought up enough stock to have a real vote. Remember that?)

I met Ms. Tucker around 1995, when I was teaching developmental reading at Prairie View A&M University. I was just a little pup-- 23-years old, trying to change the world and wondering why people kept hassling me about wearing short skirts to work. My task was to take Ms. Tucker around campus.

Continue reading this entry

Posted at 07:35 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 22, 2007

Greetings from Johnson City, TN

I used to live here, actually. (That's a story for tomorrow.) I've returned to East Tennessee State University to give a reading, and to do some shopping. About three years ago, I saw a framed portrait in an antique shop. If I could have afforded it, I would have gladly bought it.

The portrait is of an African American couple, dressed to the nines. The date on the frame was 1923 and it bears all the hallmarks of the period. I've always been fascinaated in well-to-do black folks from that time. These people were not Vanderzee's Harlemites. The man and the woman were a southern couple, dressed fine but not sharp. One word comes to mind, dignified.

Photography was a luxury at the turn of the century. I don't come from one of those black families that have been rich for generations. I have never even been to Martha's Vineyard, let alone own property there.

For the last three years, I have been unable to get the portrait out of my head and I decided to visit the antique shop when I was here in East Tennessee. I figured the photo would still be available-- afterall, when I lived here, I pretty much WAS the entire black population of Johnson City, TN. Who would buy it if not me?

Well, I finally made it to the shop, but there was no sign of the picture with the tag, "Negro Couple". I was too shy to inquire about it, also I was hoping maybe my memory failed me, that the picture of the couple was in another shop.

My friend, Crystal, went back to the shop after I'd gone and asked after the portrait and came to me with bad news.

"Somebody else bought it," she said.

"Oh," I said sadly. "At least its got a home."

"Well," Crystal said. "Not exactly. The lady said the people who bought it told her they only wanted the frame."

Posted at 07:34 PM | Comments (5)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 19, 2007

Back Home From Home

Atlanta is my hometown, there's no doubt about that, but I feel like I have a collection on hometowns, and Mesa, Arizona is one of them. Let me explain.

In 1997, I decided to move to Arizona to take a scholarship to study Creative Writing at Arizona State University. It was a big leap. I knew what I was getting into. (Arizona?!?! Isn't that the no-King-holiday-holdout-state?? Yes, it was.) When I went there, it was as though the Universe was asking me what was I willing to give up to follow my dream. Leaving Atlanta for AZ, I gave up almost everything familiar to me. It was a large sacrifice, but I was hoping that the Universe would provide a matching donation.

While I was in Arizona, I did receive the writing instruction and publishing opportunities I hoped for, but I also met a lot of really good people. I am not talking about people in the writing business, I just mean regular folks.

Take the people I met at a local bar/restaurant, Brunello. You wouldn't expect to find fine Italian Cuisine in a strip mall, but it's there. The bartender, Linda Eldridde is one of the kindest people I have ever met. When I was unpublished and doubtful, she cheered me up and when I was too broke to order dinner, she shared from her own place. (And, she's in inspiration. I took a few of her favorite sayings and put them into the mouths of characters in The Untelling. Check out page 103. Linda gave me the idea for "Iron Pants.")

Continue reading this entry

Posted at 10:06 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 16, 2007

Cumulus Clouds, 84 Degrees

Well, it's actually 94 degrees where I am going: Tempe, Arizona, but you get the idea. No, I am not going in order to pressure the legislature to designate my old apartment into a National Historic Landmark (Tayari Jones wrote LEAVING ATLANTA in this tiny tiny apartment.)

I'm returning to my old stomping grounds to feel some sun and to be interviewed by my dear friend and mentor, Ron Carlson, who hosts a PBS show called "Books and Company." I never told him, but I was hoping he would one day invite me on.

I'll be gone through the weekend, and I am not taking my computer--so no posting until Monday. I *am* taking my camera, so there will be photos when I return.

Okay. Gotta dash for my plane. Have a good weekend!

Posted at 04:52 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 13, 2007

Rutgers-Camden Summer Writers' Conference

I've just signed on to teach a workshop at the Rutgers-Camden Summer Writers' Conference. The confernce offers ten days of workshops, readings, and professional panels. This conference is open to writers in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

The cost varies, depending on whether or not you want to get college credit for attending. If you are just attending for the experience of it, the cost is only $450.

One of my goals here at the blog is to help get the word out about writing opportunities, so feel free to cute and paste the message and send to your folks.

Posted at 09:23 AM | Comments (0)
Category: News , Travels & Rambles

March 11, 2007

Linkage!

Times, they are a changing. Agent Jane Dystel gives a condensed history of the role of the editor. Check it out; I learned a lot from it.

Poet, Adam Deutsch, has the cutest website. You roll over the objects for the menu. Why do poets get to have all the fun?

And speaking of poetry: Native Guard is now in paperback. Natasha Trethewey celebrated with a a reading at the Museum for Women in the Arts.

Posted at 10:26 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 07, 2007

Farewell, Nokuthula!

Nokuthula Mazibuko will be leaving Washington, DC tomorrow to return to her home in South Africa. As World Literature Fellow she met with classes here at GW, read at the Smithsonian, Library of Congress, and met with youth groups here in the city.

The Deputy Ambassador from South Africa hosted Nokuthula and all of members of the organizations sponsoring her trip. Before taking part of the elaborate buffet, we took turns exchanging stories of how her visit has touched each of us. I didn't pipe up, as I didn't have an official title, or a group to represent. But if I had been braver, I would have raised my hand and just said how much I enjoyed meeting her. We have become good friends during these last few weeks-- talking about everything from books to boys, seeing the city and painting the town, swapping clothes and doing each other's hair.

Nokuthula is a fine writer, and a very good person. I think I miss her already.

Travel safely, Girl, and please stay in touch.

Posted at 05:03 PM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 06, 2007

It's A Shoe Thing

I must say that I am a little shy about posting this photo. Afterall, I am suppossed to be the intellectual artiste... but due to popular demand, here are the boots I wore at AWP. These were purchased in NYC under the supervision of one Natasha Trethewey.

(thx SKK for sending the photo.)

Posted at 10:55 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 03, 2007

Party on the 4th Floor

I couldn't resist throwing a party at AWP. Since I am giving a night-time reading, I have a great suite, the kind of space that begs you to sponsor a little gathering.

I must admit that party-throwing is great fun, but it's a little anxious-making. I can't help thinking, what if no one comes. Silly me. It's a writing conference-- folks will come.

There was much to celebrate. Honoree and Terrence gave knock-out readings this afternoon. Greg Pardlo won a big prize. (I don't know the name of the prize, but what ever organization chose him has very good taste.) Suji Kwok Kim has been honored yet again. Camille, Sally, and Jaci all are toasting their new jobs. There was only one bottle of champagne, but everyone had a sip.

There are lots of pictures, probably the last ones of the conference. My picture-taking finger is exhausted.

My event is tonight. 8:30. I'm reading from my new book!

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

AWP Friday Report

Here is a recap of yesterday's AWP conference. I know that I have spent a lot of time talking about the folks I've met and the friends I've connected with, but there is also a lot of serious interaction happening at this conference.

Yesterday, I attended a panel called "Trashy Women" which featured four writers discussing their experience as working class women working in the university environment. A stand-out on that panel was Joy Castro, author of The Truth Book, who has written a few posts for us here at the blog.

Terrence Hayes gave a firecraker of a reading, as did Honoree Fanonne Jeffers.

There are panels this morning about chapbook publishing, using historical research in fiction and many others.

And... here are Fridays pics.

Posted at 08:46 AM | Comments (2)
Category: Travels & Rambles

March 02, 2007

Stop Me Before I Flash Again!

Get your mind out of the gutter! When I say flash, I am talking about my photo-habit. I am in grave danger of becomming "that girl with the camera." I can't help it. I am having such fun here at AWP, that I can't resist taking snapshots. So far, people have been pretty cooperative, but I imagine it will start to get old.

Today has been a really good day. Highlights include: meeting Sonia Sanchez, running into some of my favorite former students,and dinner at Watershed.

And here is an on-going highlight-- I keep meeting members of our blog community. Although I know from my sitemeter that we are a pretty good sized community, it touches me everytime I meet one of us in real life.

There are a lot of writers here to say they are too busy to blog. I keep trying to tell them that they don't know what they're missing.

Here is the photo album from today!

Posted at 12:47 AM | Comments (0)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 18, 2007

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year. It's a good time to start yourself over-- commit to doing your life right. It's the first night of the first moon-cycle of 2007. January 1, is the start of the solar new year. That's all well and good, but everyone knows that the moon is a special friend to artists.

Take a deep breath and renew yourself! 2007 is the Year of the Boar. It's a time of abundance, but don't be so-- well-- pig-headed that you can't gather up your blessings!

Posted at 09:51 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 17, 2007

Linking For the Weekend

The Old Hag is having a giveaway. You can win free books by entering a contest. The challenge: "What's the best line a man ever used on you." Now, I am not sure what she means by "best". I did submit an entry, but it is probably more like weirdest. Here it is: "Trap me in your amber." (This was said to me by a very odd poet at the Wesleyan Summer Writers Conference.) Anyway back to the contest--you have to scroll waaaay down to the bottom of the page to leave your comment which is your entry. It's completely worth it. The Old Hag gets loads of free books! Deadline is Monday at midnight.

If you want a drug-free anti-depressant, check out Ellington Was Not A Street, a gorgeous and heartwarming book for children, written by the great Ntozake Shange.

I tried to ignore the fact that the NYT discovered red-velvet cake. (RVC is not news. It's a way of life!)But when I saw the recipe, I had to speak out. A teaspoon of butter? That's it? Ha. You better stick to my mama's recipe.

In NYC, authors are giving readings in the laundrymat. Sounds like a nightmare to me.

My former employer, The University of Illinois, has finally dropped "The Chief". Score one for humanity.

Miriam Goderich has learned to take it down a notch when giving criticism. Now the writers she advises have to learn to take it. (I personally love to have Miriam read my drafts. She doesn't always love it, but she talks to me in such a way that shows that she understands that I am a professional.)

Posted at 01:41 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 15, 2007

When Poets Play

This is a big weekend for DC poets. The annual Howard University Hearts Day Conference is this weekend. Poets from all over have swooped down on Washington to celebrate Nikki Giovanni, Lucille Clifton, and Mari Evans.

My good friend, Tara Betts, came down from NYC. (My affection for Tara has already been well documented on this blog.) With Tara comes good people. She got to DC around eight and we immediately rushed to Busboys and Poets to meet up with Remica, Derrick, and Alan.

Busboys is a place where it is hip to think. The women of Code Pink are frequent guests as well as other progressive folk. On the way out, we ran into DJ 2-Tone Jones (no relation) who told about the AM Radio project-- it's where visual art meets hip hop.

Although there were a lot of cool people in attendance, our little party was pretty self contained. There was much to celebrate. Remica was in a fine mood as she has just won the 2007 Naomi Long Madgett Poetry Prize for her new book, Conversion. Derrick Weston Brown is the poet-in residence at Busboys. Alan King has two terrific chapbooks and you know all about Tara with her bad self. (And she just finished her MFA. Watch out world!) And what about me? Just a fiction writer in a poet's world. I am happy to say that nobody held it against me.

And, yes, there are pictures!

Posted at 11:39 PM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 14, 2007

Happy Day, Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day, folks. I was doing my morning pages and I remembered a little something from my girlhood. When I was little my mother helped me make a mailbox for Valentines. I took it to school and the whole class used it and I felt so proud.

My mother, Barbara Ann, was my first role model of creativity. She's not a person that you would think of as all that creative at first glance. Her degree is in Economics and she is a Business School Dean. Never the less, she is one of the most creative people I know. She and my brother did all sorts of arts and crafts in the 70s: string art, macrame, hooking rugs etc. She can do everything from landscaping to cake decoration.

When I was about eight, I wrote a book called A Trip To Mars. I stapled it together and found it to be quite nice. My mother took it to her job and had it laminated. To me, this was the highest form of archival presentation. Years later, when I in high school, I wrote a short story called "The Pursuit of Michael Thomas." It was inspired by my crush on a bass drummer in the marching band. My story is a revenge tale, of sorts. My mother went to her office on a Sunday and typed it up for me. (She insisted that I change the names so the people would not be so recognizable.) I have to say that I appreciated the typing, but it's not until now that I understand what it meant for her to go into the office on a Sunday. (A Sunday? No way. I do not even think about the office after Friday, 12pm.)

So, the whole point of this is to say HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY WITH LOVE to my mother, Barbara Ann.

Posted at 07:47 AM | Comments (1)
Category: Travels & Rambles

February 03, 2007

February Festivities!

I've got a lot of things going on this month and I wanted to make sure that I kept folks in the loop.

On February 7th, I'll be in Hartford, CT, participating in THE BIG READ. The event will be at the Mark Twain House. The event is called from Twain to Hurston to Jones. I'll read and talk about one of my favorite writers, the late great Zora Neal Hurston. Details here.

On February 28th, I'll be in Atlanta in a Q&A with Lee Smith. It's called "Crossing The Line" and we plan to talk about everything that matters to us as writers, as women writers, as southern writers.. you get the idea. This event costs $5 for members of the Margaret Mitchell House and $10 for everyone else. Details here.

On March 3, still in Atlanta, I am giving a reading at the AWP Conference. 7pm at the Hilton downtown. It's FREE and I really hope you'll come out. I could use the moral support. I'll be reading from my new novel is progress. I'm nervous and excited. Like Erykah Badu said that one time: "I'm an artist and I am sensitive about my

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