Happy New Year

I am sweeping the floor and my cat bites the broom. My wife barks commands from the kitchen, but if she really needs me, she would have to make a personal appearance. Twelve guests tonight and I have only eight chairs. Happy New Year.

My book signing today

I drove to B&N in Elmira, about an hour drive. It turned out they arranged a signing without a reading. Huh? They put me at the table there their gift wrapper normally seats and I was mistaken for him. Darn. I thought I was more handsome. So no one came though they made two announcements. The place was full of colorful characters including a woman in unzipped jeans size 36 who asked me to wrap a CD box for her. An hour later, I took my destiny in my own hand and began striking conversations with everyone in the striking distance. As a result, I signed three copies. Not bad under the circumstances though I question the whole idea of book signing. Is it worth time and gas?

My novel in SF Chronicle

Here.

My reading at a book fair

I read at a book fair today in Vestal, NY. A man from the audience stared at me as if I wanted to cheat him out off his life savings. I was afraid he'd ask for my ID to make sure that I am not an impostor trying to sell Mark's books. In the end, he let me go. I have a reading in NY next month. Should I hire a bodyguard?

Steps to a nimble mind

1. Learn tango
2. Have sex
3. Read a novel
4. Write a blog
5. Anything else?

Riding your bike naked

I was listening on NPR to an interview with a Portland man who arrested for riding on his bike naked. I hope he was better looking than he was articulate. When asked if he was protesting something, he wasn't sure. I wonder if any of you would ride your bike naked for a good cause, say to market your book (or mine?)

Autographing your book

Just came home from autographing my novel "My life at First Try" at Barnes and Noble. Feels weird and uplifting at the same time.

The First Benefit of Obama's Presidency

Is the new laxative, Yeswecan. Sorry, couldn't resist resist running it by you.

Read the Guidelines

If you write for publications, repeat this mantra after me: "Read the Guidelines." Now, follow them.

My Voting Day

I came to my voting place at 9 am. The line was short; five people. I stood behind the patent lawyer from IBM whom I knew from my past life, and who asked me if added more patents to my portfolio of eleven. I said that I am a writer now and am looking for readers. He switched the topic to the elections. We speculated on the size of Obama’s landslide and on whether or not he will be good for New York State. After voting, I was offered a choice between a chocolate and a sugar cookie. Let the best candidate win.

If you think that publishing your book is tough

If you think that publishing your book is tough (true), imagine how hard it is to wait until the reader comes. Good reviews? Check. Not enough. A good trailer that is mentioned at the New Yorker Blog? Check. Not enough. Maybe good luck? Sounds like a winning solution, but where do you get that? Persistence is the answer.

McCain's Homes

I don’t care how many homes McCain has, seven or twenty-seven. There is no law against being rich in America. What worries me, however, is that he forgot the exact number. What worries me more is that Obama is portraying McCain as out of touch for being rich. Do the presidential candidates have to live in a one-bedroom slum apartment and worry about their utility bills and new shoes for their kids? Do we want a candidate who was never able to make enough money for a comfortable living? Do we want to have a candidate who resembles a Mexican cop: underpaid and ripe for corruption? Come on, Mr. Obama, you’re a millionaire yourself. Self-made millionaire. Nothing wrong with that. On the contrary, it’s rather admirable any place outside Cuba or Burma. So don’t touch another man’s home. His home(s) is (are) his castle(s). Even if he has too many to count.

A book trailer

Go here.

Clarity in writing

A good writer requires an equally good reader who can and should
be able to unearth the rich meanings of the author's work.