lightning + lightning bugs
the almost right word
& the right word is
really a large matter--
it's the difference
between the lightning bug
and the lightning."
-- Mark Twain
Musings from a
literary agent.
MISERERE: AN AUTUMN TALE
debuted July 1, 2011!
In case you haven’t yet seen this video.
This cause has been important to me for years, and in addition to the work I do literary-wise, I have an intense interest in global human rights — and I urge you all to pay attention, to never forget, and to commit to helping.
I do, however, feel compelled to note that the video isn’t entirely accurate. I like it because it’s accessible and gets the point across — and I consider the Joseph Kony campaign the first step in increasing international proaction in cases of unmitigated violence like his — but here’s more insight into the actual situation.
Writing book reviews — and writing book pitches! — takes a lot out of me (which is why I love my job — to be joyfully drained is to live), since putting into new words an existing set of words in a way that does the latter set justice is difficult, and The Fault in Our Stars proves to me this is the case. What can I tell you? Read it. You really, really should read it. It’s a book about two teens who meet, by chance or by fate, in a cancer support group, and fall in love with each other’s wit and charm and humor. My goodness, do I love both of them. I sobbed through laughs, and laughed through tears. I knew where we as readers would end up, and the choice was to either get to know these characters, to live a bit of their lives with them, or to never encounter them. I chose to encounter, and I couldn’t be more thankful.
This book rests in that place right beneath my heart where it shall always be remembered. There is a lot of truth here to the experience of living and being remembered, truth that is so visceral, you’ll be shocked.
I couldn’t recommend this book more.
I fell behind in my reading in the last two months. I have one manuscript from November (I know, terrible!), and a few left from December. I hope to have all mss read and responded to by March 19th.
I’ve no doubt that all of you writers will adore this.
And here’s the final cover for Dr. Samuel Mann, M.D.’s HYPERTENSION AND YOU — the perfect guide for high blood pressure, and the many reasons your typical care might be insufficient to get you healthy. Coming this June!
Check it out, and celebrate with Max, here! It’s gorgeous.
I absolutely adored these books. It feels a bit like an old friend died.
In the midst of my reading and editing manuscripts — my clients have been sending me work non-stop, it seems like — a good friend of mine sent me this video. She knows me too well. I find it hilarious.
This is awesome. Mah new favorite thing.
I’ll be attending all of the events on Friday, for anyone who wishes to join me and the wonderful collection of our artistic colleagues, this Thursday and/or Friday.
*** *** *** ***
Thursday, December 1 & Friday, December 2, 2011
*
Jerry H. Labowitz Theatre for the Performing Arts
NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Study
1 Washington Place, corner of Broadway
NYC, 10003
***THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2011***
6pm – 6:45pm
Seeing Elizabeth Bishop
A slideshow and talk exploring rarely seen images of Elizabeth Bishop.
Eric Karpeles
7pm – 8:30pm
Bishop in Brazil
A screening of footage from Helena Blaker’s forthcoming documentary on Bishop’s years in Brazil, followed by a discussion with the filmmaker and scholars.
Helena Blaker, Brett Millier, Barbara Page and Lloyd Schwartz
Moderated by Alice Quinn
8:30pm
Refreshments
***FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011***
1pm – 2:30pm
Elizabeth Bishop and Modern Art
Two interdisciplinary lectures and a discussion.
Peggy Samuels, “A Fascination with Kurt Schwitters: Bishop Reimagines her Poetics”
William Benton, “A Place in Art”
Moderated by Lisa Goldfarb
30-minute break
3pm – 4:30pm
Editors’ Roundtable
A discussion with the editors of recent collections of Bishop’s poetry, prose and correspondence.
Joelle Biele, Saskia Hamilton, Lloyd Schwartz and Thomas Travisano
Moderated by Jonathan Galassi
30-minute break
5pm – 6pm
Student Reading
Selected students will each read a poem by Elizabeth Bishop and their poems written in response.
Jacqueline Allen, Emma Behnke, Stephanie Rodas and Luke Vargas
Introductions by Scott Hightower and Emily Fragos
30-minute break
6:30pm – 8pm
Celebratory Reading
Participating poets read and discuss poems by Elizabeth Bishop
Frank Bidart, John L Koethe, Yusef Komunyakaa, Maureen McLane, Mark Strand, and Jean Valentine
