READING CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW: Are There Any Mice with Snow Shoes in Providence, Rhode Island?

Mice: I am reading in #ProvidenceRI on Friday, January 30th at 7 pm if the snow holds out. Anyone out there from the Ocean State want to come out for wine, cheese, discussion, a little reading, and a book signing?  Would love to meet you. Plus otherwise it's going to be me and my spouse, and one friend, which would be okay, I guess. More wine and cheese for us?

SORRY ALL: THE SNOW AND ICE AND TEMPS HAVE CALLED THIS READING OFF. LOOK FOR SNOW DATE COMING SOON. 

How Much Wood Can A Woodchuck Chuck When Applying for Debut Novel Prizes?

Rodent People: I just wanted to let you know something in case you happen to have any delusion that getting published means making it, even getting published and getting coverage as a pick in People Magazine with Stephen King and Anne Lamott. I am lucky to have a day job because not only have I made zero dollars and zero cents on my novel, but I have actually shelled out quite a few clams to make sure it gets submitted to all the appropriate book awards and debut novel prizes. I am talking about anywhere from $35 to $95 in submission fees a pop, not only for each award, but also for each eligible category in each award, plus sending anywhere up to 8 free copies of the novel out of my stash of author's books, not to mention the postage I've paid. Seriously, I am in the hole at least a grand at this point, but these awards are a huge part of getting the novel to have an extended life, and most people consider them an essential marketing tool. Isn't that ridiculous? I think it is because whichever way you turn, the writer is the one who cares about the novel going further than just the original launch push, and so the writer is the one who pays. Maybe it's different in mainstreamed publishing houses; I'm not sure. Can anyone confirm or deny that the writer pays when published by Random House or Harper Collins imprints? I did wonder about this as I coerced one of my advertising buddies to help me make some pretty posters for my own readings at various book stores. I'm like a one-mouse marketing machine these days while still keeping up with the deadlines of my day jobs.  I tell you, it is an exhausting business, which does not favor the writer (or at least this writer) in any way, shape, or form. That said, I am also extremely grateful for the opportunity to have a book that's published and to whose success I am an indentured servant. I am also extremely grateful that I actually have a day job to fund all this craziness. I just wanted to set the record straight for anyone who is dreaming of the cushy life of a published writer these days. I do not think it exists. But, please, if you are out there sitting on your daybed, eating bon-bons, and thumbing a magazine, please do comment with a correction.

Next Readings: NYC! Thursday, Jan 15th at KGB Bar and Sunday at Book Culture (81st & Columbus)

Last Friday at the reading in Cambridge @HarvardBooks, co-sponsored by @Grubstreet, I met a loyal LROD reader, who is a blogger and novelist in her own right, and who is publishing a novel with NAL in the Spring of 2016 called "Modern Girls" by Jenny Brown, so keep an eye out for it.  It was great to meet her, and she fit right in with all my smart, sweet friends in attendance.  I hope some of you in New York will come to the readings this week and introduce yourself. If you have a book of your own to publicize, certainly let me know, and I will put it in a post ASAP.    
 
Next Up on the Schedule of Readings: New York City! You have two choices:

• Thursday at Drunken Careening Writers at KGB Bar (7 pm) with 2 other writers
• Sunday at Book Culture on Columbus (btwn 81st & 82nd) (3 pm).  

See you there?

Did You Know Cambridge Was Its Own Place? READING @HARVARDBOOKS THIS FRIDAY @ 7 pm CO-SPONSORED BY @GRUBSTREET

I guess I'm a tiny bit dumber than I ever even knew, since I thought Cambridge was somehow a part of the City of Boston proper, rather than being its own thing.  However, I was given quite a schooling while notifying people of my upcoming reading this Friday (January 9th) at 7 pm at @HarvardBooks in CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, a separate sovereignty from Boston, and co-sponsored by @Grubstreet.  Excuse me all you beantown and non-beantown friends for the mistake. Anyway, if you're around, please drop by for a little reading, a small discussion and the signing of the books.  I will be so happy to see you and hear what you think about MIRACLE GIRLS, the cold weather, and anything else on your mind.  p.s. In case you think there's a big publicity machine behind me, this is a poster I made with a friend and paid for out of my own clam bucket. If you think my picture is smirky, please tell @Darinstrauss. I think it will make him laugh.