In the introductory pages to each of the book's two sections I included a list of quotes that had struck me in one way or another as relevant as I was researching and developing the two primary characters in the book. David Dark linked to a Hafiz quote that I would have included there, had I known of it at the time:
laryn's blog
I write because I don't believe in closure
"I suppose I write because I don't believe in closure. I write to open things up--memories, ideas, beliefs, sensations. Writing helps me bring my fears into the open and give them the respect they deserve...Because I am more certain than ever that death has much to offer the living--like life, like love, it's a lesson in mystery. I write to honour that mystery."
Welcome to disruption
This is, suffice it to say, very interesting:
Pascal-Emmanuel Gobry at Business Insider says, “Back of the envelope math suggests that selling 100,000 copies a month at $1 to $3 a pop and keeping 70%, Hocking can make millions per year, straight to her pocket.”
Welcome to disruption. 26-year old Amanda Hocking is the best-selling “indie” writer on the Kindle store, meaning she doesn’t have a publishing deal, Novelr says.
Standing on the edge of a cliff
[Writing is] like standing on the edge of a cliff. This is especially true of the first draft. Every day you’re making up the earth you’re going to stand on.
Six Rules for Reviewing Books, from John Updike
Thirty-one years ago, in the introduction to "Picked Up Pieces," his second collection of assorted prose, John Updike laid down his own six rules for reviewing. They are still the single best guide to fairness today:
"My rules," he writes, "shaped intaglio-fashion by youthful traumas at the receiving end of critical opinion, were and are:
Writing workshop and Jessica Handler's Invisible Sisters
Back in September Janel came home with a surprise for my birthday: she had signed me up for a writing workshop. We were new to the area and she had done her research, sending me off to the Decatur Book Festival, "the largest independent book festival in the country". I hadn't written much of anything since Cara died and I think it was her way of nudging me back into it. She had found a workshop called "Writing Through Grief" led by a local author (Jessica Handler) and she instructed me to buy a book while I was there. The workshop was good for me -- even thinking about writing for the length of the workshop was helpful, and the simple free write exercise that we did was the longest that I had sat to write fiction in over a year.
From Roald Dahl's autobiography, "Boy"
My sister-in-law sent me this quote today and said she thought of me when she read it...
Interview about the writing process on Catapult Magazine
Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma interviewed me about the process of writing the book for the latest edition of Catapult Magazine. Catapult is published by *culture is not optional, the (non-profit) publishers of Clutching Dust and Stars.
Photos from the release party
Thanks to all who showed up at the release party at Sova. I had a great time and enjoyed the question and response time (both in the group setting and individually). We had a good turn-out -- about 40 people -- and plenty of food. Thanks to those who volunteered to bring food to share, and to Teach for America, who provided their extra platters to us unexpectedly! Once again, a big thank you to Elisabeth Kvernen and Josh Kvernen for their work in arranging details of the evening and to Matt Krueger for MC'ing.
Book post-release party...April 10
Despite a shabby economy and the fact that there is no money in the budget for an extended book tour, we don't want to let this occasion pass by without some festivities. Come and celebrate the recent release of Laryn Kragt Bakker's debut novel with a post-release party. Clutching Dust and Stars was released in late 2009 and was named "Best First Novel" by Hearts and Minds Books. The evening will feature a short reading by the author as well as a time for questions and responses.
