I heard this piece on npr this morning and had never heard of Octavia but I am now definitely interested in reading some of her stuff. (click the image to read or listen to the piece on her.) She’s an inspiration to all writers!
Tag Archives: writer
Successful Book Release Event
All had a good time at the book release event for Living in the House of Drug at Frugal Muse this last Friday. We had friends, family, and a few new folks showed up to support me and Willie. I did a small reading and Willie gave a nice speech. He is much better talking off the cuff than I am. I guess that’s why I’m a writer and not a story teller.
Rudyard Kipling
from Borne and Shephard 1892
Rudyard Kipling was born on this day in 1865. He died in 1936 of a gastric ulcer. Rudyard was born in Bombay, India but was sent to England at the age of five to study along with his sister. He married an American by the name of Caroline Starr Balestier in 1892- the daughter of a writer and publishing agent he worked with on the novel Naulahka. Kipling is best known for his 2 Jungle Book stories, Just so Stories, and The Man Who Would Be King. He lived in Connecticut for a time and his home is still there and used as a rental home, with some of it’s original funishings!
This is from his poem, Mandalay (1890)
By the old Moulmein Pagoda, lookin’ lazy at the sea, There’s a Burma girl a-settin’, and I know she thinks o’ me; For the wind is in the palm-trees, and the temple-bells they say: “Come you back, you British soldier; come you back to Mandalay!”
Come you back to Mandalay,
Where the old Flotilla lay:
Can’t you ‘ear their paddles chunkin’ from Rangoon to Mandalay?
On the road to Mandalay,
Where the flyin’-fishes play,
An’ the dawn comes up like thunder outer China ‘crost the Bay!
Happy Birthday Paulo Coelho
Yesterday was the birthday of author Paulo Coelho. I have only read a few of his stories (see my Valkyries post dated 4/6/11 under Books category) but I have like 2/3 so far and look forward to reading more. I think Mr. Coelho has lead an interesting life. I recently found out that besides his brief stint in jail in Brazil, which he talks about in “The Valkyries,” his parents had committed him to a mental institution. This was apparently after he told them he wanted to be a writer! Oh my!
This is from the Alchemist: “Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” Paulo Coelho
Happy 64th birthday Mr. Coelho.
If you like Paulo, his blog is paulocoelhoblog.com. He has some interesting things to say.
Armchair Book Expo America starts today!
Want to know everything and anything about what you’re missing, or not missing, at the American Book Expos in New York city this week? Just click on the armchair and it will take you to the official blog spot.
For me. I don’t mind viewing from afar. I love New York, don’t get me wrong. But it’s pricy, and I’m more interested in getting my own stuff out there than looking at other’s new stuff right now. I get plenty of that at my local library.
But back to me – I’m supposed to introduce myself to all those BEA fans that might come to my site during this week to say Hi.
Hi! (insert heavy breath here)
This is not me, of course. But it feels like me!
As part of the armchair event, I’m supposed to introduce myself for all you armchair fans.
I am a writer, author, publisher [just published my second book this May!] and a general fool.
I also love to read, but that is probaby a given. I will read just about anything, but I particularly like historic fiction, so guess what I write? At least so far, anyway, though I am working on a memoir for someone and a screenplay off my latest book. Now that is a learning experience.
I am new to this blogging world – just started this spring – so let me know what you think of my site. Then tell me where you live in that big spider web out there. I like making new friends!
But make sure you visit again tomorrow for giveaway tuesday in honor of armchairbea. My giveaway will be my latest book. Just visit tomorrow and comment on one of my posts, any post you like, and you’re entered! (Make sure you leave me some way to get a hold of you – email, blog address…)
Happy booking!
ckbooksblog 