As we're hammered by news of plummeting sales and other publishing woes, it's nice to know that two Alaskan authors are among twelve recipients of the Rasmuson Foundation's Individual Artist Awards.
Gretchen Deimer of Wasilla received funds to promote her new book of poetry, Between Fire and Water; Ice and Sky. Maia Nolan of Anchorage will use her grant money to take four months off from her day job so she can complete her first novel.
This recognition is in itself a gift: "The Foundation believes that the artist's energy, ideas, and creative drive cannot bear fruit without periods of time devoted to experimentation, education, and personal reflection." Well said, and many thanks.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
NO MORE ACQUISITIONS
In a move said to be unprecedented in publishing, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has announced an indefinite moratorium on manuscript acquisitions. Not just unsolicited manuscripts - all submissions, though Vice President of Communications Josef Blumenfeld said "the right project" might still go before a review board.
Blumenfeld tagged the company's decision to shut off the spigot and work only with books in the pipeline "a symbol of doing things smarter" and called it "doing good business." Though many had looked for publishers to adopt new and better business models, no one expected a halt in acquisitions as the new standard of practice. Yikes.
In all the fuss over the failing auto and banking industries, is anyone worried about the production of books grinding to a halt? Job losses for editors, agents, and authors?
A literature bail-out? Unlikely.
Blumenfeld tagged the company's decision to shut off the spigot and work only with books in the pipeline "a symbol of doing things smarter" and called it "doing good business." Though many had looked for publishers to adopt new and better business models, no one expected a halt in acquisitions as the new standard of practice. Yikes.
In all the fuss over the failing auto and banking industries, is anyone worried about the production of books grinding to a halt? Job losses for editors, agents, and authors?
A literature bail-out? Unlikely.
Monday, November 24, 2008
BOOKFORUM
I just received the latest copy of Bookforum, with my review of Willie Hensley's Fifty Miles from Tomorrow: A Memoir of Alaska and the Real People.
As I wrote in the review "...Hensley’s memoir is a compelling tale of doing what had to be done and recognizing the spiritual depth and profound love it takes to become a real person in Alaska, or anywhere else."
Hensley's book was a pleasure to read, and the editors at Bookforum wonderfully professional. Check back later this week to learn more about Hensley and his thoughts on writing his first book.
As I wrote in the review "...Hensley’s memoir is a compelling tale of doing what had to be done and recognizing the spiritual depth and profound love it takes to become a real person in Alaska, or anywhere else."
Hensley's book was a pleasure to read, and the editors at Bookforum wonderfully professional. Check back later this week to learn more about Hensley and his thoughts on writing his first book.
Friday, November 21, 2008
ALASKAN AUTHORS WEEKLY ROUND-UP
Attention, young Alaskan authors. The Oakland Public Library is once again sponsoring a short story contest exclusively for teens. Your 1500-word submission must include "May I call you a cab?" You folks in Bethel, the cab capital of Alaska, could do a lot with that line.
Speaking of young writers, few Alaskans have done more than author Dana Stabenow to promote opportunities for students through the Authors to the Bush program sponsored by Alaska Sisters in Crime. Dana has now posted Chapter Two of her latest Kate Shugak novel Whisper to the Blood. If you're not up to speed on all of Kate's adventures, check out Dana's new YouTube trailer.
One week from today, we'll be celebrating the stories of folks who may not have had a chance to tell them. StoryCorps has declared November 28 the National Day of Listening. The idea is to set aside one hour to record a conversation with someone important to you. Check out StoryCorps' free Do-It-Yourself guide, and make a commitment now to participate in this effort to get everyone to share their stories.
Speaking of young writers, few Alaskans have done more than author Dana Stabenow to promote opportunities for students through the Authors to the Bush program sponsored by Alaska Sisters in Crime. Dana has now posted Chapter Two of her latest Kate Shugak novel Whisper to the Blood. If you're not up to speed on all of Kate's adventures, check out Dana's new YouTube trailer.
One week from today, we'll be celebrating the stories of folks who may not have had a chance to tell them. StoryCorps has declared November 28 the National Day of Listening. The idea is to set aside one hour to record a conversation with someone important to you. Check out StoryCorps' free Do-It-Yourself guide, and make a commitment now to participate in this effort to get everyone to share their stories.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
JUST ONE BOOK
What if you could write only one book? One shot at your best story? What would it be?
What if's can be silly, but this one's worth pondering. Heart-driven books are the ones worth writing. And reading.
What if's can be silly, but this one's worth pondering. Heart-driven books are the ones worth writing. And reading.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
WITH A WHIMPER
Poet T.S. Eliot postulated that the world would go out not with a bang but with a whimper. That's how Alaska Senator Ted Stevens' political world ended two full weeks after the election, when Anchorage absentee ballots gave Democrat Mark Begich an insurmountable lead over the longest serving Republican in today's Senate.
To whimper is hardly Ted's style. So far he has said not a word about his defeat, nor has he called to congratulate Begich. When he does, let's hope his tone is more conciliatory than outraged. The Associated Press reports his combative attitude sealed his fate in court. Apparently he's one of the many defendants who are better off not taking the stand in their own defense.
Ted's legacy doesn't need to end with a whimper. A memoir reflecting on his years in Congress, assessing his triumphs and follies, would have a whole lot more substance than a Sarah Palin memoir. He might not get a seven million dollar advance, but writing it would be good for the soul.
To whimper is hardly Ted's style. So far he has said not a word about his defeat, nor has he called to congratulate Begich. When he does, let's hope his tone is more conciliatory than outraged. The Associated Press reports his combative attitude sealed his fate in court. Apparently he's one of the many defendants who are better off not taking the stand in their own defense.
Ted's legacy doesn't need to end with a whimper. A memoir reflecting on his years in Congress, assessing his triumphs and follies, would have a whole lot more substance than a Sarah Palin memoir. He might not get a seven million dollar advance, but writing it would be good for the soul.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
THE AUDACITY OF ALASKA
Seven million is a big chunk of change for an Alaskan author. Really big. I'd wager it's bigger than the sum total of every advance paid to every Alaskan author, ever.
According to the Canberra Times, seven million is the figure being tossed about as a possible advance by publishers and agents clamoring for Sarah Palin's first book. No doubt those of us who question whether she will write a book worthy of such a sum will be accused of being jealous.
Some say it will play out just like it did for president-elect Obama: rousing convention speech + bestselling book = move to the White House. Indeed, the audacity of hope pales in comparison to the audacity of Palin.
One thing is for certain - our local papers can quit wasting editorial ink asking our governor to quit politicking for 2012 and focus on the issues facing our state. Seven mil will buy a lovely wardrobe she can keep, finance her move to DC, and a whole lot more.
Too bad we can't work a deal like we do with oil - appropriate Palin as an Alaskan resource, and dish out a portion of the royalties to Alaskans every fall.
According to the Canberra Times, seven million is the figure being tossed about as a possible advance by publishers and agents clamoring for Sarah Palin's first book. No doubt those of us who question whether she will write a book worthy of such a sum will be accused of being jealous.
Some say it will play out just like it did for president-elect Obama: rousing convention speech + bestselling book = move to the White House. Indeed, the audacity of hope pales in comparison to the audacity of Palin.
One thing is for certain - our local papers can quit wasting editorial ink asking our governor to quit politicking for 2012 and focus on the issues facing our state. Seven mil will buy a lovely wardrobe she can keep, finance her move to DC, and a whole lot more.
Too bad we can't work a deal like we do with oil - appropriate Palin as an Alaskan resource, and dish out a portion of the royalties to Alaskans every fall.
Monday, November 17, 2008
ALASGLISH
Remember all the flap a couple of decades ago about non-standard English - Spanglish, Ebonics, Yinglish, and the like? In her article "English Die Soon," Annalee Newitz notes that although 2 billion people speak English worldwide, only 300 million of those speak what could be called "standard English." Between techno-acronyms and dialectal speakers, what we used to call standard English is fading fast.
Not that we should necessarily be alarmed. Language always changes. As long as we understand each other, how much does it matter if, for instance, we all drop "ed" as a past tense marker and accept "Yesterday I walk to the store" as appropriate?
When it came to our changing language, conservative proponents of the "real America" were at one time the biggest alarmists. Now one has to look no farther than Alaska's governor to wonder whether these folks have either dropped their insistence on good American English or decided that the best politicians are those who look pretty but talk gibberish. In "Our Country Deserves Better," the Alaska Dispatch reports that a conservative California-based political action group is, through a series of ads, lauding Palin an an “articulate, straight-forward and uplifting champion of common sense conservative ideals.”
Meanwhile, in his NY Times blog "The Wild Wordsmith of Wasilla," Dick Cavett bemoans inarticulate Palinisms like:
"My concern has been the atrocities there in Darfur and the relevance to me with that issue as we spoke about Africa and some of the countries there that were kind of the people succumbing to the dictators and the corruption of some collapsed governments on the continent, the relevance was Alaska’s investment in Darfur with some of our permanent fund dollars."
Given our vastly differing ideas of what makes one articulate, maybe English is already dead. I just hope folks don't think Palin is talking some new-fangled Alasglish. Because, really, we do know how to talk up here - when we have something of substance to say.
Not that we should necessarily be alarmed. Language always changes. As long as we understand each other, how much does it matter if, for instance, we all drop "ed" as a past tense marker and accept "Yesterday I walk to the store" as appropriate?
When it came to our changing language, conservative proponents of the "real America" were at one time the biggest alarmists. Now one has to look no farther than Alaska's governor to wonder whether these folks have either dropped their insistence on good American English or decided that the best politicians are those who look pretty but talk gibberish. In "Our Country Deserves Better," the Alaska Dispatch reports that a conservative California-based political action group is, through a series of ads, lauding Palin an an “articulate, straight-forward and uplifting champion of common sense conservative ideals.”
Meanwhile, in his NY Times blog "The Wild Wordsmith of Wasilla," Dick Cavett bemoans inarticulate Palinisms like:
"My concern has been the atrocities there in Darfur and the relevance to me with that issue as we spoke about Africa and some of the countries there that were kind of the people succumbing to the dictators and the corruption of some collapsed governments on the continent, the relevance was Alaska’s investment in Darfur with some of our permanent fund dollars."
Given our vastly differing ideas of what makes one articulate, maybe English is already dead. I just hope folks don't think Palin is talking some new-fangled Alasglish. Because, really, we do know how to talk up here - when we have something of substance to say.
Friday, November 14, 2008
ALASKAN AUTHORS WEEKLY ROUND-UP
I love visiting Sasquatch Books in Seattle. They're always upbeat, positive, and focused on the market. Alaskan titles debut in the spring, but the fall list includes plenty of books of interest to Alaskan readers, including a re-release of The Encyclopedia of Country Living, Bretz's Flood (what Alaskan can resist a subtitle that includes the words "rebel geologist"?) and, perfectly timed for our roller-coaster stock market, Good Drinks for Bad Days. I also got to see the beautiful cover of Picture This, Alaska.
Also here in the Pacific Northwest is a fine opportunity for writers in the form of the Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA in Creative Writing Program. It's the nation's first MFA program offered by a writing organization instead of a university. What a concept: it includes practical coursework on matters like evaluating a publishing contract, finding an agent, and understanding copyright.
Today I'm off to Portland for my first-ever visit to the legendary Powell's Books, and to visit my daughter in grad school at PSU. I'm eager to browe the Alaska collection at Powell's.
Also here in the Pacific Northwest is a fine opportunity for writers in the form of the Whidbey Writers Workshop MFA in Creative Writing Program. It's the nation's first MFA program offered by a writing organization instead of a university. What a concept: it includes practical coursework on matters like evaluating a publishing contract, finding an agent, and understanding copyright.
Today I'm off to Portland for my first-ever visit to the legendary Powell's Books, and to visit my daughter in grad school at PSU. I'm eager to browe the Alaska collection at Powell's.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
HOPE FOR THE BREAKOUT
Just when I suggested that selling a breakout book in our lukewarm (ice cold?) economy will be no easy task comes word that Amazon and Penguin will be accepting up to 10,000 first-novel submissions between February 2 and February 8, 2009, for the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. The prize is a contract from Penguin, including a $25,000 advance. For details, visit www.amazon.com/abna. So stuff that sorry bank statement in a drawer and get back to writing your novel.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
MORE DOOM AND GLOOM
A recent analysis showed Alaska is, for the moment, the only state in the union where the economy is expanding. Hopefully that means Alaskan books will also continue to sell, especially if our state's recent notoriety results in an uptick in tourist travel.
It's no secret that the bigger picture for publishing is not so rosy. Publisher's Weekly reports on a recent address by Carolyn Reidy in which the CEO of Simon & Schuster calls for industry reform in these difficult times, citing declining backlist sales, demands by retailers, and the overall economic nosedive among the hurdles publishers face.
From authors to retailers, we'd all be happy to see positive industry reforms along with indications that books really are recession proof. While brand names continue to do well, authors may do better writing than selling that breakout book. No one's taking risks these days.
It's no secret that the bigger picture for publishing is not so rosy. Publisher's Weekly reports on a recent address by Carolyn Reidy in which the CEO of Simon & Schuster calls for industry reform in these difficult times, citing declining backlist sales, demands by retailers, and the overall economic nosedive among the hurdles publishers face.
From authors to retailers, we'd all be happy to see positive industry reforms along with indications that books really are recession proof. While brand names continue to do well, authors may do better writing than selling that breakout book. No one's taking risks these days.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
MADE TO BE BROKEN
Reading John Staley's Death and the Language of Happiness also got me thinking about common "rules" for writers that can and often should be broken. One is that every character and every scene must move the plot forward.
Straley's hero Cecil Younger travels to Washington with roommate Todd to piece together the ties between two missing IWW members from the Centralia massacre and a woman found dead decades later in a Sitka hotel. In one memorable scene, Todd disappears in a bus station. Though the characters who surface during Cecil's frantic search don't technically move the plot forward, they richen the narrative. Likewise, the characters encountered by Cecil and Todd as they forego the bus and hitchhike to Centralia add rich texture, though the plot would work just fine without them.
A lesser writer might have condensed these scenes, writing off the minor characters as distractions who play no significant role in advancing the plot. But Straley understands that it's the fleeting moments and the passing glances that flavor our lives, and he knows enough to bypass the "rules."
Straley's hero Cecil Younger travels to Washington with roommate Todd to piece together the ties between two missing IWW members from the Centralia massacre and a woman found dead decades later in a Sitka hotel. In one memorable scene, Todd disappears in a bus station. Though the characters who surface during Cecil's frantic search don't technically move the plot forward, they richen the narrative. Likewise, the characters encountered by Cecil and Todd as they forego the bus and hitchhike to Centralia add rich texture, though the plot would work just fine without them.
A lesser writer might have condensed these scenes, writing off the minor characters as distractions who play no significant role in advancing the plot. But Straley understands that it's the fleeting moments and the passing glances that flavor our lives, and he knows enough to bypass the "rules."
Monday, November 10, 2008
THE LANGUAGE OF HAPPINESS
You Alaskans will be happy to know that the weather has cooled a bit in San Diego, down to a respectable 65 degrees or so. Yesterday I went sailing in blustery conditions that reminded me of Alaska's seas, a way toned-down version of the stuff you see on The Deadliest Catch. My adrenaline surged with the swells, and my very competent son at the tiller said he wasn't sure anyone had ever made such good use of the grip rail as I.
I'd just finished reading John Straley's Death and the Language of Happiness, with scenes set in Unalaska that should be required reading of Deadliest Catch fans. Straley tweaks the PI genre with his self-proclaimed passive-aggressive cynical hero, Cecil Younger, who manages to both fit and defy the stereotypical screw-up detective. Minor characters are lovingly quirky and charmingly realistic, from a hook-handed child to Younger's "special needs" roommate to the free-wheeling Unalaska chief of police.
In an earlier post, I commented on the comparatively small amount of Alaskan literary fiction. But Straley's deft prose is a delectable blend of the commercial and the literary. I'll have more to say later about how he accomplishes that.
I'd just finished reading John Straley's Death and the Language of Happiness, with scenes set in Unalaska that should be required reading of Deadliest Catch fans. Straley tweaks the PI genre with his self-proclaimed passive-aggressive cynical hero, Cecil Younger, who manages to both fit and defy the stereotypical screw-up detective. Minor characters are lovingly quirky and charmingly realistic, from a hook-handed child to Younger's "special needs" roommate to the free-wheeling Unalaska chief of police.
In an earlier post, I commented on the comparatively small amount of Alaskan literary fiction. But Straley's deft prose is a delectable blend of the commercial and the literary. I'll have more to say later about how he accomplishes that.
Friday, November 7, 2008
ALASKAN AUTHORS WEEKLY ROUND-UP
Sunny, eighty degrees, not a single cloud marring a stunning blue sky, walking the boardwalk along the ocean, watching a seal bob up in the water, sipping my mango-green tea smoothie.
That's right - I'm not in Anchorage anymore. Not for the next few days anyhow. Taking off for San Diego, the woman seated next to me complained that Alaska was just too cold. I was ready to stick up for my home, enumerating all that's wonderful about life in the Far North, but now that I'm here, well, I have to admit warmth is a very good thing.
On the flight down, I read some great John Straley, which I'll comment on next week. I kept thinking of what Sophie R. said in the 49 Writers discussion last weekend: "For me, all John Straley’s writing is infused with a feeling of homecoming. I can open any of his novels, including ‘The Big Both Ways’ which I read as soon as it came out in spring, open any one, anywhere at all, start reading, and instantly feel comforted, reassured, safe. And this is not because unpleasant things don’t happen. We know that his books aren’t like that. Lots of bad things happen to his characters - physical violence, emotional abuse, unfortunate circumstances, foolish decisions - and all those awful things lead to pain and loneliness and something close to despair. But the despair never wins."
If you didn't get a chance to participate in the discussion at 49 Writers, it's well worth going back to read the many insightful comments.
Speaking of despair, the economics of writing keeps getting worse. Harper reported 3rd quarter losses of $3 million. At Scholastic, workforce reductions are underway. Look for a leaner and meaning publishing industry. Another reason to enjoy the sunshine while I can.
That's right - I'm not in Anchorage anymore. Not for the next few days anyhow. Taking off for San Diego, the woman seated next to me complained that Alaska was just too cold. I was ready to stick up for my home, enumerating all that's wonderful about life in the Far North, but now that I'm here, well, I have to admit warmth is a very good thing.
On the flight down, I read some great John Straley, which I'll comment on next week. I kept thinking of what Sophie R. said in the 49 Writers discussion last weekend: "For me, all John Straley’s writing is infused with a feeling of homecoming. I can open any of his novels, including ‘The Big Both Ways’ which I read as soon as it came out in spring, open any one, anywhere at all, start reading, and instantly feel comforted, reassured, safe. And this is not because unpleasant things don’t happen. We know that his books aren’t like that. Lots of bad things happen to his characters - physical violence, emotional abuse, unfortunate circumstances, foolish decisions - and all those awful things lead to pain and loneliness and something close to despair. But the despair never wins."
If you didn't get a chance to participate in the discussion at 49 Writers, it's well worth going back to read the many insightful comments.
Speaking of despair, the economics of writing keeps getting worse. Harper reported 3rd quarter losses of $3 million. At Scholastic, workforce reductions are underway. Look for a leaner and meaning publishing industry. Another reason to enjoy the sunshine while I can.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
THE HARDEST PART
What's the hardest part of writing a novel? In A New Chapter in Our Lives, YA author May Vanderbilt posts about how she struggles with a book's beginning. In contrast, I love beginning. The project feels fresh and new. It's fun to work and rework the first few chapters, discovering people and places that inhabit the world of your story.
Middles are tougher. The adrenaline surge fizzles, and the end is nothing but a vague promise. Tough questions surface. Do I really know these characters? Will readers get what moves them? Poking at soft, saggy places in the story, I have to remind myself that this is just my crappy first draft. I feel like I'm teetering on a narrow ledge between the need to just finish the dang thing and the need to analyze everything I've written so far.
Because they're so satisfying, I find myself sprinting toward endings. Pacing is one of those many areas where it's crucial to get the perspective of another reader. Truth be told, none of it's easy. Even at the end, the very end, when the manuscript leaves your hands and moves into print, you feel an unease not unlike waking up as we did yesterday, the morning after a big election. It's over. Now what?
Middles are tougher. The adrenaline surge fizzles, and the end is nothing but a vague promise. Tough questions surface. Do I really know these characters? Will readers get what moves them? Poking at soft, saggy places in the story, I have to remind myself that this is just my crappy first draft. I feel like I'm teetering on a narrow ledge between the need to just finish the dang thing and the need to analyze everything I've written so far.
Because they're so satisfying, I find myself sprinting toward endings. Pacing is one of those many areas where it's crucial to get the perspective of another reader. Truth be told, none of it's easy. Even at the end, the very end, when the manuscript leaves your hands and moves into print, you feel an unease not unlike waking up as we did yesterday, the morning after a big election. It's over. Now what?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
WHO ARE WE?
You don't understand me.
Leave me alone.
It's not my fault.
That's not fair.
I need money.
If you've parented a teenager - or if you're honest about having been one yourself - you recognize these refrains. Having spent many years teaching as well as reading and writing about them, I must say there's nothing quite as exhilarating - or exasperating - as the quirky adolescent mentality.
Alaska is a young state, still thrashing around in the throes of adolescence as we struggle to find our way in the world. With a balance of red and blue representation at the state level, we demonstrate a healthy mix of viewpoints and attitudes. But in sending the Old Guard back to Washington, we're wallowing in our adolescent ways, flaunting the belligerence of our convicted Senator and arrogant Congressman.
In literature, adolescents confront fundamental questions about who they are and progress toward healthy, responsible adulthood. The journey isn't easy or pleasant, but there's satisfaction in growing into a sense of oneself. Some, however, get stuck in adolescence. They spend their lives shirking responsibility, whining about being misunderstood, and blaming everyone but themselves.
Alaskans are better than that. We will one day let go of our childish ways, foregoing our sense of entitlement, replacing rebellion with healthy skepticism, and coming into a fuller understanding of who we are.
At least that's how it ends in all the good books.
Leave me alone.
It's not my fault.
That's not fair.
I need money.
If you've parented a teenager - or if you're honest about having been one yourself - you recognize these refrains. Having spent many years teaching as well as reading and writing about them, I must say there's nothing quite as exhilarating - or exasperating - as the quirky adolescent mentality.
Alaska is a young state, still thrashing around in the throes of adolescence as we struggle to find our way in the world. With a balance of red and blue representation at the state level, we demonstrate a healthy mix of viewpoints and attitudes. But in sending the Old Guard back to Washington, we're wallowing in our adolescent ways, flaunting the belligerence of our convicted Senator and arrogant Congressman.
In literature, adolescents confront fundamental questions about who they are and progress toward healthy, responsible adulthood. The journey isn't easy or pleasant, but there's satisfaction in growing into a sense of oneself. Some, however, get stuck in adolescence. They spend their lives shirking responsibility, whining about being misunderstood, and blaming everyone but themselves.
Alaskans are better than that. We will one day let go of our childish ways, foregoing our sense of entitlement, replacing rebellion with healthy skepticism, and coming into a fuller understanding of who we are.
At least that's how it ends in all the good books.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
WRITING HISTORY
Today we're all authors. If you haven't already, get out and vote in this historic election. Alaska, the nation is watching.
Monday, November 3, 2008
ALASKAN ANGST
Normally I figure I'm beyond the adolescent angstiness of worrying what others think, but in the face of tomorrow's election I've regressed. "What will the rest of the country think of Alaska," I fret, "if we re-elect a convicted felon and a buffoon who has spent a million dollars on legal defense? And if they wake up with a vice-president whose foreign policy experience amounts to supposedly seeing Russia from her home state?"
Even though I've heard Alaska's getting positive attention from all this flap, I didn't believe it until I read "Author Gains from Interest in Alaska" in today's Publisher's Weekly. Sales of Seth Kantner's two remarkable books, Ordinary Wolves and Shopping for Porcupine, have soared during the past several weeks, and he's drawing crowds at public appearances, presumably without the name-calling and slurs that Palin stirs up.
In his PW interview, Kantner reiterates that while she may claim to know the real America, Palin is bad for real Alaska. If her candidacy is helping the sale of good books, I'll set aside my angst. But I'd still prefer we Alaskans not embarrass ourselves tomorrow.
Even though I've heard Alaska's getting positive attention from all this flap, I didn't believe it until I read "Author Gains from Interest in Alaska" in today's Publisher's Weekly. Sales of Seth Kantner's two remarkable books, Ordinary Wolves and Shopping for Porcupine, have soared during the past several weeks, and he's drawing crowds at public appearances, presumably without the name-calling and slurs that Palin stirs up.
In his PW interview, Kantner reiterates that while she may claim to know the real America, Palin is bad for real Alaska. If her candidacy is helping the sale of good books, I'll set aside my angst. But I'd still prefer we Alaskans not embarrass ourselves tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
