From an e-mail from Rainbows & Triangles bookstore in NYC, news about one of my favorite authors:
Rainbows & Triangles Books welcomed Andrew Holleran with open arms last week as we and many others celebrated the publication of Holleran’s new novel, Grief from Hyperion Books.
Holleran Day began with his arrival at our store on a very rainy Wednesday noontime hour. We had put together a remarkable (if we do say so ourselves) window consisting of all of Holleran’s works, in every translation, cover, printing, etc. that we could get our hands on (the real coup in the window was the prepublication galley of Dancer From The Dance, then called THE Dancer from the Dance). As he walked toward the window, Holleran was beaming to see his work in innumerable forms, many of which he had never seen before. Holleran sat with pen in hand for a good hour, signing book after book for us, and regaling us and impromptu fans with wonderful stories.
The Center signing was spectacular — close to 200 Holleran fans packed the room (including every young literary lion around along with the estimable elder lions by the names of Larry Kramer and Edmund White). After the gracious and true Will Schwalbe, Editor-in-Chief of Hyperion Books, made the preliminary introductions, Holleran took the stage to an ovation eclipsing those of many a Carnegie Hall diva. Holleran then read (wonderfully) from Grief, followed by a fascinating chat/Q&A, deftly guided by Charles Flowers of the Lambda Literary Foundation. And then, Holleran met with his fans and friends, signing book after book.
*I know that because of subjunctive mood, the title should be “I wish I WERE in NYC,” but I don’t care. It’s part of my new Outlaw Mentality.
We’re trying to get Andrew to come to S&S next year. He is truly a delightful man–have known him for years. 🙂 (Aren’t you jealous?) He was also at the Lammys.
I’m not jealous at all. I think it’s WONDERFUL that you know him. Because you can introduce us. 😉
One of my favorite novels of all time is Holleran’s “Dancer from the Dance”. It’s so sad and touching, and remarkable when you consider the year that he wrote it in. I’d love to see it made into a film someday. That and “The Front Runner”. Both of those novels should have been adapted for the big screen long ago.
I will read anything that Andrew Holleran writes. Including his grocery list. I admire his work enormously, and if they could make a movie that would live up to the material, that would be fantastic.
As I’m sure you know, THE FRONT RUNNER movie has been talked about for years. When I had the great honor of meeting Patricia Nell Warren at Saints & Sinners, I told her I was excited about the latest rumor that Brad Pitt would play the coach. I was laughing when I said it, because when this first started, Paul Newman was still young and handsome enough to be the coach. Maybe by the time Brad Pitt’s kid is old enough to play the coach, we’ll get our movie? I guess that’s problematical since Brad Pitt’s baby is a girl…
What are you saying, girls can’t be coaches? Pig.
Smartass.
Becky honey, you need to get something into your head: Patricia Nell Warren and Andrew Holleran are your PEERS. Isn’t that a cool thought?
And Timothy is a smartass. But funny, and thats all that matters.
Greg, OMG, I have NO PEER. I’m an Aries! Seriously, I’ll probably always be dazzled by the fantastic writers who’ve given me so much pleasure and inspiration throughout my life. But you just put the hugest smile on my face by saying that. (And yes, Timothy IS the funny one. That is why it’s one of my fantasies to get him, you, and FARB at the same table so I can just sit back, listen, and weep with laughter.)
Or, you’ll weep and run for your life. Be careful what you wish for.
I totally get what you’re saying. I felt the same way when I met Armistead Maupin a few years ago. Yes, on the one hand he writes and I write, but there is something more to it when they have written something that has touched you so deeply. Awestruck? Starstruck? I don’t know. I just try not to act like to much of an idiot and frighten the poor bastards.
Do not approach the Authors too quickly. Do not frighten the Authors. Do not tap on glass. Authors may be larger than they appear on dust jackets. It is perfectly acceptable to discreetly slip large sums of cash into Authors’ jacket pockets. Please do not, however, cop a feel of Authors. Unless they seem to encourage that sort of thing.