Tag: reading-is-hot

The last one, I swear

I couldn’t stop posting in LJ today without first thanking everyone who helped make the signing at Murder By the Book so wonderful last night, including:

Those who e-mailed me beforehand to wish me luck.

Those who attended and purchased books. I have to make special note of the lovely woman who was sent by her friend, whytraven; some wonderful people who work with Tom; Trish, who’s been busy for a while getting her play ready to debut in February (there’ll be MUCH more news on that as the date approaches); and the usual suspects including Amy, Nora, Jason, Lindsey, and Rhonda.

Everything beyond the first row was pretty much a blur, and afterward, I squinted at a woman who held out a book for me to sign. “Who shall I sign it to?” I asked. “Princess Patti!” she answered. OMG. This is the lovely Pat, who I met when I worked at Bookstop and who is one of the greatest friends, teachers, and advisors I ever had. As she pointed out, we haven’t seen each other for nearly ten years, but still… I vow that from now on, I will wear my glasses. I can lie about being 35, but my eyes haven’t seen 35 in–uh, a long time. Pat will probably never read my LJ, but just in case, THANK YOU for coming, and that’s it. I’m coming to visit you SOON.

Here’s another nice surprise from the night.


Alan, who I first met at Crossroads, the now-closed Houston bookstore, showed up to be sweet to me and pick on Tim. Which is how we all like it.


Afterward, Lynne treated a few of us to dinner at Baba Yega. Here you see my mom, Lynne, me, and Tom, standing behind The Brides (because I still call them that), Rhonda and Lindsey.

Since I’m spoiled by having my writing partners sit next to me at signings, it was a tremendous relief to sign with two bright, funny, talented women whose new novels are set in Houston.


Me with Colleen Thompson, author of several books including Heat Lightning, and L.A. Starks, author of 13 Days: The Pythagoras Conspiracy. Please click on their names to visit their web sites.

Thank you to everyone at Murder By the Book, especially David and McKenna, for putting together a great event. And finally, I have to once again give props to the fantastic Dean James. Dean used to manage Murder By the Book. Though he’s now teaching and writing full time, he still made the effort to connect me to the store. It was good of them to host me as a local author even though I don’t write suspense or mystery. Dean has always been one of the most encouraging, positive, helpful authors I’ve ever met, as well as a delightful person.

Dean, writing as Jimmie Ruth Evans, will be signing his third Trailer Park Mystery, Best Served Cold, at Murder By the Book on January 6. I can’t wait!

The self-interview

I loved reading Tim’s self-interview that he snagged from an interview with Jennifer Weiner. Longtime readers of my LJ may remember that I was introduced to this concept by Shawn Lea at Everything and Nothing. The ones I’ve done have been fun or made me think and explore things I wouldn’t routinely think about. And as well as I know Tim, as long as we’ve been friends, and as closely as we’ve worked together, I still find out new things about him all the time. I’m not a big fan of surprises, but sometimes even I have to admit that surprises can be good.

I figured I’d do just the “sidebar” portion of Tim’s/Jennifer’s interview for fun.

SIDEBAR QUESTIONS
Age: Haven’t we covered this fiction in the past?
Birthplace: Germany (though I’m not German and have no German ancestors)
Education: B.S. from the University of Alabama, and enough graduate work to make me a big loser for not having finished my Masters
Favorite song, piece of music: When I write, I love to listen to R.E.M., Fleetwood Mac, the Beatles, U2, and George Michael. I’m always wanting songs that have a yearning tone when I write, but are so comfortably familiar that they don’t distract me from my work.
Biggest literary inspiration, book: Robert Ferro, Second Son. This actually probably changes depending on my mood on any given day, because as soon as I answered it, I thought of ten others.
Book re-read most often: Like Tim, the books from the “Buddies” cycle by Ethan Mordden, and also the seven “Williamsburg novels” by Elswyth Thane.
If I could only retain one book on a desert island, it would be: A collection of poems from every age. I think if I had enough poetry, I would always be able to create stories in my head.
Book I’ve read lately I’d recommend most: What I Did Wrong by John Weir. I’m really not just imitating Tim with some of these answers. It was the books we loved in common that helped us become friends in the first place.
Most meaningful line from any book or poem: There’s a poem by Erica Jong. I don’t remember the title or the rest of the poem, but one line has always stayed with me: No one could ever love her enough.

In the middle of the night


In this photo, Famous Author Greg Herren is:

a. Reacting in horror to the draft of an anthology by Timothy J. Lambert and Becky Cochrane that is almost completed.
b. Trying to find all fifty movies in that damn game that Marika linked to.
c. Looking at the time.


We’re bored. What can we do?


That’s right! We can read. Reading is HOT! And we’re not posing here. We’re really, really reading.


NOW we’re really reading. That Famous Author Rob Byrnes is a good writer.


Or is he?


Kidding, FARB! We love your novels.


At least most of us do.


Help me, FARB, I’m being lured to the pink side!

Reading is HOT!

I’ve photoshopped before and I can do it again.

Yesterday, FARB made me laugh with this tongue-in-cheek blog entry about the gay media.

So we are launching the (fictitious?) “Reading is HOT!” campaign. WE WILL NOT BE IGNORED, GAY MEDIA!

At least I didn’t have to photoshop this celebrity enjoying the second-best activity ever on a rainy day.


Oh, no, typo! (Kidding, FARB.)


Gratuitous nature shot: It really did rain hard at The Compound today.

Joe.My.God.

One of the blogs I like to read, Joe.My.God., has long been linked from Tim’s Live Journal. Among the reasons I’ve recommended the book FROM BOYS TO MEN is because Joe contributed to it. I love it when he writes about days gone by with his friends, even when he makes me cry (often). I enjoy the little views he provides of Manhattan, including photos of Manhattan buildings.

Today I was catching up on his last few blog entries and came to one called “Morning View–Food For Thought.” Like many people who deal with never-enough-space problems in NYC apartments, Joe uses his oven for storage. In this entry’s photo, we find out he’s storing books there. I maximized the photo, expecting to see the usual suspects–David Sedaris, Augusten Burroughs–and this is what I found. You can’t imagine how it lifted my spirits and put a shit-eating grin on my face…


Nothing says lovin’ like SOMEONE LIKE YOU in the oven…

Photo used with permission of Joe.My.God.

Dog Dads

A while back, someone sent dogrl an e-mail with the following information:

In a press release today, the National Institute of Health has announced the discovery of a potentially dangerous substance in the hair of dogs. This substance, called “amo-bacter canis,” has been linked with the following symptoms, especially in female humans:

Reluctance to cook
Reluctance to perform housework
Reluctance to wear anything but jeans or sweats
Reluctance to work except in support of a dog
Physical craving for contact with dogs (may be an addiction)

Beware: If you come in contact with a female human affected by this substance, be prepared to talk about dogs for hours on end.


This has been a Public Service Announcement.

Hmph. I suggested that this substance is just as likely to affect men. I then threatened to provide photographic proof. Ms. Dogrl was on that like amo-bacter canis on a dog. So, as evidence, I present the following photos.

click here for photos of proud dog dads

And the famous get famouser

Congratulations to Famous Author Rob Byrnes, whose new novel WHEN THE STARS COME OUT is now available online and from your local chain and independent bookstores. I was privileged to read the manuscript and I’ve just ordered my copy because I look forward to reading it again.

From Publisher’s Weekly: Byrnes… plumbs the depths of variously closeted men in this sly charmer. (C)lever dialogue and an astute rendering of the prices people pay to keep secrets buried add crossover appeal.

Rob also excerpted portions of the novel here and here. Buy and enjoy! And if you’re in NYC or DC, check out the sidebar on FARB’s site for information on signings and readings and really, just a chance to get drunk with FARB. Because who wouldn’t want that?

TJBfest 2006

For once, I took very few photos while everyone was here. I think because Paul was here and documenting everything so much better than I ever could. Once I get copies of his photos, I’ll post some of them.

The great reunion that happened after Jim’s arrival on Thursday and Timmy’s arrival with Paul on Friday only got better when Greg drove in from New Orleans on Saturday. And it wasn’t just because he opened his trunk to reveal this bounty of BBQ goodness:
Continue reading “TJBfest 2006”