reading

afterword

Outside a few minutes ago, the downpour at a lull. The sky cinereal - a dusky gray tapestry around and above the buildings, the skyline. The mist and haze, and few cars and sporadic pedestrains, conjures a slightly hallucinatory neighborhood mural. My hair, getting longer now, tossed and and twirled in a dewy crescendo of wind.

This mood of nature induces a sense of melancholy. It gives pause. Instills quiescence. It's my favorite weather.

It is suddenly monsoon season here - a so-called “Nor’easter” has struck. I am happy to be inside on this soaked Sunday. And after yesterday and last night, I need a respite, and if being lugubrious is a part of this brief Sunday intermission in a hectic life, then so be it.

Yesterday afternoon I went to the Third Annual New York Round Table Writers' Conference at the Small Press Center. I networked a bit, passed out promotional materials for the Falling From the Sky anthology, imbibed some red wine, and was hit on by an irrtiating, self-absorbed young woman (I could only think to myself at the time, Writers are so annoying - and yeah, as you know by now, I'm a writer). As I made my escape, I extinguished that thought since, hey, I'm not annoying (no contrarian comments necessary from the This Side of the City fanbase, thank you).

I then attended a discussion panel, “Big, Small, or Me: Commercial vs. Small vs. University Presses." Susan Driscoll of iUniverse (a well-regarded self-publishing company) was a member of the panel. Afterward, I approached her and we spoke for a while. We discussed the self-publishing paradigm in a bit more depth. I also gave her Falling From the Sky materials, and commented that I was the editor (of course). She told me that iUniverse always has opportunities for freelance editors (they pay by the word), and that the work is steady. She gave me her business card and told me to get in touch with her directly. So, I will. And with that said, it appears quite possible that I could have some additional editing work, along with additional income.

I was asked last night, "Are you an editor or a writer?" I answered, "Both." The follow-up question: "But which one are you first?" Well, I'm a writer (see above).

Before the closing event of the conference, an interview with well-known author Richard Ford, I met a couple of fellow writers. We had a friendly conversation, full of witty banter and acerbic asides, and found that our attitudes and opinions regarding, well… writing, publishing, and life in general were similar. So after the Ford interview (he was kind of dull and not funny), I grabbed some food from the buffet and we charged off to a Midtown bar on 45th. Several beers were consumed and the tête-à-tête continued. It was some Scottish holiday, apparently, and the Perfect Pint was rife with kilts and bagpipes, so often the discussion consisted of yelling and exaggerated gestures. We absconded from Midtown and the mischief continued late into the night. Late. At the end of this unexpected evening, phone numbers and info were exchanged, and I got home at 4:30. I wish I could have slept in longer, and usually the lull of heavy rains and intemperate weather helps, but there is much to accomplish today.

One of my writers for Falling From the Sky is flying into the city on Wednesday. She and I have been in touch via email, and we plan to meet up for a cocktail or three one on Friday or Saturday night. It is always interesting to hang out and drink with fellow writers, as duly noted above.

Now, shunning the malaise and stretching out sore limbs, I have to put together and informal cover letter for Susan Driscoll, take a look at the refurbished résumé, put in some time on a couple of manuscripts, and get back to the promotion of Falling From the Sky.

Forward momentum.

Are you with me? Am I with me?

network

And now, a public service announcement. The Writers' Conference, held here in New York City, is a valuable annual event where the writer can attend workshops and seminars, network and mingle with agents, publishers, industry professionals, and fellow writers, trade ideas, etc.

The Small Press Center: The New York Center for Independent Publishing is sponsoring the third annual New York Round Table Writers' Conference to be held Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14, 2007, at 20 West 44th Street, between 5th and 6th Avenues in midtown Manhattan at the landmark General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen Library.

The Third Annual New York Round Table Writers' Conference