SheWrites, a social networking site for women, celebrated their one-year anniversary last night by organizing meet-ups all over the country. I headed out by myself to the DC meeting, tired, slightly anxious, and thinking I need another social network like I need a hole in my head. Surpise: I came home with books-in-hand and knowing 3 cool local writers (writer/organizer/yoga teacher Ananda Leeke, novelist Mary L. Tabor, and journalist/soon-to-be-published memoirist Glen Finland. ) Sometimes it’s good to just get over myself and get out.
Archive for June, 2010
30
Jun
10
SheWrites
19
Jun
10
Book Trailers: Who knew?
Apparently you don’t just judge a book by its cover these days, but by its video, also known as a book trailer. Thanks to the talents of music video director Joseph Pattisall, now our Robot Hearts antho has its own. Music by Stephen Sellers of Low Victor Echo (my husband’s former band), artwork by Tony Acosta. It’s simple but captures the essence of the book, using actual text from our contributors. I can’t stop watching it. I am so lucky to be blessed with artistic friends.
18
Jun
10
Scenes from New York
My feet are soaking while spirits are soaring from a pavement-pounding whirlwind 36 hours in New York promoting Robot Hearts, a modern-love anthology I co-edited with Cara Bruce. It was a wild night at Abiola’s Kiss & Tell Reading Series, held in the bordello-like lounge of Madame X. Got to meet some of the fabulous RH contributors and check out the talents of others in the line-up, including amazing Joni-Mitchell-gone-wrong singer/songwriter comedian Jessica Delfino and Let’s Talk About Pep’s Kittie Troy. What really made my night was old friends who crawled out of the woodwork and back into my heart by making the effort to come see me while I was in their town. Note to self: red lights in graffitied bathroom mirrors make me look good. Thanks, New York!
14
Jun
10
I Heart Robot Hearts
I’ve been in a bunch of anthologies but have a new appreciation for the work involved in actually pulling one together, now that I’ve co-edited my first, with friend Cara Bruce. Robot Hearts: True and Twisted Tales of Seeking Love in the Digital Age, was born out of a love for stories and living vicariously through others involved in the phenomenon of internet dating. Here’s our first interview together, talking about the book. We’re making our first public appearance with some of the contributors in NY on Tuesday at Abiola’s Kiss & Tell Reading Series. Can’t wait to see what happens!
09
Jun
10
Garden of Eating
Eden’s sits tucked away in a historic house just minutes off of Interstate 95. They have been open since 2003–no easy feat when you’re located in both North Carolina and in the hometown of Smithfield Foods, operators of the biggest slaughterhouse in the US (as featured in the film Food Inc. for their carelessness regarding human and animal rights). The food and service at Eden’s was exquisite. We had beancake, veggie BBQ “ribs,” steamed vegetables, and field peas with rice, served by the amazing Chef Alex himself. The survival of this restaurant in this state and town is just the kind of subversion that gives me hope. If you’re traveling through North Carolina, stop by and fill your belly up–you will NOT be disappointed.
