Hello Miami!

Great to have a few nights at home, cook up a batch of bolognese, and regroup before heading off to Miami and the always fabulous Miami Book Fair where I will celebrate both Providence Noir and Knitting Pearls on Sunday. For full schedule go to www.miamibookfair.com. 

I arrive Saturday in time to have a cocktail with my wonderful brilliant editor Jill Bialosky, who is there for her novel The Prize. Check it out. And her terrific book of poems The Players. 

Then we will head to dinner at Les and Kimberly Standiford's house: the only house I know with its own center tiki bar. 

Sunday, panels and interviews. Schmoozing with pals. Home by afternoon Monday. 

See you there?

Knitting Pearls goes to Northampton

Wednesday at 7pm at Broadside Bookshop with the ever fabulous Cathi Hanauer. 

We have been having so much fun knitting and reading our way around the country! And Knitting Pearls was the bestselling book at Hickory Stick Books in CT last week!

Here's a photo from last night at Porter Square Books in Cambridge with Steve Almond and his knitting son. Recognize the hat?

Steve Almond, Knitting Pearls, and me! Tonight!

7pm at Porter Square Books. Bring your knitting and come say hi!

Knitting Pearls and me in Providence tonight!

Come knit and say hi at 7pm at Books on the Square!

Knitting Pearls takes NY

Jand continues its tour this week in Providence at Books on the Square on November 12 at 7; Washington CT at Hickory Stick with Dani Shapiro and Ann Leary on November 13 at 4; in Middletown RI at Island Books on November 15 at 2 (where Knitting Pearls meets Providence Noir and authors Taylor Polites, Hester Kaplan, Thomas Cobb, and Kaylie Jones join me).

I'm hopeful that these upcoming events will be as fabulous as the ones I just did, first with An Italian Wife at Spoken Interludes and then with Knitting Pearls contributors Perri Klass, Cathi Hanauer, Bill Roorbach, Ann Leary, and Stephanie Danler at the UES Barnes and Noble. 

Here we are last night:

 

Coming August 2016!

Can you jumpstart your memoir in one week? Yes you can!

December 7-11. Online:

http://web.fawc.org/24-pearl-street/jumpstart-your-memoir


Jumpstart Your Memoir:

In his book on the craft of writing, Stephen King says: the scariest moment is just before you start. This workshop takes that moment and makes it less scary by asking you the right questions about what you are writing and why. Then we will move on to how to begin, and by the end of our week you will have your first 1-3 pages and a road map of where to go next. 

Whether you're stuck in a draft that isn't working, having trouble organizing your story, or just unable to get started, this workshop will help you. 

I will post points for discussion every morning. Your responses by 5:00 that same day will include answering questions to help you get started on your memoir. On our last day, you will post 1-3 opening pages and an outline of your memoir. Everyone will post responses to that by 5:00 that day. 

At the end of our workshop, I will mail you a personal feedback letter that will include my thoughts on your opening and how to tweak it and your outline, as well as suggestions for going forward and reading recommendations. 

Stephen King also says: you can, you should, and if you're brave enough to start, you will. In this workshop, you will!

Come study with me in Cuba in May!

I just got one of those exciting emails: The Cuba Writing Conference is almost full!

Don't miss out on this great opportunity! (I'm counting the days already)

https://cubawritersprogram.wordpress.com/

It's getting busy here!

Pub day for Knitting Pearls is fast approaching! I've got lots of really fun events coming up, with my wonderful contributors. So pick up your knitting needles and come join us!

Monday November 9, Ann Leary, Cathi Hanaeur, Perri Klass, Stephanie Danler, and Bill Roorbach will join me at the Barnes and Noble at 86 and Lex in NYC at 7 PM. 

I'll be solo at Books in the Square in Providence on November 12 at 7 PM. 

Then on November 13, Dani Shapiro and Ann Leary and I will be at The Hickory Stick in CT at noon. 

November 15 brings Knitting Pearls and Providence Noir together at Island Books in Middletown RI at 2 with Providence Noir contributors Hester Kaplan, Taylor Polites, and Tom Cobb. (Shhh...I think Long Island Noir editor and fabulous writer Kaylie Jones might be there too)

Steve Almond and Bill Roorbach will be with me at Porter Square Books in Boston on November 16 at 7. 

Cathi Hanauer and I will be together at Broadside Books in Northhampton MA at 7 PM on November 18. 

Then Nick Flynn and Cynthia Chinnely will be on a panel with me at the Miami Book Fair on Sunday November 22 at 3:30. 

December 2 finds me at Yarn Cellar in York Maine at 6. 

The very next night, December 3, Bill Roorbach, Lily King, Melissa Coleman and I will be in the Events Room in the Glickman Library at USM in Portland Maine at 6. 

Then I fly to Albuquerque on December 4 for an event at Book Works at 7 PM. 

Monday December 7 I'll be knitting at Titcomb's on Cape Cod from 1-3. 

And I will wrap up in Buffalo at Falling Leaves Bookstore on December 16. 

Meanwhile I'm busily knitting up lots of Purl Soho's basic cuffed hats. The pattern is in Knitting Pearls!