POLAND

Oh, and how did this slip my mind? The Stone Child is going to be published in Poland! In Polish! Wow. If I had a wishlist for foreign editions of my book, Poland was definitely at the top. Mission accomplished.

My grandparents will be able to read it!

Random House Subsidiary Rights rocks my world.

;^) Dan

In Defense of Must Love Dogs

You know what? I'm gonna go right ahead and defend the film version of "Must Love Dogs."

Because, I don't know why... I just kind of liked it. Maybe it was all the dappled golden sunlight. And the Diane Lane. And the dogs. I love dogs. And really... who cares?

Cheers,
Dan

The Learning Curve

I've met a few authors in my time--all lovely people. Recently, I had the opportunity to hang out with some new very cool ones, authors, that is.

As my publication date approaches, I've been totally stressed... I don't even know why any more... but talking with other writers, and their own experiences of the publishing process has been enlightening... I finally understand that what I'm feeling is totally normal. That everything that has been happening recently with my book (wonderful and perplexing, both), has happened to many, many people before.

So I just wanted to say, I'm happy I've found I'm not alone in all this craziness. Much of it has been extraordinarily exciting... but I suppose when you're on the verge of materializing one of your long-term dreams, every little thing might start to freak you out. Now that I know that this is just how it all works, I think I can get on with my day.

Just putting it out there... in perspective for myself I suppose, and I'm grateful for the opportunity. So grateful!

Cheers,
Dan

Saturday morning

Well, here I am, listening to the sounds of construction just outside my bedroom window on a Saturday morning. Not that annoying. Just a little scraping now and again.

Trying to settle into the new apartment, but I seem to have a strong aversion to unpacking boxes. Maybe it's that I know most of them are filled with books. And once you unpack a box of books, they mostly just sit on the floor, especially if you don't have proper bookshelves--so for now, it just seems more organized this way.

I'm not sure what I want to do with my day. I haven't gotten back into a good writing routine ever since I turned in my last manuscript--a while ago--and since I'm waiting for my editorial letter this week, I just feel like anything I put on paper will be interrupted... which, I suppose, is okay...

Went out to see the 1944 version of The Picture of Dorian Gray with a bunch of friends last night at the Rubin Museum on 17th street. Their deal is you can buy a drink at the bar, and get a ticket for the movie screening downstairs... Pretty cool. A few weeks ago, we went to see Gaslight. And August is chock full of options... The Shining. Alice in Wonderland. Labyrinth. ("Starring Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie, and a whole lot of goblins") Tron.

It's a pretty cool place. I think it beats the overly attended, once upon a time fun, Bryant Park Movie night... now that you have to get there right when they open the lawn (430?) just to get a spot, and the wait 5 hours... it doesn't seem to be the lark it used to.

Oh well, things change... NYC especially.

Happy Weekend!
Dan

What a week

I won't go into specifics... so this post is sort of pointless.

Let's just say, I'm really, really, really, ready for my book to be out in the world. I'm really, really, really looking forward to hearing your thoughts and such.

I'm ready to keeping working on the next project--big or small.

I'm ready to plant a garden. Too bad my back yard is concrete!

One funny story: I just moved into a new apartment in Park Slope. A little cat has been hanging out just outside my bedroom window, in the tiny, creepy dark alley. Sometimes at night, I hear his collar jangling... Anyway, I told my friend Ethan about him, that the kitty had hopped up onto my windowsill and rubbed a hello against the screen.

Well earlier today, Ethan was hanging out. He asked me, hey has your kitty friend been back to visit. I was about to say no, when I turned and found him sitting on the ramshackle little fence just outside the window, staring at us...

His ears must have been burning.

Cheers,
dan

Alarm Clock

Here's something weird. Every time my alarm clock went off this morning, I dreamt I turned over and hit snooze. But then I was confused when it kept ringing. I was like, "Doesn't snooze work anymore?" But it was only a dream of turning off the alarm. And I did this for and hour and a half.

Boo.

Off to the Country

Things I'm excited about for this weekend:

An Amtrak Trip to New England along the Connecticut and RI coastline.

My mom's screen porch.

Barbecues (hotdogs, blackened).

Jet-skis.

Patio boats.

Reading my library books: Cicada Summer by Andrea Beatty and The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman.

Rum punch.

Kayaking around little islands with small cabins nestled within the trees.

Beer.

Wine.

Swimming!

Gabbing with gays.

Telling everyone that I'm up at Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg.

And that's the truth. Pthpppth!

Cheers!