Tag Archives: books

L: Literature

2020 A to Z Challenge, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A to Z Challenge: My theme this year is NYC before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

LITERATURE: Just a tiny departure from my usual dual format because topics I kept coming up with all had to do with literature. Plus, literature is near and dear to me and now is the perfect time to load up on lit. A couple of my favorite literary-related L’s I came up with for the before part are Lear (as in King) and Library Lions (as in the stone sentinels of the New York City Public Library).

When a visiting friend had an extra ticket to see Glenda Jackson and Ruth Wilson in the Broadway production of King Lear, I jumped at the offering. Closing a month early, it wasn’t a hugely popular production, one critic calling it “confoundingly muddled,” and another describing it as a “hot, heavy mess.” Despite the reviews, I enjoyed it, marveling at how anyone can memorize and perform an entire Shakespeare play. It is no easy feat. Seeing Tony-winner (and 84-year-old!) Glenda Jackson on stage got checked off my to-see-in-life list that I didn’t even know was on there. I also got to score an autograph from Ruth Wilson, one of my favorite actresses.

The New York Public Library‘s stone lions are also a symbol of literary magic. Patience and Fortitude are the names of the two Tennessee marble lions seated outside the historic library since its opening in 1911. They didn’t get their monikers until the 1930s when Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia named them for the qualities he felt New Yorkers would need to survive the economic depression. Uh, sound familiar? These lions have seen a lot and just last year, were professionally cleaned and restored. I have to include a few shots I took last year of the beautiful library itself:

As for my current literature fix, I have a few to highly recommend:

I absolutely LOVED The Book of Delights and it’s the perfect antidote to feeling miserable. I’ve nearly finished White Fragility; every white person on the planet needs to read this book. I’ve learned a helluva lot about myself (talk about self-reflection). The Far Pavilions is probably my all-time favorite book and at 955 pages, it’s ideal for riding out a quarantine.

What are you reading? Please share!

Help a Writer and an Illustrator Out (Not talking about me)

Authors, , , , , ,

David Kulczyk is a talented author friend of mine who is published under the same imprint as my first book, Folsom’s 93. David’s previous titles, Death in California, California’s Fruits, Flakes & Nuts, and California Justice are excellent true crime reads; I highly recommend them. For his forthcoming book, about the murdering ladies of the golden state, he’s hired an illustrator to provide original drawings. David is working with Oalf Jens, an amazing illustrator, but of course, it costs money. If you’d like to help a couple of guys out, check out David’s Go Fun Me; every little bit helps.

Go Fund MeAs David says, “being a writer is a tough row to hoe.” Because of my own fondness for whacked out, historical true crime, I’m enthusiastic about this new book. Also, tune in and listen to David on True Murder podcast; it’s a great interview.

Thanks!

California Fruits, Flakes & Nuts

Mid-week Updates

Writing, , , , ,

Even though I’m taking a bit of a break these last several weeks, the world apparently keeps turning. I wanted to let you in a few tidbits of happenings. 
goodreads

First, head on over to Goodreads and enter a chance to win my latest novel, Bobbing for Watermelons. The fact that it’s National Watermelon Month ought to enhance your reading experience, right? 

This week, I’m at The Writing Bug ranting about rules. I like rules . . . just don’t ask me to adhere to them playing Monopoly, because I won’t. 

My flash fiction piece, “An Affair to Forget” is in Baby Shoes: 100 Stories by 100 Authors, available for pre-order and can be yours on July 20th. There are some amazing authors featured in the book and I’m excited to check them out. And flash fiction—how fun is that to read?!

And finally, check out the NCW Podcast where Rich Keller speaks to authors, industry professionals, and everything writing. I’ll be on an upcoming episode with my fellow Hot Chocolate Press author, Kelly Baugh. We discussed Geriatric Erotica . . . seriously. So look out for that episode.

Happy writing! 

V for Vested

2015 A to Z Challenge, , , ,

V is for Vested 2015 A to Z Challenge -- April J. MooreThis is my grandmother holding her first grandchild—my sister. Even before Amy was born, Grandma had a vested interest in her. No monies, just love. Of course the gains on that investment repaid ten fold. 

We often hear writers reference their books as their babies. There’s a lot of truth to this: we labor over it for months, or years and it can be painful and joyous. Just as squeezing something the size of a football out of something the size of pea, is one helluva accomplishment, so is writing a book—usually. (Not to minimize childbirth, but go with me on this.)

In addition to time, writers put a lot of blood, sweat, and plenty of tears, into their work, so to say they have a vested interest in their book, is an understatement. Being emotionally vested is no joke. The idea, would be that in return for the emotional turmoil of writing a fantastic book, the writer gets paid (yes, please) and that the book receives high praise. Right? We all want to experience some level of success, that of which, is different for everyone.

Do you feel this way about your work? Do you feel devastated if your work isn’t received as well as you hoped? Do you think that the amount of work you put forth into your writing is worth every writing hour; every rip-you-hair-out moment; every agonizing editing session? Or is it easier for you to cut your losses and move on if a writing investment doesn’t go as planned? 

Where do you draw the line between love and business?

A to Z Challenge 2015

Announcement: Upcoming Readings Feb. 24th

Books, , , , ,

Reading by Writers feb 24 2015If you’re in the area, stop by Bas Bleu Theatre in Fort Collins at 7:00 p.m. on February 24th, for an evening of readings. I’ll be joining my fellow Northern Colorado writers who are presenting their poetry, novel excerpts, or essays. I’ll be reading from my upcoming novel, Bobbing for Watermelons that’s due out next month. Tickets are $5 and you’ll also have an opportunity to purchase books, if you feel so inclined. Hope to see you there!

Bobbing for Watermelons by April J. Moore

 

The Gift of Reading

Authors, Book Promotion, Books, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

If you’re in the Fort Collins area, I want to let you know about Lattes & Literature, a book fair featuring local author books as well as some delicious caffeinated concoctions. It all goes down Dec. 11 at Ft. Collins Coffeehouse . . .
Lattes and LiteratureFor those history geeks in the family, you’ll be able to pick up my book, Folsom’s 93, but if you’re not in the area and don’t feel like a road trip, it’s also available from these fine local booksellers: Old Firehouse Books, The Eclectic Reader or from the big guys: Amazon and B&N.

Folsom's 93 by April Moore

Among these local scribes who’ll also have her book available is Kerrie Flanagan with Claire’s Christmas Catastrophe, a children’s book for 7-10-year-olds. For the writer in the family, she’ll have Write Away: A Year of Musings and Motivations for Writers available as well.
Flanagan.jpgThere are also some author signings coming up that you don’t want to miss out on.

Dean K. Miller will be at Lo Co Artisan Coffeehouse in Loveland, CO on December 12, from 6 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. signing copies of Echoes: Reflections Through Poetry and Verse.

Echoes: Reflections Through Poetry and Verse by Dean K. Miller

Patricia Stoltey will be at The Eclectic Reader December 13th from 1:00-3:00 signing copies of her 3rd book, a stand alone suspense-thriller, Dead Wrong. 

Dead WrongSome other great titles you’ll want to get your hands on is Sheala Henke’s YA, IDEA-33: A Regeneration
idea 33And Nancy L. Reed’s Words Left Behind: Tales From a Life Gladly Lived
Words Left Behind
One of my favorite children’s books that just came out is Count the Clouds, by M.C. Myers that has incredible illustrations and comes with a CD and digital download for a sing-along good time. 
count the cloudsAll right, that’s about it for now. (And just so you know, I wouldn’t promote any ol’ writers; these are very talented, high caliber authors whose company I’m humbled to be in.)

Coffee, Zombies and Apocalypses

Authors, Books, , , , , ,

It must have been the gradual cooling of my heated mattress pad that woke me up. The power was out. Granted, it was 7:45 AM and I should have been up anyway, but still. How rude. All right, North Korea, you’re really starting to piss me off. Actually, my first thought was, Am I going to have to take my zombie-face to Starbucks? Panic set in. When you don’t know where your next cup of coffee is going to come from—if at all—things can get hairy pretty fast. I texted my friends who live in The Sac with me. (This is the name all of us have given to our cul-de-sac). One was about to break out the camp stove to brew some beans. I was ready to trek over in my bunny slippers, cup in hand, when bleep! Power returned. Crisis averted. Whew! Because any major apocalypse before my morning coffee is just plain mean.

Perhaps deep down, I was thinking about The Dog Stars, that I just finished for book club. It’s only the second post-apocalyptic novel I’ve read, and incidentally, they both are set in Northern Colorado. A little advice . . . when first diving into reading about this subject matter, you may not want to start out with books that take place where you live. The first, was Brian Kaufman’s Dead Beyond the Fence: A Novel of the Zombie Apocalypse. Not a good apocalypse to be around for, not that it’s even possible to put a positive spin on an apocalypse.

TDS

So, it sounds like most of the gals in my book club really loved The Dog Stars. We’re meeting next week to discuss it. I have to say, I didn’t love it, but I certainly didn’t hate it either. Overall, however, it was good and very well done.  What did you think of the book? And what other post-apocalyptic (I’m getting real good at spelling that correctly the first time!) books do you recommend? (preferably ones set outside of Colorado)?