It’s Halloween and the boys are going nuts.  They carved pumpkins all on their own this year.  In the past, we’ve had to help them.  Not this time.  Very sophisticated stuff, one was so sophisticated that it was assumed that I had carved it, Dave and his arty pumpkins.  Nope.  Twas my son.  Drew it free-hand.  My other son made a very complex pumpkin — one of the eyes didn’t work out, so he was bummed.  They’re going back and forth about whether this will be the last year of trick or treating, as they think they might be too old next year (too cool?) to trick or treat.  They actually want to do it, don’t want to give it up, but there’s peer pressure involved.  Sixth grade.  What a concept.

Maybe I won’t blog today.  Hmm. 

I have added two events to my schedule, which you can also find in “Press Kit” on this site. 

November 10th, Monday, at 7 p.m. I will be at the Ojai Art Center, in Ojai, California, to give a talk, answer questions, and sign books. 

November 19th, Wednesday, at 7 p.m. I will be at Esowon Bookstore in Leimert Park, in Los Angeles, to give a talk, answer questions and also sign books.  Esowon is at 4331 Degnan Boul

Great opportunity to win a first edition hard back copy of Sweetsmoke, signed to you by the author (who would be…?). 

http://bookreviewsbybobbie.wordpress.com/

“These are the times that try men’s souls.”  Thomas Paine.

Elections, the economy.  We have been here before, and each insurmountable crisis has been somehow surmounted, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.  We will do so again. 

A rather dull posting for today, other than the Paine quote, but I am feeling dull and slow, looking forward to yoga later on, running dull errands, setting up a schedule for my trip to the Bay Area. 

You know, I’m a lucky guy.  I get to go to bookstores, cool places like Book Soup, and speak to people about my novel.  I get to tell stories about how it was written, about my background and what in my background led to the writing of the book.  I get to read passages from the book.  I get to answer questions.   Sometimes it seems like I’m selling copies of Sweetsmoke one book at a time, but the response I’m getting from individuals has been wonderful. 

I was lucky to meet Connie again, over at Village Books in Pacific Palisades.  We had met at the BEA, when I was signing books there alongside Mark Frost.  She got a chance to read Sweetsmoke this weekend, and on Sunday sent me the most beautiful email about the book.  Don’t let any writer ever tell you they don’t like hearing from readers, especially when someone is a smart and thoughtful reader and has appreciated the things you spent years trying to do.  It’s important, and it keeps us going.  Thank you, Connie.  That was a big deal. 

Thank you to the Women’s National Book Association for hosting that excellent event at Book Soup (thank you Book Soup) yesterday.  Thank you Ruth, thank you Kelly, thank you Suzanne, thank you Ixta, thank you Lisa.  Thank you Julias, both of you. 

Today, I yam what I yam at Book Soup, talking about Sweetsmoke.  2 pm. 

Book Soup tomorrow at 2 pm.  In Los Angeles. 

A contest/giveaway for a copy of Sweetsmoke, hard back, first edition, signed to the winner by me, is about to begin at: 

Book Reviews By Bobbie http://bookreviewsbybobbie.wordpress.com/.

Go on and check it out.