Do authors still care what readers think? Are they writing for an audience? Is this “novel writing business” still about entertainment? I guess. Whatever. Consider me entertained, just make it Cormac McCarthy dark. If I ever meet the man, I’ll thank him for his contributions to the literary canon and like Mr. Franzen remind him it’s not his fault Oprah picked him.
The Misfortune of Marion Palm by Emily Culliton
This is worth your time, find it, and read this great, great novel. I can’t wait to see what Ms. Culliton writes next.
Henry Spark by Jason Rice
Henry dreamt about Mad Men, and he had become a writer for the show and sat around and watched his words come out of the actor’s mouths. The one Tylenol PM he had taken before bed made his dreams more intense, but he couldn’t tell if it was the drugs talking or something trapped in his brain.
Eastman Was Here by Alex Gilvarry
Now that is Mr. Gilvarry. That’s what writers are supposed to do, transport you, and entertain.
Carousel Court by Joe McGinniss Jr.
John Cheever was a surrealist but I think the suburbs made him crazy which allowed him to write they way he did. Raymond Carver presented a sculpted world littered with chiseled drunks, sloppy whores, baby killers, lovesick lovers, unwashed truckers, and belligerent bakers – never mind the loners down to their last bone marrow transplant. I re-read Carver’s Vitamins whenever I get down in the mouth about my fiction and that fills me with hope. I dare add, A.M. Homes is an heir to these suburban chestnuts, a daughter born out the bonfire they created.
Brian Koppelman’s Moment
At the start of every week I always look forward to who Brian Koppelman has interviewed on his podcast The Moment. Lately he’s been killing it. I came upon BK when Marc Maron interviewed him. Podcasting has taken the world by storm, and if you’re like me it is a great source of insightful interviews with creative people you might not ever get access to. Check out: WTF, The Moment with Brian Koppelman, You Must Remember This just to name a few. Oh, and don’t get me started on the brilliance of the Bret Easton Ellis Podcast. I’m not sold on How To Be Amazing with Michael Ian Black, but it is growing on me.