It was a real honor to get to read with Ben Tanzer this past Sunday at Freebird Books, my de facto home base here in Brooklyn. The reading was an east coast celebration in honor of the release of Ben’s new book, Most Likely You Go Your Way and I’ll Go Mine (the original release party was held in Chicago).

A good group of friends made it down to hear Ben read from the new book and myself kick a brand new story, “Job in Williamsburg,” as well as an excerpt from “Taking the Happy Bus on Home,” the last story in The Love Book. People responded quite nicely to Ben’s reading, digging on the fantastic sense of humor from the book.

As always, Peter from Freebird Books took great care of us and I can never walk out of the joint without discovering some great new find. In this instance, it was the Mavis Gallant short story collection released by Bloomsbury Classics (imported from the UK). If you’re in Brooklyn, do stop by Freebird and support the cause.

But here are a few shots for your ocular amusement.

I’ll be joining Chicago’s own Ben Tanzer at Freebird Books in Brooklyn this Sunday to celebrate the release of his new novel, “Most Likely You Go Your Way and I’ll Go Mine.” We’re going to kick out the stories and have a few drinks with all our good friends who can make it to the reading. Show time is 7pm.

Ben Tanzer and the nice folks at This Blog Will Change Your Life recently posted some nice praise for The Love Book. And I quoteth:

“…while love may be the operative word here, we’re not sure anyone would call them love stories, per se. Now that said, are these stories all about how love gets warped, lost, manipulated, sublimated, twisted, fetishized, tainted and occasionally celebrated? Yes, and more. And so do we think you should you read this collection? Yes, again, for sure, so, go ahead, please read The Love Book, it just might change your life.”

And a gratuitous reminder, you can come on down to Freebird Books in Brooklyn, NY on Sunday, September 28 to see Ben and myself kick out the stories to celebrate the release of his new book, Most Likely You Go Your Way and I’ll Go Mine.

On Sunday, September 28 @ 7 p.m., I’ll be joining Chicago’s own Ben Tanzer for a special reading at Freebird Books in Brooklyn to celebrate the release of his new book, Most Likely You Go Your Way and I’ll Go Mine.

One of the joys of having a book published is seeing your creation stacked up in the rows of books down at the local bookshop.

Being a more independently-minded soul, I take a certain amount of pride in the fact that my favorite indie bookshops are actually carrying copies of The Love Book.

So if you live in New York City or happen to be visiting, stop by one of these shops and pick up a copy of The Love Book, along with six or seven other titles, to show your support for their good taste in Literature.

Freebird Books 123 Columbia Street Brooklyn, NY 11211 Map

St. Mark’s Bookshop 31 Third Avenue New York, NY 10003 Map

Spoonbill & Sugartown 218 Bedford Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11211 Map

It was a hell of a time on March 22nd. A nice crowd of people and the rest of the Blacksmiths For Literary Progress joined me at Freebird Books in Brooklyn to officially celebrate the release of my new short story collection, The Love Book. We drank beers, huddled around with friends old and new, and made with the prose like circus performers. We even had a nice sunset coming through the front windows as we read (check the photo). It felt fantabulous to be back at Freebird Books, where we always feel at home and the readings have never failed turn out great. Many thanks to Rachel and Peter for making it all happen. And of course it made me proud to do the gig with my fellow Blacksmiths — Brian Cogan, Tim Hall, and Mike Faloon — as it was the first time we could all be in the same room in over a year-and-a-half. If you were there, I thank you for making the trek out and supporting The Love Book.

And for those of you who missed it, here is a video of me reading an excerpt from “Taking the Happy Bus on Home,” the last story in the collection (and apparently the hands down favorite amongst fans). Also below, are a few pics from the evening. Enjoy.

I’ll be making two appearances at the end of March to celebrate the release of THE LOVE BOOK.

The Love Book Reading/Release Party
When: Saturday Mar 22, 2008 @ 7:00 PM
Where: Freebird Books
123 Columbia Street
Brooklyn, New York 11231

What more could you ask for: booze, used books, and four bastardos a-readin’. Joining me will be fellow Blacksmiths for Literary Progress, Brian Cogan, Mike Faloon, and (flying all the way in from Chicago) Tim Hall. C’mon down to scenic Red Hook and join us at the finest little book shop in all of Brooklyn. More info at www.freebirdbooks.com.

“Meet the Author” in Second Life
When: Sunday, March 30, 2008 @ 5pm EST (or 2pm SLT or 10pm GMT)
Where: Red Sky Club in the Written Word Area
Second Life

This will be my third appearance on “Meet the Author” with host Jilly Kidd at the Red Sky Club in the Written Word Area. The show kicks off at 2pm SLT (or 5pm EST, 10pm GMT) and will be broadcast on SLCN TV.

If you’re a Second Lifer, or want to be, you can use this link to teleport.

To attend the event in Second Life, you’ll need to have the software. Grab it here.

If you just want to watch the show, you can view it live on SLCN’s site:
Live Stream | SLCN Site | Meet the Author page

What more could you ask for: booze, used books, and four bastardos a-readin’. I’ll be celebrating the release of my new short story collection, The Love Book, by hosting a reading at Freebird Books. Joining me will be fellow Blacksmiths for Literary Progress, Brian Cogan, Mike Faloon, and (flying all the way in from Chicago) Tim Hall.

This will be the first all-original member Blacksmiths for Literary Progress reunion since the infamous McLintlock Affair at the Grassroots Tavern that disbanded the group back in ’78.

C’mon down to scenic Red Hook and join us at the finest little book shop in all of Brooklyn. More info at www.freebirdbooks.com.

When: Saturday Mar 22, 2008 @ 7:00 PM
Where: Freebird Books
123 Columbia Street
Brooklyn, New York 11231

I was lucky enough to join the Brothers Cogan at a special post-St. Patrick’s Day bash on 3/18 at Freebird Books in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn. Freebird is still my favorite book shop in New York City — I found a collection of poems by Langston Hughes, a hardcover copy of Vonnegut’s Galapagos, and Electric Frankenstein’s How to Make a Monster on CD. So needless to say, I had a hell of a time and even came up with a brand new short story just for the occasion titled “The Odor of Belfast.” Below is video of me reading the story — I apologize for breaking it into two parts but YouTube has a ten minute time limit (which I went over by 30 seconds). Enjoy. Also below, a nice little Irish diddy by the Brothers Cogan. Enjoy.

“The Odor of Belfast” Part 1

“The Odor of Belfast” Part 2

“Johnson’s Motor Car” sung by the Brother’s Cogan

It looks like the Irish have sunk to an all time low by drafting an Italian into their midst. My good friend Brian Cogan is hosting a late St. Patrick’s Day bash at Freebirdbooks out in Red Hook, where the Brothers Cogan will be playing music and several of us will be reading a few short pieces. Freebird Books is my favorite bookshop in all of New York City so if you’ve never been, you should make the jaunt out just for that.

Considering the fact that it’s gonna be St. Patrick’s day weekend, I’m going to read either a tribute to Phil Lynott or a short story titled “Smelly Colin.” Either way, the Brothers Cogan will be backing me up by playing an endless loop of the main riff from Thin Lizzy’s “Jailbreak” while I throw down the verbiage. The brothers Cogan have promised to learn the riff and I’m gonna deliver something at least half as entertaining as a John Hovorka band story.

Here’s the description from the man himself:

Host: Brian Cogan
Location: Freebird Books
123 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, NY
When: Sunday, March 18, 4:00pm
Freebirdbooks

Come out for a raucous celebration of all things Irish, and a few things Scottish, and maybe even a little bit of Welsh, with the Cogan Brothers and Mark Farley. As always Brian and his brothers promise good songs, hilarious stories and great craic. (The bookstore sells wine and beer, but bring your own bail money.) We’ll start singing promptly at four and will leave when the peelers (cops) come. Extend your St. Patricks weekend and if your head is pounding too much from the night before, we promise to sing a soft song or two just for you!