"When Ma and Pa Belldene pay a call to encourage Gwen to leave town, they arrive bearing meatloaf, which everyone agrees is locally legendary and probably not poisoned."
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Review: BITTER FALLS
Monday, January 13, 2020
Monday Roundup: Texas Literary Calendar Jan. 13-19, 2020
For a complete calendar of bookish events in Texas this week, including special events, daily listings, and exhibits, visit the GO! Calendar at Lone Star Lit.
Monday, January 6, 2020
Monday Roundup: Texas Literary Calendar Jan. 6-12, 2020
For a complete calendar of bookish events in Texas this week, including daily listings and exhibits, visit the GO! Calendar at Lone Star Lit.
Monday, December 30, 2019
Monday Roundup: Texas Literary Calendar Dec 30-Jan 5
The poets, like the Dude, abide. Bookish goings-on in Texas for the week of December 30-January 5, compiled exclusively for Lone Star Literary Life by Texas Book Lover.
For a complete calendar of bookish events in Texas this week, including daily listings and exhibits, visit the GO! Calendar at Lone Star Lit.
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Review: CHRISTMAS IN AUSTIN
LITERARY FICTION
Benjamin Markovits
Christmas in Austin
Faber & Faber
Hardcover (also available as an audiobook), 978-0-5713-5425-2, 320 pgs., $25.95
November 7, 2019
“This is how the morning wore on—family as information-producing machine . . . decision-requiring machine . . . argument-creating machine”
Fifteen Essingers (including a couple of significant others) are convening for Christmas at Liesel and Bill’s home in Austin where the four Essinger siblings—Nathan, Susie, Paul, and Jean—grew up. Each of the children brings news: Nathan is being vetted for the federal judiciary; Susie’s husband, David, has accepted a position at Oxford, and they’ll be moving to England in the summer; Paul has broken up with Dana, the mother of their four-year-old son, Cal; and Jean is bringing her fiancé, Henrik, who is her boss and not yet divorced from his first wife.
Over the course of a week, the Essingers grapple with priorities; family old, new, and contemplated; expectations, disappointments, and triumphs; ambition, competition, and ennui; beginnings, endings, and driftings; and shifting allegiances in a profoundly intimate, psychologically complex and astute rendering of family ties.
Christmas in Austin is the follow-up to A Weekend in New York, published in the United States in February of this year, in which Benjamin Markovits introduced the Essinger family. Markovits returns to the concepts of intimacy and loyalties throughout the text (“Part of the point of coming home was the density of association, you seemed to move through a thicker material.”), delivering emotional truths between generations and genders, packed with minutely observed, small moments that are everything—the profound quotidian.
The large and mobile cast is unwieldy but never hard to keep track of. Each character is a complicated, nuanced individual—they could walk right off the page into your kitchen and rummage in the fridge. Markovits employs an egalitarian approach: The story unfolds in multiple third-person narrations; we spend time in each character’s head on a rotating basis. You will find that the point of view with which you were roasting the Christmas goose has switched, mid paragraph, to whomever is mashing the potatoes.
The dialogue around the table is a feat of ellipses, making you suspect that Markovits has been eavesdropping on your family holidays. Being immersed in family also inevitably means tedium—being trapped inside a navel-gazing head is claustrophobic—and too much information. We don’t need to know this much about their toilet habits.
There are innumerable conflicts in Christmas in Austin, both external and internal. Old World European values are baffled by American fetishes; duty and personal fulfillment face-off; old resentments and patterns compete with fresh slights and joys. There are class issues here between the shucks-we’re-just-folks of a certain kind of well-off Americans, the patrician New England, and the glamourous extravagance of Manhattan. The Essingers are a privileged tribe of upper-middle class, Ivy League educated Anglos, and they know it. The youngest generation is beginning to wrestle with the implications; the older generation is bewilderedly resistant; while the middle generation acknowledges it, expressing a sort of noblesse oblige, as in this disquieting conversation between Nathan and Paul at a Boxing Day party:
Some of the people here are serious people. You underestimate what it takes to be a person of influence.
Okay, Paul said.
All of us were born into enormous privilege.
I’m aware of that.
I’m not sure you are. We’re in a position, Nathan began, and then he said: We have the chance to live unusually good lives.
Not everybody wants to be Judge Kirkendoll.
Because they don’t want to do what you have to do.
Because they don’t want it, Paul said.
Well maybe they should. Because if we’re not going to do it, who will?
Other people.
It’s possible that the first truly honest conversation happens at the end of the book, and the conflict set in motion evokes real fear and seems to set up another Essinger novel—another big, glorious mess.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Is Your Manuscript Ready for Publication?
Texas Book Lover Editing Services "Having been on the receiving end of five of Michelle’s book reviews, I have to say that I (actually we, since Miles Arceneaux is the pen name for me and two collaborators) awaited each review with anticipation and some trepidation. Her reviews were always insightful, accurate, and spot on. They were also forthright—if the book had flaws, she would call them out. After each review, I remember wishing that we had had someone like her to edit our novels before publication. When I found out she had begun to offer that very thing, I sent her my recently completed manuscript straight away (different pen name, different collaboration). She did not disappoint. Whether you decide to self-publish or are getting your book ready to pitch to an agent or publisher, I highly recommend Michelle’s editing service."
Brent Douglass (aka Miles Arceneaux, aka H.A. Douglass)
I am a voting member of the National Book Critics Circle; a member of the Texas Press Association, Writers' League of Texas, and PEN America; and a former award-winning editor of the Texas Spur, a weekly newspaper since 1909. I have been an editor at Lone Star Literary Life since its founding in 2015. I have been a reviewer for Kirkus Indie and Foreword Reviews, and my work has been published or is forthcoming in Foreword Reviews, Pleiades, Rain Taxi, World Literature Today, High Country News, South85 Journal, The Review Review, Concho River Review, Monkeybicycle, Mosaic Literary Magazine, Atticus Review, the Rumpus, Bookslut, PANK Magazine, and the Collagist.
Please carefully consider which level of attention your manuscript requires: paragraph-level editing (stylistic and structural), sentence-level editing (line editing or copy editing), or word-level editing (proofreading).
In my experience, many writers are skipping the copy editing process, assuming their beta readers have caught the large majority of errors. Many writers are dismayed and disappointed, even angry, when a proofreader finds a large number of errors in the final document; it means lost time and more money to fix a book that has already been designed or formatted.
The easiest way to distinguish between copy editing and proofreading is to consider when they occur during the editing process. Proofreading is the last step of editing; it happens after your book has been formatted for print or digital distribution and returned to you from your formatter or book designer. Proofreading occurs when your book is in its final form—the form your readers will buy.
For print books, proofreading will occur in PDF format; an e-book will be proofread as an epub or mobi file. In addition to language issues, such as typos, punctuation errors, and misspellings, the proofreader will also look for errors made during formatting and design.
The fewer changes you have to make at the proofreading stage, the better. Formatting or designing a book involves placing text so that your book looks good, the digital edition operates correctly, and both read well. Major changes, such as revising paragraphs and rearranging sentences, can ruin the carefully arranged layout of your book. Accordingly, you should only need to make minute changes at the proofreading stage.
Any corrections suggested by your proofreader will need to be performed by your formatter or designer.
Pricing:
- Proofreading (word-level editing): $2.00 per page
- Copy editing (sentence-level editing): $3.50 per page
- Stylistic and structural (paragraph-level editing, including copy editing): $5.00 per page
Please plan on receiving your edited or proofread manuscript approximately two months from the date on which I receive your manuscript. Fees for a rush job, due in one month, include a surcharge of 25 percent.
I look forward to hearing from y’all and teaming up to make the world a safer, more satisfying place for readers everywhere.
Michelle
Monday, December 16, 2019
Monday Roundup: Texas Literary Calendar Dec 16-22, 2019
Bookish goings-on in Texas for the week of December 16-22, 2019, compiled exclusively for Lone Star Literary Life by Texas Book Lover.
Special events this week include the TCU Holiday Book Fair.
For a complete calendar of bookish events in Texas this week, including daily listings and exhibits, visit the GO! Calendar at Lone Star Lit.
Thursday, December 12, 2019
TBL Editing Services now accepting manuscripts
Texas Book Lover Editing Services
"Having been on the receiving end of five of Michelle’s book reviews, I have to say that I (actually we, since Miles Arceneaux is the pen name for me and two collaborators) awaited each review with anticipation and some trepidation. Her reviews were always insightful, accurate, and spot on. They were also forthright—if the book had flaws, she would call them out. After each review, I remember wishing that we had had someone like her to edit our novels before publication. When I found out she had begun to offer that very thing, I sent her my recently completed manuscript straight away (different pen name, different collaboration). She did not disappoint. Whether you decide to self-publish or are getting your book ready to pitch to an agent or publisher, I highly recommend Michelle’s editing service."
Brent Douglass (aka Miles Arceneaux, aka H.A. Douglass)
I am a voting member of the National Book Critics Circle; a member of the Texas Press Association, Writers' League of Texas, and PEN America; and a former award-winning editor of the Texas Spur, a weekly newspaper since 1909. I have been an editor at Lone Star Literary Life since its founding in 2015. I have been a reviewer for Kirkus Indie and Foreword Reviews, and my work has been published or is forthcoming in Foreword Reviews, Pleiades, Rain Taxi, World Literature Today, High Country News, South85 Journal, The Review Review, Concho River Review, Monkeybicycle, Mosaic Literary Magazine, Atticus Review, the Rumpus, Bookslut, PANK Magazine, and the Collagist.
Please carefully consider which level of attention your manuscript requires: paragraph-level editing (stylistic and structural), sentence-level editing (line editing or copy editing), or word-level editing (proofreading).
In my experience, many writers are skipping the copy editing process, assuming their beta readers have caught the large majority of errors. Many writers are dismayed and disappointed, even angry, when a proofreader finds a large number of errors in the final document; it means lost time and more money to fix a book that has already been designed or formatted.
The easiest way to distinguish between copy editing and proofreading is to consider when they occur during the editing process. Proofreading is the last step of editing; it happens after your book has been formatted for print or digital distribution and returned to you from your formatter or book designer. Proofreading occurs when your book is in its final form—the form your readers will buy.
For print books, proofreading will occur in PDF format; an e-book will be proofread as an epub or mobi file. In addition to language issues, such as typos, punctuation errors, and misspellings, the proofreader will also look for errors made during formatting and design.
The fewer changes you have to make at the proofreading stage, the better. Formatting or designing a book involves placing text so that your book looks good, the digital edition operates correctly, and both read well. Major changes, such as revising paragraphs and rearranging sentences, can ruin the carefully arranged layout of your book. Accordingly, you should only need to make minute changes at the proofreading stage.
Any corrections suggested by your proofreader will need to be performed by your formatter or designer.
Pricing:
- Proofreading (word-level editing): $2.00 per page
- Copy editing (sentence-level editing): $3.50 per page
- Stylistic and structural (paragraph-level editing, including copy editing): $5.00 per page
Please plan on receiving your edited or proofread manuscript approximately two months from the date on which I receive your manuscript. Fees for a rush job, due in one month, include a surcharge of 25 percent.
I look forward to hearing from y’all and teaming up to make the world a safer, more satisfying place for readers everywhere.
Michelle
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Giveaway: COVEY AND JAYJAY GET EDUCATED
COVEY AND JAYJAY
GET EDUCATED
by
Shelton L. Williams
Genre: Murder Mystery / Social Thriller / Amateur Sleuth
Publication Date: September 1, 2019
Publication Date: September 1, 2019
Number of Pages: 209 pages
Scroll down for a giveaway!
Scroll down for a giveaway!
Initially they believe that money is the motive for the murders, but over time they learn that the college is a cauldron of political and social intrigue. The college's new president and his beautiful wife, various staff members, a prominent trustee, and parties not associated with the college have the motives, opportunities, and wacky agendas that might implicate them in the murders. It turns out that a white nationalist group may be using a college house for its nefarious activities, but are they more talk than action?
The West Waverly police are little to no help in the investigation, and Covey himself has to depart the college to deal with his father's death. JayJay takes over and makes a critical breakthrough. Upon Covey's return, the couple must rely on deception, a bit of luck, and martial arts skills to solve the crimes and to try to prevent a high-profile assassination.
Shelton L. Williams (Shelly) is founder and president of the Osgood Center for International Studies in Washington, DC. He holds a PhD from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and he taught for nearly forty years at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. He has served in the US government on four occasions, and he has written books and articles on nuclear proliferation. In 2004 he began a new career of writing books on crime and society. Those books are Washed in the Blood, Summer of 66, and now Covey Jencks. All firmly prove that he is still a Texan at heart.
-------------------------------------
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
SECOND PRIZE: signed copy of both Covey Jencks and Covey and JayJay Get Educated
THIRD PRIZE: Audio book of Covey and JayJay Get Educated
FOURTH PRIZE: Kindle version of Covey and JayJay Get Educated
DECEMBER 10-20, 2019
(U.S. Only)
VISIT THE OTHER GREAT BLOGS ON THE TOUR:
12/10/19
|
Notable Quotable
| |
12/10/19
|
Notable Quotable
| |
12/11/19
|
Review
| |
12/12/19
|
Author Interview
| |
12/13/19
|
Review
| |
12/13/19
|
Playlist
| |
12/14/19
|
Review
| |
12/14/19
|
Excerpt Part I
| |
12/15/19
|
Excerpt Part II
| |
12/16/19
|
Review
| |
12/16/19
|
Notable Quotable
| |
12/17/19
|
Review
| |
12/18/19
|
Scrapbook Page
| |
12/19/19
|
Review
| |
12/19/19
|
Review
|
blog tour services provided by
Monday, December 9, 2019
Monday Roundup: Texas Literary Calendar Dec 9-15, 2019
Special events this week include the National Book Foundation's “Literature for Justice: Women Writing Beyond Bars” in Dallas, the Dock Bookshop Holiday Expo in Frisco, and the
Laredo Book Festival.
For a complete calendar of bookish events in Texas this week, including daily listings and exhibits, visit the GO! Calendar at Lone Star Lit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)