I received some amazing news a couple of weeks ago and have been dying to share it. Now I can!
I’ve been invited to the 29th annual Kentucky Women’s Writers Conference in Lexington. It happens in September and I’ll be teaching a workshop, which I always enjoy. But the really exciting news is that I’ll be doing a reading with Joyce Carol Oates!
Joyce has chosen me to appear with her at the conference’s Hardwick/Jones reading, a reading that, according to the press release, “honors the roles of influence, mentoring and friendship in women writers’ lives.” We’ll be conversing onstage–or at least she will be conversing. I’ll be the one looking stunned! Joyce has a brilliant mind and I could listen to her talk for hours.
The invitation is such a blessing, and an honor. I still can’t believe it. If you’ll be anywhere near the University of Kentucky on September 12th, I hope you’ll come to see us. Really, if you haven’t heard Joyce speak, you don’t want to miss it!
In other news–Kelli Stanley tagged me. Since I just did one here last week, I thought I’d answer directly on her blog. I love hanging out there. She always has incredible stories to tell.
Also, did I mention that I’m the volunteer maven for Thrillerfest 2008? If you don’t know about this remarkable gathering of thriller writers and their fans, you should! I’ll have more details next blog.
Wow. Just — wow. So great! I’m so impressed! Congratulations! Where did all these exclamation points come from!
You are insane to offer to wrangle volunteers for Thrillerfest. Not enough good karma exists in the universe to make that worth your while.
That said, let me know if you need help. I’ll be around…
Amazing news, Laura, I am sure it will be a fantastic experience. Ask JCO if it’s true that she has a typewriter in the back seat of her car so she can keep writing as she travels!
Thanks, AG. I’m happy to take all the exclamation points that show up!
I’m glad you’ll be around Thrillerfest just so I get to see your smiling face!
Tania, you’re so sweet. I think it will be both surreal and exciting!
Congratulations! Wow! That must be such a thrill. It couldn’t happen to a nicer author!
Hey Laura, Congrats. That should be great fun and quite a thrill. Tell PB hello and hope are all well. –Scott
Hi, Tia! I’m so glad you stopped by!
Scott-PB sends his best. Looks like your tour’s going great!
Yeah, Laura!!! You and the great JCO should get along wonderfully–and what a great venue. You’re going to be a huge hit!
I once happened upon a JCO talk at the National Book Fair in DC while I was looking for the tent David McCullough was in. It turned out to be good stuff!
In any case, that’s big–you’re speaking alongside the embodiment of American Literature for the past 40 years!!!
But aren’t you guys buddies? My stalker’s memory is telling me you and PB lunched with her one time when you were in Chicago NOT hanging out with me…
Hey, CJ! You’re so sweet to come by–especially since I know you’re perpetually on the road these days! Wish you could be there!
Frick–You’re so on the stalker job! Pinckney studied with JCO at Princeton, so I’ve known her a while. The Hardwick/Jones reading series features a big name writer who chooses an emerging writer to be part of the event. (And it was a Chicago Tribune-sponsored dinner last year. I don’t know why they wouldn’t let me bring you. Stalkers get no respect!)
HOLY SMOKES, Laura, I neglect my blog reading for a day or two and you take off to hang out with luminaries! 🙂
I have a step-brother and step-sister-in-law in Louisville…they’re cops….maybe they’ll give me a lights’n’siren escort to drive down to see you and JCO. Wouldn’t that be amazing! So proud of you…and you’re plenty articulate, you’ll do great and make us all proud.
Wow! I’ve read everything JCO has ever written–and that’s saying something. Her voice is a powerful torrent that never fails to sweep me up. I would LOVE to be there hear your conversation.
P.S. I also read Pinckney’s amazing story in the most recent issue of Image. How does so much talent co-exist in your house?
Congratulations. It’s sweet to witness a strong community of writers helping each other through the lonely times of writing and celebrating each other’s successes.
Sophie-That would be so fun! We would have a great time in Lexington!
Patry–Thank you for stopping by! I am stunned that you’ve read ALL of JCO’s work. But what wonderful, sustaining prose it is. I’m reading MISSING MOM right now. What an amazing voice! And I love Pinckney’s story to. I’m so glad he published it there…
Hi, Kip. It is kind of cool, isn’t it? Writers get a bad rap, but, really, most are incredibly generous to and supportive of one another!
Wonderful news, but her choosing you is no real surprise. “(I)nfluence, mentoring and friendship in women writers’ lives” is SO what you do. Congratulations!
Therese, you’re so sweet!
(Therese blogged about her terrific debut SOUVENIR here back in February. Even now, it’s a Literary Guild bestseller. YAY Therese!)