A Thank You…
Reading and discussing my work with audiences is such a pleasure. It completes the process that began in most cases years ago with inspiration and writing followed by relentless editing and finally, joyful sharing with readers. One never gets tired of meeting new readers. But so much of reading in bookstores and libraries is a […]
Sequels to Confessions
Though many readers have asked for a sequel to Confessions—they want to know what happens to Joan and her family—and I love that interest and idea, it’s a tough task. I actually wrote a second book several years ago which I consider a failure– for several reasons; the first is that I could not hear […]
The Ocean, Chekhov & Friends
The Handlers continue to bounce around—David and Marlene to South Africa, and Alan and I just back from Central America. Our favorite adventure had us trekking a rain forest in Belize dressed in bathing suits and helmets (are you picturing this ??!!) and carrying huge yellow tubes ( the modern day answer to the black […]
In the Wake of Newtown
I am so sorry…. For the past several weeks I’ve been celebrating the publication of Confessions and the positive response it’s received, but I have to call a halt for awhile. In light of Friday’s tragedy, it would be blasphemous to continue to cheer. I keep having flashbacks to 9/11 and Columbine, but this may […]
Family
Last Thursday was Thanksgiving and we, the Handlers–Alan, David, Marlene and I– spent it with our favorite family –best friends, Carol and Fred Snyder, and their sons, their wives and children. And their friends. And their children. Usually Marc, David’s best friend, accompanies us; when he was alive my Dad did; when she’s not headed […]
Sunday Evening was Magical
Sunday evening was magical—(le) poisson rouge gallery bar was bursting with good friends, applause, and copies of Confessions everywhere. Thanks to Donna, my assistant, her husband Steve, and my sister Catherine (the same Catherine Joan so admired as a girl), the room was filled with tulips and … and not so subtle signs encouraging guests […]
Judi Hannan and (le) poisson rouge
I had the good fortune on Monday night to attend Judi Hannan’s splendid reading from her powerful memoir, Motherhood Exaggerated, at (le) poisson rouge on Bleecker St in NY. It was unusual for a literary event in that it also included music performance. Judi was joined by cellist, Sebastian Baverstam, performing the Kodaly Sonata for […]
Continuing Confessions?
Several people have asked me if I plan to write a sequel to Confessions—they want to know what happens to Joan and the rest of the Cusack clan—particularly Sonny, the bad boy of the book. The truth is that I’ve already written a Confessions II, but before you put ink to paper to try to […]
Strike Up the Band!
Three of Confessions unsung heroes are my editors: Mickey Appleman (aka Pearlman), Molly Peacock and Baron Wormser. Molly’s been with me for the duration—since NYU graduate school and my master’s thesis (which grew and matured into GlOrious, my first poetry collection)—and understands better than any one what my aesthetic project is and the unconscious detours […]
Thank you, Carlos Andrade
I come from a family of artists. Both of my brothers are—one a painter, the other a sculptor. My father could make anything in wood including frames for one son’s paintings and a roll top desk for the other. My mother’s fingers flew through multiple Aran sweaters for all of us and intricate crocheted tablecloths […]