"Save the Blogs!" Progress Report

“Save the Blogs!” Progress Report

On April 23, the Save the Blogs Campaign turned a new corner. It decided to jump the shark and then jump it again. It decided…

Read Article →
"Office Space" Origins

“Office Space” Origins

Read Article →
The "Waiting for the Phone Guy" Roundup

The “Waiting for the Phone Guy” Roundup

Wi-fi is in rather abundant supply in the new pad. Alas, I dare not leave for coffee. Phone guys are rather finicky. They give you…

Read Article →
Before He Won an Oscar, Philip Seymour Hoffman Was "That Guy"

Before He Won an Oscar, Philip Seymour Hoffman Was “That Guy”

The 20 Best “That Guys” of All Time. Alas, no Elisha Cook, Vincent Schiavelli, or Woody Strode. But it will do for your next cocktail…

Read Article →
A Disturbing New Trend!

A Disturbing New Trend!

You can always count on the evening news to be on top of these things. [NOTE: The original ABC 4 news clip has since been…

Read Article →
Roundup

Roundup

If cursory glances at MSNBC headline tickers on the flight over are anything to go by, the Judeo-Christian world seems to be up in arms…

Read Article →
Attention BEA Bloggers!

Attention BEA Bloggers!

I am currently watching a child in Park Slope cry over his Boggle board, while his mother stares into her laptop. Presumably, she’s searching for…

Read Article →
Have Arrived in NYC Safely

Have Arrived in NYC Safely

More to come. Thanks to all who were able to attend last minute’s soiree.

Read Article →
New Review

New Review

My review of Richard Flanagan’s The Unknown Terrorist appears in today’s Philly Inquirer.

Read Article →
Howard Junker's Streetcred

Howard Junker’s Streetcred

Ladies and gentlemen. I finally met Howard Junker. My last night in San Francisco. Two men. Pabst Blue Ribbon. It doesn’t get any sillier than…

Read Article →

Bookcases for Sale!

There remain some bookcases here that need to be picked up by Monday. Contact here for details. Let’s make a deal! Everyone’s a winner!

Read Article →
"It is actually a very serious matter for finch lovers."

“It is actually a very serious matter for finch lovers.”

One more finch tweeting post before I go – thanks for having me, Ed!

Read Article →
Okay, I'm Done

Okay, I’m Done

Those two posts below are my last for Return of the Reluctant. I’ve really, really enjoyed this. Thanks Ed for the opportunity! If any of…

Read Article →
I'd Buy That For a Dollar

I’d Buy That For a Dollar

[To understand this entry, you must first read this entry. I originally posted this on my own blog, so keep in mind that it's written...

Read Article →

The Outlaw Vern

[EDITOR'S NOTE: Since there has been some confusion on the subject, and I feel embarrassed that Patrick's hard work is being attributed to me, please...

Read Article →
Excerpts from a 30-year-old diary: Bread Loaf 1977   Part Two

Excerpts from a 30-year-old diary: Bread Loaf 1977 Part Two

It’s pathetic how little encouragement I need to keep going on. Of course that is also the secret of how modestly-talented writers keep at it…

Read Article →

…and now, the end is near…

…and so we face the final curtain, ha ha ha… Thanks, Ed, for having us over. Send my people the clean-up bill. Everyone else: Have…

Read Article →
Preparation

Preparation

In the middle of two wars and coming up on Memorial Day, here is Milosz’s great poem. PREPARATION Still one more year of preparation. Tomorrow…

Read Article →
And so it ends

And so it ends

Or does it begin? Yeah, I have no idea what that means. I want to thank Ed for giving me the chance to play around…

Read Article →
Get Stewed

Get Stewed

I’m not quite done yet, so this isn’t my closing post, but I—like Tao—will post a poem. Okay, two poems, one of which you’ve read…

Read Article →
The party's over

The party’s over

But what a party it was, Ed. After a blow-out like that, I’m sure everyone’s ready for a laid back weekend. I know I am….

Read Article →
POETRY

POETRY

I am going to blog about poetry and then post a poem. There is some poetry that I like. I like poetry by Matthew Rohrer,…

Read Article →
Excerpts from a 30-year-old diary: Bread Loaf 1977

Excerpts from a 30-year-old diary: Bread Loaf 1977

I’ve kept a daily diary since the summer of 1969, just before I started college, and I haven’t missed a day in almost 38 years….

Read Article →
About Time

About Time

Annalee reports that The Baffler has returned after a number of years in magazine limbo. Former contributor Joshua Glenn has various thoughts about the new…

Read Article →
Facing our troubles head on

Facing our troubles head on

Size matters.

Read Article →
New Authors Guild alert for members on Simon & Schuster power grab

New Authors Guild alert for members on Simon & Schuster power grab

I just got this email from The Authors Guild regarding the Simon & Schuster rights imbroglio: Simon & Schuster is irked that we went public…

Read Article →
AUTHORS: Do You Have What It Takes?

AUTHORS: Do You Have What It Takes?

It’s the ultimate reality series, the ultimate game show and the ultimate half-hour of intriguing storylines. The Ultimate Author is an awesome television program packed…

Read Article →
Ames et Manson

Ames et Manson

Jonathan Ames, favorite author of P.S. and writer of such novels as THE EXTRA MAN, I PASS LIKE NIGHT and WAKE UP, SIR!, plus three…

Read Article →
If You Need Bookcases...

If You Need Bookcases…

Please contact me.

Read Article →
Close Encounters of the Erin Kind or Steven Spielberg walk with me

Close Encounters of the Erin Kind or Steven Spielberg walk with me

Most people watch “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and see a pretty good movie about a guy who really wants to get on a…

Read Article →