Mark Twain House and Museum Benefit!

The Adventures Started Here: Writers Read for Twain

On September 23, an all-star group of authors will gather at the financially-troubled Mark Twain House in Hartford, CT, to read from their favorite Twain selections in support of this American landmark.

Appearing as of now will be Sara Gruen (Water for Elephants), Tom Perrotta (The Abstinence Teacher), David Gates (Jernigan), Arthur Phillips (Prague), Tasha Alexander (A Fatal Waltz), Philip Beard (Dear Zoe), Andrew Carroll (Operation Homecoming), Phillip Lopate (Against Joie de Vivre), Stewart O'Nan (Last Night at the Lobster), Amy Mackinnon (Tethered), and me. Supporting the event but unable to attend are Julia Glass (Three Junes), Amy Bloom (Away), and Anita Diamant (The Red Tent).

Tickets and more information will be available soon.

California, Here I Come

Unlike Bugs Bunny, I won't be burrowing my way to the coast. (Although it may feel that way, since there's no direct route between Vermont and the Pacific. There's no direct route between Vermont and much of anywhere, come to think of it, except maybe New Hampshire. And Canada.)

At any rate, I'm taking off soon for Anaheim, and the American Library Association's Annual Conference. On Sunday I'll be one of four authors invited to speak at the Notable Book Council's celebration of their annual "List For America's Readers."

I'm particularly looking forward to meeting Ron Carlson, whose Five Skies is on this year's list along with my novel, Finn. Also on the list are Amy Bloom's Away, Lloyd Jones' Mister Pip, and Ian McEwan's On Chesil Beach. Elevated company indeed. I'm honored to be part of it.

The Best Book Club Visit Ever

A couple of weeks back—sorry for the delay!—we had the pleasure of spending an evening with the Secret Book Club of Woodbridge, Virginia.

They'd won the Finn Book Club Menu Contest (can you say hands down?). And quite frankly, I got the prize. What a world.

Their winning menu included themed dishes like Finn's Blue Cheese Grits Soufflé (blue cheese and grits for Finn's melancholy, gritty character; baked in a soufflé for his distaste, yet desire, for a more privileged life), and The Laundress' Apple-Huckleberry Cobbler (with a crumbly topping, symbolizing the crumbling of her life upon encountering Finn).

See what I meant by "hands down?"

As we were getting started, Eric Brent, principal of nearby Forest Park High School, dropped in to accept a classroom set of Finn for use in the English curriculum.

You know what I say: Go Bruins.

That said, the best part of the evening was that the food was as good as it sounds.

No. Make that the second best part. Because the best part was the warm hospitality that the Secret Book Club offered my wife and me, two poor wayfaring strangers at the end of a long road trip. (Unless you count their lively conversation and insightful questions, which made for a pretty good part too.)

So, with enduring thanks to our new friends in Virginia—and with a reminder that I'm still doing book club call-ins, via Random House's Readers Circle—I pass on the recipe for Finn's Blue Cheese Grits Soufflé.

Ingredients:
3 c. milk
1 clove garlic, minced
1-1/4 t. salt, divided
1 c. quick grits
4 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
1/3 c. butter
1/2 c. whipping cream
2 large eggs
2 egg whites, whisked until frothy
1 can green chilies (4 oz)
2 T. Parmesan cheese, grated
2 t. chopped fresh basil (I used dried and a little less)
1 t. chopped fresh thyme (I used dried and a little less)
1/4 t. pepper

Directions:
Bring milk, garlic, and 1 t. salt to boil. Gradually stir in grits. Cover, simmer 10 minutes on low heat stirring occasionally. Whisk in blue cheese and butter until melted. Whisk in 1/4 t. salt. Add whipping cream and remaining ingredients (with exception of egg whites). Finally, fold in frothed egg whites gently. Pour into lightly greased 1-1/2 quart or 1-1/2 liter soufflé dish. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Can be made ahead and chilled. Cut into wedges and re-bake on greased, tinfoil covered baking sheet for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

Help Save the Twain House and Museum!

The Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford, Connecticut needs your help.

Big time. And right now.

An article in today's New York Times outlines the desperate financial woes being faced by this important national and cultural landmark.

Things look grim.

Grim enough that museum's staff has been reduced from 49 to 17. Grim enough that the entire operation could actually close its doors within the next three to four weeks.

Unless a miracle happens.

A miracle like your clicking here to get to the museum site, and then clicking on the Donate Now button to show your support. Every little bit will help.

Twain wrote his most important works in the Hartford house. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. The Prince and the Pauper. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. It's an incredible legacy. Please do your part to help preserve it.

The Backspace Writers Conference

My friends over at Backspace have announced their upcoming conference. If you're a serious writer or know somebody who is, this is definitely the place to be.

Check out the news release...

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The 2008 Backspace Writers Conference (August 7 & 8, Radisson Martinique, New York City) brings together literary agents, acquisitions editors, best-selling authors, and publishing professionals for a two-day, two-track program of workshops, panels, and networking in the heart of the publishing world.

In addition to keynote talks by Mark Tavani, a senior editor at Random House, and New York Times bestselling author Lee Child, program highlights include a conversation with Simon Lipskar and Mark Tavani on agents and editors working together, a marketing discussion by M.J. Rose, a workshop from independent editor Jerry Gross on finding and working with a reputable book doctor, a role-playing workshop from Jeff Kleinman: “Buy This Book!”, agent and editor panel discussions, and panels on the young adult market, short stories, memoir, nonfiction, crime fiction, erotica, children’s picture books, and more.

Attendance is limited to 200. $355 for Backspace members; $395 for non-members. In addition, Mystery Writers of America is offering their members a special discount. Register Now and come meet the people who can make a difference in your career!

Literary Agents: Richard Curtis, Simon Lipskar, Jeff Kleinman, Emmanuelle Alspaugh, Paige Wheeler, Laney Katz Becker, Jenny Bent, Maya Rock, Michael Bourret, Scott Hoffman, Ronnie Gramazio, Elisabeth Weed, Stephany Evans

Authors: M.J. Rose, Harry Hunsicker, Jason Pinter, Jackie Kessler, Heather Brewer, Gail Konop Baker, Laurel Corona, Lisa McMann, Jenny Gardiner, Danielle Younge-Ullman, Claudia Gray, Marlys Pearson, Jessica Keener, Elizabeth Letts, A.S. King, Robin Slick, Susan Henderson, Pam Jenoff, Trish Ryan, Leora Skolkin-Smith, Caroline Leavitt, Reed Farrel Coleman, Chris Grabenstein, William Powers

Editors and Other Publishing Professionals: Hilary Rubin Teeman (editor, St. Martin's), Charis Conn (contributing editor, Harper's Magazine), Kristen Weber (senior editor, New American Library), Bella Stander, Jerry Gross, Lauren Cerand, Eileen Winnick


"Backspace is relatively new but it's the real deal - which is amply proved both by the quality of discourse within and the truly amazing hit-rate its members have already achieved." – Lee Child, New York Times best-selling author

"I love being associated with you guys. Such a class act. Backspace is the pre-eminent writers organization because you guys have made it so. Always innovating, thinking outside the box, and just generally doing conferences bigger and better than they have been done before. I'm just honored to have been there from the start." – Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency

"I mention Backspace whenever I teach my writers' workshop around the country. The yearly Backspace conference is an invaluable resource. I've taught there and can’t say enough good things about the information, encouragement, and enthusiasm they provide." – David Morrell, New York Times bestselling author

Quite a Night

Until Wednesday night, I'd never even visited Athenaeum of Philadelphia. Heaven knows how I'd missed it for so long.

The Athenaeum is a private, special-collections library located on Washington Square in Philadelphia's lovely and gracious Old City neighborhood. Founded in 1814 to collect materials "connected with the history and antiquities of America, and the useful arts, and generally to disseminate useful knowledge" for public benefit, the Athenaeum is a unique and rich resource for Philadelphia and the nation.

In 1950, the library inaugurated its annual literary award. Nominated works are reviewed "on the basis of their significance and importance to the general public as well as for literary excellence," and the award has previously gone to writers like Chaim Potok, Catherine Drinker Bowen, and Lauren Eisley.

On Wednesday, I was fortunate enough to join that company. And it was amazing.

Perhaps two hundred Philadelphians gathered for the event, which took place in the Athenaeum's gorgeous, high-ceilinged reading room. I read from Finn, discussed both the novel's origins and critical response to it, and then we adjourned for a lovely reception.

Here's a report on the evening from the newly-reborn Philadelphia Bulletin.

Hot tip: If you visit the Athenaeum, don't miss the death mask of Napoleon.

Next post: Our swell evening with the Secret Book Club, winners of the Finn Book Club Menu Contest...

Gone Too Long; Gone Again Soon

Forgive me for having ignored the old Horsehair Couch since April. Like you, I've been busy.

Over the last couple of weeks I've (A) finished my new novel and delivered the manuscript to my editor, and (B) begun work on another. Like rust, I never sleep.

But it's all going to get put on hold for a little while, because for the next week I'll be leaving our beloved Green Mountain State for a swing down into Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey.

Sunday afternoon I'll be at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, DE. I'll be hanging out and signing books at 1:00, and then at 3:30 I'll be visiting with Browseabout's book club. That part of the festivities will include a reading and Q&A, both of which I always dig the most. (The book club meeting, by the way, is open to the public...)

Monday evening there's a reading and Q&A at the Oxford Public Library in Oxford, PA. And get this: If you call 610-932-9625 in advance, you can sign up for a complimentary dinner at 6:30. (Rumor has it that the event will include some live traditional fiddle music, too.)

On Wednesday I'll be in Philadelphia to receive the Athenaeum Literary Award.

And last but far from least, on Thursday night the Secret Book Club of Dumfries, VA—winners of the Finn Book Club Menu Contest—will be cooking up their Finn-inspired menu and enduring my presence at their meeting. I'll be presenting a classroom set of Finn to a representative of the Prince Edward School District, too.

Good times.

See you when I get back—or somewhere along the way...