Gutsy. Brave. Honest. Funny. (“Fuck you, Joan Didion.” “Eat a lot of red dye.”) True. Damn good writing…magnificently written. All of these were thoughts–some redundant, none adequately capturing quite what I feel–that I scribbled while reading Gail Konop-Baker’s amazing debut memoir, Cancer is a Bitch. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Gail, and she’s just as honest, funny, and true as her writing. She’s also incredibly kind, gentle, and generous….
When I read Danielle’s post yesterday, I just shook my head. How on earth was I going to follow that? And this was only a fitting reaction, because I had the same one after reading her FIRST post last fall. Lately I’ve been describing Driving Sideways as a twisted update on The Wizard of Oz, so forgive me if the next few paragraphs are all “Dorothy saying good-bye to the…
Deb News: Deb Jess will be doing a reading at the Appleton Public Library this Thursday, August 28, at 6:30 pm. Join Jess for a sneak peek at her novel-in-progress plus a candid chat about all things writing and publishing-related. (225 N. Oneida St., Appleton, Wisconsin) Deb Jenny will be appearing in the following places in the next several weeks: •WaldenBooks Charlottesville, VA, 1 p.m. Saturday September 6. •George Mason…
I have two daily schedules, depending on the time of year. Between late May and early October, my daily routine is free, open, and limited only by my own tendency to flake out and flit from one task to the next. I get up around 8:30, pour myself a giant mug of coffee, check on the caterpillars in my monarch ranching project, make sure the dog is fed and watered,…
Deb News: Deb Jess is so happy to share a review of Driving Sideways from Book Room Reviews: “I flat out loved this book! Driving Sideways is full of adventure, humor, hope and most of all love. It will make you want to grab your best friend and go for an adventure and experience this wonderful life that we have.” Also, there’s still time to enter to win a signed…
I read an early copy of Danielle Younge-Ullman’s debut novel Falling Under on my computer last winter. I usually dislike reading so much on-screen, as I have wonky eyes that are quick to redden after too much pixilated exposure. But with Falling Under? I could. Not. Stop. Reading. I found myself wanting to both savor the story and race ahead to see how things ended for Mara, a deeply conflicted…
Deb News: Deb Danielle’s critically acclaimed debut Falling Under finally hits the stores on Tuesday!! Run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore to be the first on your block to own a copy of this amazing first novel. Deb Jess just found out Driving Sideways is heading back to press for a THIRD printing! She’s still speechless about this–if she could find her voice, she’d tell you she’s ecstatic. Deb…
I grew up two dunes from the beach in Kohler Andrae State Park, along the western shore of Lake Michigan. My mom and I lived with my grandparents until I was five, and lucky for me, my Grandfather was the Superintendent of that state park. He and my Grandma had a house tucked right into the woods just beyond the dunes, and I couldn’t imagine a more idyllic place to…
Deb News: Deb Jess is thrilled to report that sales of Driving Sideways have been strong enough at Target to merit its move from the “Break-Out” section to the “New Release Bestseller” section on August 12. This Monday, July 21st, the Seize a Daisy post will be: “Presenting Debutante Danielle Younge-Ullman and Falling Under.” Please come check it out! And, Deb Danielle is starting to get reviews…! “I highly recommend…
Announcing the Debutante Ball Class of 2009 We are most excited to announce the 2009 Debs, who will take over the Debutante Ball on September 1, 2008. We had so many extremely talented authors from which to choose, all with exciting books debuting next year, and narrowing it down to five was no easy task. Without further ado, our 2009 Debutantes are: Eve Brown-Waite, author of the memoir First Comes…
