Publishing | Lauren B. Davis

Why Write About THEM?

May 21, 2013 by Lauren B. Davis 2 Comments

Every now and then someone asks me, why do you write about people like that?

I ask, people like what?

Well, these folks say, you seem like a pretty happy person, more or less, and you have a great marriage and you like where you live and you love your dog and you don’t worry about having enough to eat or your health, so why don’t you write about nice people?

Nice people? I ask (because although I know what they mean, I like to tease.)

Yes, I don’t like a lot of your characters, they’re too . . .

Filed Under: "The Other" (Us vs Them), Book News, Dog's Life, Publishing, The Empty Room, The World, The News & My Opinions On Stuff (for what it's worth), Writer's life

Goodbye Goodreads, But It’s Not Me, It’s You

April 16, 2013 by Lauren B. Davis 2 Comments

Amazon buys Goodreads: We're all just data now

Jeff Bezos, who owns Amazon, who owns Goodreads (among a bunch of other things) now.

Well, I just did it. I hit the “delete my account” button on Goodreads. I did this with much regret, because I’ve loved being a part of that community.

Since Amazon bought it, however, I just don’t feel I can stay. I did stay on the for past week or so, to let some of the people there know I’d be leaving. Now, well, I’m gone.

Filed Under: Publishing, The World, The News & My Opinions On Stuff (for what it's worth), Writer's life

If You Value Literature . . .

April 8, 2013 by Lauren B. Davis 4 Comments

If you value books and the people who write them, I beg you to read this article from the NYTimes and then to alter your buying habits accordingly.

Sadly, we writers fear that if consumers don’t start a grassroots movement to support us, in another few years there may be no more decent books out there — consider what the article says has already happened in Russia: . . . in the country of Tolstoy and Chekhov, few Russians, let alone Westerners, can name a contemporary Russian author whose work regularly affects the national conversation.

Filed Under: Publishing, The World, The News & My Opinions On Stuff (for what it's worth), Writer's life

Will I Write Again?

February 14, 2013 by Lauren B. Davis 2 Comments

Perhaps it was Philip Roth’s announcement that he’s throwing in the pen that got me thinking about retiring from writing, but the thought has been skittering about in the darker corners of my mind over the past few weeks. It could also be a merely my usual pre-publishing state of mind. My Best Beloved assures me it is. (Although I have no recollection whatsoever of feeling this way just before my other books were published, when I say this he just chuckles.)

Filed Under: Publishing, Spirituality, Writer's life, Writer's Mental Health

You Had Me At “Torture.”

February 9, 2013 by Lauren B. Davis 2 Comments

On this snowy morning, rather than spend my time out frolicking with the Rescuepoo in the drifts (which I promise I’ll do in a few minutes, really, Dog… try and be patient!) I feel compelled to enter into the ridiculous fray surrounding what may be the most unlikely literary pairing I’ve heard in a long time — Elizabeth Gilbert and Philip Roth.

There’s a WONDERFUL essay in the New Yorker by Avi Steinberg, concerning the dust up, which you really should read if you’re interested in writing and/or writers at all. It is wise beyond it’s pages. I read it this morning and by, gosh, it got me thinking.

Filed Under: Publishing, The World, The News & My Opinions On Stuff (for what it's worth), Writer's life, Writer's Mental Health

The Spirituality of Imperfection

February 5, 2013 by Lauren B. Davis 4 Comments

In the Japanese tradition of “Wabi-Sabi” that which is imperfect is considered deeply spiritual and beautiful.

I’m re-reading a great book right now, called THE SPIRITUALITY OF IMPERFECTION. Sounds tailor-made for me, doesn’t it? I know, I know.

This books speaks to me on several levels — as a person staying sober one day at a time, as a writer, and as someone seeking a closer relationship with the Sacred. In a nutshell, this book is about accepting the human condition, and finding meaning even within suffering. Not that suffering is required,you understand, but that suffering isn’t a sign of failure.

Filed Under: Publishing, Spirituality, Uncategorized, Writer's life, Writer's Mental Health

What To Do? What To Do?

January 9, 2013 by Lauren B. Davis 12 Comments

I had a phone chat recently with a writer friend of mine. We both have books coming out this spring and are both dealing with the pre-publication jitters. His editor called him to say a blurb for the book had come in and it was a really nice blurb, but the ‘blurbist’ had suggested “a couple” of editorial changes. The ‘blurbist’ in question is a pretty well-known author and has a history with my friend so he was second-guessing himself.

Writers are pretty insecure folks (who isn’t?), and since the book business is SO subjective, it’s easy to be sent into an utter flap by such last minute ‘suggestions.’

Filed Under: Publishing, Writer's life, Writer's Mental Health, Writing process

The Next Big Thing: Find Out What I’m Working On

October 19, 2012 by Lauren B. Davis 6 Comments

Writers are tagging writers in this new questionnaire going around the web. What’s the next big thing we’re working on? Thanks to historical novelist Sandra Gulland for tagging me!

Here’s the mock-up of the cover for “The Empty Room”

What is your working title of your book?

“The Empty Room” — it’s the final title.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Filed Under: blog, Publishing, Writer's life, Writing process

Nova Scotia Bound

September 20, 2012 by Lauren B. Davis 2 Comments

I’m off to Halifax on Saturday to take part in the wonderful “Word on the Street” events on Sunday as well as doing a reading at “The Inside Story” in Greenwood, Nova Scotia on Wednesday evening, Sept. 26. I’m excited. I LOVE Nova Scotia and look forward to seeing old friends.

One of the things I’m most excited about is reading with Donna Morrisey and David Adams Richards on Sunday. I’ve long been a fan of their work and it will be lovely to meet them in person. I’ll get some photos and post them.

Filed Under: Publishing, Writer's life

OUR DAILY BREAD & The Giller Prize

September 4, 2012 by Lauren B. Davis 8 Comments

Well, today started out pretty darn well. I heard OUR DAILY BREAD was longlisted for the Giller Prize.

All prizes are, of course, as much a matter of luck and timing as anything else. I know there were some wonderful books published this year that didn’t make it onto the list.

I also know it’s a very steep climb from the long list to the short list, but given that the writer’s life is filled with so much rejection, disappointment and criticism, it’s important to celebrate these moments and enjoy them.

Filed Under: Publishing, Writer's life