Fun, Sun and Books in Palm Beach

Why is this week’s blog a bit early? Picture me in Palm Beach, Florida. No, I won’t be on vacation–although it might feel that way. This Tuesday and Wednesday I’ll be speaking at the Society of the Four Arts Libraries. How do you find me? Tuesday afternoon at 5:30 I’ll be at the Dixon Education Building (240 Cocoanut…

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You Still Have Time to Hug Your Local Librarian

It’s National Library Week.  Did you know?  I’ll confess I’m not a fan of “Blank-Blank Weeks” in general, but this one’s too important to ignore.  I’ve relayed my own memories here of the Gulfport, Florida library where my addiction to reading got its start.  At the time many of you commented about your own good…

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You Say You Want A Digital Revolution?

If you read my recent blog on writers and friendship, you know I spent last week at the Novelist’s Inc. workshop on St. Pete Beach, my old stomping grounds.  It’s always a surprise when I go home to find not the huge changes we sometimes see, but a re-creation of the past.  My neighborhood looks much the…

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Booksignings: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

I’ll begin with the truth.  Writers love booksellers the way we love our first born sons.  We love booksellers the way we love chocolate, lattes, spring after long winters and beaches at sunset.  That said, we don’t always love booksignings. This past weekend I had the opportunity to be on a panel at the Virginia…

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What Price Happiness?

The following made me smile.  I hope it makes you smile, as well.   I don’t know how this Amazon bookseller  got a copy of a book that’s not yet in print.  I don’t know why this bookseller thinks this particular copy is worth a thousand dollars–but, of course, as the author how can I dispute…

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Libraries, One of the Wonders of the World

Imagine this, if you can.  A special place people visit just because they want to learn more about their favorite subject.  Imagine this.  A special place where, for nothing more than the moments spent filling out a form, wonderful books are handed over to take home, read and enjoy.  And when they’re returned, more take…

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