New Orleans Nights

Hi friends.

I have copy edits coming in next week for the new novel and I will be working really intensely on them for a few weeks so I might not show up here during that time. I view my copy edits as another draft entirely—as opposed to just responding to comments from the editor—so it’s going to require all my attention as I bring this novel home to its final destination. If I can somehow wrap up two books by the end of the year I will feel like I have done ENOUGH which I assure you will be a thrilling feeling for your neurotic friend Jami.

It has been exciting to write alongside you the past few years on these projects! I look forward to writing more together next year. But for now I need to quietly finish my work before I launch 1000 Words. (I will still be over at The 52 Project which is obviously weekly through the course of it.)

The rest of this email is for people in New Orleans (although you are all welcome to read it.)

On Monday, December 4, I will be in conversation with Mattie Lubchansky about their wonderful, inventive graphic novel Boys Weekend at gorgeous Blue Cypress Books. The event is free.

On Friday, December 8, I will be at the Holiday Bake Sale & Gift Market at Hotel Peter & Paul with my friend Brooke Pickett. We will be having an archive sale. All eight of my previous books will be available for ten bucks a pop, and I will sign them for you—hello, a perfect holiday gift! Brooke will be selling her beautiful quilts. You can also just come say hi. There are always lots of cute vendors at this event.

On Tuesday, January 9, I will be launching 1000 WORDS at the very chic Baldwin & Co., in conversation with NOLA faves Maurice Ruffin and Jacques Pierre Francois. The event is ticketed, and you get a copy of the book with it. It is going to be a glorious and entertaining night.

On Thursday, January 25, I will be celebrating the release of 1000 WORDS at Blue Cypress Books alongside my dear friend Katy Simpson Smith with a write-along event. It is going to be fun and nerdy. The event is ticketed and you can use part of the price of the ticket as a discount to buy a book.

But listen, this is important: if you can’t afford a ticket to either of these bookstore events, just let me know! Or if you are a teacher and you have students who would like to attend, also let me know! We can work things out. The purpose of this newsletter and #1000wordsofsummer and the book itself is to encourage everyone to write. So I want my events to be as accessible as they can be while still supporting these wonderful independent bookstores that are hosting me. It’s a careful balance but we are all on the same team! Do you know what I mean? I think you do.

Thanks for playing. New Orleans, I hope to see you soon.

Jami

p.s. This week’s donation went to Doctors without Borders.

You are reading Craft Talk, the home of #1000wordsofsummer and also a weekly newsletter about writing from Jami Attenberg. I’m also on twitter and instagram.