I’m looking forward to visiting international students at Loyola University’s Intensive English Program again this week. This semseter they’ve been reading THE NIGHT OF THE COMET:
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Special Halloween Post: I Was a Teenage Vampire
Every year at Halloween he rises from the dead. From I WAS A TEENAGE VAMPIRE, in 2001 Oxford American:
PROSTITUTE VAMPIRE: Well, Murphy, what did you have in mind tonight?
MURPHY: Oh, I don’t know. Something a little different maybe. . . . Ow, that hurts! Ow, stop it, you’re biting me!
More here. If you dare.
Comet Cocktails in New Orleans Nos. 1 and 2
What better way to celebrate the holidays, thought I, than a Night O’ the Comet cocktail? On the recommendation of Ms. Nicola Wolf, I made my way to Sylvain restaurant and bar, in the French Quarter, where the talented and agreeable Darrin Ylisto, bartender extraordinaire, with the help of Lucy Weed, also extraordinaire, whipped up a couple of speciality cocktails.
“See this book cover here,” said I, presenting a reproduction of the cover of my new novel, THE NIGHT OF THE COMET. “Can you do a cocktail like that?”
Darrin frowned. He scratched his chin. Inspired, he recollected a quote attributed to Dom Perignon upon first tasting champagne. “Come quickly!” said Dom. “I am drinking stars!”
Darrin’s Comet Cocktail No. 1 began with Prosecco sparkling wine. To this was added a sugar cube liberally doused with creme de violet, then a lemon twist, and perhaps some other things that I missed.
The cocktail was delish. “But wait!” said Darrin. “I can do better!”
Darrin’s Comet Cocktail No. 2 began with egg whites, which is always a good way to begin a cocktail.
Next came Aviation Gin, then, I think, Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur, then lemon juice, and then plenty of creme de violet. He shook the hell out of it.
Shake-a shake-a shake-a shake . . .
Lucky carved up a lemon peel, and voila!
Here are Darrin and Lucy, a little blurry after a few drinks. Merci beaucoup, Darrin and Lucy! Joyeaux Noel!
Book of the Month on Bookmovement.com
The Night of the Comet is the Book of the Month on Bookmovement.com, a site for book clubbers. I haven’t tried the recommended Night of the Comet cocktail yet.
Songs with Astronomical Themes No. 2: Bad Moon Rising
The “Woodstock” song that I posted last week got me thinking of all the popular songs with astronomical themes. Here’s another one: Bad Moon Rising, by Creedence Clearwater Revival. This is a video of them performing the song live on the Johnny Cash Show in 1969.
We Are Stardust, We Are Golden
Here to celebrate the release of my new novel are Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, singing the Joni Mitchell song that’s quoted on the epigraph page of THE NIGHT OF THE COMET. Take it, boys: (The novel has nothing to do with Woodstock, by the way. Good visuals though, aren’t they?)
1718 Reading at The Columns
I’ll be reading from and signing copies of Letter to My Daughter next Tuesday, September 7 at 7:00 p.m. at The Columns hotel and bar on St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans.
The 1718 Reading Series is a terrific monthly event bringing together students and teachers of the creative writing programs from the University of New Orleans, Tulane University, and Loyola University (my alma mater). Each month they invite a different guest speaker-reader, and then a few students from the universities read their work.
Past guests have been Joseph Boyden, Rikki Ducornet, and poet Nicole Cooley. Next week will be me. Anyone can come. Happy hour from 5-7.
More Readings and Signings
I’ll be doing a couple more readings and signings this week. On Monday, May 3 at 4pm I’ll be at the Alabama Booksmith in Birmingham. Then on Saturday, May 8 at 2pm I’ll be at Page & Palette bookstore in Fairhope.
Drop by these fine bookstores if you’re in the neighborhood. Here are the links: