Well, dear readers, how can this month already be coming to an end? Of course, it is a short month, but still, this month has flown by, like a gazelle wearing peggers. Does anyone still wear peggers? When I was a wee bairn, peggers were all the rage. From what I’ve read, they made a comeback in the 1980s and perhaps are even making a comeback now, since nostalgia these days is still locked in the 80s (soon to be the 90s, though). I had several pairs of peggers. I don’t remember what they were, really, or what made them different, but I remember the name and remember going to the May Company to buy them. Here’s a little advertisement for a store in North Hollywood in the 1950s.
Pants were CHEAP back then. What the HELL am I talking about?
First of all, I received an e-mail with the final art for the new book – this, of course, doesn’t have the title treatment or author name yet – Grant does that part. From what I understand, it will be scanned today and Grant should get the file either later in the day or tomorrow. I really love it, as does Muse Margaret, and I thought I’d share the raw art right here today. So, here it is, but only if the full-size file fits – if not, you’ll have to wait. Let’s see if it works. Be sure to click on it to see it in a larger size so you can see the gorgeous detail.
Isn’t that nice? I hope you all like it. Grant and I both wanted a classic illustration art vibe and I think we got it. The art is by James C. Mulligan, who has been gaining quite a bit of notoriety for his art for Disney Fine Art. And I did get my second blurb, so here that is:
“Meet 10-year-old Jewish cowboy Jeremiah Goldberg, who is growing up in a California boomtown circa 1880; a place where the girls were apple-cheeked and a good dime-store paperback was all a kid needed to pass an afternoon. Bruce Kimmel’s smartly-paced, entertaining Red Gold is a hybrid—part Jewish cowboy whodunit, part coming-of-age tale. But the gamble pays off. Giddyup.”
—Mickey Rapkin, author of Pitch Perfect, about the world of collegiate a cappella groups, which inspired the hit film from Universal.
I rather like that blurb. It was longer originally, but we took out the stuff that gave too much away. So, closer we get to getting everything to the publisher.
Otherwise, yesterday was a fine little day. I was up early, and the book dealer from the north was here at ten. He looked through my shelves and was very impressed with what he found, especially in terms of condition. Then I showed him my extras and he ended up taking about eight books and I got a very nice amount of credit for things he might get. He always sends me his lists early, so I always have first crack at stuff. He was here for about two hours, then I went and had a cup of chili and a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich. After that, I picked up some packages and then came home. I had a few telephonic conversations, did some work on the computer, then finally sat on my couch like so much fish.
Last night, I watched a motion picture on Blu and Ray entitled Page Eight, a spy drama by David Hare that was recently shown on PBS. It was made a couple of years ago and I must say it’s really good – beautifully written and directed (Hare, too) and with an amazing cast of players, including Bill Nighy (superb), Michael Gambon, Judy Davis, Ralph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, and two actresses I haven’t seen in ages and ages – Alice Krige and Marthe Keller. The transfer is gorgeous and this is highly recommended by the likes of me.
After that, I did some more work on the computer, got the final corrected copy of the fully designed book, got a very complimentary message from dear reader ChasSmith who just finished Writer’s Block and my short story collection, How to Write a Dirty Book (and Other Stories) – he quoted a line from Writer’s Block that he particularly liked but which I can’t share with you in these here notes as this is a family site. But it was lovely to get the message and he’s reviewed both titles on Amazon, so check it out.
Today, I shall be up early once again and I have a haircut appointment with Teddy at ten. After that, the helper is coming by and we have some errands and whatnot to do. Then later in the day I have a dinner meeting with a singer, who, if all goes according to Hoyle, I’ll help put together a little act. Hopefully we’ll get the art scan done and to Grant and he can design the book’s cover, rear cover and flaps, after which it can all go off to the publisher. I suspect that will happen on Monday, actually.
Tomorrow, we have our second Kritzerland rehearsal and then I have another dinner meeting after it. Friday, I have a lunch meeting, then I’m thinking I’ll go see our show, since Nick Redman and his ever-lovin’ Julie Kirgo would like to see it that night. Saturday I’ll also be at the show. Sunday is the closing performance, but I’ll be here having our stumble-through and then attending our Annual Oscar Bash, the best place to be on all the Internet, where the fun is fast and furious and it’s the best partay in town. Monday is our sound check and show, and then the rest of the week is meetings and meals and a work session or two with Sandy Bainum.
Well, dear readers, I must take the day, I must do the things I do, I must, for example, get a haircut by Teddy, do errands and whatnot, hopefully pick up some packages, have a dinner meeting and relax. Today’s topic of discussion: It’s Ask BK Day, the day in which you get to ask me or any dear reader any old question you like and we get to give any old answer we like. So, let’s have loads of lovely questions and loads of lovely answers and loads of lovely postings, shall we, whilst I hit the road to dreamland, after which I shall arise, admire the cover art, and perhaps go and try to find a pair of peggers.