Books and other writing news

It's been absolute madness and overload this week, well, really just a LOT of work. And more still because I'm not quite caught up, but almost. It's all gotten my mind fired up too; many more things I want to write when I have a chance, like this weekend, all stuff that's been percolating, some personal, some bookish. Many ghosts from my recent past have resurfaced this week, some just in my imagination, some via phone or email, bringing up good and bad memories and feelings I didn't realize I still had. I go home and collapse and have been waking up so frantically, since there is always something knocking at my brain, needing my attention. I like that in one sense, because whenever I have nothing to do, I get antsy and start looking for new projects. Like now, my fingers and brain are itching to get started and get pitching new books, even as I breathe a sigh of relief that the latest round are out the door.

I'm going away next weekend to Martha's Vineyard and when I get back am pushing through until Labor Day. It's funny because it's a bit like me and drinking; I so rarely crave alcohol anymore, and that's sadly how I'm starting to get about socializing. I mean, I still go out, have a wedding and a comedy show to attend this weekend, but really, I'm so single-minded about work, it feels kinda good at the moment.

So some good news:

He's on Top and She's on Top are slated to be published in February. I finally got He's sent off and am just crossing my fingers it's all in order, or mostly. Can't wait to see what kinds of covers get cooked up for these. I'm really proud of and excited about these two, and found some great new writers and got to work with some of my favorite ones. He's was kindof a hellish process, best laid plans and all that, but I think the result doesn't show it. Second Skins, which I have to finish with Christopher Pierce soon, comes out in April, and has given me an excuse to peruse tons of latex websites, for "research."

And Diane Mapes accepted my essay "A Work in Progress: Inside the Mind (and Bed) of a Single Sex Columnist" for her anthology Single State of the Union: Single Women Speak Out about Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness which I'm really excited about because it's my first sale to Seal Press and sounds like a fabulous collection.

So much other stuff I can barely keep track, I just do whatever thing is most pressing in my mind, the one with the biggest neon sign glaring from my interior. My lists are having baby lists and my head just keeps exploding with information but slowly but surely, I'm crossing stuff off. Have 4 big things to get done this weekend, 2 articles, Second Skins, and reading Esther Perel's Mating in Captivity to get ready to interview her on Monday. Also need to figure out if I'm indeed going to San Francisco, and possibly Portland, at the end of October for Caught Looking readings. I want to, just need to make sure there are readings to be had.