Erica Bauermeister on sensual and sensorial fiction
This month’s interview will take a turn for the literary with Erica Bauermeister, who seems to evoke sensual and sensorial worlds and then populate them with ensemble casts. I say “seems” because I have yet to start reading, and already I see a problem looming. I went to purchase Erica’s latest book and ended up buying three—just to start. All her jacket blurbs are so different and yet so up-my-alley. I think reading Erica Bauermeister is going to be addictive, at a time when I badly don’t have time!
However, I have it on excellent authority that I am going to love Erica’s language. Most of you know I will read just for that. But there are also other great loves slipping off their bra straps in the low light: food, flavor, scent, atmosphere, homes—what do you call that, curated environment?—community, friendship. And in most of Erica’s books, also: a kaleidoscope of intersecting narratives—a novel in stories, a memoir in essays, three novels set around tables of six or eight. Doesn’t that all sound deeeelicious? Won’t you read along with me and then come meet Erica? Thursday, September 25th, 5:30-7:00pm PT. Register here to save your place. And please add to the question I’m going to pose: how does Erica find the time and pace to write so many books?
If you missed my interview last month, I had a wonderful time speaking with Rita Chang-Eppig about writing historical fiction. It was so nice to be able to discuss the challenges of the genre, and also the shared interests that led us both there. Here is the recording if you missed it, or if you simply want to watch it again.
And now, before I go off to read Erica’s NO TWO PERSONS, I’m pleased to pass on some community news.
Community member Elizabeth Kemp is delighted to be launching her debut novel, TREAD LIGHTLY from Sibylline Press, on October 10th. In Tread Lightly, a murder shakes up an idyllic Silicon Valley town, drawing Tierney—former Dublin hostage negotiator turned stay-at-home mom—back into her past. While navigating the isolating cliques at her kindergartener’s new private school and the shadow of the 2007 tech-industry backdating scandal, Tierney must confront the mystery at hand and the false assumptions we make about others—and ourselves.
Join Elizabeth at Books Inc. in Campbell, CA on Friday, October 10th at 7pm to celebrate the release of her new book. She’ll be in conversation with author Jordan Rosenfeld (Women in Red) and will sign books afterward.
And for all those of you happy to pay for a little consultancy or input, here’s a chance to do that and support a good cause. The Bay Area Book Festival’s Bibliophile’s Bazaar, stocked with manuscript reviews, agent consults, writing workshops, and much more, is now open for bidding! Proceeds go to the Foundation for the Future of Literature and Literacy—which I assume supports the festival. Check it all out here.
Don’t forget to drop me a line if you have news to share!
Hope to see you on Thursday September 25th with Erica. Until then, happy writing,
Shirin