Covers and Operas and Events

My creative mind is distracted this week with sparks for the next book, so in lieu of deep thoughts, let me mention some Big Events coming up soon. 2013 is fixing to be a busy year.

Two new editions of THE LONG WALK are being released this spring. The UK hardcover, with a flashy UK cover, is being published by Transworld Publishers and is available for pre-order now. The official publication date is February 28th – reserve your copy now if you desperately need “centres” instead of “centers” in your mind’s eye. Also, the softcover edition from Anchor Books goes on sale April 9th. There will be new cover art for it as well, and I will shamelessly plug that when it is made official.

The opera is developing quickly, and while piano and voice treatments and opening night are still some time away, the libretto is already being wrapped up. In fact, if you are curious (like me) how they will shrink 220 pages into a short script, you can hear the results of Stephanie Fleischmann’s labors very soon. On February 6th there will be a live performance of the libretto (only) at the National Opera Center in New York, part of the American Lyric Theater’s “Living Libretto” series. Tickets are on-sale now. I will be there, and it will be the first time I get to hear it too.

Finally, but chronologically first (this post works backward in time, it seems), the full schedule of events for Silicon Valley Reads has just been released, and the kick-off event, January 30th at the Heritage Theater in San Jose, is fast approaching. Silicon Valley Reads encourages everyone in the community to read and discuss the same book, and I am honored to be selected for a program that counts Michael Pollan, T.C. Boyle, and Ray Bradbury among its authors past. This year I am paired with Sue Diaz, who wrote MINEFIELDS OF THE HEART about her experience as a mother sending her son to war. On three different trips this spring I will be doing 18 public events throughout the central and southern Silicon Valley - mark your calendars if you live in the area.

Wow, there was a lot of self-promotion in those last three paragraphs. I will do my best to correct that in future blog offerings.