We're blessed by our local book shops. Finally, what's next? Do you have another book in you? Or do you see yourself going in a different direction?
Currently my energy is going into Following Atticus and as we approach the September launch there's much to do in the area of marketing and publicity. However, that being said, I write nearly every day and I believe there are several more books in me.
Hear more about his first one tomorrow at 10 am at Jabberwocky.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Tom Ryan's Newburyport - Question 3
You're understandably excited to be featured in the upcoming Literary Festival. But you're also determined on trying to launch the book here in Newburyport. Why? Why not the mountains where this story really takes off? Are you being drawn by personal connections you have with some locals or is something inside directing you here?
Not only is it symbolic since Newburyport is where I started my writing life and the book opens in Newburyport, there are two other reasons as well. One is Jabberwocky Bookshop.
Sue Little has created a special place and Newburyport is lucky to have her and the store, especially in these days of e-books and on-line booksellers when the majority of indie bookstores have disappeared.
And it only starts with Sue. Paul Abruzzi, the manager, is not only one of my best friends he’s also helped me as a writer, just as he’s helped many others. It was Paul who got me started in turning this story into a book, first in helping me find and agent, then in always being there to talk about the steps along the way while offering guidance and encouragement.
When Atticus went through some pretty serious health issues after the winter we spent hiking to raise money for the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Vicki Pearson’s name, it was Paul who led the fundraising efforts to raise money for his vet bills.
The second reason is Newburyport herself. My connection with the city is through the people I know, while my connection with the North Country is with the mountains themselves.
I’m setting it up with my publisher that our debut is at Jabberwocky, but right after that we’ll have author appearances in Lincoln, New Hampshire, on the western side of the White Mountains, and in the North Conway area, on the eastern side. I have connections to both towns.
Not long ago I was talking with my friend Steve Smith, the noted longtime White Mountain columnist and author of many North Country hiking guides and hiking books. We figured out that Following Atticus is the first nationally published book that focuses on the White Mountains. I take some pride in that.
Not only is it symbolic since Newburyport is where I started my writing life and the book opens in Newburyport, there are two other reasons as well. One is Jabberwocky Bookshop.
Sue Little has created a special place and Newburyport is lucky to have her and the store, especially in these days of e-books and on-line booksellers when the majority of indie bookstores have disappeared.
And it only starts with Sue. Paul Abruzzi, the manager, is not only one of my best friends he’s also helped me as a writer, just as he’s helped many others. It was Paul who got me started in turning this story into a book, first in helping me find and agent, then in always being there to talk about the steps along the way while offering guidance and encouragement.
When Atticus went through some pretty serious health issues after the winter we spent hiking to raise money for the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Vicki Pearson’s name, it was Paul who led the fundraising efforts to raise money for his vet bills.
The second reason is Newburyport herself. My connection with the city is through the people I know, while my connection with the North Country is with the mountains themselves.
I’m setting it up with my publisher that our debut is at Jabberwocky, but right after that we’ll have author appearances in Lincoln, New Hampshire, on the western side of the White Mountains, and in the North Conway area, on the eastern side. I have connections to both towns.
Not long ago I was talking with my friend Steve Smith, the noted longtime White Mountain columnist and author of many North Country hiking guides and hiking books. We figured out that Following Atticus is the first nationally published book that focuses on the White Mountains. I take some pride in that.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tom Ryan's Newburyport - Question 2
Hitchcock?! David Lynch maybe but Hitchcock? :) The story goes that Atticus led you to live in the mountains. (Right?) If not him would something or someone else convinced you to move away? Did you ever think you'd be here long term? I mean you ran for Mayor for crissakes.
The late mythologist Joseph Campbell once said: "We must be willing to get rid of the live we've planned, so as to have the life that is awaiting us..." I love that quote because it speaks of fate, and it speaks of transformation.
I arrived in Newburyport in 1995 after being a bit of a gypsy who was always searching for something...just not knowing exactly what I was looking for. But it seemed as though I found it when I came to town. When I started the 'Toad I realized that I was meant to write. Until then I'd written nothing more than what amounts to a handful of letters to the editor. Not only had I found my calling, I also found a place to call home and I figured I'd be in Newburyport forever.
But then something happened. I adopted an elderly dog and in the year and a half we were together he gave me a wake up call to some of the things I was missing out on in life. The way I see it is that Max opened the door to change for me, and Atticus walked through it and took over where Max left off.
The book talks about this in some length but I'll just say that having Atticus in my life caused me to make changes and it opened me up to new possibilities. Then one day we climbed Mount Garfield with three of my brothers. It was a remarkable experience and standing on top that rocky summit was like standing on the edge of a great theater. South, east, west - mountains were everywhere. And right below us was the sprawling expanse of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Something clicked in me the that day. Soon after that Atticus and I started hiking on our own. A funny thing happened that first summer - things changed between us. We were always close, but in the mountains we became more equal. On the streets of Newburyport I had to be in charge, or at least guide him to live in a place where there were rules. But in the mountains - it was though I brought him to where he was meant to be and he took over. I just followed.
We climbed the 48 4,000-footers in New Hampshire in eleven weeks. During those eleven weeks I continued seeing things differently. There I was in my early forties and life was sending me back to school. It was like I was getting an opportunity to see things anew and I decided to take it.
However, had Atticus not taken to the mountains as much as he did that first day, I don't think we would have continued hiking. Who knows what would have happened. Would I have stayed in Newburyport as I planned to? I suppose I would have. But that would have been a mistake.
The late mythologist Joseph Campbell once said: "We must be willing to get rid of the live we've planned, so as to have the life that is awaiting us..." I love that quote because it speaks of fate, and it speaks of transformation.
I arrived in Newburyport in 1995 after being a bit of a gypsy who was always searching for something...just not knowing exactly what I was looking for. But it seemed as though I found it when I came to town. When I started the 'Toad I realized that I was meant to write. Until then I'd written nothing more than what amounts to a handful of letters to the editor. Not only had I found my calling, I also found a place to call home and I figured I'd be in Newburyport forever.
But then something happened. I adopted an elderly dog and in the year and a half we were together he gave me a wake up call to some of the things I was missing out on in life. The way I see it is that Max opened the door to change for me, and Atticus walked through it and took over where Max left off.
The book talks about this in some length but I'll just say that having Atticus in my life caused me to make changes and it opened me up to new possibilities. Then one day we climbed Mount Garfield with three of my brothers. It was a remarkable experience and standing on top that rocky summit was like standing on the edge of a great theater. South, east, west - mountains were everywhere. And right below us was the sprawling expanse of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. Something clicked in me the that day. Soon after that Atticus and I started hiking on our own. A funny thing happened that first summer - things changed between us. We were always close, but in the mountains we became more equal. On the streets of Newburyport I had to be in charge, or at least guide him to live in a place where there were rules. But in the mountains - it was though I brought him to where he was meant to be and he took over. I just followed.
We climbed the 48 4,000-footers in New Hampshire in eleven weeks. During those eleven weeks I continued seeing things differently. There I was in my early forties and life was sending me back to school. It was like I was getting an opportunity to see things anew and I decided to take it.
However, had Atticus not taken to the mountains as much as he did that first day, I don't think we would have continued hiking. Who knows what would have happened. Would I have stayed in Newburyport as I planned to? I suppose I would have. But that would have been a mistake.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
(No) Total Recall
Before I dig into today's news about the Charter Review Commission I'd like to take a moment to thank those members who took on the responsibilities that the voters bestowed upon them two years ago. It literally is a thankless job (until now) and I for one appreciate the efforts of those who gave the necessary time and effort.
Now, the news.
Daily News had a report today on the final project that will go before the City Council and ultimately the voters in November. (The council does get to vote on the plan, the vote isn't binding. Voters will get their shot on the regular ballot.)
I'll admit. I'm disappointed the Commissioners didn't include a recall provision to go along with the suggested adoption of a four-year term (instead of two.) As I stated previously, the four-year term would be easier to swallow if voters had some ability to remove someone truly unfit from office.
Personally, I wasn't worried about recalls efforts being launched for frivolous reasons. I've got enough faith in the populace to believe that no legitimate mayor would be removed unfairly. I also didn't think any illegitimate effort would have a chance to get off the ground if the bar were set high enough to ensure broad general support of any recall push.
But four of the eight attending commissioners at the last meeting felt such a device could be abused. In my mind, they're putting their faith in one person - a future mayor. The lack of a recall mechanism suggests no mayor would be bad enough to warrant premature removal or could do enough damage in four years to risk the divisiveness of a recall campaign.
Not to get all Mr. Smith, but I'd prefer to cast my lot with the general populace.
It'll be interesting to see how much heat this discussion generates. Mayor Donna Holaday is doing a good job in my eyes. As I offered last year, a good job by her will defuse at least some of the argument that we need a four-year term to attract a qualified candidate.
If people are satisfied with the Holaday, they may just decided to take the easy route and stick with the status quo.
Now, the news.
Daily News had a report today on the final project that will go before the City Council and ultimately the voters in November. (The council does get to vote on the plan, the vote isn't binding. Voters will get their shot on the regular ballot.)
I'll admit. I'm disappointed the Commissioners didn't include a recall provision to go along with the suggested adoption of a four-year term (instead of two.) As I stated previously, the four-year term would be easier to swallow if voters had some ability to remove someone truly unfit from office.
Personally, I wasn't worried about recalls efforts being launched for frivolous reasons. I've got enough faith in the populace to believe that no legitimate mayor would be removed unfairly. I also didn't think any illegitimate effort would have a chance to get off the ground if the bar were set high enough to ensure broad general support of any recall push.
But four of the eight attending commissioners at the last meeting felt such a device could be abused. In my mind, they're putting their faith in one person - a future mayor. The lack of a recall mechanism suggests no mayor would be bad enough to warrant premature removal or could do enough damage in four years to risk the divisiveness of a recall campaign.
Not to get all Mr. Smith, but I'd prefer to cast my lot with the general populace.
It'll be interesting to see how much heat this discussion generates. Mayor Donna Holaday is doing a good job in my eyes. As I offered last year, a good job by her will defuse at least some of the argument that we need a four-year term to attract a qualified candidate.
If people are satisfied with the Holaday, they may just decided to take the easy route and stick with the status quo.
Tom Ryan's Newburyport - Question 1
I've actually wondered how Newburyport will be portrayed in the book (and the eventual movie, which I envision being filmed in North Hatley, Quebec rather than here in the city.) How much of the book takes place in Newburyport? And how will the world view us once they've read the book?
It’s funny, recently I was back in Newburyport for business and I ran into a few friends. They told me there’s been a lot of talk about Following Atticus and many folks are convinced that they are featured in the book. I’m sorry to disappoint them but the truth is that while Newburyport is a major character, not many Newburyporters are. This is not the story of the Undertoad, although my Undertoad years are highlighted in the first chapters. It’s a story about the relationship I share with Atticus and the transformation I’ve gone through.
I’d say Newburyport is in about a third of the book and readers will see the city as beautiful, charming, mysterious, and complex.
You have to remember that when I started the ‘Toad it was a different time. Gentrification was in full swing and there was tension between what used to be and what was to be. The mayoral race of 1995 between Mead and Matthews was a battlefield. Passions were high and it seemed as though nearly every house had either a Mead or Matthews sign on its lawn. People were invested in the outcome.
Those years were a bridge from the past to the future and I was lucky enough to be around then. As I write in Chapter One, “The Undertoad was not your typical name for a newspaper, but Newburyport was not your typical city. It was Norman Rockwell meets Alfred Hitchcock.”
All-in-all, I’d say that when people outside of the Port read Following Atticus, they’ll want to see the city that played such a role in my life, especially in my first steps as a writer. Even now in these tamer times, as you well know, it is a fascinating place but to truly appreciate it you have to live there.
It’s funny, recently I was back in Newburyport for business and I ran into a few friends. They told me there’s been a lot of talk about Following Atticus and many folks are convinced that they are featured in the book. I’m sorry to disappoint them but the truth is that while Newburyport is a major character, not many Newburyporters are. This is not the story of the Undertoad, although my Undertoad years are highlighted in the first chapters. It’s a story about the relationship I share with Atticus and the transformation I’ve gone through.
I’d say Newburyport is in about a third of the book and readers will see the city as beautiful, charming, mysterious, and complex.
You have to remember that when I started the ‘Toad it was a different time. Gentrification was in full swing and there was tension between what used to be and what was to be. The mayoral race of 1995 between Mead and Matthews was a battlefield. Passions were high and it seemed as though nearly every house had either a Mead or Matthews sign on its lawn. People were invested in the outcome.
Those years were a bridge from the past to the future and I was lucky enough to be around then. As I write in Chapter One, “The Undertoad was not your typical name for a newspaper, but Newburyport was not your typical city. It was Norman Rockwell meets Alfred Hitchcock.”
All-in-all, I’d say that when people outside of the Port read Following Atticus, they’ll want to see the city that played such a role in my life, especially in my first steps as a writer. Even now in these tamer times, as you well know, it is a fascinating place but to truly appreciate it you have to live there.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Tom Ryan's Newburyport
I met Tom Ryan a decade plus ago when I started covering City Hall for the Newburyport Daily News. Tom had been known to me, of course, because he'd already been covering the city for his own publication, The Undertoad.
Most of us at the News were regular readers because, well, we did cover the city so we had to know what he was writing. But I suspect we also wanted to see if he'd taken yet another shot at us, which he often did.
At our first meeting, I recall being a bit guarded because I didn't want to say something that might be twisted into a dig on the paper. As a reporter I didn't like being on the busines end of a printing press. But I worried over nothing. Tom proved to be pleasant company, and Lord knows you need company when you're covering meeting after meeting.
As it turned out, I only covered City Hall for four or five months. I was done with covering cities and towns. I migrated into business writing which promised better pay and regular hours. As I was saying goodbye to the city I now call home, Tom did an absolutely terrible thing: He published a gracious comment about me in The Undertoad. Damn him. My former coworkers never looked at me the same.
Well, in addition to being an excellent judge of character, Tom Ryan is a gifted writer and, like it or not, he's inextricably tied to Newburyport even though he now calls the White Mountains home. But he still has an imprint in Newburyport. The `Toad was a vital and influential piece of the local government for more than a decade and did a great deal of good (and I'm sure in the eyes of many, some harm.) Either way, it's sorely missed. Blogs like this can't compare.
In a few short months, the relationship between Tom Ryan and Newburyport will grow even stronger. Tom is due to release his book, Following Atticus, in the fall. (For those unfamiliar with the tale, go here.) According to Tom Ryan, Newburyport will play a "major character" in the book, which left me wondering what Oprah and the millions of future readers of the book will think of our fair city once they're done with the book and, ultimately,seeing the movie. (I see either Mark Ruffalo or Jack Black as Tom Ryan, depending on the direction they want to go.)
Tom, because he's still a good guy and he's interested in promoting his appearance the Newburyport Literary Festival this weekend, agreed to answer a few questions about the Newburyport, the book and the connection between the two. Watch for them in upcoming posts.
Tom (and I'm sure Atticus) will be appearing at Jabberwocky at 10 am on Saturday morning.
Oh and Tom please don't sue me for using the picture.
At our first meeting, I recall being a bit guarded because I didn't want to say something that might be twisted into a dig on the paper. As a reporter I didn't like being on the busines end of a printing press. But I worried over nothing. Tom proved to be pleasant company, and Lord knows you need company when you're covering meeting after meeting.
As it turned out, I only covered City Hall for four or five months. I was done with covering cities and towns. I migrated into business writing which promised better pay and regular hours. As I was saying goodbye to the city I now call home, Tom did an absolutely terrible thing: He published a gracious comment about me in The Undertoad. Damn him. My former coworkers never looked at me the same.
Well, in addition to being an excellent judge of character, Tom Ryan is a gifted writer and, like it or not, he's inextricably tied to Newburyport even though he now calls the White Mountains home. But he still has an imprint in Newburyport. The `Toad was a vital and influential piece of the local government for more than a decade and did a great deal of good (and I'm sure in the eyes of many, some harm.) Either way, it's sorely missed. Blogs like this can't compare.
In a few short months, the relationship between Tom Ryan and Newburyport will grow even stronger. Tom is due to release his book, Following Atticus, in the fall. (For those unfamiliar with the tale, go here.) According to Tom Ryan, Newburyport will play a "major character" in the book, which left me wondering what Oprah and the millions of future readers of the book will think of our fair city once they're done with the book and, ultimately,seeing the movie. (I see either Mark Ruffalo or Jack Black as Tom Ryan, depending on the direction they want to go.)
Tom, because he's still a good guy and he's interested in promoting his appearance the Newburyport Literary Festival this weekend, agreed to answer a few questions about the Newburyport, the book and the connection between the two. Watch for them in upcoming posts.
Tom (and I'm sure Atticus) will be appearing at Jabberwocky at 10 am on Saturday morning.
Oh and Tom please don't sue me for using the picture.
Friday, April 15, 2011
YAHD Sale. (selfish promotion alert)
I should have posted this earlier, but our neighborhood yard sale is getting crazy big. Once limited only to Oakland Street, this massive sale-o-rama has now spread to all connecting and some parallel streets. We anticipate having 35 - 40 households participating on seven streets: Oakland, Walnut, Jackson, Carlton, Collins, Broad and Tyng Streets.
The show starts tomorrow at 8:30 pm and goes until 2:30 pm.
Special deal for Newburyport Post readers. Mention this blog and get a quizzical look absolutely free.
The show starts tomorrow at 8:30 pm and goes until 2:30 pm.
Special deal for Newburyport Post readers. Mention this blog and get a quizzical look absolutely free.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Doo the Right Thing
Well, I simply can't let a good Doody headline go by without commenting.
I'm completely behind the sentiment relayed in "Owners' Call of Doody" in yesterday's Daily News. I suggested during the discussion of the pooper scooper law that Newburyport really didn't have a poop problem, but man things have rolled downhill since then. The streets are a mess.
What's up people? Pick up the poop.
Here's the warning. If I catch your dog dropping a hint on the sidewalk I'm taking a picture. If the hint remains the photo is going up on the blog in our new Deadbeat Doody feature.
I'm completely behind the sentiment relayed in "Owners' Call of Doody" in yesterday's Daily News. I suggested during the discussion of the pooper scooper law that Newburyport really didn't have a poop problem, but man things have rolled downhill since then. The streets are a mess.
What's up people? Pick up the poop.
Here's the warning. If I catch your dog dropping a hint on the sidewalk I'm taking a picture. If the hint remains the photo is going up on the blog in our new Deadbeat Doody feature.
Meet the Neighbors
Interesting read on Panera's successful approach written up by Wharton Business School.
I'm sorry. Dunkin Donuts coffee is horrible. It just is.
The reason for Panera's success is simple: The chain has pursued a niche strategy, differentiating itself as a fast food restaurant that serves healthy, tasty, affordable food, according to Lawrence Hrebiniak, a Wharton management professor. And at a time when two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are classified as obese and many Americans are paying more attention to the food they eat, Panera offers a wholesome alternative to purveyors of fatty burgers and burritos. Equally important, Hrebiniak says, it provides an appealing customer experience.I can't see the story changing my habits too much. I'll still gravitated toward the downtown and Natural Grocer. But Panera pours a nice cup of coffee, something that's been lacking on Storey Avenue.
"Panera has become a symbol of warmth," he adds. "In advertisements, they position themselves as a warm, welcoming place. They want you to bring your friends and family. They want you to come to Panera to have lunch with a good old friend.... When times are tough, people go back to the basics. You can't go out to dinner and drop $250, but you can go to Panera with a friend and have a tasty bowl of soup and smell the bread baking."
I'm sorry. Dunkin Donuts coffee is horrible. It just is.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Sixes and Eights
Former Mayor and City Clerk John Moak received a solid report card for his first year as town manager in the town of Pepperell.
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