Lynn Hoffman

Kunati Books, the publisher of bang BANG, was named Publisher of the Year at Book Expo America.

 ..probably as a result of their having the good judgment to publish and promote bang BANG.....

One of my favorite NPR stations-WPSU in beautiful, trout-laden State College, PA-just broadcast two interviews back to back. The first was with this Vargas Llosa fellow and the second was with me, the author of the mega-hit bang BANG. I never heard of this guy before, but I'll bet he was really thrilled to be on the same radio show as bang BANG. He seemed like a nice enough guy so I thought i'd give him a boost and buy his latest book. I like to encourage up-and-coming writers.

You can hear the interview with me and whatsisname by clicking here.

To tell the truth, I think the kid has talent-maybe he'll go somewhere. . . .  

bang BANG just got a lovely review from Jewish Book World's Spring 5768/2008 edition.  Among the nice things they said was this:

"Bang Bang is a gritty modern day fairy tale were the urban princess has the power and the men in her life provide back-up support. It’s a vibrant and unexpected mix of prose, poetry and screenplay and quite an interesting read.  NT "

It's interesting that they picked up on the 'strong-woman' aspect as much as the 'let's grow up about guns' theme.

You can find out more about bang BANG  or read an excerpt at its publisher's page. Kunati.com

You can imagine my shock when I learned that my habit of buying used books from time to time could be a hazard to my health. Recent investigations by the Oswego County Union of Licensed Asthma Therapists have uncovered a scary connection between used books and asthma, emphysema, impotence and diminished sang-froid. You can read the whole story as summarized by novelist Art Tirrellat:  http://www.arttirrell.com/

In Philadelphia, a lot of people get their news from a single, out-of-town newspaper. Those folks often turn to blogs or radio for their sports news and to The Broad Street Review for news of the arts. I've always been disappointed that the premier arts source in this town disdained news of Food and Drink as beneath its dignity and while I sympathized with the prejudices and insecurities that prevent the culture-vultures from talking about The First Art, I felt it time to protest. Here's what I wrote:

Dear Editor,

       Congratulations on the success of  Broad Street Review. It's a brave and wonderful thing you're doing. There is a certain pleasure in connoisseurship, in thoughtful appreciation of the good things, in studying and knowing something well enough to get as much pleasure from your knowledge of it as you do from the thing itself.    

    There's also a bit of cultural and political statement involved. In an age when mass pleasures like TV grow more feeble and homogeneous, the very act of discrimination becomes a form of protest. And so I am a bit shocked a publication so fervently dedicated to refined appreciation and support of the arts shows such cultivated disdain for the culinary arts. ...

To read more of my diplomatic, persuavive and gentle plea: go to The Broad Street Review itself.  For real inspiration on the topic, check out The New Short Course in Wine.