People’s “Pick of the Week”
On Tuesday, the day, The Good House was published, I woke up at 4 AM, which was, of course too early. I tried to go back to sleep because I needed to be my sharpest self that day. I had a radio interview with Leonard Lopate at 1:00. A live interview. Yes, it would be broadcast live to a million listeners all at once, so I needed to get sleep.
Sleep, I ordered my jittery brain. Go the f%^$ to sleep.
But, no, my brain was on overdrive, careening this way and that, and so I was forced to spring from my bed, make a giant pot of coffee, and began writing a series of frantic emails to my editor, publicist and friends.
My interview with Mr. Lopate happened to be in a building two blocks from my apartment. I was supposed to be there at 12:30, so I only had eight hours to think about clever things to say about my book. When I was unable to come up with anything clever, I tried to just describe my book in a succinct yet appealing way. “It’s about a woman named Hildy Good who lives in a small New England town on Boston’s North Shore, not unlike the town of Marblehead where I grew up. Well, it actually more closely resembles Ipwich or Essex. I didn’t really grow up there, I grew up in various towns throughout the Northeast and Midwestern states, but we moved to Marblehead when I was 14. You know it was hard to make friends there at first but I had this poodle that I very much loved…”
No, too long. I took a deep breath and said, “It’s about a woman whose annoying daughters think she has a drinking problem.” Then I imagined his response would be, “Yes, and…” Because, lets face it, many people have annoying daughters who think they have a drinking problem. Why the hell hadn’t I decided to write about something interesting?
Somehow, by the time I did the interview, I was able to speak in somewhat coherent sentences. Would you like to hear it? Well, you may, it’s here.
Wednesday night, Denis, Julie Klam and Laura Zigman threw a fabulous party for me after my reading at Barnes & Noble in Manhattan. I don’t have time to tell all right now, but I met Katie Holmes for the first time. At my book party! The party was amazing. I’ll just leave you with this photograph of my fellow Hash Hags as they delight a few of my guests with their wit.
Hope you enjoyed your interview with Lenny. He is quite the legend here at WNYC and a lovely person, to boot. I’m looking forward to reading your book, by the way. Hope you have great good luck with it.
it’s a wonder you got any sleep. can’t wait to listen to the interview later!
I see Mike and Tracey made it also, looks like a great party. Congrats on your book, many more to follow .
Congrats on such a great start to your book! Can’t wait to get my hands on it – and hopefully see you in a few weeks!
Congratulations! So exciting! It takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there and answer questions about what you have written and about yourself! I wish you lots of strength to continue your “Good Work” on your “Good House”
Congratulations on your book. I can’t wait to read it as I have loved all your other books. I read your blog daily although I never comment and enjoy it too. But anyway, I digress. I’m not sure if you are aware or even care but England’s DAILY MAIL newspaper interviewed Michael j. Fox at your booksigning last night and gave a little plug of you book.
Next year – we watch you pick up your Oscar for the screenplay adaptation of THE GOOD HOUSE!
Wow!
Oh, those nights when sleep won’t come! I always wish my brain had an “off” switch, and I could just click it and go away to Dreamland. It’s even worse when you have a spouse who is blessed with the gift of sound sleep under any circumstances! So happy that the big day was a complete success from start to finish, despite the sleepless night.
What Mary L said!
Got my copy today of TGH & am enjoying it very much! Good job Ann, as always.
Great interview! You sounded so relaxed.
I think it is so incredibly sweet and wonderful that your husband and friends threw a book party for you. Sounds like a fabulous night!
Congrats! Looks like a fun night.
Just bought my copy of The Good House for iPad. Can’t wait to dig in! Once again, congrats on your success, Ann!