Mitali Perkins's Blog, page 6
May 9, 2020
Rickshaw Girl: Official Movie Website
What's happening to the release of the
Rickshaw Girl Movie
during this chaotic time in the world? I have no idea. For now, I content myself by visiting the film's
website
every now and then to check. Feel free to do the same—and sign up to be on the email list if you want to get updates.
Naima dreams about how to help her family while she paints.
Naima dreams about how to help her family while she paints.
April 9, 2020
Maundy Thursday: A Poem
MAUNDY THURSDAY by Mitali PerkinsAt the end,
Baba didn't want his hands held.
Not by us, anyway.
They clawed in ceaseless search,
Fingers wide, then bent, raking in rhythm with the rattle.But his feet?
They kicked off the blankets and waited.
Tired skin, chapped with thirst.It took two washcloths—
The first, wet with warm water.
The second, dry and clean.
Oil came next. Was it olive?
None of us remember now.We eased it into ancient lines.
Soon, his palms turned up, came down to the sheet,
And rested there like lotus flowers.
Painting is oil on canvas, part of the series on John’s Gospel, published by Art India as "And the Word was made Flesh," in the collection of Sneha Sadan, Pune.
Baba didn't want his hands held.
Not by us, anyway.
They clawed in ceaseless search,
Fingers wide, then bent, raking in rhythm with the rattle.But his feet?
They kicked off the blankets and waited.
Tired skin, chapped with thirst.It took two washcloths—
The first, wet with warm water.
The second, dry and clean.
Oil came next. Was it olive?
None of us remember now.We eased it into ancient lines.
Soon, his palms turned up, came down to the sheet,
And rested there like lotus flowers.
Painting is oil on canvas, part of the series on John’s Gospel, published by Art India as "And the Word was made Flesh," in the collection of Sneha Sadan, Pune.September 3, 2019
A Delightful National Book Festival!
I was honored to participate in the Library of Congress' National Book Festival. Author
Misa Sugiura
and I were interviewed by Lee Ann Potter on the teen stage, followed by a signing. Below are a few photos along with my answer to a question from a teen in the audience about surviving growing up between cultures. Thanks to Macmillan for sending me and to the Library of Congress for inviting me.
The day started with a
Jesse Dittmar
photo shoot hosted by Lily News of the Washington Post.
“Suffrage” has roots meaning “prayers or pleas on behalf of another.” I couldn’t help putting grateful hands on the shoulders of steadfast suffragettes who labored for us. May we persist in labora et ora for future unknown beneficiaries.
Misa and I were both a little nervous, but ready for fun.
Lee Ann Potter, Director of Educational Outreach at the Library of Congress, asked wonderful questions.
One of my favorite moments came after our panel, when a participant said shyly, “I’m Bengali-American, too. Thank you for sharing about the hyphenated life.” And look at Misa's lovely body language as she greets a teen who came up front to ask her a question. Here’s how I answered a teen who described her struggle with growing up between cultures.
A signing line of friends, old and new.
The day started with a
Jesse Dittmar
photo shoot hosted by Lily News of the Washington Post.
“Suffrage” has roots meaning “prayers or pleas on behalf of another.” I couldn’t help putting grateful hands on the shoulders of steadfast suffragettes who labored for us. May we persist in labora et ora for future unknown beneficiaries.
Misa and I were both a little nervous, but ready for fun.
Lee Ann Potter, Director of Educational Outreach at the Library of Congress, asked wonderful questions.
One of my favorite moments came after our panel, when a participant said shyly, “I’m Bengali-American, too. Thank you for sharing about the hyphenated life.” And look at Misa's lovely body language as she greets a teen who came up front to ask her a question. Here’s how I answered a teen who described her struggle with growing up between cultures.
A signing line of friends, old and new.
August 23, 2019
Rickshaw Girl: Movie Update
Friends, it looks like
Rickshaw Girl the Movie
is in post-production! The filmmakers are hoping for a March 2020 release, but I'll keep you posted. I'm swooning over the new poster they just created.
June 4, 2019
Mitali talks (and talks) about Global Books, Code-Switching, Vocation, Craft, Literary Villages, and Mom
I've had a busy few months on the road, speaking at schools, libraries, conferences, and bookstores. Honestly, I've been talking so much that I'm sick of the sound of my own voice. This month, I'm taking some time to be silent in my introvert's cave. Thank goodness, some of you might say. Others of you, however, hopefully aren't tired of listening to me. If that's the case, here are some links to places and events to track my conversations.
While I taught in schools in real life, I also visited two groups of people virtually to chat about global literature: educators interested in the South Asia Book Award and high-schoolers in Belleville, Illinois . The videos are posted below.
I also stopped by the amazing Jen Fulwiler's radio show to talk about craft, vocation, and when to give up on a dream deferred. My interview begins at 35:33.
Over at Kirkus, Alex Heimbach interviewed me about crossing borders in life and fiction and I visited Campolindo High School to celebrate women writers. Erin Murphy of Penguin Random House Audio asked about my enjoyment of audio books , my own booking agency asked a few questions about the writing life, and the Mendocino Writer's Conference wanted me to talk about empowering young readers with fiction .
Fuller Seminary's President Mark Labberton and I enjoyed a lively conversation about writing about justice and peacemaking for young readers.
While on tour for FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU , I stopped by Austin's Book People bookstore to meet with members of the Anti-Defamation League and local educators. Bookseller Meghan Dietsche Goel summed up our time together in a nice Publisher's Weekly post, " Building a Literary Village ." Yes, tears are my superpower and there's nothing I can do about it.
For now, back I go into the hermitage. See you on the road again soon.
For information about in-person or virtual visits, contact the Booking Biz.
While I taught in schools in real life, I also visited two groups of people virtually to chat about global literature: educators interested in the South Asia Book Award and high-schoolers in Belleville, Illinois . The videos are posted below.
I also stopped by the amazing Jen Fulwiler's radio show to talk about craft, vocation, and when to give up on a dream deferred. My interview begins at 35:33.
Over at Kirkus, Alex Heimbach interviewed me about crossing borders in life and fiction and I visited Campolindo High School to celebrate women writers. Erin Murphy of Penguin Random House Audio asked about my enjoyment of audio books , my own booking agency asked a few questions about the writing life, and the Mendocino Writer's Conference wanted me to talk about empowering young readers with fiction .
Fuller Seminary's President Mark Labberton and I enjoyed a lively conversation about writing about justice and peacemaking for young readers.
While on tour for FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU , I stopped by Austin's Book People bookstore to meet with members of the Anti-Defamation League and local educators. Bookseller Meghan Dietsche Goel summed up our time together in a nice Publisher's Weekly post, " Building a Literary Village ." Yes, tears are my superpower and there's nothing I can do about it.
For now, back I go into the hermitage. See you on the road again soon.
For information about in-person or virtual visits, contact the Booking Biz.
April 2, 2019
FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU is here!
My eleventh
book
makes it to the finish line, thanks to the wisdom, creativity, and collaboration of my editor Grace Kendall, my agent Laura Rennert, and the amazing team of support at Macmillan Books. Friends, I'm humbled by your belief in my work. Thanks, too, for the serendipity/grace of scheduling
Forward Me Back to You
's release on my beloved Daddy's birthday. I dedicate it to him with a kiss to eternity.
my girl and I toast on release day
my girl and I toast on release day
March 20, 2019
Less Than Two Weeks Till Publication!
The marketing team at Macmillan sent some photos today as we're less than two weeks away from April 2, the publication date of
Forward Me Back to You
and the paperback release of
You Bring the Distant Near
. Also, that's my beloved Daddy's birthday, a lovely serendipity since I didn't pick the release date and I miss him every day. Anyway, the photos are gorgeous.
March 19, 2019
Common Core Teacher's Guide for FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU
The folks at Macmillan School and Library commissioned brilliant educator Kathleen Odean to create an educator's guide that lines up with Common Core curricula requirements, and
here
it is! Feel free to download (click below for .tiff files and then as .png files), share, and use.
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March 12, 2019
You're Invited! Book Launch Parties for FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU
I'm launching my newest novel FORWARD ME BACK TO YOU in three states, and you're invited to the parties.
(1) In the Boston area? Join us at Newtonville Books on Sunday, April 7th at 3 o'clock in the afternoon.
(2) In the San Francisco Bay Area? Come to Orinda Books on Saturday, April 13th at 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
(3) In the Seattle area? I'll be at Brick and Mortar Books in Redmond on Monday, April 15th at 6 o'clock in the evening.
Would love to see you there!
March 10, 2019
Wait, Is That Me and My Work?
Just as that familiar mob inside my head begins their screech of discouragement about this “writing career you chose,” my dear friends at Andrea Brown Literary Agency sent me this celebration of my vocation. Thank you! And wow!
