Beth Kephart's Blog, page 48

On leaving and returning; Going Over at a bargain price; two new reviews of One Thing Stolen

I was away and when I went away, I went away from myself as a writer—extracted myself from the pressures, the confusions, the fears. I read the work of others instead. Walked hours every day through crooked streets with a heavy camera taking photos of places, of faces, of fashion. Ate gelato at any hour. Learned the history of the Polish people, spent time in Schindler's Factory, visited (with a hushed heart) Auschwitz and Birkenau, walked the grounds of Wawel Castle, happily trekked through a dragon's den, and less happily endured the terror of an underground cave with shoulder-wide passageways. Spent beautiful, wonderful, thirtieth anniversary time with the husband who has taken to calling me (I can't imagine why), "Miss Daisy."

(The other husband just calls me "Beth.")

But I had much to do when I returned, and today I've been taking care of some of that business. There's a new afterword to write for Handling the Truth. Proof pages of Love: A Philadelphia Affair to read through. A review of a favorite author's book to write. Final preparations for this weekend's events at the Bethlehem Area Public Library and the Moravian Writers' Conference. (Join us for the keynote. We would love to see you.) When you go away and then return everything is seen from a new angle. I am aware always, and especially now, of how hard getting writing right is, and how much more I have yet to learn.

While away, I heard from dear Taylor Norman at Chronicle Books that the e-book version of Going Over—as well as ten other Chronicle books—can now be purchased for $1.99 during the next two weeks. The link to that fabulous opportunity is here.

I also learned about two kind reviews of One Thing Stolen—the first by my dear friend Florinda, who reads with such extreme care and who writes with such authority. Thank you, Florinda, for these original, knowing, thoughtful, generous words. You have been such a faithful, important reader of my books. You have understood my purpose.

The second review, posted on the Once Upon a Bookcase blog, is here. I cherish this review because it is written by a reader who wasn't quite sure, when she heard that Nadia was a thief, that this book would be for her. She gave it a chance anyway. And I am grateful.

the faces of Krakow

Survivors. Dancers. Nuns. Priests. Bishops. Kids chasing bubbles. Kids in the rain. Love on the square. Models. Someones political and many offering food.

We will not forget the faces of Krakow or the time that we had there.

Krakow: the city in snapshots

Polish American Fashion Week: first outtakes from Krakow

On our final day in Krakow there was (yet again) excitement in the square as the fashionistas took over the runway for a Polish-American Fashion Foundation competition. We happened by with cameras. These are a few of the shots I took.

This was fun.

we are smiling, because that's what we do.

With Amy Sarig King.

we had ourselves a moment

We were the body, heart, soul, and mind—and we were together last evening at Children's Book World in Haverford, PA. (IW Gregorio, Margo Rabb, Tiffany Schmidt, Moi)

For me, it was so very personal. Time alone with the great A.S. King, who is essential in my life in ways that go far beyond the page. The stunning surprise that My Spectacular David (a last-semester student whose own mind-expanding work you will all no doubt be reading soon) pulled off—taking a long drive from his home to join the celebration. The chance to chill with the force that is Heather Hebert, whose store is, in a word, a mecca. Sister Kim and her girls, one of whom, Kathleen, is bound for glory, as you can see. Anmiryam, Anne, Jenn. Friends, familiar faces, new friends. Fishbowl questions that were, well, as you can see from the photo above, challenging. Margo Rabb—famous writer, provocateur, New York Times-er, and Salon-er, esteemed member of the literari—I now know to avoid the ink color green when questions are being passed down the line.

I was glad to have this chance to read three pages from One Thing Stolen. To give my character Maggie, who was named for a fabulous former Penn student, a moment to speak out loud. Books are one thing on the page. They are something else raised from the page. I heard my Maggie as I read those words.

Time to return to a book in progress. I'm going to go quiet for a few days as I put my thinking cap on.

my husband bought this for me. I don't know why.

I'm going to spend a few days figuring it out.
Oh, but in the meantime, come see Margo Rabb, IW Gregorio, Tiffany Schmidt, and me tonight. We plan to be awesome at Children's Book World, Haverford, PA, 7 PM. 
I will not be annoyed to see you.

some wine? some cheese? some books? Fundraising at Bethlehem Area Public Library

I'm looking forward to my Moravian Writers' Conference/Bethlehem weekend. It all gets started here, at the Bethlehem Area Public Library, with a fundraiser. Did Josh Berk and his team do an amazing job of straightening my hair, or what?

(Josh informs me that, when he and his graphics team aren't around to help me look my best, Aqua Net is still available in drug stores.)

In Media, with the Stars (in today's Philadelphia Inquirer)

Two Wednesday evenings ago, I ventured into Media (a town I've lately been rediscovering) to participate in the eighth-season kick-off of the grandness known as Dining Under the Stars(TM). Some 3,000 people were out beneath threatening (but never daunting) skies as more than two dozen restaurants wheeled their delectables into the street. Bob Deane, potter extraordinaire, was his beguiling self. Earth & State had its shine on. Flowers grew between trolley tracks.

The dazzle razzle of that story is here.

the tantalizing before

Before the horses arrive, before the crowds set in, before the big hats and the prance of dogs.

I like to be alone inside the tantalizing before.

Sort of like writing a book before the critics weigh in.