Michael Perry's Blog, page 389

"Oops" in Person

Spoke at an event in Green Bay and got to meet a guy named Guy, which was fun because thanks to Guy, the new paperback version of Coop contains two less errors than the hardcover.

Guy's a professional, and on page 117 of the Coop hardcover, he suggested the following change:

[an extraneous "is" six lines up from the bottom of the page:] This is only forces her…

On page 335 he suggested the following change:

[top line:] …often enough now that it sometimes it takes me…

Done, and done.

Thanks, Guy, and ...

Because the Question Is Freshly Raised

Out on the paperback tour for Coop, I am being asked the same question as I was asked for the hardcover, and the question(s) (paraphrased) is/are this:

The rectum?  Really?

Yes.  Really.

Welcome, New Hampshire

If you're swinging by because you just heard my interview with Avishay Artsy on New Hampshire Public Radio, welcome.

This morning I'm working on moving chickens, but lately I've been out touring for the new paperback version of Coop.  The full tour is here (I'm going to New Hampshire!) (twice!).

Here you can listen to "Tiny Pilot," the album my band and I just did with Amble Down Records.

The music sometimes ties into the writing.

Rest of the work is here.

We don't bug folks, but we do like to...

Butterflies and Hammer Handles

Somewhere in the collection of our family slides is a photo of a swarm of monarchs in one of our big white pines.  Was reminded of this as I've been reading Ken Parejko's "Monarch of the Butterflies."  Ken lives not far down the road.

Also reading "Builder's Apprentice," by Andrew J. Hoffman, in which a college-educated government worker decides to pitch it all and build houses.  Hoffman's description of meeting his boss Jack and the work crew reminds me of my early days on the fire...

Will You Read/Review/Write About My Book?

Every week I receive a number of manuscripts, books, and email attachments from authors requesting that I read the material and provide them with a review or other comments.  I receive many more emails simply asking if I would be willing to read and review a manuscript if it was sent my way.  Some of these materials come direct from publishers; the rest are sent by the author personally.  Nearly all of them are posted politely and without onus, but I get guilt pangs anyway, because, A) guilt ...

Bare-Footed Bad-Tempered Baby Brigade

This was bedtime reading last night.  Deborah Diesen is a Michigan-based author and author of the popular The Pout-Pout Fish.  Her website is here.  Her blog is here.

Making New Friends

Heading home soon after being away for the better part of two weeks.  I meet so many new folks out on these swings.  At most events I remember to pass around a mailing list signup sheet, but at a couple (Cedar Rapids, for one) I forgot.  If we missed you, and you don't mind, the sign-up page is here.

And if you're wondering what signing up entails, here's the explanation:

We use the mailing list to send updates (new books, new projects, new news) and to let folks know if Mike is coming to...

Ogling International Harvesters

Last year I was privileged to be part of the Red Power Roundup.  Now there's a gorgeous full-color book available documenting the event.  I know there are at least a couple of photos of a balding Binder lover in there.

Crops at a Distance

I've been checking the weather by remote and it's been cold and rainy back home.  Wondering if the corn and oats I've recently planted will sprout or turn into compost.  One thing about being on the road, I can't walk the fields* obsessively.

*When I say "fields" I mean four patches of dirt equivalent to the turnaround space for today's modern tractor.

If They Give Truck Rides in Heaven

(Sent by fellow IH addict Mike S.)