Michael Hickins's Blog, page 5

But I Digress… with Michael Gottlieb

My first podcast episode of But I Digress is now live! Michael Gottlieb, the author of more than 20 books, joins me to talk about the role of art in life, which he says is “to help us live our lives.” He talks about New York, the hidden New York, how poets live their lives, … Continue reading But I Digress… with Michael Gottlieb

But I Digress … The Eve of the Eve

September 2, which is in two days, the first episode of But I Digress, drops into the world. It’s been quite an adventure thus far, learning how to record, edit, and prepare a podcast. I feel very lucky that the first episode of But I Digress features Michael Gottlieb, whom I only got to know … Continue reading But I Digress … The Eve of the Eve

On Borges, Fiction’s Clay and Purpose

The lines between fiction and memoir are often blurred. This is problematic for anyone who writes and still has loved ones! I’m grateful to the blogger Tim Ferris for providing this timely quote, as I try to find an agent for The Factory: A Novel Based on a True Holocaust Story. “A writer—and, I believe, … Continue reading On Borges, Fiction’s Clay and Purpose

Of Fiction’s Clay and Purpose

The lines between fiction and memoir are often blurred. This is problematic for anyone who writes and still has loved ones! I’m grateful to the blogger Tim Ferris for providing this timely quote, as I try to find an agent for The Factory: A Novel Based on a True Holocaust Story. “A writer—and, I believe, … Continue reading Of Fiction’s Clay and Purpose

Melvin McNair: World’s Nicest Hijacker

I met Melvin McNair on a dusty playing field in Caen, a city on the French Atlantic coast that had been bombed into permanent dreariness during WWII. He was managing the local baseball team, and I was managing a Paris-based team. During the course of a doubleheader, we chatted on the field, and off during … Continue reading Melvin McNair: World’s Nicest Hijacker

How to market your unpublished novel… or not

I’ve been listening to the Ringo Starr song, It Don’t Come Easy. The song is (forgive the pun) easy on the ears, and it’s also kind of an anthem for anyone trying to do something extremely daunting. Like trying to get someone to represent, publish (or heck, read) literary fiction. So, ya want to be … Continue reading How to market your unpublished novel… or not

Introducing “But I Digress”

I’m very lucky. I know a lot of great writers. But like most writers, I’m a bit of a recluse, which means I don’t see or talk with them very often. So I’ve had a wonderful idea: an excuse to talk to writers, and in the process, provide a way for people who are interested … Continue reading Introducing “But I Digress”

The Factory: A Novel: The Pitch

The good news is that I’m done with The Factory: A Novel. Now I need to pitch it (to an agent, a publisher, a movie producer, a doormouse… I suck at pitching my own stuff. There is a short pitch and a long pitch. What do you think? Let me know in the comments: does … Continue reading The Factory: A Novel: The Pitch

Exquisite New Stories

I know it’s just terrible to write so infrequently. As a child I was a terrible pen pal. I will try to do better. Now, I’m not bragging when I say Exquisite. These stories have been published in Exquisite Pandemic, an online magazine recently launched by Rick Whitaker, whom I have known for (Jesus, really?) … Continue reading Exquisite New Stories

Finally: I Lived in France and So Can You

I’m thrilled to announce that my new book, “I Lived in France and So Can You,” is now available through Dzanc Books. Huge thanks to Dan Wickett, who continues to believe in and support my work! Thanks also to Molly Elliott for allowing me to write about part of her life, and to Carol Edwards Hickins for being the … Continue reading Finally: I Lived in France and So Can You