Q&A with Kevin Griffith

[J.S.]

Ian wrote: "Penguin and Random House sit at a table and share a beer. The major publishing market explodes."

[Laughing hysterically until my lungs explode]

[Kevin]

Kassie wrote: "Hi Kevin, I often wonder about the times irony is mis-used in literature, as in an author saying something is ironic but it's absurd or maybe coincidental, not ironic. Do you see this much in your ..."

Yes, one of the first things I discuss in my Critical Writing for English Majors class is that difference. Irony, in the general sense, is the cosmos showing you the impossibility of controlling your fate. So the Titanic is ironic, but two ships hitting the same iceberg is not.

[Kevin]

Ian wrote: "Penguin and Random House sit at a table and share a beer. The major publishing market explodes."

That's not irony. That's the scary truth, man.

[Kevin]

J.S. wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Mr. McFeely Irony:

Bob and Jim sit at a table, drinking beer.
There's a knock on the door.
"Speedy deliv--"
The package in Mr. McFeely's hands explodes, taking Bob, Jim, Mr. Ro..."


Chris is personal friends with Mr. McFeely, right, Chris?

[Liana]

Late to the party, but loved the irony and the discussion here!

[J.S.]

Liana wrote: "Late to the party, but loved the irony and the discussion here!"

Hi Liana! Thanks for coming:-)

[Ian]

With such an absurd premise, did you ever take a step back and second guess yourself/your humor?

[Kevin]

Speaking of party, I must say that this is like the most fun I have ever had promoting a book. And there will be a big blow-out reading at Capital on Thursday, Nov. 15 at 3:30. Everyone will get a gift bag with Atomic Fireballs and actually exploding gag gifts. And we will be raising money for the Ohio Hispanic Coalition.

[Rose]

Kevin wrote: "Ian wrote: "Penguin and Random House sit at a table and share a beer. The major publishing market explodes."

That's not irony. That's the scary truth, man."

Seriously. With all remaining books to be sold by Amazon and um, Amazon, at prices exactly estimated.

[Christopher]

J.S. wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Mr. McFeely Irony:

Bob and Jim sit at a table, drinking beer.
There's a knock on the door.
"Speedy deliv--"
The package in Mr. McFeely's hands explodes, taking Bob, Jim, Mr. Ro..."


Inside jokes. FYI Ironically, a principal whose last name has "feel" in it, banned "grinding" at school dances. And just for added humor, his name is Mr. McFeeley. (Note: I'm actually against teen grinding. Kinda gross.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10...

[Kevin]

Ian wrote: "With such an absurd premise, did you ever take a step back and second guess yourself/your humor?"

Yes. No doubt. And I am not ashamed to admit that many many publishers (unbelievable, I know) flatly rejected the manuscript.

[J.S.]

Kevin, after also reading DENMARK, KANGAROO, ORANGE, I have to say that it amazes me how you are able to inhabit two very different modes of thinking/writing. Do you have to stay in one mode until a manuscript is finished, or do you jump back and forth depending on the day and your mood when you sit down with your journal?

[Christopher]

Kevin wrote: "J.S. wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Mr. McFeely Irony:

Bob and Jim sit at a table, drinking beer.
There's a knock on the door.
"Speedy deliv--"
The package in Mr. McFeely's hands explodes, taking Bob..."

I could have him here in less than an hour.

[Kevin]

Christopher wrote: "Kevin wrote: "J.S. wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Mr. McFeely Irony:

Bob and Jim sit at a table, drinking beer.
There's a knock on the door.
"Speedy deliv--"
The package in Mr. McFeely's hands explod..."

Maybe he could come to the blow-out reading!

[Christopher]

One minute left! Get your last minute ironies!

[J.S.]

Kevin wrote: "And I am not ashamed to admit that many many publishers (unbelievable, I know) flatly rejected the manuscript. "

Ha! Thanks for confirming that assumption of mine;-)

[Christopher]

Kevin wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Kevin wrote: "J.S. wrote: "Christopher wrote: "Mr. McFeely Irony:

Bob and Jim sit at a table, drinking beer.
There's a knock on the door.
"Speedy deliv--"
The package in Mr. Mc..."

Alas, I don't think McFeely or I will be in attendance. Blow some stuff up for me.

[J.S.]

Christopher wrote: "One minute left! Get your last minute ironies!"

Is someone anxious for the drawing?

[Ian]

Need help. Fast. I’m on a first date and my pants fell off while I was thinking about what my date would look like naked. The waiter won’t stop laughing. Is this irony? Thanks in advance.

[Kevin]

J.S. wrote: "Kevin, after also reading DENMARK, KANGAROO, ORANGE, I have to say that it amazes me how you are able to inhabit two very different modes of thinking/writing. Do you have to stay in one mode until ..."


I am all over the place all the time. Really. It is not unusual for me to be simultaneously work on a poem, a novel, a play, and something undefinable all at once.

[Kevin]

Ian wrote: "Need help. Fast. I’m on a first date and my pants fell off while I was thinking about what my date would look like naked. The waiter won’t stop laughing. Is this irony? Thanks in advance."

That's life, man.

[Rose]

Best chat ever. Irony?

[Kevin]

So who won the drawing? I am exploding with anticipation.

[Christopher]

J.S. wrote: "Christopher wrote: "One minute left! Get your last minute ironies!"

Is someone anxious for the drawing?"

Naw. Just wanna see what people throw out there in crunch time. I like Ian's, even if I'm not sure it's irony, either.

[J.S.]

The drawing is done. Congratulations Kassie! Please email me you postal address at foldededitors@gmail.com -- Thanks!

[Christopher]

J.S. wrote: "The drawing is done. Congratulations Kassie! Please email me you postal address at foldededitors@gmail.com -- Thanks!"

I'm going to have Mr. McFeely intercept the package and bring it to me instead ;) Kidding of course. Congrats!

[Kevin]

Awesome. And let it be known that Kassie is one of the greatest book reviewers ever, a giant in the Columbus book scene. Read her reviews at http://thelongestchapter.com/

[Ian]

Awesome. So awesome.

[J.S.]

J.S. wrote: "The drawing is done. Congratulations Kassie! Please email me you postal address at foldededitors@gmail.com -- Thanks!"

Photographic proof on Twitter;-)
http://twitter.com/foldedword/status/...

[Kassie]

woohoo!

[J.S.]

Kevin wrote: "Awesome. And let it be known that Kassie is one of the greatest book reviewers ever, a giant in the Columbus book scene. Read her reviews at http://thelongestchapter.com/"

Woohoo! Awesome:-)

[Kevin]

Thanks, everyone. This was a blast!

And now it's off to the grocery store for last-minute M&Ms!

[J.S.]

OK, well this ends the official live chat portion of the Q&A. But Kevin and I will continue monitoring this thread through Saturday. Thanks so much everyone for partying with us!