notes, thoughts, news flashes....
the beka blog
Capture the Flag Paperback Release!
Capture the Flag is now available in paperback via Amazon.com and can be ordered at most independent bookstores as of July 18, 2010. Simon and Schuster has decided to make the novel available in paperback to coincide with the release of Leaving Rock Harbor and the film version of Capture the Flag, directed by Lisanne Skyler and adapted by Lisanne Skyler and Rebecca Chace. The short film stars Jane Stiles and Scott Cohen and will be screening next at the Nantucket Film Festival, June 17-20, 2010. Go to Capture the Flag Film to find out more!
Thank you! (The latest from "Bekapalooza")
Amazing turn out at 192 Books and so much fun at our "after party" as well. Thanks to all who came down, and especially to the wonderful Jack MacCrae who has made a real home for writers with his wonderful bookstore. Also thanks so much to Oblong Books in Rhinebeck! Great to be there, such a warm welcome and thank you to all who made it to the reading.
On to Baker Books, in Dartmouth, MA (near Fall River and New Bedford: the setting of the book) on June 16th, and then to the Nantucket Film Festival on June 17th for the screening of the short film of "Capture the Flag" (check out our link to the film here on the website) and also a book event on Nantucket as well!
"Bekapalooza" indeed!
Indie Next Notables
I just wanted to share the bookseller quote that Indie Next is using on their shelftalkers:
“Tightly written, this is a novel full of love, rich New England history, and a vivid description of New England mill town's economic troubles in the wake of World War I. Frankie Ross, an independent, stubborn young woman tells us her story of loving two men, one of wealthy, upper middle class privilege and the other a Portuguese mill worker. An engaging read, and not just for New Englanders!”
--Annie Philbrick, Bank Square Books, Mystic, CT
Thank you, Annie Philbriick!
Staff Picks
Some really nice staff picks to be glad about . . .Thank you!
This one from the beloved Strand Bookstore here in old NYC
http://www.strandbooks.com/app/www/p/booklist/?listid=monthlyfeature
Early Review: Braincandybookreviews
Check out this early review on Braincandybook reviews . . . interview on same site to come.
http://braincandybookreviews.wordpress.com/2010/05/08/leaving-rock-harbor-rebecca-chace/
New Haven Reading
Getting excited about going to New Haven next week for the Ordinary Evenings reading series at the Anchor Bar. I'll be reading with Sven Birkerts, writer and critic extraordinaire and director of the Bennington Writing Seminars, where I got my MFA in Fiction in 2008. Sven and I also moonlight as members of the (much discussed and seldom seen live) Doghouse Band. I sing and Sven plays guitar along with fellow writer/musicians. The Ordinary Evening Reading series is co-curated by Alice Mattison, great novelist and short story writer, and my mentor from the Bennington Program. Really looking forward to reading and to a kind of reunion of the Bennington family. Come on down if you can--the Mermaid Room at the Anchor Bar . . . sounds pretty inviting to me.
Sandi Kahn Shelton writes of her reading there: Seating is intimate, (just like you’d expect from a place called the Mermaid Room) and the evenings are very informal, with plenty of beer, wine and soda to drink. Best of all, there’s no cover charge. For more information about the Ordinary Evening Reading Series, go to their website at http://www.ordinaryevening.blogspot.com/.
Pushcart Prize Nomination
My piece "Looking for Robinson Crusoe" published in "Fiction" Magazine, Summer 2009, Issue #55 was nominated for a Pushcart Prize!
Richard Russo blurb!
This just in, a wonderful quote from Richard Russo. Here's what he said:
"An irresistible read, in part because its protagonist, Frankie Ross, seduces us on the first page and never surrenders our affection, but also because fictional Rock Harbor, feels as real as she does."
-- Richard Russo, author of That Old Cape Magic and Empire Falls
Movie update: Capture the Flag
We've completed production on the short film based on my first novel, Capture the Flag, which is premiering at the Aspen Short Film Festival on April 10th and will be shown at the Nantucket Film Festival June 17 - 20.
Hey, this good news just in! Very exciting . . .
LEAVING ROCK HARBOR has been chosen as a June Indie Notable Book, which means it will be featured on Bookweb.org & IndieBound.org, including a downloadable shelf talker with a quote from a bookseller who wrote in to nominate the book.
Check out the posting on the Powell's website for the book, plus the book trailer! I will have an essay in the June Powell's newsletter and I'm thrilled. I am a huge Fan of Powell's in Portland, a shrine for readers and writers.
http://www.powells.com/cgi-bin/biblio?isbn=9781439141304&preview=1