John Dufresne

Mark Twain's autobiography wil be published in November. Meanwhile, some lost works of Franz Kafka are the subject of a court battle.

“I’m obsessed with inventing stories for people I come across. An overwhelming curiosity makes me ask myself what their lives might be like. I want to know what they do, where they’re from, their names, what they’re thinking about at that moment, what they regret, what they hope for, whom they’ve loved, what they dream of . . . and if they happen to be women (especially youngish ones), then the urge becomes intense. How quickly you would want to see that one naked, admit it, and naked through to her heart. How you try to learn where she’s coming from, where she’s going, why she’s here and not elsewhere! While letting your eyes wander all over her, you imagine love affairs for her, you ascribe deep feelings to her.  You think of what her bedroom looks like, and a thousand things besides . . . right down to the battered slippers into which she must slip her feet when she gets out of bed.”  Gustave Flaubert (Egyptian travel journal)

The winners have been announced!

As Holmes, who had a nose for danger, quietly fingered the bloody knife and eyed the various body parts strewn along the dark, deserted highway, he placed his ear to the ground and, with his heart in his throat, silently mouthed to his companion, “Arm yourself, Watson, there is an evil hand afoot ahead." --Dennis Pearce

New Times: Best local writer!

The Lie That Tells a Truth was selected as one of the five best books for copyeditors at Freelance Switch. If only he'd gotten the title right! Still, I'm grateful. And since we're talking about it, Michelle at the Page a Day Writers Group had this to say.