Midnight Lane Gallery's Midnight On the Stroll Poetry Contest

© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com

Friday morning, just before leaving for Canada, I entered Midnight Lane Gallery's Midnight on the Stroll poetry contest. Curator Johnny Longfellow is seeking poetry inspired by the theme of street life, the site's digital art, or its music. I'm pleased to have had work accepted with Five-Two alum Doug Draime and other favorite poets.

As a bonus, the site artist, "Yours Truly" (No, not I), used a frame from one of my poetry videos to create a very Spenser-ish digital image:

Would you stop buying a favorite author's books?

© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com

Today on Do Some Damage, Kristi Belcamino shares stories of signings gone wrong and right, asking, "Would you stop buying a favorite author’s books if they were not as 'personable' as you would have hoped?"

I commented that I'm pretty good at separating author from work. If I really liked an author's writing, I'd still buy the book AND hold a poor opinion of the author's manner. By the same token, if the author was an engaging personality but I didn't enjoy his or her writing, I wouldn't buy the book.

This said, I think it is important to present oneself positively to others. I don't see how it could hurt. Personally, I find it easy because, writing being a solitary activity, I welcome the chance to interact with people. If they want to complain to me about my work, I just smile and shrug. Whaddya gonna do? :)

Something to Remember

© by Gerald So | geraldso.blogspot.com

My Canadian cousin Richard, loving husband and father of three, and friend to countless more, had been studying to become a permanent Roman Catholic deacon. His ordination and 25th wedding anniversary fell on Saturday and Sunday respectively so that's where I was, along with my brother, mother, and just a few dozen aunts, uncles, and cousins. We are and always have been close enough to pick right back up. Due to limited seating, I have no pictures of the ceremony, but fine memories.