19 March

Rose In A Storm: Flap Copy

by Jon Katz
Rose In A Storm: Flap Copy
Rose In A Storm: Flap Copy

The flap copy is the publisher’s description and summary of a book on the inside jacket, for browsers, and it’s the first time many people get a sense of the plot. My flap copy arrived yesterday and since I’ve never really talked about the plot on the blog, I thought I’d share it with you. The book will be published in October and it’s too soon to talk much abotut it, but as we get closer, I’ll share some exerpts on the site. But here is the publisher’s view of “Rose In A Storm” as it will appear on the flap:

“From New York Times bestselling author Jon  Katz comes a moving and powerful novel, the first one inspired by life on his celebrated Bedlam Farm – and perceptively told from the point of view of Rose, a dedicated working dog.

“Rose is determined  and focused, keeping the sheep out of danger, and protecting the other creatures on the farm she calls home. But of all those she’s looked after since coming to the farm as a puppy, it is Sam, the farmer, who she watches most carefully.

“Awoken one cold midwinter night during lambing season, Rose and Sam struggle into the snowy dark to do their work. The ever observant Rose has seen a change in her master of late, ever since Sam’s wife disappeared one day. She senses something else in the air as well: A storm is coming, but not like any of the ones she’s seen over the years. This storm feels different, bigger, more foreboding.

“When an epic blizzard hits the region, it will take all of Rose’s resolve, resourcefulness and courage to help Sam save the farm, and the creatures who live there.

“Katz consulted with animal behavior scientists to create his unique and convincing vision of the world as seen through the eyes of a dog. Poignant,  thrilling and beautifully wrought, Rose in a Storm is a wonderfully original and powerful tale from a gifted storyteller.”

This is a lovely summary of the book, I think, and humbling and I thank Jennifer Hershey, my editor, for it. I am also in awe of the way Rose keeps working with and for me, even when there are no sheep. The book is dedicated to her. Out October 12, and I’m happy to share the first summary of the plot with the readers of the blog. More to come.

19 March

Baseball, dogs and life in the Big City

by Jon Katz
Baseball and dogs: March 26
Baseball and dogs: March 26

I’ve recovered from the hangover I got visiting Emma in Brooklyn for her ultra-hip book party (I have to confess I have never had a book party, so the concept is a bit alien to me, but it was fun). Emma’s book is a look at baseball from the perspective of a fan/outsider/sportswriter and it is a funny, strange and oddly relevant tale about breaking into the big time in New York, a tough track these days. Em and I both share a sort of outsider thing vis-a-vis the world, although we are different in so many ways. Check out Emma’s spanking new website from the wizards at Mannix Marketing in Glens Falls.

Emma and I will be doing a joint appearance at the Red Fox Bookstore in Glens Falls, N.Y. on March 26 at 7 p.m. She will be reading from her new book and talking about it, and I will be previewing my first novel in quite awhile, “Rose In A Storm,” out in October. We will be taking some questions too and she’s bringing Pearl, the famed Yellow Lab writing dog. I think it will be a fun night in a great bookstore.

Em an I will also be at Northshire Books in Manchester, Vt. on May 8 and we will both be at the first annual New York State Book Festival in Albany on April 10.

19 March

Story telling

by Jon Katz
First story-telling workshop
First story-telling workshop

The first story-telling workshop at LARAC in Glens Falls got underway Thursday evening. A fascinating group, interesting mix of people. I gassed on about how I write and about the importance of story telling. Izzy, tired from an ATV run, dozed most of the time. I talked about the importance of discipline, writing every day, keeping stories simple and moving. There were some terrific ideas bubbling up and the class will being their first writing next week. The workshop runs over four classes. Lots of photographers there, bloggers,  a poeet and musician, and writers with strong ideas. We will have fun.

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