Madam Mayo

Sandra Gulland and Mistress of the Sun, Barbara Levine and Finding Frida Kahlo

2009-11-07T11:06:00.000-08:00

If you're anywhere in the neighborhood of San Miguel de Allende this Thursday November 12, don't miss this! As part of the San Miguel Literary Sala series, Sandra Gulland will be talking about her latest and splendid novel, Mistress of the Sun, and Barbara Levine will also be talking about her book, Finding Frida Kahlo. This takes place at 5 pm in the Hotel Posada San Francisco (across from the

Christina Baker Kline's "A Writing Life"

2009-11-05T15:41:00.000-08:00

Today I'm guest-blogging at novelist Christina Baker Kline's "A Writing Life" with this piece on how to break a writing block. Christina Baker Kline's "A Writing Life" is an excellent and wide-ranging blog on writing--- one of the best I've seen in my nearly 4 years of reading blogs. Here are just a few of the recent guest blog posts:Thirteen Tips for Actually Getting Some Writing Done by

Annie Dillard's Living by Fiction

2009-11-05T11:21:00.000-08:00

New on my list of recommended books on the creative life: Annie Dillard's Living by Fiction, a book about... the world. I've had it on my shelf for years; finally re-read it last week. What a splendid book. She's also a master of the intended diction drop-- which is sometimes hilarious. More anon.Update: Very fun: novelist Alexander Chee's personal essay, "Annie Dillard and the Writing Life".

Red Room Blog Post: My Favorite Bookstore?

2009-11-04T16:54:00.000-08:00

Photo: Yours Truly doing a reading and booksigning at the Bookworks in Albuquerque NM. Today over at the Red Room Authors Blog: "C.M. Mayo Celebrates a Batch of Bookstores": Vroman's, Kelper's, the Book Works, Bookworks (yes, they are two different bookstores), Blue Willow, Seminary Coop, Riverby Books, La Sombra del Sabino, and more.

Dr. Julius Augustus Skilton and Maximilian's Portrait and Saddle

2009-11-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

A fascinating new website now listed on my Maximilian page's links: Maximilian I Emperor of Mexico. It's about the American surgeon Dr. Julius Augustus Skilton and the upcoming auction of two items that have been handed down in his family: Maximilian's portrait and a Mexican saddle first given to Maximilian, then to Father Fischer (one of Maximilian's closest advisors) and then to Dr Skilton. You

Blogs Noted: Marginal Revolution, Nieman Story Board, Lauren B. Davis, A Reader's Place, The Happiness Project

2009-11-02T18:40:00.000-08:00

Marginal Revolution (Tyler Cowan and Alex Tabarrok)Nieman Story BoardLauren B. Davis: View from the Library WindowA Reader's Place (Rosalind Reisner)The Happiness Project (Gretchen Rubin)More anon.

Nieman Storyboard: Tom Schroder, former Washington Post Magazine editor, on dinner plates and well-done narrative

2009-10-30T23:34:00.001-07:00

For anyone interested in journalism and creative nonfiction: a fascinating interview. (P.S. What he says about the zuccini piece is true.) More anon.

Texas Book Festival: C.M. Mayo, Luis Alberto Urrea, Jimmy Santiago Baca, Barbara Renaud Gonzalez

2009-10-30T17:16:00.000-07:00

November 1, 2009 Austin, TexasTexas Book Festival2:00 - 3:00 pmImagination Sin Fronteras: Four Novelists Wrestle with Mexicowith Jimmy Santiago Baca, Barbara Renaud Gonzalez, C.M. Mayo, and Luis Alberto UrreaModerator: Katherine Durham Oldmixon .I'll be talking about my latest book, a novel, The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire, which is set in 19th century Mexico during Mexico's transnational

Comments

2009-10-30T17:15:00.001-07:00

After 3 years, I'm back to allowing comments. Comments?

Roselind Reisner On Five Writers Talking About their Books

2009-10-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

From left to right: Rosalind Reisner (co-moderator), C.M. Mayo, Julie Metz, Eva Hoffman, Christina Baker Kline, Roxana Robinson, and Miriam Tuliao (co-moderator).Over at her excellent blog, "A Reader's Place," Rosalind Reisner gives the full report on the recent Womens National Book Association panel in celebration of National Reading Group Month. She includes a note about my novel, The Last

Twitter Is

2009-10-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

"Twitter Is," my essay on twitter which was published in the summer 2009 issue of Literal, is now (with blessings of the editor, Rose Mary Salum), on-line here. (Will tweet now!)Thanks to:@trhummer Twitter is an aphorism machine.@HollyridgePress Twitter is a glittering sunrise with our books in the clouds.@mdemuth Twitter is a confined space I can hang one hat of words upon.@Sandra_Gulland

Techniques of Fiction Workshop in San Miguel de Allende, February 22-23, 2010

2009-10-28T11:33:00.000-07:00

This February 22-23, 2010, I'll be giving a two day only workshop, Techniques of Fiction, for the San Miguel Workshops in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. This is a workshop intended for both beginning and advanced fiction writers. For a full description and registration information, visit: http://www.sanmiguelworkshops.com/Fiction.html More anon.

ASCENT: How to Be a Good Neighbor by Dawn Marano

2009-10-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

The venerable literary journal Ascent (edited by W. Scott Olsen) is publishing it's first on-line edition. Check it out-- and Dawn Marano's crackerjack essay of creative nonfiction, "How to Be a Good Neighbor." More anon.

Reading Groups: A Panel Discussion for the Womens National Book Association NY October 21 New York City

2009-10-20T22:50:00.000-07:00

October 21, 2009, New York City6 - 9 pm.A Panel Discussion in Celebration of National Reading Group Month Women’s National Book Association, NYC ChapterWNBA–NYC at the Mint Theater 311 W. 43rd Street, Suite 307, New York NYModerators:Rosalind Reisner (Read On . . . Life Stories and Jewish American Literature, Libraries Unlimited)Miriam Tuliao (Assistant Director, Central Collection Development at

The Vook

2009-10-20T06:12:00.000-07:00

I knew this was coming. Hmmm. Much to contemplate. More anon.

Joan Gelfand on Book Groups at Huffington Post

2009-10-18T20:41:00.000-07:00

Womens National Book Association President, Joan Gelfand, writing on book groups over at the Huffington Post.

The Absence of a Heart Leaves an Hourglass Shape by Christine Boyka Kluge

2009-10-15T01:44:00.000-07:00

This is amazing: click here to view (and hear) the poetry. The poet has more to say about it here.

Save the Date, October 18th @ The Historical Society of Washington D.C.

2009-10-14T11:14:00.000-07:00

Washington DC (and Cleveland Park and Georgetown) history buffs take note:October 18, 2009 Washington DCHistorical Society of Washington DCC.M. Mayo on The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire, a novel based on the true (and suprisingly Washingtonian) storySunday Afternoon Author Series---> 2:30 pm (please note time, has changed) <---801 K St NW at Mount Vernon Square, Washington DC 20001Free and

So Would You Be Willing to Publish "The Long Sad Summer of Our Hot Forsaken Love" by Lachryma Duct?

2009-10-13T11:30:00.001-07:00

Or, to quote Daniel Menaker, "Nuke Anbar Province, and I Mean Now!," by Generalissimo Macho Picchu? Check out his informative and thoughtful essay on the editing profession today over at the Barnes and Noble Review. More anon.

Madam Mayo Recommends: Pyramid Atlantic Art Center to Feature Ghostly Poems and Stories

2009-10-13T11:05:00.000-07:00

“Ghosts, Goblins and Shadows: A Halloween Reading of Poetry and Fiction” will be presented at the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Silver Spring on Thursday, October 15, from 7-9 p.m. Authors Kim Roberts, Cynthia Atkins, Lesley Wheeler and Laura Brodie with gather to share writings tuned to the season. The reading is free and open to the public. The Pyramid Atlantic Art Center is located at 8230

La Bloga: Capturing the Moment at Tia Chucha's Cafe Cultural

2009-10-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

Daniel Olivas's Monday column-- check it out.

National Book Critics Circle Blog's Small Press Spotlight: C.M. Mayo Interviewed by Rigoberto Gonzalez

2009-10-12T15:26:00.000-07:00

Just posted over at the National Book Critics Circle blog: an interview with Yours Truly by poet, writer, and book reviewer, Rigoberto Gonzalez. Gracias Rigoberto, I am honored. P.S. I'll be talking about the surprising Washington history behind the true story of Mexico's last prince this October 18th at 2:30 pm at the Historical Society of Washington DC. More info at www.cmmayo.com/events.html

In Memoriam: Charles East (1924-2009)

2009-10-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

A splendid writer and editor, Charles East, has died. The University of Georgia Press blog has his brief obituary here, with links to more. More anon.Update: LSU Press Blog on Charles East.

Dylan Landis @ Politics & Prose October 11

2009-10-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

If you're anywhere near DC, be sure to attend Dylan Landis' book launch for Normal People Don't Live Like This at Politics & Prose this Sunday @ 1 pm. P.S. Check out her guest-blog post for Madam Mayo, "Five Magnetic Spaces."More anon.

Difficult Beauty: Readings Oct 10 and Oct 11

2009-10-09T18:58:00.000-07:00

I won't be in town, alas, but highly recommend both events:Sat., Oct. 10, 3:00 -- Arlington Central LibraryCentral Library Auditorium, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22201 In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Argentine poet Luis Alberto Ambroggio and his translator, Yvette Neisser Moreno, will read from Difficult Beauty: Selected Poems, and discuss the connection between bilingualism and