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I know I have some regular visitors, and I'd like to ask a favor. Could you all stop by the Amazon page for THE MASTER OF VERONA, scroll down to just above the reviews, and click on as many "tags" as you see? They're little boxes next to words like "historical fiction" and "epic" and "Dante." These tags are helpful for people searching for items in each of those areas.
Thanks, y'all!
DB
Kelly at Loaded Shelf has just returned from vacation (actually, I don't think she's back until tomorrow), but she's already posted our interview. She asked several excellent questions, including a couple that I had to struggle to answer.
The interview is here.
Why do I feel like this blog is becoming a series of links? Probably because my days are spent talking to other people about the book, or else researching and writing FORTUNE'S FOOL (the third book - that title I'm sure of). Not much in the way of insightful blogging.
Today all my insight is with Kelly. Go, read the interview, then read the others she's posted. I am in some amazing company.
Cheers,
DB
Christopher Walsh and I worked together a few years back. He was playing Dim in a production of A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, the last show that Defiant Theatre ever produced. I was the fight director on that show, and I actually gave Chris the best move - he had to hit the lead across the face by swinging a chain. Man, we had the audience cringing every night. Good times.
I hadn't heard from him in awhile, then out of the blue he contacted me about the book. He was one of the first people to finish it, and he immediately posted a review on Amazon (which, let me tell you, is a great thing, much appreciated. I wish more people were doing it...)
He reprinted that review on his blog, which everyone should go check out, not just for that, but for his daily thoughts and his excellent prose work. Soon I'll be buying his books.
So, go visit Chris here. And tell him I don't think he's Dim at all.
DB
In light of all the new traffic I'm getting, I have gone back and tagged the key posts on this blog as "Essential Posts." For those who have just read, or are reading, or are interested in reading THE MASTER OF VERONA, I would like to commend these to your attention. From the initial concept to thoughts on a few Shakespeare plays, these are the most vital and, I hope, enjoyable.
From there, please move on to the Muppet postings.
Cheers, DB
I've added two links to the side-bar - really past time that I did so. The first is for the Loaded Questions blog - as opposed to the Loaded Questions site (which, of course, can be reached through the blog). Kelly Hewitt has managed to post interviews with many, many writers of note and distinction. She must be running out, though, because soon she'll be interviewing me. Seriously, she's indefatigable, and quite smart - you'll enjoy reading those interviews.
The other site is The Lost Fort, one of several sites belonging to Gabrielle Campbell. She kindly posted a link to my site a while back, and I get tons of traffic through it - for which I am appreciative, and wish to return the favor.
DB
Sarah just indirectly reminded me that I've got a new list of interesting ways people have found this blog. Of course, "David Blixt" & "Master of Verona" are the most often searched terms. And in the last 24 hours I've had a lot of hits thanks to the Dexter post (people looking for information on this gentleman. But here are a few others:
Today the boxed set for DEXTER arrives on DVD. For anyone who hasn't seen this Showtime original series, go out and pick it up. Grisly? Yes. Disturbing? Yes. Funny? Yes. Michael C. Hall is the most sympathetic, cuddly, and moving serial killer in history.
I've read the books, and this is one occasion where the film version is better. It has a lot to do with Hall, but even more to do with the wonderful writing staff, who have created through-lines and snappy dialogue for all of the characters. They also have a better sense of story arc than the novels - and a 10 episode season allows them to paint on a wide canvas without diluting the story, as a 22 episode season can.
I've already seen the first two episodes of the new season, and they're just as good as the first. It begins next month - I can't wait. Thank God I have the first season to tide me over...
Yesterday I tried my hand at a little video-creation. Book trailers are all the rage at the moment. I think they're a little silly (though some, I admit, are quite cool). Still, I'm all about bandwagons, especially ones that have to do with viral marketing. So, here is the first (and longest) of three trailers I have in my head. The next one is a quickie, of reviews and images. The last will, hopefully, be amusing. At least, it will amuse me.
But for the moment, please enjoy: TRAILER.
Cheers,
DB
Forgot to mention this at the time - had a lot going on - but I did an interview with Scott Pohl for WKAR in Lansing, just before the book came out. We also discussed the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, but the reason the interview happened was the book.
Here's the link - enjoy!
DB
This is a directed message, in the hopes that it will reach a particluar person.
Just now I received a lovely e-mail from the translator of THE MASTER OF VERONA in Polish, for the publisher Philip Wilson. Her name is Ewa, and she says she had "a ball, though there was a lot of hard work to be done." She also mentions that she has a few questions.
My dilemma - when I tried to reply, the e-mail got bounced back to me as undeliverable.
So, Ewa, if you're reading this, please post your questions here, and I'll try to answer them as best I may. I also have my editor contacting the sub-rights folk, who in turn are contacting Philip Wilson, who are looking for another way to contact you. This, I think, is easier.
I look forward to hearing from you, and I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for all your work in bringing MV to a whole new readership.
Cheers,
DB
