Just stick with this video. Hilarious.
Author: kenwheaton
The First Annual Bodacious Basinkeepers BBQ
No. I did not change the name of my novel from The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival to The First Annual Bodacious Basinkeepers BBQ. Rather, in a weird bit of coincidence, my good friend Toby Dore–the guy who set up the Facebook Group for my book–is actually part of a gang of guys trying to get their own first festival off the ground. The Basin Cleanup and BBQ will be held Sept. 26 from 6 to 12 p.m. at Whiskey River Landing.
Like I said to Toby, I wish he’d have told me about this. I could have used him for a little research instead of just making up all the details in my book!
I fully expect those of you who live in the area to get out there and go check this out. Invite your friends. Spread the Facebook group around. Go, man. Go.
And for those who don’t live in the area? Well, come a little closer. Let me talk to you about Louisiana festivals.
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What Is Wrong With People? Movie Edition
So last night I went to see District 9 at the United Artist Court Street Stadium 12. If you’ve been to this theater, your probably already know where this is heading. This, after all, is the same theater where I’ve witnessed:
1) A family bring in a full Chinese takeout meal consisting of soup and noodles, which they slurped throughout the movie. Oh. The movie was “United 93.”
2) A woman bring in six kids under the age of 12 to watch “The Watchmen.”
Any rate, I thought I’d be safe. I was wrong.
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Early Acclaim for the Novel: Part 3
How about a blurb comparing the book to bourbon? Would you like that?
“Warmed my chest faster than a double shot of Wild Turkey and kept me laughing through the night. This is a rollicking, wonderfully irreverent debut. It’s also a charming love story with a heart as big as Louisiana. I am a huge Ken Wheaton fan.” –Matthew Quick, author of The Silver Linings Playbook
You all recognize Matthew Quick’s name, right? Because when I told you earlier this summer to go out and buy his amazing book, you immediately did so. Right? (Well, if you didn’t, I suggest you do so now.)
So how did Matthew Quick come to get his grubby paws on a copy of The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival?
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All You Ever Wanted to Know About Keyboard Cat
Hey, what’s up with that Keyboard Cat thing? Rocketboom has answers.
Here, Have a Cry Over John Hughes
I’m not one to get all boo-hoo-hoo and such over some celebrity dying, but damn if this blog post doesn’t get you all choked up on a Friday morning. Excuse me while I go look at some LOLcats to recover.
To compensate for my sensitivity and now that I’ve said something nice about him, try this … Count the number of nonwhite characters in John Hughes movies. Make it extra tough by NOT counting that one Asian kid.
One Bill to Rule Them All
Before Congress passes one more bill this year, the following should be signed into law:
No bill shall be voted into law without every member of Congress having read said bill.
And, yes, it’s that simple. I’m sure there will be those who claim I’m oversimplifying very complex matters, to which there is only one valid response: bullshit.
Early Anecdotal Field Research on a Book Cover
So Saturday afternoon, I stopped by Book Court to drop off an advance copy of The First Annual Grand Prairie Rabbit Festival. I practically live upstairs from the store and it’s known throughout the city as one of the finest independent book shops around. They’re shooting something from Eat, Pray, Love there this week. Lots of big-timers do readings at Book Court … and lots of little-timers, too. I did a reading there from The Subway Chronicles.
So I thought I’d stop in, say hi, drop off an advance copy and beg them to please stock the book. None of the folks who actually do book order were there, but I left a note in the book. (As luck would have it, my friend Peter Melman, who’s book The Landsman came out last year, a) worked at Book Court and b) lived in the exact same apartment I’m living in … so weird coincidence and all).
Anyway, after leaving said book with the counter person, I stood back while I waited for Susan. Counter person was then ringing up someone else, but had left the book on the counter. The someone else picked up the book and said, “Hey, what’s this? It looks interesting.” And then showed it to her friend. She then asked counter person if it was hers. And she said, “No, actually it’s his. He wrote it. But it’s not for sale yet.”
Sadly, all I could think to say was, “Yeah. That would be me. It’s on sale in December.” Ken Wheaton: Brilliant Salesman!
Gladly, I had the presence of mind not to blurt out in Book Court, “You can pre-order it on Amazon right now!” Not exactly the way to win over your friendly independent bookseller.
But, yeah, guess that cover illustration by Tim O’Brien is doing the trick.
In the Mood for a Great SciFi Read?
So last week, while the wife was away, she received an envelope from a friend of hers by the name of Darren Campo. I knew what was inside: a galley copy of his sci-fi novel, Alex Detail’s Revolution.
After getting permission from Susan, I ripped it open and stared at it with that weird mix of emotions I’m sure all writers get when confronted with a friend’s work (or a friend of a friend’s work).
1. How dare you write a book too? I’m the novelist around here.
2. Man, I hope this doesn’t suck because boy is that going to be awkward next time we meet.
3. Well, I hope it’s not TOO good, because then I’ll just be jealous.
At any rate, I started in on the manuscript and, well, holy shit. It’s been awhile since I’ve read science fiction. I don’t know why this is, because I generally enjoy it – when it’s good. And this was good. If I had to blurb it, it would go something like this.
Alex Detail’s Revolution starts out as if Douglas Adams had decided to write Ender’s Game. But what develops isn’t a cosmic lark as much as a riveting thriller that delves into examinations of time, space and, interestingly, the human capacity for faith – or the lack thereof.
That’s my blurb, right there.
What’s it about? From Amazon: “Seventeen-year-old Alex Detail has been kidnapped and sent off to fight in a hopeless war against The Harvesters, an alien force that is trying to extinguish Earth’s Sun. Unfortunately for Alex’s kidnappers (and the world) he has lost the mega IQ that allowed him to win the last war with The Harvesters ten years ago when he was just 7 years old.”
And there’s more! Including a star turn by former planet Pluto.
I read it in a day. I think you should, too. It’s out next month, but you can preorder it on Amazon right this very minute. I suggest you do so. You’ll end up with a great book and you’ll give him a bump in the old Amazon ratings (which, for obvious reasons, I’ve become obsessed with as of late).
And yeah, I did become a little jealous. But that’s a good thing.
Subway Gods Can Lick My . . .
9:45 a.m. Board 4 Train at Borough Hall. Head toward Manhattan.
9:50 to 10:00. Subway sits, unmoving, due to “sick passenger” at Bowling Green.
10:00 to 10:15. Subway sits, unmoving, due to “smoke conditions” at Wall Street.
10:15. Subway turned back to Brooklyn
10:20. Arrive at Borough Hall via 4 Train.
10:25. Find R Train. Take R Train to Union Square. Transfer to 6.
11:10 a.m. Arrive at work.
KEN WHEATON 