We’re only three weeks away from the May 28 U.S. publication date of A PLACE OF OUR OWN: SIX SPACES THAT SHAPED QUEER WOMEN’S CULTURE, which seems absolutely impossible. At the start of an episode of the Outward podcast, recorded two weeks ago, I reported feeling “about 23 months pregnant” with the book. At the same time, it seems like only yesterday that the pub date was YEARS away. So, I guess the takeaway is, “I can’t believe I’m only 23.5 months into this 24-month gestation period!” (Fact-checking June feels the need to point out that the writing of this book started 36 months ago!)
So far, I’ve done four interviews about A PLACE OF OUR OWN, and I have to admit, it felt odd. I am much more used to being the person who asks the questions, and while I’ve done radio interviews about stories I’ve written in the past, it has been a while, so I’m a little out of practice. Needless to say, I am very much NOT complaining about this rapid refresher course on the dos and don’ts of being a good interview subject. (Be concise, be interesting, don’t get lost in the weeds!)
My finished books arrived from the States on Thursday. I was in the middle of a bonkers busy day, so I didn’t do an extensive photo shoot. You already know what the gorgeous cover looks like (a reminder for those who need one), so I’ll instead share this goofy “I’m opening a box!” shot!
RECOMMENDATIONS: “Enjoy” is a weird term to use for a book full of pain and violence, but I found S.A. Cosby’s Razorblade Tears really interesting and incredibly propulsive. It’s the story of two men who meet when their sons, a married couple, are brutally murdered. Their differences are obvious—one is Black, one white—but they also have a lot in common, including a history of violence and incarceration and both having reacted negatively to their sons’ coming out. It’s a classic story of redemption (and revenge). The characters who aren’t armed and dangerous feel a little undercooked—which, unfortunately, includes the women and gay men—but I appreciated the journey inside the heads of Ike and Buddy Lee, and I’ll definitely check out more by Cosby.
LISTEN TO ME: On Working, I spoke with Anne Lamott about her creative process and her most recent book, Somehow: Thoughts on Love, and on Working Overtime, Isaac Butler and I talked about what “accountability” means for artists and writers. I joined Bryan Lowder and Jules Gill-Peterson on the Outward podcast to talk about the Starz series Mary & George. And even though the big show is only a week away, the hosts of the Eurovision Song Context podcast invited this Eurovision know-nothing (at least post-1982) onto their show to talk about my book. (And the hosts had read it, sweethearts that they are.) The interview is in two parts: Part 1 and Part 2.
EVENTS: I’m glad to say that I have some book events on the calendar.
Monday, June 3: Washington, D.C.. Politics and Prose, Connecticut Avenue, 7 p.m., in conversation with Christina Cauterucci.
Wednesday, June 5: New York City. P&T Knitwear, Lower East Side, 7 p.m., in conversation with Amelia Possanza.
Friday, June 14: Edinburgh, Topping & Company, 7:30 p.m., with Alison Bechdel.
Sunday, Aug. 4, 2:45 p.m., at Wilderness Festival, Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, U.K. (Camping alert!)
Monday, Aug. 19: Minneapolis, Magers & Quinn, with Krista Burton, 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 21: Chicago, Women & Children First, 7 p.m.