SURPRISE DATE One day last March at the post office in South Pasadena, I saw a banner across the street. The banner hung over the large arched doorway for the Fremont Centre Theatre, advertising a play I loved, Three Hotels by Jon Robin Baitz. I’d never seen a play there, but the grand white building with palm trees and a green lawn reminded me of Hotel California—a perfect place for a play. On the end of the same building stood a French-looking café called Bistro K. I’d walked by it at night before, the outside edged in white Christmas lights, and inside every white-clothed table glowed with candles. These two things, I thought, could make for the ideal Surprise Date. My wife Ann created the Surprise Date. She had twice taken me out for evenings of the unknown. She simply had said hop in the car, and she’d do something wonderful to me. (Men love hearing this stuff.) Her rules were simple: take the other person somewhere that is both unusual and that the other person might like without letting on where we were going at all. Thus, going to the same cinema complex would not be much of a surprise. If I took her to a place that featured pole dancers, it’d be a surprise, but not something she’d crow about being special. The goal is for both people to have a great time. If your partner doesn’t like surprises or letting go of control, well, that’s a problem. The first time, she whisked me off to her childhood home in Whittier—a place I’d heard about but never seen. Founded by Quakers in 1887, Whittier is a town just south of Los Angeles where Richard Nixon had spent his formative years in high school and college. In his famous “Checkers” speech, he said, “Our family was one of
modest circumstances, and most of my early life was spent in a store out in East Whittier. It was a grocery store, one of those family enterprises.” What Nixon didn’t know was how the town influenced Ann, too. I saw the sidewalks
where Ann walked to elementary school and I viewed the high school where she had smashed a cream pie in the face of the student president. (She’d been mad. I take that as a warning.) We ate dinner at an Italian restaurant with murals of fountains on the walls. For my second surprise evening, we ended up eating dinner with my friend who was famous for not giving dinners. He had a new girlfriend, however, and for her, he’d do anything. People do funny things while dating.I was so sure that Bistro K and the Fremont Centre Theatre made the ideal date that I zipped across the street to set it up for the coming Friday night. I was able to get the last reservation, and the maitre ‘d said I could bring my own bottle of wine, no corkage fee. Wow. I was also able to get one of the last sets of tickets at the theatre. Clearly, the universe was providing.That Friday, I told Ann to dress up as I was taking her for a surprise dinner and maybe more. I drove the long way around. No, we weren’t going to Home Depot or Target when she guessed those. We sat down in the white table-clothed, candlelit room of the Bistro K. Our server opened our bottle of wine. Ann looked at the menu, her eyes went wide, and she said she couldn't eat there. I said we had to--that I made reservations for the play next door, too."Braised pig's feet?" she said. "Pig's ears? Pigeon? What am I going to eat?""It's French," I said. "There has to be something.""Veal cheeks? Braised duck tongues? Bits of Bambi?""Anything's good with sauce.""It's the menu from hell."Our waiter, a man in black, swept in with a big smile. "Are you ready to order?" he asked. I could tell Ann would never be ready.Here's the menu, which I got online: 1st COURSE Stuffed Duck Hearts with Foie Gras served with Braised Duck Tongues with aLight Balsamic Vinegar Jus $11.95 Leek and Haddock Terrine, Chervil Aigrellete Sauce and Quail Eggs inBrioche $8.95 Terrine of Violet Scented Sonoma Duck Foie Gras served with a VioletMartini $14.95 Torchon of Sonoma Duck Foie Gras with Boston Lettuce and Toast $13.95 Poached Hen Eggs, Black Truffle Oil, Spanish Chorizo and Date "Ragout" in a Light Chestnut Nage $7.95 Steamed Black Mussels with Lime, Ginger, Curry and Coconut Milk $8.25 Thin Tart of Thai and Japanese Eggplants, Brandade of Salt Cod and Marinated Pequillos (Allow 15 Minutes) $8.95 Cassolette of Artichoke Confit with Basil and California Goat Cheese $10.95 Duck Gizzard Confit Sautéed with Cep Mushrooms, Anaheim Chiles on a Bed of Winter Greens lightly dressed with a Black Truffle Oil and "Griotte" Vinegar Vinaigrette $8.95 Sautéed Duck Foie Gras, Lightly Smoked Eel, Caramelized Green Apples and a Splash of Xeres Vinegar $14.95 Frisée Salad tossed in Pomegranate Vinaigrette, Sweet Corn Tamale "Elote" and "Selles Sur Cher" Goat Cheese ripened by Nicole. $8.50 Pig's Ears Terrine and Sautéed Snail Simmer in a red Pasilla Infusion, Winter Leaves with Sweet Garlic Chinese Yellow Chives Italian Parsley Coulis Dressing $8.95 "Tian" of Dungeness Crab and Pistachio Bavarois, Grapefruit Jelly, Chives, "fleur de Sel" and Grilled Pistachio Oil $12.95 FISH Hawaiian Blue Shrimp served with Braised Pork Feet on Chick Pea Galette andNutmeg Roasted Asparagus $19.50 Sautéed Atlantic Monkfish in an Oat Meal Crust, Banana Squash Puree and aCelery Cream Infusion $19.95 Seared Diver Sea Scallops served with House "Tripes" and CuminCrisp $21.50 Atlantic Skate Wing, Szechwan Pepper Corn, Braised Fennel and SaffronJus $17.95 Fresh Eel from New Zealand braised in Red Wine Sauce "Matelote Style", Pearl Onions, "ventreche" and Black Trompette Mushroom (allow 15 minutes) $17.95 MEAT, FOWL AND GAME Sautéed Veal Sweetbread and Hawaiian Blue Shrimp, a light Curry, LemonGrass, Lemon Leaf, Ginger, and Thai Basil Infusion, on a bed of Soba Noodles $18.95 Braised Wild Boar Osso Bucco, Salsify Bouquet with Roasted Pasilla Peppers, served with a Cassis Infusion $19.95 Roasted Whole East Cost "Female Pheasant", (serve 2 people. Price is per person) Lemon Leaves Infusion, Cep Mushrooms Medley. Chinese Leeks to Compliment (allow 20 Minutes ) $19.50 Wood Pigeon from Scotland, roasted whole, with Sautéed Cabbage, Cabbage SaladDressed with Wood Pigeon Liver Vinaigrette, and Huckleberry Gnocchi (allow 15 Minutes) $24.95 Braised Veal Cheeks with Braised Endives, Mace Scented Potato Mousseline and Grilled Chitlin Sausage $19.95 Roasted Squab, Tasmanian, Szechwan and Telecherry Peppercorn Spiced JapaneseEggplant, Dry Sack Sherry Sauce scented with Tonka Bean Dust $20.95 Roasted Goat served with Green Lenti Marmite and a side of Green Garlic Gratin $19.95 Venison "Noisette", Today's Freshest Sautéed Wild Mushrooms served with SautéedParsnip sprinkled with Bitter Cocoa. A Cardamom Infusion with Huckleberries to Complement $23.95 Grilled Hanger Steak, Natural Jus and Mashed Potatoes $18.75
FROM THE GARDEN Bistro K house Salad $6.50Soup of The Day $6.50Artichoke Confit with Basil and California Goat Cheese $9.95/16.95Hearts of Romaine, Caesar Dressing, Asiago Cheese $7.50/12.95Penne Regate, Pesto, Parmesan, Tomatoes and Garlic Confit $7.95/15.00
Did you catch the Tonka Bean Dust? I grew up near the Tonka Toy factory on Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota, but I don’t remember any beans growing near by or dust being gathered for gourmands. Does one buy Tonka Bean Dust in a jar? I’m thinking baggy. Two fingers worth for $10.Starting the menu off with stuffed duck hearts can be off-putting—and why wrap them in duck tongues? Was this the Duck Mafia intimidating us? Duck gizzards weren’t high on our list, and duck livers, no way. Too much duck. Then I saw something I could eat--shrimp! I eat shrimp. But it came with braised pig's feet. Now I was feeling we were at the black market animal body parts cafe.
"One note of caution," said our waiter. "The pigeon sometimes still has buckshot in it, so you have to eat it carefully." I saw that everything there one had to eat carefully."Would you like to hear our special tonight?" asked the waiter."Sure," I said."Lupin fish with frog's legs and lobster in a Martinique sauce with shallots."Of course, I asked what a Lupin fish was, and he said it was a delicate fish with a yellow texture. I didn't like the idea of poor frog's legs on it, though. Then a thought hit me. If there are forty diners a night, and no one orders frogs legs, what did the kitchen do with the legs? Wrap them in Saran Wrap for another night? Would we be getting very old frogs legs?"What is artichoke 'confit'," I asked. "I know what an artichoke is, but not confit.""It is boiled in its own juices," he replied.Even poor artichokes had to die in their own juices? However, I said, "I've never particularly thought of artichokes as juicy, but I'll start with that."Ann began with asparagus soup. After tasting it, she liked it, saying it didn't have an overly strong asparagus taste. She happened to go the bathroom shortly after eating her soup, so, upon her return, I asked if she peed funny."What do you mean 'peed funny'?" Her look suggested I’d gone over the line in intimacy. "When I eat asparagus, it seems seconds later my pee smells kind of--" "I know what you meant. I was just being a brat. And, no, it didn't smell funny." For our main course, Ann could not order a single entrée. Rather, she went with a bowl of pesto pasta, and I went with the hanger steak, which seemed safe, but then it came with vegetables I'd never eaten. I don't even know what I ate, actually. Carrot, I know, but then there was a big nearly clear block of something that was stringy, and there was something that looked oniony but was not in layers and was potato shaped. I had to ask the waiter what one thing was. "Parsnip," he said. The vegetables were all good, but just an array of tastes I'd never had. For dessert, Ann had something with all Spanish words, which the waiter described as a dessert tamale. "It comes with a little square of Jack fruit, which is strong and delicious. Save it for last." When it came, it was wrapped in a cornhusk and looked like a main course, not dessert. She took a taste and said it was like sweet corn mush. Ann then tried the Jack fruit and shivered. It was strange and strong. "It's like Pinesol fruit," she said at last. I had the Chocolate Marquise, which was supposed to be a mousse so thick, it was like cake. It came with bits of dried meringue, raspberries, blackberries, a coffee sauce of some sort. It was fine but had too many tastes and not enough chocolate. In all, it was an adventure. However, as we walked next door to the theatre, Ann said her stomach felt upset. But we have a play to go to, I thought. I asked the ticket lady if we could change our tickets for the next day’s matinee, mentioning we'd just eaten next door and Ann was feeling poorly. The woman nodded knowingly and happily exchanged the tickets. Ann soon felt nauseated and went to bed early. She woke up laughing about the evening, so that was good. “Memorable,” we’ll call it. But for our next surprise date, I won’t try my luck with skydiving. LISTMANIA
What’s your favorite fiction? What are your favorite books? I’ve had a heck of a time obsessing over a selection of novels I’d like to teach in my freshman English classes. For the fall semester, I settled on The Kite Runner by Kahled Hosseini and Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwartz. The next semester, I’m going to try Nick Hornby’s A Long Way Down and Will Clarke’s Lord Vishnu’s Love Handles.
The trick is to find books that are contemporary, involving, start off with a bang, are rich in character, and yet are deep enough thematically to discuss in college. While I’ve used a few mysteries over the years, they weren’t deep enough thematically. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, was a hit for some (“best book ever!”) and and a miss for others (“huggy-feely New Agey”). I’m part of the latter group, but I tried the book out anyway.
Other books such
as Big Fish by Daniel Wallace were good but not captivating enough for
stunning discussions. To see the books
that my students loved (and I adore), causing nearly everyone to read every
word, click here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/R1V0B2EOFDH2MA/102-0019062-6036158
Making that
list inspired me to make another. My
list of the best literary short fiction can be seen at: http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/R3RV1SGQAZ5U0/102-0019062-6036158. Both of the lists are part of Amazon.com’s
Listmania. Make your own lists
there. Tell people what you like.
THIS NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE AS AN RSS FEED For you blogging experts who have blogs sent to you by RSS feed rather than by clicking to the sites, this newsletter is now available for RSS feed. To explain this better, here’s what my service says:
So what
is RSS?
RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication and it is another way for people to
view your messages. Now, instead of arriving only by email, your messages will
be available to your contacts and other people in their feed readers.
I received my first letter to the editor. Here it is:
Dear Chris: Your letter's opening comments about readings and book signings had me laughing. Of course, our takes on them are very similar and you know I covered my rather negative take on these forms of promotion in The Frugal Book Promoter. You talked about the ways that readings and signings can overcome sparse (and yawning) audiences. One of those ways is, of course, the work that the author herself does to make a reading hospitable. Carolyn See had taken pains to treat her guests like, well...guests. Good food. Probably invitations sent, thus a warm, receptive response from the audience. The UCLA reading at the Skirball utilized my favorite form of successful promotion--cross promotion. Imagine! More than 20 UCLA instructors/authors working together, inviting, reading, sending out media releases, etc! Perfect! There is one additional aspect of the most successful bookish occasions and that's to hold them in your own little pond--that is cities or neighborhoods where you have tons of personal contacts who will help make it a success. I have a few other surefire ways that these kinds of events can succeed and the authors
among your readers can find them in my blog--a very focused one on this subject! It's at http://redenginepress.com/chjohnson. Check out the catalog and CD ideas!
Oh, and one more thing. Carolyn See has paid her dues, built a loyal following by strength of writing and strength of personality. Overnight successes (and brilliant book signings) only appear magical. They are rarely that easy, almost always they're hard work! Best, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, Author The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't
HOW TO WRITE A GREAT MEDIA RELEASE Some of you who read this may be writers looking toward the future—or for that matter, you may be filmmakers, musicians, or an artist of any sort who could use publicity. The hardest part certainly is creating a good product in the first place, but your work isn’t done. You need to promote it. Even if you have an agent, publisher, or publicist, you can help things along, which is what Carolyn’s book above is about. When I was the Institute Writer at CalArts, besides writing articles, I wrote press releases (now called media releases). There’s a true art to a good release, mainly because people who receive them get them by the boatload. Editors are inundated. Hence, you need to stand out. A good release does three things: 1) Hooks the reader (like almost everything else you write).
2) Makes the news seem important and worthy.
3) Is one page.
4) Has easy-to-find contact information.
To hook the reader, you need a great headline and a strong first sentence or two. A great example is one I received from Carolyn recently (the writer above), headed by huge that said MEDIA RELEASE. As you look at the release below, see how the headline and sub-headline hook. “Listen While You Surf” makes me curious. “Calling All Authors” puts me in her group. I instantly think, Is this for me? In her first paragraph, she gives the basic and most important information. If no one reads any farther, the information is given. In her next paragraph, not one but two books are promoted. It shows she’s prolific, helpful, and literary. The last three paragraphs give her credentials. One of the paragraphs is highlighted—another tool. While I’m helping her in a small way showing it here, the main thing I want you to realize is you can use your writing abilities to help yourself.
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
E-mail:
HoJoNews@aol.com
Listen
While You Surf
Calling All Authors
Features
Frugal Author
Carolyn Howard-Johnson will be
interviewed on "Calling All Authors," a Global Talk Radio show (www.globaltalkradio.com/show/callingallauthors), Tuesday, July 18, 5 pm Pacific
Saving Time (7 pm Central).
"Calling All Authors"
originator and host Valerie Connelly (also an author, publisher and founder
of Nightengale Press) and Howard-Johnson will discuss promotion ideas
from Howard-Johnson's award-winning book The
Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won’t, which was named
USA Book News “Best Books 2004” in the professional book category and won the
Irwin Award, the Book Publicists of Southern California's most prestigious
award. Those calling in on 800-773-0355 (Outside the USA:
1-310-328-9300) may prefer to ask question
about her award-winning novel, This is
the Place, especially since Big Love has become such a hit on HBO.
The novel is set in Mormon country.
"Calling
All Authors" focuses on authors
and publishing experts who reveal lessons learned in writing and publishing and
explain marketing hurdles they have overcome. The program was a natural
extension of the concept of author-centric publishing that characterizes
Nightengale Press. These informative programs target both published and
aspiring authors who are looking for a reasonable way to get their books
into print and/or into the marketplace. Those interested can access past
programs at www.globaltalkradio.com/show/callingallauthors
.
G here to your website and e-mail
it to everyone on Planet Earth!!
Howard-Johnson, an instructor at
UCLA Extension’s Writers’ Program, chose to have her how-to book for authors
published in both e-book format and paperback in order to give both emerging
authors and her struggling students affordable (Frugal!) and convenient
choices. Her novel won eight awards, her book of creative nonfiction, Harkening: A Collection of Stories
Remembered won three and her chapbook of poetry, Tracings, was named to the Compulsive Reader's Ten Best Reads of
2005.
The California Legislature recently named Carolyn Woman of the Year in
Arts and Entertainment. She is the first author to be so honored. Her
hometown's Character and Ethics Committee honored her for her work with
tolerance and the Pasadena Weekly
named her to their list of "San Gabriel Valley women who make life
happen" for literary activism
Howard-Johnson’s
poetry has appeared in literary journals like the Mochila Review, Banyan
Review and Poetic Voices and she has worked for Good Housekeeping
Magazine and as a journalist for several newspapers. She is the founder of Authors' Coalition ( http://authorscoalitionandredenginepress.com
) and editor of the newsletter for that organization as well as a blog ( http://redenginepress.com/chjohnson
) that helps authors turn a dull book fair booth into a sizzling success.
Learn
more about Carolyn Howard-Johnson at http://www.tlt.com/authors/carolynhowardjohnson.htm.
Learn more
about Nightengale Press at: http://www.nightengalepress.biz/ or
http://www.nightengalemedia.com/
and Valerie Connelly at http://www.valerieconnelly.npauthors.com/
MY BOOKS
There’s nothing to report this
month on The Middle-Aged Man and the Sea, as I needed to focus my
attention on finishing my newest novel, Falling Down Mt. Washington. I’m only two scenes away from finishing
my first draft, and I’m 288 pages in so far.
Of course, there’s a lot of work to be done in a second draft, but the
hardest for me to write is the first.
If you have birthday presents to give this month, consider a middle-aged
man.
If you’re new to this newsletter, or you want to retrieve an old one, you can get them at my site, www.chrismeeks.com. Scroll all the way to the bottom. There, too, people can subscribe to my newsletter.