I know, I know, nobody likes advertising. That's why largely there's none to be found here. But when it takes as long to write a reference book as it took me to write this one, I can't help but take a day to announce its publication.
It's here! My second nonfiction readers' guide, The Inside Scoop: A Guide to Nonfiction Investigative Writing and Exposes, is all ready to go. And I for one am glad. I had a lot of fun writing it, but after you've gone through the manuscript a couple of times and indexed it, you don't really feel like looking at it ever again.
My favorite part of this new book is that it contains, not only annotations and suggestions for William Langewiesche's books, but many, many references to Langewiesche in general, including his quote about the difficulty of classifying investigative works:
"In truth it doesn't really have a label--which is why you can never find the stuff in a bookstore. They don't know where to put it, so they try to force it into existing categories."
Ah, Langewiesche. Even when writing about writing he's got it spot on.
In other administrative news, don't forget that Book Menage II is scheduled to start Monday, March 23. Our two books are the essay collection The Braindead Megaphone by George Saunders and the story collection Dangerous Laughter by Steven Milhauser. Remember, you're welcome to comment even if you don't get both books read. (I've got to get going to make sure I get both books read myself!)
Congratulations.
Posted by: Melanie | 04 March 2009 at 09:53 AM
Totally cool!!!!!!!
Posted by: Becky | 04 March 2009 at 10:12 AM
Thanks, Melanie and Becky! I'm just so glad it's done. And I'm going to try and pass off the picture of the woman on the front as my author photo, too. :)
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 04 March 2009 at 10:27 AM
This is so great!! Can you say LANGAVEESHA???? Maybe he'll visit this blog . . . oh be still my beating heart!
Posted by: Sarah | 04 March 2009 at 10:38 AM
awesome job you fancy pants writer CR!
Posted by: katharine | 04 March 2009 at 10:47 AM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Tripp | 04 March 2009 at 10:59 AM
Oh, Sarah,
Sadly, we will not be seeing Mr. Langaveesha--I read once that he doesn't pay much attention to the internet, particularly when he's writing. Sigh. And my love for him grows.
Katharine,
You're so nice. If anyone can make your branch go with art and plants and your very presence, it's you.
Tripp,
Thanks!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 04 March 2009 at 11:23 AM
So very VERY exciting! congrats and lots of exclamations points
Posted by: Care | 04 March 2009 at 02:39 PM
Hooray!
Posted by: lesbrarian | 04 March 2009 at 02:46 PM
Care, Thanks so much!! (Lots of exclamation points back!)
Lesbrarian,
Thank you, m'dear. You certainly know what I'm talking about when I say I'm glad to be done. When's yours coming out--I can't wait to see it!!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 05 March 2009 at 11:36 AM
I've been reading Langewiesche in The Atlantic Monthly for years. Love his stuff. Loved your prior book too! Congratulations on the new one. I look forward to seeing it.
Posted by: Donna | 05 March 2009 at 04:53 PM
Donna,
Oh goody, another Langewiesche fan! There can never be too many of us. Thanks for the kind words and the congrats. As always, if you get the new book and see any ways in which we can better future editions, just let me know!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 05 March 2009 at 07:56 PM
CR!!
Did you tell us you were writing this book and I missed it??? I'm so very happy for you and excited for all readers. I can't wait until I see it. Perhaps I'll get it autographed one day?
Posted by: Venta | 06 March 2009 at 09:00 AM
Thanks, Venta! I hope you like it when you do see it. If only it was a really titillating romance or something, though, so it could be a more exciting read for you. :)
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 06 March 2009 at 04:35 PM
Yeah!
Posted by: Rick Roche | 07 March 2009 at 11:09 AM
Hey, CR! Reading about books is just as fun as reading the books themselves. Maybe it allows us to think we have more time here on earth - "Yeah. I'll read that books someday!" Although titillating is always good, too!
Posted by: Venta | 08 March 2009 at 07:01 AM
Congrats! ...ah, and finally the truth is out on why you have been holed up in recent months.
So where is William Langewiesche? Silly guy, he needs to pop over here and say hullo to his biggest fan.
Hooray on your book -- you do excellent work and provide all kinds of wonderful aid to those of us who are hanging about reference desks!
Thank you!
tl
Posted by: The Laundress | 09 March 2009 at 01:13 AM
Rick,
Thanks! And I can't wait to see your book too!
Venta,
Oh, I totally agree. I love books about books myself (as you know). I hope this one is a good guide for other books.
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 09 March 2009 at 09:53 AM
Thanks Laundress!
Oh, that's one of my favorite things about Mr. Langewiesche, that he doesn't pay much attention to the internet. It's fine with me if he doesn't pop in--he's got to keep busy writing new books for me to read!
I hope this book is useful to you. I know there's not usually a lot of time on the reference desk these days to consult any reference sources!
Posted by: Citizen Reader | 09 March 2009 at 09:55 AM