Life on/in Riverside

[ellenkushner]

"I know you're outer-directed, honey, but get a grip," says Delia. "Now, I have a house to clean."

Thus, this morning, as I obsessed (again) over what I would read next Tuesday at our big 20th Anniversary NYRSF Reading at South Street Seaport (hosted by old friend Claire Wolf Smith, whose LJ Identity I will leave to her to reveal in these pages as she chooses). Should I do the joint reading of The Man with the Knives, with Delia reading Sophia's p.o.v. sections, and me doing Alec's interior monologues? We read through it on Sunday, and it's awfully dense language & text (plus, her part is longer than mine! And I get all the difficult poetryish bits). I haven't even sold it yet (it's out right now with an Exclusive anthology), so it won't be appearing for months, if not years. Is this a horrible tease? Or a Rare Treat? If I promise to do an unpublished Riverside story, but I chicken out at the last minute, will you be content with "The Duke of Riverside" instead (sold to Ellen Datlow's CITIES for 2010), even if I can't read the whole thing 'cause it's too long? (Or can I take 45 minutes to read 1 story?) Or would you rather hear something you've already read? I think that it was ca. 20 yrs ago (agh!!) that I first read "The Swordsman whose Name was Not Death" at NYRSF - Jim Freund says he still has the tape - would it be fun to hear that now?

My divine chiropractor, George Russell, says Go For It - he is an astute reader with a prodigious memory who, as he worked the knots out of my legs, suggested various scenes from TPOTS which, in fact, are the very ones I usually read aloud to audiences (he also remarked, "I think Marcus is transexual" - well, whatever that term is for someone who's not committed either way). I adore George. If you're a writer in NYC whose body hurts (Don't all jump up & down at once!), call him. And/or try this Ergociser program maryrobinette tweeted me about.

Comments

[just-ann-now.livejournal.com]

I hate to beat a maybe-dead horse (or, on the other hand, provide helpful reminders of things) but what ever happened to "A Riverside Marriage", the illustration rights to which were auctioned away for "Live Long and Marry"? Might that work?

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Thank you for remembering that one! It's only about 6 pages of big print - but I will keep it in reserve if I get desperate.

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

Should I do the joint reading of The Man with the Knives, with Delia reading Sophia's p.o.v. sections, and me doing Alec's interior monologues?

Just saying that I'd love to hear that one. Sorry if it seems too difficult.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

Oh, I can read anything - I'm just afraid it will make tough *listening*.
??

[thumbelinablues.livejournal.com]

Dun' care. We're up to the challenge. RARE TREAT. And I obviously trust you to pick something lovely to read, but "The Man With the Knives" hits all my buttons and I'd love to hear it before years go by!

[emilytheslayer.livejournal.com]

I'm so new to Riverside, and I won't even BE there, but the thing with you and Delia reading together sounds lovely, even if it is tricky.

[jfreund.livejournal.com]

I need to find that cassette and digitize it. TSWNWND is not only a fine reading and favorite memory of the reading series, but I've broadcast it at least four times, each time gaining an enthusiastic new audience. It's a great entry point to Riverside. (Not Drive.)

--George

[http://users.livejournal.com/la_marquise_de_/]

I would call that a Rare Treat were I there. Being several thousand miles away, it could also be a tease. But 46 minutes is fine by me.

[abominabledante.livejournal.com]

Oh, man...if I weren't five states and several hours too far South of you, I'd be there in a heartbeat. As I'm not, I wish you both the best, and I really hope things will be published soon, for your fans who cannot come in person to hear you.

And, well, I'm not going to argue with more Riverside-centered works. They are my favorite.

[ken-schneyer.livejournal.com]

George is a very old friend of mine. He and I played the two fathers in The Fantasticks in college, and my wife is devoted to him. Tell him I said hi.

[drcpunk.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about teasing us. We waited years for TPotS.