Author News and Book Reports

Jonathan Lethem, Michael Thomas, and Ben Greenman mix fact and fiction for potent prose
Three of America's fast-rising stars in the literary universe today--Jonathan Lethem, Michael Thomas, and Ben Greenman--took the dais at the 2009 Miami Book Fair International to read from and talk about their new works. First up, New Yorker book critic and author Ben Greenman provided the premise for his latest novel, loosely based on the life of Sly Stone Please Step Back (Melville House; April, 2009), not to be confused with his recently released book of short stories, What He's Poised To Do (Harper's Perennial; June, 2010). Greenman read three passages, the first dealing with his main character's inspiration from tragedy as a youth, followed by a passage detailing his main character's sudden career breakthrough in 1968, and ended with a passage set in 1972 when the main character is at the peak of his career. Next up, award-winning, bestselling author Jonathan Lethem introduced his latest winner, Chronic City (Vintage paperback reprint; August, 2010), and read a long passage wherein eagles are nesting in New York City creating a clash between nature and modern civilization. Winner of the 2009 International Impac Dublin Literary Award for his debut novel, Man Gone Down, Michael Thomas wrapped up the reading part of the program by introducing a non-fiction, autobiographical work-in-progress and then reading a passage on fatherhood. The authors then took a few questions from the audience, who asked Lethem about progress on the movie version of his first novel Motherless Brooklyn, his blend of comics, sci-fi, and high-brow literary storytelling styles, and the themes Of Chronic City. Greenman and Thomas took the final question about the blurred line separating fiction and non-fiction. Then Greenman, followed by Lethem, and Thomas each contemplated their process of creating characters, and shared their thoughts on their processes for discovering their voice for each book they write.

Book and Author Headlines

James Ellroy and Colin Harrison take some of the mystery out of their crime novels: Masterful crime fiction authors James Ellroy and Colin Harrison reveal why and how they write some of the most compelling crime fiction in America today.

Mary Roach shoots the moon 'Packing for Mars': Bestselling author of quirky science books about cadavers, sex, and the afterlife unpacks little-known essential facts of life astronauts cope with in outer space in her new book, 'Packing for Mars.'

Twesigye Jackson Kaguri blazes new trail in education for 'poorest of the poor' in Nyaka, Uganda: A native of Uganda and now Interim Senior Director for External Relations and Development College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University, Twesigye Jackson Kaguri offers his inspirational success story of educating the 'poorest of the poor' in his hometown of Nyaka, Uganda.

Jennifer Egan pays a visit to the 'goon squad' at BEA 2010: Widely acclaimed bestselling author Jennifer Egan brings 'the goon squad' to BookExpo America 2010 for an exploration of the relationship between the written and the spoken word.

Nelson DeMille's John Corey hunts down 'The Lion' for the final kill: Master storyteller Nelson DeMille and voice actor Scott Brick bring John Corey and 'The Lion' to life at BookExpo America 2010.

Colson Whitehead gets personal in 'Sag Harbor': Award-winning novelist Colson Whitehead reads from his self-described autobiographical novel 'Sag Harbor' and talks about his work at the 2009 National Book Festival.

Taylor Branch rewinds 'The Clinton Tapes': Pulitzer Prize winning historian Taylor Branch rewinds 'The Clinton Tapes' (now available in paperback) at the 2009 Miami Book Fair.

Christopher Hitchens hitches a ride from BookExpo straight to the New York Times bestseller list: Vanity Fair columnist and iconoclast journalist Christopher Hitchens hits the road after pitching his tell-all memoir at BookExpo America 2010.

BEA 2010 heralds age of e-books along with traditional writer's cramps: The sixteenth annual BookExpo America (BEA) book publishing trade convention brings together all-star authors and industry heavyweights for business and pleasure.

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