May 16th, 2016
What a busy spring this turned out to be. For the last two months, I’ve been working and traveling almost constantly. But somehow I’m making steady progress on my new novel. I’ve also written several columns for The Nation, on subjects such as the Cologne attacks, cries of political correctness, and the rise of the far right amid fears of change. In March, I joined the L.A. Times Book Review as one of its ten critics-at-large. And last month I found out that I was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. I can’t wait for summer, when I’ll have more time (to work some more!)
Photo: Spring flowers in Joshua Tree.
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March 1st, 2016
I spent the last twelve weeks working on my new novel and reading manuscripts for literary prizes I’m judging. But I’m about to hit the road again, with appearances in Portland, Bend, Los Angeles, Boca Raton, Ann Arbor, Rochester, New York, and elsewhere. Details are posted on the Events page.
I’m also thrilled to share with you the news that I’m joining The Nation as a columnist this year. The official announcement is here. And here is my first column, a reflection on what Trump means for the country, especially for two communities rarely talked about in the same breath: Muslims and veterans. Here is how the column begins:
Whether Donald Trump will win the Republican nomination, no one can tell—but what’s already clear is that he’s brought fascism back into the mainstream. At his rallies, Trump promises to make America great again by pouring scorn on women, Mexicans, African Americans, Asians, immigrants, LGBT people, the disabled, his opponents, and reporters who dare to criticize him. Every time he comes up with a new insult, his supporters whoop and cheer, seemingly confident in the belief that they are not now, nor would they ever become, one of his targets. Lately, he has taken to picking out individual protesters—a Black Lives Matter activist, a Muslim woman, a Sikh man—and offering them up to the jeering crowd, before having security escort them out. The message is unmistakable: There is no room at these gatherings for anyone who isn’t white and Christian. A Trump rally is nothing more than a hate-in.
In other news, Lionsgate optioned The Moor’s Account for a TV series. (Very exciting!) I will, of course, post updates when I have them. The novel has also been selected for the March 2016 Book of the Month Club. You can watch Craig Ferguson recommend it on a video on their website.
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