Upton Sinclair died on 25 November 1968.
A Young Upton Sinclair. Bain Collection. Library of Congress.
[Alternative Muses] Goodbye, Mr. Sinclair!
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Tag Archives: Writers
Writers in Art: Portrait of Leo Tolstoy in His Study by Ilya Repin
By now, it is obvious that I love Ilya Repin’s paintings of famous Russian writers. This image of Tolstoy illustrates why: the coupling of serenity and realism is a powerful combination.
Portrait of Leo Tolstoy in His Study by Ilya Repin, 1891
I’m Anthology-Bound, with Fossil Lake II: The Refossiling!
My short horror story Beyond the Boneyard Gate, which initially came to life a year ago in a lovely on-line magazine called The Paperbook Collective, is being published in an anthology due out in February.
I am happy and honored to be part of Fossil Lake II: The Refossiling.
Partial Table of Contents for Fossil Lake II: The Refossiling.
The book is full of stories from wonderful writers.
Brian Keene is penning the foreword.
The cover art will be spectacular.
Big thanks to Christine Morgan, the editor/publisher/ringleader.
I’ll keep you updated. In the meantime, feel free to head over to Fossil Lake to view the full Table of Contents or just poke around.
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Djuna Barnes Quote
[Alternative Muses] Writerly Style: Dressing Like a Work of Art with Djuna Barnes
“One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art.”-Oscar Wilde
Our dear Djuna, who wasn’t always so dear, encompassed both of Wilde’s dictates.
Why wouldn’t she?
Djuna Barnes was not afraid to overstep the accepted boundaries of writing, art, behaviour, or fashion. She knew that, sometimes, too much wasn’t nearly enough.
Our favourite tetchy lady knew what she was doing. Here’s why.
Lessons in How to Dress, Djuna Barnes-style:
Tip #1-It’s okay to wear too many layers and accessories, as long as it is artfully done:
Djuna, daring you to find her anything short of magnificent.
A lesser woman would be weighed down by all those layers and accessories, but not our Djuna. She looks resplendent. The open collar, delicate jewelry, and commandingly vibrant lipstick pull everything together.
Tip #2-The key to wearing a bold print is to conquer it by the pure force of your personality:
Djuna Barnes taking charge of some giant dots, circa 1921.
Clothes smell fear. If you’re scared to wear something, you probably shouldn’t. Otherwise, don it with the conviction that no one else on earth could ever pull it off like you can.
Surrounding a huge pattern with solids never hurts, either.
Tip #3-Shoes and Hats! Shoes and Hats!
Solita Solano and Djuna Barnes were exceptionally chic in Paris, 1922.
Shoes and hats are all you need to be stylish and memorable. It doesn’t matter if you are wearing a ball gown or a T-shirt dress, as long as you are shod and topped with wit or taste, or even creative vulgarity. Swap those gorgeous 1920s frocks for modern minis and logo shirts, and Solita and Djuna would still look phenomenal.
Think about that.
Now go out there and face the world with confidence and a bit of writerly style!
[Daily Prompt] Good Tidings: Positively Dickensian
Today’s Daily Prompt-Good Tidings:
Present-day you meets 10-years-ago you for coffee. Share with your younger self the most challenging thing, the most rewarding thing, and the most fun thing they have to look forward to.
This is my contribution!
Positively Dickensian
Two women sit across from each other at a table in a coffee shop. They take their tea the same way: Earl Grey, strong, two sugars. Turbinado, please, stirred clock-wise.
Their conversation goes like this:
2004 Mae: Hey, why are we blonde? We haven’t been blonde since we were seven, and we both know that was way more than ten years ago–yours or mine.
2014 Mae: We’ve met before, right? We’ve been radically altering our hair every few months since we were twelve. Some things don’t change. Wait until you get to 2012. That was a great hair year for us, even if we got sick of the Miley comparisons.
2004: Who is Miley?
2014: Never mind. We’ll know soon enough, and we’ll wish we didn’t.
2004: Oh, okay. Anyhoo, this is kind of weird. Why are we here, again? Do you have big news for me? Because I’m not sure that I want to know. Even if it doesn’t suck.
2014: Good, because I didn’t plan on giving you specifics, anyway.
2004: Well, what if I changed my mind? What if I want to know now?
2014: Too fucking bad. It doesn’t work that way.
2004: Did you bend time and space just to have tea with me? Honestly, that is kind of creepy. Is this some next-level Miss Havisham shit? Future me is so bereft that she finds a way to come back to a point when life was better? Oh, my god. Do I really turn into Miss Havisham? Seriously, is my future that pitiful?
2014: I’m not wearing a tattered wedding dress, am I? So, no. I forgot how kooky we can be.
2004: Wait. Wait! Do I-do we-become…normal? I’d rather be Miss Havisham.
2014: Haha, no! We’re amusing, too!
2004: Hey, don’t take credit for that line! I said it, so I am the amusing one. Continue reading
Writers in Art: Tolstoy Ploughing by Ilya Repin
Tolstoy Ploughing by Ilya Repin, 1887
Shopping for the Bookworm: The Dead Writers Round-Up, Volume One
This shopping guide is a companion to the 10th-14th November The Dead Writers Round-Up. Enjoy!
Schiller Wax Seal Necklace by Renate and Jonathan. $127.00
Arthur Rimbaud Quote Tote by The Book Fiend. $21.95
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Robert Louis Stevenson Quote
Oh, Autumn!
Oh, autumn! You are my favourite season. No, really. I adore everything about you: your beautiful leaves, smoke-scented wind, vibrant sunsets, pumpkin patches, delectable food (warm cider, caramel apples, pie). You are really quite remarkable.
Autumn by Abraham Manievich, 1914
Autumn by Béla Farkas, 1913
Autumn Leaves by John Everett Millais, 1856
You have the best pastimes: hayrides, haunted houses, apple picking.
No wonder your charms drive poets into the arms of hyperbole:
you are the season of purest inspiration.
Autumn by Alfons Mucha, 1886
Your sights, sounds, smells–all are bundled away until needed. I unpack them in the heart of winter, when I do my best writing. They make life, and work, less barren. Hopeful, warm.
Autumn by Jens Lund, 1909
Thank you.
A Small Press Life: Books. Art. Writing. Life. Tea. 