I'm on TV this Sunday morning

My wonderful boss, Jane Underwood of the Writing Salon, asked me to represent the WS on "Bay Sunday" this weekend.  The Writing Salon is such an important part of San Francisco's literary culture, and I'm thrilled to sing the Salon's praises!  If you live in the area and have been pining for some creative stimuli, you should take a class with us.

So if you're an a) insomniac b) early riser c) forced out of bed by unruly children or d) dejected self-medicating alchoholic looking for some way to pass the excruciating weight of your day, turn on the tube this Sunday morning at 5:30 and see my smiling (overtired) face.

The details:
Bay Sunday
5:30 a.m.
CBS 5 (KPIX-TV)

Wish me luck,
Josh

PS: Can you wear a paisley shirt and striped pants at the same time?

Patrick DeWitt Interview

Patrick DeWitt's new novel, "The Sisters Brothers" is a great read.  It came out earlier this week, and I recommend it highly.  The dialouge alone will blow your mind.

I interviewed Pat for the Rumpus.  The whole interview is here.  I loved his answer to this one:

Rumpus: Setting is an important part of this book. Gold Rush San Francisco is such a vibrant, raucous place. How did you research that era? And more importantly, how did you write a book that didn’t draw attention to its research? Didn’t pummel the reader with peripheral facts?

DeWitt: I wrote a book that didn’t draw attention to its research by not doing very much research in the first place. I looked things up as I needed them, but scouring around for facts is not my idea of a good time. One thing I did do, which probably doesn’t pass for research, is that I used old photographs as prompts. This is how the character of Hermann Kermit Warm came about. I cut out a picture of a prospector from the yard sale book I mentioned earlier, tacked this to the wall in my office, and made up a person based on the image. Anyway, my not having firsthand experience of what I was writing about wasn’t that much of a handicap because character and personality took precedence over setting detail from the start.

Jonathan Evison Interview

Happy Valentine's Day, you sexy thing!!  I hope the day lives up to its hype in your world, whether that's a candlelit dinner, sex with a stranger, or slurping whiskey by yourself...

Speaking of V-day, here's a short story I finally finished about a guy you should try NOT to be like on this fair holiday...

Johnny Evison is one of my favorite working writers.  Period.  He's that good.  His 2nd novel "West of Here" hits the shelves this week and is a fun read.  I highly recommend you pick it up. 

I recently interviewed Evison over on the Rumpus.  Our whole discussion is here.  But I love how he answered this one (so inspiring!):

JM: We've all heard the sexy recount of the twenty-something know-it-all who gets an MFA from Colombia and poof! she/he puts out a best-selling first novel.  Yet most working writers have less sexy routes finding publication.  Tell us about your apprenticeship.  Why did you persevere when nobody gave a fuck? 

JE: I wrote six unpublished novels, and too many unwanted short stories to count, before “All About Lulu” was published. I physically dug holes and buried three of my novels in the ground--salted the earth, so nothing would ever grow there again. And I loved every minute of it! I never bothered doubting the occupation, because nothing was going to deter me from doing the thing I loved more than anything else in this world (besides drink beer). Throughout my twenty year apprenticeship, I did virtually every conceivable menial job you can think of, from road kill hacker-upper to "hot talk" radio jock (the former being infinitely more rewarding). And I'm still drawing from all of these experiences, which is more than I can say about the time I spent sitting in classrooms. Having my work rejected time and again, was a minor annoyance at most. I had the work. I just kept licking envelopes and collecting form rejections as a form of due diligence. If nobody ever published any of my work, and I died in complete obscurity, surrounded by feral cats, I'd be writing novels up until the end.

I hope you find inspiration in his words.  The most important things a writer can have are patience and resilience.  Talent is second-fiddle to work ethic.  Revision is where good books become great ones.

Woud you like to win a free copy of Termite Parade?

Happy writing,
Josh

What if my tiny mind had to interview itself?

One of the websites I hit regularly is The Nervous Breakdown. They have a bunch of talented authors all contributing columns, essays, and/or fiction pieces. Add it to your repertoire of time wasting.

They asked me to do a self-interview. I've never done anything like this before. It's harder than you might think. If inspiration strikes and you feel like penning your own, pop it my way: I'd love to check 'em out.

There's also an excerpt from Termite Parade now up at their site. And from a couple weeks back, this chat I had with Jonathan Evison, which originally appreared at three guys one book.

The Nervous Breakdown has been an amazing advocate for not only my new book, but the last one as well. I'm incredibly appreciative for their support. They're definitely fighting the good fight.

LA Times interview about stalking E.L Doctorow and being "anti-precocious."

The LA Times book blog, Jacket Copy, is asking a bunch of writers for memorable summer reads.  I recommended one new book, Gina Frangello's story collection "Slut Lullabies."  Not only is Gina a beautiful writer, she also used to run Other Voices lit mag; years and years ago, she accepted the first story I ever published in a magazine that printed more than 17 copies and/or was run out of a meth lab. I can't recommend her book highly enough (or her novel).  She's fantastic.

Then I blather endlessly about my love of E.L. Doctorow's "The Book of Daniel."  It's by far the best book I've ever read.  If you're too cheap to buy your own copy (it's from the '70s, so a used copy should run about a nickel), send me your address and I'll mail you mine.  That's how much you need to know about this romp!

The whole interview is here, but a quick peek:

JC: When did you start [reading & writing]?

JM: I came to reading and writing fairly late in life. I hear stories of writers who “penned” their first opus at age 8, plopped on granny’s lap and scribbling relentlessly, already cutting their literary teeth. But I was “anti-precocious”: didn’t read my first novel until I was 17. That book was Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse Five.” Before then, I’d only skimmed Jane Austen and Mark Twain and the like, and those authors are certainly good at what they do, but it wasn’t for me. Vonnegut showed me that writers could be crazy on the page, reckless, their imaginations zigzagging anywhere. After that, I was hooked.

Author Jonathan Evison interviews me for 3G1B

J. Evison's first novel "All About Lulu" is a solid read.  I was lucky enough to get my hands on an advanced copy of his next, "West of Here," that hits stores February 2011.  Let me tell you: Evison can write his ass off.  WOH is so good, in fact, I'm predicting awards for it.  Pulitzer?  National Book Award?  I'm calling my shot.  Just remember where you heard it first, people...

Evison was nice enough to instigate a dialogue with me.  In it, we discuss my penchant for squalor, vampires on submarines... you know, the usual.  He also asked about my relationship with my publisher, Two Dollar Radio.  Here's part of my response:

JM: I’m very comfortable on the fringe. I like that role of being underestimated. There are very few expectations of me, and so if something goes well, it’s just gravy. I feel like I’m playing with house money… except in this particular example there’s no money. Or a house.

Thanks, Herr Evison for asking such thoughtful questions.  It was a stunning asylum from the normal batch of obvious ones, like: "Hey man, do you write with a pen or on a laptop?"  Why would anybody really fucking care what the answer is to that?

L Magazine: "Joshua Mohr has some issues"

Wow, I'm coming off an amazing week, with so many fun readings (and birthday well wishes). Thanks to everybody who came out. I really appreciate it.

I just did an interview with Brooklyn's The L Magazine, where I talk the powers of clam chowder and gin--yes, mixed together!
The L: What have you read/watched/listened to/looked at/ate recently that will permanently change our readers' lives for the better?

JM: I live in San Francisco, which is renowned for clam chowder served out of sourdough bread bowls. A buddy turned me on to this restaurant down on the waterfront where you slip the bartender a few bucks on the sly and he'll pour three shots of gin right into your bread bowl. You stir the booze in amongst the clams and potatoes. It's by far the greatest thing I've ever tasted. Just make sure to eat/drink quickly, taking fast sips from your spoon before the dairy cements.

Rumpus Radio & My Birthday Reading Tonight

I like to tease fiction writer/memoirist/sexual savant Steve Elliott that he's the Mayor of the Mission District, and I'm only sorta kidding. He's got our neighborhood wired. One of the nice things about living around the corner from him is that I can show up at his apartment and harrass him from time to time.

For example, maybe he happens to be recording a broadcast of the Rumpus Radio...maybe he's all dialed in for the show...checking levels, prepping the guest...mic tests, getting in the zone...and I happen to stagger in and say, "Hey man, can I borrow some mayonnaise?" Or: "Do you have any clean socks? Mine are all, like, wet for some reason."

Just such a glorious anomaly happened last week, as Steve was preparing to chat with Nick Flynn on Rumpus Radio. Steve was nice enough to let me co-host. Check it out here. Nick has some wise words and seems like a wise person all the way around. I highly recommend both his memoirs, "Another Bullshit Night in Suck City" and his latest, "The Ticking is the Bomb."

Today is my 34th birthday, and I'm excited to spend the evening reading at the Why There Are Words series in Sausalito. I also think my hair is thinning. In unrelated news, the bags I used to only have sometimes under my eyes are now always there. Getting old is cool...

This is also the last day to subscribe to the Rumpus Book Club and receive a free book. You can choose from one of Steve's ouevre, or the likes of Dave Eggers, Michael Chabon, Steve Almond, Tao Lin, and they even have some copies of "Termite Parade" if you're into that sort of thing.

Hope to see you tonight!

Impose Magazine Interview: Joshua Mohr/Master of Disguise

It's a little known fact that I'm a master of disguise. Or at least that I like to play dress up like a lonely school girl. Is that the same thing as being a master of disguise? Please give me the benefit of the doubt on this one...


Anyway, I was excited to see that this interview in Impose Magazine I did last week used the pic over on the left, instead of the standard author headshot. For my first book, my better half and I spent an evening making me look like different characters from "Some Things." That guy is supposed to be Vern. Remember him? Everybody's favorite sadist?

In all honesty, though, the real "diamond in the rough" was our rendition of Old Lady Rhonda. I apologize to transvestites the world over for my shoddy work... guess I should've shaved...



Also, tonight is my book launch party at City Lights for Termite Parade. All the info is here. I hope you're able to come play with us tonight. We'll be celebrating everybody's birthday from the last year, so let's have some laughs, eat a cupcake, all in the name of literature!

Women's shoes, termites, & trust issues

Today is the official drop date for Termite Parade. It's always an uphill struggle for indie writers to get the word out because we don't have huge ad budgets like the corporate shops. If you feel inclined to help others catch wind of my read, I'd be immensely grateful. This here's a good ol' fashioned grassroots movement--and I wouldn't have it any other way! Thanks so much...

In case you're in the mood for some Q & A banter, I did an interview with the SF Examiner yesterday. Here's a fun sneak:

Examiner: Last March you challenged Nicholas Sparks to a fistfight after he declared himself The Greatest Writer Ever while doing an interview with Miley Cyrus of all people. Well, have you heard from him?

J.M.: Unfortunately, it’s been all quiet on the Sparks front, but if/when I do hear from him, I bet he sends an email that goes something like this:

Mr. Mohr:

Contrary to popular opinion, sir, it’s not okay to go willy-nilly assailing people’s character. I am an evolved, erudite storyteller (a best-selling storyteller if you haven’t heard. LOL), and you’re just a third-tier nobody. You’re probably just jealous. That’s what my mom says. She says oh, that lowly third-tier nobody must be envious of her Nicky-slicky selling so many ookie-bookies. Is that it? Are you jealous of Nicky-slicky and my ookie-bookies? It’s okay; of course you are. A lot of people reek of jealousy-cologne when it comes to the prowess of the Sparkz! But please, kind sir, find your way to the high road. Let’s act like gentleman (or I’ll unveil the gangsta sleeping in the penitentiary of my heart).

Bestsellingly,

The Great White Sparkz

Ah, Sparkz: you are an absolute thrill to me! I hope everybody enjoys the holiday weekend.

Also, I'm celebrating the release of Termite Parade by getting a new tattoo today. Check out the mud flap girl reading a book near the top of this post: a group of librarians in Wyoming designed it to show a younger female audience that you can be sexy, but it's even better to be smart and sexy. She'll be on my arm faster than you can say "Overdue books."

Interview with Joe Meno

I recently had the pleasure of reading with Joe Meno up at Powells City of Books in Portland, Oregon. Herr Meno and I grabbed dinner beforehand, and I have to say he's a really amazing guy: smart, funny, self-effacing. We talked about his new novel:

Mohr: I just heard David Sedaris is reading across town at the same time as we are. Pre-sold 700 tickets, or something viciously ridiculous like that. Do you think anyone will come to our reading?

Meno: The formula that I use is that you want to have one person in the audience for every hour you traveled to get here. You drove?

Mohr: Recklessly. About ten hours.

Meno: I flew two hours. All we need are twelve people.

Mohr: It’s thrilling that the bar is set so low. Maybe we should have a kissing booth. That’ll pack ‘em in. How long did you work on The Great Perhaps?

Meno: I started it a couple weeks after the 2004 election. Really, the book was a way for me to ask the question why had the country made the decision it had, in reelecting George Bush. And also how that administration was defined by fear, using fear to push forward their agenda.

Read the rest of the interview here.

As an aside, who knew Portland was such a bad ass town? It was clean. The people were gorgeous and young and tattooed. And I love the rain. I take back everything I ever said, Oregon. You aren't simply chock full of no-teeth hillbilly tweakers!

San Francisco Chronicle

Thanks to the folks at the San Francisco Chronicle for writing such a kick-ass article about me!

Examiner Interview

A wee Q&A with the Examiner:

How did The City influence or shape your writing in “Some Things that Meant the World to Me”? I live in the Mission, where the majority of the novel takes place. The neighborhood is very much a character in the book — the homeless, the gentrification, the bars, the politics, the diversity.

Whole interview

Curly Red Stories Interview and Short-short

This amazing woman Niya runs a great literature site called curlyredstories. She publishes a new e-zine every month. We did an interview, and I also wrote a new short-short. Who can resist a story about a rogue cater-waiter?