Paperback Writer called 'Paris of the Central Valley' - By N.L. Belardes
New invasion duck theme is all about culture change...
Within a twenty-four hour span of time I’ve had two polarized quotes describing my work. The first was from some anonymous person on Bakersfield.com who wrote, “Russo's? Is that the Mussolini outlet in Bakersfield? Where is your book featured between the Hitler memorabilia and the Prussian Blue display?”
Already this quote goes down as one of my all-time favorites. It’s bitter, it’s dark, it’s fascist in and of itself for how it calls me fascistic. I love it!
I had written:
Literary note: There aren’t many independent bookstores left in the valley. If you haven’t been to Russo’s, please go. You can pick up my book and many others from local and National writers… Heyday Books supports valley writers with their ‘Great Valley Writers’ series. So check them out too. Order their books through Russo’s so everyone gets a cut…
Noveltown is gearing up for another literary event. Stay tuned…
If my book likens to fascist musings I’d say well it’s worth a read then! Wouldn’t you want to know what kind of picture I’ve painted of Bakersfield’s not totally hidden dark past?
I apologize. Maybe murders never happen in Bakersfield. Maybe Bakersfield is an idyllic landscape where people aren’t run out of town, or falsely imprisoned, or killed by those who have run the town.
Besides, Lords is fiction. None of it is true, right?
The second quote was from none other than Malcolm Margolin of Heyday books who wrote me an email calling me and my Paperback Writer blog, “The Paris of the Central Valley”.
The Paris of the Central Valley? I’m too humble for that. I wrote him a reply, “…to say I'm the Paris of the Central Valley... I am undeserving. I am more like a tiny bohemian watering hole with a fancy sign.”
And since I’m on the topic of literature and writing, here are all of Matildakay’s and all of my links to the Yosemite Writers Conference. There are some good discussions that are just beginning on the Matildakay blog. Go and read what the Pirate of Georgetown has to say and more…
Matildakay reports:
A great literary weekend
What's your type?
The Mary Wong Lee Memorial Scholarship
Malcolm Margolin is Posh
Hanging out with the Pirates of Yosemite and setting the record straight
Kill Your Darlings
N.L. on Paperback Writer reports:
A Writer in Yosemite: Part One
A Writer in Yosemite: Part Two
A Writer in Yosemite: Part Three
A Writer in Yosemite: Part Four
A Writer in Yosemite: Part Five
A Writer in Yosemite: Part Six
A Writer in Yosemite: Part Seven
A Writer in Yosemite: Part Eight
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Sunday, September 03, 2006.
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The Paris of the Central Valley! I like that! It's a well deserved description of you...
Thanks for all of the links!
That's a really weird comment. Since when is supporting the local music and arts scene AND bookstores a bad thing?
There may be more to the story. I followed the thread to some other sites. Looks like the comenter may be what bloggers commonly refer to as a troll: someone who just tries to disrupt a train of thought for their own strange aim.
Still doesn't make sense. I mean.. I know what a troll is. What doesn't make sense is how people thrive on making others feel bad. I'll never get it. I mean, you probably have thick skin and you probably laughed it off. But still.
anyone can say anything no matter what their intention - positive or negative... it all sparks conversation. this is what all bloggers, journalists, etc. look for, right? good or bad, your true supporters know the real deal about you and you're accomplishing. :)
Anyways... all trolls set aside.. what is this I read?
Noveltown is gearing up for another literary event. Stay tuned…
Yay! Noveltown always puts on great events. Looking forward to hearing more about it.
Mike Russo would be tickled half to death to know his store had been referred to as a "Mussolini outlet." That's really funny!
Thanks for giving a nod to Bakersfield's independent bookstore. The Russos contribute a great deal to this community.
oops I just read your post chingpea. And yes, you're right. I know. It still trips me out though. I guess that's why I'm not a blogger. I don't have the skin needed. Although I do have dry scaley skin in the winter. But that's something else all together, I suppose.
It would've been more flattering if you were called the Paris Hilton of the Central Valley...I mean come on! That new Paris Hilton song is so delish!!
You can shoot me later..
Matt "Ska King" not logged in..
Even better is what I heard over the phone today. "You're more like the Parasite of the Central Valley..."
hehehaha... Maybe I'm all of the above...
...with a boob job
OMG this topic taken a weird turn.
You are the Parasite of the Central Valley.
Paris Hilton is the parasite of Hollywood.
You have a boob job?
And she needs one.
Nice! And I'm still anxiously waiting to hear more details about the next Noveltown literary event.
You're getting weird, Norma... heh.
I'm getting weird? LOL I think you're just now noticing. I've always been weird. :)
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