Posts archived in News and Publicity

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August 16, 2010

New Stories Week

New Stories From The South 2010

On August 17, Algonquin will publish its 25th volume of New Stories from the South, guest edited this year by short story master Amy Hempel. Hempel has selected 25 stories by 24 authors (yes, one author, Brad Watson, has two phenomenal stories in the collection) for this deluxe anniversary edition. Keep your eye on the Algonquin Blog this week for giveaways, as well as interviews with Kathy Pories, Series Editor; Wells Tower, contributor; Amy Hempel; and Shannon Ravenel, founding Series Editor.

The complete list of authors featured in New Stories from the South, 2010:

Wells Tower
Dorothy Allison
Kevin Wilson
Padgett Powell
Wendell Berry
Elizabeth Spencer
Ron Rash
Rick Bass
Brad Watson
Bret Anthony Johnston
Danielle Evans
Tim Gautreaux
Ashleigh Pedersen
Adam Atlas
Megan Mayhew Bergman
George Singleton
Ben Stroud
Ann Pancake
Aaron Gwyn
Emily Quinlan
Stephen Marion
Kenneth Calhoun
Marjorie Kemper
Laura Lee Smith

To kick off the week, read “Small and Heavy World” by Ashleigh Pedersen. Remember her name–she’s a rising star.

What begins as a fantastical story of a small Southern town’s populace living in trees after a devastating flood becomes a serious and sensitive portrayal of a strained marriage told through the eyes of thirteen-year-old Rayanne. Pedersen’s gorgeous style twists from jarring to quirky, from sweet to grotesque, all the while drawing you into her world and making you care for all her characters. Enjoy! –Ana (Publishing Coordinator)

Small and Heavy World

By Ashleigh Pedersen
Excerpt from New Stories from the South 2010

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ashleigh Pedersen recently earned her MFA from University of Pittsburgh. She currently lives in Austin, TX, where she writes, works, swims, and soaks up all the outstanding dive bar honky tonk.

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July 7, 2010

The Frozen Giveaway

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July 2, 2010

A Rose By Any Name

Today we have a guest post from Algonquin editor Andra Miller.

It was a beautiful spring day in May and our publisher, Elisabeth Scharlatt, hosted a pre-event luncheon at her home in Southport, Connecticut. Author Stephen Scanniello, Ginny Arndt (director of programming for the Pequot Library), Carolan Workman, and myself enjoyed gazpacho, poached salmon, and farm-fresh hard-boiled eggs with stinky cheese and crackers. We sipped wine and ice coffee and chatted excitably about the roses, among other things.

While some of us meandered over ice cream and berries, Stephen and Elisabeth went out in the yard to scout the best place to plant the rosebushes that he had brought for her. A fine place was found along the white picket fence in front of the house. Stephen and Elisabeth dug in and within moments the bush was planted. Gardening has never looked so easy!

Stephen brought TWENTY rosebushes as prizes to be raffled off after the event, to earn money for the library. The lucky winners in the audience went home with a rose bush (or two!), accompanied by a flier describing the name of the plant and its required care. All were roses that appeared in A Rose By Any Name.

The event itself was great fun. In the old, beautiful meeting room of Southport’s Pequot Library, Stephen told tales of rosebushes once lost then found, scandalous re-namings of roses, and how he has worked with various organizations to preserve, protect, and bring back roses in danger of being lost forever. Oddly, many of his slides included cemeteries (where some of the best rosebushes can be found). It became apparent that Stephen makes a habit of scouting roses wherever he goes, sometimes showing a slide of a rosebush he pulled over the side of the road to photograph because he couldn’t believe that some obscure rose was growing amok in somebody’s yard. Stephen’s delight was contagious. He followed the presentation with a book signing, although I stole his attention for one moment to get the lowdown on the Souvenir d’Anne Frank rose bush I won in the raffle for my mother.


After a long and pleasant day, Stephen bade us good-bye, soon on his way to Paris to be a judge in the International New Rose Trials at the Jardins de Bagatelle.

- Andra

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June 18, 2010

Water for Elephants Contest Winners!

A big thank you to everyone who entered our contest to win copies of Water for Elephants. Congratulations to our winners Kim, Kenzie, and Gina! If you weren’t one of the lucky winners, head over to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of the bestselling novel. You won’t be disappointed!

Robert Pattinson, who will be playing the lead role of Jakob Jankowski, is in this weekend’s New York Times, talking about the new Twilight: Eclipse movie, and his hectic shooting schedule for the upcoming Water for Elephants movie. Here’s an excerpt:

“It’s the kind of serious literary role that could bring critical attention and stretch minds about Mr. Pattinson’s range. ‘There is a profound vulnerability about Rob and his mannerisms, and that makes him supremely accessible,’ said Elizabeth Gabler, president of Fox 2000, the studio unit making the film. ‘He also has an innate kindness about him that is wonderful in this role.’  (Read the entire article here.)

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February 16, 2010

First Dogs

Okay, American history buffs, this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to test your White House knowledge. Only the most politically informed, democratically minded individuals will have a chance at getting this right.

Match the dog, below, to the President, on the left. Tell us the name of both dog and master for a chance to win a free copy of First Dogs: American Presidents and Their Best Friends. As Calvin Coolidge said, “Any man who does not like dogs and want them about, does not deserve to be in the White House.”

1. “This Scottie was a gift from the President’s cousin Margaret Suckley. He lived in the White House from 1942-1945.” Apparently there’s no need for a threatening guard dog at the White House.

2. “Dash had his own private quarters next to the White House. The dog was a gift from the President to his grandchildren, who, along with their parents, all lived in the White House.” Hint: I was unaware that this President even existed.

3. This dog never actually made it to the White House, but the President had this picture taken, so his sons could have a photo of their pet. Thanks, Dad. Incidentally, the dog was assassinated (stabbed) one year after his master.

4. This dog licked the the microphone, the first time a reporter tried to get a bark for the record. Really guys, no one should get this wrong. Portuguese water dog? Ring a bell

5.“Cold War Couple: They produced four pups: Butterfly, White Tips, Blackie, and Streaker.” I suddenly have the overwhelming urge to wear topsiders…odd.

6. “(This) airedale not only had his own hand-carved chair to sit in during cabinet meetings, he had a personal White House valet.” Apparently, being First Dog would be a good career move.

To enter this contest, email your answers to katie [at] algonquin [dot] com. We’ll announce the winners next Friday.

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February 12, 2010

Book Booty Giveaway: Lincoln Edition

As all you patriot-minded people probably know, today is Lincoln’s Birthday! In honor of our 16th President, we’re holding a little contest to see how well you know him.

To one randomly selected winner, we’re giving away a free copy of Lincoln As I Knew Him. This book collects interviews and anecdotes from the people who actually knew Lincoln, up close and personal.

To enter this contest, email your answers to katie [at] algonquin [dot] com. Also, leave a comment here, telling us your favorite Abe Lincoln factoid! We’ll announce the winners next Friday. Best of luck!

1. What was the name of Lincoln’s First Dog, and how did he die?

2. Who was Lincoln’s closest personal friend?

3. How many children did Lincoln have? And who was the only child to survive to adulthood?

4. How tall was Lincoln? (Bonus Points: Who was our shortest President?)

5. Where did Lincoln graduate from college?

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January 20, 2010

3-Book Giveaway Winner!

Algonquin would like to congratulate Amy K. from Oakland, California for winning our nature-centric Book Booty giveaway! Amy took home three titles by Diana Wells to celebrate today’s release of Lives of Trees: An Uncommon History.

Amy’s answers were:

1. Which tree is also known as the upside-down tree (because the sparse branches resemble roots)? Answer:  the baobab
2. The leaves and bark of this tree contain tannin and caffeine, used in both North and South America to make tea. It’s also popular for hedging. Answer: yerba mate
3. This tree–also known as a harem tree–doesn’t bear fruit till it’s a decade old. The fruit is edible (and sometimes made into preserves), but it can also cause hallucinogenic sensations and, if ingested in quantity, can even cause death! Answer: nutmeg
4. Coffee (which helped keep monks awake during night vigils) became known as the “beverage of the friends of God.” But how much is too much? Name the French writer said to drink sixty cups of coffee every night — and let’s just hope most authors don’t practice this method of madness!  Answer: Balzac

Thanks to all who entered–and keep reading, there will be more swag to be won!

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January 8, 2010

More Love for your Library: A 3-Book Giveaway!

On January 19, Algonquin will publish Diana Wells‘ Lives of the Trees: An Uncommon History. An author interview with Michele Norris just aired yesterday on All Things Considered — check it out here!Wells is the bestselling author of 100 Flowers and How They Got Their Names and 100 Birds and How They Got Their Names.

To celebrate this beautiful new book, we’re hosting a Book Booty giveaway which includes all three of Diana Wells’ fun-fact collection! We’ve concocted a quiz drawn from Lives of the Trees. To enter this contest, email your answers to katie [at] algonquin [dot] com…then come back here and leave a comment telling us your favorite tree! We’ll announce the winners next Friday — good luck!

  1. Which tree is also known as the upside-down tree (because the sparse branches resemble roots)?
  2. The leaves and bark of this tree contain tannin and caffeine, used in both North and South America to make tea. It’s also popular for hedging!
  3. This tree–also known as a harem tree–doesn’t bear fruit till it’s a decade old! The fruit is edible (and sometimes made into preserves), but it can also cause hallucinogenic sensations and, if ingested in quantity, can even cause death!
  4. Coffee (which helped keep monks awake during night vigils) became known as the “beverage of the friends of God.” But how much is too much? Name the French writer said to drink sixty cups of coffee every night — and let’s just hope most authors don’t practice this method of madness!

-christina

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December 18, 2009

A Reliable Wife – Giveaway Announcement

A Reliable WifeThanks to everyone who participated in last week’s Winter-Inspired Book Booty Giveaway!  The first place winner of the blanket, mug, and a copy of A Reliable Wife is Erica with:

Five Features of a “Reliable Spouse”

1) He can’t be Tiger Woods,
2) or Jon Gosselin,
3) or Mark Sanford.
4) He also needs to be dependable enough to remind me to TiVo my favorite trashy reality TV shows,
5) and the only thing he should be guilty of stealing is my heart.

Second place is awarded to Emily, and a tie for third place goes to Jen and Megan.

Thanks to everyone who responded!
Katie

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December 11, 2009

Winter-inspired Book Booty Giveaway!

A Reliable WifeTo celebrate the cold weather and a seasonal excuse to curl up on the couch with a warm beverage and an engrossing novel for hours (and the upcoming big release of the paperback version of A Reliable Wife), we are announcing a new blog giveaway!

In this suspense-driven novel, Ralph Truitt placed a notice in a Chicago paper, an advertisement for a “reliable wife.” She responded, saying that she was “a simple, honest woman.” She was, of course, anything but honest, and the only simple thing about her was her single-minded determination to marry Ralph and then kill him, leaving herself a wealthy widow. Ralph Truitt may regret not being more specific in his advertisement.

If you were searching for a ‘reliable spouse,’ what five features would you be sure to include in your ad?

Let us know in the comments, and you’ll automatically be entered to win one of three great prizes to celebrate the upcoming release of A Reliable Wife in paperback. Responses will be judged based on wit, style, and ability to weed out murderous and deceitful gold-diggers. Winners will be announced on December 18.

One lucky reader will receive an Algonquin fleece blanket, Algonquin travel mug, and a copy of A Reliable Wife before it’s available in stores! The second-place winner will receive a travel mug and copy of the book, and the third-place winner will win a copy of the book.

Cozy!

A paperback copy of A Reliable Wife, Algonquin fleece blanket, and an Algonquin travel mug. Cozy!

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