I have been accused of burying the lede when I have news to share. “Burying the lede” is a newspaper term for hiding the most newsworthy facts of a story deep within the body, instead of in the first paragraph (which is called a lede). For example, in this entry, I chat about all kinds of stuff before noting in the second-to-last sentence that The Beau and I are now engaged.
Tonight I am not hiding the good news. One of my essays is being published in a book, early next year.
Did everyone see that? Good.
The book is called Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans, and it is a collection of personal essays about The Big Easy, pre- and post-Katrina. My contribution is movie-related, surprise surprise—it’s about the New Orleans-area movie theaters I grew up with, and what has happened to them over the years. (Most closed long ago. There. I’ve spoiled the end. Darn.) And you know I couldn’t resist tucking in a family story or two in the essay as well.
The book also includes essays from other online writers you might know, such as Ray from Ray in Austin and Toni from Electric Mist.
You can read more about the book and even pre-order a copy or two if you like from Chin Music Press. If you pre-order a book before Jan. 6 (the day Mardi Gras officially begins), all the profits the publisher realizes from the sale will be donated to a New Orleans charity. Plus, they’ll ship the book(s) for free and you’ll receive your order before Fat Tuesday, which is at the end of February next year.
The book promises to look quite lovely, with a starry-night cover, illustrations of vintage engravings, printed on quality paper, etc. The designers and publishers have been sharing the details of the publishing decisions on the Chin Music Press blog, which is fun to read if you’re into printing and typography.
So that’s the news. Good night, and go buy the book already.
Congratulations!!