Writeful

a weblog for readers and writers

Friday, September 07, 2018

Goodman's Little Fetal Hippie Brat




Loch Raven Review published a new review of Womb: a novel in utero. 

At first, the reviewer “found Goodman’s little fetal hippie brat to be insufferable.” 

Then he admits, “Goodman’s all-knowing fetus, is, of course, a metaphor as well. It is used by Goodman as a literary device to help convey an important message to adults: stop stressing over nonsense and return to what is essential, the power of wisdom and love. When Li Po wrote, “We sit together, the mountain and me, until only the mountain remains,” he meant that, once ego is transcended, one becomes one, as it were, with the whole world. He was not advising seekers to become a pile of dirt! We should not take the great Chinese poet’s metaphor literally; similarly, we must not take the wisdom of an unborn tyke literally as well.”

Of the story beyond the premise, the reviewer wrote, “Here is where Mr. Goodman’s talent lies; he knows how to pace a story. Both Mom and Dad are Beautiful People who are in the process of learning what every fetus supposedly already knows. Yet Mom succumbs to the advances of a cad. How can a Beautiful Person ever sink so low? We find out why much later. This is but one example of the author’s ability to resolve situations gradually, and to provide the reader with just enough information to keep her turning pages with unchilled anticipation. The author certainly knows how to tell a story.”

Read Thomas Dorsett's review of Womb in the latest issue of Loch Raven Review.





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Monday, August 21, 2017

On Inspiration, Concept, Voice, and Research

What inspired Womb: a novel in utero? Where did the concept come from? How did the voice develop? What kind of research went into making sure the fantastical story was suspended in plausible fact?

These are some of the questions answered during the question and answer session of the Enoch Pratt’s book launch of Womb: a novel in utero, part of the library’s Writers LIVE! Series. A member of the audience shared this clip, recorded during the session.


If you prefer professional audio, you’ll want to listen to the Enoch Pratt’s official podcast recording of the event—complete with introductions by Judy Cooper and Gregg Wilhelm, and a reading and question and answer session with the author.



But if you prefer bootleg video, and want answers to those specific questions, this is for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJ8PCrO5teA


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Tuesday, August 15, 2017

Bootleg of Enoch Pratt’s Writers LIVE: Eric D. Goodman, Womb: a novel in utero

Do you prefer video to audio? Then you’re in luck. We came across this bootleg smartphone video recording of the Enoch Pratt Library’s launch for Womb: a novel in utero as part of their Writers LIVE! Series.

If you prefer professional audio, you’ll want to listen to the Enoch Pratt’s official podcast recording of the event—complete with introductions by Judy Cooper and Gregg Wilhelm, and a reading and question and answer session with the author.

              
But if you prefer bootleg video, this is for you.

https://goo.gl/photos/PoN9wodH9ktqs4Db7

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Monday, August 07, 2017

Steve Himmer on Womb: Highly Attuned, Deeply Inquisitive Novel

Steve Himmer of Emerson College is the author of such novels as Scratch, Fram, and The Bee-Loud Glade. What was Steve's reaction to Womb: a novel in utero?

"Womb’s wise before his years narrator has a whole world to show us — our own — if only we, and his own struggling parents, can remember how to listen past the noise of our busy postnatal lives. He knows big things we’ve forgotten and he knows he’ll forget them soon, too, but this highly attuned, deeply inquisitive novel gives us a welcome chance to be reminded of what is always already there."

-- Steve Himmer,
    Author of Scratch, Fram, and The Bee-Loud Glade

Learn more about Steve and his work at http://stevehimmer.com.


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Tuesday, August 01, 2017

Nathan Leslie on Womb: Inventive, Tender, Remarkable, Scintillating Prose

Nathan Leslie is the author of nine books and counting, including Sibs, Madre, and The Tall Tale of Tommy Twice. What did Nathan think about Womb: a novel in utero?

"Leave it to Eric D. Goodman to have the imagination to narrate his latest risk-taking novel,Womb, in utero.  The point of view here is not only inimitable and inventive in its fly-on-the-wall approach, but Goodman’s novel also brings the goods in scintillating prose.  A truly tender, remarkable story.  You won’t read another novel like Eric D. Goodman's Womb anywhere."

-- Nathan Leslie
    author of Sibs, Madre, and The Tall Tale of Tommy Twice 

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Friday, July 28, 2017

The Potomac on Womb: Thought-Provoking Novel of Ideas

The Potomac: a journal of poetry and politics has published a review of Womb: a novel in utero, describing the book as “thought-provoking” and comparing it to Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.

Womb is an entertaining, provocative read that stays with the reader after he puts the book down.”

"Like Goodman's earlier novel, Tracks, Womb is a Baltimore story, though, given the point–of–view of the unborn narrator, this is not quite as crucial. Still, scenes from Federal Hill, Towson and elsewhere give a flavor to events. Penny's and Jack's struggles could happen in no other place to feel at once so homey and so anonymous."

Read the entire review in the latest issue of The Potomac!


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Tuesday, July 11, 2017

Womb Interview with Deborah Kalb

Deborah Kalb knows books and writers—and she features both regularly on her blog, Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb

I met Deborah and her father, journalist Marvin Kalb, when I was promoting Tracks: A Novel in Stories at the Gaithersburg Book Festival and they were promoting their book, Haunting Legacy, at the same event. Shortly after, she interviewed me about Tracks

More recently, Deborah interviewed me about my newest book, Womb: a novel in utero.

We talk about the unusual premise, what inspired it, and what research I did to hold it together. We discuss Ian McEwan’s latest work and my upcoming projects.

Read the interview now at Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb:



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Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Podcast for Enoch Pratt’s Writers LIVE: Eric D. Goodman, Womb: a novel in utero

The Enoch Pratt Free Library in downtown Baltimore hosted the launch of my new book, Womb: a novel in utero, in March as part of their popular Writers LIVE series. 

Gregg Wilhelm, founder of the CityLit Project, introduced me (and Judy Cooper, head of the Enoch Pratt, introduced him). 

Then I got up and spoke, read a few excerpts from Womb, and took questions and answers.

The library has released a podcast of the event, which you can find at their website. You can stream it from their website or download it as an mp3.

Enjoy the podcast now at the Enoch Pratt’s website.


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Monday, April 24, 2017

Evolution of a Cover (Part One)



When Atticus Books hired award-winning designer Jamie Keenan to design the cover for Tracks: A Novel in Stories, I came eye-to-eye with the fact that, despite the adage, people can and do judge books by their covers. A good cover can draw a reader to or away from a book on display. A good cover that conveys the feel of the book is important.

Jamie has designed covers for all sorts of authors, including F. Scott Fitzgerald, Stephen King, H.G. Wells, George Orwell, Junot Diaz, David Foster Wallace, Philip K Dick, Anthony Burgess, Tennessee Williams, Jean-Paul Sarte, Rudyard Kipling, Garrison Kellior, Nick Hornby, A.M. Homes. So I was thrilled that my name would be added to his cover list.

Here are some of the early cover concepts Jamie came up with.





We all felt that the bend in the tracks evoked the “who knows what’s around the bend” feeling of Tracks. An unscientific focus group of friends and fellow writers and publishers agreed. The result is a cover I’ll never forget.




Learn more about Jamie and see some of his cover designs at www.keenandesign.com.



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Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Womb Book Signing at Greetings and Readings (And CityLit Fest and Lit & Art Coming Up)


This Saturday, April 22 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. I'll be doing a book signing at Greetings & Readings. Stop by to get your autographed copy of Womb: a novel in utero, and support your local bookstore!

Learn more about the event, the bookstore, and the book at https://www.greetingsandreadings.com/events/womb-a-novel-in-utero-book-signing

Then, be sure to join me and lots of other writers for the CityLit Festival on the following Saturday, April 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.!
http://www.citylitproject.org/index.cfm?page=news&newsid=179


And, don't forget that the next two events in the Lit and Art Reading Series are coming up, back to back!

The next Lit and Art event takes place at The Ivy's Bird in Hand location on Sunday, April 30 from 7 to 9 p.m. and features Virginia Crawford, Toby Devens, Christopher T. George, Tom Glenn, Michael Hughes, and Ron Tanner with art by Manzar and music by Adam Trice of Red Sammy.

The following Lit and Art event takes place at The Historic York Inn / Smyser Bair House as part of York First Friday on Friday, May 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. and features Sid Gold, Barbara DeCeasar, Sam Schmidt, and Laura Shovan with art by Manzar and music by Adam Trice of Red Sammy. And Margaritas! 

More information will be at the Lit and Art Facebook page soon. Check it out at https://www.facebook.com/groups/LitAndArt

In the meantime, see you at Greetings & Readings this Saturday!

https://www.greetingsandreadings.com/events/womb-a-novel-in-utero-book-signing




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Monday, April 17, 2017

Art Times Journal Publishes Ingenuity Did Not Originate with the Human Mind


For more than 30 years, Art Times Journal has been publishing about art and fiction both in print and online. They're the go to source for creatives and those who appreciate good writing.

This year, Art Times Journal published an excerpt from Womb: a novel in utero.

"Ingenuity Did Not Originate with the Human Mind" is a short excerpt describing life within the womb. 

"Mom needs to keep calm even when life jars her," the narrator says. "She needs a cozy place to settle into, insulated from the stress and demands and complications of the outside world. A womb of her own."

Read the short story, excerpted from Womb: a novel in utero, in the Art Times Journal.

http://arttimesjournal.com/fiction/jan_15_17_eric_d_goodman.html


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Wednesday, April 05, 2017

Unboxing of Womb: a novel in utero

In all the excitement of the book launch for Womb: a novel in utero, we almost forgot to share the actual unboxing of the final print! Allow it to unfold before your eyes ...






Get your hands on one at your local bookstore, or wherever you buy books. Learn more at www.EricDGoodman.com/Womb.html.


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Tuesday, March 21, 2017

It's a Book! Womb is born


Today's the official due date for Womb: a novel in utero!
The first day of spring is Monday, March 20. However, books (like albums) are traditionally released on Tuesday. So Womb: a novel in utero will be released on Tuesday, March 21.

Early readers and reviewers of Womb have called the book “engagingly original,” “strange and wonderful,” “amazing,” “a cocktail of all human emotion,” “brave,” “full of wisdom and goodwill,” and say that it “has a lot to say” and is “written with sophistication and poetry.”

Reviews have compared Womb to Ian Mcewan’s Nutshell and Emma Donoghue’s Room, and said, “Goodman rises to the challenge posed by the foetus’ limited perspective, relating a story of betrayal and domestic turmoil through the filter of the uterine wall.”

Discover the comfort of a warm womb for yourself. Order your copy today at www.EricDGoodman.com, www.Amazon.com, www.IndieBound.com, or at your local book store! If they don't have it, tell them they should and have them order a copy for you and a few for the shelves.

Learn more about Womb: a novel in utero and find out what others are saying about the novel today on it's release date at www.Facebook.com/Edgewriter and www.EricDGoodman.com/womb.html.

Feel free to leave our own comments about Womb on Facebook, Amazon, or Goodreads!


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Friday, March 17, 2017

Toby Devens on Womb: Witty, Innovative Look into Inner Space

Toby Devens is the acclaimed author of such novels as Barefoot Beach, Happy Any Day Now, and My Favorite Mid-Life Crisis (Yet). What was her response after reading Womb: a novel in utero?

"Goodman's Womb is a witty, innovative look into inner space. Well written, with entertaining plot twists."

-- Toby Devens,
    author of Barefoot Beach and Happy Any Day Now

Learn more about Toby and her writing at www.tobydevens.com.


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Thursday, March 16, 2017

FREE Book for an Honest Review

A free lunch may be hard to find, but a free book? We have one with your name on it.

Reviews at Amazon, GoodReads, and other places people go to find out what readers think can make a big difference in the success of a book, especially one published by a small press. Small presses produce great work that larger presses often ignore. Small presses take risks on work they feel are worthwhile, while most large publishers focus on the bottom dollar: is this a proven, sure think and will it make gobs of money.

Getting reviews helps the Davids get equal footing with the Goliaths.

That's why Merge Publishing is offering a free copy of my new book, Womb: a novel in utero, to anyone who is willing to read it and give an honest review and/or rating on Amazon, Goodreads, and any other venues.

Ideally, we'd like reviews to be posted during Womb Week, between March 21 and March 28. Having them online during the launch will be helpful. But a review anytime for a small press is appreciated.

The review can be just a few sentences, like a blurb, or longer, if desired. If you don't have time for a full review, even just a rating would be helpful. We're fond of stars, to the more the merrier. 

Of course, even after you get your free book, if you'd like to support my writing and Merge's efforts, you're welcome to purchase additional copies as gifts for other readers on your lest. In fact, we encourage it!

But first and foremost, we're looking for a few good reviews. Uncle Merge wants YOU!

Here's where you can claim your free copy of Womb: a novel in utero in exchange for an honest review. 

https://www.instafreebie.com/free/1mSOZ

And, here's an example of one of the reviews we've received so far.

http://ragazine.cc/2017/03/7-books-worth-a-lookreviews/


Claim your free copy of Womb: a novel in utero at https://www.instafreebie.com/free/1mSOZ

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Sunday, March 12, 2017

Jen Grow on Womb: Tenderhearted, Laced with Grace

Jen Grow is a Baltimore writer to watch. Her award-winning debut story collection, My Life As A Mermaid, has gotten great reviews, and she won the 2016 Mary Sawyers Baker award of $20,000 for her writing. What did Jen think about Womb: a novel in utero?

"In Womb: a novel in utero, Eric D. Goodman explores the paradox between what we know innately about love and what we’ve forgotten in our attempts and mistakes to cherish each other. It is a tenderhearted story that’s laced with grace. 

-- Jen Grow, 
   author of My Life As A Mermaid

Learn more about Jen and her writing at www.jengrow.com.

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Thursday, March 09, 2017

Experience Womb's Interactive Press Release

Womb: A Novel in Utero Touches on Family, Relationships, and Being Unborn

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Friday, February 24, 2017

Medical Minute: An Important Message from Dr. Hutchens


You won't want to miss this important message from Dr. Hutchens. Your good health (or at a good laugh) may depend on it.

"As an OB/GYN and pre-natal psychologist, I've seen a lot of wombs in my life," he claims. But he's never seen one as amazing as the one he describes in this video.

Whether you have a womb of your own or not, Dr. Hutchens has a prescription for you!

https://youtu.be/j6BS7PLeWCo


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Tuesday, February 07, 2017

Jennifer Miller on Womb: Utterly Unique, Humorous, Thoughtful, Unexpected

Jennifer Miller is both a journalist and the acclaimed author of novels like Year of the Gadfly and The Heart You Carry Home. She recently read Womb: a novel in utero. What did she have to say?

"An utterly unique look at the world from the most unlikely vantage point. In Womb, Goodman has created a humorous, thoughtful, unexpected narrator who is wise beyond his years." 

-- Jennifer Miller,
   author of The Heart You Carry Home

Learn more about Jennifer and her writing at www.byjennifermiller.com.



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Thursday, February 02, 2017

TBT: Weird Womb Photo Shoot





Standard author photos can be boring. Sometimes it's fun to do something creative when it comes to the author pics. For Tracks: A Novel in Stories, we had a photo shoot at Baltimore's Penn Station, taking images with trains and tracks behind me. 

For Womb: a novel in utero, we went a little deeper.

This may be about as far back as Throwback Thursday can get.

Photographs below are courtesy of my wife, Nataliya. Welcome to my womb.






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