Tracks: The Final Countdown

For some, The Final Countdown brings thoughts of Europe, for others, images of GOB and his magic show—illusions, not tricks!

But it’s also the music playing in the background as we enter the final countdown for the release of Tracks, a novel in stories! Only two days and a matter of hours to go. You can watch the counter tick away at the following link:

http://www.tracksnovel.com/news.html

There’s still time left to enter the contest for a free copy! All you have to do is share Tracks on Facebook, Twitter, or to your email list.

There are 5 easy ways to enter the contest. You can enter as many times as you’d like in the next couple days, and each entry will increase your chances of winning one of the free books.

1. Share Tracks on Facebook. Write a post and share the link to www.TracksNovel.com, or repost / share one of my Tracks-related posts (like this one). Be creative!

2. Share Tracks on Twitter. Tweet all about Tracks and include a link to www.TracksNovel.com. Condense your wit to 180 characters!

3. Share Tracks with your contacts. Send an email blast to your list of friends and colleagues about Tracks and be sure to include the www.TracksNovel.com link.

4. “Like” the Lounge at http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Tracks-the-lounge-car/182330691789512

5. “Friend” Franklin, the Conductor, at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001923080723


Each time you do one of the above, just send an email to TracksNovel@gmail.com notifying us of your post/tweet/like/friend and you’ll be entered into the contest.

Two lucky winners will each receive a free copy of Tracks, postage included for winners within the United States. In the case of a winner outside the United States, you can select the eBook version or pay the postage for your free printed book.

The results will be announced and books sent during the month of July.

What are you waiting for? Remember that you can enter as often as you like during the month of June—so enter early and enter often!

It’s the final countdown!

www.TracksNovel.com

Join Eric on Facebook

Sometimes it seems as though I’m living multiple lives—blogs, Gather, columns, facebook, public relations writing, fiction writing, the lit scene, family life … so here’s an attempt to splice a couple of them together.

You read my blog, but did you know I was on Facebook?

In addition to posting everything published here, I also share Facebook-exclusive items on the world’s most popular social networking site.

So come on over and “friend” me on Facebook! Look for Eric D. Goodman, or simply hit this link: www.facebook.com/edgewriter.

Help Me Pick My Pic

The time has come to select an author photo for Tracks. I’d like to ask your help in picking the best picture.

Jamie Keenan created such a great cover (front and back) that Atticus suggested using the photo inside. My author’s picture will be included on the “About the Author” page at the back of the book.

Recently I had my photo shoot at Penn Station in Baltimore (which is where Tracks begins). Of the pictures taken, we’ve narrowed it down to the top six. You can find them as part of this post or below this post.

Leave a comment and let me know which one you think would look best in print (keeping in mind it would be rendered in black & white).

On second thought, please comment and let me know your number one and number two choices. (I have a feeling I know which one most of you will pick first.)

This gives a whole new meaning to model railroad.

NPR Reunites with Tracks

This Friday, the story “Reunion” from Tracks will be featured on The Signal. This will be the first Tracks reading on NPR of the new year.

The Signal airs on Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR, every Friday at noon and again at 7 p.m. Tune into 88.1 FM for a tour of Baltimore’s cultural landscape.

“Reunion” is a story about love and grief. It’s an abridged story from Tracks, which is being published by Atticus Books this summer.

Tune in to The Signal this Friday at noon or 7 p.m. at 88.1 FM. Or listen to the podcast of the program at www.signalradio.org or www.wypr.org.

Most Anticipated Book of 2011?

Last Friday, the book blog Crazy for Books participated in the “Friday Book Blogger Hop.” The question posed was:

"What book are you most looking forward to seeing published in 2011? Why are you anticipating that book?"

And her answer may surprise you as much as it did me.

“I'll go with Tracks by Eric D. Goodman coming out this summer. The premise of the book just drew me right in. I love books from multiple viewpoints, with stories that are interconnected in some way. So, this one sounds really great.”

It was thrilling to stumble onto the blog since it was unsolicited and out of the blue.

Visit Crazy for Books at the link below.

http://www.crazy-for-books.com/2011/01/book-blogger-hop-128-131.html#

If you're at the AWP Conference and BookFair today, stop by Atticus Books (K34) to learn more about Tracks.

And you? What is your most anticipated book of 2011?

Have a Shot of Bourbon & Lit on Atticus

In conjunction with the AWP Conference, Atticus Books, a participating independent publisher, is hosting a spirited reading event Friday night at Bourbon in DC. The “Atticus Pinch” reading features lively readings from several Atticus authors, including Steve Zimmer, Tommy Zurhellen, John Minichillo, and yours truly.

Not to mention one of DC’s finest selections of bourbon, and other great drinks to boot.

Visit the link below and RSVP now and the first drink is on Atticus. Visit the Atticus table at the AWP Conference (K34 in the Exhibit Hall) for another chance for a free drink ticket.

Or, just show up! You’ll have to buy your own bourbon, but the lit is still free and certainly just as fine.

Visit Bourbon online here:
http://bourbondc.com/home/am/

Learn more about the Atticus event and RSVP here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=119704264767762&index=1

Atticus "Elated" to Ride Rails with Debut Novel

Atticus Books issued a press release officially announcing the publication of TRACKS, a novel in stories. The headline:

‘Tracks’ Set to Arrive in the Summer of 2011

Atticus Elated to Ride the Rails with Goodman and His Debut Novel

Atticus writes, “Eric D. Goodman has spent years on the road, reading stories and winning praise from scores of listeners. He now has found a place to lay his Tracks, his first novel in stories.”

The release quotes Dan Cafaro, founding publisher of Atticus Books: “On one hand, Eric’s created a straight-forward collection of first-person narratives that works superbly on its own, as a group of standalone pieces. On the other [hand], his stories become even more powerful by his seamlessly linking and intersecting these lives on a passenger train. Through this authentic technique, he paints a rich tapestry of vignettes: a cross-cultural, boundary-breaking snapshot of everyday, yet colorful people on an imagery-filled, life-changing journey.”

The press release goes into more detail and includes links to published works and radio readings.

Even if you just stop by to take a look at the mug shot, visit the Atticus Books website for the press release.

http://atticusbooksonline.com/anticipated-arrival-of-tracks-set-for-summer-2011/

Writers to Ride With

Train trips and road trips can be an exhilarating experience for writers.

When alone, the open road provides a time to ponder story ideas, explore plot turns and character developments. Or, a time to relax with an audio book and enjoy the written word read aloud.

The same goes for an open window from a train, the scenery passing by.

When with another person, a train ride or road trip can be a bonding experience, conversation cruising along as comfortably as the ride itself.

The choice of traveling companion can make or break a voyage.

If you had the opportunity to hit the road with any writer, who would it be? Any author at all: a rising star, a contemporary great, or a past classic. Who would you want to share the road with?

For me, the choice would be easy: John Steinbeck. Steinbeck has long been my favorite writer. He doesn’t just know how to use the written word – his stories have heart, feeling, soul, and often a strong message. He knows how to convey things without having to say them. A reader gets to know his characters by their actions, not just their thoughts.

I could get lost in a long conversation with John Steinbeck, discussing my favorite novels – Of Mice and Men, The Grapes of Wrath, East of Eden – and talking about the great art of writing as a train carried us along, or as we rode in his “Rocinante.” I’d even be willing to take a back seat to his poodle, Charlie, for travels with Steinbeck.

That’s my choice. What’s yours? Which writer would you ride with?