Enjoy a Late Lunch with NPR

In the mood for a late lunch? It’s on me!

I’m reading an abridged version of a story from Tracks: A Novel in Stories on Baltimore’s NPR station, 88.1 FM, WYPR. “Late Lunch” is the latest installment of what WYPR’s The Signal is now calling the “radio adaptation” of my novel.

In “Late Lunch,” we get inside the mind of Franklin, the conductor of the train, and learn why even as he’s enjoying the company of so many people, in some ways he’s the loneliest person on the train.

The reading airs today (Friday) on The Signal at 7 p.m. and tomorrow (Saturday) at 3 p.m.

Tune in!

http://wypr.org/post/signal-13114

Fiction! Poetry! Live Music! Original Art! Lit & Art at the Baltimore Book Festival’s CityLit Stage

The Baltimore Book Festival kicks off this Friday, September 27 and runs through Sunday, September 29.

 

Join the Smile Hon You’re In Baltimore crowd on Friday night at the CityLit Tent where they’ll kick off the festival with the release party and reading of the latest issue. The Occupational Hazards issue features such authors as D.R. Belz, Fernando Quijano III, Earl Crown, Caryn Coyle, Eric D. Goodman, Jeffrey Shipley, and more! Plus live music and beer. It all starts Friday at 6 p.m. at the CityLit Stage. Pick up your copy there.

 

And be sure to join us at 1:30 on September 29 at the Baltimore Book Festival’s CityLit Stage for the Lit and Art Reading Series. NPR’s Aaron Henkin of The Signal emcees the event, which features original art by world-renowned artist Manzar, live banjo by Pop-Grass star Jacob Panic, and original readings by Jessica Anya Blau, Eric D. Goodman, and Nitin Jagdish, and Bathsheba Monk.

 

Then … You don’t want to miss the next big event at The Watermark Gallery during Baltimore Literary Arts Week. Join us on Sunday, October 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. for Lit & Art at the Watermark, 100 S. Charles St., across from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Original art by Manzar; original songs by Goodloe Byron; readings by Lauren Eisenberg Davis, D.R. Belz, and Barbara Friedland; an exciting presentation by Tom Glenn on the fall of Saigon (he was there as it happened); and a special musical performance by National Book Award nominee Madison Smartt Bell. Did we mention free wine and refreshments?

 

But first … we’ll see you at 1:30 on September 29 at the Baltimore Book Festival’s CityLit Stage.

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/schedule/event-detail/535/Lit-&%20Art

 

NPR Presents “Freedom” for September 11

It’s September 11. Baltimore’s NPR station (88.1 WYPR) presents my reading of “Freedom” from The Signal in a podcast.

 

http://programs.wypr.org/podcast/9613-%E2%80%9Cfreedom%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%9Ctracks-novel-stories%E2%80%9D

 

"Freedom" is an abridged story from Tracks: A Novel in Stories. A soldier who grapples with war and love in the wake of September 11.

 

Here’s WYPR’s introduction: “Since 2007, fiction writer Eric D Goodman has joined us on the program with special radio adaptations from his novel-in-stories, Tracks. The book is an exploration into the private lives of train passengers, all strangers to each other, who happen to be sharing a ride from Baltimore to Chicago.  Over the years on this train, we’ve met a heartbroken girlfriend, a Holocaust survivor, a frustrated poet, and a computer hacker on the run from the mob.  In this installment, we enter the mind of a US soldier who’s fighting two very different battles – one overseas, and one back at home.”

Listen to the podcast at http://programs.wypr.org/podcast/9613-%E2%80%9Cfreedom%E2%80%9D-%E2%80%9Ctracks-novel-stories%E2%80%9D

“Freedom” on NPR for September 11

In honor of Patriot’s Day this coming September 11, Baltimore’s NPR station, 88.1 WYPR, will air my reading of “Freedom” on The Signal on Friday and Saturday September 6 and 7.

If you’re in the Baltimore-DC area, tune in to The Signal on WYPR, 88.1 FM at 7 p.m. on Friday or 1 p.m. on Saturday.

If you’re elsewhere, listen to the program live at www.wypr.org.

“Freedom” is an abridged story from Tracks: A Novel in Stories. It is the story of a soldier who grapples with war and love in the wake of September 11.

After my reading, stay tuned for details about the upcoming Lit and Art at the Baltimore Book Festival later this month.

The Signal is a weekly radio magazine that explores Maryland’s thriving artistic and cultural scene and is produced by Aaron Henkin and Lisa Morgan and hosted by Andy Bienstock.

Visit  www.wypr.org/stationprogram/signal or WYPR at www.wypr.org.

Lit and Art Hits Baltimore Book Fest’s CityLit Stage

When is Lit & Art at the Watermark not at The Watermark?

 

When it is at the Baltimore Book Festival!

 

Join us at 1:30 on September 29 at the Baltimore Book Festival’s CityLit Stage as we feature original art by world-renowned artist Manzar, live banjo by Pop-Grass star Jacob Panic, and original readings by Jessica Anya Blau, Eric D. Goodman, and Nitin Jagdish, and Bathsheba Monk.

 

NPR’s Aaron Henkin (who hosts the weekly cultural exploration of Baltimore’s cultural landscape on WYPR’s The Signal) emcees the event on Sunday, September 29 from 1:30 to 2:30.

 

Then … You don’t want to miss the next big event at The Watermark Gallery. Join us on Sunday, October 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. for Lit & Art at the Watermark, 100 S. Charles St., across from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. Original art by Manzar; original songs by Goodloe Byron; readings by Lauren Eisenberg Davis, D.R. Belz, and Barbara Friedland; an exciting presentation by Tom Glenn on the fall of Saigon (he was there as it happened); and a special musical performance by National Book Award nominee Madison Smartt Bell. Did we mention free wine and refreshments?

 

But first … we’ll see you at 1:30 on September 29 at the Baltimore Book Festival’s CityLit Stage.

 

We look forward to seeing you there!

 

http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/schedule/event-detail/535/Lit-&%20Art

 

Live Cargo on WYPR’s The Signal

Earlier this year I read an abridged version of “Live Cargo” from Tracks: A Novel in Stories on Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR.

WYPR’s The Signal is a weekly radio magazine that explores Maryland’s thriving artistic and cultural scene and is produced by Aaron Henkin and Lisa Morgan and hosted by Andy Bienstock.

“Live Cargo” is the story of a Holocaust survivor who fulfills her husband’s dying wish by taking the train to visit the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. It is part of Tracks: A Novel in Stories, which is set on a train from Baltimore to Chicago. Here’s how WYPR describes “Live Cargo.”

“It’s the story of a survivor – and that survivor’s memories – so please be advised that the following does include some grim details.  The story also includes strength, and hope…”

Hop aboard at http://programs.wypr.org/podcast/genie-wishes-crownsville-cemetery-and-%E2%80%98human-cargo%E2%80%99. My reading is about 31 minutes into the program.

Here’s the plug from The Signal’s website:

“In observance of Yom Hashoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day – writer Eric D Goodman joins us with the story of a survivor’s pilgrimage to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.”

Listen now at http://programs.wypr.org/podcast/genie-wishes-crownsville-cemetery-and-%E2%80%98human-cargo%E2%80%99

Art Imitating Death Imitating Art

Sometimes moments or scenes or feelings can stay with you for a long time.

In the summer of 1987, my grandfather (father’s side) died. My family was on vacation in Seoul, Korea. We lived in Sasebo, Japan at the time. I remember the Navy Chaplain visiting us in our tatami-mat hotel and delivering the news. We cut our vacation short and flew from Korea to Wyoming for the funeral.

I don’t remember who said it or how it was said, but my teenage self took to heart when a person mentioned how unfortunate it was that the one time you could count on the entire extended family gathering together was for funerals.

When I wrote a story for Tracks about a woman dealing with the death of her parents, that childhood memory still lingered in the back of my mind. That, and a vivid scene from East of Eden when the Hamilton family gathers to talk about their plans after their father (John Steinbeck’s grandfather) died. Of course, on some subconscious level, I realize that I must have been writing through fears of the inevitable as well.

I named the story “Reunion” and wrote this line of dialogue from an estranged neighbor friend: “Why is it that it takes tragedy to bring old friends together?”

On May 9 of this year, about a month ago, my grandmother (mom’s side) died, leaving behind a husband of 68 years who is 95 years old. 

At the viewing and funeral and house, family, friends, and community gathered. It was nice to see so many people paying their respects. But that same feeling echoed and I even had to voice it. “We should try to get together more often,” I said to cousins and uncles and family and friends.

Here’s to art imitating life imitating art.

I read an abridged version of “Reunion” for WYPR’s The Signal. You can catch a podcast under “Reunion” at www.tracksnovel.com/radio.html.  

You can also find it here: http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/84379/Reunion.

Live Cargo on WYPR's The Signal Today

If you’re in the Baltimore-DC area, tune in to The Signal on WYPR, 88.1 FM at 7 tonight or 1 p.m. Saturday (tomorrow) afternoon. If you’re elsewhere, listen to the program live at www.wypr.org.

I’ll be reading an abridged version of “Live Cargo” from Tracks: A Novel in Stories. After my reading, stay tuned for details about the upcoming Lit & Art at the Watermark this Sunday.

The Signal is a weekly radio magazine that explores Maryland’s thriving artistic and cultural scene and is produced by Aaron Henkin and Lisa Morgan and hosted by Andy Bienstock for Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR.

Here’s how WYPR describes my story.

“Holocaust Remembrance Day - Yom Hashoah - begins Sunday evening, April 7th, and continues through Monday until sundown. Writer Eric D Goodman joins us to observe the somber occasion with a short story. It’s the story of a survivor – and that survivor’s memories – so please be advised that the following does include some grim details. The story also includes strength, and hope…”

Get your serving of strength and hope today at 7 p.m. or Saturday at 1 p.m. at 88.1 FM or www.wypr.org.  

Here’s the plug from The Signal’s website:

“In observance of Yom Hashoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day – writer Eric D Goodman joins us with the story of a survivor’s pilgrimage to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC.”

Visit www.wypr.org/stationprogram/signal.

Ready for a Reset?

For many, putting the election to bed last night is a big relief, regardless of which way you lean. A time to reset.

For Gene Silverman, resetting his life is something he sometimes needs to do out of necessity — whether to avoid the mob or dodge a hit man.

Get a taste of Gene Silverman, one of the characters from Tracks: A Novel in Stories, by listening to the podcast from Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR.

As WYPR puts it: “Novelist Eric D Goodman brings us the story of a computer-geek-turned-criminal who finds himself on the run from the mafia.”

Go ahead and hit the reset button. “Reset” is one of 12 podcasts available at www.tracksnovel.com/radio.html.

Good Day for Idle Chatter

Today seems like a good day for some idle chatter. If you’re in the mood for some small talk, how about spending a few minutes listening to my reading of “Idle Chatter,” a story from Tracks: A Novel in Stories, as broadcast on Baltimore’s NPR station earlier this year?

In the story, Franklin, the conductor of the train, keeps everyone on board comfortable as he contemplates his own addiction to small talk and how it has caused him both pain and pleasure.

Produced by Aaron Henkin at WYPR, the broadcast is about 18 minutes and accented by music for just the right tone. Let the conductor chat you up at the link below.

http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/130094/Idle_Chatter?rn=8lnowic1glmo

You can find additional Tracks readings from NPR at the Tracks website.

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

Love is On the Air

It’s Valentine’s Day; Love is in the air. But Love, actually, is on the air as well.

Tune in to Baltimore’s NPR station for a love story set on a train. Enjoy “The Silences,” a story about a young couple in love on the heart-red Cardinal line from Baltimore to Chicago. “The Silences” is a story from Tracks: A Novel in Stories.

http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/76673/The_Silences


You’re also welcome to read “The Silences” online. An early version of the story was published by Slow Trains Literary Journal and can be found here.

http://www.slowtrains.com/vol7issue3/goodmanvol7issue3.html


To celebrate the publication of Tracks, Atticus Books shared “The Silences” on their website too.

http://atticusbooksonline.com/books/tracks/excerpt


Here’s to the romance of trains and couples in love.

http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/76673/The_Silences

One Monday, Two Mailboxes

It seems like a new tradition for book bloggers to announce their “mailbox Monday.” And once in awhile Tracks ends up in one of those weekly roundups.

Today, Tracks was in two of them!

Savvy Verse & Wit, a blog dedicated to all literary and poetic works, critiques, reviews, editorial hints, and websites, mentioned Tracks in reference to yesterday’s reading at The Writer’s Center.

http://savvyverseandwit.com/2012/02/mailbox-monday-164.html


Another book blog, CaribousMom, featured Tracks at the top of it’s list this week, including links and even a podcast of my reading of “Prewit’s Plans” from Tracks on NPR.

http://www.caribousmom.com/2012/02/12/mailbox-monday-february-13-2012/

Hop aboard!

Ready to Reset?

For many, the new year is a time for renewal. But for Gene Silverman, resetting his life is something he sometimes needs to do out of necessity — whether to avoid the mob or dodge a hit man.

Get a taste of Gene Silverman, one of the characters from Tracks: A Novel in Stories, by tuning into The Signal tonight at 7 or Saturday at 1 p.m.

The program airs on Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR on 88.1 FM. For those further afield or with conflicting schedules, it is also available online at www.wypr.org/stationprogram/signal.

I’m closing out this week’s program with a reading of an abridged version of “Reset” from Tracks.

As WYPR puts it: “Novelist Eric D Goodman brings us the story of a computer-geek-turned-criminal who finds himself on the run from the mafia.”

Check it out at www.wypr.org/stationprogram/signal.

Get Your Year's First Fiction Fix on NPR

In the mood for a little audio fiction? Tune into Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR on 88.1 FM or online at www.wypr.org to listen to my first fiction reading of 2012.

I’ll be reading an abridged version of “Reset,” a story from Tracks, on The Signal.

The Signal is a weekly radio magazine that explores Maryland’s thriving artistic and cultural scene. It airs on Friday at 7 p.m. and again Saturday at 1 p.m. It’s also available online at www.wypr.org, where you can listen live or to a podcast.

Check it out at www.wypr.org.

Radio Reading Between Christmas Tunes?

Whether you’re planning your road trip to Grandmother’s house or you’re spending hours next to the tree wrapping gifts, chances are you’re spending a little time listening to the radio sound system.

Are the holiday songs beginning to drive you nuts? But you don’t have time to sink into an audio book during your family drive or gift-wrapping session?

Here’s a solution for you! How about a short, refreshing burst of fiction from NPR? I have seven lucky Tracks readings that aired on WYPR’s The Signal. Each one is between 10 and 15 minutes or so, set to music and sometimes even sound effects. You can listen to any or all of them at www.tracksnovel.com/radio.html.

In a nutshell, here’s the audio assortment. And note that you don’t have to download them—just click the link and hit the “play” button.

Mountain of Sand
A poet tries to find his muse on the train in a story NPR describes as "a tale about the limits of luck and the curse of easy fame."
http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/98472/Mountain_of_Sand


Prewitt's Plans
Despite his diligent planning, Prewitt finds that his best-laid plan may be to put aside his daily planner.
http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/76670/Prewitts_Plans_from_TRACKS

A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein
A couple relearns a valuable lesson as they focus on a collectible beer stein and all it represents.
http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/76668/The_Silences_from_TRACKS

The Silences
A love story, of sorts, about a young couple and the silences slithering between them.
http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/76673/The_Silences


Reunion
Returning to Baltimore to take care of the death of her parents, Joan doesn't want to become the head of the family. She wants to lose herself in love.
http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/84379/Reunion


One Last Hit
An aging mobster contemplates his initiation into a life of crime as he works his way out of it.
http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/76676/One_Last_Hit

Futures
Christi must make a decision on the train: leave her boyfriend and Baltimore or turn down a future career in Chicago.
http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/89787/Futures%20from%20Tracks


More fulfilling than an eighth rendition of “Jingle Bells.” Less time commitment than the audio version of War and Peace. Escape that fifth play of “Christmas Shoes” before you turn to a Scrooge! Tune into www.tracksnovel.com/radio.html

Friday Night Fiction Podcast

It’s Friday—how about some Friday night fiction? No reading necessary—just sit back and listen to an abridged story from Tracks this podcast from Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR. It’s called “Mountain of Sand,” and it’s about 15 minutes, set to music.

“Mountain of Sand” was originally broadcast on WYPR’s The Signal the day after Tracks was released by Atticus books. The podcast is available now at the following link.

http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/98472/Mountain_of_Sand

Get your fix of Friday night fiction! Should you listen in the front seat, listen in the back seat, listen on your living room couch—which seat should you take?

http://yourlisten.com/channel/content/98472/Mountain_of_Sand

Making Tracks on NPR

Earlier this month, Tom Hall interviewed me about writing, literature, and Tracks: A Novel in Stories. Our 10 minute discussion aired on Maryland Morning, the popular radio program from Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR.

Here’s how Maryland Morning described the segment:

Eric Goodman is a Baltimore writer who recently published his first novel. It’s called Tracks, and it examines the personal stories of passengers on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. Tom talks with Goodman about the book and how it came to be.


If you missed the broadcast on 88.1 FM or at www.wypr.org, here’s your chance to listen to it on your schedule. The podcast is below.

http://mdmorn.wordpress.com/2011/08/16/81620113/

Tune Into NPR's Maryland Morning Today

Tune into NPR’s Maryland Morning on Tuesday, August 16 for a segment about Tracks: A Novel in Stories. It airs around 9:30 on Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR, 88.1 FM. For those out of range, you can tune in at www.WYPR.org.

Tom Hall interviews me about writing, the Baltimore literary scene, research, trains, and Tracks: A Novel in Stories. The interview lasts about 10 minutes and should broadcast between 9:30 and 10 a.m.

Tune in Tuesday at 88.1 FM or www.WYPR.org.

Fulfill Your Voyeuristic Fantasies

Advance praise for Tracks, a novel in stories, has been steadily rolling in.

Tracks, a novel in stories, comes out on June 30 – only about 20 more days! For the rest of Tracks Month, I’ll begin sharing a post every day, including endorsements from well-known authors and reviewers, news, videos, event announcements, and more.

Our first “blurb of the day” comes from Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR, 88.1 FM. Aaron Henkin is producer of The Signal, a weekly radio broadcast showcasing Baltimore’s cultural landscape. WYPR’s The Signal has perhaps the longest-lasting relationship with Tracks besides myself. They featured the first reading from Tracks on the air back in April of 2007, and have had me back to read from my fiction seven times since. (Another reading is scheduled for later this month.) Aaron from The Signal knows Tracks as well as anyone. It’s fitting that the first endorsement come from him:

“Who among us hasn’t sat on a train and played at reading the minds of strangers? In this way, Tracks is a voyeuristic fantasy fulfilled. But here’s the real surprise: Once you have mental telepathy, it’s hard to call anyone a stranger anymore.”

~Aaron Henkin,
Baltimore's NPR station, WYPR, 88.1 FM

Don’t be a stranger; fulfill your voyeuristic fantasy at www.TracksNovel.com.

Radio Reunion

One thing advance readers seem to like about Tracks is the balance of mood and character. One character innocent and lovable, another sleazy and loathable. One story light or funny, another heavy or sad.

Pull out your hankies. “Reunion” is one of the more melancholy ones.

An abridged reading of “Reunion” was recently featured on Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR. Set to appropriately-themed music, the reading was broadcast on The Signal, a tour through Baltimore’s cultural landscape.

The podcast is available now. You can listen to the program at the following link. “Reunion” is about 40 minutes into the program.



www.wypr.org/sites/default/files/podcast_audio/signal021111.mp3


Or, if you want to go directly to the “Reunion” reading, you can listen to it here.




Grab a few tissues and enjoy a radio reunion today.