Ancestor of Dead Parrot Sketch found!

Looks like the Ancient Greeks were the funniest guys after all. Click here or the pic for the article.

The Monty Python crew have classic taste, even the Greeks would agree.

University of Cape Town interview!

I just experienced my first academic job interview. It was exciting to talk to to three professors who work on the slopes of Devil's Peak, with a view of Table Mountain.

It was amusing too to be on the line with the Southern hemisphere - where it is summer and the end of the academic year! - as well as the end of the day! (8:30 AM east coast is 4:30 PM South African time).

With a little luck, I'll be visiting Cape Town in early December for a campus visit - now that would be something!

Faulkner-Wisdom Competition - I am "Almost Finalist"!

I'm pleased to say The Pride and the Sorrow is an "Almost Finalist" in the 2008 Faulkner- Wisdom Competition. The competition is run by the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Society, and was judged by former Random House VP, Michael Murphy.

Thanks Faulkner Society!

New Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs novel!

Jack Kerouac has a new novel almost 40 years after his death! Ever the magician!

Last week I was teaching Kerouac's last novel Big Sur (1962) about his descent into alcoholism, and I had no idea he had a secret novel tucked away!

Check out this link to the story of the lost novel, and the involvement of fellow Beat writer William S. Bourroughs.

As per this previous post, I am pleased to say I'm still (I am waiting on tenterhooks!) the "alternate" to live in Jack Kerouac's old Orlando, Florida house next summer.

The experience of three months with the ghost of Kerouac is sure to either improve my writing or drinking (yes to both)!

Biggest book deal ever!

Who could it be? Danielle Steele? Stephen King? Oprah?

Click here to find out!