Alison Pace

Everything I Needed to Know about Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume

This Friday, March 7, I'll be joining the authors Jennifer O'Connell and Megan McCafferty as the Friends of the Nutley Public Library host their annual tea.

We'll be reading from and talking about my favorite anthology, Everything I Needed to Know about Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume. We'll also be talking about our different experiences as writers and readers of Judy Blume. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and signing.

It's at 7:00 p.m. For tickets and information please call Gioya at the Nutley Public Library at 973-667-0405 x. 2636.

This Just In

Extremely cute picture of Carlie from the Through Thick and Thin dog-friendly signing at Zoomies:

Zoomies On Saturday

Dear Dog Friends, Book Lovers (and friends who like dogs and books),

A quick note to remind that Carlie and I will be doing a special dog-friendly signing of THROUGH THICK AND THIN this Saturday, September 29:

Zoomies
434 Hudson Street
12:00 - 2:00
All Dogs Welcome

Zoomies is, hands down, my favorite dog store in the world.  In addition to visiting with Carlie, you can also pick up some excellent things for your four-legged friends.

And while we're on the subject, herewith two pictures of Carlie at her recent Amanda Jones photo shoot.  Look how into it she is:

Author / Editor Series at McNally Robinson

As listed stage-right, on Thursday, August 9, I'll be at McNally Robinson Bookstore to read and sign books, and also to talk about the writing/editing process with Susan Allison, my editor and the Editorial Director of Berkley Books.  It's at 7pm at 52 Prince Street (between Lafayette & Mulberry). 

Here's the very nice description from the McNally Robinson website:

Alison Pace, author of Through Thick and Thin (Berkley/Penguin) In conversation with Berkley Editorial Director Susan Allison.

The Author/Editor Series brings writers and their editors together for a conversation about the process of creation, offering insights into a book that go far beyond the traditional reading event. With her first novel, If Andy Warhol Had A Girlfriend, Alison Pace established herself as a hilarious and witty chronicler of romance, New York City, and the love of dogs. With her second book, Pug Hill, she teamed up with Susan Allison, one of Penguin’s most distinguished editors. With her new third novel, Through Thick and Thin, Alison Pace brings all these strengths to bear with a story of two sisters who put aside their differences in a mutual quest to lose weight. Join us this evening as Alison and Susan talk together about the books, the publishing process, and of course, the dogs.

Carlie: World Famous

Carlie makes her Galleycat debut today.  Thanks to Ron Hogan, who hopes he'll see Carlie at my reading in 2 weeks (more on that next) but unfortunately, I don't think she's going to be in attendance.  Alas. However, she will be appearing all day at my September 22 event --a dog friendly book-signing at Zoomies in the West Village.

In celebration, here's another picture of Carlie.  If you look at in the right way, doesn't it look as if she's contemplating the vastness of her fame?

Have a great weekend...

Come Shop

Tomorrow, Sunday, I'll be joining up with my friend Lenny the Pug and a whole slew of his friends, too for his Giving Thanks & Helping Others Pre-Holiday Shopping Benefit.

It's from 12:00 to 5:00 at the Animal Haven Adoption Center @ 251 Centre Street.

I'll be signing copies of Pug Hill all day along with Nancy Levine who will be signing copies of her latest, Letters to a Young Pug.

Many more excellent purveyors of dog things will be in attendance...click here to read more.  Most importantly, a portion of proceeds go to Animal Haven and Precious Pugs Rescue and Adoption.

I'm bringing Carlie; it is her book event debut.

Hope to see you there...

It's Over Honey, Time To Get Off The Stage

I was in Philadelphia yesterday with Ken Foster (author of The Dogs Who Found Me) where we both read and signed our books as part of the Philadelphia Animal Alliance's Dog Days of Summer Festival.  It was a great day, and I think many, many shelter dogs found homes (dog adoption was the theme of the day) so I was thrilled to be a part of it.  Also, it was the first time I've ever read outdoors.  Different indeed, but between the motorcycles driving by, the tug boat sounding off in the distance (yes, really) and the desire brought on by standing on an outdoor stage with a mike, to grab said mike and yell, "Hellooo Philadelphia!!" I think it went quite well.

And Jennifer Weiner stopped by, too.  I signed her copy of Pug Hill for her, and she signed my Good in Bed for me, and I got to see the coffee shop where she writes every day.  Oh, and she was so super nice, it was great to meet her.

So, now, back in New York, with what I think might be laryngitis (can I spell?), I see that the last of my Pug Hill events are over.  And it's not that I had what anyone would call a full on book tour (though judging by the fact of how brain-dead and exhausted and feeling-like-I've-been-at-a-dead-run-for-the-past-month I am, you'd think I'd crossed the country) but now I'm feeling a little forlorn that I won't be reading and eventing anymore.  Though I have volunteered myself for Jon Friedman's Ritalin Reading Series.  Everyone reads for only four minutes -- for our ADD generation.  I think I'd be perfect.

PUG HILL: THIS WEEK

On Thursday, June 1, at 7:00 p.m., I'll be at Housing Works Cafe for a panel discussion:  Dog Lit: Writers Whose Work Has Gone to the Dogs:

Authors Whose Work Has Gone to the Dogs Discuss Their Books and the Emerging Dog Literary Genre. In partnership with The National Book Critics Circle, Housing Works Bookstore presents a panel of writers to discuss their books and the dog literary genre. The panel includes: Ken Foster, author of The Dogs Who Found Me; Lee Harrington, author of Rex and the City: A Man, A Woman and a Dysfunctional Dog; Alison Pace, author of Pug Hill; Rebecca Skloot, contributor to the anthology Woman's Best Friend; and Julia Szabo, author of The Underdog and New York Post pet columnist.

On Sunday, June 4, from 12:00 - 5:00, I'll be with Ken Foster and Julia Szabo again, down in Philadelphia at Head House Books' table in Head House Square, as part of the Dog Days of Summer Festival.  We'll be reading and discussing our books from 1:15 to 2:15, and signing all day, until 5:00. 

Come see!!

Signing For Pugs! (Round One)

An excellent time was had by all yesterday afternoon with the NYC Pug Meetup Group at Happy Paws Pet Resort in Soho.  At one point, there really were 60 pugs there to play, get their books signed, and raise money for Green Mountain Pug Rescue, and Precious Pugs Rescue and Adoption.  Pugs helping pugs, does it get any better?

The event was even mentioned on Fox News at 6 and at 10.  And the camera panned in on a redhead holding a black pug which was so perfect as Pug Hill's protagonist, Hope McNeill, has a special fondness for a black pug, Kermit.  A good omen if ever there was one.  That, and that the same black pug later peed on me.  Nothing but good signs!

Click on through to see a few of my pictures from the event, and don't despair, more are on the way.  Ronnie Schultz, the official photographer for the Pug Meetup, took a bunch of great shots, and I should have them to put up soon...

Special thanks to Geri Sim of the Honeybark Bakery for providing her delicious (all the pugs thought so) and beautifully packaged gourmet dog treats.

Pug Hill Events!

For those of you not inclined to read the smaller print over on the right side:  It's a big week for events here at Pug Hill central!

On Thursday, May 11 at 7:00 p.m., I'll be reading a chapter of Pug Hill, and signing copies at the Kips Bay Borders (2nd Avenue and 32nd Street, right next to the movie theatre). And, exciting news, Zoe, the official pug of Pug Hill will be joining us that night.  Hope to see you there.

On Sunday, May 14th, as part of your Mothers Day celebration, why not swing by Happy Paws Pet Resort in Soho where I'll be "Signing For Pugs!"  It's from noon until 2:00, and 85% of the proceeds from this day's book sales will go to wonderful pug charities, Precious Pugs Rescue and Adoption and Green Mountain Pug Rescue.  Important: this event has a charge of $3 per pug, and is limited to 60 pugs.  52 pugs have already RSVP'd (how great is that?)  Humans can attend for free.

Check back soon for photos from these events.  I'm guessing there will be some good ones...