Alison Pace

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:

Reading With Robin

Get up early!  Again!

I'll be a guest tomorrow morning, Saturday, on the radio talk show, Reading With Robin -the place to tune in for all of the latest book and author info! A show about books and the people who love to read and write them.

The show airs from 7-8AM on WHJJ Talk Radio 920AM.  Click on that link to listen live, and if you'd like to call in, the number is 866-920-9455.

You can also check out the Reading With Robin blog, here

p.s...my reading and author/editor discussion at McNally Robinson went wonderfully last night.  I think a good time was had by all.  I will post a few pics shortly...

Gothamist Interview

There's an interview with me up on Gothamist today.  Click right here to read it...

It's Out!

It's official!  THROUGH THICK AND THIN is in stores today!  I hope you get a chance to check it out, and that you'll let me know what you think...

And I'm taking a page from The Man in Black's blog (thank you, Man in Black): If you review THROUGH THICK AND THIN on your blog, website, or elsewhere, send me the link at alison@alisonpace.com, and I'll enter you in a special non-biased contest to win something cool, and book-related, (though not the actual book, as the conventional wisdom would be you've already read it.)

Happy On Sale Day!

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.

Elizabeth McKenzie! Blurb!

The wonderfully talented Elizabeth McKenzie, author of STOP THAT GIRL and (the newly released) MACGREGOR TELLS THE WORLD has this to say about THROUGH THICK AND THIN:

"A tale of two sisters that charmed me, and even better, introduced me to the wry and artful writing of Alison Pace."

Very happy.  Thanks to Elizabeth.

Notes from the Lockdown

Well, hola.

I left the city right before the 4th, and haven't been back since.  Partially this is due to the fact that it was really hot in the city, partially due to the fact that I was, very uncharacteristically, getting a bit tired of the city, but mostly due to the fact that I felt the time was nigh for a lockdown. 

The lockdown is the part of the novel-writing process which for me means not seeing anyone, not going out, not really doing anything other than being virtuous and writing, the goal being 2000 words a day, which I've been told is insane.  But I read that Jesse Kellerman aims for ten new pages a day, which is more like 5000 words a day, so when you look at it that way, not so insane.  Since my third book, as you know, or at least as I hope you know, comes out AUGUST 7, August is not a good time for lockdown.  So, here I am.  Ironically writing a book called THINGS TO DO IN THE CITY WITH YOUR DOG, away from the city, but of course with the dog.

Some things that are new:
*I finished reading Cathleen Schines' The New Yorkers, which is also about New York City, and dogs, and quite charming.  Very well written, I recommend it.
*I've started reading Alexandra Fuller's Don't Lets Go To The Dogs Tonight.  I'm not actually trying for a theme of dog books (though I could see how one would think that), rather I'm reading this fascinating book about an African childhood for my new bookclub.  My downstairs neighbors asked me to join and I'm very much looking forward to it.  Haven't had the best luck or longevity with my previous bookclubs, more on that later.
*Carlie went swimming for the first time.  Didn't love it.
*I have some good pictures of Carlie communing with nature, but don't have the thingy that connects my camera to my computer
*THROUGH THICK AND THIN received a five star review from Harriet Klausner on Barnes & Noble.com.  Hi Harriet.
*The Romantic Times, which had previously been put on my bad list for not being super jazzed about PUG HILL, has been put back onto the good list for saying this about THROUGH THICK AND THIN: 
Pace's revealing tale about the bond between two sisters reflects the very real and complex nature of relationships.  Her novel is simultaneously heartwarming and emotionally charged, and the author's depiction of each sister's outwardly perfect life propels the storyline with fascinating detail.

Okay, back to work...

Kirkus!

THROUGH THICK AND THIN has received a completely positive review from KIRKUS!  Really.

Thrilled though I am, I'm not going to post it in its entirety as a few plot points are given away.  But here's my favorite line:

"Sensitive and knowing exploration of the trickiness—and value—of meaningful relationships."

They also use the word "gratifying," they touch on the "melancholy of making adult decisions" (was I not just speaking of my fondness for melancholy but two posts ago?), and they say "Pace's latest has its share of bright spots."

And I'm also quite keen on the headline for the review:  Two sisters with very different lifestyles come together, then fall apart, when they team up to try and lose weight.

Go, Kirkus...

Publishers Weekly

The very first review for THROUGH THICK AND THIN is in!  Notice I have changed the main blog picture in celebratory transition.

Publishers Weekly says Through Thick and Thin is "an endearing third novel" and that I craftily portray the balancing act between work and play, family (be it four-legged or two) and friends, and food and fasting.

Then they say I "write the ordinary well."  Good?  Bad?  I'm going with good...