Birthing a Sellout

See me April 13 in Brooklyn + book recs + many pics

Excuse my appearance while I undergo personal/psychological renovations, recover from earthquake/eclipse mania and readjust to this timeline after visiting the alternate universe of an artist residency.

Hey, Brooklyn — I’ll be at this shindig ALL DAY TOMORROW!

Lots of comics folks will be there hawking their wares, and if you get tired or uninspired (unlikely), you can peruse the endless amusements at Industry City, like Japan Village, the game room, Powerhouse bookstore, St. Mark’s Comics or the 12,000 eating establishments.

Tomorrow I am excited to debut this handsome sucker:

TRUDY SELLOUT is a slim ‘n’ sexy collection of short fiction that’s narrow enough to poke outta your back pocket but meaty enough to power a dinosaur. The four stories within it include (say it with me) “Trudy Sellout,” which follows a middle-aged actress as she attends her first fan convention. Trudy isn’t based on one particular person, but when you read it you can probably guess the handful of ‘90s indie darlings who inspired her.

Right now TRUDY SELLOUT is *only* available if you see me in person. In a few weeks I’ll make it available to everyone, so stay tuned.

Also, this little book marks the debut of my new imprint, Pulp Candy Press!

I established Pulp Candy Press as a way to get some work out there in physical form while bigger projects (like my memoir) whir through The Machine of the publishing world. I have so many stories and essays just marinating in Google Docs, and it was starting to feel unhealthy.

Please enjoy this nature while you think about Harry Dean Stanton.

Above is a photo I took while wandering the grounds at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, where I was fortunate to spend time with a group of incredible artists and enjoy two luxuries I can rarely afford: time and space.

Here I am getting heavily inspired and lightly sprayed:

Taking time away from my life is neither cheap nor easy, but in the last few years I’ve discovered it is absolutely necessary in order for me to create meaningful work and maintain my mental health. Every time I leave — even if it’s just for a few days — my kid asks me to stay, and I have to remind them (and myself) that I will return a better mom. And it’s true! If this feels like advice or a suggestion to you, please take it.

I love this mini-memoir from Sophie Calle, and it’s not just because it’s the cutest hardcover I’ve ever seen. True Stories contains 66 super-short stories about her life, each one accompanied by a photo. Some are funny and strange (the artist really did sleep at the top of the Eiffel Tower) while others are very sad, because life is this. It’s a little Nan Goldin, a little Miranda July, a little Lydia Davis. You’ll love it, and it’ll probably fit in your fanny pack.

Last weekend I went to the Antiquarian Book Fair for the first time and didn’t spend a dime because nothing costs a dime here — you gotta bring at least $500 if you wanna have half a good time. Above are some teeny-tiny books that caught my eye, including a miniature edition of Romeo & Juliet from 1904 for $1,750.

And here are a bunch of signed first editions by Richard Brautigan. Many years ago I put photos of people I admire in wooden frames, because I read this was essential for good feng shui. I love Brautigan so much that I should frame his mustachioed mug in wood ASAP and surround it with a shrine. What sentences, what a soul.

(P.S. I also saw actor/writer Curtis Armstrong at the fair. He said he had gone on Friday and woke up the next morning regretting that he didn’t buy a certain book, so he went back. Now *I* regret not asking him what the book was!)

*insert tuba sounds*

R.I.P., Curb Your Enthusiasm. Its series finale gives me a reason to post this photo of Larry David grumpily wishing me a happy birthday. (My friend Matt Champagne appeared on an episode and stalked Larry until he agreed to snap the pic. I know there’s a bedazzled heart inside there somewhere.)

I’ll speed it up now:

• I’m loving all the Stephen King tributes in light of Carrie’s 50th anniversary. I read that book when I was 11, and it terrorized and transfixed me. Gil Cruz has a great chat with Lost’s Damon Lindelof of the NYT “Book Review” podcast about King’s work and legacy. He also wrote this helpful guide to King’s best books, if you don’t know where to start or it’s been a minute since you’ve picked up one of his 70+ BOOKS (lordy!).

• This new video where Dave Letterman gives his old marquee to a fan shows the late-night icon laughing with people and being real in the world. This is all it takes to entertain me, you don’t have to try so hard.

• I just read The Paris Review’s interview with Jhumpa Lahiri, who now usually writes in Italian. You need a subscription to read it, but it’s quite informative/inspiring — and yet disappointing to hear that she also felt constricted by writing for American editors and playing the publishing game.

• Happy birthday to Amanda, Natasha, Rhyne, Will, BIG BUSINESS … I’m lucky to have you all in my life!

'Til next time!

your favorite sellout,
sue snell

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