Noble Pen Meeting

September 3rd, 2009
Happy Chef, 1906 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids

In 1969, Steps, a novel by Jerzy Kosinski, won the National Book Award. Six years later, a freelance writer named Chuck Ross, to test the old theory that a novel by an unknown writer doesn’t have a chance, typed the first twenty-one pages of Steps and sent them out to four publishers as the work of “Erik Demos.” All four rejected the manuscript. Two years after that, he typed out the whole book and sent it, again credited to Erik Demos, to more publishers, including the original publisher of the Kosinski book, Random House. Again, all rejected it with unhelpful comments—Random House used a form letter. Altogether, fourteen publishers (and thirteen literary agents) failed to recognize a book that had already been published and had won an important prize.
–From Rotten Reviews

A Quick Note

In my previous missive, due to some confusion on my part, I had Ciuin listed for this week, it is actually George’s piece Chances Are.

Also note, there are some open slots in the upcoming weeks.

Victories

We got to meet in the main dining room. The Happy Chef staff claimed our usual room was flooded, but I think I know what really happened back there.

Ciuin and Adam are both surviving school.

Ciuin can now read three syllable Russian words. (link contains slight nudity)

Welcome back Paul Zastrow

News

Catherine Schaff-Stump (friend to the group) has a link in her blog this week to an essay on balance. I’m hoping to learn a lot from this essay if I can find time to read it.

Fast Company has an article on how electronic publishing might save 125 million trees a year. This reminds me of the opening of the Lou Grant Show.

Sony released new e-readers this week, including the new pocket size. Isn’t it cute.

Upcoming Critiques

Thursday, Sept 3rd. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Critique

Chances Are by George–retrieve from his website or email him for a copy

Something by Adam–email him for a copy

Thursday, Sept 10th. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Critique

Quint #2 by Ciuin

Free slot

Thursday, Sept 17th. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Critique

Hard Luck by Shannon, Chapter One and Two

Open Slot

Thursday, Sept 24th. Happy Chef, 7pm Welcome and Victories, 7:30pm Critique

Free and clear as of this point. Reserve your space now.

Keep Writing

Shannon