Although I've intended for this to be a quarterly newsletter, some of you may have noticed that it's been almost six months since the last issue. If you've ever waited too long to respond to an email, you'll understand how this lull came about:

Step 1: Check the calendar anxiously, realizing I'm months behind schedule.
Step 2: Tell myself since this issue is already late, it has to be extragood/entertaining/full of significance.
Step 3: Stare at a blank newsletter template, unable to think of anything good/entertaining/full of significance.
Step 4: Go to YouTube and watch World Record Videos of people speed stacking plastic cups.

Luckily, I have an event coming up that's nudged me out of my self-doubting complacency like a dog nosing its little pup forward.

Next weekend, I'll be participating in the Newburgh Literary Festival, a three-day exploration and celebration of the written word, nestled on the shores of the Hudson River, in the heart of the Hudson Valley. There will be readings, interviews, podcasts, film clips and Q&As with a group of wonderful authors, including my wife, the pan-talented Molly Ringwald—who recently published a nuanced translation of the French novel, Lie With Me—and my Writerly podcast co-host, Danielle Trussoni, whose new book, The Ancestor, is now available for pre-order.

I'll be there on Saturday, October 19th, at 5 pm for a reading and book signing. We'll also be recording an episode of the podcast at the festival. We would love for you to join us! We need at least one heckler or no one will believe it was live. For more information, here's a link to the site.

Introducing Millicent

Finally, in a curious episode of life-imitating-art-imitating-life, we have a new puppy: Millicent! She was named after the problematically adorable Pomeranian in my short story, "Venus in Fur," who was, over a decade ago, inspired by our previous Pomeranian, Suky.

Millie is living up to her namesake, inspiring adulation and heartache wherever she toddles. Rather than envy her overwhelming charm, I am basking in it. All resentment toward Millie is being harbored by our jealous cat, Safi...

Have a great fall and I hope to see you at the Newburgh Literary Festival!

Warmly,
Panio