I’ve been working with filmmaker Florent Tillon on this project and he definitely has a unique perspective on Vegas, and Josh Ellis and Jarret Keene are two of the best writers in town. I plan to be there:
French TV review of BTN
It’s good to know there’s at least one major TV station in the world (France 24) that devotes time to book reviews. It’s also good to know that this particular critic seemed to enjoy Beneath the Neon, which was recently translated into French.
‘Books By the Bed’
The website for the book We Wanted to Be Writers has a regular feature called “Books By the Bed,” which asks authors what they’re reading or planning to read. Here are the books by my bed:
http://wewantedtobewriters.com/2012/04/books-by-matthew-obriens-bed/
Going to UNLV
As some of you know, I applied to grad school (MFA creative writing) late last year and early this year. I ended up getting into UNLV and the University of Washington. Washington has an outstanding program, but UNLV, which also has a strong program, made the most sense financially, logistically and, in some cases, personally. So, it looks like I’ll start taking graduate classes and teaching undergrad courses at UNLV in late August.
I have mixed feelings about staying in Vegas another few years, but I’m certainly excited about this opportunity and challenge. I’ll keep you all updated, of course.
Huntington Press sale
Huntington Press is having a spring-clearance sale, with great deals on many of its titles, including a package price for Beneath the Neon and My Week at the Blue Angel. Check out all the deals here:
http://www.shoplva.com/collections/bargain-bin/
Documentary film project
French filmmaker Florent Tillon is aiming the lens at Las Vegas this summer. If you want to learn more about his project, and perhaps donate to it, visit http://www.touscoprod.com/project/produce?id=173.
GSU Magazine piece
I attended Georgia State University from 1988 to ’91 and again in ’96, and GSU Magazine recently profiled me. Thanks to writer Marcus Key and editor William Inman for this piece!
http://www.gsu.edu/magazine/860.html
Got work?
I’m trying to kick up some work for the spring and summer (until I, hopefully, start grad school in the fall). If you know of any freelance writing, editing or media consulting work, please let me know. Thanks!
A French-language review
My books are apparently about to be published in French or, perhaps, already have been. And this reviewer seems (it’s in French) to like the translations.
This is the first I’ve seen of the book covers, which are different from the English-language covers. Less warm, but perhaps more artistic. Still trying to decide if I like them.
As you can probably sense, my experience with the French publisher has been strange. More on this later, I’m sure.
http://laccoudoir.com/essais-documents/blue-angel-motel-sous-les-neons-matthew-obrien-2651/
The Browser interview
The literary website the Browser asked me to pick my five favorite Las Vegas books, focusing mostly on nonfiction titles. Here are my choices:
http://thebrowser.com/interviews/matthew-o’brien-on-las-vegas