To all my friends in Oklahoma City — I have friends there, right? — this coming Saturday, March 25th, Bill Bernhardt and I will be at Full Circle Books, 50 Penn Place, 1900 NW Expressway (so impressive is the place, it has two addresses), signing our latest books. We’ll even sign each other’s books if you’d like.
It would be weird, but we’ll do it.
Bill has just written The Florentine Poet, a wonderfully poetic — literally and figuratively — story about love and loss, complete with articulate pirates who fight over governance, big Italian churches on Christmas Eve, and a wise, mysterious old man drinking Espresso who weaves a long and beautiful tale of redemption and unexpected beginnings.
(As to the above, I don’t know why the bull is wearing a stylish sweater — or even there, for that matter.)
Here’s what the good people at Full Circle have to say about us — more accurately, what we told them to say about us.
Join us in welcoming two local authors to sign their work. William Bernhardt is the author of over sixty books, including The Last Chance Lawyer, Challengers of the Dust, Nemesis, two books of poetry, and the Red Sneaker books on writing. In addition, Bernhardt mentors aspiring authors, hosts an annual conference (WriterCon), and produces a newsletter and a podcast. His latest work of fiction is The Florentine Poet.
Barry Friedman is an essayist, a reporter, and a political columnist. His latest work is Jacks*it: Voluptuous Bagels and Other Concerns of Jack Friedman.
About The Florentine Poet: Why are the churches closed on Christmas Eve in Florence’s San Frediano district? This mystery perplexes an acclaimed American poet who journeys to the fabled city seeking inspiration. The proprietor of his hotel, raconteur Alberto Giannotti, reveals that it has nothing to do with the holiday and everything to do with poetry. With charm and Tuscan flair, Giannotti relates the story of Pietro Begnini, who was blessed with the sign of the sonnet. He wants to become a poet and marry his beloved Sophia, but a devastating blow from a jealous enemy sends him reeling throughout Italy and beyond.
About Jacks*it: Voluptuous Bagels and Other Concerns of Jack Friedman: This is the first volume (there will be three) of Barry’s conversations, arguments, buffets, and philosophical musings with his father from the years 2004-2014. There was “The Mob,” the survivor’s group of those who buried their spouses, the bowling, the mortgage he got at 84, the possible death of Bernie, the coupons, the long-suffering Jeannette, who buried two husbands, and always the toupees, many kept in boxes in the bedroom, garage, and sometimes out on a table.
Sell so many you can't use your hand for a week after signing them all!
Nice to know there's some cultcha in Oklahoma.