The best perk of the book biz – friendship
I know some people in the “biz”, as it were, who believe that if you just hate all your authors from the git-go, you’ll never be disappointed when they transform into book totin’ monsters. I believe that this theory is sound but being the mush that I am, I prefer operating from a different, more vulnerable place. Not that all authors become monsters either, but it has been known to be an occupational hazard. You know who you are. (Now, stop it!)
As a matter of fact, the non-monster variety of author has often become dear to me in friendship. Our time together in the publicity lane can get personal and even at my most professional, I know that our human connection is important.
During my recent weekend in Los Angeles, I spent time with two authors who I now call my friends. Both adorable, both brilliant, and both with fabulous books that well mirror the wonderful people that they are.
Author/astrologer extraordinaire, Phyllis Firak-Mitz
Phyllis Firak-Mitz, mistress of astrology and author of You’re Every Sign and Astrology’s Secrets to Hot Romance (and Tuesday columnist in the Huffington Post) introduced me to her tony neighborhood of Brentwood and rather than touring me around OJ’s former crime scene, took me for a gander at Ariana Huffington’s manse. Like a low rung, desperate member of the papparazzi, I took an iphoto of her gate. Yes, I did.
The gate of super blog queen, Ariana Huffington
Phyllis treated me to one of those lunches in L.A. where things like tofu, brown rice and green tea are staples on the menu. Our delightful time together was only frustrated by the absence of star sightings. I decided that a cute guy sitting near the window was famous. That was good enough for me, true or not.
Author/friend number two, Laurie Perry aka Crazy Aunt Purl had the bright idea to “get our spiritual on” (her words) on Sunday morning at the legendary Agape Church. Yes, she knows and adores Phyllis, too. I met them both with my fellow Jewish friend, Sharon in tow. (safety in numbers). I assured my Christian born author friends that the name Jesus would be bandied about that day just for mine and Sharon’s benefit. I turned out to be right. Everybody laughed. No one was offended.
Crazy Aunt Purl herself, aka super-blogger-author, Laurie Perry
I loved the service, but rather than go into a diatribe about how soulful, uplifting and politically conscious it was, I’ll give you the comical perspective We agreed that it was like seeing a spiritual performance by Chris Rock and Whoopie Goldberg at the church alter. That suited us just fine. We like spirituality but we love our comedy. (With all due respect, we love you Michael Beckwith and Rickie Byars-Beckwith)
Laurie’s brilliant idea brought us together for a really special sharing. It being “gratitude week” and all, I couldn’t have picked a better time to hang out with them.
us
Both of these women are bright, talented and generous in what they present to the world. One comes in a cosmic package and the other in a humorously human one. They were and are a pleasure to work with and more importantly, they are a delight with whom to share the other avenues of real life.
Here I go being thankful again, but I really am. All my career I’ve been taught to keep business and friendship apart. As it turns out, in this area, I am untrainable. There are lots of cases, probably most, where a healthy gulf remains between myself and an author, but not in the case of Laurie and Phyllis.
They would rather toss me a life-line and pull me in.
And, I would happily do the same for them.
You go girls.
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Three powerful women! You know what “they” say… Like attracts like!
Today’s posting reminds me of a favorite line from the movie, “You’ve Got Mail,” spoken by the Catherine Kelly character…
“Whatever else anything is, it ought to begin by being personal.”
Happy Thanksgiving!