* about this blog

                    

This blog is mainly for my personal use.

I’m posting it because the structure of the blog helps me organize and retrieve the material I want to include. Since posting puts my thoughts in the public domain, others may see and wish to comment. If so, your comments are welcome.

I started writing relatively late in life. My first efforts took place in the mid 1990s, but for most of the time since then, writing was not my day job. It took six years to research and write my first novel, The Heretic, and close to that to write my second novel, A Good Conviction. I’m now involved in researching and writing a third novel, with the working title of In Lorenzo’s Orbit.

In terms of my professional life as a writer, therefore, I’m closer to my late 20’s than the 67 year old I actually am, a “young writer” developmentally if not chronologically, and I’m now for the first time engaged in writing as my primary occupation.

Which is prelude to my conclusion that I have much to learn about writing novels.

My teaching material includes books about writing, classic novels (most of which I’ll be reading for the first time) and contemporary novels (most of which I’ll be re-reading, hopefully with “new eyes”).

My research is organized into ”writing topics” listed under CATEGORIES.

I have also included on this site information about my three novels, along with the prologues of the two which are published. Comments about any of this material are welcome and will be answered.

ATTENTION BOOK CLUBS … I have recently done a book club appearance in New Jersey by telephone from France. (I use Skype, so the cost is quite minimal.) The book club was fun for me and I think for the readers as well. If you’d like to arrange a similar appearance, please contact me through this blog and I’ll be happy to set something up.

LEW WEINSTEIN

8 Responses to “* about this blog”

  1. John Elder Robison Says:
    June 25, 2007 at 9:11 pm

    I saw you visited my blog and left a comment. Is your novel self-published? I did not recognize the publisher’s name.

    Reading the blog, it looks like you are starting on a second career as a writer. In a sense, I’ve done the same thing, publishing my first book at age 50.

    best wishes
    John

  2. Lew Weinstein Says:
    June 26, 2007 at 12:40 am

    JOHN

    Thanks for responding. WingSpan Press, the publisher of “A Good Conviction,” is a POD publisher, which is of course a less expensive variant of self-publishing.

    My first novel, “The Heretic,” was self-published in hardcover (2000) and then, after we sold out the 3,500 volume first edition, it was published in trade paper by The University of Wisconsin Press. I’m hopeful that something similar will happen to “A Good Conviction.”

    Meanwhile, I’m using the means available to me to promote “A Good Conviction.” This includes all of the opportunities offered by the amazon.com site, plus communication to others via the internet (mostly other blogs). Your comment about Central Park made me think you might be interested in a novel which is partly set there.

    I’m a little confused about your book, “Look Me in the Eye.” It has a quite decent amazon sales ranking, yet it isn’t due to be published until September 2007. How is this possible?

    Also, how did you get an audio CD published? I know nothing about that aspect of publishing. Who did the reading?

    In any case, best of luck with it. Are you planning to write more?

    LEW

  3. John Elder Robison Says:
    July 9, 2007 at 9:44 pm

    First, I apologize for being so slow to respond. I don’t know how to keep good track of all these blog threads.

    You asked how I have a good Amazon sales rank for a book that is not yet published. Well, Amazon lists books from the big houses as soon as they have book numbers assigned and on-sale dates set. That means you can pre-order anything from Random House’s Fall/Christmas catalogs now, and it will arrive when it’s released.

    In some cases, no one pays attention until the book is actually on sale. Other times, people eagerly anticipate a book’s arrival, and they pre-order it to be sure they get a copy.

    How do people know about a book? Well, Random House and all the other big houses bring out catalogs for the Fall/Christmas season in April and May. So book industry insiders can spend 6-8 months sifting through the descriptions in catalogs to decide what the big bets for the season will be.

    Then the trade magazines review them. Look Me in the Eye, for example, is reviewed in Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly this week. Things like that keep interest high.

    That’s why I have a sales rank.

    As to the audio book . . . Random House Audio is a part of Crown, the Raqndom House division doing my hardcover book. They are producing the audio version of Look Me in the Eye, and I am reading it myself. It will be on sale right next to the book in bookstores everywhere this September.

    Audio books usually sell 5-10% the units of print books. So not all titles will come out in audio. There are a number of players in audio publishing, though. RH is of course one of the biggest.

    I have a post on this process on my blog, http://jerobison.blogspot.com

    And in answer to your last question . . . I am working on my next two books right now.

    best wishes
    John Robison

  4. Lew Weinstein Says:
    July 18, 2007 at 5:12 am

    JOHN

    I envy your ability to get a major publisher. Self-publishing and POD is much harder. However, I love to write, so I am hard at work researching my next novel, which will be set in Lorenzo de Medici’s 15th century Florence.

    LEW

  5. Jodi Brudno Says:
    July 18, 2007 at 6:57 pm

    Mr. Weinstein,

    I read The Heretic, upon recommendation of my rabbi. It’s a wonderful book! I decided to suggest it for my book club, and they were very enthusiastic about reading it.

    I will be leading the discussion of this book. I’ve searched the internet, and have been unable to locate any reader’s guide, or discussion questions. I’m reaching out to you hoping you can offer some help.

    Thank you in advance.

    Jodi Dormier

    PS Delighted to read on your blog that there will be a sequel!

  6. Lew Weinstein Says:
    July 20, 2007 at 12:09 pm

    JODI

    I found an interview I did many years ago, and updated it. Perhaps this will be useful.

    Also attached are some quotes, reviews, and an extract from Rick Steves’ Spain 2007.

    I would be happy to answer any follow-up questions. You can probably tell that I enjoy the process of talking about The Heretic, and I haven’t done so in a while.

    In fact, I would be happy to call your book club when you meet for an “almost live” appearance. We have Skype, so it costs almost nothing for me to call.

    Please let me know if there’s anything else I can do. Also, which rabbi and which synagogue? Did I make an appearance there? I did at many New Jersey and New York synagogues.

    LEW WEINSTEIN

  7. Paula Says:
    August 22, 2007 at 11:10 am

    Dear Mr. Weinstein,
    I just want to thank you again for calling (in the middle of the night France time!), last night to talk with our book group about “The Heretic.” It was fascinating to hear how you researched and promoted your book! I’ve just emailed a few other book groups I am in touch with about “The Heretic” and your calling us. I wish you every success in your future works and we eagerly await the sequel!

    Paula

  8. Lew Weinstein Says:
    August 23, 2007 at 2:41 am

    PAULA … Thanks so much. I’m sure I enjoyed it as much as you did. Isn’t modern technology incredible. I spoke to you through my computer, and then when I was done, watched (live) the Yankee game from LA, also on the computer. Then, I retreat to 15th century Florence to see how Benjamin and Esther are doing with Lorenzo de Medici. I will work diligently, but it will take more than a year, at least, to finish the sequel. Best wishes to all of the ladies in your club. … LEW

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