I spent a busy week in New York just before the Mother’s Day Weekend — meetings with my publisher and agent. Discussions about the upcoming publication of TOUGH CUSTOMER (8/10/2010), finalizing the book cover, which we hope to unveil soon, deciding on the author photo for the back cover… Etc. etcera.
But it wasn’t all work. While there, I attended the annual Literacy Partners Gala at Lincoln Center. This is a literacy advocacy group in New York headed by my friend, columnist Liz Smith. She attended the gala dressed in a

With Liz Smith and Tommy Tune
dazzling gold ensemble which, she teased from the stage, made her look like an Oscar. Her escort for the evening was multiple-Tony award winning performer and choreographer Tommy Tune — all 6’7″ of him! He’s originally from Texas, and Liz is from my hometown of Fort Worth, so here, amid all these New Yorkers, is a boisterous group from the Lone Star State!
I asked Liz if chicken fried steak was on the menu for dinner. She said she’d considered it, but lamented that the New York chefs wouldn’t get it right. (And since the best chicken fried steaks –where the breading is light and crispy, and the cream gravy has lots of black pepper — are usually found in truck stops, they probably wouldn’t!)
Also in that group was my husband Michael (who’s actually an Okie, but I’m working on that) and my daughter-in-law Victoria, who’s a Brit (and loverly). The other native Texan was son, Ryan. I’d bought a table for the event and hosted his agent Laurie Bernstein, film agent Don Levanthall, his editor Lauren McKenna, and the publisher of Gallery Books, Louise Burke. Ryan’s friend and fellow author A.J. Jacobs (The Year of Living Biblically) and his wife Julie rounded out our table. We were there to help raise money for Literacy Partners, but also to celebrate the recent release of Ryan’s book, PLAY DEAD.
And now, of course, it’s back to work, but check back soon for upcoming give-aways and touring news!