Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Missive from Mary

(this is posted early because I am doing an 8:30 AM keynote presentation and will not be online in the morning - sorry for throwing the rhythm off.)

Taken by surprise!

This morning I decided to try and find an email address for Mary Doria Russell so that I could write her a letter. I wanted to let her know firstly, that I appreciated the disability themes in her book and secondly about the book club here on Chewing the Fat. I told her that if she wasn't available on the 22nd of May she could send me an email to print. I didn't expect much, she must get emails like this all the time. I know I try to answer all my email and fail miserably.

So I got into the conference center here in East Lansing and opened my email. Not only did she send me a response, she sent me two responses. The first written quickly on her way out, the second was an amazing response about disability and her writing. She tells a story that I can't wait to share with you all ...

but ...

I'm waiting until May 22nd to put the letter up for you.

Imagine Mary Doria Russell wrote back!

Isn't it nice when people surprise you with kindness! Now I'm tick, tick, ticking away the days until we have our discussion. Mary said that she would try to join us on that day but that her son is getting married on the 31st and may not be able to ...

Mary Doria Russell, author of 'the Sparrow,' 'Children of God,' 'Thread of Grace,' and 'Dreamers of the Day' wrote me back. Goodness gracious me, life does hold sweet surprises, doesn't it.

Buy the book, get reading, get ready to have a chat - under the banner of a personal letter from the author. How cool is that?
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11 comments:

  1. Ettina22 April 2008 at 20:32

    Off topic, but here's a post where I criticize something in your Ethics of Touch video. I'd like you to read it:
    http://abnormaldiversity.blogspot.com/2008/04/progressive-coercion.html

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  2. Heike Fabig22 April 2008 at 20:40

    Got the book from the library and started reading last night. Like it so far - especially since i grew up in Belgium, and we don't get that many main Belgian characters in international books, ha ha ;-)

    I like the idea of postig something on our blog,and will do that.

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  3. Belinda22 April 2008 at 21:56

    That is absolutely so cool. Way to go Dave.

    As a writer she would be thrilled to know that people are touched by her writing and what a gift to the book club to have an intimate audience with the author.

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  4. Anonymous23 April 2008 at 08:42

    I should have the book from the library later this week.

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  5. theknapper23 April 2008 at 12:09

    Way cool!!!!!!!!
    I've ordered the book thru the library & the bookstore. Looking forward to it!!!!!

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  6. Shan23 April 2008 at 12:55

    Hey, great! That's exciting. I hope my library gets the book in time!

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  7. FAB23 April 2008 at 19:02

    That's incredible, I can't wait. Apparently though, you don't realize who YOU are, You're Dave Hingsburger, the Dave Hingsburger, and I'm sending you a message right now...like, WOW!

    In a few months you are coming to speak for two days for my agency. I've been asked to interview you for our newsletter, and I have to say, I'm terrified (and I'm not easily frazzled), ther is something amazing aout being the presence of great people. I'll probably tell you the same thing I told Norm Kunc, I'm so exited I may pee my pants!

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  8. Dave Hingsburger23 April 2008 at 19:31

    Hey Fab, where you from? I'm travelling a bit so I'm not sure where this will take place. I look forward to the interview.

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  9. Susan23 April 2008 at 19:35

    Now you know how I feel when you guys talk to ME! :o)

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  10. FAB25 April 2008 at 23:42

    Milestone Community Health Connections,the HCQU In Butler PA. I believe You're coming out for June 12 and 13th, we can't wait to see you!

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  11. Kay Olson29 April 2008 at 20:01

    Very cool.

    I wrote a brief post last year on her book The Sparrow and disability. The link is here.

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