Pittsburgh writers, take note: Coconut Writers’ Group forming

David V. Matthews (not the jam-band musician but the Pittsburgh-based writer) is starting a writers’ group and looking for like-minded writers to come along. David has written for City Paper, Unicorn Mountain, the New Yinzer, and other fine publications, and maintains the site Coconut Orangutan. He also creating intriguing artwork. Do check out his site …

Gladwell online

Recently Pittsblog pointed out that ESPN’s Page 2 had published a two-part email interview by Bill “The Sport Guy” Simmons of Malcolm Gladwell, an interview which mentioned Pittsburgh sports a few times but ranged from baseball to writing to the horrors of Las Vegas. You know I have my issues with Simmons, but I agree …

An alcoholic is someone you don’t like who drinks as much as you do.

Whether you’re participating in NaNoWriMo this year or not, please know that November 4, next Saturday, is NaDruWriNi, National Drunken Writing Night. In other words, it’s your yearly chance to crack open your favorite beverage, type away madly and lushly, and participate in the long heritage of faculty-impaired writers. I did this last year and …

Love in the Time of Caller-ID: NaNoWriMo 2005

Are you signed up for NaNoWriMo this year? Of course you are. NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, is an annual celebration of writing fiction, although around the second week it feels more like a punishment. Here’s the official definition: What is NaNoWriMo? National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. …

Additive

“We are attending some function. Something sharp-dressed and dark and held in a crowded hall of unclear dimensions, full of humming silhouetted small talk. With a lilting social languor we lift chilly wineglasses and move through many people. A white-jacketed, slick-locked, ink-eyed catering fellow alights nearby with a bright white tray seemingly floating a millimeter …

The Faders — and you! — on the BBC

Want to be on British television? You can be — we got the hookup for you. The Faders, our favorite local alt-country-and-more hipsters, are about to have a close encounter with the BBC, and they want you to be there. Here’s the scoop from Jon in the band: It’s no joke … we got a …