One of the year's ten best essays!

I was very proud that the Wall Street Journal chose my Speakeasy essay about Dorothy Parker as one of the years's 10 best.

Check it out.

Something different for Valentine's Day ...

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"Park yourself in a comfy chair, suspend disbelief and get ready for some delicious entertainment delivered by Ellen Meister’s Farewell, Dorothy Parker." 
—Cleveland Plain Dealer
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If your sweetheart is a reader, I hope you'll consider buying one of these signed, collectible edition copies of Farewell, Dorothy Parker. I personally autographed every single copy of the trade paperback edition first printing. So no matter where you purchase it from--your local bookstore or online--you are guaranteed to get a signed book with a gold sticker on the cover.

Note that when you order it online there won't be any indication that it's autographed. But I promise you, from the bottom of my cramped fingers, that it is. Here are links for ordering this trade paperback online:

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • IndieBound • Penguin 

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Farewell, Dorothy Parker
When it comes to movie reviews, critic Violet Epps is a powerhouse voice. But that’s only because she’s learned to channel her literary hero Dorothy Parker, the most celebrated and scathing wit of the twentieth century. If only Violet could summon that kind of strength in her personal life.

Violet visits the Algonquin Hotel in an attempt to find inspiration from the hallowed dining room, where Dorothy Parker and so many other famous writers of the 1920s traded barbs, but she gets more than she bargained for when Parker’s feisty spirit rematerializes. An irreverent ghost with problems of her own—including a refusal to cross over to the afterlife—Mrs. Parker helps Violet face her fears, becoming in turn mentor and tormentor…and ultimately, friend.

Snow day surprise

Paperback reprints of hardcover books don't often get newspaper reviews, so I was delighted to get a Google alert about this piece in the Cleveland Plain Dealer ...

You can read the rest here.

Note that signed paperbacks are still available:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • IndieBound • Penguin 

You can also read it right away on any ereader:
Kindle • Nook • Kobo • iTunes • Sony Reader

Signed copies of Farewell, Dorothy Parker are still available!

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"Meister skillfully translates the rapier-like wit of the Algonquin Round Table to modern-day New York ... [with] pathos, nuanced characters, plenty of rapid-fire one-liners, and a heart-rending denouement." —Publishers Weekly
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Good news for anyone who wants a signed copy of Farewell, Dorothy Parker. I personally autographed every single copy of the trade paperback edition first printing. So no matter where you purchase it from--your local bookstore or online--you are guaranteed to get a signed book with a gold sticker on the cover.

Note that when you order it online there won't be any indication that it's autographed. But I promise you, from the bottom of my cramped fingers, that it is. Here are links for ordering this first edition trade paperback online:

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • IndieBound • Penguin 

Also note that you can start reading it right away on any ereader, though I haven't quite figured out how to sign those. Still, here are links for downloading: Kindle • Nook • Kobo • iTunes • Sony Reader

 "Meister honors Dorothy Parker, her still-fresh political convictions, and her body of witty, insightful work in this very nice literary romp ... I loved it ... Meister has caught the nuance and language of what I imagine to be the consummate Dorothy Parker." —BookReporter.com 

 "In this funny yet tender homage to Dorothy Parker, [Meister] resurrects the iconic wit of the literary legend." —Library Journal 

"Magical fun." —Booklist 

 "The plot is tightly constructed and just when we are settling in for a predictable turn, it weaves left or right, giving the story yet one more twist .... The result is a charming book, especially for lovers of Ms. Parker, who get to spend some quality time with her." —Neworld Review 

 "Meister captured Parker’s sarcasm, wit, and self deprecating voice extremely well. The book is well-written ... a fast-moving story." —Westchester Guardian 

"A fun, spunky, tension-ridden but endearing tale ... absolutely delightful!" —The Best Reviews

“[Meister] reveals the pathos behind the pith, and she instructs readers about the enduring legacy of a writer who produced not just ‘scathing reviews, clever jokes, quotable poetry, and insightful short stories’ but also championed social causes. Classic Parker zingers sprinkled throughout the novel add sparkle.” —Washington Post

 "Hooray for Ellen Meister! In a miracle of fine writing with Farewell, Dorothy Parker, a novel of infinite charm, she has brought the inimitable, witty and acerbic Dorothy Parker back to gin swilling life." —BookTrib

Long Island Writers: Let's Work Together!

I'm excited to tell you about two creative writing classes I'm teaching at Hofstra Continuing Ed in the coming semester. 

Writing Aloud is a brand new course, and I think it's going to be a lot of fun for anyone who wants the experience of reading their work to a live audience.

Description:The spoken story is as old as the campfire, but how many writers actually get to perform their written pieces before an audience? In this class, you'll learn to hone a short piece to work as a lively, gripping and entertaining 3-minute story for a live audience. You will workshop your stories in a supportive classroom setting, and after the final session you'll have the opportunity to take the microphone at GATHER ROUND, a Hofstra live performance attended by your peers. 

Sundays, 3/16 - 5/4, 10 am - noon Click to register 

(GATHER ROUND is on Friday, May 9, at 7 pm. Admission is free, and you can invite family and friends. Only writers who are enrolled in the class may read at the event.)

  

I'll also be teaching my Fiction Writers Workshop again. This is an intensive class for intermediate and advanced writers who want to make progress on a novel or short stories.
Description: Whether you're writing short stories for submission or working on that novel you've always wanted to finish, this hands-on workshop gives you the opportunity to get invaluable input. This confidence-building class offers solid advice on how to improve your structure, characterization, pacing, grammar, dramatic tension and voice. You'll get the chance to read your pages aloud and exchange gentle critiques with fellow writers.  

Sundays, 1/26 - 3/9, 10 am - noon Click here to register

Enrollment is limited for both classes, so if you're interested, please be sure to sign up as soon as possible.

On Fine Blogs Everywhere

Hey, friends. In honor of the newly released paperback edition of Farewell, Dorothy Parker, I'm at fine blogs everywhere. Today you can find me over at the Huffington Post and the GBC blog ...

Signed copies of FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER are now in bookstores!

The trade paperback edition of FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER is officially out in the world.Since I signed every copy of the first printing, you should be able to find one in a bookstore near you.

Here it is on the New Arrivals table at my local Barnes & Noble:

If you see or buy a signed copy, I'd love to hear from you! Thanks.

Signing!

Big thanks to my wonderkid for taking these pics and creating a gif!

In case you're wondering that I'm doing in with all those markers and papers, I'll explain ...

You probably already know that Farewell, Dorothy Parker came out in hardcover a few months ago. But it's also coming out in trade paperback (with a brand new beautiful cover!) on December 3. I asked my publisher if there was any way I could sign every copy of the first printing, and the next thing I knew they shipped me cartons and cartons of unbound pages. (That stack you see represents only a small fraction of the pages I signed.)

I went through several dozen Sharpies, but I'm all done, and the books are currently being bound.

Note that EVERY COPY OF THE FIRST PRINTING IS A SIGNED BOOK. You can reserve one right now by ordering from any bookseller, including:

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • IndieBound • Walmart

The publication date is December 3, which means you'll have it in time for the holidays. Also note that it's not a mass market paperback, but a collectible trade paperback edition.

Thanks! I hope you love it.

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"Hooray for Ellen Meister! In a miracle of fine writing with Farewell, Dorothy Parker, a novel of infinite charm, she has brought the inimitable, witty and acerbic Dorothy Parker back to gin swilling life." —BookTrib            

Several dozen Sharpies later ...

It was one of those Be Careful What You Wish For moments.

When my publisher told me that FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER would be published in paperback in early December, I asked if there was any way I could sign each copy of the first printing, so that everyone who pre-ordered would be guaranteed to get an autographed book.

A few weeks later, the cartons started showing up at my door, and each one contained thousands and thousands of blank pages. My job was to sign every last one, then ship them back to the printer to be bound into the book.

Can you say writer's cramp?

But it's okay, because I'm all done, and the feeling is starting to return to my fingertips.

If you haven't yet read FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER, I hope you're eager to see what all the fuss is about. This book was a true labor of love—almost a lifetime in the making—and I'm excited to share it with you. I also hope you'll want to own an autographed copy. And if you're interested in giving it as a gift, rest assured it will arrive in time for the holidays.

To lock-in your autographed copy, please pre-order today. You are guaranteed to get a signed copy no matter where you order from, but please don't delay. Here are some links:

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • IndieBound • Walmart


New cover!

The paperback edition has a brand new beautiful cover and includes a readers' guide for book clubs!

Plus, this is not an ordinary mass market paperback, but a collectible trade paperback edition, beautifully printed. I hope you'll order yours today and ensure that you get a signed copy.

Thank you from the bottom of my blistered fingers!
Ellen

Farewell, Dorothy Parker coming soon in paperback!

Big news on the horizon for the trade paperback edition of FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER, which hits stores on December 3. It's available for pre-order right now from your favorite booksellers, including:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • IndieBound • Walmart

Happy Birthday, Dorothy Parker!

America's most audacious wit would have been 120 years old today.

If you're not already a follower of the Dorothy Parker page on Facebook, please pop over and help celebrate the birthday of this literary treasure!

https://www.facebook.com/DorothyParkerQuotes

Would you like a free, personalized bookplate?

A lot of folks who couldn't get to one of my book tour events for FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER have asked how they can get a signed, personalized copy of the book. So I'm now offering free signed bookplates to anyone in the U.S. who has purchased the book.


These are self-adhesive stickers than can go right into the front of your book. You can also use them if you're planning to give the book to someone as a gift.

To request your bookplate, just fill out this form and if you have a U.S. address, I'll pay the postage. Please note that I hope to be able to accommodate everyone, but I have a limited supply and requests will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thank you so much for buying FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER. This book was a labor of love and I'm so excited to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it!

 CLICK HERE TO REQUEST YOUR BOOKPLATE

Farewell, Dorothy Parker can be purchased at your local bookstore or from any online bookseller, including:

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • IndieBound • Penguin 

Live Video Book Chat!

When: THURSDAY, MAY 9, 5:30 PM ET / 2:30 PM PT

Where: YOUR HOUSE (or office or wherever you connect online)

Exciting news! I'm partnering with Booktalk Nation and Shindig for a live video chat to discuss Farewell, Dorothy Parker. To attend, all you need is an Internet connection.

My interviewer is historian/author Kevin Fitzpatrick, who founded the Dorothy Parker Society. You're free to sit and watch anonymously just like any online show ... or, you can join via Skype and ask your own live questions. 

To sign up for this event, click here. You'll receive an e-mail with the URL. It's all surprisingly easy. 

The event also offers you the chance to purchase a copy of Farewell, Dorothy Parker personally inscribed to you (or to a gift recipient). You can place an order for yours here. The Dolphin Bookshop will ship the book directly to your door.

I look forward to seeing you! 

FREE EVENT. RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY!

Dorothy Parker: The Antidote to Political Correctness

Very proud that the Wall Street Journal is running my essay today. I hope you'll  check it out.

The Antidote to Political Correctness: Commentary

Free Bookplates for Mother's Day!

If you are giving or receiving FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER as a Mother's Day gift, I'd be delighted to personalize your book with a free bookplate.*

Just purchase FDP at your local bookstore or from any online bookseller, such as Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • IndieBound. Then send me an email at ellen (at) ellenmeister (dot) com. Please be sure to include:

1. The name of the person receiving the book.

2. The address I should send the bookplate to. (One small favor--please type the address exactly as it should appear on the envelope, including line breaks. I'm doing this independent of my publisher, and there's no staff here but little old me, copying and pasting.)

FYI, bookplates are self-adhesive stickers that go right into the front of the book.

FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER has been a true labor of love--almost a lifetime in the making--and if your mother likes a witty, poignant and engaging read, I think this will be a great gift for her. Visit ellenmeister.com for more information.

Talking about FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER on NPR:
* U.S. addresses only.

Announcement!

I'm thrilled to announce that my publisher has asked me to resurrect Dorothy Parker again for a brand new novel! I can't give away too much, but it will be a contemporary story that takes place at the Algonquin Hotel. Here's the announcement as it appeared in Publishers Marketplace:

I loved the challenge of capturing the voice and the spirit of America's most audacious wit in FAREWELL, DOROTHY PARKER, and I'm thrilled that I have the opportunity to do it again ... a dream come true times two!

New Bookplates Have Arrived!

I have new bookplates!

If you'd like me to send you one for your copy of Farewell, Dorothy Parker, drop me a line at ellen (at) ellenmeister.com and include your mailing address. If you're in the US, I'll pay the postage.

Unless you tell me otherwise, I'll automatically personalize it for you. (If it's a gift for someone, that's fine--just tell me who to make it out to.)

FYI, bookplates are self-adhesive and can go right into your copy of Farewell, Dorothy Parker, which is now available at your local bookstore. You can also order it online from any cyber bookseller, including:

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • IndieBound • Penguin 

I Write Dead People

Thrilled and honored that Publishers Weekly featured my essay on resurrecting Dorothy Parker for a work of fiction ...

Click here to enlarge

Bookplates for Farewell, Dorothy Parker

Click to enlarge

A big thanks to everyone who preordered Farewell, Dorothy Parker and requested a free bookplate. 

I still have a small quantity of bookplates left, so if you'd like one, drop me a line at ellen (at) ellenmeister.com and include your mailing address. If you're in the US, I'll pay the postage.

Also, if you'd like it personalized--either to you or someone else--let me know.

FYI, bookplates are self-adhesive and can go right into your copy of  Farewell, Dorothy Parker, which is now available at your local bookstore.  You can also order it online from any cyber bookseller, including:
Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Books-A-Million • IndieBound • Penguin 

 For more information, visit ellenmeister.com


______________________________________________________________________
Review highlights:

"Meister skillfully translates the rapier-like wit of the Algonquin Round Table to modern-day New York ... [with] pathos, nuanced characters, plenty of rapid-fire one-liners, and a heart-rending denouement."
                    —Publishers Weekly

"Magical fun."
                    —Booklist

"Meister honors Dorothy Parker, her still-fresh political convictions, and her body of witty, insightful work in this very nice literary romp ... I loved it ... Meister has caught the nuance and language of what I imagine to be the consummate Dorothy Parker."
                    —BookReporter.com 

"In this funny yet tender homage to Dorothy Parker, [Meister] resurrects the iconic wit of the literary legend."
                    —Library Journal

"Hooray for Ellen Meister! In a miracle of fine writing with Farewell, Dorothy Parker, a novel of infinite charm, she has brought the inimitable, witty and acerbic Dorothy Parker back to gin swilling life."
                    —BookTrib

“Farewell, Dorothy Parker is not only delightful and fun, it also captures the heart and soul of one of America’s most beloved writers … Ellen Meister has precisely recreated Parker’s sharp tongue and witty observations … this is a book not to be missed!”
                    —Long Island Woman Magazine

"A fun, spunky, tension-ridden but endearing tale ... absolutely delightful!"
                    —The Best Reviews

"Funny, tender and nicely-paced."
                    —Sun News

"The plot was so swift and the prose so clean and clear, I had the book done in the space of an afternoon. I'd highly recommend this novel to those who enjoy stories of the Algonquin Round Table and Dorothy Parker's legendary wit ... Solid A."
                    —Butterfly Books

"The writer's famous wit is on full display."
                    —Miami Herald

"You don't have to know who Dorothy Parker was to truly appreciate this wonderful novel ... an enjoyable fun read with depth to the characters and a lovely portrayal of the wit of Dorothy Parker herself."
                  —Luxury Reading      

Join the LIVE CHAT! Tuesday, 3/12, 2:30 pm ET