Of Galleries and Geese

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will be talking about his writing and signing copies of his childrens' book, Flightless Goose, at the Watermark Gallery this coming weekend.

Want to catch an autographed goose for Thanksgiving? You can do just that — and sample some impressive, original artwork from local up-and coming artists — while enjoying free refreshments on Sunday, November 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s inner harbor. The event is free and open to the public.

In addition to featuring the author and artist of Flightless Goose, the event is a multi-cultural affair featuring the original artwork of local, national, and international artists including the Watermark’s resident artist, Manzar, up-and-coming artists from MICA, and a sampling of international art from around the world — including paintings, sketches, jewelry, ceramics , wearable arts, fiber arts and more.

You’ll also enjoy a taste of international food, refreshments, and music. As with all events at the Watermark Gallery, the mission is to “Embrace Diversity, Create Peace, and Celebrate Life.”

Author Eric D. Goodman and illustrator Nataliya A. Goodman will be signing copies of their full-color, hardcover story book for children, Flightless Goose. This is the perfect opportunity to meet the author and artist and get your autographed copies inscribed to the children on your holiday wish list.

Flightless Goose teaches important lessons about dealing with challenges, focusing on positive strengths, and treating others with respect and dignity. The book is fun for children and it educates as it entertains.

The book has been compared to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Ugly Duckling in that it is a classic “underdog story” about a goose who is made fun of as a misfit, but who ends up gaining the respect of peers in the end. A portion of the proceeds will help provide warm sleepwear and nurturing books to children in need through a partnership with The Pajama Project, endorsed by Oprah and Parenting Magazine.

Flightless Goose is available in book stores, at http://www.amazon.com/, and at http://www.rungoose.com/, where you can see some of the illustrations and read more about the exciting new book destined to become a classic.

But why not meet the author and artist and get your autographed copy inscribed to the children on your holiday gift list. Enjoy the gallery exhibit, a glass of wine, and international cuisine and music as you do. This is an affair to put you in the Thanksgiving mood.

The event takes place on Sunday, November 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Watermark Gallery. The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

TRACKS Author Goes Back to Elementary School

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman has another elementary school appearance — today! He will be presenting his childrens' book, Flightless Goose, and leading discussions about the book and the lessons it teaches to students at Warren Elementary School in Cockysville, Maryland today from 1 to 3 p.m.

There will be four mini-event as part of the Warren Elementary’s Special Awareness Day. Each event will start with an introduction and reading of the book, move into a discussion, then close with book sales and a signing.

If you’re a student at Warren Elementary, look for the goose there! If you go to another school, ask your teacher to get in touch with Eric & Nataliya at www.RunGoose.com to have an event at your school.

TRACKS Featured on NPR

This Friday, TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will read an abridged version of “Futures” on WYPR’s popular radio program, The Signal. Listen for it on Baltimore’s NPR station, 88.1 FM.

“Futures” is the story of a woman who must consider two possible destinations: the comfort of home in Baltimore, or the challenge of a new career in Chicago. It’s an excerpt from TRACKS, a novel in stories. “Futures” was originally published in JMWW’s annual print anthology.

The Signal takes listeners on a tour of Baltimore’s cultural landscape and airs every Friday at noon and again at 7 p.m.

Listen to “Futures” this Friday, September 11, at noon and at 7 p.m. on 88.1 FM.

Live out of range? You can listen to the program live at www.wypr.org.

Visit The Signal online at www.signalradio.org.

TRACKS Featured at Baltimore Book Festival

What many people in the local literary community refer to as our “literary new year” will be here before you know it: The Baltimore Book Festival takes place on the weekend of September 25, 26 and 27 and offers a little bit of lit for everyone.

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will read an excerpt from his novel in stories at this year's Baltimore Book Festival.

Tens of thousands of people visit the Baltimore Book Festival each year—it’s the largest celebration of the literary arts in the mid-Atlantic region. All of the regulars will be there: Maryland Writers’ Association, CityLit Project, Creative Café, Literary Salon, Children’s Bookstore Stage, and more!

This year's authors include Buzz Aldrin, Gwen Ifill, Ralph Nader, Chris Gardner, Amiri Baraka, Ingrid Hoffmann, Farai Chideya, Maureen McCormick, Dale DeGroff, Lourdes Castro, Adam Ried, Mordicai Gerstein and James Warhola.

The regular “Lit & Art at the Watermark” reading series will bring fiction, poetry, non-fiction, live music, original artwork, and refreshments to the Creative Café on Sunday. And you’ll find copies of Eric's children's book, Flightless Goose, for sale at the tent of the Maryland Writer’s Association.

Learn more about the Baltimore Book Festival and all it has to offer at their official website.
www.baltimorebookfestival.com

Learn more about the Lit & Art event at their website too.
http://www.baltimorebookfestival.com/index.cfm?page=schedules&id=477

TRACKS Author Reviewed in The Potomac

Flightless Goose, the children's book written by TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman, got a glowing review in the most recent issue of The Potomac.

The Potomac is a popular literary journal of “poetry and politics” that regularly features short fiction and book reviews. The summer 2009 issue features a positive review from YA author Paul Lagasse.

The review says, “… Flightless Goose is appropriately simple without being simplistic, and its lessons -- that challenges can be overcome, that being different doesn’t mean being less of a person, and that everyone has something they are good at -- are important ones for the intended audience of children 4 to 8 years old. The story is told in a way that is likely to be appealing and exciting to younger children without being condescending to older ones.”

Paul Lagasse and The Potomac have good things to say about Nataliya’s artwork …

“Natalya's watercolors of the lightly anthropomorphized geese (they play ball, skip rope, and wear clothes and shoes) are vibrant and detailed, and her style evokes the illustrations from the classic editions of fairy tales and nursery rhymes that many parents will remember from when they were children.”

… and Eric's writing …

“Eric’s words are well-chosen and presented in a friendly font that frequently undulates and trickles in time with the ups and downs of the story. The word choice and presentation will encourage younger readers to expand their vocabularies without missing the key meanings, and will also satisfy older and more skilled readers.”

See the full review in the current issue of The Potomac at the link below.

http://thepotomacjournal.com/issue9/eric_goodman.html

TRACKS Featured at Lit & Art This Sunday

Need a unique way to observe Sir Mick Jagger’s 66th birthday? On Sunday, July 26 at 2 p.m., the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor continues its Lit and Art series. Lit and Art is a series that will start you up and leave you shattered.

Returning writers include Caryn Coyle, Eric D. Goodman, Deanna Nikaido, and Fernando Quijano III. Making her Lit and Art debut will be Christine Stewart.

Eric D. Goodman will read an abridged version of "Futures," a story from TRACKS which was published in JMWW's annual print anthology.

Fresh off her successful German exhibition, Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr will present some of her artwork.

Red Tractor Factory, the Lit and Art house band, will provide live music.

An open mic session will follow, and an intermission and wrap-up social will include refreshments. That's right, free wine.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities. Like previous events in this series, it is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served, and audience members will have a chance to share their own work during the open mic session.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.www.manzar.net

Learn more about the “Lit and Art” reading event at Writeful.www.Writeful.blogspot.com

TRACKS Author Featured at The Writer's Center

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman is being featured at a reading event this Sunday at The Writer’s Center. Authors published in New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers will read from their published work.

Goodman has been invited to read an excerpt from his story, which opens up the anthology. “Cicadas” has been featured in the past on NPR’s The Signal, at the Baltimore Book Festival, Patterson Theater, libraries, book stores, art galleries, and more.

The Writer’s Center is America's premier independent literary center, founded in 1976. It is also the publisher of Poet Lore, the oldest continuously published poetry magazine in the United States, having started in 1889.

The New Lines anthology reading at The Writer’s Center runs from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 12. The Writer’s Center is located at 4508 Walsh Street, Bethesda, MD 20815. Parking is free. You can find directions and more information at their website, www.writer.org.

Can’t make it or want a preview? Listen to a reading of “Cicadas” from NPR’s The Signal at the link below — music and sound effects included!

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-754738.mp3

WHATEVER Has Chemistry

Another story from TRACKS, a novel in stories, has been published. “Chemistry” has been published in WHATEVER Literary Journal.

WHATEVER Literary Journal is described as “a collection of the Northeast's finest writers and poets with a few international names to round it out.”

“Chemistry” is a story from TRACKS, Eric D. Goodman's novel in stories set on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. “Chemistry” is a story of teenage angst, about a young man hungry for attention from parents and peers who don’t seem to notice him. It’s about how a person can end up speeding down the wrong track and not realize it until it’s too late to slam on the brakes.

Learn more about WHATEVER at their online store.

http://stores.lulu.com/WhateverLiteraryJournal

TRACKS Featured at Smile Hon Release Party

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will read an excerpt from his novel in stories at the Smile, Hon, You’re in Baltimore No. 11 Release Party at Cyclops Books this Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. The excerpt, which was published in the current issue, is called "Little B & O."

Here are the details …

WHO: Eight-Stone Press and Cyclops Books

WHAT: "Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore!" No. 11 Release Party

WHERE: Cyclops Books, Corner of Maryland Ave. and North Ave., Baltimore

WHEN: Wednesday, June 17, 7:00 p.m.

WHY: Because Detroit will never be able to take it away from us.

HOW: They're bankrupt.

Cyclops is right on the corner of Maryland and North, and there is PLENTY of parking on both avenues. And after 6 is free!

Learn more at www.eightstonepress.com/hon/hon11.htm.

TRACKS Story Published in Smile, Hon!

"Little B & O," an outtake from TRACKS, a novel in stories, is published in the latest issue of Smile, Hon, You're In Baltimore!

For a little literary zine, it packs a big punch. Smile, Hon, You’re In Baltimore! has gotten rave reviews from UTNE Reader, Urbanite and Pop Candy (USA Today’s Blog).

Baltimore Magazine named Smile, Hon, You're in Baltimore! the city's "Best Zine" in its August "Best of Baltimore 2008" issue.

Baltimore City Paper also called Smile Hon Baltimore’s best zine, describing it as “surprisingly fascinating, consistently absurd, and often weird as hell . . . Baltimore at its bizarre best.”

Zine World says Smile Hon “adequately captures Baltimore's grit and glitter, horror and heroes.”

The Johns Hopkins Newsletter says, “Smile Hon revels in Baltimore's every eccentricity”

Even Maryland Mayor Martin O’Malley (how’s that for alliteration?) said that Smile Hon “caused a bit of a stir in my office.”

Eric D. Goodman's story, “Little B & O,” is featured in the latest issue. “Little B & O” is an outtake from TRACKS. Other authors in issue 11 include Caryn Coyle, Fernando Quijano III, Ben Shaberman, Rosalia Scalia and Alex Hewett.

Learn more — and see the cover — at the link below.


http://eightstonepress.com/hon/hon11.htm

TRACKS Featured at JMWW Reading

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will join other JMWW authors to read from the anthology this Saturday evening at Cyclops Books.

JMWW, the popular literary journal based in Baltimore, invites you to a celebration of the first three years of print anthologies featuring the best work from the online quarterly.

This is the anthology series and literary journal that the Baltimore City Paper says “hooks you from the fist paragraph. A hybrid of poetry and prose, of cold-blooded talent pigtailed with aspiring word artists, JMWW has a cough-syrup twang that keeps you reading. Something addictive about it provokes the dormant writer within.”

Eric's story, “Futures,” is featured in volume II of the trilogy — and everyone knows act two is the best, right?

That’s debatable, because all three volumes of this anthology series offers something for everyone. This Saturday at Cyclops Bookstore, authors from the second and third anthologies will share their work.

Here’s your invitation — directly from JMWW :

Cyclops Bookstore (formerly The Baltimore ChopShop) and JMWW (http://jmww.150m.com/) are proud to celebrate JMWW’s authors with a special evening featuring readings from the second and third anthologies. Join editor Jen Michalski along with writers Jessica Anya Blau, William Duell, Pete Pazmino, Justin Sirois, Joseph Young, Savannah Schroll Guz, and Eric D. Goodman. Copies of the third anthology will be on sale for $7.

Join us for the best pizza in town at Joe Squared afterward.Cyclops is right on the corner of Maryland and North, and there is PLENTY of parking on both avenues. Cyclops will even pay for your meter — just park and come in real quick for some change. After 6 is free too!

Date: Saturday, June 6, 2009
Time: 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Cyclops
Street: 30 W. North Ave., Baltimore, Maryland

Learn more about JMWW and browse the latest issue at http://jmww.150m.com/.

TRACKS Story Published in JMWW

“Futures,” a story from TRACKS, was published in JMWW Literary Journal’s annual print anthology.

JMWW is a popular literary journal based in Baltimore. Although it has a Baltimore flavor, the quarterly online journal publishes fiction, poetry, non-fiction and reviews from around the world. Once a year, it selects the best items of the year to include in a print anthology.

“The writing hooks you from the fist paragraph,” says the Baltimore City Paper of JMWW. “A hybrid of poetry and prose, of cold-blooded talent pigtailed with aspiring word artists, JMWW has a cough-syrup twang that keeps you reading. Something addictive about it provokes the dormant writer within.”

“Futures,” is an excerpt from TRACKS, a novel in stories that takes place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. The story offers readers attention to place, romance, breakup, transition, heartache (in the most literal sense) and hope.

Other authors included in this print anthology are Rafael Alvarez, Nathan Leslie and Christian Bell. Authors featured in other JMWW issues include Jessica Anya Blau, William Duell, Pete Pazmino, Justin Sirois, Joseph Young and Savannah Schroll Guz.

Learn more about the JMWW anthology at the following link, where you can even order your own copy!


www.lulu.com/content/1728622

See the latest issue of the online journal here.


http://jmww.150m.com/

TRACKS Author Featured at BookExpo America

The 2009 BookExpo America hits New York City this weekend — the largest and most important book event in North America. And TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will be there!

Eric & Nataliya Goodman, author and illustrator, will be giving away copies of their new hardcover, full-color story book for children, Flightless Goose, at the big event. Other authors doing the same at BookExpo America include Julie Andrews, Joyce Carol Oates, Nicholas Sparks, Omar Tyree, Dave Barry, R. L. Stine, Craig Ferguson, Jan Brett, Berkeley Breathed, Julianne Moore, Kathy Lee Gifford, Emeril Lagasse, Mary Higgins Clark, Carol Higgins Clark, Ridley Pearson, George Pelecanos, Robert McNeely, Paul F. Wilson, Tim Wendell, Kwame Alexander, M. J. Rose, Lizzie Skurnick, Meg Cabot, Lev Grossman and Chuck Klosterman.

Join these authors and thousands of attendees at the new and reformatted BookExpo America — the premier event for the North American publishing industry.

This year, you'll benefit from quality over quantity, seeing and learning exactly what you need to survive today's changing industry and challenging economy. Meet 500+ authors and discover hundreds of new titles on a Show floor bristling with 1,500 exhibitors (check out BEA Exhibitor Show Specials) and featuring the NEW Downtown Stage and Uptown Stage and the ever popular BEA Autographing Area. Learn the trends during 60+ focused sessions at the NEW "Big Ideas at BEA" Conference and don’t miss this year’s Global Market Forum: Books & Publishing in the Arab World. Experience the buzz of the book business at dynamic Special Events (buy your Special Events Tickets now). Conduct rights business at the largest North American International Rights Center. And enjoy NEW Show floor amenities such as more seating and places to eat. All of this, plus all of New York City — the publishing capital of the world.

Flightless Goose will be featured in the autographing area on Friday. See the full schedule of Friday’s autographing authors at this link.

And learn more about Book Expo America — including how to register and attend — at the BEA website.


www.bookexpoamerica.com/en

TRACKS Author Featured at Maryland Writers Conference

This weekend is the 21st Annual Maryland Writers’ Conference. There’s a full list of sessions and speakers. One of the featured sessions is called From Quill To Flightless Goose: Making a Childrens’ Book Soar, presented by Eric D. Goodman, author of TRACKS and Flightless Goose.



Here’s how the Maryland Writers’ Conference program describes it:



“In this session, Children's author and public relations expert Eric D. Goodman will share his experiences from first lines to final publication. Drawing on his experience, he will talk about the long and winding road to publication, and the bumpy path beyond it to successful sales. Learn about writer-publisher relations, writer-illustrator relations and about working on a children's book as a husband-wife team. There will be plenty of opportunity to ask your own burning questions about the challenges and rewards of being a published children's author.



“Eric D. Goodman is a full-time writer and editor. National Public Radio's WYPR called him "a regular on the Baltimore literary scene." His work has been published in The Washington Post, Baltimore Review, Writers Weekly, The Potomac, Slow Trains, Freshly Squeezed, JMWW, Grub Street, and New Lines from the Old Line State. His children's book, Flightless Goose, is available in bookstores, at Amazon, and at www.RunGoose.com. Eric is also the Public Relations Director for MWA and the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference, and makes his living as a PR writer. You can learn more about Eric's creative writing or contact him at http://www.writeful.blogspot.com/.”

Visit www.marylandwriters.org/conferences-2009list.html for more about this session, and a full list of all the sessions, speakers, agents, and editors at this year’s Maryland Writers’ Conference.

TRACKS Author Featured at Catonsville Book Fest

Last weekend, book aficionados and lovers of literature celebrated Catonsville Library’s 4th Annual Book Festival. The event kicked off with an Authors’ Wine and Cheese Reception. Eric D. Goodman was one of the featured authors at the event.

There were more than a dozen featured authors, including Goodman. There were even more bottles of wine than authors, more cheeses than wine, and more books than anything else! It made for an exciting Friday night.

Surrounded by books, with live music in the background, fans and authors mingled over wine and cheese and books. All of the featured authors had books for sale at the library desk (and copies of Goodman's Flightless Goose flew off the shelves). Proceeds from the event benefit Catonsville High School’s Ellipsis Literary Magazine, the Catonsville Library, and the Dictionary Projects of the Rotary Club of Catonsville-Sunrise.

Goodman's Guest Spot in the Baltimore Sun’s Read Street

As a panelist at tomorrow’s CityLit Festival, TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman was asked by the editors of the Baltimore Sun’s Read Street to submit a guest column.

In his spot, Goodman wrote about his own history with the CityLit Project — his own introduction to Baltimore’s thriving literary scene. He also talks a bit about his book, Flightless Goose, which is being featured in the exhibitor’s booth all day long, is available at CityLit’s official bookseller, Barnes & Noble, and is one of the “fist books” featured in one of the panel discussions.

The CityLit Project (and the CityLit Festival in particular) is one of the reasons for Baltimore’s lively literary community. If you love literature, you won’t want to miss tomorrow’s day-long event.

Read Eric D. Goodman's column in the Baltimore Sun’s Read Street.

TRACKS Author Featured at CityLit Fest

Baltimore has long been known as “The City that Reads.” And it is true that there is a thriving literary community in city. If you need evidence of this (or just want to have a great day), look no further than this Saturday’s CityLit Festival VI.

If you love books and literature, you won’t want to miss the CityLit Festival at the Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral Street. You’ll have the chance to see last year’s winner of the Pulitzer Prize in Literature, Junot Diaz, and last year’s National Book Award for Poetry winner Mark Doty. There are sessions on what’s becoming of our book culture, lifelong literature — too much to mention here! Plus, exhibitors will be showing off their books, literary journals, services, and all things bookish in the exhibitors’ hall all day long.

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will be there for a session on “first books, new authors,” and his children’s book, Flightless Goose, will be in the exhibitor’s hall all day. There really is something for everyone!

Hope to see you there. If you love books, it’s a great way to “get lit” this Saturday.

Learn more (and see a full schedule of events) at CityLit’s website.

www.citylitproject.org/index.php?q=node/262

TRACKS Author Featured at Roland Park Library

Need an excuse to visit the library this weekend? How about the chance to meet several local authors -- including TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman?

This Saturday, April 11, the Roland Park library hosts an afternoon with Maryland authors featured in the popular book, New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers. The reading begins at 2 p.m. and offers something for everyone.

The reading includes short works from authors Eric D. Goodman, Austin S. Camacho, Lalita Noronha, Liz Moser, Frank S. Joseph, and Barbara Morrison. New Lines will be available for purchase and a book signing will follow the readings. In addition, authors will have their own published works on had for sale and signing — including the children’s story book, Flightless Goose!

New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers is the first book published by MWA Books. For more information about the book, visit the Maryland Writers’ Association website.

www.marylandwriters.org

Learn more about the recently renovated Roland Park Library, directions and this event at their website.

www.prattlibrary.org/calendar/atpratt.aspx?id=27882

TRACKS Author Featured in Writers Weekly

Once again, TRACKS author Eric D. Gooman's work has been published in Writers Weekly — the world’s most popular writing eZine. In fact, Writers Weekly has more subscribers than any other freelance-writing eZine in history.

Goodman's story is the feature article in the latest issue of Writers Weekly -- the most popular electronic magazine in the world for freelance writers. The title of the latest article: “Go Back to School to Sell Your Story.”

In the article, Goodman give tips on an innovative way writers can bring attention to their work. If you have a published book that has lessons to teach to children, then contact local schools to see if you can visit and present your book (and the lessons taught within) to the students.

It’s a great way to bring your work to a new audience in a positive way — and to build what can become your fan base of tomorrow.

To read the feature article about how Eric and his wife, illustrator Nataliya A. Goodman, went about promoting their childrens' book, Flightless Goose, at a local school, see the latest issue of Writers Weekly. You can find it at the link below.

www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/005262_03182009.html

TRACKS Returns to NPR

A couple weeks back, TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman read from his novel in stories on Baltimore’s National Public Radio station. This was his third time reading his fiction on NPR. He read “The Silences” on WYPR’s The Signal.

The Signal is broadcast on 88.1 FM to about 20,000 listeners in the Baltimore-DC area. It airs at 12 noon and again at 7 p.m. and offers a tour of Baltimore's cultural landscape.

"The Silences" is a story from TRACKS, a novel in stories which takes place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. In the story, a young woman traveling with the love of her life imagines a grim future together, and she longs for him to prove her wrong.

Miss the broadcast or want to hear it again? Here’s the official podcast of the reading, music, train sound effects and all.

Enjoy “The Silences!”


www.publicbroadcasting.net/wypr/arts.artsmain?action=viewArticle&id=1469301

TRACKS Featured on National Public Radio

This Friday may be the 13th, but it also happens to be the day before Valentine’s Day. So the producers of The Signal on National Public Radio’s WYPR in Baltimore have a treat in store for listeners with an ear for quiet romance.

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman returns to The Signal with another abridged story from TRACKS. This one is perfect for Valentine's Day.

“The Silences” is a story about a young woman traveling with the love of her life on the train from Baltimore to Chicago. She imagines a grim future together, and she longs for him to prove her wrong.

The Signal is broadcast to about 20,000 listeners in the Baltimore-DC area. It airs at 12 noon and again at 7 p.m. and offers a tour of Baltimore’s cultural landscape. Tune into 88.1 FM.

Can’t pick it up, or doesn’t fit your schedule. No worries — you can also listen to it live or in podcast form at the WYPR’s website (www.wypr.org) or The Signal’s site (www.SignalRadio.org).

Once you’ve listened to the abridged version, read the entire story as it was originally published in Slow Trains. You can visit the online literary journal at the link below.

www.slowtrains.com/vol7issue3/goodmanvol7issue3.html

Goodman on the Tube

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman was recently asked to be a guest on a literary-focused television show produced by Loyola College. In the interview, Eric was asked about Flightless Goose (his children’s story book), TRACKS (his novel-in-stories), and WOMB (his novel-in-progress).

In the interview, Eric talks about tips on writing, and the Baltimore literary scene. He even discusses what got him started writing in the first place.

The interview is split into three segments which, all together, run about 10 minutes.

You don't have to be a Loyola College student or faculty member to enjoy the show – you can view it now on YouTube at the link below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zj-GI78kCxE

TRACKS Author Featured in Writers Weekly

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman’s story, “Aim Off Target,” has been published as the feature article in this week’s issue of Writers Weekly — the highest-circulation freelance writing ezine in the world.

In the story, Goodman shares his tips and experience in marketing his new children's book, Flightless Goose. He explains that although you still want to use your laser to target obvious media choices (like book reviewers and subject area editors), you should also consider aiming your shotgun at less obvious places.

Read his article at the link below.

www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/005080_12102008.html

TRACKS Author Makes Cover of Baltimore Messenger

We’re thankful Flightless Goose, the new children's book by TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman, has been getting a lot of attention lately. There have been well more than a hundred requests for review copies from the press! Not to mention some of the places Flightless Goose has already been featured.

The latest feature appeared on the front page of this week’s Baltimore Messenger. The book’s cover is featured on the front page, along with the story, “Grounded ‘Goose’ Walks away winner” by Loni Ingraham.

The Baltimore Messenger is delivered to about 50,000 readers in the communities of Roland Park, Mt. Washington, Homeland, Guilford, and Hamden.

See the front page of the Baltimore Messenger, with the Grounded Goose and headline, at the link below.
http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/publications/ms/

Or go directly to the full story here.
http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/community/5412/grounded-goose-walks-away-winner/

And Gilbert, the flightless goose, would like us to remind you: eat turkey, not goose, for a happy Thanksgiving.

TRACKS Author Featured at Festival of Trees

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will be presenting his childrens' book, Flightless Goose at this year’s Festival of Trees at the Maryland State Fairgrounds — the east cost’s largest family-oriented festival, and the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season!

Author and artist Eric & Nataliya Goodman will share the new book with children and their families at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 29. Look for them in the Cozy Corner.

“If Santa had a theme park, this would be it,” boasts the website about the Festival of Trees — a three-day extravaganza of fairyland forests, gingerbread towns and toy train gardens, complimented by over 100 craft boutiques, holiday goodies and activities for kids of all ages. Not to mention a special line-up of entertainment for the whole family — including this premiere presentation of Flightless Goose.

Kennedy Kreiger Institute's Festival of Trees was established in 1990 as a fundraiser to benefit children with neurological disorders served by the Institute. This festival is the largest fundraising event of the year and the largest holiday-themed event in Mid-Atlantic region. Festival of Trees includes more than 500 beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and gingerbread houses designed by local artists, businesses and community groups, plus holiday crafts shopping, amazing items up for grabs at the silent auction, hourly live entertainment and, of course, Santa!

The 19th annual Festival of Trees takes place November 28 to 30 at the Maryland State
Fairgrounds in Timonium.

The festival benefits the more than 13,000 children with disorders of the brain and spinal cord served by Kennedy Krieger each year, raising funds for patient care, education and research. Since its inception, Festival of Trees has raised over $10 million to support these important programs.You can print a $2 off coupon to bring with you to the event. Just go to the online forest!

www.festivaloftrees.kennedykrieger.org

For more about the Flightless Goose reading and other fun events, visit the festival’s entertainment page.

www.festivaloftrees.kennedykrieger.org

To learn more about Flightless Goose, the new childrens’ book by Eric & Nataliya Goodman, visit the online pond.

www.RunGoose.com

TRACKS Author in Two Readings This Week

When it comes to the literary arts in the Baltimore area, it seems there are always a number of events going on. This week is a perfect example. TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman is participating in two exciting literary readings this week.

This Thursday, November 13, at 8 p.m. is the next Speak Freely event at Studio 221. Eric D. Goodman will be one of the featured readers, joined by Ron Williams, Christine Stewart, and Fernando Quijano III, among others. There will be an open mic session, and refreshments. The event takes place at 221 W. Saratoga Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

This Saturday, November 15, Eric D. Goodman will be one of the featured readers at a Constellation Books presentation of New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers. Other featured readers include Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Scott E. Frias, Sally Whitney, Frank S. Joseph, Mary Stojak, and Laura Shovan. The event takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. at Constellation Books, 303 Main Street in Reisterstown, www.constellationbooks.com.

Come to one, come to all, and enjoy all that Baltimore’s active literary scene has to offer.

TRACKS Author Featured On GottaWriteGirl

Today, GottaWriteGirl features an interview with TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman, as he talks about his new childrens' book, Flightless Goose. "Don’t Duck This Goose," at her popular blog with a focus on childrens’ literature: GottaWriteGirl: Adventures in Children’s Literature.

About a month ago, GottaWriteGirl interviewed the esteemed, Newberry-winning Katherine Paterson, author of Bridge to Terabithia and Jacob Have I Loved.

Check out both interviews at www.GottaWriteGirl.blogspot.com.

For Eric's interview, you can even participate in a discussion at the end of the post. Just visit www.GottaWriteGirl.blogspot.com.

Get Your Goose Now!

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman invites you to get your goose now.

On November 1, Writers’ Lair Books will officially release Flightless Goose as a full-color hardcover. The book is available now at www.RunGoose.com.

Flightless Goose is written by Eric D. Goodman and illustrated by Nataliya A. Goodman.

In the book, the flightless goose must learn to tolerate teasing and the challenges of being different. He is even left behind as the geese fly south for the winter. In the end, the flightless goose develops a talent no other goose has, and that helps him save the day.

The publisher has announced that all pre-orders placed before November 1 will receive a 10 percent discount, and the copies will be autographed by both the author and the artist.

For every book purchased, one dollar will be donated to The Pajama Project to help provide warm pajamas and nurturing books to underprivileged children.

Flightless Goose will be available in book stores and at Amazon.com, but to get the discount and help the Pajama Project, order now at http://www.writerslairbooks.com/goodman1.html.

Visit www.RunGoose.com to learn more about Flightless Goose.

Rain Speeds the Train

Did last weekend’s rain put a damper on the festivities? Not really.

The National Book Festival, which usually boasts about 100,000 visitors, actually topped 120,000 despite the puddle-pocked walkways along the National Mall and the overcast skies that drizzled on readers and writers. Readers flocked to meet such authors as Salman Rushdie, Neil Gaiman, Bob Schieffer, David Shannon, Dionne Warwick, Andrea Davis Pickney, Charles S. Smith Jr., Geraldine Brooks, Peter Robinson, Warren Brown, Cokie Roberts, Kimberly Dozier, Arthur & Pauline Frommer, Dan Chiasson and Jill Allyn Rosser.

Children enjoyed new books by authors like Laura and Jenna Bush, Tiki Barber, and R.L. Stein. Children also noticed special decorations along the walkways on all the lamp posts: free magnets announcing Flightless Goose and the book’s website, www.RunGoose.com. Flightless Goose, the new book for children by TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman, was also represented with fliers, magnets, and gift bags, at the big event in Baltimore. It's being released on November 1 by Writer's Lair Books.

And how about the Mid Atlantic regions most important celebration of the literary arts—the Baltimore Book Festival? The “typhoon” may have kept some of the fainter souls away, but it only whet the appetites of die-hard literary buffs. Thousands of people gathered around the original Washington Monument to celebrate books and all things literary.

Headliners included such authors as Walter Mosley, T.D. Jakes, Madison Smartt Bell, Rafael Alvarez, Michael Kimball, Jen Michalski, and even Mark Twain. (That last one may have been an imposter). Tim Wendell read from his novel Red Rain and conducted a writing workshop. As in past years, the CityLit tent was a hot spot. That’s where there was a reading of the Freshly Squeezed anthology on Saturday (which features Goodman's story “One Last Hit” from TRACKS) and a reading from New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers on Sunday (which features Goodman's story “Cicadas.”)

More readings and events featuring Eric D. Goodman -- for TRACKS and Flightless Goose -- are coming soon.

TRACKS Author Featured at Baltimore Book Fest

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will read from his fiction at the Baltimore Book Festival - the mid-Atlantic's largest celebration of the literary arts.

He’ll be reading his short story “Cicadas” which starts off the book New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers. The anthology features fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by 29 Maryland authors.

The New Lines reading will close out the Baltimore Book Festival's CityLit tent on Sunday, September 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. Goodman and other authors will be on hand to autograph the anthologies.

This is Goodman’s third year in a row as a featured author at the Baltimore Book Festival. His last two readings featured excerpts from TRACKS.

Can't make the big event this year? You can ask for New Lines from the Old Line State at your local book store. Or visit the Maryland Writers' Association's online book shop at www.marylandwriters.org/publications.html.

TRACKS Author Reads Fiction on NPR

It's been a few years since the last outbreak of Cicadas. But from all the recent buzz, it seems they've returned.

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman appeared on National Public Radio to read his short story, "Cicadas." He presented his fiction on National Public Radio's Baltimore station, WYPR, earlier this month. "Cicadas" opened up the weekly radio program, The Signal, NPR's "weekly tour through hidden corners of Maryland's cultural landscape." The program aired at 12 noon and again at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 5.

WYPR had this to say about the story: "Many a florid metaphor has been penned about the buzz of young romance, but Signal contributor Eric D. Goodman may be the first to compare it a seething horde of insects. He joins us with a skeptic's love story called Cicadas."

The "Cicadas" reading even infested the Baltimore Sun.

Not to mention the CityLit Project.

Missed the broadcast? Then find out what the buzz is about! Listen to NPR's pod cast of this "story about romance, cynicism and a wedding set against the otherworldly buzz of Horde X."

Or, go directly to the "Cicadacast" here.

Learn more about The Signal, and even see a picture of a Cicada, at their website.

http://www.signalradio.org/index.php?p=359

Flightless Goose Released

Flightless Goose, the childrens’ book by TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman, has an official release date.

On November 1, Writers’ Lair Books will release Flightless Goose as a full-color hardcover book. The 32-page book is available now at www.RunGoose.com.

Flightless Goose is written by Eric D. Goodman and illustrated by his wife, Nataliya Goodman.

In the book, the flightless goose must learn to tolerate teasing and the challenges of being different. He is even left behind as the geese fly south for the winter. In the end, the flightless goose develops a talent no other goose has, and that helps him save the day.

The publisher has announced that all pre-orders placed before November 1 will receive a 10 percent discount, and the copies will be autographed by both the author and the artist. The book will be available in book stores, but to get to discount, order now at http://www.writerslairbooks.com/goodman1.html.


Visit www.RunGoose.com to learn more about Flightless Goose.

TRACKS Author on NPR This Friday

This Friday, September 5, TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will read from his fiction on WYPR, Baltimore’s National Public Radio station.

The Signal will broadcast Goodman's reading of “Cicadas.”

“Cicadas” is a work of fiction published in New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers. The anthology, as Editor Allyson E. Peltier put it, “features a rich collection of contemporary literature” from “stylistically and culturally diverse writers.”

“Cicadas” is about a playboy returning to Virginia to be the best man in his friend’s wedding. Cicadas are everywhere. Stu believes his friend’s newfound romance is doomed to a cicada cycle — a brief buzz of excitement followed by years of monotony.

Tune in to Baltimore’s WYPR at 88.1 FM this Friday to hear Goodman read from the anthology.

The Signal airs at 12 noon and 7 p.m. every Friday. His fiction will be featured on the programs of Friday, September 5 -- This Friday. Or, tune in online at http://www.signalradio.org.

Learn more about Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR at their website.

http://www.wypr.org/

Or learn more about The Signal here.

http://www.signalradio.org/

TRACKS Author Invites Readers to RunGoose.com

If you thought TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman's former neighbor Michael Phelps was quick as he racked up Olympic Gold, you’ll be blown away by the Flightless Goose. If you blink, you may miss him. So hurry and check him out at http://www.rungoose.com/!

Flightless Goose is a new childrens’ book being published this fall by Writers’ Lair Books. Goodman wrote the book and his wife, Nataliya, painted the beautiful watercolor illustrations.

The website is live and the online pond is open for your enjoyment. Jump right in at http://www.rungoose.com/.

Or, take a gander at the publisher’s page devoted to Flightless Goose at www.writerslairbooks.com/goodman1.html.

TRACKS Author Reads at Watermark Gallery

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will share his work at the Watermark's latest Lit & Art reading.

Come celebrate Labor Day in high bohemian style! On Sunday, August 31 at 2 p.m., the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor continues its Lit and Art series. You’ll find that Lit and Art is a labor of love.

Goodman will be joined by three other local authors at an event which features live music and a surreal art display by Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities. Like previous events in this series, it is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served, and audience members will have a chance to share their own work during the open mic session.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

www.manzar.net

Learn more about the “Lit and Art” reading event at Writeful.

www.Writeful.blogspot.com

TRACKS Author Published in Maryland Anthology

TRACKS author Eric D.Goodman will have a short story appear in a new anthology of Maryland writers.

New Lines from the Old Line State: An Anthology of Maryland Writers features fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by 29 Maryland authors. It is edited by Allyson E. Peltier.

Eric D. Goodman's story, "Cicadas," follows a man returning to Virginia for the first time in seventeen years to be the best man in his friend’s wedding. The cicadas have returned for the first time in seventeen years as well. Stu believes his friend’s newfound romance is doomed to a cicada cycle — a brief buzz of excitement to be followed by years of mundane monotony.

The new anthology Marylanders have been waiting for is premiering in September at the Baltimore book Festival — the mid-Atlantic’s largest celebration of the literary arts. It will also be available in bookstores and online.

Listen to TRACKS on NPR

Author Eric D. Goodman read an excerpt from TRACKS, his novel in stories, on National Public Radio. You can listen to it here.



“The Stein” is an abridged version of “A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein,” a popular story from the novel that also won a state fiction prize from the Maryland Writers Association. A first-person version of the story was published in To Be Read Aloud.



WYPR, the Baltimore NPR station, describes the story as "a tale about marriage, growing old, and some lessons to be learned on the subject of give-and-take."



NPR describes author Eric D. Goodman as "a regular on the Baltimore literary scene."



Listen to the 10-minute reading here.



http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-587318.mp3



Eric is available for future readings from TRACKS, and he's searching for an agent or publisher for the novel in stories.



Contact Eric at edgewriter@gmail.com.

TRACKS Author Takes Goose to Today Show

Last Wednesday, there was a big event on The Today Show – America’s number one morning show. No, we’re not talking about the wedding. The Flightless Goose made an appearance on The Today Show to announce the new website.

To promote their childrens’ book, The Flightless Goose, Nataliya A. Goodman (the illustrator) and TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman (the author) went to Rockefeller Plaza during the taping of the show with a handmade poster announcing the publication of The Flightless Goose and launching the brand-new website.

As Matt spoke to the camera inside Studio 1A, “RunGoose” appeared above his head, curving over it like a hat. It appeared for a good 20 or 30 seconds as Matt came on and off screen.

Later during the show, Al Roker gave his animated weather report, part of it in front of the RunGoose sign.

Meredith Vieria saw the RunGoose sign and even asked for a copy once it goes to print in the fall.

As you may have guessed, the official website for The Flightless Goose is …

www.RunGoose.com

Go to the online pond today! And visit often to be the first to know about the release date, how to get advance copies, and events surrounding The Flightless Goose.

www.RunGoose.com

TRACKS Reading in Baltimore's Inner Harbor

June is not just about Bloomsday anymore.

On Sunday, June 29 at 2 p.m., the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore's Inner Harbor will continue its Lit and Art at the Watermark series. Five local authors will present their fiction and poetry and an original collection of art by local artist Manzar Rassouli-Taylorr will be on display.

Returning writers include Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Eric D. Goodman, Nitin Jagdish, and Cliff Lynn. Making his Lit and Art debut will be Irwin Greenstein.

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will read an abridged story from the novel in stories.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities. Like previous events in this series, it is free and open to the public. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

www.manzar.net

TRACKS Author Goes to 30 Rock

Watch The Today Show on NBC early next week and keep an eye out for the goose!

To promote their childrens’ book, The Flightless Goose, TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman and his wife, illustrator Nataliya A. Goodman are attempting to get onto The Today Show—America’s number one morning show.

They will go to Rockefeller Plaza during the taping of the show with a handmade poster board announcing the publication of The Flightless Goose and launching the brand-new website.

The Goodmans will be in New York City all next week and hope to score a few seconds of air time for The Flightless Goose on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

So stay tuned to the tube and watch for geese! And stay tuned to the online pond at the link below.

www.FlightlessGoose.blogspot.com.

TRACKS Author to Appear at Release Party

Come to the historic Patterson Theater for the Release Party of Freshly Squeezed: The Write Here Write Now Anthology.

The anthology features Eric D. Goodman’s story “One Last Hit,” an excerpt from TRACKS.

The event, sponsored by the Creative Alliance and the CityLit Project, is free and open to the public. It takes place tonight at 7:30. Refreshments will be served –not just the anthology!

The anthology includes more than 250 pages of select works from the Write Here Write Now Workshop Series. The work ranges from fiction and non-fiction to poetry and plays.

Cant’ make it to the party? Freshly Squeezed is available at Barnes & Nobel, in the stores and online.

Learn more about tonight’s release party at http://www.creativealliance.org/events/eventItem1372.html


Or buy your copy online at Barnes & Noble.
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Freshly-Squeezed/Christine-Stewart/e/9781934074329/?itm=4

TRACKS Author Signs Goose Contract

Big news at the publishing pond! Author Eric D. Goodman and artist Nataliya A. Goodman have singed a publishing contract for their illustrated childrens’ book, The Flightless Goose!

The book will be published by Writers’ Lair Books and is due out this summer.

The picture book, which tells the story of a goose who must cope with a disability and learn to focus on other strengths, has been a long time swimming. Based on the true story of a Canadian goose living on a pond in a neighborhood they once lived in, Eric wrote the story nearly ten years ago. Over the next few years, his wife Nataliya illustrated the book with her beautiful watercolors, bringing the characters to life.

Then came the grueling part—finding a publisher. Over the years, Eric and Nataliya submitted their book to dozens of publishers and agents. Some responses were form rejection letters, others were complimentary, but ultimately passed on the project.

When the CEO of Writers’ Lair Books took a look at the book, she knew she wanted to publish it. She issued a contract, which Eric and Nataliya signed.

So, after years of wading in the water, The Flightless Goose is about to take flight. Look for it online and in bookstores summer 2008!

And be sure to stay tuned for news about the publication date, special pre-publication offers, the release party, and events in the area and around the country!

Visit the online pond at www.flightlessgoose.blogspot.com and subscribe to the RSS feed!

TRACKS Author Published in The Potomac

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman has an excerpt from his new novel, Womb, published in the May issue of The Potomac, a journal of poetry and politics—and fiction!

“Small Places” is a short excerpt from Womb. Although this short piece is written in the third person, the novel itself is written in the first person – from the unique point-of-view of a child still in his mother’s womb.

“Small Places” is the only excerpt from Womb that has been submitted for publication. Revisions on the novel are still in progress with plans to begin submitting to agents late this year.

Small as it is, enjoy “Small Places” in the current issue of The Potomac now! Just scroll down to the “Quicktions” section on the lower left-hand side.

http://webdelsol.com/The_Potomac/

TRACKS Author Featured at Maryland Writers Conference

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will speak at the 20th annual Maryland Writers' Conference. Goodman will participate in a panel discussion on how authors can market their writing.

The 20th annual Maryland Writers’ Conference takes place on Saturday, May 3, 2008 from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Maritime Institute in Linthicum.

Keynote speaker Thomas F. Monteleone is but one of many professional, successful writers planning to spend the day helping you reach your own writing goals. Monteleone is author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing a Novel.

Other speakers include Patricia Fry, Dana Kollman, Richard White, Cynthia Polansky, Gregg Wilhelm, and C.M. Mayo. Panelists include Austin Camacho, Eric D. Goodman, Tamara Keurejian, Jill Earl, and Bill Glose.

Join local experts and established writers at the 20th annual Maryland Writers' Association's conference.

To register, or for more information, visit the conference website.

www.marylandwriters.org/conferences.html

Two TRACKS Readings This Weekend

Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Hop aboard and get your lit fix by attending one or both of the two readings by author Eric D. Goodman. He’ll be reading from his novel in stories, TRACKS.

On Saturday, Goodman will read from a TRACKS story selected to be published in the Freshly Squeezed anthology from Loyola College’s Apprentice House. The pre-publication anthology reading for Freshly Squeezed takes place at the fifth annual CityLit Festival at the Enoch Pratt Library in downtown Baltimore. The festival is one of Baltimore’s largest celebrations of the literary arts and will feature the Deputy Mayor and authors Laura Lippman, Dr. Ben Carson, and many others.

The Freshly Squeezed reading will be held at 3:30 at the CityLit Festival. Featured authors reading their work will include Rick Connor, Fernando Quijano III, Nicole Walton, Tamara Keurejian, Barbara Friedland, Holly Myers, Mare Cromwell, Eric D. Goodman, Nancy O. Greene, and Leo Horrigan. The reading – like the festival – is free and open to the public.

On Sunday, Goodman returns to the popular Lit & Art at the Watermark event. Authors reading from their work include Caryn Coyle, Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Eric D. Goodman, Nitin Jagdish, Eric Kestler, Cliff Lynn, Deanna Nikaido, and Nancy O. Greene.

Started in October 2007, the Lit and Art series provides a unique opportunity to sample a variety of artistic sensibilities. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center, Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Both of these events are free and open to the public.

To learn more about the reading, visit the CityLit Project.

www.CityLitProject.org


Take a sneak peek at the Freshly Squeezed anthology at Apprentice House.

http://www.apprenticehouse.com/


Learn more about the Watermark at the online gallery.

www.manzar.net

TRACKS Reading at Lit and Art Event

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will read from his freshly-published fiction at the next “Lit and Art at the Watermark” reading in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

Goodman will read “One Last Hit,” a story from TRACKS that is being featured in the Freshly Squeezed Anthology published by Loyola College’s Apprentice House.

Goodman will be joined by seven other Baltimore authors: Caryn Coyle, Lauren Beth Eisenberg, Eric D. Goodman, Nitin Jagdish, Eric Kestler, Cliff Lynn, Deanna Nikaido, and Nancy O. Greene. A collection of surreal artwork by Manzar will be on display.

The event takes place at The Watermark Gallery, located in the Bank of America Center, Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Like previous events in this series, it is free and open to the public. Complimentary wine and refreshments will be served.

In addition, Goodman will be reading from TRACKS at the CityLit Festival V on Saturday, April 19 at 3:30.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

www.manzar.net

Learn more about the “Lit and Art” reading event at Writeful.

www.Writeful.blogspot.com

TRACKS Reading at CityLit Festival

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will read from his freshly-published fiction at the CityLit Festival—one of Baltimore’s most popular literary events.

“One Last Hit,” a story from TRACKS, is being published in the first Write Here Write Now Anthology. Goodman is one of the select authors published in the anthology who will read at the CityLit Festival.

The CityLit Festival takes place on April 19th, Enoch Pratt Library in downtown Baltimore.

The reading takes place at 3:30 at the CityLit Festival. The reading – like the festival – is free and open to the public.

Visit the link below for more information.

www.citylitproject.org/index.php?q=node/199

TRACKS Story Published In Write Here Write Now Anthology

“One Last Hit,” a story from TRACKS, a novel in stories, is slated for publication in the first Write Here Write Now Anthology.

The Write Here Write Now Anthology is published by Loyola College’s Apprentice House, a new press that has gotten a bit of good ink in the media recently. The new anthology, due out this spring, includes fiction, non-fiction, poetry, plays, and more from Baltimore-area writers.

“One Last Hit” follows the progression of a man as he goes from mere mischief to a career of crime. Although it stands alone as a story, it follows up the story “Reset,” which made TRACKS a semi-finalist in the First Chapters novel competition last year. “Reset” was from the perspective of the target; “One Last Hit” comes from the point-of-view of the hunter.

Look for “One Last Hit” in the Write Here Write Now Anthology soon.

TRACKS Story Published in Slow Trains

“The Silences,” A story from TRACKS, has been published in the latest edition of Slow Trains, an online literary journal. You can find “The Silences” in Volume 7, Issue 3, Winter 2007-2008.

“The Silences” was featured at last year’s Baltimore Book Festival. Now, it finds its way to readers across the nation via Slow Trains.

Slow Trains is read by a large and diverse audience each day, including editors and agents. Fiction from the journal has been selected for "E2Ink - Best of the Online Journals," and in anthology award series, including one guest-edited by Pam Houston.

The editors of Slow Trains also forward appropriate writing to various awards, including the "Best American" series, Pushcart, and O’Henry.

You can read “The Silences” in the current edition of Slow Trains at the link below. Enjoy the ride!

www.slowtrains.com

TRACKS Author Featured at Lit and Art Event

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman read from his published fiction before an audience in Baltimore's Inner Harbor last weekend.

The cold weather wasn’t enough to keep authors, artists, and their fans from blowing into Baltimore’s inner harbor for the second “Lit and Art” reading at the Watermark Gallery.

Those in attendance got to listen to six local authors read from their original prose and poetry, and got to take in the original artwork of Manzar.

Eric Kestler and Cliff Lynn read from their poetry. Lauren Beth Eisenberg,
Eric D. Goodman, Caryn Coyle, and Nitin Jagdish read from their prose. Every last drop of wine was consumed, and so were most of the homemade edibles.

The audience consisted of familiar faces as well as new ones, and several people expressed interest in learning about future readings.

The next “Lit and Art” reading is tentatively set for mid to late March. Goodman plans to read the opening chapter of TRACKS at the next event.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Learn more about the Watermark at their online gallery.

www.manzar.net

Learn more about the “Lit and Art” reading event at Writeful.

www.Writeful.blogspot.com

TRACKS Story Featured in Slow Trains

It almost seems a perfect match: a story from TRACKS, Eric D. Goodman's novel in stories taking place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago, has been accepted for publication in the literary journal Slow Trains.

“The Silences” will be published in the December edition of Slow Trains, later this month. “The Silences” was featured earlier this year at the Baltimore Book Festival.

Slow Trains is read by a large and diverse audience each day, including editors and agents. Fiction from the journal has been selected for "E2Ink - Best of the Online Journals," and in anthology award series, including one guest-edited by Pam Houston.

The editors of Slow Trains also forward appropriate writing to various awards, including the "Best American" series, Pushcart, and O’Henry.

Look for “The Silences” in the next issue of Slow Trains.


www.slowtrains.com/aboutus.html

TRACKS Author Interview with Deborah Norville

Being thankful is still in season. TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman is thankful that his feature story was published in last week’s Thanksgiving edition of Writers Weekly — the most widely-circulated freelance writing ezine in the world.

The story is not just about giving thanks. In fact, it’s an exclusive interview with Deborah Norville — anchor of Inside Edition and author of the new bestselling book, Thank You Power.

Goodman met Norville at a the “Movable Feast” luncheon last month. She’d already read Goodman’s literary blog, Writeful, prior to their meeting and she was open to an interview with fellow author.

The result: the feature article in last week’s Writers Weekly: “Give Thanks for Your Writing.” Goodman’s story specifically addresses Norville’s Thank You Power and how it relates to writers.


This is the third story Goodman has published in Writers Weekly this year.


Read Goodman’s feature here.


http://www.writersweekly.com/this_weeks_article/004378_11202007.html

TRACKS Author Featured at Ukazoo Books

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman read an excerpt from the novel on Monday, October 22 at 7p.m. at the new Ukazoo Books in Towson Town Center.

At the event, local authors shared their work aloud in front of an audience.

After his reading at The Watermark Gallery the previous afternoon, Goodman read from his fiction at Ukazoo Books.

Stay tuned for the next reading event soon. In the meantime, listen to Goodman read from TRACKS, his novel in stories, on NPR radio at the link below.

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-587318.mp3

TRACKS Author Published in JMWW

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman is published in the Fall issue of JMWW.

JMWW is a popular online literary journal based in Baltimore that publishes “the best fiction, poetry, essays, and art on the web. Or at least a close approximation.”

Jen Michalski, the editor, recently announced, “The Fall 07 issue of JMWW is now floating in space — featuring artists Elizabeth Crisman and Peter Schwartz; Eric D. Goodman's five favorite Johns; and new expanded fiction, flash, essays, poetry, and book reviews!”

Each issue of JMWW begins with a note from the editor, then a “High Five.” In this issue, Goodman writes about his “five influential Johns” of writing.

“We're definitely excited that Baltimore writer Eric D. Goodman meditates on his five favorite Johns in this issue's High Five,” Jen wrote in her editor’s note.

Enjoy the fall 2007 issue of JMWW at the link below.

http://jmww.150m.com/

TRACKS Author Featured at Watermark Gallery

The owner of the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor asked TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman to share from his Rumi-esque fiction in an event celebrating Rumi’s 800 years.

The event, “A Rumi-esque Reading,” promises to be packed with diverse fiction, emotive poetry, surreal artwork, eastern music, rich wine, and celebratory camaraderie.

Hightlights of “A Rumi-esque Reading” include readings of Rumi’s work as well as readings or original, Rumi-inspired work from poets Deanna Nikaido and Cliff Lynn.

Goodman will be joined by two other local fiction writers: Caryn Coyle and Nitin Jagdish.

Although Goodman seeks an agent or publisher for TRACKS, his completed, polished novel in stories, he was asked to read from his novel-in progress, WOMB, due to its mystical, surreal, “Rumi-esque” qualities. WOMB is written from the point of view of an unborn child. Goodman expects to have it revised and ready for publication in 2008.

“Diverse Expressions,” a collection of surreal artwork by Manzar Rassouli-Taylor , will be on display at the event, eastern, Rumi-inspired music will be performed, and wine will be served.

During the intermission as well as after the readings, members will have the opportunity to mingle with the authors, artists, and each other to talk about Rumi’s work and how his spirit lives on in the works of new artists today.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452. The event is free and open to the public.

TRACKS Featured at Baltimore Book Festival

TRACKS Author Eric D. Goodman is once again a featured author at the Baltimore Book Festival — the Mid-Atlantic’s premier celebration of the literary arts.

The Baltimore Book Festival runs from Friday, September 28 to Sunday, September 30. Featured authors include Stephen Hunter, Rafael Alvarez, and Stephen Dixon.

On Sunday, September 30 at 11 a.m., Eric D. Goodman will read an abridged version of “The Silences,” a story from TRACKS, a novel in stories.

Goodman will be joined by nine other writers from Baltimore: Edith Goldman, Michael M. Hughes, Barbara Friedland, Jen Michalski, Mat Gill, Lalita Noronha, Lauren Eisenberg Davis, Kimberly Williams, and Christine Stewart.

C-SPAN will be on hand to cover the event.

For times, directions, and a calendar of events, visit the BBF website.

http://www.baltimorebookfestival.org/ .

Literary Agents: Welcome Aboard!

TRACKS, a novel in stories, is in search of a literary agent.

TRACKS takes place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. Each story is told from the perspective of a passenger on the train.

The stories stand alone, but become stronger when linked together. A secondary character in one story becomes the main character in another. Some stories offer new insights on others. The stories look at the decisions each character faces and how those decisions, as well as each character's interactions with the other passengers, alter the path ahead and cast past experiences and choices in a new light.

TRACKS is similar in nature to Joan Silber's National Book Award finalist Ideas of Heaven: a ring of stories and Kate Walbert's Our Kind. It has alwo been compared to Alice Munro's Runaway and Adam Haslett's You Are Not a Stranger Here. The author's writing style has been compared to that of Michael Cunningham and T.C. Boyle.

TRACKS has garnered promising feedback from a professional workshop and a number of serious readers. It was a semi finalist in the Simon and Schuster - Borders - Gather sponsored First Chapters Writing Competition -- one of the top 20 out of 2,675 novel entries.

Excerpts from TRACKS have been published in literary journals and anthologies, featured at The Baltimore Book Festival, read on National Public Radio, and have won awards. These excertps have been enjoyed by thousands of readers and listeners.

After a year of revisions, and a good bit of success, TRACKS is polished and ready to submit to literary agents and publishers. The author is ready to move full-steam ahead in promoting his book once it is published.

Contact author Eric D. Goodman to learn more about TRACKS and to request the manuscript. Just email him at edgewriter@gmail.com.

Thank you for your interest!

TRACKS Author Published in The Arabesques Review

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman has a short story published in the current issue of The Arabesques Review. His story has been published both in their print and online versions.

The printed magazine is about 150 pages and features original poetry, fiction, and articles along with translations of essays and interviews by international writers, journalists, scholars, and poets. Each issue is illustrated by featured artists. And every issue includes guest editors from around the world.

The theme of the current issue is Globalization. Not just economically, but socially, politically, emotionally.

Goodman’s story is called Di Did Die (But So Did I). It’s about an American who seems to catch London’s foggy mood during his vacation there the day after Princess Di’s accident.

Coincidentally, Di Did Die (But So Did I) has been published on the tenth anniversary of the tragic accident. Goodman wrote the story ten years ago, a day or two after the accident happened.

You can learn more about The Arabesques Review at their website.

http://www.arabesquespress.org/

Visit the current issue here.

http://www.arabesquespress.org/journal/

Or go directly to Eric D. Goodman’s story, Di Did Die (But So Did I).

http://www.arabesquespress.org/journal/eric_d_goodman/index.html

TRACKS Author Featured at Baltimore Writers Showcase Tomorrow

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman is a featured speaker in the Baltimore Authors Showcase tomorrow afternoon.

Baltimore area book lovers have a unique opportunity to meet six local fiction authors and hear them read from their recent works at tomorrow's Baltimore Authors Showcase. The event is free and open to the public.

The Showcase takes place on Saturday, August 18 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the historic Canton Branch of the Enoch Pratt Library located at 1030 S. Ellwood Ave. in Baltimore.

Highlighting Baltimore’s contemporary literary talents, the showcase is co-sponsored by the Baltimore Chapter of the Maryland Writers' Association (MWAB) and the Enoch Pratt Free Library with the support of the CityLit Project, Write Here, Write Now, and the Friends of the Canton Library.

Refreshments (in addition to the literature) will be served.

The featured authors are:

Eric D. Goodman - Award-winning author of the novel-in-short-stories TRACKS, and featured in The Washington Post, On Stage Magazine, Travel Insights, Coloquio, The Baltimore Review, Writers Weekly, and Arabesques Review, among others;

Angela Render - Author of the historical novel Forged By Lightning: A Novel of Hannibal and Scipio, and featured in Smithsonian Magazine Online and Writers Journal;

Mathew Lee Gill - Author of the award-winning suspense novel leaving the canoe club;

Lalita Noronha - Award-winning author of a short story collection, Where Monsoons Cry, an editor of The Baltimore Review, and featured in The Baltimore Sun, Catholic Digest, and The Christian Science Monitor;

Paul Lagasse - Award-winning author of the young-adult historical novel Seeing Through Clouds: the Story of an Airship Apprentice; and

Caryn Coyle - Author of fiction featured in the online literary quarterly JMWW.

Come out for an exciting afternoon of fiction and refreshments at the Baltimore Authors Showcase!

For more information, check out the event’s flyer.

http://www.mwabaltimore.org/showcase-flyer.pdf

To read more about it, take a look at the official press release.

http://www.mwabaltimore.org/showcase-pr.pdf

TRACKS Author Serves as Literary Correspondent

Did you know that in addition to writing and editing Writeful, his popular literary blog, TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman also serves as a Book Correspondent for Gather?



Based on the literary-related material Goodman writes for Writeful and shares with the Gather community, the Gather editorial team asked him to publish a regular, weekly column to Gather Essentials on the Books and Writing content channel. He is now a paid literary columnist.



Eric D. Goodman has been publishing his weekly literary column, Lit Bit, on Gather for about six months now. Almost every column makes the front page of Gather.



Every Wednesday, around noon, Eric shares a new Lit Bit. He crafts each bit to fulfill your literary longings, and encourages readers to comment and contribute to the conversation. Gather makes interaction easy, so you can be a part of the column. Eric writes about writers, writing, books, publishing, and all things literary. It's a great way to get feedback from the author and to participate in a literary conversation with other lovers of literature.



Look for the next Lit Bit this Wednesday. Or, hit “recent articles on LitBit” and travel back to all of the past Lit Bits where the conversation – your ability to comment and be commented to – is still alive!



Join the Lit Bit conversation at the following link.



www.Gather.com/LitBit

TRACKS Author Featured in Baltimore Authors Showcase

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman is a featured speaker in the upcoming Baltimore Authors Showcase.

Baltimore area book lovers will have a unique opportunity to meet six local fiction authors and hear them read from their recent works at the Baltimore Authors Showcase. The event is free and open to the public.

The Showcase takes place on Saturday, August 18 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the historic Canton Branch of the Enoch Pratt Library located at 1030 S. Ellwood Ave. in Baltimore.

Highlighting Baltimore’s contemporary literary talents, the showcase is co-sponsored by the Baltimore Chapter of the Maryland Writers' Association (MWAB) and the Enoch Pratt Free Library with the support of the CityLit Project, Write Here, Write Now, and the Friends of the Canton Library.

Refreshments (in addition to the literature) will be provided.

The featured authors are:

Eric D. Goodman - Award-winning author of the novel-in-short-stories TRACKS, and featured in The Washington Post, On Stage Magazine, Travel Insights, Coloquio, The Baltimore Review, Writers Weekly, and Arabesques Review, among others;

Angela Render - Author of the historical novel Forged By Lightning: A Novel of Hannibal and Scipio, and featured in Smithsonian Magazine Online and Writers Journal;

Mathew Lee Gill - Author of the award-winning suspense novel leaving the canoe club;

Lalita Noronha - Award-winning author of a short story collection, Where Monsoons Cry, an editor of The Baltimore Review, and featured in The Baltimore Sun, Catholic Digest, and The Christian Science Monitor;

Paul Lagasse - Award-winning author of the young-adult historical novel Seeing Through Clouds: the Story of an Airship Apprentice; and

Caryn Coyle - Author of fiction featured in the online literary quarterly JMWW.

Come out for an exciting afternoon of fiction and refreshments at the Baltimore Authors Showcase! For more information, check out the event’s flyer.

http://www.mwabaltimore.org/showcase-flyer.pdf

To read more about it, take a look at the official press release.

http://www.mwabaltimore.org/showcase-pr.pdf

TRACKS Story Published in To Be Read Aloud

A slightly altered version of a story from TRACKS, a novel in stories, has been published in the latest edition of To Be Read Aloud.

To Be Read Aloud is an anthology of stories used by universities, high schools, and voice coaches. The anthology is used in oral competitions nationwide.

“The Stein Between Us,” is one of the opening stories in the latest issue. It's a first-person variation of the story “A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein.”

“A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein” is the second story from TRACKS, which was read by more than a thousand people as a semi-finalist in the Gather First Chapters Writing Competition earlier this year. An abridged version of the story was also featured on National Public Radio, and won third place in the Maryland Writers’ Association annual fiction contest.

When the editor of To Be Read Aloud read the story in its original form, he offered Goodman a check and a publishing contract — with one request. Because every story published in To Be Read Aloud is in first person, for the purposes of oral competitions, he asked that the story be reworked as a first-person narrative.

To learn more about To Be Read Aloud, visit their website.
http://www.tobereadaloud.org/

TRACKS Author Reads Fiction at XandO

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will be reading from his fiction at XandO this Wednesday night, June 27 at 7 p.m.; he will be joined by other members of the Maryland Writers’ Association Baltimore Chapter.

There’s some debate regarding the venue’s pronunciation — is it Xando or X and O? — but there’s sure to be agreement about the refreshing literary fare.

Eric will deliver the opening pages of the novel he wrote after TRACKS and is currently revising: WOMB. Be the first to hear the opening chapter of WOMB, which is told from the perspective of an unborn child.

Stop by XandO at 3003 N. Charles Street #1, Baltimore, Maryland tomorrow night for lit and a latte or beer and a book excerpt.

In the meantime, listen to the excerpt from TRACKS Eric read on National Public Radio at the link below.

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-587318.mp3

Listen to TRACKS on National Public Radio

Last month, author Eric D. Goodman read an excerpt from TRACKS, his novel in stories, on National Public Radio.

“The Stein” is an abridged version of “A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein” a popular story from the novel that also won a fiction prize.

WYPR, the Baltimore NPR station, describes the story as "a tale about marriage, growing old, and some lessons to be learned on the subject of give-and-take."

NPR describes author Eric D. Goodman as "a regular on the Baltimore literary scene."

Listen to the 10-minute reading here.

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-587318.mp3

Eric is available for future readings from TRACKS, and he's looking for an agent or publisher for the novel in stories. You can contact Eric at edgewriter@gmail.com.

TRACKS Story Wins Prize in MWA Fiction Contest

The Maryland Writers Association has announced the winners of the 2007 Short Works Contest.

In the fiction category, the winners, as published on the MWA website, are:

First Place: Vicki Fang for “The Little Girl Who Thought She Could Shoot Down the Moon”

Second Place: Allison McCarthy for “Road Veins”

Third Place: Eric D. Goodman for “The Stein”

All winners received complimentary admission to the popular Maryland Writers’ Conference.

“The Stein” is the same story that Eric D. Goodman recently read on National Public Radio. It is an abridged version of “A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein” from TRACKS, a novel in stories.

You can listen to the NPR reading of “The Stein” in the story below this one.

TRACKS PodCast Available on NPR Website

Last Friday, author Eric D. Goodman read from TRACKS, his novel in stories, on National Public Radio. The reading, which aired on WYPR’s The Signal, was broadcast at noon and again at 7 p.m. on May 11.

A PodCast of “The Stein” is now available on WYPR’s website.

“The Stein” is an abridged version of “A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein” from TRACKS, a novel in stories.

WYPR describes the story as "a tale about marriage, growing old, and some lessons to be learned on the subject of give-and-take." They describe author Eric D. Goodman as "a regular on the Baltimore literary scene."

The reading was enjoyed by about 20,000 regular listeners. Why not join them?

Here’s a direct link to the PodCast for easy listening.

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/national/local-national-587318.mp3

If you like what you hear, Eric is not only available for future readings from TRACKS, but he's also looking for an agent or publisher for the novel in stories. You can contact Eric at edgewriter@gmail.com.

TRACKS Polished and Ready for Agent

TRACKS, a novel in stories, is in search of a literary agent.

TRACKS takes place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. Each story is told from the perspective of a passenger on the train.

Although the stories stand alone, they become stronger when linked together. A secondary character in one story becomes the main character in another. Some stories offer new insights on others. The stories look at the decisions each character faces and how those decisions, as well as each character's interactions with the other passengers, alter the path ahead and cast past experiences and choices in a new light.

TRACKS is similar in nature to Joan Silber's National Book Award finalist Ideas of Heaven: a ring of stories.

TRACKS has garnered promising feedback from a professional workshop and a number of serious readers. It was a semi finalist in the Simon and Schuster - Gather sponsored First Chapters Writing Competition -- one of the top 20 out of 2,675 novel entries.

Excerpts from TRACKS have been published, featured at The Baltimore Book Festival, read on National Public Radio, and have won awards. These excertps have been enjoyed by thousands of readers and listeners.

After a year of revisions, and a good bit of success, TRACKS is polished and ready to submit to literary agents and publishers.

Contact author Eric D. Goodman to learn more about TRACKS and to request the manuscript. Just email him at edgewriter@gmail.com.

Thank you for your interest! And please come back for more news along the tracks.

TRACKS Reading on NPR Tomorrow

TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman will join National Public Radio's Aaron Henkin on The Signal tomorrow.

Tune in to Baltimore’s NPR station -- WYPR, 88.1 FM -- tomorrow. Eric will read an excerpt from TRACKS, a novel in stories.

The program will air at noon and again at 7 p.m. on May 11, 2007.

To learn more -- about The Signal and the reading -- visit The Signal’s website.

http://www.signalradio.org/

###

Eric D. Goodman is a full-time writer and editor. His work has appeared in local, national, and international publications, including a story in the current issue of The Baltimore Review. Eric is the author to TRACKS, a novel in stories. Hear Eric read an excerpt from TRACKS on NPR this Friday, May 11. Just tune in to Baltimore's WYPR, 88.1 FM at noon or 7 p.m. for the weekly broadcasts of The Signal. You can also meet Eric at the CityLit Festival this weekend.

The Train as a Character

As many fiction writers -- and readers -- know, the setting of a story can sometimes be the most essential part. In fact, the time, place, tone, and feel of a work is often crucial. A good example of this is TRACKS, a novel in stories.

TRACKS takes place on the Amtrak’s Cardinal line, traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. In some ways, the train itself is the most important character of the novel, linking the stories like passenger cars.

Each stand-alone story in the novel is that of a passenger on the train. Without the train, the stories would fall apart and there would be no engine to haul them along.

It’s true that the train plays a more vital role in some stories than others. In some stories featured in TRACKS, one could even forget for pages at a time that the main character is on a train, a majority of the action taking place in flashbacks and future visions. Many regular train travelers will tell you, after all, that sometimes a train ride can conjure up memories or dreams that take you out of the present moment.

For other stories in TRACKS, the action and climax actually take place on the moving train.

The cities linked by this train ride -- Baltimore and Chicago -- are also important to some of the characters. Some stories could not exist without being anchored in Baltimore’s inner harbor or without the lure of the windy city’s Millennium Park.

Even the cadence of the writing in TRACKS matches that of a train, a steady rhythm intended to pull the reader along. In fact, TRACKS would make great train reading. If you travel by train, perhaps this is the book to bring along.

TRACKS Reading on NPR

TRACKS will be featured this Friday on the Baltimore NPR radio station.

When Aaron Henkin of local NPR station found out about TRACKS, anovel in stories, he called author Eric D. Goodman and invited him to read from the book for the popular program, The Signal.

Intrigued by the concept of a novel in stories with interacting characters traveling on a train from Baltimore to Chicago, Aaron asked Eric to select an excerpt to read on the air.

Tune in to Baltimore’s WYPR at 88.1 FM this Friday to hear the author read an excerpt from TRACKS. The Signal airs at 12 noon and 7 p.m. every Friday. TRACKS will be featured on the programs of Friday, May 4 -- This Friday.

You can learn more about Baltimore’s NPR station, WYPR at their website.

http://www.wypr.org/

Or learn more about The Signal here.

http://www.signalradio.org/

UPDATE: WYPR producer Aaron Henkin just announced that this reading has been rescheduled for NEXT Friday, May 11. Tune in to 88.1 FM at noon and 7 p.m. on Friday, May 11 to hear Eric D. Goodman read an excerpt from TRACKS.

TRACKS Makes Round Two!

TRACKS, a novel in stories, has move ahead to round two of what has been called, in a New York Times article, the “American Idol” for writers. The winning entry will be published by Simon and Schuster.

Out of more than 2,600 entries, readers and judges selected 20 semi-finalists. Chapter one of TRACKS was one of them!

These semi-finalists have risen above what some are calling “America’s slush pile.”

But the contest isn’t over yet. Between now and April 25, readers from around the world will read, rate, and comment on the second chapters of these 20 entries. Ten of the semi-finalists will move on to the final round.

Since TRACKS is a novel in stories, you can read chapter two even if you haven’t read the first chapter. Each story in TRACKS stands alone, but they connect with other stories to form a larger narrative.

Read and rate chapter two, “A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein,” now! If you haven't already, you'll have to register with www.gather.com, but it only takes a minute. Your support is sincerely appreciated.

Here is the link to chapter two of TRACKS. Enjoy the ride!

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976948471

TRACKS in Operation!

It’s official. TRACKS, a novel in stories, is now in operation. The novel has been submitted to the Gather First Chapters Writing Competition, dubbed “American Idol” for writers by The New York Times. Chapter one is available on Gather.com to read and rate.

The winner of the competition gets a standard publishing contract from Simon and Schuster!

Tracks takes place on an Amtrak train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. Each chapter is told from the perspective of a passenger on the train.

The chapters stand alone as stories, but they become stronger when linked together. A secondary character in one chapter becomes the main character in another. Some stories offer new insights on others. The stories look at the decisions each character faces and how those decisions, as well as each character's interactions with the other passengers, alter the path ahead and cast past experiences and choices in a new light.

Although entirely unique, Tracks is similar in nature to Joan Silber's National Book Award finalist Ideas of Heaven: a ring of stories.

Chapter one, “Reset,” Opens with Gene Silverman, a recurring character who has learned to restart his life when he needs to. Before the novel ends, he’ll need to reset a new course once more. But don’t expect to see him as a main character in chapter two, “A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein.” You may notice him in the background, but you’ll have to see me through to chapter three to focus on him again -- through another set of eyes.

It only takes a minute to register at Gather.com to vote. So hop aboard! Visit the link to read and rate Chapter one of Tracks! Sit back and enjoy the ride.

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976929638

Let the Dialogue Begin!

The following is a message from TRACKS author Eric D. Goodman.

Earlier today, I announced my intention to enter TRACKS, my novel in stories, into the Gather First Chapters Writing Competition. The New York Times dubbed this “American Idol for writers.” I’m in, and I’m in to win!

But I’m not just starting a campaign; I’m starting a conversation -- with you. With my readers and fellow lovers of literature. Because we all need to be a part of the discussion if we expect Tracks to win.

Hop aboard. Let’s talk about Tracks, what you like about it, what you don’t like. Let’s discuss ways to improve the writing and ways to garner higher ratings.

I grew up in middle-class America believing that I was going to become a published novelist. I believed in that promise. I still do. I’ve spent my entire life trying to make good on it.

Now, thanks to you – the literary community – we can make that dream come true. Just go to http://www.gather.com/, register (it only takes a minute), read Tracks Chapter One and rate it as you see fit -- the higher the better. And leave a comment if you’d like.

So let the conversation begin. I have a feeling it’s going to be a very interesting ride.

NOTE: This is not meant as a political statement, but special thanks to Hillary Clinton’s speech writer for the use of this inspiring language. See it in its original context at the link below.

http://www.hillaryclinton.com/video/2.aspx

TRACKS Polished and Ready for Agent

Tracks, a novel in stories, is in search of a literary agent.

Tracks takes place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. Each story is told from the perspective of a passenger on the train.

Although the stories stand alone, they become stronger when linked together. A secondary character in one story becomes the main character in another. Some stories offer new insights on others. The stories look at the decisions each character faces and how those decisions, as well as each character's interactions with the other passengers, alter the path ahead and cast past experiences and choices in a new light.

While entirely unique, Tracks is similar in nature to Joan Silber's National Book Award finalist Ideas of Heaven: a ring of stories.

Tracks has garnered promising feedback from a professional workshop and a number of serious readers. After a year of revisions, Tracks is polished and ready to submit to literary agents and publishers.

Contact author Eric D. Goodman to learn more about Tracks and to request the manuscript. Just email him at edgewriter@gmail.com.

Thank you for your interest! And please come back for more news along the tracks.

TRACKS Excerpt Published by WHWN

TRACKS, Eric D. Goodman’s novel in stories, continues to steam ahead. A short excerpt from the novel has been published on the popular Write Here Write Now website.

The Write Here Write Now site showcases the rising voices on the Baltimore literary scene. All contributors to the site are alumni from the popular workshops.

The TRACKS excerpt selected for publication comes from the story "Chemistry," a chapter toward the end of the novel in stories. Each story in TRACKS stands alone, but the stories intertwine to form one complete novel.

Don't miss the train -- visit the Write Here Write Now website and enjoy the best new voices in Baltimore.

http://www.whwnwriters.com/Our_Writers.html

TRACKS Author Featured in Writers Weekly

Eric D. Goodman's story, "From Hermit to Hero," is published in the current issue of Writers Weekly -- the highest circulation freelance writing ezine in the world!

In his story, the author of TRACKS encourages writers to get involved with their local literary communities.

When Eric reached out and became a part of his local literary scene, he began to see changes in his writing career: publication in The Washington Post, The Baltimore Review, To Be Read Aloud, Write Here Write Now, public readings at the Patterson Theater and even an invitation to be a featured author at the Baltimore Book Festival -- the Mid Atlantic region's largest celebration of the literary arts.

All this -- and much more -- happened in the course of a year. And all after joining together with like-minded writers and organizations in the area.

Eric encourages other authors to do the same. "If you're looking for a way to become more successful at getting an audience for your work, consider looking in your own back yard. Help others with their writing and you're helping yourself at the same time."

Read Eric's story, "From Hermit to Hero," in the current issue of Writers Weekly!

http://www.writersweekly.com/success_stories/003861_01242007.html

Fiction to Appear in To Be Read Aloud

A short story by Eric D. Goodman, author of TRACKS, will be published in the next volume of To Be Read Aloud.

To Be Read Aloud is a community resource for oral interpreters and their coaches. They specialize in publishing first person narrative intended to be read aloud, and the selections in their books and DVDs are used by high schools and colleges for voice coaching and competition.

To fit their format, Eric modified a story that had already proven itself in the oral arena: "A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein," which was a hit at the Baltimore Book Festival. The modified version, "The Stein Between Us," is abridged and in first person.

Look for "The Stein Between Us" in the next volume of To Be Read Aloud in spring 2007. To learn more about To Be Read Aloud, visit their website.
http://www.tobereadaloud.org/tbra.html

To learn more about TRACKS, a novel in stories, scroll down and read on!

Fiction to appear in The Baltimore Review

A short story by Eric D. Goodman, author of TRACKS, will appear in the next issue of The Baltimore Review. The editors of the literary journal selected "Out for a Walk," to be published in the winter-spring 2007 issue.

The Baltimore Review receives 200 submissions each week and only publishes a dozen stories annually. "Out for a Walk" was written before Eric completed TRACKS, his novel in stories.

Learn more about The Baltimore Review at their website.
http://www.baltimorereview.org/

Fiction Published in The Washington Post

Eric D. Goodman's focus remains finding a station for TRACKS, his novel in stories. But he's already at work on a new novel. An excerpt from Dead Ends was published in the Sunday edition of The Washington Post ... albeit a short excerpt. The first line, to be exact.

Dan Zak's story "Writer’s Clock," the top story in The Washington Post's Sunday Source, reported on local novelists putting their literary chops to the test with National Novel Writing Month. In the story, Dan interviews such established locals as George Pelecanos and Laura Lippman.

As a supplement, Dan compiled "Soon to be Famous First Lines" and included the opening of Eric D. Goodman's new novel-in-progress, Dead Ends.

Go directly to Dan Zak's "Writer's Clock" story here.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/09/AR2006110901695.html

Or beat the crowd to "Soon to be Famous First Lines" right now!http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/10/AR2006111001142.html

Ticket Reserved for Literary Agent

Come Aboard for an exciting literary ride! TRACKS, a novel in stories, is ready to leave the station in search of a literary agent.

Each story in TRACKS is told from the perspective of a passenger on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. While the stories stand alone, they become even stronger and take on new meanings when linked together. A secondary character in one story becomes the main character in another. As the passengers interact, they alter the path ahead and cast past experiences and choices in a new light.

While entirely unique, TRACKS is similar in nature to Joan Silber's National Book Award finalist, IDEAS OF HEAVEN, a ring of stories. The writing style has been compared to that of Michael Cunningham and Alice Munro.

To learn more about TRACKS, read on. Or contact the author, Eric D. Goodman, at edgewriter@gmail.com.

TRACKS Author Interviewed

The latest issue of the online magazine, Write and Publish Your Book, features a cover story on Eric D. Goodman, author of TRACKS: a novel in stories.

In the interview, Sid Smith (the magazine's editor and publisher) asks Eric to talk about creativity, the writing process, finding literary agents, getting published, and the business of writing. Check out the cover story, "Eric D. Goodman on Getting Published," at the link below.

http://www.writeandpublishyourbook.com/magazine/edition/Newbie-News-September%2FOctober-2006/

TRACKS a Hit at Baltimore Book Festival

The first public reading from TRACKS, my novel in stories, was a big hit at the Baltimore Book Festival. I was joined by five other local writers for the Write Here Write Now Reading, sponsored by the Creative Alliance and held at the CityLit Tent.

The event was standing-tent only and was the subject of a story in the local daily, The Examiner. The Baltimore and National Book Festivals were covered by Paul Lagasse in his paper-cast and myself in Writeful.

Other featured authors at the two festivals this weekend included Sebastian Junger, Julia Glass, Scott Turow, Michael Connelly, Vince Flynn, Alexander McCall Smith, Alice McDermott, Khaled Hosseini, Geraldine Brooks, Spider & Jeanne Robinson, James McGreevey and Bob Woodward.

See Paul Lagasse's paper-cast here.
http://www.avwrites.com/sv/previous.html#100206

See Sara Michael's story on our reading in The Examiner.
http://www.examiner.com/a-322095~Book_fest_gives_writers_public_voice.html

TRACKS at Baltimore Book Festival

In case you didn't hear it on Baltimore's NPR station, WTMD, or read it in Baltimore's City Paper, I'm reading from TRACKS, my novel in stories, this weekend at the Baltimore Book Festival -- the mid-Atlantic's premier celebration of the literary arts.

The Write Here Write Now reading takes place at the City Lit Tent. I'll be reading an abridged version of the story "A Good Beer Needs a Good Stein" on Sunday, October 1 at 11 a.m. and will be joined by five other local writers: Judy Turner, Nancy Greene, Paul Lagasse, Barbara Friedland and Fernando Quijano. Christine Stewart hosts the event.

Other featured authors during the three-day festival include Sebastian Junger, James McGreevey, Moria Egan, Kate Dolan, and Nathan Leslie.

This is the first public reading from TRACKS, a novel in stories. To learn more, visit the Baltimore Book Festival website.

http://207.114.6.204/resources/up182.aspx

About TRACKS

I'm currently at work polishing Tracks, a novel in stories. Tracks takes place on a train traveling from Baltimore to Chicago. Each story is told from the perspective of a passenger on the train.

While the stories stand alone, they become stronger when linked together. A secondary character in one story becomes the main character in another. My intent is to look at the decisions each character faces and how those decisions, as well as each character's interactions with the other passengers, alter the path ahead and cast past experiences and choices in a new light.

While entirely unique, Tracks is similar in nature to Joan Silber's National Book Award-nominated Ideas of Heaven: a ring of stories.

I've garnered promising feedback from a professional workshop and alpha readers. I expect to have Tracks to ready to submit to literary agents and publishers in fall of 2006.

Thank you for your interest! And please come back for more news along the tracks.

TRACKS Excerpt in Anthology

A short story from Tracks, my novel in stories, will be published in an upcoming anthology. Baltimore's City Lit Project and Creative Alliance have teamed up with a local university press to publish an anthology of local writers. The book is set for publication in Spring of 2007. This is the second story from Tracks to be published.

First Public Reading from TRACKS

I've been invited to read from Tracks, my novel in stories, at this year's Baltimore Book Festival. The Baltimore Book Festival is the mid-Atlantic's premier celebration of the literary arts. I'll be reading at the City Lit Project's "Next Big Thing" tent on Sunday, October 1.

Earlier this year, I read a condensed version of my short story, "Cicadas" at Baltimore's Patterson Theater in a reading event hosted by the City Lit Project and the Creative Alliance.

First Excerpt Published

Recently, one of the stories from Tracks, my novel in stories, was accepted for publication. "Freedom" is being serialized in 12 monthly installments in Coloquio, an online newsletter that boasts more than 800,000 unique visitors a year. The newsletter registers more than seven million hits annually. That's quite a bit of advanced exposure for this novel in stories.

I'm still putting the finishing touches on Tracks and expect to have it completed in Fall of 2006.

Visit the first installment of "Freedom" in Coloquio: http://www.coloquio.com/coloquioonline/0604front.htm#eric.

About the Author

Eric D. Goodman is a full-time writer and editor. His work has been published or is forthcoming in The Washington Post, The Baltimore Review, On Stage Magazine, Travel Insights, Coloquio, To Be Read Aloud, Neck of My Guitar, Write and Publish Your Book, Writers Weekly, Write Here Write Now, and The Federal Voice. He recently received an honorable mention in The Baltimore Review's annual fiction competition.

Visit Writeful, Eric's weblog for writers and readers: www.writeful.blogspot.com.

Learn more about Eric at his Writers.net home: http://www.writers.net/writers/40995.