Kate Kaiser's Blog

I am thrilled a new review by Kirkus Reviews heaps praise on my book, Letters to My Mother, calling it "deeply touching" with "an endearingly honest voice" and comparing it to Anne Lamott, and a with a link to works by Anne and Mary Karr - both NY Times best-selling authors.

The entire review:
 Kaiser’s deeply touching one-way correspondence has one ostensible purpose: to ask her dead mother for advice on communicating with her father. She doesn’t want to find herself writing more questioning missives to him after he’s gone. But these letters read more like diary entries; the author chronicles everyday happenings and free-associates them with standout childhood memories. In each, Kaiser divulges her admiration for her mother, who wrangled a household of eight children with nary a smudge of her omnipresent bright red lipstick and who made time to read to her brood each night; later in life, she maintained a Beanie Baby loaner library for her grandchildren. Kaiser expresses much gratitude, but she also feels compelled to explain times when she pulled away. “This next sentence is hard to write,” she confesses, “but somewhere in my growing up I learned not to expect emotional comfort from you.” She also wants to apologize for never taking her mother for a pedicure. A loved one’s absence amplifies the quotidian alongside bigger existential questions, and Kaiser captures that dichotomy with candor and grace. She owns up to her personal shortcomings, fashioning herself as a totally relatable narrator, much as Anne Lamott has done in her memoirs. Kaiser’s direct voice, steeped in the kind of wisdom that develops from experience, hints at the fact that she has performed these letters onstage; each letter a monologue, their shifts in emotional tone certainly would make for a compelling one-woman show. In book form, however, they leave the reader wanting more; much back story seems to have been deleted for the sake of a crisp delivery. Expanding each chapter to fill in gaps between the colorful vignettes would improve the work.
Kaiser asserts her endearingly honest voice in this slim volume, raising profound questions about family and death, though the epistolary format constrains its narrative potential.
 
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-rev...

On Thursday December 5th, I personally mailed eighteen lucky people my book, Letters to my Mother (but really for my father). I was happily surprised by the international interest. The winners are located in the following US states and countries:

California
Georgia
Kentucky
Michigan
Mississippi
North Carolina
Nevada
New York
2 in Pennsylvania
Washington
2 in Wisconsin


3 in India
1 in England
1 in Australia

Kate

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16...

In 5 hours my first Goodreads Giveaway contest will end. I can't tell you how much fun it has been each day, to see the interest in my first book grow. I truly appreciate the support! As soon as I get the winners list, and I hope you're on it, I am running to the post office and those 18 signed copies are going in the mail, pronto!

Thank you book lovers where ever you are!

Warm Regards & Gratitude,
Kate

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

A friend of my sister's, whom I've never met, sent me this:

"I read your book "Letters to My Mother" last night. I must tell you your book transcends beyond your childhood. I'm from a family of 5 siblings and my upbringing was very similar to yours. I posted to Liz's Facebook wall that I came from a family of 5. I saw so much of my family in your writings. From the squabbles that break us apart,
to the beautiful Xmas mornings. My parents also installed a love of the arts in us (even when we probably couldn't afford it)...as a young girl I practically lived @ Lincoln Center. My Mom turns 80 this Saturday and your book made me see there is much that still needs to be said. So I want to thank-you for that. My best to this holiday season....."

As a writer, I can't ask anymore from a reader than that.

Kate

Autographed Giveaway ends on Tuesday December 4th.

http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sho...

A former classmate of mine and fine poet, Gene, went to the Well Read (New & Used) Books and picked up a copy of Letters to my Mother (but really for my father). Then he wrote me this:

"Kate... read your book today, really enjoyed it, a tear or two almost eeked out there... and you did make me laugh aloud. I connected with so much of the home town stuff, and also enjoyed taking a step back, as if I had not known you or the places and people, and it was just as good. Any one from home should love it.... I can see this being a big hit with woman, and can see this on the big screen, and being a hit....Really good, honest, brave, loving, tender, and helpful..... I know there is stuff in there that will give comfort to others...I'm giving it to my wife to read next... Congrats"

Writers write alone and in the dark stringing together fragments of light. They do it because otherwise, they might be destructive. Sometimes a writer wants to give up. Why bother? Especially in this fire-at-cha over saturated culture, who is listening? Really? Then nice notes like the above encourage one to keep at it.

In 2004 I saw Bill Murray at a NYT Times Talk. He said, "If you can write, you must." On down days I remember this. So to all you creators out there, you must keep at it and I will too.

On friday night at Well Read Books in Hawthorne, NJ I had a reading from my book and a signing. It was a wonderful experience with family, friends and new acquaintances. The book store itself was beautiful. I highly recommend a visit.

I was interviewed by Bill Thompson of The Bookcast about Letters to my Mother (but really for my father).

Bill surprised me by including youtube video too. Here is a link to his awesome site:

http://www.thebookcast.com/indie-auth...