Blog Posts for Jim Malusa

About the Reader: Extra Yarn and the Black Death

Jim Malusa — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:16:40 -0700

Most every book has a bit “About the Author.” But what I’d really like is to learn more about my readers, particularly those who aren’t blood relatives. This requires snooping, which means a certain measure of guilt, but not enough to stop me from discovering that many libraries keep track of their patron’s reading history. The logic is simple: you look up book X in the catalog, and ...

It's all about rewriting

Jim Malusa — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 01:25:20 -0700

I’ve given my book talk at least 40 times, so when I received an invitation to speak at my favorite local library, Himmel Park, I thought: Time for something different. I asked the librarians what they’d like to hear. “How about something about your work as a botanist? Out in the desert. Write up a little announcement, and email it.”I got to work. As a botanist, that is, typing in field ...

The Opposite of Relaxing

Jim Malusa — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:10:15 -0800

I like all ways of moving, and like the bicycle the best. It’s not only because it’s cheap and it’s righteous. The bike keeps me alert, and makes the most ordinary excursion something more. Such are my thoughts this Arizona evening as I head out for a half-mile ride to the local store for a six-pack. It’s February, and by Tucson standards the temperature is an absolutely arctic 45 ...

How I Blew $200 In Advertising

Jim Malusa — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:05:23 -0800

“How’s the book doing?” The question rose above the Christmas chatter of a dozen relatives gathered round a table set with wine and cheese. The voice was Rolf’s, my sister’s husband’s father. His 90 years had taken a toll on his ears, and he leaned close for my reply. Better than nothing, I said, always the optimist. “Well, you went through the first printing, didn’t ...

The Last Ride

Jim Malusa — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:18:56 -0800

I've posted 29 photos of the tour from Tucson to Death Valley on my Flickr webpage(see link to web pages). Reviewing the images makes me weepy. I suppose I'm sentimental.

Patagonia is miserable but pretty

Jim Malusa — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:27:54 -0800

Patagonia's blasted winds make it a lousy place to ride a bike, but lovely to behold; check out my photo link.

Russian Photos Join the Mix

Jim Malusa — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:03:50 -0700

Same photographer,same link, but 23 new photos of the ride from Moscow to the Caspian Sea.

Egypt and Jordan photos from the ride to the Dead Sea

Jim Malusa — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:23:55 -0700

Take a peek at the 15 photos from Egypt and Jordan that I've posted on the Flickr page via this link.

Djibouti Photos are up on my Flicker link

Jim Malusa — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:58:34 -0700

I've finally posted 17 of my photos from Djibouti on the Flickr page that's accessible via the linkon the right side of my Red Room home page. That makes for a total of 50 photos I've uploaded, a process greatly slowed by the tedium of scanning my slides. Prehistoric, I know, but I hate to give up my steam-powered camera from the 20th century, so long as I can still find coal to fire up the ...

Five Reasons for a Book Tour

Jim Malusa — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:26:08 -0700

1) Ego. When somebody who's not related to me is willing to listen, I'm happy.2) Money. By my own accounting, book royalties pulled in an average of $7/day (before taxes, expenses, and the 15% cut to my agent).3) Visiting Faraway Friends. Christmas family portraits come alive and the children reputed to be honor roll-piano wizard-ballerinas are exposed as...pretty nice kids.4) Movement. ...