A few years ago I wrote about my father’s cremation for A Public Space, and they’ve now made the piece available online.
Check it out: “Valhalla”
(I don’t write much nonfiction. As I’ve said before, I’ll take the abyss of silence over the abyss of total noise any day.)
Issue 2 of my terrible online magazine (with amazing contributors) is finally live. If you missed issue 1, worry not…simply keep on scrolling sideways.
And I wrote a little something about my surfing life for a collaboration between Trop and Underwater New York.
I’ve tried to write surf stories many times before, and it’s never felt right. This one finally started to feel right.
The title comes from this Wire song.
Are you wondering what I’m up to?
I’m writing another novel.
Or driving carpool, getting groceries, teaching, organizing, making dinner, doodling, taking pictures, reading, watching Mr Rogers, and so on.
My mantra is “This is what I’m doing right now.”
The writing doesn’t stop on the last page, folks, even once the book is in print.
If you’re curious to read some of the occasional pieces I’ve put out in the past months, here’s a roundup:
Research Notes (at Steve Himmer’s Necessary Fiction) – in which I provide actual JPEGs to go with passages from PANORAMA CITY.
What’s the First Thing You Ever Made, Antoine Wilson? (at The Project Room) – in which I answer that question.
Book Notes Playlist for PANORAMA CITY (at Largehearted Boy) – in which I provide some tunes to go with my novel.
My First Time (at David Abrams’ The Quivering Pen) – in which I describe unboxing THE INTERLOPER for the first time.
Writers Recommend (at Poets & Writers) – in which I recommend surfing as a supplement to the writing life.
My Top 10 Narrators in Literature (at Publisher’s Weekly) – in which I betray some biases, for good or ill.
You’re Doing It Wrong: Video Games vs. Books, Part 1 (at Booklist) – in which Patrick Somerville and I go head-to-head on video games versus books. Here’s Part 2, where things get really crazy.
When We Fell in Love (at 3 Guys 1 Book) – in which I name-check the early influence of Auster, Pynchon, and Baldwin.
My Book, the Movie – in which I dream-cast a movie of my novel.
If your curiosity is stalker-level, here’s a roundup of interviews and podcasts.
This seems wise & articulates something I’ve been thinking for a long time now, so I thought I’d share it.
Fiction’s abyss is silence, nada. Whereas nonfiction’s abyss is Total Noise, the seething static of every particular thing and experience, and one’s total freedom of infinite choice about what to choose to attend to and represent and connect, and how, and why, etc.
That’s David Foster Wallace, from his introduction to one of the Best American Essay series.
I’d rather contend with the abyss of silence.
Six years ago, anticipating the release of my first novel, THE INTERLOPER, I scribbled some hesitant notes toward a new thing.
Then I tossed out those notes and scribbled some more notes, less hesitant, toward what would become PANORAMA CITY.
Today, exactly today, it’s a book. I’m feeling something like parental pride. For the next month or so, I’ll be helping my novel make its way into the world, decorating its dorm room, buying it a microwave and a futon. Then it’ll be on its own for the first time.
For the moment, though, I’m trying to enjoy this bittersweet moment, both a culmination and a farewell.
So today I got an email from my old school writing homie John Woodward, sympathizing with my book trailer plight. Not only sympathizing, but linking to a trailer Woody himself threw together:
THIS IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN ANYTHING I AM WORKING ON.
In exchange for his fine work, Woody gets my eternal gratitude.*
*Which he had already.
always be ready
Handy Tips for Writers #1 from Antoine Wilson on Vimeo.
What’s really going on here is that I’m supposed to be working on a book trailer for PANORAMA CITY, and I don’t really like book trailers.
Also I’m a terrible actor, aren’t I?
How to Write a Novel from Antoine Wilson on Vimeo.
Galleys Have Arrived!
My favorite moment. (Because it’s real, but not too real…)
NEWS: Delighted to announce that Panorama City has been selected to appear on the Editors Buzz Panel at this year’s BEA in New York.
Which means I’ll be there, too!
Last time I attended BEA it was in L.A., and I snagged a pass from my homies at Other Press. It was super-fun, but I have to admit that I felt like a bit of an interloper.
Excited to be there for a legit reason this time.
What do I wear?!?