fwriction

This evening, I had the pleasure of attending Small Press Night at McNally Jackson, with Graywolf Press featuring two of its authors: Benjamin Percy, author of The Wilding, Refresh, Refresh, and The Language of Elk, and Jessica Francis Kane, author of The Report. After reading from their respective novels, Percy and Kane discussed their writing, editorial processes, and poked a little fun at their editor and Graywolf publisher, Fiona McCrae. Jessica Francis Kane dissected the role of the reporter, both in East London (as seen in The Report) and in New York City (relating to the 9/11 Commission Report). Benjamin Percy took us back to his school days, “blueprinting” Flannery O’Connor stories to become a stronger writer, quoted Charles Baxter, and even flashed his T-shirt for the crowd: Bear vs. Tractor!

Here are some highlights (paraphrased, because I write slowly):

“My father says I need better titles. Like Men in Black. That’s a good title.” —Benjamin Percy

“A lot of blood and carpentry went into this book.” —Benjamin Percy, on writing The Wilding

“What if the bear had less lunch?” and “What if this character wasn’t in the novel?” —questions asked by Fiona McCrae, to Benjamin Percy, during the editing of The Wilding

“I wanted…the moral ambiguity of Graham Greene…in this novel.” —Jessica Francis Kane, on The Report

“Who are my gods? Cormac McCarthy. And Blood Meridian is his masterpiece.” —Benjamin Percy