Bohemian Rain
[This post first appeared in DaddyElk.com.] After my father died, in late January 2007, at first he seemed to hang around, mostly at the foot of my bed, threatening to twist my toe to wake [...]
Hicks is a Featured Guest on the “Life And . . . ” Podcast
In a recent "Life And . . . " podcast, David talked about how difficult celebrating can be when you were raised to think of others over yourself. As an author, David had to learn [...]
On the Difficulty of Celebrating
[This essay was first presented on the "Life And . . . " Podcast in April 2022.] I’ve always had a hard time with celebrations. I grew up in a working-class household near the [...]
How to Pitch Your Book (Guest blog by Jen McLaughlin)
Since I dread being asked, "So what's your book about?" and am god-awful at answering that question, I invited an expert--best-selling author Jen McLaughlin--to share her secrets with us. Thanks, Jen! -- DH Jen McLaughlin, [...]
Top Ten Tips–How to Give a Good Reading
How to Give a Good Reading (from someone who used to be a terrible reader) 1. Go short, not long. We've all sat through readings that last way too long. Don't be that author. Choose a [...]
Love Your Words
Months before I went on my book tour, I was nervous about reading in public—I tend to mumble, and have never been a good storyteller—and I knew I needed to practice first. So my wife [...]
New Beginnings
Spring is traditionally a time of new beginnings, and this spring is no different. But oh, what a difference. This spring, new beginnings are tied to new difficulties and new endings—the difficulties of living in [...]
Cross-Continental Quarantining
I was in Prague on a Fulbright scholarship, teaching at the venerable Charles University and living in the Letna/Holesovice neighborhood called Prague 7. My first month, February, was gray and rainy, and therefore productive: I [...]
David’s Interview with V.S. Kemanis
In her review of White Plains, V.S. Kemanis calls the main character Flynn "the most fully-drawn character I've seen anywhere." Read her interview with David here.