News/Print

According to chemistry wiz Amy Tharp-Nylund of the Texas Book Festival, "book sales were definitely up from last year," as more than 25,000 readers, writers, and groupies braved the cold November rain on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 8 and 9, jamming the halls of the state Capitol and its environs (including the book fair and reading tents), as well as the Paramount Theatre. Li'l worm nibbles: Chronicle contributor and new mother Amanda Eyre Ward confirmed that Sandra Bullock's production company, Fortis Films, has optioned her riveting debut novel, Sleep Toward Heaven (and that Bullock has expressed personal interest in the role of Fanny), while powerhouse HarperCollins, which originally passed on the manuscript (leaving it instead to upstart San Francisco publisher MacAdam/Cage) has purchased the paperback rights. Also: Sarah Bird said Don Graham called D.B.C. Pierre "eurotrash."... If my calculations are correct, we've received more e-mail inquiries about the rules and regulations of the 12th annual Austin Chronicle Short Story Contest than we have entries. Not to get off on a tough-love tangent here, but please read closely the solicitation on p.18 of this issue (which is also online at austinchronicle.com/shortstory). Here's why I'm really bringing this up: As a dead man's last pistol shot, it's to remind you that the postmark deadline for your entry is Monday, Nov. 17... BIG events upcoming: Martin Amis and Yellow Dog at Barnes & Noble Arboretum, Friday, Nov. 14, 7:30pm; on the same night at 7pm, transsexual Donna Rose and Wrapped in Blue: A Journey of Discovery followed the next night, Saturday, Nov. 15, at 7pm by Dick Armey and Armey's Axioms, both at BookPeople, by God; also on Saturday, 8pm at the Escapist, Amanda Stern and The Long Haul, photographer Laura Wilson and Avedon at Work: In the American West with the actual Richard Avedon in attendance at a public lecture, 6pm, Wednesday, Nov. 19, in UT's Jessen Auditorium; and poet Deborah Paredez and This Side of Skin at Resistencia, Friday, Nov. 21, 7pm.