First comes the news this week, via Publishers Marketplace, the daily roundup of new book deals, that Roland Merullo, the great Endless Knots favorite, has sold three, yes, that's t-h-r-e-e, new books.
Next up, Jesus and the Journalist to Algonquin, which has published his previous two books in this series (Golfing with God and Breakfast with Buddha--you can read my brief write-up here and about which more below**--wherein The Son returns to Planet Earth and Contemporary America. Hold onto your stomach--and your hearts. The previous books, allowing us to cozy up to God and Buddha, are hilarious and touching and the cause of great self-reflection. Read any of them and you'll see what I mean.
Besides the Jesus book, he's sold "two untitled novels to Shaye Arehart at Shaye Areheart Books."
Wait. I forgot: he's got yet another book coming sooner from Touchstone Fireside, Golfing and Eating in Italy, based on the trip he and his family took to Lake Como last summer, and about which he wrote a few op-eds while there for The Boston Globe.
Prolific, yes, profound, indeed, and persevering beyond measure. Any writer who's thinking of giving up must first learn Roland's story. He's been at it for years and knows "the demons of writing" well. Never, ever give up (mantra to self)...
**Because just when you're afraid to go back in the water, you receive a review like he did this morning in The Boston Globe, "Be here now. But first take a left." John Dufresne likes Breakfast with Buddha--and both my hubby and I do too:
Merullo writes with grace and intelligence and knows that even in a novel of ideas it's not the religion that matters, it's the relationship; it's not the concepts, but the people, and here are two intriguing men, one with his eye on the destination and his foot on the pedal, the other who knows that we travel farthest when we are still. You'll enjoy sitting in the back seat of the car as Otto drives on deep into the luminous heart of his childhood. It's a quiet, meditative, and ultimately joyous trip we're on. And it's quite a treat, indeed, to eavesdrop on these two inquisitive and witty gentlemen and hear what they talk about when they talk about life.
Photo of author by Amanda S. Merullo
