Paul Lisicky on The Heart’s History

I’m quite flattered by the reception The Heart’s History continues to receive. The latest word is from the wonderful Paul Lisicky, author of Lawnboy and last year’s brilliant The Burning House:

Lewis DeSimone's Heart’s History is a novel of trouble and wonder. It moves in unexpected directions and looks into the complicated, real-life struggles that lesser writers tend to simplify or avoid. It is adult in its scope, and generous in its understanding of how loss changes us as both groups and individuals. As soon as I finished, I wanted to start reading all over again.

Writing Is Easy

As probably any artist will tell you, creating the work is easy compared to the arduous process of selling and promoting it. It took dozens of queries to agents and editors before I found a publisher for my first novel, Chemistry. And from that experience, I learned that, even when your book is in print, there’s a lot of work left to do.

The whole process, of course, is somewhat terrifying. Self-promotion has never been my strong suit. But if you’re not willing to expose yourself, then I guess there isn’t much point in being a writer. I suppose I could do like Emily Dickinson did and hide every scrap of paper in the attic and pray for posthumous recognition. But what fun is that?

With some experience under my belt now, I feel a little better prepared for the upcoming publication of my second book, The Heart’s History. Fortunately, my day job has afforded me certain skills in project management, and I’m making use of all of them now, in service to something far less lucrative but far more personally meaningful.

First comes lining up the blurbs (so far, so good; the book has already received lovely endorsements from Michelle Tea and Rigoberto González—see previous blogs). In addition, I’ve written a press release, which will soon be sent to a long list of publications for review and another list of bookstores (endangered species, so that list is less intimidating) to schedule readings. And, of course, I’m calling in every favor I’ve ever offered to people in the media who might help with other means of promotion. (Are you listening, Hollywood?)

Frankly, when I’m not quaking in my boots as I hit the “send” button, it’s all rather exciting. Every day, there’s another task to add to the to-do list, another email to send, another opportunity to repeat my elevator speech.

The real problem, of course, is that novel #3 remains on the back burner until I’m done promoting novel #2. And let me tell you, those new characters are clamoring to be heard. … Never fear, my darlings: your time is coming. Perhaps this time next year, you’ll be getting all my attention and the next generation (yes, I already know the general outline of novel #4) will be whining for attention.

A novelist’s work is never done.

Rigoberto González on The Heart’s History

I’m excited to pass along more praise for The Heart’s History, from another award-winning writer.

Rigoberto González, author of The Mariposa Club and Butterfly Boy, winner of the American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation, states:

“With admirable sensitivity, Lewis DeSimone reaches deep into a close community of friends to explore the textured lives of gay men, their urgencies haunted by the traumas and anxieties of the past, illuminated by their current (sometimes troubled) affinities and relationships. At the center of this circle is the endearing couple, Robert and Edward, their touching story a catalyst that allows those near them (including the reader) to consider the power of commitment, the grace of forgiveness. The Heart’s History is a stunning portrait of love.”

That last phrase is the new tag line for the novel. Thanks, Rigoberto!

Michelle Tea on The Heart’s History

Michelle Tea and I go way back. Or at least we should. We both grew up in Chelsea, Massachusetts, a sad little town just north of Boston, which Michelle immortalized in her wonderful memoir, The Chelsea Whistle. We didn’t know each other back in Chelsea, but met several years later, once we had both settled in San Francisco.

Michelle, of course, has become a literary star with such works as Rose of No Man’s Land and the Lambda Award-winning Valencia. So, of course, she was one of the first people I thought of when it came to requesting advance reviews of The Heart’s History. Here’s her take:

“Lewis DeSimone is a great writer. His prose is thoughtful, deep, layered and real. His characters are living. It’s about love and sex and AIDS, about human connection and the ultimate unknowability of another person. It’s about the slow assimilation of a larger gay culture that used to be more angry and badass. It’s a really good book written by a very skilled author.”

Coming from one of the most “bad-ass” writers I know, that’s a real compliment.