Thursday, April 19, 2007

Art and alienation

Sara Zarr wrote a really great post here about teen alienation and how books can touch those who might otherwise feel alone in the world. I can't help but think how true this is. Books were there for me when I was a nerdy, socially awkward, outcasted child. I felt like I had friends who were always there, as long as I kept flipping the pages. No matter how alone I felt, there was always Harvey from Clive Barker's The Thief of Always, or Ramona Quimby, or the motley citizens of Pier's Anthony's Land of Xanth. Now that I'm a (cough) well-adjusted (cough) adult, I'm proud to be a part of the behind-the-scenes world of books. I can't help but think that, as an editor (or an editorial assistant...whatever), that I can potentially be something of a hero to someone, just like the editors and authors of my favorite books were for me.

Go read the post. It's really good (just like everything Sara writes -- call me a brown-noser all you want, but it's true).

4 comments:

Sara Z. said...

It would really only be brown-nosing if I could give you anything of value, like cases of free booze or a private jet. Which of course is never going to happen.

I LOVED Ramona. I WAS Ramona. The temper, the frustratingly-good older sister, the exasperation, getting dirty and wanting to play with boys (brick factory!). Beverly Cleary is maybe my favorite, ever. I loved the Mouse & the Motorcycle books, too.

Anonymous said...

Hey T.S!

Its April Fazin. :) I found your blog through Shara's livejournal and yours.. hehe..

Anyway.. I just got a job in NYC and will be starting in a few weeks, my office will be in Grand Central, so I noticed your job was moving near there. So I would love to meet up with you when I get settled. Also, if you know anyone subletting an apartment for the summer.. let me know!

T.S. said...

Hi April! Yeah, we should def. meet for lunch. Let me know where I can email you and I'll send one from my work account ASAP.

Anonymous said...

hey it is.. afazin@gmail.com