The 20th International Book Festival in Budapest was a great place to be last weekend. It was sunny, the food traditionally fat and yummy, the venue – Milenaris Park – exquisite, my fellow panelists sweet and inspiring. The guest of honor: Michel Houellebecq. I didn’t know he’d be there when I got invited to the European First Novel Festival, a sub-venue of the Book Fair. I arrived for the opening reception, and I sat there, leafing – somewhat flatly – through the impenetrable all-Hungarian catalogue* with the French star on the cover. The catfish paprikash got stuck in my throat when I spotted a very live Houellebecq at the buffet. I even got to chat with him a little, although chatting might be too strong a word for the awe-struck stutter I was able to produce.

In any case, thank you, Konyvfesztival, for having me. I am very glad that I was part of it and that I got to know all the wonderful young authors from around Europe.

*(on the uniqueness of Hungarian I must recommend a classic by Ferenc Karinthy: Epepe)

Držte palce

(Photograph courtesy of TPR)

Kali Bagala si na svoje ovečky a ďalších pozvaných autorov vymyslel adventnú sériu autogramiád na Vianočných trhoch v BA.

Ja som na rade v utorok, 4. decembra, od 16.00 do 18.00.

Každý deň vás v stánku Literárneho klubu čaká zaujímavý autor, pripravený podpísať svoje diela, prípadne pošvitoriť si o literatúre, a pomôcť s knižnými tipmi na darčeky. Tu nájdete viac informácií aj rozpis.

Idem si pomaly vyglančiť čižmičky.

Vidíme sa na trhoch!

The Slovak publisher Kali Bagala (who published my debut) has organized a Literary Coup for his authors. Bratislava, albeit small, is famous for its quaint Christmas market and that’s where the coup will happen. Each day, a different author will hang around the Literary Club stall, sign books and talk about literature with whoever stops by. I’ll be there on Thursday, December 4, 4-6pm. And on other days, as I like the market and the other authors a lot.

Stop by for some punch!

come hear us read at Rouge et Blanc in New York on Oct 29th.

The kitchen is supposed to be fantastic, but sadly, it will be closed Snacks, however, will be available

This is an Anderbo reading, a fall edition to be precise, curated, as always, by the fantastic editor-in-chief Rick Rofihe.

Readers include Lauren Waterman, Emmalea Russo, Thomas Cregan, Lisa Shannon, 2010 Open City Magazine RRofihe Trophy Short Story Contest Winner Amy Bonnaffons, and me.

Details here.

Slovenská narodná (galéria) má krásny nový letný pavilón, v ktorom, ak nebude pršať, budeme budúci štvrtok 21.6. o 18:00 čítať z Bernhardovho dramoletu, z Lu & Mira, a možno aj z môjho obľúbeného Davida Fostera Wallacea… Čítať a debatovať budeme aj za dažďa, ale v tom prípade vnútri. Vstup je voľný.

Dear all,

Slovak National Gallery has a beautiful new summer pavilion where we’ll be reading Thomas Bernhard and a bit from my short-stories collection and possibly even a bit from my beloved David Foster Wallace’s work. In case it rains, we’ll still be reading, but inside. It will all be in Slovak. Free entrance.

An interview with Katarina Hybenova, Theodora Sopko and me in the May issue of EVA. Written by Diana Mrazikova, my picture taken by Katarina in the East Village.

Tu je: “Slovak edition“, ako hovoria na Amazone

And I am practicing.

Really looking forward to being part of Bratislava’s Pecha Kucha night. See you there!