Five With Cris Mazza

Today, on "Five With..." I'm proud to present to you Cris Mazza, who, as luck would have it, is not only coming to Pilcrow Lit Fest, but who is also reading at the Fixx Reading Series this Thursday evening, hosted by yours truly. Cris Mazza is the author of Waterbaby.

1. What are you working on now?

My next book, Trickle-Down Timeline, just went into production at Red Hen Press. It'll be a 2009 AWP Conference (in Chicago) release. I'm hoping it can help celebrate a democratic presidential inauguration. If it’s a choice between voting and buying my book, please vote!

2. What is your favorite part of literary festivals and why?

Bull sessions with colleagues and peers, because my husband and dog-training friends don't understand, so I can't vent at home.

3. Who are your favorite small press mover/shaker types at the minute?

Richard Nash of Soft Skull Press (publisher of my current new novel, Waterbaby) for his original vision about the world of literary writing. Gina Frangello of OV Books, for her willingness to expend energy publishing other people’s books. Kate Gale, of Red Hen Press for being the maven (maveness?) of independent publishing.

4. Which author do you wish was coming to Pilcrow Lit Fest this year who is not?

Jeffrey Eugenides

5. If you were in charge of picking a theme song for Pilcrow Lit Fest this year, what would it be?

“WAR (What Is It Good For?)”