A sad thing I’ve learned since No Going Back was published is just how few newspapers actually publish book reviews anymore. One reason I’m so spoiled in this regard is that my own hometown newspaper, the River Falls Journal (serving a city of about 15,000) has its own weekly book review column by Dave Wood—who also just happens to be the former book review editor of the Minneapolis Star Tribune and past vice president of the National Book Critics Circle. Our local library has a shelf specifically featuring books Dave has reviewed, many of which have a local or regional connection.
A few weeks ago, I gathered up my courage and gave Dave a call (you can tell it’s a small-town paper when they list the columnist’s home telephone number). He said to drop off a copy of No Going Back, dismissing my concerns that it might not be all that interesting for non-LDS readers. And this week, a positive review appeared in my local paper. (Sadly, the link to the online version that was working earlier today now takes one to a page where one must log in to see the review. Pout.)
First Newspaper Review!
Saturday, November 28th, 2009So I got back from Thanksgiving (spent with some friends in Iowa) to find the first newspaper review of my novel from the Ogden Standard-Examiner, a paper that will henceforth hold a fond spot in my heart.
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Tags: coming-of-age novel, gay, Jonathan Langford, literature, Newspapers, No Going Back, Ogden Standard-Examiner, reader comments, Reviews of No Going Back
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