The process of getting The Book of Bunk into the hands of those of you who might actually want to read it is revving up at long (and in this case, as perusers of this occasional blog know, I do mean long) last. Over the next weeks and months, I’ll be sharing the news as I get it.

Right now, I just thought I’d update you on the blurb process. This is the awkward, painstaking, occasionally painful stage in which authors hound other authors in the hopes they’ll somehow find enough time, enthusiasm, and passion about the work to say something lovely and enticing for the book jacket. I’ve sent manuscripts of Bunk to three writers for whom I have considerable admiration so far…and all three have been generous enough to blurb the book. There are more coming, hopefully. But for now, in the hopes of whetting appetites further, here’s what people are saying:

“In The Book of Bunk, Glen Hirshberg takes us on a journey through Depression-era, small-town America that is, in turns, whimsical and tragic, romantic and true. Hirshberg has an eye for the details of the 1930s that will put readers in mind of Sara Gruen’s Water for Elephants, while the riveting sibling rivalry that plays out between the brothers Dent is nothing short of biblical. Bunk County is a place where many of us already live, if only we could admit it.” — Sharon Pomerantz, author of Rich Boy.

(If you don’t know Sharon yet, you’re about to. Rich Boy is set to make quite a splash upon release this summer. She’s already a major and award-winning short story writer.)

“The Book of Bunk is anything but, by turns powerful, sad, ecstatic, and, above all, a clear sign that the uniquely American novel is alive and well. I loved it.” — Jeff Vandermeer, author of Finch

And…

“Glen Hirshberg’s The Book of Bunk is a miracle of narrative diversity and drive: Stories begetting stories begetting other stories yet that, after several hundred pages, confabulate a lyrical history. It’s as if Woody Guthrie and Gabriel Garcia Marquez had co-authored a 90000-word folk song about an obscure WPA project.”
– Lucius Shepard, author of Softspoken and Dagger Key.

Thanks so much, Lucius, Jeff, and Sharon, for taking the time not just to contribute some positive words but to provide keys to help future readers sort some of my Bunk out.

Coming soon: more blurbs (I hope), some cover art, and anything else worth noting as this 14 year-project finally spins toward the shelves.