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Matt

Post #3236 – 20121228

December 28, 2012

In this age of multiple publishing formats, what’s the best way to buy a book if you want the author to get the biggest possible cut of the dough? Is it still buying it in hardcover during its initial print run? Does buying it electronically–say, on a Kindle or something–mean the author gets less? (Maybe this is a question for the “Talk to DP’s Accountant” forum.)

Daniel replies:

I'm not qualified to answer your question, so I will tell you a story.   I once got a check from a well-known publisher in the amount of 38,000 dollars, with a letter saying, Here are royalties for such and such a book for the past 9 years.  Sorry these are late but, um, see, we lost your address.  It so happened I had read in the business section of a news magazine that this particular publisher was selling off some of its divisions, so naturally outside accountants had been called in.  About this time I also heard that some other authors also got big and unexpected checks.



Did you know that CLOUD HORSE by Jill Pinkwater is now available in a Kindle edition?  Very good book.  I think everyone should order it.  You can get Kindle books on your PC, did you know that?


Kevin Cheek

Post #3234 – 20121227

December 27, 2012

Wishing you the merriest of holidays, from a family of your fans!

Daniel replies:

I return the sentiment to fans and families.


Michael Sideman

Post #3227 – 20121225

December 25, 2012

Happy birthday old man. I am still a young 70 year old. Roscoe St. lives.

Daniel replies:

I do not feel in any way old.  In fact, I feel like a 19-year-old, (a sickly, weak, confused one).  Roscoe Street turns out to have been a kind of paradise.


Peter Keane

Post #3223 – 20121223

December 23, 2012

Enjoyed hearing my 6yo laugh out load as we read first chapter of “The Neddiad” tonight.

Daniel replies:

Interesting how many 6 year olds like the so called ""YA"" books.


Ms. K's class, Mustard Seed School

Post #3220 – 20121223

December 23, 2012

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I love what you write because you make up funny names. You make our class laugh a lot. My favorite book that you made is Two Bad Bears. We celebrated your birthday today, ate muffins because the bad bears like muffins, and we had bagels from the book about the bagel guy. Do you like muffins, Mr. Pinkwater, and bagels? The best part was when we watched the Hoboken Chicken Emergency.
From your friend,
Mireya

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I love your books! You are so great at writing. 🙂 Probably my favorite book you wrote is the Orange Splot. 🙂 I also like the Pickle Creature! 🙂 What is your favorite book you wrote? Do you like blueberry muffins? I don%u2019t but you might. How long did it take you to think about these books? Well I better let you go so this is from,
Brogan 🙂

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I love all your funny books, but the book I love the most is Bad Bears. What book are you going to do next? Is it another book of bad bears or another new book? What is your favorite book yet?
From your book lover, Toti, to a very good artist, Mr. Pinkwater

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I love your books. My favorite is Larry and Irving and Muktuk. I like them because both bears like blueberry muffins. Larry likes ice cream in Ice Cream Larry. Why do all your books have animals in them? The Tooth-gnasher Superflash is really interesting. Your reader,
Lilly

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
You%u2019ve written a lot of good books, I think you%u2019re one of the best writers I%u2019ve come across yet. On Friday we are having a %u201CDaniel Pinkwater Day.%u201D We are going to watch a movie of The Hoboken Chicken Emergency, and dress up as characters from your books. I think I%u2019m being Arthur from The Hoboken Chicken Emergency. In that book, I think my favorite character was either: Henrietta, or the chicken catcher. I really like your style!!!
Sincerely,
Corrina

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I love the books you wrote. I wonder what%u2019s your favorite book you wrote? I wonder, was it hard to write those books? I hope you have a wonderful day writing. Your reader,
Mia

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I like your book the Tooth Gnasher Superflash. I like when the toothgnasher turned into a dino. It was funny when it got on its back wheels.
Your friend,
Niko

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I liked the book called Hoboken Chicken Emergency. It was very funny. You are a very good writer.
Your reader,
Evelyn

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I like in Spaceburger when it%u2019s like being in a spaceship while eating a burger. I like in Author%u2019s Day when he keeps saying, %u201CI did not write The Fuzzy Bunny.%u201D I like in the Hoboken Chicken Emergency where Henrietta climbed a ladder.
Your reader,
Aidan

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
Happy late birthday! You%u2019re turning 71, wow! I love your books. Did you know I want to be an author when I grow up? My class is going to have a party celebrating you! We read a lot of your books. My favorites are Devil in the Drain, Ducks, and Author%u2019s Day! For the party people are dressing up as fuzzy bunny, pickles, and pigs. I%u2019m dressing as a fuzzy bunny. How many books have you written? Your reader,
Madalena

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I really like the books you made. My favorite one is: The Pickle Creature. I also think your books are funny. Your reader,
Gabe

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
My class loves your books! My favorite is The Frankenbagel Monster. My favorite bagel is incredible whirling-spinning-flying-talking-ice-cream-celery-prune-chicken-soup-computerized-exploding bagel! Your reader,
Patrick

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I like your books. They%u2019re very funny. My favorite book is Devil in the Drain! My class is having a Daniel Pinkwater Day! Your friend,
Angelina

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I like your writing because it is really funny! I like when the blue moose says %u201CThis is Dave. He is very shy and would appreciate it if you did not talk to him for 10 or 15 years.%u201D My favorite book of yours is the Devil in the Drain. What%u2019s your favorite book that you wrote? From,
Livy

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I like your books so much! Oh and happy birthday! Your books are the best. The book I like most is The Hoboken Chicken Emergency. What is your favorite book? My name is Xavier just to tell you.
Your reader,
Xavier

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
What%u2019s your favorite book you wrote? Do you have kids? How many? I like the blue thing. Where do you get your ideas? My favorite book is all of them. What%u2019s your favorite ice cream flavor? What%u2019s the most hot dogs you%u2019ve eaten in one sitting? What school did you go to? What was your favorite subject? Mine is science. I%u2019ve read all of your books… I think. What%u2019s your favorite sport? Mine is basketball. I live in Hoboken, NJ. You used to, so what was your favorite restaurant in Hoboken? Where do you live now? Do you have a garden? Did you get damaged by Sandy? If you did, I hope you%u2019re okay. My house got ruined. I%u2019m living in a hotel for now. What%u2019s your favorite season? Did you have any brothers or sisters? I have a brother.
Your biggest fan,
Logan

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
I love your writing, it is so cool. I also love your books. The pictures that you draw are also cool. I hope you continue to write awesome books. I hope you have a great time wherever you%u2019re at. I forgot to mention that today in school we are having a Daniel Pinkwater day. We ate blueberry muffins and bagels. I like Daniel Pinkwater day. I read most of your books, like the Hoboken Chicken Emergency. I love love love reading your books and like I said I hope you have a great time. Oh and happy birthday, I hope all your wishes come true.
Love,
Jia-li

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,

Why do you include animals in your books? What is your favorite animal? Have you ever grown blueberries? Me and my classmates love your books. We had a Daniel Pinkwater day where we wore masks, watched the Hoboken Chicken Emergency, and much more. You are my role model in writing!
Your friend,
Madi

Dear Mr. Pinkwater,
My class really enjoys your books. They make us laugh sometimes. My favorite one is The Orange Splot because I like the idea of the crazy things in our dreams coming true! We noticed that some of your books are by Manus Pinkwater and some are by Daniel Pinkwater. Why do you use two names? Thanks for sharing your funny ideas with all your readers.
Your friend,
Amy

Daniel replies:




Hi, Mireya -- I like muffins, Mr. Pinkwater, and bagels.  I sort of like the movie of the Hoboken Chicken Emergency, but I do not like that it was not made in Hoboken, so the city doesn't look like Hoboken.



Hi Brogan --  I have a different favorite book every day, today my favorite book (of mine) is Lizard Music.



Hi Toti --  I just finished a book about a bear, a bunny and a toad.  I don't know what to write next.  Do you have any suggestions?



Hi Lilly -- Not all my books have animals, but many do because I like animals.



Hi Corrina --  I like your style too.



Hi Mia -- Writing is fun!  I hope you have a wonderful day reading, (and writing if you want).



Hi Niko -- You are a cool friend.



Hi Evelyn -- Thank you.  I am guessing you are a very good reader.



Hi Aidan --  If I ever go in a spaceship, I hope they serve burgers.



Hi Madelna -- What could be better than a party with people dressed up as fuzzy bunnies, pickles a pigs?  Maybe a party with actual fuzzy bunnies, pickles and pigs!



Hi Gabe -- You are my reader.  Therefore you are special.



Hi Patrick --  Wow that sounds like a good book!  Wait!  Didn't I write that?



Hi Angelina --  This sounds like almost as much fun as Angelina Day.



Hi Livy --  I said before that my favorite book was Lizard Music, but I have changed favorites since then.  Now my favorite is The Magic Pretzel (#1 of the Werewolf Club books).



Hi Xavier --  I am honored that you have confided in me, Xavier.  My name is Daniel.



Hi Logan -- No. None. I get ideas from all over.  The most hot dogs I have eaten in one sitting is a secret.  I went to several schools.  My favorite subject was reading, obviously.  You have not read ALL my books.  My favorite sport is napping.  When I lived in Hoboken there were no restaurants, the people ate roots and berries.  We have a garden. Sandy did not hurt us much.  I am sorry about your house--things happen.  Then they get normal.  I have a sister.



Hi Jia-li --  I think in some places you can get blueberry bagels.  I do not know if that is a good idea.



Hi Madi -- My favorite animal is the dog.  I have a dog, actually two dogs.  I like other animals too.



Hi Amy --  How do you know I do not use MORE than two names?



Thanks everybody for the birthday wishes and the neat questions!



Daniel


Vikka

Post #3218 – 20121220

December 20, 2012

What is one of your more happy memories?

Daniel replies:

Flying at low altitude, next to the open door, in an old DC-3, in East Africa.  I could feel the warmth, smell the savannah, and see giraffes running along.


Stephen kilnisan

Post #3215 – 20121216

December 16, 2012

I have recently retired aand plan to write a YA novel. Should I use an agent or try to self-publish. BTW I recently read your current books and you have shown marked improvement.

Daniel replies:

Steve!



Thank you.  I constantly try to improve.  First write the book, or anyway a big chunk of it.  Then you can acquire an agent or self-publish.  I would probably self-publish under present conditions, but there are many variables.  You are a great man, so it should be a great book.


MJ Miike

Post #3214 – 20121216

December 16, 2012

I am writing to thank Mr. Pinkwater for a long and distinguished career, and to say that of the three authors who have influenced me most–Snorri Sturluson, Jorge Luis Borges and Daniel Pinkwater–it is perhaps Pinkwater who has had the greatest effect. All three writers are are towering giants of imagination, one a blind poet, another a lawspeaker of medieval Iceland, yet only one could have envisioned an ice cream confection that is baked and served in an army surplus backpack, an idea that has as much appeal today as on the day it was written, and will certainly continue to inspire as long as there are ice cream confections and army surplus backpacks. And while literary critics the world over are quick to point out the sublime qualities of “Loki’s Flyting” or “The Lottery in Babylon”, can it not be said that “Lizard Music” is as or even more sublime? Further, among these three luminaries, it is only Pinkwater who, upon recommendation and regardless of the age of the reader, is sure to return a delighted response. Thus it logically follows that if a standard of literary greatness is the joy one derives from reading, Mr. Pinkwater must always land at the top of the heap. In fact, so great was Mr. Pinkwater’s influence upon my life and thinking, I eventually realized that I too had to write a book. Part of the impetus came from my recent reading of the top-notch “Neddiad”, which as a student of the classics (literally, I have a degree) I appreciated on many levels, not least of which it’s keeping alive the memory of the exquisite meals to be had in dining cars during the golden age of rails, an era I, sadly, was born too late to experience, but still remember being regaled with tales of by my mother who, at Ned’s age, was lucky enough to experience this lost American institution after the war when crossing the country with her own parents. But perhaps most poignant was the memory of how impressed I was at the age of 13 with the now sadly much forgotten modern classic “The Last Guru”, a book of immense quality and profound ideas and profound silliness, and how positively that book has influenced me in the last thirty or so years of my life. It is not my intention to hijack this forum to promote my new book, titled “Travels with Sarai”, and so I will not describe it except to say that it is written from the perspective of a young adult Yeti from Bhutan with certain mystical powers, who along with his plucky companion Sarai, a post-doctoral researcher on a grant from the National Geographic Society to catalogue new species, stumbles into the middle of a Bigfoot/Chupacabra war. And while I can state with with assurance that this book is neither the best book ever written nor the worst but somewhere squarely in-between (which to my mind is a good place to be), and my hope that, like the work of Mr. Pinkwater, young adults of all ages will find it instructive and amusing and to contain some interesting ideas, neither is that my intent in this forum. No, I am merely writing to let the inimitable Mr. Pinkwater know that his works continue to inspire and have surely yielded an influence larger than their sum, and to let him know that I have taken the liberty of thanking him in my acknowledgements, should he, despite a long and fruitful career in the book trade, still not be tired of seeing his name in print.

Daniel replies:

Snorri Sturluson?


Jason Langin

Post #3213 – 20121211

December 11, 2012

Is there any chance that Wuggie Norple will ever get published again? I know my kids will love it as much as I did as a child.

Daniel replies:

There's always a chance.  Meanwhile, there are copies floating around--you can find them here and there.  Try some of the in-print picture books, and maybe one of them will turn out to be a favorite.


David G. Hartwell

Post #3208 – 20121211

December 11, 2012

I note that we are the same age, and wish you a belated happy birthday. I have remarried, and have two young children. They are fine. We have just completed bed-time reading of The Cat-Whiskered Girl, and I am asked by the youngest, Elizabeth, who is ten, if there is a fourth book in the works, the one about the Dwergs. I have been reading them nearly your whole oeuvre for the last six years, and we are running low on young adult titles.

Daniel replies:

Hi, David!  There is a book in which there is one single dwerg, BUSHMAN LIVES, but not """"the one about the dwergs.""""  I had in mind a fifth book, but was unable to come to terms with the publisher--so probably not.  I send you belated or anticipatory birthday wishes back.


Pam Bradford

Post #3207 – 20121211

December 11, 2012

Dear Mr. Daniel:
I heard your interview on NPR today and I just want to say you are in no ways weird.

Droll. Droll is what you are and I'm so happy that you are.

We may come from the same planet. Who knows. I wanted to reach out because I empathize.

I am often droll,
folks eyes sometimes roll,
but weird I am not
tho I can be a snot.

Thank you for sharing yourself through your work.

Long may you wave… and your lovely wife.

Daniel replies:

Dear Ms. Pam:



Thank you.  (You spelled 'drool' wrong.)


Brittney

Post #3206 – 20121209

December 9, 2012

What gives you the most ideas in your writing?

Daniel replies:

Things people say, and things people do.  I used to carry around a little notebook and write down things people said that struck me as cool.


Jonathan Joaquin Cisneros

Post #3204 – 20121204

December 4, 2012

Hello Mr. Pinkwater!

I noticed that you played one of my songs ('Worms') on your most recent podcast which was a very good thing because you've found a new fan in me. As a musician I write many 'quirky' songs similar in tone to your writing besides pursuing my own freelance writing career.

Would you have 5-10 minutes to talk on the phone to talk about your writing and art? I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for having me on your show,

Jonathan Joaquin Cisneros
snailquail.net

Daniel replies:

To tell you the truth, I sort of hate to talk about my writing and art.  But it is cool that you write good songs, and that you seem to like my stuff.


3rd Grade Class Asks

Post #3205 – 20121204

December 4, 2012

Why do you write funny fiction? Why did you choose to write books? Do you like kids? Do you like what you do? Was there an author who was an inspiration for you?

Daniel replies:

I like to write funny fiction because that is the kind I like to read.  I chose to write books because I am good at writing--we all tend to do the things we are good at.  I like some kids, some not as much--the same goes for people.  I love what I do--it is the most fun of anything!  You cannot go wrong with Mr. Mark Twain.


Sam

Post #3203 – 20121203

December 3, 2012

Dear Daniel.
Can you send me a picture of the Kevin Shapiro Poster with the pig on
it so I can get a tattoo of it? Also, do you think this is a good
idea, and if not, then what would you get a tattoo of?
-Sam

Daniel replies:

Not.  I would get a tattoo of healthy skin in your very own color and tone.


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