Clutching Dust and Stars blogs

Book post-release party, March 27 7:00pm

laryn — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 04:25:48 +0000

Despite a shabby economy and the fact that there is no money in the budget for an extended book tour, we don't want to let this occasion pass by without some festivities. Come and celebrate the recent release of Laryn Kragt Bakker's debut novel with a post-release party. Clutching Dust and Stars was released in late 2009 and was named "Best First Novel" by Hearts and Minds Books. The evening will feature a short reading by the author as well as a time for questions and responses.

The novel we sit down to write and the one we end up writing

laryn — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:31:47 +0000

We are afraid of that which we cannot control; so we continue to draw in the boundaries around us, to limit ourselves to what we can know and understand. Thus we lose our human calling, because we do not dare to be creators, co-creators with God. Artists have always been drawn to the wild, wide elements they cannot control or understand -- the sea, mountains, fire. To be an artist means to approach the light, and that means to let go of our control, to allow our whole selves to be placed with absolute faith in that which is greater than we are.

A Brief Mention at Englewood Review of Books

laryn — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:27:36 +0000

The Englewood Review of Books made brief mention of Clutching Dust and Stars today:

Reviewed by Jeni Newswanger Smith.

"Best First Novel, 2009" from Hearts and Minds

laryn — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:32:37 +0000

Hearts and Minds Books has named Clutching Dust and Stars the "Best First Novel" of 2009!

Chapter Nine: Wear Your Own Skin

laryn — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 20:29:22 +0000

Catapult Magazine serialized chapter nine in their most recent edition:

Chapter Eight: Legalize Happiness

laryn — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:41:08 +0000

Catapult Magazine serialized chapter eight today:

It was good to be writing again. He had delusions of future grandeur-and he was fully aware that they were delusions. Probably. If he could find a way to get it out there, anything could happen.

Working at the copy shop had given him one idea-pragmatic and less than glamorous, but workable. The obvious starting point was to produce a sheet of writing and run a bunch of photocopies.

Chapter Seven: Art Saves Lives

laryn — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:27:28 +0000

Catapult Magazine serialized chapter seven in the current edition:

Quote featured in 'Daily Asterisk': Sweat Blood

laryn — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:35:29 +0000

A quote from Clutching Dust and Stars was featured in today's Daily Asterisk -- see the screenshot above or read the quote below. Sign up for the Daily Asterisk if you'd like to get "a provocative quote for thought and discussion" in your inbox each weekday.

Chapter Six: Kill Your TV

laryn — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:28:12 +0000

Catapult Magazine serialized chapter six today:

Chapter Five: Mommy, What Were Trees Like?

laryn — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 16:58:38 +0000

Catapult Magazine published the fifth chapter today:

It was still strange to see him-probably because they hadn’t filled in all the blanks yet and the questions still rubbed uncomfortably, like shoes that haven’t been broken in, and that was fine with her.