Author Talk: John Kenney at Bedford Books
Bedford Books is thrilled to welcome John Kenney, author of I See You've Called in Dead (out April 1st). He'll be joined in conversation by Margaret Ables, comedian, writer, and co-host of the What Fresh Hell podcast.
Light refreshments and snacks will be served.
About the book:
Bud Stanley is an obituary writer who is afraid to live. Yes, his wife recently left him for a “far more interesting” man. Yes, he goes on a particularly awful blind date with a woman who brings her ex. And yes, he has too many glasses of Scotch one night and proceeds to pen and publish his own obituary. The newspaper wants to fire him. But now the company’s system has him listed as dead. And the company can’t fire a dead person. The ensuing fallout forces him to realize that life may be actually worth living.
As Bud awaits his fate at work, his life hangs in the balance. Given another shot by his boss and encouraged by his best friend, Tim, a worldly and wise former art dealer, Bud starts to attend the wakes and funerals of strangers to learn how to live.
Thurber Prize-winner and NY Times bestselling author John Kenney tells a funny, touching story about life and death, about the search for meaning, about finding and never letting go of the preciousness of life.
About John Kenney:
John Kenney is the author of two novels and four books of poetry, including Love Poems for Married People. His first novel, Truth in Advertising, won the Thurber Prize for American humor. The book was optioned, and Kenney wrote the screenplay. Ryan Reynolds was attached to the film, as was Notting Hill director Roger Michell. He is also the author of Talk to Me, also a starred Kirkus review. He is a long-time contributor to The New Yorker magazine’s Shouts & Murmurs. He lives in Larchmont, NY, with his wife, Lissa, and two children.
About Margaret Ables:
Margaret Ables is the co-host of the Webby-honored podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood, with over 12 million lifetime downloads. Margaret is a comedian and writer whose work has appeared on MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and PBS. Margaret has created television shows for Klasky Csupo (creators of “Rugrats’) and was the head of video production for Nickelodeon’s mom-centric channel NickMom.