Out of the Woods

A long-awaited return and a debut collection (not mine).

First, allow me to apologize for my extended absence—564 days—which I’m sure has been agony for those of you waiting with bated breath for my next post. My deepest apologies. I’d like to reassure you that I have my next missive queued up for next week. I’ll try to never again leave you in the dark for so long. (I will fail, obviously, but not for lack of effort.)

Now, most of you know that I’m married to Christian Moody. Christian is probably the kindest, funniest man on the planet,¹ and he’s also a beautiful fiction writer.

His debut collection of short stories, Lost in the Forest of Mechanical Birds, comes out on October 14, just in time for Halloween. The book isn’t spooky, but it is deliciously weird. Let me tell you my favorite parts. First, in “The Go Seekers,” two best friends start a years-long game of hide and seek. Eventually, the game goes awry. You feel that pain in your bones. In “Horusville,” a lonely boy named Stephen wanders into the woods for some peace and quiet (and to skip math) and he happens upon his naked art teacher. Interactions follow. Then there’s “The Babycatcher.” All I can say is that no matter how much my beloved husband denies any relation of his writing to his real life, he wrote this story while I was pregnant. I just want you all to know that.

The book received a starred review from Kirkus (!). They called it “a brilliant collection of delightfully surreal tales that linger long after reading.” So great. But the part I want to frame for our living room for all time is:

“The sex, while not titillating, is utterly human.”

What was edited out, I wonder, to pare down to this single line? Who is this magical reviewer who captured a theme of Christian’s work in one perfect sentence? Whoever you are: thank you for bringing this into our lives.

Dzanc Books invited me to illustrate the cover, which: yes, thank you. We went with mechanical birds. Christian sent me a list of objects he wanted the birds made out of, and then I was off to the races. While drawing, I listened to Ron Chernow’s Titan. I love listening to to history books while drawing. I listened to Hamilton and Washington while illustrating my memoir.

If you’re in the Indianapolis area, come hear Christian read at the Kellogg Writers Series on November 20. The event is being organized by our friend and fellow writer, Barney Haney, and all I’ll say is that Barney loves a party. It will be a good time. Come!

1. And a total smokeshow, let’s be honest.