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July 16th, 2009
04:26 pm - Matthew Fagerness = design genius
My brilliant cousin Matthew Fagerness designed my logo and business stationary. He single-handedly transformed my agency into a rinky-dink, who-is-that-Taryn-person, start-up, to an Agency with a real identity in the world publishing community. The compliments I receive on my logo and business card just keep coming. I am SO thankful for Matt's contribution to my Agency. When I was struggling with this whole starting-my-own-agency thing, his design made me feel…real. I’m so proud to flash my logo to EVERYONE who will look (I even got mini buttons made featuring the logo bird).
Check it out:
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12:31 pm - Suspension
Yesterday, on an impossibly muggy San Diego evening, Bo and I walked to the suspension bridge in my neighborhood. It was built in 1912. It's neat! Here we are (we look a little clammy):
That is all.
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July 14th, 2009
07:44 am - SOMETHING MISSING published today!
If you read one book this summer, make it this one: SOMETHING MISSING by Matthew Dicks!
A career criminal with OCD tendencies and a savant-like genius for bringing order to his crime scenes, Martin considers himself one of the best in the biz. After all, he’s been able to steal from the same people for years on end—virtually undetected. Of course, this could also be attributed to his unique business model—he takes only items that will go unnoticed by the homeowner. After all, who in their right mind would miss a roll of toilet paper here, a half-used bottle of maple syrup there, or even a rarely used piece of china buried deep within a dusty cabinet?
Even though he's never met these homeowners, he's spent hours in their houses, looking through their photo albums and reading their journals. In essence, Martin has developed a friendship of sorts with them and as such, he decides to interfere more in their lives—playing the part of a rather odd guardian angel—even though it means breaking many of his twitchy neurotic rules.
Along the way Martin not only improves the lives of others, but he also discovers love and finds that his own life is much better lived on the edge (at least some of the time) in this hilarious, suspenseful and often profound novel about a man used to planning every second of his life, suddenly forced to confront chaos and spontaneity.
Borders Book Club pick for July, it will be featured on their website with an interview, and get special front-of-store space in book stores.
SOMETHING MISSING is a New Atlantic Independent Bookseller’s Association Notable Book for July, 2009.
SOMETHING MISSING was featured as a “Mover and Shaker” in the July Goodreads newsletter.
http://www.goodreads.com/newsletter/show/july2009
Matthew Dicks and SOMETHING MISSING were featured in the July/August issue of Writer’s Digest, a full-age article featuring a photo of Matt and the book cover art. http://writersdigest.coverleaf.com/writersdigest/20090708/?pg=26
SOMETHING MISSING was featured in a USA Today article about trade paperback publishing, April 21, 2009. “When Something Missing, Matthew Dicks' debut novel about a burglar with OCD, hits stores in July, he will join a growing number of authors whose first books are being published in trade paperback rather than hardcover. And that's OK with Dicks.’Ultimately, I realized that I really want as many people to read the book as possible," says Dicks, 38.’”
SOMETHING MISSING was mentioned in the Boston Globe Shelf Life section, July 12, 2009: “In the quirky debut novel “Something Missing’’ (Broadway), the obsessive-compulsive Martin Railsback is a strange but lovable anti-hero. A barista at Starbucks for the health insurance, he breaks into people’s homes, but takes only what he thinks they won’t notice is missing. Author Matthew Dicks, an elementary-school teacher in West Hartford, Conn., has just sold his second novel, which also features an obsessive-compulsive protagonist. Dicks says his fascination with the disorder has now run its course. He’s well into writing his third novel and there’s no hint of OCD.”
Booklist, starred review
Issue: June 1, 2009
“Mark Haddon’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2003) is about a young, autistic amateur sleuth. Monk is a popular television series about a detective with an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This debut novel introduces us to a character who appears to have elements of autism and OCD, but here’s the twist: he’s a professional criminal. Martin Railsback is a housebreaker with a short list of “clients” from whom he’s been “acquiring” things for years. He makes regular visits to their homes, cataloging their possessions, tracking their purchases, learning their lives. Most of his thefts are small—food from the pantry, toiletries, books of stamps. Only occasionally, and only after a great deal of precise preparation, will he help himself to an object of actual monetary value. And here’s another interesting thing about Martin: when one of his clients gets into a sticky situation, Martin will risk his own safety to help them out of their jam, even if being a hero means he may have to come into actual, physical contact with a client. This is a splendid novel, written with loving attention to character and detail; Martin is so vividly realized that he threatens to step off the page and into the reader’s own living room. A loopier Bernie Rhodenbarr? A less lethal Dexter? Martin falls somewhere in between, but with a little word of mouth and some shrewd promotion, he could be the next big thing.” — David Pitt
Kirkus Reviews
"Dicks combines the neurotic atmosphere of a Woody Allen film wiht the light touch of Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr novels (The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart, 1995, etc) in a unique debut. The fantastically bizarre leading man, obsessive-compulsive Marin Railsback, specializes in stealing things that no one notices have gone missing. Early on, Martin's vengeful, meticulous replacement of his abusive stepfather's prized baseball card led him to his rule-driven life of crim. 'If the missing item will be noticed, don't acquire it,' is his first imperative, while his second requires a rigid awareness of his victims sense of perception: 'When items go missing in a house, the suspicion of theft occurs only if the possibility of a thief exists.' Martin supplements his part-time job as a barista by stealing toilet paper, groceries and other necessities from wealthy suburban 'clients,' as well as auctioning off their detritus on eBay. Dicks expertly crafts the setup, showing us Martin's deep-seated need for stability and routine, then turning his world on its head when the compulsive thief accidentally knocks a client's toothbrush into the toilet. This necessitates a nerve-racking, breathless mission to replace it--while its owner is home, no less. Turning a philosophical corner, Martin embarks on an altruistic mission, trying to make his clients' lives a little better without their knowledge and risking his own tenuous subsistence in the bargain. A very funny adventure about the mechanics of burglary and the fragility of an orderly life."--Kirkus Reviews
Publishers Weekly
“SOMETHING MISSING Matthew Dicks. Broadway, $14 paper (304p) ISBN 978-0-7679-3088-8
An expert thief unexpectedly finds himself aiding his victims in Dicks's charming if rambling debut. During his hours off, barista Martin Railsback burgles the houses of folks he calls his “clients,” taking only what they won't notice is missing: for instance, “three boxes of long grain rice... two rolls of toilet paper (in Martin's estimation, the Gallos had excellent taste in toilet paper), three cups of olive oil” and, on occasion, something really valuable. The system works beautifully until the day Martin drops a client's toothbrush into the toilet and feels compelled to replace it. This act of simple decency sets him on an entirely different course, and pretty soon he's breaking into houses to improve the lives of their occupants. Martin's own life starts looking up, too, with the possibility of romance and a new avocation, but the specter of real peril looms. Dicks struggles with digression and repetition—Martin's obsessive allegiance to the rules of his pastime becomes exasperating—but he's created a winning hero in Martin, a crook with a heart of gold.” (July)
Free Lance Star of Fredericksburg, VA:
“Sometimes we're skeptical about debut novels: Can this guy really pull it off on his first try?
The answer for Matthew Dicks' "Something Missing" is an unqualified "Yes!"
It's fun and suspenseful and hard to put down.
Dicks has dreamed up an unusual premise and twisted it so that the reader is rooting for "the bad guy." But while Martin Railsback may be a thief, we can't help but worry about him– his OCD and shyness can be a problem– and eventually like him.”
Advanced Praise:
“I once knew a man who thought in precisely the same way that Martin Railsback does. Even the drabbest of tasks, such as going for groceries, or putting out the trash, had to be planned with the utmost strategy and cunning. I found out later that my friend was a retired safecracker.
Martin Railsback, Jr., if you haven’t already heard, is the protagonist of Matthew Dick’s first novel, Something Missing: the story of an obsessive-compulsive housebreaker whose every waking moment is jam-packed with finicky clockwork ritual - the kind of intense micro-planning that might have made even Napoleon back off.
Martin’s only problem is that, after years of undetected crime, he’s recently begun to think of himself as a sort of guardian angel who watches over his victims, or “clients”, as he prefers to call them. Conscience rears its ugly head.
Up until now, Martin has always played life as if it were a game of chess: by thinking a dozen moves ahead of everyone else, he will always come out ahead of the game.
And so he does, until the day he accidentally knocks Sophie Pearl’s electric toothbrush into the toilet bowl while stealing a single one (don’t ask!) of her diamond earrings.
Thus begins a series of events that play out like a cross between Raymond Chandler and a Keystone Cops two-reeler.
Like Jeff Lindsay, whose Dexter series have so brilliantly explored the underside of the underside, Matthew Dicks has created an unforgettable character that will have you torn between wanting to throttle him - or adopt him.” — Alan Bradley, author of Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
“A quirky and endearing first novel that makes you wonder if that misplaced stick of butter or can of soup means there’s a burglar prowling your pantry. If that thief is Martin Railsback, you might be glad. He’s the kind of burglar you could conceivably want in your house.” —M. Ann Jacoby, author of Life After Genius
“A funny, suspenseful and thoroughly original debut that will keep you up to the wee hours flipping pages.” —David Rosen, author of I Just Want My Pants Back
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July 12th, 2009
07:20 pm - Elvis Festival!!!!!
Elvis Adventure!
For the last year and a half, my friend Marcia has been training to become an Elvis Tribute Artist. She’s taken voice lessons. She’s studied the moves. She’s learned to sew her own jumpsuits. She interviewed other ETAs. The goal: to perform on stage at the Penticton Elvis Festival.
Of course, I had to be there when she did.
And so, I flew up to my home state of Washington, and Marcia and Brian picked me up from the airport for a mini road trip up to Penticton, Canada, in eastern British Columbia—a 6 hour drive. I love a good road trip though, especially one with factory tour stops!!!
Here we are about to enter the Aplets and Cotlets factory in Cashmere, Washington. Heath code requires wearing hair coverings!
Read more ------------------> ( HERE )
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June 12th, 2009
June 10th, 2009
08:38 am - I'm on Twitter
Hey follow me on Twitter! My name is tfagerness.
Get up-to-the-minute news about...MY BORING LIFE. Topics include: the size of the strawberries at Trader Joe's, movies I've seen, books I've read, and Agency biz.
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June 9th, 2009
03:25 pm - UP up and away
So I saw Disney/Pixar’s UP last night, in 3-D. I went by myself, which ended up being a good thing because a) I forgot how much I enjoy treating myself to a movie date night, and b) I SOBBED at least three times.
UP is my new favorite Pixar flick. And possibly my new favorite movie. I had NO idea what it was about before I saw it, and so was surprised to find it’s a highly original, creative, laugh-out-loud tale about…loss. And love. And finding new beginnings.
Plus there are talking dogs. Er, sort of.
I was sobbing in the first 10 minutes!
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May 19th, 2009
12:48 pm - Derby Dolls!
Quick update, since I leave for New York on Tuesday aaaaaaaaah!
In an effort to eat healthier, improve my energy levels, and get myself un-addicted to bread, I have, like Elise and Namir before me, started the Paleo Diet. I no longer eat: ANY grains (no rice, no corn, no wheat, no oatmeal), no beans, no soy, no peanuts, no cashews, no dairy, no sugar, no processed foods. I DO eat: fresh veggies, almonds, meats of all kinds, eggs, fresh fruits, spices, oils, berries, root veggies like sweet potatoes. Day one was excruciating. I was up half the night craving carbs. But now I feel great! I made a great salad last night with artichoke hearts, salami, chicken sausage, eggs, celery, lettuce and oil and vinegar with a bit of garlic. I’ve discovered chard! Eating out is a challenge, but I like a challenge. So…so far, so good.
Since I’ve given up so much, and since I’ve been feeling so good as a result, I decided to try red wine again. One of my favorite things. I had about two glasses the other night with dinner, and two glasses last night with dinner, and….I’m happy to report NO headaches. I shall continue to experiment.
In other news, I’ve become a roller derby fan! San Diego has a kick-ass roller derby team, and Elise, Jared, Bo and I have gone to see them bout twice. Friday they whooped on the L.A. team. Here are some pics:
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May 6th, 2009
01:51 pm - Prom night under the stars....
OK, they made us pose like this...
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May 4th, 2009
09:34 pm - mini vacations are IN!
I don’t really have time to be posting this. I’m swamped with prep for BEA (that’s Book Expo America in New York at the end of this month). Biz is busy.
However, I’ve managed to have a lot of fun in the last two weeks too, and, while I’ve been woefully bad about taking photos along the way, I do have a handful to share.
What did I do? Vegas and a cruise! Click ------> ( HERE! )
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April 10th, 2009
April 3rd, 2009
12:42 pm - Happy Belated Birthday Photos!
So…this whole quitting my job and starting my own business thing has sort of consumed me (www.tarynfagernessagency.com), and as a result no photos have been posted in eons. My apologies! Finally, I’m pleased to present Taryn’s Golden Birthday, quite possibly the BEST birthday I’ve ever had!
As many of you know, I’m a HUGE fan of road trips and weird stuff, especially weird stuff one encounters while ON a road trip. And so, in the grand tradition of Taryn birthdays, I planned an adventure to out-do all previous adventures.
Warning, pictures are BIG, but I don't feel like resizing them.
First stop: Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona. The ONLY camel dairy in the US!
MORE HERE----------------------> ( HERE! )
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March 17th, 2009
08:49 am - the trade paper today!
Fagerness Launches Agency
By Rachel Deahl -- Publishers Weekly, 3/17/2009 8:02:00 AM
Taryn Fagerness, former subrights manager at the Califnoria-based Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, is setting off on her own and has founded her own eponymous agency. Fagerness, who will represent a handful of American authors, will focus on handling subsidiary rights--largely foreign, but also some audio and film--on behalf of other agents and publishers. Fagerness said that over the years she's met a number of agents who seemed to need help on the subsidiary rights side. The Taryn Fagerness Agency currently has five clients, among them the Andrea Brown Literary Agency and the newly-formed Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
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February 17th, 2009
04:53 pm - the time has come, the walrus said
I kid you not, while at the meeting with Sandy today, a black bird sat on the back of the chair beside me and screamed at me! It puffed up, and let out a weird forced squawk. Everyone noticed it. I’m not one for signs, but that was too much. Onward TFA, LLC.
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February 5th, 2009
January 29th, 2009
09:22 am - I love my mom
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOOOOO!!! I would love to give you a giant freestanding boulder for your birthday but it probably wouldn’t fit in your apartment. So you will just have to find one on your own. Have a good day.
I love you
Mom
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January 28th, 2009
10:59 am - Lists heal the soul
Wonderful things:
* Green beans.
* Mango tea for breakfast, green tea at work, ginger tea before bed.
* Having time in the morning to water plants or watch the Daily Show.
* Friends.
* Birthday weeks!
* Pigs in underwear.
* Sunshine.
* New aliens.
* New motivation!
* Smoothies.
* Time machines.
* Fleet Foxes.
* Climbing.
* Madness.
* Lamps.
* Books.
* Elvis tribute artsists.
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December 23rd, 2008
01:58 pm - MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Despite the fact that my electricity went out half an hour before the party (I tried to plug in some Christmas lights). Despite the fact Mike the electrician was a crazy person, and Amelia—incredibly drunk—kept trying to high five him. Despite the fact that Erin broke into two of the garages below my building to try to find my fuse box. Despite the fact my neighbor helped me break into apartment #8 to check there (my fuse box, if you’re curious is labeled “yard time clock” in the electrical room, of course!). Despite the fact my landlord showed up randomly and I had to try to convince her (I was drunk by this point too) that I wouldn’t burn my house down with the 32094823048 candles I set out.
Despite all this, the Bad Sweater Christmas party was a huge freaking success.
More amazing Christmas fun here-----------------> ( HERE! )
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December 12th, 2008
November 24th, 2008
01:37 pm - Another "romantic" J-Tree weekend with Obi
This weekend rocked! Obi and I drove out to J-Tree, and I accomplished all of my goals.
1. Get lost
2. Find Lesbian Lust (a 5.9+ climb in the Oz area)
3. Lead a 5.10a or higher
4. Get wrecked
Along the way we discovered a grove(?) of gourd plants.
Read the full story------> ( HERE! )
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xollo's journal
