You’ve seen the videos (or perhaps, you’ve witnessed it in real life), when hoards of young women go mad for the latest pop singer sensation. I can’t say I ever actually swooned for anyone when I was 16 (well, at least not that I’d tell you about).

But I am preparing for the equivalent of complete Author Adoration when author Lorrie Moore comes to town this November. Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you know that Moore has just published her long-awaited novel, A Gate at the Stairs, (Bond Street Books),
and Moore fans couldn’t be more excited. The book has been getting great coverage and it seems that everyday I’m hearing a new review on the radio or reading one in a newspaper. In fact, the book is just officially out today and I’ve already seen some bloggers who couldn’t resist posting their opinions before the rest of us could get close enough to smell the printed pages.

Way back in 2003 I was at the AWP conference and Moore, along with Jane Hamilton, were featured readers for one of the evening marquee events. The two of them were utterly charming and Moore read about 15 minutes of her “novel in progress.” I remember loving the words as she spoke them and being horribly disappointed when she stopped reading. For six long years I’ve been waiting to see the final product and that day has finally arrived.

I’m going back and reading/re-reading her short stories which are amazing primers on seeing the familiar with completely unfamiliar eyes. I’ve even found a few podcasts with other writers reading her work (look at newyorker.com on iTunes).

To my great pleasure, Lorrie Moore will be a feature interview during this year’s Chicago Humanities Festival on November 7. Yes, it’s true. I was so excited I ordered 15 tickets for StoryStudio folks because I wanted us to take up a whole row. More than that, I want to hang on her every word and walk out of the interview feeling I understand the ferocious act of novel writing a little bit better.

I’ll be writing more on the Humanities Festival as it’s a favorite of mine. You can even go online and see the lectures I’m attending so far. And don’t worry, I’ll definitely be writing more on Moore!

Tell us if you’re going to the Chicago Humanities Festival or your favorite Lorrie Moore story.