“Such Friends”: May 11, 2024, Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

At this year’s third annual Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books we will celebrate the launch of the fifth volume in the series, “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s. Halfway through the decade!

Volume V, covering 1924, continues to chronicle the private and professional lives of the key figures in the literary world in the fabulous decade of the 1920s.

“Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, Volume V—1924

You can see how the year ends before the postings on this blog get there!

Like the other four volumes—all available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk—Volume V has a unique dip-in-and-dip-out layout, designed by Lisa Thomson (LisaT2@comcast.net), that makes it easy to find the writers, artists, events and dates you’re most interested in. Find out what Ernest Hemingway was doing 100 years ago on your birth date! What was Virginia Woolf doing this week?! Or read straight through from January 1^st through December 31^st.

The unique layout of “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s

Copies of the first four volumes will be available at the “Such Friends” booth in Writer’s Row at the Festival. Not only can you take advantage of the Festival discount—I’m happy to personally sign your copies!

Thanks to Amazon’s crack delivery system, you will also be able to enter the “Such Friends” raffle to win a free copy of the new “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, Volume V—1924, when they finally arrive, shortly after the Festival.

If you can’t make it to Highland Park next Saturday between 10 am and 5 pm, or just can’t wait that long, you can order your copies of all five volumes now from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, or by emailing me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

See you at the Festival!

“Such Friends”  at last year’s Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books

The first four volumes of “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, chronicling the years 1920 through 1923, are available at Thoor Ballylee in Co. Galway, and as signed copies at Pan Yan Bookstore in Tiffin, OH, City Books on the North Side and Riverstone Books in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA.

This summer I will be talking about the literary 1920s in Paris and New York at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Thomas Wolfe, is also available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: May 11, 2024, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Highland Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

We interrupt this chronicle of what was happening 100 years ago in the literary and cultural world to look forward to what will be happening next month in the literary and cultural world of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books is back—without the rain! [We hope.]

It can’t possibly rain as much as it did last year, so plan to stop by on Saturday, May 11, at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary on Highland Avenue in Highland Park, conveniently located a few blocks from “Such Friends” global headquarters. We will be there once again all day at our table on Writers’ Row.

“Such Friends” at the Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books last year

Of course, there will be plenty of copies of the first four volumes in the paperback series, “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, covering 1920 through 1923, available at a special Festival discount price. I’ll even sign them!

But, in addition—wait for it—if the Amazon gods smile on us—there will also be copies of Volume V, 1924, available, at a discount and signed. Be the first to get yours!

The layout of all five volumes makes it easy to dip and out or read straight through a year from January 1^st through December 31^st. And remember, they make great gifts!

Dip in and out layout of “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s

If you just can’t make it on May 11^th, all four—soon to be five—volumes are available from Thoor Ballylee in Co. Galway, and as signed copies at Pan Yan Bookstore in Tiffin, OH, City Books on the North Side and Riverstone Books in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA, and in print and e-book versions on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk, Or email me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

We hope to see you on the 11^th to sign your copy of “Such Friends.”!

This summer I will be talking about the literary 1920s in Paris and New York at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is also available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends” Update!

We interrupt our chronicling of what was happening 100 years ago in the literary and artistic worlds to bring you an update on activities here in “Such Friends” central.

Thanks to such-a-friend Arlan Hess, owner of City Books Pittsburgh, Gertrude Stein finally had her day in the town where she was born. On Saturday, February 3^rd, City Books and the nearby Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation hosted a 150^th birthday party for Gertrude.

Your blog host at Gertrude Stein’s house

Proclamations from the County, the City and the office of Mayor Ed Gainey were issued and suitably proclaimed. (All these great photos of Gertrude Stein Day are by Lauryn Halahurich/Those in Motion.)

Proclaimers with proclamations

Three different groups of ardent fans joined me to walk around the corner to the Stein family home, at 842 Beech Avenue (there’s a plaque), and hear me pontificate about Stein’s six-month stay in Allegheny, PA, which is now part of Pittsburgh.

Your blog host pontificating to ardent fans

Back in the shop, we all enjoyed rose-covered petit fours and rose-colored macaroons.

Thank you, Arlan!

Masked shop owner Arlan Hess with your masked blog host

Of course, I was happy to sign copies of all four volumes of “Such Friends”: The Literary 1920s, covering 1920 through 1923. There are still some signed copies available at City Books. Stop by Galveston Avenue and say hi to Arlan!

*****

In addition, testimonials keep pouring in from friends and strangers alike about how much they enjoy all four volumes of the “Such Friends” series. (If they are not available in your local bookstore, tell them to contact me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com. We’ll make them available.)

A judge in the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Competition, ranking Volume I “exemplary” in four categories, commented,

delightful, quick read…several great stories about Black artists like [Langston] Hughes and [Paul] Robeson…I enjoyed working my way through the year with these writers and other artists…The historical and cultural context (“Pinkolic Soap” advertisement) add a lot of color. The formatting of the text and layout of the pages are extremely effective…I enjoyed the many photographs and other historical documents.”

The extremely effective text and layout of “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s

Scott, an Ernest Hemingway fan says,

Love the whole concept of your project, capturing and chronicling the 1920s literary scene. Again, job well done!”

Maureen, a fan from a Bloomsbury Group Facebook page, says,

a fascinating insight into connections between figures in the literary world of the very early 1920s. I look forward to ordering more!…PS I love the way you state the age of all individuals, as knowing how old significant people were at various stages in their professional and private lives provides important context for me. Thank you!”

Marie, Semester-at-Sea fan, says,

excellent job!…I’ve been saving the book for a winter day, and we’ve had that, so took advantage of gray cool weather & warm pups. Didn’t gulp it down; savored it like…good popcorn. with maybe a cold beer.”

And Julian, former grad student fan, says

an amazing literary chronicle with a surprise historical treat around every corner.’

So get your copies of all four volumes of “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s from your local bookstore now, or break down and order from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk.

And my offer holds:  If you live on a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus route, I will come sign your copies.

First four volumes of “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s

P. S.  “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, Volume V—1924, is written and in production. We’re halfway through the decade!

Later this month I will be talking about early 20^th century supporters of the arts like the Stein family at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe is also available Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: 150 years ago, February 3, 1874, 842 Beech Avenue, Allegheny, Pennsylvania

The Stein family welcomes their fifth child, Gertrude, to their comfortable middle-class home here in Allegheny, adjacent to the industrial powerhouse of the Steel City, Pittsburgh.

The author in front of the Stein house with plaque

In honor of Gertrude’s 150^th birthday—proclaimed Gertrude Stein Day by the City of Pittsburgh—we’re having a party!

Join us at City Books, 908 Galveston Avenue, just a few short blocks away from Gertrude’s house, on Saturday, February 3, from noon to 4 pm. There will be “little cakes”—like the ones Gertrude’s partner, Alice B. Toklas, served at their salons in Paris—and your humble blog host may be persuaded to make a few remarks and answer questions.

City Books

If weather permits, we can walk over to Beech Avenue and toast one of Pittsburgh’s most famous daughters.

Conveniently, copies of all four volumes of my series, “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, covering 1920 through 1923. will be for sale, and I’m happy to sign them.

“Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, Volumes I through IV

When Gertrude was born, her father, Daniel, about 30, owned a shop with his brother, called, of course, Stein Brothers, in downtown Pittsburgh at Fourth Avenue and Wood Street.

The brothers’ families lived side by side in identical houses on Beech Avenue. Unfortunately, Gertrude’s Mom, Amelia, 31, didn’t get along so well with her sister-in-law next door.

So when their newborn was only six months old, Daniel, Amelia and their five kids left Pittsburgh and took off for a tour around Europe, never to return to Pennsylvania.

The Stein family in later years

Gertrude was only with us for six months, but we ‘burghers are extremely proud. Come by City Books on February 3^rd between 1 and 4 p.m. and help us celebrate her 150^th!

For more information, email me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

Later next month I will be talking about early 20^th century supporters of the arts like the Stein family at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe is available directly from me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

The Third Annual “Such Friends” Holiday Gift Giving Guide

“Such Friends” once again interrupts its usual chronology of what was happening in the literary world 100 years ago with the solution to your holiday gift giving problems.

What to get for those bookish friends? You know they are fans of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Woolf—even Gertrude Stein. But what have they read and what haven’t they read?

Betcha they haven’t read this!

“Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, Volumes I through IV

The four volumes of “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, covering 1920 through 1923, contain fascinating vignettes about the personal lives of the literary characters throughout this decade.

The easy-to-read layout means you can dip in and out of any volume or sit down and read it straight through from January 1 to December 31.

Sample pages from “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, Volumes I through IV

Can’t decide which volume to start with? Choose Volume I, covering 1920—think of it as your entry into the network.

But wait! Amazon can’t get it to you on time?! Shame on them!

You can find signed copies at Riverstone Books in Squirrel Hill, and at Pan Yan Bookstore in Tiffin, Ohio.

If you’re of the European persuasion, head on over to Thoor Ballylee, W. B. Yeats’ tower in Co. Galway, and pick up some copies in the bookshop.

And if none of those options work for you, email me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com. I can send out copies from our vast inventory through the local post office, or, if you live on a Pittsburgh Regional Transit route, hand deliver signed copies in person.

Everyone’s reading “Such Friends”

So one way or another, make “Such Friends” part of your gift giving this year.

Happy holidays!

Early in the new year I will be talking about the literary summer of 1923 in the Osher Lifelong Learning program at the University of Pittsburgh, and early 20^th century supporters of the arts at the Osher program at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Another gift for your bookish friends, Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Thomas Wolfe, is also available on Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: This Week!

We interrupt this chronology of what was happening in the literary world in the 1920s for a bit of Shameless Self Promotion for “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s.

Do you or someone you know live in or near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania? Lucky you! (Go Steelers!)

This weekend, Friday, October 13^th through Sunday, October 15^th, one of our many fine local independent bookstores, Riverstone Books, will be celebrating its sixth anniversary—Way to go Riverstone!

Riverstone Books merch

To mark the occasion, they have asked local authors to sign copies and chat with the fans, and your very own “such [a] friend”—me—will be at the Squirrel Hill store on Forbes Avenue, on Friday, October 13^th, from 4 to 5 pm.

Come by—or send your friends—to get your copies of “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, Volumes I through IV, covering 1920 through 1923, signed personally by me.

And stop by during the weekend, at either the Squirrel Hill or McCandless location, to meet other local authors—Nick Courage from Littsburgh will be in Squirrel Hill from 2 to 4 pm on Saturday. And congratulate Riverstone Books on six years of service!

“Such Friends” at the 2023 Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books

Later this fall I will be talking about the women of Bloomsbury and the Left Bank at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Carnegie-Mellon University, and about art collector John Quinn at the Tiffin-Seneca Public Library, co-sponsored by the Heidelberg University English Department, in Quinn’s hometown of Tiffin, OH.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: The Literary 1920s, Volume IV—1923 is now available!

The paperback series, “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, based on the blogs posted here, continues with the publication today of Volume IV, covering 1923, on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book formats. Signed copies will be available at Riverstone Books, Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh, PA, next week.

1923 offers four weddings and two funerals, an Egyptian curse, and a chance to stop Adolf Hitler! What more can you ask for in one year?!

“Such Friends” at the recent Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books

In addition, Irish poet and playwright William Butler Yeats is awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. English novelist Virginia Woolf is turning her short story, “Mrs. Dalloway in Bond Street,” into a novel. American writer Gertrude Stein, living in Paris, is getting more recognition in the States. New York freelance writer Dorothy Parker is still writing light verse but also expanding into short stories.

The format of each book in the series lets you dip in and out, follow a favorite author, or read straight through from January 1^st to December 31^st.

Sample pages from Volume III of “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s

On the occasion of “Such Friends” fourth book launch, I will make the same offer I have in the past:  If you live on any Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus route, I will hand-deliver your personally signed copy.

Collect all four!

“Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, Volume IV—1923

Later this month I will be talking about F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with Fitzgerald, Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is also available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: You Didn’t Get What You Really Wanted for Christmas?!

Oh no! All those bookish friends of yours couldn’t figure out that what you were really hankering for was “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, Volumes I through III covering 1920 through 1922!

“Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s—Volume I, 1920

Easily available in print or e-book format on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk. However, if you prefer signed copies, wander on over to Riverstone Books on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill. Or contact me directly at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

The reason you are so keen to get your hands on all three volumes of “Such Friends” is clear from what you’ve heard people saying about it:

My wife and I were reading your Such Friends…out loud to each other and laughing a lot.”

–Cliff, Osher Lifelong Learning friend

Everyone is reading “Such Friends”:

Donnelly’s clever day-by-day organization allows her to range widely among many artists while her use of the present tense creates a sense of immediacy—’you are there.’ This book will provide great pleasure to anyone interested in figures of Modernism and of Twenties popular culture:  Eliot, Joyce, Pound, Woolf, Yeats, Stein, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Parker, Benchley, et al.”

—another Kathleen, Facebook friend

Here’s an example of my clever organization:

Sample pages from “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s

Your lovely book arrived yesterday and I’ve already devoured most of it. It’s a very clever way of dealing with so many literary giants in…their most important years. Although ideal for a popular audience there is much that I did not know (and was delighted to learn) even though I spent a wasted youth and much of my dotage studying most of them.”

—Joseph, Australian friend

And my previous offer still stands:  If you are anywhere near a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus route, I will hand-deliver your signed copies. Get in touch! kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

Next month I will be talking about The Literary 1920s in Paris and New York City at the Osher program at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is also available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends”: This Year!

Regular readers of this blog are already tired of me going on about the benefits of “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, Volumes I through III, covering 1920 to 1922 [conveniently available at Riverstone Books in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA, and from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book formats].

“Such Friends” volumes I through III

So I thought I’d turn this #shamelessselfpromotion posting over to the fans:

Such Friends: The Literary 1920s presents colourful, diary-like snippets, skillfully woven together, from the daily lives of writers, poets and artists of the Irish Literary Renaissance, the Bloomsbury Group, the Americans in Paris, and the Algonquin Round Table in New York.”

—Dr. Ann Kennedy Smith, “My Books of the Year,”

Cambridge Ladies’ Dining Society, 1890-1914;

It’s a lot of fun skipping around to different dates and events to see what was going on at particular times during the year.”

                                                              —Jim, Irish theatre fan

Interior of Volume III

What a treasure-trove this work is. You make it seem alive. The gossip is fresh! These little stories humanize the great geniuses. Thanks for doing this work.”

                                                  —Janie B., Pittsburgh-New York fan

The people are fascinating, of course, and I love the way you’ve woven what else is happening around them into their stories. Love what you do! You find such fascinating goodies to share with the rest of us.”

                                                  —Anne, fellow Pittsburgh writer fan

I look forward to the gossip and insights you have curated about what was going on a century ago.”

                                                  —Hedda, Bloomsbury fan

Love your stuff. I inhale it like…wildflower smells!”

                                                 —Marie, Semester at Sea fan

You have such a nice way of making history feel closer to us—letting us know and care about these people.”

                                                 —Dr. Barry, Ohio academic fan

Such fun! This is eavesdropping across the past century.”

                                                 —Don, James Joyce fan

Thank you, fans! And my previous offer still holds. If you live on any Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus line, I will hand deliver your signed copies to you. Email me at kaydee@gypsyteacher.com.

Happy holidays!

Fans reading “Such Friends,” Volume II

Early next year I will be talking about the centenary of the publication of T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Pittsburgh, and about The Literary 1920s in Paris and New York City at the Osher program at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is also available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book versions.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.

“Such Friends” Wishes You All a Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Small Business Saturday

Taking a Thanksgiving break from posting what was happening in the literary world 100 years ago, today we would like to wish all our “Such Friends” a Happy Thanksgiving!

In the U. S.—and for some reason, also in the U. K. (Why?!)—tomorrow is known as Black Friday.

Forget it. Stay home and watch the USA beat the England team in the first round of the World Cup (2 pm EST on Fox).

USA v England, World Cup 2022

Instead, go out Saturday to your local shops and celebrate Small Business Saturday.

If you are lucky enough to live anywhere near the wonderful neighborhood of Squirrel Hill in Pittsburgh, PA, stop by the new location of Riverstone Books on Forbes Avenue and pick up your signed copy of “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s. Volumes I through III, covering 1920 to 1922, are all there.

“Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s, Volume III—1922

What? You asked at your local bookstore and they didn’t have them?! Well, you march right back in there and tell them to email me (kaydee@gypsyteacher.com) and I will be happy to deliver. No supply chain issues here.

Everybody is reading “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s

So you want to make your holiday purchases at a small business, but you’re stumped as to what to get for those bookish friends of yours? You know who their favorite authors are, but you don’t know which books they’ve already read.

They haven’t read this! “Such Friends”:  The Literary 1920s makes the perfect present for friends and family with a literary inclination. The dip-in-and-out format, designed by Lisa Thomson, makes it easy to digest the year in small bursts, or read straight through from January through December.

Sample page layout from Volume III

My original offer still holds—if you live anywhere on a Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus line, I will personally deliver your signed copy.

We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season, and we are looking forward to 1923…Ooops! 2023…

Early next year I will be talking about the centenary of the publication of T. S. Eliot’s The Waste Land in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Pittsburgh, and the literary 1920s in Paris and New York City in the Osher program at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Manager as Muse, about Scribner’s editor Maxwell Perkins’ relationships with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Wolfe, is available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk in both print and e-book versions. I would be happy to supply this book to your local bookstore as well.

If you want to walk with me through Bloomsbury, you can download my audio walking tour, “Such Friends”:  Virginia Woolf and the Bloomsbury Group.