Thisbe Nissen and Matthew Klam, author of Sam the Cat, read together at three events during Nissen's hardcover tour. The following is their e-mail exchange in preparation for these readings.

Mister Klam,

Word on the street is that you and I might be about to spend three days in a car together, and the powers that be are suggesting we begin an email dialogue to decide whether we think we're going to loathe one another or not. I think that's probably wise. I love your book, and don't imagine I'm going to loathe you, but I guess you never do really know about such things. You might loathe me. I do promise, should we wind up spending three days in a car together, to keep the Broadway show tunes and lesbian folk singers to a minimum, unless it turns out that you happen to be a devout fan of Broadway show tunes and lesbian folk singers, in which case we will be ideal traveling companions. I don't know if you've already begin your touring travels, but I hope wherever this email finds you it finds you well. I look forward to making your acquaintance.

Until I hear from you,

Thisbe

Subj: Re: midwestern rambling
Date: 5/24/01 6:03:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From: MattKlam
To: Thisbe Nissen

Thisbe,

I feel fortunate to be on a tour with you. I've read some of your stories and they're awesome. I haven't read your novel yet but I have it here and will. I would love to go drive around the midwest if you'll have me. My whole book tour is those three days, which is fine with me. I should tell you I'm an excellent co pilot, I read maps well, hand the driver her drink when asked, and can hold the chip bag so it stands absolutely upright, so there's no "handicap" if you're not holding the chip bag. I learned this skill while sitting in movie theaters as the popcorn holder and the skill really does cross over. I'm not sure what your other requirements for a co pilot might be. I have some cds and tapes I've made for roadtrips, but I'm sick of all of them now. How else can I be of use to you? I can wear a policeman's outfit so people will be frightened of us as we pull into highway rest stops. Or, If you'd like, we can purchase a shotgun at WalMart, but I should tell you I play ice hockey and so I can bring a hockey stick instead. Last time I checked, tho, the midwest wasn't exactly "the Combat Zone." I know so many broadway musicals by heart, "Funny Girl," "A Day At the Circus," "Rent," "A Chorus Line," "Camelot," and more, and am a big fan of chick singers of every orientation.

Matt

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From: Thisbe Nissen
To: Matt Klam
Subject: Re: midwestern rambling
Date: Thu, May 24, 2001, 7:30 PM

Matt -- you sound like you're going to be a divine road trip companion! I'm thrilled to have you along. The car is no chariot, and though the air conditioning sometimes smells a bit musty, it is functional and no one has caught any horrendous spore-born respiratory illness from it yet. I have a nasty habit on road trips of accidentally spilling my iced coffee so that the car reeks of spoiled milk for ages afterwards, and thus your cup-holding services will be very much appreciated. There's only a tape deck, no CD player, so pack accordingly. I am very happy to learn of your penchant for Broadway musicals, and I think that the singing of show tunes will keep anyone from messing with us more than a gun or a hockey stick could ever do. Mostly, you're right, no one messes with anyone much out here in the heartland. Mostly we all just smile and curiously eye each other's picnic lunches. It's a good life. DC is home for you, right? I used to work on an organic vegetable farm outside DC and we sold our produce at farmers' markets in the DC area. Should you ever happen to be at a farmers' market and see a stand from Wheatland Vegetable Farms you should buy some of their tomatoes which are some of the best you'll ever taste.
Very much looking forward to our mini-odyssey,
Thisbe

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From: Matt Klam
To: Thisbe Nissen
Subject: Re: midwestern rambling
Date: Fri, May 25, 2001, 10:56 AM

Thanks Thisbe, I'm looking forward to it. I think I know those farmers, they set up a truck down the street from me in Glover Park. Im looking forward to all the stories of organic farming and many choruses of "At The Ballet." See you soon, Matt

Thisbe Nissen and Emma Richler, author of Sister Crazy, read together during the summer of 2001. The following is their e-mail exchange in preparation for these readings.

Nissen/Richler Email exchange

----- Original Message -----
From: Thisbe Nissen
To: Emma Richler
Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2001 10:50 PM
Subject: hello from Iowa

Dear Emma Richler,

My publicist at Knopf passed your email address along to me so that we might get at least somewhat acquainted before our little midwestern touring odyssey begins this summer. I also wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed your book. I really look forward to meeting you. I'm not sure if you've already begin your reading tour, but I hope wherever this email finds you it finds you well.

All the best,

Thisbe

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From: Emma Richler
To: Thisbe Nissen
Subject: Hello back from London
Date: Tue, May 29, 2001, 7:10 AM

Dear Thisbe,
Thank you for your kind note. Well chuffed to receive it. I have just started your book - Sophie Cottrell at Pantheon sent me a proof - and I am thoroughly enjoying it. It is my end of day reward. Also look forward to meeting. Just waiting on travel news from Sophie. Beginning to worry i may have to walk, hitch, swim and ride the rails to America.

p.s. Is there fine wine in the Mid West? I hope so.

Emma.

----- Original Message -----
From: Thisbe Nissen
To: Emma Richler
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2001 6:41 PM
Subject: Re: Hello back from London

Emma -- sadly no fine wine in the Midwest --- fine beef, I hear, though I'm mostly a vegetarian, but people who know things about beef rave... We do boast some fine roots rock musicians, awfully nice people, a helluva lot of corn, and, in Iowa City, more writers per capita than you could shake a stick at! I'm very much looking forward to our little tour here, and hopefully getting to show you guys a little bit of this town I call home. And whatever happens , we can surely get our hands on a decent bottle of vino somewhere...
All best, Thisbe

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From: Emma Richler
To: Thisbe Nissen
Subject: Re: Hello back from London
Date: Wed, May 30, 2001, 11:29 AM

Hello Thisbe,
I know there is no wine MADE in Midwest but I wondered if there were any nice stuff available. Suddenly have colonial view of matters. Prohibition and cowboys and gangsters. Now I know you are a lot of authors eating beefsteaks and listening to roots music.
What is roots music?
Emma.