Robert Lipsyte

Ahh, Summertime.

Time to get to work.

I've just begun my scheduled 18-month hitch as Ombudsman at ESPN.
All advice, comments and tips welcomed.

Meanwhile, Sam Lipsyte's new book of short stories, "The Fun Parts," is getting rave reviews. Janet Maslin in the New York Times called him a "literary rock star." (And I remember when he fronted a noise punk band.)

The sturdy, jovial Daniel Nachumi turned one, and is crawling like crazy. His mom is my daughter, Susannah, his dad her husband, Ben Nachumi. Daniel joins Alfred (8 1/​2 years old) and Sylvia (5) on my all-grandkids team (they are of Sam and his wife, Ceridwen Morris.)

Enough about them.

My first middle grade novel, The Twinning Project, which came out in October, has a Facebook page. Please go "Like" it!
The sequel is almost finished.

My double life - YA/​Middle Grade novelist and sportswriter - continues. You can read my piece on Lance Armstrong in the Jock Culture section.

My memoir, "An Accidental Sportswriter," published last year by Ecco/​HarperCollins, is out in paperback and Kindle.

Still ahead on my 2013 speaking schedule:

June 13 - Barnes&Noble at 82d and Broadway, at 7 PM, I'll be interviewing Daniel James Brown, author of "The Boys in the Boat."

June 26 - Washington, D.C. ombudsman panel at the American Society of News Editors - 1o AM

August 10 - East Hampton Library - Authors Night

Nov. 25 - Boston - ALAN workshop at NCTE


While you're buying "The Twinning Project," and "An Accidental Sportswriter," pick up another great read, "Along the Roaring River: My Wild Ride from Mao to the Met" by Hao Jiang Tian with Lois B. Morris (my wife), and don't forget Sam's latest novel, "The Ask," published by FSG, a New York Times best-seller and one of its best books of 2010.

Since I'm living a double life I should try to separate it out a bit. So...

I'll be using THE LIPSITE page for articles you might enjoy and whatever is currently on my mind about my novel writing life. In the JOCK CULTURE section you'll find pieces about my take on sports. Right now, there's a terrific piece about me by Bryan Curtis, the ace Grantland writer.

And don't forget Milo, who arrived from a shelter almost three years ago. He's about 8 years old, a beautiful tri-color (black, white, brown) Cocker Spaniel mixture from Last Chance Animal Rescue. He was named for the protagonist of Sam's book, "The Ask." He's sweet and funny and doesn't eat grandchildren. He might write his own book someday.

At a wedding on his ranch in Southern California in March, met Bruce Brown, grand-father of the gorgeous bride, Gabrielle Brown Partie (she married Lois' godson, Jordan Partie). In 1966, Bruce made "The Endless Summer," a documentary that changed the East Coast's idea about surfing. Just re-screened the film, and its stands up, beautifully-shot and edited, funny, and smart. No wonder it helped turn a cult sport mainstream. Check it out.

The year looks busy but there's always time to answer your e-mails. So don't forget to drop me a line. If I don't answer immediately, I'm probably writing.