PORTLAND, Maine — Novelist Richard Russo came of age in the 1980s. Back then the literary landscape was studded with independent bookstores, author tours were the norm and multiple publications actively reviewed new releases. The Kindle, and other tablet reading devices, did not exist.
“The digital revolution, Amazon, electronic books, the disappearance of so many indie bookstores, has been a disruption,” said Russo, who won the Pulitzer Prize for “Empire Falls,” a story set in a fictional Maine mill town. “It’s especially difficult for younger writers to break in.”
On Friday Russo is taking action to strengthen the writing life. He is launching a new concept — a literary introduction series — to promote newly-published authors across the country. It’s being held at the Think Tank in Portland and is co-sponsored by The Authors Guild, a New York City-based organization of which Russo is a vice president.
The series, which will be filmed and archived, is a reverse of the norm. Instead of an upstart interviewing a seasoned writer, Russo himself introduces readers to a first-time novelist who’s captured his attention.
Meet Eddie Joyce.
Joyce’s debut novel “Small Mercies,” out this month by Viking, chronicles a family in Staten Island who deals with the death of their son, a firefighter who lost his life in the 9-11 attacks. To Russo, the New York writer’s sense of place is Steinbeck-esque.
“He so vividly portrays Staten Island that it is the most important character,” said Russo, who receives dozens of review copies of new novels. Joyce’s rose to the top.
“This book puts the spotlight on a community that the vast majority of writers ignore. It takes notice of their lives, their deaths. These people have become as real to us as Steinbeck’s Northern California. With this one book Staten Island comes to life,” said Russo, who lives in Portland.
The idea to champion the next generation of writers came to Russo a year ago. While meeting with younger scribes, he encountered their difficulties in maintaining the writing life. Almost all questioned their path and their future.
“They were giving up. I thought we need to come up with some concept, a strategy here to make up for the loss of so many independent bookstores, book sections in paper, book tours for younger writers … this is the next generation. They are good, talented — as good as we are — but no one knows about them. We have to put bread and beer on their table.”
In the past a blurb would suffice, but not in the age of digital disruption.
“When established writers say something about a young writer, it’s very important. With this I can pay it forward,” he said.
During the free event, Russo will introduce Joyce, give him the floor for a 10-minute reading, and engage him in discussion. “It’s not about me,” said Russo, who is putting the finishing touches on the sequel to “Nobody’s Fool,” called “Everybody’s Fool.” He wants to direct the focus elsewhere.
“I sensed in Eddie his strong sense of place. I sensed a soul mate, someone who writes about people who don’t have a lot of money, but live honorable, brave lives,” said Russo.
After the series launches in Portland, the guild’s president will do likewise in New York. Russo plans to hold a second author’s talk in Portland this summer and invite Stephen King to participate.
“Portland is going to be a very interesting test market,” said Russo, who hopes to attract 75 to 80 people for Joyce’s debut. “I think we will get that and have to turn people away.”
The literary introduction series is Friday at 7 p.m. Think Tank Coworking, 533 Congress St., Portland. Free.
