The Grey Lady looks a tad green this Sunday morning…This is the third time I’ve made the NYT. It’s a comfort to know that the “paper of record” will run an official obituary when I eventually croak.

Thanks so much to all my beloved Philly friends who made it out to my talk tonight at Brickbat Books. My agent and his family came all the way down from Brooklyn, which was way above and beyond the call, as far as I’m concerned. I’m deeply flattered and touched that so many of you bought copies this evening–in fact, we sold all of the copies tonight! On to Society of Illustrators in New York this Wednesday!

The New York Times posted a brief, kind blurb about the book today. Included an image, which is always a plus. The print version will run this Sunday.

Tonight is the first of my book tour events, which will be held at The Rosenbach Museum and Library in Philadelphia. Starts at 6PM. See you there.

My agent Peter took this shot of my book on the new arrivals table at The Strand Bookstore today. Thanks, Peter!

Huge thanks to my friends who made it out to the roller rink tonight. We had a nice crowd tonight, although all that skating and falling down made the photos too blurry to use. (Walt didn’t do much skating, but he really enjoyed the cake.)

Maria Popova of Brain Pickings wrote a very kind review of the book, and Paris Review is now aware of my existence. I’m humbled and grateful.

After two years of working and waiting, the day has arrived: Whitman Illuminated: Song of Myself is officially released! Think I might slip into an indie bookstore or two to see it on the shelf. Then I’m going rollerskating.

I’ll be holding my first book events this week. The first will be at the Rosenbach Museum and Library on Thursday the 15th, followed by Brickbat Books on Saturday the 17th.

My sincerest thanks to my agent and friend Peter Steinberg, and to the folks at Tin House, who have been nothing less than fantastic throughout this entire process.

I suppose we’ll see what the public thinks, now.

Out on an orchid hunting jaunt today down along Big Timber Creek in Laurel Springs, NJ. Whitman writes about this spot in Specimen Days: he convalesced here after his stroke. If you’re lucky, you’ll see Walt lounging in the trees here sometimes…

Friends: we’re only eleven days away from May 13th, the official release date. Copies are already available online–but if you can, please give your business to your local independent bookstore, especially the places where I have events planned: the Rosenbach Museum, Brickbat Books, SI, and Housing Works. I am inscribing copies at these locations this month. So come out, grab your copy, and get it signed by me. Thanks!