D: Aaaaaaaa!
A: The echoes of the Druid’s angst rippled across the Plain.
D: Really? This is what you’re going to do today?
A: What? It seemed appropriate.
D: Only you would hijack the most incredible cover reveal to mock me.
A: I think Helena would approve.
D: I suppose – no wonder she’s one of your favorite people—
A: And writer – don’t forget one of my favorite writers.
D: Noted. How excited are you that this spring (that’s Spring 2014, ladies and gentlemen) she is coming out with Volume One of Memoirs of a Dilettante?
A: I’ll tell you how, but first, let’s allow Helena’s voice to shine, shall we? Sheesh, always stealing the show, aren’t you, Druid?
D: (Eye roll) Impossible woman.
Memoirs of a Dilettante is a collection of reminiscences, following Helena Hann-Basquiat, a self-proclaimed dilettante who will try anything just to say that she has, and her twenty-something niece, who she has dubbed the Countess Penelope of Arcadia, in their off-beat antics in such places as common as the local McDonald’s or the comic book store, to their travels to Miami for the search for the perfect Cuban sandwich. Interspersed between wacky one-off adventures, Helena tells personal, sometimes painful stories from her past in order to try and make sense of her life as it has played out, tempering everything with an indomitable sense of humour.
Cummerbund Bandersnatch, the Accidental Plagiarist, strippers, rock stars, geeks, freaks, and the Barista With No Name — these are just a few of the characters you’ll meet inside.
Discover Helena’s tales for the first time or all over again, with new notes and annotations for the culturally impaired — or for those who just need to know what the hell was going through her mind at the time!
If you just can’t wait and you want a taste of Helena’s writing, follow her blog: http://www.helenahb.com
If you just can’t get enough Helena, or you want updates on further goings on, release dates and miscellaneous mayhem, follow Helena on Twitter @hhbasquiat
A: See what I mean, D? Excited isn’t quite the word. Ever since I stumbled upon a darling’d comment at the Accidental Cootchie Mama, and had the privilege of reading one of Helena’s “Charming” Friday Fictioneer posts, I’ve been hooked. After that moment, I spent the next couple of days catching up on her work. That ‘hook’ turned into a real appreciation for her style, wit, general outlook and most importantly, the world and characters she created. Her tone ranges from seriously wicked to heart-breakingly honest, and everything in between. I cannot wait to read the coming memoirs.
I am so ridiculously pleased to know Helena, and count her among my people – I owe her so many pancakes (and I think she owes me a box or five of tissues) but all the same, I hope I’m never out of her debt. She has an incredible talent, and she is going to go far. So, check out her site, read her fantastic stories and when you’re done, take a gander at the ebooks her alter-ego, Jessica B. Bell spits out from her dungeon abode!
The D/A Dialogues 
I LOVE how you worked up this post 🙂 Super great!
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Thank you, Marie! 🙂
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I love the cover to this. The artwork is phenomenal! And pancakes only? I hope you’re including Canadian maple syrup along with them! 😉
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Oh yeah!
As my son, who is well versed in my web escapades said, “Pfannkuchen sind Liebchen, eh?” (even though I know its supposed to be “Pfannkuchen sind Liebe” and the “eh” at the end was just his tribute to the fact that she is Canadian!
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