Textual Healing [Paperback]

Eric Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 23, 2010

Few people have to deal with a haiku-speaking flower-shop-owning ninja every day on their way to work. Unfortunately for Andrew Connor, he is one of those people.

And poor Andrew, his week has been a rough one. His former bestseller, Chasing Fireflies, is on clearance at Barnes & Noble for $1.37, his girlfriend left him for a corporate America action figure, and he's been tricked into joining Textual Healing, a support group for writers who can't seem to write anymore.

Dealing with his employees at his failing used bookshop, a strange new love interest from the Midwest, and a pet sugar-glider that has somehow managed to destroy his entire apartment. . when will he ever find the time to put pen to paper again?

A quirky comedy set in present day New York and New Jersey, Textual Healing follows the story of Andrew, a self-deprecating, once famous author, his small bookstore in Hoboken, and the colorful characters that surround him.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Fans of Annie Hall & Crossing Delancey will love the smartly smarmy NY state of mind, while indie kids will dig Smith's characters... very cinematic, this." - A.D. Amorosi --reviews.citypaper.net/articles/2010/12/16/kaleidoscope

About the Author

When Eric Smith isn't busy playing video games and writing, he teaches composition courses at Peirce College, drives his students crazy with his questionable teaching methods, and works in publishing.

Eric's toured the country with a number of indie rock bands as a photojournalist, appeared in music videos, and runs the popular hyperlocal blog Geekadelphia, where he writes about technology, gaming, pop-culture, and comic books.

Eric holds a BA in English from Kean University and an MA from Arcadia University. He currently resides in Philadelphia with his bunny, Rory, and chinchilla, Mittens. Textual Healing is his first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (November 23, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1452062455
• ISBN-13: 978-1452062457
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,930,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eric Smith is the co-founder of Geekadelphia, a popular hyperlocal blog in Philadelphia, covering all-that-is-geek in the City of Brotherly Love. In 2011, he co-founded the Philadelphia Geek Awards with Tim Quirino and the Academy of Natural Sciences, a ceremony honoring local geeks.

His writing has appeared locally in the Philadelphia Weekly, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly.com, and you can catch him blogging almost daily on Geekadelphia. He contributes to BookRiot and his personal essays have been published in the literary journals The Apiary and The Bygone Bureau.

His essay in the Bygone Bureau, Master Grief, went massively viral in the Fall of 2011, and was featured on the front page of Reddit and Yahoo, on Kotaku, G4, CNet, Buzzfeed, and more.

Eric holds a BA in English from Kean University and an MA in English from Arcadia University, two schools he adores. He uses those fancy degrees to teach the occasional literature and composition course at Peirce College. His Mom keeps these degrees hanging in his childhood home, and won't give them back.

In another life, he used to photograph and tour with rock bands. He was a serious scene kid and once won an award from Alternative Press. Don't believe the scene cred? Check out this Silverstein's music video for If You Could See Into My Soul. Done? Did you see someone familiar? That should tell you enough.

A native of New Jersey (don't hate), he currently lives in Philadelphia. You can find him on Twitter at @ericsmithrocks and @geekadelphia.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect gift for a romcom fan November 30, 2010

By Julia

Format:Paperback

Textual Healing is a modern romantic comedy, mixing the elements of classic romcom books and films and throwing in technology, '90s rock, and Arnold Schwarzenegger film references.

The quirky characters and vivid detail make it easy to envision this book on the big screen.

The protagonist, Ace, makes readers laugh out loud, but also root for him to prevail both in his professional and personal lives.

This book is a perfect gift for a romantic comedy fan of any age, especially for Generation Y members who have been waiting for a voice that describes the dating scene of the new millennium.

Textual Healing will keep you engrossed through the end, and left waiting for Eric Smith's next book.

You can't go wrong with this book!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars So good, it set my olvaries on fire. November 29, 2010

By Blergisphere

Format:Paperback

This book was delightful. It's like if Harry Met Sally at a party next door to Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. It's the perfect blend of kitsch, cuteness, and funny to make the book an effortless read. I loved the protagonist, Ace, and his ability to make me want to give him a wedgie as well as sit down and have a cup of coffee with him all at the same time. All of the characters were lovable and silly at the same time. Textual Healing is the perfect escape to an (at times) loveless and unimaginative world.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a real "ace"... November 29, 2010

By Samantha

Format:Paperback

For anyone who's been caught red handed stalking their ex-lover at the local Starbuck's, participated in the age old debate of Pirates vs. Ninjas, or had to rescue a damsel in distress from the hands of a florist...what?!?!...Eric Smith's debut novel, Textual Healing, certainly has something for everyone. More often than not you'll find yourself with tears in your eyes laughing at the crazy antics of the loveable protagonist Ace, and how well they relate to some obscure event in your life.

The only bad thing I can say about this book is that it's simply too good to put down and you'll find yourself flying through it in no time at all, eagerly anticipating his next work of awesomeness.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Sweet as you please. February 18, 2011

By Marianna

Format:Paperback

This review can also be found at my blog Books and Circuses.

I suppose I think of this book as a romantic comedy. When I was reading I kept imagining that this easily could translate into a sitcom for TV. The set-up just seems so right for TV. The story and characters all seem to be the perfect for a weekday night's viewing. Whenever one of the side characters would get a chance to spout dialogue, or event engage in altercations, I just was dying to have this book become a show.

The best thing about this book is the humor. Maybe, it wasn't my type of humor all the time, but I still enjoyed myself. My favorite bit was when Andrew starts talking to his stale package of Pop Tarts, pleading with them to be kind and take him back. I am a fan of giving life, or meaning, to inanimate objects...for the sake of comedy. So I was more than delighted with that gem of a scene.

This book reminds me of a RomCom for more than one reason...and I am thinking that some readers may be hesitant in giving this a try because of it. Yes, the book is a about a man getting over a bad relationship and ultimately finding love. But this book is not strictly romance and kissy faces. It is comedy. We have the funny buddies. We have the hilariously awkward and awkwardly hilarious situations. We have some sad, or perhaps "poor me," bits, but this book is far from depressing. This book is all about humor and happy endings.

A good book for a good laugh. I need to see this as a TV show, I must stress that! This book, I feel, is the "pass along to a friend and let them have a good laugh" type. After reading it I wanted someone, anyone to read it. I had the urge to thrust it at someone and yell, "Read this damn-it!" With all kindness, of course.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Quirky indie comedy February 4, 2011

By Alexandra H.

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Between the strikingly vibrant characters, endless nerdy pop culture references and made for the-big-screen ending, it's hard to decide which part of Eric's Smith's "Textual Healing" I love more.

Set in trendy artistic neighborhoods in Hoboken and New York, the story unfolds as the classic boy-meets-girl, girl-turns-world-upside-down narrative.

But Smith plays with romantic comedy cliches to his own advantage; he recognizes the cheesiness in a romantic midnight stroll through the park and makes the situation fresh (and hilarious) instead.

I bought three copies of this book; one for me, two for friends. I suggest you do the same.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars This book made me angry February 3, 2011

By Christopher Illuminati

Format:Paperback

Yes, it made me very angry. I got angry because books like this, and authors like Smith, have to fight every day to get recognized and read while major publishing houses waste ink and paper on Snooki, JWoww and any other minor celebrity of the moment. People that can't read get to dictate a book while witty and interesting writers like Smith go unrecognized. Guess it's just more about making money than actually putting out good literature for some places.

Anyway, I highly recommend the book. It was funny, well written and had great characters. I already lent my copy to a friend. Guess I'll have to buy another.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, hilarious, and romantic page turner that everyone can relate to! December 11, 2010

By L. Vidal

Format:Paperback

I knew I wouldn't be disappointed when I purchased this book. When I began reading it, I couldn't put it down! I read it in 3 days, but I'm sure if my mommy duties and responsibilites wouldn't have interfered, I would've read it in one day.

This book brought me back to the place where I'm from, one I've come to miss a bunch and return to seldomly. It brought me laughs, suspense, excitement, and enjoyment. The characters in this book are very interesting, humorous, and so are their actions and choices of words. Some outcomes were unexpected but I can honestly say I found this book very inspiring.

For those who have given up on their dream(s) or even on love, or for those who think they cannot pick up where they left off in life, reading this book will show you otherwise and make you realize that you write the book to your life. You write the ending and your story is in your hands. Pick this book up and let it inspire you like it did me. You will not be disappointed and you will look at some aspects of your life in a whole new way!