MFJC Fellowship Grant
June 28, 2024 Delighted to have received a Fellowship Grant from the Memorial Foundation for Jewish Culture to work on my novel-in progress, Beanie.
Bonnie Garmus Interview
May 3, 2023 Such a fun night interviewing the brilliant and hilarious Bonnie Garmus in front a packed house about her New York Times bestselling novel, Lessons In Chemistry.
Other People’s Pets Wins Colorado Book Award in General Fiction!
June 26, 2021 Thank you Colorado Humanities! Congratulations to all the winners and finalists! See full list here.
Other People’s Pets Named Finalist for Colorado Book Award
April 9, 2021 Other People’s Pets named finalist for Colorado Book Award in General Fiction. Reading with other finalists on May 5th at 7 p.m. MT. Full details here.
February 27, 2021 Taped the Turn the Page event with Ryan Warner host of Colorado Public Radio’s Colorado Matters. We chatted about Other People’s Pets and took questions from the audience. Listen to the episode here.
Colorado Public Radio
January 22, 2021 Colorado Public Radio’s Colorado Matters chooses Other People’s Pets as its next Turn the Page book club selection. An online book club discussion with host Ryan Warner and the audience will be held on Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. Mountain Time. Register here. Event is free and open to the public.
Other People’s Pets named one of Hadassah Magazine’s Best Books of 2020
December 2020 See the full list here.
Other People’s Pets on WIRO’s Favorite Books of 2020 List
November 23, 2020 Washington Independent Review of Books includes Other People’s Pets among its favorite books of 2020. See the full list here.
Boulder Book Store Staff Pick & Holiday Gift Guide
Other People’s Pets is a Staff Pick at Boulder Book Store, which is also featuring the novel in their holiday gift guide. You can purchase signed copies here.
KUNC’s Colorado Edition
October 5, 2020 Loved talking to Erin O'Toole of KUNC's Colorado Edition about Other People's Pets, though I'm glad they edited out all the fangirling I did, being a long-time listener of the show. (Listen here. Five-minute interview starts at 18:46.)
National Book Review Essay
September 17, 2020 Tips on public speaking from a very anxious public speaker. (That would be me). Read the full essay, “A (Very) Anxious Public Speaker Goes on Book Tour,” here.
One Book, One Hadassah
September 12, 2020 Other People’s Pets named Hadassah's One Book, One Hadassah national book club pick for the fall.
"One of Library Journal’s best debut novels of summer/fall 2020, Other People’s Pets: A Novel looks at relationships, choice and obligation through the lens of its unique protagonist, La La Fine, a Jewish would-be veterinarian and accomplished burglar.
With a distinct blend of irony, tragedy and humor, Other People’s Pets explores deeply human and Jewish themes: What makes up family? How can one heal from trauma? And what do children owe their parents and what do parents teach their children?"
Read more, here.
Radio Book Club
September 9, 2020 Loved being Maeve Conran and Arsen Kashkashian’s guest on Radio Book Club produced by KGNU and the Boulder Bookstore. Listen to the full episode here.
Best Reviewed Books in August
September 3, 2020 Washington Independent Review of Books names Other People’s Pets one of their best-reviewed books in August. Read full list here.
Other People’s Pets and We Love Anderson Cooper “in the wild” at Vroman’s Bookstore in Pasadena.
First Draft: A Dialogue on Writing
August 31, 2020 Had a wonderful discussion with Mitzi Rapkin about Other People’s Pets. Listen to the podcast here.
Good Day PA on ABC27
August 17, 2020 Amy Impellizzeri recommends Other People’s Pets as part of her summer reading list. Watch the segment here.
Washington Independent Review of Books
August 6, 2020 “With its powerful exploration of a dysfunctional birth family and the life that can be made from and despite the traumas of inheritance, Other People’s Pets is, quite simply, a great read.” Full review here.
Library Journal Best 2020 Summer & Fall Debut Novels
August 3, 2020 Full list here.
The Washington Post!
July 29, 2020 "'Other People’s Pets,' with its lively voice and unexpected characters, makes a perfect addition to anyone’s summer reading pile, but it is required for those who understand that coming of age has absolutely nothing to do with age." Read the full review here.
In the Wild at B&N Brooklyn
Literary Modiin Event
July 26, 2020 Readings and discussion with Julie Zuckerman, Ilana Masad, Sara Lippmann, and R.L. Maizes. Watch video replay here.
Signed Copies!
Get them while they last at Boulder Book Store. Stop by or order by phone or online.
O Magazine Essay
July 22, 2020 When my mother got plastic surgery, I mourned the face I had loved. Read the full essay, “After My Mother’s Plastic Surgery, I Couldn’t Recognize Her.”
Literary Hub Essay
July 22, 2020 Some people take writing classes. Others get MFAs. I learned a lot of what I know about writing from developmental editors and tell all in this essay, my first for Literary Hub. Read the full essay, “A Love Letter to Developmental Editors.”
Old Firehouse Event
July 16, 2020. Live interview and reading. Watch video here.
Masters Review Review
July 14, 2020 “Overall, Other People’s Pets is an absorbing debut novel, one often quite difficult to put down. And even when set aside, if only momentarily, the book continues to resonate: Readers may begin to see the world differently.” Full review here.
Largehearted Boy Playlist
July 16, 2020 Largehearted Boy runs author playlist for OTHER PEOPLE’S PETS. See playlist here.
Bustle’s Best New Books
July 13, 2020 Bustle names OTHER PEOPLE’S PETS one of the best new books of the week. Read article here.
A Mighty Blaze / Reading with Robin Interview
July 14, 2020 Live interview with Robin Kall on A Mighty Blaze / Reading with Robin. Watch video here.
Dog Hugs Show
July 13, 2020 Live interview with Larry Kay on Positively Woof’s Dog Hugs show. Watch video here.
National Book Review
July 13, 2020 Naming it one of five hot books of the week, The National Book Review calls OTHER PEOPLE'S PETS a "deliciously satisfying debut novel." Read article here.
Shelf Awareness
July 10, 2020 The magazine features Reading with…R.L. Maizes. Full interview here.
Tor Genre-Bending Books
July 10, 2020 The publisher includes OTHER PEOPLE’S PETS in its July list. See all the books here.
Manhattan Book Review
July 2020 “Told with humor, irreverence, and warmth, Other People’s Pets is a story about unconventional choices, great loss, and the dangerous hold the past has over the present.” Full review here.
5280 Magazine Summer Reads
June 1, 2020 The magazine includes OTHER PEOPLE’S PETS on its summer reading list. See all the recommendations here.
Boulder Weekly
June 25, 2020 "Maizes offers a chance for readers to see themselves as anti-heroes, as imperfect characters with traumas and bad coping skills, but not as villains incapable of redemption." Love Caitlin Rockett's thoughtful review of OTHER PEOPLE'S PETS. Full review here.
Poets & Writers
July 2020 Love to see OTHER PEOPLE'S PETS on Poets & Writers Page One with the work of Sejal Shah, Leah Hampton, and other wonderful writers. I read a brief excerpt from the novel here.
Booklist
June 1, 2020 Booklist says about OTHER PEOPLE’S PETS: “Creative, intriguing, and filled with lively, likeable characters.” Full review here.
Fiction Writers Review
May 28, 2020 Writer Melissa Scholes Young compares the short story and novel forms by examining the work of R.L. Maizes. Full essay here.
Lilith Magazine
May 30, 2020 “What constitutes a good mother? A good father? A good daughter? A normal life? These are questions posed by R.L. Maizes in her compelling debut novel, OTHER PEOPLE’S PETS.” Full review here.
Jewish Week
May 6, 2020 Jewish Week says about OTHER PEOPLE’S PETS: “Maizes… brings this unusual story to vivid life. I found myself caring deeply about the characters, even the two-legged ones, and unable to put the book down.” Full story here.
Publishers Weekly review
May 11, 2020 "…Maizes keeps the narrative anchored in reality, with believable details about the mechanics of a burglar’s life and a large cast of well-rounded characters. This is a beguiling twist on the familiar formula of breaking unhealthy bonds with the past." Full review here.
STARRED review from The Library Journal
May 1, 2020 "This debut novel brings to life a wholly original, deeply charming, and seriously flawed character whose enormous heart leads her into a mess of trouble. A beguiling tale that will make readers want to leap into the pages...." The Libary Journal STARRED review of OTHER PEOPLE’S PETS. Full review here.
Kirkus Raves about OTHER PEOPLE’S PETS
April 13, 2020 "While its quirky combination of fictional elements and adroit, deadpan writing give the novel a wryly comedic atmosphere, La La’s story is melancholy and moving. An uncanny, appealing blend of suspense, irony, tragedy, and how-to for lock-picking, burgling, and ankle monitor removal." First prepublication review of OTHER PEOPLE’S PETS. Full Kirkus review here.
EL’s Best Short Story Collections of 2019
Electric Literature
December 11, 2019 We Love Anderson Cooper on Electric Literature’s Best Short Story Collections of 2019 list.
Writer’s Bone
December 18, 2019 We Love Anderson Cooper on Writer’s Bone’s Best Books of 2019 list.
Master’s Review Interview
October 17, 2019 Master’s Review interview. “I don’t believe it’s ever too late to begin [writing]. And the good news is that the rewards are inherent in the work.”
Spotted in the Wild at Powell’s
BookPage Review
September 1, 2019 "R.L. Maizes chronicles the comedy and absurdity of the human condition in her wry, whimsical debut, We Love Anderson Cooper." Read full review here.
Lithub Audio Book Review
August 28, 2019 “Maizes finds humor in … unexpected places but never at the expense of her characters.” Read full review here.
Rumpus Interview
August, 22, 2019 “I’ve never known [an animal] to have a hidden agenda.” Full interview here.
Starred Kirkus Review
"Each succinct fictional nugget rolls inexorably along its own quirky trajectory, arrives at its own unexpected destination, and never overstays its welcome ... this is a book about the heart. Breaking news: Maizes' gently witty and vaguely weird collection is well worth reading." Full review here.
Publishers Weekly Review
“Maizes’s direct manner of storytelling and her imperfect yet unmistakably human characters are sure to win over readers.” Full review here.
6/11 Reading at Lighthouse Writers Workshop Lit Fest. Under the tent!
Booklist Review
June 1, 2019 “Through her fantastic characters, all outsiders in some way, Maizes masterfully intertwines harsh realities with humor and a deep understanding of human nature.” Full review here.
Book Trib Interview
June 12, 2019 ”Stories are everywhere. A news report might trigger an idea for a story. Something that happened to an acquaintance might be the genesis of a story. I might observe something odd in my neighborhood. But the finished stories are always greatly changed from what initially sparked them.” Full interview here.
Shelf Awareness Review
July 30, 2019 “With wit and insight, this story collection marks the debut of a major literary talent.” Read full review here.
NPR Review
July 25, 2019 “Maizes' admirable achievement in these charmingly offbeat stories is to balance fascination with sympathy and gravitas with humor." Read full review here.
Sign outside Boulder Book Store before launch.