Tod Goldberg has long been one of the most interesting writers around, and Gangsterland is his biggest and best book so far.

There is no place so benighted and godforsaken that some moron won't go there on vacation. People could be living in an open sewer and swallowing dirt to stop the hunger, and there'd be a couple from Larchmont wearing comfortable shoes there to take pictures of them.

If I don't have a project going, I sit down and begin to write something - a character sketch, a monologue, a description of some sight, or even just a list of ideas.

Tod Goldberg has long been one of the most interesting writers around, and Gangsterland is his biggest and best book so far.

I don't have dry seasons, because I don't allow them.

I held a variety of jobs - most notably ten years working in universities - and kept on writing.

I don't consciously do anything to maintain a unique voice.