This past weekend I had the opportunity to do a book signing at my old middle school (2001-2004), which was hosting an outdoor community event, a movie night, for the kids. I got to sell some books and, for the first time, accept credit card payments. It was the first time, technically, that I was selling books as an individual vendor rather than on consignment.
I even got to talk to some kids who were aspiring writers and refer them to the MWA’s teen writing program. It is my hope that some of them will join.
The school looked a little different from my day (mainly in a front extension), but that night, and when I knew I’d be there, brought back a lot of memories. There were two major highlights from 6th grade there. One was that was when I first showed an interest in writing, though it had not yet grown to be a commitment. But my Language Arts teacher recognized it, and she wrote about it in my yearbook. She was one of the three teachers I dedicated Mystical Greenwood too (the others were teachers from high school).
The other was 9/11. The day started off at school like any other. language arts went normal, but during social studies, early dismissal calls over the intercom began, and there were abnormally high, I remember. It continued into tech ed. It was during that class when we were told school was out early. I had to rush to get to my locker before rushing to the bus. Science and math never happened that day. There were rumors on the bus, and the driver said there’d be no school the next day as we got off, but it wasn’t until I got home that I learned what had really happened.
The major highlight in 7th grade was the science project I did that year on color-blindness in dogs. I used my own dog, whom I mentioned before, and jars with different-colored paper. The conclusions were that red and green were hard for her to distinguish, but blue and yellow weren’t. It went all the way to the county level and a few other places. Funny enough, at Balticon this year I listened in on a scientific presentation that involved apes, I believe, which mentioned the same sets of colors, or at least blue and yellow.
As for 8th grade, my algebra teacher would let students stay after once a week to do homework (last class of the day), and my mother, with some effort, finally got me to do it. I didn’t want to stay after. But I did, and in the end, not only did my grades get better, but my teacher said I was the most improved student in the class. Who knows whether I would’ve felt comfortable in high school with afterschool clubs had I not done that.
It was also this weekend that I learned I’ve been approved to sell and autograph books at the Arundel Craft Fair in two months, which will take place at my old high school! I imagine more memories will resurface by then. The event is also on Facebook. In the meantime, I’ve got the Maryland Writers’ Conference this weekend, where I plan to have books on consignment with The Last Word bookstore. The event is also on Facebook. Hope to see you at either or both if you can make it!
Ten years ago, I went to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to talk about and read from my essay “Asperger Syndrome: An Affliction or a Gift?” It won second place in a contest hosted by the Maryland Writers’ Association, the first time I’d ever received a writing award.
I remember feeling like a writer and looking like one with my Tweed jacket. Though in some of these pictures and others, I admit my face wasn’t photogenic. I hadn’t created my author website yet, though my Facebook page was up.
For anyone who wants to follow me on Amazon, I’m aware there are several versions by country, so here are links to all of the ones I’m aware of. If a link does not work, try refreshing it.
Reviews of my work are always appreciated. And remember, verified purchases on one version of Amazon will appear on all of them!
I have to report a factual error that has appeared in my author bio many times. I’d said I was diagnosed with Asperger syndrome age at 14. I was wrong. My initial diagnosis was after I turned 15. My apologies for that error.
Many thanks to Sally for once again featuring one of my posts from last year on her own blog:
I have a few author appearances coming up in the next few months. Mark your calendars!
In a few weeks, I’ll be participating in Balticon 59. This will be my second time at Balticon. I had a good time last year and hope I will have a good time this year as well. Here is my schedule:
Friday 5/23
From Concept to Final Draft, Guilford Room, 4-5pm.
Sunday 5/23
Lightbulb Moments: How Authors Develop Ideas, James Room, 11:30-12:30pm.
What’s in a Name? Kent Room, 1-2pm.
Autographs, 5th Floor Lobby, 4-5pm.
I will be the moderator on the Name panel, a subject I was eager to contribute to, having done a presentation on it. And my autograph session will be alongside one of the guests of honor this year, Sebastian de Castell!
I also have an update on tickets for the Maryland Renaissance Festival, where I will be doing another author signing on August 30th, Labor Day Weekend, from 11-5pm. Tickets are required for entrance to MDRF and must be bought in advance, online only. Daily tickets will go on sale August 4th 10am Eastern Time, and multi-day passes will be available July 7th 10am Eastern Time. Also, the event is on Facebook.
On a last note, the Maryland Writers’ Association is accepting presentation submissions for their annual conference in October. The deadline to submit is at the end of the month. I hope to present myself, but I’ll have to wait and see whether that’ll happen.
As today is the start of Read an eBook Week, here’s all of my work available digitally, whether in Kindle, Nook, or another eBook vendor. If you’re an eBook lover looking for your next read, I hope you find something that piques your interest. If you prefer print, they are available in print, too.
These are my novels, which feature magic, adventure, good vs. evil, forests gryphons, dragons, unicorns, and much more:
And here are all anthologies available digitally and in hard copy that feature my poetry and/or short stories. This one includes my poem inspired by a real black cat:
Ratings/reviews are always appreciated. Mystical Greenwood reached 50 ratings on Amazon US last month! If you already have read and reviewed one of my works, and enjoyed it, please recommend it to a friend!
As it’s also Read Across America Day, I encourage all, not just my fellow Americans, to find the joy in reading and share it with as many people as you can, especially the young.
Welcome back, prospective holiday readers and buyers! Here are anthologies available in hard copy only, featuring either my poetry, short stories, or essays.
This journal includes my micro memoir about my grandfather’s billiard table:
On a side note, I had a wonderful time at the Maryland Writers’ Conference this past weekend. I learned a lot about public appearances and signings, which I hope to put to good use in the future, and I sold six books!
For those who haven’t watched it yet, here’s my presentation on word and page count last month at the Annapolis chapter of the Maryland Writers’ Association, shortly before Beneath the Deep Wave was published.