Happy, Happy, Happy . . .

I hadn't expected to wait this long to post again, but my son was sick, and then I came down with a milder version of what he had, but like so many in our area-sickness set me back a week or two!  I apologize for the delay.

Children's Author to Read Her Stories at Storytime

But, I am back and happy to present to announce that tomorrow, Tuesday, December 18th, local children's author Connie Watkins will be at Basloe Library during Storytime with Miss Nancy at 10:30am.

I happen to know that she is very happy to visit Basloe again and share her stories with the children of our community.

Connie's latest book is called Happy Was His Name.  I don't want to give away too much of the story and ruin the fun for tomorrow, but I will tell you that the plot involves a little boy, various animals and a loving grandmother.

Connie Watkins at Basloe Library in 2008.  Photo courtesy of the Evening Telegram.

Connie will have copies of Happy Was His Name available to purchase, along with her other three children's books.  I am certain that she will be happy to sign them!

That concludes my mini local author feature.  I know that I didn't tell you too much, but I am hoping to bring Connie back later in the year for a full blown feature.

In the meantime, I hope that you will all come out to Basloe Library and give Connie Watkins a warm welcome to Herkimer.  It would make her very, very, very  happy!

Mini Feature!!!!

     I hadn't planned on doing another local author feature before 2013, but this one just had to be written.

     About a month ago my daughter, who was unexpectantly home from college for the weekend, and I took a trek up to blustery Boonville to pay a visit to a couple of our past featured local authors who were participating in the annual Dodge-Pratt Northam Art and Community Center and Gift Shop.  Not only did I expect to show support for Dorothy Stacy and Rod Riesel, but I wanted to go meet some other local authors who might be interested in becoming a featured author in 2013.

 

     I met quite a few wonderful authors and had some interesting talks about the challenges that libraries and local authors have.  One such conversation was with someone that I was not familiar with, but who is a long-time friend of Basloe Library.  Constance "Connie" Watkins is an "accomplished photographer, artist, crafter and author."

She will be a special guest at Miss Nancy's Storytime for Preschoolers on December 18th.  She will read her fourth book to the kids and adults, and she will have her books available to purchase and sign as last minute gifts.

I hope that you will come to this special event.  

I will tell you all more about Connie Watkins before the week is out!

Saving the Best For Last . . . Almost

The year in review: 6 terrific local authors support the Basloe Library

This is a long post, but please feel free to scan through the authors at will, look for the bold print and find out where to purchase their books as gifts for your favorite book lover!

Since March of this year, I have had the blessing to become reacquainted with an old friend and have made many new friends who have shared their talents with the world in their writings.  I thanks all of the "local" authors who helped to support the library by allowing me to share their lives and thoughts with you.  I also thank them for their generous donations of signed copies of their books for you and the Basloe Library stacks so that countless people can freely borrow the books for years to come.

If I could recommend one special gift for book lovers out there, it would be a book from a local author.  Whether you in Herkimer, NY or North Pole, Alaska, The United States or elsewhere in the world, there are people in your communities, states, regions, countries that have put pen to paper, so to speak, and shared their deepest thoughts, dreams and opinions of the world.  Wherever you are-support a local author.  The author and the local economy thanks you!

As a recap of this year, I now take you back in time to refresh your memory of all the wonderful authors that I have worked with this year.  Please consider purchasing and giving a copy or two to put under your trees this year.

October

Glens Falls, NY author, Zackary Richards' titles, available on amazon.com-complete with a money back guarantee. Some are Adult titles, but you might remember that I featured Mr. Richards' YA titles Frostie the Deadman and Half Moon Falls.  Mr. Richards has graciously donated several copies of these titles to add to the library's catalog and are now available to borrow.  Thank you, Zackary Richards for your generosity!

All of Richard's titles are available via Amazon.com.  Downloaded versions for Ereaders and Tablet devices come with a money back guarantee!

September

Herkimer native and resident, Rod Riesel made his debut as an author.  Sleeping Dogs Lie introduced us all to a new fictional detective: Dan Coast.  As you may remember from this blog, or perhaps by reading Riesel's novel, Dan Coast is private detective who is working his way through his own life tragedy in his work.

Lots of things have been happening since September to Riesel and Sleeping Dogs Lie.

1. The book's fan Facebook page is seeking new people to "like" the page (and the book!) and if they get to 200 likes, they will giveaway a Sleeping Dogs Lie mug to one of their fans.

2. Riesel had his very first book signing at Frank J. Basloe Library and was featured in a recent edition of the Evening Telegram

3. Riesel also participated in a book signing in Boonville, NY.  It was nice chatting with him and his "publicist" sister, Connie.

4. Look for the second book in the Dan Coast series this coming spring!

To Give a signed copy of Sleeping Dogs Lie, go to the following link:

http://rodneyriesel.yolasite.com/

Sleeping Dogs Lie is also available on Amazon.com

Summer 2012

Ah, Summer.  It seems so long ago!  In some ways it was, even though the calendar says otherwise.   

Mrs. Dorothy Stacy was our gracious local author that enchanted us all with her tales of seasons and generations past in the Erie Canal Cousins Series.  Travel with the Finnegan and Stewart families through our neck of the woods in Central NY through the trials, tribulations and joys of life in the mid-1800's. 

Word has it that Mrs. Stacy is working on a second series that will involve the region in the Town of Paris and Rose Finnegan's children (twins, I believe).

If  you want a signed set of the Series to give to a special child (or adult) this Christmas, or just one title, you can visit dorothystacy.com.  

Mrs. Stacy is running a special until Christmas: Buy the 5-book series at a 4-book price!

Mrs. Stacy is also a very savvy marketer of her books.  You can find them at:

"Barnes and Noble (store and online), Town of Paris Historical Society, Oneida County Historical Society, Waterville Historical Society,  Gansevoort House Books, Reilly’s Dairy, Erie Canal Village, Gems Along the Mohawk,  The Shops at 25 West, and The Adirondack Reader in Inlet. If your local bookstore doesn’t have it, ASK for it. 

Barnes and Noble will order it for you if your local one does not have it in stock. (dorothystacy.com)."

June

A bit out of place for the time of year, but interesting nonetheless, June was dedicated to spooky and scary things.

Cano Davy and Marcus Zwierecki, co-authors with Linda Lee Macken, debuted their book Ghost Hunting in the Mohawk Valley.   The book describes paranormal activity in places like Hulbert House in Boonville, The Herkimer County Jail in Herkimer, Collinwood Inn of Oneida, and the Erie Canal Village in Rome.  

Purchase on Amazon.com

Cano, Marcus and the crew from New York Paranormal Research, who graciously held an ill-fated book signing at Basloe Library (it was about 100 degrees that day and not many people wanted to venture out-even to an air conditioned library with free cookies from Jenny's cookies!), have been busy doing what they do best-conducting paranormal research in our region.

What is even newer is that NYPR will be teaching "Ghost Hunting 101" classes beginning November 29th at 6pm at The Shoppes at the Finish Line on Court Street in Utica. Cost is $10/class.  What a unique early gift idea!

For more information contact:

skeller@shoppesatthefinishline.com
http://www.facebook.com/shoppesatthefinishline
http://www.facebook.com/New-York-State-Paranormal-Research

March/April

At last, our year in review brings us to where it all began.  Jason Foster, my locally raised author, was the "guinea pig" for my little experiment, and for that I am eternally grateful.  Jason and I talked about all things 42 Unanswered Points during countless hours of games of Words with Friends.  The game scenario was unique to old Junior High School classmates that taught me that while that was fun, it wasn't the best way to conduct an interview.  Every time we finished a game, all of my notes were lost!  Oh well!  It was a lesson to be learned. 

Since it was so long ago, let me refresh your memory.  42 Unanswered Points is a book for men and women alike.  It has technical football jargon for the guys and at least two hot, steamy romances for the gals.  Or the other way around, if you prefer.  Either way, Fosters hybrid sports-romance novel is a must for your bookshelf this Christmas.

Available for purchase on Amazon.com

Since the spring, Foster has been working on a second book and has enrolled in a college class in screenplay writing so that he can fulfill his dream to turn 42 Unanswered Points into a hit Broadway play.  Since Channing Tatum has just been named "Sexiest Man Alive (People magazine)" perhaps Tatum will forgot about bringing Magic Mike to Broadway (NY Times 29 June 2012) and wait for Foster's debut as a playwright.   

            _____________________________

Well, there you have it, folks-the year in review of Friends and Words. 

I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed becoming friends with some great local talent.

I am thankful for the opportunity to get to know each of these authors and to bring a bit of their knowledge, wisdom and wit to you this year.  I appreciate that each of these authors brought something new to every conversation and that each was willing to allow me to chat with them about how they became authors and their books.

Look for more local authors coming this January!!!!!!!

Please support these local authors this Christmas and purchase their books as gifts for others or even yourself.

Every time you purchase a book from a local author, you support the local economy and local talent.  

I have been scouring the web for some very unusual gifts for you book lovers out there!  Today's gift suggestions . . .

Orleans Hill Winery Organic, Vegan Friendly and  Sulfate Free Red Wine
"A blend of Grenache, Sangiovese and a kiss of Syrah, this wine was left on oak a little longer to strengthen its overall structure. You'll find a dark rich blend with full mouth feel, subtle earth notes, traditional Sangiovese tannins and a soft oak and vanilla finish (Orleans Hill Winery website)."
Word has it that this is an exclusive wine for Trader Joe's

 

Something to put your wine on . . .
Book Cover coasters (set of 8 water-resistant classic book cover coasters from Out of Print (shop.outofprintclothing.com)). There are three great things about this gift.

1. The pages store neatly in the "book" case and become the "pages" of the "book" so it'll look great on your coffee table.
2. At on $20.00, it's a pretty affordable gift that will have the recipient beg you to tell you where you got it!
AND
3. For every purchase on this website, they make a book donation to a community in need

And more wine . . . Irony Wines from California
Available in Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Noir
To find a location near you . . . http://ironywine.com/Contact/Default.aspx
or order online http://www.wine.com
Starting at $13.00


Do you know someone who loves the smell of books and libraries?  Then have I found the perfect gift for you to give!

Christopher Brosius Limited has developed the a signature perfume called "In the Library" beginning at only $12.00

The company says this about the alluring scent:

"In the Library is a warm blend of English Novel*, Russian & Moroccan Leather Bindings, Worn Cloth and a hint of Wood Polish

*The main note in this scent was copied from one of my favorite novels originally published in 1927.  I happened to find a signed first edition in pristine condition many years ago in London.  I was more than a little excited because there were only ever a hundred of these in the first place.  It had a marvelous warm woody slightly sweet smell and I set about immediately to bottle it."

If library scented perfume isn't quirky enough, then you have to check out these miniature collector dolls made in likeness of all sorts of authors.  Etsy designer Debby Ritter has perfected the art of recreating authors into miniature dolls that are perfect for dollhouses.  She has all the classics and some contemporary authors-everyone from Dickens to Robert Frost-even J.K. Rowling.  Check out Ms. Ritter's creations at http://www.etsy.com/shop/UneekDollDesigns?section_id=5517162&page=7.

My personal favorite from the collection: Louisa May Alcott

. 

Welcome to my special gift giving edition of Friends and Words.  All this month I will scour the earth for interesting and fun book related gifts for all the people on your list.  

One of my favorite places to shop is cafepress.com.  You can pretty much find anything that you want in terms of pithy sayings at that site.  When I was just on the site today, a pop-up ad told me that if you live in NY-they do not charge sales tax.  Whoo-hoo!

Another great site that is similar is zazzle.com.  Last year I ordered a couple shirts for my daughter from zazzle and when I received my order, I realized that I had ordered the wrong sizes (after she tried them on).  I contacted Zazzle and they promptly sent out the new sizes and didn't even want the other ones back.  I thought this was odd, but nonetheless, it happened.  Not saying this will happen to you, but I thought that this was excellent customer service!

Here are some ideas from both of those sites for the book lover on your list, and even some for future book lovers:

This caption is on a T-shirt

Boxer shorts-lol!

Blank Journal titled "Through the looking glass"

Pretty hefty price at $40.00, but there's 10 in a pack so that's only $4 each-perfect for all your book club members!

Play on Law and Order TV series-T-shirt and other products

loved this caption!

nuts about books button-cute stocking stuffer

also comes with "Future Booklover" saying

Ain't that the truth!!!!

Notecard-Just $2.95

Iphone case for the ultimate book lover!

Mouse pad

These are just a sample of what you can find at Cafepress.com or Zazzle.com.  Just type "books" or "library" in the search space and there are literally hundreds of items to choose from ranging in price from $2.95 and up.

Happy shopping!

The bewitching hour is almost here and with it, this month's contest to win Frostie the Deadman, Zackary Richards' YA haunting novel with a dash of moral thrown in, is coming to a close.  I hope you have enjoyed getting to know Mr. Richards, our local author of the month and are anxiously awaiting the drawing on Thursday to win a signed copy of his book.

Before I get to the very last, all important "Question of the Day" of this month, and this year, I would like to share some of Richards' advice for would-be authors.

In my interview of Richards, he shared the key to his award winning success.

Q: What have you found to be an invaluable tool in your writing process?

Richards: I advise anyone serious about writing to join a writers group. Although writers are generally introverts and uncomfortable in crowds, having strangers review your work with a unbiased eye can be an immense help to improving your craft. I joined the Glens Falls writers group slightly before Frostie was published and the Albany Fiction writer group shortly afterwards. Constructive criticism helps us discover the flaws in our work and helps overcome the fear that any changes will likely ruin it.

Q:  What should every writer of Young Adult Fiction remember?

Richards: You have to be able to remember what it was like being a Young Adult and to take the time to learn how today's kid's talk and what they are into. Never talk down to them and never preach. Kids learn from example not from some wind-bag waxing philosophical.

Q: What special responsibility does a YA writer have to their audience?

Richards: . . . I never realized the incredible responsibility YA authors have to their readers until I went on the Frostie the Deadman book tour. Over and over kids came up to me and told me that they knew these guys (my characters Josh and Winks) and now understood how important it was to be a good friend and to be brave even when things are at their scariest. It was then I realized I wasn't just entertaining kids, I was programming them. You can write whatever you want in an adult novel because adults have their own opinions but kids, they BELIEVE what they read so the YA author must be very careful about what he/she puts in a book.    

Lastly, 

Q: Do you have any other advice for future authors on writing, editing, publishing and marketing?

Richards: Tons! All of which will be featured in my upcoming video tutorial 'How To Get Your Book Published' (please pardon the shameless self-promotion).

That's okay, Mr. Richards'-we don't mind a little "shameless self-promotion."  After all, our goal is to create community and help promote our local authors!

You can watch for that on Mr. Richards' own blog site at http://zackaryrichards.blogspot.com/

__________________

Well, that's it folks!  The day after tomorrow is the drawing for the book.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Richards for being our local author of the month and for donating a copy of Frostie the Deadman for the prize and a copy for the library so that we can add it to our stacks.  We appreciate you very much!

Here's your last chance to be entered into the contest:

Question of the Day:
Are you staying at home, handing out candy or are you going out trick-or-treating?

Happy Halloween everyone! 

coming in November . . .

A Special Friends and Words Gift Guide

The last time we met on the blog, I described the fear factor in Zackary Richards' YA novel Frostie the Deadman.  But there is more to the story. 

 Behind the mask of Frostie's chilling tale exists the inspiration and a moral.

Without giving too much of Frostie away, 

(because after all I really want you to enjoy the book if you win it,  borrow it from the library once we catalog it, or support Mr. Richards by purchasing a copy of your very own), 

in addition to the characters of Lucas and Walks, there exists another element of the story that is crucial.

     In the mid 1940's, fictional Adirondack town of Sparks experienced one of those winters that we Upstate New Yorker's know all too well-the kind that keeps even the bravest children inside.  To chase the winter blues away the town people hold a snowman building contest, with a $10 cash prize and a free meal at the local restaurant, "which at the time was considered quite generous (Chapter 2, 2nd page)." 

     Just how generous?  I did some research on Dave Manuel's Inflation Calculator (http://www.davemanuel.com/inflation-calculator.php) and apparently Richards was correct.  $10 in 1945 would be like $128.21 today and since everyone knows you can't go out to a nice restaurant for less than $25/person plus tax and tip, minus beverages, that was indeed a nice prize!  

     By the way, that our $10.00 today would have only been about 78 cents.  Wow!  But I digress.

Back to Frostie . . .

So fast forward some years and the people of Spark's are trying to think of a way to attract tourists and since the snowman contest was fun, they decide to build their tourism around building and displaying the best of the best snowmen and arranging them on the lake in the form of a huge marching band.  Apparently it worked because 30 years later, Spark's is famous for this frozen wonder.

_________________

     How Richards tells the story is that one day his two daughters made this fantastic looking snowman and they couldn't wait until Daddy got home to show off their "creation," but by the time he got home it was way to dark to venture way out back of their Glens Falls home.  

     A couple of days went by before he had the chance to make the trek.  By that time, as is typical of Upstate NY winter days, the temperature had fluctuated in a wide range of highs and lows and the magnificent creature was no more.  What stood before Richards was a distorted pile of snow and ice that was no longer handsome and noble, but "grotesque and evil." 

At that very moment, Frosty the Snowman was gone forever, but Frostie the Deadman took on a life of his own in Richards' mind.

     But I can assure you that "grotesque and evil" doesn't have a long life either and Richards' cleverly weaves an endearing story about how two young boys overcome the evil through the power of friendship and develops into an important moral with an anti-bullying message.

     I can't tell you anymore.  Well, I could, but I won't.  It just wouldn't be fair.  You really should read the book.  I promise you'll love it! Plus, remember-it's guaranteed! 

Next time . . . Mr. Richards' shares advice for budding authors.

Until then . . .

Remember . . .

                                     (Figment.com, retrieved 10/24/12)

The Zackary Richards Guarantee

"It was almost midnight.  The air was cold and crisp and white billowy clouds sailed across the wintry sky.  The giant evergreens of the Adirondack Mountains swayed gently in the breeze, their icy branches sparkling under the light of the full moon.  The air was thick with the smell of pine, birch and cedar.  The sky was covered with stars."

And so Zackary Richards' tale of Frostie the Deadman begins.  The opening descriptive paragraph seems more appropriate for a nice, peaceful, tale of winter hopes and dreams than what Richards unfolds in his first YA novel.

But in the midst of this midwinter's night dream scene, something is lurking in the shadows that is about to disrupt all the snowy white goodness.

Richards continues to lure his readers into this sense of false security, yet quickly begins to mix clever adjectives in with the snow white goodness.

"In the valley below, the wind skipped across the frozen lake like a playful child and danced with the cheery-faced snowmen that had been placed upon its surface . . Snow devils twirled around fence posts . . . In the distance a coy-dog howled."

So far, so good, but do you notice the tone subtly changing?

And just you wait!  Things are about to change from a Hallmark Christmas Card to the Night of the Living Dead real soon!

"Under the light of the full moon, he saw Lucas staring down.  His teeth were clenched and saliva dangled from his chin.  His eyes were wild, like that of a rabid animal. Walks was lost in the moment, lost in the passion.  He raised the club to deliver the final, fatal blow."

Yikes!

Who is this Lucas?  Why is Walks hunting him down?  What has happened to change the picturesque, fictional winter town of Sparks, NY? 

Well, I could tell you, but that would ruin the whole story for you, and since I really want you to read Richard's book, then I recommend that you pick yourself up a copy of Frostie the Deadman to find the answers!  Or you could wait and try to win the copy that we're giving away this month, or wait to borrow it from the library, but you might want to read about the Zackary Richards Guarantee.

Amazon has print copies available, but the Kindle copies are a great deal at $3.99! And here's even better news that might seem too good to be true:  Richards' guarantees that you will love any of his books that if you do not truly love them, he will refund the purchase of the downloaded book within 30 days with receipt!  

Can you believe that?

How many authors do you know would do that?

When I asked Richards about this odd practice he said,  "I have thrown out far more books than I have read. Primarily because the author forgot that it is his/her responsibility to entertain the reader. To often they get so impressed with their own artistry, they forget they are on the clock. I know times are tough and money's tight so if you don't like my book or if its simply not your thing, I'll refund your money. This way my readers will see I'm on the up and up and perhaps recommend me to someone he/she feels would enjoy my work."

Impressive!

Well, I have read the first three chapters so far, and love it and recommend it to all you lovers of Young Adult Fiction-especially for Halloween.  You won't be disappointed!  Richards' guarantees it!

This week libraries all over the U.S. are celebrating a very special event and I would almost guarantee that most of you have probably never heard of it!

It's Teen Read Week.

Teen Read Week is sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association which is a real mouthful to say, so it's commonly known in library circles as YALSA.  YALSA's goal for this week is to get teens to read for the fun of it.

Not because it's been assigned by a teacher or their parents are making them read a book, but for the sheer pleasure in reading a book or magazine of their choice for no other reason than to be entertained.

To some teens, who are more inclined to read hours of their friends rants and raves on Facebook and Twitter or choose to spend their entertainment hours on video games, television, sports and movies, the notion that they can read for fun is SCARY!

YALSA knows this, so they built this year's Teen Read Week around that very theme:

I have to admit that I was thrilled when I saw the theme on YALSA's website. It's very rare that things line up perfectly!  

• It's October-a month known for spooky, scary stories
• It's Teen Read Week
• YALSA's theme is spooky and fun
• I found an author that writes spooky, fun Young Adult novels

See what I mean-all the pieces of the puzzle fit perfectly for this month and I'm so excited to present Zackary Richards' and his YA books!

Tomorrow, I will give you a sneak preview of Richards' Frostie the Deadman and how the idea was born.  

Dare to come back!

Until then, remember . . .

Encourage a teen to head on over to the library and read for the fun of it!

    The Greatest Fear in Writing

      From the beginning of this blog, I have felt honored and privileged to be able to chat with each of the local people who have succeeded in becoming a published authors.

     They each had a dream and felt that they had something creative to share with the rest of us.  They put a piece of themselves "out there" for the world to see, read and judge.

     Each of the authors that I have had the pleasure of getting to know this year and sharing with all of you, have given wonderful advice that could help a budding author.  They have even shared some difficulties that they had along the way.

     Yet, I would also imagine that each of them saw the risk that people might not like what they had to say in their books, and they were brave enough to go ahead with their dream anyway.
   

     I am sure that for every one of the Jason Foster's, Cano Davy's, Dorothy Stacy's and Rod Riesel's in this world, there are several others who think that the risk outweighs the pursuit of the dream.   

Because deep down, to know that publishing a book also means to know that you will be judged.

And that can be very, very frightening.

__________________________

The author that I am chatting with this month knows all about this fear, yet his is lessened by the fact that he is an award winning author.

Mr. Zackary Richards, of the Glens Falls area, has published several books, including two YA (Young Adult) titles, one of which is award winning.

I look forward to sharing Mr. Richard's thoughts about the fear of writing, advice for anyone dreaming of becoming a published author and the bone chilling tales  his YA titles, Frostie the Deadman and High Moon Falls with you this month.

Come back soon, if you dare! 

 Until then . . .

Remember

"The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't read." 
Abraham Lincoln
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/book.html#v4hhQUTmsDI88WZz.99 

The day has finally come.  The day that many of you have eagerly awaited.  The day has come to reveal the winner of Rod Riesel's debut book Sleeping Dogs Lie.

Before I draw the name, I wanted to share with you some of Rod's thoughts about life in Herkimer, writing and such.

• As for life in Herkimer, Rod thinks that the people are the best thing about the area:

         "I would have to say that my favorite thing about Herkimer would be the   
          small town atmosphere. I like that while my wife and I are on a walk  
          someone always drives by who beeps and waves. I like that every time I 
          run to the store for something, what should have taken 15 minutes takes a 
          half hour, because I always run into someone I know." 

I know that feeling well, don't you?

• Rod's other passion in life (besides his wife, family and writing): Running.

        "I also enjoy running. I have run the last eleven Boilermakers in a row. My 
         wife and I run about six or seven area races a year including Herkimer’s 
         Dare Run and the ARC Heart and Sole Run."

• Rod's appreciation for the "creative process":

        "I have always been fascinated by the creative process. I was always amazed at how someone could just sit down and write a book or a song, or paint a picture, or write a poem. Like a lot of people, writing a book is something I always said I would like to do, but never really thought I would. Even toward the end of writing this book I was still in the mindset that only friends and family would probably ever read it. It wasn’t until I had finished the rough draft and had given it to a few people to read that I finally started thinking, ok, maybe this could go somewhere."

Yes, Rod . . . it has gone somewhere, for now you are officially a published author!  We congratulate you on your debut and look forward to the second book in the Dan Coast Series, due out next Spring!


That, my friends, concludes September's featured author profile.  I sincerely hope that you make every effort to attend Rod's book signing event at Frank J. Basloe Library on Tuesday, October 9 from 5-7pm for the official unveiling of Sleeping Dogs Lie.  

For more information about the book and events Rod has planned, please "like" Sleeping Dogs Lie on Facebook.

And now . . . the winner of a signed copy of Rod's book, who won by answering questions of the day on Frank J. Basloe Library's Facebook page is . . .

Congratulations to this month's winner and thank you to all who participated in answering the questions of the day!  

In honor of Banned Books Week, I am taking this week off from the Meet a Local Author, but will return on Columbus Day with a new author and new questions for chances to win!

Until then . . .

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to 

suit me.” 

― C.S. Lewis

      

At last, the moment you've all been waiting for . . .

You've all been so very patient, waiting for the unveiling of Rod Riesel's debut novel Sleeping Dogs Lie. I thank you for that, but it's only been a few weeks since I began to tell you Rod's tale and considering that it took him nearly a year to write the manuscript and prepare it for publishing, a few weeks is nothing!

So here's a little bit about the book, in Rod's own words.

     "Sleeping Dogs Lie is a mystery set in the Florida Keys. It’s about a man named Dan Coast. He’s an unlicensed private investigator. The story takes place about three years after his wife is killed in an automobile accident. The story in about his struggle to overcome his grief over her death while investigating the disappearance of a man and woman."

That's it in a nutshell and all that I am willing to reveal.  If you want to know all about Dan Coast and what happens, you are invited to attend Rod's book signing at the library.

oops . . . the picture cuts out the time!  

Well, folks . . . the time to meet Rod and to pick up a signed copy of his book is 5-7pm!  

Hope to see you there!

Fall has arrived officially in the Mohawk Valley! But we didn't need the calendar to tell us that, did we?  We know it because:

• The days are cooler, especially in comparison to the hot, hot, hot days we had this Summer
• At night you need the extra blanket to ward of the crisp cold so that you don't cave in to putting on the heat
• You wake to the shadowy, misty, icy cold fog that settles into the nooks and valleys of our Adirondack foothills
• School is in full swing, as made evidence by the hums and screeches of school buses and the quietness of the village streets between 8 and 2:30
• The hills are beginning to show evidence of the Master Painter's palette, washing away the various greens to reveal a sea of reds, oranges, yellows and browns.
• The local stores are putting up Christmas decorations a couple of aisles down from the Halloween candy and costumes
• The days are growing ever so shorter and are whizzing by in a race to close out this calendar year-or at least that's how it seems! Do you know what I mean?

All of this may be true for you and me, yet for our featured author, Rod Riesel, this September holds an entirely different meaning, and time has not gone by as quickly for him.  That's what anticipation of something big does-slows time to a snail's pace until it seems as it has almost come to a complete standstill.

As each day, slowly fades away, the emotions grow more and more intense.  Nervousness, anxiousness, impatience, excitement and joy intertwine. When I spoke to Rod briefly last week, he seemed to take it all in stride, but admitted that the hardest part of this process is the waiting. 

Waiting allows the brain to think and question.

"Will people read it?"

"Will they like it?"

"Will they buy it?"

The time in which those questions will be answered is near.

Meet Rod at his inaugural book sale/signing event 

Sleeping Dogs Lie

Tuesday, October 9

5pm-7pm

Frank J. Basloe Library

Main Street

Herkimer

Mark your calendars and come to support 

Herkimer's latest author!

Rod came out to the Herkimer Farmers' Market last Thursday to show support for another local author, Mrs. Dorothy Stacy.  Shown here is Mrs. Stacy signing a set of her books for Rod.

The rest of this week, I will tell you a bit about the book and reveal Rod's advise for others who dream of becoming a published author.

But until then . . . Find time to take a walk, read a book, and visit with friends!

"I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see" (John Burroughs as quoted at coolquotes.com).

     Last time, I told you a bit about Rod Riesel's taste in music.

This time, I want to share with you a bit about his taste in books.  

     For those of you who are anxious to hear more specifics about his debut book, please be patient!  This is a creative process in which all the smaller pieces fit together to make one big picture. I promise you, it'll all come together in the end!  Getting there is half the fun!!!

     Unlike Rod's eclectic taste in music, Rod's favorite genre of literature is mystery. End of story.  His favorite authors are G.M. Ford, Robert Parker, and John D. MacDonald.  Here are some interesting things that I discovered about these authors:

G.M. Ford: Modern mystery writer with a very colorful take on life and writing.  I unearthed this quote Ford given to J. Kingston Pierce of January Magazine about the mystery genre:

"I write fiction. I feel no need to match reality. I have no idea what a real gumshoe does, 
and quite frankly I don't care. Books have no obligation to be accurate. 
What they can't be is noticeably inaccurate. 
As long as they don't puke on their own shoes, everything's fine and dandy.
In some subgenres, like historicals or police procedurals, 
the needs for accuracy are quite different. 
In a standard P.I. story, all you need to do is 
tell a good story (http://www.januarymagazine.com/profiles/gmford.html)."

And from what I've heard, Rod's Sleeping Dogs Lie is a really good story!


Robert Parker: He was the self-proclaimed "Dean of American Crime Fiction" publishing nearly 70 books, and like Rod, he held many interesting jobs in his lifetime and was a husband and father (http://robertbparker.net/robert-parker-books.php).

John D. MacDonald: MacDonald's a real interesting guy and acclaimed author of 78 American crime novels, including the Travis McGee Series.  What's interesting about that particular series is the location of the setting.

Utica OD contributor, Malio Cardarelli wrote an excellent feature article for the OD back in 2007 about all of the references to Utica that native John D. MacDonald penned in this series.  If you get a chance, go to http://jdmhomepage.org/jdm-and-utica.html and read the article.  While you're there check out the rest of the blog by Cal Branch.  Branch has virtually everything you ever want to know about MacDonald, including this picture of MacDonald's Utica home on Beverly Ave, which is still there:

Rod's favorite books:

This is the toughest question that everyone seems to falter on . . .the standard answer is "there is just too many to choose from."  Ain't that the truth, friends?  But what Rod did tell me was that he is currently reading G.M. Ford's No Man's Island ("best book I've read in two years!" says Rod) and two very memorable books for Rod are Hunter Thompson's Rum Diary  and Jimmy Buffett's Tales from Margaritaville, which relates back to Rod's favorite music.  

See, it all comes together!

Only one more thing before I tell you a bit about Sleeping Dogs Lie, but that will have to wait until next time!  Be sure to keep reading, and until next time . . .

"Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it"  P.J. O'Rourke, writer, journalist and author

Before we talk about the book, let's learn more about the author's choice in music. . . What? Did that say music, not books?

That's right, music.  Behind every author's story and behind every book, there is one thing in the author's life that influences the way that they write, or what they choose to write about.  Somewhere there is something or someone that has impact upon the way that the author sees the world.  From the answers that he gave me to my probing questions, it seems to me that Rod Riesel's is his choice in music.  

I don't want to go into great detail, as I want to prolong the suspense about Sleeping Dogs Lie, but I can tell you to look for clues; some will be quite obvious, and others more subtle.  

As you gather the clues for the next week or so, I hope you'll learn a little bit more about Rod Riesel and his debut as an author!   

______________________________________

                                 

In Rod's own words, "I enjoy all types of music, but I would have to say my favorite music is music with a beach, or tropical feel."  Pretty different from a Central New Yorker like Rod, where the nearest tropical beach is thousands of miles away.  And sorry guys, Sylvan Beach doesn't count!

When asked what musical artists are his favorites, Rod replies, "Artists like Jimmy Buffet (Folk), Zac Brown Folk/Country), Kenny Chesney (Country) and Bob Marley (Reggae). Recently I have been listening to a band called The Boat Drunks."  Who?

Since I have never heard of The Boat Drunks, and just in case you haven't either, I did a little investigating.  

The band has been around since 2006, originating from Illinois, and their music is as classified in a rather unique genre, kind of like Rod's favorites all rolled into one-"Country/Rock/Tropical . . .Indie (www.myspace.com/boatdrunks#!)."  

For your listening pleasure, I have included one of their songs: Key West Jam (Retrieved from YouTube.com 09/12/12).  Go grab yourself a Margarita, close your eyes and enjoy the sound of The Boat Drunks. 

Too early in the day to travel to Margaritaville? Have a listen anyway!

Okay, so you've read about Rod's choice in music,  maybe had yourself an umbrella drink, and listened to a jam session from a band you may or may not have ever heard of.  What does any of that have to do with Sleeping Dogs Lie?  Please keep reading to find out!

Until next time . . .

Don't just coast through life . . . take a moment to enjoy the simple pleasures like a good book and the company of good friends!