Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Third Annual Rhode Island Authors Expo

By now you probably know that the Association of Rhode Island Authors (ARIA) is holding our signature event of the year this Saturday, December 5th.  This year's Third Annual Rhode Island Authors Expo holds even more significance to me.  Last year I helped with registration and promotion, but this year I wanted to do more.  Since I was voted Vice-President of ARIA in early 2015, I felt it was time to take on a larger role.  I volunteered to be the Expo Committee Chairman and I couldn't be prouder of what we have accomplished up to date.  Behind the scenes we had to handle registration, find a location for the venue, assemble the headliners, coordinate marketing and promotions, get everyone to utilize social media, coordinate volunteers, assemble raffle prizes, draw up a floor plan, acquire sponsors, secure insurance and WiFi for the venue, create signage and posters, hit the radio circuit, give interviews in local papers and radio talk shows, and so much more!  It wasn't always easy, but we got it done.

I'd like to thank my fellow Expo Committee members, Steve Porter, Dawn Porter, Adam Wasserman, Vikki Corliss, Leigh Brown, Nora Hall, Pat Mitchell, Rob Bentley, and Julien Ayotte for being the beat and easiest people I've ever worked with.  We all took on different responsibilities and performed them extremely well.  I can't wait to see all of our hard work come to fruition on Saturday.  I know you'll enjoy the Expo, too.  Feel free to join our Facebook Expo event and all the information you need is on the flyer below.  See you there!




Friday, November 13, 2015

WEMF Radio's Citywide Blackout Interview

Last night, after a long day that started at 5:15 in the morning, earlier if you count the numerous times our new puppy woke us in the middle of the night, I traveled to Boston after work for an interview on WEMF Radio's Citywide Blackout show.  The host, Matt Zappa, was simply awesome!  The interview's 30-minute time limit flew as we touched on the evolution of my Overlords Fantasy Book Series, how to organize your thoughts and get them into print, character development and their growth throughout the series, how my life experiences weaved their way into my novels, baseball and my signature pitch, the knuckleball, the 2015 Rhode Island Authors Expo, and so much more.  Matt was totally engaging and had really done his homework, mentioning that being an engineer must be a complete change from writing fantasy -- and it is!  I presented Matt with ten Overlords eBooks via a Dropcard, which comes in the form of a gift card and allows the user to download one eBook of their choice using a unique access code.  Matt was blown away, not realizing that authors as well as musicians as himself have a way to hand out their digital work in the form of a gift card when they are at events.

I'm sure that I'll take advantage of his offer to come on the show again, as well as to meet his co-host Max Bowen, who unfortunately was away on a personal commitment.  Rumor has it he's a cool guy, too.  The podcast will be available next week and I'll be sure to provide a link so that everyone can give it a listen at their convenience.  Once again, thanks Matt and WEMF Radio for having me on your show.  Maybe next time we'll to a Periscope event -- why not!

Friday, April 3, 2015

2015 Author Meet and Greet

Ever wonder what it would be like to meet the author of the book you just finished?  You know, the one you just couldn't put down?  What if I told you it were possible?  Well it is!  On Saturday, April, 11th, me and thirty-five of my fellow Association of Rhode Island Authors (ARIA) will be attending an Author Meet and Greet at the Warwick (RI) Public Library.  Authors of all genres will be there to answer your questions, sign books, and chat with their fans.  The event runs from 10:00 to 3:00 and is free to the public.  What have you got to lose?  I'm sure I'll see you there!