Ofnadwy Madarchen

Ofnadwy Madarchen
This is the name of the witch in my book Daisy Daring and the Quest for the Loomis Gang gold. I've had people asking me why such a funny name and what does it mean? Well, Ofnadwy lives in an area of New York State called Remsen, a nice town that happens to have a large Welsh population. Wales had been a seperate country just south of England but was taken over and became part of Great Britain. The Welsh language is still spoken in homes but rarely in public and is closer to the German language than the English language. So the answer is that the witch is Welsh, is from Wales and her name Ofnadwy Madarchen is Welsh for - "Awful Mushroom."

Utica Writer's Club
We had our December meeting and had a nice turnout. This small but passionate group of writer's has many published pieces including my novel. Our next meeting will be Wednesday, January 25th at the New Hartford Public Library, 6p.m. to 8:30p.m. The meetings are free and open to the public and we'd love to have any lovers of the written word.

Ghost Hunting Virgin
In case anyone wants to read it, I had an article published in the Winter 2005 issue of Ghost! magazine titled, "Confessions of a Ghost Hunting Virgin." I've always been enthralled by the spirits of the departed and have read many ghost books. I had gone along on an excursion with the Mohawk Valley Ghost Hunters and this article is the summary of the evening. It was a blast!

Practical Demonkeeping
I'm currenly reading this book by Christopher Moore and it's as wild as anything else he writes. Travis and Catch - the little green demon are in Pine Cove, California and people are on the menu. I'll let you know how it finishes but it's a great read so far.

Spying at the Barnes and Noble

Spying
I have to admit that I was thrilled to see my book on the shelf at the Barnes and Noble. I stood a few rows away and watched people pick up my book. One old lady read the back cover and put it back. Oh, well - bless her honest heart. Sure it was a bit of reverse stalking but one has to remember that I've been writing every day for close to seven years and to finally see a book of mine on the shelf is beyond words.

Publicity
It's not been easy to get publicity out on my book. Author's have to get off the chair and get out there to build buzz that'll generate sales. I feel I owe it to North Country Books to hustle and market like crazy because they put their trust and backing into my book. The book publishing business is very risky. I truly appreciate the honor and privilege of being published and I will do everything in my power to sell books so North Country Books is pleased with their choice to publish Daisy Daring and the Quest for the Loomis Gang Gold. I'm sure they're swamped with manuscripts and can only publish a few. Author's must market their stuff. I enjoy it and take it very seriously.

1st person vs. 3rd person
I'm currently writing the sequel to Daisy Daring and I'm placing it in the third person. My first Daisy novel is in 1st person. I made the switch because I felt it would enrich the story to make multiple points of view available. I love writing both ways and reading novels both ways. If you write in 1st person you better have a strong character. I'm also cutting down on scene breaks and chapter headings. I hope the story is good. I think it is but I'm biased. I'll hold my feelings until my first readers my cousin Evelyn and Linda let me know what they think. An author gets too close to the work and their judgment can become clouded.

Kill or Be Killed
I rented this karate movie from 1981 and I have to say it's the cheesiest thing I've ever watched but I loved every minute of it. It has real martial arts not the "puppet on wire" in today's martial arts movies. It's a tale of Marduke - the Billionaire who creates his own Utopia with people's minds being controlled by a serum made from - potatoes! Yes, and the byproduct of this is a fuel that lets you get 1,000 miles to the gallon. James Ryan stars as Steve Chase and his band of martial artists: The Fly, Gorilla, Hot Dog, and Gypsy Billy. Oh, and lets not forget the beautiful Kandy Kane who hires the team to rescue her chemist father and inventor of the potato fuel/serum. The best of the movie is the final battle between Steve Chase and the "Optimist" to see who's the "best of the best." I'd rather fight the "Pessimist" to see who's the "worst of the worst." This movie can only be appreciated by karate fans who love cheesy early 80's clothes, campy dialogue and old fashioned slugfests.

Cinderella Man
This movie is the true story of James Braddock the man who was on the soup line during the great depression then went on to beat the sinister Max Baer for the world heavyweight boxer title. I love to watch true stories of inspirational figures and Braddock was washed up and too old to box yet he fought for milk and became an inspiration for the entire United States. He does this to be able to feed his family and live with dignity. Russell Crowe proves yet again that he's the Marlon Brando of the 21st century. I've yet to see a bad performance by him. Once again Ron Howard delivers with his masterful direction of this movie.

A Great Book Signing

1st Ever Book Signing
Well my first ever book signing was a huge success. Park Row Books sold all the inventory that they stocked for the event. I'm grateful to all my family and friends for coming out to support me. I love you all!!! Any author who doesn't dream of days like this are lying. This is what it's all about. I'll be having future book signings and will keep you posted. My friend Christine Martin, who painted the portrait of Daisy, created some fantastic book marks that I passed out today. I love meeting and interacting with creative people. My cousin Zenna is an actress in many plays, my friend Frank takes great photographs and my fellow members of the Utica Writer's Club all have superior writing ability. I'm convinced most people have hidden creativity that yearns to be discovered and set free. Believe me, if I can write and publish a book, anything is possible. The only thing stopping you is . . . you!

Cemetery Dance Magazine
I just received the newest edition of Cemetery Dance magazine and it has a really cool painting on the cover of a fierce pumpkin on the vine. This magazine has short horror stories and news and events including a great article by Bev Vincent on the latest with the master: Stephen King.

Stand by Me
I watched the great movie Stand By Me last night and it's still powerful and memorable. As a child I felt like the River Pheonix character who was marginalized because of who he hung out with, where his family lived and the background he came from. I don't think anyone can understand what it's like to be viewed as sub-human until it happens to you, especially when you're an impressionable youth. Anyhow - this movie rules, especially the part with "Lard-Ass" vomiting at the pie-eating contest.

Another Bullshit Night in Suck City
Well I just finished this book by poet Nick Flynn and I 100% loved it! This has to be the best book I've ever read about a bad father. Sometimes fiction just can't match non-fiction in emotion and grit. This book was dirty, nasty, gritty and tragic. I don't think I'll ever look at homeless shelters in the same light.

First Reader

First Reader
In my newly released book I have listed Evelyn Webster and Linda Gigliotti as the "first readers" of all my writings. Both Evie and Linda have been great at looking over my writings, providing editorial and copy writing feedback. The term "first reader" is the highest designation that someone can get from an author. The "first reader" sees the words and stories before anyone else. All authors have a first reader whether it's a spouse, an agent, or a very close friend. When you see this in the acknowledgment section of my book, remember that Evie and Linda are my "good luck charms" who gave me excellent input. What you look for in a "first reader" is honest feedback. Writer's need people like Evelyn and Linda because when you write something, you become too close to it. You need a trusty "first reader."

Book In Hand
I finally have the printed book in my hand and it's fantastic looking. I can't get over the feeling of joy of holding your first published book, the smell of the ink, the words on the page. Every author, even Stephen King can tell you what that first experience was like.

Book Signing
I will be at Park Row Books, Clinton, NY on Saturday, December 17th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. I'm expecting a large crowd. I'll let you know next week how it goes.

1st Book Signing

1st Book Signing
My first ever book signing will be Saturday, December 17th from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Park Row Books, Clinton, NY. I'm excited for my family and friends will all be there with me. It's going to be a blast! This is what writers dream of - people taking in their craft and giving feedback (good or bad). I don't profess to be J.D. Salinger. I'm just a writing grunt applying my dull charcoal stick to animal skin.

North Country Books
My book will arrive at North Country Books on Monday, December 12th! North Country Books is a publisher of high-quality books that are about New York State. I couldn't be happier than working with a team of people that provide excellence in publishing. I've bought many of their titles from Northern NY Ghosts to Frontier Justice. They have a showroom at Charlestown in Utica, NY.

Marketing
A big part of an author's job is to market the book. I'll be performing book signings wherever needed, conducting Loomis Gang events whenever asked, and basically boring people with talk of my book. I know author's who cringe at this but I love this part of it. The writing part is the best but you want people to read your stuff. Very COOL!

Nick Flynn
I'm currently reading a gritty non-fiction book by Nick Flynn titled Another Bullshit Night in Suck City and I recommend it for anyone who likes to read about an alcoholic, absent, get-rich-quick, scheming father. I find the human condition fascinating. The lack of shame and the gall of some people is mind boggling to me. Pick this up and let me know what you thing.