I’ve had so much fun spending hours looking for items to include in the raffles and giveaways for my book launch party on Friday, May 31st. Thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions of what to include! I won’t be selling books at my book launch party, though if people have my book(s) I’ll happily sign them. Easiest place to get them is probably Amazon. I’ll also have signed book plates (stylized stickers) to paste into your book(s)
Now look what I found for the raffles and giveaways!
1.) I decided to do two raffle prizes – two bag of goodies that Emerson would love – Wonderful New York City-themed books with heart – The Truth About Goodbye by Russell Ricard or Dearest New York: A Love Letter to the Big Apple by Deirdre Gartner (a.k.a. @GirlintheyellowtaxiNYC on Instagram!) – Harney & Sons Fine Teas in Hot Cinnamon Sunset and Black Cask Bourbon – Hand-made organic candles – Tony’s Chocoloney ethical chocolate bars (I’m more of a dark chocolate girl but Emerson is definitely a milk chocolate fan!) – Leather coasters that feature NYC icons at sunset: the State of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and the Brooklyn Bridge – I’m still in search of cute tote bags to put all the goodies in!
2.) I have giveaways for everyone who’s there – Metal bookmarks with charms that have significance to Emerson’s story. Each one is unique and I made them for you. – Art prints with a dark academia and fairycore theme that have the feel of Emerson’s life in New York City and her adventure in Ireland. Each one has a hand-written quote from the book on the back – Cake in a flavor Emerson would love (the book starts on her birthday so cake is required for the party!) – Giant cookies – Paper bookmarks with Emerson art (and the QR code for the book’s website) – To honor my rescue soul dog, Phineas, and Emerson’s rescue soul dog, Friday, I’ll be making a donation to 15/10 Foundation for every person who attends the party. 15/10 is a nonprofit started by @weratedogs founder, Matt Nelson, with a mission of making shelter dogs with medical needs more adoptable. Since 2015, Matt and his team have raised over $2 million to help dogs in need.
IN BRIEF
Author, journalist, digital product manager, and licensed New York City tour guide. Creator and host of NYC's Secrets and Lies. Alumna of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA), Arizona State University (Biomimicry), and the University of Cambridge (MSt in Sustainability Leadership).
I build digital media platforms, report on urban climate resilience and biodiversity, and produce live narrative experiences that connect communities to history, nature, and place.
THE DEEP DIVE
My work centers on a single thread: building systems and stories that foster deep connection to our shared world. Across digital streaming, environmental reporting, and live civic storytelling, I design experiences that help people understand complex ideas and the environments around them.
DIGITAL PRODUCT STRATEGY & MEDIA LEADERSHIP
At Carnegie Hall, I serve as Digital Product Manager, leading product strategy, operations, and technical delivery for the video streaming platform Carnegie Hall+. I translate artistic mission into scalable, high-performance streaming architecture that reaches audiences globally. Previously, I led agile product and delivery teams across operations and compliance at American Express, managed Broadway theatrical productions and national tours, and guided strategic initiatives across cultural institutions.
ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISM & AUTHORSHIP
As a freelance journalist, I investigate how living systems, urban infrastructure, and human culture intersect. My reported features on urban decarbonization, biodiversity, coastal resilience, and biomimicry appear in publications including Smithsonian Magazine, The Washington Post, Mongabay, Natural History Magazine, and Foreign Policy Magazine. In fiction, I write the Emerson Page young adult novel series, alongside upcoming historical fiction and nonfiction works on New York history, mythology, and human resilience. I also write Togetherhood, a LinkedIn newsletter focused on urban ecology and community restoration, and co-host the podcast Frameworks in the Wild.
LIVE EXPERIENCE & CIVIC STORYTELLING
As a licensed New York City tour guide and live event producer, I transform urban landscapes into shared narrative encounters. I created, produce, and host NYC's Secrets and Lies, an interactive live storytelling series staged across cultural landmarks including the New York Transit Museum, the South Street Seaport Museum, and the historic tall ship Wavertree. I also design and lead site-specific walking tours exploring coastal ecology, food history, and neighborhood evolution, often with partners at Climate Week NYC and the Natural Areas Conservancy.
DOUBLE OR NOTHING MEDIA
Through my independent production studio, Double or Nothing Media, I develop ventures across media, ecology, and public history:
Digital Products & Strategy: Architecting scalable digital platforms, streaming experiences, and operational models for mission-driven institutions.
Environmental Reporting & Publications: Delivering long-form reporting, books, and newsletters grounded in climate resilience and regenerative design.
Site-Specific Live Storytelling: Producing immersive live shows and educational walking tours that engage public audiences in community history.
CONNECT
Website & Production Hub: doubleornothingmedia.com and christaavampato.com
Newsletter: Togetherhood on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/newsletters/togetherhood-7273771832221089792/
Instagram & Threads: @christarosenyc
Emerson Page Novels: emersonpagebook.wordpress.com/
View all posts by Christa Avampato
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