Excited to share that this Fall I’ll be recording the audiobook for Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, and launching it on Audible later this year. Actress Alexandra Taylor will be narrating and I’ll be producing, directing, and editing it. The audiobook will have cut scenes that were not included in the book, and it will have some other Easter eggs as well for listeners to hear. I’m really excited to make the beginning of Emerson’s journey accessible in this format. It’s been on my list for quite a while and Alex’s interest in voicing it gave me the push I needed to make it happen. Thanks, Alex!
Joy today: Introducing my new venture, Double or Nothing Media
I’m really excited to share with you that this week I officially launched my second full-time entrepreneurial venture—Double or Nothing Media. Hence the name, double or nothing! In short, I’m placing big bets on stories about people, places, and products that inspire us. Rolling up all of my business and creative skills sets into one business, I’m offering the following services either as a package or individually depending upon whatever my clients need or want:
- product development
- the storytelling and marketing of that product in many different mediums as well as the people and places it impacts
- the business strategy and implementation that goes into making that product financially sustainable
Broadly defined, I think of products as anything that is the result of an action or process. That could be a tangible good like a t-shirt or bottle of shampoo, a system like the New York City water system, or a digital product like the online learning program I’m working on with Carnegie Hall.
I’ll also be working on my own products related to my biomimicry work as well as my own film, TV, web series, audio, and book projects. More on those in my next post!
For now, I’d love for you to check out Double or Nothing Media and let me know what you think! Also, if you’d like to work with me, or know someone who would, I’d love to chat. Let’s tell some stories together!
Joy today: This is my wish for all of us
My friend, Colleen, posted this and I just had to share it. These are all the things I wish for all of us.
“May you awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
May you respond to the call of your gift and find the courage to follow its path.
May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
May the flame of anger free you from falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame and may anxiety never linger about you.
May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift woven around the heart of wonder.”
~ John O’Donohue
Joy today: Taking another big career leap
The start of a new chapter today calls for a new notebook. This beautiful one from Brian Andreas fits my mood and MO perfectly. Thanks to my wonderful friend, Colleen, for sending it to me. Here we go!
Joy today: I received a TopShelf Magazine 2020 Book Award Nomination
I don’t know what lovely person made my day on Saturday, but they sure did. I found out that my book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was nominated for a TopShelf Magazine 2020 Book Award. I received an email with the happy news last night and I’d really like to thank the person who nominated me. If it was you, please let me know! For now, I’m just tossing copious amounts of gratitude and joy into the universe.
Joy today: Happy 50th birthday to the moon landing
Happy 50th birthday to the moon landing! If you are anywhere near NYC before Sept 22nd, I highly recommend seeing The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York‘s exhibit Apollo’s Muse: The Moon in the Age of Photography, a beautiful combo of science, art, & dreams.
Among my favorite pieces there:
- Images from and of the refracting telescope at Lick Observatory (1870s and 1880s)
- The first book entirely dedicated to the moon (from 1647)
- Images from the lunar atlas created at the Lick Observatory (1897)
- Venice by the light of the moon (a trick of photography by Carlo Naya – 1875)
- A light-refracting telescope similar in technology to the one used by Galileo (1800)
Joy today: Writing feedback is a gift
I wrote my first TV pilot script this month—an adaptation of my young adult novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters. I’ve entered it in a few screenwriting competitions. One of those allowed the option to pay a bit more to get personalized feedback on the script. I jumped at the chance to get feedback from experts in the industry. Feedback is such a gift and so important, especially since I’m just learning how to write for this medium.
I just got the feedback and it’s 3 full pages of insights and suggestions on how to make the script stronger, specifically for TV. Immensely helpful! It scored 7.6/10 which I think is pretty good for my first TV script. I did a little dance, tossed up some sincere wishes of gratitude, and am now getting back to editing and refining.
Joy today: Moulin Rouge on Broadway
The Broadway show Moulin Rouge The Musical is opulent and spectacular. An event. A party. A love story. The raw manifestation of truth, beauty, freedom, and love. A love letter to bohemian Paris set in one of the most storied theaters in New York. The cast is spectacular, especially Karen Olivo and Aaron Tveit!
Joy today: Going to Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2020
Sharing some wonderful news today: I’ve been asked to direct a play at the 2020 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and accepted. More details soon. For now I’m just filled with excitement to take part in Scotland‘s legendary theater festival that I’ve dreamed of going to for years! https://www.edfringe.com/
Joy today: Shout about what you love
The greatest gift life offers us is the ability to build with our hands what’s in our hearts. I can promise you this: if you consistently shout about what you love, let people know what you want to do, possibilities start to show up. At your doorstep, over coffee, in your inboxes. Some you hope for and some you never even imagined existed. They come from close friends, people you’ve just met, and people you knew a lifetime ago. So please, don’t wait. You don’t have any time to waste. None of us do. Seek our opportunities to do what you love. And if you don’t find them, then make them. Manifest. Raise your voice. Move your feet. Find your pack. Rise, and lift others on your way up. Choose joy.
Christa Avampato 