A bit of bright news on a dark morning in New York City. I went to my mailbox this morning to find a check for my first paid speaker fee as an author. I’ve done a lot of public speaking for the companies I’ve worked for and owned. I’ve had expenses covered and expensive conference fees waived. Today is the very first time I’ve received a speaking fee for just being me and for telling my own personal story. And that feels amazing.
A Year of Yes: Happy book birthday to Emerson Page
One year ago today, I became an author. Thank you so much for all of the love and support during this entire process. It took me 8 years to bring Emerson to life and share her with the world, and her story both saved and changed my life in ways I never even imagined were possible. Happy birthday to my bold, brave girl, Emerson Page. Thank you for letting in the light.
Next stop: Emerson and I will be at the Miami Book Fair from November 15th – 18th where we’ll collect the Readers’ Favorite Award for Young Adult Fiction – Adventure (Gold).
Grab a copy of Emerson’s story on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores everywhere.
A Year of Yes: Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween from me and my little caped crusader! You can vote for me and Phineas here for his daycare Halloween costume contest here: https://woobox.com/9rtqyk/gallery/519moZsOBzg
A Year of Yes: A smile really does help
Me: “How’s your day?”
Cashier: “It was so-so. But you have a really beautiful smile and I feel so much better about my day now because of you.” (He said this as he put his hand to his heart and there was something about that gesture that really meant a lot to me.)
This is an interaction I had yesterday after I had a really terrible day. To be honest, I forced myself to smile at this cashier because I was trying to make myself feel better. And the smile did help me, or at least it helped me feel better to make someone else’s day better.
Small gestures make a big impact. Sometimes something as simple as a “hi, how are you?”, meaning it, and smiling really does help. So here’s a smile today if you need one. Pass it on. Let’s work on bringing the light where and when we can to anyone who needs it.
A Year of Yes: Solidarity with Pittsburgh and the Jewish Community
A Year of Yes: I fear no one
Yesterday was an unnerving day in New York City. My office is 7 blocks from CNN where the bomb squad was deployed. All I have to say is this: if extreme right-wing terrorists think for a second that they’re going to deter me from voting in the midterms, I can assure them that they are wrong. I. Fear. No one.
A Year of Yes: Social justice for our students
This week I’m speaking at a social justice event at a high school in New York. The basis of my talk is about mental health and healing. My main points are:
-We can say our weak things in a strong voice.
-The function of freedom is to free others by telling our story.
-We need to show up for others the way we want them to show up for us.
What do you think?
A Year of Yes: My book is almost one year old
My book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, is almost 1 year old. A year ago today I launched the trailer. What a year it’s been! I can’t wait to share the next leg of her journey with you in Book 2. You can grab a copy of Book 1 here: emersonpage.com/shop
A Year of Yes: I’ll be speaking at M-W Cares Day
I’ve been looking forward to this week for a year! On Friday I’ll be at M-W Cares Day, a character education program for over 2300 high school students, telling my personal story about how I overcame obstacles to become an author. The chair of the event read an interview I did when my book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, first came out almost a year ago and contacted me to ask if I would be a speaker. At the time, I didn’t know how big this event would be; I just knew I wanted to talk to as many young people as I could to be the adult for them who I wish I had when I was their age. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to help them through storytelling. This is the work of my dreams.
More details about the event and day here:https://www.mw.k12.ny.us/monroe-woodbury-high-school/about/m-w-c-a-r-e-s/
A Year of Yes: Nightfall at Green-Wood Cemetery
Andrew Ousley of Unison Media did it again. Nightfall, an immersive performance experience at Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery, is spectacular! Circus performers like sword swallowers and stilt walkers, magicians and illusionists, storytellers, short films, carnival music, and live classical music in the catacombs put me into the Halloween spirit. A huge thank you to Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, Rooftop Films, Morbid Anatomy, and The Moth for sharing your talents with all of us. Also, I just have to say that the cemetery is always a special place; at night, it’s other-worldly. There’s one more show tonight and if you can make it, I highly recommend you go go go! Tickets here: https://www.green-wood.com/event/nightfall/
Christa Avampato 