creativity

A Year of Yes: Arlington Public Library Becomes the First Library to Carry My Book

Christa Avampato

Screen Shot 2017-10-26 at 6.04.08 PMGetting into libraries can be a conundrum for authors. That’s why I’m so grateful to my friend and reader, Shakti, for going to bat for me at the Arlington Public Library in Virginia. Shakti sent an email to them before my book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was even published (isn’t she wonderful?!)

To their credit, they wrote her a note and said that in order to be considered, the book needed to be available through one of their vendors and had to have favorable reviews in one of the professional review journals that their selectors use to make decisions about what to purchase.

Yesterday, they wrote Shakti again and said, “The book is now available from our book vendor and has a positive review fromĀ a review journal (Kirkus, 4/1/18) so we will add it to our next order.”

I’m absolutely thrilled to hear this news and immensely grateful to Shakti and the Arlington Public Library. Now I need to get to work contacting every library in the country. Be right back…

creativity

A Year of Yes: My young adult novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, won a Nautilus Book Award

Christa Avampato

Screen Shot 2018-04-30 at 11.57.23 PMI am so incredibly honored to share the news that my young adult novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, won a Nautilus Book Award for young adult fiction. The Nautilus Book Award is given “To recognize, promote, and celebrate books that support conscious living and sustainability, high-level wellness, spiritual growth, and positive social change.”

I’m especially honored to be on the list of winners with so many authors I greatly admire: Kenneth Lacovara and his excellent book Why Dinosaurs Matter (Ken encouraged me to submit my book to Nautilus), Peter Wohlleben, Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, Tim O’Reilly, BrenĆ© Brown, Thich Nhat Hanh,Ā Eva Moskowitz, Katherine Applegate, and Ibi Zoboi.

Congratulations to all!Ā See a PDF of all winners here.

Thank you to everyone who continues to believe in me, in Emerson, and the message of this book that the human imagination is our greatest gift for building a better world for all beings.

 

 

creativity

A Year of Yes: Make time for self-care

Christa Avampato

April was a tough month for me. It was stressful personally and professionally so this weekend was all about self-care. Good food, friends, dogs, art, time in the sunshine, books, exploring New York, and sleep. Life can wear us out and it’s up to us to refill the well so that we can continue to give the world our best. Renewed, I’m ready for Monday.

creativity

A Year of Yes: John Holiday’s music

Christa Avampato

John Holiday’s music went straight to me heart this week when I went to see his recital as part of the Crypt Sessions at the Church of the Intercession in Hamilton Heights. I’m in awe. I can’t believe he doesn’t have an album yet. One has to be on the horizon. Also, his piano players Neeki Bey and Kevin J. Miller are just as incredible as John. Here’s a bit of John and Neeki for your listening pleasure:

creativity

A Year of Yes: Hasan Minhaj has advice for every artist

Christa Avampato

I went to a fantastic PEN America event on Sunday to close the PEN World Voices M Word series. These are my favorite words of wisdom from Hasan Minhaj and Wajahat Ali:

“Every artist needs to play offense. You’re not asking [gatekeepers] for permission. Ask for support. Decide that your work is happening with or without them.” ~Hasan Minhaj

“What advice do you have for artists?” ~Wajahat Ali
“1. Move to the city that has a community
2. Immerse yourself in the community
3. Rise and help others find their voice
4. When you succeed, don’t be an asshole” ~Hasan Minhaj

creativity

A year of yes: My day at the Edelman Fossil Park with paleontologist Ken Lacovara

Christa Avampato

It filled my heart with joy to see kids actively engaged in science and hunting for fossils at Rowan University’s Edelman Fossil Park yesterday. It is such a special place, unique in the world for the scientific history it holds. Walking through a 65 million year old time machine and physically seeing that time in layers around me is something I’m still wrapping my mind around.

An enormous thank you andĀ congratulationsĀ to Ken Lacovara, the town of Mantua, staff, students, and volunteers who are working so hard to preserve this natural treasure. What a gift it was to spend the day there with them. I can’t wait to go back. Childhood dream of fossil hunting and being a paleontologist for a day fulfilled!

 

creativity

A Year of Yes: My book is in The New York Review of Books

Christa Avampato

Ending another week of happy book news! A few months ago I was invited to be in the Independent Press Listing of The New York Review of Books – Spring Books issue. I’m honored to be among so many fantastic books and authors in this publication that I have admired for years. You can pick up a copy of Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, and in independent bookstores everywhere. Thanks to all of you who continue to support my book and this journey with Emerson. I hope you keep writingā€”through all the difficulties, rejections, and doubts. It’s worth it and the world needs your story. I can’t wait to read it.

Screen Shot 2018-04-18 at 8.56.28 PMnyrb040518

creativity

A Year of Yes: April Edition of NYC’s Secrets & Lies

Christa Avampato

Had such a great time hosting last night’s NYC’s Secrets & Lies w/ these amazing storytellers: Adam Wade, Vicki Eastus, Suzanne Reisman,Ā Carla Katz, and Madame MorbidĀ (AllisonĀ Huntington-Chase). It is an honor to have this show at Caveat and I feel so lucky to do the work I love with these wonderful people. My heart is full. Thank you to everyone who came to the show – you were a fantastic crowd. Our next show is on the books for June 25th at 7pm. Mark your calendars. Tickets on sale soon!

creativity

A Year of Yes: NYC’s Secrets and Lies is tonight

Christa Avampato

Screen Shot 2017-12-13 at 7.52.48 AMI’m so insanely excited about the storytelling show NYC’s Secrets and Lies tonight at Caveat. I’ll be hosting a slate of incredible storytellers who have dug up some incredible NYC secrets all hidden in plain sight that we walk by every single day. The show is capped off with trivia by Madame Morbid and a fantastic prize from our pals at Untapped Cities. Doors open at 6:30pm, show starts at 7:00pm. Tickets available at http://caveat.nyc/event/new-york-citys-secrets-and-lies-2/. See you there!

 

creativity

A Year of Yes: Your life as a blank page

Christa Avampato

“I saw that my life was a vast glowing empty page and I could do anything I wanted.” ~Jack Kerouac

No matter you age, your past choices, or your current situation, every day is a blank page. You can see it as empty, or you can see it as an opportunity. It’s the same page, just a different perspective. Your move.

I was walking home from a memorial service yesterday. The person being honored at the service poured his love into the universe, into every person he met, and it came back to him many times over when he needed it most. Even in the depths of his incurable illness, he found the light that every day offered. Right to the end. His life is a powerful example of the glow that comes from the blank page. He could do anything he wanted, and he chose to be of service, to create community, to welcome love into his life with wide open arms. And because of those choices, his impact will far outlast his much-too-short life. We should all be so lucky, and we can be, if we choose to be.