Tag: book

creativity

Free gifts for readers to celebrate Cyber Monday

Christa Avampato

The holiday shopping season has arrived! If you’ve got readers on your list, I’ve got some treats for you. For anyone who purchases my Emerson Page books for holiday gifts, I’d love to send you free extra gifts to bundle up with the books to make the present even more special. Just send me a message at littlerose317@gmail.com with the name of the person you’re giving the books to and the address where I should send the free gifts. I appreciate every purchase and reader so I’m more than happy to do this for you and your loved ones. Happy holidays!

Here are the direct purchase links:

Book #1 – Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters
Amazon (Paperback and eBook)
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Bookshop.org

Book #2 – Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads
Amazon (Paperback and eBook)
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Bookshop.org


creativity

You’re invited to my free NYC book launch party on Friday, May 31st

Christa Avampato

I’m so excited to invite you to my book launch party for my new novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads.

Date: Friday, May 31, 2024
Place: Kingston Hall, 149 Second Ave, New York, NY 10003
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Cost: Free
Open to: Everyone 21 years and older is welcome!
RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/free-book-launch-party-emerson-page-and-where-the-light-leads-tickets-899217332247

Details: Author Christa Avampato will be in conversation with Matt Misetich, Senior Executive and Partner at Pipeline Media Group, in a reserved space to start the party. There will be delicious food-to-order, 2-for-1 drink specials until 8pm, cake with a bit of magic, raffle prizes, and free giveaways for all guests. Then enjoy the cozy and relaxed bar with a hidden outdoor patio, pool table, and Caribbean vibe.

You can also join the Facebook event page to get the latest details. (And please feel free to share with friends.)

creativity

Writing the acknowledgement and author’s notes sections of my novel

Christa Avampato
Photo by Leon Contreras on Unsplash

Today I’m writing my author’s note and acknowledgement sections of my novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads. With a May 14th release date, tomorrow March 1st is my last day to submit anything to my publisher. I’ve procrastinated (which to be honest I never do because it’s not at all in my nature) writing these sections for two reasons: 1.) I’ve been heads-down on my dissertation and 2.) I’m scared. My first full messy draft of my dissertation is nearly done so now I need to get over my fear and write these last 2 pieces.

Why am I afraid to write them? First, these are very personal sections of the book. I want them to be meaningful and poignant as I talk directly to the readers and publicly thank those who have been instrumental in the creation of this book in particular. At the time of this writing, the world is a heavy place. Since my first Emerson Page novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was released in 2017, the world at-large and my world in particular have gone through seismic shifts. I want to say something that gives people hope, and I want to express my immense gratitude as clearly as possible.

Maybe that’s it. Maybe that’s where I start, exactly where I want these pieces of the book to land—with hope and gratitude. If I can get those two ideas across to the readers, then I’ll have done what I set out to do.

creativity

The galley of my novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads, is finalized

Christa Avampato
From the author page of my book

Buzzing with excitement! The watermarked galley (proof copy) of my novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads, is finalized! The press release and sell sheet are in progress. The manuscript along with the press release, sell sheet, and cover letter comprise the media packet. These will start to go out to media reviewers next week, as well as feature editors, book sellers, podcast hosts, book award competitions, and potential partners.

My website and socials will be updated, as well as my newsletter, in the new year. The next season of my podcast, JoyProject, will focus on the book, writing, and publishing. I want this book to be a bright spot, not a blind spot. I want Emerson’s story to be a respite so everyone who slips into her world for a short time can gather the strength and inspiration they need to keep going. A trip through a magical version of New York City and Ireland can do wonders for the imagination!

Publishing a book is akin to starting a business, marketing and promoting a book is a joint responsibility between the publisher and the author. My experience in business (specifically as an entrepreneur and product developer) is enormously helpful in my work as an author. Because I’m often pitched to as a journalist, I work hard to craft my pitches so they’re personal, relevant, and as interesting as possible. I need to make it easy to want to read and share my book, and I’m grateful to anyone and everyone who takes the time to even consider my pitch. I know how precious time is.

To that end, if you or someone you know would be interested in reviewing or selling the book in any medium or channel, please let me know at christa.avampato@gmail.com. A million thank yous!

creativity

Joy Today: My book made it into the ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition Quarterfinals

Christa Avampato

screen shot 2019-01-18 at 6.01.59 pmI closed out the week on a huge high. My book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, advanced to the Quarterfinals for the ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition. Over 1200 books were submitted for consideration so I’m thrilled to have made it to this stage. This year’s jury is comprised of a literary agent from Abrams Artists Agency, a publishing coordinator from The Gersh Agency, the editor of Red Hen Press, a manager at MXN Entertainment, and a New York Times best-selling author. I’m so excited about this news and couldn’t wait to share it with all of you. Thank you to everyone who’s been so insanely supportive of me and of Emerson. It means more to me than I know how to say.

 

creativity

A Year of Yes: Update from Wind Dancer Films about my Emerson Page book

Christa Avampato

I have heard back from Wind Dancer Films about the possible film production of my book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters. They chose not to option it at this time but with solid feedback that they love the story and have logged it in their system for future consideration.

While I of course was hoping for more, I’m also extremely encouraged that they would even read the book, enjoy it, and log it in their system for future consideration all without me having an agent. I’m extremely grateful to Readers’ Favorite and the Miami Book Fair for making this possible, and of course to my publisher, Possibilities Publishing and their imprint, Thumbkin Prints. This is my first novel and is part of a series, so as the other two books are finished and published “some day” could become “one day” for me and Wind Dancer. In the words of Hamilton, maybe it’s only a matter of time.

Also, I will continue to submit to other production companies because maybe this is the right book at the right time for someone else. As always, my focus remains on the readers who need Emerson’s story of resilience and courage to face our deepest fears, just like I did many years ago. She changed my life the day she entered my imagination and I’m honored to be the person sharing her story.

As an artist of any kind, you have to keep at it. Your drive has to be stronger than the sting of any rejections. It’s part of the work. Speaking of which…I better get back to writing Emerson’s second book.

creativity

A Year of Yes: The most personal interview I’ve ever given is now live on the How Humans Change podcast

Christa Avampato

Screen Shot 2018-11-14 at 10.19.44 PMIf you want to really know me, listen to this interview. The big question for me in this lifetime is, “Does everything matter or does nothing matter?” A few months ago, I gave the most personal interview I’ve ever done. My friend, mentor, and storytelling hero, John Bucher, introduced me to Josh Chambers and Leiv Parton, hosts and producer of the podcast, How Humans Change. My interview is now live. our wide-ranging conversation includes career, science, sustainability, the health of the planet, biomimicry, dinosaurs, product development, therapy, curiosity, change, the economy and capitalism, time, technology, work, culture, implicit bias, life-changing moments, storytelling, writing, poverty, trauma, writing, my book, mental health, strength, resilience, therapy, fear, courage, my apartment building fire, how my plane got struck by lightning, and so much more. Despite these dark topics, there is a lot of light, fun, laughter, and healing in this interview. It’s the most personal interview I’ve ever given, and some of the details I reveal about my personal path and past I have never discussed publicly before now. I hope you enjoy the podcast episode and that it inspires you to live the best life you can imagine.

creativity

A Year of Yes: Climbing to the top of the Brooklyn Bridge

Christa Avampato

Hi, friends. 2 of my adventurous friends and I are trying to find a way to climb to the top of the Brooklyn Bridge. One of them is writing a book about the Brooklyn Bridge and getting to the top would be the highlight (see what I did there?) of her research. We’ve heard that with permission and accompaniment by Homeland Security, you can go. Anyone know anything / anyone who could help us fulfill this dream?

creativity

A Year of Yes: The necessity of rewriting and revision

Christa Avampato

“That’s the magic of revisions—every cut is necessary, and every cut hurts, but something new always grows.” ~Kelly Barnhill, author

I’ve been thinking about this quote a lot as I prep for Virginia Festival of the Book. When I think of my favorite books, plays, songs, and pieces of art, they are the ones without any fat, the ones where every word, every note, every brush stroke is carefully and purposely chosen. That concern, that love is what strikes me right in the heart. Rewriting and editing is the lifeblood of art that lasts. It’s the cuts that matter most because that’s where we find the seeds that need to be planted and nurtured.

creativity

A Year of Yes: Writers, just tell yourself a story

Christa Avampato

“The first draft is just you telling yourself the story.” ~Terry Pratchett

As I begin to add more layers to the skeleton of my second novel, I keep coming back to this quote by the iconic novelist, Terry Pratchett. Every time I get stuck and I don’t know what happens next, I close my eyes and I say these words out loud. It works for every part of the writing, editing, and revising process. I’m just telling myself the story, the richest, most inspiring, and truest story that I can create.