Tag: books

creativity

Raffle prizes and giveaways for my book launch party on May 31st

Christa Avampato

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.

I can’t wait to see you at my book launch party on Friday, May 31st, and I hope you’ll love these gifts!

creativity

My book launch party is in 1 week on Friday, May 31st at 7pm

Christa Avampato

I can’t believe it’s almost here! On Friday, May 31st, at 7pm I’m hosting my first ever book launch party for my novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads.

Date: Friday, May 31, 2024
Place: Kingston Hall, 149 Second Ave, New York, NY 10003 (East Village, a few blocks from Union Square)
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 or https://www.facebook.com/events/924022856051128/

Details: To start the party, I’ll be in conversation with Matt Misetich, Senior Executive and Partner at Pipeline Media Group. We’ll talk about the creative process of being a writer, the publishing industry, and transforming books to film. 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.

The launch of this book has been wonderful, and I’m so excited to celebrate with everyone. I hope you’ll join us!

creativity

How author Neil Gaiman taught me to be a gardening writer in Dublin

Christa Avampato
Me on a bridge over the River Liffey in Dublin in 2018.

The portal between New York City and Dublin may be closed, but here’s something even better – the International Literature Festival Dublin kicks off today!

6 years ago I was in Dublin, Ireland doing research for my second novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads, that came out this week. There are a few key settings in the book in Dublin – the Brazen Head (Ireland’s oldest pub dating founded in 1198), Trinity Library (both the Long Room and the stunning Book of Kells), Temple Bar (a cobblestone street in Dublin filled with interesting characters), and St. Stephen’s Green (a park filled with nature and art where I spent a lot of time people watching and writing). Beyond Dublin, Newgrange, the Dark Hedges, and Giant’s Causeway also inspired scenes in the book that let me showcase the retellings of some of my favorite Celtics myths, legends, and folklore.

By a wonderful stroke of synchronicity, I was also in Dublin during the 2018 International Literature Festival Dublin. Neil Gaiman, one of my favorite authors who’s influenced my writing more than anyone, was the headliner. I grabbed a ticket. He talked about how Ireland inspired his comic, Sandman, and how he reimagined his favorite stories from Celtic mythology in his 2017 book, Norse Mythology. Now he felt even more like a kindred spirit to me!

Of all the beautiful advice he offered that evening, this quote is the one that affected me the most because it helped me give myself some grace as a writer:

“I’m not an outliner or someone who free writes. I’m more of a gardener. I plant seeds and I see what grows. I plant pumpkins and I expect a pumpkin. But if I get a tomato, I’ll figure out what to do with a tomato. That’s how I write. I love that magic moment when something happens on the page I’m writing that I didn’t know was going to happen. I get to be the first reader of my work, and it’s very exciting. And quite frankly that magic doesn’t happen often enough. A lot of writing is just laying brick.”

I’m a planner (probably because I grew up with a lot of instability). I like order and organization. I like to know what I’m doing and where I’m going, and I absolutely hate wasting time because I know what a precious and finite resource time is. I can’t imagine a world in which I completely let that go. However, Neil made me realize I could be a little less afraid and loosen the reins a bit.

As I walked back to my hotel in Dublin that night, I let myself entertain the idea that I don’t need the next bit figured out before I sit down to write every single time. I could be okay with planting seeds, seeing what grows, and figuring it out as I go. It was at least worth trying, and giving something a try is where everything begins.

In the 6 years since I heard Neil speak in Dublin, I’ve learned how to let more air into my writing and life. I’m still a planner, and I also plan to be delighted by surprise. There’s a time for hard and serious work, for laying bricks, and there’s also a time for fun and play. There’s room for the unexpected, for magic. My second Emerson Page novel that came out this week embodies that. I’m so grateful to Neil for helping me grow as a writer, and also as a person.

I wish I was in Ireland right now for this year’s International Literature Festival Dublin. Maybe in 2025! For now, I’m following the inspiration online at https://ilfdublin.com/.

creativity

Take the risk and make something new

Christa Avampato
My Emerson Page books surrounded by good vibes from my favorite flowers, Kin Euphorics, and Homesick

This post is about the fear of criticism we all face whenever we do something new, and why it’s worth taking that risk.

Thanks to kind and generous readers, my second Emerson Page novel made her way into the world this week and became an Amazon # 1 new release. To say I’m grateful, honored, and filled with joy is a massive understatement. I toasted my courageous and creative girl and sent a wish out into the universe: “I want to keep telling stories that help people feel less alone”.

On Monday when I was doing all the final prep for Tuesday’s book launch, I had the TV on. Drew Barrymore was interviewing Bella Hadid on The Drew Barrymore Show. They talked about the bravery it takes to create something and put it into the world.

This conversation is exactly the one I needed at that moment. It’s scary to build something with your whole heart for years and then brace yourself for the response. The only thing scarier is not creating at all. 

Their conversation reminded me of the beautiful quote in the movie Ratatouille. The character Anton Ego has a monologue about the creative process and criticism, and it’s one of the truest things I’ve ever heard:

“In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and themselves to our judgment. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face, is that in the grand scheme of things, the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something, and that is in the discovery and defense of the *new*. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations. The new needs friends…Not everyone can become a great artist; but a great artist *can* come from *anywhere*.” 

If in the pit of your stomach there’s both a fire to create and a fear of what people will think of what you’ve made, please know everyone who’s ever made anything has been right where you are. Take the risk. Someone somewhere needs exactly what you have to offer. As the great Maya Angelou said, “Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: ‘I’m with you kid. Let’s go.’” It’s time to get going. Make the thing that’s in your heart, send it out, and see what happens.

creativity

The eBook of my young adult adventure novel is 99¢ through May 20th

Christa Avampato
https://www.amazon.com/Emerson-Page-Where-Light-Leads-ebook/dp/B0CTG9P6GM

A special treat for eBook fans! To celebrate the launch of my second novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads, and as a big thank you for helping the book hit #1 on Amazon on its first day, my publisher is running a special price promotion for the eBook on Amazon. It’s $0.99 now through May 20th — an 80% discount. 

You don’t need a Kindle device to read the Amazon eBook. You can download the Kindle app on any phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop and read Kindle books on it. You’ll also be able to gift my eBook to others for $0.99.

A million thanks to everyone who helped me and Emerson reach this wonderful milestone! You are THE BEST!

creativity

My second novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads, launches today

Christa Avampato
My new novel is available now everywhere books are sold

Today’s the day! My second novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads, is available now everywhere books are sold including Amazon (Paperback and eBook), Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and Books-A-Million.

Synopsis:
It’s New Year’s Eve in Times Square. Just as Emerson Page is about to celebrate the start of her 15th birthday, she comes face-to-face with a family friend-turned-traitor. They begin a dangerous race against time, both willing to give their lives for the lost treasure her mother died trying to protect: an ancient book authored by the Greek muses, Emerson’s ancestors, that contains the secrets to unlimited creativity. Its wisdom is both a powerful tool and a dangerous weapon.

To find the book, Emerson, her friends Skylar and Truman, and her service dog Friday, have to entrust their lives to a series of mythological creatures to usher them deep below the streets of Dublin, Ireland into the land of the faeries. There, they’ll have to convince the faeries to give them the book by exchanging it for a priceless gift of their own.

Can Emerson and her best friends finish the work her mother began and protect the power of human imagination forever, or will her enemy capture the book to boost his own power?

Two notes:
Local bookstores and libraries can order the book with ISBN: 978-1-958901-80-9. The book is distributed by Ingram.

Though Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads is a sequel to my first novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, readers don’t have to read the first book to enjoy the second.

creativity

My second novel launches in one week – May 14th!

Christa Avampato

These are the days that make all the years of effort an author puts into a book worthwhile. Today, I got to hold my second novel for the first time, and it was even more magical than I imagined it would be. She’s beautiful! Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads launches globally everywhere books are sold on May 14th, a week from today! 🥳🥳🥳 Pre-order available now at https://www.amazon.com/Emerson-Page-Where-Light-Leads/dp/1958901806

creativity

My author feature on Chapter Break

Christa Avampato
https://chapterbreak.net/2024/04/23/christa-avampato-introduces-emerson-page-series/

Julie and the wonderful team over at Chapter Break kindly published an author feature about me and my upcoming novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads. You can read the feature here: https://chapterbreak.net/2024/04/23/christa-avampato-introduces-emerson-page-series/

I talk about my five jobs as a writer: cartographer, painter, mason, tourist, and sculptor. I also discuss how I manage multiple writing projects and critique, my writing process, the relationship between my business experience and my writing, and advice for other writers. Thank you to Julie and Chapter Break for all you do for writers and readers.

creativity

Cut scenes from my upcoming novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads

Christa Avampato

Almost all my writing is re-writing. I write my first draft of a book in a month, and then spend many months re-writing and editing. This means a lot of content never makes it into the book. Now, for the first time, I’m sharing a few of these cut scenes with you!

Here are three cut scenes from my upcoming novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads. I’d love to know what you think — drop me a line. The novel is available now for pre-order and will be released everywhere books are sold on Tuesday, May 14th.

We’re Having a Party

Image by Christa Avampato. Made with Canva Magic Media.

—

A Stranger in the Night

Image by Christa Avampato. Made with Canva Magic Media.

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The Scroll of Erato

Image by Christa Avampato. Made with Canva Magic Media.
creativity

Thank you for a great book promotion for World Book Night

Christa Avampato
Emerson and I send you love. Photo by Christa Avampato

Hello all – I’m popping in here to say a big thank you. Last week 1,202 people downloaded and bought my first novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters! World Book Night was the first special promotion I’ve ever done, and I had no expectation of how it would go. I’m so grateful to every one of you who downloaded and purchased the book.

It means so much to me, and I hope Emerson’s story brings you joy. If you feel inclined to write a review, you can do so here. Reviews help new readers discover the book.

Thank you again for all your wonderful support. I can’t wait to share the launch of my second book, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads, in just two weeks on May 14th!