Tag: writing

creativity

I submitted my dissertation to the University of Cambridge

Christa Avampato

It is written. It is submitted. In the wee hours of Monday morning, I submitted my dissertation to the University of Cambridge. I’m proud of it. Every cell in my body is passionate about the topic and I think it can help to make this world a better place.

There are many people who helped make this dissertation what it is. The anonymous marking criteria precluded me from thanking them by name in the acknowledgements of the dissertation so I’ll thank them here.

My advisor Dr Candice Howarth provided support and encouragement from the start. 

Louise Drake was enthusiastic about my topic from the point I submitted my proposal and provided early materials that helped me on my journey. 

My first year tutor Angus Morrison-saunders sharpened my writing and research skills to make the writing of this research project possible. 

The staff at Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL) always warmly welcomed us in Cambridge, answered our many questions with kindness and grace, and created the space to make this phenomenal experience possible. There is so much work that happens behind the scenes and the staff is to be commended for all they do. 

My friends and classmates Milly Moore, Alasdair Martin, Patricia Minogue, Aaron Hemsley, Mark Champkins, Barbora Kotoun, Laura Hillis, Mitch Reznick, CFA, Iuliia Takhtarova, and Aonghus Kelly read my work at various points (some more than once, you kind souls!) and provided feedback that made the work much better than it would have been otherwise. 

My close community of friends and relatives cheered me on throughout this two-year adventure and provided support for my studies in so many ways. 

Many people graciously and generously gave their time so I could interview them for this dissertation. Your insights and perspectives made this research possible. Thank you for your honesty, candor, and enthusiasm for the work. 

I love being a part of Cohort 13 and I’m inspired every day by all my wonderful classmates and friends. You taught me so much, not only about sustainability but also about life. I’m a better person for knowing you. Thank you for everything. 

While we all now wait for our grades and the confirmation of our graduation celebration in 2025, I’m filled with gratitude and love for two fantastic years. Onward now to save the planet.

creativity

Can ecofiction inspire climate action?

Christa Avampato
Created by Christa Avampato using AI.

While on vacation I wrote my first full piece of ecofiction for a climate fiction writing competition. It’s a short story (5,000 words) that provides a slice of life in New York City in the year 2200, and grew out of the research I did for my University of Cambridge dissertation.

It’s told through the eyes of a journalist walking his dog who by chance meets the 90-year-old former mayor who galvanized the rebuilding of NYC after it was destroyed by floods caused by climate change. Biomimicry figures prominently in it. I tried to incorporate humor, heart, and redemption alongside the heartbreak, loss, and destruction. Ultimately, it’s a story about leadership, community, and vision.

No matter the outcome of the competition, I enjoyed writing it and plan to do more with these characters and in this genre. The predominant channels and messages we’re using for climate storytelling now are not generating the scale and speed of the changes we need. Fiction can play a bigger role is painting the picture of what a world transformed can look like, what it will take to get there, and how we might work together to make it so. The fandoms around fiction can be a unifying force for good, which is exactly what we need, now more than ever.

(I created the images below with AI, inspired by the story I wrote.)

creativity

The single best thing you can do to help book authors

Christa Avampato
My New York City book launch party for Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads. Photo by Jane Bakes Baczynski.

I’m truly horrible at asking for help so please bear with me on this post. The support and love that poured out of people on Friday night for the book launch party has me smiling so much that my cheeks hurt! All night people kept asking me how they can help. So here goes! The most helpful thing for any book is a star rating or review on Amazon. The more rating it gets, the more likely Amazon is to recommend the book to people. If that’s something you’d be willing to do, I’d be beyond grateful. Here’s a direct link: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/edit?asin=B0CTG9P6GM

My heart and spirit are so full after an incredible book launch event and weekend. Friends and readers from far and near arrived by trains, planes, and automobiles to be there and I’ll never be able to thank you enough for all your love and support. You are all a gift and I’m beyond grateful for every one of you. To have people from every chapter of my life altogether packed into the space overwhelmed me in the best way.

A big thank you to Matt Misetich for being my conversation partner.

Thank you Jane Bakes Baczynski for this photo. I was so focused on making sure everyone at the event had fun that I didn’t take a single picture!

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

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.

—

The Scroll of Erato

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

My first novel’s eBook will be free on Amazon on Tuesday, April 23rd

Christa Avampato
Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters

To support World Book Night, the eBook for my first novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, will be free on Amazon all over the world on Tuesday, April 23rd. World Book Night is an annual program created by The Reading Agency to encourage people to read a book for an hour every evening. I’m grateful for all the love readers have shown Emerson over the years, and I’m so happy to give back and support this wonderful cause. 

All day on Tuesday, April 23rd, you’ll be able to download Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters for free at this link. Happy reading and happy Earth Day today!

creativity

Tips for authors: How to successfully pitch individual book reviewers

Christa Avampato
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

My second novel, Emerson Page and Where the
Light Leads, will be released everywhere books are sold
in less than a month on May 14th. This week I’m focused on pitching the book to
individual book reviewers. These are reviewers with popular websites and social
media accounts who primarily focus on reviewing books. I wanted to share some
top tips for authors who are pitching these reviewers:

Review their websites
There are sites like BookSirens.com that make it easy to find book reviewers.
It may be tempting for authors to just contact all reviewers on platforms like
this and let the chips fall where they may. This hurts you and it hurts all
other authors, too. Use these platforms to go to the individual websites. What
does a reviewer care about? What’s their style and brand? Would your book be
appealing to them, and if so, what you can you highlight about your book to get
their interest?

Respect the reviewer’s guidelines
By going to their websites, you will almost always find review guidelines.
Please follow these to the letter. What do they want in the pitch? What do they
not want in the pitch? What types of books and authors interest them? If they
are not a match for you, don’t contact them. Again, they are flooded with
requests. If they aren’t a match for your book, save your time and theirs, and
move on. 

Respect the reviewer’s genre and format preferences
Within their guidelines, they will often define the genres and formats
(paperback, ePub, PDF, etc.) they prefer. They may also define what they don’t
want. Again, if they aren’t a match for you and your book, move on. I started
out sending my PDF as an attachment in my pitches. Then I decided it was best
to send the pitch without any attachment because the PDF is a big file and may
clog their inboxes. So just send the pitch as an email with no attachment and
include a link to your book or author website instead.

Personalize the pitch
Now that you have all this information from the reviewer’s website, personalize
your pitch. Give them everything they ask for and give them a reason to be interested
in your book. Is there something on their website, social platforms, or in
their bio that you love? Do they have a personal interest that matches with a
unique aspect of your book? Touches like that show your care and generate
connection. 

Respect the reviewer’s time
Authors are strapped for time whether or not they have an agent, and whether or
not they have a publisher or have chosen to self-publish. (FYI — I don’t have
an agent and I have a publisher.) Having a book published is launching a
business. You, the author, need to do a lot of marketing and promotion of your
book. There’s a temptation to save time and send mass emails to reviewers or
take a “spray and pray” mentality. I get it. But please don’t do that. You are
asking a reviewer to give hours of their time reading and reviewing your book.
Make it easy for them to say yes by following their guidelines, preferences,
and personalizing your pitch.

Have you successfully pitched book reviewers? What are some other top tips
you would share? 

creativity

Wrapping up my year as a pen pal with Letters to a Pre-Scientist

Christa Avampato

This was my first year as a pen pal for Letters to a Pre-Scientist (LPS), a nonprofit that pairs fifth to tenth grade students in low-income communities with a worldwide network of STEM professionals for a yearlong pen pal program to inspire all students to explore a future in STEM. I was matched with a student in Arizona. We exchanged eight letters during the school year and discussed higher education pathways, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) career journeys, and overcoming obstacles in life, school, and career.

I think that piece about overcoming obstacles and getting through difficulty in life is incredibly important. We all face challenges at some point. It’s important for young people to know the challenges can be overcome and provide examples of how we’ve faced challenges as a way to inspire them.

My pen pal was always very interested to know about my dog, Phineas. She has a dog, too, and this was something we bonded over from our first letters. I decided I had to be honest with her about Phin’s passing in January, how it made me feel, and how I was coping with grief. Something extraordinary happened in our last letter exchange; something I didn’t expect.

My pen pal showed such an incredible amount of empathy for my loss. To cheer me up, she made me these little reminders that show wisdom far beyond her years. The front sides of the notes say “It’s okay…” and “I’m not gone”. Inside, they say “A dog wags his tail with his heart. Don’t forget the love they shared” and “Dogs leave paw prints on our hearts.” Truer words were never written. I’ve placed them by my desk because they make me smile while I’m working. All the while I was hoping to inspire her; turns out she inspired me even more!

In her letter, she goes on to talk about how much her dog means to her, and to also express some challenges she’s having in school. She said even though school was very difficult for her right now, she believed in herself, loved learning new things, and knows she will get through these challenges. This student did not express this level of confidence in herself at the start of the school year, not by a long shot. Growth and evolution are beautiful gifts to witness.

My gifts to my pen pal

To further encourage her, I decided to put together a special package. I made her a book mark with charms I thought she’d like–a book, a paw print, a moon and star, and the planet Saturn. I also sent her one of my Emerson Page charms that I hide around the world for readers to find. It says, “She believed she could so she did” and has a tag with “Always believe in yourself.” My pen pal’s confidence reminds me of Emerson so I thought this was a fitting gift.

I wrote my reply letter to her on fancy paper. I told her how much her kindness meant to me and how I admired her belief in herself to overcome her challenges in school. I told her my dream for her is find something that brings her joy every day. I made sure to mention to love every day she has with her dog so she has a lot of wonderful memories with him, and that giving him his food and water, playing with him, taking walks together, and brushing his hair will make him so happy. I closed the letter with one of my favorite quotes by the great naturalist Mary Oliver who asks in one of her poems, “What will you do with your one wild and precious life?” I told her I can’t wait to see what she decides to do with her life.

We never know how our words and actions may impact someone. The important thing is that we keep putting our hearts out there, that we keep showing concern, empathy, compassion, and kindness at every turn, even when our world and the world at-large is heavy. Perhaps especially when it’s heavy. This might be the only way we’re going to save ourselves and each other–keep showing up and giving our best, honest, authentic selves.