​OLLI at UCONN Open House and Reading of My Award-winning poem, Miner's Lament, August 26, 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 99 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT, 203-236-9924

Do you:

• Appreciate great writing, poetry, art and photography?
• Value taking stimulating non-credit courses that expand your knowledge or skills in a wide variety of academic, cultural and artistic areas?
• Enjoy interacting with people who are active and engaged in learning for the pure joy of it?

Then plan on attending the Open House at OLLI at UCONN. You can:

• Learn all about the OLLI at UCONN program,now in its ninth year.
• Sample one of several featured courses
• Attend a keynote presentation about the revolutionary new concept of game-based learning
• Take in a book talk
• Attend the 9:30 – 10:30 AM session featuring fifteen poetry and prose readings including my award-winning poem, Miner’s Lament. 
• View art and photography produced by OLLI members
• Receive a free copy of Voices an Visions, the OLLI arts and literature journal containing OLLI art, photography and all of the featured readings..
• Register for low-cost, high-quality courses beginning in September
• The Open House is free and open to the public. Learn more about OLLI and register for fall courses at http://olli.uconn.edu/
• Register for the Open House by calling 203-236-9924.

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​​Book Discussion of Amanda’s Room, September 14, 2:00 - 4:00 pm, Paul Gregory's Restaurant, 148 Center Street, Southington, CT.
  
If you have already read Amanda’s Room and would like to know about the “Story behind the story,” come join in on the discussion. While you are there sample some of the terrific food and desserts at this favorite in downtown Southington. The event is free and open to the public but to ensure a seat (suggested but not required), call Paula at the restaurant Monday through Friday till 3 pm and tell her you plan to attend. The number is 860-621-9999. 

The Eastern States Exposition – Big-E, Sept. 16 – Oct. 2 (Multiple dates and times TBA), Connecticut Building, 875 Memorial Ave. W. Springfield, MA.

Once again I’ll be in the Connecticut Building on the Avenue of the States to sign my books and help celebrate the Big-E’s 100th Anniversary! I’ll include the specific dates and times I’ll be there in next month’s newsletter. This is New England’s premier fair with food, arts and crafts, cultural and vendor exhibits, parades, agricultural competitions, rides and attractions, a complete circus and top-flight entertainment. Learn more about this year’s activities and events atthebige.com.
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Writer’s Presentation – The First Five Pages, September 28, 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller Street, Meriden, CT 06450, (203) 630-6349

Are you currently writing your first book or wish you were? Then come join in as I present The First Five Pages to the Meriden Library’s writer’s group. In what will be a lively and highly interactive presentation, we will apply famous author quotes from Checkov to White to the reasons books are rejected by agents, publishers and readers and then discussing how you can apply these concepts to your own writing.  The program is free and open to the public but I suggest calling to ensure that they provide enough space to accommodate everyone.
​

​


​SPOILER ALERT: If you are the kind who doesn’t want to know key clues to the book’s background or story line, skip this section until after you have read the book.

​I have been on an extended hiatus from writing Injured Angels for too long and I am thrilled to say that lapse has finally ended. Any experienced author will tell you that a key factor to success is to write every day. I know that as well as anyone; I just wasn’t doing it. Now, after addressing two key factors that blocked my productivity, I'm consistently spending at least two hours every day exclusively on finishing the new book and loving it!
The first issue was that my primary character, Maureen Russo, was coming across as superficial. While my beta readers either loved or hated Doris Cantrell (which is exactly what I wanted), many felt ambivalent toward Maureen. Other reviewers noted that Maureen’s husband, Frank, who was a pivotal character for only the first third of the book, eclipsed Maureen in impact. The solution was for me to give Maureen her own voice. To do that I had to get into her heart, body and soul by telling the story in the first person using her own emotions and words and it is working wonderfully!

​The second factor was at least as challenging. Most writers will tell you that they write better in the right place at the right time. Well both evaded me until recently when I finally realized why. We live on a beautiful lake, partially because I find that environment conducive to writing, but my upstairs office overlooked the driveway in the back of the house with only a limited view of the water. When I moved my desk to the downstairs living room, I didn’t realize how disruptive it would be for me and my wife. The more things that disrupted my writing, the more frustrated I became and the less I finished in my writing and other chores around the house. When Judy and I finally carved out a mutually acceptable part of every day during which I could write undisturbed, my writing and household productivity shot up and both our lives have had a bit less stress. (It's a roll top desk so I can hide the chaos when we get company.) 
 
Injured Angels is back on track and I am now confident that it will be finished soon and well worth the wait.

Everything is new again!
After more than 4 years working full-time at writing and publishing, I am finally feeling somewhat in control of the process. Many thanks go to my sons, Jason and Michael, my wife, Judy, and my publisher / editor / friend, Richard LaPorta. With their help I now have this new e-mail platform, a new website, an updated book trailer, the new Amanda’s Room Traveler’s Edition and a great deal of wonderful progress on my new book, Injured Angels. A banner month!
 
 I have a new e-mail program on (MailChimp) 
My son, Jason has been bugging me for months to make the switch for several good reasons:

• The program makes it easier to add pictures, graphics and links for a more attractive / dynamic environment.
• It helps me better determine what works and doesn’t work.
• It is easier for you to provide input or unsubscribe.
• And much more…

 AuthorChuckMiceli.com - also got a facelift
Once again, thanks to Jason, I have this new website built on the Weebly platform and for many of the same reasons as the e-mail program: Better pictures and graphics, better usage statistics, tools for information gathering and easier reader input. In addition, the new website provides:

• A lot more information about my past, present and future projects.
• Expanded news coverage.
• Book purchasing information.
• Easier navigation.

Please let me know what you think. You can e-mail me directly from within the site via the contact page.
 
 Even my name got a Social Media makeover
Too much consistency in writing is boring but too little on social media is confusing and for me, nerve-racking.  I had multiple websites, e-mail programs, blogs, Facebook accounts and other social media. With so many platforms and different names for each, even I had trouble remembering who I was! While it’s still a work in progress, I am working at putting all of my book related work under the consistent “brand” of Author Chuck Miceli or a shortened version of it, so my website (which now incorporates my blog) is AuthorChuckMiceli.com, author related e-mail goes to Chuck@AuthorChuckMiceli.com, my author information on Facebook is at Facebook.com/authorchuckmiceli, and on Twitter, (which does not provide enough space for the full name), my handle is Twitter.com/authorchuckm.  You get the idea.

Well that's it for now. Until next month, Warmest Regards,

​Chuck

​Hello Everyone,
 
I welcome your input regarding these postings. If there a particular area you would like more information on or something you would like to see included, reduced or removed please contact me. If you or someone you know would like to be added to my regular e-mail list, simply send a request to AuthorChuckMiceli@gmail.com and I will be happy to make the addition. 
 
For New, Aspiring or Established Authors 
 
If you are available, consider joining me and over 100 other authors at the New England Author’s Expo in Danvers Ma. This year, Chris has organized a series of workshops during the setup and networking time specifically for authors and publishers. I will be joined by authors, Mandi Lynn and Stephanie Queen for an open discussion on, "The Business of Being an Author." The doors are open to the public for free admission from 4 to 9 pm and will include a series of special presentations by guest celebrity authors. Information and registration is available on the website at: http://www.newenglandauthorsexpo.com/. 
 
Amanda's Room: 
 
I was scheduled to meet with Richard LaPorta of Husky Trail Press to initiate the republishing the Amanda's Room Reader's Edition through Ingram under the Hitchcock Lake Publications imprint. Unfortunately Richard pulled his back and I became immersed with other projects so that meeting has had to be rescheduled. More to come.
 
I often get letters from people who have read Amanda’s Room but not all of those comments make it to Amazon.com or one of the other review sites. Just in case, I’ve decided to include some of them here, because frankly, they are one of the best parts about writing. Here is the latest one from Michelle R.
 
Hi Chuck,

​I apologize for the delay in sending you this note.  I met you in the airport and purchased your book "Amanda's Room" in late April.  I read the book in 3 days.  It was a true page turner and I could not put it down, often stealing 30 minutes here and there until I finished it. Please let me know if you have any additional books.  I would love to read them.

Thanks Michelle.
 
Thank you for the kind words Michelle. My next book, Injured Angels, is still in the works. I’ll post when it’s available.
 
Injured Angels
 
Speaking of Injured Angels, I was challenged by fellow author, Leesa Freeman, to post on Facebook the first lines of each of the three first chapters of my upcoming book. I’ve also included my response below:
 (Spoiler alert: My upcoming book, Injured Angels, will be authored under the pen name, Charlotte Mitchell, since it is being told in the first person by my female protagonist.)
1. “May I Have This Dance?” It seems unbelievable now but three lifetimes ago, it started just that way. 
2. Frank was an optimist. When he told Harvey that I was the future Mrs. Russo, he had no way of knowing how the past and the future would conspire against us to keep that from happening. 
3. That wasn’t all there was to it. I loved Frank and there was no way I was going to stop seeing him.
 
Upcoming Events:
 
Presentation and Book Sale / Signing, July 27, New England Author's Expo (NEAE) : Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott St, Danvers, MA 01923 
 
July 27, 2016 marks the tenth year of the NEAE annual event and the fourth year I will be participating. Run by Chris Obert, author and owner of Pear Tree Publishing, the NEAE attracts authors, publishers, illustrators and other writing professionals from throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and other New England states. The location of the event is a posh, amazing venue. It also provides a terrific opportunity for networking with the other participants and with radio and cable television hosts and celebrity authors. Information and registration is available on the website at: http://www.newenglandauthorsexpo.com/. 
 
Book Discussion for Amanda’s Room at Paul Gregory's Restaurant, 148 Center Street, Southington, CT. is scheduled there for September 14, 2:00 - 4:00 pm. This is a follow-up to the Book Sale and Signing that took place on June 15. Paul Gregory's is now another regular outlet for sales of Amanda's Room. If you have already read the book and would like to join in on the September 14 discussion, call Paula at the restaurant Monday through Friday till 3 pm and tell her you plan to attend. The number is 860-621-9999. 
New E-mail format and AuthorChuckMiceli.com Website:
 
My major activity lately has been working with my son, Jason, on revising and updating my website, my e-mail formatting and the rest of my social media. Several of the sites have new, more consistent names, new / updated information and added functionality. We still have a long way to go but this should be the last e-mail you receive in this format. The new ones should be more dynamic with better graphics and the new website should be a delight to visit. Expect more interesting and useful information in the near future. More to come.  
 
Well, that does it for now. I hope this finds you and yours happy and well. Until the next time,
 
Warmest Regards,
Chuck

Hello Everyone,

I welcome your input regarding these postings. If there a particular area you would like more information on or something you would like to see included, reduced or removed please contact me. If you or someone you know would like to be added to my regular e-mail list, simply send a request to AuthorChuckMiceli@gmail.com and I will be happy to make the addition. If the e-mails are not of interest or value, simply reply with Please Remove in the subject or first line and I will remove you from the mailing list.

For New, Aspiring or Established Authors

Check at the bottom of each month’s alert for information on organizations and publications of interest to writing professionals.

Now what’s Up and Coming.

TONIGHT ! May 26, 7 pm – Book Discussion of Amanda’s Room at Davinci Coffee House – 1627 Meriden Rd, Wolcott, CT 06716 – (203) 528-3711

Have you read Amanda’s Room? Were there parts you found confusing, surprising, infuriating? Did you follow how the weather quotes connected to the chapters? Have you wondered how much of the book is based on reality vs. fiction? Did you wish you could discuss the book with the author and other readers? If yes, you have an opportunity to do all that and more tonight when I will meet with readers and patrons at Davinci Coffee House at 7 pm. Special thanks to the owner/proprietor, Lucy, who is keeping the place open past its normal closing time in order to host this event. You can sip her marvelous coffees (and what else?), taste some of her delectable desserts and discuss and debate the meaning of the “story behind the story” with me and other readers.

Amanda’s Room:

I spoke with Richard LaPorta of Husky Trail Press this week. We are planning to meet next week to initiate republishing the Amanda’s Room Reader’s Edition through Ingram under the Hitchcock Lake Publications imprint. More to come.

AuthorChuckMiceli.com Website:

I’ve been working on revising and updating my website with new / updated information and added functionality. While I still have a long way to go, I’m pleased with the progress. Feel free to check it our, but expect more and more useful information in the near future. More to come.

Upcoming Events:

Radio Interview: May 28, 9:30 – 9:45 pm, The Reggi Voyage, WESU

Donovan Longmore will be interviewing me in conjunction with my participation in the Bloomfield Author’s Fair on June 4. Just connect to the link – www.wesu.org – to hear the live interview. See below for more information on the fair.

Book Sale and Signing:  June 4, 10:00 am – 4 pm – Bloomfield Author’s Fair – Downtown Bloomfield CT.

I will be joining a number of Connecticut authors as part of the Celebrate Bloomfield Festival. The week-long festival will run from June 1-5. June 4 is set aside to focus on authors and the arts. A special guest during Author’s Day will be singer/actress Anika Noni Rose.
Anika, a former Bloomfield High School student, has appeared extensively on stage and screen, including the ABC Television series Private Practice, the film Dreamgirls and as Tiana in Disney’s, The Princess and the Frog. She is currently playing the role of Kizzy in the TV Mini-series Roots (Starting May 30th). For more information on the entire event and all of the festivities, go to: http://www.celebratebloomfield.org/

Book Sale and Signing:  June 11, 9:30 am – 4 pm – Litchfield Gallery on the Green – Downtown Litchfield CT.

I and other Connecticut authors will be joining over 70 juried artisans and crafters. Browse around the green through artwork, photography, jewelry, woodworking, pottery, furniture, clothing, glasswork, quilting, leather goods and more. The picturesque town of Litchfield is an art-lovers paradise, making it the second most visited town in the state of Connecticut. This year, the Gallery on the Green will be held on the same weekend as the world-famous Litchfield Hills Road Race, which attracts many of the best runners in the world. More information at: https://www.facebook.com/galleryonthegreenct

Book Sale and Signing – June 15, 4:00 – 6:00 pm. Follow-up Book Discussion – September 14, 2:00 – 4:00 pm. Paul Gregory’s Restaurant, 148 Center Street, Southington, CT

Paul Gregory’s is now another regular outlet for sales of Amanda’s Room. On June 15 from 4-6 pm I will be on hand to autograph and personalize copies of Amanda’s Room. Then, once people have had a chance to read it, on September 14 from 2-4 pm, I will return again to conduct a book discussion on the “story behind the story.” If you have already read the book but would like to join in on the September 14 discussion, call Paula at the restaurant Monday through Friday till 3 pm and tell her you plan to attend. The number is 860-621-9999.

Presentation and Book Sale / Signing, July 27, New England Author’s Expo (NEAE) : Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliott St, Danvers, MA 01923

July 27, 2016 marks the tenth year of the NEAE annual event and the forth year I will be participating. Run by Chris Obert, author and owner of Pear Tree Publishing, the NEAE attracts authors, publishers, illustrators and other writing professionals from throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and other New England states. The location of the event is a posh, amazing venue. It also provides a terrific opportunity for networking with the other participants and with radio and cable television hosts and celebrity authors. This year, Chris has organized a series of workshops during the setup and networking time specifically for authors and publishers. I will join authors, Mandi Lynn and Stephanie Queen for an open discussion on, “The Business of Being an Author.” The doors are open to the public for free admission from 4 to 9 pm and will include a series of special presentations by guest celebrity authors. Information and registration is available on the website at: http://www.newenglandauthorsexpo.com/.

Resources for New, Aspiring and Established Authors:

Last month I discussed several organizations that support new and established authors, including the Connecticut Author’s and Publishers Association (CAPA): aboutcapa.com, The Association of Publishers for Special Sales (APSS), http://community.bookapss.org/, and the New England Author’s Expo (NEAE): http://www.newenglandauthorsexpo.com/
For on line services I discussed Authors Publish Magazine: http://www.authorspublish.com/

Because I am trying to get this out before tonight’s book discussion at Divinci Coffee House in Wolcott, I will hold off until next month to discuss other author / publisher resources.

Well, that does it for now. I hope this finds you and yours happy and well. Until the next time,

​Warmest Regards,
Chuck