We’re Back

Good morning Everyone

It’s a bitter wintry morning on Long Island—a big difference from Hilton Head Island. My husband, Matt and I are back home, planning the yard and boat launch sequences. It is good to be back (although I do miss my grandkids). Pour your coffee, let’s catch up.

If we were having coffee together, I would tell you that Matt finally got his birthday tattoo by our daughter, the very talented Sara. When we drove into Brooklyn to her studio, Dukkha Tattoo, I luckily found a parking spot which, turned out, not so lucky since there was a ticket waiting on the windshield (so many parking rules and not enough parking spots). Anyways, Matt is a die-hard fisherman and covets the stripe bass. Sara drew the beautiful fish and tattooed a full color tat on his arm. Even though my daughter is a very talented and popular tattoo artist, I can’t say I like them or desire one, but Matt’s tattoo is a gorgeous piece of art. Happy 65th.

If we were having coffee together, I would report that I participated in the Women in Publishing Summit 2022. I went to this event last year, learned so much about writing and marketing, and followed Alexa Bigwarfe and her team throughout the year. There is that much to learn!. This year’s summit didn’t disappoint. A chock-full schedule of interesting topics and engaging speakers filled four days. I will go back into several recorded sessions I missed or need a repeat. 

If we were having coffee together, I would say that March is a busy, busy month. It is Middle Grade March and I am taking part in a 31 day promotion with some very outstanding authors and their books. Check it out! March is also National Reading Month, so I am in another promotion. This one features activities and crafts that go with the books.

And then, the schools are beginning to open up their doors to author visits and events. Here is my schedule so far.

March 21 St Rose of Lima School Massapequa, NY 

March 25 Long Island Language Arts Council/Nassau Reading Council Melville, NY

April 11th Author-Illustrator Night Middle Country Schools, NY

April 28th Girl Scouts Meet the Author Night VFW Hall Sayville, NY

May 18th Author-Illustrator Night Hampton Bays, NY

May 21st NYS Library Association SSL Verona, NY

If you are a teacher, librarian, or PTO chairperson searching for engaging and fun Meet the Author programs, check out my Creative Writing Workshops page or email me at storiesserved@gmail.com . I am available for local live events and long distant virtual chats.  

If we were having coffee together, I would add that Book 3 is coming along—slow, but getting there. Writing a series is hard. I think my big problem is that it is Book 3, where familiar characters and settings have to be reintroduced and new characters and settings weaved into the plot without bogging down pace, and compromising craft and story integrity. A flop could jeopardize the whole series! Lots of pressure. I hope an upcoming field trip to the Lower East Side would spark insight. Walking the streets my characters would have walked and going to the church they would have attended may help. I am also checking into dates and tour times for the Italian American Museum and the Jewish Museum. 

That’s it, Everyone. Pray for peace. 

Be well.

Take Your Seat at Stories Served Around the Table News to Nosh

Thank yous go out to Natalie the Explorer who keeps the Weekend Coffee Share percolating each week.

PS: Anyone signing up for Blogging A2Z Challenge? I’m serious contemplating it. Theme reveal starts on Sunday March 7th.

Enjoy ❤️.   Like 👍.  Share 😊. 

Schedule your Book Club Events and School Author Visits. Available in LIVE and Virtual platforms!

Download FREE Curriculum Connections

If you had purchased a paperback or ebook The Heart of Bakers and Artists, The Dreams of Singers and Sluggers and/or Becoming America’s Food Stories—Thank you!

Help your fellow book club friends and bibliophiles find a great read by leaving a review on Amazon and in your Goodreads account. Here are the helpful links:

The Heart of Bakers and Artists

The Dreams of Singers and Sluggers

Becoming America’s Food Stories

Hope you are hungry. Becoming America’s Food Stories recalls the tales that have been told around my family’s dinner table. The histories explain the motivations over bowls of macaroni, antics play out while slurping soup, and laughter echoes throughout the dining room. Pull up a seat. There’s always room.
The Heart of Bakers and Artists is set in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, 1911. The story follows nine-year-old Lily, an American-born child of Sicilian immigrants, who wants to prove she is not a little kid. To be a big kid in the crowded tenement neighborhoods, she must tackle bigotry, bullies, disasters, dotty bakers, and learn to cross the street by herself
The Dreams of Singers and Sluggers picks up where The Heart of Bakers and Artists left off.Lily has big dreams to sing out with her powerful voice, but must do EVERYTHING, since Mama fell into a deep depression, the baby is sick, and the “Black Hand” terrorizes the neighborhood, threatening her chance to sing at the New York Highlanders Fourth of July baseball game.
Antoinette Truglio Martin is the author of Hug Everyone You Know: A Year of Community, Courage, and Cancer. The memoir is a wimpy patient’s journey through her first year of breast cancer treatment.

15 thoughts

  2. Hi Antoinette,

    If I had to take sides in the tattoo question, I’d be there beside you. Interesting art sometimes not withstanding, I’ve not met the woman (or man) whose appearance has been improved by a tattoo.
    I’ve heard there are some very good performing temporary versions that either wash off or fade in some number of days – like a try before you buy or special occasion accessory I guess.
    But I also know people who come close to worshiping the art form. Some of them even pass for intelligent well-read minds that I simply cannot account for.

    Regarding your upcoming field trip to walk the streets where your characters would have – this is so cool. I relish even the idea.
    When I was finishing up “Ayem Notthymn, the Second Door” I was ready to set a date for a road trip up to Oregon to drive and photograph the mountains and forests where the story took place. The story needs a water fall of certain size and setting and I was half sure I could find one along with some photos of the type of tree that inspired the name of Ayem’s estate.
    Covid – killed the idea by making it fool-hearty at best. I ended up touring a lot of the area via google maps and shared photos, which I still think were a poor substitute for being there snapping my own photos.

    Oh well – maybe someday I’ll circle back and make that trip.
    Wishing you a successful trip.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks a bunch, Gary. I suggest an the trip and write a new version. Or promote the story with your pictures. Never miss a trip.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. I am so glad you enjoyed it. It was packed full of good stuff. I will be at the Friday sprint and the :55 Sprint Writers on Tuesday night. Maybe I’ll see you there.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  9. Pingback: News to Nosh -a Writer’s Journey Newsletter – Stories Served Around The Table

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.