Writeful

a weblog for readers and writers

Monday, November 23, 2009

Flightless Goose Featured at Ottawa Book Fair

If you’re planning to attend the Ottawa Small Press Book Fair on Saturday, November 28, you’re likely to run into a native goose. Flightless Goose is available all day at the fair!

The annual book fair features exhibitors with poetry books, novels, cookbooks, posters, t-shirts, graphic novels, comic books, magazines, gum-ball machines brimming with poems and, of course, children’s’ books!

The Tenth Muse Books will have copies of Flightless Goose available, as well as books from the popular “Mis-Adventures of Alyson Bell” series by Kristin Groulx, including the latest: The Oracle of the Missing Dryad.

The Ottawa Small Press Book Fair takes place Saturday, November 28 at the Jack Purcell Community Centre. The address is 320 Jack Purcell Lane, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Fulfill your muse and get your goose!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Goose Goes to Formal Charity Ball

The Flightless Goose has been known to play ball, but on Thursday, November 19, he will sport a black tie and attend his first formal ball. That’s because Flightless Goose is one of the features of the Buddy Project’s Charity Ball: Underwater Fantasea.

The black tie event will be held at Ceresville Mansion in Frederick, Maryland, from 6:30 to 11:00 p.m. on November 19. The ball includes a cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, and live music by 23 Days Rewind — a band that plays a blend of 80’s and 90’s alternative and today’s electronica. The band has opened for Modern English, Violent Femmes, and members of Fuel.

The night’s agenda features an auction of collectables such as autographed jerseys, helmets, posters and footballs that boast the signatures of Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins football players like Chris Cooley, Clinton Portis, Joe Flacco, Santana Moss and others, as well as an autographed copy of Flightless Goose, a full-color, the hardcover story book for children.

In addition to the copy donated for the auction, Nataliya (the illustrator) and I will be selling and signing copies of Flightless Goose at the ball from 6 to 8 p.m. and proceeds from the sales will benefit the Buddy Project.

The Buddy Project is a 501(c)3 that provides refurbished computers to help close the digital divide for people with disabilities.

Eric Zimmerman established The Buddy Project in October of 2007, soliciting used computers from colleges, universities, and high schools. To date he has put 125 refurbished computers in to service, and this year will expand to offer computer training with the help of grant funding from the Ausherman Family Foundation.

Flightless Goose is the perfect book to partner with The Buddy Project because it teaches important lessons about dealing with disability, focusing on positive strengths, and treating others with respect and dignity. The book is fun for children and it educates as it entertains.

Flightless Goose is available in book stores, at http://www.amazon.com/, and at http://www.rungoose.com/, where you can see some of the illustrations and read more about the exciting new book destined to become a classic.

But why not meet the author and artist in person and get your autographed copy inscribed to the children on your holiday gift list — and help The Buddy Project in their mission to make a difference at the same time.

The formal ball takes place on November 19 from 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Ceresville Mansion in Frederick, Maryland. Individual tickets are $50 and full tables are $400. The Buddy Project’s goal is to raise $5,000 and to distribute 150 computers. Tickets can be purchased at: www.thebuddyproject.net/ball.

Visit the Ceresville Mansion online at http://www.ceresville.com/.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Two Ways to Get Your Goose (And Help Charities)

International Gallery Event and Formal Charity Ball Offer Two Ways to Help Charities and Get Your Goose

With the holidays approaching, many people are already making their gift purchases. If you have a child on your holiday gift list, or someone who is young-at-heart, why not give them something special: an autographed, personally inscribed copy of Flightless Goose?

Flightless Goose is a full-color, hardcover story book for children. The book teaches important lessons about dealing with challenges, focusing on positive strengths, and treating others with respect and dignity. It’s fun for children and educates as it entertains.

The book has been compared to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Ugly Duckling in that it is a classic “underdog story” about a goose who is made fun of as a misfit, but who ends up gaining the respect of peers in the end. A portion of the proceeds will help provide warm sleepwear and nurturing books to children in need through a partnership with The Pajama Project, endorsed by Oprah and Parenting Magazine.

It has been featured on the front page of the Baltimore Messenger and Towson Times and also in such periodicals as the Baltimore Sun, Los Angeles Times, Abilities Magazine, Acreage Magazine, The Potomac, The Hearing Review, Agri Digest, Automotive Industry Magazine, Pen In Hand, and Diversity Rules. The book was also featured at last year’s Festival of Trees and this year’s BookExpo America.

Flightless Goose is available in book stores, at http://www.amazon.com/, and at http://www.rungoose.com/, where you can see some of the illustrations and read more about the book.

But there are more interesting ways to get your goose. Here are two:

Sunday, November 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Watermark Gallery

Flightless Goose is featured as part of this multi-cultural art event at the Watermark Gallery. The event features original artwork of local, national, and international artists including the Watermark’s resident artist, Manzar, up-and-coming artists from MICA, and a sampling of international art from around the world — including paintings, sketches, jewelry, ceramics , wearable arts, fiber arts and, of course, childrens’ book art. Nataliya (the illustrator) and I will be selling and signing copies of Flightless Goose at this event. Stop by for a free sampling of international cuisine, wine, art, and a chance to get your goose. The event is free and open to the public.

The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.


Thursday, November 19 from 6 to 11 p.m at Ceresville Mansion in Frederick, Maryland

The Flightless Goose has been known to play ball, but on Thursday, November 19, he will sport a black tie and attend his first formal ball. That’s because Flightless Goose is one of the features of the Buddy Project’s Charity Ball: Underwater Fantasea.

The black tie event features a cocktail hour, gourmet dinner, and live music by 23 Days Rewind — a band that plays a blend of 80’s and 90’s alternative and today’s electronica. The band has opened for Modern English, Violent Femmes, and members of Fuel.

The night’s agenda features an auction of collectables such as autographed jerseys, helmets, posters and footballs that boast the signatures of Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins football players like Chris Cooley, Clinton Portis, Joe Flacco, Santana Moss and others, as well as an autographed copy of Flightless Goose.

In addition to the copy donated for the auction, Nataliya and I will be selling and signing copies of Flightless Goose at the ball from 6 to 8 p.m. and proceeds from the sales will benefit the Buddy Project, a charity that provides refurbished computers to help close the digital divide for people with disabilities. Tickets to the formal charity ball can be purchased at: www.thebuddyproject.net/ball.

Visit the Ceresville Mansion online at http://www.ceresville.com/.

In addition to these two affairs, the coming months will see “goose events” at book stores, galleries, and other exciting places.

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Monday, November 09, 2009

Of Geese and Galleries

Want to catch an autographed goose for Thanksgiving? You can do just that — and sample some impressive, original artwork from local, national, and international artists — while enjoying free refreshments on Sunday, November 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Watermark Gallery in Baltimore’s inner harbor. The event is free and open to the public.

In addition to featuring the author and artist of Flightless Goose, the event is a multi-cultural affair featuring the original artwork of local, national, and international artists including the Watermark’s resident artist, Manzar, up-and-coming artists from MICA, and a sampling of international art from around the world — including paintings, sketches, jewelry, ceramics , wearable arts, fiber arts and more.

You’ll also enjoy a taste of international food, refreshments, and music. As with all events at the Watermark Gallery, the mission is to “Embrace Diversity, Create Peace, and Celebrate Life.”

My wife and I will be signing copies of Flightless Goose, our full-color, hardcover story book for children,. This is the perfect opportunity to get your autographed copies inscribed to the children on your holiday wish list.

Flightless Goose teaches important lessons about dealing with challenges, focusing on positive strengths, and treating others with respect and dignity. The book is fun for children and it educates as it entertains.

The book has been compared to Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and The Ugly Duckling in that it is a classic “underdog story” about a goose who is made fun of as a misfit, but who ends up gaining the respect of peers in the end. A portion of the proceeds will help provide warm sleepwear and nurturing books to children in need through a partnership with The Pajama Project, endorsed by Oprah and Parenting Magazine.

Flightless Goose is available in book stores, at www.Amazon.com, and at www.RunGoose.com, where you can see some of the illustrations and read more about it.

But why not meet us in person and get your autographed copy inscribed to the children on your holiday gift list. Enjoy the gallery exhibit, a glass of wine, and international cuisine and music as you do. This is an affair to put you in the Thanksgiving mood.

The event takes place on Sunday, November 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Watermark Gallery. The Watermark Gallery is located in the Bank of America Center Skywalk Level, right across from the Inner Harbor, at 100 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland. The phone number is (410) 547-0452.

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Black Hawk Down at Baltimore Writers' Conference

The Baltimore Writers' Conference is coming up November 14 at Towson University.

Keynote address will be delivered by Mark Bowden of Black Hawk Down fame. It's been 10 years since the book was published. Bowden has gone on to write books about Pablo Escobar, the Iran hostage crisis, and the Greatest Game Ever Played. He is currently a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, and has written for the Atlantic Monthly, Sports Illustrated, and Rolling Stone. He teaches at his alma mater: Loyola University.

Poetry, screenwriting, freelancing, fiction, and getting published serve simply a sampling of the sixteen sessions available to attendees. Writers can also get "quick critiques" in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry by such experts as literary agent Jeff Kleinman, Baltimore Review editor Susan Muaddi-Darraj, novelists Elise Levine and James Magruder, and Washington Post Magazine editor Lynda Robinson.

Registration includes lunch and closing reception. Presented by Towson University, Johns Hopkins University, and CityLit Project, BWC is the area's premiere craft, business, and networking opportunity for writers. Learn more (and register) at the link below.

www.towson.edu/writersconference

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