Silvia Acevedo's Blog, page 12

God Awful Loser Is Now Available for Pre-Order

Yessss! My young adult novel, God Awful Loser, is now available for pre-order at Amazon. You can get the hardcover edition or the Kindle eBook edition.

If you live near Milwaukee, WI, however, and would like your book personally signed, come on down to my book launch party on May 8th at 7pm at Boswell Books, 2559 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53211. Even if you don’t live near Milwaukee, feel free to take your private jet and hang out! It’ll be fun!

http://www.amazon.com/God-Awful-Loser-S-Acevedo/dp/0986320706/

BOOK LAUNCH — Whooo hooooo!!!

I’m so excited to announce the date and time for the BOOK LAUNCH of my young adult novel, God Awful Loser!

Drumroll please!

Drrrrrrrrrrrrrrr (that’s my drumroll… ….)

my official launch will be FRIDAY, MAY 8th, at 7 p.m. at Milwaukee’s own Boswell Books! AND, more great news — it’s part of the celebrations for National Children’s Book Week! Whoo hoooo!

Please come share my joy at the realization of a long held dream. I’d love to see all of my friends and family there and would super enjoy meeting new people! It will be fun — and we’ll even have treats. See you in May!

World Read Aloud Day

Tomorrow is World Read Aloud Day, celebrated the first Wednesday of March as a way to promote literacy and the shared word.

I think most of us adults equate reading aloud as something we do with children. I certainly did a great deal of that. Heck, I’d even change my voice for the characters because I’d just get that into it. But I’d like to take a moment to suggest that if you don’t have children handy tomorrow, you might consider sharing that wonderful moment with an older adult, maybe someone with vision problems or just someone who’d love to hear your voice.

My grandfather passed away last July. One of the most precious things we did together on my final visits was spend time together as I read aloud to him from Don Quixote. That classic is a long two books. I knew starting the first that I wouldn’t get a quarter of the way through before he’d leave me. I was right. Still, I enjoyed laughing with him at the funny parts, and I could tell that he cherished the moments.

Reading aloud does more than celebrate the written word. It builds connections across cultures, ages, and even time. And so I hope you’ll get a chance tomorrow to create memories as beautiful as mine.

What I Just Read

I just finished reading the young adult novella The Edge of Nowhere by John Smelcer. It’s an adventure story about a discontented teenage boy who, in trying to help his dog, gets swept over the side of his father’s salmon fishing boat during a storm and must survive the Alaskan wilderness to make it back home.

During his trials, the teenager, Seth, contemplates the recent death of his mother, his tendency to seek comfort through food and video games, and the nearly forgotten culture of his Native Alaskan grandmother.

It was a fast read with plenty of action and interesting lessons on survival. Young readers who enjoy adventure and survivalist stories will root for Seth to not only find his way home but to find his way back to the person he once was.

Mythology Everywhere!

I’ve been converting some of my old TV news tapes to digital, and I found a report wherein I very enthusiastically explain the afterlife myths of Ancient Egyptians for an upcoming museum exhibit. I go pretty in depth, and the anchors’ reactions are priceless.

My upcoming novel, God Awful Loser, is about Roman mythology, and I had just as much fun writing about Roman myths as talking about Egyptian ones. Mythology seems to be everywhere, and perhaps The Fates demanded I write it.

You Saved Books in 2014

An interesting article cites you, Internet-savvy buyer, as saving young adult literature, especially if you bought an ebook this year for the teens in your life despite their apparent preference for physical books. Interesting juxtaposition, no? HERE’S the article.

Part of the strong showing for young adult lit is obvious. Teens still love stories, those motivated to read them will still find the time, and the quickly maturing young adults in our lives still relish the chance to safely explore new situations and emotions through books.

The part that isn’t so obvious is why such a plugged-in generation prefers physical books. But I suppose we all have to unplug sometimes, don’t we?

Whether it’s the physical or ebook you prefer, rejoice for 2014. Healthy book sales are good for authors, illustrators, and really, adults everywhere. We all want an educated and empathetic populace. If you bought a book for yourself or, really, anyone else this year, congratulate yourself. You made the publishing — and real life — worlds a better place.

Buzzin’ on The Blend!

Thoroughly enjoyed guest hosting The Morning Blend with fun-loving Molly Fay. Take a look at The Buzz, always a cut-up.

What It Feels Like to Have a Breakout Year

Start of the 3000

You hear about athletes having that one incredible year, that breakout year when they get it all right, improve by leaps and bounds, and break personal records. I think I’m experiencing that, and let me tell you, it feels awesome!

I’ve gotten personal bests in all four metric distances (500 meter, 1000 meter, 1500 meter, and 3000 meter) and am less than two-hundredths of a second away from my ultimate goal of skating the 500 in less than 50 seconds.

To give you some perspective, this season is two months old. So far I’ve skated ten races and gotten personal bests in seven of them, each time beating or hovering right around my previous best. I am in awe of what serious summer training can do for a fall sport.

So what did I do differently this year? More weight training and explosive drills than ever before. My bigger thighs do not lie. And I worked out a lot with my speedskating dynamo of a daughter and super-supportive husband and son.

I give huge props to my coaches, who work me just as hard as they do the teenagers. Strength Training Coach Olu Sijuwade is a force in the universe. PHAST Lead Coach Jeff Brand literally taught me everything I know. And PHAST Coach Tom Riley not only puts me through the paces but makes me work harder and smarter than I ever believed possible.

Thanks, coaches. Thanks to all my speedskating friends who cheer me on during my races and make the sport so much fun. And thanks to everyone everywhere who support those reaching for a goal. It feels great to hit the mark.

And Now I’m a Sports Announcer!

     If you spend enough years in front of a microphone and get plugged in to your community, eventually you’ll have interesting opportunities come your way. And me not being one to turn down opportunities (or people depending on me), I say yes.

     So I’ve had the very good fortune to get pulled into live sports announcing. For the past few years, I’ve occasionally announced speedskating events in Milwaukee for meets ranging from Olympic Qualifying, World Cup Qualifying, and even small regional meets.

     Now I’m adding high school swimming to my sports announcing! My daughter’s team needed an announcer for a large conference meet, and I was volunteered. I’m not hugely plugged into that sport, but I always want to stretch my abilities and try new things. I was asked back, so that’s a good endorsement.

     I’m grateful to have the chance to try new things. Many thanks to all who provide the opportunities!