M.A. Guglielmo's Blog, page 3
October 17, 2019
Launch Party Photos!
Wednesday night was launch party night at the wonderful Providence Wine Bar. There was wine, cake, raffle baskets, and of course lots and lots of books!
Our amazing host Ben let us enjoy the ambience and fantastic food and wine of the PWB, and I’d like to extend my thanks to him and his incredible staff. Here he is posing with the cake!
So many friends and family came to the event, and it was truly a special evening. It flew by so fast, I missed many photo opportunities, but here I am with my wonderful mom, Peggy:
Summoned is dedicated to my two daughters, Chiara and Sabrina. Here I am posing with Sabrina while her older sister was busy selling books:
Several friends from work and neighbors stopped by. Here is a nice photo of me with my hardworking colleague Toki Oyelese:
And here’s another with Derryl, an author himself and one of my Pokemon Go buddies!
At the end of the night, the two Moroccan-themed baskets were raffled off, and the winner of the Kindle Fire announced.
It was a dream come true, and thanks to everyone who helped me celebrate the debut of Summoned!
October 11, 2019
Raffle Baskets and More at the Launch Party!
The book launch party for SUMMONED is almost here! I’ll be raffling off some awesome prizes at the event, all to benefit Dorcas International, which strives to empower immigrants, refugees, and the underserved in Rhode Island.
The first gift basket is all about tea. It features a traditional Moroccan tea pot and platter, with four gilded glasses. The perfect set to make the Moroccan mint tea that the devilishly handsome Zaid serves to Daniel after he scares the daylights out of him! It also includes a beautiful journal and gourmet cookies from Meska Sweets in NYC.
The second basket is all about amazing Moroccan food and wine. It includes three bottles of almost-impossible-to find imported wine from Morocco, a stunning cookbook, a set of spice jars and an adorable mini-tagine spice holder. Make sure you have the wine and plenty of sweets on hand if Zahara pops up in your home, or she just might jinx you!
The last raffle is the easiest. It’s totally free! Just sign up to get book updates with your email and toss the card into the peacock bowl. One lucky winner will get a Kindle Fire!
Check out my Events page for more information about the party, other local events, and free, signed copies of SUMMONED for anyone sending me proof of donation to Dorcas International.
September 24, 2019
FROM SMOKELESS FIRE: SUMMONED is out!
Today’s the big day! SUMMONED is out and on sale everywhere. It’s been an exciting and fun journey, and I have so many people to thank, from my wonderful family to a host of writer friends I’ve met along the way, both in the real world and on-line. I’m also grateful to the wonderful team at Tule Publishing, who took my book baby and brought it into the world.
Check out the Events Page for local appearances, including the launch party! If you’d like to celebrate the book from afar, scroll down to the Virtual Launch Party for information on getting a FREE signed copy of SUMMONED by donating to Dorcas International.
August 21, 2019
The World’s Best Book Unboxing Video
*in my daughter’s not so humble opinion of her work
July 16, 2019
Donate and Win a Manuscript and Query Critique!
For all the writers out there, check out my auction item on #AuthorsforFamilies RAICES Charity Auction 2019. I’m offering a 50 page manuscript and query letter critique, along with swag from my upcoming novel SUMMONED. There are a host of other bookish prizes on the auction page, and all proceeds go to RAICES, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees.
June 29, 2019
Free Stuff! Book Swag, and a Chance to Win a Kindle Fire
Pre-order links for SUMMONED are live, and I have some special book swag to give away. While supplies last, anyone pre-ordering SUMMONED will receive a thank-you gift including:
A signed SUMMONED bookmark
An awesome SUMMONED cover sticker
A SUMMONED cover card
AND a tasseled hamsa charm to ward off any hauntings while you’re reading the novel.
Check out all the fun stuff below:
Even better, everyone who pre-orders will be entered into a giveaway for a brand-spanking new Kindle Fire! The winner will be announced after SUMMONED’s official launch on September 24th.
Rules:
Pre-order SUMMONED before September 24th-OR-request SUMMONED at your local library.
Fill out the form below and upload Proof of Purchase (POP) or Proof of Request-OR-email your POP to mariaaguglielmo.com, along with your snail address.
Remember, while Zahara never tries to be good, this offer is–at least until the swag runs out! So get your pre-orders in early.
All the fine print:
» Any edition of SUMMONED purchased by 11:59PM EST on September 23rd, 2019 qualifies for the preorder campaign
» For a valid entry, the official “SUMMONED Preorder Campaign” form must be successfully completed AND proof-of-purchase (or proof of request) must be emailed to the admin (M.A. Guglielmo) at aphemia66@gmail.com by 11:59PM EST on September 23rd, 2019.
» Preorder campaign is open to residents of the United States to readers 18+
» By entering, you are confirming that you are 18 or older, and giving the admin (M.A. Guglielmo) permission to contact you via email (if necessary) and mail you your prize(s)
» Following a valid entry, AND, while supplies last, the reader will be mailed a swag pack consisting of one (1) signed SUMMONED bookmark, one (1) SUMMONED sticker, one (1) card featuring the cover of SUMMONED, and one (1) tasseled hamsa (color selection made at random)
» After September 24th, one grand prize winner will be randomly selected to receive a Kindle Fire
The Cover for Summoned is Out!
I’m beyond excited to reveal the cover to my debut novel, FROM SMOKELESS FIRE: SUMMONED!
The idea behind SUMMONED, and my main character Zahara, started with my fascination with the villain-as-hero trope. Let’s face it, villains steal the show many times because they do and say the outrageous things we all want to say and do—but can’t.
So who is Zahara? She’s a demonic jinn with the best of evil pedigrees, but she’s better at tasting desserts than dishing out revenge, and most days she’d rather go shopping than go haunting. Rather than skulking around in graveyards looking for unwary human prey, she prefers the nightlife and fashion of the human world–from Dubai to Beirut, and Paris to New York.
But Zahara has family issues—hey, who doesn’t?—and she decides to impress her mother by tricking a modern-day sorcerer into giving up his soul in return for:
one.
little.
wish.
Summoned comes out on September 24th everywhere! Click on these links to pre-order a copy. After that, sign up to receive free book swag here.
June 15, 2019
Coming Soon: The Cover Reveal for Summoned
The cover reveal for Summoned is only a few weeks away! I’ll be showing off the gorgeous artwork from the team at Tule on Saturday, June 29th. Stay tuned for more information on how to pre-order Summoned, as well as a sneak peek at some awesome book swag I’m giving away while supplies last. There just might be a grand prize raffled off before the launch as well! Last, but not least, follow the incredible KJ Harrowick and Kayleigh , who will be helping me show off my brand new book baby.
February 5, 2019
Big News…My Debut Novel is Coming Soon!
I can’t keep it in any longer, so here it is: I’m thrilled to announce that my debut novel has been acquired by Tule Publishing Group and will be coming out this summer!
Here’s the press release:
Tule Publishing Group is excited to announce the acquisition of a sparkling paranormal fantasy by debut author and neurosurgeon, Maria Guglielmo. Based on Middle Eastern mythology and legend, the story features a reluctant sorcerer, a shopping-obsessed jinn, fallen angels Harut and Marut and a looming war between worlds.
Stay tuned for the cover reveal in the next few weeks, and bear with me as I gush all over my Facebook and Twitter accounts. Pinterest, you’re next!
I’d also like to throw in a plug for Writers for Diversity, a great FB community of writers, and the host of the pitch event that landed me a contract!
March 21, 2018
Blog Hopping with #RevPit!
Welcome to the #RevPit #Biohop!
I’m M.A. Guglielmo, neurosurgeon, mother of two awesome daughters, and a life-long fan of speculative fiction. My Italian grandmother may or may not have been able to cast the evil eye on difficult neighbors, and I love telling a good story, especially if magical curses and witty villains are involved. My interest in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern politics and culture inspires me to incorporate mythology and folklore from the region into my writing projects. After having the wits scared out of me by ghost tales told over a campfire in the Moroccan Sahara, I’ve come up with a plan to travel to all the potential settings for my novels. Since those include the mountain-ringed home of the Jinn and a modernized version of the Greek Underworld, some items on my bucket list might be harder to achieve than others.
This year I’m taking part in #RevPit, a Twitter contest that focuses on novel revision. Put on by the editors at Revise & Resub, the goal is to interact with other authors, play geeky writing related games on-line, and possibly win an editorial revision of a novel-in-progress. I’m currently revising KORE, a YA novel loosely based on the Persephone myth.
The always amazing K.J. Harrowick is sponsoring a blog hop for the contest, and has even kindly offered to assist those of us (like me!) who are technologically challenged. Here’s her link on how to create a novel aesthetic like the one I created for KORE.
If you’re a writer planning to enter #RevPit, add a bio post to the blog hop! The submission form is here. Even if you’re not planning to play at #RevPit this year, follow along on the #RevPit hashtag for all the excitement. If you don’t already, feel free to follow me on Twitter, or check out all the pretty pictures on my Facebook author page. Rub the genie lamp below to sign up for email updates.
