Phil Giunta's Blog, page 30
September 14, 2019
Easton Book Festival
The Easton Book Festival will take place the weekend of October 25-27, 2019 at various locations throughout downtown Easton, PA.
As part of the festival, the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group is sponsoring a series of writing workshops, presentations, and discussion panels on Saturday and Sunday at the Easton campus of Northampton Community College on the corner of 3rd and Pine Streets (adjacent to the Crayola Experience).
At this time, the topics have been selected, but the schedule is still tentative. I will present a one-hour session on self-editing called “Trim Your Story” on Saturday at noon and another one-hour session called “Time Management for Writers” on Sunday at 1PM. I’m also slated to participate in a discussion panel called “Writing in the 21st Century” on Saturday at 2PM.
Other authors will present topics on writing memoir, poetry, biographies, historical fiction, cover design, traditional publishing, and much more. I will post the final schedule when it becomes available.
In between all of that, I will have a table where my books will be available. Looking forward to a weekend dedicated to the love of literature. Hope to see you there!
September 4, 2019
“Sensing the Storm” on the Infinite Bard!
Can you sense that storm coming? Well, you would if you visited the Infinite Bard and read Kari Kilgore’s “Sensing the Storm” for FREE. Do it. Do it now.
August 31, 2019
Book Review: Stalking Kilgore Trout by Rachel C. Thompson
An entertaining collection of clever stories addressing religious, governmental, and LGBTQ themes, Stalking Kilgore Trout showcases Thompson’s breadth as a storyteller, offering an imaginative variety of characters, plots, and settings. The tales range from silly and outlandish to serious and critical, with more than a few that are blatantly—and perhaps intentionally—“on the nose.”
My only criticism is that the manuscript would have benefitted from a more thorough proofreading. Nevertheless, there were several gems including “Mary Cook and the Railway Men,” “Stalking Kilgore Trout,” “Death by Lawnmower,” “The Jesus Probe,” “Going Up the Mountain,” “The Witch Child,” and “A Cat’s Tale.”
August 23, 2019
About This Writing Stuff…
This week, Anne R. Allen laments the rise of “dark pattern marketing” by authors who attempt to bully potential readers by invading their privacy.
Dana Isaacson advises us on the effective use of flashbacks while Kristen Lamb reminds us of what it takes to be successful.
Going by the numbers, Jordan Dane expounds seven categories of conflict and Chris Winkle offers six types of climactic turning points. Oren Ashkenazi warns us to be aware of the messages we’re communicating through our writing and Angela Ackerman delves into the repercussions of fear.
All that and plenty more. Enjoy!
Is a “Personal Relationship” with Authors What Readers Want? by Anne R. Allen
How to Write Amazing Flashbacks by Dana Isaacson
Key Types of Conflict: Which One Best Fits Your Story? by Jordan Dane
In It to WIN It: How Committed Are You to Being a Successful Author? Kristen Lamb
Six Types of Turning Points for Climaxes and Filling In Your Story’s Middle by Chris Winkle
Depicting Characters Held Back by Fear by Angela Ackerman
Authorial Endorsement 101 by Oren Ashkenazi
Give Your Reader an Experience by Kathryn Craft
Negotiating Social Privilege as a Writer by Rheea Mukherjee
The Wonders of Your Character’s World View by Jim Dempsey
August 20, 2019
“The Princess and the Assassin” and the Infinite Bard!
August 17, 2019
Firebringer Take Two on sale at Amazon!
August 16, 2019
Book Review: Arthur C. Clarke’s Voices from the Sky
Divided into three sections, Voices from the Sky delivers a series of enjoyable essays–some prescient, others less so–on topics ranging from spaceflight and communication satellites to the future of human culture as shaped by technological advancement.
While many of Clarke’s predictions have come to pass, others miss the mark including the elimination of business travel and the obsolescence of cities as a result of video conferencing and a global communications network. So enthusiastic was he about the U.S.A.’s burgeoning space program of the 1960s, that Clarke predicted mankind’s expansion to the moon, Mars, and beyond. He could not have known that budget cuts would curtail our space program by the 1990s.
Still, Clarke’s considerable talents as a science fiction writer and science communicator, combined with his cosmopolitan viewpoint, provide fascinating insights from a time when humanity was just entering the space age.
August 7, 2019
The Infinite Bard presents “Doppelganger”
Check out “Doppelganger” by Michael Kingswood, the latest FREE short story at the Infinite Bard! No need to register, just click here or on the cover image below and Happy Reading!
August 4, 2019
Book Review: The Making of Star Trek II by Allan Asherman
An excellent and succinct account of the making of what is arguably the best entry in the Star Trek film franchise. Asherman’s book recounts the genesis of the story, the various drafts of the script, the and the special effects as created by ILM. Through interviews with producers Harve Bennett and Robert Sallin, director Nicholas Meyer, and cast members Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley, we gain insight into the creative decisions that went into crafting the plot, the music, the wardrobe, and—most especially—the death of Spock.
August 3, 2019
The Toy Robot Museum
My wife and I spent a marvelous day with several friends in Adamstown, PA, renowned for its myriad of antique shops and the home of the Toy Robot Museum, owned and operated by longtime friend, Joe Knedlhans.
In addition to touring Joe’s incredible museum—which never gets old no matter how often we’re there—we managed to visit only four antique shops along Route 272. It would take an entire weekend to see them all, but many people in our group left with some amazing treasures.
The Toy Robot Museum is located in the Stoudtburg Village.
Address: 9 Market Plz, 17569 Reinholds, PA
Phone: (717) 484-0809
