A Night at Bogart’s

                                                              

                                                       

This past Friday night, my husband was enlisted to be my sidekick for my first book signing since Saving Solanda came out. Saving Solanda is the second book of the Roof Oasis Series and picks up where book one, Roof Oasis, ends. The second book also ends with a cliffhanger. Book three, Beware the Harvesters will be out next summer.  Both books (science fiction/apocalypse/romance) can be purchased on Amazon and Kindle                                                        

                                                            

We headed out to Bogart’s Bookstore and Café located in Millville New Jersey. It was the town’s 3^rd Friday Event where all the shops have tables outside to sell their goodies. Joining me was Cinsearae Santiago-Reiniger, author, publisher, and her husband Dan.

                                                          

                                                                 

I wanted to change my style for this new book, taking on the character of Rosa Santiago, the commander of the Cuban Rebel Base. The stories take place during the zombie apocalypse which was started by the mysterious Leader. Playing the part of one of my characters meant that my normal Steampunk outfit, better fitted for an afternoon tea service, would not fit in with my being a zombie slayer. With the help of Historical Emporium and my fashion designer granddaughter, Allie Gilbert, my outfit evolved. I still have some more items to add over time.

                                                                 

                                                             

There is a robot named Patty, who will be featured in all four (maybe five depending on which character takes over) books. I had just as much fun shopping for her outfit as I did mine. Thank you, Cinsearae and Dan, for finding Patty for me.

                                                             

                                                        

The street was busy with shoppers and I had a nice surprise when my Cousins Marie and Joe stopped by to buy the two books and visit with us. Thank you, guys! A few moments later, a very close friend and her family also stopped by to visit. Thank you, Jodie for hiking all the way there to visit. It was much appreciated.

                                                            

                                                   

I’ll be doing more book signings in the next month and I’ll post the dates on my blog. In October, I’m hosting the second annual Steampunk Granny Bohemian Bazaar and the theme will be Frightful Halloween Themes. I’ll post the venders, date and time in the next week or so.

                                                                   

                                                          

It looks like I already have my zombie squad ready to pitch in.

Steampunk Granny's Road Trips through Charters and Clans

                                                           

Did that title grab your attention? Good, because I was definitely a busy bee the past week. When you’ve written your first book in a series and while you’re finishing the second book and outlining what will happen in the third and a possible fourth book, you need to be out there in that big wide world promoting yourself and your book. Steampunk Granny (little ole me) is good at promoting not only myself, but all my friends. I have no intention of climbing that ladder of success alone; it could get very lonely at the top. No, I’m bringing all my friends with me.

                                                                     

I wrote an earlier blog  explaining how selling your book is a little bit like pimping or acting the part of hooker...sans the sex part. But, what I wanted to stress in that blog was how much fun you can have going on book signings. I’m gregarious by nature and can start a conversation with just about anyone, but if you are, by nature, a shy person, then book signings can be devastating hard to do. I recommend the buddy system. I had the opportunity to practice the buddy system when our writers’ group South Jersey Writers’ Group published our first anthology, Tall Tales & Short Stories from South Jersey.

                                                                 

                                                       

My partner and I, Dawn Byrne, hit the book signing trail fresh from the gate and over the last two years our promoting style evolved from two little meek church mice to the Lone Ranger and Tonto rides again. We take turns playing the Lone Ranger with my version of Tonto closer to that of Johnny Depp’s.

                                                                    

Sometimes, I will go on solo book signings, but most of the times Dawn and I ride together and sometimes we have a fellow author ride along. Like I said these past two weeks have been my busiest and it helps to have a sidekick with you.

I love meeting people and I love interviewing them. Because of my insatiable curiosity about the world around me, I have met some very interesting and talented people who share the same interests as me and since I’m an Empath and do ghost investigations and I love everything “Steampunk” and I’m also retired from a prestigious museum, The Academy of Natural Sciences, I have lots to talk about.

                                       Cinsearae, Dawn, and Steampunk Granny                       

This week, I went from selling books at the Landis Farmers' Market in Vineland to the Marconi Senior Center on 15^th & Porter Streets in South Philly to a library in Maple Shade, to Bogart's Book Store in Millville and a historic library in Burlington. In between all the book signings, I 've done several interviews, one which will be posted on Biff Bam Pop. on actress/dancer Dawn Noel.

                                                                    

Dawn is a n amazingly talented South Philly girl from my old neighborhood and who's made a name for herself on stage and television. Dawn has made it possible for me to set up an upcoming interview with Chad Coleman better known as Tyreese from "The Walking Dead."  I'll let you know when it's posted on www.biffbampopcom

                                                                

                                                        

This week, I had the pleasure of selling my books at The Library Company of Burlington and thanks to the library’s Director and Guardian Angel, Sharon Vincz, I sold lots of books. I also take psychic classes every week at the Library which is given by Marti Haines of the Ghost Hunter’s Store. This week, the members of the class attended the celebration of the original charter.

                                                                  

This charter dates back to 1758 by England’s King George the second. The present day British Queen, Elizabeth, wrote a letter congratulating the library on its celebration.

                                                                    

Yesterday, Dawn Byrne, Nanci Rainey and I went to Millville and Bogart’s Bookstore to pimp our books. There was a town wide yard sale and Bogart’s also had live entertainment.

                                                                     

I think the wonderful greengrass original and Celtic Nations folk music of Clan Suibhne (pronounced Sweeney) helped us with our book sales.

                                                                 

Selling your books can be viewed as a monumental task or a Hobbit’s adventure and it starts with the author making the decision to put themselves out there. Don’t be shy and make that first step of the journey by contacting book stores, cafes and libraries and who knows? You might even bump into me and I might want to interview you.

Bookstores, Weddings and Steampunk, Oh My!

                                                           

 

This was a great weekend because I spent it doing fun things with friends. Friday night my husband Dan (the silent partner who wears many hats: audio, video and computer tech for his tech-challenged spouse along with playing chauffer whenever I need to get somewhere without getting lost) were in the charming town of Millville, New Jersey. I was there to do a book signing at Bogart’s Bookstore and Café.

                                                               

I’ve mentioned many times on my blogs that there is something magical about this town, the residents and especially the bookstore. There are many ghosts that dwell in that town and it may be because of its rich history and the fact that there is a river nearby. Water is conductive to spirits. There is a story that Millville had an underground railroad at one time that was used to fight the horrid practice of slavery. There are ghosts in that town. I sense them and I’ve written about several of the ghosts that stay at Bogart’s Bookstore & Cafe. My guess is that the owner, Amy, has such a pleasant and welcoming personality that people, living or dead, want to be around her.

                                                           

Today Millville has an arts district named the Glasstown Arts District. A public art center with galleries and studios is the hub of activity, and is open six days a week. Seven full-time galleries and ten part-time galleries and studios are open mostly on weekends and on the third Friday of each month. Wheaton Arts and the Creative Glass Center of America includes a major collection of early American glass with contemporary glass from CGCA Fellows and working glass artists in a restored 19th century glass factory. The Levoy Theatre successfully re-opened on September 9, 2012. You need to visit this town on their Third Friday and Third Saturday events and if you do, stop in and say hello to Amy.

                                                          

I had fun at my book signing and per tradition took a photo with the first person to buy a book. Thank you, Glenn Lillie.

                                                               

On Saturday, my husband and I headed to Chester and the New Hope Baptist Church for the wedding of friends, Cynthia Cain and Geoff Bilbow.  Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Bilbow.

                                                               

 

                                                                             

                                       Me with Cynthia's oldest daughter, McKenzie

                                                                              

Saturday night was the grand return of Gil Cnaan’s Dorian’s Parlor. It was held at the William Way Center at 1315 Spruce St, a beautiful building. I convinced my friend and fellow author, Loretta Lombardi of “You’re Hot, I’m Hot” a cookbook for lovers, to join me in the celebration of Dorian’s return.

                                                                           

Gil Cnaan on stage

            

We met such wonderful and talented people and enjoyed the endless parade of Steampunk fashions and were entertained by such acts as The Wandering Cellist

                                                                       

 

                                      and Eli August & the Abandoned Building Band.

                                                               

Thanks to Montague Jacques Fromage, I have a few pictures to share with you.

                                                                           

                                                              Montague on left

You don’t need to dress up in Steampunk to attend one of these events, but once you’ve visited an event, I’m sure that you’ll be dying to get yourself an outfit.

                                                              

Jane and Marie

                                                          

 

 

 

Grand Ole Time At Bogart's Book Store

                                                                  

I love going to Bogart's Book Store in Millville, New Jersey even though it's a hike for me to get there and I always take the wrong turn and get lost. The delightful Amy, owner of this little gem of an establishment, always makes me feel like family whenever I'm there selling books with my sidekicks from the South Jersey Writers' Group.

                                                                         

This time, I took my daughter with me. While I was hustling books including Roof Oasis, the first in a series of apocalyptic tales with a twist, Re was selling her beautiful jewelry and she made a big hit with the pieces she brought with her that day.

                                                                       

Lots of people stopped by to say hello including friend George Scully and new friend, Linda Stevenson who bought a book from me.

                                                           

Oh yeah and Amy showed me a photo of the ghost who lives in the basement. The spirits were there, but staying out of sight. One tapped me on the head as I was leaving. I don't think it was Andrew. I intend to go back and do some more investigating this summer with my friends from Keystone Spirit Seekers.

Bogart's always has something fun going on and as my daughter and I were packing up, a talented singer, Bob White, began to entertain the bookstore's guests. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay. ReRe had to get home to the kids, but I'm planning on catching the next Saturday performance.

                                                                        
My daughter and I were invited to participate in Amy's Third Friday Events. We will be back at Bogart's on September 19th. Hope to see all my friends, living and dead.

Oh, and before I forget...I am featured in Dark Gothic Resurrected Magazine. The Editor and Publisher, Cinsearae R. Santiago did an interview of me and my book, Roof Oasis. It is a wonderful magazine with lots of interesting stories. Check it out. You can order the magazine from Create Space. https://www.createspace.com/4818547 for the hard copy or you can get it on Kindle here:

http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Gothic-REsurrected-Magazine-Summer-ebook/dp/B00LFW9O3Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404792544&sr=8-1&keywords=dark+gothic+resurrected+magazine+summer+2014

                                         
                                                                       

 

Bogart's Book Store offers Coffee & a Side Order of Ghosts

                                                          

I went to one of my favorite book stores called Bogart’s Books and Café in Millville, N.J. last Saturday. This amazing little bookstore is over a 100 years old and it has everything: atmosphere, ambiance, character, books, gift cards, coffee, and it is all because of the young lady who owns this establishment. Amy Lombardo has a personality that makes you feel welcomed as soon as you set foot inside Bogart's. Her bubbly personality rubs off on her loyal customers, too. 
                                                                     

                                                                    

The very first time that I was at this book store was a year ago. We were there to do a book signing for the South Jersey Writers' Group. Our group had published an anthology called Tall Tales and Short Stories from South Jersey. This anthology has a story for everyone, ranging from slices of life to zombies.
                                                               
After setting up the books, I decided to get a cup of coffee, but I was distracted by the ghost. Yes, I said ghosts and since I'm an Empath and very sensitive to paranormal events, I immediately sensed a very friendly male spirit. He was dancing around and telling me how happy he was to be able to spend his time in a book store. He'd always loved books, and to him; this was heaven.
                                                                              
At the end of our book signing event, I made plans with Amy to return to Bogart's the following month with the Purveyor of Spirits Investigative Team, of which I am a member. Jean is our team leader and magnet for the spirits. Jean and I experience physical symptoms whenever a spirit is nearby; chest pains, nausea, etc. and we can get a good picture of the dearly departed in our minds. Rita is usually the one the spirits love to touch. She doesn’t like it much, but for some reason the spirits like to tap her on the arm and while on our visit to Bogart's; give a little shove. With the three of us working together, we really don’t need that much equipment; relying only on our senses.

                                                                   

 

Amy if we could check out the upper floor and the basement. She said yes and let us have free roam of the place. As we walked up the stairway to the upper level, all of us could feel the air getting heavier. I turned around and took a picture of the stairway because I felt a male presence there. I thought I saw a mist begin to form and took this picture.
                                                                            

Jean and I immediately felt the physical effects of two nearby spirits. The woman I had sensed was not the one that Amy had told us about, but an older woman about my age with dark hair pulled back into a bun. She was wearing glasses. She was curious and wanted to make sure that we did not disturb any of the books or paintings on that level. I had the sense that she was the payroll clerk when this building was once a factory.
                                                                  
There was a male spirit there, too... not our happy Andrew, but a grumpy, slightly overweight, balding, middle aged man in his late fifties. I think it was this spirit that we felt as we climbed the steps. He wore a sleeveless undershirt and suspenders. He reminded me of Jackie Gleason's Ralph Kramden.  I had the feeling that he did not normally hang out on the level we were on, but in the basement. He wanted us to go to the basement and actually gave Rita a slight shove to hurry her steps as we walked back down the steps.
                                                                         
The basement is filled with books. Amy had mentioned that the basement ghost, which she was a bit wary of, was frequently dumping over the boxes and large plastic container, spilling books onto the floor. Rita, Jean and I did our thing and I realized that the Ralph Kramden spirit was there. He'd followed us down to the basement. After looking at the container and the boxes, I was hit with the strongest conviction that this spirit was upset because a book that he liked had been recently packed away and he could not find it. Amy confirmed that this was so. The books were moved and packed. But, which book was the spirit looking for? The sense I got of this man was that he was a grumpy man with a large dose of OCD and he didn't like when things were moved around. 
                                                                          
Your personality is the same dead or alive. If you are a pain in the butt alive, well...you get the picture.
                                                                

This year I had the chance to return for another book signing, but this time it was for my own book, Roof Oasis. This is a sci-fi paranormal story of love and the events that lead to the apocalypse. Roof Oasis can be purchased on Amazon.com. While at Bogart's I had the chance to sell books and interact with the living and the dead.
                                                           

          

You owe it to yourself to head down to Millville, New Jersey and visit Bogart's Book Store. Stay a while; chat with Amy. Buy one of her books and when you're ready for  lunch head down to the Old Oar House Irish Pub and get the best Irish Stew, ever!