Tag Archives: book launch

My Philcon 87 Schedule

November 14, 2024 philgiunta@ptd.net

I look forward to attending the Philadelphia Science Fiction Convention (Philcon) next weekend, November 22-24, 2024. If you’ll be there, too, and would like to catch up, here is my schedule of events.

Sat, 11/23 10:00-10:50 AM / Plaza 4 – Music and the Writing Process. How can listening to music or to specific ambience soundscapes impact the nature of what an author writes? How helpful is it for setting the mood in one’s mind, and in turn, for setting the scene on a page? Do different genres benefit more than others from this technique? Panelists: David Simms (mod), Susan Shwartz, Wayland Smith, Keith R.A. DeCandido, Phil Giunta

Sat, 11/23 12:00-12:50 PM / Readings – Readings: Michael A. Ventrella, Randee Dawn, and Phil Giunta

Sat, 11/23 1:00-1:50 PM / Autograph Table – Autographs: Eric Avedissian, Michael A. Ventrella, and Phil Giunta

Sat, 11/23 6:00-7:30 PM / ConSuite – Book Launch Party for Ruth and Ann’s Guide to Time Travel by Celestial Echo Press. Several contributors, myself included, will be on hand to sign copies and read excerpts from our stories!

Sat,11/23 9:00-9:50 PM / Plaza 3 – I’ll Write Any Horror Story, but I Won’t Write THAT! Horror is a multi-faceted genre that includes ghosts, creatures, slashers, demons, psychological horror, body horror, Lovecraftian, and much more but not every trope appeals to every horror writer. Are werewolves, vampires, and zombies oversaturated? Is body horror too disgusting? Panelists will discuss which horror tropes they love to write, which they avoid (if any), and why. Panelists: Phil Giunta (mod), David Simms, Carol Gyzander, Amy Grech, Eric Avedissian

Sun, 11/24 1:00-1:50 PM / Plaza 2 – What’s Happened to the Traditional Ghost Story? Vampires have become a genre unto themselves. But has the old-fashioned ghost story or haunted house story been left behind? Are there present day examples of the genre that illustrate how the themes and tropes have evolved? What do we miss (or don’t) about classic ghost/haunted house tales? Our panelists discuss what they consider the staples of a ghost and/or haunted house story and how they have been, or could be enhanced, subverted, or otherwise tweaked to keep this subgenre fresh and exciting. Panelists: Melanie Moyer (mod), Nghi Vo, Phil Giunta, Ty Drago, James L. Cambias

Blog, Book Launch, New Releases

By Your Side Redux

April 10, 2024 philgiunta@ptd.net

“You’re all alone here. Alone among the dead.”

While haunted by visions of her brother’s suicide, psychic-medium Miranda Lorensen is called to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to investigate a series of bizarre deaths—some of which are also suicides. Miranda and her team of paranormal investigators soon find themselves confronted by a vengeful spirit awakened thirty-three years after a bloody family tragedy. Miranda realizes that only she can stop the entity before it claims its final victims, but will her obsession for saving lives redeem her for the brother she failed?

I’m pleased to announce that the second edition of my paranormal mystery novel, By Your Side, is now up for preorder in ebook format for $2.99 from all the major resellers including Amazon, Apple, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords.

This edition has been re-edited and given a new cover by comic book artist Scott Barnett.

Purchase:

The official release date is July 22, 2024. The book will be launched a few days later at Shore Leave 44 SF convention in Lancaster, PA.

Articles, Blog, Craft, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

November 24, 2023 philgiunta@ptd.net

This month, Philip Athans explores the concept of originality in fiction while Chris Winkle shows us how we can effectively suspend disbelief in our readers.

Kristen Lamb explains the benefits of book reviews to an author’s career (seriously, I could always use more!) while Garry Rogers illustrates how the Feynman Learning Technique can help us with plotting.

At Writer Unboxed, the inimitable Kathryn Craft delves into vulnerability while Desmond Hall discusses suspense at the story and sentence level.

All that and much more. Enjoy!

How to Write a Ghost Story by Amy Holland

Desmond Drops: Suspense from the Beginning, Suspense in the Middle, and Suspense at the Sentence Level by Desmond Hall

How to Plan a Successful Book Launch in 10 Steps by Geri Mileva

The Importance of Tone in Writing by Anne R. Allen

On “On Originality” by Haruki Murakami by Philip Athans

7 Ways to Access Vulnerability by Kathryn Craft

“Can’t Put the Book Down” by Dale Ivan Smith

Plot Your Story Using the Feynman Learning Technique by Garry Rodgers

Book Reviews: Why They Matter So Much by Kristen Lamb

Audiences Don’t Suspend Disbelief – We Do it for Them by Chris Winkle

Print-on-Demand Publishing? KDF vs IngramSpark: One Author’s Experience by Paul Benjamin

NEA Finds Worrying Drop in Reading Participation by Jim Milliot

How Has Big Publishing Changed American Fiction? by Kevin Lozano

Articles, Blog, Opinion, Writing and Publishing

About This Writing Stuff…

April 22, 2022 philgiunta@ptd.net

This week, Kathryn Craft offers guidance on adding foreshadowing to your manuscript while Anne R. Allen strongly advises writers to appoint a social media executor.

At the Write Practice, Michelle Renee Miller provides a few time management methods for writing on a busy schedule and Joe Bunting lists ten book writing strategies that, in his opinion, are doomed to fail. I don’t agree with all of them, but his arguments are persuasive.

Kristen Lamb speaks out against the latest trend of reading ebooks in their entirety and returning them for a refund. She also takes to task writers for purple prose, crutch phrases, and other forms of filler.

All that and a little more. Enjoy!

Foreshadowing: A Revision Skill to Love by Kathryn Craft

Exploit Your Hero’s Flaws by Jim Dempsey

10 Book Writing Strategies that End in Failure by Joe Bunting

3 Foolproof Ways to Write With a Busy Schedule by Michelle Renee Miller

What is Rhythmic Writing? by Sue Coletta

Tolkien on the Importance of Fantasy and Science Fiction by Jonny Thomson

Literary Larceny & Why People Should Be Ashamed by Kristen Lamb

Fiction Filler: Bloated Writing Makes Readers Sick by Kristen Lamb

Why Every Writer Needs a Social Media Executor by Anne R. Allen

The Indie Writer Book Launch Guide Part I and Part II by Scott Semegran

Blog, Book Launch, Book Signings, Events

Beach Nights & Cool Sand

November 13, 2016 philgiunta@ptd.net 1 Comment

More than half of the authors published in Beach Nights gathered in Browseabout Books between 2-4PM today to celebrate the release of this fourth annual Rehoboth Beach Reads anthology by Cat and Mouse Press.

Beach Nights Paperbacks

To say the turnout was impressive would be an understatement. Many books were signed, much cake and wine consumed, and it was a joy to finally meet editor and publisher Nancy Sakaduski and several of my fellow contributing authors. My heartfelt gratitude to Nancy for all of her hard work on the Rehoboth Beach Reads contest from editing to publishing to arranging the book launch and everything in between!

Special thanks also to writer pal Susanna Reilly for making the trip from PA to show her support and to her dad for buying lunch at the Purple Parrot!

Beach Nights Display at Browseabout Books. — Beach Nights display at Browseabout Books.

Several Beach Nights authors furiously signing books for loyal readers.

Writer pal Susanna Reilly at the Beach Nights book launch.

These beach anthologies are certainly popular!

It's a crowded house at the Beach Nights book launch! — It’s a crowded house at the Beach Nights book launch!

Beach Nights editor and publisher, Nancy Sakaduski of Cat and Mouse Press.

Kathleen Martens, First Place winner in the Beach Nights short story contest. — Kathleen Martens, author of “Flight of the Song Bird” and first place winner in the Beach Nights short story contest.

Emory Au, artist for the Rehoboth Beach anthologies. — Emory Au, cover artist for the Rehoboth Beach anthologies from Cat and Mouse Press.

Weldon Burge, author of "Melvin and the Haunted Mansion." — Weldon Burge, author of “Melvin and the Haunted Mansion.”

Robin Glanden, author of "The Portrait" and "The Attitude of Gratitude List." — Robin Glanden, author of “The Portrait” and “The Attitude of Gratitude List.”

After the signing was over, I took the time to kick off my flip-flops and hit the beach for about 20 minutes before making the journey home with yet more fond memories of this wonderful town that has become my second home.

The Lone Chair on the Beach — The Lone Chair