Here’s a photo of yours truly at the Barnes and Noble. I met a number of readers and signed some books, it was a great day. Hoping to do more events like this when the next book is released.
Tag: writing
Osprey Man Appearance
Spring is the perfect time for THE OSPREY MAN to take flight! I will be at the Barnes and Noble in Poughkeepsie, NY this Saturday, 4/27 starting at 2pm, with copies of the book. Hope to see you there!
Author’s Guild
I highly recommend The Author’s Guild, which I recently joined to help with issues related to my novel’s publisher. Happily, they are working to keep it in print, even if the publisher is unresponsive. If you are a writer, it is well worth joining, they advocate for you and seem to really care about these issues.
In other news, we are off to western New York for the eclipse, which the children are extremely excited about. Hoping there are no clouds on Monday! Best wishes and safe travels to everyone who is on the move this weekend.
Book Talk
I will be at the Barnes and Noble in Poughkeepsie, NY on Saturday, April 27 at 2pm for a book talk and with copies of THE OSPREY MAN. It’s sure to be a fun time! Bring a friend, grab a coffee, and stay for some storytelling.
Springtime Thoughts
“You become mature when you become the authority of your own life.”–Joseph Campbell
I have noticed that some of the most accomplished and successful people I’ve met–writers, academics, business people, whatever field it is–are often the most unassuming and nicest and most supportive. This isn’t always the case, but it has happened often enough that it seems like a pattern. Perhaps these folks don’t need to prove anything, maybe they’re internally motivated and don’t need affirmation from anyone. Just something I’ve been reminded of now and again: if you can do something well, you just get on with it, and perhaps you can help some people along the way. Maybe this is simply maturity; it is an attitude that anyone can have, I think, if they want to, but some are more naturally kind.
On the other hand, I have known folks who are high achievers who are the opposite, and who constantly want you to know how much they know, how smart they are, how great and talented and so on. Or, worse, they put others down to make themselves feel better. They make cutting comments because, it seems, they are deeply unhappy. But these people are mostly just sad, and do not leave much of an impression, other than they are irritating to be around. I think they’re in the minority, but they make more noise so we sometimes feel like successful people aren’t so nice.
No matter what your profession, or what role you have to play in life, I think, as I get older, that the most important thing is being kind. It is just a better, more peaceful and happier way to go through life than the alternatives. When you go through your day simply being kind, you’re spreading good feelings, hopefully helping people to be better themselves. Find other people like this, and stick with them. Do what you have to and ignore the people who want to bring you down. I think this is an important key to success, however you define that for yourself. Peace and good luck.
“I can alter my life by altering my attitude. He who would have nothing to do with thorns must never attempt to gather flowers.”
― Henry David Thoreau
Tommy Lasorda, Wise Sage
Regarding publishing woes and other writerly problems, I’m reminded of the sage words of Tommy Lasorda: “Eighty percent of the people who hear your troubles don’t care and the other 20% are glad you’re having them.”
The less said about it, the better. I learned some things, and it’s time to move on.
New York Tolkien Conference
If you have an interest in Tolkien, or more generally in fantastic fiction, consider joining us at the New York Tolkien Conference at Baruch College this June! The details are at the conference site below. It’s always a grand time, with interesting speakers and friendly people. It’s also a chance to present your work, if you’re so inclined. If you have any questions, comment here on this post and I’ll respond, or send me a message. Hope to see some of you in June!
Happy Holidays
I like to take a break from social media and blogging and things like that through the holidays. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Joyous Solstice, a Happy New Year, and may any other holiday you celebrate bring you peace and joy with those you love.
I’ve been working on lots of different things, hopefully some of them will see publication in the new year. Perhaps I’ll share some of these works in progress here; I had planned one book for release next September, but my publisher seems to be defunct now, so I’ll search for a new venue in 2024.
In the meantime, please enjoy this holiday song, “Run With the Fox,” from Alan White and Chris Squire, two great musicians who have passed on. This time of year I think we all remember friends and family who shared past holidays with us, and who are no longer here. I like to focus on the good times we had together and how lucky I am to have shared such moments. Peace to everyone reading this.
I Got a Name
I’ve always loved Jim Croce’s music, and I’ve been thinking of this one a lot. It’s a poignant father/son song, and though Jim didn’t write the words, you can feel the emotion. His father had a dream of being a singer, one that Jim lived out. To me this is a proud declaration of a guy who is doing his best, working hard, keeping his head down.
At one point he sings, as smooth as honey:
“I’ve got a song/And I carry it with me, and I sing it loud/If it gets me nowhere, I go there proud.”
Now that’s some mantra to live by.
“Like the fool I am and I’ll always be, I’ve got a dream.”
Yes, don’t we all. The message comes down to us, clear through the decades. Croce had so much well deserved success, in a life tragically cut short. In a sad twist of fate, this song was released just after he died. I feel like this one is a hymn for all the dreamers out there, doing things because you have stories to tell and songs to sing and things to create, whether they are met with great accolades or total indifference. God bless all of you. Keep on working: you got a name.
Writing
I’ve been busy preparing a manuscript for release next year; don’t want to give away too much about it, but it will appeal to those who like comedy and spooky stories. It’ll be a great seasonal read for Halloween, and I hope to have the release coincide with that, perhaps late summer.
Think The ‘Burbs meets The Haunting of Hill House. It’s a tale as old as time: Good, Evil, and Home Improvement.
I’ve also been working on a new book, about which I will say even less, since I’m still on draft #1. But it’s humor and fantasy, mixed with some more serious elements.
My hope is that these novels will build on the audience for my first book, The Osprey Man, and appeal to an even wider audience. I learned a lot through the release of my first book, and I hope the rollouts for these forthcoming books will be even better.
By the way, if you’re reading this, but haven’t read The Osprey Man, check out the pinned post on this blog for some reviews. Readers have loved this tale of two youths creating a comic book together, and memorializing their friend. It’s just $15 through my website–contact me for a signed copy. You can also purchase through the publisher for the same price, or get the ebook for just $5.99. It’s great for general readers, or for a young person in your life who loves to read. You can also ask your local library to purchase it; that is a great way to support writers.
Happy Reading!
Christopher Tuthill 