“On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” Updates!

Published February 28, 2014 by Maryanne

“On the Guest List” cover design by Darlene Foster

Well, it’s now a week short of a month that “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” has been published and things are just skyrocketing for me. I’ll be on four radio shows in the new future, and promoting in libraries and a featured reader at Gallery U in Westfield, New Jersey. My husband is still in the plannings stages of the big release party as well.

Life is good!

If you want to check out my first radio interview on Monday, March 3, at 4 p.m. EST, please visit: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/biteradiome/2014/03/03/on-the-guest-list-adventures-of-a-music-journalist

So, yeah, after publication, I caught a few grammatical mistakes and so far no one mentioned it except my mom. Ha-ha! I did some research and found out that all books have mistakes in them so I’m not too concerned. My husband said, “I didn’t notice any mistakes.” Ah, love is blind, right?

Last Sunday we made a donation to WFMU radio during the Glen Jones Radio program, and Glen Jones (one of the endorsers for “On the Guest List”) gave my book a shout out! It was a definitely a “moment” with my husband, as we love the radio show and he was so proud I got a mention on it.

So, I’m just plugging along, doing the best I can with promotions. March is going to be crazy, not only with “On the Guest List” stuff, but my lectures are doing very well too. During the month of March, I’ll be lecturing at 10 assisted living facilities and two libraries! Not to mention that I am still writing for Paterson Press online, which I love, though I had to cancel a few events I was to cover due to bad weather. But so far for March, I have two stories to write for Paterson Press. Whew!

ALSO I am writing my first fiction novel. I always hated writing fiction because I couldn’t get past the fact that using my imagination seemed so dishonest. As a journalist, I am addicted to writing the truth. But once I let go of my hang-ups, wow, I’m a fiction writing machine! Though I have to do so much research and re-writing to make the story believable.

Needless to say, I’m happy as a clam! I look forward to every moment. I keep a copy of “On the Guest List” at the foot of my bed, wake up every morning and say to myself, “I’m an author!”

And I say it again, life is good!

Heavy Metal Mayhem Blog Radio Show

Published February 15, 2014 by Maryanne

I’m so psyched! TC Tolliver, Plasmatics drummer, will be giving a shout out to my book, “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” tomorrow night, 6 p.m. on the blog talk radio show, Heavy Metal Mayhem! Plasmatics guitarist Richie Stotts will also be interviewed.

For more info, go here: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/heavy-metal-mayhem/2014/02/16/guest-donny-hillier-of-trauma-tc-tolliver-and-richie-stotts-of-the-plasmatics-1

There are a couple Plasmatics stories in my book — and was endorsed by original Plasmatics drummer, Stu Deutsch.

To purchase my book, “On the Guest List: Adventures of a Music Journalist” go here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/162903908X

Back cover of “On the Guest List” w/Stu Deutsch endorsement (original Plasmatics drummer)

A Valentine Hello!

Published February 15, 2014 by Maryanne

Too cute!

This Valentine’s blog is a day late, but as some “haters” say, love should be celebrated all year long, not just on a “Hallmark Holiday.” Which brings me to this great article I wrote for gasm, explaining why Valentine’s Day should be embraced, not poo-pooed: http://gasm.org/blog/valentines-day-is-coming-beware-the-haters/

I have to say, I’m pretty darn proud of that article, as it brought tears to the eyes of one of my male friends! (A friend who once told me he never cries). So read with an open mind and open heart.

In other news, I gave several lectures on the History of Valentine’s Day at assisted living facilities throughout New Jersey. At a rehab in Newton, I fell in love with the cutest 103-year-old lady. She held my hand, kissed my hand and begged me to stay with her. My work is so rewarding.

Valentine’s Day is a time of chocolates and wine, but I asked my husband for kombucha instead! Kombucha is healthy, delicious and gives you a natural euphoric high!

Pretty Valentine’s Day colors in my fridge!