The Worlds of Michael D'Ambrosio

Hello, everyone, and welcome back to the author’s corner. Lot’s of things are brewing and just as many trips coming up that I want to tell you about. First of all, I’ve taken on a more active role in speaking to writers groups. I feel there is so much for a new writer to know before they finish that first book. Like anything else, you have to have a plan or at least an idea of where you want to be in five or even ten years. So, I’m taking the time to speak with some of the writers groups around the country to teach them about the choices they have and how they can affect them.
On May 14th, I’ll be speaking with the Savannah Writers’ Group. On June 10th, I’ll be with the St. Cloud (FL) Writers Group. On July 20th, I’ll be speaking with the writers of the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society (GLAWS). Another group that I am working with to set a date and time is the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Round Table out of Croydon, PA. I expect to add others in the Orlando and Charleston area as well as a few signings on the west coast.
I’ve been working with Lee Levinson, an accomplished producer from New York City, to polish my scripts and market them as well. I’m hoping that, with his track record, he can help turn some of my projects into a motion picture or TV series. With all teh interest I have garnered on my projects, it’s just a matter of sealing the deal. It really is a fickle business and I’ve been lucky to pick up some very good people along the way to help me. They say, “Good things come to those who wait.” We’ll see.
Some upcoming projects that I’ve mentioned previously are “Perseus Meets Charlie Harper” in an anthology from Fortress Publishing titled TV gods which will be released next May. Another is A Phoenix Needs Ashes for an anthology from 7th Star Press titled The Fires of Liberty which is targeting a fall release. Phoenix is a prequel to my Princess Pain novel.
Also coming soon is BaltiCon in Hunt Valley, MD. I’ll have a table there and will be on several panels. For those of you who can make it, come by and say hello, ask a question, or just have yourself a good time.
I’d like to recommend a new monthly paper and webzine called The WOD that is run by one of my publishers, Patti Hultstrand. It’s a great convention oriented publication that is expanding with new topics on literary, film and gaming as well as information about various conventions around the country. The site address is http://www.thewod.net . Patti welcomes articles and reviews for those of you who would like to submit as well. Yearly subscriptions are very reasonable as well at $24 for 12 issues.
Join me again soon for more information on my projects, appearances and other news in my worlds.

Hello, everyone. Welcome back for another update on my adventures. With MystiCon in Roanoke and Connooga in Chattanooga on back to back weekends, I thought it would be a good idea to save some money and drive. Eight hundred total miles for Philly-Roanoke and Sixteen hundred total miles for Philly-Chattanooga. Phew! What was I thinking? I did have a great time at both though.
My first appearance at MystiCon was worthwhile. Held at the Holiday Inn-Tanglewood, the convention drew the most fans ever at fifteen hundred. At that point, the hotel capacity was maxed out for the first time and people were turned away. They featured Peter Davison (Dr. Who) and Orson Scott Card who were more than entertaining for many.
The following Wednesday, I started the trip down to Chattanooga with a stop for the night in Johnson City, TN. When I first attended Connooga in 2008, it drew about seven hundred fans and was located on the premises of the ChooChoo Hotel. All events were held in the hotel’s facilities which were pretty significant. Today, it has grown to over three thousand fans and includes the Chattanooga Convention Center for the dealers room and all morning/afternoon programming. Come evening time, the dealers room closes and all panels are held at the hotel, a short six city blocks away. The panels were well attended and book sales were great for myself and the many other authors. Sometimes people don’t realize that we have to pay for our travel, food and tables. When we are supported, it makes it easier to return the following year. Chattanooga has always been good to me and I have already committed to returning next year. So, I encourage everyone that attends a convention or book fair to remember your authors.
I’ve added some new events to my schedule but one in particular, Roc-Con (Rochester), will have some very exciting news soon. I’ll wait until it’s placed on their website before I say anything but that is another convention that has grown from a one day event to a three day event drawing over two thousand people.
Recently, I completed a script with input from Don Jacques for the LepreCon (Mesa, AZ) Mystery Dinner Theater. That’s the first time I really collaborated on a project with someone and we had a good time doing it.
On a different note, I sent in a short story titled Perseus Meets Charlie Harper for Fortress Publishing’s anthology called TV Gods. We were hoping for a release this Memorial Day at BaltiCon but the publishers are taking the time to make this an awesome book in every way. As a result, it won’t be available until BaltiCon 2014. Well, back to Princess Pain.
Speaking of Princess Pain, I will soon have to start my search for a new publisher. Four of my books are currently with AZ Publishing and four are with Helm Publishing. I don’t think it’s fair to expect them to carry more than that. They have other authors and I don’t think they, or anyone else for that matter, can market more than four of my books effectively without sacrificing other authors. Both have been great and it would be easier to let them worry about the numbers but I try to think like they do and consider what is the ‘right’ thing to do.
Nothing new on the screenplays other than there is serious interest in several of my projects. Hopefully, I’ll have something to tell you soon on one of them.
Join me again soon for an update on things that were and things to come. Take care, everyone.

I see six more weeks of new appearances being added to my agenda!
Welcome back, everyone. Lots of things going on in my world these days. I just confirmed participation at BaltiCon in Hunt Valley, MD for Memorial Day weekend and Authors on the Green in Historic Smithville, NJ for September 14. I will be adding Roc-Con in Rochester for September 20-22 very shortly as I’m in the process of sending them my info. I’m also working out details with several independent bookstores and writers groups for Speaking events/signings in Delaware, California, South Carolina, New Jersey, and Florida.
I’ve also been busy with submissions for several of my screenplays as well. Currently I’m working on a project for a Mystery Dinner Theater at LepreCon in Arizona. My latest story, Princess Pain is still in progress with no certain completion date set yet. Too many things going on to determine that yet.
Still lots of interest in a Fractured Time TV series, a Fractured Time movie script , Princess Pain movie script and The Christmas Solution script. Unfortunately, close only counts in horseshoes.
Join me again soon for more information and an updated appearance schedule. Stay warm and let’s hope for an early Spring.

Just returned from a 10 day stay in beautiful Phoenix, Arizona. It was a bit cooler than I expected but a great time, none the less. I had the opportunity to speak with the West Valley Writers’ Group about the importance of having a business plan as a writer. I also spoke at a luncheon on the opportunities in the motion picture industry and about subsidiary rights. This is something that many writers aren’t aware of and, if so, do not fully understand their importance. I was fortunate enough to do a video shoot for Brick Cave Bookcast at the Lo-Fi Coffee House in Mesa. The crew from Brick Cave were great to work with and I’m looking forward to seeing the interview on U-tube when it’s ready.
My next two stops are in Roanoke, Virginia (Feb. 22-24th) for MystiCon and Chattanooga, Tennessee (Mar. 1-3) for Connooga. This will be my first appearance at MystiCon and my fourth, I believe, at Connooga.
There’s a lot of interest in several of my scripts but still waiting for that big moment. There may be something big in the pipeline for The Christmas Solution and you already know there are people interested in Fractured Time (TV series) and Princess Pain. Unfortunately, these things can take months, and even years to happen, if at all. Meanwhile, I will continue on with the novel for Princess Pain and marketing my scripts with every opportunity.
I’m considering adding trips to Orlando, Tampa and Newport Coast for speaking and signing events later this year. Likely time frames are July, September or October. More to come on those later. Join me again next month for more information, appearances and hopefully some breaking news. All the best to you, my friends and fans.

Welcome back, everyone. I had a rough ride back from Pittsburgh after a great show Sunday night. Fog and heavy rain made for a grueling ride. The last two weeks were fantastic for meeting new fans who purchased copies of my books and just having a good time conversing with everyone. I’d like to thank everyone at the St. Mad’s Christmas Bazaar and Domenic Alessandria’s crew at SteelCityCon for another great job.
A new movie company in the Philadelphia area, Star Films, is hosting a launch party on January 19th and I’m hoping to make it out to the Best Western @ Eden Resorts in Lancaster to attend. It should be a worthwhile opportunity to network with industry professionals while having a relaxing time. I’ll have more on that next month.
I’m making progress on my new novel, Princess Pain. I can’t wait until after the holidays when I can spend whole days on this story. It’s adapted from my screenplay by the same name and I am really enjoying expanding on lead character Marina and her rough & tumble adventures. She’s not the type of girl you bring home to mom, that’s for sure. I’ve had another movie company request a copy of the script for Princess Pain. It seems to be attracting a lot of interest. I have a good feeling about my projects and knowing how the industry works has helped me to be patient. The best thing one can do is keep writing, whether it’s a novel or a script. Keep moving forward. Join me in a few weeks for more information on my projects and appearances. Thanks again and have a great holiday season.