Press Pause Moments

Holiday Cheer at Deja Brew Book Signing

 A chilly New England day set the scene for today's holiday book signing and reading at Deja Brew Cafe in New Haven. Special thanks to owner Carol Frawley for hosting a lovely event. Carol prepared some delicious holiday treats for guests as well as delicious, frothy punch and hot cider! The fire was crackling and I settled in, not for a long winter's nap but a few hours of catching up with family and friends, signing  books, and reading.

I love doing readings and one of my guests, Jaime Kane, remarked how wonderful it is to hear stories told out loud. I think that is one of the most wonderful things about being a writer is having a chance to read selected works to an audience. Think of it - we grow up listening to our parents read to us. What comfort that brought after a busy day and before our night's sleep.

I read several selections from Press Pause Moments - my short explanation about the cover of the  book that depicts a photo of my late sister, Marybeth, at a cancer retreat she attended on the coast of Maine; my essay about going back to graduate school in my 40s; Thelma Zirkelbach's story about widowhood and tackling the possum that got into her home; and Mary Emerick's piece, The Kayak Ranger Diaries. I also read some essays from my thesis, a collection of essays about being a working mother. My influences were Jean Kerr, Shirley Jackson, Erma Bombeck and Nora Ephron - evidenced in the humorous holiday essays I shared about our first gingerbread house experience and an off-key town tree lighting featuring chicken artichoke gorganzola soup! It reminded me how much I love this book-length collection - and how it's time to prep some book proposals to get it published!

What I also love about readings is when people come up later and remark how they liked certain pieces. The possum triggered a gift idea for my sister-in-law's friend who recently lost her husband. Another friend remarked how he was reminded of my big decision to leave a job I loved to pursue my graduate degree and the sacrafices involved. He, too, is working on a work transition in his life in pursuit of something different and fulfilling.

In stories we all find a piece of ourselves. I am so thrilled my speaking schedule and readings are filling my calendar in the new year. I just love getting out and sharing with audiences. I feel my adrenaline pump and remember why it's so important I made this leap in the first place.

I hope you all can join me for other events in 2011!

 

Book Signing Article in New Haven Publication

Thanks to fellow writer and good friend David Sepulveda who wrote an article about the upcoming Holiday Book Signing and Reading at Deja Brew Cafe, 763 Edgewood Avenue, New Haven (Westville section) this Sunday 12/19 from 12 noon - 3 p.m.

To read the story click here.

Holiday Book Signing & Reading at Deja Brew Cafe

I will be reading selections from Press Pause Moments: Essays about Life Transitions by Women Writers and other holiday-themed works at Deja Brew Café, 763 Edgewood Avenue, this Sunday, December 19 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. Copies of the book will be available for purchase.

This is a nostalgic occasion for me as I'm returning to my old neighborhood where I lived for nearly 15 years and where family and friends still live today. Carol Frawley, owner of the cafe, has graciously offered to host this special event. To think it was just a short distance away at Southern Connecticut State University where I turned my academic aspirations from pre-med to writing and the rest is history!

If you're in the New Haven area please stop by! There will be light refreshments on hand, courtesy of Deja Brew, or you may be tempted to purchase a delicious coffee, dessert or sandwich. As for me, I just love the holiday feel there at this time of year. I know just where I plan to be - next to the warm and inviting fireplace, sharing inspiring words with family and friends!

Hope to see you there!

P.S. Thanks to David Sepulveda, artist, writer, photographer, and friend for snapping the photo above.

JCC Craft Fair Dec. 5 Woodbridge, Conn.

Stop by the Jewish Community Center Craft Fair on Sunday, December 5 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. I will be on hand with Press Pause Moments books available for purchase and my trustee pen in hand should we wish to purchase a signed copy!

I will also be joined by Stacey Battat, Editor-in-Chief of the Thin Threads series from Kiwi. I worked with Stacey as Managing Editor of the recently released Thin Threads: More Stories about Life Changing Moments, the latest anthology.

Hope to see you there!

Holiday Marketplace!

While you're stopping by the Press Pause Moments Facebook Holiday Party here's a chance to take a look at some unique gift ideas for those special someones on your gift list!

Press Pause Moments: Essays about Life Transitions by Women Writers

Edited by Anne Witkavitch

HOLIDAY PARTY SPECIAL:  $15.95 plus free shipping! ($1 will be donated to Bites of Hope for each book purchased!)  Orders must be placed using PayPal link below:

Type

Signed Unsigned

Please specify in the drop down menu whether you wish the book to be signed by Anne Witkavitch or unsigned. 

 

Thin Threads:  More Real Stories of Life Changing Moments

Compiled by Stacy K. Battat

These 53 heart-warming stories reveal how any moment in time can redirect and affect the course of our lives. All Thin Thread books are now available for purchase on the Kiwi website...

Holiday Party Special:  Purchase an anthology & receive a special edition gift book for free! 

Special edition gift books contain ten stories and are delivered with an envelope so that you can mail the book as a gift & card (with a personalized page) all in one!  It is a perfect expression of gratitude for teachers, colleagues, family & friends & clients for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza gifts!

To view all Thin Thread Titles or CUSTOMIZE A BOOK visit www.thinthreads.com

Kiwi is the publisher of Press Pause Moments...and yours truly is Managing Editor of this Thin Threads anthology!

 

The Works of Elynne Chaplik-Aleskow

As an anthology writer, once I am paid for my stories, the revenue from the anthologies my work is in goes to my wonderful editors and publishers. My desire is to have my stories read and to inspire my readers. I invite you to visit my website http://LookAroundMe.blogspot.com  and to browse among my story titles and anthologies. Many of the anthology links offer special prices from the publishers. Also, almost all the anthologies featuring my writing are available on Amazon.com with special offers. Please visit now and then for new publications. The recent launch of the newest anthology called Forever Travels features 10 of my travel stories.

Thanks for visiting, Elynne

 

Last Chance Rescue by Tracey Kramer-Kelly

Last Chance Rescue is about two search-and-rescue team members who must fight their own defenses to let down the walls that will allow them to rescue each other. It is a story of breath-taking action and adventurous lives, and the heart that is behind it all. www.LastChanceRescueBook.com

If you order now, I will also give you/your recipient a BONUS: the first four chapters of my forthcoming novel, True Surrender.

True Surrender is the story of Aaron Bricewick, an Army Major who is held hostage by terrorists. When he's rescued, he thinks the worst is over...but his personal journey has only just begun. For more details or to order, visit www.TrueSurrenderBook.com. I am also the owner of www.LeaderMotorcycle.com, a motorcycle accessories manufacturer. We have a LOT of great gift ideas for bikers (there's even a like at the top of the home page to a gift suggestions guide).

Help for the Holidays:

Void of Moon, The Emotional Journey Through Marital Separation by Denise Falcone 

Everyone, men and women, in the process of separation need help. Why not give the gift that keeps on giving emotional insight, common sense, and support for feelings powerful and strange and how to deal with them? Denise Falcone shares her experience so that more people might find this process not just a traumatic, frightening time, but an opportunity for growth, as well. Click here to order from Amazon.

 

 

 

It's Never Too Late to Dance: A Memoir by Rosann Levy

This book combines stories of self-transformation, business achievement, personal triumph...a humanistic, intimate, inspirational journey of a dynamic resourceful woman who faced her fears "head on." Levy learned how to reinvent herself, enabling her to live her life's true passions. Her journey is through empowerment, change and success. Dance is her metaphor for life and her story tells all readers to keep on "dancin'."

Rosann is donating 30% of sales to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Go to her website www.theroartgroup.com and the link "Rosann's Book" - purchase directly from website and Rosann will send an autographed copy to the buyer.

 Rosann's essay in Press Pause Moments is titled "Cancer and the Cockroach."

 

April Williams - Career Focused Giving

Does your career need a jump start?
    •    Is a loved one in the job market?
    •    Looking for the unique gift the keeps on giving?
A special sale just in time for holiday gift buying!

Social Networking Throughout Your Career
* Paperback 100+ pages just 9.99 plus tax, shipping and handling

Networking For Results DVD 51 minutes recorded live
* DVD - 51 minutes just 19.99 plus tax, shipping and handling

Buy both the book and DVD this month and pay just $20 plus tax and shipping. Save 33%.

Click here to purchase:
http://aprilmwilliams.com/2010/12/01/career-jump-start-holiday-gift-sale/

Wouldn’t It B Nice?® is a collection of positively inspiring apparel and accessories created by Carrie Wittenstein, whose story of life transition appears in Press Pause Moments. Carrie’s vision for creating a culture of kindness by spreading messages of positivity is expressed through a spirited assortment of graphic T-shirts, hoodies, embroidered bags, stationery and drinkware. Each piece in this family-friendly collection is marked by bold colors and graphics featuring the company’s signature “b” — shorthand for the WIBN philosophy inspired by the Gandhi quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Give a holiday gift with meaning!
 
Holiday Party Special: Save 10%. Enter coupon code: PPM2010 at checkout. Offer expires 12/20/10.  www.WouldntItBnice.com