Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Radio Interview
So, I had the pleasure and honor of being a guest this past Saturday (01/22/2011) on an internet radio program 'The Afterthoughts News Hour with S. Denice Newton'. I was there to promote my debut poetry book Map of a Distorted Mind.
I have troubles sometimes when it comes to public speaking or the like. Prior to being a guest, I was listening to a few segments of her past shows and I was eased by the tender voice of the host, so I wasn't as worried. My only concern that questioned my mind was, "What is she going to ask me? What if I freeze in a voiceless manor?" I brushed all of those worries off. And I made the call when it was my slot. (I had a couple shots of whisky to calm my nerves)
And let me tell you, it was a breeze. The panic was completely removed and I spoke with confidence. First few minutes I was nervous but naturally, I shook it off. Prior to the show I had marked a few poems that I was going to recite incase I was given the "Mic". From out of the six or so, poems I marked to read, I then picked just one incase I was only able to read one...turned out that I was given the platform to read ALL of the marked poems. Certainly, not my entire book but I gave listeners a pretty good taste of what to expect out of reading my book and what kind of voice would be heard. A profound voice and most listeners that responded to me, said I sounded like a pro.
I don't think that the host knew what was to come out of my mouth until I read that first one...she became hooked, much like everybody else does. She knows the difference between "Junk" and "Good Poetry". MINE IS NOT JUNK. and she wants me to return sometime soon, which I will be more than happy to return anytime she wants me to.
I feel that this radio opportunity was a good kick start to my career and I will be curious to see what sort of sales generate from this radio show. I encourage everybody to listen to the show and get an idea of who Joseph R. McNulty is and the work that will stun the world. I will post a link to those who want to listen. I am forever grateful for Ms. Newton and the support she has given me.http://www.blogtalkradio.com/s-denice-newton/2011/01/23/map-of-a-distorted-mind-welcome-joseph-mcnulty?a=y
( I am gathering up more poetry for a second collection to be published soon. )
I have troubles sometimes when it comes to public speaking or the like. Prior to being a guest, I was listening to a few segments of her past shows and I was eased by the tender voice of the host, so I wasn't as worried. My only concern that questioned my mind was, "What is she going to ask me? What if I freeze in a voiceless manor?" I brushed all of those worries off. And I made the call when it was my slot. (I had a couple shots of whisky to calm my nerves)
And let me tell you, it was a breeze. The panic was completely removed and I spoke with confidence. First few minutes I was nervous but naturally, I shook it off. Prior to the show I had marked a few poems that I was going to recite incase I was given the "Mic". From out of the six or so, poems I marked to read, I then picked just one incase I was only able to read one...turned out that I was given the platform to read ALL of the marked poems. Certainly, not my entire book but I gave listeners a pretty good taste of what to expect out of reading my book and what kind of voice would be heard. A profound voice and most listeners that responded to me, said I sounded like a pro.
I don't think that the host knew what was to come out of my mouth until I read that first one...she became hooked, much like everybody else does. She knows the difference between "Junk" and "Good Poetry". MINE IS NOT JUNK. and she wants me to return sometime soon, which I will be more than happy to return anytime she wants me to.
I feel that this radio opportunity was a good kick start to my career and I will be curious to see what sort of sales generate from this radio show. I encourage everybody to listen to the show and get an idea of who Joseph R. McNulty is and the work that will stun the world. I will post a link to those who want to listen. I am forever grateful for Ms. Newton and the support she has given me.http://www.blogtalkradio.com/s-denice-newton/2011/01/23/map-of-a-distorted-mind-welcome-joseph-mcnulty?a=y
( I am gathering up more poetry for a second collection to be published soon. )
Thursday, December 16, 2010
I thought Pedestrians still had the right of way
Sunday, December 12, 2010
It was a little after 2:00pm and I was headed to work. Enjoying my walk, on a relatively nice day, I was at peace, in my thoughts and my life at that current moment. Its a good 20 minute walk (I enjoy walking, I don't drive, and I do not take my legs for granted) Between my apartment and the mall I walk through about 4 or 5 cross ways.
While I was patiently waiting my time to cross this particular crosswalk, that is connected to a busy intersection, and almost always, I study my surroundings. I'm just a cautious guy with reason...
"Walk Sign Is On" I begin to stroll through this crosswalk when all of a sudden I see to my left and oncoming car. Mind you, I was just about half way through it at this point. Most cars that are usually turning into traffic slow down for the pedestrians to walk out of the way before they keep driving. MOST CARS that is.
While walking I was having a conversation with my fiance, over the phone, and I was also paying close attention to this particular oncoming car...figured it was going slow down like they do, but as I'm talking I notice that its getting closer and closer. I had to brace for impact and hope for the best. It wasn't going too terribly fast but enough where when it struck my body I went up on the hood.
In mid conversation I shifted my body in a fighting stance to brace this car, playing close attention I was able to project my momentum up onto the car by leg lifts. The car hit my body and I lifted my legs back to prevent as much damage as possible, given the random situation at hand. I kissed the hood but managed to cling on to it WHILE still holding my phone and travel mug filled with hot, black coffee. Of course, some coffee splashed on my suit but did I care at that given moment, Not really. I was in shock.
I got back on the phone and with a tone unheard of before, I told my fiance "I'll need to call you back" and hung up before she could say anything.
The guy quickly pulled over and began freaking out. Panic was in his empty eyes...mine too, but not as severe. He didn't know what to think or what to do. I was shaky from the minor trauma and some flashbacks from my car wreck in 2004 lightly haunted my mind here and there for a short period. He repeatedly asked if I was alright and if there was anything he could do. Surprisingly enough, the only damage that was sustained on my body after the impact was a small bruising on my arm bone. No whiplash was ever sustained.
After an awkward short conversation, the driver and I exchanged a friendly handshake and away we went our separate ways. I called Cortney back and she immediately asked if I had dropped my phone because she heard a strange noise, and I told her that I was hit by a car. After calming her down and filling her in on the details, the noise she heard was my body actually being hit by the moving car.
And I even made to work on-time, with enough time to get a refill on my coffee and have a cigarette before I clocked on for the strange day ahead of me.
It was a little after 2:00pm and I was headed to work. Enjoying my walk, on a relatively nice day, I was at peace, in my thoughts and my life at that current moment. Its a good 20 minute walk (I enjoy walking, I don't drive, and I do not take my legs for granted) Between my apartment and the mall I walk through about 4 or 5 cross ways.
While I was patiently waiting my time to cross this particular crosswalk, that is connected to a busy intersection, and almost always, I study my surroundings. I'm just a cautious guy with reason...
"Walk Sign Is On" I begin to stroll through this crosswalk when all of a sudden I see to my left and oncoming car. Mind you, I was just about half way through it at this point. Most cars that are usually turning into traffic slow down for the pedestrians to walk out of the way before they keep driving. MOST CARS that is.
While walking I was having a conversation with my fiance, over the phone, and I was also paying close attention to this particular oncoming car...figured it was going slow down like they do, but as I'm talking I notice that its getting closer and closer. I had to brace for impact and hope for the best. It wasn't going too terribly fast but enough where when it struck my body I went up on the hood.
In mid conversation I shifted my body in a fighting stance to brace this car, playing close attention I was able to project my momentum up onto the car by leg lifts. The car hit my body and I lifted my legs back to prevent as much damage as possible, given the random situation at hand. I kissed the hood but managed to cling on to it WHILE still holding my phone and travel mug filled with hot, black coffee. Of course, some coffee splashed on my suit but did I care at that given moment, Not really. I was in shock.
I got back on the phone and with a tone unheard of before, I told my fiance "I'll need to call you back" and hung up before she could say anything.
The guy quickly pulled over and began freaking out. Panic was in his empty eyes...mine too, but not as severe. He didn't know what to think or what to do. I was shaky from the minor trauma and some flashbacks from my car wreck in 2004 lightly haunted my mind here and there for a short period. He repeatedly asked if I was alright and if there was anything he could do. Surprisingly enough, the only damage that was sustained on my body after the impact was a small bruising on my arm bone. No whiplash was ever sustained.
After an awkward short conversation, the driver and I exchanged a friendly handshake and away we went our separate ways. I called Cortney back and she immediately asked if I had dropped my phone because she heard a strange noise, and I told her that I was hit by a car. After calming her down and filling her in on the details, the noise she heard was my body actually being hit by the moving car.
And I even made to work on-time, with enough time to get a refill on my coffee and have a cigarette before I clocked on for the strange day ahead of me.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Holiday Gift Ideas...
If anybody is looking for any ideas for something under the tree or to be stuffed in a stocking, might I suggest my book. It's only 11 bucks, not to shabby and it will leave a lasting enjoyment...maybe the gift that keeps on giving.
(Available nationally and internationally)
(Available nationally and internationally)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
FOUR YEAR OLDS! AHH!!!!!!!!
It has been a couple of months since I have posted anything on my blog, and for that I apologize readers. I have been quite the busy guy dealing with the publication of my book, un-desireable issues at work, and raising a four year old...
My Son turned Four this past August and I figured well, the threatening threes are over with so now I can start to enjoy Thane being a four year old. WRONG!!! I think Four is just as bad as three, if not worse. "Terrible Two's" were a breeze and the "Threatening Three's" were only a taste of what was to come at age four.
His birthday party went off without a hitch and he had fun; opening his stack of gifts from partygoers and from his parents and family, playing with the partygoers, and just loving that it was his birthday. (Holidays and such are starting to make sense in his mind now, like he understands what it means to get presents and open them. You know how it goes)
The very next day it happened, Four sunk into his head and he developed more of an opinion. It doesn't help that he is stubborn but I've been dealing with the backtalk, and the "No's!". He's too damn opinionated. It seems like he is frustrated and just does not want to listen and maybe that is just the way of the four year old???
I am proud because he is slowly starting to try new foods, but it seems to be at his discression. He's a very picky eater and I've come to find that on a frequent occasion he'll try a bite of something that he's always been told that taste's really yummy. Slowly but surely, his appetite for good tasting food is coming ahead. But if he doesn't want it you can't even force a bite in his mouth if you tried.
I have taken a no bullshit approach to try and get him to listen. I follow through; if he continues to disobey I tell him that I am taking one of his favorite, most prized possesions away...the next time he doesn't listen I take it, whatever it may be at the time, and I put it up in the closet and ultimately is forgotten about and then at a later point in life I bring it back to him and its like christmas to him all over again. Sometimes it works but then again...well, you know, it just doesn't.
He is due to be going into a schooling program soon and actually when he sees a school bus drive by, he gets really excited; jumps up and down, claps his hands, and shreiks in excitement, you know how kids are. He tells us that he wants to ride in the school bus and wants to go to school to learn and play with kids, and we are ready. :) Kids need that.
He's a sweet kid a lot of the time, and I enjoy Fatherhood but the age of four is wearing on me. The phase is very stressful for me but at the end of the day it's worth it (most of the time) He is very smart, clever, and so I think he uses that as a tool against Mommy and Daddy. We are not fools though! I can't help but think a lot of the time, a four year old is running my life but I put my foot down.
Has that thought ever drifted into anybody's minds before?
I am open to any comments or suggestions from Parents or anybody really, who has been exposed to raising children prior to myself. I am new at this.
My Son turned Four this past August and I figured well, the threatening threes are over with so now I can start to enjoy Thane being a four year old. WRONG!!! I think Four is just as bad as three, if not worse. "Terrible Two's" were a breeze and the "Threatening Three's" were only a taste of what was to come at age four.
His birthday party went off without a hitch and he had fun; opening his stack of gifts from partygoers and from his parents and family, playing with the partygoers, and just loving that it was his birthday. (Holidays and such are starting to make sense in his mind now, like he understands what it means to get presents and open them. You know how it goes)
The very next day it happened, Four sunk into his head and he developed more of an opinion. It doesn't help that he is stubborn but I've been dealing with the backtalk, and the "No's!". He's too damn opinionated. It seems like he is frustrated and just does not want to listen and maybe that is just the way of the four year old???
I am proud because he is slowly starting to try new foods, but it seems to be at his discression. He's a very picky eater and I've come to find that on a frequent occasion he'll try a bite of something that he's always been told that taste's really yummy. Slowly but surely, his appetite for good tasting food is coming ahead. But if he doesn't want it you can't even force a bite in his mouth if you tried.
I have taken a no bullshit approach to try and get him to listen. I follow through; if he continues to disobey I tell him that I am taking one of his favorite, most prized possesions away...the next time he doesn't listen I take it, whatever it may be at the time, and I put it up in the closet and ultimately is forgotten about and then at a later point in life I bring it back to him and its like christmas to him all over again. Sometimes it works but then again...well, you know, it just doesn't.
He is due to be going into a schooling program soon and actually when he sees a school bus drive by, he gets really excited; jumps up and down, claps his hands, and shreiks in excitement, you know how kids are. He tells us that he wants to ride in the school bus and wants to go to school to learn and play with kids, and we are ready. :) Kids need that.
He's a sweet kid a lot of the time, and I enjoy Fatherhood but the age of four is wearing on me. The phase is very stressful for me but at the end of the day it's worth it (most of the time) He is very smart, clever, and so I think he uses that as a tool against Mommy and Daddy. We are not fools though! I can't help but think a lot of the time, a four year old is running my life but I put my foot down.
Has that thought ever drifted into anybody's minds before?
I am open to any comments or suggestions from Parents or anybody really, who has been exposed to raising children prior to myself. I am new at this.
Monday, August 9, 2010
You Can't Rush Art
Now, we all know that it takes a certain talent, a certain way with words that entitles you to become an Author. Not just a writer because anybody can write but a published Author.
I have heard stories that the publication process can be a real bitch. It shouldn't be considering that your work is being reformatted from a five subject notebook to a soft and/or hard bound masterpiece. I think a lot of those people were too impatient, like most of America is. You have to be patient if you want it to look its best for shelf life, and the eyes of your potential readers. The saying "You can't rush art." fully applies.
Here is a rundown of how my publication process went and the joy I had entirely throughout. I am a patient person and I realize that the company is not just working on my book, but more than likely, several other authors before me and after me. So keeping that in mind, the process was fun.
Once I had a complete manuscript, edited by my own personal editor and long time friend/brother, Austin, I began the search (well, I had been searching here and there throughout it's completion) I discovered a list of publication houses that dealt with poetry and I spent a good two hours generating a list of web sites.
I started going down that list, visiting web page, after web page, reviewing their various submission guidelines, I came to the conclusion after viewing close to 75 sites, that my time spent generating and searching was all for nothing. All for nothing except a short education in submissions.
Each and every guideline stated that they would either A.) not accept unsolicited manuscripts or B.) they would accept them but would throw them into a slush pile for a slight possibility of actually reading it. An unsolicited manuscript is a manuscript that is not backed by an Agent. If an agent is representing a manuscript it seems more ligit rather than a manuscript that quite possibly was written in two weeks.
So I went on the hunt over the internet for an agent to represent me. I considered self publication but more of a last resort because I knew my writing was worthy of being published and if it absolutely came down to it where I had no luck, I'd go the self publishing route. I just somehow knew that I'd always be published, ever since I started writing. It was my dream that I was damn sure, I was going to make come true.
I found an agent whom after my, I guess you could call it an application but more of a critique on my work, was willing to represent me and get my manuscript published. It was almost the one year mark of my contract with the agency, when a publishing company took an interest in my work. This, I believe was right around my birthday; either on the day itself or a couple days before/after. Nice B'day present!
After submitting a couple of things to the would be future publisher, they told me to submit my manuscript to them because they thought I might be a good fit as one of their Authors. I submitted my manuscript and they told me that they recieved it and to wait two weeks because of all the many manuscripts that they were to review. Four days later, I recieved an email from them saying that they wanted to publish my work.
To see that in my INBOX was a complete shock and awe! My jaw dropped and I became slightly sweaty. I just stared and zoned out the rest of the world around me. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I was immediately overwhelmed with such a joyful feeling, it was like I found god or something. I ended up closing out the email and then reopening it again to read it over again, like my eyes were misled. I ended up laughing aloud, like a mad man and right away called my fiance, Cortney, at work to tell her the grand news. She started crying tears of joy because her baby was now to be a published author.
I electronically signed the contract and the publication process begun, for Map of a Distorted Mind. The crew at Strategic Book Group/Eloquent Books were extremely cordial towards me throughout its process. For every step of the way, it was skillfully coordinated as I dealt with one department after the other was finished. Versus all of it at once. I was able to sign off on every stage and they never once, told me to change my work.
I don't compromise my writing. I just don't. It's written the way it's written because that's how I intended it to be read. I was not about to be published under the conditions that I change a line or two or however many first, in order to be published. They respected my work and I believe they have a lot of faith in me that I will come through.
Department after department, once completed there was a steady point close to the release date where nothing was happening, no emails were coming through. I would say this stagnant point was the worst and only because it was all finished and I was just anticipating its release ASAP. After a couple of months of inactivity, Map of a Distorted Mind, was released in July of 2010.
As of this morning, I was able to preview my royalty report and see a clearer reality. Clearer than when it was initially released and I held that freshly printed copy of my book in my hands. When I logged onto my royalty report webpage, I saw that I accumulated 31.00 in sales just in the first month. In the first month of its release I sold 12 copies of my book.
It may not appear to be a lot to some of you, but to me 12 copies is an amazing amount for just the first month of being available to the public. Writing has always been about the passion and sharing my work with anybody who was willing to listen or read it. It has never been about the money, although the extra money is nice, it simply is a hobby that I would one day like to be able to just do without working for a corporation.
Paying the bills by my writing would be the next big dream of mine but until then, I will just keep the passion alive and eventually I will get there. Altogether, this book took me a total of ten years to complete; 8 years of material, 2 years for the publicaton process to complete.
It doesn't stop with Map of a Distorted Mind, this is only the begining. I currently am juggling between writing three other books to be published. I have a whole book shelf in my head, so you all will have something to look forward to.
If you put your mind to it...
I have heard stories that the publication process can be a real bitch. It shouldn't be considering that your work is being reformatted from a five subject notebook to a soft and/or hard bound masterpiece. I think a lot of those people were too impatient, like most of America is. You have to be patient if you want it to look its best for shelf life, and the eyes of your potential readers. The saying "You can't rush art." fully applies.
Here is a rundown of how my publication process went and the joy I had entirely throughout. I am a patient person and I realize that the company is not just working on my book, but more than likely, several other authors before me and after me. So keeping that in mind, the process was fun.
Once I had a complete manuscript, edited by my own personal editor and long time friend/brother, Austin, I began the search (well, I had been searching here and there throughout it's completion) I discovered a list of publication houses that dealt with poetry and I spent a good two hours generating a list of web sites.
I started going down that list, visiting web page, after web page, reviewing their various submission guidelines, I came to the conclusion after viewing close to 75 sites, that my time spent generating and searching was all for nothing. All for nothing except a short education in submissions.
Each and every guideline stated that they would either A.) not accept unsolicited manuscripts or B.) they would accept them but would throw them into a slush pile for a slight possibility of actually reading it. An unsolicited manuscript is a manuscript that is not backed by an Agent. If an agent is representing a manuscript it seems more ligit rather than a manuscript that quite possibly was written in two weeks.
So I went on the hunt over the internet for an agent to represent me. I considered self publication but more of a last resort because I knew my writing was worthy of being published and if it absolutely came down to it where I had no luck, I'd go the self publishing route. I just somehow knew that I'd always be published, ever since I started writing. It was my dream that I was damn sure, I was going to make come true.
I found an agent whom after my, I guess you could call it an application but more of a critique on my work, was willing to represent me and get my manuscript published. It was almost the one year mark of my contract with the agency, when a publishing company took an interest in my work. This, I believe was right around my birthday; either on the day itself or a couple days before/after. Nice B'day present!
After submitting a couple of things to the would be future publisher, they told me to submit my manuscript to them because they thought I might be a good fit as one of their Authors. I submitted my manuscript and they told me that they recieved it and to wait two weeks because of all the many manuscripts that they were to review. Four days later, I recieved an email from them saying that they wanted to publish my work.
To see that in my INBOX was a complete shock and awe! My jaw dropped and I became slightly sweaty. I just stared and zoned out the rest of the world around me. I couldn't believe what I was reading. I was immediately overwhelmed with such a joyful feeling, it was like I found god or something. I ended up closing out the email and then reopening it again to read it over again, like my eyes were misled. I ended up laughing aloud, like a mad man and right away called my fiance, Cortney, at work to tell her the grand news. She started crying tears of joy because her baby was now to be a published author.
I electronically signed the contract and the publication process begun, for Map of a Distorted Mind. The crew at Strategic Book Group/Eloquent Books were extremely cordial towards me throughout its process. For every step of the way, it was skillfully coordinated as I dealt with one department after the other was finished. Versus all of it at once. I was able to sign off on every stage and they never once, told me to change my work.
I don't compromise my writing. I just don't. It's written the way it's written because that's how I intended it to be read. I was not about to be published under the conditions that I change a line or two or however many first, in order to be published. They respected my work and I believe they have a lot of faith in me that I will come through.
Department after department, once completed there was a steady point close to the release date where nothing was happening, no emails were coming through. I would say this stagnant point was the worst and only because it was all finished and I was just anticipating its release ASAP. After a couple of months of inactivity, Map of a Distorted Mind, was released in July of 2010.
As of this morning, I was able to preview my royalty report and see a clearer reality. Clearer than when it was initially released and I held that freshly printed copy of my book in my hands. When I logged onto my royalty report webpage, I saw that I accumulated 31.00 in sales just in the first month. In the first month of its release I sold 12 copies of my book.
It may not appear to be a lot to some of you, but to me 12 copies is an amazing amount for just the first month of being available to the public. Writing has always been about the passion and sharing my work with anybody who was willing to listen or read it. It has never been about the money, although the extra money is nice, it simply is a hobby that I would one day like to be able to just do without working for a corporation.
Paying the bills by my writing would be the next big dream of mine but until then, I will just keep the passion alive and eventually I will get there. Altogether, this book took me a total of ten years to complete; 8 years of material, 2 years for the publicaton process to complete.
It doesn't stop with Map of a Distorted Mind, this is only the begining. I currently am juggling between writing three other books to be published. I have a whole book shelf in my head, so you all will have something to look forward to.
If you put your mind to it...
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