Stages and pages

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Belated info

The world was too much with me these last 6 weeks with a major health scare - Finally getting back in the groove - Elfin Tales on ebooks along with Pixie Tales. Finishing up paper book version of Elfin Tales, working with illustrator Maggie Cousins on Fairy Tales Too so finally got back to

STAGES
In the past month or so I attended a dance evening presented by a troupe from San Francisco - Anne Bluethenthal and Dancers who presented Pluto in Capricorn and Other Dances. An original thought provoking, verbally stimulating dance evening. Also saw the play Marie and Bruce on Theater Row. Felt the production completely misfired and that it was an evening ill spent. Though it actually ran an hour and a half, it felt more like 5 hours. Caught a frothy bit of fun called The Sphinx Winx.. Many amusing moments despite its very sophomoric approach, but there is potential here.

Attended Tap 25 gala evening - Tony Waag and co deserve kudos for great work.

Saw Victor Gluck's new scene from FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH at the annual playwrights showcase…but missed it at the Ryan Rep fund raising performance, even tho I enjoyed directing it, could not get to Brooklyn. I really don't travel well.

Have some interesting news from various playwrights included in my volume SHORT PLAYS TO LONG REMEMBER so will share it here

Stonewall Uprising, a documentary by Kate Davis and David Heilbroner featuring our recently deceased author and friend Doric Wilson, aired on PBS as part of the American Experience, April 25, 2011. Doric received a special award from the Fresh Fruit Festival the same evening artist Maggie Cousins, who is illustrating my children's fantasy set of books won her award. (I did not attend this event) Doric died in his sleep just three days later. Much as we all shall miss him, it is a solace to know he died at the top of his career and peacefully in sleep. Is there any better way to go? It is we who must suffer his loss.

Perry Brass’ new novel to be published in the spring of 2012; will be his 16th published book. His book "The Manly Art of Seduction" is still on Amazon's Gay & Lesbian Nonfiction bestseller list, and he is actively looking for more productions of “Bar None", based on historic Mattachine Society "Sip-In" several years before Stonewall.

About Jane Chambers along with productions in the

. of “Last Summer at Bluefish Cove” there is a production in Tel Aviv,

Israel

playing with good reviews

David J. Mauriello Portsmouth NH will see two Mauriello plays; his farcical SPIRITS WILLING, produced by ACT ONE NH at the West End Studio Theatre weekend of August 21st and his drama BODY being produced by Players' Ring three weekends beginning January 27, 2012. BODY, first original play done at the RING is being reprised to celebrate their 20th anniversary season.

Daniel P Quinn premiered BEFORE THE CRASH (2011) @ the Morris Museum/Bickford Theatre in Morristown, NJ. Two of his Presidents in Prose will be published by Sensations Magazine w/a debut @ Grover Cleveland's Birthplace on 5/15/11. The Word Press in W. Virginia published a set of his poems, while The Star-Ledger printed a trio of his letters on their Opinion Page. His NYTimes Arts Blog continues to grow w/several dozen-on line published comments as well.

Have much enjoyed the advance reading copy of René Blum and The Ballets Russes - In search of a lost life by Judith Chazin-Bennahum. I was well aware of the Ballets Russes as a teenage balletomane, but knew nothing of René Blum who saved Diaghilev’s dance contributions from extinction not only with vast financial contributions but also by dedicating his life and extraordinary talents to keeping the company alive, and keeping Balanchine, Fokine and Massine creatively active. Yes, he was Leon Blum’s brother. The book is very informative, impressing one with the amount of research it took to bring to the fore a man who often stayed in the background. His treatment and slaughter at the hands of the Nazi’s, and his extraordinary courage in the face of it all is awe inspiring. The dance community and all humanity should thank the author for this work.

Anyone who liked the film "The Lincoln Lawyer" should check out the books by this author - I''ve read several of his terrific page turners!

Talking of authors. Time for updating news about me -

Delighted that Pixie Tales has been nominated for first Hlobal ebook award. Wish more people would comment on it at the global ebooka ward site!

Story of how TnT Classic Books got its name and logo is part of an article on

http://www.teenbusinessforum.com/start-up/ultimate-list-of-stories-behind-business-names-part-2

check it out in section on two people in one biz.

Please visit http://www.TheChildrenAuthorsShow.com which aired April 25 on line to hear how and why Pixie Tales got written, and a bit about my other books, including SHORT PLAYS TO LONG REMEMBER.

You can read my interview about self publishing vs. commercial publishing at

http://consciousdiscussions.blogspot/2011_03_01

They give me this great intro -Francine L. Trevens was co-founder of the Greater New York Independent Publishers Association and served as chairperson for most of the first fifteen years. Her publishing company, TnT Classic Books publishes many prize winning authors. In the last 6 years, she has also published some of her own work. The anthology of plays she compiled and edited, SHORT PLAYS TO LONG REMEMBER, (27 plays by 14 authors) won a 2010 Next Generation INDIE finalist award. She also writes regular features on dance for Art Times Journal, and has had 6 books published, 4 from TnT Classic Books

Was interviewed Online with Andrea, mostly about poetry but also about writing and other books May 24 from 7:30-9:30 Eastern, and subsequently archived. One pal listened to the entire show love - I was faltered and amazed. Find show at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onlinewithandrea.2011/05/24/author-francine-trevens

So now you see what kept me so busy these last few weeks.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

this and that

STAGES

Attended a dance evening presented by a troupe from San Francisco - Anne Bluethenthal and Dancers who presented Pluto in Capricorn and Other Dances. An original, thought provoking, verbally stimulating dance evening.

Also attended Marie and Bruce on Theater Row. Felt the production completely misfired and that it was an evening ill spent. Though it actually ran an hour and a half, it felt more like 5 hours.

Have some interesting news from various playwrights included in my volume SHORT PLAYS TO LONG REMEMBER

Stonewall Uprising, a documentary by Kate Davis and David Heilbroner featuring Doric Wilson, will be aired by PBS as part of the American Experience, Monday, April 25, 2011 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. (Check your local listings) http://video.pbs.org/video/1541031928/

Perry Brass’ new novel to be published spring, 2012; will be his 16th published book. His book "The Manly Art of Seduction" is still on Amazon's Gay & Lesbian Nonfiction bestseller list, and he is actively looking for more productions of “Bar None", based on historic Mattachine Society "Sip-In" several years before Stonewall.

Jane Chambers along with productions in the US. of “Last Summer at Bluefish Cove” there is a production in Tel Aviv, Israel playing with good reviews

Have much enjoyed the advance reading copy of René Blum and The Ballets Russes - In search of a lost life by Judith Chazin-Bennahum. I was well aware of the Ballets Russes as a teenage balletomane, but knew nothing of René Blum who saved Diaghilev’s dance contributions from extinction not only with vast financial contributions but also by dedicating his life and extraordinary talents to keeping the company alive, and keeping Balanchine, Fokine and Massine creatively active. Yes, he was Leon Blum’s brother. The book is very informative, impressing one with the amount of research it took to bring to the fore a man who often stayed in the background. His treatment and slaughter at the hands of the Nazi’s, and his extraordinary courage in the face of it all is awe inspiring. The dance community and all humanity should thank the author for this work.

Talking of authors. Time for updating news about me -

Delighted that Pixie Tales has been nominated fopr a eboook award from the Global evookAwards. Am offering 25% off cosst of book to celebrate - at check out on smashwords, enter code NU66Q - good through May 27

Story of how TnT Classic Books got its name and logo is part of an article on

http://www.teenbusinessforum.com/start-up/ultimate-list-of-stories-behind-business-names-part-2

check it out in section on two people in one biz.

Please visit http://www.TheChildrenAuthorsShow.com April 25 and 26 or soon thereafter on line to hear how and why Pixie Tales got written, and a bit about my other books, including SHORT PLAYS TO LONG REMEMBER.

You can read my interview about self publishing vs. commercial publishing at

http://consciousdiscussions.blogspot/2011_03_01 They give me this great intro -Francine L. Trevens was co-founder of the Greater New York Independent Publishers Association and served as chairperson for most of the first fifteen years. Her publishing company, TnT Classic Books publishes many prize winning authors. In the last 6 years, she has also published some of her own work. The anthology of plays she compiled and edited, SHORT PLAYS TO LONG REMEMBER, (27 plays by 14 authors) won a 2010 Next Generation INDIE finalist award. She also writes regular features on dance for Art Times Journal, and has had 6 books published, 4 from TnT Classic Books.

Will be interviewed Online with Andrea, mostly about poetry but also about writing and other books on May 24 from 7:30-9:30 Eastern, and subsequently archive. Find show at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/onlinewithandrea.2011/05/24/author-francine-trevens

Not bragging, just keeping you posted on what’s happening

Monday, March 28, 2011

Opinions a gogo

STAGES

Had great interview with Tony Waag. Creator of the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame, Executive Producer of Tap City and Executive Artistic Director of the American Tap Dance Foundation. Working on article about him for Art Times Journal May June issue.

Read one of stories from Pixie Tales at Rainbow Book Fair yesterday. Very receptive, mostly adult audience. Sold several of the e-book copies today. Figure people without kids who will be with family over upcoming holidays might want to have access to these enchanting read-to-me stories to help them bond with young relatives. If you are interested, Email me for 50% off coupon code on e-book.

Saw The Lincoln Lawyer film - thought all performances very impressive. Enjoyed movie immensely because of all its surprising twists.

Have another radio interview, about Pixie Tales and writing for kids, early in April.

April 2 is National Children’s Book Day and the coupon for 50% off on e-book copy ends then. Maggie Cousins and I are busy readying Elfin Tales for e-book and paper editions.

Finished a slew of books in last few weeks - reading, that is. Anyone who loves theatre should be enthralled by Antony Sher’s The Year of the King, a fascinating insiders view of an actor’s preparation for a great classic role. Fictionalized life of Herman Melville, The Passages of H.M., was especially significant to me because much of his behavior was similar to that of the Captain in my play in progress, Spirit of the House. Still feel some smart movie mogul should get hold of Arnold Bennett’s The Grand Babylon Hotel and make a costume mystery romantic movie out of it. True test of a good book is how long it stays with you, I believe. And this one is one to long remember for its sheer delight.

Never even knew there was a National Children’s book day and glad I learned of it before April 2, which is the date. It is also date by which you can get the 50% off copies of Pixie Tails from Smashwords. Contact me for the discount code.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Donkey Machine

STAGES

Looking forward to an upcoming interview with Tony Waag. Creator of the International Tap Dance Hall of Fame, Executive Producer of Tap City and Executive Artistic Director of the American Tap Dance Foundation.

My computer acted like a donkey this week and refused to move at all. Refused to forward my finished book to the printer, refused to open Internet explorer, refused to move faster than sludge. It was obviously going through a bad stage! As a result, I missed several deadlines and had to cancel some events and in all felt like a total failure.

I escaped into some books I had not read before. One which really was an escape, was Norman Beim’s second novel ZYGIELBAUM'S JOURNEY. This fascinating story, based on facts, and narrated in the first person literally had me at the edge of my seat when I was reading it on a bus. We all have heard of the Warsaw Ghetto and how those interred therein fought to the last gasp. I had never however, known that the ghetto had sent a spokesman out, to try to awaken the conscience of the world. That was Zygielbaum. His adventures are fascinating, and the writing style make you believe he is actually telling his own story. Well; worth reading.

I did a blog talk radio interview on Tuesday. I had been told the discussion would be on publishing, and had all my notes about the trials and travails of doing SHORT PLAYS TO LONG REMEMBER and the challenge of my first e-book, PIXIE TALES.

But the interviewer kept asking me about writing and writing tips and I was rather thrown for a loop. Never really delivered the “commercial pitch” I had planned on, but enjoyed the call in woman who wanted advice about writing poetry and writing plays. I certainly have had a lifetime of doing both.

REMINDER - tomorrow, Saturday, the 25% off on PIXIE TALES to celebrate Read an e-book week ends. Get it now at http://smashwords.com/b/40507 or you’ll be paying full price after that.

Also, if interested, remember Living life of my dreams sales info is at:

https://www.e-junkie.com/ecom/gb.php?cl=37820&c=ib&aff=157097

Thursday, March 3, 2011

March has me Roaring

STAGES

I was intrigued by the title When I Come to Die by Nathan Louis Jackson and was eager to se it even before a colleague wrote how much he had enjoyed it. This is a very special play - not only a good script, but magnificent acting as real as any I have seen. Thomas Kail’s direction was flawless. Even the sound effects and lights were right on the mark. Bravo!

I missed seeing Dusty And The Big Bad World. Reading it, I feel I truly missed what has to have been a fascinating production about today’s religious right (as opposed to left, not wrong) censoring anything of which they disapprove. The U S is no longer separating church and state, if it ever truly did.

So pleased "The King's Speech" won some of the awards it deserved. I didn't see all the nominees, but I feel Geoffrey Rush was cheated.

Busy getting reviews for PIXIE TALES which is now available on line at. http://smashwords.com/b/4050. Preview paper copies probably will not be on sale at the Rainbow Book Fair March 26th at the LGBT Center on
Christopher Street
in New York. My illnesses and accident delayed me too long. Still working on it, despite a recalcitrant computer. Also working on formatting the second book in the 4 book set, ELFIN TALES for Smashwords and paperback. Had nice session with illustrator Maggie Cousins, with lots of preliminary sketches of our elves. Also saw the stunning work she did on the dog book she has been illustrating.

Read two early William Maxwell novels, both about young men. I much enjoy his writing style and sympathize with his characters. What I suspected from the first works of his I read appears to be the case - he never quite let go of the horror of being a twelve year old boy and having his mother die. He writes of it often, and though the characters are frequently different, the tragedy is always of the same dark despair. It was undoubtedly the defining moment in his life.

Currently reading two biographies - one of Herman Melville who suffered from the same mental illness as the Captain in my play-in-progress, Spirit Of The House. The other of Rene Blum. How could I resist the review copy sent to the Art Times Journal offices about this incredible dance impresario who was also so much more in so many other fields of the arts?

Have lots of interviews on air and online coming out in the next week or so - March 8 at 1PM talk radio interview about publishing - with references to SHORT PLAYS TO LONG REMEMBER on IVARadioNetwork.Com links to show will be forwarded 24 hours before broadcast

Also Mar 8 - promo begins for e-book LIVING THE LIFE OF MY DREAMS to which I contributed one of the 30 chapters (selected from over 300 contributions)

March 9 - an interview of mine will be printed on line focusing on advice on self-publishing, along with my bio, via: Brummet's Conscious Blog: http://www.consciousdiscussions.blogspot.com/

Hope someone will be inspired to leave a massage on this blog instead of just writing me privately about what they did or didn’t like on the blog! It's suppopsesd to be interactive, not a diary guys!

And now, back to the bother of readying my taxes!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

THE IDES And IDEAS OF FEBRUARY

STAGES

The reading of SPIRIT OF THE HOUSE brought me some wonderful feed back and the delight of knowing everyone in the audience agreed it was a good start and wanted to see and hear more and also agreed it needed to be a full length play. It is now back in the gestation chamber until all the enchanted creature books get into print.

Reading the list of new theatre attractions reminded me most of what is new is old – I saw the originals of so many of these plays!

I grew particularly nostalgic about “Arcadia” which I saw at Lincoln Center as Otis Guernsey’s guest. I was particularly interested in ir as it had Lord Byron involved…and Lord Byron was involved with my long time favorite poet, Percy B. Shelley. In fact, I think one of the best plays I ever wrote was about their relationship. It was a musical done back in the days when I lived in Longmeadow, MA and Ed Cerveny was the composer. Nothing ever came of it – and I wonder what ever came of him?

Bad weather and a still aching body from my big flip flop in the snow made me cancel attendance at new play, so no new stages to discuss just now.

I finally finished reading a novel called Harmony Bay about a small town unlike any I’ve ever lived in or visited. No back biting, no jealousy, no gossiping. Just nicey nice people with wonderful things happening to them. It’s almost a fairy tale in itself! While some chapters, especially near the end, have tension and excitement, for the most part the book is just a lovely idyll. Unfortunately, with my tendency towards drama, it is not my flavor of tea – I prefer a bit more tempest in my teapot. Author Tom Gahan eagerly shares all his knowledge of sailor’s knots, reseeding shell fish in endangered areas, and much more. He has a keen eye, a unique ear and a descriptive flair to emulate. If you want to escape our money grubbing, nasty partisanship and bitterly warlike world, take the trip to Harmony Bay!

Also finished reading Accidental Billionaires which was written like a novel and shows the author's great talent to get inside many people's heads. Didn’t care much for the story line…maybe because how one makes money by using and losing friends is not one of my favorite topics.

My quote re writer’s block can be accessed on http://blog.drshannonreece.com/2011/02/07/50-tips-for-blowing-past-writers-block. I am also quoted in the article about Selling Direct, part 2 in the February issue of IBPA INDEPENDENT. Both of those and $2.50 will get you a local bus ride in NYC! Still, its nice to be noted and quoted! Egoes, too, need feeding.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

My books and I popping up all over!

STAGES

Friday the llth is reading of my SPIRIT OF THE HOUSE play at the Dramatists Guild and have been doing rewrites and rehearsals during this miserable weather. If there is another storm Friday, it will all be for nought! Nevertheless, wouldn’t trade life in NYC for anywhere else on earth!

Finished reading Peter Felicia’s Broadway Musicals wrap up of the last fifty years. Informative and fun, especially when reading about plays which with I was intimately involved. Recommend it to theatre aficionados.

Attended Miro Magloire’s NEW CHAMBER BALLET last night in elegant room at City Center. Musicians and dancers were quite expert and for me the evening felt as if I had stepped out to today into a more leisurely and lovely time. Will be writing all about it in the March/April print and on line editions of Art Times Journal.

PAGES

And the big news is, PIXIE TALES is now on smashwords and available for e-book purchase. There may be some tweeking in the weeks ahead, but Maggie Cousin’s terrific illustrations really bring the stories to life. Just hope e-book readers are interested in getting stories to read to their kids. Thought it was perfect for when they travel with easily bored youngsters – such a lightweight way to have a 5 story book on hand.

You can access it and read a bit about it at

http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/francine1 or
Book page to sample or purchase Pixie Tales: http://smashwords.com/b/40507

Much thanks to those of you who read early version and gave me such dynamite quotes… used some in e-book, will use some in paper version of book, and used others in promo mailings.

Slowly doing rewrites on Elfin Tales, next e book. and Maggie Cousins' first elf is adorable. Being home after my tip in snow, did a few new chapters for second half of childhood memoir, Confessions of a Dirty Chew Basket.

P.G. Wodehouse’s A Pelican at Blandings was a quick light read, not really my cup of humor. Leslie Ruth Howard’s tribute to her dad, Leslie Howard, was charming and nostalgic for me, having grown up during many of his heyday films. Disagreed with much of David Mamet’s Theater, but still enjoyed reading it. Docks to Downing Street John Prescott’s memoir of his political years was fascinating and a very easy, relaxed read.

My second poetry book, ECHOES OF ETERNITY is a part of grand prize in their upcoming event in early Feb. check it out at http://www.menopausesummit.org//

I have a blog radio talk March 8 about self publishing, will give more info later in month - and on March 9 an article I wrote about writer’s block and other writing problems will be on line on the Brummet's Conscious Blog: http://www.consciousdiscussions.blogspot.com/