About The Blog
Come to think of it, I should’ve posted this as the first thing, page-wise. Eh, what can you do, right? Right.
Well, let’s start out by pointing out the obvious.
I’m a writer, and a self-published author of two books, with more en route.
I love jazz, and go to any show that I can conceivably make it to, whether it involves a subway trip, a bus, a rented car, or a plane.
I write about both here.
Some background on the “writing, self-publication” part of this:
Long story short: I wrote a sci-fi/fantasy series, writing is my life, and the first book of this series has been my baby since fall of 2006 – and it’s only now ready to publish. In part owing to a lack of literary agent – though not for lack of trying on that part; as of late it takes a miracle to secure one – I did it myself.
Having participated in NaNoWriMo, I know how many people out there love to write, for whom it’s a necessity comparable to air, food or water. I also know how many people out there ache to make it as authors, regardless of their genre. What surprises me is the amount of people who end up never trying to secure an agent or attempting to self-pub their work – talented people, whose stories are well-written, intricate and engaging.
As I go through all of it – from prep, to publish, to marketing – I figured I’d document the steps that I take as I do it. If I do make it as an author, I hope that the blog will inspire someone else who wants to publish to say, “Hey, this can be done” and go for it. And who knows – they might succeed.
As I always say: nothing ventured, nothing gained. I’m venturing – and I’m documenting everything as I go. In the event that someone will get inspired and say, “I want to publish a book,” this is a chronicle of someone who did exactly that.
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But, of course, there’s the jazz. Specifically, contemporary (or “smooth”) jazz.
Smooth jazz – and I do not mean Kenny “King of Sap” G – is a favorite genre of mine. I fell in love with jazz at 15, with Down to the Bone and Marc Antoine. Since then, I got into jazz overall a lot more, having always loved big-band and vintage swing, I got introduced to urban jazz, jazz-fusion music, acid jazz, straight-ahead. The love affair continued and shows no sign of letting up.
I’m in my mid-twenties and am one of the very, very few people my age who love and chase the music. Emphasis on chase is mine, because I routinely attend destination shows and concerts, sometimes going nearly stone-broke in order to do so.
This music is my passion. I met a good batch of artists over the time I was into it, and keep meeting more. Oftentimes, I write my book material at shows. Other times, I write about the shows and the music, which you see here. And at other other times, I photograph and design – also seen here, but more on my Facebook page.
So – enjoy your stay!
K.G.
