While I’m busy working on my next collection of short stories, I’ve two ‘Author Spotlight’ posts for you this week. On Monday we met Geoff Le Pard. Click here to read the post.
Today, I’d like to welcome Don Massenzio to my blog. This is the first time Don has appeared on my blog (other than when he has left comments), and the launch of his new book which features a favourite mode of transport of mine, Time Travel, was the perfect opportunity for me to invite Don to write a guest post. I’m so pleased that he accepted my invitation, and I’m looking forward to reading his new book. Over to you, Don.
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When I started writing my latest release, Extra Innings, it was as a weekly serial published on my author blog. When it began, I wanted it to be a mix of baseball nostalgia mixed with my usual crime fiction genre.
As I began fleshing out the character of Joe McLean, something became very apparent. he was a character worth exploring. He was a 40-something-year-old divorced man who was stuck in the drudgery of working in a family business. Because he was not a member of the family, he would never be promoted above the level he had achieved after more than 20 years.
He went through a sad divorce from a childless marriage and still pined for the woman he loved and lost. His only constant was attending baseball games and rooting for his hometown team in the WWII era stadium that was such a big part of his youth. Now, with the stadium set to be demolished and replaced with a new corporate cookie-cutter version, Joe’s depression began to set in.
As he examined that depression, he came to the realization that the stadium was only part of it. He had a dead-end job, a lonely life and had lost both of his parents to untimely, preventable events.
This was when the question arose in my mind: If you could go back and change things in your past to make your future more desirable, would you? That’s when the idea of time travel crept in and I found myself branching off into a new genre.
Now, I have to explain that the supernatural/paranormal/horror genre family is something that I enjoy reading as much as my beloved crime fiction. I’m an avid reader of Stephen King (along with both of his sons) and, to some extent, Dean Koontz. I just was afraid that, as an author, if I deviated from the genre I was known for, it might end up alienating readers.
The beauty of indie publishing combined with having a blog is that I could first test the waters through the vehicle of my weekly serial and then, if the reaction was positive, turn the serial into a full-fledged book in a new genre without securing any approval but my own.
That brings me to today and the release of Extra Innings. I used more beta readers than usual for this book, and the reaction has been positive. In addition, pre-orders were up over some of my previous books. I take that as an encouraging sign.
Here is a blurb from the back cover:
Joe McLean hates his life. A lonely, divorced, middle-aged man, stuck in a cramped apartment, the only bright spot in Joe’s life is cheering on his hometown baseball team.
Now, the local stadium, the place of many childhood and adult memories is being replaced. Joe desperately wants a piece of this iconic venue to preserve his memories and have some memorabilia from his happier past.
That’s when unusual things begin to happen, and Joe begins to rethink the direction his life has taken. Can Joe take a different path in life? Can he use the special ability that he has acquired to change the course of his life? Will he realize the truth about old adage, you can never go home again?
Follow the twists and turns in this supernatural story, Extra Innings, to find out.
The book is now available for purchase on Amazon.com at this link if you’re interested.
About Don Massenzio:
Don was born in Syracuse, New York to first generation Italian American parents. He’s an avid reader. Some of his favourite authors are Harlan Coben, David Morrell, Stephen King, Jonathan Kellerman, John Grisham, and Hugh Howey. His favourite book of all time is To Kill a Mockingbird.
Don started writing as a way to combat the long hours of travel and numerous hotel stays that are part of the ‘glamorous’ world of corporate life. He uses writing as a therapeutic outlet to combat my homesickness.
His first published book was Frankly Speaking. It was the first in a series of books focused on the character, Frank Rozzani, a Florida private detective. The series is a throwback to the days of pulp detective novels with a tip of the hat to Jim Rockford from the 70’s television show, The Rockford Files. He’s also released a collection of short stories called Random Tales that is available for your Kindle or in paperback.
Also, look for his non-fiction book, The Ultimate Guide For Independently Published Authors: Tips for improving quality and selling your work, now available on Amazon.com as an eBook or in paperback
He moved to Jacksonville, Florida 23 years ago where he currently lives with his wife, daughter, and three dogs.
Connect with Don
Blog: www.donmassenzio.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordonmassenzio/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dmassenzio
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00JJVN0UI
Thank you to Don for accepting my invitation to write this post and for filling another page on Hugh’s Views and News. It’s helped me get on with putting my next book together ready for publication in the autumn.
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Great post and congratulations Don on all your success.
Thanks, Sheila
I love it when people get the attention they deserve. Don is so supportive of fellow authors. Lovely of you to host him, Hugh. Wishing Don all the best with his new book ❤️
Thanks so much, TIna
Wonderful to see Don here. Congrats on your book, Don! I will be checking it out. Love your work! Hugs to you both! Will share your news.
Thank you so much. I appreciate it.
Downloaded my copy, Don! Added it to my extensive TBR list but promise to read and review. Best Wishes for success!
Congrats, Don, for what sounds like an excellent book. Best of luck with it!
Thanks Jacquie
Wonderful to see Don here and to read about his latest book. I wish him huge success, he deserves it. He is a fab friend to other authors, a prolific blogger and a fab writer. Thanks for hosting him. Dead chuffed for him. xx Tweeted, reblogged and shared on my author page on Facebook…xx
Jane, thanks so much for sharing Don’s guest post. I corrected the typo. With all the typos I usually make, that’s something I’m so glad WordPress allows us to do.
Have a super day.
I shall and you enjoy yours too. No worries. xx
Thanks so much, Jane.
My pleasure as ever. xx
Reblogged this on Jane Risdon and commented:
Don Massenzio is a fab blogger and author and great supporter of other authors. He has a new book out which is a wonderful take on a quite sad subject but anything is possible for the main character so read on…
Thanks for sharing this, Jane.
The least I can do. xx
Reblogged this on willmacmillanjones.
Thanks for sharing this, Will
Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Head over to Hugh Roberts and discover more about author Don Massenzio, who is also a blogger who does a great deal to spread news of our posts around social media. Don is celebrating the release of his latest book Extra Innings.. discover more…
Thanks so much for sharing this, Sslly
Happy to Don.. have a good weekend.
I really like the sound of Don’s latest book Hugh. Intriguing spotlight. Well done. 🙂
Thank you Marje.
Lovely post, Hugh and Don.
Thanks, Robbie.
Hi, Don – Thank you for sharing Extra Innings with us. I like the Time Machine twist. If given the opportunity, I would be too afraid to go back and change anything in my life. But, if I could get back ‘precious lost moments’ (as one reader suggested), I would definitely do that!
Thanks. It was fun to write. I’m not sure I would change anything either. I’m happy with where I am today even though the road wasn’t always smooth.
So nice to see Don and his new book getting some attention here. I know Don does a lot for many authors. 🙂 xx
Thanks so much. I just pay it forward. The blogging community is wonderful.
Great to see Don featured here, Hugh. I love how indie publishing allows us to explore genres and pursue our interests. Cheers to Don for giving it a go. Happy Writing to both of you. 🙂
Thanks so much. It is true. A publisher might not have let me switch genres. The indie world is flexible.
This is a concept that will touch home with most people, I think. There’s things in my past I’d change, for sure. Lost moments I’d like to get back.
Best of luck, Don, you have a winner here!
Thanks, Jacquie. I’m crossing my fingers.
Don is a terrific writer and I expect this book to be as good as his others which are excellent. Thanks, Hugh.
Thanks so much, John. You’re no slouch yourself. The Contract is on my TBR
Thank you, Don. 😀 I love the word slouch. I very seldom see it these days.
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
I am honored to be featured on Hugh’s Views and News blog today. The generosity of the blogging community never ceases to amaze me. Thanks Hugh and everyone who checks it out.
Hi Hugh, Thanks for featuring Don. I am familiar with his excellent work and thoroughly enjoyed his last book and the serials and short stories he put on his blog. He’s a prolific writer. All power to him. And you!
You’re welcome, Joy. Don did me a favour by writing this guest post so I can get on with publishing my next book. I’ve downloaded Extra Innings and am looking forward to reading it.
Thanks so much, Joy. If you’re going to do something, be prolific. I’m also a prolific reader and a prolific consumer of pizza. Thanks for your kind words.
Another great spot light!
Thanks, Ritu. I’m honored to be here.
😊
Read this. I read the series and it was tremendous. How good therefore can the full polished novel be?
I have it on my Kindle App ready to read. Just goes to show that a series on a blog can then go on to be published in a book. It’s got me thinking about my ’49 days in 1988′ series.
Thanks, Hugh. I appreciate the opportunity and hope you enjoy it.
Exactly what a tremendous memoir you could spin…
Pressure. Oh no. Actually, I did add some fun stuff and clean it up, but in line editing and continuity wise, from the serial.