AN AUTHOR'S JOURNEY

DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE WITH RICHARD COHEN, ESQ.

2011-12-04T14:32:00.000-08:00

http://blip.tv/behind-the-shadows/behind-the-shadows-discrimination-in-the-workplace-5481183
RICHARD POSSESSES MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE LITIGATING AND ARBITRATING COMPLEX EMPLOYMENT DISPUTES, CORPORATE, COMMERCIAL, AND IS A TRUSTED ADVISOR TO BUSINESS OWNERS BOTH IN THE UNITED STATES AND INTERNATIONALLY.HIS CLIENTS RANGE FROM INDIVIDUALS AND SMALL BUSINESSES TO MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS.RICHARD HAS TRIED AND CONDUCTED NUMEROUS ARBITRATIONS AND OTHER DISPUTE RESOLUTION FORUMS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT MATTERS, INCLUDING DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT.RICHARD HAS ALSO COUNSELED BUSINESS OWNERS AND HUMAN RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS WITH ANYWHERE FROM 5 TO 50,000 EMPLOYEES REGARDING EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND OTHER REGULATORY AND ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLIANCE ISSUES.HE REGULARLY APPEARS BEFORE THE EEOC AND OTHER FEDERAL AND STATE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES.RICHARD SERVED AS ADMINISTRATIVE CHAIR OF THE LITIGATION DEPARTMENT FOR THE NEW YORK OFFICE AND IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE LABOR & EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT.HE LECTURES AND PUBLISHES WIDELY ON EMPLOYMENT LAW TOPICS.RICHARD IS EDITOR OF HIS FIRM’S EMPLOYMENT BLOG WHICH COVERS ALL ASPECTS OF EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT, INCLUDING NEW COURT DECISIONS AND LEGISLATION, COMPLIANCE, BEST PRACTICES, INTERESTING TRENDS IN WORKPLACE RELATIONS AND EMPLOYMENT-RELATED ISSUES AFFECTING EMPLOYERS.

HOARDING WITH DR. STEVEN BRODSKY

2011-12-04T14:24:00.000-08:00

http://blip.tv/behind-the-shadows/behind-the-shadows-hoarding-interview-with-dr-steven-brodsky-5663999

DR. STEVEN BRODSKY IS A LICENSED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND PSYCHOTHERAPIST IN MANHATTAN AND NJ. SPECIALIZING IN TREATING OCD, HOARDING, AND PANIC.ON HIS WEB SITE, www.ocdhotline.com, DR. BRODSKY MAINTAINS AN ONLINE HOTLINE FOR INDIVIDUALS TO ASK HIM CONFIDENTIAL QUESTIONS AND RECEIVE QUICK ANSWERS TO THEIR PROBLEMS.WITH 15 YEARS OF CLINICAL EXPERIENCE, DR. BRODSKY HAS BEEN FEATURED IN NUMEROUS TV NEWS SHOWS, NEWSPAPERS, AND BLOGS DEALING WITH ANXIETY DISORDERS. DR. BRODSKY RECEIVED HIS DOCTORATE FROM YESHIVA UNIVERSITY, AND ATTENDED COLLEGE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA.DR. BRODSKY HAS TREATED NUMEROUS CASES OF HOARDING, WHICH HAS GAINED INCREASING PUBLIC ATTENTION. HIS CLIENTS INCLUDE INDIVIDUAL HOARDERS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND LANDLORDS.ALTHOUGH EACH CASE DIFFERS, FREQUENTLY HOARDERS HAVE A VARIETY OF OTHER COMORBID ISSUES RELATED TO SELF ESTEEM, RELATIONSHIPS, AND UNFULFILLED DREAMS.

THE HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL WITH COUSIN BRUCIE

2011-12-04T14:20:00.000-08:00

http://blip.tv/behind-the-shadows/behind-the-shadows-the-history-of-rock-roll-with-cousin-brucie-5553948
BRUCE "COUSIN BRUCIE" MORROW HAS WORKED IN THE NEW YORK RADIO INDUSTRY SINCE 1959.A VERITABLE LEGEND IN BROADCAST HISTORY, MORROW IS THE ONLY ON-AIR PERSONALITY IN NEW YORK CITY TO HAVE A STREET NAMED AFTER HIM. IN 1994, MAYOR RUDOLPH GUILIANI PROCLAIMED WEST 52 STREET "COUSIN BRUCIE WAY." THE SIGN IS LOCATED ON THE CORNER OF 52 STREET AND SIXTH AVENUE.MORROW WAS INDUCTED INTO THE RADIO HALL OF FAME IN 1987 AND BROADCASTING & CABLE'S HALL OF FAME IN 1990. IN 1994 HE WAS AWARDED THE ELLIS ISLAND MEDAL OF HONOR. MORROW SERVES AS PRESIDENT OF VARIETY, THE CHILDREN'S CHARITY. HE MADE HIS MOTION PICTURE DEBUT IN THE FILM "DIRTY DANCING," HIS AUTOBIOGRAPHY, ENTITLED COUSIN BRUCIE: MY LIFE IN ROCK AND ROLL RADIO, WAS A BEST-SELLER.THE STORY GOES THAT ONE NIGHT IN 1959, AN ELDERLY WOMAN FOUND HER WAY INTO THE STUDIO FROM WHICH MORROW WAS BROADCASTING AND ASKED HIM "HEY COUSIN, CAN YOU GIVE ME FIFTY CENTS?" MORROW COMPLIED AND THE ENDEARING NAME "COUSIN BRUCIE" WAS BORN.MORROW HAS RECEIVED MANY HONORS THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, MOST NOTABLY HIS INDUCTION INTO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS' RADIO HALL OF FAME, THE BROADCASTING & CABLE HALL OF FAME, THE RADIO HALL OF FAME (CHICAGO), AND THE NEW YORK STATE BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME (2006), AND HAS BEEN HONORED FOR HIS ON-AIR WORK BY THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM.AS OF 2010, MORROW HOSTS PROGRAMS ON SIRIUS XM SATELLITE RADIO, ON THE '60S ON 6 CHANNEL. COUSIN BRUCIE'S SATURDAY NIGHT PARTY - LIVE AIRS SATURDAY NIGHTS, WHILE CRUISIN' WITH COUSIN BRUCIE AIRS LIVE ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS, WITH REPEATS ON SUNDAY NIGHTS.FOR THE LAST TWO DECADES, MORROW HAS ACTIVELY WORKED FOR THE VARIETY CHILDREN'S CHARITY IN SUPPORT OF DISADVANTAGED, PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED, SICK AND NEEDY CHILDREN.ON AUGUST 23, 1965, IT WAS MORROW WHO INTRODUCED THE BEATLES DURING THE FIRST OF THEIR HISTORIC SHEA STADIUM CONCERTS.MORROW ALSO APPEARED IN THE 1978 FILM SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND

THE BEATLES, HOW THEY CHANGED THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE

2011-05-04T09:07:00.000-07:00

http://www.blip.tv/file/5098372

With Richard Speziale, a broadcaster and blogger .He is editor and scriptwriter of the documentary film "BURMA: AN INDICTMENT" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJly8OLhjqA (Best Documentary 2010 Soho International Film Festival). Speziale currently teaches television production and lectures on media history at Manhattan Neighborhood Network and is a media consultant for the Free Burma Alliance.http://freeburmaalliance.org/ His blog and an archive of his broadcasts can be viewed at dvtv.blogspot.com

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CREDIT

2011-05-04T09:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.blip.tv/file/4812891

SERGE BEVIL is a nationally respected credit expert and CEO of VantagePoint Credit Corp. His company offers in-depth credit solutions, consultation, and coaching to consumers, entrepreneurs, and to professionals in the mortgage and real estate industries. His expert knowledge and proven experience with the Credit Scoring System, the Procedural Workings of the Major Credit Bureaus, and the Credit Laws, allows him to offer a result specific approach to his client’s needs. He is also well known for his initiatives and advocacy for credit literacy and fairness. These efforts are most visible through his educational credit seminars that help consumers understand the practice and procedures of today’s credit environment. He also consults with many companies in varying industries about the complexity within the credit reporting and credit scoring system. Serge strongly believes that in today’s credit driven society, Credit Reporting and Credit Scores have become a major deciding factor in our financial future, and that every individual must take responsibility for the accuracy of their credit profile.

BULLYING IT "MUST" GET BETTER

2011-04-12T15:17:00.000-07:00

http://www.blip.tv/file/5009126?filename=Sfinelli-BULLYINGITMUSTGETBETTER529.m4v Interview with Hon. Edward J. Zipprich - Red Bank, New Jersey Councilman Ed Zipprich has worked on planningand preservation issues for much of his life. Prior to his election, he served for 2 years as a member of the Borough Planning Board and continues his effort in Red Bank as the Council liaison to the Historic Preservation Commission and the Shade Tree Committee.He also serves as a member of the Borough’s Finance/Personnel and Education/Technology committees and is Chairman of the Department of Public Utilities. This year, Councilman Councilman Zipprich returns to the Planning Board as Council representativeIn an effort to improve local government, Ed has worked tirelessly on Monmouth County political campaigns to help elect more progressive people to government. He truly enjoys grassroots projects and being part of the community.Now in his fifth year, Ed serves as the Monmouth County Chair of Democracy for America/Progressive Democrats of America (DFA/PDA), the largest progressive grassroots organization in the nation. In 2008 he was elected to the Executive Board of DFA-NJ and also elected as Vice President of Development for the NJ Stonewall Democrats. In 2009 he was re-elected as Treasurer of the Red Bank Borough Education foundation and elected as Executive Vice President of the NJ Stonewall Democrats.On Council Zipprich ushered through resolutions in support of marriage equality and urging the Governor to sign the Anti-Bullying legislation into law.In 2010 Ed Zipprich was elected Chairman of the Red Bank Democratic Municipal Committee. He is a member of Garden State Equality, as well as the local grassroots group, The Bus for Progress (formerly The Bus for Change) and is an officer of the Red Bank Democratic Club.In January 2011, Ed was unanimously nominated by the Count Basie Theater Board of Trustees to become a member of the Board.

WATCH MY INTERVIEW ON THE HISTORY OF MAGIC WITH "MAGIC" MIKE SHERMAN

2011-02-28T12:12:00.000-08:00

MAGIC MIKE, THE MAGICAL MAN FROM STATEN ISLAND

Don’t miss this informative and entertaining interview with “Magic” Mike who will entertain us with some of his illusions and talk to us about the origin and art of magic.

http://www.blip.tv/file/4085577/

BEHIND THE SHADOWS INTERVIEW WITH HEADACHE COACH JAN MUNDO

2011-02-26T07:50:00.000-08:00

THE HEADACHE HEALING ROAD

http://www.blip.tv/file/4662048/

THE BODY-MIND PROGRAM FOR HEADACHE RELIEF AND PREVENTION
WITH HEADACHE COACH JAN MUNDO

JAN IS A CERTIFIED MASTER SOMATIC COACH AND BODYWORK PRACTITIONER AND A CERTIFIED BODY-CENTERED THERAPIST
WHO SPECIALIZES IN WORKING WITH CHRONIC HEADACHES, MIGRAINES, AND SELF-TRANSFORMATION.

IN 1970, SHE DEVLOPED THE MUNDO METHOD A SUBTLE ENERGY TOUCH THERAPY FOR HEADACHE AND MIGRAINE RELIEF ON-THE-SPOT

IN 1993, SHE CREATED A BODY-MIND HEADACHE RELIEF AND PREVENTION PROGRAM. SHE WORKS WITH INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS AND OFFERS CLASSES, LECTURES, WORKSHOPS, SEMINARS, AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

LONG LOST FRIENDS -- BERNICE

2011-01-24T06:51:00.000-08:00

Sitting in a classroom we first became friends
Young and spirited we swore that our friendship would never end

I remember the birthday of my eighteenth year
You surprised me with a cake that made me tear

Do you remember the hours we spent planning the road of life we would take?
And how we promised that no matter where our roads lead us our bond would never break?

But as the years passed our roads traveled in different directions
And the occasional letter was our only connection

And then one day, four decades later, I traveled to Vermont for the first time
And I remembered that you had moved there and wondered if you were easy to find

As it turned out you were ten miles from where I was staying

As I drove down that long and winding country road visions of my young friend
Bernice with long flowing hair came to mind
Had I thought that I aged alone?

As the car pulled into your driveway there you stood waiting to greet an old friend
As we embraced our tears melted away the years that had stood between us

How we laughed and cried that day
And have since shared our lives, hopes, and dreams

And now it is time to say goodbye, all too soon
And my tears are flowing and my heart is breaking

Be strong my friend as you travel down the final road of life

Until we meet again
Love,
"Susie"

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!

2011-01-12T11:11:00.000-08:00

THE OTHER DAY I TOOK MY 89 YEAR OLD MOTHER TO LUNCH FOR HER BIRTHDAY AND ON THE WAY BACK WE STOPPED AT HER LADIES' SENIOR CLUB SO THAT HER CRONIES COULD WISH HER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

ALTHOUGH WE INTERRUPTED THEIR CARD GAME (APPARENTLY A SERIOUS INFRACTION OF CLUB RULES), THE LADIES WERE HAPPY TO SEE MY MOTHER AND TO FINALLY MEET ME. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO MY MOTHER, PROUD THAT SHE IS, HAD PASSED AROUND A COPY OF MY NOVEL "BEHIND THE SHADOWS" WHICH THEY HAVE ALL READ.

AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BOOK-- THE BURNING QUESTION WAS WHETHER THE SEQUEL WILL HAVE LOTS OF SEX IN IT! IMAGINE MY SURPRISE BEING ASKED THIS QUESTION BY A GROUP OF EIGHTY-SOMETHINGS.

I GUESS IT JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.

REMEMBER THAT "THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT SHINES BEHIND THE SHADOWS"

BOOK AND AUTHOR LUNCHEON

2011-01-08T07:58:00.000-08:00

BNC LAKES AND WEST END CHAPTERS
ANNUAL BOOK AND AUTHOR LUNCHEON
MARCH 18, 2011
WOODFIELD COUNTRY CLUB
3600 Club Place, Boca Raton FL

FEATURING THREE INCREDIBLY TALENTED AUTHORS

Mary Jane Clark‘s new book, To Have and To Kill has something for every reader. As always, Ms. Clark has come up with clever plotting, a driving narrative and lots of surprises. This is the first book in her new series, Wedding Cake Mysteries. Her books have been published in 23 languages. It will be a pleasure to finally meet and greet this outstanding author.

Dina Roth Port‘s book, Previvors, is one to which all of us can relate. Five young w
omen, discovering they carried the BRCA gene for breast cancer, took an affirmative approach. This close circle of women, all neighbors of ours in South Florida, asked Dina Roth Port to write their story. Several of these young women will be at our luncheon to tell you about this incredibly brave and difficult decision that brought them together.

Susan Finelli’s Behind the Shadows, began as a short story, like many others she has written. It tells the story of a quest for wealth and power through two generations, living in the NY tenements of the lower East side.

Vendors will be available with interesting and unique items, 9:30 to 11:30.
Following the vendors, 3 course luncheons will be served including Woodfield House Salad and your choice of entrée and dessert
.
Book signings will take place following the authors’ presentations.
Members: $55.00 Guests: $57.00
Proceeds are donated to Brandeis University Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

www.behindthesahdows.com

BEHIND THE SHADOWS INTERVIEW WITH ABT BALLERINA SASHA DMOCHOWSKI

2010-12-27T11:39:00.000-08:00

http://www.blip.tv/file/4426117/

MY INTERVIEW WITH ABT BALLERINA SASHA DMOCHOWSKI IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE WEB AND NOT TO BE MISSED!

Explore the life of a ballerina with ABT Ballerina, SASHA DMOCHOWSKI. Sasha studied dance with Klara Koenig and at the Boston Ballet School. She danced with Boston Ballet from 1994-2001 where her repertory included Cunningham’s Breakers, Taylor’s Company B, Balanchine’s Serenade, and world premieres of Christopher Wheeldon’s Firebird and Twyla Tharp’s Waterbaby Bagatelles. Sasha joined American Ballet Theatre in August 2001 where her repertoire with the Company included Graham’s Diversion of Angels, Tudor’s Dark Elegies, De Mille’s Rodeo, Morris’s Gong, and featured roles in Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, and Mozartiana, Kylian’s Sechs Tanze, and Tharp’s In the Upper Room. Sasha has taught ballet and pointe to adults and children of all ages at the Boston Conservatory and Boston Ballet School and currently teaches pilates at Equinox Fitness clubs in Manhattan. A recent graduate of Columbia University, Sasha will continue guest engagements with American Ballet Theatre and other ballet companies while pursuing a doctorate in Psychology.

Until next time remember THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT SHINES BEHIND THE SHADOWS
www.behindtheshadows.com

WHERE ON EARTH HAVE YOU BEEN?

2010-12-09T08:02:00.000-08:00

I HAVE RECEIVED MANY EMAILS WONDERING WHY I HAVE ABANDONED MY READERS. WELL, I HAVEN'T REALLY ABANDONED YOU, I HAVE JUST TAKEN A FORK IN THE ROAD FOR A WHILE. BUT NOT TO WORRY, THE SEQUEL TO BEHIND THE SHADOWS IS IN THE MAKING.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, I AM A PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION PRODUCER AT MANHATTAN NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK. I HAVE PRODUCED MANY SHOWS, THE LAST OF WHICH WAS AN INTERVIEW WITH ABT BALLERINA SASHA DMOCHOWSKI.

AFTER MY SHOWS VIEW ON TELEVISION THEY ARE POSTED ON THE WEB FOR YOUR VIEWING ENJOYMENT. IF YOU HAVE MISSED ANY OF MY SHOWS, OR WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM AGAIN, LOG ONTO www.blip.tv AND SEARCH FOR BEHIND THE SHADOWS.

IF THERE ARE ANY TOPICS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE EXPLORED ON MY SHOW, SEND ME AN EMAIL AT susan@behindtheshadows.com I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.

UNTIL NEXT TIME REMEMBER, THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT SHINES BEHIND THE SHADOWS

THE WRITERS' CONFERENCE

2010-06-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a very exciting day this week -- I was invited to be a panelist at Marymount Manhattan College's Writers' Conference. It was exhilarating to be surrounded by hundreds of writers. The keynote speaker at lunch was none other than David Baldacci , you know, the author of "Absolute Power" and at least 15 other novels. I don't know how he does it. I asked him if he was ever in the middle of a project and abandoned it; and unbelievably, he once abandoned a 160,000 word project with only six weeks left on his deadline and wrote another 180,000 words within the six week period. Now that's a writer!

Guess who I want to be when I grow up?

Until next time, "The brightest light shines Behind the Shadows"

WRITERS' CONFERENCE

2010-04-21T16:03:00.000-07:00

WELL, I'M BACK AGAIN, I KNOW THAT I SAID THAT I WOULD WRITE MORE OFTEN BUT LIFE SEEMS TO KEEP GETTING IN THE WAY.

TODAY I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT I HAVE BEEN INVITED TO BE A PANELIST ON THE SMALL PRESS PANEL AT THE WRITING CENTER AT MARYMOUNT MANHATTAN WRITING CENTER.

DATE AND TIME:

JUNE 3, 2010
3:15 P.M.
221 EAST 71ST STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10021

FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION VISIT MY WEBSITE AND CLICK ON EVENTS
http://www.behindtheshadows.com/

UNTIL NEXT TIME REMEMBER, THE BRIGHT LIGHT SHINES

"BEHIND THE SHADOWS"

PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION

2010-02-11T14:12:00.000-08:00

Okay, I know, I know, it has been way to long since I have been here. But I have a good excuse -- well, not really an excuse but a very good reason. I have been busy getting certified as a producer for Manhattan Neighbohood Network and I am now a producer for Public Access Television.

I produce and host a talk show called "BEHIND THE SHADOWS" (what else?) and we discuss what goes on Behind the Shadows of what meets the eye.

In my first episode we explored what goes on "Behind the Shadows" of two women, who by day are high-powered professionals, but once they snap off their computers they become "Timeless Girls in Hats"

Sit back, relax and enjoy the show : http://www.blip.tv/file/3206182/

Until next time remember:

"THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT SHINES BEHIND THE SHADOWS"

HIDING "BEHIND THE SHADOWS"

2009-10-18T10:51:00.000-07:00

Hi,

I know that it has been a quite a while since I have been here but life has been a little hectic to say the least, including my mother undergoing an aortic valve replacement. She is doing well, thanks for asking.

Although away from my blog, I have kept up with my writing and marketing "Behind the Shadows" so all was not lost.

The most interesting event was my appearance on Blog Talk Radio, listen to an excerpt of :Behind the Shadows here:
www.blogtalkradio.com/AuthorsRead/2009/09/14/Susan-Finelli--Behind-the-Shadows

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY. UNTIL NEXT TIME REMEMBER, "THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT SHINES 'BEHIND THE SHADOWS'"

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT KEEP YOU GOING

2008-05-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

Now that the initial hype and excitement of getting my first novel published has waned, I continue to self-promote, make connections, set up dates for readings and am constantly trying to come up with new ways to keep Behind the Shadows on the radar screen. And just when I was beginning to wonder if I have drifted into oblivion, my morning coffee man told me that his wife told him to ask me if I was writing a sequel.

Yes, it is the little things that keep you going . . .

AND THE ANSWER IS . . .

2008-04-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

This is what Amazon has to say:

“Simply put, we can provide a better, more timely customer experience if the POD titles are printed inside our own fulfillment centers... If the POD printing machines reside inside our own fulfillment centers, we can more quickly ship the POD book to customers -- including in those cases where the POD book needs to be married together with another item. If a customer orders a POD item together with an item that we're holding in inventory -- a common case -- we can quickly print and bind the POD item, pick the inventoried item, and ship the two together in one box, and we can do so quickly. If the POD item were to be printed at a third party, we'd have to wait for it to be transshipped to our fulfillment center before it could be married together with the inventoried item.” What I have to say is that if Amazon doesn’t carry the books customers want to purchase, they won’t have to worry about the speed in which they ship or “marry” inventoried items.

“AND SO IT GOES” Linda Ellerbee

AS IF IT WASN’T HARD ENOUGH!

2008-03-31T14:55:00.000-07:00

You have heard me moan and groan about how difficult it is for new novelists to gain recognition and boost sales; and now Amazon has made it even more difficult. My publisher has informed all of their authors that Amazon is insisting on printing every PublishAmerica book they sell, in their own recently bought in-house digital printing facility. Their ultimatum implies that PublishAmerica must submit almost 60,000 separate book files (text and cover), and redo every single one of them so they conform to the complicated technical specs that Amazon's in-house press requires.

They also demand a huge increase of their own profit-per-book, which would lead to dramatically lower royalty payments for their authors (that’s me) on all books sold through Amazon.com. Amazon's threat: if you do not play ball, we will disable the "Buy" button for your books.

Not surprisingly, PublishAmerica refused to be swayed by Amazon’s strong-arming tactics, big name or otherwise, especially given the fact that budging would mean an additional expense on the publisher's side of tens of thousands of dollars, on top of the unacceptable royalty losses for their authors (that’s me again).

PublishAmerica's almost 30,000 titles remain available to Amazon. Amazon continues to be able to access their books; if they want to obtain any PublishAmerica title, they can at all times, as they always have.

Barnes and Noble remains PublishAmerica's number one customer: more of their books have always been sold through Barnes and Noble and that company's online store than through any other vendor. Given the new circumstances, they now fully anticipate significant sales increases through BarnesandNoble.com and other places.

I have contacted Amazon about their Draconian approach to the change in the way they do business; suggesting that they grandfather in existing titles and require adherence to their new business practices for future titles. If and when I receive a response from Amazon I will report back to you. In the meantime –

KEEP THE FAITH!

IT WAS JUST MY IMAGINATION

2008-02-18T08:41:00.000-08:00

I have spent over 30 years working in structured corporate environments where everything was either black or white; and nothing was left open for interpretation. That is why when friends and family read Behind the Shadows they wondered how I came up with the storyline and all of the twists and turns that it takes. They were amazed that locked behind years of thinking about numbers, negotiations, employment laws and political landmines was a vivid imagination.

No one ever suspected that I had such a tale just waiting to be told.

IMAGINE THAT!

EXCUSES, EXCUSES

2008-02-08T19:56:00.000-08:00

Over the past several days, every time I have tried to sit down to write, something has been getting in my way -- I have to finish a project, I have to get out marketing mailings for Behind the Shadows, the phone rings, nature calls, Riley wants to go out, or I’m just too tired from the day. I promised myself that tonight I would sit down and write and decided to write a post for my blog. So I sat down and wondered what topic I should discuss and then it hit me – write about not being able to write. Now I don’t mean being “blocked” because for me, writer’s block is looking at a blank screen and not knowing what to write. And believe me, I’ve been there, done that. What I am talking about now is knowing exactly what you want to write but you just can’t seem to sit down and do it.

Whether you are a seasoned best selling author, a new author trying to make a name for yourself (sound like someone you know???) or are a wannabe author, at one time or another, we all suffer from the same malady – no time to write today.

There is only one remedy for this maddening condition – sit down and write.

HAPPY WRITING!

YES, PEOPLE REALLY DO READ BLOGS

2008-01-27T13:38:00.000-08:00

Each time I post an entry on my blog I wonder if anybody actually reads them. Well I am happy to report that they do. Recently I have heard from several new authors who are facing the same obstacle I am, “how do we get bookstores to stock our books?” No one seems to know the answer.

Today I wandered around in a Barnes and Nobel on the Upper Westside in Manhattan and saw thousands of books by authors I have never heard. Now I am not saying that I would know every author in the world, and I don’t begrudge them their coveted spot on the shelf; I just want to know why there isn’t room for just one more.

“Worry Looks Around, Sorry Looks Back, Faith Looks Up”

KEEP THE FAITH!

CATCH 22

2008-01-14T16:47:00.000-08:00

Now that I have asked everyone I know to ask everyone they know to buy a copy of “Behind the Shadows” and have mailed out over a thousand promo cards, I feel as though I have hit a brick wall in the sales department. Of course, if book stores carried “Behind the Shadows” -- even if only a few copies -- things would be much easier, but they do not. I have now lost count of the number of people who have told me “I will stop at the bookstore on my way home and pick up a copy.” And each time I must explain that “Behind the Shadows” is not in bookstores, but they will order a copy for you, which, by the way, takes about 2 weeks to get; or you can order it online. With a look of amazement everyone asks me the same question “how can you sell if you are not visible?” -- I wish I knew. So in an effort to boost sales I am contacting PR firms. Many have told me that they do not handle new novelists and one actually hung up on me! But I will not give up. Each time I get discouraged I remember what a young wander recently told me (did I mention that I speak to everyone?) –

“The only place to find the light is to look “Behind the Shadows”

KEEP YOUR LIGHT SHINING!

KEEP DREAMING

2008-01-05T09:07:00.000-08:00

Last night as I lay my head on my pillow I was obsessing about making time to continue writing the sequel to “Behind the Shadows” and as I slowly drifted off to sleep I promised myself that tomorrow I will write. This morning, as the sun streamed into my bedroom and nudged me from my sleep, it awoke me from a wonderful dream. I was dreaming about the characters in my sequel. It is no secret to those who know me that my characters talk to me and tell me their stories; but this is the first time that they have come to me in my dreams. So today I will sit at my computer and continue with their story and hopefully they will visit me again. Some may say I’m crazy; but I’m not. As I say about getting on the Best Seller List “I can dream can’t I?”

SWEET DREAMS!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2008-01-04T19:45:00.000-08:00

With every New Year comes new resolutions; and my resolve to complete the sequel to “Behind the Shadows” is a strong one. However, as a newly published author with little recognition, the need to promote “Behind the Shadows” has overshadowed my desire to write and I find my focus turning to sales, numbers and the knowledge that a sequel must have an audience waiting for it before it can be sent to print. And that is the root of the problem of all newly published authors. We are so consumed with the monitoring of our on-line sales’ rankings, which no one understands; and are so bemused by the notion that our publishers do not overtly promote our books; that we put off writing until tomorrow. However, when tomorrow comes, we are back to monitoring our rankings and brooding over the fact that our voices cannot be heard.

HAPPY WRITING!

YEAR IN REVIEW

2007-12-20T15:34:00.000-08:00

It is hard to believe that 2007 is coming to a close; and what an exciting year it has been. My very first novel, “Behind the Shadows” was published, book signings are underway, and readers are enjoying my book. What a thrill it is to read the reviews on www.amazon.com, which reviews I would like to share with you:

"5 STARS!!! Must read it again---A must read. Ms. Finelli brings the characters to life! I found myself rationing the pages so that I wouldn't finish the book. A sequel is a must. Hope one is on it's way. Move over D. Steel!!

To read more of what my readers have to say, log onto:

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/1424189748/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt/002-2599566-2123268?%5Fencoding=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

HAPPY READING!

2007-11-25T16:10:00.000-08:00

With Thanksgiving behind us and the New Year looming ahead of us I find myself looking over my shoulder and reflecting on the year as it rapidly draws to a close. As a newly published author this year has been an emotional seesaw. There was a period of time when I didn’t know which was worse; receiving a rejection letter or coming home to an empty mailbox. And when the acceptance letter finally arrived, my spirits soared and the success of my Borders’ signing humbled me and filled my heart with gratitude.

And now that things have calmed down I have begun a new waiting game. Instead of waiting for rejection letters and the possibility of an acceptance letter, I am waiting for sales results. I am addicted to my ranking numbers on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com, although it really isn’t clear to me what the numbers represent. I only know that the lower the number, the better off I am.

I know that I am not alone in this mysterious literary world and would love to hear from you. I can be reached through my website at: http://www.publishednovelist.com/

J.K. Rowling, are you out there?

HAPPY WRITING!

"BEHIND THE SHADOWS"

2007-11-12T17:17:00.001-08:00

I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT MY BORDERS' BOOK SIGNING OF "BEHIND THE SHADOWS" BROKE ATTENDANCE AND SALES RECORDS.

THANK YOU ALL!

2007-10-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

Today a young man at my gym told me that he is an aspiring actor and writer and asked me to describe how “Behind the Shadows” came to be. I explained how it began as a short story that took on a life of its own; and how the characters guided me through their trials and tribulations. The look of amazement on that young man’s face surprised me, because for me, it was only natural for my characters to tell me their story.

I asked him what he was writing and he explained that, although his ambition is to write, between working a “regular” job and acting, he just doesn’t have the time. I am sorry to say that I too spent many years wanting to write and never having the time to do so. My advice to this young man was to “write in his mind” and instead of getting another look of amazement from him, I saw a look of recognition register on his face. He knew exactly what I meant. I urged him to make time to write, even if was just a few lines a day.

I am looking forward to someday seeing his face on a book jacket. If it takes a few years or a lifetime, I will continue to search for his face. And when I find it, I will know that he too will pass the torch on to another aspiring writer.

HAPPY WRITING!

2007-10-19T19:41:00.000-07:00

The road that lead from my placing the last period on my manuscript to wrapping my arms around my book for the first time was a long and winding one.

Rejection became a household word and every envelope my letter carrier handed me seemed to contain one. But then the day came when I learned that someone actually wanted to publish “Behind the Shadows.” And that was when the real work began.

This process has given me a newfound respect for all published authors. I now understand printing errors and the frustration of obtaining recognition.

I once read that the life of a writer is a lonely one and it certainly can be, especially at 4:00 a.m. when you are up trying to meet a deadline. But I have learned that the life of a writer is an enriched life, one that enables you to open your heart and mind for the world to share.

If you have embarked on this journey, don’t despair when you hit road blocks; accept your rejections and let tears of joy dampen your acceptance letter as you try to read it for the hundredth time through teary eyes.

HAPPY WRITING!

AN AUTHOR'S JOURNEY

DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE WITH RICHARD COHEN, ESQ.

HOARDING WITH DR. STEVEN BRODSKY

THE HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL WITH COUSIN BRUCIE

THE BEATLES, HOW THEY CHANGED THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CREDIT

BULLYING IT "MUST" GET BETTER

WATCH MY INTERVIEW ON THE HISTORY OF MAGIC WITH "MAGIC" MIKE SHERMAN

BEHIND THE SHADOWS INTERVIEW WITH HEADACHE COACH JAN MUNDO

LONG LOST FRIENDS -- BERNICE

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE!

BOOK AND AUTHOR LUNCHEON

BEHIND THE SHADOWS INTERVIEW WITH ABT BALLERINA SASHA DMOCHOWSKI

WHERE ON EARTH HAVE YOU BEEN?

THE WRITERS' CONFERENCE

WRITERS' CONFERENCE

PUBLIC ACCESS TELEVISION

HIDING "BEHIND THE SHADOWS"

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT KEEP YOU GOING

AND THE ANSWER IS . . .

AS IF IT WASN’T HARD ENOUGH!

IT WAS JUST MY IMAGINATION

EXCUSES, EXCUSES

YES, PEOPLE REALLY DO READ BLOGS

CATCH 22

KEEP DREAMING

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

YEAR IN REVIEW

Writing Will Set You Free©

"BEHIND THE SHADOWS"

Writing Will Set You Free©

Writing Will Set You Free©