Monthly Signal Boosting
Yes, I know I haven't posted anything here since Valentine's Day. There's been a whole saga of house drama (furnace puff-backs, insurance company communication problems, and more) that could fill a whole post if I ever find the time to write it all up. Since my landlord is also my employer I probably have to be a bit careful about just what I say online.
I'm also a bit far behind on book reviews. I plan to catch up on those hopefully this week.
However, this post is all about signal-boosting. I have no idea how many people still see this page, but I'm going to put these projects I consider worthy out there for your perusal. I hope you'll find one or two that interest you and help support them.
CHARITY
Nephew Sam Lant is once again leading Those Crazy Kids Next Door to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Pasadena. He's hit his goal, but RMHP can use all the help they can get. Ronald McDonald House provides support to the families of children who are hospitalized, as Sam was when he was little, keeping parents close to their children during treatment. Donate to Sam directly at Sam Lant's Walk For Kids Page.
Niece Morgyn Witt is doing her school's Jump Rope For Heart event, raising money to help kids with heart conditions get the medical help and post-operative support they need. Heart disease runs in the family, so this cause is important to Morgyn and to all of us. Morgyn Witt's Jump Rope For Heart Page.
Some of you know that we lost my cousin Frank LaPinta to colon cancer last month after a multi-year battle during which he tried to make life as fun and "normal" has he could for his wife and two children. "Normal" for the LaPintas meant still doing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk in NYC in October despite being in treatment for the cancer. Now that he's gone, Frank's spirit lives on in the JDRF fundraiser his family has started in his honor. Frank suffered from type 1 diabetes, as does his thirteen-year-old son. Both Frank and Frank John are heroes of mine. The Frank J. LaPinta Memorial JDRF Page.
BOOKS
My friend Neal Bailey, writer and co-creator of that most excellent webcomic Cura Te Ipsum, has written a children's book with artist Robin Robinson called "The Truth About Your Parents." They've got the book complete, and are doing a Kickstarter simply to publish it. So backing the project is essentially pre-ordering the book, just like you'd do through Amazon or BN. It's a fun ride! The Truth About Your Parents Kickstarter Page.
Editor Bryan Thomas Schmidt is hoping to publish SPECULATION KC, an anthology celebrating Kansas City's long history in the science fiction community, in time with WorldCon in Kansas City next year. The project only has about two days to go and is still halfway from being funded. SF fans, this one will include new and reprinted stories. Some of the reprints haven't been seen in decades. The SPECULATIONS KC Kickstarter Page.
It's not really a book, but Keffy R.M. Kehrli is funding a new podcast to release in audio form science fiction short stories featuring strong LGBTQ characters. They've hit the funding goal but the more they raise, the more episodes they can produce (which, selfishly, I admit, increases the odds they'll record one of my stories). The GlitterShip Podcast Kickstarter Page.
Every year, author and editor Alex Shvartsman puts together an anthology called Unidentified Funny Objects, featuring genre stories with a humorous slant. This year's edition, if funded, will include stories by George RR Martin, Neil Gaiman, and a bunch of other famous and up-and-coming authors. There's about 8 days left in the project with a bit to go to hit the funding goal. The Unidentified Funny Objects 4 Kickstarter Page.
MUSIC
One of the newer independent bands I've become a fan of is Six Stories Told. They just released an EP on iTunes, and it's pretty solid rock from the trio of JoAnna DeRosa, Jesse Shepherd and Tyler McDermott. Check them out on iTunes or on their Facebook page.
Nephew Anthony Gargiula has a new single out on iTunes called Barricade, but more importantly, he's been accepted for a second year at A Capella Academy, where he'll again be mentored by Pentatonix and other professionals. He had a great time last year, so I'm hoping we can raise funds to send him again this year. Every little bit helps! Anthony Gargiula's A Capella Academy GoFundMe Page.
MOVIES/TV
My old college friend Tom O'Brien (who hadn't set foot on a stage prior to our senior year!) has written several solid independent films in the past couple of years, including Manhattan Romance and Fairhaven. Now he and co-creator Jessie Barr are writing and producing a web-series called OM CITY, about Yogas instructors in NY. It looks to be a fun project. They've past their funding goal but the more they raise, the better the production. The OM CITY Kickstater Page.
My friend Jill Dale is raising funds to produce her science fiction film Omniscient, about a cult leader whose daughter is the most powerful telepath the cult has ever seen. They're about 12 days from their deadline and not quite halfway to their goal. Lots of the professionals involved are donating their time, so the money raised will help with post-production, advertising, etc. The Omniscient IndieGoGo Page.
I'm also a bit far behind on book reviews. I plan to catch up on those hopefully this week.
However, this post is all about signal-boosting. I have no idea how many people still see this page, but I'm going to put these projects I consider worthy out there for your perusal. I hope you'll find one or two that interest you and help support them.
CHARITY
Nephew Sam Lant is once again leading Those Crazy Kids Next Door to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Pasadena. He's hit his goal, but RMHP can use all the help they can get. Ronald McDonald House provides support to the families of children who are hospitalized, as Sam was when he was little, keeping parents close to their children during treatment. Donate to Sam directly at Sam Lant's Walk For Kids Page.
Niece Morgyn Witt is doing her school's Jump Rope For Heart event, raising money to help kids with heart conditions get the medical help and post-operative support they need. Heart disease runs in the family, so this cause is important to Morgyn and to all of us. Morgyn Witt's Jump Rope For Heart Page.
Some of you know that we lost my cousin Frank LaPinta to colon cancer last month after a multi-year battle during which he tried to make life as fun and "normal" has he could for his wife and two children. "Normal" for the LaPintas meant still doing the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk in NYC in October despite being in treatment for the cancer. Now that he's gone, Frank's spirit lives on in the JDRF fundraiser his family has started in his honor. Frank suffered from type 1 diabetes, as does his thirteen-year-old son. Both Frank and Frank John are heroes of mine. The Frank J. LaPinta Memorial JDRF Page.
BOOKS
My friend Neal Bailey, writer and co-creator of that most excellent webcomic Cura Te Ipsum, has written a children's book with artist Robin Robinson called "The Truth About Your Parents." They've got the book complete, and are doing a Kickstarter simply to publish it. So backing the project is essentially pre-ordering the book, just like you'd do through Amazon or BN. It's a fun ride! The Truth About Your Parents Kickstarter Page.
Editor Bryan Thomas Schmidt is hoping to publish SPECULATION KC, an anthology celebrating Kansas City's long history in the science fiction community, in time with WorldCon in Kansas City next year. The project only has about two days to go and is still halfway from being funded. SF fans, this one will include new and reprinted stories. Some of the reprints haven't been seen in decades. The SPECULATIONS KC Kickstarter Page.
It's not really a book, but Keffy R.M. Kehrli is funding a new podcast to release in audio form science fiction short stories featuring strong LGBTQ characters. They've hit the funding goal but the more they raise, the more episodes they can produce (which, selfishly, I admit, increases the odds they'll record one of my stories). The GlitterShip Podcast Kickstarter Page.
Every year, author and editor Alex Shvartsman puts together an anthology called Unidentified Funny Objects, featuring genre stories with a humorous slant. This year's edition, if funded, will include stories by George RR Martin, Neil Gaiman, and a bunch of other famous and up-and-coming authors. There's about 8 days left in the project with a bit to go to hit the funding goal. The Unidentified Funny Objects 4 Kickstarter Page.
MUSIC
One of the newer independent bands I've become a fan of is Six Stories Told. They just released an EP on iTunes, and it's pretty solid rock from the trio of JoAnna DeRosa, Jesse Shepherd and Tyler McDermott. Check them out on iTunes or on their Facebook page.
Nephew Anthony Gargiula has a new single out on iTunes called Barricade, but more importantly, he's been accepted for a second year at A Capella Academy, where he'll again be mentored by Pentatonix and other professionals. He had a great time last year, so I'm hoping we can raise funds to send him again this year. Every little bit helps! Anthony Gargiula's A Capella Academy GoFundMe Page.
MOVIES/TV
My old college friend Tom O'Brien (who hadn't set foot on a stage prior to our senior year!) has written several solid independent films in the past couple of years, including Manhattan Romance and Fairhaven. Now he and co-creator Jessie Barr are writing and producing a web-series called OM CITY, about Yogas instructors in NY. It looks to be a fun project. They've past their funding goal but the more they raise, the better the production. The OM CITY Kickstater Page.
My friend Jill Dale is raising funds to produce her science fiction film Omniscient, about a cult leader whose daughter is the most powerful telepath the cult has ever seen. They're about 12 days from their deadline and not quite halfway to their goal. Lots of the professionals involved are donating their time, so the money raised will help with post-production, advertising, etc. The Omniscient IndieGoGo Page.