“Books to Die for” a gripping podcast delving into the minds behind the most thrilling crime literature, both fiction and non-fiction. Join us as we sit down with bestselling authors, exploring the dark alleys of mystery, the the intricate webs of suspense, and the chilling narratives that keep readers on the edge of their seats From classic whodunits to modern psychological thrillers, each episode offers exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and discussions on the art of crafting compelling crime narratives. Whether you’re a seasoned sleuth or a newcomer to the genre, “Books to Die For” is your ultimate guide to the thrilling world of crime literature.
Each year I create a list of goals for every area of my life. Throughout the year I work my goals, track my progress, and commit to posting my top accomplishments. I hope to inspire others to do the same.
Writing
Novels
Signed publishing contract! I signed a contract with a publishing house and I’ll have a new novel out sometime next year. Top goal!!! More info once I’m allowed to publicly announce.
Participated in the 1st annual Terrify your Tablet/Spook your Kindle promotion.
Another one of my novels made it through 1st cuts and the full manuscript was requested.
Short Stories
Earned two Honorable Mentions in the Writers of the Future Contest (see above). The top 10% of entrants get Honorable Mentions. https://www.writersofthefuture.com
I edited “Tracer” from a rejection with comments to an Honorable Mention.
Sharpen the Saw
Attended: The Novel: From First Draft to Bookshelf Workshop with Jonathan Maberry.
Attended: Writing and Selling Short Stories Workshop with Jonathan Maberry.
Martial Arts
Rank Promotions
Promoted to PAC-FMA Level 3 Instructor under Guro W. Hock Hochheim 2023 (See Above).
Interviewed James Patterson. 309,672 podcast plays/downloads, 30k Youtube views.
Interviewed Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child – 5th most popular interview in 2023! 173,000 plays/downloads/airing with a 2.1 ratings marketshare in L.A. (252,000 estimated listeners)!
I received another Honorable Mention certificate from the L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest, 3rd Quarter 2023. It’s always encouraging to get one of these certificates in the mail. Only approximately 10% of the entrants receive these from this very prestigious contest. Congrats to all the winners!
Also, I was able to edit this story from a rejection with comments into an Honorable Mention on the next go-around.
I forgot to post about receiving an Honorable Mention certificate from the L. Ron Hubbard’s Writers of the Future Contest, 2nd Quarter 2023. It’s always encouraging to get one of these certificates in the mail. Only approximately 10% of the entrants receive these from this very prestigious contest. Congrats to all the winners!
Over the weekend I attended the Double Impact Jeet Kune Do /Filipino Martial Arts Seminar. On Saturday, Sifu Kevin Seaman gave a master class on applying JKD concepts for boxing, Muay Thai, and self-protection. Then on Sunday, Guro Raffi Derderian gave a master class on advanced Kali and Silat (Indonesian) techniques and principles. An amazing weekend of martial arts was had by all! Great times with great people!
Last night I traveled to Coach Jeff Burger’s K.I.C.K. Karate in Salem, MA to attend Chris LaCava’s Beat ‘Em & Treat ‘Em Tour (Martial and Medical Seminars) 2023. Chris covered tips and tricks of filipino sword and knife. All the concepts and techniques came from Stockton Multi-Style Escrima. This was a comprehensive and enjoyable seminar. I got a lot of value out of the teachings. It was great training with Chris again.I think I last saw him on the 2017 tour. and it’s always great partnering with Coach Jeff burger. Highly recommended!
Had a great conversation about martial arts with host Dominick Izzo on Them’s Fightin’ Words! Podcast We talk traditional vs. modern and even express our love of martial arts cinema. This is an episode you don’t want to miss! While you’re at it, subscribe to his channel!
Each year I create a list of goals for every area of my life. Throughout the year I work my goals, track my progress, and commit to posting my top accomplishments. I hope to inspire others to do the same.
Writing
Short Stories
My story, “The Midnight Club,” appeared in The Horror Zine’s Book of Werewolf Stories published by HorrorBound Press. I shared pages with Ramsey Campbell, Nancy Kilpatrik, JG Fraherty and other great writers.
Received hard copies of the anthology.
Received audio book on Audible.
Magic Moment: Review from Heather Miller:
…The Horror Zine’s Book of Werewolf Stories brings together twenty-five shirt-ripping, teeth-baring, guttural-snarling stories from names big and small. The collection includes tales written from both the victim’s and the wolf’s perspective. There are werewolves who are bloodthirsty monsters and those who try their hardest to retain some sense of humanity. There are stories which question whether their characters are werewolves at all or men suffering from psychiatric delusions. There are wolves at war, wolves at sea, wolves in the woods and wolves in the city.A few stories which stood out to me:
“The Change” by Ramsey Campbell – a psychological horror in which a writer becomes obsessed with – and then paranoid about – the strangers who gather just beyond his window in the blue glow of a bus stop lamp, and regresses to a primitive form of himself in his distress.
“Savages” by Trish Wilson – a feral child is found and held for observation, until the wolves who raised him come back for what’s theirs.
“The Midnight Club” by David North-Martino – a serial killer who lives for the thrill of the hunt gets what’s coming to him when his prey turns to predator.
“Origin of the Species” by JG Faherty – easily my favorite story in the whole collection, this one gives us a fascinating origin story for the werewolf race.
With an introduction by Stephen Graham Jones and a foreword by WD Gagliani, this anthology of moonlight metamorphosis is a great addition to any horror lover’s library, and a much-needed tome on a worthy but oft-overlooked horror character.
Writer’s of the Future Honorable Mention 2nd Quarter 2022.
Submitted to 11 markets.
Wrote 1 new short story this year.
Received my certificate for The L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest Semi-Finalist for Expiation, 3rd Quarter 2021.
Novels
Sent out novel to the Berkely Open Submission Program in January – “No decision has been made about your query at this time.” No news IS good news!
Sent a novel submission to Cemetery Dance Books.
Completed new novel and forwarded to 1st reader.
Media
Radio/ Podcast/ Co-Host
As heard on NBC News Radio in Los Angeles/Riverside/San Bernardino/Palm Springs/Seattle/Tacoma/Salt Lake City/Phoenix and online podcasts.
House of Mystery Radio show on NBC in 2022 was the #3 most popular show in Los Angeles Market! It averaged a 2.4 market share (57,600 listeners per episode average) and had 2.9 million downloads/plays from our website!
Interviewed Dean Koontz.
Dean Koontz episode had a 4.4 market share with approximately 288,000 listeners.
Completed my first show acting as main host interviewing Reb MacRath.
Completed my second show acting as main host with co-host D.W. Gillespie interviewing Meg Hafdahl Science of Stephen King.
Completed my third show as main host interviewing Alex Gillis Taekwondo: A Killing Art.
Promoted to main co-host September 9, 2022.
Interviewed Simon Gervaise with Joe Goldberg co-hosting.
Constantly co-hosted weekly throughout 2022. Over 100 shows!
Assisted with edits, preproduction, and postproduction.
Celebrated 35 years of formal martial arts training and teaching.
Joined The Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association.
The Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association accepted me as a 3rd degree black belt and issued a backdated certificate to my original promotion and signed by the President of the Association.
Made friends with members of the association.
Set up Mook Jong.
Home training 3x per week various arts.
Attended “Drowning in Kali 2022” at the Derderian Academy of Martial Arts.
Attended 2-day 14 hour weekend seminar Inosanto-Lacosta Blend/Presas Family (Modern) Arnis with teachers Guro Raffi Derderian and Guro Hock Hochheim at Chris Thompson – Just Train in North Kingston, RI.
Achieved First Level in Guro W. Hock Hocheim’s Essential Filipino Martial Arts System.
Achieved 1st Level in W. Hock Hocheim’s Pacific Archipelago (Combatives) Concepts.
Health
I had a cracked tooth fixed and my 6 month cleanings.
I had my booster.
Colonoscopy (I’m officially old!).
Eye Doctor – everything stable.
Brought Diesel for his vet appointments.
Annual physical – everything normal. All numbers good. I just need to lose a little weight.
Family
January after holiday (2021) get-together with the in-laws.
Celebrated 27 years of marriage & 30 Years together!
Helped my sister-in-law set up a Roku and Ooma Telo.
Ate breakfast with parents at the North End Diner. I helped my Dad take down his tent from campsite. Went with my mother to a jeweler to consider resizing original wedding ring.
Called my parents at least twice a week.
Decided to get new wedding ring. Also got a groove ring for martial arts training.
Chewy sent us a painting of Diesel and later sent him a Christmas gift.
We began training Diesel on a harness.
Attended local Independence Day Parade.
Attended Patty’s work dinner.
Thanksgiving and Christmas at home this year with sister-in-law.
Cat-sat for our neighbor.
Kept up with my friend and former English professor through email.
Continued a great friendship with Al Warren.
Cars
Both cars inspected.
General maintenance on both cars.
Travel & Fun
Quiet Riot, Slaughter, and Steve Pearcy (Ratt) at Mohegan Sun Arena. Summer Shack for dinner and drinks.
Went to see Scream (2022)at the theater and dinner at the 110 Grill.
NKOTB MixTape at Mohegan Sun Arena. Summer Shack for dinner and drinks.
Kevin James at the Hanover Theater in Worcester, MA. Dinner at Chashu Ramen & Izakaya.
House
Had old gas water heater disabled and blocked and a new electric water heater installed in the closet. The old water heater couldn’t be replaced and remain up to code so a new one had to be relocated. We got estimates from three companies.
Had outlet replaced.
Replaced smoke alarms.
Replaced thermostat that stopped working. I was able to do this myself!
Had upstairs fill-valve etc. replaced.
Had downstairs toilet replaced. The old one was from 1955!
The condo association provided us with a dumpster for spring cleaning.
Management company fixed damage on front stoop.
Management company fixed woodpecker damage on our Townhouse.
Installed coat rack in foyer.
Whisk(e)y, Spirits & Cocktails
Greenspot Irish Whisky.
Black Saddle 12 – smooth, sweet rum raisin, cinnamon, carmel.
Kaiyo Mizunara Oak Japanese Whisky.
Lagavulin 8 – cough sweets, rum raisin, plumb, peppery spice, smoke, dry finish, like a white wine.
Look what came in the mail! The Korea Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan Association has accepted me as a 3rd degree black belt and issued this certificate backdated to my original promotion date. They are the original TKD MDK organization established by members of the MDK who unified into the KTA in 1965. Rank is an obligation, not a privilege. As such, I will endever to live up to the trust they have put in me and will represent them to my hightest ability.