It has indeed been a busy time in my world. I recently released a completely new website, which is located at the same address www.theislandseries.com. It has a new look, and some new information, new character pictures and more information on upcoming books.
I've also recently released The Island of Time for Kindle! Now you can get it on you Kindle or any device that offers Kindle reading apps, like a tablet, your android, iPhone, or iPod!
And along the way I did a once-over on the content of the Island of Time and sent a letter to my original publisher asking that they pull my first edition books from the shelves (That one book sitting in the Barnes & Noble warehouse, that is). I will be releasing my book in second edition with a brand new look (cover design done by yours truly). And that will be available soon!
I did all of this because of what's coming next. My latest project, which was completed today, is the long-awaited sequel to The Island of Time! That's right, after two painful weeks of skipping my gym habit (trust me, NOT easy!), I churned out the last 20,000 words or so needed to finish the first draft manuscript of The Island of Legends Past. I literally typed the last word less than an hour ago. I felt it was THAT important to tell someone! Unfortunately, as social media goes, it has already been spreading like crazy on Facebook and Twitter, even if you are the first to see this post.
So, stay tuned for more updates on the most anticipated Island Series Installment of the year!
Also, like The Island of Legends Past page on Facebook!
Yours Truly.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
New website to be Unveiled!
On the eve of my new book being released, and the rerelease of The Island of Time (The second edition to be available in Paperback and Kindle!), I am unveiling a new Island Series website!
You will be able to see the characters, learn about the upcoming book, and explore the world of The Island Series more interactively than my last website.
You'll also be able to see pictures from my past events, contact me about any events you'd be interested in having or attending, as well as connect with me through other social media like Facebook or DeviantArt!
The website will have a "soft" launch May 14th, 2013. And will be announced on Facebook (along with some other exciting news!) before the end of May!
And of course, the site is the same location as before!
www.theislandseries.com
Happy Reading!
On the eve of my new book being released, and the rerelease of The Island of Time (The second edition to be available in Paperback and Kindle!), I am unveiling a new Island Series website!
You will be able to see the characters, learn about the upcoming book, and explore the world of The Island Series more interactively than my last website.
You'll also be able to see pictures from my past events, contact me about any events you'd be interested in having or attending, as well as connect with me through other social media like Facebook or DeviantArt!
The website will have a "soft" launch May 14th, 2013. And will be announced on Facebook (along with some other exciting news!) before the end of May!
And of course, the site is the same location as before!
www.theislandseries.com
Happy Reading!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A Little Networking for the Relay
$5 from each book will be donated to the LifeSavers of Auburn Relay Team.
The Relay for Life is a series of community events that raises millions each year for the American Cancer Society. Team members will walk around a track or path, usually at the local high school or park. Each team should have a representative from their team on the track at all times. The event lasts 24 hours overnight.
Savers Bank, a Southbridge-based community bank, sponsors a team at the Relay for Life of the Greater Southbridge Area each year called LifeSavers. As an employee of Savers, I have participated the past three years. And for the past two years, my fiance Samantha and I have walked overnight, 20 miles last year, and 20 1/4 miles this year (just to beat our previous walk :). This year, the Auburn branch of Savers has decided to take part in the Auburn Relay (Relay for Life of Central South County), under the team name LifeSavers of Auburn.Naturally, I have made the decision to take part in this event as well. So in order to raise funds for a second relay, I set up book signings to benefit the ACS through the Relay.
Marketing each book signing has been a unique experience. Sometimes I have positive response from local media, sometimes none at all. Sometimes the host goes above and beyond to advertise and tell their clients about the event, other times the host wouldn't even associate with the "host" title. But every time I've come up with a new way to advertise on my own.
With this signing, I've done the same. I have posters up at the Auburn Mall, I am designing advertisements to put up in the Auburn and my own Savers Branches, and along with the Mall posters, I have designed "Take One" Brochures talking about my book, my relationship to the relay, and my brother, who has been designing the characters and other art for my book promotions.
Finally, I was working at my second job at Zorba's, talking to one of the waitresses, who seemed very interested in my book. When I told her about my event in Auburn, her face lit up. She told me about her sister who is always looking for a good story. Turns out she works as a reporter for The Daily Auburn. The Daily Auburn is an online community news site that is part of Main Street Connect, a national community news company. After a little bit of phone tag, we finally got a hold of each other.
The result, my first Online news article!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
A Visit Back To Class
STURBRIDGE- On June 1st, my sister Sarah and I visited our third grade teacher, Mrs Kackley, at Burgess Elementary School. It had been a long 14 years since either of us had stepped foot in the school, but it all looked the same (only much smaller!). It was also strange to show up in a vehicle other than that bright yellow bus.
We were looking for "Saturn 4", the class Mrs Kackley has been teaching since her first year at the Sturbridge school (also my third grade class). We made our way down the hall, created from Rolling blackboards and other temporary wall partitions. It wasn't where I remembered it, but I knew my teacher had told me they had been shifted around, especially with the new building being built.
We recruited the help of a passing teacher to find the new S4 location. Right in the corner by the windows. My sister and I walked into the room of twenty children, interrupting a competitive game of Bingo. Mrs Kackley gave me and Sarah seats at the front of the class.
 |
Mrs. Kackley's third grade class of 2011, with author Matthew DeBettencourt and his sister Sarah. |
I had been a guest reader at the West Street School in Southbridge for their Reach out and Read program the Wednesday before. So, it was my second time in a week to sit in front of a class of children about their age, and I wasn't as nervous about keeping their attention as I would've otherwise been.
It was a lot of fun. I started out by telling them how I took The Island of Time from a bunch of spiral notebooks to a paperback and my experience working with the publisher. They followed up with lots of questions, ones I'd never been asked before, like "Did you write your whole book in cursive?" Which I didn't, but it was a convenient segue into handing out some autographed bookmarks that I had designed and written to each of them personally.(Because I wrote the messages in a very carefully written and out-of-practice cursive!
All-in-all, I think it was one of my favorite "author" moments. It was fun to meet all of them and get to know some of them in our conversations (which my have tangented into Lego talks at a couple times--good thing the teacher was there to guide us and keep us on point!)
It was a great experience, and I look forward to my next visit! Hopefully next year!
All-in-all, I think it was one of my favorite "author" moments. It was fun to meet all of them and get to know some of them in our conversations (which my have tangented into Lego talks at a couple times--good thing the teacher was there to guide us and keep us on point!)
It was a great experience, and I look forward to my next visit! Hopefully next year!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Denver in the Summertime
I spent a few days on my vacation last week in the great state of Colorado.
Taking advantage of my temporary setting, I brought with me several copies of "The Island of Time", eager to find new homes for them in a state where I was positive only one copy existed.
My first stop was to be the Denver Public Library, I would visit there as well the Boulder Public Library my first morning in Colorado.
This was not my first distributed book, however, as I encountered a certain Jon Voight at the airport where my two hour layover would be. I had the unique opportunity to speak with him for several minutes, between taking pictures for a number of fans passing by (Not MY fans, Mr Voight's). By the end of the conversation, we shook hands, Jon had a copy of The Island of Time in hand, and I'd even received an endorsement in the form of a comment he made to a random passerby "Look, we have a young, aspiring author here!"
The first morning, three copies found homes in the Denver area. One copy at the Woodbury location of the Denver Public Library, one at the Boulder Public Library, and one at Folsom St Coffe Co, on their bookshelf (A bookcrossing copy).
By the end of the next day, another copy of The Island of Time made its way to the Palmer Lake Library, where I met Atticus and Jax, two HUGE, black Newfoundlands that are part of their Paws to Read program where kids can come and read to them. The librarian there was thrilled to have the new book.
Then another book was left at the Arvada Memorial Park where there were a couple dozen people playing Frisbee Golf--a sport I'd never myself witnessed--but their tossing skills were very impressive! I've never seen anyone throw frisbees so far with such accuracy!
The last copy I gave out was probably the coolest experience for me. I checked out of the hotel early and made my way to the airport so that I could spend a relaxing time finishing reading "Awaken"--my wekeend project--and get started on "Shaman's Spark" (Which was amazing, incidentally, and I finished it before the plane landed in Boston that night).
Well, I had plenty of leftover food (lettuce, cherries, grapes, milke and tortilla wraps) from the hotel stay and in order not to waste them I brought them with me.
I sat in food court, with a small chinese food meal from Panda Express, and I ate that along with my store-bought food. At the table across from me sat a young boy, probably about twelve or thirteen, he was thin, with very curly, dirty blond hair, sitting alone, watching over the balcony rail at the Arrivals entrance.
I assumed at first that he was with the family who sat behind him, not even questioning why he faced away from them, as it's not really that uncommon for a teenager. But when that family left the area and still there he sat, reasoning led to him awaiting passengers from an arriving airplane.
I finished my meal, and my first book, within twenty minutes time, all the while this boy simply sat, peering over the balcony on occasion.
When finally I decided that waiting--for however long--is always more fun when you have a book to read meanwhile. I pulled one of my copies of The Island of Time from my duffel bag and brought it over to the table. I got his attention and asked him if he liked to read. He had a confused look on his face until I motioned to the book in my right hand. His face lit up and he nodded, "Yea!"
Another half-hour had passed when another boy approached the first, placing a bag on the chair he claimed. They had started a conversation when I looked up, and I soon realized that the first boy--if not both of them--was in fact deaf! A girl joined them and then a middle aged man in a bright orange shirt. They were all in conversation for several minutes.
I realized the time, finished the chapter in Shaman's Spark, and bookmarkd it, putting it in my briefcase. As I started to get up to head for the security check, the boy came over to my table to return the book. Thanking me, he placed in on the table. I responded that he could keep it if he wanted to, but he shook his head. "No I don't want to take your only copy."
"No, I wrote this."
"You WROTE this?! You're an author?"
He went on about the characters, the Sundaes, and how he liked their names, and it was a really cool book so far--he'd made it through about 30-40 pages. It was a neat experience for me. Before I left, I told him I'd sign it for him. I asked him his name. "E-R-I-C"
That morning made the whole trip worth it.
Taking advantage of my temporary setting, I brought with me several copies of "The Island of Time", eager to find new homes for them in a state where I was positive only one copy existed.
My first stop was to be the Denver Public Library, I would visit there as well the Boulder Public Library my first morning in Colorado.
This was not my first distributed book, however, as I encountered a certain Jon Voight at the airport where my two hour layover would be. I had the unique opportunity to speak with him for several minutes, between taking pictures for a number of fans passing by (Not MY fans, Mr Voight's). By the end of the conversation, we shook hands, Jon had a copy of The Island of Time in hand, and I'd even received an endorsement in the form of a comment he made to a random passerby "Look, we have a young, aspiring author here!"
The first morning, three copies found homes in the Denver area. One copy at the Woodbury location of the Denver Public Library, one at the Boulder Public Library, and one at Folsom St Coffe Co, on their bookshelf (A bookcrossing copy).
By the end of the next day, another copy of The Island of Time made its way to the Palmer Lake Library, where I met Atticus and Jax, two HUGE, black Newfoundlands that are part of their Paws to Read program where kids can come and read to them. The librarian there was thrilled to have the new book.
Then another book was left at the Arvada Memorial Park where there were a couple dozen people playing Frisbee Golf--a sport I'd never myself witnessed--but their tossing skills were very impressive! I've never seen anyone throw frisbees so far with such accuracy!
The last copy I gave out was probably the coolest experience for me. I checked out of the hotel early and made my way to the airport so that I could spend a relaxing time finishing reading "Awaken"--my wekeend project--and get started on "Shaman's Spark" (Which was amazing, incidentally, and I finished it before the plane landed in Boston that night).
Well, I had plenty of leftover food (lettuce, cherries, grapes, milke and tortilla wraps) from the hotel stay and in order not to waste them I brought them with me.
I sat in food court, with a small chinese food meal from Panda Express, and I ate that along with my store-bought food. At the table across from me sat a young boy, probably about twelve or thirteen, he was thin, with very curly, dirty blond hair, sitting alone, watching over the balcony rail at the Arrivals entrance.
I assumed at first that he was with the family who sat behind him, not even questioning why he faced away from them, as it's not really that uncommon for a teenager. But when that family left the area and still there he sat, reasoning led to him awaiting passengers from an arriving airplane.
I finished my meal, and my first book, within twenty minutes time, all the while this boy simply sat, peering over the balcony on occasion.
When finally I decided that waiting--for however long--is always more fun when you have a book to read meanwhile. I pulled one of my copies of The Island of Time from my duffel bag and brought it over to the table. I got his attention and asked him if he liked to read. He had a confused look on his face until I motioned to the book in my right hand. His face lit up and he nodded, "Yea!"
Another half-hour had passed when another boy approached the first, placing a bag on the chair he claimed. They had started a conversation when I looked up, and I soon realized that the first boy--if not both of them--was in fact deaf! A girl joined them and then a middle aged man in a bright orange shirt. They were all in conversation for several minutes.
I realized the time, finished the chapter in Shaman's Spark, and bookmarkd it, putting it in my briefcase. As I started to get up to head for the security check, the boy came over to my table to return the book. Thanking me, he placed in on the table. I responded that he could keep it if he wanted to, but he shook his head. "No I don't want to take your only copy."
"No, I wrote this."
"You WROTE this?! You're an author?"
He went on about the characters, the Sundaes, and how he liked their names, and it was a really cool book so far--he'd made it through about 30-40 pages. It was a neat experience for me. Before I left, I told him I'd sign it for him. I asked him his name. "E-R-I-C"
That morning made the whole trip worth it.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
"The Island of Time" Comes to Southbridge...Publicly
SOUTHBRIDGE, MA- Despite the fact that I, the author of The Island of Time, live in Southbridge. The "Eye of the Commonwealth" had yet to host a public event for me. To their defense, I spend little time in town, working in Charlton and spending most of my free time in Palmer, and because of this I have not become acquainted with many of the people in Southbridge.
But working for a bank has its advantages. The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts "Fun at Five" after hours networking "parties" where members of the chamber (including my bank) meet and network old-style, like they did before Facebook.
It was at an event in February (of '09) that I met Margaret Morrissey, who was there representing the library. I took the opportunity--having released the novel that very month-- to do some networking of my own (very out of character for me at the time). We spoke briefly, not about banking, but a topic pertinent to HER work: MY book.
Over the next several months, there were many changes at work and my meeting with Ms Morrissey was all but forgotten. That is, until I met up with her at another "Fun at Five". This time I told her about my upcoming website (which WAS coming up, just slowly). And I made sure to give her my email address.
And then came a big surprise, it was only a couple months later that I happened upon an email from Ashley Malouin, Adult Services Librarian for the Jacob Edwards Library. She introduced herself and invited me to come to the library and speak to their young adults. After the initial email, it moved very quickly into setting up a date and time, and BOOM: event established. It wasn't nearly as complicated or painful as a lot of libraries made it seem. And so, May 27, 2010 at 6:30pm, Matthew DeBettencourt will be presenting his premier novel to the teens and young adults at the Jacob Edwards Library, followed by a book signing.
But working for a bank has its advantages. The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts "Fun at Five" after hours networking "parties" where members of the chamber (including my bank) meet and network old-style, like they did before Facebook.
It was at an event in February (of '09) that I met Margaret Morrissey, who was there representing the library. I took the opportunity--having released the novel that very month-- to do some networking of my own (very out of character for me at the time). We spoke briefly, not about banking, but a topic pertinent to HER work: MY book.Over the next several months, there were many changes at work and my meeting with Ms Morrissey was all but forgotten. That is, until I met up with her at another "Fun at Five". This time I told her about my upcoming website (which WAS coming up, just slowly). And I made sure to give her my email address.
And then came a big surprise, it was only a couple months later that I happened upon an email from Ashley Malouin, Adult Services Librarian for the Jacob Edwards Library. She introduced herself and invited me to come to the library and speak to their young adults. After the initial email, it moved very quickly into setting up a date and time, and BOOM: event established. It wasn't nearly as complicated or painful as a lot of libraries made it seem. And so, May 27, 2010 at 6:30pm, Matthew DeBettencourt will be presenting his premier novel to the teens and young adults at the Jacob Edwards Library, followed by a book signing.
All are welcome.
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