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.

FRONT PAGE Article in Southbridge Evening News, May 12, 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.

All are welcome.

Welcome, readers of The Oracle!

I have changed the layout of my blog, and renamed it "The Oracle".
I hope you like the new design. It will be constantly developing and a lot of the Island Series news will show up here first.
Have a look around. You can search the blog, take part in the periodic polls on the side, read about the author (that's me!) and more. Happy Reading!

~Matt (MD3B3TT) 

TIoT in the News

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010.

The Journal Register, a local paper printed in the town where I grew up, Palmer, had an article about my new website for The Island Series.

The website launched April 26th.

You can read the article by clicking on the image, which will take you to The Island of Time Facebook page.


~Matt (MD3B3TT)

Website Official Release Date

The Island Series website will officially release Monday, April 26th!

I still have lots of things to do before it's ready, but I have five character profiles just about ready, and one product (the book) ready to go as well.

I'm working with a young, local entrepreneur to design some t-shirts, which I'm looking forward to working on-- including some tie-dye designs!

I'll also have a few newspaper articles that will hopefully be out prior to launch. I'm working on that right now, and article called: "Facebook Puts Local Author on the Net".

Til next time!

~Matt (MD3B3TT)