Featured in Debutiful: 6 Debut Authors You Should Read This May

Carly Heath author interview: June 2020

 

Boston Neighborhood Network/2018

 

Several other writers and I, who contributed essays to the anthology, Black Lives Have Always Mattered, published by 2Leaf Press, were invited on Tuesday, February 27, 2018, to appear on the Boston Neighborhood Network, a public access television station. The mission of BNN is to inform and empower those who live, work and study in Boston through distinct and diverse community media programming, education and services.

We writers were part of a panel discussion for the program, “Willie’s Web,” hosted by Willie Pleasant. Normally, before making a television appearance, I am nervous. In fact, there have been instances when I couldn’t sleep the night before. But before the BNN appearance, I was relaxed. Maybe it was because I met Willie a few weeks earlier at a book party and she put me at ease. Or it could have been because I convinced myself of the misconception that community access was nothing to feel anxious about because very few people watch.

Here are six things I learned from appearing on public access television:

1. There was no pressure to be perfect. BNN is a learning tool for the community. Residents who volunteer are instructed on how to produce and direct television programming. They are provided with workshops and multimedia training. The production team is not scolded for small mistakes, which helps engender a relaxing atmosphere on the set.
2. Effective training ground. If you’re unsure if you’d feel comfortable appearing on television, you can find out through appearing on public access television without concern that a massive audience is watching.
3. Plenty of leveraging opportunities. Making an appearance on public access TV can bring a writer to the attention of commercial stations. Writers wanting to pitch themselves to other outlets will have a copy of the show they can share with news directors and assignment editors at other stations. Appearing on public access can also bring a writer to the attention of people in the local community who might like to invite the writer for a public talk or community event.
4. Generous amount of time for the interview. Willie’s Web was an hour-long program, which allowed plenty of time for all of us to talk about our writing. Most commercial stations wouldn’t be able to program that amount of time for a panel of authors.
5. Station is small but mighty. Once the show aired live, it was scheduled to re-air the following week. Then it would be designated a video on demand, which the public would have access to indefinitely.
6. Hyper local. Public access stations have a very loyal fan base who love grassroots, unvarnished programming. You may not have a lot of people watching your appearance, but the ones who watch will really care.

Exciting Publishing News! My novel has been accepted for publication

I got the news in an email while my husband and I were driving back to The States from the Montreal Jazz festival in early July 2017. A women’s press had accepted my manuscript. I was giddy. I started the manuscript in 2008 and completed the first draft in 2010. I’ve been sending it out to literary agents and some small presses ever since.

Going through the experience of trying to get a manuscript published has led me to believe that writing and submitting a novel for publication is one of the most humbling experiences a person can endure. The rejection over and over again can be soul killing. I thought about giving up along the way but didn’t. I’m glad I stuck with it.

So it’s official. I’ve signed the book contract. This has been my dream since childhood and I’m finally fulfilling it. The publication date is scheduled for 2019. Now the work begins of preparing the manuscript for publication–working with the press on revisions and edits so that the finished product is as enjoyable as possible for you, the reader. Every so often I’ll provide you with updates on what’s going on in this journey toward publication.

My guest blog has been posted.

Ever since I moved to the Boston area a little over 10 years ago, I’ve been affiliated with Grub Street, an innovative creative writing center. I’ve taken classes, participated in workshops, and attended author readings. Now I am a guest blogger. Kickstart Your Revision With Your Bookclub’s Help _ GrubStreet on Grub Daily, Grub Street’s blog, has been posted. I’ve written about a group that’s provided me with encouragement in my writing.

Review on amazon.com for my essay, “Short Distance Romance,” in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game.

Bravo for Short Distance Romance by Lisa Braxton

By Marylou Depeiza on February 14, 2014

Format: Paperback Amazon Verified Purchase.

“I loved this story in this book by the author.
A tender love story that made me think about the way I first met my true love.
How we think and act when no one’s looking. But someone was looking
Could that someone be the one? You’ll have to read the story to find out.”

My short story, Initiation, has been published by Vermont Literary Review, the literary journal of Castleton, A Vermont State College. The 2013 issue was published in September 2013.

My article on what it’s like to have your book club read your manuscript has been accepted by Bookwoman, the newsletter of the Women’s National Book Association. The article is scheduled to appear in the September 2013 issue of Bookwoman.

My guest blog has been posted.

Ever since I moved to the Boston area a little over 10 years ago, I’ve been affiliated with Grub Street, an innovative creative writing center. I’ve taken classes, participated in workshops, and attended author readings. Now I am a guest blogger. Kickstart Your Revision With Your Bookclub’s Help _ GrubStreet on Grub Daily, Grub Street’s blog, has been posted. I’ve written about a group that’s provided me with encouragement in my writing.

My interview has been posted on http://www.beyondyourblog.com.