Tuesday, January 28, 2014

In Case You Missed It- First Book Video for Let's Talk Writing Episode 69 Leslie M Jasper

I am just going to attach the link for my first book interview I have ever sat down for to discuss my book.  I would love comments or feedback! :) Cheers! Leslie M. Jasper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNiI08b0evs

East Fishkill Community Library Book Talk- February 3rd @7pm

Hello everyone!

I must remind people that my next book talk will be held at the Fishkill Community Library next Monday February 3rd @7pm.  Stop by and say hello and chat with me about the book.  I would love to hear feedback and questions!

East Fishkill Community Library
348 Route 376
Hopewell Junction, NY 12533

845-221-9943 x225

I look forward to speaking to people next week!  I am working on other libraries to host my book talks.  Speak to you soon!

Cheers!
Leslie M. Jasper

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Sharing Poems by New York Author, Joni Mercado

Hello everyone,
I wanted to share Joni's work with my readers.  She has written many poems over the years.  I wanted to share them with readers.  Her work can be picked up on Amazon, I believe. 

Enjoy!
Leslie M. Jasper

WHAT SPRING HATH SPRUNG

What dreams may come of change? A soft, warm breeze blows softly by. Strokes of paint over the walls of our abode bring forth a fresh, clean scent into the air, as flowers blooming everywhere. Cobwebs are brushed aside, dust swept up. Old wallpaper scraped and peeled away. An unappealing mess displayed. Appealing once replaced. Things in boxes, things out of boxes and back where they may have been. Who can remember where? Some things are rearranged just for the sake of change. The studio and deck display a colorful coat of paint. Their new coat refreshed. Carpenter bees, unaccustomed to the taste, have abandoned their boring. Today's sunny weather has started humidly, only to slip cooly, shadily, breezily into a wonderfully comfortable day. The dogs are lazily lying here and there. The cats are on the prowl for mice and moles. Fledglings toppled from their bows fall prey to fate. Fresh flowers are budding about, their beauty unfolding. Look around you. Smell the newness in the air. See what Spring has sprung until the summer comes.

Prose poem by Joan Mercado © July 5, 2011


DAWN OF THE DAY
Blue hue through droplets of dew
Ribbon rays of sunshine filtering through fragrant flowers unfolding
Breezes blowing lilting leaves on bowing boughs
Where willows weep and swallows swiftly fly feeding in flight
Over streams of sunlight shimmering on babbling brook
Below chirping birds perched on birches
A new day is dawning

A poem by Joan Mercado © January 13, 2006


A SUNNY DAY HAS GONE AWAY

Oh sun, pray tell, where can you be?
You were just here momentarily.
So high up in the sky so blue,
Without your warmth what will we do?
White clouds above have turned to gray
I wish that they would go away
Those lovely clouds of fluffy white
Their changing shapes are out of sight.

by Joan Mercado © 2/23/09


TAKING A TRIP IN THE FALL
There once was a lady named Kay
Who tripped over her doggie one day
Well, this fall broke her hip
(She'd planned taking a trip),
Though not taking a trip in this way

by Joan Mercado © October 13, 2011

SKYSCRAPERS RISING

Too many skyscrapers scraping the sky,
Blocking the view of the clouds floating by,
How can we stop them? What will we see?
Skyscraper buildings rise more rapidly?
Almost touching the sky, they all block out the light,
If we keep building them, day may turn into night!

Poem by Joan Mercado © April 2007

THE PASSING OF A POEM

Tears are falling on the page
of words so sweetly written
Now smudged with water
leaving every word obscure;
They all seemed so befitting

Words that came and left
out of, into, invisible thin air
Only abstract pastel patterns
are remaining, that is all,
The words no longer there
A poem before passing on
will give birth unto another
"Silent spirit floating off,
surely you have left behind
a poem like no other?"

by Joan Mercado © November 17, 2011


THE WONDER OF THE WAVES
Waves awashed in foamy white
Sound softly soothing
Rising up, descending down
Flowing for a moment onto the shore
Only to be washed away, replaced by more
And so they come, and so they go
We, the people, watch and wait awhile
Passing by, passing on, replaced by more

by Joan Mercado - 2/23/09

Friday, January 24, 2014

Back Cover for Construction Tales: Volume II: My Illuminated Path to Learn the Trade Continues..

I just met up with my writer's group last night to read my back cover for Volume 2.  I decided to share it with my blog readers so that you get an idea of what Volume 2 will be about! :)


In my last volume, I took you on a sheetrock-dusted journey to see what it was like to become a female electrician’s apprentice.  You got to experience, through my eyes, my challenges and triumphs during my  5½-year trade school program.  You also got a sample of what it is like to work with my crazy co-workers.  The beauty of my trade is that you get to keep meeting new and interesting electricians as well as other tradesmen and tradeswomen.  The different people within each trade adds to the vibe and energy found on the job.  I have many more stories to tell you, from the past twelve years, since gaining journeywoman status.  This is exactly why I am able to write this second volume.

In this latest jobsite memoir, I will take you through what it was like to work outside on the railroad tracks while pregnant in the winter.  I even worked in the local county jail.  My partner and I were nearly attacked and managed to get pepper sprayed in jail while corrections officers were trying to take down an inmate.  I will walk you through a near fist fight while on a big deck job where a monocot sprayer underestimated me.  You will even know what it is like to encounter a long stint of unemployment during a recession.  The best stories are the behaviors of co-workers when there is a long unemployment period on the line.  I am quite certain the behaviors of worried employees are not contained within the construction industry.  Be prepared to laugh and strain your neck from shaking your head so much…
 
Stay tuned!
 
Cheers!
Leslie M. Jasper

Publishers Weekly Review- March 2014

Hello everyone!

The snowstorm this week cancelled my private book talk with the Wednesday Club.  However, it has been rescheduled for the end of March.  Safety first of course!

I have been reaching out, via Facebook, to the branches of the New York Public Library system.  During my quest, I discovered that the book must be reviewed prior to consideration for the library system.  Since I am a woman of action, I reached out to Publishers Weekly and inquired about reviewing my book!

For a small fee, they will be reviewing my book!  It should be available in their March publication!  Good or bad, I promise I will offer the review and website link.  The review is also helpful when trying to gain an agent.  I am working on gaining an agent since I have some interest in the book from other parts of the world.  I would like to make it available in different languages.  I am also working on getting the book in the London Book Fair for 2014.  That is on  my list of things to do.  I cannot forget the German Book Fair as well!

When I complete those transactions, I will be sure to let my blog readers know!  Thanks for reading and have a great weekend!

Publishers Weekly website:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/

Cheers!
Leslie M. Jasper

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Construction Tales: Volume I: A Woman's Journey to Become an Electrician- Now Available at a NYC location!

Hello everyone,

If you reach out to your local library and request my book, they should order it so that you can read it.  Please be sure to check up on the library to make sure they get it in your library for your use. 

I have a few locations now where the book is available in paperback to pick up.  Here are the locations:

M&J Party Supply
2853 Webster Ave.
Bronx, NY

Styles By Monica
155 Main Street
Brewster, NY

Lake Carmel Pharmacy
511 Route 52
Carmel, NY

The book is also found on Amazon (for Kindle too)/Barnes&Noble (for Nook too)/iTunes for iPad, etc.

I have a Poughkeepsie, NY location as well.  I must get the address ASAP! Speak to you soon!

Cheers!
Leslie M. Jasper

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Construction Tales: Volume I: A Woman's Journey to Become an Electrician YouTube Videos

Hello everyone!

I must shout out and acknowledge my blog readers from Malaysia, Europe, and Asia.  I am excited to see you have an interest!  Please comment on my posts since I would love your perspective of my unique work experience!

I am going to attach links to the 2 videos that are on YouTube.com pertaining to my book.  The first is a promotional video to give readers an idea of what my book is about with some jobsite footage.

http://youtu.be/-MQAV8hQfr0

The second was from a recent interview that I did with host, Vinny Dacquino, on my book.  The segment is entitled, Let's Talk Writing Episode 69 Leslie Jasper on YouTube.com.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNiI08b0evs

http://youtu.be/gNiI08b0evs

I thank everyone for reading my blog! My book is available in paperback and for Kindle, Nook, iPad at Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and iTunes!

Cheers!
Leslie M. Jasper