Matthew Dawkins, Watty award-winning author of Wicked, Wild, Wonderful, vividly remembers the moment he knew he wanted to be a writer. He was in the seventh grade. Instead of completing classwork, he was in book heaven with Clockwork Angel by New York Times bestselling author Cassandra Clare, one of his inspirations. Dawkins was the kid who asked for a book any chance he got.
“When I was younger … Read the rest
The Siren of Good Intentions author J.E. Mooney reinvents himself every 5 to 8 years. Sometimes by design, sometimes circumstance. He’s had a wide range of careers to show for it including engineering and teaching; he also was a Peace Corps country director and senior director for a technology nonprofit. While his experience is impressive, Mooney says it uniquely qualifies him for absolutely nothing. He likens his point to Malcolm … Read the rest
We discuss some of the latest news in publishing including the late publishing legend Sonny Mehta (Knopf and Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group); we also recognize Kobe Bryant and Langston Hughes; we discuss the backlash Barnes and Noble Fifth Avenue and Penguin Random House received for their Diverse Edition initiative; Jessica Simpson’s new, trending memoir; some of our current and anticipated reads, as well as other bookish tidbits. Check it out! … Read the rest
Actor Justin Hurtt-Dunkley (HBO’s Mare of Easttown) sees the value in reading multiple genres. He finds novels to be a form of entertainment. “Reading a novel just opens up my imagination a little bit more,” he tells So Booking Cool. “So I’m not seeing this character they’re describing on the screen, I’m creating it in my head, so I think that’s good. I can get exercise for … Read the rest
After enjoying abundant success online via Wattpad including over a million reads and being a two-time Watty award winner including the 2018 Worldbuilders award, Given by Nandi Taylor is now gearing up for international release under Wattpad Books on January 21, 2020. Taylor discussed why her story ascending into trade publication is meaningful to her. “Posting the book online was kind of my way to keep myself accountable and … Read the rest
Urban X.nyc Blog and Urban X Podcast founder and co-host Malcom X. Bowser believes it is time to start highlighting and championing shining examples from one’s community. It is why he wrote Urban Xcellence: Unveiling Extraordinary Stories by Everyday People (January 21, 2020). Initially, Bowser conducted interviews with his peers to provide a platform and gain inspiration. Learning about their journeys helped him navigate his own life such as figuring … Read the rest
We couldn’t close 2019 without publishing Part 2 of our conversation with action villain star, writer, producer, and author of Dying for Living: Sins & Confessions of a Hollywood Villain & Libertine Patriot: VOLUME ONE – UPBRINGING, Patrick Kilpatrick!
Kilpatrick discusses an array of topics including his thoughts on some of the most interesting aspects of show business that most people do not get to see. “Well, … Read the rest
The word networking isn’t one that excites many people. However, if you imagine and/or can mingle in an arena that interests you, networking suddenly doesn’t seem so bad. Well, what about networking outside of your industry? Angelfish director Peter Lee discusses in Part 2 of our conversation about connecting with professionals from other fields, especially in the creative space.
“The creative industry merges and mixes so much that I … Read the rest
“There is no direct path to being a director, which is ironic,” Angelfish (2019) filmmaker Peter Lee tells So Booking Cool in support of his debut feature film, starring rapper Princess Nokia and Jimi Stanton (The Punisher, Wu-Tang: An American Saga).
Lee’s interest in film began in his youth, which involved the tradition of going to the “cinema” or “the movies” (he admits he is still … Read the rest
So you’ve figured out that you want to work in a particular industry, let’s say film. But do you know which aspect of film? Do you know the kinds of stories you want to tell and how you want to tell them? Everyone comes to find their place in their chosen field. They realize where they best fit in, and more importantly, where their passion lies. For veteran filmmaker Casey … Read the rest
