Creepy Blogoweenie~ What Would You Do?

Has this ever happened to you and if it did, what would you do?
Colleen orders from catalogs now and then and is accustomed to finding one or more shipments in her mailbox. In the area where she lives, even a typical brown cardboard box is wrapped in a plastic bag, so most of her packages look similar in general appearance.

She went to her mailbox the other day to find two packages. Like most of us, Colleen never double checks to see if what has been delivered has the correct address. She automatically assumed both packages were for her and proceeded to open them. However, inside the second package was a dildo named “Bubbles”.

Flabbergasted, Colleen checked the mailing address label and discovered that it was addressed to a neighbor down the street. By accident, the neighbor’s dirty little secret ended up in Colleen’s mailbox instead.

What would you do in this situation? Colleen and her husband debated whether to hand deliver it to the neighbor and admit their mistake of opening it or trying to re-seal it and leave it on the recipient's porch under the dark veil of night.

The incident has stirred up interesting discussion. Who is this neighbor they thought they knew pretty well and now feel they don’t know at all? Was the neighbor buying the sex toy for themselves or was it a gag gift for a friend? The invoice was also inside, revealing how much they paid for the product. So many questions and a mystery that will only be left to the imagination.

What do you think Colleen and her husband finally decided to do? We’d love to hear your comments!

Read Aloud at The Ohio State University

On Thursday, October 14th, I had the honor of being invited to read excerpts from my new book, “Single 101: 101 Reasons to Celebrate Being Single” at the Thompson Library on the main campus of The Ohio State University.


What an extraordinary experience it was to share the same space where great authors have presented their works. Sitting in a comfy leather chair by the grand fireplace, I looked out into quite a diverse, global audience, as if the whole world was there listening to my stories. Panning across the room into everyone’s eyes, I could feel a joining of souls who appeared to be searching and hoping for the secret to happiness.

An oriental student named Yin asked if there was anything in the book about children and I sighted two vignettes where I write about women who were married, preparing to divorce their husbands, but waiting for the right time to exit in order to protect their children. Yin stated that his greatest concern about marriage is that children could possibly be the cause of a failed marriage or relationship.

Most of the students in the audience were perfect examples of current statistics that show more single people are developing their careers, building wealth and social status before committing to marriage. Closing the program with Reason #24, You Don’t Have to Be Afraid to Go It Alone, I sensed a peaceful feeling, noticing many audience members smiling with validation and courage in their eyes. As they exited the reading room, walking off into their future lives, I couldn’t help but wonder where life would take them and I wish them all great success.

What a wonderful afternoon of meeting new friends, stimulating conversation and smiles. Thanks to all of you for your interest and support of “Single 101”!

http://library.osu.edu/news/2010-fall-readaloud/listen-to-readaloud/

Single 101 Author Commentary

My Single 101 Author Commentary is now live on YouTube.  I hope you have the chance to check it out, but first, take advantage of these last few warm days we have left.  Here in the Midwest, the signs of winter coming are evident.

The commentary was fun to do, sharing a little insight into the making of my new book, "Single 101: 101 Reasons to Celebrate Being Single".  Here's the link:
Looking forward to a great week with two author events:  The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County on Tuesday, October 12th, where I'll share the event with six other local authors and Thursday, October 14th at the main library on the campus of The Ohio State University for a "Read Aloud" from 3 to 4pm.

Hope to see you!
Celeste

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9vp20GhofY

We're Not Exactly Flying Solo!

October 5, 2010

For Immediate Release:

Nashville, TN- Flying Solo Publishing is proud to announce that we’re not totally flying solo in our efforts to promote “Single 101: 101 Reason to Celebrate Being Single”, by author and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Celeste Friedman.

Julie Schoerke and her team at JKS Communications has now joined Celeste in this exciting journey. Julie and her staff can be contacted at the following:

http://www.jkscommunications.com/

Nashville
6132 Hillsboro Pike, Suite 101
Nashville, TN 37215
615.476.1367

New York City
511 Avenue of the Americas, #317
New York, NY 10011
646.318.1193

Julie Schoerke, Principal
julie@jkscommunications.com
Twitter: @julieschoerke

There's No Place Like Home

September 17, 2010

For Immediate Release
Flying Solo Publishing
740.364.1223

Join the Single 101 Nation for a Live Celebration!

Newark, Ohio- The Licking County Public Library welcomes local author and Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Celeste Friedman for a special evening of story and song.

Celeste will share highlights from her new book, “Single 101: 101 Reasons to Celebrate Being Single” and a few songs from her one-woman show, "Single 101" on Thursday, September 30th at the Licking County Public Library, 101 West Main Street in Newark, Ohio.

Admission is free and open to the public, but seating reservations are encouraged. The evening begins at 7:00pm with a live performance before a hometown crowd, followed by a special book signing and an opportunity to meet the author.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact Flying Solo Publishing at 740.364.1223 or email: FlyingSoloPublishing@yahoo.com

To reserve a seat, please contact Babette Wofter, The Licking County Library at 740.349.5500.

Between A Suspense Thriller and Sci Fi

“Single 101” came to rest on an author signing table this weekend in the middle of authors Ryan Keyser and Matthew Alexander. It has been interesting to observe the patrons of Borders Books looking across our table at such a diverse array of titles.

With their books delving into danger and the unknown, it did seem to serve relevance to my book on the single lifestyle, as there is definitely a risk and uncertainty about the choice to fly solo.

When you get a chance, check out their work and support these amazing young authors. Both are on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com:

“Mr. Fairbanks” by Ryan Keyser and “Withur We” by Matthew Alexander.

We also want to thank author Manuel Luiz Martinez for stopping in. You'll find his latest book, “Day of the Dead”, (Dia de los Muertos) on Amazon.com.

But hey, check out who I’m sitting next to on the Border’s shelf in the pic above!

Borders Welcomes Celeste and Celebrates Flying Solo

We're counting down the days to the Borders book-signing event this Saturday, September 4th from 1:00 to 3:00pm.  As we celebrate the Labor Day weekend, we also celebrate the liberties of being single.

I'll be signing my new book, "Single 101: 101 Reasons to Celebrate Being Single" at the Borders location at 6679 Sawmill Rd. in Columbus, Ohio.  For more info, please contact Sarah Crook at 614.718.9099.

When a holiday approaches, it's time to plan a little getaway and that reminds me of Reason #42- You Can Take a Vacation Anytime, Anywhere.  Forget that wardrobe wivestale that says you should never wear white after Labor Day- Reason #47- What You're Wearing is Up to YOU!

See you at Borders and don't forget to pick up something frothy and cool in the cafe!

Paragraphs Book Store Signing Event


Thanks once again to everyone who joined us at Paragraphs Book Store today.  In the photo with me above is owner Anne Storan and what a lovely book store she has in historic downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio.  Anne is holding my book in the photo.  She and her husband Hans set me up with delicious coffee and sweets and I thank them so much for their support and warm hospitality.  Check out their website at: http://www.paragraphsbookstore.com/

One of the coolest things about being there today on a sunny, summer Saturday morning was to be a part of the typical comings and goings of shoppers who come downtown and frequent the farmer's market on the square.  Unfortunately, I missed my chance to buy sweet corn, but word has it that you have to get there very early!

As I was signing my new book, "Single 101", I visited with life-long friends and met new friends and . . . oh, the stories of the single life and the not-so-single life!

Now, we're off to Westerville, Ohio for an appearance and signing event at The Westerville Public Library next Tuesday.  Hope to see you there!

The Single 101 Nation Hits the Road

It's time to pack the bags again and hit the road, as we prepare for the next twelve weeks of book signing events and one-woman shows. The next two months will be very special, as I hope to see old friends and classmates in my hometown and childhood stomping grounds of central Ohio.

We'll kick things off on Wednesday, August 18th at the Barnes and Noble Book Store, located on the Newark campus of The Ohio State University. I'll be joining two emerging authors, B.M. Green and J. Michael Demko for a fun book signing event from 11:00am to 2:00pm. The campus will be buzzing that day, as Orientation Day will also be underway on campus. Wear your scarlet and gray and join us!

Saturday, August 21st will be a great time in historic Mount Vernon, Ohio at The Paragraphs Book Store, just around the corner from the Farmer's Market. I'll be there from 10:00am to 1:00pm, signing books and hoping to see many friends from Knox County and meet new friends who are curious about the Single 101 Nation.

If you're in the Columbus area, come to The Westerville Public Library on the evening of Tuesday, August 24th. The evening will begin at 6:30 with a live musical performance, where I'll reveal a few tunes from the one-woman show, followed by a book signing.

For more details or to R.S.V.P. for any of these events, just email me at: flyingsolopublishing@yahoo.com I can't wait to see everyone!

Big Ben is Calling

Statistics show the majority of working age people who live in London are not married. Daniel Dorling, Professor of Human Geography at Sheffield University says, “There isn't another city, town or village like it". There is a higher proportion of single people living in London than anywhere else in the UK. Almost half the London population between 20 and 59 years are single and in many cases, three to four people share a flat where there used to be two.

The City of London is second only to Brighton in the percentage of same-sex couples according the most recent London Census returns. Nine percent of the population of London cohabitate with no children, where single parent households have become the fourth most common type of household in the UK and the most numerous in London.

Earlier this spring, AskMen.com rated London #5 on their list of the best cities in the world to live for single men. If you’re considering relocating a stone’s throw from Big Ben and packing light, you can buy what you need when you get there. London offers an unlimited amount of charity shops or second hand stores that sell crockery, utensils, linens or housewares for your new pad in the UK.

“Single 101: 101 Reasons to Celebrate Being Single” is now available in the UK in paperback and in the UK Kindle Store. Just follow this link and download in seconds:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Single-101-Reasons-Celebrate-Being/dp/B003S3S06M

Check out Reason #100- “You Can Live Anywhere You Want”.