...and giveaway!
October Song is a beautifully authentic memoir that reminds us there are no limits on dreams, creativity is boundless and nothing in life is finite when we let go of our self-imposed rules.
--Michelle Burwell, Windy City Reviews
October Song: A Memoir of Music and the Journey of Time: In the vinyl era, David W. Berner played rock ‘n' roll in a neighborhood garage band. Decades later at the age of 57 he enters a national songwriting contest and to his surprise he is named a finalist and called to perform the song live at a storied venue for Americana music. Grabbing his old guitar and the love of his life, David hits the road, hoping to live out a musical fantasy he thought had been buried long ago. What happens next is unexpected, revealing, and both heartbreakingly and heartwarmingly authentic. October Song is a powerful examination of the passage of time, love, the power of music, and the power of dreams.
Paperback: 192 Pages
Genre: Memoir/Personal Growth
Publisher: Roundfire Books (April 28, 2017)
ASIN: B06XX33L2T
ISBN-10: 1785355562
ISBN-13: 978-1785355561
October Song is available in ebook and in print at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound.
Book Giveaway Contest:
To win a copy of October Song, please enter using the Rafflecopter form at the bottom of this post. The giveaway contest closes Sunday, July 16th at 11:59 PM EST. We will announce the winner the next day in the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!
About the Author:David W. Berner—the award winning author of ACCIDENTAL LESSONS, ANY ROAD WILL TAKE YOU THERE, THERE'S A HAMSTER IN THE DASHBOARD, the novel NIGHT RADIO, and his newest memoir OCTOBER SONG—was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he began work as a broadcast journalist and writer. He moved to Chicago to work as a radio reporter and news anchor for CBS Radio and later pursue a career as a writer and educator. His book ACCIDENTAL LESSONS is about his year teaching in one of the Chicago area's most troubled school districts. The book won the Golden Dragonfly Grand Prize for Literature and has been called a "beautiful, elegantly written book" by award-winning author Thomas E. Kennedy, and "a terrific memoir" by Rick Kogan (Chicago Tribune and WGN Radio). ANY ROAD WILL TAKE YOU THERE—a 2013 Book of the Year from the Chicago Writers Association—is the author's story of a cross-country road trip with his sons and the revelations of fatherhood. The memoir has been called "heartwarming and heartbreaking" and "a five-star wonderful read." THERE'S A HAMSTER IN THE DASHBOARD, a collection of essays, was named one of the "Best Books of 2015" by Chicago Book Review.
David can be found online at:
website: www.davidberner.com
Twitter: @davidwberner
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.w.berner
Blog: www.constantstory.com
Praise for October Song:
October Song is about and for all who wonder if it's too late to follow a dream. Through his easy conversational tone, David W. Berner shares his heart and soul as if we were curled up together, sipping hot chocolate in front of a fireplace. Like a favorite song, that warm fuzzy feeling lingers on well after the story is done. (Viga Boland, author of No Tears for My Father)
With his gift of a no-holds-barred writing style―raw, honest, confessional―Berner succeeds, once again, as a master storyteller. Music can tell the story of our past. Lyrics evoke memories; melodies make the heart thump like it did on a first date. October Song brings the reader through a mix tape of life, as Berner tells his tale of new love while traveling through landscapes and time. Each chapter reads like a beloved song. (Geralyn Hesslau Magrady, author of Lines)
October Song strikes all the right chords; the high notes and the low notes of a life's journey―the losses, the lessons, the loves. Composed with tenderness and affection, Berner's heartfelt and ultimately life-affirming joy ride teaches us that you're never too old to roll down the window, crank it up and belt it out. (Randy Richardson, author of Cheeseland, Lost in the Ivy)
-----Interview by Crystal J. Casavant-Otto
WOW: This interview was somewhat of a challenge since you and I have worked so extensively together. I feel like I already know so much about you, so let's dig a little deeper!
How does real life fit into a writer's life?
David: I don’t see them as separate things. A writing life is a ‘real’ life. It is central to much of my everyday existence. Do I write each day? Not always. But if two-three days go by without writing, I get antsy. Like working out or walking the dog, I try to make it part of my daily life. Even if it is not on a specific project, I write. I put down words. Sometimes they are not worthy words, but they are essential to get me to that next level. That next project, that next story, the trick sometimes is “training” those you love, those in your life, that writing – going off on your own to think and write – is not some vacation or getaway. It’s your work, your calling, your inner peace. It’s important for me to write to be the best person I can be. I truly believe that, so, I write. And it’s not an off-shoot of my real life, It is my life.
WOW: What's it like getting remarried late in life?
David: Magnificent! That’s the short answer to this question. And honestly, I don’t think of it as ‘late in life.’ It’s just…life. There is no age limit or time constraints to love. I think I address this in my memoir October Song by considering all the journeys one has to take to get them to their new place. Everything that comes before is a piece of the road map that takes you to your new place and maybe your new love. I do not close the doors on my past – my past relationships – I only see them as stepping stones to what is next, So, remarrying late in life is like putting all the pieces of a puzzle together and finally seeing what the big picture is supposed to look like.
WOW: How has travel influenced your writing?
David: I’m not a big traveler, not like some people I know, but I’ve certainly done my share – Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, a cross-country road trip, I recently took a trip to Cuba, a country I have been infinitely fascinated with. Travel, I believe opens your senses, your heart. Americans, many times, are far too insular, seeing the world through only the American view, Truth is, much of the world does not live by this view. Living within other cultures makes one a better observer and helps one understand our own existence more intensely. That can only help one’s writing, I’m working on a project now about the notion of home – what it means? Why it’s important? Why do we leave it and seek new ones? Some of my travels away from “home” have helped me see what home – in all of its manifestations – is really all about.
WOW: Tell us more about creative solitude?
David: This is such a wonderful thing! Creative people can find it in many different ways, but I think it is essential. First, let me explain what it isn’t. Creative solitude, for me, is not about locking yourself away, being a creative hermit, in order to be a creative person. Instead, it’s about settling your mind, finding that sweet spot that permits thoughts to come to you. It’s mindfulness and expressiveness at the same time. Recently, I created a new writing space – a writing shed in my backyard, It’s an 8x10 space with a desk, a reading chair, my favorite books, and creative work from my kids. This space helps create that “solitude” for me. I used to be a coffee shop writer and there were great things about that. Sometimes I still write in coffee shops, but this new space truly allows for that creative solitude. A place that is all my own, a sort of writing church. This is not to say that this is what all writers should do – build a shed in their yard – but it works for me.
WOW: What's next for you? (when it comes to writing and life)
David: I’m working on a manuscript, a series of connected essays, about the notion of home. It’s a memoir about my eternal search for home – the leaving, the returning, and the search for the perfect place under the stars. It begins with my parents, who grew up in the same neighborhood, on the same street, and raised their children just a few houses away from where they grew up. I was one of the first in my family to leave my hometown, to go to college, to move to another city hundreds of miles away. Why? What was I looking for? What are we all looking for? And why does home – in all its forms – have such intense pull?
Next in life? Well, my wedding is in September. It will be a simple backyard ceremony with our closest family and friends. And remember that shed I talked about, the writing shed? The ceremony is going to be held right next to it. So, the writing life and real life truly are coming together.
WOW: Well thank you ever so much for your time. It has been a pleasure getting to know more about you through not only your memoirs but also through your candid interviews. I've greatly enjoyed October Song for myself! We look forward to hearing more from you along this tour.
----------On Air Tour Dates
Saturday, July 8th (today) @ WOW! Women on Writing
Interview & Giveaway
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/
Wednesday, July 12th @ 7:10am EST @ The Frank Truatt Morning Show
Join Frank Truatt at 7:10am EST as he interviews David W. Berner about Berner's latest memoir October Song. This is a broadcast you won't want to miss as these two radio professionals discuss this inspirational memoir and more!
http://www.wtbq.com/the-frank-truatt-morning-show/
Thursday, July 20th @ 10am EST @ Conversations with Cyrus Webb
Host Cyrus Webb welcomes author David W. Berner to #ConversationsLIVE to discuss his journey as a writer and what led to penning his latest memoir October Song.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive
Monday, July 24th @ 10:05 EST @ The Source 96.3FM and 1370AM
Don't miss David Berner as he is interviewed by Larry Whitler, the host of "AM Ocala Live!" the morning drive show on WOCA "The Source". Learn more about Berner and his latest book "October Song".
http://thesource1370.com/
Thursday, August 10th @ 1pm EST @ Frankiesence & More with Frankie Picasso
Frankie Picasso interviews David W. Berner about his highly praised memoir October Song. Don't miss an opportunity to learn more about Berner's tale of new love and the power of dreams!
https://www.toginet.com/shows/frankiesenseandmore
Thursday, August 17th @ 9am Pacific Time Donna Seebo - Delphi International
Donna Seebo is known for her Informative Talk and Personal Empowerment Programming at Delphi International. She will be interviewing David W. Berner (9-9:30am Pacific Time) about his latest memoir October Song.
http://delphiinternational.com/
*****BOOK GIVEAWAY*****
Enter to win a copy of October Song by David W. Berner! Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. We will announce the winner in the Rafflecopter widget on Sunday, July 16th!
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4 comments:
Crystal--Thanks for doing the interview.
David--Your point about the writing life just being part of the real life is a valid one. As writers, we have to be always "vigilant"--we have to be open to doing some mental writing as we wash the dishes--always listening for a bit of conversation we can use (for dialogue in a book) as we eavesdrop, and so on.
Good luck with your WIP. Have a wonderful wedding. Perhaps some of your wedding photos can be taken in your writing shed?
I love books like this! The older I get, the more I love them, so what does that say? Best of luck to you on your memoir, and it sounds like you had a fascinating experience with your music, too.
Thanks for the opportunity to win. I love memoirs.
Congradulation on the wedding! Look forward to exploring your work.
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