Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Award Winning, #1 Best Selling Author, Anna David, has me on her podcast, On Good Authority. The Write Lauch writing group, now open for new members

"I got this email. I was on your mailing list to begin with. And I get this email during the pandemic. And I'm kind of like, well, you know, what do I do during that time? Stare at the wall or work on some writing and I was like I'm in. And I was introduced to some amazing people that, you know, I'm still in contact with today, amazing people, amazing connections. And, you know, three years later, we're still meeting daily."


LISTEN TO THE PODCAST AND FIND OUT ABOUT or read the transcript:

I run Anna David's Write Launch Writers Group, which meets five times a week on Zoom! Listen all about it, and we are open for new members twice a year---AND RIGHT NOW!! 

My poem, Dog Years, appears in Somerville Times newspaper today

 

Thanks to Doug Holder, who published my very first, in 2002. It's May 31, 2023 and we are still kicking. In this one, I compare an old (active, healthy) dog, to the decline of the physical human condition. 




Thursday, May 18, 2023

First and Last Word Poetry Series feature with Richard Hoffman, Susan Donnelly.

 Honored to read at this great series hosted by Harris Gardner and Gloria Mindock. Some amazing co-features Richard Hoffman and Susan Donnelly made me grateful for my poetry life


Sunday, April 30, 2023

"Many Times the World is just a Prompt" Mt appearance on Kristy Mickelson's W.W.A.A. Podcast

         This is listen only, no You Tube, but what a listen. Kristy Mickelson is a daft professional and I know I keep saying that "this is a good one," but experience (for me) births improvement (for podcast appearances). Kristy was a joy to work with, which made things extremely easy. She is a strong advocate for the disabled, and mother of two autistics, so we talk more on Joe the Salamander then Best of Timothy Gager.  Also in being just plan lucky. See my show notes below



Give a listen!









TG'S SHOW NOTES

1. Intro
2. How I got started as a writer (2:14)
3. Undiagnosed A.D.D. and being sent to the Principal's office (2:33)
4. Writing became no longer agony (3:09)
5. My writing process for different types of writing (4:04)
6. Talking about Joe the Salamander and disabled cultural appropriation (5:21)
7. Telling a fictious story based on autism being represented in the right way (7:56)
8. Write what you know but never knowing what's inside of people. What's inside the mailman (8:35) 
9.  "A very special Blossom Episode," why Kristy is NOT on youtube. (8:46)
10. Biggest struggle in the "author world" (9:40)
11. Biggest accomplishment (10:42)
12. The Thursday Appointments of Bill Sloan. Picking up an unfinished novel after sobriety and finishing it, and the way it was structured.  How did I write a funny book with no less than 4 suicides in it 
13.  MY SOBRIETY, and never knowing how to live. A fiction writer creates narratives about  themselves  The need to change and giving up "my best friend" When you get help there are people just like you! (14:30) 
14.  Initially wanting only two steps of a 12-step program. (18:17)
15.  Back to author questions. What advice to give to new authors? (19:35)
16.  Not remembering what I write (20:20)
17.  Marketing and publicity-hearing the same old stuff. What's new in promotion? It's not "join social media" I talk about genius Anna David's book On Good Authority
18.   Why social media is tired (24:10)
19.  other funny promotional stories....F this mess in Baltimore! (24:40)
20.   This year Best of Timothy Gager and the next three books in my head(26:20). 


Thursday, April 27, 2023

Replay Central...Cold Winter to Awesome Spring

 BONUSES AT REPLAY CENTRAL:

First watch all the readings and interviews from January 2023-April 2023. Then see every recording, and every feature from Vitual Fridays Dire Literary Series, 2020-2022


Remember Winter? BRRRRRRR


1.5.23 Suzanne Frischkorn

1.12.23 Kim Addonizio

1.19.23 Thomas McNeely

1.26.22 Jenna Le

2.2.23 Sarah Bridgins

2.9.23 Lee Matthew Goldberg

2.16.23 Lise Haines

2.23.23 Dr. Paula Perez


3.2.23 Michael Mark

3.9.23 Maya Williams

3.16.23 Hannah Sward

3.23.23 Caitlin Avery

4.6.23 Carla Swartz

4.13.23 Stacy TenHouton

4.20.23 Donna Spruijt-Metz


4.27.23 Morgan Baker





The Rest of the Replay Centrals

Jonathan Papernick, A.K. Small, Aaron Tillman, David Rockland, Kimberly Ann Priest, Sain Griffiths, Harris Gardner, Lisa Taylor, Michael Keith, Jim Shepard, Zach VandeZande, Rusty Barnes, Daniel Nester. Kurk Lovelace (reading from Annemarie O'Connell's book), and Nina Shope


Sara Lippmann, Robin McLean, Gregory Orr, Rich Murphy, Diane Suess, Ron Tanner, Aleathea Drehmer, Christina Adams, Sharon Applegate Greenwald, Lucas Scheelk, 
Joseph Milosch, Barbara Legere, Ellene Glenn Moore, Vincent Cellucci and Chris Shipman

Renuka Raghaven, Jessica Cuello, Jen Knox, Daniel Biegelson, Alison Stine, 
John Rosenthal, Peter Crowley, Maggie Doherty, Erin Khar, Elan Barnehama, 
Marguerite Guzman Bouvard


DeMisty Bellinger, Cheryl Pappas, Matt Bell, Michael Keith, Gloria Mindock, 
Molly Gaudry, CD Collins, Kevin Prufer, Beth Robinson/Chris Joseph, Alina Stefanuscu, Meg Smith, Gregory Wolos, Damian Dressic, Jason Wright, Blake Butler 


Natalie Brobin Bonfig, John Domini, Anna VQ Ross, Rachel Yoder


Sandra Simonds, George Wallace, Caroline Levitt, Charles Coe, Susan Henderson, 
Major Jackson, Kara Vernor, Meredith Goldstein, Kimberly Ann Priest, Joanna Rakoff


Rick Moody , Laurette Folk, Mark Saba, Sarah Anne Johnson, 
Josh Barkan/ Jennifer Haigh, Keetje Kuipers, January O'Neil,  Elle Nash, 
Danielle Zaccagnino, Marty Beckerman, Nathan Graziano , Steven Cramer


Carly Israel, Daphne Kalotay, Ryan Ridge, Marge Piercy, Kerry Beth Neville, 
Yuyutsu Sharma, Chris Joseph, Elizabeth Gordon McKim, Diana Spechler, 
Jonathan Escoffrey, Dewitt Henry, Brian Sonia-Wallace, Rebecca Fishow,
 Marguerite Bouvard, Pamela Painter, Kim Chinquee, Jessica Keener, Amy King

 


 


 




 

 

 




 




 

 

 



 

 

 



 

 

 



 

 

 













Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Snowflakes in a Blizzard features my book, "Best of Timothy Gager"

 



   Even in a blizzard, to go through all of the snow crystals produced would be a daunting task. We rely on cloud physicists, crystallographers, and meteorologists to study snow crystals and explain to us why there are no two snow crystals alike.

    No two books are alike, and no two interviews in the blog, Snowflakes in a Blizzard are alike. Way back when Grand Slams: A Coming of Eggs Story was featured there. 

    Proud to announce that Darrell Laurent decided to feature The Best of Timothy Gager yesterday . You can use the link above to "read all about it." I hope it garners your interest in the book, for which I am honored and proud of. 


Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Recognized, Nominated, Honored, and Humbled Once More

 


Amazing to receive this in my mailbox!

Dear Tim Gager,


I hope this email finds you well. I am reaching out because you were nominated by someone in your community to receive recognition for the 2023 Mass Poetry Community Awards which seeks to recognize, honor and celebrate poets in the Massachusetts area for their 2022 literary achievements as well as the roles they’ve played as Hidden Heroes in their communities.

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Audience Support Helps

     It's really great when an audience gets it. Poetry, you know the thing that people say, "I don't understand?"


    Well at a packed house, they clapped, laughed, and sighed perfectly and appropriately---they were WITH. It's such a gift when a night like this happens, and I just wanted you to watch it for yourself (filmed by Lee Moss).


Thank you, with much gratitude. 




Friday, March 31, 2023

"This Podcast will Change Your Life," with Ben Tanzer is up today.

        I've posted about other podcasts recently (Billy Dees, Dar Dixon). If you missed those THIS one will change your life. Ha!  Interview is with old friend Ben Tanzer


You can hear it at your favorite locations. Please listen

SPOTIFY      

APPLE



Here are my show notes

1. Accents. Boston, New York...I seem to like talking about this

2. Ben Tanzer and I have known each other 20 years....that Providence reading, they made us read outside because bar didn't like what they scheduled and the location had FM radio and Lyrnrd Skynyrd on. 

3. Short Street? Not the Best of....(which is like a beer can)

4.  History of my history with Big Table Publishing. 

5. The young Gager hated to write. 

6.  What were early ebook readers like?

7. "I demand a print book!" said The King

8. My first poem published by Doug Holder, "Insect"

9. The early use of work computers.

10. First short story written was about a feeling or emotion. 

11. If Larry Brown can do it so can you....you start with Smoke on the Goddamn Water

12.  I was a professional musican, the bar being getting paid, driving around to gigs in a Plymouth Fury.

13. Wayne Gretzky scores!

14. Why I bring my guitar to open mics

15.  Playing music with a friend during the pandemic--how music as "work" ended music for me. 

16.  How work ruins writing. 

17. MFAs should wake you up at 5 AM to write and have classes in avoiding your family. Feeding your kids in order to ditch them....but don't poison them. 

18. If you quit smoking you have time to write. 

19. Ben tells a wonderful Spielberg story that totally contradicts everything we've said so far. 

20. Retirement count for me, down to the second, as of March 14

21. Referrencing other podcasts during this one. 

22. Excercise and eat right otherwise it's the O.R.!

23. Recording glitch---and right into next three books? Poetry books are not planned. 

24. My actual fear of losing my mind. Being done. Finality. 

25. My kids know when to kill me.

26.  My actual end of life wishes are in a flash fiction piece in The Best of Timothy Gager. 

27. I have horrified Ben Tanzer talking about actual cremation. 

28. ...then I made him more sorry to hear more

29.  More talk about death, dying, bucket lists, and forgetting things

30. More about the Best of Timothy Gager

31. Writing while drunk.

32. Cancel Culture---please, don't tell Fox News


Tuesday, March 28, 2023

The Art of Being Dar Podcast, Vol. 2.0. This is a HIGH energy show!

     I had the pleasure of appearing on the podcast with actor, producer Dar Dixon....so here is the video



We talk about Tic-Toc, Promotion, Bahston, People that ask for writing and Hollywood Production favors. ETC., Hell, we tell a lot of stories! And of course sobriety!!

Here it is on Apple


Here it is on Spotify

HERE ARE  THE SHOW NOTES

Life After Addiction & Creativity: A Candid Conversation with Timothy Gager, Author of "The Best of Timothy Gager"


In this eye-opening and inspiring episode, join us for an incredibly honest and captivating discussion with Timothy Gager, a recovered alcoholic and author of "The Best of Timothy Gager."


We dive deep into the challenges of overcoming addiction, the impact on daily life, and the process of re-discovering oneself after getting clean.


Tim also shares his journey as a writer and how his experiences have shaped his work. Additionally, we touch on the evolving nature of language and the role of politics in shaping societal norms.


This is an episode you won't want to miss, as Timothy's story, perspective, and creative pursuits offer valuable lessons for everyone, regardless of their background or experiences.


Tim's background, journey to sobriety, and the inspiration behind "The Best of Timothy Gager"


Finding purpose, rebuilding life after addiction, and channeling creativity into writingThe challenges of learning how to live life post-addiction and the role of writing in healingThe role of language in recovery, society, and Tim's creative workThe importance of addressing sensitive issues and evolving societal norms in literature and beyondBrief discussion on politics, the need for justice, and the influence on Tim's writingTim's aspiration to be a regular guest on the show and share his experiencesA closer look at "The Best of Timothy Gager" and the importance of having lively, entertaining guests

Don't miss this insightful and raw conversation that dives into the heart of addiction, recovery, and the journey to rediscover oneself while also exploring the creative world of writing.


Listen to the episode and watch the YouTube video to learn from Timothy's experiences, be inspired by his courage to share his story, and discover his compelling book, "The Best of Timothy Gager."


Saturday, March 18, 2023

Podcast: The Billy Dees Podcast. Have a Listen

 

    

Out today is the very professional podcast of Billy Dees. Check it out on Apple Podcasts, and give Billy a rating OR any place you enjoy podcasts.  This may be one of my most serious guest appearances. 

Billy Dees: "On this episode, Timothy Gager discusses his writing, love of poetry, and shares some of his own personal journey as part of the recovery community."

=============================





The ABC's of what I also talk about on the Billy Dees Podcast

a) being creative and adding an onion if you're a creative cook.

b) writing on relationships, recovery, and social work being used as topics. I also talk about, "More."

c) Why we understand addiction more these days, instead of us vs. dirty old them.

d)  Treating mental illness by self-medicating and self-medicating creating more mental illness. 

e)  What I was like growing up. 

f)   Why I didn't enjoy writing until after college. 

g)  Hey Robin Stratton, "How about 150 pages of new work in The Best of Timothy Gager."

h) Sperm

i) What you can ONLY get better at?

j) Sound poems "catch Billy's ear." 

k) Phil Collins poem

l) Throwing spaghetti against the wall. 

m) Representing Phoenix, Arizona, in Joe the Salamander

n) No need to research Denny's

o) Importance of throwing stuff out. 

p) Learning alot by being a failure. 

q)  Writing while clear headed. 

r)  Where to find my books. 

s)  Being too political on Twitter

t)  Followers leading to sales?

u)  Find your mouthpieces. 

v)   The awkwardness of sound bytes on Social Video

w)  blah, blah, blah, "Welcome to me..."

x)   Advice: Get out there!

y)   Caitlin Avery's book on her wonderful social media work

z)   Who gave the go for the neuro-diversity character, before Joe the Salamander came out


Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Molecule, a tiny lit mag, publishes a teeny-tiny story of mine

            


           I don't tell the story behind every story, and I'm not going to for this one--titled Arpeggio. Consider it a teeny, tiny blimp on the map. Instead, I will categorize it under, clever word play----regarding musical metaphors. Music is very important to me, and when that music stops, well, there you have it.

             Read the story HERE, and also check out the rest of Molecule, as the ability to read 10 stories in 5 minutes is very appealing. Bravo to editors Kevin Caray, and M.P. Carver. 


Saturday, March 4, 2023

Reading And Podcast Appearances 2023

 Most Every Thursday, except Holidays



Virtual Thursdays Dire Literary Series, 7:00 PM- to around 8 PM

Hosting amazing features and an open mic

To Attend
Join Virtual Fridays Dire Literary Series Group on Facebook
or e-mail me for information

or join Virtual Fridays Dire Literary Series group on Facebook
or check The updates within my blog

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Wed, February 22, 2023, 7:30 PM EST, Lynn, Ma.

Speak Up at The Walnut Street Cafe

hosted by Dave Somerset


Walnut Street Cafe
157 Walnut Street, Lynn, Ma

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Sat, March 18, 2023, 6:00 PM EST, Boston, Ma.

Italian American Writers Association Presents

Reading with Janet Sylvester hosted by Julia Lisella


IAM Books
124 Salem St, Boston's North End

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Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 8 PM EDT, Portland, Maine

Featuring at Port Veritas Tuesday Open Mic

hosted by Maya Williams, Portland, Maine's Poet Laureate


Equality Community Center
15 Casco St, Portland, ME


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Sat, April 1, 2023, BOOK LAUNCH 4:00 PM EST, Somerville, Ma.


Best of Timothy Gager     Book Launch

Special Guests M.P. Carver and Cheryl Pappas


Center For the Arts at the Armory
191 Highland Ave., Somerville, Ma.










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Mon, April 3, 2023, 6:30 PM EST, New York, NY.

Phoenix Reading Series Mic

featuring with Jennifer Martelli hosted by Jennifer Juneau

Shades of Green Pub
125 E. 15th street
between Irving Pl., and 3rd Avenue.














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Sat, April 8, 2023, 4:00 PM EST, Essex, Ma.


Second Saturday open Mic

featuring with Chad Pareneau hosted by Alexandra Kirby


First Universalist Church
59 Main Street, Essex, Ma








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Sat, April 15, 2023, 7:00 PM EST, Byfield, Ma.

Bluebird Performance Venue Invitational Mic

Featuring Guitarist Scott Ouellette and Percussionist Tom Lynch
plus Mary Barba wtih a Cello ensemble from the Beverly Study Orchestra

Bluebird Performance Venue
7 Central Street Byfield, MA, $10 Adults, $5 Children
The Bluebird Performance Venue

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Sat, May 6, 2023, 11:30 AM EST, Salem, Ma.

Panel Discussion: Massachusetts Poetry Festival

Panel Discussion: Bring Your Own Mic: The Emergence of Online Poetry Reading
with Chad Parenteau, Jha D and Toni Bee

Location
to be Announced

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UPCOMING PODCAST APPEARANCES. THEY CAN ALL BE FOUND ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST CHANNELS such as Apple, Spotify






5) Externally Amy with Amy Harrison

6) Anna David's Podcast, On Good Authority (click to listen)











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