No official announcement quite yet, but that doesn't mean I can't share a snippet from the first review (5 Stars!)
Big things are coming!
It’s been a little while since I posted an update, but that doesn’t mean I’ve been sitting still! Prepare for a lot of updates these next few weeks including new shows, new projects and other amazing news!
First off is Rose City Comic Con!
Come out and see me in the Rose City Junior section of the show September 5-7!
Events and School Visits!
Another great reading! My year is filling up with events, readings and classes, but there's always room for more!
If you are interested in scheduling a school visit or an event, please reach out to Hello@ndbyma.com
1 School, 6 grades, 6 hours nonstop! What a day!!
What a day! Last week, I was asked to come out and read to an entire school and it was a blast! each class had deep, thought provoking and highly entertaining questions and I absolutely loved sharing these stories with all of these incredible kids. Can’t wait to do it again!
A school reading like no other!
This probably won’t come as a surprise, but I love doing readings at schools. Through the years I have done more readings and events than I can count, but just recently I was given the chance to do something I had never done before — read to an entire school in one hour increments for 6 consecutive hours!
It was tiring without question, but I had so much fun reading, answering questions and sharing my stories with these kids! I’m already looking forward to doing it again!
RCCC 24 was truly incredible!
Rose City Comic Con was nothing short of amazing!
Hearing stories from long-time readers and new fans both humbled and inspired me. Seeing old friends and making new ones filled me with gratitude and taking in the incredible cosplay and nostalgia made me feel like a little kid.
Can't wait for next year!
Rose City Comic Con is coming!!
Come see me at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland for Rose City Comic Con 9/6-9/8. I will be signing books, sharing stories and shaking hands in spot AL-16. Can’t wait to see you there!!
Kirkus review of Another Epic Day
“A heartwarming reminder that, with a little help, we can persevere.” - Kirkus Reviews
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/michael-mascaro/another-epic-day/
ECCC was AMAZING!!!
Well, my first Comic Con is in the books and it was a surreal experience from start to finish. I made new friends, met longtime fans, shook hands with childhood heroes and shared my books and stories with more people than I could count.
Emerald City Comic Con was an experience like nothing else and I'm more motivated than ever to keep writing and putting positive books into the world!
Another milestone!
Last Friday was a really big day for me, both personally and professionally.
On the professional level, Friday marked the first day in my career that I had multiple book events at multiple schools and that alone was an incredible honor.
Personally though, the day marked the first time in my life that I wasn't nervous when I took the microphone in my hand and stood in front of hundreds of kids to read books and answer questions. That was huge.
For as far back as I can remember I have hated public speaking. My hands would shake, my voice would crack, and I would struggle to keep myself calm as I prayed for the moment to end as quickly as possible.
Last Friday was different though. I loved reading my books to the packed gymnasium. I looked forward to the questions the kids would ask and, contrary to everything I had experienced before, the little bit of nerves I felt faded almost instantly as the assembly began and I had FUN.
Writing books and sharing these positive stories brings me joy. Seeing kids and strangers resonate with the messages of these books motivates and inspires me to push through and keep going no matter what, and I encourage you to do the same. You may find that you are braver than you thought you were.
Emerald City Comic Con!!!!!
Home review!
Another review has come in, this time for Home, and I am VERY pleased to say that the 5 Star streak remains! More updates are coming soon!
5 Stars for Molly and Fritz!
Readers’ Favorite just posted their review of Molly and Fritz and I am pleased to say that this book will join the other books they have reviewed with a beaming 5 stars!
To be honest, I’m just glad that people enjoy my stories and can’t express my gratitude enough for everyone who has supported me and spread the word about my books through the years. Here’s to many more!
Book signing at the Hops clubhouse!
What a way to start the year! We officially launched the third book in the My Friend Barley series at the Hops clubhouse and the turnout was incredible! If you were able to get into this amazing sold out event, thank you for coming out and supporting!
Barley 3 book launch event!
BOOK 14 ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!
Book 14!
When I was given the opportunity to create a book for our Arizona Diamondbacks MiLB team, the Hillsboro Hops, I was flattered, intimidated and motivated to create a story that really spoke to what this team meant to our community. That book was called My Friend Barley Presents: Let's Play Ball!
When they asked for a second book that would tease a new yet to be announced mascot for their alternate team, Soñadores de Hillsboro, I jumped at the chance. The idea of telling a story that featured a character I couldn't directly show to the readers was tricky, but I invited the challenge. That book was titled My Friend Barley Presents: Dream Big.
Now, two years after the releasing what I thought was a one-and-done release for this amazing team, I am incredibly honored to announce the third book in the My Friend Barley series - My Friend Barley Presents: A New Friend.
My goal for this book was to create both a standalone story and a culmination of the three book series, ending with the reveal of an incredible new character.
I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty proud of this story and its message. I hope you like it too!
The book will release in early 2024 through my website. Events and signings with the team will be announced soon, so stay tuned!
Thank you, Redmond!
Last weekend in Redmond, Oregon was the best event in my writing career! Seriously, thank you all so very much for the wonderful reception and the kind words. Events like this make me want to write 100 more books and I cannot thank you all enough for your constant encouragement as I see these books impact more and more people wherever I go.
WE DID IT!
As we approach the finish line for 2023, I want to take a minute to point out an amazing milestone. We have officially blown by our 500 book donation goal and I can’t thank you all enough for sending suggestions of wonderful charities and organizations that could benefit from these stories. More news coming soon!
Portland Book Fest 2023!
The 2023 Holiday event season kicked off this weekend with Portland Book Festival at the Portland Art Museum and it was AMAZING! Here are some highlights.
Ready to roll!
I’ve never fully appreciated having such an alphabetically neutral name until now :)
So many incredible people and stories to tell. One of the highlights was meeting Alice who told me she has been reading my books since she was small.
I guess I had never really stopped to think about how many years I’ve been doing this, but meeting a reader who now looks back at my books with nostalgia felt surreal.
The calm before the storm….
The storm!