Introductory Comments

This month's NL needs no introduction. There's so much good stuff here, I just want to 'get to it.'

As Always, if you have any questions , or some feedback on how you feel about the above, feel free to e-mail me I'll be sure to respond - and with your permission, to include your comments in the next newsletter.

Media Update
Check out my new online media kit

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Jerry Kornbluth for helping me put together an online media kit for my web site. Jerry has been instrumental in bringing my newsletter to the next level, and was kind enough to evolve the myriad of 'press kit' info I sent him into a very style-y online source for those who would like to access my CV, etc. (Take note, New York Times :-) Online is the way to go for everything these days, and press kits are no exception. So please feast your eyes and senses on all the good stuff there that Jerry so kindly placed for our benefit, and do let me know what you think!

'Valentines' interview with Jackie O'Neal

I just wanted to update you on my wonderful experience with Jackie O'Neal on Channel 21. We had an absolute blast. I mean, what author wouldn't 'kvell' at being given the chance to read 15 minutes of excerpts from her own novel on internet radio - or any other medium, for that matter? The great thing about this was... well, actually there were several great things about it. I was able to revisit my story and just like a kid in a candy store (literally, since it took place two days before Valentine's Day), I could pick and choose the pages I wanted to read. Not only that, Jackie and I discussed the significance of these particular incidents and events, (all from the initial chapter), how they related to the protagonist's journey, and how they foreshadowed her growth and transformation later on in the story. Believe me, the whole experience was the next best thing to heaven for me. So a great big thank you to Jackie for having me on the show and for being 'The Queen' among internet talk shows hosts. What a great prelude to Valentine's Day!

Opera expert joins local radio broadcast

Several of you heard me plying the FM radio waves last month (see comments below) as a guest on XLNC1's membership drive broadcasts. I had a great time chatting with the show's host, Kingsley McClaren, on air, and off air with the station's superb staff of workers and volunteers. It was quite a nostalgia trip for me, sharing my Met Opera stories in between acts of Puccini's 'La Boheme', coming live from my former stomping grounds. As I familiarized myself with the show's format, I found myself easing into the role, and even had a chance to go 'solo' on the second day by opening the show on my own. Talk about fun! And the rewards were great. The station exceeded (by a wide margin) its membership goals, and I gather they were also pleased with me, since I was asked back for an 'encore' on their next drive. Life is full of surprises, isn't it? :)

Here are a couple of comments from my friends and subscribers.

My friend Jill here in CA wrote:
'I was only able to catch a few minutes this morning of you on the radio, but you did a fabulous job. I figured the host would be asking you about your experiences with the Met, but you were fully co-hosting the show, thanking contributors and all.'

And from Terry in NYC:
'It's no surprise they'd want you. The depth of your knowledge about opera and music combined with your warmth, good voice, and literacy are perfect for radio...I'm sure you'll have fun.'

That one made me blush. You flatter me, Terry. I'm happy to help them out now and then, and yes, I did have fun. Well, even I deserve a bit of that now and then, right? :)

And from the ever-popular Carolyn Howard-Johnson:
'Well, I am just so impressed by all you do!'

I had to laugh at that one. Carolyn, I am even more impressed by all that YOU do!

Anne Gray, author of the recently published 'The WORLD of WOMEN in Classical Music' wrote:
'Heard you - sounded great!'

Coming from a fellow musician and writer, this means a great deal. Thanks, Anne!

And speaking of fellow writers, Fran Silverman wrote:
'Erica - Hi from Florida. Were you invited because you were a former Met star?'

Well, Fran, yes to the 'Met' part and no the the 'star' part. But how gratifying to see that 'four-letter word' pertaining to 'moi' in black-and-white. Cool!

Meanwhile, I will keep all of you readers informed as to the dates/times for the next campaign. This time everyone will be able to listen online, anywhere on the planet - well, maybe with a few exceptions :) Talk about fun!

For And About Writers
'Google Alerts' - a great resource

Have you all heard about Google Alerts? It's the absolute best way to keep track of who might be looking you up online and when. You can register for these with any key words you'd like and they will send you an 'Alert' whenever you come up in a search. This can be a great resource for anyone who wants people to know they're out there, and especially for writers.

For example, I recently got an alert about a blog in which I was mentioned. This one especially blew me away, since it was written by a woman who attended one of my online conferences and had sent me a note of thanks for helping her overcome her fears in order to find her 'inner journaler':

'At about the same time I had met over the phone a wonderful, soft spoken lady, called Erica Miner. She encouraged me to keep a personal diary and suggested I blog as a means to psychological and emotional healing...'

This sort of thing always make my heart soar. It makes me realize I am making a difference to some people out there in the cold, sometimes cruel world. And how great is that?