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Fanwood Author to do Book Signing
Friday, August 10, 2012 • 8:17am
FANWOOD, NJ – Fanwood author Gary Szelc is having a book signing at To Be Continued…Bookstore, Boutique and Café in Metuchen, NJ on August 23 from 7-8:30 pm for his book Red Mars and Other Poems from September 11th and Other Places .
“The first poem I actually wrote the day of 9/11. It was a reaction to the shock and rage that this day’s events evoked in me and other people,” said Szelc. “I continued to write as events unfolded over time. When the director of a writing workshop suggested I publish, I put them in some sort of order, found the publisher over the summer, and the book came out the end of October 2011.”
Szelc started writing poetry in the 1980’s, but left it for awhile, when another hobby took over – getting to the highest point of all 50 states. “I’ve made it to 49 so far, I’m just missing Alaska. This sidetracked poety writing for a few years!”
Szelc warns that the first few poems will bring up rough emotions for anyone intimately acquainted with the events of 9/11. “However, as you read through the poems get more gentle and talk more of healing over time.”
Based on observation and imagination, it is divided into three parts: the first relates to the shock of the catastrophe and the days following; the second part to the weeks and months afterwards; and the third, a more universal look at the passage of time and healing. The poems range from the traditional to the unorthodox.
Szelc saw poetry as an outlet for the massive emotions brought on by 9/11. “These emotions kept resurfacing when there was a news article, and I felt that 2011, the 10year anniversary was the time to publish. Also, my daughter was born in 2000,and inspired “The child that I love”, a lengthy poem that I entered into a contest and won 3rd place.”
Szelc is active in the Fanwood Arts Council and frequently attends the Fanwood Carriage House poetry readings, usually the third Tuesday of the month.
In stark contract to his leisure time activities, Szecl’s profession is that of Civil Engineer. “I deal with things like site development and park designs.”
“It has been an extreme pleasure to work with this talented and dedicated author,” said PublishAmerica Public Relations Director Shawn Street. “If you are unable to attend the book signing, please go to our web site for ordering information www.publishamerica.com.”
