The Art and Faith of Giving - my latest Huffington Post article

“People who hate you don’t really hate you; they really love what you are but can’t seem to figure out how to get there. ... Consciously or unconsciously, they want to ‘absorb’ some of what (you) have. It’s not about envy ... it’s about emptiness and a desire to fill a void."

(to read the rest of the article, click on the link above)

A Most Beautiful Christmas Gift

Not too long ago I did a presentation/book signing at the Aurora Art and Design Center in Aurora, New York, along with my dear friend, Dr. Peter Breggin. Shortly thereafter, a customer of the Center picked my book up off the shelf, read it, and then sent this lovely note to Jacci Farlow, the owner:

From: “K. Ann Johnson”
Date: December 22, 2010 5:22:15 AM EST
To: “Jacqueline Farlow”
Subject: Finding Emmaus

Hi Jacci,

Finished the book a couple of days ago. I am assuming this author is a friend of yours. I hope you will let her know that I loved it. I thought it was a well thought out approach addressing interests and concerns relating to the paranormal and paranormal psychology. The characters draw you in and the whole work flows nicely (a very easy read) - some you like, others you think you can love, and of course, those that you just can't wait to abhor in the sequel. Pamela cleverly included obvious concerns about the pharmaceutical industry and mental health diagnosis that are all too often deceptive and far from being emphatically uplifting. A nice tie in with Dr. Breggin's issues on "psychiatry as spiritual profiling" and reform psychiatry (I did a little research there). All are interests near and dear to my heart - especially empaths.

Glasner's book is written in the same vain as my all time favorite The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson (amazing book cover) - two time lines that merge, paranormal activity, psychological thriller. Over 500 riveting pages that I finished in 3 days - couldn't put it down. I know you said you don't have time to read but I think you would really like this one.

I am glad we found the Aurora Art and Design Center. And I am equally glad I spied the book on your bookshelf. Thanks for being there.

Hope the holiday season is treating you well!

Blessings,
Annie

Pamela Glasner Blogging on the Huffington Post

I am LIVE on the Huffington Post!!!





Please visit my blog — I just posted my first article!! — and I'd absolutely love it if you'd become a "fan" of mine (there's a link for that to the right of my photo).

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pamela-glasner/you-had-a-feeling-oh-good_b_761264.html

Please note: if "fan" does not work, you can also click on "Get Email Alerts From This Blogger" and it will bring you to the same dialogue box. Thanks!!

Me — on the Huffington Post?? Oh, my goodness!

The most amazing woman in the world, creator of what has been called the most successful and widely-read news source on the planet, sent me an e-mail last night.

I had the opportunity to hear her speak in NY City this past Tuesday, September 28th, and was able, after the show, to spend some time speaking with her.

I told her about “Finding Emmaus”, its message and mission. Well, she must have liked it because I came home last night to an e-mail from Arianna inviting me to have my own blog on The Huffington Post. What an honor!

One last thing: if you are ever presented with the opportunity to hear her speak in person, DO IT! She’s fascinating, compelling, humorous, knowledgeable, gracious — and just about every other complimentary adjective I can imagine!

Midwest Book Review Endorses and Praises Finding Emmaus

Each year, the Midwest Book Review receives approximately 18,000 submissions.

I am thrilled to be able to tell you that on September 8th I received notification from James A. Cox, its editor-in-chief, that my debut novel, “Finding Emmaus” was just chosen to be reviewed and enthusiastically endorsed by this prestigious organization.

This is what they had to say:

Empathy is within us all, but some feel it stronger than others. “Finding Emmaus” is the first book for the Lodestarre series, a historical fantasy telling a story of two Empaths who live three hundred years apart whose talents are written off as mental illness. Through this gap, the two Empaths seek to understand their talents and what they mean, even when society snubs them.

“Finding Emmaus” is a thoughtful and fascinating read and take on society through fantasy. Highly recommended.

Their publication, known as Book Watch will feature “Finding Emmaus” in their 2010 issue. Additionally, “Finding Emmaus” will also appear in the Cengage Learning, Gale interactive CD-ROM series "Book Review Index" (published four times yearly for academic, corporate and public library systems), as well as the book review databases LexisNexis and Goliath.

They will also be posting their review on Amazon.com.

This is just such an honor — I’m over the moon about it!!

A Woman With More Backbone Than You Can Shake a Stick At!

Harper Lee, one-hit-wonder author of the Pulitzer Prizewinning “To Kill A Mockingbird” displayed the kind of gusty, gritty fearlessness which makes me proud of my gender (stick those fingers in your suspenders, jut your chin out and throw those shoulders back!!) and all those who share it.

Early in the 1960’s, Virginia area school board attempted to ban “To Kill A Mockingbird” from their school, calling it “immoral literature”. My first reaction when I read that was, WTF?????

Well, it must have been Ms. Lee’s as well, because, amazing writer that she is, she penned, back in 1966, a clear, concise, cuttingly beautiful letter to the nincompoops which was, in my opinion, a thing of beauty — and this is what she said:

“Recently I have received echoes down this way of the Hanover County School Board’s activities, and what I’ve heard makes me wonder if any of its members can read.

Surely it is plain to the simplest intelligence that “To Kill a Mockingbird” spells out in words of seldom more than two syllables a code of honor and conduct, Christian in its ethic, that is the heritage of all Southerners. To hear that the novel is "immoral" has made me count the years between now and 1984, for I have yet to come across a better example of doublethink.

I feel, however, that the problem is one of illiteracy, not Marxism. Therefore I enclose a small contribution to the Beadle Bumble Fund that I hope will be used to enroll the Hanover County School Board in any first grade of its choice.”

Bravo for Ms. Lee!! You have always had my respect and admiration. This makes me want to buy you a beer, slap you on the back and give you a hug!!



Copyright by Pamela S. K. Glasner © 2010, All Rights Reserved

Interview With Para Explorers Radio

Sandra and Russ Wells of Para Explorers Radio focus on paranormal & historical research.





On September 7th 2010 they spoke with Ms. Glasner about her writing in general, “Finding Emmaus” in particular, her research methods, her commitment to historical and factual accuracy, and her characters’ roles as social advocates.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/para-explorers-radio/2010/09/08/pamela-glasner--author--finding-emmaus

" ... an intimate listening of our inner voices, deepest yearnings and even blind spots to our egoic sabbateurs ..."

Kelly Welles, President and CEO of Welles Financial Services in New York City, recently had this to say about Finding Emmaus:

“I've been reading Finding Emmaus and enjoying it immensely. What a gifted writer you are. What an intimate listening of our inner voices, deepest yearnings and even blind spots to our egoic saboteurs and authentic yearnings to connect with our source and fullness. What an observer of detail and history. Grand merci for the enchanting journey!

I predict you will build a growing and enduring following among those who resonate with your skillful, wise and lyrical story-telling .... lyrical because it suggests a tone poem with epic overtones. A superb work of art by a most gifted storyteller.”

Film Industry Mixer ........ and OMG!!!

(The following was written Saturday night, 28 August, after I got home, just before midnight)

I just got home from the Film Industry Mixer at Young Studio in Hartford and OMG, I had the best time!!

The evening began with a walk down the red carpet as I entered, with photos being snapped and flashbulbs going off — it was fun and I loved it. Then I got to spend the rest of the night surrounded by (and speaking with) producers, directors, assistant directors, journalists, radio and TV hosts, news anchors, cinematographers, photographers, actors, writers … I ran into old friends (lots of them!) and made several new ones. I was in HEAVEN!

I also got to spend time chatting (and laughing!) with some of my favorite radio and TV personalities: Ann Nyberg, Mary Jones and Colin McEnroe.

There were 600 people at this event but it didn’t seem like a zoo, at least not to me. Oh, it was crowded, but it was warm and friendly and there was electricity in the air, no matter which room I was in. I kept running into people I knew and people who knew me and who knew my book. In fact, I am to call a TV host who has a local show in the New Haven area and wants to interview me about my book and my upcoming national tour.

One of the interviews I especially enjoyed was Melissa Mackenzie’s. She is the Senior VP of Maverick Entertainment Group and they specialize in marketing and distribution, two things I know absolutely nothing about. She was fascinating to listen to — a vital segment of the industry but one I’d never even thought of. What a treat!

My car was parked about 2 blocks away and on my way to it, I saw a man getting on a HUGE motorcycle, so of course I just HAD to say something to him: “Wow — your ride is a lot nicer than mine!” and we wound up speaking for about 20 minutes. It turned to be Assistant Director Stephen "Lucky" Luckingham. Wonderful man, and so knowledgeable. It was a warm night and the street was quiet and it was just such a pleasure to speak with a professional about something he was so obviously passionate about.

I’m SO glad I volunteered to work at this event, because not only did it make it POSSIBLE for me to meet all those amazing people, it made it EASY!

It was a beautiful, magical night and I am so delighted to have been a part of it.

Copyright © 2010, All Rights Reserved

Dr. Peter Breggin Interviews Novelist Pamela Glasner

Psychiatrist Peter R Breggin MD is interviewing novelist Pamela Glasner about her book, Finding Emmaus, first in a fictional series. Ms. Glasner explores mental illness, corporate greed, political conspiracies and human differences....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Aug 23, 2010 – Novelist Pamela Glasner is Dr. Peter Breggin's guest this week on his Tuesday night internet radio show "Live Like An American!" Ms. Glasner is the author of “Finding Emmaus”, the first in a fictional series called the Lodestarre series. “Finding Emmaus”, which takes place in the 17th and 21st centuries, is about mental illness, corporate greed, political conspiracies and society’s unfortunate inclination to treat people who are “different” as damaged goods.

Ms. Glasner is a Registered Reader at both the Royal Society of London and the British Library, where she did a significant amount of the research for “Finding Emmaus”, as well as a member of the Connecticut Historical Society and the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films.

Tune in Tuesday, August 24th, 9 PM, EST at http://www.windowstoliberty.com/ and click on the radio bar to listen live!

# # #
Peter R. Breggin, MD, has been opposing the overuse of biopsychiatric treatments and promoting empathic therapy for decades. His new reform organization is located at http://www.empathictherapy.org/, his professional site is http://www.breggin.com/.

The Many Hats an Author Must Wear - Book Signing & Presentation

Please join Pamela S. K. Glasner this coming Thursday evening as she talks about how she created her story and its characters, what draws her to the subjects about which she writes, the many hats an author must wear, how she has combined the art of being a writer with the business of being an author, and the research behind and the future plans for her historical novel, Finding Emmaus.

This book’s got a little something for everyone: historical research, ghosts and spirits, mental illness, overcoming the most profound obstacles in order to become all you were meant to be, and living a life that matters.

This promises to be a fascinating evening — you won’t want to miss it!

Borders – Commack
68 Veterans Memorial Highway
Commack, NY 11725, USA

Thursday, 26th August, 2010 @ 6:00pm - 8:30pm

For questions, directions or other information:
631-462-0569

Books will be available for purchase and for signing.

Reservations are not required but would be appreciated by the staff at Borders.

An Explosive Trip to the Moravian Book Shop!

So there we were, driving along on Route 78 West, a limited access highway with three lanes of traffic going in each direction, on our way to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. We were in the middle lane, moving along at about 70 MPH, overtaking a tri-axle truck. Just as we pulled up next to him, just as his rear wheels were right outside my side window (I was the passenger), his tire exploded!

I mean, REALLY exploded!

I’ve never seen or heard anything like it. Bluish-grey smoke burst out of the tire, black shrapnel showered our windshield and sprayed the side of our car, and the tread from his tire simply disintegrated right before my eyes. And the sound! OMG — even with the windows closed, the air conditioning on and the music playing, it was deafening. Scared the you-know-what out me.

No-one was hurt, thank goodness. We pulled off the road and onto the shoulder at the first safe place, and the truck driver pulled over immediately behind us. I got out and inspected my side of the car and, amazingly, there was no damage whatsoever. I called to the driver, “Are you alright?” and he smiled and waved.

Everyone was OK. And just like that, it was over. Of course, my heart didn’t stop trying to pound its way out of my chest for another 15 miles.

Way to get your blood flowing, that’s for sure!

Moravian’s, by the way, is a beautiful shop in a town so charming, you can’t help but feel as though you’ve just stepped into a Currier and Ives painting. My hosts were lovely people, and some old friends, Pennsylvania natives, whom I’d not seen in several years, were able to attend, so it was a nice afternoon, all around.

Copyright © 2010, All Rights Reserved

Pills & Politics: The Devil's Bargain -- and a Fun Afternoon!

Authors Pamela S. K. Glasner and Dr. Peter Breggin pooled their resources and their creativity and the result was fabulous!

On Saturday, July 17th, 2010, they spoke together at the Ithaca Barnes & Noble Bookstore about their books, their experiences and, each in their own way, their personal -- and very passionate -- commitments to rectify a troubling situation which literally effects everyone from every walk of life.


The event was well-attended, the questions from the audience were excellent and, as you can see J, a good time was had by all!
















Ms. Glasner & Dr. Breggin extend their thanks to all those who attended, plus a special thanks to Liz Hudson, the Community Relations Manager of Barnes & Noble Ithaca, for all her hard work on their behalf.

My Granddaughter's First Brithday!

My granddaughter (my little Empath!) turns ONE in exactly 21 days!

I can't believe a whole year has gone by.

There's going to be party at Mom and Dad's and we're all going to watch Mia smash her very first birthday cake!
(Honey, get your camera ready.........)

“Finding Emmaus” takes a giant leap forward!

VERY exciting news!

Listen in as Syl Kacapyr, host of Morning Newswatch WHCU-AM, ‘mentions’ the latest buzz about “Finding Emmaus” — it’s all very exciting and I’d love for you to share with me.

This interview was on Saturday, July 17, 2010, the morning of the Barnes and Noble author event called “Pills and Politics — The Devil’s Bargain”

Enjoy!

Click here: Pamela Glasner interview with Syl Kacapyr - July 17, 2010

The Lodestarre gets a YouTube page!

Hey -- Look at me -- I'm on YouTube!!!

Or, more accurately, "Finding Emmaus" is.

Ladies and gentlemen, Pamela Glasner has entered th 21st century, albeit kicking and screaming :-)

I'd love it if you'd check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCOKQe1pF7o

"Finding Emmaus" new book trailer

This video is a gift from a good friend of mine, Natalie Walker, from Lincolnshire, UK. Hope you enjoy it.

Moravian Book Shop in Historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Presents "Finding Emmaus"

Author PAMELA GLASNER invites you to join her at Moravian Book Shop, the oldest bookstore in America, as she discusses how she created the story and its characters, her unlikely sources of inspiration, and how she intertwined Puritanism, the birth and growth of new nation, the myths and misconceptions of mental illness, true historical figures and aspects of the daily lives from the early 1600’s so that the lives and loves and experiences of her characters actually come to life.

“Finding Emmaus by Pamela S. K. Glasner is one of the most fascinating novels I have read this year. Honestly, this book had me from the opening paragraph and didn’t let go even after the book ended.”
~~Five-Star Review by April M. Hanson, San Jose, CA; ReviewTheBook.com~~

Books will be available for purchase, and Ms. Glasner will be available for signing them after the presentation.

Location: Moravian Book Shop — Historic Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
428 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA, 18018

Date: Saturday, August 21st, 2010
Time: Beginning @ 1:00PM, New York City time

You aren't required to make reservations, but if you'd like to let them know you're coming or if you have any questions, call Christine Hower at 610-866-5481

Finding Emmaus’ Great Success!

“It was an honor and a pleasure,” said author Pamela Glasner, when she spoke of her remarkable opportunity to present her new novel, Finding Emmaus, at the prestigious Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center in New York City.

“The year is 2008. I am, as I have been for the past two hundred and fifty-one years, ninety-eight years old.”

Those are the opening lines of Finding Emmaus, book one of The Lodestarre Series, and that, in part, is what Ms. Glasner shared with her audience on Monday evening, April 26th 2010, in their beautiful Event Room on the third floor.

Despite the day’s persistent downpours, the event was well-attended and both Ms. Glasner and her book were well-received. After a fifteen-minute presentation, which included the reading of two short excerpts, the floor was opened to the audience to ask questions if they wished. And ask questions they did … for 20 minutes.

“I've so much to be grateful for, so much to look forward to, and wonderful people in my life to depend on and celebrate with. And all I can say is Thank God.

“There’s no reason for any of this to have happened,” says Glasner of her new career. “Outside of my degree, which says I’m an English teacher, I've no formal training to be a writer. I had no résumé with which to wow a potential agent or publisher, nor did I have an office wall-papered with rejection slips or a bookshelf full of unwanted manuscripts.

“All I did was spend three days in a monastery at a silent retreat and, in the absence of external noise, I dug deep down inside myself and found the voice that’s apparently been clamoring for my attention for fifty-something years.”

Copyright © 2010, All Rights Reserved

Review of 'FINDING EMMAUS' by filmmaker and author Peter Thomas Senese

A Timeless Masterpiece of Writing

Pamela Glasner’s ‘Finding Emmaus’ is an extraordinarily thoughtful, provocative, and brilliantly written futuristic novel built on deep historical information and insight that readers will unquestionably delight in both the story’s depths and spires. As an author and avid reader, I have become particularly discriminating when reviewing other writer’s written works and have purposefully not publicly written a review in two years. However, I thought that Pamela Glasner’s masterfully written story was worth breaking my current trend since I was so enraptured with the subject matter and Ms. Glasner’s writing style, and I think many will benefit from reading this story the way I have.

‘Finding Emmaus’ is in fact one of the most enjoyable and fascinating novels I have EVER read, and I simply cannot recommend or endorse enough Pamela Glasner’s delightfully marvelously written story of the human spirit, the pharmaceutical industry, and what appears to be dead-on accuracy about how we, as a society, have chosen not to celebrate our differences, but have tried to classify individualism as peculiar traits that must be brought into line.

In ‘Finding Emmaus’, which I want to point out is a clever title because biblically, ‘Emmaus’ is an alleged ‘home’ town of a biblical figure during the time of Christ, yet there is no historical data that demonstrates the town ‘Emmaus’ ever existed. However, Pamela Glasner’s metaphor of ‘Finding Emmaus’ or “Finding Home” is one I think mankind continues to search for. Regardless of one’s religious or philosophical beliefs, attaining an enlightened state is what we all seek, isn’t it? But what is ‘home’? Could it possibly be a peaceful celebration of our unique honesties and perspectives? Brilliant!

The story’s two main characters are Empaths possessing what society considers to be abnormal personality traits. Francis Nettleton and Katherine Spencer live three hundred years apart, yet their stories intertwine in this groundbreaking novel as they uncover a multibillion dollar conspiracy in which millions of Americans are being misdiagnosed and drugged so that the capitalistic engines greased by greed and narcissism that is the pharmaceutical industry will continue to earn fortunes.

Finding Emmaus, book one of The Lodestarre series, is writing at its best, and I believe we have amongst us in Pamela Glasner a rare author possessing dynamic insight into society’s complex social complacency matched by this literary maestro’s ability to weave a complex and complicated story built on brilliant character development and impeccable research. ‘Finding Emmaus’ is a story that needs to be heard as it is a call-to-arms against mankind’s tendency for complacency and desire for uniformity as much as it is a soaring endorsement of the celebrations found in the individualism of the human spirit.

After reading ‘Finding Emmaus’, for several days I sat and thought about the messages and storyline in Pamela Glasner’s sharply written story. At times I found myself thinking about ‘The Jungle’, about ‘The Brave New World’, and even some films that address the issue of conformity. In Pamela Glasner’s ‘Finding Emmaus’, readers everywhere have been given a rarity: a wonderful, can’t-put-down story so light and so heavy, so joyful yet so sad, so celebratory yet so frustrating, so current yet a call of what may be. Pamela Glasner’s ‘Finding Emmaus’ is a very special book that readers everywhere will delight in. I cannot endorse ‘Finding Emmaus’ enough, and I look forward to reading the next book in The Lodestarre series. This is writing at its best!

And, of course, please don’t forget to visit my website to read the previews of ‘Finding Emmaus’, book one of The Lodestarre Series.

Copyright © 2010, All Rights Reserved

Manure, Money and Mental Health - The Essentials of Life

Saturday, February 20th, 2010

All are invited to an exhilarating afternoon of humor and seriousness as three dynamic women speak about three completely different yet surprisingly interrelated — and vitally important — aspects of life.

The event will take place at the Acton Library on Saturday, February 20th, at 2:00PM (That's New York City time)

The library is located at 60 Old Boston Post Road, Old Saybrook, Connecticut (USA). Please call 860-395-3184 for additional information.

Manure:
Maureen Haseley-Jones, aka The English Lady, is a much sought-after and highly respected lecturer, writer and radio gardening expert. In her talk entitled “Garden Earth”, she will speak to us about creating a beautiful organic garden without using the harmful chemicals that pollute the air, water, plants and indeed, our lives. Healing our planet, one garden at a time.

Money:
Diana Melville, CLU, ChFC, veteran financial planner and investment advisor with the Barnum Financial Group, lectures on a regular basis throughout the state of Connecticut. She sits on several boards and is currently president of the Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Melville will speak on "The 10 Most Common Money Mistakes." This is must-hear information due to the very serious financial environment we are in today.

Mental Health:
Author and social advocate, Pamela S. K. Glasner will discuss her newly-published dark historical 350-year fictional yet factually-based journey through the history of treatment for the mentally ill and the intolerances of society for anything that is perceived as different, the disturbing contemporary trend of misdiagnosis and overmedication, spirituality and the ardent desire to lead a life that matters, and the indisputable human right of free will.

Copyright © 2010, All Rights Reserved