Learning to Dance in the Rain II

I invite you to visit my YouTube Channel. Soon you will be able to see photos of my trip to Beverly Hills and Hollywood, CA, where I met 14 film industry decision-makers and pitched my story to them as the next great book turned into a movie.

“I fell in love with you, not because of how you look, but because of who you are.”

This was my chance to meet face-to-face with decision-makers in Hollywood and in a 2-minute elevator pitch, convince them to consider my story as the next great movie and/or television show. I was told afterwards that I was one of the four authors who received the most responses. Let’s see how far this can go – to the big screen?????? Let’s hope so.

We chose the firebird to symbolize the award because the firebird is known as a magical helper and is believed to drop pearls from its beak when passing over peasant villages, to give the poor something to trade for food and other necessities. We hope, in some small way, that we too can help others via the donation aspect of these book awards. Sponsored by Speak Up Talk Radio, whose mantra has always been this: Speak Up–your words can change the world. You never know how your words affect those you may never meet. And to help you become a magical helper, like the mighty firebird who drops pearls, your entry fee is used as a tax deductible charitable donation to brighten the rooms of women and children in homeless shelters.

“Learning to Dance in the Rain II” recently was notified that it won a Firebird Book Award in the “Grief” category. Thank you very much. I feel honored. Also, the book has been nominated for three other book awards, which will be determined in the coming weeks.

A week following the pitchfest, I was informed that of the 55 authors present and pitching, I was one of four who received the highest number of responses. I hope that means I have arrived at the next step in converting my story into a film or television series.

This was held in the beautiful Beverly Hilton (where the Golden Globes are held) an

I had an absolutely wonderful time in Hollywood / Beverly Hills, California October 8-9, 2021 – On Saturday, morning we practiced out pitch in front of 1/3 of the group of 55 authors and either John Sacchi, owner of 4 More Minutes Productions, Annalise (head of the LA office of Author Solutions, and our host from Author Solutions. In this session we were given pointers to improve our pitches. The goal was to help us authors give the best delivery of our best story idea to decision-makers of the film/television/entertainment industry, all in 2 minutes! It was informative, instructional, intense, and fun (even though we were all very nervous at first). Once the pitching began in a speed-dating setting, I didn’t have time to be nervous. We had only 2 minutes to sell ourselves and our story and when the bell rang, off we went to the next table to start over. Once a man wanted to hear more about something I said as an aside and I told him, “that isn’t part of my pitch, see me after class!” and continued my pitch. I don’t know if that was a good thing or not, but I heard someone say, “Cliffhanger!” so I think it was a good thing. I really thought it was fun!

Love is a beautiful thing when you find the right person 💯✍️