February 26, 2018

“Where Are The Bones?” – The Novel is Published!

Posted by in News, Writing
“Where Are The Bones?” – The Novel is Published!

We’re pleased to announce that Harry P. Noble, Jr., has published his first novel, Where Are The Bones? This is a special event for a number of reasons, and if we sound proud of our involvement, you bet we are. Harry sent us the manuscript for Where Are The Bones about a year ago. It was a novella in length, and several of us baristas began reading it and couldn’t put it down. “In Where are the Bones?, Harry P. Noble, Jr. transports the reader on a fresh journey to Texas in 1843. Add mystery to a raw frontier, and you’re in for an intriguing adventure.” – James D. Best, author of the Steve Dancy Tales It turned out to be a fascinating tale, based in large part on true events that occurred in San Augustine, Texas,…

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February 21, 2018

‘Sceaux,” a short story by Salvatore Difalco

Posted by in Writing
‘Sceaux,” a short story by Salvatore Difalco

We sat side by side in the quiet café, a stone’s throw from the Parc de Sceaux, famous for its Château. Outside it rained. A woman passing with a dark blue umbrella stopped and peered at us. For a moment I thought she was going to come and join us at our table. She looked familiar, her face somewhat twisted, possibly anguished. Clearly the battle to remain an individual in the angst-ridden city had taken its toll on her. “Do you know her?” you asked, staring at a spot left of my head. “I do not,” I said, turning to see what it was you stared at. The waiter. “Monsieur,” he said, clicking his heels and bowing his head. “A bottle of rouge, please,” I said. He stared at me for a moment, his eyes…

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February 20, 2018

Introducing Rachael Allen, FC’s Creative Nonfiction Barista

Posted by in Book Reviews, Interviews, News
Introducing Rachael Allen, FC’s Creative Nonfiction Barista

Please join us in welcoming Rachael Allen as our first Creative Nonfiction Barista. Rachael is a long-time prolific FC contributor. She wrote an “expose” article about working in an Amazon bricks-and-mortar bookstore. She has written several times about her desires and doubts about pursuing a writing career. She and Barista Simran Gupta were pen pals, exchanging thoughts in FC blog posts while on their Study Abroad programs in Italy and France, respectively. Most recently, she interviewed Whitney Scharer, a million-dollar first-time author of the forthcoming The Age of Light. You can review all of Rachael’s contributions by clicking the Q at the far right-hand end of the blue menu bar and typing her name. When we met with Rachael  over coffee, of course – to discuss her baristaship, it came as no surprise that she…

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February 16, 2018

“Saratoga Noir” – The Thrilling Conclusion

Posted by in Audio Arts
“Saratoga Noir” – The Thrilling Conclusion

Here are the last chapters [15-20] of ZBS’s outrageous audio drama, “Saratoga Noir,” in which we finally learn if Danny Boyee, our fearless [and often, it seems, clueless] gumshoe is gonna stay out of Velma’s and Johnnie’s bars long enough to find that gol-danged cat. Or maybe find True Love with the sweet, high-spirited, named-after-the-orange Valencia? Listen, then . . .           If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve heard – and seen – please visit the ZBS website. They have loads of great stories to listen to for hours of inexpensive, high-quality audio pleasure. The best deal is the $5/month streaming.    

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February 14, 2018

Happy Valentine’s Day to All!

Posted by in News
Happy Valentine’s Day to All!

Your baristas wish you and your loved ones a Happy Valentine’s Day! Each of us has chosen a V-Day message to share with you:   Caitlin: “Sometimes I think of you and I feel giddy. Memory makes me lightheaded, drunk on champagne. All the things we did. And if anyone has said this was the price I would have agreed to pay it. That surprises me; that with the hurt and the mess comes a shift of recognition. It was worth it. Love is worth it.” -Written on the Body by Jeannette Winterson:   (A little Valentine’s message for parents…) “Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”  -Elizabeth Stone, A Boy I Once Knew   “The brain appears to…

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February 11, 2018

Introducing Steve Sangapore, FC’s New Visual Arts Barista

Posted by in Fine Art, News
Introducing Steve Sangapore, FC’s New Visual Arts Barista

We’re incredibly proud to introduce Steve Sangapore, our new visual arts barista. Steve is a contemporary surrealist painter based in Boston, MA. He is a 2013 graduate of Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT, where he earned a dual-B.A. in studio art and graphic design. His interest in science and philosophy has been the driving force behind much of his latest work. His incredibly unique, awe-inspired view on those topics has led his paintings to be exhibited nationally and published in art magazines and journals, including Art Business News, Creative Quarterly, Artscope, and  Art Reveal Magazine. You can see how widely his art has been on public view at his website About page. Several of  Steve’s works appear beneath his Artist’s Statement. We’re looking forward to him introducing new artists and perspectives on the visual arts to you,…

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February 7, 2018

Introducing Ruby Fink, FC’s New Audio Arts Barista

Posted by in Audio Arts, News
Introducing Ruby Fink, FC’s New Audio Arts Barista

You’ve heard me rave about how wonderful podcasts and audiobooks are for years. Now it is with great pleasure I present Ruby Fink, a kindred spirit and very talented audio producer, as our new Audio Arts Barista. I met Ruby under the most auspicious of circumstances: She had joined FC and submitted some episodes from “Mickie McKinney, Boy Detective,” a very funny and entertaining podcast which she wrote, directed and produced with a host of actors playing different roles. It was like listening to the old-time radio dramas, but better! She studied Film Production at Chapman University’s Dodge College, taking a minor in Narrative and Dramatic Literature. She fell in love with audio shows while finishing her senior year and began writing and creating her own Mickie McKinney podcast with the help of a MacBook, professional…

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February 6, 2018

“Sitter Envy” by Christopher S. Bell

Posted by in Member Writing & Art
“Sitter Envy” by Christopher S. Bell

Even on a Friday, Nina felt guilty calling off. She wouldn’t have to improvise a cough on Monday; her fellow technicians recapping their weekends in expenses and well-planned excursions, an occasional raw moment surfacing from the dust. Usually this meant somebody out of place wandered in, caused a ruckus, and migrated back to their designated end. Flagstaff had many corners to facilitate bad habits. “Don’t pick your nose, honey,” Nina instructed her son, both mildly catatonic on the sofa. She’d wanted to have an adventure with Levi that day, take him somewhere new and gauge his expression. Instead, her four-year-old spent a good portion of the morning sleeping before they discussed Shirley over breakfast. The young boy had grown quite fond of his babysitter, championing their endless summer in between bites. Beyond disappointment, Nina felt…

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