BMGelinas

I am a published author and news reporter for a local daily newspaper. I currently live in the small Massachusetts town where I was born and raised. Instilled early on with a desire to write, my first success came in 1997, with the publication of a creative commentary piece in Worcester Magazine. In 2001, I won the Louis P. Shepherd Award in Creative Writing while a student at Fitchburg State College.

American Odyssey is my first published fictional novel.

In brief, the book weaves an engaging tale of three less-than-fortunate teenage boys who run away from their troubled lives in a depressed New England factory town to seek what they feel is the justice in life they deserve after having experienced more than their fair share of hard knocks. A tumultuous cross-country journey ensues that affects each one in unexpected ways, forever changing their lives. It�s a straightforward story based on today�s countless headlines of teenagers either in emotional trouble, on the run or committing any number of crimes, and it should strike a chord with many of today�s younger generation. It's written to appeal to both adults and mature young adults, with the primary target audience being the latter.

It was published through Outskirts Press Inc. in Parker, Colo., and is currently available in paperback to readers on-line at, among others, Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Borders.com, target.com and the publisher's Web site at www.outskirtspress.com/AmericanOdyssey. An eBook edition is also available through the Outskirts Web site.

I am currently working on a second novel, while continuing to market and promote the first. In addition, I am also currently attempting to secure a literary agent to market American Odyssey to a traditional publishing house.

I am also looking to network with other authors and industry personnel, and readers and am always interested in any feedback or suggestions anyone might want to send my way.