Voudou Juice – Joseph A Federico

Do You Voudou?

June 12, 2019June 12, 2019
by josephafederico

Which city inspired you to write your first novel?

I’m a self-taught writer. Nobody trained me, I never took a professional class and I didn’t even go to school for it. Here I am, 36, and being compared to Anne Rice all these years later. Just wow. Do you know how humbling that is?

My boyfriend and I co-wrote our first book together back in 2011, the year
IMAGES OF AMERICA: GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP (now available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble) was published by Arcadia Publishing. It took approximately two years to conduct research and submit a manuscript, then we spent another two years after the publication date on a press tour.

We didn’t write the historical nonfiction coffee table book to make our first million – hell no – not in today’s economy – but rather to learn about a lost city and deeply connect with a community. And that’s exactly what happened, and it was oh-so-rewarding. Still is to this day, to be honest.
And with that said, that’s originally what led me starting on my trek to historical preservation and educating myself on local folklore…namely in America’s south.

Ah, the southland. I tell readers and fans that my inspiration for VOUDOU JUICE began when I was basking on the shores of Myrtle Beach back in 2012, and I just so happened to be drinking a mixed cocktail of the same name when the characters started talking to me.

Yes, that happens to writers once in awhile, and when inspiration beckons, you ride that wave for as long as you can and get a few good pages of prose down on paper.

So, the book I was writing was a summer project and I broke out the handwritten manuscript once every few weeks or when the mood felt right. It wasn’t often, trust me. Not until I went to New Orleans in 2014 with my best friend.

One visit to Oz – one of the best nightclubs off Bourbon Street – and the story I thought I wanted to tell took on an evolved life of itself. New characters were born out of a drunken stupor, as Go-Go Boys in skimpy outfits pranced around my being and the hardcore thumpa pulsed through my chest.

I went home three-and-a-half days later, and wrote my ass off. I prayed the experiences I lived in the Crescent City wouldn’t soon be forgotten, so I could weave them into my book. The pen was on fire and my inspiration carried me through.

2017, April 13th to be exact, was when VOUDOU JUICE was officially released to the general public. The amount of pride I felt, like a father who’s partner had just given birth to a healthy baby, was beyond compare.
Furthermore, sure I was happy and proud of myself, but I had fallen into a slight depression. I was hurt and sad that my characters were no longer mine, that I’d no longer have deep conversations with these beings I created out of nothingness.

Another trip to New Orleans was in order. ASAP. Let’s go, drink and be merry. So, with my best friend who’d showed me around the city in 2014, off I went, back to my beloved Big Easy.

The trip would be longer than a week this time around, and there was more anticipated intrigue around every corner.

After my book signing at the Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter, I’d gone out to celebrate…for several hours. Around 6pm CST, a lovely young man picked us up via Uber.

He was a doll, spewing off local ghost stories he’d heard over the years, and making us laugh. Then he suddenly began telling us about the Old French Opera House…the location of the now-Four Points by Sheraton French Quarter. Say what?

“So, you had a book signing?” the gentleman asked. Excited and still riding the high of the event, I was only too happy to discuss it. “Yes,” I replied…nervous. The Uber driver then explained that a fire had broken out at the Opera House in 1919, after a rehearsal of “Carmen.” On December 4th, the Creole mecca had been burned to the ground. And where did the fire start, you ask? Right at the exact location I had my book signing, by the concierge station.

Little did I know how frighteningly haunted that place was, and how lucky I’d been to host my book signing in that location, caked in dark history.
My best friend turned to me in disbelief as my unhinged jaw returned to my top lip. She smacked me with delight and said, very slowly, “That’s it, babe. That’s the story you came here to get. You have to write that in your new book.”

And write I will. That cab ride back from Magazine Street will forever haunt me in the most beautiful way. And I will weave that ghost story into VOUDOU JUICE: ORIGINS…a followup to my breakout novella.

I’m looking at a 2020 launch date, as it’s naturally set in 1920s New Orleans. My heart never will quite be the same after visiting that crazy little city, and I’m sure it will flutter in different ways after my next visit, too.

VOUDOU JUICE is on sale for $18.00. You may purchase a copy by calling (973) 289-3517; online ordering options available soon. Head to JosephAFederico.com for further details.

Uncategorized

Talking About Being on Television

August 23, 2018
by josephafederico

Many years ago, I’d met a young man named Scott; he was a regular at a local club I used to frequent during my “wild” days. He eventually settled down and began dating a fine young lad by the name of Mike. So, long story short and into the realm of synergy we go, I eventually met Mike’s mom, Doreen.

I drove to Doreen’s humble abode in New York State one fine afternoon, flowers in hand, to discuss energy and life path choices, and we really hit it off. She was such a beacon of light and positivity, that she did wonders for my self-esteem at the time. And little did I know that Doreen was well-connected to all walks of life – from world travelers to queer artists and everyone in between.

Skip to present day – a few months ago – and I received a group message on Facebook. It had been from Doreen, and she copied two other gentlemen. She gave a short, sweet and somewhat vague introduction, then left the conversation shortly after. It was her style to set an intention then leave the group to do what they may.

One gentleman, I never connected with, and the other was Eric Faria. He immediately private messaged me on his own regarding his line of work – which is in television and running a talk show – and wanted to know more about my debut novella and also inquired about me being an upcoming guest.

Having labeled 2018 as “the year of continued opportunity,” I immediately jumped at the chance to reply with a “yes” and gave Eric detailed information regarding my first self-published book. He responded quickly and set-up a conference call to discuss it further.

About two weeks later, Eric called me and we hit it off right away. We shared our special stories about how we’d met Doreen – the proverbial glue that cosmically brought us together – then he conducted a pre-interview in order to learn more about what I’d bring to his talk show as an upcoming guest. Well, it went swimmingly, to say the least. All I had to do then was pick a date and time of my appearance. I was ecstatic – not only at the thought of being on television, but also because I’d been given the chance to take advantage of a unique opportunity t0 share my newly-evolved, authentic self with people I’d never met before.

If you know me, you probably know the story of how I was on the once-popular children’s television show, “Romper Room,” in the 1980s for my third birthday. I was a special guest that day, and thanks to the technology of the day and to my brain for filling in the gaps, as we humans tend to do, I recall it being pretty fucking special. I mean, come on, it was the day of my television debut.

And, if you read one of my older blogs, you would have gone on another journey with me – one that took place last summer… a journey of being in my first feature-length film. That was an experience to say the least… You really should check it out sometime – both the blog and the film.

Right, so, yes… Once I solidified plans to travel to Mamaroneck, New York, I began working on preparing for my spot on “I Am” with Eric Faria. My assistant interviewed me in the style similar to how Eric interviewed his past guests. It did wonders because there was no way I would have gotten through a full hour of taping without some preparation. And let’s face it, I always like to put my best foot – in this case, best face – forward.

The day of the taping of the show came and I felt like a star. I got a fresh haircut and gave myself a manicure. I even took it very easy that Friday, assuring I ate light and sat by the pool to get last minute sun for that extra glow. I was beyond ready.

Later, I left for New York with plenty of time to spare, just in case I got lost. The trip over the G.W Bridge wasn’t too treacherous; I had RuPaul, Jennifer Lopez and other pop stars to keep me company along the way. By 6:50pm, I made it to the studio. I took a deep breath, pushed the “lock” button to my car, and walked away with pride.

The nicest people greeted me and led me to the green room. There, I cleared my throat, checked my hair, and conducted facial exercises to assure I’d speak with exceptional diction. Then, Eric came to greet me and walk me to the studio itself. It was just about go time.

Once I was in my chair, staff powdered my face and mic’d me up, then did a soundcheck to assure the acoustics were where they were supposed to be. Before I knew it, I heard a woman say, “Three… two… one…” She pointed in my direction and began rolling. On went the plastered smile and I shoved the nervous butterflies away for another day. “Hi, I’m Eric Faria…” were the last words I remember coherently hearing for the better part of an hour.

GULP.

Before I knew it, the second of three segments had been in the can, and we were about the film the final one. Now, I’d been fine up to that point… but, for some reason, time slowed down during the third segment, and I became aware of my surroundings. “Shit, I’m on television. Don’t freak out,” I told myself several times. I only had a few minutes left before the camera crew yelled “cut.” I snapped out of it and finished up with gusto.

I blinked and it was over… one full hour of discussing Voudou Juice, publishing, and the ins and outs of being a writer. What a trip. The staff took my mic off, I posed for a few promo shots with Eric and was sent on my merry way. To say I was riding high the next few days would be an understatement. I was proud of my accomplishment, my preparedness and, well, even prayed that the editors would cut out a bit of my on-screen awkwardness.

My video and podcast should be released soon for you all to enjoy. If my words touch at least one person out there in TV land, I’d consider it a great success.

Signing off…