Whoa, shiny! Backgrounds courtesy Anthony Clark.
IZEA, a wonderful social media and marketing group that occasionally works with Geekadelphia, awarded me “Postie of the Month” for the month of January. It’s pretty exciting, and looks super cute on my desk. I always wanted a shiny glass award.
For those of you who don’t know, Izea works with bloggers on a pay-per-post basis, and I’ve been fortunate enough to work with them on a number of fun projects. Thanks to them, I was able to make the connections to Hewlett-Packard for Geekadelphia’s big three year anniversary party. I was also able to donate printers to local in-need institutions, raffle off electronics for charity in November, and this month, donate money to the American Red Cross.
I know there’s a stigma in the blogging community when it comes to pay-per-post. As for me, in a time when internet advertising isn’t as popular as it once was, I see it as an opportunity to do some good, and interact with the community I love. Thanks Izea.
Today at work, I was pleased to find a large box of Quirk Books’ upcoming release, Pride & Prejudice & Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls, waiting for me at my desk. The book doesn’t come out til the end of March. Awesome.
My lovely blog, Geekadelphia, is hosting a Zombieland movie night at The Trocadero here in Philadelphia next Monday, and Quirk was kind enough to donate these books as giveaways / prizes. I’m keeping a copy for myself to review on the blog, of course.
I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a goal of mine to one day pitch a book to Quirk. I just need to think of that killer, uber-creative idea. I mean, I’m an English professor! This should be easy. Let’s see…
- Oedipus The Bling: A Hip Hop Greek Opera
- Spamlet: A Hamlet Adaptation in the Vein of Monty Python
- Beo-wolf: The Untold Story of Beowulf vs. The Wolfman
- Oliver’s Fist: Oliver Seeks Revenge on Those Who Wronged Him
- The Waist Band: T.S. Eliot’s Guide to Losing Weight & Staying in Shape
Quirk, if you’re interested in these, I have about a dozen more. Let’s talk. I will totally accept hugs, high fives, and a value meal from Wendy’s as my advance.
My mom has wanted a nice picture of me since the summer, so I figured, why not? My pal Marisa took this the other day and I gave it to my mom in a frame. This photo essentially sums me up. Young professional, pretentious literature snob (that’s a Vonnegut book in my hand), dude who writes in the park. Eric Smith. 2009.
2009 was a great year. I turned 27 and celebrated two years with my gorgeous girlfriend. Friends from Buffalo came to visit, and I almost died saving a chicken nugget. I flew out to and explored Chicago, spent Spring break in Buffalo, and visited Lake Placid with Heather and her family. My 3rd nephew, Issiah, was born, and my cousin Kevin and his Kate welcomed their own little munchkin into the world, Natalie Anne.
Me? I adopted a new bunny and welcomed a bouncing baby Playstation 3 into my life. I suppose that’s something.
Geekadelphia celebrated three years of being online. This year we threw a release party for Section 8, hosted a Halloween party with Indy Hall, had a Rock Band competition at National Mechanics for Child’s Play Charity, and threw a massive three year anniversary bash at North Bowl. Saw a lot of crazy interviews on the site, from talking to Billy Boyd (Pippin from Lord of the Rings) to stars in James Cameron’s Avatar.
The site is growing, and I’m thrilled. Despite its position as one of the most popular blogs in Philly, I still don’t make any real money off it… but I don’t care.
I write because it makes me happy, not because it makes me money.
It was also a great year for me career wise. I taught three courses at three different colleges (Holy Family University, Montgomery County Community College, Peirce College), gave guest lectures at Long Island University, St Joseph’s University, and appeared on a panel or two, pitched a book idea to a publisher that supports me, and started volunteering with the Academy of Natural Sciences, my favorite museum in Philadelphia.
In 2010, I’m looking forward to starting my new book, traveling across the country with one of my best friends in the Spring, vacationing in Japan with Heather during the summer, and who knows what else. And now, some pictures.
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Recently, the Philadelphia based ‘ist blog, Phillyist, ranked me as one of Philadelphia’s Top 10 Not-So-Secret Superheroes. It’s a fun list that include Kevin Bacon, Steve Ward, Cliff Lee (from the Phillies), my buddy Anna Goldfarb, some other cool folks, and well… me! Awesome! Happily, I wasn’t on the most hated Philadelphians list.
Blogger Allison Krumm talked about my work with Geekadelphia, and this seriously made me smile. Tim, Dan, and I have put a lot of work into the Geek this year, and it’s always nice to catch a little recognition for it.
We threw a rather large scale party back in November to celebrate our third year online, and this year is already shaping up to be even crazier.
Thanks Allison!
Sometimes I get interviewed places!
20 Questions With a Blogger – Examiner recently published an interview with me on their site, asking me a bunch of questions about my career, writing, favorite music, things of that nature. Give it a read, I try to be clever and witty.
Geekadelphia Guidespot – Local freelancer Alexis Siemons featured me on Guidespot, a site that highlights maps and guides in various cities. In this one, I help show off my favorite ‘geeky’ locations around the city.
Uwishunu @ Blogging While Brown – This video recently surfaced, featuring me (at the 2:10) rambling about blogging, Uwishunu, and Philadelphia while at the Blogging While Brown conference in Chicago earlier this summer. The camera was way too close to my face.
… and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.
Lately, I’ve been asked to speak and attend a lot of fun, blogging-related events, and I’ve got to say, I’m enjoying it quite a bit.
This past Tuesday, Philadelphia’s Public Relations Association invited me to have a little chat with their members here in Philly. The turnout was outstanding, over 100 people showed. Lots of love to my wonderful coworkers who came along. You can spot them smack in the middle. Mary, I do believe you’re smiling at the camera.
Other Philly bloggers in attendance included Hughe of Philly Chit Chat, Dan Gross of Philly.com, D-Mac from the Philadelphia Weekly, and Alan Tu from WHYY. We had fun. Hughe has some additional pics on his post about the event.
Earlier in the month, I spoke at Saint Joseph’s University, and come June, I’ll be attending Blogging While Brown, a diversity summit in Chicago. Chicago!
All of these talks! My CV is looking better and better.
The semester starts on Monday, and I’m excited. I’m teaching World Literature II at Holy Family University, and Freshmen Comp at Montgomery County College this semester. I’m a bit nervous about my World Lit class, it’ll be the first time I’ve dealt with fellow English majors. What if I end up with some brilliant literary prodigy who knows more about the Enlightenment Era then me? *panics*
I’m psyched that I get to give a guest lecture at St Joseph’s University next month. All about blogging. Apparently I’m good at that! Who knew?
me: Whoa! I’ve been invited to guest lecture at St Joseph’s University. They want me to talk about blogging in a journalism class in February.
Katie: i love how intelligent and prestigious you are suddenly.
me: Suddenly?!
Thanks Katie.
My debut novel comes out this Fall. You'll be able to download free audiobook podcasts 
