A couple weeks ago I had a great time shooting the author photo for my upcoming novel Chapel Street.
I loved the photo my old friend Bryan Barnes took for my previous book The Promise: Or the Pros and Cons of Talking with God. That book, my memoir, was set predominately in the Hamilton neighborhood of northeast Baltimore, Maryland. That's where we shot the photo, standing across the street from St. Dominic Church with my back against the intersection of Harford Road and Hamilton Avenue. In my youth, I considered that intersection to be the very center of the universe. So it was the ideal setting for the photo.
I was tempted to keep that photo for my second book. I have certainly gained more than a few pounds and gray hairs since it was taken. However, I wanted a new photo that spoke the uniquely to the book. I really had two choices. I could take a photo against the marble-stooped rowhouses of Chapel Street in East Baltimore, which was once the center of the Bohemian immigrant community. That's where the backstory of my novel takes place. Or I could take a photo in one of the cemeteries my heroes frequent during the book.
Whenever possible, I try to use real locations in my writings. I feel it keeps things grounded. Three cemeteries are visited in my novel: Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Baltimore Cemetery and Eternal Faith. The first two cemeteries are actual places. The third one, Eternal Faith, is based on Gardens of Faith Cemetery, where my most immediate family members are buried. However, I changed the name of that location because a number of nefarious things happen at that cemetery in the book, and I don't think the owners would appreciate the association. (Who knows? Perhaps the legal department at TouchPoint Press will make me change the names of the other cemeteries, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.)
I ultimately felt Most Holy Redeemer would be the best choice. All of my maternal immigrant ancestors are buried in the cemetery. Also, when I contacted Bryan about the possibility of shooting the photo in a cemetery, he suggested Most Holy Redeemer on its visual merits, without realizing its connections to my book.
Below are my three favorite photos from the shoot at Holy Redeemer Cemetery. The first two were taken by Bryan:
This third photo was taken by Bryan's partner in crime Megan Luckeroth:
I can't wait until I find out which photograph TouchPoint Press uses for the book.
Check out Bryan's work here: Bryan Barnes Photography
Check out Megan's work here: Megan Luckeroth
Check out uncorrected sample chapters below. I can't guarantee how long I will be able to keep them posted online:
Chapters:
I loved the photo my old friend Bryan Barnes took for my previous book The Promise: Or the Pros and Cons of Talking with God. That book, my memoir, was set predominately in the Hamilton neighborhood of northeast Baltimore, Maryland. That's where we shot the photo, standing across the street from St. Dominic Church with my back against the intersection of Harford Road and Hamilton Avenue. In my youth, I considered that intersection to be the very center of the universe. So it was the ideal setting for the photo.
 |
| Yours Truly, in his native Hamilton |
Whenever possible, I try to use real locations in my writings. I feel it keeps things grounded. Three cemeteries are visited in my novel: Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Baltimore Cemetery and Eternal Faith. The first two cemeteries are actual places. The third one, Eternal Faith, is based on Gardens of Faith Cemetery, where my most immediate family members are buried. However, I changed the name of that location because a number of nefarious things happen at that cemetery in the book, and I don't think the owners would appreciate the association. (Who knows? Perhaps the legal department at TouchPoint Press will make me change the names of the other cemeteries, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.)
I ultimately felt Most Holy Redeemer would be the best choice. All of my maternal immigrant ancestors are buried in the cemetery. Also, when I contacted Bryan about the possibility of shooting the photo in a cemetery, he suggested Most Holy Redeemer on its visual merits, without realizing its connections to my book.
Below are my three favorite photos from the shoot at Holy Redeemer Cemetery. The first two were taken by Bryan:
 |
| A close-up |
 |
| A wider shot |
I can't wait until I find out which photograph TouchPoint Press uses for the book.
Check out Bryan's work here: Bryan Barnes Photography
Check out Megan's work here: Megan Luckeroth
Check out uncorrected sample chapters below. I can't guarantee how long I will be able to keep them posted online:
Chapters:
Learn more about the book, click Here.