Good late morning, Book Dragons. It slipped my mind to post this after this interview aired on my YouTube channel. I got interview Nelson Aspen again. This time, LIVE! We discussed his first children’s book “The Magnificent Mr. & Mrs. Maple” in celebration of Earth Day. He covers some ‘behind-the-scenes’ of the book, including his closest collaborators. We also discuss his last book of “Kindred Spirits: A Titanic Tale” in the film works, and the Shades of Ireland Tour coming up in October. Enjoy!
Mark Your Calendars! Daniel Pollack-Pelzner Interview Premieres Sunday 4/5/2026 @2pm.
ATTN All Broadway Baby Book Dragons! Meet Lin-Manuel Miranda’s biographer Daniel Pollack-Pelzner. My interview with the NY Times author and educator is finally here. Daniel and I delve into a deep conversation that goes beyond influential reads: multiple POVs, unreliable narrators, Stephen King’s influence, Shakespeare, book bans, his love of education and theater. Later on, we discuss highlights from his book “Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of An Artist”. From his humble beginnings as a teacher to theater critic and collaborator with the Broadway genius, Pollack-Pelzner tells all! You may pause the video at your convenience to take notes from our conversation. Don’t forget to stay for the Post-Script at the end of the video. Something very important came up that I wanted him to address. He replied in an email after we wrapped up.
A Much Needed Update!
Good evening, Book Dragons! I didn’t realize I hadn’t posted anything since last year. I had three videos I meant to post on my site, and things got a little crazy. Due to physical restrictions, I resigned from my position as behavior interventionist. Now, I’m mostly tutoring online and in person. About 2 months ago, I conducted an interview with another author. I’ll post that in another blog. I also joined a special meeting with author and entertainment journalist Nelson Aspen. I’ll be joining him on a tour of Ireland in October. The last few weeks I’ve prioritized getting my travel documents ready.
Below, I’ve posted the first video of this year where I take on two reading challenges: mine own and PopSugar’s latest.
These are the two last videos from 2025: Hannukah and my birthday celebration, with books of course, and the PopSugar Reading Wrap Up of books I was able to complete.
My Favorite Christmas Books & More
Good evening, my Book Dragons. I just got back from a wonderful evening at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The event was the Salute to Vienna Concert. Brian Cheney, Sera Gosch, and dancers from the San Diego Ballet Company performed. Its not the New Year without the waltz. At the end, Ms Gosch gave the couple next to me her small bouquet of flowers. As they left the stage, the couple then gave me the bouquet as a gift. I was so shocked and so thankful to them. I picked out a rose and gave it back to the couple as a thank you. So gracious. I shook Mr. Cheney’s hand just before left the theater. I told him his serenade from Student Prince was outstanding. It’s one of my favorite musicals that doesn’t have a happy ending. A rare gem.
I did a short video on my favorite books for the Christmas season. I also created an earlier video about Hannukah books. You can view them both here.
What are some of your favorite holiday reads? I’d love to know. Please leave a comment.
Cosworth Publishing Interview
This is interview was conducted in mid-August 2025. After that, work piled up. It took a very long time to sit down and focus on editing this video. I also have this video saved on the “Be My Guest” tab.
ATTN: ALL TEACHERS, BEHAVIOR TECHS, AND FUTURE INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS!!! #mentalhealthawareness #autismawareness #dyslexiaawareness #adhdawareness #neurodiversity
A) Do you have student(s) with IEPS for mental health?
B) Are you training to become a teacher, special ed, or registered behavior technician?
C) Have you been diagnosed with a mental health disorder?
D) Considering to become your own indie book publishing company?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, then this video is for you.
Meet the humble heroes behind Cosworth Publishing. A few years ago, I met director Jimmy Huston. He is also a screenwriter and author. I also met his wife, Lynn Mills, at the LA Festival of Books. I bought their Teacher’s Bundle of 5 books. In this interview, both authors share their favorite reads, recommendations, and writing styles. They also share how their company started, the ins and outs as indie publishers, and became autism advocates.
Resources: Cosworth Publishing- https://www.cosworthpublishing.com/index.html Dyslexic Fonts- https://opendyslexic.org/ Shutterstock- https://www.shutterstock.com/ Movie Magic Screenwriter- https://www.write-bros.com/movie-magic-screenwriter.html Guadaulahara Book Festival- https://www.fil.com.mx/ingles/info/info_fil.asp Frankfurt Book Festival- https://www.buchmesse.de/en/exhibit/information-exhibitors/book-fair-year Dr. Temple Grandin- https://www.templegrandin.com/ Actress Chloe Hayden- https://glimmerthreads.com/ OCD- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obsessive-compulsive-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20354432 IngramSpark- https://www.ingramspark.com/
Halloween Haul & Bewitching Books
Hello Book Dragons, and Happy Halloween. I have 2 videos to share. One of my Halloween Haul from various stores & books for October. The second I just made of myself dressed as “Winifred Sanderson” from Hocus Pocus. A little tour of my haven decked out for Halloween. This one is dedicated to my friend Mikey, who wore the costume last year.
My First Gothic Haul
Hello fellow Book Dragons and Gothic Book Dragons. Are you ready for Halloween? I’ve collecting items for Halloween decor. I’m also a huge fan of Goth daddy Aurelio Voltaire. His unique videos on ‘Gothic Homemaking’ made me realize I too can add some Goth aesthetics. In one video, he explored the Oddities and Curiosities Market. This year, I decided to attend the Oddities Flea Market at the Globe Theater in downtown LA. It was a packed house.
The curator, Ryan Cohn, was just outside the venue and was signing his latest book “The Witch’s Door”. I bought his book, and I told him about my podcast. He expressed interest, and he asked me to email him the details. I did, and hopefully, he’ll be my guest in mid-November. Afterward, I went inside the Globe…the world of Goth turned me upside down! I took a few pictures, and met with the unique artists behind the Goth craze. Some Goth art was more tasteful than others, but they all add their very own style and aesthetics. Beauty is the eye of the beholder. I was genuinely surprised at the beauty of death resurrected in art. I did end up buying a few things, and I truly wish I’d afford more. Enjoy my video below. It airs to the public tonight at 8pm. Learn about the vendors I had the privilege to meet.
Groovemaster Jerry Jemmott
Hello Groovy Book Dragons and Music Lovers of R&B and Jazz! Here’s my interview with the legendary electric base guitarist Jerry Jemmott . The Groovemaster tells all, including his collaborations with various music industry professionals in his memoir “Make It Happen”. Topics of discussion include self-help books and Buddhism. We also talked about the ‘groove’ and ‘colors’ in music tones. Additionally, subjects covered man’s power to control others, health recovery, and karma. Tune in tomorrow, OCT 30, 2025 @1pm PST.
Avi Answers Fan Questions! Premieres 9/14 @10am.
One of my subscribers left a comment on YouTube. They asked if I’d reach out to the acclaimed author again. The request was for the author to answer some fan questions from his most devoted readers. The commentator compiled questions asked by Avi fans, and then emailed them to me. I reached out to Avi, and he graciously accepted. Watch for the Premiere of this interview scheduled for 9/14 at 10am on my YouTube Channel.
Nelson Aspen Talks Titanic’s “Kindred Spirits”: Premieres Tomorrow on YouTube
My interview with the entertainment reporter and journalist premieres tomorrow on YouTube at 5pm PST/8pm EST. Our conversation was very enjoyable. This interview was conducted on June 22. He has his podcast called “Titanic Talks” with cohost Alexandra Boyd. Their followers are Titanic fanatics, or as he so aptly states, “Titaniacs”! Thanks to a mysterious spirit of one of the doomed passengers, Mr. Aspen has spent years investigating the stories and facts of the “ship of dreams”. He finally put to words and created a historical-fantasy novel entitled “Kindred Spirits: A Titanic Tale”. You can check out his books here. http://nelsonaspen.com/books.html
