Throughout my life, my dad and I have lifted metaphorical weights together to strengthen our imaginations. As a kid, we’d listen to old radio shows like The Shadow or Suspense! and allow our minds to get lost in the sound effects arriving from the tiny speakers of the radio. When we’d be driving somewhere, we’d make up our own stories, even creating voices for our characters.
He always encouraged me to be creative; this led me to become a poet without any thought of ‘a back-up plan’.
My father never encouraged me away from my dreams, even if they seemed too whimsical.
Almost every time we speak, he asks: Did you send any poems out today? Did you write?
At the age of almost 75, my father has a “six-pack” imagination. This led him to pen his very first novel. For years, he woke early or remained up late to write. In his mind, these words were for my sister and I; however, after reading it and being extremely riveted, I encouraged him to publish it.
My father has run companies, worked as a used car salesman, sold chocolate-shaped ties to department stores. He never imagined he’d write a book one day. Yet, he’s already begun writing another! We see someone over 70 and forget they still have life in them. We assume they are tired; we assume they have lived their dreams out already. How wrong we are…….
On April 15th, in Brooklyn, NY, I get to help celebrate this immense accomplishment with my dad, Martin Herman. If you are in the NYC or tri-state area, I encourage you to come as well. It will be an evening celebrating his new book, The Jefferson Files. This book spans over a century and is a murder mystery historical fiction adventure starting with the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, a crime, a hidden diary, and an extremely curious and persistent college student.
Come join in on the celebration, which will also feature mixed media poet, Todd Anderson. There WILL B books for sale! Buy a copy. Buy two. Get one signed by this brand new author!
Wednesday, April 15th, 2015
61 Local
61 Bergen Street, Brooklyn
7:30-9:30pm
Aimee Herman 