This issue includes Bicentennial memories, the joy of sports, the latest on my novels, and a new author event.

My novels are about characters who must face past traumas to resolve problems in their present. In Amiga, Laura finds herself besieged by problems at home and work. To solve them, she must relive her experiences in 1985 when a promising opportunity took a shocking turn. Get your copy of Amiga at your favorite online retailer or bookstore.

My Black Rose Writing titles Amiga and The Remainders are available through these library eReader platforms:

• OverDrive
• Hoopla
• CloudLibrary
• BorrowBox

If your local library doesn't have my novels yet, you can request that they order them. Make sure you check out your copies when they get them so they know you're truly interested. Thank you for your support and making my books available to more readers like you.

Next week is the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. But for me, this is the 50th anniversary of the Bicentennial. The summer of 1976 was a pivotal time in my life. 

In June, I graduated from Sequoia Junior High School in what was then Reseda, California. Junior high schools at the time ran from grades 7 to 9, and high school started in 10th grade. Of course, our class colors were red, white, and blue.

I then went to summer school at my new campus, Reseda High School. Mom thought it would be a good idea for me to get familiar with my new school before the regular semester started. One of the classes was about preparing for high school, which included picking majors, planning classes, and organizing my time to allow for studying. That class helped me get the most of my high school experience, and I graduate three years later as one of the valedictorians. 

More significant things happened once high school started, including a murder that would haunt us for decades to come and a realization that changed the direction of my life.

For me, the Bicentennial was more than the Freedom Train and Tall Ships in New York Harbor. It marked one of those inflection points in my life when I began defining who I am. It was a time of exploration, trial and error, heartbreaks, and stunning successes.

We should never get stuck in our past. Instead, we should use it to understand why we're in our current circumstances and how we should move ahead. As a character says in my novel Christina's Portrait (which features Reseda High School), “History is a story we tell ourselves about ourselves. Where we came from. Why things are the way they are. What we had to overcome and what we have to learn.”  And as another character said, "Stories can change you."

Here's hoping you use the 250th anniversary celebration to rediscover your own stories and use them to write new ones. 

Another source of excitement this summer is the World Cup. I had my doubts about this event, but the reactions of fans visiting our country have lifted our spirits. It has also introduced us to joyscrolling, which I talk about in a recent TikTok. 

What has endeared me most are the kindness players and fans from different countries have shown. The Columbian fans who cheered up a crying Uzbek boy. The Jordanian team who left treats and a thank you note for the locker room staff. And there was the message left by the Iranian team. 

Sports can bring out the best of us as players and fans. That's why I often include sports in my stories. One of my favorite sports scenes comes from Doria. It shows how players from competing countries can lift each other up.

Carla sat by herself in the locker room, covering her face with a towel.

“I know how you feel. I’ve been there too.”

Carla took the towel off her face. Her red-ringed eyes looked up at the thin Romanian girl with the dark bangs and ponytail. She sat down next to Carla and put her hand on her shoulder.

“I saw some of your routines,” she told Carla. “You really are an excellent gymnast. You’re still learning, that’s all. How old are you?”

“Eleven.”

“Wow. You’re even better than I was when I was your age.”

Carla didn’t answer. She looked down towards the floor. The Romanian reached to the side of Carla’s face and gently turned it towards her.

“Don’t be discouraged. Just keep working hard. You’ll be great. I know you will.”

Carla nodded. The Romanian girl responded with a broad, glittering smile. It encouraged Carla to smile back.

This scene reflects what I said as a Little League president a few years earlier. "Inside the fence, we compete hard to win. Outside the fence, we are all friends and part of one community."

Let's cheer on our favorite team and celebrate our community of sports.

Escape from Arzack's Castle is still out to my beta readers, and I expect some comments to come soon. In the meantime, I've been sharing chapters to the Mission Viejo Writers' Group for critique. I'm also starting my submission package with the cover letter, synopsis, bio, and pitch. 

Waiting is always tough for writers. Waiting to hear back from agents and publishers. Waiting for edits. Waiting for ideas. But we always need to keep moving.

One way is to tackle my TBR (to be read) list. I started reading the manuscript of a fantasy novel coming out next year, and I plan to look at some comps for Escape from Arzack's Castle.

Look for updates coming soon.

My next scheduled event is the Local Author Fair at the Fullerton Public Library on Saturday, August 22 for the Local Author Fair at the Fullerton Public Library. You can read about my experiences from last year's show.

I also have a new author event on my calendar. I'll be at the Mission Viejo Local Author Showcase on Friday, September 4 from 5:00–8:00 pm at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center. Look me at the Mission Viejo Writer's Group table. We're currently putting together an anthology of works from local authors (which might include my essay, "The Long Race").

More author events are coming soon. Look for details in upcoming newsletters.

I've interviewed a number of authors including N.J. Mastro, Nicole Zelniker, Jann Alexander, Karen E. Osborne, Joseph Lewis, Bailey Johnson, and Lucy McLaren. Recently, I interviewed bookstore owner Lonnie Owens and school librarian Amanda Prosin.

If you are an author or someone associated with the book community who wants to be interviewed, send me an email to admin@matthewarnoldstern.com with the following information:

• Your name.
• A brief bio (100 words or less).
• Your books.
• What you would like to talk about in your interview.

By supporting each other, we can all grow!

I hope you have enjoyed this newsletter. If you have any comments and suggestions, feel free to email me at admin@matthewarnoldstern.com. 

If there is someone who you think would enjoy this newsletter, pass it along and encourage them to subscribe. A simple subscription form is on my website.

I'll be in touch again next month with more news and content.