Today we’d like to introduce you to Charles Guarria.
Hi Charles, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was a faculty librarian at Long Island University (Brooklyn, NY) and had to write if I wanted to be granted tenure. The funny thing is, I did not know that was a part of the job when I interviewed! I decided to write like I did in college, and it worked! I won an award with my first journal article!
A couple more articles and one book later, I left the university, moved to Florida to live with my girlfriend, and started freelance writing.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It really has been a smooth road. The writing community is great. There is room for all of us to grow and succeed. Whether in-person or online, people in this industry are very supportive of each other.
There have been no significant struggles. Occasionally, a job falls through. But that has been rare and only costs me a day of research and writing. Not a big deal. Everything is a process, right?
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My first year as a freelancer was spent writing my second book. It is experimental fiction; the story is about a musician. I am currently reaching out to agents and publishers to gauge interest, see what the offers are, and weigh them against self-publishing.
I also write for a newspaper and have a blog. The most recent newspaper articles and all my blogs can be found at chucklongisland.com. (I used to live on Long Island, NY, and decided to keep my social media the same when I moved to Florida.)
For the newspaper, I like to tie in the past with the present. A little bit of history adds context as to why something is happening now. Why does the editor want me to write about this? Because in the past, ABC happened, so today XYZ is happening, and that is why this is a relevant story for the community.
My blog is mostly concert and book reviews.
I have a few things I am most proud of; becoming an entrepreneur, challenging myself to write a novel after writing strictly academic pieces. And that my first book, “Proposition 13: America’s Second Great Tax Revolt,” reached number 30 on an Amazon sales chart.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
That I am a pretty mellow guy. I love rock n roll, but my all-time favorite song is Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin.
When I am at a concert, I jump up and down, yell, scream with the best of them. But at home, I drink tea, listen to crooners and old-time singers like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald as much as metal, and I go to bed very early.
I enjoy the rock star image but don’t have the need to be out partying all night every night. I want to be productive. In bed at a good hour, up early, make progress every day.
Pricing:
- Writing starts at $100 up to 500 words.
- Beta reading starts at $75 up to 10,000 words.
- Researching starts at $75.
Contact Info:
- Email: cguarria@verizon.net
- Website: www.chucklongisland.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chucklongisland
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChuckLongIsland
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChuckLongIsland
- Other: https://tinyurl.com/3997kekf
Image Credits
Jay Anthony
