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Things That Defied Categorization
The Meteor Symphony is a colorful mix of short stories, poems, and microfiction, stitched together with music, humor, grief, and hope. What was the inspiration for this collection of writings?
At first, this was going to be the title story developed into a full-length novel. But the story was fully baked as barely a novella. All the while, I’d been writing short stories for a jazz website called Jerry Jazz Musician as well as poetry for who-knew-what (at the time).
I’d amassed lots of material that was a reflection of my experiences and my interior life as well as some fun fiction and other things that defied categorization. It felt right to put this out under one book, encompassing prose and poetry.
How did you go about organizing the writings in the book? Was there a specific flow or structure you were aiming for?
My main goal was to present different moods and perspectives in a random order, much as what life gives us. Things come at us daily without being organized or predictable. In fact, quite the opposite.
What themes were particularly important for you to explore in this book?
Dealing with grief and disappointment; dealing with love that may not be reciprocated; and also the silly, funny moments of being a human.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from The Meteor Symphony?
Not to deny the feelings and moods that come over you. Allow them and when they’re overshadowing living your life, put them in a box. Find a poker game to join (see my poem “Deal ’Em”).
Author Links: GoodReads | Website
“From the first sentence, Burke brought me into the world of her words. She is a gifted writer.” – Donna Kenworthy Levy, author of A Soul Promise
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Debbie Burke is the author of twelve books (fiction and nonfiction), mostly about jazz and art. She is also a professional photographer, focusing on architecture, industrial design, and the liminal, as well as a professional editor and author coach at Queen Esther Publishing LLC. Burke’s jazz and photography blog at debbieburkecreative.com has garnered international acclaim. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, she now resides in the Tidewater region of Virginia.
The Meteor Symphony: Stories and Poems
The Meteor Symphony is a colorful mix of short stories, poems, and microfiction, stitched together with music, humor, grief, and hope. It moves from tales of jazz musicians and stolen saxophones to intimate portraits of aging, love, heartbreak, and resilience. Some pieces lean into whimsy, others lean into sorrow, and many hover in the strange, honest space in between. The title story ties it all together with an imaginative search for a lost symphony, but the book itself feels like a symphony of voices, moods, and rhythms.
I enjoyed the range in this book. One page had me laughing at the absurdity of a sax heist, and the next had me sitting with the weight of a widow’s quiet grief. Burke writes with sharp clarity, yet there’s also a looseness in her storytelling that feels natural, like listening to a friend talk late into the night. I loved that she didn’t try to polish away the odd details. People misstep, conversations derail, feelings clash, and it all feels real. At times, the jumps between stories and poems felt a little jarring, but in a way, that’s what made it lively. The collection refuses to settle into one mood.
I also found myself connecting with her fascination with ordinary people. She doesn’t write grand heroes or villains, but flawed, funny, messy people. That resonated with me. Her style is direct but not cold, and she doesn’t shy away from emotions. Some of the poems hit me harder than the stories, brief as they were, because they carried that distilled punch of truth.
I’d say this book is best for readers who like variety, who don’t mind skipping from lighthearted banter to heavier reflections, and who enjoy the intimacy of short-form writing. If you’re open to being surprised, amused, and sometimes gutted all in one sitting, Burke’s collection is worth your time. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves music, who has wrestled with family, or who has ever paused at sunset and felt the ache of beauty and loss in the same breath.
Pages: 114 | ASIN : B0DTJ37FVK
Support Indie Artists
Knowing Irv: The Life and Art of Irving Schiffer shares with readers the lesser-known areas of your father’s life and his passion for artwork, both written and with various media methods. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The year 2022 was the 50th year of his passing. I was 14 at the time. He was a writer, a painter, a photographer, and more…but, of course, he was my dad, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss him terribly. But in 2022, my brother and I wanted to put his legacy out in the public for people to learn about what a wonderful and creative soul he was. I began to gather his paintings, his stories and cartoons, had over 300 slides converted to digital, and before I knew it, there was a substantial body of work.
It was as much a personal passion project as it was about sharing his art with the world. I think that, too often, we look at art and don’t see the person behind it. Irv Schiffer expressed himself in so many ways that I felt it was the most important thing for me to show others his personality and joy through his art.
When you and your brother were creating this book and researching all of his work, did you find anything that surprised you about your father?
We started this as, not a book, but as something to do to collect our dad’s output in one place. But my brother had just turned 70, and I wanted to surprise him by completing this for his enjoyment. We were both extremely surprised at the amount of material there was. Specifically, I was surprised to learn he had a very renowned literary agent at the time and also that he had just pitched out a book exposing the private surveillance industry for the shady things that were going on at the time. I never knew about that.
Irv Schiffer was a true Renaissance man who created his art using diverse methods and media, from the written word to physical art. What is your favorite work of art that your father created and why?
He was a songwriter and lyricist too, so I think his song “Ain’t You Got a Pencil,” which could have stood shoulder to shoulder with any of the witty songs of the Great American Songbook, is my favorite of all.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your father’s story?
To cherish authentic art from unknowns wherever you find it and to support indie artists!
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website | Amazon
Here, for the first time, is a collection of all the paintings we could find, a record of his short stories, trade magazine articles, photos, a full (unpublished) manuscript and a traditionally published book, line drawings for a detective agency newsletter, and even cartoons. While not complete (he gave away or sold some paintings that we have no record of), it is a healthy and appreciable account of a beautiful, artistic soul who was our father. These works will hopefully paint their own picture of why Knowing Irv was a cherished and once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Knowing Irv: The Life and Art of Irving Schiffer
Lose yourself in the beautifully nostalgic pages of Knowing Irv: The Life and Art of Irving Schiffer, a heartwarming journey curated and penned by his daughter, Debbie Burke. This isn’t merely a book but a cozy evening spent exploring vintage photo albums and family tales of a cherished TV screenplay writer from the golden days of the ’50s and ’60s.
With a genuine passion and a poignant touch, Debbie weaves a tapestry that melds together professional milestones and intimate family moments, artfully presenting Irv’s world behind the script and the family dinner table. She brings forth not just a memoir but an intricate portrait of a man whose life was as colorful and layered as the era he lived through.
Irv wasn’t just a multifaceted artist; he was a multifaceted person. From the radios of World War II, where he served dutifully as a Radio Officer, to the bustling streets of Brooklyn, where he and his beloved Roslyn embarked on their journey as a young married couple – his life was a rich narrative that deserved its dedicated pages.
The visuals within this memoir are storytellers in their own right. Marvel at original documents and Irv’s own snapshots that don’t just validate but vivify the historical tales nestled within the chapters. Irv’s lens captured the essence of Brooklyn, revealing the artful beauty in daily mundanities and the inevitable passage of time.
We witness Irv’s artistic evolution, as his love for capturing moments extends from photography to the tender strokes of his later-life painting and pastel work, immortalizing the faces of those he held dear in vibrant color and emotion.
Knowing Irv is a walk through history and a delightful amble through the memories and moments that defined an era and a remarkable man. It invites readers of all ages to engage, reflect, and perhaps find a piece of their own history in its pages. Young minds will unearth treasures of a bygone era, while older hearts will find a nostalgic haven reminiscent of yesteryears and a quiet tribute to an undoubtedly inspirational American man.
This book preserves Irv’s legacy and brings his spirit to life, allowing every reader to know him and in doing so, to connect with a rich, collective past that shapes our present.
Pages: 102 | ASIN : B0CHHBVFRR
It Felt Insurmountable
The Author’s Little Red Guide to Editing shows readers the ins and outs of publishing and editing and helps them understand the process and know what to look for. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I found I’d been posting lots of advice snippets online for new (and newish) authors. As a nine-time author who went from vanity publishing to a traditional publisher to being self-published, I wanted to bring all that I knew out in the open for other authors to benefit from. I remember what it was like to feel like there was too much to learn, and it felt insurmountable.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
To provide great examples that show that finding an editor and all things related to becoming an author needn’t be stressful or overwhelming. I also wanted to present the material in an entertaining way, so rather than employing a formal structure, I served this up with a series of easy-to-read questions and answers.
What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?
There wasn’t one singular experience. It was slowly realizing that I had all these exciting ideas inside me and wanting to see where my stories could take me.
What is one thing that you hope readers take away from your book?
That they can find an editor they can rely on, one who has their back, and one who is responsive and will take the time and care to explain the editing process. This goes especially for after the editor has submitted the manuscript back to the author. Many times, authors don’t know how to incorporate the editor’s suggestions or even how to move forward and take things from an exercise in perfecting a story to making it a real book – the stuff a newbie’s dreams are made of. In this book, I tell people not only how to choose an editor and what to look for, but I also discuss self-publishing vs. traditional publishing, choosing your title, naming your characters, and things like book covers, uploading and formatting – about 95 tips to walk you calmly and easily through the process.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
How to communicate with your editor
What to expect during the editing process
Proofreading vs. copy editing vs. developmental (or “substantive”) editing
The synopsis vs. the blurb
Uploading your book
Where to and how to get book reviews and ratings
What to know about book covers
Choosing a book title
Writing dialogue
How to organize plot structure
“Pantsing”
Translations
Writing regionalisms
Genre expectations
Why word count is so important
Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing
Querying agents and publishers
And so much more, presented in an upbeat and anecdotal style. (Note: This book does not offer sample edited text or rules of grammar.)
The author has built her career on news writing, news editing and magazine editing, and is a full-time editor and author coach. For more information, please visit https://queenestherpublishing.com.
The Author’s Little Red Guide to Editing
The Author’s Little Red Guide to Editing is every author’s dream book. Debbie Burke compiled writing, editing, and publishing fundamentals in this short and well-written book. Every topic in every chapter has critical information that aspiring authors and editors need.
Writing is an old, beautiful art that will stay with humanity forever. If you want to stand out from your peers, you need people like Debbie Burke, who have done it and even gone further to document the experiences, challenges, tricks, tips, and good and bad aspects of writing. The Author’s Little Red Guide to Editing is an evergreen book and ideal for all who want to be the best writers and editors in their spaces.
I like that the author starts the book by sharing her experience getting edited. The author writes about her first book, her pioneer roles, the rookie mistakes she made, and the learning process, and she even includes some personal incidents. I also appreciate the author for the questions that she infused in her narration. Burke had a few questions in writing, which she comprehensively answered as she told her story. The author brilliantly responded to questions like how to tell your editor not to change your essay, how to write fantasy, how to use tenses, and more.
The first chapter in the book was my favorite, but I also had multiple other topics that I enjoyed. Throughout the book, the author tackles various literary areas. Topics range from editing to basing writing skills from how to choose an editor, writing regionalisms, proofreading, tips that can guide your writing journey, taking from other authors, different ways of publishing, and other related subjects. As a reader, you are assured that you have all the required information gently shared with you.
The Author’s Little Red Guide to Editing is the perfect companion for anyone in the literary field looking for information on publishing and editing. This handy reference guide will answer many questions and those you didn’t even think to ask.
Pages: 73 | ASIN : B09Y4TFP63
I Didn’t Know The Killer
Death by Saxophone follows a radiology tech with a love for jazz who becomes embroiled in the unthinkable when a smooth jazz musician is found bobbing in the Verrazano Narrows. What were some sources that informed the development of this novel?
Well, I come from that area and know the vibe there, between the small restaurants and clubs with back rooms and spending time on the boardwalk and the handball courts. I grew up with all that. As far as music, I first came upon “bone records” as a thing from an article on the NPR website that I read around 2020 and I was fascinated by the whole idea. The Cold War and the fact that American music was forbidden in Russia (which was why bone records, also called “X-ray records,” were created) sparked the kernel of the idea for the book.
I enjoyed the mystery in this story. Did you plan it before writing or did it develop organically while writing?
Thank you! I planned the main arc but “organic” is a great way to describe how it unfolded. I didn’t know the killer till pretty deep into the process!
What were obstacles that you felt were important to developing Becka Rifkin’s character?
Traveling to Russia knowing it could become a real problem; political issues are brewing in 2016 that involve relations between the US and Russia, but Becka is determined to go there and see the bone records for herself. Plus, of course, her love interest. She can’t get this guy off her mind after all these years (they met when she was a teenager and he moved back home to St. Petersburg, Russia). When they reunite, she falls for him hard and becomes conflicted about going home but even more concerned about the secrets he doesn’t share. And there are plenty of those!
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m working on Volume 3 of my nonfiction series Tasty Jazz Jams for Our Times. It’s a book filled with interviews of contemporary jazz musicians and will be out later this year. My amazing designer created another beautiful cover, and I can’t wait to show it off!
As far as my next novel, it’s another murder mystery; a coming together of the classical music world and the jazz world after a new symphony by a famous composer is accidentally discovered, and somebody, somewhere, is more than willing to kill for it. The musical score has a hidden meaning written into it that, once revealed, puts the main character, a middle-aged cellist, in harm’s way. Like all my main characters, she’s tough, smart and believe me, flawed.
It will probably be out in 2024.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
Meanwhile, in the nearby neighborhood of Little Odessa, radiology tech Becka Rifkin is dying to reconnect with an old flame who moved back to Russia. Then he happens to mention a newly discovered bone record that just became available. Unable to turn down the chance to own this very rare collectible, Becka books her flight.
When Jerry Z is found bobbing in the Verrazano Narrows, Becka becomes embroiled in the unthinkable.
Death by Saxophone
Death by Saxophone by Debbie Burke is a story of intrigue and mystery that follows the life and death of jazz musician Jerry Zolotov. When Jerry Zolotov, more affectionately known as Jerzy, is found dead after falling off the Verrazano Bridge, everyone assumes it was suicide. But what if it wasn’t? What if Jerry wasn’t as well loved as he wanted to believe? Becka Rifkin, a jazz lover since childhood, finds out about these beautiful pieces of art known as bone records. These records, made out of x-rays in the cold war era, could be her demise. Were they the cause of Jerry’s demise as well?
The characters were complex and the author provided just the right amount of information about them. I did feel a stronger connection to Becka’s character rather then Jerry’s character, but they were both well-developed. I felt that the true star of this book was Becka Rifkin and I loved her character and her internal struggles, and I think readers will also love following her. Becka’s storyline was interesting and I developed a deep connection to her character through her love for music and the trauma she had been through. There was a complex history for every character, and it all tied together nicely.
I was shocked by the ending and the revelation of who was responsible for the crimes in this book. I was truly wowed by the mystery in Death by Saxophone. The author has obviously put much thought and detail into the storyline of her book and this helps make the book engrossing.
Death by Saxophone is a compelling noir mystery novel that fans of hard-boiled mysteries will enjoy. With a captivating main character and an engrossing mystery at its core, this is a crime novel that I heartily enjoyed reading.
Pages: 261 | ASIN: B0BMF4GBTM
LITERARY TITAN 