As I crafted this post, I knew I wanted to write about my recent personal firsts. These unfolded between two weekends in late October. But I was unsure of the through-line. Then it hit me while jotting down an idea in my notebook. I enjoy my job and surfing for the same damn reasons.
The end of summer ushers in smaller waves in New Jersey. Routines shift, including unpacking wetsuits and revisiting Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea for inspiration. Family time and presence take precedence over surfing. But a trip to Cape May somehow merges my passions into one beautiful memory.
Everyone knew I was upset when I broke my 1968 Gordon and Smith. My wife and daughters got me a gift card to Gordon’s - our local surf shop. And my friend Tarzan jumped in. He collects old boards. His garage is like a museum. But he takes his exhibits for a spin instead of keeping them locked behind glass. “Matt, I know you love these old boards like I do, so stop on over,” he said to me. So, I did.
I'm a sucker for nostalgia. I also love the stories that permeate the background of everything we experience. From restaurants and bars to guitars and surfboards, I search out the story... Over the past few weeks, a story unfolded about one of my surfboards in a seemingly choreographed set of scenes as if crafted by Coppola himself.
A few weeks ago, the editors at Bronze Bird Books asked if I'd be interested in submitting any work for their upcoming anthology - Tiny Moments: Vol IV. Happy to share that they accepted one of my short stories called The Race, inspired by one of Jim Inzero's paintings. Thanks, Jim! You can buy the … Continue reading Get ‘Tiny Moments: Vol IV’ – includes my story called ‘The Race’
For the seasoned surfers, they read these maritime tea leaves like it’s second nature. Matter of fact, Coach Robbie, as he’s known, posts his own forecast. He’s looking at the above sources and then some. He’s looking at low pressure systems off the coast of Africa and disturbances in Earth’s magnetic force... Me still being a rook, I’m not as good at it. But I’m trying.
Yes, Last Wave has another delicious coconut porter!
... the best coffee I've had in the past few weeks wasn't in a cafe.
I’ve gotten sliced across the forehead by a paddle, slashed in the shoulder by a fin, and of course broke ribs wiping out. Sometimes the injuries are flesh wounds – fin cuts. Other times the injuries are serious. It took eight-weeks for my ribs to heal. Eight-weeks to be able to hug my daughters and sneeze without seeing stars.
This one was originally written right after I visited Jim's art studio one morning. He shared his recent work, I snapped the picture below, and wrote the piece before lunch. He then added it to his Unbound exhibit in Cape May. The actual artwork in Jim's studio. The cool morning sea surrounded her feet, leaving … Continue reading Cleanse
I normally don’t pen spur-of-the-moment posts. Usually, I jot down ideas. Draft storylines. Edit. Edit more. Then I publish. This one is as impromptu as it gets. I’m writing and posting in real-time. Why? Well, I just got very excited about a certain beer.
Started writing 17 February 2024 I’m writing this in real-time again from Coffee Surf Co. in Belmar. My younger daughter is at Irish Dance so I’m clicking keys and killing time. I’m not writing about this joint today but try the Dawn Patrol roast. It's another perfect coffee for another snowy day. Trust me. Snow … Continue reading Beach, Break and Brew: Goose Eggs and Beach Haus
This next one was originally written for Jim Inzero's art show, but realizing now that it blends the passions that fuel my fiction and my Beach, Break and Brew series.
A peaceful morning unfolds with the sunlight, family, and nature, offering a sense of tranquil escape.
This morning, I go up to the counter at Coffee Surf Co. and let out my typical mumble-jumble – “I’ll have uh, the uh,” – as if I’ve not been standing there for five minutes staring at the menu. Many coffee menus intimidate me with all their varieties. Latte. Frappuccino. Cappuccino. Pour over. Cold brew. Freezing brew.
I’m a sucker for the summertime vibe, a boardshort sporting, flip-flop trotting kind of guy. But as I surf more and more throughout the year, the more I realize the soul cleanse is consistent.
A bit on Bay Head, NJ and the delicious Divi Tree
Each night, after the sun slipped behind the blue mountains and the cold air dropped into the valley, he and his wire-haired best friend bundled up and trekked through the silent woods. And they walked to the edge of the trees to the riverbank and stood side-by-side and sniffed the crisp, untouched air, and it … Continue reading Unbound: The Falls No. 2
So, my new series will appear in Beach Badge, but that is a bi-annual print publication. In between, I will release installments on my own site. Before I start, let’s make one thing clear – I have no business writing surf reviews… food reviews… coffee reviews… or beer reviews. I’m still a rookie surfer and … Continue reading Beach, Break and Brew: An Unprofessional’s Guide to Surfing, Eating and Drinking at the Jersey Shore
Last summer, I partnered with Jim Inzero to craft a series combining his paintings and my writings - all originals. We showcased the Unbound collection in Cape May, but unfortunately I wound up with COVID and didn't get a chance to visit the gallery. I often look back on that partnership and think that it … Continue reading When art and words merged: The First Story – The Falls No.1
I'm happy to announce that my new work is now available! William Patrick Tandy owner of Eight Stone Press publishes Beach Badge - a zine about the Jersey Shore. My installment titled Beach, Break and Brew: An Unprofessional’s Guide to Surfing, Eating and Drinking at the Jersey Shore appears in Issue #3 and will appear … Continue reading Newly published work!
My first book Damn the Ponytail! is about my wife and my two daughters. At this point, the events within its pages are history. The next book is for my daughters. "Write something for us?" they had said. As I pen this next tale - Catboat Cove (working title) - they feed me ideas and … Continue reading Is it History or is it Fiction? Yes.
As a writer, I’m often asked how a story is born. The reality is, there’s no magical approach other than writing as much as possible and to have multiple ways to capture ideas - a small notebook or recording device always on-hand. Then let them grow. Build on your ideas. Mesh them together. Pull them … Continue reading A Peek into the Adventure
Exciting News! Jim Inzero and I are collaborating again! We're working on a book together - author and illustrator. The tale follows two less-than-adventurous sisters as they befriend the ghosts of Robert Louis Stevenson and his friend Will H. Low, traverse the waters of the Manasquan River on a rickety catboat, and search for Captain … Continue reading Our Next Adventure Begins!
Tomorrow night from 6pm until 9pm, Jim Inzero and I will be showcasing our collaboration at SOMA NewArt Gallery in Cape May, NJ. It's a casual affair, with some food and drinks. All are welcome including kids. As an example, the work below was recently showcased at my book signing. I call this one Homestead … Continue reading Show tomorrow at SOMA NewArt Gallery in Cape May, New Jersey
For the past few months, Jim Inzero and I have been collaborating, merging his artwork and my prose into a single experience. His work is emotionally moving and when I first spotted it, I couldn't help but be drawn into the scenes he depicted. From there, I crafted short passages that hopefully bring the viewer … Continue reading Collaboration Coming to Life at SOMA NewArt Gallery July 16th
Sitting and staring at the blank screen at 5:30 this morning, nerves have taken over. Publishing a book during the pandemic has proven strange - the activities I expected to do a few months ago were delayed, so it feels as if nothing was published at all. Tonight is my first signing and for some … Continue reading A Big Thanks for a Big Day!
I'm excited to announce that I've been collaborating with amazing artist Jim Inzero. Soon our work will be on display at his studio on Bay Ave in downtown Point Pleasant, and our first event launch is July 16 at Soma NewArt Gallery in Cape May, New Jersey. I'll share more about the collaboration and the … Continue reading A Fusion of Art and Words
Less than a week until my book signing at The Little Point Bookshop! More importantly, the beer from Last Wave Brewing Company is ordered. Point Beach Lager and A-Frame will be on-hand at the bookstore. The Little Point BookshopLast Wave Brewing Company You can get a copy at the store or buy one ahead of … Continue reading Last Wave Brews are Ordered!
First and foremost, we're about two weeks away from my first, but not last, signing. If you're in or near Point Pleasant on June 3rd at 6pm, drop by! Second, let Little Point Bookshop know you're stopping in at their event page: The Little Point Bookshop Last, help me out.
Me inside The Little Point Bookshop Finally, I'm able to announce my first book signing. I'll be at The Little Point Bookshop in downtown Point Pleasant, NJ - the first store to carry Damn the Ponytail! - on 3 June 2022 starting at 6pm.
Two of my current notebooks As you may know, I have a lot of notebooks - boxes of them. Every time I open a new notebook, I use the first couple of pages to jot down writing goals and ideas. Getting the entire Breakfast at The Cottage story in one place has been on my … Continue reading Breakfast at The Cottage… all on one page
Damn the Ponytail! is raw. That's no accident. Going into this project I wanted the book to have an Anthony Bourdainesque feel to it, which tends to be my own writing style anyway. Raw and concise. Yes, yes, that's the complete opposite of my conversational style - I can talk for hours. In that rawness, … Continue reading Damn the Ponytail! Outtake: A Proper Icing
Brittany, Lil, and Lainey gave me a framed copy of my book cover for Christmas. Writing can be lonely. You wake up early or stay up late and hole up in a corner somewhere - your laundry room or your den - and close off all communication with everyone for a while. After you rise … Continue reading Celebrate the Wins!
Thank you to all who've supported me. 100 sold units. That's all it takes to put an indie author into the top 5%. Because of your belief in this book, Damn the Ponytail! passed this milestone on Tuesday. Thank you, Brittany, Lil, and Lainey for being a constant muse and support system. And one more … Continue reading Damn the Ponytail! hit a Milestone
In late December, I was lucky enough to be a guest on Linsey Hein's podcast Why is Everyone Yelling - a series for parents. Lindsey's show is fantastic. Check it out and listen to some of her other podcasts. https://sandyboyproductions.com/2022/01/04/episode-65-matt-divirgiliis-fatherhood-from-the-eyes-of-a-dad-of-two-preemie-babies/ Buy Damn the Ponytail!
I’m lost and hungry. Walking quickly, I point my nose upward and hope to catch a whiff of a deep fryer, the scent let off by pubs as they prepare patrons’ meals. I listen for the low hum of a crowd piled into a cafe. Nothing.
Hemingway famously wrote something to the tune of - you write for yourself and not for others. You don't write because you want to sell books. I largely agree with that. I'm driven by ideas and the desire to put those ideas onto paper. At the same time, it sure does feel good to sell … Continue reading Damn the Ponytail in a Bookstore!
Now that Damn the Ponytail has been out for a month, I figured I'd share a few things with you - some insight into where I wrote it and some behind the scenes into my crazy approach to writing. Even more fun - maybe - are some vignettes that didn't make the final book, either … Continue reading Damn the Ponytail – Outtakes and Insights
Thank you Poets & Writers for accepting Damn the Ponytail into your official directory! Check it out here: https://www.pw.org/directory/writers/matt_devirgiliis. And as always, thanks Matt Potter and Everytime Press for taking a chance on this work. https://bit.ly/Ponytailpage
Wonderful and moving read. What a story. It is moving and warm, heartfelt and sincere and above all it speaks to parents everywhere. Every parent should read this book. I truly enjoyed it.Kindle Customer https://everytimepress.com/everytime-press-catalogue/travel-memoir/damn-the-ponytail/
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SAVE 30% on all Pure Slush, Truth Serum Press and Everytime Press paperbacks.Use the code SAVE30Offer ends 30th November. https://everytimepress.com/everytime-press-catalogue/travel-memoir/damn-the-ponytail/ https://everytimepress.com/
Black Friday Discount!
Finally, Damn the Ponytail is here!
Deadlines are meant to be broken, or so the saying goes. Since this is my first book, I was probably naive to think the process between final draft and published proof moves quickly. It doesn't. A lot of sweat goes into this phase and thanks to Matt Potter - the publisher/editor who agreed to work … Continue reading Damn the Ponytail: Coming in October
Three years ago, while working on a short story, I wrote down some goals. Short-term - cut coffee consumption down from ten-cups-a-day to eight-cups-a-day. Long-term - get a book published before turning 40. On 11 December 2019, I sat at my desk in my little room at the Elliot Park Hotel in Minneapolis and jotted … Continue reading “Damn the Ponytail” – My New Book Launching in June
We shook harder and then Norman pulled me in and hugged me. “I’ll see you soon,” he said.
“Me? I’m done, Matt.” At least for now. But it’s not about doubt for me. It’s about fuel. I need to refill the tank. But I don’t doubt my skills.”
“Yeah. Bigger. We’re going to create a bunch of ancillary CDs for Harcourt’s high school history books. Do you like a challenge?” I leaned forward showing my interest.
Matt DeVirgiliis 