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What a treat today’s guest is! Author of the intriguing and enchanting Muse Unexpected, V. C. Birlidis is as fun and engaging as his novel. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know the fabulous V through Facebook and other social media and his sense of humor and kindness have struck a chord with me. Join me in finding out more about this fascinating author.
For Vasilios Constantine Birlidis (V.C. Birlidis), the road to getting published has been a long one. The inspiration for his novel, Muse Unexpected, was ignited when he was a child, due to his father reading to him from a worn paperback about the Greek Myths. The myths were certainly not the sort of bedtime story to read to a nine year old with an overactive imagination, and although he often begged his father to read another one, Vasilios experienced many sleepless and anxiety filled nights during his childhood.
Beginning in junior high, Vasilios began to search for an outlet for his bottled-up creativity and auditioned and won placement in The New World School of the Arts (Formerly PAVAC), in their Musical Theater program, but it was during the summer of his 16th year that Vasilios discovered a true outlet for the creativity he didn’t know how to express. Always having been a fan of the ballet, Vasilios began taking classes at the renowned ballet instructor/studio, Martha Mahr School of Ballet. It was during the many grueling classical ballet classes where the overweight teenager was transformed into a strong, confident and lean individual.
Vasilios went on to perform with The Miami Ballet, BalletMet Columbus and Columbus Youth Ballet.
Read on for more about V and his book!
Vasilios decided to focus on his education and received an Associates Degree in Microcomputer Communications, and then, attended Capital University where he received his Bachelors in Marketing and Communications. He became a freelancer focusing on Downtown Columbus development. In 2012 he landed his dream job, the Director of Marketing, for the nationally recognized and award winning SBC Advertising. Five years ago the author discovered another outlet for his creativity and began writing his first novel, Muse Unexpected. The novel was published in January 2014 and continues to receive rave reviews. Vasilios is currently working on Book 2 of the series.
Excerpts from Episode 31
V on hearing Greek mythology as bedtime stories: “As a child I already had an overactive imagination and literally, I had many sleepless nights due to the story of Pandora or the story of Hades…”
V on writing advice he received: “A lot of people will tell you how you are supposed to write, but write the way it feel comfortable for you…”
“We’re Muses. Not vampires, not fairies, not werewolves. We’re Muses.” Sophie was sure her mother had reached an epic level of crazy. ‘Muses’? She thought Muses were lame, not to mention she found the idea ridiculous. However, Sophie couldn’t explain away her physical transformation that made Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries look like a bad Walmart make-over, not to mention why her mood swings triggered an uncontrollable ability to shoot powerful bursts of energy out of her hands.
Sophie soon realizes modern day Muses have evolved into powerful guardians of humankind, tasked with keeping mortals on the right path and the original Olympians locked away from the world. But old hatreds don’t die easily, especially for immortal enemies that have an eternity to plot and gather their forces. Well aware of the Fates’ foretelling of another Olympian war, and a young Muse that would rise up as a warrior and defeat them, the Olympians have vowed to either possess Sophie or destroy her. Either way, they will make sure everyone associated with their imprisonment will reap an eternal damnation in the Underworld, leaving the Olympians to restore Mount Olympus and force humankind into a future of never-ending servitude and misery.
Muse Unexpected from Amazon
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