I got a press release!

 

For Immediate Release

Date: January 15, 2021

Contact: J.D. Fitzgerald, 336-926-7958, mcneairjonathan@gmail.com

Manhattan Girls: A YA Coming-of-Age Book Series

Promotional Use for Manhattan Girls and A Change Would Do You Good. Books Written by J.D. Fitzgerald.

Lexington, North Carolina-J.D. Fitzgerald is the author of an ongoing book series titled Manhattan Girls. Two Books are now available for release. Manhattan Girls, which is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, Kobo, and various online retailers, and Manhattan Girls: A Change Would Do You Good, which is also now available. The series is mainly targeted to the YA audience. It is a contemporary coming-of-age story focusing on a group of friends going through the ups and downs of life at a New York City prep school.

“Life is a journey. Make of that what you will.”

AUTHOR BIO: J. D. Fitzgerald

Born and bred in the Triad of North Carolina, ever since he was a child, Fitzgerald always had a vivid imagination. Drawings on notebooks became ideas in written form. By the age of fifteen, he realized his passion. He wrote his first novel, Christine: The Strawberry Girl, along with two short stories inspired by singers Tori Amos and P.J. Harvey. Christine: The Strawberry Girl, unfortunately, never came into development, but elements of it can be found in Manhattan Girls, his very first fully developed novel during his sophomore year. Through the end of high school and his adult years, Manhattan Girls had gone through plenty of revisions to become the novel that is now. Not only does Fitzgerald focuses his time on novel writing, he also has two screenplays in development. His other hobbies include studying film and television, learning the basics of astrology, and practicing the graceful movements of interpretive dancing. He is an avid fan of late-night ’80s primetime soaps such as Knots Landing and character-driven teen dramas such as My So-Called Life, which is an inspiration for Manhattan Girls. Currently, he is taking classes at The Los Angeles Film School to learn more about the organic flow of storytelling in film and television. You can check out his blog here: https://thestoriesofjdandivy.blogspot.com/

 

Synopses

Manhattan Girls:

WELCOME TO HAMILTON ACADEMY, THE FINEST OF THE FINEST OF PREP SCHOOLS FROM ALL AROUND, WHERE OPULENCE DWELLS AND SECRETS ABOUND…

Fifteen-year-old Gwen Stevenson gets a chance of a lifetime. Escaping from the depths of small-town boredom, she finally sets her sights of embellishing the wonders of New York City. While entering the halls of the prestigious Hamilton Academy, she meets reserved bookworm Kyle, aspiring filmmaker Vera, Valley girl Shawnie, and gets an unexpected reunion from her two childhood friends, Maxine, a southern belle who plans to take over the popularity food chain, and Mona, a reclusive rebel who dreams of becoming a rock star.

Gwen soon realizes that she is no friend of honor society president Bianca Walworth, who doesn’t appreciate her longtime boyfriend, Chace, making flirty eyes with Gwen.

Having a new life in the city has never been so complicated but in the end…

Will there ever be solace in the city?

 

A Change Would Do You Good:

A NEW DAWN AND A NEW DAY BESETS THE CONCRETE STONES OF HAMILTON ACADEMY

It is the eve of September and a new student has arrived at Hamilton. Anita Deveraux, an aspiring singer-songwriter from Louisiana, has set foot in New York City. Trying to find her place in the world, she joins in with Gwen Stevenson and her friends. They soon become enraptured by her natural vocal abilities and wistful tales of her hometown down south. Meanwhile, Gwen is still having an identity crisis. Worst yet, it’s only a few weeks until her sixteenth birthday. She soon realizes that life is about taking risks, so she decides to finally fulfill her transformation by gaining a new sense of style. Gwen’s childhood friends have other plans. Maxine is organizing a party to impress popular senior Rain Bosworth while setting her sights on the newly single Chace Fairbanks. Mona Margulies and her new gal pal suddenly break the barriers of the friend zone, which brings back what she lost in the past. Kyle Durmsdale is enjoying the perks of being a newly ordained honor society secretary by wooing the new president Jared Milton, but, unbeknownst to her, there is a certain someone who wants to take Bianca Walworth’s empty nest. Upon getting prepared for the Annual Short Film Contest, Vera Hudgens is confident with her finished project and her new beau but Vera’s new boyfriend may not be as honest as he seems, and when the truth comes out, it goes into a suspension of disbelief. Maxine’s new BFF Shawnie Jenkins faces a dilemma in her love life. Being duped by who she thought was her Prince Charming, Shawnie vows to take revenge upon Blake Kingston…by making him jealous, of course. But as she rekindles with an old flame, those familiar feelings makes the lessons of the past come back to the present…

For the girls at Hamilton Academy, change is a one-way street …

 

A Review from Chick Lit Café:

“Manhattan Girls by J. D. Fitzgerald is a story about growing up, adjusting to change, and the strength of true friendships. The story starts with Gwen, a teenager growing up in North Carolina. Her home life is troubled with an alcoholic father, so when her mother gets a job opportunity in New York City working for the New York Times, Gwen and her mother move to the big city and a new life. Gwen enrolls at Hamilton Academy and is nervous about making new friends, having left her two best friends back in North Carolina, but she needn’t have worried as there is a grand reunion, and making friends is not as difficult as she anticipated. Soon there are five firm friends, all with different characters and life stories, but the girls blend together well as their lives unfold and they evolve and adapt to city life.

The author, J. D. Fitzgerald, has crafted a great coming of age story, where the characters and the situations of the girls help them to cope with their changing roles. Take Gwen, for example, a shy girl embarrassed by her braces and dull clothes, who blossoms into her true self with the help of her friends. Each of them realizes their dreams as life takes them on their journey. The author has done an excellent job molding the individual styles, home life, experiences and characters of the girls to turn the story into a mix of Grease meets Friends in a novel that will excite and empower every young adult reader.

J. D. Fitzgerald has skillfully written the transition from country girl to city girl and painted a vivid and candid picture of life at a city academy, with all the stresses of growing up and relationships, to style and personal achievements. With a little touch of humor and personalities that will excite and frustrate, this true to life story will have you engaged from the beginning and satisfied at the conclusion. There is no doubt that many readers will be able to relate to the situations the girls find themselves in, from the makeovers to the stirring of attractions to finding one’s true identity, this book has it all. Get ready to immerse yourself in life at Hamilton Academy and New York City and marvel at the resilience of the girls as they set out on life’s journey. Manhattan Girls is a great read and hopefully, the author will have more tales to tell of the intrepid five as they continue their adventures.” –Jewel Hart, chicklitcafe.com

 

 

 

 

A word from J.D. Fitzgerald:

Let me be honest with you. My chosen path of self-publishing has not been an easy one. It’s been like two years since I’ve published my first novel and the marketing of it was a very hard task, indeed. I’ve put my heart, my soul, every bit of my hard-working money into this project. I’ve scoped out reviewers, promoters, and websites just to get my work known. It was exhausting. So, I decided to put more of my time into writing my next novel, which again took me about a good year to get finished. I haven’t been putting my time into marketing like I should have, but hopefully, I’ll get back in the game. Like I said in my opening quote, “Life is a journey. Make of that what you will.” And boy, is it a journey. I’ve dealt with a lot while focusing on my writing, but I don’t want to get too personal. It wasn’t all bad, though. I found it exciting, putting my words into text. Creating stories from my imagination for the world to share. I met a lot of amazing people during my writing journey and I have no regrets. Right now, I feel like I’m on the right path. I am getting the resources that I needed for so, so long and I’m finally looking at the bright side of things. It’s never too late. I’ve always realized my passion and now I’m looking forward to making it happen. Just like the characters in my books, my life is going through a metamorphosis. I have good moments and I have bad moments, but there is always a balance to things. And I think I found my balance. My life is only just beginning.

My first book, Manhattan Girls is now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play, Apple Books, and other online retailers[vv1] .

https://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-Girls-J-D-Fitzgerald-ebook/dp/B07FR7FDBF

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/manhattan-girls-jd-fitzgerald/1129217282?ean=9781723506529

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/manhattan-girls-4

My Second Manhattan Girls book, A Change Would Do You Good, is available on Amazon now.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08R5P9ZDQ

 

Here’s where you can contact me:

https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.mcneair.1/

https://www.pinterest.com/mcneairjonathan

https://twitter.com/jd_fitzgearld

https://www.instagram.com/jdfitzgerald22/

I also host a blog titled J.D. and Ivy’s Domain where I mostly write TV and Movie reviews:

https://thestoriesofjdandivy.blogspot.com/

 

P.S. I haven’t exactly got an author’s website, but I will put it up real, real soon, so keep a look out for that. Thanks!

 

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A Change Would Do You Good...Coming Soon

A NEW DAWN AND A NEW DAY BESETS THE CONCRETE STONES OF HAMILTON ACADEMY.

It is the eve of September and a new student has arrived at Hamilton. Anita Deveraux, an aspiring singer-songwriter from Lousiana, has set foot in New York City. Trying to find her place in the world, she joins in with Gwen Stevenson and her friends. They soon become enraptured by her natural vocal abilities and wistful tales of her hometown down south. Meanwhile, Gwen is still having an identity crisis. Worst yet, it's only a few weeks until her sixteenth birthday. She soon realizes that life is about taking risks, so she decides to finally fulfill her transformation by gaining a new sense of style. Gwen's childhood friends have other plans. Maxine is organizing a party to impress popular senior Rain Bosworth while setting her sights on the newly single Chace Fairbanks. Mona Margulies and her new gal pal suddenly break the barriers of the friend zone, which brings back what she's lost in the past. Kyle Durmsdale is enjoying the perks of being a newly ordained Honor Society secretary by wooing the new president Jared Milton, but, unbeknownst to her, there is a certain someone that wants to take Bianca Walworth's empty nest. Upon getting prepared for the Annual Short Film contest, Vera Hudgens is confident with her finished project and her new beau but Vera's new boyfriend may not be as honest as he seems, and when the truth comes out, it goes into a suspension of disbelief. Maxine's new BFF Shawnie Jenkins faces a dilemma in her love life. Being duped by who she thought was her Prince Charming, Shawnie vows to take revenge upon Blake Kingston...by making him jealous, of course. But as she rekindles with an old flame, those familiar feelings makes what was known again...
For the girls at Hamilton Academy, change is a one-way street...

Anita's Song of Summer

A Change Would Do You Good Preview: Chapter 1 A Night at Caryle's

A girl stepped into the spotlight. Gwen was entranced by her elegance. The dress she wore, glowed a shimmer of emerald evergreen, her skin smooth milk chocolate, her hair crinkled in goddess curls. She was a treasure in sight.

The girl began to sing the lyrics of the Amy Winehouse song, I Wake Up Alone. Her voice was slowed like honey, serene and mature beyond her years. Her soul was belting out with each word in each melody.

He’s fierce in my dreams, seizing my guts

He floats me with dread

Soaked in soul

He swims in my eyes by the bed

Pour myself over him

Moon spilling in

And I wake up alone

Her every being was filled with heart and soul. Gwen was mesmerized. Once the performance was over, the image of the girl and her unforgettable voice fueled her mind.

While taking a walk to the bus station, Gwen gazed at the sky. That song and those lyrics were ringing in her head, the sweet jazz sound tinging with the flow of the music.

Soaked in soul

He swims in my eyes by the bed

Moon spilling in…

It was nights like these where she wished it would never end. Nights such as this that would live on in her dreams.

Enter Bianca Walworth

Manhattan Girls: Gwen's Reverie

Manhattan Girls Available Now

I am happy to announce that is finally published. I have been working on this for years, so I should have a good pat on the back for the hard work. This is the first in a series of books, so keep a look out for the second one by the end of this year. Be sure to check out Manhattan Girls on:
Kobo
Amazon.com
Barnes and Noble Nook

 Thanks!

South Califronia Preview

Prolouge
Cynthia
　
Fairfeild, New Jeresy was pretty much known for marketing home appliances and also promoting misleading commercials about products that didn't even work. At least that's what Ember aka "Emmy" Caplin thought about her hometown. She was born into a suburban community filled with lush green lawn and white picket fences, which seems to be a very idyllic view of New Jersey other than how it's depicted in most of today's views.
Ever since her parents met, They were clashed into two different worlds along side their alternate personalites. Her mom, Cnythia was a devoted Jew while her father, Timothy was a devoted catholic. Those kind of religions don't mix. So there was lots of family dicussions and indifferences to behold.
It all started in the wonderful island of New York city, with it's posh atmosphere and industrial buildings, Cynthia was plucky newcomer from Michigan, having hopes and dreams of becoming a broadway star.
Navie but resilant, Cynthia Savannnah Louise Marcowitz did anything to embolished herself into the broadway circut. One of them was dying her brown hair blond to look more like Madonna(Her many comparisons to Madonna would linger on from years to come). And secondly, befriend one of the aspiring broadway hopefuls. That's when she met Phibus nicknamed Phiby.
Phiby was an energetic, fun-loving dancer from Rhode Island. He kept a whole collection of classic broadway songs, posters, and movie adaptations of the stage shows, although he says it will never capture the essence of the estravaganza of the golden years. He, too, was a huge Madonna fan. being a openly homosexual from all across the states, It wouldn't be much of a surprise. This one time they filmed an affectionate parody of Madonna's 'Lucky Star' and decided to send it out to a broadway producer to showcase their talents, which was one of Cynthia tactics. The plan....didn't go well.
By the end of her freshman year, Cynthia befriended Nola Gumble hence the fact that she was jealous of her natural talent. She had classic beautiful features that resembles Rita Hayworth and Launa Turner and defined dancer's body with long shaply legs. Of course, she did confirm she use to take ballet classes. Everytime she enter a room, the boys couldn't stop staring at her. Everyday, Cynthia witnessed Nola writing a list of boys she'll go out with. Literally.
Compared to Nola, Cynthia was less convential with her prebuscent body and overly-high pitched voice. Which added even more jealously towards her. But friendly jealously to the least.
The Broadway amigos, that's the name Cynthia, Nola, and Phiby go by to their journey to stardom. Cynthia wondered, however, how long will this journey take?
They all lived in a three bedroom apartment, courtsey of Nola's father who payed half the rent. The only circumstance of living with those two was Phiby would bring in as much men as Nola did. Every night, Cynthia had to dread hearing the howls of passion and extacsy in the next room. Then she wondered why was she the only one that was dateless?
It wasn't long until the three friends got their big break on stage as...backup dancers, no less. They even were assigned as undermimed extras in non-musical plays. This was when Nola got a little competive, pushing every promising act out of the way for her own justifaction.
In the most to come, it payed off. After showing her poitrait photos, her resume on her ballet background, and her stunning good looks, front and center. For Cynthia and Phiby, They were still in background.
As a result of that, Cynthia had to work at a retail store part time to bring in extra money. Phiby had other plans. He decided to perform drag on open nights at Cameron's, an exclusive gay club two blocks from Broadway. After booking at least five shows, Phiby was a success.
Which leaves Cynthia in the big, empty apartment. But that didn't stop her from getting auditions although they were small roles. She probably guessed the producers felt she didn't have the convential look like Nola had. Nola. She even had a movie star name. How was a name like Cynthia appealing?
After getting burned for another audition, Cynthia ran into Timothy Caplin, who just got back from his studies. The first words he said was beautiful her singing voice was. And the rest is pretty much history.
What she liked about Timothy was his subtly yet he was uptight, unlike most of the guys she dates. He was one year away of finishing graduate school and had serious aspirations of going to law school but had other priorites on his mind, since his father was pressuring him to go that career path.
Nola and Phibus, on the other hand, thought they were totally wrong for each other. Cynthia was child-like and had a lush for life while Timothy was serious and principled. They thought he was too boring for her but Cynthia liked that he was serious-minded. Timothy liked that Cynthia was life-fulling than his tight-knit lifestyle.
By junior year of college, Cynthia decided to take a break from acting and settle for a job as a receptionist at a modeling agency. By then, Nola flew out to L.A. for T.V. gig and Phiby went on to do a drag show in France. Which left Cynthia one person in mind: Timothy.
The summer after college, Timothy summed up the courage to propose to Cynthia at Central Park. She looked into those soft brown eyes of his and simply said yes.
Once the news broke out, it really didn't fly well with some of the family members who came from different backgrounds and standpoints. Although there was tension in the air, The Marcowitzes and The Caplins kept their fueds in check.
The week after graduation, Cynthia and Timothy got married in a small chapel right close to Brooklyn. Now that she was married, Cynthia wondered where she was going from here. Phiby and Nola went on to have a successful careers, performing and acting. Cynthia, however, was stuck in the middle. Will she ever have the chance in the spotlight? Will she ever grace the magic of theater? She decided....it wasn't for her now. She was a happily married woman with a loving, caring husband. She was happy where she was now. In her humble opinon, showbiz wasn't for her.
Timothy wanted to escape the fast-paced city life for a quiet simple life in the suburbs. Cynthia happily obliged, focusing on to becoming a housewife-homemaker while Timothy took a job as an accountant, which didn't comply well with his father but there wasn't any further complaints from him. They settled in Fairfield, New Jeresy, Timothy's hometown. Two years of hardworking and comfort-living, Cynthia was expecting.
At Fairfield Memorial hospital, 5:45am, Ember Flora Caplin was born.
Phibus was there, being the proud godfather....or godmother for the little bundle of joy. Strangely, Nola wasn't there for the event, claiming that her film schedule was in the way. Out of a blink of an eye, Cynthia never heard from her again, only having Phiby as one of her good friends. But again, she was happy where she was now. And found a new friend to hold on to: Her Darling Ember.
Which begins Ember's Journey.....