Author hopes to assist others get published

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NAUGATUCK — Naugatuck author Patrick Scalisi recently got his first book published and is now working to help others follow in his footsteps.

Scalisi, a lifelong borough resident, released his debut book “The Horse Thieves and Other Tales of the New West” in July. The book is a collection of short stories.

“The whole thing grew out of the short story I published in 2008 called ‘The Horse Thieves,’” Scalisi said.

After the short story was published, Scalisi, 31, began writing sequel short stories and even a sequel novella to “The Horse Thieves.”

Once he had enough for a full book Scalisi put them all together and hooked up with Hazardous Press last year to get his debut book published.

As part of his book tour Scalisi will lead a workshop on how to get a book published at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Whittemore Library, 243 Church St.

Scalisi said the workshop, which is called “So You Want to be an Author?” will have something for new and experienced writers.

“If you’re just starting out or you wrote some thing10 or 20 years ago, it’s designed to have something for everyone at all levels of writing experience,” Scalisi said. “It’s going to cover getting work ready for publication, how to find places to submit your work, markets for your work, and what happens afterwards — contract, copyright, promoting.”

Scalisi said his workshop combines personal experience and industry guidelines from the writer’s market.

“I designed the talk to be something for all levels and all stages of their writing journey

I hope the people that come to it, if they’re just starting out, continue to work at their writing with an eye toward getting published. For those who have already written something I hope to give them guidance on how to get their work out there,” Scalisi said.

Scalisi is no stranger to the publishing market, having published short stories since 2008.

Scalisi said he grew up wanting to be an author, but didn’t pursue writing until a few years ago.

“I always told people I wanted to be an author but never did anything to make that happen. I read Stephen King’s book, ‘On Writing,’ and it made me realize nobody will make me an author if I didn’t work at it,” Scalisi said.

While the tour for his book will take him to other places, Scalisi is happiest to be able to present at his hometown library.

“I’m very excited to be working with the Naugatuck library. I grew up in this town and the library has been part of my life since I was a little kid. I appreciate opportunity to give back to library, even in a small way of helping them with program,” Scalisi said.

As a writer who has been trying to get work published for six years, Scalisi has some advice for every writer who wants to make a name for him or herself.

“My advice would be to be persistent. A writer’s hallmark is persistence. Do not let rejection bother you because you will face it and a lot of it. Take what you can from those experiences to grow,” Scalisi said.