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Date: 10/11/2023
AGAWAM — Mark Paleologopoulos began writing to escape to places he wishes were real. Now, readers can join him in this fantasy world with his recently published his first novel, “Riverwalking.” An unapologetic fan of fantasy and science fiction, he started the book in 2010.
“I have over 100 versions on various [computer] drives. There were three times I thought it was completed — only to find out I was wrong,” said Paleologopoulos, who wrote most of the book when he was unemployed for a few months.
He’s spent years on his other writing projects, too, but the Feeding Hills resident expects to reduce that time when he retires in a few years. Paleologopoulos said he’s “something of an introvert” who wrote to entertain himself “instead of becoming a lonely, grumpy old man.”
When he was younger, Paleologopoulos concentrated on his family and career. As he grew older, he began writing short essays, letters to the editor and social media posts in the hopes of mildly entertaining others.
“You get the same sense of fulfillment and pride when you finish a chapter or scene — it’s like unveiling a sculpture or playing the last note of a song on your piano,” he said.
Paleologopoulos even offered to write a play that was produced by Agawam High School band students. Becoming more ambitious, he wrote a couple of screenplays and began three other novels before starting work on the 270-page “Riverwalking.”
A biology major in college, he’s a science nerd who’s always been a reader, but not particularly interested in classic literature. Although Paleologopoulos doesn’t have any formal training in writing, he spent some time at a screenwriting workshop.
“I learned a lot from fellow aspiring writers,” he said. “I also joined a writer’s group, which led me — by a lucky stroke — to my publisher.”
He also discovered it’s just as difficult for writers getting their work published as it is writing it.
“So much is out of your hands,” Paleologopoulos said. “The traditional publishing world is very competitive and hard to break into. I wasn’t surprised that it didn’t happen for a long time.”
Paleologopoulos had submitted dozens of times to various agents but didn’t get more than “a couple of nibbles.” He was disappointed in the absence or terseness of responses, but said he was still busy with real life.
“It stung, but writing is its own reward and my wife Debbie liked it,” he said. “I didn’t attempt to self-publish because there was so much about the industry that I didn’t know. So, I picked up a different project and joined a local writer’s group to get feedback on that book.”
The leader of the group asked Paleologopoulos to relate his own experience with trying to get published. She asked to read his completed book, and was intrigued enough to ask him if he would be interested in being published by her independent publishing company. Even after the opportunity came, it still took almost two more years because of editing, formatting, revising, COVID-19 and artwork.
“I’m very lucky. And very grateful,” he said.
Paleologopoulos grew up in Agawam near what is now Six Flags New England, where there was room to roam and explore. The setting for the book is partially based on the woods near his boyhood home. A teen/young adult book, “Riverwalking” also is book parents can read together with their kids.
“Riverwalking” is the story of a 12-year-old girl who has suffered from a life-threatening disorder and has been in and out of hospitals for most of her life. When she runs away from the stress and anxiety, she stumbles into a dry riverbed full of new and different trials, mysteries to solve, magic to harness, friends to make and dangers to face.
He said his characters are composites of people he knows, and his storyline began with a setting and situation that’s compelling to him.
“For me, the storyline comes into view organically as I write. I don’t know the ending until I get there.”
The hardest part of writing for Paleologopoulos is being disciplined enough to put fingers to keyboard hours at a time.
“You can plot and outline forever, but if you don’t dedicate time and concentrate, you’ll never finish, and your work will be sloppy and confusing,” he said.
As for creating realistic dialogue for his characters, he said he takes his “best shot” at dialogue for his characters and relies on readers to comment on the realism.
“For the young characters in ‘Riverwalking,’ it helped that I’m still childish, despite my advanced age,” said Paleologopoulos, who jokes that he’s 62 years old chronologically, but a teenager maturity-wise. “In the end, the reader decides how realistic your dialogue is. I look forward to feedback.”
Paleologopoulos has worked in information technology for more than 40 years and describes himself as analytical and logical, but also deeply concerned about the direction society is heading. He strongly believes everyone should give back to the community by devoting time and energy to local causes and civic activities. He recently ended a 15-year tenure on the Agawam Planning Board and spent even longer coaching in various town sports over the years.
Readers and friends can hear him discuss his book and sign copies at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Agawam Public Library, 750 Cooper St. To learn more about the book, visit markpaleologopoulos.com or facebook.com/MPaleologopoulosWorks. “Riverwalking” is available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.