There’s a part of me
I cannot see
But from what I’ve heard
I should let it be
I've written some things, and I'd love for you to read them.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Thursday, February 8, 2018
The 12 Nights of Krampus -- Work in Progress
I'll be fleshing this out over the next few months. Look out for updates (and be good, for goodness sake)!
On the [X] night of Krampus,
my true love screamed to me:
1 There’s something out
in the street!
2 Evil eyes!!
3 Creepers laughing!!!
4 Squirmy worms!!!
5 Ghoulish fiends!
6 Beasties playing!
7 Horns a blaring!
8 Windows breaking!
9 Grabbers grabbing!
10 Hordes a-leaping!
11 Biters biting!
12 Mumblers mumbling!
 |
| Illustration by Brom, from his book Krampus: the Yule Lord (which is a fun read). https://www.amazon.com/Krampus-Yule-Lord-Brom/dp/0062095668 |
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Two Kids
There once were two kids, their names Work and Play.
But their names would be different every day.
One was the fun one, the other a chore.
But the roles would reverse from what came before.
This day to that, and the day after that, one kid was a joy, while the other a brat.
But their names would be different every day.
One was the fun one, the other a chore.
But the roles would reverse from what came before.
This day to that, and the day after that, one kid was a joy, while the other a brat.
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Fluffless -- a Squirrel's Sale! New book NOW AVAILABLE!!!
Fluffless, a Squirrel's Tail is now available for purchase as both Kindle download and Amazon print on demand.
Friday, March 24, 2017
"Coming Soon" Just Got Sooner!
Project Summary
Fluffless, a Squirrel's Tail
List Price: $11.99
8" x 10" (20.32 x 25.4 cm)
Full Color on White paper
30 pages
Full Color on White paper
30 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1544744490 (CreateSpace-Assigned)
ISBN-10: 1544744498
BISAC: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Squirrels
ISBN-10: 1544744498
BISAC: Juvenile Fiction / Animals / Squirrels
But he is determined to keep up with the others -- all the way up, up, up, to the top of the great oak tree!
But a couple of spectators down below cast doubt on his efforts and leave Fluffless thinking maybe he really is just nuts.
The latest from Matt Bergin ("Blank Slater, the Boy With the Dry-Erase Face," "Lesky Lee, Monster of Monsters") is a twist
on "The Ugly Duckling," where the scruffy protagonist doesn't even realize how much he has to learn about himself.
Illustrations by D.L. Skandle ("Little Duckie's Day").
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Fluffless Story Sample
We first meet Fluffless in a precarious predicament, proving why he's considered the worst squirrel in the park...
Monday, April 11, 2016
"Poopa's Garden" by Matt Bergin
Happy birthday, Dad. We all still miss you.
Poopa’s Garden
by Matt Bergin
My dad said, “Let’s go visit Poopa's Garden!”
I shrugged and said I thought that sounded swell.
But then I had to ask Dad, "Who is Poopa?"
"He’s someone special that you didn't know so well."
So we took a drive upstate to Poopa's Garden.
And on the way, Dad said who 'Poopa' was to me.
"I once had a daddy, too," is how he put it.
"And that’s the Poopa we are on our way to see."
I then asked why we called it Poopa’s Garden.
"I’m glad you asked. I know it's a pretty funny name…"
"Grand Poobah" is what he wanted us to call him.
But he misspoke, and now our sense of humor is to blame."
So I figured we’d have fun at Poopa’s Garden.
He sounded silly, which to me just sounded great.
Dad knew a laugh is what I was expecting, and he smiled.
"A good joke is something Poopa could appreciate."
We stopped along the way to Poopa’s Garden.
We bought some flowers, which my daddy let me pick.
"How ‘bout these white lilies?" he suggested.
But I liked yellow daisies, which he said would do the trick.
"I have to warn you, before we get to Poopa’s Garden..."
"You won't SEE your Poopa there…like with your eyes."
I didn't understand the tremble in my daddy’s voice:
"You see, Poopa ... my daddy ... well … he died."
We stood silent at the gate to Poopa’s Garden.
As it opened, Daddy held me. “Don’t be scared.”
"Is Poopa scary!? I asked nervously of daddy.
"No, not at all…it's just scary when you lose someone who cared."
I wasn't scared, or sad, or mad in Poopa's Garden.
There was nothing to upset me there at all.
Just a sea of roundish stones on a field of fresh-cut grass,
And a few trees I bet look pretty in the Fall.
I got to play around in Poopa's Garden.
It wasn't quite a park, but it was close.
I circled trees and bobbed between those rounded stones…
And I took care to not disturb the resting ghosts.
We spent the day, my Dad and me, in Poopa’s Garden.
Dad showed me pictures and told me stories of way-back-when.
I guess I did feel kind of sad to never know him…
But I’ll be happy when we visit him again.
The End (is never really the end)
Poopa’s Garden
by Matt Bergin
My dad said, “Let’s go visit Poopa's Garden!”
I shrugged and said I thought that sounded swell.
But then I had to ask Dad, "Who is Poopa?"
"He’s someone special that you didn't know so well."
So we took a drive upstate to Poopa's Garden.
And on the way, Dad said who 'Poopa' was to me.
"I once had a daddy, too," is how he put it.
"And that’s the Poopa we are on our way to see."
I then asked why we called it Poopa’s Garden.
"I’m glad you asked. I know it's a pretty funny name…"
"Grand Poobah" is what he wanted us to call him.
But he misspoke, and now our sense of humor is to blame."
So I figured we’d have fun at Poopa’s Garden.
He sounded silly, which to me just sounded great.
Dad knew a laugh is what I was expecting, and he smiled.
"A good joke is something Poopa could appreciate."
We stopped along the way to Poopa’s Garden.
We bought some flowers, which my daddy let me pick.
"How ‘bout these white lilies?" he suggested.
But I liked yellow daisies, which he said would do the trick.
"I have to warn you, before we get to Poopa’s Garden..."
"You won't SEE your Poopa there…like with your eyes."
I didn't understand the tremble in my daddy’s voice:
"You see, Poopa ... my daddy ... well … he died."
We stood silent at the gate to Poopa’s Garden.
As it opened, Daddy held me. “Don’t be scared.”
"Is Poopa scary!? I asked nervously of daddy.
"No, not at all…it's just scary when you lose someone who cared."
I wasn't scared, or sad, or mad in Poopa's Garden.
There was nothing to upset me there at all.
Just a sea of roundish stones on a field of fresh-cut grass,
And a few trees I bet look pretty in the Fall.
I got to play around in Poopa's Garden.
It wasn't quite a park, but it was close.
I circled trees and bobbed between those rounded stones…
And I took care to not disturb the resting ghosts.
We spent the day, my Dad and me, in Poopa’s Garden.
Dad showed me pictures and told me stories of way-back-when.
I guess I did feel kind of sad to never know him…
But I’ll be happy when we visit him again.
The End (is never really the end)
 |
| Visiting dad at Gates of Heaven ~2010 |
 |
| Visiting yesterday. There are more of us now. We brought candy. |
Monday, April 4, 2016
Fluffless Gets Political on World Rat Day
Join the Rattie Uprising! And watch this space for updates on my next story release, Fluffless: A Squirrel's Tail, with artist D.L. Skandle.
 |
| Art by D.L. Skandle |
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
"No Thin Skin With The Skin I'm In" by Matt Bergin
Eczema doesn't hurt, per se, but it's a real pain in the butt. A severe case comes with the nuisance of lifestyle changes and lifelong regimented care, not to mention constant questions and uninvited stares. We're right in the thick of it with the real Lesky Lee, her latest outbreak covering her in angry red patches from her shins to her chin. Now we're weighing steroid creams vs immunotherapies and contemplating putting our eldest child, Charlie the Cat, out on the street to remove the most irritating irritant from our otherwise clean, carpetless home. And let's not forget that bathing-suit weather is right around the corner. We're all already practicing our angriest glares in the mirror for the first fool at the pool to mention ringworm or poison ivy! But like the poem says, this girl's got a thick skin and can handle whatever life throws her way. (Although, to be honest, she may have a hard time catching it with moisturizer all over her hands all the time.)
Friday, February 26, 2016
Rats!
There's a World Rat Day!? What an odd thing to discover while fast at work on my next picture book project, which happens to feature a rat who thinks he's a squirrel. And how serendipitous that that day (April 4th) is the deadline for submissions for a rat-themed art exhibition?
Reaching out now. Let's see if Fluffless can make his debut on a bigger stage than Amazon CreateSpace.
Reaching out now. Let's see if Fluffless can make his debut on a bigger stage than Amazon CreateSpace.
 |
| Join the Rattie Uprising! |
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Lesky Lee Free! A Month of Monsters concludes
The Month of Monsters has come to its end. Thanks so much for following along. If you like what you've seen, I encourage you to order your very own complete copy of Lesky Lee, Monster of Monsters. The Kindle and Comixology versions collect everything you've just read in a complete digital reading experience, while the print-on-demand edition includes the full book PLUS a few bonus pages showing the origins of Lesky Lee as I originally drew her, way back in the olden days of 2012 for the Brooklyn Museum's Sketchbook Project.
Special thanks to my illustrator (who could also be yours -- he's freelance!), Zach Wideman, who helped me create such a vibrant and professional looking book for the second time. (If you haven't seen the first, by the way, it's pretty darn good, too.)
Special thanks to my illustrator (who could also be yours -- he's freelance!), Zach Wideman, who helped me create such a vibrant and professional looking book for the second time. (If you haven't seen the first, by the way, it's pretty darn good, too.)
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Lesky Lee Free! A Month of Monsters -- pages 35 + 36
A Month of Monsters continues! Every day in October leading up to Halloween, I'm sharing another page from my newest picture book, Lesky Lee, Monster of Monsters. If you like what you see, or think someone else would like such a treat, click the link to purchase the book for Kindle or print-on-demand.
((Thanks so much for following along! I've got one more post coming to wrap up the Month of Monsters tomorrow, leaving you a few extra days to get ready for Halloween!))
Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Lesky Lee Free! A Month of Monsters -- pages 33 + 34
A Month of Monsters continues! Every day in October leading up to Halloween, I'm sharing another page from my newest picture book, Lesky Lee, Monster of Monsters. If you like what you see, or think someone else would like such a treat, click the link to purchase the book for Kindle or print-on-demand.
Monday, October 26, 2015
Lesky Lee Free! A Month of Monsters -- page 32
A Month of Monsters continues! Every day in October leading up to Halloween, I'm sharing another page from my newest picture book, Lesky Lee, Monster of Monsters. If you like what you see, or think someone else would like such a treat, click the link to purchase the book for Kindle or print-on-demand.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Lesky Lee Free! A Month of Monsters -- pages 30 + 31
A Month of Monsters continues! Every day in October leading up to Halloween, I'm sharing another page from my newest picture book, Lesky Lee, Monster of Monsters. If you like what you see, or think someone else would like such a treat, click the link to purchase the book for Kindle or print-on-demand.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Lesky Lee Free! A Month of Monsters -- page 29
A Month of Monsters continues! Every day in October leading up to Halloween, I'm sharing another page from my newest picture book, Lesky Lee, Monster of Monsters. If you like what you see, or think someone else would like such a treat, click the link to purchase the book for Kindle or print-on-demand.
Friday, October 23, 2015
Lesky Lee Free! A Month of Monsters -- pages 27 + 28
A Month of Monsters continues! Every day in October leading up to Halloween, I'm sharing another page from my newest picture book, Lesky Lee, Monster of Monsters. If you like what you see, or think someone else would like such a treat, click the link to purchase the book for Kindle or print-on-demand.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
You can be (near)by Matt Bergin at P.S. 81 Fall Fun Day book sale & signing
I will be selling and signing physical copies of Lesky Lee, Monster of Monsters this Sunday (10/25) at the Robert J. Christen School (aka P.S. 81) in Riverdale. Buying the print-on-demand book online costs $12.99 + shipping...but my special in-person price will be $10 per copy!! Supplies are limited and I am hoping to be sold out of physical books at the end of the day, so please stop by to help me achieve that goal. (And if you already have a copy of MoM, bring it over for a signature and a thank you.)
The real Lesky Lee will be on hand to help amuse the masses, and we'll have MoM activity sheets for everyone who buys a book and some other treats to keep folks coming.
More event details below...
We hope to see you there!
The real Lesky Lee will be on hand to help amuse the masses, and we'll have MoM activity sheets for everyone who buys a book and some other treats to keep folks coming.
More event details below...
We hope to see you there!
Lesky Lee Free! A Month of Monsters -- pages 25 + 26
A Month of Monsters continues! Every day in October leading up to Halloween, I'm sharing another page from my newest picture book, Lesky Lee, Monster of Monsters. If you like what you see, or think someone else would like such a treat, click the link to purchase the book for Kindle or print-on-demand.
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