Information Booth: About this website
Artist Cafe Utica is the sprawling online arts cafe....more like an arts center or a mall built just for artists....created for musicians, writers, and other artists in Utica, New York and the surrounding area. It is here to support local artists, including the site owner, novelist, arts writer, and writing teacher, Jess Szabo
Artist Cafe Utica and all its content is the property of Jess Szabo unless otherwise indicated with a byline, name, link, or other note. All work on this site is property of the artist who created it, and may not be copied, sold, or otherwise distributed without the owner's permission.
Frequently Asked….or.. Anticipated… Questions:
. What is your involvement in the arts?
I write and self-publish my own novels, do writing for and about local artists on the website you’re reading right now and for others, and teach writing skills to adults as a career. I sing as a hobby. Technically, I can act a little as well. I have an undergraduate degree in Theater. But I have neither the skills nor the interest in acting to do any…mostly not the skills.
One of the services I offer is writing articles about the arts for media outlets, so you may have seen my name in a byline on someone else’s website or print newspaper.
There is also a woman online who looks exactly like me, down to the slight bumps above the nostrils and ultra pale complexion. I stumbled upon pictures of her while searching for a hair style that would look good on someone with a full figure and red hair. Most of her pics were blocked by my safe search filter, but the ones I saw… even I mistook photos of her with straight hair and little to no makeup for pictures of me for a second. I had a few moments of “Who secretly took that picture? Wait…I never owned that outfit or had my hair quite like that…”
But this is not me. The only photos of me online are clean/safe for work.
I wish! I moved here in 2017 to be near the love of my life, my fiance. It has become my hometown. But I am originally from a tiny borough in the Pittsburgh, PA area.
Only if you want your customers or audience to get bored and leave after the first song or two. My voice is good enough for singing to be my hobby, but I have nothing anyone would want to listen to for very long.
I offer writing about artists and the arts to anyone and everyone who wishes to publish it. I am also available to write articles about non-arts related subjects for media outlets owned by artists, or write non-arts related materials such as press releases, columns, and advertising for businesses owned by artists.
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I do not tolerate the promotion of racism, violence, greed, homophobia, or transphobia. (And no, the Bible does not condemn homosexuality as we know it today. They had no concept of what a gay person was when it was written. They did, however, know about loving others and not judging). Discussing these issues is okay, but advocating hate and selfishness is not. If your project promotes any of these things, is anti-Christian, or mocks Jesus, you will need to find another writer. I will also turn down pro new age work.
The only character directly based on a real person is “Jenny.” She makes her first appearance in Mostly On the Internet. Jenny was created as a tribute to my sister, Jennifer Lynn (Jenny) Szabo, of blessed memory (1975-1990). Everyone else in my novels is a completely fictional character. Some details are borrowed from me and my life, some are things I have observed in others, and some are simply things that came to me while writing. The same is true about the plots of my novels. Some of the things that happen are based on things that happened to me. Others are based on research I have done on the issue the character faces. Never assume I am writing about real people or events when reading any of my novels.
The articles are researched. Some of the research was done in my former career as a reporter. Some is done for current projects, or specifically for the article.
No. I was a reporter from 2004 until early 2017 when I moved here to Utica, and decided to transition fully to a career in the arts. I feel no calling to return to that field. But I can do news style articles and press releases for local artists or about the arts.
Teaching writing is something I feel called to do. I am not trying to quit. I am also not interested in joining a multilevel marketing company, network marketing, or social selling.
I removed the previous version of Artist Cafe Utica from the “anti mlm community” because I thought that movement had devolved into congratulating yourself for humiliating and bullying other people rather than educating the public on multilevel marketing. There may be some mlm content, but the site is mlm neutral/balanced. It does not condemn or discourage anyone who loves certain products and wishes to sell them for the discount, or for a little extra spending money, or for networking and getting to know others. At the same time, multilevel marketing companies are not good companies to work for, the business model results in something like a 97% failure rate, and several brands have been exposed for psychologically dangerous, even cult-like practices….so we advise against attempting to use this work to generate a side income or replace a second career or day job, and great caution if you do choose to become involved with one at all. MLMs will not be promoted here.
Artist Cafe Utica and all its content is the property of Jess Szabo unless otherwise indicated with a byline, name, link, or other note. All work on this site is property of the artist who created it, and may not be copied, sold, or otherwise distributed without the owner's permission.
Frequently Asked….or.. Anticipated… Questions:
. What is your involvement in the arts?
I write and self-publish my own novels, do writing for and about local artists on the website you’re reading right now and for others, and teach writing skills to adults as a career. I sing as a hobby. Technically, I can act a little as well. I have an undergraduate degree in Theater. But I have neither the skills nor the interest in acting to do any…mostly not the skills.
- Haven’t I seen you someplace online before?
One of the services I offer is writing articles about the arts for media outlets, so you may have seen my name in a byline on someone else’s website or print newspaper.
There is also a woman online who looks exactly like me, down to the slight bumps above the nostrils and ultra pale complexion. I stumbled upon pictures of her while searching for a hair style that would look good on someone with a full figure and red hair. Most of her pics were blocked by my safe search filter, but the ones I saw… even I mistook photos of her with straight hair and little to no makeup for pictures of me for a second. I had a few moments of “Who secretly took that picture? Wait…I never owned that outfit or had my hair quite like that…”
But this is not me. The only photos of me online are clean/safe for work.
- Are you originally from Utica?
I wish! I moved here in 2017 to be near the love of my life, my fiance. It has become my hometown. But I am originally from a tiny borough in the Pittsburgh, PA area.
- You mention singing. Are you available to sing at events?
Only if you want your customers or audience to get bored and leave after the first song or two. My voice is good enough for singing to be my hobby, but I have nothing anyone would want to listen to for very long.
- What types of articles are you available to write?
I offer writing about artists and the arts to anyone and everyone who wishes to publish it. I am also available to write articles about non-arts related subjects for media outlets owned by artists, or write non-arts related materials such as press releases, columns, and advertising for businesses owned by artists.
- Is there anything you won’t write?
As a follower of Jesus Christ, I do not tolerate the promotion of racism, violence, greed, homophobia, or transphobia. (And no, the Bible does not condemn homosexuality as we know it today. They had no concept of what a gay person was when it was written. They did, however, know about loving others and not judging). Discussing these issues is okay, but advocating hate and selfishness is not. If your project promotes any of these things, is anti-Christian, or mocks Jesus, you will need to find another writer. I will also turn down pro new age work.
- Who are your characters supposed to be? Are your novels about you and your family and friends?
The only character directly based on a real person is “Jenny.” She makes her first appearance in Mostly On the Internet. Jenny was created as a tribute to my sister, Jennifer Lynn (Jenny) Szabo, of blessed memory (1975-1990). Everyone else in my novels is a completely fictional character. Some details are borrowed from me and my life, some are things I have observed in others, and some are simply things that came to me while writing. The same is true about the plots of my novels. Some of the things that happen are based on things that happened to me. Others are based on research I have done on the issue the character faces. Never assume I am writing about real people or events when reading any of my novels.
- Where do you get the material for the articles in “Library 315?”
The articles are researched. Some of the research was done in my former career as a reporter. Some is done for current projects, or specifically for the article.
- Are you still a reporter, or looking for work as a reporter?
No. I was a reporter from 2004 until early 2017 when I moved here to Utica, and decided to transition fully to a career in the arts. I feel no calling to return to that field. But I can do news style articles and press releases for local artists or about the arts.
- You can quit your teaching job! I get paid to promote products I love. Would you like more information about joining my team?
Teaching writing is something I feel called to do. I am not trying to quit. I am also not interested in joining a multilevel marketing company, network marketing, or social selling.
- Does this mean you’ll have anti mlm content?
I removed the previous version of Artist Cafe Utica from the “anti mlm community” because I thought that movement had devolved into congratulating yourself for humiliating and bullying other people rather than educating the public on multilevel marketing. There may be some mlm content, but the site is mlm neutral/balanced. It does not condemn or discourage anyone who loves certain products and wishes to sell them for the discount, or for a little extra spending money, or for networking and getting to know others. At the same time, multilevel marketing companies are not good companies to work for, the business model results in something like a 97% failure rate, and several brands have been exposed for psychologically dangerous, even cult-like practices….so we advise against attempting to use this work to generate a side income or replace a second career or day job, and great caution if you do choose to become involved with one at all. MLMs will not be promoted here.
