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An Interview with the Internet’s Fearless Femme: Mitzi Szereto

Interview by Rhonda Baughman

Who is Mitzi Szereto, anyway? Traveler, entrepreneur, writer, epicurean, daredevil … but really, in my eyes – she is a Superhero. All I have to do now is get her in a cape! Just the cape, actually …

All kidding aside: she is an uber-talented Jill of all trades – and if you’re not jacked in to Mitzi TV – you’re nowhere, baby. (http://www.myspace.com/mitzi_szereto)

Rhonda: Please give us a brief background or more if you're comfy with that - publications, writing career, where you have lived, etc.

Mitzi: I refer to myself as "a Renaissance lass". I'm an author and anthology editor, a blogger

("Errant Ramblings: Mitzi Szereto's Weblog" http://mitziszereto.com/blog), and most recently a Web TV entrepreneur for Mitzi TV (http://mitziszereto.com/tv). I'm also an avid social networker; in fact I've even been nicknamed "The Queen of Facebook"! Because I keep reaching the friends limit, I've had to create fan pages to redirect people. I've got one for Mitzi TV (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mitzi-TV/270829325367) and one for Mitzi Szereto (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mitzi-Szereto/24537936152). So if I can't add you as a friend, you can always find me there.

Rhonda: I am so grateful I got on before the limit! I barely slid in there, I bet … What else do you do, in your seven seconds of free time?

Mitzi: My published books cross the genres, focusing on erotic fiction and multi-genre fiction (short stories and novel-length), as well as some non-fiction. My new release "In Sleeping Beauty's Bed: Erotic Fairy Tales" is hot off the press. My other titles include "Getting Even: Revenge Stories" (crime), "Dying For It: Tales of Sex and Death" (multi-genre), "Wicked: Sexy Tales

of Legendary Lovers", "The New Black Lace Book of Women's Sexual Fantasies" (non-fiction/survey), the "Erotic Travel Tales" anthology series, and the M. S. Valentine erotic novels. In addition, I'm the pioneer of the erotic writing workshop in the UK and Europe, and have taught them from the Cheltenham Festival of Literature to the Greek islands. I've also lectured in creative writing at a number of British universities.

Although I've lived all over the USA, I consider myself primarily a Californian. However, I'm now an expat in the UK, which has become my permanent home. Or perhaps I should qualify that - my permanent home is the internet!

Rhonda: Hmmm … I might have a short piece in that “New Black Lace Books of Women’s Sexual Fantasies” … as I recall, that was an excellent non-fiction collection: fairly taboo in that why would anything be taboo kinda way … So tell me - who IS Mitzi Szereto? Really ...

Mitzi: I doubt if you have enough space for that answer! There's a quote I use on my Facebook profile: "I'm like baklava, I have a lot of layers." It's my own quote, and I think it's accurate. One thing I emphasize: do not pigeonhole me and do not make assumptions about me. Because I can guarantee that you'll be very wrong.

Rhonda: I don’t doubt that. What is the most fearless thing you have done?

Mitzi: Fearless means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. I've been told (by men, interestingly enough) that I have a lot of courage. To me, fearless is going for something, despite the odds, despite the high probability of failure

or indeed, even disaster. So I guess I'd have to say for me it was moving to England. I had no one waiting for me here, no friends, no family, no partner, no support system, no nothing - but I went for it and I made it work. I won't say it was easy, but I'm resourceful and determined. Those are the qualities that have kept me alive.

Rhonda: One of the traits that makes you a badass, and hence my desire to interview you. How did Mitzi TV come about? What would you like to see for the future of Mitzi TV?

Mitzi: Mitzi TV (http://mitziszereto.com/tv) came about rather randomly. I suppose it's a natural segue from my blog "Errant Ramblings" (http://mitziszereto.com/blog), which is more a series of humourous personal essays on any number of topics than a traditional blog. I started to think about venturing professionally into internet television after seeing just how bad some of it is. I thought hell, I can do a better job, even if I were deaf, dumb and blind.

I didn't have a set idea of what Mitzi TV would be; it just took shape all on its own, and has now become the channel to come to for "all things quirky and London," which is Mitzi TV's buzz phrase. It's been attracting viewers worldwide who are interested in travel, comedy, arts and entertainment, and London, of course. My primary goal (besides creating quality content that entertains) is to get sponsorship, and I'm starting to put the word out on this as we speak. I'd eventually like to take Mitzi TV on the road at some point, cover other locations, sort of locational guest spots, if you will.

Rhonda: Honestly, much like a few other creative folk I know, I have no idea why certain things have not been picked up yet. Now, randomly speaking, how long does it take to do your hair, and myself, as someone who cannot do hair (you've seen my photos, it's just hanging out), what advice would you give to me to re-orient my hair image?

Mitzi: Not that long. I wash it, blow it dry a bit, then work in some product. I'd be dead without product. I use a combination of putty and wax. The wax is more for detailing. LOL, I sound like a car. Advice? Try to find photos of hairstyles you like that are on women who have a similarly shaped face to yours, then find a stylist who can actually cut hair (and you don't have to pay a fortune either), show him/her the photos and go from there!

Rhonda: Who are some of your idols?

Mitzi: I don't have any idols. I never did.

Rhonda side note: I thought about declaring my undying love here, but did not want Mitzi to go away …

Rhonda: What motivates you? Discourages you?

Mitzi: What motivates me? Well, the fact that I'm compelled to create, and the fact that I have to do something with my life that allows me to create. I also really need to have my freedom, so that in itself motivates me to be entrepreneurial in what I do. My little bear, the famous Teddy Tedaloo (who has his own Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=68292282108&ref=ts) especially motivates me. He relies on me, so I can't let him down! As for what discourages me, I'd say it's the fact that our culture seems to reward mediocrity. And the more mediocre you are, the more you're rewarded. Take a look at our celebrity culture. Do any of these people have talent? You're lucky to find a handful. I won't mention names, but all you have to do is turn on the television or open a newspaper or magazine - you can't escape it.

Rhonda final note: Mitzi’s right, so it’s our jobs to stop rewarding mediocrity. Or even … putting up with it. I’m as guilty as anyone of being complacent once in awhile – I’d like to knock that off … and make Mitzi proud.

Most Items We Have Reviewed and Commented On Are Available Through Amazon.com. If you want to pick them up for yourself, please don't hesitate to do so through this link below, proceeds on any sales will go towards the operation of this website:


		Mitzi on my Mind: No Limit! An Interview with the Internet’s Fearless Femme: Mitzi Szereto Interview by Rhonda Baughman Who is Mitzi Szereto, anyway? Traveler, entrepreneur, writer, epicurean, daredevil … but really, in my eyes – she is a Superhero. All I have to do now is get her in a cape! Just the cape, actually … All kidding aside: she is an uber-talented Jill of all trades – and if you’re not jacked in to Mitzi TV – you’re nowhere, baby. (http://www.myspace.com/mitzi_szereto) Rhonda: Please give us a brief background or more if you're comfy with that - publications, writing career, where you have lived, etc. Mitzi: I refer to myself as "a Renaissance lass". I'm an author and anthology editor, a blogger ("Errant Ramblings: Mitzi Szereto's Weblog" http://mitziszereto.com/blog), and most recently a Web TV entrepreneur for Mitzi TV (http://mitziszereto.com/tv). I'm also an avid social networker; in fact I've even been nicknamed "The Queen of Facebook"! Because I keep reaching the friends limit, I've had to create fan pages to redirect people. I've got one for Mitzi TV (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mitzi-TV/270829325367) and one for Mitzi Szereto (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mitzi-Szereto/24537936152). So if I can't add you as a friend, you can always find me there. Rhonda: I am so grateful I got on before the limit! I barely slid in there, I bet … What else do you do, in your seven seconds of free time? Mitzi: My published books cross the genres, focusing on erotic fiction and multi-genre fiction (short stories and novel-length), as well as some non-fiction. My new release "In Sleeping Beauty's Bed: Erotic Fairy Tales" is hot off the press. My other titles include "Getting Even: Revenge Stories" (crime), "Dying For It: Tales of Sex and Death" (multi-genre), "Wicked: Sexy Tales of Legendary Lovers", "The New Black Lace Book of Women's Sexual Fantasies" (non-fiction/survey), the "Erotic Travel Tales" anthology series, and the M. S. Valentine erotic novels. In addition, I'm the pioneer of the erotic writing workshop in the UK and Europe, and have taught them from the Cheltenham Festival of Literature to the Greek islands. I've also lectured in creative writing at a number of British universities. Although I've lived all over the USA, I consider myself primarily a Californian. However, I'm now an expat in the UK, which has become my permanent home. Or perhaps I should qualify that - my permanent home is the internet! Rhonda: Hmmm … I might have a short piece in that “New Black Lace Books of Women’s Sexual Fantasies” … as I recall, that was an excellent non-fiction collection: fairly taboo in that why would anything be taboo kinda way … So tell me - who IS Mitzi Szereto? Really ... Mitzi: I doubt if you have enough space for that answer! There's a quote I use on my Facebook profile: "I'm like baklava, I have a lot of layers." It's my own quote, and I think it's accurate. One thing I emphasize: do not pigeonhole me and do not make assumptions about me. Because I can guarantee that you'll be very wrong. Rhonda: I don’t doubt that. What is the most fearless thing you have done? Mitzi: Fearless means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. I've been told (by men, interestingly enough) that I have a lot of courage. To me, fearless is going for something, despite the odds, despite the high probability of failure or indeed, even disaster. So I guess I'd have to say for me it was moving to England. I had no one waiting for me here, no friends, no family, no partner, no support system, no nothing - but I went for it and I made it work. I won't say it was easy, but I'm resourceful and determined. Those are the qualities that have kept me alive. Rhonda: One of the traits that makes you a badass, and hence my desire to interview you. How did Mitzi TV come about? What would you like to see for the future of Mitzi TV? Mitzi: Mitzi TV (http://mitziszereto.com/tv) came about rather randomly. I suppose it's a natural segue from my blog "Errant Ramblings" (http://mitziszereto.com/blog), which is more a series of humourous personal essays on any number of topics than a traditional blog. I started to think about venturing professionally into internet television after seeing just how bad some of it is. I thought hell, I can do a better job, even if I were deaf, dumb and blind. I didn't have a set idea of what Mitzi TV would be; it just took shape all on its own, and has now become the channel to come to for "all things quirky and London," which is Mitzi TV's buzz phrase. It's been attracting viewers worldwide who are interested in travel, comedy, arts and entertainment, and London, of course. My primary goal (besides creating quality content that entertains) is to get sponsorship, and I'm starting to put the word out on this as we speak. I'd eventually like to take Mitzi TV on the road at some point, cover other locations, sort of locational guest spots, if you will. Rhonda: Honestly, much like a few other creative folk I know, I have no idea why certain things have not been picked up yet. Now, randomly speaking, how long does it take to do your hair, and myself, as someone who cannot do hair (you've seen my photos, it's just hanging out), what advice would you give to me to re-orient my hair image? Mitzi: Not that long. I wash it, blow it dry a bit, then work in some product. I'd be dead without product. I use a combination of putty and wax. The wax is more for detailing. LOL, I sound like a car. Advice? Try to find photos of hairstyles you like that are on women who have a similarly shaped face to yours, then find a stylist who can actually cut hair (and you don't have to pay a fortune either), show him/her the photos and go from there! Rhonda: Who are some of your idols? Mitzi: I don't have any idols. I never did. Rhonda side note: I thought about declaring my undying love here, but did not want Mitzi to go away … Rhonda: What motivates you? Discourages you? Mitzi: What motivates me? Well, the fact that I'm compelled to create, and the fact that I have to do something with my life that allows me to create. I also really need to have my freedom, so that in itself motivates me to be entrepreneurial in what I do. My little bear, the famous Teddy Tedaloo (who has his own Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=68292282108&ref=ts) especially motivates me. He relies on me, so I can't let him down! As for what discourages me, I'd say it's the fact that our culture seems to reward mediocrity. And the more mediocre you are, the more you're rewarded. Take a look at our celebrity culture. Do any of these people have talent? You're lucky to find a handful. I won't mention names, but all you have to do is turn on the television or open a newspaper or magazine - you can't escape it. Rhonda final note: Mitzi’s right, so it’s our jobs to stop rewarding mediocrity. Or even … putting up with it. I’m as guilty as anyone of being complacent once in awhile – I’d like to knock that off … and make Mitzi proud.
		Most Items We Have Reviewed and Commented On Are Available Through Amazon.com. If you want to pick them up for yourself, please don't hesitate to do so through this link below, proceeds on any sales will go towards the operation of this website:

Mitzi on my Mind: No Limit!

An Interview with the Internet’s Fearless Femme: Mitzi Szereto