avg_rating: 4.09
name: V.C. Birlidis
about: A Worn Paperback and a Huge ImaginationFor Vasilios Constantine Birlidis (V.C. Birlidis), the road to getting published has been a long one. The inspiration for his novel, Muse Unexpected, was ignited when he was a child, due to his father reading to him from a worn paperback about the Greek Myths. The myths were certainly not the sort of bedtime story to read to a nine year old with an overactive imagination, and although he often begged his father to read another one, Vasilios experienced many sleepless and anxiety filled nights during his childhood. Early YearsVasilios was born and raised in Miami, Florida, in the Dade County suburb Coral Reef. Raised in a deeply religious, Greek Orthodox family, Vasilios struggled to reconcile him being A Worn Paperback and a Huge ImaginationFor Vasilios Constantine Birlidis (V.C. Birlidis), the road to getting published has been a long one. The inspiration for his novel, Muse Unexpected, was ignited when he was a child, due to his father reading to him from a worn paperback about the Greek Myths. The myths were certainly not the sort of bedtime story to read to a nine year old with an overactive imagination, and although he often begged his father to read another one, Vasilios experienced many sleepless and anxiety filled nights during his childhood. Early YearsVasilios was born and raised in Miami, Florida, in the Dade County suburb Coral Reef. Raised in a deeply religious, Greek Orthodox family, Vasilios struggled to reconcile him being a gay person, with the teaching of the church and the expectations of his family. Beginning in the 2nd grade, Vasilios was the victim of bullying and subjected to emotional and physical abuse by his fellow students, which he kept hidden from his family out of embarrassment. This abusive treatment continued until he stood up to his tormentors when he was 17. Finding Peace and Coming-OutBeginning in junior high, Vasilios began to search for an outlet for his bottled-up creativity and auditioned and won placement in The New World School of the Arts (Formerly PAVAC), in their Musical Theater program, but it was during the summer of his 16th year that Vasilios discovered a true outlet for the creativity he didn’t know how to express. Always having been a fan of the ballet, Vasilios began taking classes at the renowned ballet instructor/studio, Martha Mahr School of Ballet. It was during the many grueling classical ballet classes, which transformed the than overweight teenager into a strong, confident and lean individual. The art form provided Vasilios with the focus, discipline and strength to come into terms with his homosexuality, finally reconciling his religious, personal and family life. Vasilios went on to perform with The Miami Ballet, BalletMet Columbus and Columbus Youth Ballet. Higher Education and Muse UnexpectedVasilios decided to focus on his education and received an Associates Degree in Microcomputer Communications, and then, attended Capital University where he received his Bachelors in Marketing and Communications. He became a freelancer focusing on Downtown Columbus development. In 2012 he landed his dream job, the Director of Marketing, for the nationally recognized and award winning SBC Advertising. Five years ago the author discovered another outlet for his creativity and began writing his first novel, Muse Unexpected. The novel was published in January 2014 and a debut party was held at SBC Advertising where 200 guests attended to hear Vasilios read from his novel and answer questions about Muse Unexpected and the publishing process. The novel continues to receive rave reviews and Vasilios is currently working on Book 2 of the series. ...more