Catching Up and Q&A

 

It's been a while since I posted, and I know that the site needs some serious updates. I think I've written and published five books since I put up my last one. I'm going to get to that. And I will endeavor to do better going forward.

Though I no longer read or post to Facebook I do have an account/page managed by my publicity manager. She recently forwarded an inquiry from a reader. Here is that question and it's answer:

Q: I actually want to ask about your book In and Out: 52 Weekly Devotional Readings for Men's Groups. I'd love to hear more about your journey. What inspired you to start writing, and what are you hoping to accomplish through your book?

A: First of all, thanks for asking. I'm not sure if you're asking about my entire life journey that led up to writing and this particular book, or just about the writing process and development of the book you mentioned. Since the life story is too long to address, I will answer the latter question.

After my wife and I got the inspiration to write KNIT Together in Love, a 31-day devotional for women based on her fabric arts hobbies, I thought why not do a devotional for men? I have been part of a men's group for a couple years and they had been teasing me about some of my other titles (like Up and Down, OFF, and ON) saying my next could be In and Out.

So, I did it. I just put those thoughts together and prayed about it and came up with the chapter titles. From there I just wrote.

You asked about what I hope to accomplish with the book. I wish it to accomplish what I wish all my books to do: inspire. In this case I hope to inspire men to think a little deeper and to be more like Christ.

And what inspired me to write? That, too, is a long story, but suffice it to say that I have been writing since a young age. When I went to college I got better at it and was encouraged to by many of my teachers to do so. I wrote my first book and just kept at it.

NEW The cat is out of the bag!

The new book, OFF, is on the shelves.

 

WRITE as RAIN Reading

RAIN Magazine's launch party and readings will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, April 5. The event will take place in the third-floor lobby of Towler Hall at Clatsop Community College in Astoria.

I DO plan to be reading my contribution at the event. There will be refreshments and the literary magazine (actually a book) will be available for sale. 

I hope to see you there!

.

When It RAINs It Pours

I GOT THIS NOTICE TODAY:

"Congratulations, your submission of The Day Renney Skaraosten Saved the North Coast was accepted into the 54th edition of Rain Magazine."

[This right on the heels of my piece Sandy Shores being accepted for the Canon Beach Writers Read event (see previous post).]

The annual literary anthology will be published for an April 2024 release. It can be purchased from Clatsop Community College. The release party is set for April 5th, 5-7 p.m. There will be readings and refreshments. The location of the party is not yet known to me, but is expected to be in Clatsop Co.-- probably at the college. I will update you as to the location and as to if I will be appearing for a reading.*

*It is, after all, the date of my wife's 60th birthday; though she said, and I quote, "I guess I know what I'll be doing for my birthday," I wouldn't press her to do that, but we might well be able to work it into the larger picture.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Today is Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, the Louisiana holiday making the beginning of the Lent session. 

Did you know that my Bayou Boys Adventure series takes place in and around New Orleans, Louisiana?

Here's another fact: The covers are duotone of the Mardi Gras colors. Marsh Monster has a green cover; Playhouse Phantom has a purple cover; and Alien Ambush has a gold tone cover. The cover of the first book of the series, Voodoo Virus, is grayscale with blood red letters. 

Why not pick up the series today? They are not only enjoyable mystery-adventure tales laden with humor, but are really informative about Louisiana's Cajun culture, geography, music, and teach Christian values.

Short Story "SANDY SHORES" Selected 7pm

I just received word that my new flash fiction piece "Sandy Shores" was one of about a dozen entries selected from 79 to be included in the 2024 Cannon Beach Library's Writer's Read Celebration at 7 p.m., Friday, March 22. This year's theme being "Beach Noir," I opted to write a period (1940s) detective piece something akin to my award-winning one-act play "About Right."

I'll be reading the 600-word piece in-person at the event along with the other writer-readers sharing their work (either in-person or via Zoom). Your presence would certainly be appreciated. If you are unable to attend the piece will be available to read online after the event.

At the Clatsop Co. Fairgrounds

Today, Dec. 2, 2023 in at the Winter Bazaar at the Clatsop Co. Fairgrounds with my author son Joe Benjamin. We're both selling our books--many at special event prices!

Come on down and see us if you're in the area.  If you can't make it in check us out on Amazon. Books are great Christmas gifts for avid readers and reluctant readers. 

Right now my book Marsh Monster (good for boys or girls) is half price on Amazon for a limited time. 

THANKSGIVING & BLACK FRIDAY

Heads up and Happy Holidays! This week marks the beginning of the winter holiday season--Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kawanza, and New Years. 

So, how about a SALE!

First off, for a limited time, the Bayou Boys Adventure MARSH MONSTER is on sale on Amazon for $4 off the list price of $14.99! The new edition was re-issued in October this year (2023) with some new formatting and updates inside as well as an all-new cover.

This book makes a great gift for either a boy or girl because in this tale Pete's girlfriend, proving to be brilliant and tough, helps to save the day. Read more about the series and story on Amazon--there's a link on the book tab of this website.

And speaking of Thanksgiving and the Bayou Boys, the brand-spanking new BBA tale, ALIEN AMBUSH, came out in October. The story centers around events happening at Thanksgiving. 

It's not on sale on Amazon, but I'll tell you what, order the first three BBA books (Voodoo Virus, Marsh Monster, and Phantom Playhouse) from direct from me for $50 (each book retails for $14.99) which includes postage and I'll throw in the new book (Alien Ambush) for FREE! Just email me before Dec. 1 at gregory.zschomler@gmail.com (secure payment through Cash-App, Square or PayPal).

Finally, my newest book is out and garnering rave reviews. It's titled ON: Is the Church On Target or On the Toilet? It retails for $19.95 from Amazon, but you can have it signed, sealed and delivered to you direct from me for $16. Just email me before Dec. 1 at gregory.zschomler@gmail.com (secure payment through Cash-App, Square or PayPal).

Meanwhile, Happy Thanksgiving!

NEW REVIEW of "ON"

"Every now and then a book comes along that has the presence of God the Father, the passion of God the Son, and the power of God the Spirit in it. Such is the case with this book, ON: Is the Church On Target or On the Toilet? by Greg Zschomler.

"It will possibly change your ministry and your understanding of the mission and methods of the church, as it has mine. May this book be used as a catalyst for revival throughout the church universal, from now until Jesus returns."

 ~Mike Cleveland, pastor of The Gospel Church Long Beach, Wash., and Founder of Setting Captives Free Ministries.
 

I'm at Harbor Books in Hoquiam Today

 

TODAY IN GRAYS HARBOR

 

NEW BOOK, TAKE A LOOK!

 

What's New with the BAYOU BOYS ADVENTURE Series?

1. Brand New Covers for 2023: The four books of the series now have a matching high contrast, duotone look. They are themed in the Mardi Gras colors of Green, Purple and Gold plus Black. In Mardi Gras tradition Green represents Faith; Purple, Justice; and Gold, Power. I use Black to represent Mystery. These are attributes of every BBA story.

2. New Formatting: The inner formating of each book has also been updated so that they have a uniform look and layout with an easier to read typeface. 

In addition, text references that would date the books have been removed.

3. Special Features: Each book has a glossary of terms so that readers can familiarize themselves with the Cajun language and culture. PLUS, readers will learn about Louisiana culture, geography, faith and much more. These are excellent resources for home-school reading.

4. AND there is a brand new adventure: Alien Ambush. Released October 2023!

The fourth book wraps up the series while driving home the soul of the Bayou Boys.

Much of ALIEN AMBUSH was written at KRAKEN KAFE in Long Beach, Wash.

 

 

 

TWO WEEKS OFF FACEBOOK and LOVING IT!

I quit Facebook. 

For many good reasons. Closed my account. Not posting there no more. And I'm finding out I'm going to be okay. More than okay. I'm all the better for it.

If I've got something to say or share I'll do that here. And, if you care to read what I have to say, you can follow me here. 

I'll not wax political or rant on hot button issues, but it will be MY platform to encourage you and discuss things (like books, bookstores, coffee, coffeeshops, travels, music, movies, theater, Disney, and things spiritual) that we might share an interest in.

I'll be polite, I'll try to be funny, and I'll be me.

I might post a couple times a day, but most likely just a couple times a week. We'll see. You can always give me a test drive and if you don't like how I road test you can quietly pull over and park the car. No big deal.

Bookstores on the Comeback?

Children's Book Week Events

Plodding Through Plot Problems

Cover Concept Art

My last book came out on Valentine's Day this year (2017). I've been working on and off on another novella, but a few other things have taken from my book writing time AND, when I have been writing, it's been a struggle with my present work. There have been plot perplexities, which I am now working out...when I have the time.

It's not that I'm not writing.

This year I've done a lot of work for local news services and a magazine, not to mention editing and other business writing work. So, I have my excuses, I guess. (Don't we all?) We've been running Harbor House Writing Center this year and we opened Harbor BOOKs & Gifts in September, too.

I wanted to get the new Bayou Boys Adventure, Alien Ambush, out for Thanksgiving 2017 (because the story takes place over the holiday and addresses timely matters).

That may still be possible, but it will be a challenge. I have about fifteen writing days to write half the work (that's 15K words) and then it still has to go through editing and polishing and formatting within the three weeks following.

I may yet do it, but some days I just have too many other things on my mind and on my plate. And honestly, I'm pretty lazy, too. So, please, bear with me. Maybe say a little prayer for me as well.