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.
These days I'm writing a lot of articles for print and the web. I've also had a few pieces in our local daily news. This includes several pieces for GraysHarborTalk.com, a couple for thekickerblog.wordpress.com, and a couple for Washington Coast magazine. I am also working on a few books, too.
1) I have recently squeezed in time to write a couple bits for an upcoming anthology. I'm mostly collecting others' work for this project, but contributing as well as co-editing with my wife Ruth. It's called Another Load of Chicken Poop on My Sole as the follow-up to our Chicken Poop on My Sole. I have several pieces that I've edited in preparation for inclusion, but I need more stories, so if you've got something that's true; touching and/or funny; about farm life, country living, gardening or pets and can be told in 300 to 1,200 words (give or take) let me know. You could be published, too! (We hope to publish this in September.)
2) I'm working on and off on a book called If It Was a Snake It Would Have Bit You (and other things my father said and what I think he meant), too. It may take me a while as I consider it a side project.
3) I also have significant work done on the fourth Bayou Boys Adventure: Alien Ambush. It's been a couple years in the works due to some plot problems (as well as other projects), but I believe I have those worked through and I have scheduled to complete the work this fall for a Thanksgiving Release (as the story takes place during that time).
4) Finally (for now), I will be doing research in late June on what I hope will be my first full-length adult novel* titled Dead Men DO Tell Tales and writing (feverishly) over the summer. I plan to complete the first draft by November and redraft for NanoWriMo (Nov.) completing the work by the end of 2017 and publishing some time in 2018. (Yay, it be a modern pirate forensic-mystery novel, indeed. I'll say no more, fer the time bein'.)
Meanwhile, I'm at work on other projects as well including our writing center, opening a bookstore and more. I have a few signing events coming up over the summer and into the fall, too (watch for those on my Facebook page).
*I've previously written two adult novellas, The Amish vs. the Zombies and Hell, Heaven and Back.
I keep thinking I'm crazy and I hope it works. The plan is to open a bookstore in the Twin Harbor area.
There really isn't a bookstore on the harbor, though a few places carry books, and a lot of people keep lamenting the fact. So, we're hoping to fill a niche.
Our first 300+ books came in yesterday, but we're going to need a lot more. We've also begun to slowly remodel now that we have a plan (right).
It's going to take us most of the summer to ramp up to an opening as there is much to do. We're HOPING for a soft opening by August sometime and no later than Sept. 5.
We're planning to carry and feature:
Select, bestselling, popular fiction; new books and gently used; books by local authors; and a good lineup of Christian books as well as art books and art supplies and gifts (for readers, writers and visitors).
READ OUR PREVIOUS POST FOR HOURS, CLOSURES and UPCOMING EVENTS.
So, my wife Ruth and I recently had the privilege to visit Talk Story, the western-most bookstore in the United States. It was a privilege for a number of reasons. The first being that very distinction, the second being that it is on the island of Kaua'i, Hawai'i (nice). But there are other reasons as well.
It was also a sincere pleasure to meet co-owner Cynthia Justus, and speak with her about books, bookstores and the book business. She was knowledgable and friendly and so willing to share, transparently, her passionate feelings about business, bookselling, indie publishing, and customer service. She can be frank, even bawdy at times, but you know she's shooting straight from the hip.
Photo source: Talk Story website.
When we told her that we were interested in opening a bookstore ourselves (coming to Harbor House this fall) she was so forthright and helpful, it was like getting a college course in "how to run a bookstore" in thirty minutes. Justus not only shared with us then and there, but said she is happy to help with advice in the future.
The successful (eleven years running) multiple award-winning bookstore, tucked into charming Old Town Hanapepe, Kaua'i isn't very pretty on the outside (the building is more than70 years old), but inside it is a sparkling treasure trove of new, used and rare books, plus much more. The selection of more than 100,000 books was great and the store was well organized. They move about 3,000 books a month!
And Celeste, the cat, was friendly, too. (I do wish I'd have met Cynthia's husband Ed, from this video he seems like he's got a great sense of humor.) Video source: YouTube.
Photo source: Talk Story website.
Justus was quite candid (blunt even) about indie authors (even though she knew I was one of them). She said that most of the indie titles that local authors bring into the store don't sell. "I can't give them away," she said, "they are so bad." She showed us the stack; they screamed amature indie all over. The covers were awful, the writing generally dull and poorly edited, sometimes the formatting inside was off as well. She said no one ever asks a bookstore owner how to put a cover together that will sell. She wasn't being mean, she wanted to sell indie books and willingly carries them.
One piece of advice she offered was don't sell coffee and books in the same shop (and gave several practical reasons why it wasn't good business). Well, I love coffee and books so...
Little Fish Coffee, Hanapepe, Kaua'i, Hawai'i
photo by Gregory E. Zschomler
It should be noted that just down the street is Little Fish Coffee, one of the best coffee shops in the U.S. (and you know I've visited quite a few from the Big Apple to the Big Easy and all along the western coffee coast, so I'm really saying something here).
The quaint and quirky shop serves 100% Hawaiian-grown coffee and it's delish. [Note: We also got to visit Kaua'i Coffee Co.'s plantation and visitor's center, but that's another fascinating story.] Little Fish also serves a nice selection of food items including bagels with NYC-style schmears (flavored cream cheese spreads)--which is something you can't get just anywhere.
Cynthia and Ed Justus, photo source:
http://www.bizjournals.com/
Anyway, it's a great place to savor a cup while enjoying the book you just bought from Talk Story. These two wonderful businesses (not to mention the warm weather, delightful beaches and breathtaking vistas) are just a few of the great reasons to visit the Garden Isle of Kaua'i.
I'm not sure what I'll be working on for NaNoWriMo, but, rest-assured, I'll be working on something (plenty of story ideas in my files). It may not be a novel though. (It may be finishing the novella, Alien Ambush; maybe not. I've not decided.)
I actually plan to do LOT of writing over the next three months (working six hours a day at Harbor House). I'll be taking a two week break the latter part of December, then back at it for the new year.
My publishing plans are as follows:
Beyond Infinity (the sequel to Rocketman), March 2017 Another Load of Chicken Poop (editing), April 2017 Alien Ambush (a Bayou Boys Adventure), October 2017
and maybe something for summer 2017?
We're expecting 24 Washington and Oregon authors to join us for the second annual Indie Author & Book Fair on April 10, 2016. Eighteen of the twenty-four author spots have been reserved (we still have room for eight authors and expect the spots to fill quickly*).
The event follows directly on the heels of the Get Lit at the Beach event and creates a nice ending for the the weekend.To learn more about Get Lit click here.
A burnt out pastor thinks he’s living hell until he actually goes there.
"I wrote this book to address questions we all have by sharing experiences similar to those we all endure, but I did it using a sci-fi vehicle which makes the story especially intriguing."
Pastor Micah had no idea what kind of powder keg he was
stepping into with his new church assignment. Half the Gulf Coast congregation
hates him, the chairman of the board is out to get him, a church split is in
the works, his youngest daughter suffers from an autoimmune disease, his
marriage is in turmoil, and years of 60 hour work weeks without a vacation are
taking their toll. And that’s only the beginning.
In seminary
a professor had joked, “ministry is hard; then you die,” but it was no joke to
Micah—the stress is killing him and death seems a reasonable option for escape.
Maybe imminent hurricane Charlie will do that for him; he doesn’t care.
That is until a mysterious old woman shows up to take him on a
series of interdimensional journeys—around the world, to heaven, to hell and far
beyond what he’d ever imagined. Just as things come crashing down around Micah,
and he’s questioning everything he believes in and pondering leaving it all
behind, his eyes are opened to a few astounding realities.
Does God
cause the chaos? If He’s truly Sovereign then isn’t He responsible for the mess
the world is in? How can such a god be loving? How can He be trusted?
A work of supernatural, spiritual and speculative fiction based
on actual events.
How do you celebrate National Author's Day? It seems the reasonable thing to do would be to buy a book (or at least check one out of the library). And read it. It's why we write books, so people will read them. Support your local author and help keep us writing.
I mean, who doesn't want to see Star Wars' Carrie Fisher (Princess Leah), Star Trek's Walter Koenig (Chekov), Star Wars' Dan Park (Darth Maul), Brandon Roth (Superman), Star Trek's Wil Wheaton (Wesley), Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols (Uhuru), and many many more from Grimm, The Walking Dead, etc.
Plus the Rose City ComicCon is the place for crazed costumed fans, the out of this world merchandise, the sneak peeks, the insider info and much, much more.
Well, if that's not enough, how about Sci-Fi and Fantasy books from local authors? Look for the NIWA booth on the expo floor and that's what you'll find them--including my Bayou Boys Adventure series and The Amish vs. the Zombies.
That's right, EVERYONE who's read it, has told me they loved it.
And YOU can have it in your hands for a winter's read for just $7 to $12.
Post paid and at your door.
Why the price range? Because I have a few with slightly blemished covers I'm willing to let go at the deep 50% discount. Signed, if you like. Want it for Kindle? That's on Amazon for even less.
Through this next week I'm guaranteeing delivery of my books in time for Christmas. You can even have them signed, personalized and gift-wrapped for FREE! What a great gift for the readers in your life.
Here's a gift-giving guide to help you out:
Under 6 years-old: "I'm Samson," said Sydney
10 to 15 years-old: Voodoo Virus, Marsh Monster, and Playhouse Phantom
16 up: The Amish vs. The Zombies
Plus there's always Big Papa Zee's Cajun and Caribbean Cookbook (for those who love to whip things up in the kitchen), and Lights, Camera, Worship (for any pastor you know).
Order through Amazon for discounts (and FREE shipping on orders over $25), or through your local bookstore, or through me if you wish them signed (I'll also throw in the postage for FREE on orders of $15 or more).
"A book is a gift you can open again and again." ~ Garrison Keillor
Time to start thinking about the Christmas Season. Black Friday (yuk) is just weeks away, but you can avoid the crush, rush, and fuss by shopping now either online or at a local bazaar. Four authors* have joined together for a book booth at the Early Bird Holiday Bazaar in Astoria, Ore. to make gift-giving as easy-peasy as can be. Books make a great magical gift for the readers on your list.
Four (and more) great books for your holiday gift giving:
"I'm Samson, " said Sydney by Gregory E. Zschomler (illustrated by April M. Bullard)
The Sock Thief written and illustrated by April M. Bullard
Max's Great Sea Adventure by G.S. Coltman
Diner Tales by Andy R. Bunch*
All four authors will be selling and signing their books at the bazaar.
Or find them at your local bookstore or at Amazon online.
Also available: Suffering Rancor and On Becoming a Man by Andy R. Bunch*; The Amish vs. The Zombies, Voodoo Virus, Marsh Monster and Playhouse Phantom by Gregory E. Zschomler and even more.
OFFICIAL BOOK LAUNCH for"I'm Samson," said Sydneyat the Early Bird Holiday Bazaar, Nov. 15.
*UPDATE: At the last minute Andy Bunch had to cancel due to illness. His books are available at book stores in the Vancouver-Portland area and online.
If you like Sci-Fiction and/or Fantasy this is probably just the thing for you. Several local, indie authors will have their work available at the NIWA booth. The featured author-speaker this year is the writer of Logan's Run. There is cosplay, sci-fi and fantasy collectibles and other stuff to buy (including books), art, gaming, speakers and so much more. If the Sci-Fi/Fantasy world is your thing you might want to check it out. Just sayin'. For more info click here.
It looks like Friday will be a beautiful day at the beach. Weather for Florence, Oregon calls for mostly sunny skies and 65 degrees. Saturday is expected to be 68 degrees and overcast with a 30% chance of showers making it the perfect day to go to a book fair. Sunday and Monday's forecast calls for partly sunny skies, less rain (10% chance) and highs of 68. Now that sounds like a nice weekend to head to the coast. AND...
The Florence Festival of Books, which I will be at with nearly 70 other author's and publishers, takes place on Saturday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 28). A perfect time and place to shop for all the readers on your Christmas list (hint, hint: I have a trilogy of Bayou Boys Adventures for $23).
