Blog #148; On My 60th Birthday

 Exactly sixty years ago today, I was born.  Kind of hard to believe I am this old, because I never thought when I was younger that I would survive to this age.  But like my wife likes to remind me, "It beats the alternative."  Or as my friend the nonagenarian Wid used to say, "At least I am still vertical".  Sixty!  I never thought I would make it this far because a lot of my adult life I was doing very self-destructive things.  Smoking like a chimney.  Drinking like a proverbial fish in college.  Eating junk food like no tomorrow.  But I treasure life too much now.  My family.  My activities and the things I love to do!  Swimming.  Going to the airport and watching planes.  Playing video games with my son Liam.  Sleeping in with my wife.  Life is so beautiful, and precious and I pray I get a lot more time on this planet.

I had many friends now who have met untimely deaths.  A musician named Mike.  A counselor named Ron.  A writer and poet named Philip.  A writer named Joe David.  So many good friends who are no longer with me.  But in my belief system, I am sure I will see them all again.

To celebrate my birthday, I am making a book available for free this week.

Be well!

My books

Blog #147; A Literary Anecdote

 I am going to tell a little story about a writer who worked with the famous Jackie Kennedy.  I met him at a reading at Valencia College when I was teaching there.  He was a Russian named Edvard Radzinski and I asked him to inscribe a copy of his biography of the Russian royal family to my Aunt Barbara, who was fascinated by the Romanov family.

Blog #146; Free Writing About Swimming; Collection Give Away

 My Story Collection, Swimming Among the Olympians, A Memoir and Story Collection, is available from April 15-19 for free in digital format.  If you like my other, historical, stories, but have yet to read my stories about competitive swimming, give them a try!

click for books

Blog #145; Some Additional Thoughts on Self-Publishing

 My original thoughts on self-publishing were that I would end up having some of my work in print no matter what, that no New York publisher could stand in the way of me and eventual publication.  That the best of my writing would survive past my time on this planet, and that my step-sons, nieces and nephews and their children will  one day live on to see the kind of person I was, and particularly, the kind of writer I had become.  I believe I have achieved that goal and now have left a lasting legacy I can be proud of.

Blog #144; Reaching Out to Readers

 I have noticed that in my latest give away, I have had a few readers from Germany and the UK ordering copies.  Seeing as these countries participated in the war, I am happy about this and my interest is peaked, but I do wonder if you could give me some feedback when you have finished the books?  What rang true to you?  What seemed false?  How can I improve my writing about this era in history in your country?  I am curious what the  readers think about them.

Blog #143; Free Give away of Novel and Novella

 In the next few days, I am going to give away digital copies of two books I have written: the novel IN LOVE AND WAR and the novella Under Old Glory.  Be sure to get your copies soon!!

Amazon Author Page

Blog # 142; to Self-Publish or Not Self-Publish

  A while ago, I made the decision to start self-publishing  my books, around 2015.  I have sold (or given away) a few thousand books, and have had a modest success critically.  I do have a novel that I am shopping around with LDS publishers, and I ask that you wish me luck for that.  I have no idea if I will be successful in this venture, but I know I will always have some readers if I self-publish.