Michael Embry's Blog, page 32

Post-Authors Fair

The fifth annual Authors Fair in Madison, Ind., is history. 

My space at the Authors Fair. About 75 authors, publishers and illustrators from the tri-state area (Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky) participated in the event on April 4 at the National Guard Armory. The book fair was put on by That Book Place. 
Yolantha Harrison-Pace gave an animated presentation.The day was filled with panel discussions and readings as well as authors discussing and signing their works for book lovers. Even the Girl Scouts were present, selling boxes of cookies.

Here are a few other images from the various activities:
Eddie Price (with hat) and Stephen M. Vest (talking to book fair patron) were among 75 authors at the event.
Authors talk about their works and sign books for patrons.
I shared table space with Leah Pugh and Mysti Parker. A patron talks to author C.S. Marks.
Author Atty Eve, partially hidden,  signs a copy of her novel, My Beautiful Suicide, and Carol Preflatish.
Romance writer Magdalena Scott
One of the publisher's tables at the Authors Fair.
Author Bill Noel discusses his Folly Beach Mystery Series with readers.
Author-publisher Maddie James.
Author Leah Pugh reads from her novel, The Diamond Caper. It was an enjoyable day for me, and I'm sure for the rest of the authors and others who attended.  While I didn't sell a lot of books, I did meet some other writers to broaden my network and friendships, as well as talk to various folks about my novels. 
Until the next time...

Fifth annual Authors Fair

I'll be participating in the fifth annual Authors Fair in Madison, Ind., on Saturday along with about 80 other authors from the region.
This free event, sponsored and organized by the great folks at That Book Place, will be at the National Guard Armory at 1533 Clifty Drive. It runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
The activities actually begin on Friday at That Book Place at 337 Clifty Place, with four one-hour panel discussions beginning at 6 p.m.: Finding the Time to Write So You Want to be a Writer? Crossing GenresMusic & WritingThere's a full slate of activities on Saturday at the National Guard Armory, in addition to authors discussing and signing books for the attendees.
Beginning at 9 a.m, there will be more one-hour panel discussions:Marketing Romance MysteryParanormalFantasyPitch the Publisher (with Turquoise Morning Press)Sci-FiHorrorThere will be informative one-hour workshops, beginning at 10 a.m.:Beginner's Guide to Writing and Publishing, with Iscah.Polish Your Prose: Self-Editing for Fiction and Nonfiction Writers, with Susan LindseyEditors & Editing: What Writers Need to Know, with LindseyAnd there will be 20-minute readings throughout the day, starting at 10 a.m., featuring 24 of the authors. 
By the way, I'll be signing four of my books: "Shooting Star," "The Bully List," "A Confidential Man," and "Laments: Short Stories." 
As you can tell, the Authors Fair has something for readers, writers, educators, and book lovers. And Madison is a beautiful and historic town located next to the Ohio River.
For more information, visit the Author Fair website or Facebook page. 
Until the next time...



 

Story Songs: Where Would I Be

During the past few days, I've read postings on Facebook and other social media about long relationships between married couples. And I recently read a short piece on the AARP website about  keys to keeping a marriage strong and vibrant through the years.
Those posts, along with having friends who've spent most of their lives with one mate, made me think about a song by one of my favorite singer-songwriters, Nanci Griffith, called "Where Would I Be." 
While Griffith writes many  of the songs on her recordings, this one was penned by the legendary British musician Paul Carrack. This tune is on her "Clock Without Hands" album, released in 2001.
Griffith's sweet, sincere and lilting voice conveys the depth and beauty of the heartfelt lyrics. 
The song beings:
"Tell me whereWould I be now without youWithout an angel Watching out for me"
I believe most people in strong relationships can relate to those words as well as the second verse:
"Took a long, long timeFor me to realize All my faith in youWas so justified"
I see those words as reflecting a relationship that grows stronger --sticking it out in the good times and the bad. 
The song goes on to say that we find truth and support from the person we love.  And without that significant other, we would "be lost, just drifting out to sea."
And it closes with:
"If I could start all overI wouldn't change a thing'Cause I know you'll always Be there through thick and thin
"Tell me whereWould I be without you now"
This is one of my favorite love songs. I hope you enjoy it as well. 
"Where Would I Be" lyrics

Progress Report on Belle

Belle, my 3 1/2-month-old Chorkie, completed her puppy shots today at the veterinarian's office. She now weighs 5.56 pounds, up for the 2.12 pounds on her first trip to the vet two months ago. 


BelleAmong Belle's vaccinations was a rabies shot, and now she has a green tag to wear on her collar. 

In the past few weeks, Belle has developed some light bright hair around her neck and on her rump. I'm looking forward to seeing what she'll look like at six months.

Belle will be making another visit to the vet in about three months to be spayed. 

Bailey and BelleShe's been a great addition to our family, especially for Bailey, who is 2 1/2-years-old. He needed a doggy playmate and they've been pals almost from the get-go. Her friskiness has helped him burn off a few calories as well in the past month. Now that the weather has turned warmer, we're taking twice-a-day walks in the neighborhood and we'll be heading the park for them to romp around in a few weeks.

My wife and I love having two dogs in our home. We'll enjoy it even better when Belle is totally house-trained, but she's getting there. She's learned a lot from being around Bailey. And Bailey has become a friendlier pooch by seeing how Belle interacts with humans.

Until the next time....

Spotlight on Connie Francis

In the early years of rock and roll, there wasn't a bigger female pop singer than Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, better known as Connie Francis.


Francis dominated the charts from 1957 to 1963, churning out 28 Top 40 songs including 14 that reached the Top 10. She had two No. 1 singles -- "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own" in 1960 and "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You" two years later.

While her first charted song was "Who's Sorry Now?" in 1957, Francis attracted younger fans in 1958 with the Neil Sedaka-Howard Greenfield tune, "Stupid Cupid."

Francis appeared in movies such as "Where the Boys Are," the first beach movie, in 1961; performed on all the top television shows and stages around the world; and became an international star with her recordings in German, Italian, Spanish, Yiddish, French other other languages. Her love ballads are timeless.

Through the years she has proven to be a mighty woman by putting her life together after being beaten and raped at knifepoint in 1974; surviving mental illness and helping others deal with the disease; and working on important military veterans' issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder. The Newark, N.J., native has also written two autobiographies.

Francis, who is 76, still records and performs. She is truly a remarkable person who has accomplished so much in her professional career, overcome numerous obstacles, and inspired others in many ways.

Surprisingly, this artist who paved the way for so many other "girl singers" has never been nominated to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame although she's been eligible since the doors opened in 1986. She deserves to be among rock's royalty.

And now for a few of Connie's biggest hits:










Until the next time...

My Medical Week

This has been medical week for me as I had prostate and colon examinations. 

I know what you're thinking. Ugh!

Neither are pleasant procedures but can be life-saving in the course of a person's life. They are used to detect signs of cancer and other abnormalities.


I visited the urologist because my PSA (prostate-specific antigen) was on the high side of normal on a previous exam a few months ago. This time it was well within the normal range. 

I had the digital rectal exam and my walnut-sized prostate was normal. More importantly, there were no nodules. I'll be back for another exam in 12 months.

The day after the prostate exam, I was on a liquid diet in preparation for a colonoscopy. It also involved a mega amount of laxatives to cleanse my intestines. As you can surmise, I spent a considerable amount of time on the toilet. 

I went to the hospital the next day to have a colonoscopy, which involves inserting a colonoscope (a thin tube with a camera attached at the end) in my colon, which transmits images to a screen and lets the doctor see if there are any polyps. 

Polyps are small growths that can develop into cancer. Most folks remember former President Reagan undergoing the procedure back in the 1980s and doctors finding polyps. That was the first time I was aware of that type of exam. 

My exam was clean, so to speak. By the way, it lasted about 20 minutes and I was asleep the entire time, so if you're concerned about your personal dignity, they're in and out before you know it, and you're on your way home after a short recovery period. (My wife and I went to Cracker Barrel before going home.) 

I won't need a colonoscopy for another 10 years unless I notice any abnormalities that merit another exam. I was also polyp-free on my previous exam in 20o5.

I know a lot of folks who don't look forward to these types of examinations. Guys have prostate exams; women have pelvic exams. And we both have colonoscopies. No fun, but necessary. 

And there is a peace of mind in knowing that these exams can save lives. I know quite a few folks who are cancer survivors because these exams detected early stages of that dreaded disease.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. It estimates that 222,800 will be detected this year, and there will be 27,540 deaths. One in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, according to ACS.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women. ACS estimates there will be 93,090 new colon cancer cases this year as well as 39,610 rectal cancer diagnoses. It also notes that a person has a 5 percent of developing those cancers in their lifetime so the odds are slim that you will develop this cancer. But better than sorry.

I hope this post will encourage you to take advantage of medical exams for your healthy well-being.

Until the next time...

A Thoughtful Pause

I must confess that I haven't made any progress on my manuscript this month. 

And I must add that it's been intentional.

I have been busy with activities outside of writing, but I won't use them as excuses for not working on the manuscript. 

As mentioned in previous posts, sometimes it's good to step away from a work in progress in order to get a fresh perspective on what's been written. I did that with my last novel, "The Bully List," going back to it four months after the first draft. I discovered a renewed energy and enthusiasm about the story when I delved back into it.

That's the plan with my current work. After I sort things out in my head -- and I do think about it daily -- I'll jump back into it without hesitation. I'll know when that time comes. 

Until then, I'll concentrate on short stories and other writing endeavors. For one thing, I hope to get back on a semi-regular schedule with posts to this blog.

Until the next time...

New Adventure in 2015

Last year my wife and I took a guided tour to "America's Beautiful West," which included riding Amtrak trains from Chicago to San Francisco and back. 

It was a memorable 14-day vacation, making stops at places such as Grand Canyon, Yosemite, John Muir Woods as well as cities such as Las Vegas, San Francisco, Sacramento, and Salt Lake City. 

Big Ben in LondonThis year we have international plans: London, Paris, and Rome. 

Ten years ago I spent about a week in irresistible Ireland, visiting such picturesque places as Dingle, Ring of Kerry, and Cliffs of Moher. Someday I plan to return and take in more of the treasures of the Emerald Isle.

Eiffel Tower in ParisSince that trip, I've always wanted to go back to Europe. I'm still mapping out places to see in the Old World, which will be a New World for our senses.

We're looking forward to visiting some of the museums, art galleries and historic places and experiencing the sights and sounds of these great cities. 
Colosseum in Rome
If you have any tips or recommendations on traveling in Europe, please let me know. 

I wish I had the time and resources to travel to many European destinations, but I hope that will come on another vacation. 


I'm looking forward to sharing my thoughts and photos from this new adventure. 

Until the next time... 

Back to the Beginning

My current work in progress remains a work in progress, but I'm going back to the beginning of the manuscript.

As mentioned in previous posts, the storyline has drifted way off in a different direction from where it started. So my plan is to make this either a serial or two separate novels. It could even evolve into more than two. Time will tell.


The problem, if it is one, is that a subplot has developed into a major storyline. That's what happens, at least with me, when characters grow and develop. 

That being said, my other novels contain elements that could be developed into another novel. I've often been asked if I plan to do sequels to particular novels. That's always a possibility although I prefer to break ground with new stories.  

With this manuscript, I plan to go back to the beginning and start the edit and rewrite while continuing to work on the second storyline. 

Of course, I don't know how all this will end. I may have two novels or perhaps scrap one or both of the stories if I'm not satisfied with the end result(s).

You might even say it's the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning or new beginnings. Whatever, I'm looking forward to reaching the end.

Until the next time...

Time Marches On and Over Me

This past weekend my family got together for a belated holiday party. It was more like a family reunion since we don't see each other that often.

My 87-year-old father was unable to attend because he wasn't feeling well. When I called to check on him the next day, he said it wasn't anything specific, simply old age. 

I told him I could sympathize with him because I occasionally have various and sundry aches and pains. 

While looking at some photographs of the party, it occurred to me that I was the oldest person there. That's what happens when you're the oldest of seven children.

I don't mind being the oldest -- and I don't feel that old, act that old, or look that old. But I'm sure the great nephews and great nieces as well as my granddaughters, even my own siblings, might argue some if not all, of those points. 

Probably the safest bet for me in the future will be extended family reunions, where I have a few aunts as well as several cousins older than me.  

Until then, I will insist that my Dad at least make an appearance at our get-togethers to claim that age-old honor. 

Until the next time...