Fiona Ingram's Blog, page 7
March 26, 2024
When Will Her World Stop Shaking? by B. Lynn Goodwin, author of Disrupted
When Will Her World Stop Shaking?
When tectonic plates shift below the surface of the earth andcracks appear in the sidewalk, we say we’ve had an earthquake. The seismologylab on the Berkeley campus of the University of California studies them andreports on when and where they occur, but no one can predict them yet.
A Few Basic Facts:
The earthquakes in Northern California, where I live and where mynew novel, Disrupted takes place, occur along fault lines. The SanAndreas Fault caused the big one in 1989 and we’re waiting for a predicted,massive eruption on the Hayward Fault.
Faults shift below the earth and anything from cracks in thepavement to broken windows to caved-in structures can result. If you’re aCalifornian and you feel rumbling below you, you may run for the nearest doorframe.
Small quakes postpone the big one, which is supposed to happenwithin the next 30 years. Despite that prediction, we keep buildingdevelopments and skyscrapers as if there’s no real danger.
There are older homes directly over the Hayward Fault, which withstooda 7.1 quake in Disrupted. You can imagine the potential disruption.
If your dog goes crazy, barking and running madly, an earthquakemight be about to erupt. Spike, the Dalmatian Sandee keeps that belonged to herbrother Bri, did that in Disrupted.
Here are a few earthquake mysteries:
No one knows why earthquakes are unpredictable.
Some earthquakes appear where there’s no apparent tectonic activityand no one knows why.
There are variations in earthquakes that scientists cannotexplain…yet.
There’s no clear pattern of foreshocks or aftershocks, so there’ssomething the earth knows that we don’t.
William Shakespeare’s line, “There are more things in heaven andearth than are dreamt of in your philosophy, Horatio” certainly applies toearthquakes.
In addition to having her world rocked by a physical earthquake,Sandee Mason, the central character in Disrupted, lived through anemotional earthquake when her family got word that her older brother died in anIED explosion in Afghanistan.
Emotional Earthquakes:
Can you imagine losing a sibling when you’re only 15? What impactwould it have on your parents and your home life? And what if you were the onlychild left?
Part of protagonist Sandee Mason’s mission in life is to live up toher brother’s successes. He was president of the student council and headed forcollege, but first, he wanted to serve his country, just as his father did.Maybe someday Sandee will go into the Armed Services or maybe she’ll work for anon-profit. Maybe she’ll become a lawyer who fights for justice or work toovercome poverty and discrimination. There’s a lot of life ahead of her, so ifyou have suggestions for what she might do, I’d love to hear about them.
Curious? You can find Disrupted on Amazon by clicking on the book name. It’savailable in or other places, or ask your local bookstore to order it using theISBN number.
B. Lynn Goodwin wrote two award-winning books, a YA called Talent,and a memoir titled Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62. Hernewest book, Disrupted, came out on January 25th. She writesauthor interviews, book reviews and articles for WriterAdvice, www.writeradvice.com, for Story Circle Network, where she also teaches. She is on the boardsof Story Circle Network and the Women’s National Book Association—NorCal and isa writing contest judge. She edits every genre except poetry, and loves helpingwriters improve.
March 23, 2024
Book Spotlight: Disrupted by B. Lynn Goodwin
The San Ramos Highstudents are busy rehearsing their performance of Our Town when the school andthe surrounding towns are rocked by a 7.1 earthquake. As a series of unusualaftershocks disrupt the town further, their school is deemed unsafe, and the showis postponed indefinitely unless they can find a way to turn that bad luckaround. Dealing with their own personal difficulties and led by the stagemanager, Sandee, who is working her way through the loss of her brother, theyattempt to bring the community together, make the performance a success, and dotheir share to raise funds to rebuild. Both the show and life must go on! Purchasea copy of Disrupted on Amazon, Barnes and Noble,and Bookshop.org. You can also add itto your GoodReads reading list.
About the Author
B. Lynn Goodwin isthe owner of Writer Advice, www.writeradvice.com.Talent was short-listed for aLiterary Lightbox Award and won a bronze medal in the Moonbeam Children’s BookAwards and was a finalist for a Sarton Women’s Book Award. A second edition cameout on November 1, 2020 from Koehler Books. She also wrote You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers. Her memoir, Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62won a National Indie Excellence Award, a Human Relations Indie Book AwardsWinner, a Dragonfly Book Award, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Best BookAwards Finalist & NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winner Her nextbook, Disrupted, will be out on January 25th. Goodwin’s work has appeared in Voices of Caregivers, Hip Mama, Dramatics Magazine, InspireMe Today, The Sun, Good Housekeeping.com, Purple Clover.com, and elsewhere. She isa reviewer and teacher at Story Circle Network, and she is a manuscript coachat Writer Advice. She always has time to write guest blog posts and answerquestions. She loves working one on one, troubleshooting, and helping writersfind what works. Contact her to see how she can help you. You can find heronline at:
Her website: https://www.writeradvice.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lgood67334
Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blynn.goodwin
Website Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writeradvice/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blynngoodwin/
Her Books: https://writeradvice.com/books-by-lynn/
March 20, 2024
The Inspiration Behind St. James Infirmary (Stories) by Steve Meloan
Tales of wounded people in need of care…
Title: St. James InfirmaryAuthor: Steven Meloan
Steven Meloan’s writing has been seen in Wired, Rolling Stone, Los Angeles, BUZZ, the San Francisco Chronicle, and SF Weekly. His fiction has appeared in SOMA Magazine, the Sonoma Valley Sun, Lummox Press, and Newington Blue Press, as well as at Litquake, Quiet Lightning, and other Bay Area literary events. He has regularly written for the Huffington Post, and is co-author of the novel The Shroud with his brother Michael. He is a recovered software programmer, and was a street busker in London, Paris, and Berlin.
“Reading these stories, I felt like I was hearing an original voice for the very first time. They are surreal, cinematic, poetic, and have real punch-with everything I could want in a collection of short fiction. Set in California and Europe, from the 1960s to the 1980s, they vividly capture lost times and lost places. They have echoes of Jack Kerouac and Paul Bowles, and can be read again and again with a sense of wonder and pleasure.”-Jonah Raskin, Author of Beat Blues, San Francisco, 1955
“St. James Infirmary is a captivating collection of stories that takes readers on a dark and uncanny journey through everyday life. Meloan’s writing has a haunting subtlety that draws one in, as if witnessing the events in real-time. With sharp insights and unexpected twists, these stories explore complex human relationships and the often-mysterious forces that shape them. Meloan vividly captures the gritty reality of each setting, throwing a column of light into the underground of the ordinary. For fans of evocative writing that stays with you long after the final page, St. James Infirmary is a must-read.”
– Roadside Press
St. James Infirmary is available at Amazon at http://tinyurl.com/fv3zr2hn and Roadside Press at https://www.magicaljeep.com/product/james/129 .
TheInspiration Behind St. James Infirmary (Stories)
Many of thestories were spawned by semi-annual literary events in my town—raucous,coffeehouse-style readings often set to acoustic live music. The group justcelebrated its ten-year anniversary at the same location. The below picture wastaken at one such gathering—and is on the back cover of St. JamesInfirmary. With most of thestories, I began with the germ of some event or experience that was importantor memorable to me, and then let the underlying meaning of the experiencereveal itself during the writing. And since many of the stories were intendedto be read aloud, the rhythm/pacing of the words was also essential. After severalyears of such gatherings, I realized I had a sizable collection of stories. Theco-founder of the events suggested I put them together into a book, and so Idid.
I’d had aprevious collection of song lyrics published out of an indie press in Germany.Through them, I connected and became friends with Westley Heine, a wonderfulmusician, poet, and memoirist, with a book on the same German press. Westleyultimately found his way to Roadside Press, and Michele McDannold. Roadsidepublished Wes’ Busking Blues, a wild memoir of his days as a Chicagosquatter and street musician. Through that connection, St. JamesInfirmary also found a Roadside home. McDannold is a true publishingforce of nature—with over 100 recent books of poetry, prose, and memoir. Andshe is a brilliant poet in her own right.
In compiling mycollection of stories, I came to see that they often centered around “woundedpeople in need of care.” And since the title story makes mention of an oldfolk-blues standard, “St. James Infirmary,” it seemed the perfect encompassingtitle. The song also has great personal meaning for me. It has been recorded bycountless artists—including Louis Armstrong, Cab Calloway, Van Morrison, andRickie Lee Jones. In fact, an entire book was recently written about the song.But the version that I know best is by the folk singer Josh White. My motherwas friends with White in Greenwich Village during WWII. So, I grew up hearinghis music. (White was later honored with his own commemorative US Postal Stamp and is mentioned in Bob Dylan’s autobiography.)
The title storyof the collection centers around a wild cocktail party thrown by my parentsduring my teen years. The cover image of the book—featuring a cocktail glassand ‘60s/’70s Pop Art colors—is visually celebrative. But the title text hintsat darker undercurrents. The book’s jacket blurbs note that the stories takereaders on “a dark and uncanny journey through everyday life,” exploring“complex human relationships and the often-mysterious forces that shape them,”and then “throwing a column of light into the underground of the ordinary.”
About the Author
Steven Meloan has written for Wired, Rolling Stone, the Huffington Post, Los Angeles, BUZZ, the San Francisco Chronicle, and SF Weekly. His fiction has appeared in SOMA Magazine, the Sonoma Valley Sun, Lummox Press, Newington Blue Press, and Roadside Press, as well as at Litquake, Quiet Lightning, Library Girl, and other literary events. His short fiction collection, St. James Infirmary, was released in 2023 on Roadside Press. He is a recovered software developer, co-author of the novel The Shroud with his brother Michael, and a former busker in London, Paris, and Berlin.
Author Links X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram
March 17, 2024
Book Review: The Book of 5 Mews by MG Rorai
When Harper loses her belovedhusband, she moves homes to get away and start anew, without the old memories,and hopefully to create new ones. Her decision to do some volunteering at WispyPaws animal rescue takes a strange turn when she ends up fostering and ultimatelykeeping a calico cat that she names Marble, who has a penchant for cheese andphilosophy. Harper is a dog person so when Marble comes into her life, thingswill change. Marble has decreed this is so. The book has alternating points ofview between Harper, the hapless human who knows nothing of the Way of Catness,and Marble, who expands upon the philosophy contained therein as a guide tolife with a human and managing them; also considering their mental frailty,their weaknesses, and their ability to be easily swayed by feline cuteness.
The Book of Five Mews (Paw,Slink, Roar, Tail, and Clarity) falls somewhere between The Book of Five Rings(a 17th century AD Samurai warrior’s guide) and the 5thcentury BC Chinese treatise The Art of War attributed to military strategist SunTzu (if Sun Tzu had ever owned a cat). To say this book is screamingly funny is anunderstatement. I am a dog and cat owner. I live in Cyprus (the island of straycats) where the general public is encouraged to feed, spay, neuter, andbasically care for the population of ‘outside cats.’ I have my own cat, Bertie, as well as two dogs. An adorable and very pretty ‘outside cat’ called Jasminemanaged to insinuate herself into my life and kept wanting to come inside. Ithought no, she had better have a flea collar. That sealed the deal. Once shehad the flea collar on, it was “Open, Sesame.” Jasmine became an indoor cat.And that is why I know Jasmine has read The Book of Five Mews and understandsthe Way of Catness.
Author MG Rorai understands catsas well as the weak human living under the cat’s paw. The narrative style ishilarious. I shrieked with laugher many times, nodded many times, smiled manytimes, and said, “Yes, exactly.” Many times. The POV switches from Harperdescribing daily activities in winning Marble’s affection (much of the timewith cheese), investigating the art of toys, the delicacy of catnip(unfortunate results there) and a basic getting to know the foster catscenario. On the other hand, Marble delivers a calculated, quasi-philosophical treatisefittingly couched in elevated language such as a cat of great wisdom would use.The juxtaposition is hilarious. If you are thinking of getting a cat, or evenif you have a cat and just want to understand your cat’s little idiosyncrasiesand quirky ways better, read this book. If you want a good laugh, read thisbook. If you need cheering up, read this book. Cats have been ruling humanssince the time of the great pharaohs of ancient Egypt. Hell, they even managedto get themselves into the pantheon of gods, so I think felines know what theyare talking about.
M.G.Rorai enjoys hanging with her cats and annoying her husband. Find out more by visiting the author on Facebook and her website.
March 13, 2024
The Inspiration Behind Urbex Predator by Jens Boele
Arelic from the Cold War, the old barracks beckon photographers, influencers,and adventurers, shrouded in secrets and peril. Nela and Tess dare the eerieruins for their photography thesis, while Zander, Yelka, Vivien, and Damonembark on a simultaneous shoot. Amid the abandoned shadows, Yelka's group runsinto Steven and his ruthless gang, initially outsmarting them. Yet, Nela andTess fall victim to a nightfall ambush, escaping but torn apart. As adrenalinecourses through the gang, they stalk Yelka and her friends, unleashing arelentless manhunt. Vivien becomes their captive, setting off a chain reaction.Tess encounters Damon and Yelka, while Nela, guided by Ben, the barracks'security manager, races to find Tess. Yelka strives to rescue Vivien, trappedin an abandoned outdoor pool.
Onhis lone pursuit, Zander witnesses the gang's brutality, delving into a darkerrealm within himself, spurred by the horrifying thrill of Steven's actions. Thescene propels Yelka, Damon, and Tess into a frenzy, unleashing chaos toliberate Vivien. Nela and Ben, attempting to overpower the gang, witness Yelkaand Vivien's escape as the gang closes in. With the arrival of Steven's olderbrother, Henry, the stakes are set; the old military hospital transforms into abattleground. No one is to leave alive, and a matter of life and death ensues.In the ruthless clash, Nela and Yelka emerge as the lone defenders, whileZander pursues a mission for his own catharsis. In Henry's basement, dubbed hisHades, the teams converge for a pulse-pounding final duel, where survival isthe ultimate prize. You can pick up your copy at Amazon.
The Inspiration Behind UrbexPredator
Imagine exploring an abandoned barracks, only torun into a gang of ruthless thugs, with no police in sight to intervene ifthings go south. Sounds like the plot of my book, right? Well, replace thebarracks with an abandoned hospital, and that's where I found myself.
As an urban explorer and amateur photographer,decay and ruins have always fascinated me. It all began several years agoduring a visit to California when I stumbled upon an abandoned water park inthe Mojave Desert. The place had an eerie yet captivating atmosphere,reminiscent of "Zombieland." Picture the desert heat, scorching sun,and remnants of civilization laid bare before you, enveloped in absolutesilence. It was a moment straight out of a post-apocalyptic movie, sparking mylove for urban exploring—a passion I indulge in when I'm not writing.
Inspiration strikes from the things that move me,the experiences I can feel. Sometimes, it's just a single spark that ignites anidea. In "Urbex Predator," Nela and Tess stumble upon an abandonedbarracks overrun by a gang of hoodlums, mirroring an encounter I had with afriend. The what-if scenario that followed became the seed for the story. Inthe fall of 2021, after a day exploring and photographing on the CanaryIslands, I sat down with a beer and outlined the plot, drawing from the amalgamationof abandoned military sites I'd encountered across Europe since the end of theCold War era.
Every horror story requires an initial sin, anenclosed setting, and a monster. I've always been intrigued by the darkerfacets of human nature—what drives people to commit acts of evil and crime. In"Urbex Predator," we confront a group of neglected youths who form atoxic alliance, embodying the desolation of the abandoned buildings theyinhabit. As night descends, the hunt begins.
After months of crafting, the story finally tookshape and the book was born. I hope you enjoy the journey it takes you on.
About the Author
JensBoele, a veteran media designer in the entertainment industry, brings over twodecades of cinematic expertise to his writing. Born in Germany in 1975, Jensembarked on his writing odyssey in his youth, culminating in the publication ofhis debut book, "Sunshine," in 2015. This was followed by"Hurensohn," and his latest spine-tingling creation, "UrbexPredator."
Jensis a genre-bending author, specializing in horror and crime thrillers. Hisnarratives often blur genre lines, weaving intricate tales that plunge readersinto the darkest corners of the human psyche. Jens's storytelling brilliancelies in his fascination with the criminal mind; his villains are alwaysprofoundly human, offering readers a chilling examination of the psychologicalaspects of the criminally insane.
Jenssets himself apart by seamlessly integrating classic horror with the grittyauthenticity of the present day. This innovative fusion imbues his narrativeswith a dynamic quality, seamlessly blending archaic thrills with contemporaryintrigue, resulting in an immersive reading experience that resonates with bothvintage enthusiasts and present-day readers alike.
JensBoele's latest endeavor takes his work across borders, as "UrbexPredator" becomes his first book to be translated into English. Aglobetrotter with deep connections to the United States, Jens's passion forexploration and his international perspective, nurtured by family and friendsin the US, shine through in his writing, offering readers a captivating blendof horror and cultural diversity. Visit Jens’ website at https://jensboele.com/.
March 6, 2024
Managing “The Call” with a Literary Agent by author Anoop Judge
At twenty-one yearsold, Gia Kumari finally leaves the Delhi orphanage where she was raised. Withfew prospects for the future, she receives an unexpected invitation from astranger named Sonia Shah, in San Francisco: an internship at Sonia’s weddingsand event company. Jia and America. It’s love at first sight as she navigatesan unfamiliar but irresistible new world of firsts. It’s Gia’s first real job:her first meeting with her only known family, her uncle Mohammed Khan, and herfirst romance, with Sonia’s quirky yet charming stepson, Adi. But it might betoo good to be true. Gia’s newfound happiness is unfolding in the shadow of aterrible family secret, the impact of which is still being felt in a place Gianow calls home. To save what matters most, Gia must come to terms with a tragicpast she’s only beginning to understand—and a lifetime of lies she must learnto forgive. Purchase a copy of Mercy and Grace on Amazon, Barnes and Noble,and Bookshop.org. You can also addthis to your GoodReads reading list.
Managing “The Call” with a Literary Agent
You’ve spent a year (or six) writing a 90, 000-word novel.You’ve poured sweat, love, and too much midnight oil into it—coming up with anoriginal plot, fleshing out characters that are relatable and memorable,minding the pacing . . . Phew! Then you dive into the querying process and thepain begins to kick in. You research agents like a forensic scientist. Yousubmit queries like it’s a full-time job or depending on your approach, perhapsyou submit to only a select few. And then, if your experience is anything likemine, wading through rejection letters becomes a second full-time job. Theadvice out there is you shouldn’t take it personally and you should develop athick skin. Hah! Easier said than done—every rejection feels like some angry prophet’sjudgment on your soul.
It’s hard to keep going, but you do. In my case, there werecopious amounts of chocolate, wine, and tears—not always in that order. Youwait and wait, and one day your email pings with a request for a fullmanuscript. And then you wait again. I’m a chronically impatient person, andalthough motherhood was supposed to imbue me with patience, it never did.Playing an endless cycle of the waiting game makes you question your writingabilities, makes you almost throw in the towel, and in my case, chew your nailsdown to nubs.
By now, you’re as jittery as a junkie. After one hundredand fifty rejections (but who’s counting?) you decide to let the manuscript eatits head off in a drawer and start something new. That’s when your inbox pingswith the magical words, “Can we talk?” But how do you prepare for this crucialconversation? Here are some tips to help you manage the call with a literaryagent effectively.
Before the Call
Research the Agent: Familiarize yourself with the agent’sbackground, the books they’ve represented, and their agency. Understandingtheir interests and successes can help you gauge how well they might align withyour work and goals.
Prepare Your Questions
This is your opportunity to learn more about the agent’svision for your book and their working style. Consider asking questions like:
• What aspects of my manuscript excite youthe most?
• What is your strategy for pitching mybook to publishers?
• Can you tell me about your communicationstyle and frequency?
• What are your expectations regardingrevisions?
• How do you support your authors throughthe publishing process?
Revisit Your Manuscript and Query
Be prepared to discuss your manuscript and any potentialrevisions. Refresh your memory on key plot points, themes, and character arcs.Also, review your query letter, as the agent may reference specific elementsthat caught their attention.
During the Call
Be Professional and Personable: Treat the call like a jobinterview, but also let your personality shine through. This is as much aboutthe agent getting to know you as it is about discussing your book.
Ask Your Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask thequestions you’ve prepared. This call is a two-way street, and it’s important toensure that the agent is the right fit for you and your work.
Discuss Next Steps: Before the call ends, makesure you understand the next steps. Will the agent send you a representationagreement to review? Are there revisions they’d like you to work on beforemoving forward?
After the Call
Reflect on the conversation: Take some time toconsider how the call went. Do you feel confident in the agent’s ability torepresent your work? Were they enthusiastic about your manuscript? Did you feela good rapport?
Follow Up: Send a thank-you email to theagent, expressing your appreciation for their time and interest. If you’veagreed to make revisions, keep them updated on your progress.
Seek Advice if Needed: If you’re unsure aboutanything discussed during the call, don’t hesitate to seek advice from writerfriends, mentors, or other industry professionals.
Take Your Time: If you receive an offer ofrepresentation, remember that this is a significant decision. Take the time youneed to evaluate the offer and ensure it’s the right fit for you and yourcareer. The call with a literary agent is a critical moment in your journey asa writer. By preparing thoroughly, asking insightful questions, and reflectingon the conversation, you can navigate this step with confidence and clarity.Remember, this is not just about landing an agent—it’s about finding the rightpartner to help bring your literary dreams to fruition.
About the Author
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Born and raised inNew Delhi, Anoop is the author of four novels, THE RUMMY CLUB which won the2015 Beverly Hills Book Award, THE AWAKENING OF MEENA RAWAT, an excerpt ofwhich was nominated for the 2019 Pushcart Prize, NO ORDINARY THURSDAY, andMERCY and GRACE. Her essays and short stories have appeared in Green HillsLiterary Lantern, Rigorous Journal, Lumiere Review, DoubleBack Review, and theOrnament anthology, among others. Anoop calls herself a “recovering litigator”—she worked in state and federal courts for many years before she replacedlegal briefs with fictional tales. She holds an MFA from St. Mary’s College ofCalifornia and was the recipient of the 2021 Advisory Board Award and the 2023Alumni Scholarship. She lives in Pleasanton, California, with her husband, andis the mother of two admirable young adults.
You can find heronline at:
Website: https://anoopjudge.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judgeanoop/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anoop-ahuja-judge-94396743/
February 28, 2024
The Background Story of The Golden Manuscripts by Evy Journey
The Golden Manuscripts is inspired by the real-life theft of medieval manuscript illuminations during World War II.
Title: The Golden Manuscripts: A NovelAuthor: Evy JourneyPages: 360Genre: Historical Fiction/Women's Fiction/Mystery
Book Excerpt:
November 2000Rare ManuscriptsI sometimes wish I was your girl next door. The pretty one who listens to you and sympathizes. Doesn’t ask questions you can’t or don’t want to answer. Comes when you need to talk. She’s sweet, gracious, respectful, and sincere. An open book. Everybody’s ideal American girl. At other times, I wish I was the beautiful girl with creamy skin, come-hither eyes, and curvy lines every guy drools over. The one you can’t have, unless you’re a hunk of an athlete, or the most popular hunk around. Or you have a hunk of money.But I’m afraid the image I project is that of a brain with meager social skills. The one you believe can outsmart you in so many ways that you keep out of her way—you know the type. Or at least you think you do. Just as you think you know the other two.I want to believe I’m smart, though I know I can be dumb. I’m not an expert on anything. So, please wait to pass judgement until you get to know us better—all three of us. Who am I then? I’m not quite sure yet. I’m the one who’s still searching for where she belongs. I’m not a typical American girl. Dad is Asian and Mom is white. I was born into two different cultures, neither of which dug their roots into me. But you’ll see my heritage imprinted all over me—on beige skin with an olive undertone; big grey eyes, double-lidded but not deep-set; a small nose with a pronounced narrow bridge; thick, dark straight hair like Dad’s that glints with bronze under the sun, courtesy of Mom’s genes. I have a family: Mom, Dad, Brother. Sadly, we’re no longer one unit. Mom and Dad are about ten thousand miles apart. And my brother and I are somewhere in between.I have no one I call friend. Except myself, of course. That part of me who perceives my actions for what they are. My inner voice. My constant companion and occasional nemesis. Moving often and developing friendships lasting three years at most, I’ve learned to turn inward. And then there’s Arthur, my beautiful brother. Though we were raised apart, we’ve become close. Like me, he was born in the US. But he grew up in my father’s home city where his friends call him Tisoy, a diminutive for Mestizo that sometimes hints at admiration, sometimes at mockery. Locals use the label for anyone with an obvious mix of Asian and Caucasian features. We share a few features, but he’s inherited a little more from Mom. Arthur has brown wavy hair and green eyes that invite remarks from new acquaintances. Little Arthur, not so little anymore. Taller than me now, in fact, by two inches. We’ve always gotten along quite well. Except the few times we were together when we were children and he’d keep trailing me, like a puppy, mimicking what I did until I got annoyed. I’d scowl at him, run away so fast he couldn’t catch up. Then I’d close my bedroom door on him. Sometimes I wondered if he annoyed me on purpose so that later he could hug me and say, “I love you” to soften me up. It always worked.I love Arthur not only because we have some genes in common. He has genuinely lovable qualities—and I’m sure people can’t always say that of their siblings. He’s caring and loyal, and I trust him to be there through thick and thin. I also believe he’s better put together than I am, he whom my parents were too busy to raise. I am certain of only one thing about myself: I occupy time and space like everyone. My tiny space no one else can claim on this planet, in this new century. But I still do not have a place where I would choose to spend and end my days. I’m a citizen of a country, though. The country where I was born. And yet I can’t call that country home. I don’t know it much. But worse than that, I do not have much of a history there. Before today, I trudged around the globe for two decades. Cursed and blessed by having been born to a father who was a career diplomat sent on assignments to different countries, I’ve lived in different cities since I was born, usually for three to four years at a time. Those years of inhabiting different cities in Europe and Asia whizzed by. You could say I hardly noticed them because it was the way of life I was born into. But each of those cities must have left some lasting mark on me that goes into the sum of who I am. And yet, I’m still struggling to form a clear idea of the person that is Me. This Me can’t be whole until I single out a place to call home. Everyone has a home they’ve set roots in. We may not be aware of it, but a significant part of who we think we are—who others think we are—depends on where we’ve lived. The place we call home. A place I don’t have. Not yet. But I will.I was three when I left this city. Having recently come back as an adult, I can’t tell whether, or for how long, I’m going to stay. You may wonder why, having lived in different places, I would choose to seek a home in this city—this country as alien to me as any other town or city I’ve passed through. By the end of my last school year at the Sorbonne, I was convinced that if I were to find a home, my birthplace might be my best choice. I was born here. In a country where I can claim citizenship. Where the primary language is English. My choice avoids language problems and pesky legal residency issues. Practical and logical reasons, I think.The BackgroundStory of The Golden Manuscripts
Are you evercurious how picture books and, by extension, even graphic novels, first began?Has it ever occurred to you that picture books might have illustriousbeginnings? Like mostmothers, I read to my son when he was a boy, and I understand how wonderfulchildren’s picture books can be. Pictures in books are not only entertaining, but they also teach. Today, we takepicture books for granted. We love images. We whip out our cell phones and takepictures to preserve memories of instants in time.
I loveillustrations in fiction and wish we did more of them. One of my favorites isan old almost tattered copy of a collection of Jane Austen’s novels featuringillustrations of scenes from her stories by a nineteenth century artist. Before Masterpiece Theater and my exposure to films of 19th century England,these images shaped my limited conception of everything that was old English.Now, I have an ebook copy of an old, illustrated Jane Austen collection.
When an arthistory class introduced me to manuscript illuminations, I was amazed at thethought that illustrated books likely have medieval beginnings dating back toCharlemagne’s reign in the 9th century. While he revived classical art, hismost lasting achievement is the flourishing of picture bookmaking. Most peoplein the Middle Ages couldn’t read, so he championed the creation of picturebooks to teach them about God.
Historians calledthose early picture books illuminated manuscripts or manuscript illuminations.They were handwritten and illustrated on parchment (dried and stretched animalskins), often by the same creator who painted the pictures. An illuminationis a picture or illustration in a book that conveys the meaning of a piece oftext. It’s “illuminated” through the use of gilding—gold or silver decorationson letters and figures. In medieval times, these manuscripts representeda high art form.
This introcompelled me to do extensive research into illuminated manuscripts. One of thearticles I unearthed told of an actual theft by an American soldier during WWIIof a couple of these rare manuscripts. It was eureka moment. I was left with nochoice but to write a story around this theft of illustrated books. To make the storymore intriguing, and in keeping with the overall theme of the second set ofstandalone novels in my Between Two Worlds series, I chose a young biracialheroine who’s rootless and anxious to find a home for herself. The product is aliterary novel based on actual events, into which I’ve woven mystery,historical, and romance elements.
About the Author
Evy Journey writes. Stories and blog posts. Novels that tend to cross genres. She’s also a wannabe artist, and a flâneuse. Evy studied psychology (M.A., University of Hawaii; Ph.D. University of Illinois). So her fiction spins tales about nuanced characters dealing with contemporary life issues and problems. She believes in love and its many faces. Her one ungranted wish: To live in Paris where art is everywhere and people have honed aimless roaming to an art form. She has visited and stayed a few months at a time.
Author Links
Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads
Evy Journey will giving away nine $25 Amazon Gift Cards & nine boxed sets of the last 3 books in the series, Between Two Worlds! This is the way it works. Evy is touring for 6 months. At the end of each 2 month period she will be giving away 3 $25 Amazon Gift Cards and 3 boxed sets of the last 3 books in the series, Between Two Worlds. You will have a chance to win 3 times during her tour!Terms & Conditions:
By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.Nine winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a boxed set of the last 3 books in the series, Between Two Worlds.This giveaway starts February 5 and ends July 30.Winners will be contacted via email on March 28, May 31 and July 30.Winner has 48 hours to reply.Good luck everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
February 14, 2024
10 Things You Might Not Know About The Dreaming Team & author Chris Wallace
The Dreaming Team is a true story for anyone who believes that seemingly insurmountable odds can be overcome if you have the talent and the opportunity.
In the 1850s, Australia was a thriving colony of the British Empire, with its own sense of importance and sophistication. But the people who had occupied this vast land for upwards of 40,000 years didn’t fit well with colonial expectations of the future. In every way imaginable, white Australia tried to keep its “darkies” in line. It is against this backdrop in the 1860s that the amazing story of an all Aboriginal cricket team, the first Aussie team to do so, played at Lords, the home of cricket in England. Conventional wisdom predicted that Indigenous Australians would die off by the next generation. The Dreaming Team brings those Indigenous players to life and follows them on an adventure that would appear to be unbelievable if it weren’t true. They not only changed the minds and perceptions about Aboriginal Australians, they arguably changed the course of Australian history. Praise for The Dreaming Team: “A beautiful story, beautifully written, about a piece of Australian history that, if you don’t know about, you probably should. Heartwarming, heartbreaking and brimming with relevance for today’s Australia. A poignant example of how far we’ve come and how far we haven’t.” “The Dreaming Team tells the true story of the all Aboriginal cricket team from Victoria who did a tour of Great Britain back in the 1860s and all the drama, setbacks, and cultural divide between the Aboriginals and white Australians involved. Considering the state of affairs for Aboriginal people in those days, the team’s accomplishments are no small feat!” “What an interesting story. It is truly an Australian story about indigenous Australians. The story grabbed me from the first chapter, and drew me further in to where I could not put it down. I don’t want to give anything away, so I will say that the twists and turns makes you want to know what happens next at the end of each chapter. To say it is a sports story is not fair, it is a people story, told from the heart, about the hearts of people who love the land, and their story. I recommend it highly, and look forward to more from the author, Chris Wallace!”
You can purchase your copy at Amazon.
Book Excerpt:
Mr. Buckingham has asked Black Johnny to come into the shearing shed. They stand together, both uncomfortable for different reasons. Unaarriminwonders if he’s done something wrong. He has always tried to be a goodworker. Never complained about anything. Was happy just to be there on the station What could he have done? In the very back of his mind, he wonders if it has anything to do with Alice but dismisses the thoughtas soon as it comes. Mr. Buckingham is uncomfortable because he doesn’t like confrontation. And especially this one. He is perfectly happywith Black Johnny, finds him easy going, cooperative and good at hisjob. It’s only because of his wife that he is in this position. After a few more awkward minutes, Buckingham clears his throat and begins. “You know . . . Um . . . You see . . . If it was up to me . . . Well . . . Er . . . The Missus has a bit of ah . . . Oh, damn it, I’m going tohave to let you go. That’s the size of it. You’ll have to leave theproperty. I’ve arranged some provisions for you, tea and sugar, salt, a blanket, a billy, matches, a good knife. But you’ll have to go.” Unaarrimin can only look at this man dumbfounded; this man who has beenhis guardian since he was orphaned as a little boy. “What have I done?” Unaarrimin asks. “Well, that’s just it, you see. It isn’t that you’ve done anything. It’s more like . . . um . . . look, Johnny, let’s justleave it that the Missus would rather you weren’t here anymore. Like Isaid, if it was up to me, we wouldn’t be having this talk. But you’vegot to go. Here, take this letter with you. It’ll help you get a jobsomewhere else. But she wants you off the property tomorrow. Early.”
Alice and Unaarrimin had been inseparable when they were children. She claimed him. She taught him to read. As she learned them, she taught him manners. They hiked all over Mullagh Station together. He taught her how to live in the bush, showing her what plants were edible; how to make bread, how to build a proper fire. They got into all manner of mischief together, stealing honey from Mrs. Buckingham’s cupboard and tobacco from Mr. Buckingham’s pouch. One time Unaarrimin twisted his ankle jumping from the roof of the shed because Alice dared him. When they saw that he was alright, they rolled on the ground together in fits of laughter. He remembers how infectious Alice’s laugh is. It’s like a melody, like music to him. He would always do anything to make her laugh. And she always did. One day he was teaching her how to throw a boomerang. “Hold it like this,’ he says. “Throw from the shoulder”. Alice cranks her arm for a mighty toss and cracks Unaarrimin in the nose. She starts laughing her magical laugh. Even when it starts bleeding, she’s still laughing. And by now, he is laughing too. Alice takes a handkerchief from her pocket and begins dabbing the blood. Then she gives it to him so he can apply enough pressure to stop the bleeding. All the while they are laughing uncontrollably.
But there is no laughter now. Now, he is filled with sadness as he empties the remains of the billy onto the fire and rolls up his swag. Where is he to go? What is he to do? He ambles away from the billabong, no longer conscious of freedom, but thinking of what he has lost, wondering if he’ll ever see her again.
10Things You Might Not Know About The Dreaming Team & Chris Wallace
This true story took place in the 1860s, at a time when the British Empire was at its absolute, most glorious, The Victorian Age. It was said that the sun never set on the British Empire. This was not hyperbole. It stretched from Canada in North America to India, Burma and Ceylon in Asia to Rhodesia and South Africa to Sudan, Uganda and Kenya to Nigeria and Togo in Africa to the Seychelles, Mauritius and Zanzibar in the Indian Ocean to Australia and New Zealand in the Pacific to Bermuda, Jamaica and other areas in the Caribbean to British Guiana and the Falkland Islands in South America. And this is still not all of it. The game of cricket was, therefore, ubiquitous and played all around the globe. Until around the 1830s, Australia had been a penal colony, where people could be sent for something as trivial as shoplifting. At around that time, settlers began arriving and claimed the land for farming, etc., displacing the Indigenous people, whose culture and customs were thousands of years old, and brutalizing them into submission. Scientists like Charles Darwin and others, who gained their reputations during this period, were convinced that Aboriginal Australians would naturally die off by the next generation. Many of the Black men who comprised The First Eleven (as the cricket team was known) were boys when their way of life and families were being destroyed by the settlers. After achieving what would have been unimaginable in a place ten thousand miles away from their country, not long after they returned to Australia, they were virtually forgotten. The Dreaming Team tells their story. Chris Wallace grew up in Delaware, Ohio, where his father had a restaurant. He worked at a men’s clothing store through high school and college and expected to spend the rest of his life there. He started going to movies alone when he was seven or eight and averaged two double features and a big Sunday extravaganza per week for years. He was drafted into the US Army after college and sent to Germany, which began a life-long urge to travel. He has been traveling ever since and has been to more than 30 countries from Austria to Zimbabwe, some multiple times, and speaks a bit of French, German, Greek, Swahili and a lot of English.He is currently single and has no children. He believes that timing is always perfect; that simply saying “yes” can result in amazing adventures, and that every person is the star of their own movie.About the Author
Chris Wallace is a creative resource.
As an actor, he was a regular on the hit daytime drama, All My Children, created the role of The Half-Percenter in Joe Papp’s production, Mondongo, appeared in countless television programs, including The Incredible Hulk, The Mary Tyler Moore Hour and had a starring role in the holiday horror classic film, New Year’s Evil.
As a producer, he put on New York: A Great Place to Live at Lincoln Center which kicked off New York City’s Diamond Jubilee; for Channel Five in New York, he produced the highly acclaimed Harlem Cultural Festival; at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, he produced Uptown Sunday Afternoon, which was hosted by Harry Belafonte and featured Richard Pryor, Bill Withers, and a galaxy of other performers; for the National Organization for Women, he produced A Valentine’s Day Tribute to Woman at New York’s Town Hall; was associate producer of the first Ali-Frazier Heavyweight Championship Fight at Madison Square Garden, and produced the gigantic block party, hosted by Gwen Verdon, which named West 46th Street as Restaurant Row. .
He earned the Silver Award at the New York International Film and Television Festival for In the Balance, a film that advocated sustainability and common sense in wildlife management. It was also singled out by the Department of the Interior as one of the best films of its kind. Chris wrote, narrated and wrote the musical score for that film.
He performed on several children’s television programs in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Jacksonville, singing his original children’s songs. In Hollywood, he performed them for all denominations of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. He created a musical, A Special Thing to Be, at the Los Angeles Children’s Museum that featured his kids’ songs and the museum’s children’s chorus.
He wrote the songs for two children’s theatre productions in Hollywood, Hooray, Here Comes the Circus and Sleeping Beauty; wrote and performed the songs on Strong Kids, Safe Kids, a video produced by Henry Winkler for Paramount that dealt with the protection of children from sexual molestation and exploitation. He created his first musical revue, Greatest Hits, in Hollywood, which played several venues, including Carlos ‘n’ Charlie’s on Sunset Strip and The Backlot in West Hollywood.
Upon relocating to Australia, he produced A Helping Hand at the Victorian Arts Centre, a benefit for Quadriplegic Hand Foundation; wrote book, music and lyrics for Nothing to Wear, a musical based on “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” also produced at the Victorian Arts Centre. He created a one-man show, A Thing of Shreds & Patches, for the Melbourne Fringe Festival; created another one-man show, The Mark Twain You Don’t Know, which toured Australia, then Pacific Palisades, California, and played in New York City on the 100th anniversary of Mark Twain’s death. He created several cabaret shows for The Butterfly Club in Melbourne, most notable of which was Les Femmes which featured an all female cast. He wrote, produced and performed in Huckleberry: A Musical Adventure which premiered in Melbourne.
Which brings us to The Dreaming Team. This is his second book. The first, Hollywood Mosaic is written under the pen name, Pete Joseph. You can visit his website at www.olentangymusic.com.
January 27, 2024
My University of the World, a memoir by Neill McKee
Purchasea copy of My University of the Worldon Amazon or Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.
My University of the World
This memoir takes the reader ona many-faceted ride through my long career. In the opening chapter in 1970, inIndia, the reader joins me as a young cinematographer, learning my new craft“on the hoof.” I traveled alone on a shoestring budget on rickety old trainsand buses while documenting the lives of Canadian volunteers. That job lastedtwo years and, to boot, I married Elizabeth, an American woman I met in Japan,in a humorous ceremony in Lusaka, Zambia, after our honeymoon atVictoria Falls. The adventures continued when we settled down in Ottawa,Canada, to have children. There, I was hired by the International DevelopmentResearch Centre to roam the developing world and make about 30 films on theirmany projects in education, rural development, agriculture, post-harvesttechnology, fisheries and aquaculture, health care, water and sanitation—thelist goes on. Some of my creations won awards.
After 15 years of traveling,editing, and producing, I was granted a sabbatical to do a Master of Science inCommunication at Florida State University (FSU). These new credentials led meand my family to Bangladesh, in 1990, where I became the leader of acommunication team for UNICEF—the United Nations Children’s Fund. (Lucky forme, Elizabeth is an artist with a portable career, and her growing talent isfeatured in my memoir.) In Bangladesh, I applied all I had learned in myearlier years and at FSU. The highlight of the job came when I forged aregional team of researchers, artists, and program officers to create anentertaining TV/video and comic book series on Meena, an empowered animatedgirl cartoon figure, who cleverly negotiates withher peers, family, and community for gender equality in education, health care,and many other child rights. By then, I knew that stories, rather than simplemessages, would be discussed in families and communities—a better chance tochange behavior and social norms.
The success in Bangladesh led meto become the regional communication officer for UNICEF in Eastern and SouthernAfrica, where I led the agency’s early attempts to contain the growing HIV/AIDSepidemic and launched Sara, the adolescent girl—entertaininganimated film and comic book stories of young girls fighting for their rights.In 2001, I joined Johns Hopkins University (JHU) in Baltimore, USA, to dosimilar work, frequently traveling to Asia, and after three years I was askedto lead a JHU project in Moscow, Russia, at the time Putin was tightening reinson society. Except for a brief epilogue, my memoir ends with my final post inWashington, D.C. (2009-2012) as director of a large global communicationproject with millions of dollars to program and 140 staff members to manage—agreat challenge, employing all I had learned throughout my career.
Although I started as a “one-manfilm crew,” as described in my book, I was influenced and mentored by many ofthe multi-national people I met and worked with through the years. Theseexperiences led me to become a leader of creative teams; an author andco-author of books, articles, and manuals on development communication; afacilitator and trainer of hundreds of people; and a mentor of others. Ilearned how to negotiate around roadblocks and apply principles such as genderand racial equity, and skills such as emotional intelligence. My careerentailed so many changes and chances to grow and learn that I decided to titlethis memoir “My University of the World.”
About the Author
Neill McKee is acreative nonfiction writer based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. My University of the World: Memoir of anInternational Film & Media Maker is a stand-alone sequel to his firsttravel memoir, Finding Myself in Borneo:Sojourns in Sabah, which has won three awards. McKee holds a bachelor’sdegree from the University of Calgary and a master’s degree in communicationfrom Florida State University. He worked internationally for 45 years, becomingan expert in the field of communication for behavior and social change. Hedirected and produced a number of award-winning documentary films/videos,popular multimedia initiatives, and has written numerous articles and threebooks in the field of development communication. During his internationalcareer, McKee was employed by Canadian University Service Overseas (now CUSOInternational); the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada;UNICEF in Asia and Africa; Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; theAcademy for Educational Development and FHI 360, Washington, D.C. He worked andlived in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Kenya, Uganda, and Russia for a total of 18years and traveled to over 80 countries on short-term assignments. In 2015, hesettled in New Mexico, where he uses his varied experiences, memories, andimagination in creative writing.
Find Neill online:
Author’s website: https://www.neillmckeeauthor.com/my-university-of-the-world
Author's digitallibrary: https://www.neillmckeevideos.com/(These are most of the film and media projects covered in the memoir – producedby the author from 1970 to 2012.)
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/neill-mckee-b9971b65/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/McKeeNeill/
January 18, 2024
The Inspiration Behind Pinball Wizard by Michael D. Meloan
Will you be the pinball wizard or the pinball?
Title: Pinball WizardAuthor: Michael D. MeloanPages: 136Genre: Novella / Romantic Action / Adventure
Michael D. Meloan’s new novella PINBALL WIZARD is a story of love, sex, jets, and Bukowski. Ralph is buffeted between a controlling father, international intrigue in the US defense industry, and a friendship with the writer Charles Bukowski. A wild girlfriend also ratchets-up the action.
“Are you the Pinball Wizard or the pinball?” asks Ralph’s manager inside a nuclear hardened bunker in England. That is the question driving Michael D. Meloan’s new novella–a story of love, sex, jets, and Bukowski.
Lights flash and bells ring as Ralph is buffeted between a controlling father, international intrigue in the US defense industry, and a friendship with the writer Charles Bukowski. A wild girlfriend also ratchets-up the action.
But in the end, it is Ralph’s turn at the controls.
“My mailbox contained a surprise a week or so ago: PINBALL WIZARD, a novella by Michael Meloan. It is one of the most satisfying reading experiences I’ve had in recent years, in part because it handles a famous writer (Charles Bukowski) as one of its main characters with nonchalant deftness. Meloan’s slightly picaresque story is hard to classify, which is one of the things that makes it such a pleasure to read. He has a gift for writing unapologetically masculine prose; it’s flavorful without being exotic, and it doesn’t hurt that he has a fine ear for dialogue.”–Bill Mohr, writer, critic, and English Literature Professor at California State University, Long Beach
More information on the book PINBALL WIZARD can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Pinball-Wizard-Michael-D-Meloan/dp/1733386483/.
Book Excerpt:
“You think every woman is a whore. You hate women. Admit it!” said Linda. “You can’t look a woman in the eye and relate to her as a human being. All you see is fishnet stockings, tits, and a hole.”“You’re starting to piss me off,” Bukowski replied. “If it wasn’t for me, I don’t know what the fuck you’d be doing. That shitty little restaurant would be out of business in a week. What would you do if you had to go out and get a real job? I guess you could make Slurpees at 7-Eleven. Or sell oranges on a freeway on-ramp.”
“You’re the kind of vile piece-of-shit that makes people jump off buildings or blow their brains out. You have a genius for sucking every ounce of hope and joy out of anyone around you.”
“At least I have a genius for something. How many even have that?”
“You’re right. I’m sure Hitler was a genius, too.”
“Why don’t you move out? Go ahead and go! Do you think you’re the only woman I can get?”
“No, I’m well aware that the lure of fame—even second-rate fame like yours—is a powerful aphrodisiac for trailer trash women.”
“That’s it!” Bukowski planted his foot underneath the wooden coffee table and kicked it over, launching glasses of wine into the air. “Get out of my house! You DON’T live here anymore! I mean it. We’re through!” Bukowski and Linda stared at each other. Linda’s jaw flexed rhythmically. Then he moved in close. “I mean it! LEAVE!” he screamed, spewing spittle in her face. Tears streamed down her cheeks.
She stood up and looked at me. “Get me out of here,” she said.
“OK,” I replied.
TheInspiration Behind Pinball Wizard
Threestory arcs had been rattling around in my head for years—my parents' dramaticand acrimonious divorce, my work in Europe as a software engineer supportingTop Gun fighter pilots, and my early friendship with the writer CharlesBukowski. Recently, over a period ofa few years, I started writing vignettes based on each of these themes. And Iposted many of them as shorts on Facebook, where I have 5,000 friends. Duringthe same timeframe, I began unifying all of the elements into a cohesive whole.
A German publisher, RolandAdelmann, became aware of some of the Bukowski-oriented material on Facebook.Bukowski is hugely popular in Germany. I sent Adelmann the manuscript forPINBALL WIZARD, and he was very enthusiastic. We arranged for a translator,Sigune Schnabel, to produce a German translation. Johannes Franke, a Germanvoice actor, also recorded the audiobook version. Then, in 2022, PINBALLWIZARD was released in Germany on Adelmann’s RUP press. www.pinballwizardbook.de
Roland Adelmann thensuggested that I seek a domestic publisher for the US release. Brooks Roddan,at IFSF Publishing, read the manuscript and declared it "a winner.” Hevery quickly prepared it for publication, and it was released in the US on August15, 2023.
After publication, Iengaged the services of Charles Barrett at Hollywood Book Publicity.
https://hollywoodbookpublicity.com/about/
He created a compellingpress release and has been very effective at securing a wide range of radio andpodcast interviews, including The Weekend with Ed Kalegi, The DouglasColeman Show, Cover to Cover with Mary Elizabeth Jackson, and Bookand a Chat with Barry Eva.
I’m looking forward tocontinuing this PINBALL WIZARD journey.
About the Author
Michael Meloan traveled extensively to England, Germany, and South Korea supporting the Department of Defense as a software engineer. He met the real Top Guns at Ramstein, Germany. He also wrote short stories for Larry Flynt, Buzz, Wired Magazine, and many literary journals. With his brother, Steven, he penned a published novel called The Shroud. Also with his brother, he wrote journalism for The Huffington Post.
In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Meloan was friends with Charles Bukowski and his wife Linda. Bukowski enthusiastically encouraged his writing and invited him and his wife Cathy to many Hollywood events.
Meloan was also good friends with NPR monologue artist Joe Frank. Their regular brunches at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills were among the most fascinating encounters of his life. They discussed sexual failure, the nature of existence, godly realms, and the existential abyss. Meloan had the privilege of co-writing a number of radio shows with Frank that appeared on the NPR syndicate. The documentaries
Bukowski: Born into This and Joe Frank: Somewhere Out There both contain interviews with Meloan.
Visit the book’s website at www.pinballwizardbook.com.
