A Spark of Christmas
The companion newsletter for The Spark is finally available for download for members of the Arbordin Literary Society (membership is FREE; see the ALS tab). It's hard to believe that it's been about a year now since I made The Spark available in its novella form on the Smashwords website.
In September, I put out a revised version in a volume that included the short story, My Christmas Carol, and I'm hoping it will get a lot of downloads in the coming Christmastime. Please tell your friends. It's FREE, and it's also available on Barnes and Noble (and the Sony Store, and iTunes). There, it's averaged 4 out of 5 stars in reviews. That comes from several 5-star ratings overshadowing a few 2-stars. I guess you either love The Spark or hate it.
I've mentioned The Spark a few times in previous journal entries, especially the one for 09/18/2011 ("Change"). In my first journal entry (now deleted), I said that it was an expansion of a short story that I had wanted to publish in short segments (200 words each) for some local publication in the week before Christmas of 2009. Nobody was interested so I expanded it to novella length and put it on Smashwords. I was shocked when it began being downloaded immediately. It's been downloaded ever since, slowing down after the Christmas season, but never stopping completely.
Now, a year later, I'm putting out a newsletter that features The Spark. That's appropriate since my newsletter was inspired by the tent city of homeless people featured in the story. I talk about that in the newsletter. I also offer an author's review of The Spark, and articles that illuminate some of the story's influences and themes. The articles include:
Christmas History
Story Influences: Rudolph and Miracle
Climate Change: Losing the North Pole
The Homeless (Tent City)
Gina's Poem (A Christmas Hope for the Earth)
Reflections on My Christmas Carol
And even questions for the Reading Group.
I hope that whets your interest and that you'll want to get the newsletter by joining the Arbordin Literary Society.
I'm looking forward to enjoying the coming holiday season with my family. If the cold weather that's just moved in persists, it may even feel like Christmas. Sometime in December, I'll make a journal entry that will be my "Christmas Message."
Until then, here's wishing you a Spark of real Christmas spirit.
In September, I put out a revised version in a volume that included the short story, My Christmas Carol, and I'm hoping it will get a lot of downloads in the coming Christmastime. Please tell your friends. It's FREE, and it's also available on Barnes and Noble (and the Sony Store, and iTunes). There, it's averaged 4 out of 5 stars in reviews. That comes from several 5-star ratings overshadowing a few 2-stars. I guess you either love The Spark or hate it.
I've mentioned The Spark a few times in previous journal entries, especially the one for 09/18/2011 ("Change"). In my first journal entry (now deleted), I said that it was an expansion of a short story that I had wanted to publish in short segments (200 words each) for some local publication in the week before Christmas of 2009. Nobody was interested so I expanded it to novella length and put it on Smashwords. I was shocked when it began being downloaded immediately. It's been downloaded ever since, slowing down after the Christmas season, but never stopping completely.
Now, a year later, I'm putting out a newsletter that features The Spark. That's appropriate since my newsletter was inspired by the tent city of homeless people featured in the story. I talk about that in the newsletter. I also offer an author's review of The Spark, and articles that illuminate some of the story's influences and themes. The articles include:
Christmas History
Story Influences: Rudolph and Miracle
Climate Change: Losing the North Pole
The Homeless (Tent City)
Gina's Poem (A Christmas Hope for the Earth)
Reflections on My Christmas Carol
And even questions for the Reading Group.
I hope that whets your interest and that you'll want to get the newsletter by joining the Arbordin Literary Society.
I'm looking forward to enjoying the coming holiday season with my family. If the cold weather that's just moved in persists, it may even feel like Christmas. Sometime in December, I'll make a journal entry that will be my "Christmas Message."
Until then, here's wishing you a Spark of real Christmas spirit.
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