My Big Brother Gary Burning a Guitar to the Ground

Phil Ochs Was There, Singing and Learning

The Book Launch and Baked Beans

Friday was a good day.  I had the opportunity to finally meet Stephen Marlowe, friend and publisher, along with his fine family, I had good food and fun with family and friends and read a little and talked a little about my new book, The Same Terrible Storm.

The launch, held at the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center in Pikeville, was just a good time all the way around.  Even set backs were cool.  Steve and I trekking out to get a grill at the last minute because prior grill plans went amiss resulted in some good jawing about writing, the writing life, finding out more about each other.  It was a fine time.

I am also now the proud owner of a poster with my face on it that is just huge.  I’m still thinking of what to do with this piece.  Time will tell.

Thanks to all of you who made it out.  I really appreciated it.  And thanks to Foxhead for understanding that this old mountain boy was more at ease with a cookout complete with BBQ and baked beans.  It means a lot to feel comfortable.  I hope everyone had as good a time as I did.

The Fat To Be Chewed About My Book's Launch

The official launch for my new book, The Same Terrible Storm, will be held on Friday, June 8, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m.  The event, which I and others have mentioned here and there at various places through Facebook, Twitter and so on, should, if all goes well, take place during Pikeville, Kentucky’s Main Street Live directly adjacent to the Eastern Kentucky Expo Center. 

Directions will be provided and invites will be sent out as soon as all ducks are in a cliché.  Steve Marlowe and gang at Foxhead Books are working on final arrangements and keeping me in the loop, but for now conversations between myself and city organizers, as well as talks between Steve and the same, point to there being no problems at this point.

As the thing gets nice and solid, I’ll post an event on Facebook, etc. and send invites.  I hope as many of you as possible can make it out to the launch.  There’ll be good mountain food and some others we can sample.  A good old-fashioned cookout, basically, complete with music and singing and storytelling, meeting friends and turning strangers into friends.  I truly hope you will find interest in attending.

I’ll let you guys know more when it’s all situated.  And thanks in advance, both to those who may share this evening with me and my family and, of course, to Foxhead and their golden folks who have supported myself and my book all the way through.

More later.  And tuck your shirt in. 

Royal Flush: Five Fine Stories for June

Here's five of what are several of my favorite stories, but just these five for June.  You all can expect five more for July and so on.  Hope you enjoy these as much as I have again and again.  No particular order, by the way, exactly like most everything else.

David James - "One Mississippi, Two Mississippi"


Kuzhali Manickavel - "Little Bones"


William Gay - "I Hate to See That Evening Sun Go Down"


Sam Nam - "I Use Commas Like Ninja Stars"


Kilean Kennedy - "True Up"

A Fictionaut Welcome and Primer from JP Reese

I belong to an online community for readers and writers called Fictionaut.  Recently, writer JP Reese posted this informative bit in the general forum and it seems perfect to share for anyone who may have an invite to the site and would appreciate the input.

"For those of you who are new, or trying Fictionaut again, welcome. It was difficult for me when I first joined Fictionaut to learn some of the basic navigational tools and etiquette, so here is a beginners' primer for new folks. If anyone else has any ideas to add, please do so:

• When you post a story, take the time while you're here to read and comment on a few written by others.

• When someone comments on your piece, respond, either on his or her wall or below the response to your piece. You can write a group response or respond individually if you have the time to do so. It's polite.

• If someone writes on your wall and you wish to respond, go to their wall to respond. If you write on your own wall, chances are they won't see it.

• If you have questions or concerns, write a note in the Forum and other people will respond to you there.

• Many of the longer pieces are frequently ignored, so if you have time, please give them some love.

• If you want constructive feedback on a piece, ask for it. People will not offer suggestions unless prompted to do so, as Fictionaut isn't really a workshop for new work; however, there are private groups that focus on this part of the writing process, so again, ask about them in the Forums and someone will respond."

We Should Hope To Write This Well