The other day I saw where they wanted to rename Greenland, Graceland. And change the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of Elvis. All right. Just kidding. But the point is, you got the joke, right? Truth is, the King is still ubiquitous nearly 50 years after his untimely death. Ubiquitous? Oh, that’s just a…… Continue reading Elvis needs boats
Posts
Go cat go
Early on in my journey to publication I held to the belief that the art of writing is an endeavor of pure creativity. Come to find out, it’s actually governed by a surprisingly rigid set of “storytelling” rules and tropes. Oddly enough, one of the most famous of these involves a kitty. In “Last Bridge…… Continue reading Go cat go
Trying to get to you
It’s a juggling act these days: Playing book marketer slash promoter while at the same time knuckling down at the keyboard banging out a sequel. With apologies to The Shirelles, Mama never said there’d be days like this. A month into the world of being published and let’s just say the learning curve is steep.…… Continue reading Trying to get to you
Welcome to my world
Two weeks ago I launched my debut novel, Last Bridge to Memphis. What a two weeks! Thanks to some of you who are reading this post, initial sales on Amazon.com shot the book into top tier rankings — for a hot minute. I suppose that’s how those algorithms work. But once the initial sales tapered…… Continue reading Welcome to my world
All shook up
Today is the day. The day every aspiring author dreams of. My book is out. And for the first time I can say: Buy it here. I’m under no illusions that some magical transformation will take place in my life now that the day has arrived. But publishing a book is a singular achievement. Many…… Continue reading All shook up
Troubled bridges, troubled water
When we think about bridges, there’s a duality of meaning there. They’re a crossing from one reality to another, in ways both literal and allegorical. This is the subtext of my novel, in which an aging and lost Elvis seeks to find meaning in the life he has left to lead. At first, a random…… Continue reading Troubled bridges, troubled water
35/25: Elvis at 90
Elvis turned 90 today. It’s a big deal. Ninety years ago today, early Lord one frosty morn, on January 8, 1935, little Elvis Aaron Presley came into the world in Tupelo, Mississippi. Check out all the attention this world-famous nonagenarian is getting, starting with a big birthday commemoration this morning in Memphis. Has any one…… Continue reading 35/25: Elvis at 90
Last bridge to publication
Have you ever noticed that when you visit a bookstore, or peruse the shelves in those airport gift shops or anywhere else they sell books, it’s always the same novels by the same handful of authors? When I see these same names and same titles being sold front and center again and again and again…… Continue reading Last bridge to publication
Hurt
The other day I had freedom on my mind.Today, I’m thinking about disappointment. About frustration. About heartbreak. I chose Hurt for the title of this post because events have called to mind the Elvis song by the same name. This is a song about a lover’s betrayal. But the sentiment, the emotion, the way he…… Continue reading Hurt
Now or never
I’m thinking about freedom and opportunity today.Thinking about my Italian immigrant grandfather, who fought in World War I with the U.S. Army. Thinking of his sons, my uncles, who served in the Pacific theater in World War II and had very long and productive lives. About my dad, who served in Germany during the Cold…… Continue reading Now or never