It has been a while since I last checked in here and a lot has happened since then. I am currently working on three new albums musically and two new novellas which I expect to release in February 2013.

First the albums. As an enthusiast of music I like many different genres. Thus I am currently working on three different albums: one alternative rock, one blues, and a jazz album. The rock album is the farthest along and I'm hoping for May or June of 2013 as a release date for that album. You can listen to some of the tracks already completed on the player on the top right of the page. There are some of the blues and jazz tracks on the player as well. Also, you may purchase some of the singles available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify etc. The rock album features several different styles and guest singers Lola de Hanna (Gray Tomorrow, and Waiting on You) and Laurie Webb (Hour Glass).

My writing projects continue to move along. I am currently working on a sequel to "Visitors From Yubarri."
Goyo and Robert left Earth to come to the Yubarrian home world. In the sequel they have been on the planet for thirty years and wish to return home to Earth, but Earth has become a world controlled  by elitists who have enslaved the entire human race. Goyo and Robert, with the help of the Yubarrians, wish to return freedom and stability to their home world. It is a wild adventure through two galaxies and the Earth's solar system. You can purchase the short story that started it all as ebook only and only $.99 at Amazon, iTunes book store, Sony Reader Store, Barnes&Nobel, and many other fine stores

The second story is much different and smaller but also involves humanity. This story, "Pieces of the Puzzle," is about a family fighting cancer and trying to build a family. Christina is battling for her life while Sara, her mother, and her doctor who so happens to be her father (she doesn't find this out until later) are rekindling their romance. The story follows the lives of everyone throughout their life until Christina, in her adult life, makes an incredible discovery. It is an inspiring story that will have you cheering for all the characters.

At last I will leave you with some pictures of my recent trip to Maryland which is the setting for my novella "Love Notes." Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

Wild Horse on Assategue Island, MD

Bridge over the C&D Canal Chesapeake City, MD

Wicomico River Princess Anne, MD

                  

Bay Bridge Kent Island, MD

Assateague Island on the Ocean

       

      

New Cover art for Definitions and more

Hello everyone and I hope you're enjoying your holiday season. First thing I'd like to announce that Barnes and Noble is carrying the print version of "Apollo's Flame" with the nook version coming soon. Barnes and Noble is also now carrying the nook book "Love Notes" for just $.99.

People have told me they wanted to read a sample of my books before buying them and they can't do that online. Not true, there are many different ways in which you can sample, every retailer has a sample. Amazon has a "look inside" feature. This allows you to read a portion of the book. By default it shows about 40% of the book including the front and back cover. It also has a search feature. Kindle will allow you to download a sample to your device (Kindle, iPod, iPad, computer etc.). The Apple iBook store, Kobo, Smashwords, and others also allow you to download samples to your device. As with all ebook devices, if you like the book you can purchase it and keep reading. Barnes and noble doesn't have an "inside the book" feature yet but nook users can download a sample. Unique to Barnes and Noble; nook users can go into the store and read the book for free. Chill out in the cafe, have a coffee, and check out my books or any other ebook Barnes and Noble offers. Below are some links to my books on both Barnes and Noble and Amazon. feel free to check it out. The other cool thing that is in the works is an electronic library service which works much like music sites such as Rhapsody, Napster, Jango, and Pandora. These sites allow you to check out the book and read it. This is a pay service but is much cheaper than buying lots of books. I foresee the major retailers jumping onto this bandwagon soon enough.  

The last bit of news is the new cover for Definitions, my first book of poetry. The picture was taken in Ocean City when I was there to shoot the cover for "Love Notes". This is a sunset picture bay side. The book with the new cover should be available within a couple of weeks. I'm offering a special deal for those who have already purchased the original book. If you catch me at a poetry reading or book signing after the first of the year and you bring your first version of "Definitions" you will get a new copy for free and I'll sign them both.

Links:
Amazon look inside link Apollo's Flame
Amazon look inside link Definitions 
Amazon Kindle link Apollo's Flame
Amazon Kindle link Definitions
Amazon kindle link Love Notes
Amazon Kindle link Old Man and the Moon
Barnes and Noble nook link Love Notes
Barnes and Noble nook link Definitions
Barnes and Noble nook link Old Man and the Moon

Apollo's Flame is not yet available for nook, Apple iPad, Sony Reader, or Kobo but will be soon.

Apollo's Flame is now available

On a hot summer weekend in Georgia at the Roswell Storytelling Festival in 2009 the idea of Apollo's Flame was born. Today the book is available in paperback and kindle version at Amazon.com. This book features over 100 poems including Haiku, Senryu, Tanka, and Cinquain. Along with the poetry are nine short stories including the mini novel Love Notes. The book also has an afterword that explains the ideas behind many of the poems and stories.

Love Notes is now available

Love Notes is now available at Amazon.com for just $.99. It will be available at other retailers shortly such as: Apple iBookstore, Kobo books, Sony Store, and Barnes & Noble.

Today I'm going to discuss a little about how the story was conceived, places it was written, and a little about the story.

First the story is set in modern times in mainly Elkton and Ocean City, MD. The story is about an average couple. They begin a romance, marry, honeymoon in Paris, then have children. Things are great until tragedy strikes and their marriage is put to the test but in the end they stay together. Later their son becomes a Major League pitcher making his parents very proud. His dad remembers the first day he put on a baseball cap and couldn't hold the bat straight. The story ends at the end of main character Mia's life after her husband dies. She reflects on their life together, all the poems they had written each other, and their adventures. The story is told through their emails, love notes, and poems to each other.

The idea for the book was originally very different. It was conceived as I did an interview with an elderly couple to develop characters for a story. The idea was always to write a life-long romance but in the standard style of face to face dialogue. However, in the interview, they spoke of how they left love notes for each other with poetry. Being a poet, this intrigued me. After the interview I thought of how I could tell an entire story through just love notes sent to each other but realized I couldn't do dialogue very well this way. Later that day it occurred to me in this day of blackberrys and other mobile devices a story using email to communicate is very true. I carry conversations all the time emailing back and forth. Therefore the idea was born.

The setting was chosen because I was working around the Baltimore and Delmarva region. I stayed in Elkton, MD and quickly became enamored with the entire area which is tucked at the top of the Chesapeake bay. While working in the region I also made a visit to Ocean City, MD. I had first discovered the city on a trip in high school years ago. I was curious about it so I decided to visit and do some writing there and it became apparent that this awesome place had to become part of the story. It is a big part of the story. The picture on the cover is the pier by the carnival at the end of the boardwalk. Mia and Peter first discover the area while vacationing there and decide to move to Elkton after Peter takes a job in Baltimore. Other areas with significance to the book are listed below.

I am the type of writer in love with interesting places and find inspiration in my surroundings. I often write in places "with a great view". This story was no different. With laptop in hand I wrote on the beach in Ocean City, MD. In and around Elkton, MD including Chesapeake City, MD and Elk Neck state park which is where the Elk river meets the Chesapeake Bay. This is a wonderful unique area of the United States which I encourage people to see. Other places I wrote the story include: New York City, Liberty Park in New Jersey, Delaware Water Gap on top of the mountain, at a park on the banks of Susquehanna River in PA, in and around Nashville, TN and many other places. While not part of the story these place always help me with creative flow.

Below is a list of different characters and settings:
Main characters:
Peter Sargent
Mia Sargent
Stephen Sargent
Veronica Christa Sargent
Veronica Sargent (granddaughter)

Other Characters:
Peter's best friend Bob
Gina Sargent
Mia's mother

Main setting:
Elkton, MD
Ocean City, MD

other settings:
Phoenixville, PA
Philadelphia, PA
Baltimore, MD
Pullman, WA (WSU)

Below is a link to purchase. This version is only available via ebook. However it is also part of a larger book coming soon titled "Apollo's Flame" which contains poetry, prose, and more short stories. No release date yet but it will be out very soon. This story will also be part of another fiction book coming later which will just have short stories. Details on that book will be posted as the writing for it is completed.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy the story.

New Track available

Whispers of 9-11 is now available at Amazon, iTunes, Napster, Zune, and emusic. This is a piece about 9-11 with Tim reciting the poem with a lone clarinet in the background playing "America the Beautiful". Tim is also the clarinetist. The poem is a reminder of that fateful day when the US was attacked by terrorists.

In addition for a limited time you will be able to hear "Dear Muse", a comedy piece that will be on the Apollo's Flame album but you get a sneak peak at that piece now until Friday September 10th. Poet Puma Pearl accompanies me on this piece as my muse.

Update

A couple of updates to discuss. First Old Man and the Moon is now available in the UK Kindle store. This story is only available on ebook format but will be part of the upcoming poetry book Apollo's Flame. If you don't like poetry that's not a problem either, I will have a book with just short stories and short novels coming too and this story will be it that book too. Both books will be in print and and ebook. The ebook forms will have special features including more visual art with the stories and poetry. The short Novel Love Notes will be available shortly on ebook also.

One of my final shows (for the meantime) will be Brunswick Art Works at Kelly's Cafe in Brunswick, OH on October 14th. I will be taking time to work on future projects such as the aforementioned books as well as writing songs and poetry with music behind it. The album for Apollo's Flame. Some of the tracks have been recorded and a couple of them will be available soon.

I will leave you with a couple of poems,

Pit in My Stomach

That pit in my stomach

chill down my spine

the memory of your whisper in my ear

that kiss on my lips

your soft hands caressing me

I reach for you and realize you are not there yet I feel you

but you are here...you are like a living ghost and these feelings are really you deep inside my soul

drawing me near to you

when I say I can't get you out of my mind it's because you live deep inside

the piece of your heart that you gave to me

telling me you love me, guiding me back to your arms

giving me that pit in my stomach every time I think of you

Subway of Dreams

Waiting on that big thing to happen
it seems to have no end

It's like waiting for the subway to take you to dreams
it can take forever or so it seems

So as you sit there in that station shivering and cold
remember that patience is a commodity more valuable than gold

You want that train to be there now
sitting in the cold with that sour frown

That train never comes on time
and it sickens you to watch as the other trains go by

They whisk others off to their destination
but not you, you're still waiting for a chance to bask in the sun

What if I came by to keep you company
share a smile and a hot cup of coffee

Remind you that that train will be here sometime
it is almost never on time

So I will wait with you until it comes by
we will talk of the weather, of summer, and of apple pie

And when that train comes rolling down the track
I will walk you over and carry your pack

And as I watch you from the other side of the door
You say, " Thank You" and I wink and reply," baby, that's what I'm for"

New short story available

I'm proud to announce that I have a new book available at Amazon.com. Old Man and the Moon is a short story available for $.99. This story will only be available as a digital download, but will also be part of future print books Apollo's Flame (poetry and short stories) Right now it's only available at Amazon but will be available at iBookstore, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and Sony store

An old man and great inventor is in the hospital dying as family and friends gather around. They speak of his accomplishments as an engineer but the old man is saddened because he wishes them to remember him for the relationships he had and the lessons he taught. He enlists the help of the moon.

Don't have a Kindle? That's okay, do you have a PC, Mac, Blackberry, Android, iPod, iPhone, or iPad? Then you're in luck, all you have to do is download the software and download the book. The software is free and you can download anything in the Kindle store.


Purchase Old Man and the Moon at Amazon.com


Old Man and the Moon was written in Memphis, TN a place where I have written many poems, stories, and songs. It has a special place in my heart and is always an inspiration.


Speaking of Memphis, I have a new song and some new single audio poems with dialogue and music coming soon. Whiskey on a Heartache is a blues song where a hard luck lover comes down to Beale and his now former love throws his flowers in his face. The girl next door gives him a bottle of whiskey and he goes to drink his trouble away. The song features alternative artist Parzival, Geoff Koval from The Fifth Wheel, and Laurie Webb from Lollievox. Whispers of 9-11 is another single a 9-11 poem with a solum tone and lonely clarinet in the background.