Gallbladders, New Stories, New Store, Surgery and Appearances by BJ Neblett

Recently, I had a fairly serious gallbladder attack. This came almost exactly two years to the day to a similar incident which I spoke of right here. (Blog: Saturday23, 2013, Stepping Out Of Format For A Moment) Regular readers of mine know well the large part irony plays in my life. I’ll leave the comments, like sleeping dogs, lie, and simply say I believe my altruism that day two years ago was not only tested but cursed. That curse has come to fruition. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished. I have an appointment with a surgeon this week and we’ll discuss possible dates. At this point I am sure it would be wish full thinking to expect the young lady in question to return the favor. I am not a fan of spending time in hospitals, visitor or otherwise, and yes, all things considered, am a bit apprehensive.

If you recall I am also destined to have Tommy John surgery on my pitching arm. (Blog:Friday, July 24, 2015, A Question Of Age…) I wonder what the possibilities are of getting it all done at once. And, while softball season has ended, it is also a busy time for me with speaking engagements and writing. Among other obligations, I have been asked once again to speak at the Ballard (Seattle) Branch Library’s excellent monthly series, It’s About Time. I’ll be the lead speaker and will talk on the art of Flash Fiction. If you are in the area, please come join us. It is free, lasting just a couple of hours, and will be on Thursday, December 10, 2015, at 6 PM.

Also, in December, the new issue of Paradox Ethereal Magazine will feature a powerful fiction story of mine. I’ll post a reminder as time gets closer for both events.

For those of you looking to find that certain elusive book, Rain City Video has now expanded its operations to include a nifty used book and reading area! Known for years for their large selection of new and classic videos, you can now curl up in an overstuffed chair and enjoy the vintage ambiance with a good read in hand. And here you will also find all of my releases, along with those of my friend KJ McPike, as well as all the latest from other Ballard area writers. Zoe and the gang have done a great job at Rain City Video, located at 6412 32nd Ave NW, in the Ballard/Loyal Heights section of Seattle. If you can't stop by you can contact them at 206-789-0132 or via email: raincityrelics@gmail.com. Check out their large, ever growing  selection of new and vintage videos and books at www.raincity.com and facebook.com/raincityvideo. And be sure to tell them you heard about it right here!
Finally, my career as a romance writer seems to be moving along very well, thank you. And no one is as surprised as I am! As a character in one of my own stories once quipped, “The two greatest assets a writer can have are an unbridled imagination and to have lived an unabashed life.” I definitely qualify on both counts. I have a new story in October’s Romance Magazine. As always, you may click the image to the right for the link. A link to my other romance and fiction stories, books, publications, etc. can be found just below the magazine image. Please be sure to leave comments here as well as at Amazon and on the publisher’s site. Every little bit helps! Maybe someday all of this will even pay the bills.

I’m presently working on a new short story to publish here in a week or two so stay tuned. In the mean time, thank you for reading. Pop over to my poetry blog (Blog: Here For A Season) for a newly posted poem. And of course be sure to link, like, comment and share the love. Keep those cards and letters coming!

Peace,

BJ

New Must Read From A New Author! by BJ Neblett

“The lives of a man are measured in his dreams.” That quote is from my new romance story Wind. More than just a romantic notion, what we dream, awake as well as asleep, says much about the person. Or, as Edgar Allen Poe put it: “They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.” (Eleonora) I recently had the pleasure of meeting and working with a wonderful dreamer, KJ McPike. Besides being able to call KJ, or Kelly my friend, it was my honor to help edit her first novel. Xodus is first in the Astralis series of books. In this thrilling initial installment, young Lali discovers she is capable of astral projection. Soon, with the assistance of a strange new acquaintance, the teen is off on an exciting and perilous journey to find her long lost mother.

KJ has crafted an original and thought provoking first effort with the skill of a veteran writer. With well fleshed characters, believable action and thought provoking twists, she manages to keep the plot moving and the pages turning. At story’s conclusion, readers are left fully satisfied yet wanting more. And book two is well in the works. While labeled YA, or Young Adult Fiction, Xodus will appeal to a wide range of readers, young to old, of all genres.

Xodus by KJ McPike is rated PG-13 and is published by Terracotta Rose Publishing, and is available through Amazon and book stores everywhere. For more information on Xodus, the Astralis Series and KJ McPike simple follow the links below.

Look for a new story as well as information on my own future publications right here shortly.

BJ Neblett

Xodus by KJ McPike on Amazon click here

Visit KJ McPike on line click here

KJ McPike Amazon Author Page click here

An interview with KJ McPike click here

KJ McPike Bio:

K.J. MCPIKE is the author of the Young Adult Paranormal Fiction novel XODUS, the first in her Astralis series. She has also written short stories and several articles that appeared in Western Horse & Gun magazine, formerly known as Western Shooting Horse. K.J. has a habit of moving across (and out of) the country, and to date, she has lived in 11 different states and visited 9 countries. Despite her nomadic tendencies, she spends at least a few months out of the year in Seattle, where she regularly consumes too much caffeine and is more likely to be found in a coffee shop than her own apartment.

Great New Story, Great Catch And Green Graffiti

          I’ve been told I am a great catch. Trouble is I keep getting thrown back. Perhaps it is because writers are a weird breed. I’m allowed to say that as I am considered a writer. If that dubious classification carries with it anything beyond the obvious – and perhaps not so obvious distinction of being strange – I’m not certain. I am fairly certain that writers think, act and behave differently from normal people, including a strong proclivity towards the dramatic. Again, I know. Recently I found myself doodling quotes on a local park bench – no worries: the green ink was environmentally friendly and would soon be vanquished by sun and rain. Hence was born the term Green Graffiti, a sort of literate tagging: defacing public property with non-damaging words of sentiment and encouragement. Later, as I sat watching the varied and intriguing reactions of those discovering my words of wisdom, a plot began to unfold. And soon, a new short story, No Boundaries was born. I told you writers are a weird breed.

           Inspiration is a fleeting commodity; the muse an elusive mistress. Both strike when we least expect. A recent heartache resulted in numerous short stories and poetry, some of my best work – thanks Kristin. The world around us is full of inspiration as fact is indeed stranger than fiction. One just needs to learn to recognize it when it appears. I’ve been blessed with plenty of opportunities for inspiration. All things considered, whether that is good or bad is debatable. Whether I’d rather have the beautifully inspired prose, or their beautiful inspiration is a question I’ve managed to so far avoid facing. I hope the answer is an obvious one.

          Whatever the means or inspiration, you my loyal readers are the lucky beneficiaries of my inspirations, be them good or no so. No Boundaries, my latest romance short story is now available in this month’s (September, Vol. 3 No. 8) Romance Magazine. As always, this issue is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble and the publisher Fiction Magazines. Simply click the image to the right!

         And since we are already deeply mired in shameless self-promotion, all of my publications, magazines, books and poetry can be found by clicking the BJ’s Publications link on the right, just below the image of Romance Magazine. And oh, I have another story which will be published in the new issue of Paradox Ethereal Magazine, available December 1. Enjoy.

            Thanks. I will leave you with another piece of cerebral musing:

            “Leave the door to your mind wide open. But keep the screen door shut. This way you can see everything that is going on around you, let in only that which you want, and keep everything inside from running out.”

                        BJ Neblett