Published inReef Point Press·Mar 18Lessons Learned from My Russian TortoiseMy Russian tortoise, Dio, is a rather wise soul. I named him Dio after one of the greatest singers in the history of Rock, Ronnie James Dio. He is about 20 years old, which is midlife for a Russian tortoise. Dio has been around the block quite a few times…Meditation3 min readMeditation3 min read
Published inReef Point Press·Jan 22Publishing My New Novella!MY 13-YEAR-OLD SON, Max, is quite the horror fan. In an era of over-the-top special effects, superhero movies, and gore flicks trying to pass themselves off as horror, I set out to write a book that young readers would enjoy, made up of more traditional horror and suspense tales. My…Publishing3 min readPublishing3 min read
Published inReef Point Press·Dec 17, 2022Instagram for Fiction WritersI’M NOT MUCH of an online promoter, I’m afraid. As a new writer, I tried some online platforms that did not work out. One day, I was dropping off a copy of my new book at a local bookstore, and the owner recommended that I give Instagram a try. I…Writing3 min readWriting3 min read
Published inKillian Street·Dec 8, 2022Saint Nick and a Pack of Pall MallsFEW PEOPLE KNOW this, but Saint Nick lives in rural Nevada. It’s pretty far off the beaten path; more than a horseshoe’s toss from Death Valley. Oh sure, Saint Nick must spend at least a nominal amount of time at the North Pole to keep up appearances. …Fiction3 min readFiction3 min read
Published inReef Point Press·Nov 30, 2022Musings of a Fiction Writer (Vol. 3)WHEN I INDEPENDENTLY published my first book (a short story collection) in 2019, I was initially disappointed when I failed to sell a significant number of copies. …Writing3 min readWriting3 min read
Published inKillian Street·Nov 17, 2022Alice: A Thanksgiving TaleIT WAS DARK and cold when Alice woke up. It was awfully quiet, too. As a turkey, Alice accepted that the Thanksgiving holiday season could be a reckless and dangerous time of year. …Short Story2 min readShort Story2 min read
Published inReef Point Press·Nov 12, 2022Musings of a Fiction Writer (Vol. 2): Is Your Ego Getting in the Way?IN YOGA, we refer to the Ego as a false sense of self. More specifically, the Ego is that part of you which tries to convince you that you are separate from others and from the universe as a whole. …Writing3 min readWriting3 min read
Published inThe Endless Blue·Nov 2, 2022Sharing the Ocean with SharksBY NOW, I’m sure everyone has seen the stunning photo from San Onofre last week of the great white breaching straight up into the air, directly behind an unassuming surfer cruising on a beautiful wave during a competition. There may be temptation to title this story: “FOOLS RISK LIVES WHILE…Surfing2 min readSurfing2 min read
Published inKillian Street·Oct 26, 2022Leonard the Goblin: A Halloween TaleLEONARD THE GOBLIN was confused. And he was tired. This was his 145th Halloween. Oh sure, in the early years the scares had come rather easily. …Flash Fiction2 min readFlash Fiction2 min read
Published inKillian Street·Oct 25, 2022The Black Cloak: A Halloween PoemTHE BLACK CLOAK flies high on this special night — this special night of fright and delight. The black cloak looks down below upon the trickers and the treaters and all the young thrill seekers. The black cloak claps with fantastic glee and dances about when it sees that the lighted pumpkins and sharp fangs have come out. For this is the night of the year that really matters — the one night when all can pretend be what they are not.Fiction1 min readFiction1 min read