Reflections on Strays

Posted on by kassabi1a

Strays was a heart breaker for me. Everything that could go sideways in the release. Sales have been low. Reviews have been slow. I dislike even looking at the book.

But…

Huge but…

There have been few times in my life I really felt awesome as a writer. It’s mostly self-loathe and whiskey. Decent bit of whiskey. Lotta bit of self loathe. I wrote the second book in a booth at what was the Middlesex diner. They kept my coffee full and my stomach fed. When the release date finally came, the diner was happy to host my release party.

That night people came from far and wide to support me. Many bottles of booze were drank. I read a pseudo sex scene in front of my mom and all of her friends. Luckily my sister, Brother-in-law and nieces had left by then. Three friends I had best manned for were there. A college friend I hadn’t seen in years drove six hours for it. Old room mates. Bosses. Coaches.

Writing is lonely.

That day I was not.

Strays may have disappointed, but the people I have in my life have not.

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Supporting a Dream

Posted on by kassabi1a

Hey all,

I’ve got a friend. Her name is Kristi. She was my better goalie half once upon a time. I could say a lot about her, but I’ll stick with one thing, there was was never a better teammate than Kristi.

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Kristi and me in high school(I smiled a lot back then too)

She’s now an Olympic Bobsledder.

She’s got some new teammates: Nicole Brungardt and Kyle Plante.

They seem like way cooler teammates than I once was. Their dream isn’t an easy one, and I feel the last thing they should be concerned with is the financial side of life while going out there to represent us. If you can help them by donating to their Gofundmes, you will have my appreciation, and have become part of something bigger than yourself. I know this is a hard time of year to be able to have spare funds, and if you can’t totally understandable, but please pass the post along.

If I can’t talk you into it as your patriotic duty, I will release every short story that is part of Stories of the Primal Age for free, if both these ladies reach their goals. I know not much of a prize, but it is the best I’ve got.

So, please join me in helping the #bobslaybabes reach their dreams.

To donate to Nicole Brungardt: https://www.gofundme.com/nicoleforgold#

To donate to Kyle Plante: https://www.gofundme.com/kyles-european-bobsled-trip/

 

 

I’mmmmmmm Backkkkkkk

Posted on by kassabi1a

Dearest folks,

I know I have been away for a long while and I apologize for vanishing on everyone without notice. Being busy is no excuse for not being present. As of this post I will return to being an active member of social media society, and hopefully society itself. However I don’t want to leave you guys with something as empty as just an apology with my first post back.

So, let me tell you about everything I was doing while I was gone. Early in the summer I returned to Wilkes University and had the opportunity to read from Foamers as an alumni of the program. For anyone out there wishing to be a writer who just needs that extra push I strongly recommend Wilkes University’s low residency M.A./M.F.A program.

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During all of this I was working a full time job at the happy Hampden Pool, coaching water polo, landscaping, and teaching private swim lessons.

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Shortly after my reading I broke free of all my jobs and made it to a wedding of a great friend and long time team mate, Ox and his new bride Staurt. Met up with an old college friend Meredith while there as well. (Ox is in the center, Meredith is on the right, I’m the guy in the thrift store vest)

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Meredith happened to bring along this guy…

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and I got to punt with an NFL punter. (Might not sound that cool, but for being a soccer goalie for many years it was pretty awesome to punt again, let alone with someone who does it for a living)

On my way home 9 hour drive home I got to swing by and see another college friend. (The one dressed like the Easter Bunny)

 

 

 

 

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After that it was mostly just work for a while. I’m picking my brain real hard to think if I did any out of the ordinary trips in July, but I can’t seem to think of any at the moment. Any who July turned into August. August was busy.

I’m not positive I remember the order properly so please forgive me if I mess anything up.

I went to the Naval Retirement party of a man I have so much respect for I shaved for the event. Got to see a great deal of people I hadn’t seen in a long time. Overall had a great day.

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Shortly after that my first ever royalty check arrived. SEE PROOF, Just assume it’s for millions. Also note to my publishers I’ll be cashing it real soon. My apologies for keeping it a month.

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And right after that, Foamers was selected for a Daily Deal on Amazon, which sky rocketed sales and made me the number 1 best seller in the Amazon store for a few days. (This was an early photo before I thought it would do better…it did)

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Shortly after that my old roommate/teammate/might as well be blood/also know as Siegfried and Roy/ convinced me to come out of retirement from playing water polo. This is what I look like after an all night 10 hour drive, then two days of water polo, but before the next ten hour drive. Don’t regret it.

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Following that I ran my first 5k. There was beer at the finish line. This made me happy and due to limited supplies of beer made me run faster.

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These people were there too…

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All in all a pretty eventful and rather fun summer. I even came up with some new story ideas. Only downside was I didn’t make as much forward progress on the sequel to Foamers as I would have liked. However, it’ll be done soon. You have my word.