Slipping the Gears is Finished!
Dear Readers !
It has been a challenging few months, but we finally got some time to wrap up the adventure Slipping the Gears, which should be available in it’s full glory this week on Amazon Vella (for now).
The Blob - Fighting the Red Menace
What was interesting was this concept of an unstoppable creature…bent on eating the population of the small towns. True to form, the highschoolers were trying to warn the authorities - but it was too late ! The monster noshed on increasing numbers of the PA populace, eventually making its way to a movie theater (which is in Phoenixville, PA), before the heroes can make their way across the street (in reality, 11 miles away) to hide in a diner before the Blob can be defeated (spoilers !). Bottomline, for this Cold War kid, the whole concept was a look at the spread of Communism. As the Blob absorbed more and more people - the redder it got.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year !
As is tradition in the JES Campbell household, we are celebrating our (well, for me and “E”) our favorite holiday, Halloween. This year, we will be giving away free copies of both Blue Summer and Gruff Ending on Kindle during the month of October. The giveaway for Blue Summer will take place from 21 through 25 October, and for Gruff Ending from the 27th through Halloween !
Delta Means Difference
The Delta variant isn’t a whole lot different, from my understanding. But the goalposts have changed from the day I wrote the above - now we have a vaccine; and even the low-end of the dosages offers some protection. USA Today reported (8/4 #s) The U.S. has had more than 35.3 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and 614,700 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: More than 200 million cases and 4.25 million deaths. More than 165.3 million Americans – 49.8% of the population – have been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC. Yet, More than 90% of new coronavirus infections across the U.S. are from the delta variant. Hospital beds in Florida and Louisiana are at a premium . According to Reuters, the contagion level for younger children is higher.
Summerween Shameless Promotion
In honor of Summerween - Blue Summer and Gruff Ending are being made available for FREE on Kindle for a limited time.
Slipping the Gears (Pt 6)
The carving was neatly done in the bark, providing an almost life-like model of a cicada; one of many they had overheard on their journey today. It had been almost deafening at times listening to their alien cries back and forth as they committed to their mating dance. As she watched the carving, a spark glowed within it, pulsing for a moment, then lay dormant again. She waited, and as it again came to light, Chamylla could make out small, intricately carved gears turning within its fragile shell.
“Beautiful.”
She stroked the carving’s carapace, and it looked like it twitched, so she withdrew her hand quickly. From above, she saw some movement as two more of the mechanisms began to slowly crawl down the bark of the tree. Two more began their methodological journey from the roots, Another alighted from a branch upon high. Soon, she was staring at a dozen of the things, each with a pulsing light that beat faster as they approached the singular point of the original carving.
How the Weird West Was Won
The Weird West is a genre of writing that combines elements of Western tropes with a touch of other writing genre , like horror, fantasy, etc. Think Wild Wild West (steampunk), or Cowboys and Aliens (sci-fi).
On Spiritualism…
Spiritualism is based on the belief that spirits exist and, basically, want to communicate with the living. Because of their insight, the spirits can provide moral/ethical issues and can be contacted through a medium who utilizes a spirit guide to provide insight. At the height of the religion between 1840-1920 (yes, this is considered a religious belief) over 8 million people followed it. It began to taper off in the 1880’s due to credibility issues by fraudulent mediums …
When I introduced Ray and Gwen in Gruff Ending, the intent was to introduce the two sides of the discussion. .. These represent (mostly) the warring sides of my own observations in Spiritualism and Mediumship where the things I’ve seen and experienced …
Slipping the Gears (Pt 2)
Slipping the Gears (Pt 1)
Recovery
What can be said other than to take time for oneself and ensure that you are taking care of your immediate needs ? Cleanse your thoughts and take time to b-r-e-a-t-h-e.
Happy New Year !
Thanks for all the support !
A Christmas Post
Christmas Eve came on a Wednesday this year, and although school had been excused for over the past week and a half, with many more days off to come, the excitement of Christmas Day was almost palpable throughout the town’s youth. The adults had been well engaged, lights having been hung about the downtown La Plata area, decorating the streetlights and businesses down Main Street. Advertisements for A Christmas Carol were backlit on the Port Tobacco Player’s marquee, although the stage would be closed for the holiday in preparation for the 1981 season.
Only Twelve Days More… (another shameless promotion)
Our current campaign is moving along slowly, so the story is still being written and we hope to get something out early in the next year. ‘Cause haven’t we all just had enough with 2020 ?
Tales from a Thanksgiving Survivor …
…we, as a Nation, need to acknowledge the history and present to future generations the underlying history of how Native Americans helped build this Nation and what indignities they suffered for it. Matika Wilbur provides a narrative for the Native American view, to come together and heal over this time.
Thanksgiving Thoughts
Gothic Maryland ?
So what is it about Tempy and Hester that folks like ? In the review of Blue Summer, a reviewer says they can’t wait to read more about them. I think in writing about these urban legends, I may have taken from elements of Gothic Fiction - but turned them sideways to adjust for our strong leading ladies…
Conscription (Ch5) : A Short Story
“I repeat. To what end ? What does this accomplish by putting me away and taking away my family when this is over ?”
“To be honest, why do you assume it has anything to do with you ?”
The lower half of the screen showed media footage, some professional and some amateur. On a few, he saw footage of his trial as the manslaughter charge was stated. On others, he was seen being led down the hallways to the room clearly taken from the viewpoint of the escorts.
At least it is evident that someone got paid out of this, Theo thought dryly.
And The Reviews Are Rolling In…
In preparation for Halloween, JES Campbell commissioned 100 copies of Gruff Ending (on Kindle) to be given (for free) to random GOODREADS subscribers. We had over 371 readers apply for the giveaway (very overwhelming). Simultaneously, we did the same for Blue Summer through Amazon. While not as overwhelming (13) , we did do this for a shorter period of time (3 days) and I think that was a driver in overall responses for Kindle copies.
The results are in.
Thoughts on Halloween
Halloween is right around the corner ! And as we here at JES Campbell get ready for our own family celebration (complete with Full Moon) , “J” and I are pulling out our favorite vids for the kids . You know the old standbys .. The Nightmare Before Christmas, The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, Garfield’s Halloween Adventure… things that we watched as kids before that moment we all ran outside in our best and spookiest disguise to go door-to-door.