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A monthly diary of current postings and quick train of thought entries

May 2023

I’ve got a bit of news today.

I need to press pause on the upcoming book releases. For right now, this impacts Once in a Lifetime and You may never get published (Horror stories and thoughts to help you try anyway). Those are the two that are nearing their publication dates, though I may make additional changes as things begin to take form.

I cannot stress enough that this is a pause. Both of these efforts, along with the two others slated for 2023 (an untitled October Fires project and 1,500 Miles from Home), are moving along.

Short version of the story is that in the past few months, especially the past couple of weeks, I’ve had to prioritize my schedule toward other work. While I have found time for the website, newsletter and books, the available time hasn’t been consistent and I can’t rely on it.

For a slightly longer version, let’s point in the direction of Once in a Lifetime. A draft of the book is complete. But, it needs a full proofread, including editing plus any rewrites and additions. Then, there’s the other parts like getting the cover designed. Without knowing how much time I have day-to-day or week-to-week, I can’t predict if it will be ready in two weeks or two months.

All of the projects are in some way similar to Once in a Lifetime. Material exists, and the work is moving along. Just not in a way that allows me to judge a pace.

My hope is to still have four books out by the end of this year. That’s a pretty good run of releases. I expect at least one will be out before the annual National Buy Bob’s Book Day in August. As soon as I have more details that aren’t random, I’ll share them.

Until then, new essay today. A Parkside View issues for May and June closing in. We’ve got work to do.

“Responsibility”

“That neighbor”

“Brand loyalty ignored”

And just like that, the first Friday with no new content arrived. Came and went.

Might—MIGHT—happen again this week.

First – Doesn’t change my plans and hopes to deliver new material regularly and often. I have always approached the website as a way to share new content while also recognizing it as a bit of an experiment at times. Yes, Fridays are and will continue to be circled as a time to post something new. Going to try to be as close to every Friday as I can. And, yes, there could be new stuff on other days as well.

Second – Hoping to make it up to you with a bit of a rush this week, with three to five new essays over the next few days (including two arriving with this post).

“The things you never consider”

“A bird in the hand and a bee in the eave”

Hannah Gadsby is – in one word – brilliant. New special is now on Netflix, following up on the outstanding Nanette and Douglas, and you should be checking out all three.

Beetlejuice 2 is picking up speed, with the production given a release date and cast settling in. Word is the movie will feature Tim Burton, Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder returning, with Jenna Ortega joining.

“Thirty-nine degrees”

A few things I want to mention today. Well, mostly one thing with a few possible things resulting because of it.

Recently I began working on some projects that are going to keep me busy for the next eight to twelve weeks. Exciting stuff that I need to get completed. But my focus on these efforts is going to take me away from other things.

One example of that would be the books I have slated for publishing. I had plans for releasing a travel book this month, a book based on my writing workshop to be out in July, and a novel ready in late September or early October. The manuscripts have been moving along for all three, but I am not going to be able to get them wrapped up, with a final review and a proof copy looked over, in time to meet the dates I intended. It looks like those projects will now respectively be released in late July, late August and October. Not a major difference, but definitely moved back.

Around the website, not much will chance immediately. I will still be adding material on every Friday (and occasionally on other days), and the upcoming issues of A Parkside View will be out each month. Unfortunately, if everything goes well, there may be a couple of weeks where I won’t have a Friday post. Not certain of that, but it is possible. My guess would be toward the latter stages of the work, beginning in June and possibly pushing into July.

I’ll keep you updated on all of this as it moves along. But one thing I want to point out is The Attic. If you wander into that section of the In My Backpack site, you’ll find links to all sorts of places around The ‘ville. The Photo Galleries and Interviews are two specialized groups. Also, there are more than one thousand pieces combined in the General, Travel and Sports areas. So, feel free to use some of this time to look around and catch up on some older efforts.

Ok. That’s it for now. Here’s the new essay…

“The disappearing national brand”

Going to have more this week, but wanted to get a post up to start off the month.

“Waving at the neighbors”