ALL TOGETHER NOW with GORAK

The wheels of Amazon have done all there turning, and all the appropriate connections are now connected on a single sales page for Gorak the Gobbler . When you have a publisher behind you, it happens more smoothly.  When you are an independent, like myself, it doesn't always.  But now it's all there!

Not only that, but the first reader review is in and it is five stars!

"I have heard Ms. Cullen read all three tales presented in this tome in virtual worlds -- a rare privilege. Now to own the book with my own two hands! Awesome!

"Being old school (and ancient in my years) I adore having an actual book to thumb through, put bookmarks in and look at fondly when it rests in my book case. However, is is also available in Kindle, so have at!

"That said, Ms. Cullen's talents as a storyteller allow one to gambol in joie de vivre. I am a decidedly G-rated old crone, the Gorak tales touch on fun, fantasy, exploration, personal growth, emotional awareness and acknowledgement, and joy in the glory of living. I wish I had them in my youth. I'm definitely glad I have them in my elder age.

"I recommend this book to all. And if you get a chance to hear the author share the tale verbally, hop to it!"   ~ "Rd Plasschaert", Amazon Reader Review (five stars)

HE'S HERE: Now Available on Amazon!

Now available for Kindle Amazon sales page 

And also now in Trade Paperback

Get your copy today!

GORAK is on his way, this week!

That's right.  The small, oddly wise, extremely red little guy will have his very own volume of tales, released this week on Kindle, with the paperback available shortly after.

Here's a glimpse from one of the stories in this new volume:  Gorak Returns.

The big plastic storage bin of sewing and craft scraps that her Mom kept in the hall closet had been dragged into Ellie's room, and its contents were strewn all over her bed: scraps of fabrics in rainbow colors, papers with different printed designs, ruffled lace trim in varying sizes, ribbons galore, cellophane packages of beads and sequins twinkling in the light. Standing in the middle of the chaos, feet planted apart, arms spread wide and grinning was a creature Ellie had never seen the like of before.  Around its red head was tied a scrap of fluffy pink marabou.

"Me Gorak!  Ellie McCormick wanna dance?" it said.

COMING in May!

The rumors are true . . . Gorak the Gobbler is getting his own book!

Coming mid-May to Kindle, closely followed by paperback, the original tale first published in The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep, plus two additional stories.

Ever think about how pressures of life eat away at you, gnaw at your confidence?  What if there were a magical creature who gobbled away at those very things?  The things that attack and diminish your sense of self: self-confidence, body image, stereotyping, anger.

Gorak the Gobbler specializes in young people's problems. He enables them with his own brand of wisdom, and playful logic.

"...life like drinking soda.  All go one way and no stopping: Sip, gulp, no matter.  But when bubbles build up, only one ting to do - let em out!"

Stay Tuned!

WEEK #7 ~ More from "GORAK THE GOBBLER"

Special Note:  The selection from April 1st is still live, and you can still download and enjoy the audio sample of the slightly-famous "chore" scene  -  Click Here 

Our first view of Gorak as drawn by Rick Geary

Pizza, anyone? . . . 

GORAK THE GOBBLER - Part 7

by Judith Cullen

(c) 2015

“That was a quick trip!” Jamie’s Mom observed as he burst happily through the kitchen door.

“Hi, Mom!” Jamie gave his Mom a quick hug that had her gasping from its enthusiasm and the reality of how big her “baby boy” had actually become.  He was almost as tall as his Father, and the thought of it made her head spin.

“It was just a little errand.  It’s all taken care of now.  What’s for dinner?”

“Your Dad and I have an appointment tonight with Mr. Briggs, the accountant.  I’ve ordered a pizza for you.  It should be here in a few minutes. I ordered your favorite: sausage, pepperoni and mushroom. There’s plenty of juice and milk in the fridge.”

“Great.  Thanks Mom!” Jamie kissed her on the cheek, and left the kitchen.  She watched him head down the hall to the stairs.  She was engulfed in amazement.

NEW AUDIO SAMPLE from "The Blackberry"

We received a lovely thank you card from the Smyrna Public Library in New York State recently.  It is one of two libraries currently carrying my published works in paperback.  Thanks to the success of our recent Kickstarter campaign, there will soon be more!

Today's post includes a new audio sample from the title story – The Blackberry – originally written in 2014.  In this sample you get a sneak peek behind the events which inspired me to ask the question “what if a blackberry actually had evil intent?”

As people in the northern hemisphere begin to resurrect their gardens from the rest of Winter, see if this episode is not a little familiar to you.

Click Here for The Blackberry Audio Sample

If you have been following Gorak the Gobbler and are finding it frustrating that the re-posting is so far back, CLICK HERE to go directly to the latest installment.

Coming Soon: the cover reveal of The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep!

WELCOME APRIL! Three Special Things ~ NO FOOLIN' !

Welcome to another month. As the release of The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep moves ever closer, this seems like a great time for a little celebrating of the excitement building about this book and its stories.

NOTE: Not images by Rick Geary - but we are excited to say that there will be some lovely drawings for "Gorak.." by Rick!

So today's "Trifecta of Specialness" Includes . . .

• A SPECIAL OFFER: Today only, FREE! for just 24 hours ~ all my titles that are available on Kindle are free on Amazon.  You can click on the covers in the left hand margin (all but one of which are available for Kindle) or go directly to my Amazon Author Page and make your selections from there.
• A PREVIEW: More of Gorak the Gobbler today, and in a special format.  Click Here to get an mp3 audio selection of the next installment from Jamie Bergstrom's adventures with his unexpected visitor.To read the most recent installation that was posted here on the website, Click Here.
• AN INVITATION:  If you enjoy what you hear and what you read today from my work, please consider taking WHAT YOU SAVED and joining those who are supporting The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep through my Kickstarter Campaign, which has 9 more days left.  We have successfully reached our primary goal, and now we are working on expanding distribution networks for the book, and even launching an Audio Book!  YOU CAN BE A PART OF THAT for as small a pledge as $5.

Finally, share this special NO FOOLIN' Offer, and news of my work with your friends and family.  There's always room for one more really good story in your life, and my short stories are journeys that are good for the heart and soul. If you found out about this through social media, it only takes a click to make a difference!

What does "more" mean for a book like this?

• $5 = One more book donated to a library
• $25 = One more hour of audio processing
• $50 = One more sales distribution channel the book is made available through

COMING APRIL 1 ~ NO FOOLIN'!

Wednesday, April 1st is All Fools Day in many countries around the world.  BUT THIS IS NO HOAX!  No indeed.  For 24 hours beginning at 12:01am on April First there will be three special offers available here on my website:

• ONE Special Offer (i.e.bargain!)
• ONE Special Preview
• ONE Special Invitation

NO!  I am not giving you more than that in advance.  END OF CLUES!  Check back here on Wednesday (because YOU'RE NO FOOL!) and find out the "tri-fecta of special-ness" I have planned.

One day only!  Don't forget!

KICKSTARTER PROJECT GOES INTO FOUR DIGITS!

Yep!  The Project broke 1K yesterday, after just four days! So I am going to celebrate!

I will be reading the draft in progress of the entire story "Gorak the Gobbler" which is scheduled to be part of the upcoming THE BLACKBERRY & OTHER TALES THAT CREEP three times over the next few weeks. They will all be live readings in virtual worlds, and on each occasion I will also run it on my stream.

GORAK ONLINE READINGS:

Wednesday, March 18th @ 7pm (PDT) in Second Life 

Sunday, March 22nd @10am (PDT) in Kitely

Saturday, March 28th @Noon at InWorldz (a selection only, not the entire story)

Check out the Judy's Stories Live tab above for help in determining how to listen to streamed audio on your computer system.  Check back here for updates in case we have any huge breakthroughs in linking to a player that can be embedded here on the post.

Check out the Kickstarter Project Page and consider becoming part of the project that is this book. Every little bit truly helps.  A pledge of $5 means one more book that can be donated to a Library, free to be read by many people. Many thanks to all!