GREAT FOOD! GREAT TIME!

They made me my own sign!

I have to admit, I wasn't sure what to expect.  I know other writers with much wider distribution than I possesss, with more resources, who hold much larger events (or their publishers do).  I don't have any of that.  I began writing and self-publishing two and a half years ago with, literally, nothing but talent.  I have learned every step of the way, and can never remember in my life being so pleased to learn and make mistakes - moving forward wiser and better informed at each step. Two years later, I am still a long way from some of the my more "industry standard" colleagues, but I keep moving ahead, little by little.

So, when I decided to do my very first book launch event, the temptation was there to puff up the cat and make myself seem like bigger literary shakes than I am.  After all, "fake it till you make it," right?  Well no, not for me.  Putting myself out there, rather than letting my work speak for itself, is one of the hardest things for me about self-publishing. Yet,the release of The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep was a significant step forward, and I simply wanted to celebrate it.

Yummmm!  Blueberry Pancakes!

The Original Pancake House about five minutes from where I live seemed the perfect place and Luke, the Manager, was so open and helpful.  I really can't say enough about how great he was. He even offered to let me put a Power Point about the book up on the screen in the room where we would be seated.  After fussing a bit over cables, I am glad I decided not to.  It was so great to enjoy the wonderful cross-section of people from different parts of my life, and help mark this big step for me by sharing time and food with them.  Some of my Kickstarter Supporters were even there, and got their signed books.

Why was this book such a big deal for me?
It marks numerous firsts.
The first . . .

• Book I have published with original commissioned artwork
• And thus, the first time I have worked with an illustrator.
• Time my books will be in retail stores
• Kickstarter campaign to fund illustrations, audio book production , promotional donations, and extended distribution
• actual Launch event.

Am I on the same level yet with my more prolific publishing peers?  Not even remotely, but I am getting there one step at a time.  The best thing was capping it all off today with a small but diverse group of people in celebration: enjoying some great food, and terrific fellowship.  

Thank you one and all for your support, and for sharing this moment with me!

"The Blackberry..." Book Launch ~ May 16, 2105
I took more pictures, but some of them are a bit blurry - I was SO excited!
L to R: Wendy Lyons, Me, Christina Hughes, Tanya & Jason Carter (with well-behaved service-dog-in-training under the table), Jeri and Mark Lloyd, Hal Meng, and Maura Cullen.

COMING NEXT! . . . Beauty On The Interstate to be released in August, and the release of The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep in Audio Book

Also, more stories and essays posts (I have some saved up) and more from the Art-Inspired Stories Project at this year's Proctor Arts Fest.

BREAKFAST LAUNCH PARTY~ This Weekend

Breakfast is one of my favorite meals of the day.  I could eat breakfast food for three meals a day! So in celebration of the release of The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep, we are going to let the syrup flow and the good times roll

What: Breakfast Launch Party (Informal)

When: Saturday, May 16th from 9-11:30am

Where: The Original Pancake House

601 South Pine Street,Tacoma, WA

Click Here for Map

Details: Some copies will be available for signing. Breakfast is no host (i.e. pay for your own food)

Space is limited (because pancakes are popular on weekends!) so RSVP here in comments, or on the Facebook Event Page.  No regrets necessary.

THE FIRST REVIEW IS IN ~  FIVE STARS!!!

"Just an outstanding collection of four short stories that the author says is written for ages 12 - 18 and grades 6 - 12. I am way beyond those stated years but I thoroughly enjoyed each and every one of them. My favorite one of the four is 'In Her Own Words' followed closely by 'Walter's Sunday'. All of them to me are five star stories but the two I mentioned contain so much knowledge of life, living and death that they stood above the other two."   ~ Amazon Reader Review

LIFT OFF! "The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep" is Launched!

The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep is now on sale through Amazon!

In a few days the sales pages will be merged, but right now,
CLICK HERE FOR KINDLE
and
CLICK HERE FOR PAPERBACK

LAUNCH BREAKFAST ANNOUNCED!  
Live in the Puget Sound area? Join me for a very informal Launch Breakfast Saturday morning, May 16th between 9 & 11am at the Original Pancake House, 601 S Pine Street in Tacoma. I am going to pour something berry-like over some yummy pancakes and celebrate the amazing journey that has been this book.  Breakfast is Pay-Your-Own, I am afraid.  But I will have a limited supply of books with me and a ready pen for signing.

(I am sure there are rules about how you should conduct an event like this, but I don't know them yet, so I am just going to have a good breakfast and a good time with (hopefully) some good company)

What really creeps you out? These stories feature the unknown, unseen, unexplainable, and unexpected.  They won’t horrify you, but you may begin to feel uneasy, get that prickly feeling on your skin that causes you to rub your arms and look around for what might be lurking. They may inspire you to check under your bed at night, make certain your closet door is securely latched and your windows locked. 

“The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep” features four unique short story adventures by Judith Cullen, with illustrations for “The Blackberry” & “Gorak the Gobbler” by well-known cartoonist and illustrator, Rick Geary.

Appropriate for Young Adult and Older. 

Thanks to everyone for their support on the amazing journey that has been this book.

DON'T FORGET TO POST YOUR REVIEWS ON AMAZON,  and stay tuned for more news.

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS!

The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep 

. . . has begun the Pre-Launch Sequence.  

Let the Countdown Begin!

We are just hours away from Lift Off!

1  Question: To the left you see what we think of when we think of a single blackberry.  Is it a whole fruit?

Answer: Yes, and no.  What you see here is not a single fruit, but many.  Blackberries, like Raspberries and all the various varietals thereof, are aggregate fruits. They are made up of very small, circular fruity units called "drupelets."

As in other kinds of bush berries, blackberries too are packed with numerous plant nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and dietary fibers that are essential for optimum health. The berries are very low in calories. 100 g provide just 43 calories. Nonetheless, they are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber and Xylitol, a low-calorie sugar substitute in the fruit fiber which absorbs slower than glucose inside the gut. It, thus, help in steadying blood sugar levels.

So they are really good for you, . . . as long as they are not eating your pets.

WHAT INSPIRES A STORY?

I have have made no secret that the inspiration behind the title story of my new book came while doing battle with invasive brambles in my own backyard.  It was actually less an inspiration than a connection.  That spark is reflected in the story when Cara says "The whole genus has power issues."  I am sure I said something much more colorful while I was picking yet another clipped cane from my clothing.

I had encountered the Snohomish Tribal legend of the Blackberry several years earlier in a very humble but utterly charming volume I bought in a local sandwich shop called “AH MO: Indian Legends from the Northwest” compiled by Judge Arthur Griffin, and edited by Trenholme J. Griffin.  I fell in love with it and encountered the similar versions of the tale from other sources after that.  The Griffin books (there are two, I believe) are full of short, wonderful tales that are a mix of origin stories, legends, cautionary tales. I recommend them.

If you love First People and First Nation stories as much as I do, you might also enjoy this website First People - The Legends.  It has a wealth of stories from an astounding array of native traditions. One of my all time favorites from this site is the Omaha legend of "How to Count to 100."

Here's a peek at part of one of Rick Geary's sketches for The Blackberry and other Tales That Creep.

A snippet of one of Rick Geary's sketches  for "The Blackberry"

 

Cara's neighbors, the Halls, have ties to the Native American community.  Dave shares his tribe's tale of the blackberry after Cara has had her first infuriating  encounter with the bramble that just won't go away.  Then Dave shows her something remarkable and more than a little frightening about this specific plant.

(from THE BLACKBERRY by Judith Cullen, copyright 2015)

"Dave laughed, 'That out there is not the blackberry of our legends, Cara.  You’ll find that the native blackberry is still a bush, and still duly humbled as the high ones intended.  This plant is not native to these shores.  It is an invasive tourist brought by Europeans for berry production.  It is known as the Himalayan blackberry.  The European settlers didn’t know quite what they had when they brought it here, and they lost control of Rubus armeniacus.'

 “'The whole genus has power issues, I think,' Cara muttered".

 ##

The Blackberry and other Tales That Creep coming soon to Amazon for Kindle and in Paperback.

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.

COVER REVEALED!

Final Cover Revealed!

*Drrrrummmmm Rolllllllll!!!!*

We are pleased to share the finished cover for The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep, which will be available for Kindle and in Paperback through Amazon in just a few weeks.

Shortly there after, the four stories will also be available on Audible as an audio-book.

 The final cover is a cooperative effort. Illustrator Rick Geary, whose line art  was the first step. The book will contain Rick's illustrations for two of the stories in the collection" "The Blackberry" & "Gorak the Gobbler"

Rick's original rough sketch

(The "Gorak" sketches are terrific, and if you want a sneak peek at one of them in rough, be sure and check out this week's installment of the story here on my site.")

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!

THANK YOU ALL!

Yesterday's NO FOOLIN' Event was great!
Over 600 downloads of my titles available on Kindle, and by the titles that were grabbed I have a really good idea of where my efforts need to focus next!

If you happen to catch this post and are one of the many who downloaded yesterday - don't forget to review!

Thank you one and all!

Special Announcement: In an agreement reached late last night, I've decided to push for the release of an audio book version of The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep shortly after the print versions  go live. Shandon Loring (narrator of over 30 titles on Audible) and myself will be sharing the microphone and producing.  Look for more news as it emerges.

Special Note:  Since there has already been an installment released of Gorak the Gobbler this week in an audio sample, I am just going to let it ride till next Friday.  You can still download and enjoy the audio sample of the slightly-famous "chore" scene -  Click Here 

Happy Spring to All!

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!

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CAT . . .

Here's an early bit of fun.  Early because it has elements of a "Throw Back Thursday" to it, and this is being posted on a Wednesday.  Also early because even as I type, Rick Geary is working on sketches and final art for The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep.  (I am so excited!!!)

Not to let the cat out of the bag either literally or metaphorically: it is no secret that I am among the "cat-owned" and have been for most of the last 30 years.  Elements of each of the unique feline personalities I have had the pleasure of sharing my life with are in my 2013 collection A Trio of Cat Tales.

In The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep three of the four stories have cats in them: "Sprinkles" from The Blackberry; "Miss Kitty" from Her Own Words; and "Spot" in Gorak the Gobbler.  That last one is a tribute to Commander Data's "Spot" from Star Trek Next Generation. My cat friend at the time used to love Spot. She would always come up to the TV when Spot was in an episode and pat the screen.

The character of "Sprinkles" from The Blackberry is definitely taken from Miss Sadie, my current cat-panion.  This is not the first time Rick has drawn Sadie (though he has no idea of this cat-nection).  Back in 2002, when Miss Sadie was the resident cat at Tacoma Little Theatre, we commissioned an image of her as she had become the mascot of one of our Education programs.  So here is the Sadie art from 2002, the sketch of Sprinkles, and Miss Sadie in her current capacity as resident art and literature critic.

Sadie as depicted by Rick Geary for Tacoma Little Theatre in 2002 (I own the original!)

Rick's sketch of "Sprinkles" from "The Blackberry"

Miss Sadie, in all her "felinious" glory: cat-panion extraordinaire

Also, check out this great video of Rick talking about his art and process. I think it is way cool that he loves his pencils as much as I do, and still uses Rapidograph Pens. Mine are still around here somewhere, and probably need a good soaking.

STILL TIME TO BECOME A PART OF The Blackberry & Other Tales That Creep.  15 days to go and even though we have made goal, more money means more books in libraries, wider distribution, and just possibly more art!

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY!

I'm feeling both lucky AND Irish today.  With "The Blackberry . . ." Kickstarter campaign live for less than a week, we have over 77% of the pledges needed to meet our project goal.  A huge thank you to all of my backers - you are amazing and I am honored and humbled by you all.  

Here's a little "where are we at?" fun in celebration of our achievement and this day.    Check it out - like, share, comment.  These are all helpful things and cost only your time. 

We are so close!  Thanks for joining in on the journey.  If you are seeing this and haven't joined in, come on along - there's plenty of room!

Okay - remember that it was probably not even 6am yet when this was shot!  You can check out the "The Blackberry. . . "  Kickstarter Campaign HERE.

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!

I REALLY DID IT! I LAUNCHED A KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN!

Have you ever in your life done something you ever imagined that you would do, and realized that most every learning experience you have had in your life has contributed to it?  Well, that's the way it is with this.  I jumped into it 100%.

I am working to raise $1350 to finish the illustrations for The Blackberry and Other Tales That Creep, and to distribute the book to a wider audience than just making it available for sale on Amazon and telling everyone and anyone about it.

Check out the project page for The Blackberry and Other Tales That Creep and find out why I am so excited about it (excited enough that I actually put my face ON camera) and learn some of the stories behind the creation of it.  There will be periodic updates with new information and new stories over the 30 days that the campaign is live.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2015217690/the-blackberry-and-other-tales-that-creep

Kickstarter is an all or nothing venture.  If we raise more than $1350, then Kickstarter honors the pay-out of more and we do more with the project - more illustrations, more distribution.  If we fall short, we get nothing at all, and The Blackberry and Other Tales That Creep gets published in its simplest form, just like all my other releases.  That's not tragic, BUT the book has so much more potential than that.  You can help it realize that potential. You can be a part of a group effort to bring some great original stories to life in a unique way, and share them for the pleasure of readers of all ages.

Take a look!  I invite you to consider joining me in making this vision a reality.

RELEASES FOR 2015 ANNOUNCED!

I am so pleased to announce that there will be three releases this year, and a possible fourth that I and keeping close to my vest just at the moment, as it is a large work in progress.  Besides, there's lot's of excitement to be found in the three definite titles in the works for this year.

I am thrilled that beloved cartoonist and illustrator Rick Geary has accepted my commission to do black and white line illustrations for my story The Blackberry Which will be released this year in a collection called  THE BLACKBERRY & OTHER TALES THAT CREEP.  This collection of short stories will include some of my popular spooky stores, such as Walter's Sunday, Her Own Words and some new tales including Gorak the Gobbler. I am pleased to share one of the rough conceptual sketches that Rick and I have been discussing which just might possibly become the cover of this book!

I'd share more, but I don't want to spoil it.




Also due to release this year is A TRIO OF IRISH TALES II, with a new adventure with my character Liam from A Shadow by the Gate entitled The Fairy Tree. Also to be included is a slightly twisted take on the Romeo & Juliet saga, set in Ireland simultaneously  in current times, and against the riots of 1793: Two Houses.  There'll be more adventures mixing modern characters with the lore and mythology that soaks the verdant Emerald Isle.

Finally, BEAUTY ON THE INTERSTATE will feature stories and essays around commuting on Interstate 5 - an activity that I am engaged in several times weekly.

"The Highway is a great rolling stage for drama.  Some are grand and expansive, complete with flashing lights, bells, and confrontations of life and death.  Others of these rolling epochs are simple moments of delight and justice, for where would tragedy be, without comedy?"

Stay tuned for updates and excerpts as this year's titles role to completion.

Also, check me out on Tacoma's LAUREATE LISTENING PROJECT, where my poem "December Sojourn" is one of the works featured in this wonderful project conceived by poet Lucas Smiraldo.