First, I have a new novella coming out this month! Grumps is about your classic grumpy old man, only this man is not to be disturbed. When a community center construction project next door catches Kenneth Williams Jr.'s attention, the old man vows to do whatever he has to do to stop the project from being completed. One double-agent, several lawsuits, and numerous confrontations come together in a cat-and-mouse game of dentures and dump trucks between a grumpy old man and a younger construction worker just trying to do his job.
Also new is Fine Print News, the political and business news website from Basil E. Bacorn Publishing! I am currently the main contributor to the site, and I am enjoying writing about current events. In high school, I was very close to going to college for journalism but decided against it at the last second. Now I am able to dip into my journalistic aspirations and report on business, politics, and government. I'm hoping to be able to land a few interviews at some point as well, but I'll cross that bridge when and if I get there.
(It also forces me to write pretty much every day, which is a good thing as well.)
A fun story I will add, though, is how Fine Print News got its name. It was only a night or two before the launch of Fine Print News, and I was getting annoyed because I couldn't think of the right name for the site. I had been thinking and brainstorming for a week at that point, so I was asking some family what they thought. As we talked, the television was on. Shrek Forever After. Well, it was the scene when Shrek signs the contract with Rumplestiltskin. I groaned and said, 'And that's why you always read the fine print!' I stopped, thought about it, and bought the domain right then and there. It sort of stuck once I said it, and after a week of thinking about it, I was ready to just pick something.
Overall, my focus recently has been on Basil E. Bacorn Publishing and Fine Print News, as well as my writing. In addition to Grumps, I have a few other projects in the works, one of which is my new children's book that is slated to come out in March. The book itself is written, but I'm currently waiting for the illustrations to be complete. I'm pretty excited about it.
On a personal note, I do want to take a moment to give my wishes to everyone who can't be with their loved ones during the pandemic. The day after Christmas, my great-grandmother went to the emergency room and was admitted. She spent a few days there before transferring to a long-term care facility. The last time I've seen her in person, in the same room, was on Christmas day. We've talked on the phone nearly every day since, and we've been lucky enough to have several virtual visits scheduled. This coming Tuesday, I will be standing outside a window and looking in at her during our second window visit - which is as close as we are able to get. It is truly an otherworldly experience. She feels like she is miles away even though she is only on the other side of the glass.
So, again, I send my best wishes to all those currently in similar situations.
Thanks for reading! :)
0 Comments