Read it / Kill It: My short story in MENSA Magazine (1 Viewer)

[Captain Fantastic]

In reading the “Epiphany” post requesting new threads from those that read more often than they post, I realized…that’s me.

Here’s my contribution. Full-blown FFA suicide by not only revealing true identity (like you care) but by inviting you to post thoughts or comments on a topic that has nothing to do with guns, food, death or yoga pants. I’m already bored myself.

So MENSA Magazine recently published an issue highlighting new fiction (Sept-2015), and a short story I wrote—Parting the Sea—was featured. If you’re looking for some light reading to take to the stall today, the pertinent pages are posted on my website. http://derekblount.com/mensa.html

It’s a short read. Two pages. Feel free to post derision or criticism or yoga pants pics in this thread.

I’m just happy to be included in the magazine. Timing couldn’t be better. My debut novel—the thriller Hostile Takeover—was released last month as well. If you’re a reader of that sort of thing, please feel free to check it out at Amazon. http://tinyurl.com/HTthriller

Did this post just turn into a commercial? Sorry. I know new authors are supposed to pimp their books whenever possible, but while I enjoy writing, self-promotion is a hurdle for me. Please feel free to post insults regarding self-promotion in this thread as well. I could use a good shaming.

 

[moleculo]

eta: I don't think anyone has a problem with self promotion. Self promotion is what originally brought us this:

 

[eoMMan]

Are you related to LeGarrette?

 

[sublimeone]

http://www.memes.com/r/TWad

 

[HellToupee]

Are you related to Beefheart?

 

[Chadstroma]

If you don't promote yourself who is going to know about you to like you?

Always willing to support family, friends and FBG's in endeavors if I can.

 

[Willie Neslon]

Awesome.

 

[PIK95]

I also have a problem promoting myself. It's some sort of Irish guilt I think.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Nice story!

 

[Keith R]

Nice piece.

 

[johnnycakes]

HEY LOOK AT ME!!​

I got published in MENSA!! ​

 

[GroveDiesel]

Is there a bookstore involved? Perhaps one owned by an Asian gentleman?

 

[Fennis]

congrats. Too bad you couldn't get published in reader's digest.

 

[cstu]

I also have a problem promoting myself. It's some sort of Irish guilt I think.

Unfortunate side effect of potatoes.

 

[cstu]

A writer once wrote an article about me. So I got that goin' for me, which is nice.

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

Well done. Nice, tight story.

 

[comfortably numb]

But what's your profile view to post ratio?

 

[Officer Pete Malloy]

"Colored people and white folks listening to music together...in public? You some sort of libtard, Obama loving, Hillary supporter?"

--jamesbrownkid

 

[Hov34]

http://www.memes.com/r/TWad

How you doing???

 

[-fish-]

nice read. threw down the $2.99 for the novel.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

http://www.memes.com/r/TWad

How you doing???

Guy's a ####in' murderer man.

 

[John Bender]

Can we get a brief synopsis on the book plot? I don't see it on the Amazon page (I'm not in MENSA though, so may just be missing it).

 

[rail]

Congrats on the stories and publications. You have far more guts than me.

I.e.,

 

[Hov34]

http://www.memes.com/r/TWad

How you doing???

Guy's a ####in' murderer man.

And?

 

[chauncey]

MC Gas Money alias?

 

[Long Ball Larry]

You're a regular Ken Cosgrove.

 

[cosjobs]

Very good story. Thanks for sharing.

 

[(HULK)]

I enjoyed the story.

Do you think it is a little disingenuous for a white 30-40ish guy to write from the perspective of an older black gentleman, focusing a tad on his experiences with racism?

 

[spOOfy]

Good stuff.

 

[-fish-]

Just finished Hostile Takeover. Good read...definitely a page turner. good luck.

 

[Das Boot]

Well done. Nice, tight story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPfxMIhEUrQ&t=0m9s

 

[matuski]

http://www.memes.com/r/TWad

How you doing???

Guy's a ####in' murderer man.

And?

You killed it.

 

[mr fancypants]

I got a good laugh out of the "Fatherhood in 136 words" in the musings tab.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Just finished Hostile Takeover. Good read...definitely a page turner. good luck.

Thanks, fish! Very glad you enjoyed it. Now if you can just recommend it to about a million of your closest book-loving friends, we'll be in business…

Seriously, thanks for investing the time (and the $2.99) in the book. Glad it was worth your while.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

Can we get a brief synopsis on the book plot? I don't see it on the Amazon page (I'm not in MENSA though, so may just be missing it).

No problem, John (Amazon makes the "read more" click pretty subtle on their book pages if you don't look closely).

This is the blurb from the Amazon page http://tinyurl.com/HTthriller

___________

This "edge-of-your-seat" thriller grabs you early and will not let go until the last page is read.Pulled from the brink of suicide after suffering a tragic loss, John and Sarah Michaels enter an exclusive rehabilitation facility deep in the New Mexico desert where they hope to rediscover a reason to live.

His life as a corporate raider behind him, John attempts to embrace the program to save his marriage and himself. But as the days pass, John begins to suspect all is not as it seems with the unusual treatment methods.

When participants begin dying, John realizes the only chance for his and Sarah's survival is to do the impossible and launch a hostile takeover of the program...but can he do it before time runs out?

Compulsively readable and brimming with unforgettable characters, Hostile Takeover is a complex, exhilarating thriller and an electrifying debut novel.

__________

If you decide to give it a go, please let me know what you think. Thanks!