grafted in and on the journey

Hello Grafted In And On The Journey, Reader, Wow, eighteen days since our last visit. Where does time go or how does it seem to go so quick? Belated Happy Spring. Here, we are having snow flurries and mid thirty-degree temps today. I think we did reach sixty-three a few days ago, Fahrenheit. Reading, writing, and viewing the Men's Basketball Tournament here in the USA are what have occupied much of my time. I also sold a couple copies of my latest book title at my piano gig to a Mike and Michelle 1-1/2 weeks ago. The sense of elation was grand! I am starting a promotion on three of my four titles at Draft2Digital on Tues March 24, 2026; ending April 12, 2026. Its name, Passover Special. Link:    https://books2read.com/ap/RJDKJW At the site you may look under the link, my books, for all titles there. To you who observe the occasions of Passover or Easter, may they be enriching experiences for you and self-renewing. Have you come to visit me at My Substack? Please do. There's ro...

Hello Grafted In Readers, I am taking a few figurative deep breaths after having spent a few days this week endeavoring to promote my current title: From My Red Chair: A Short Story Collection. Book promotion search may in part open the inbox door to marketers; these folks may or may not have good intentions. The rule as understood is, If someone comes to you offering services ... close the door, delete their post, move on. This morning, I did succumb to Google A.I. when asking about sales for books in general, short story collections to be specific, the answer provided is from an online organization I respect, Electric Literature. They say, Short story collections generally have low sales, with independent small press collections often selling between 300 and 2,000 copies in their lifetime. For many, especially debuts, lifetime sales may fall under 500 copies, even with traditional publication, as they are harder to sell than novels.Electric Literature (+2) - View related links • Smal...

Hello Grafted In Reader, Today is Tuesday, February 24, 2026 in my corner of somewhat wintry blog land. I am going to mainly share reading and writing efforts with you and also invite you to participate with me in reading a book title during National Reading Month. This begins on Sunday March 1, 2026 across N America. I just finished reading a nonfiction title, The Gales Of November, by John UBacon. I am guessing at his name spelling. The title is all about the Great Lakes and in particular the life of the Edmond FitzGerald and its crew members over its eighteen-year existence. I found this to be well-written, personable, and informative in describing possible reasons the ship met its demise on a stormy November 10, 1975. My Book Titles I would like to invite you to consider reading one of two book titles written by myself. Human Being Human Doing, published in 2023, is a six-story, creative nonfiction title, describing persons mostly real, some imagined, who lived out their conviction...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2026 in my corner of blog land. My front lawn is a massive puddle of melting snow that has been in this form for three+ days now. The walk itself and the rest of the lawn is practically snow-free! Someone claimed they saw a robin last week. The geese are dating and prepping to mate, or so it seems. March may be more spring-like than previous here. May it be so! To Sacramental Christians, tomorrow begins your observance of the church period known as Lent. It has an interesting history, especially with the 'kick-off day' for Lent known as Ash Wednesday. I found this brief snippet on a website called Anglican Compass. Lent is a season of repentance, fasting, and self-reflection. For those of us more slanted toward a Jewish spirituality, Lent seems to be much like the month leading to the Fall holidays known as Elul, late summer. If you observe a period of reflection, repentance, and prayer, may your season be refreshing, renewin...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Alas, it is here, alive, available, EBook and of course, I recommend reading! ***** From My Red Chair: A Short Story Collection by David C. Russell This short collection of eight pieces of fiction supposes that struggles for humans are recurrent throughout one's life. Here, the struggles are identified as: personal serenity, living with others, choice in sexual orientation, planning one's future, familial support, and making amends from one's past. These struggles impact something common to all of us, our mental health and well-being.    $2.99 USD Available ebook formats:epub Download first 10% sample:epub    eBook Details eBook Details ISBN- 979821-5247761 If you have a reading subscription plan with  www.everand.com this title may be accessed at that site as well as Draft2Digital and shortly, Kindle EBook from Amazon. Thank you for sharing this joyful milestone with me! Now, working on a new long story, which is a modern version of th...

Hello Grafted In Readers, Today is Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Winter temps continue to be somewhat normal for this time of year here in my corner of blog land. Next Monday, we get a little fun boost with the observation of Groundhog Day : does he see his shadow or not is the big question. This of course ties into the emergence of Spring weather beginning to occur or not occur in six week's time. History for me this week includes family: my son's birthday, my youngest brother's birthday, and the birth of my new title, From My Red Chair: A Short Story Collection .  Stories feature Bob looking for serenity, Haley, a twenty-something single woman and chronic complainer, Diane, Greg, and their daughter who are beset with problems perhaps of Diane's making. Or, Diane who realizes she doesn't have what she really desires. Dr. Sunny Sawbones , he is revered by patients and colleagues alike for his disposition and professional dedication. Mental health is the overall theme,...