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Saturday, February 24, 2018

Monsters Read & Reviewed and Inuit Cartography

22FEB18

Tea & Tales with Mabry

One of my short stories was reviewed! Over on Youtube, there is this wonderful person, A.L. Mabry. She has a show over there called Tea & Tales with Mabry.

The link to her episode with my story is here: 
Tea & Tales with Mabry reviews Monsters by Frank Montellano

Although she wasn't a huge fan of the story, I really appreciated her taking to the time to review my story. It was very odd experience, having someone read my story aloud. I didn't listen to the whole rendition, which led to an interesting conversation with my wife. I wasn't really interested in hearing my story read aloud and wondered if I was an odd duck or if she thought that was typical of authors. Her thoughts were that it should be a milestone moment, sort of a "Hey, look it's something I made!" and another author also had the same opinion. So, maybe I am an odd duck. 

It does remind me of a trip I made to Vroman's bookstore in California to see Neil Gaiman read a section from his book Stardust. I was enraptured, loving to hear the words read by the author himself. I drew a picture of him, and he signed it afterward, so that was pretty cool. Makes me think maybe one day I will read aloud one of my stories. Anyways, while I am not interested in hearing my story read, you can click on the link and hear the whole story. It's sort of a horror piece, sort of a fantasy piece, and sort of military story. It will be one of the thirteen or so short stories to make it into my short story collection scheduled to print within the next two years. 

Hope you enjoy it!

In other author news, I worked on editing one of my first stories I wrote, about a family of Travelers (otherwise known as Gypsies, though they consider that term derogatory). I am lengthening and improving the story for inclusion in my short story collection. Taking some of Mabry's comments about my other story to heart, I added in some sensory details as well. 


Picture for today: Inuit Cartography. They used carved bits of wood shaped like coastlines to find their way from place to place. A different way to make maps. Hm, now that I think about it I hope I haven't done this one before! 




Sunday, February 4, 2018

Super Bowl Sunday

04 FEB 18

I know I know. I already posted once today. But it's Super Bowl Sunday! And there are Mardis Gras parades today too! Can't ignore all that goodness. 

If you all didn't know, besides the big game, there is also a Mardis Gras parade today hosted by the Krewes of, get this, Barkus and Meoux! LOL!! Not even joking! It's a parade with animals. Dogs, cats, even bunnies are welcome. How funny is that?! 

Official Krewe of Barkus webpage



Anyways, enjoy your Sunday, whatever you are doing today! I'll be cheering for the Patriots, since the Saints didn't quite make it. But they had a great run and a lot of great games this year including that heartbreaking last play of the Saints' season. 

Big shout out to my kiddies, all of them. Ari, Michael, Jacob and Katie. You are in my thoughts both day and night. Always. Yep, even while watching football and animal parades. 




NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge

04 FEB 18

Giving a shout out of encouragement to my wife Cheryl Toner Montellano. She's participating in the NYC Midnight Short Story Challenge. Her first story (she was given Fantasy, Outlaws and Neighbors as the particulars for her submission) is already in and we're waiting to see if she is going to compete in the next heat. Although fantasy is not her main area of writing she rose up and completed her entry with a quickness! Her sister looked it over and in it went to the judges. Good luck babe! You got this! I might join you next year!
NYC Midnight