October
2018
And…
we’re back.
Going
to bounce around a bit today, but overall pretty short and sweet.
One piece from the internet. New essays at the end.
Caroll
Spinney is retiring. The man is Big Bird and
Oscar the Grouch… as in, since the beginning, pretty much five
decades, is Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch.
And here
are two new essays…
“There
is no end to honey-do”
“Origin
of Backpackville (and the e-mails that follow)”
Today,
I’m really excited to share two Special
Offers, which are going to be available until
the end of the 2018 year…
Both
of the promotions involve a trio of books. In each case you can
get paperback editions of all three books, signed and personalized,
with postage across the continental United States included, for
$30.
The
Anniversary Collection
As
part of the celebrations for In My Backpack anniversaries,
three books were assembled featuring material taken from the web
site.
- 
- 
Time
Just Drifts Away
Life
Won’t Pass Me By
Conversations
All
three brought together essays and interviews that for the most
part had appeared on the web site dating back to the initial days
in 2003. There was a bit of revision… a bit of updating… a bit
of proofreading and editing and rewriting (usually with a fairly
light touch). In some cases, especially Conversations, material
was developed that only exists on its pages.
The
Essays Collection
-
- 
Thirty
Days in November
Life
Won’t Pass Me By
A
Parkside View: Volumes 1 & 2
These
three titles all feature essays developed as part of my writing
efforts, though not all for the web site.
Some
have been shared on the web site… some were developed for the
monthly newsletter… some have never been shared in any other place…
all feature non-fiction, observational essays.
Unfortunately,
I cannot promise overnight delivery. But, each package offers
the titles at significant savings compared to other booksellers.
Plus, if you want, autographs are available. (So, yeah, that’s
pretty sweet.)
For
more details, head to the Special
Offers page. For questions, send us an e-mail.
Ok…
those announced… we’re going to step aside for now. Got a couple
of things that need attention, so look for me to be back this
weekend. Should have some new material when I get back.
Today
the focus is on travel… two new Special
Offers will be announced tomorrow…
The
new essay… “Experiencing
Seattle and the Great Northwest – Bob and Terry on Tour 2013,
with Kris – Days Three, Four and Five”
Last
month I announced a new project that will be coming out in 2019,
Once in a Lifetime. This effort should be out during
the summer months, and will feature two trips: 2013 to Seattle
and 2018 to Nashville. I am still working on ideas that may bring
other material into the effort.
My
intention is to have the 2013 trip to Seattle covered here on
the In My Backpack web site as part of our Travel
efforts. Today’s post is a part of that work, and you can check
out some additional material from this adventure that has already
been posted in the area of the site.
The
Nashville material will be exclusive to the book release. This
was an amazing trip, with lots of fun and different activities
a part of our vacation. It was also the first time either of us
had been to the city.
There
will also be some other great material assembled as bonus efforts
for this title. Still working on what that might involve.
At
the heart of the release, this is intended to bring a close to
the Travel Trilogy. Back in 2013, I released the Strange
and Unexpected series… three books, covering
multiple journeys to Florida, California and Las Vegas. In 2016,
the travel efforts of my writing were joined by the release of
a new book—Something
Old, Something New—which felt like the
fourth book in the series… and as such, an addition that made
the referral to the Travel Trilogy a bit of a fun misnaming.
Once
in a Lifetime already feels like a part of the travel story
around In My Backpack. It also feels like a bit of a
transition piece, where some of the older efforts and styles are
being revised, some approaches are being finished, and the future
of travel-related material is being developed.
So,
today, an essay from a fantastic trip. Soon, the fifth book in
the Travel Trilogy. (And tomorrow, a couple of brand new special
offers on my books.)
I
had figured on giving you a wonderfully fun entry today.
I’ve
got nothing.
So,
here’s a new essay, and I’ll be back in a couple of days with
more.
“Unexpected
headaches and frustrations”
On
Sunday, I’ll have an announcement about the latest Special
Offer. This one will run for the remainder
of the year… meaning get your holiday shopping taken care of by
checking out some of my books.
Ok…
shameless plug time over for now… just a couple of things today…
The
Monkees working on a Christmas album? Yup.
I honestly have no clue what to say about this. Like the band.
Listen to the music. Been to a couple of their shows on tours
quite a while ago. A new Christmas album though?
Trailer
is out for Aladdin. It’s the first
look at the new live action effort from Disney, and is basically
a first trailer teasing the project.
Two
more new essays today…
“Ignorance
is reality”
“Politics:
The home game”
Moving
toward the weekend with a checklist of to-dos. So… short and sweet
today…
Two
new pieces…
“Or
current resident”
“Life
is getting shorter”
I
have some great, funny friends.
Many
of you might know I appreciate the fall season for a ton of reasons.
October is, by far, my favorite month.
One
of my guilty pleasures from this time of year is Count Chocula
cereal. These days, it’s only available in stores during the run
up to Halloween.
In
early September, I spotted a box and essentially got my fix.
Since
then though, nothing. It vanished. Completely. Almost as if a
first shipment… a small and partial shipment… went out, perhaps
even as a tease, and then thousands upon thousands of pallets
were misplaced.
You
need to understand that I won’t go on a massive search mission
for Count Chocula. There will be no grabbing a few bottles of
water, getting a stick of gum and some travel music, then hopping
in the car for five-plus hours of driving to dozens of different
stores in a one-hundred mile radius.
Instead,
I look around in stores when we are out running errands. Kind
of a “hey, it’s October 1st, we’re in a grocery store, and funny
enough I haven’t stumbled on any yet so I think I’m going to check
the cereal aisle and special displays” in passing looksie.
Since
I had already enjoyed a box, no worries. This year was covered.
But having spotted it early in the seasonal run, Count Chocula
would pop into my mind when we’d be walking around some stores.
Nothing.
It had disappeared.
Earlier
this week, Terry came home from work with four boxes. Four. She
had been telling people about how in our errands we hadn’t been
seeing it. One of the people that knows both of us found it and
picked some up for me.
Just
one part of a terrific week.
Last
Wednesday, I had the opportunity to bring A
Writer’s Workshop to the Warwick
Public Library. Had a fantastic time with
that. Please, check out the Writing
& Books section of the web site for more
about me and my published efforts. And check back for updates
on upcoming
events. 2019 schedule is being set up right
now, and some things will be announced soon.
And
then there’s ComplemenTerry
Designs…
For
the past few years, Terry and I have joked about the satellite
workshop. The idea behind it was that she has work benches, shelves,
and other assorted items set up inside our house. That’s the ComplemenTerry
Designs workshop.
Between
building some items and storage of the greens needed for her live/fresh
pieces, use of the garage has steadily been increasing. So—ha
ha—satellite workshop and two locations.
We
were visiting Rhode Island as part of the writing appearance last
week, and Mom asked if we could help her with some projects she
had coming up for Christmas and the holidays. Part of that was
making a few ornaments, and this led to that led to purchases
of glue guns and wire cutters and more, which suddenly meant we
had a bit of a workshop in their basement.
Yes…
yes… obviously this is all intended in fun. But the idea of ComplemenTerry
Designs having three locations in two states is fantastic. (And,
technically, true.)
Check
out the Calendar
of Events for some of the information about
our two remaining appearances in 2018.
Back
tomorrow with two new essays.
Good
day ahead… three new essays at the end.
Good
Omens… from Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, and featuring
the brilliant David Tennant and Michael Sheen… is on the way.
2019
is looking great.
Disney
and Lucasfilm are getting A LOT of attention for The Mandalorian
project. And it looks like they might be on to something here.
In addition to being a project in the Star Wars universe,
it is also destined for the new streaming platform Disney is developing.
And now, they have announced a fairly significant
and diverse group of people to lead the effort.
I’m
going to be away for a couple of days. Hope to have some stuff
by mid-week, but time will tell on that. For now, to hold you
over, here are the new efforts…
“Lessons
from a not-that-green thumb”
“The
greatest video game ever”
“It’s
all a shot in the dark (or at least a leaf on the sidewalk)”
Coming
out of a busy month… thirty new essays in thirty days, two projects
announced, and plenty of stuff behind the scenes (including preparations
for the presentation of A
Writer’s Workshop that took place on October
3rd)… a busy month.
So…
for today… deep breath and a bit of getting feet back on the ground…
Let’s
start with that evening in Warwick, Rhode Island.
Thank
you.
To
everyone that took the time to come out and attend, thank you.
To
everyone that reached out to me with phone calls and text messages
and e-mails and more, thank you.
This
was an incredibly special evening for me, for a lot of reasons.
And the response was incredible. Met some wonderful people… caught
up with some friends… and had a tremendous time. I really appreciate
it.
Stay
tuned, because I should have some announcements coming soon about
2019 appearances.
Local
Friends is underway. This month, the challenge
– Egg
Rolls and Wontons – is all about Chinese food.
ComplemenTerry
Designs has confirmed the two events that
will be the 2018
Holiday Tour.
And,
I will be announcing a new Special
Offer on my books in a few days.
That’s
it for today. Quick. Simple. Next few days we’ll have some new
material and more.
We’ve
got stuff to talk about, so let’s dive in…
You
may never get published
Bob Hocking at the Warwick Public Library
Wednesday, October 3, 2018
7pm start ~ Warwick, RI
On
Wednesday evening, I’m going to be in Warwick, Rhode Island.
As
part of my presentations of A
Writer’s Workshop, the Warwick Public Library
will be hosting me for what should roughly be a 75-minute program.
Here are the highlights…
- I’m
prepping to start with a half-hour that discusses publishing
and self-publishing, with a focus on some of my nightmares
and headaches, along with tips and success stories. The plan
is to open it up at that point and spend most of the evening
addressing questions from those in attendance. (Just in case,
I will have some additional things to talk about. But, I personally
believe that with a program like this, the most important
thing I can do is work on any ground that the audience would
like to cover.)
- I
will be arriving early to set up the room, but more importantly
I will be around for a bit following the program as well.
If you’d like to say hello or ask a question in a more one-one-one
way, there will be a chance to do just that.
- I
will have a small selection of books with me, should you be
so inspired and consider making a purchase.
I
want to take a moment to thank everyone that has been involved
in this program, especially the tremendous staff at the Warwick
Public Library. Here are two quick links about this specific evening:
Local
Friends for Local Business this month is looking
at Egg Rolls and Wontons.
Where
do you go for great Chinese food? There are some amazing places
for terrific meals.
This
month we’re asking you to head out for some great food, and looking
for your recommendations as you do. Local Friends for October
runs from the 1st to the 31st.
A
Parkside View
The
October issue is making the rounds.
Every
edition contains at least two essays, with one debuting exclusively
on its pages.
ComplemenTerry
Designs has confirmed the two events for this
year’s holiday tour. Both are two-day shows, with each one also
taking place in New York. At this time there are no plans to add
any additional appearances.
If
you’ve been enjoying the films about the Kingsman, pay attention.
There are a
lot of projects swirling around, and some
of the dates may be a bit different than you’re expecting.
Death
on the Nile is moving along, and Gal
Gadot has been announced for the cast.
I
have zero clue if it’s going to work, but I
really like John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell.
So, Holmes and Watson, I will almost definitely give
it a shot.
Got
a new essay today… “One
of THOSE days”
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