many roads

Just so you know, there are more RIVER ROADs than one...

BOOK #7 of 2020: RIVER ROAD

Book #7 from Good Deed Rain in 2020 is RIVER ROAD, published in December. I wrote this one last summer. Nearly every summer I reread Richard Brautigan’s SO THE WIND WON’T BLOW IT ALL AWAY. This time it inspired me to write about a newspaper boy who rides his bike down River Road to deliver the Herald to a ghost town. He never gets to see the ghosts but he does meet a vampire who has a radio station hidden underground. He can tune in while he rides his bicycle at night. He meets Agatha Christie at the library. He has a pet tadpole that is turning into a dog. He steals a hunting cap and regrets it. He gets paid in invisible money. A cowboy makes him a sandwich and warns him, “Beware of River Road!”

BOOK #6 of 2020: A FIELD OF CABBAGES

Book #6 from Good Deed Rain in 2020 is A FIELD OF CABBAGES published in December. This was such a fun novel to create in collaboration with artist Aaron Gunderson. It’s our sequel to our previous novel, THE ROBOTIC AGE (2018). This beautiful cover came about when we were walking our feisty dog back behind Joe’s Garden. This area we live in called Happy Valley (I know, it sounds like a Gene Autry song) was once filled with truck farms, fields and poplar trees. You can read more about that time and place in my novel KENNEDY (2018) and also THE PUTTERING MARVEL (2021). It’s a wonder having this big garden by our house in this time. The sight of it inspired my title.

BOOK #5 of 2020: OLD SALT

BOOK #5 from Good Deed Rain in 2020 is the novel OLD SALT, published in October. The writing was already zooming along when I met Aaron for breakfast and our pilgrimage to the antique store. (That same store also makes an appearance in a previous novel, ISLAND AIR, 2019). There’s a creaky ramp in there crowded with shelves and pictures on the paneled walls. Antique stores are museums and at the top of the ramp we discovered a work of art. The second I saw this sailor painting I knew it had to be the cover and I also knew what the title of the book would be. Being open to inspiration is probably the greatest thing about being a writer, it’s everywhere!

BOOK #4 of 2020: HEAVEN CRAYON

Book #4 from Good Deed Rain in 2020 is HEAVEN CRAYON, published in July. This 300 page book compiles 2 Ohio novels, ‘The Heaven Antenna’ and ‘Crayon Fable’ fully illustrated like a Big Little Book.

BOOK #3 of 2020: THE TIN CAN TELEPHONE

Book #3 published by Good Deed Rain in 2020. THE TIN CAN TELEPHONE appeared in May. What an adventure this one is. The narrator discovers two cans connected by string that allow him to hear the 1970s of Seattle childhood again. I had a great time writing and illustrating this book. Actually I published 2 books about children this year, this one and RIVER ROAD. There have been others too, ROOSEVELT, KENNEDY, FABLE, THE ORPHANAGE OF ABANDONED TEENAGERS. So many books for you to flip over. And Tin Can Telephone is available from Amazon for only $3! You can’t go wrong. I’d love to know people are enjoying these.

BOOK #2 of 2020: VIOLET of the SILENT MOVIES

The 2nd Good Deed Rain book of 2020, published in April, is VIOLET OF THE SILENT MOVIES. This one began after a thrilling visit to a local poster collector on Pacific View. Hundreds of 1950s monster movies and the stories to go with them! Also, turns out he is related to the silent movie star Violet Mersereau who features honored on the cover. Knocked for a loop, over 70 poetry short stories followed, including drawings and the cartoon appearance of a trapeze star. I was hoping to create a fun inspired carnival ride for you. (Dip into the penny jar, it’s only $4.53 from Amazon--I don’t know how they do it!) I try my best to keep you entertained.

marlowing

Been writing a film noir novel and been reading Raymond Chandler for inspiration. Just finished his novel THE HIGH WINDOW and watched some of the movie rendition The Brasher Doubloon. It's strange to think about Chandler watching that movie premiere which I'm sure he would have done, sitting in the theater smoking and trying not to say anything. I wonder what he thought of this Marlowe. He's a tough character to cast. He's smart and kind but also he gets knocked out all the time. I guess Chandler wanted Cary Grant which is interesting. I would love to see one of my books turned into a movie, how fun that would be to see. I love having artists illustrate my books, seeing how they picture things: Fred, Annabelle and Aaron have all done amazing jobs.

BOOKS of 2020, #1

Hello there. Good news from Good Deed Rain! 2020 produced 7 new books for you. IMAGINARY SOMEONE, VIOLET OF THE SILENT MOVIES, THE TIN CAN TELEPHONE, HEAVEN CRAYON, OLD SALT, A FIELD OF CABBAGES, and RIVER ROAD. I’ve been trying to deliver the most beautiful books possible, each one different and also part of the same marveled world you’ve come to walk around in. The first book, published February 14, was IMAGINARY SOMEONE. I’ve always loved to read those memoirs specific to being a writer (like Stephen King’s ON WRITING for example). It’s not an easy road to be an author in today’s America, in fact it’s all imaginary. This book gives you a good glimpse into the obstacles and inspirations that created my life as a writer. It’s all worth it, I know there’s a garden here that readers in the future won’t believe.

"The Best Books of 2020!" --The Biddeford Bugle

The Puttering Marvel

Amazon order listing for THE PUTTERING MARVEL

Pongo vs. Cronco

Aaron's amazing full page illustration from A FIELD OF CABBAGES features the thrilla in Manila moment I requested for Pongo and Cronco. (The truth is, this never happens in the novel, it's all hype!)

page 26 and 27

2 pages from The Puttering Marvel, featuring the start of short story, "Holly":

puttering title page

Here's the title page spread:

THE PUTTERING MARVEL

This is the first Good Deed Rain book of 2021. THE PUTTERING MARVEL. Beautiful cover photo by Laura Smith, field flowers near our house. This is collection of 11 new short stories written over the summer: "The Puttering Marvel, The Broken Record, Holly, El Caminos, The Meanest Parents Ever, Silent Movie Stars, The Old Submarine, The New Apple Tree, Other Flavors, Wild Birds, Marvelous Marvin's Unreal Estate" Book available from Amazon on January 7, 2021.

2021 peek

Here's a sneak peek at the back cover of the first Good Deed Rain book of 2021 (to be published in one month!). It's a collection of short stories. More soon...

Cronco History

"What is the story behind Cronco?" loyal readers keep asking. The robot star of A FIELD OF CABBAGES and THE ROBOTIC AGE has humble beginnings. My friend Aaron (illustrator for the aforementioned novels) told me his family once owned the Cronco Cooler empire. Popular among 1950s picnic-goers, the company went belly-up eventually. Of course I was intrigued by the story (and the name especially!) and joked with Aaron that the reason the Croncos fell out of favor was the fact that the coolers had a tendency to overheat. From there, it was only a jump away for Cronco to become a robot.

Arnold approved

Just did a search of A Field of Cabbages on Amazon and found out it's Arnold approved.

Chapter 18

Another page spread from A FIELD OF CABBAGES. (Chapter sponsored by The George Lucas Fund).

Chapter 36

Chapter 36 page spread from RIVER ROAD

chapter 6

Page spread from Chapter 6 of A FIELD OF CABBAGES. Featuring the majestic portrait (by Aaron) of The Great Marconi, star of stage and fiction.

elf bait

2 new novels, RIVER ROAD and A FIELD OF CABBAGES are now available for purchase from Amazon.com. Perfect presents for your favorite elf.

Back cover of Cabbages

Back cover (and spine) of A FIELD OF CABBAGES. 214 pages of robots, kitchen workers, Martians, vaudeville, a Kentucky colonel, Oatmeal Houston, a gorilla version of Errol Flynn, poetry, junkyards, ghost lovers and super-8 watchers, managers of mayhem and a sandwich waiting for you at the Woolworths counter. I don't know why you're stalling, pal, get your reading glasses on!

Chapter 59

Another page spread from RIVER ROAD novel.

Chapter 44

A page spread is from the new novel, RIVER ROAD. This is the chapter "The Mayor of Governor Road."

Marjorie

Did I mention, A FIELD OF CABBAGES stars a Martian waitress.

Chapter 13

Here's a page spread from A FIELD OF CABBAGES, featuring Aaron Gunderson's art. The Great Marconi cornered by dogs!

furthermore

A Field of Cabbages, although classified as a sequel to The Robotic Age might be the only sequel ever where the main characters from the first book never actually meet!! Fate continually keeps The Great Marconi and Cronco from actually seeing each other, although they manage to create plenty of mischief.

Tribute to The Three Investigators

Regarding A FIELD OF CABBAGES--first off, has anyone out there read The Three Investigators books? I remember seeing them on library shelves many moons ago, but I don't think I ever read one until Aaron urged me to read The Secret of Terror Castle. Introduced by a world-weary Alfred Hitchcock, who even appears in the book as himself! That book knocked me for a loop and immediately inspired me to write my own version...a mystery introduced by Good Deed Rain's reining genius, Sylvan Moore. My 3 'investigators' are The Great Marconi (magician), Hollis Fosbury (teen brat) and Harper Dixon (grocery store manager). They set the wheels in motion for the most fantastic adventure you'll ever read!

A FIELD OF CABBAGES

Here's another new GOOD DEED RAIN novel!! Local residents will recognize Joe's Garden on the cover of A FIELD OF CABBAGES. This is the long awaited sequel to THE ROBOTIC AGE novel. It also features stars from other Good Deed Rain novels, WALT AMHERST IS AWAKE and THE SYLVAN MOORE SHOW, among others. In this new adventure, The Great Marconi and Cronco return in a race against time to save the ghost of Sunny Jim. The book is magnificently illustrated throughout by artist Aaron Gunderson. I'll share more soon. A FIELD OF CABBAGES is due to be published December 7, banzai! This makes 2 new novels published by Good Deed Rain, just in time for holiday presents to your favorite reader.

page 56

Here's page 56 from RIVER ROAD. There's lots of fun illustrations in this novel.

Chapter 47

Chapter 47 page spread from RIVER ROAD:

The Vampire inspiration

I think the inspiration for RIVER ROAD began with the beginning of 1957's The Vampire movie. It starts with a boy on his bike delivering animals from his zoo. Borrowing him, I made him a paperboy, and the vampire became Count Misfit (a Good Deed Rain favorite, who appears in several previous books, including The Orphanage of Abandoned Teenagers and The Tin Can Telephone.)

CHAPTER 24

Chapter 24 page spread from RIVER ROAD:

Chapter 1

This is first chapter from RIVER ROAD:

back cover of RIVER ROAD

Here's the back cover of RIVER ROAD. The 162 page novel is filled with over 30 illustrations by the author. The layout for book is based on those magical old Scholastic Books we used to read in elementary school.

RIVER ROAD

A new novel from GOOD DEED RAIN, to be published December 11, available from Amazon. RIVER ROAD is the story of a paperboy who delivers newspapers to a ghost town. The beautiful cover is a print by Julia McIntyre, with cover production by the great Jen Armitage. I always get excited by the next new book, I know people will enjoy reading these one day.

"in you there is so much beauty"

One of my favorite Peter Tosh songs. It's still going strong! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqc0FXiazQM&list=PLC122061BDC373B4B&ab_channel=PlayingForChange

the small house

Here's a surprise! Many moons ago musician Dan Hanrahan and I made a recording of me reading some stories, for a cassette tape called PLANET FISHING. Jay Moores in Maine has made this great animation to go along with the story The Small House. Enjoy! And many thanks to Dan and Jay. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR_xGWsQDTU&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1V2bVWLC86_SxdGG33Qdvz5j7VoPtraSTlh6_ebGToyAoPqoLAbgjtwC0&ab_channel=SuperFantasticUltra

Meeting Coach Wooden

Here's another spread from the next new Good Deed Rain book, to be published soon! This is the where Marconi meets Coach Wooden. You don't want to miss the big joke on the next page. Stay tuned!

sneak peak

Here's a sneak preview of the soon-to-be-published next Good Deed Rain novel. The sequel to The Robotic Age (2018) this spread features the first meeting of Cronco and Frigidaire. Because the fans demanded it! This new book is once again packed with pictures from the mighty cartoonist Aaron Gunderson. Stay tuned for more!

editorial

Here's an inspired bit o' writing from friend poet/musician Dan Hanrahan: https://danhanrahan.blogspot.com/2020/11/take-my-country.html

soundtrack

Here's page 27 from latest Good Deed Rain book, OLD SALT:

parable

creep

on a wall

midnight hour

AN EXORCISM TAKES TIME

False Advertising

Regarding previous post, I asked Aaron to draw Good Deed Rain stars Pongo the ape and Cronco the robot locked in a battle that would resemble the classic poster for Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man. And boy did he deliver! Of course...when you read this new book, you'll find that it might not happen quite this way...Pongo is an erudite pipe-smoking retired movie actor, and Cronco a civilized attendant at the city dump. But they do have a showdown of sorts at the grocery store.