Michael Bradley – Time Traveler

There is a long standing breakfast – many years – hosted by a friend of mine.  People show up when they want to and mix with a core of veterans.  Mostly friends and current and former work acquaintances.  I enjoy going to these, but rarely do.  You see, they involve getting up early in the morning, which is somewhat anathema to me.  But this particular morning I found myself waking up at 7:12 am, so I think I will go enjoy some company and my favorite meal – breakfast.

I was going along loop 101 to attend the West Valley Writers’ Workshop when I say a small furry animal by the side of the road.  It appeared to be a small dog that had wondered from home and been hit by a passing car and killed.  I know some think it unmanly to cry or to be moved, but I love dogs in a deep and abiding way.  To see a little creature killed like that really stirred up my emotions.  I thought of the poor innocent animal wanting to explore and not knowing about traffic.  I thought of some young child putting up missing dog posters for a loved family member that would not be coming home.  I really wish such things did not happen.  I have three rescue dogs myself and I wish I could take in every needy dog in the world, but three are quite the work on their own.  Friends, especially on Facebook, seem to email me every day with pictures of dogs that need rescuing.  Just like the poor dog on the side of the road, I try not to think about the ones I can’t help, and focus on three I can.

The book signing Friday night was a story unto itself.  We set up outside under a small trestle and laid out our wares to the constant blow of a dust storm.  In Arizona we call it a Monsoon though most would reserve such terms for Southeast Asia.  The dust and wind died down and people came out anyway.  We probably had around 100 people arrive and a jazz band set up and started playing.  The mood was good and things were going well for about twenty minutes.  Then – the rain came down and it all ended.  Even in Arizona where we have over 300 days of sunny weather each year, count on the one day you have books outside for it to rain.

The first edition printing of The Travelers’ Club and The Ghost Ship is here.  Retail price is $14.95 and it was completed through Snowfall Press.  Thank you to my great friend Sue Bushmaker at Mountain Graphics and Design for all the hard work on the conversions and the cover art.  Also, a big thanks to Jacob Shaver for the editing and to all the others who gave me so much help and encouragment.  If you wish to purchase a printed version, please see the details under the Store tab.  I am pretty excited to have the printed copy in my hands.  Nothing like that first tangible proof you are under way in your new life.

I had the honor to be part of the volunteer staff and help out at the Avondale Writers’ conference on October 29th.  There were a lot of current and aspiring writers present and a very good vibe throughout.  Congratulations to Bob Duckles and the others who pulled off such a flawless event.