Baby Boomers Plus 2021 Authors

Excessively Repetitive: Author Peter Hankins is the 1st place prize winner in the 2021 edition of Stories Through the Ages Baby Boomers Plus. He has crafted a marvelously inventive, yet entirely plausible future where people live forever. The question turns out to be--is it an improvement over life as we know it? The answer, if it can be called an answer, is hidden in a conundrum that can’t be solved. Still the conclusion is left up to the reader; however, if you are like our nameless hero, the answer will never be revealed. 

Peter Hankins lives in Surrey, England, and spent many years pecking out a novel on his iPad while sitting with his elbows pressed to his sides on London commuter trains. In those days he had a civil service job where his ability to write prose that sounded misleadingly authoritative was one of his chief assets. He has a long-running blog Conscious Entities about consciousness and a newer one Seen and Done about writing and other projects by him and others. Since retiring with chronic health problems in the shape of Crohn’s disease a couple of years ago, he has focused his energy on writing short stories, in order to build up his skills and gain some recognition. His stories have been placed or shortlisted in a number of competitions, and with this encouragement, he has been working on another novel. Go to the book page.

 
Officers of Adaptation to Climate Change: The 2nd place winner, author Dean Gessie, has crafted a marvelous love story set amidst the dysfunctional hysterics and tragedies of a modern family. This is an emotional roller coaster ride that takes place while scattering mom’s ashes in a, to be kind, unique ceremony. The characters are well defined. You will recognize them from your own experiences.

Dean Gessie is an author and poet who has won or placed in more than 90 international competitions. Dean won the Angelo Natoli Short Story Award in Australia, the Half and One Literary Contest in India, the Eyelands Book Award in Greece, the Enizagam Poetry Contest in California, the Ageless Authors Poetry Contest in Texas, the Wordsmiths Literary Competition in England, the Frank O’Hara Poetry Prize in Massachusetts and the fiction prize at the Eden Mills Writers Festival in Canada. Dean also won the Bacopa Literary Review Short Story Contest in Florida, the Two Sisters Short Story Contest in New Mexico, the Sunshots Flash Fiction Contest in Tennessee and (twice) the After Dinner Conversation Short Story Competition in Arizona. Additionally, Dean was included in The 64 Best Poets of 2018 and The 64 Best Poets of 2019 by Black Mountain Press in North Carolina and he was one of the medal winners for the Nosside Poetry Prize in Italy. Go to the book page.

A Southern Comfort: Our 3rd place winner, author Nedra Rogers, has crafted a wonderful tale of a ‘Yankee’ boy (from Kansas) who transfers to a school in Texas. The people he encounters come to life in vivid characterizations that capture the true essence of the region. Some might call it a tragedy—some will pass it off as that’s just life in a nutshell—however y’all look at it, this is mighty entertaining reading.

Flight to Fairbanks: Will and Jean McLain are making a routine flight back home in a private aircraft with Will at the controls. A sudden emergency makes them realize that they may not see their daughter again. Help comes from an unexpected source. Author Brad Bennett creates an emotional rollercoaster of a tale to match the turbulence in the aircraft. A surprise ending makes this wonderful story come alive.

Brad lives with his wife, Norrie, in Oliver BC, “Canada’s Wine Capital”, in the heart of the Okanagan Valley. Since retiring Brad and Norrie have enjoyed the pastoral beauty and friendly existence the area offers. They love having children and grandchildren visit from the Coast. Norrie enjoys touring the vineyards and shopping the local farm markets. When Brad is not playing pool, or enjoying special moments like swinging his granddaughter at the playground, he is avidly pursuing his lifelong dream of writing short stories, fiction, and non-fiction. He has published one book and won several short story contests.

Brad was born in Oregon and grew up in the Willamette Valley. After his stint in the U.S. Air Force, then later as a freelance graphic designer in Dallas Texas, he immigrated to Canada in 1977. Before setting up a freelance advertising design studio, he was an ad agency creative director in both Calgary and Vancouver, working on major Canadian accounts.

For a writer’s work to be chosen twice by Living Springs for publication in Stories Through the Ages is truly an honor. He is ecstatic and very thankful for another opportunity. Go to the book page.

Bunting: Author Adele Evershed has crafted a marvelous tale of two young peasant girls in France early 1400’s, friends who would have incredible experiences together. One of them was Jeanne D’Arc who would become famous beyond her poor village and humble origins. Her friend Claude was with her every step of the way. A common tale, one known by most everyone, but the ending will surprise you. This is an excellent story.

Adele Evershed is a teacher who is gradually starting to call herself someone who writes. She was born in a small town in South Wales and now lives in a small town in Connecticut. The towns have absolutely nothing in common apart from Adele and lots of trees. She started her writing journey by producing corny rhyming couplets and scripts for a British expat’s annual Panto. This is a peculiarly British type of entertainment that relies on double entendres, men dressed as women and women in short shorts acting the role of principal boy. Since then she has had poetry (of the non-rhyming sort) and prose published in a number of online journals and print anthologies. She still writes Panto scripts and you can see the productions on YouTube if you search The British Theatre Group of Darien. Her writing can be found at thelithag.com. Go to the book page.

No One Will Notice: A ten-year-old boy experiences life through the antics of his grandfather, a veteran of the first world war and a loveable but gruff character. Their lives are dominated by the wait, then arrival of a ‘wee thing from the Embassy catalogue.’ When it finally arrives, the disaster waiting to happen falls upon our young friend. Do you think anyone will notice? Author Brian Kelly has given us an excellent story.

Brian Kelly, aged 62, lives in rural County Down, on the island of Ireland.

He has been married to Maria for 35 years, with 2 daughters, Alex (the Golden Child) and Catherine (the Platinum Child) – their phraseology, not his!

He is now retired after 32 years working in the UK National Health Service and Queen’s University Belfast as an IT Director and Corporate Project Manager. Brian now eschews the dubious delights of Corporate Strategy, Mission Statements and Risk Assessments and has returned and retuned to his first love – literature. (Unless of course we’re not counting – technically – his real first love, Dawn; he was 15, she 14 – but she was at least 10 years more mature!). In 2021 Brian has been fortunate to have been published for the first time, with both prose and poetry submissions accepted in the UK and USA.

The old adage holds true – it’s never too late to try! Go to the book page.

Moon River: Why does Al Warren’s Aunt Louise say her dead husband is still in her house? Why does his mom’s heart beat so slowly? And does his know-it-all neighbor really have proof that you turn into a speck of dust when you die? In author Dan Lawrence’s affecting tale, several events in young Al’s life force him to grapple with the mysteries of the unknown, until a firsthand experience of life and death makes those mysteries his own.  

Dan Lawrence received his MFA from Columbia University, where he was a Graduate Fellow and Fiction Editor of Columbia Journal. After a 25-year career as a magazine editor with Time Inc. and Reed Elsevier in Manhattan, he dropped out to the rural Eastern Shore of Virginia to help his wife homeschool their three sons. On the side, he was the principal soloist for the Orchestra of the Eastern Shore and a founding member of the popular local band, Swing Project. He recently moved with his wife, their eldest son, and their golden retriever to Richmond, where he has resumed writing fiction. His novel The Quarry was shortlisted for the 2020 James River Writers Best Unpublished Novel Contest.  Go to the book page.

Virgie’s Headless Chicken: This is a story that makes you ask, ‘Can this possibly be true?” and it’s just weird enough that it probably is. Author Robin Lee Lovelace writes a wonderful story about life in 1946 on Aunt Molly’s farm. Virgie has the last laugh on those who doubted. Thank goodness Aunt Molly didn’t. Don’t miss this one.

I am a mixed-race writer (urban black, rural white) who was born and raised in Indiana. I started seriously focusing on writing fiction in the late twentieth century. I was published in literary magazines such as North Atlantic Review, the Crucible, Buffalo Spree and Punchnel’s.

Since then I’ve had some more successes. I’ve won or placed in many writing competitions.

In April, I was named as one of ten finalists for the Stowe SAG/INDIE Screenwriting Fellowship. Tragically, I did not win. Big dramatic sigh. Durn it.

Virgie, the protagonist in my story Virgie’s Headless Chicken is based on my Grandma Opal. She never had a live headless chicken, but she was always finding unusual ways to make money. I still live in Indiana with my husband, my dog Amy and my cat Evil (and yes my cat lives up to her name). Go to the book page.

The Story of Isadore Blum: Author David Margolis’ story of a doctor in the year 2070 who reflects on his experience during the Pandemic of 2020. One patient stands out in his mind—an old man with dementia who seems to be living in a dream world of his own design. But the truth is far more complex. An interesting story about humans under stress who sometimes misinterpret what is right in front of them.

David Margolis has published three novels, “The Myth of Dr. Kugelman,” “The Plumber’s Wrench,” and the “Misadventures of Buddy Jones,” which won an eLit award for humor. David has also written a book of fictional short stories, “Looking Behind: The gaseous life of a gastroenterologist.”  His latest collection of stories “Tales of Unkosher Souls” received a starred Kirkus review and was published in July of 2021. He lives in St. Louis with his wife, three rescue dogs, two rescue kids, and a set of golf clubs. Go to the book page.

How Aaron Spelling Kept Me Out of Harvard: The hero of this story, by author Matthew Minson, is a 13-year-old boy who by luck of the draw is the smartest student in his class. A blessing or a curse? Who is to say? A well written story about a timeless subject that we can all relate to. Funny in a wonderfully understated way.

Matthew Minson is a screenwriter-filmmaker, physician and author of the award-winning series, “Prepare to Defend Yourself” promoting social and public health advocacy by TAMUPress: How to Navigate the Healthcare System and Escape with Your Life  (Best of 2014: Library Journal) and How to Age Gracefully and Escape with Your Dignity: (2016). He is the co-writer of the film New Soul (2013) directed by Mike Fry and starring Larry Miller and based on his short story, The New Souls Department. He’s been selected as a Nicholl Fellowship semifinalist, and a Faulkner short-list selection for the novella, Incidentals. His novel, Perspectives is currently a Goldsmith First Novel shortlist selection (2020) and his short film addressing the challenge of privacy intrusive technology, You Have Arrived, was a festival selection and as a finalist screened at the 2020 LA INT fest and 2020 Portland Shortfest. Go to the book page.

White Water and Wetsuits: A trip down the river with Aunty G and a group of Japanese tourists sets the stage for a hilarious journey. This is a must read for all of us with lovable aunts who are willing to try anything and won’t let the small obstacles of life stop them. Author Lorrie Morales has written a pleasurable tale with plenty of laughs-yet a fitting memorial for a lovely lady. Don’t miss this one.

Lorrie is a semi-retired educator and new grandmother who fell in love with writing, reading and teaching at a young age. To this day, she dabbles in education, reads a plethora of books and is a published author. If she isn’t traveling, socializing or exercising, she is spending time with family or friends or volunteering. You can find her with a smile on her face enjoying the blessings life has to offer. She loves life and it loves her right back!   You can follow her on Instagram  @lorrie.morales.author   or check out her Blog and website at

www.lorriemorales.com Go to the book page.

Eat Your Broccoli: The hero of our story, Brett Meyers, finds himself dead in the presence of St. Peter at the Holy Gate…or is he? Author Nancy Neuman has written a very entertaining tale where all the rules of heaven and hell have been revised. Is it fair, is it better? Who is to say? Regardless, we the readers, benefit from the conflict. And the moral is you’d better eat your broccoli.

Nancy Neuman is an environmental consultant who has been trying to retire for the past few years. However, she loves the work and frequently agrees to do “one more job.” Since moving to Florida, she has completed numerous short stories and a novel and is working on a second novel. She has always been fascinated by supernatural subjects, so most of her creative writing focuses on dead people or paranormal activities. In 2018, she won a short story contest in the Charlotte County Florida Weekly. It was entitled “Long Journey” and was published in the October 25-31, 2018 edition. Her loving husband, Jim, supports and sometimes inspires her writing. One evening, Jim was picking bits of broccoli out of his Chinese take-out, and she jokingly told him he would one day have to answer to St. Peter for wasting his food. Jim said he didn’t think so, and Nancy wrote a short story. When not working or writing, she loves to play golf and is also co-chair of a local writers group. Go to the book page.

Finley’s Gift: 1969, a young girl from Czechoslovakia, in London on a two-year exit visa, meets Finley, a co-worker. Our heroine is subjected to many of life’s cruelties that are reserved for people who are perceived as ‘different’. When she is faced with the greatest obstacle of all, Finley comes to the rescue. Author Anika Pavel has created a beautiful love story but one that will surprise you in the unconventional turn of events. Don’t miss reading this one.  

Anika Pavel was born Jarmila Kocvarova in Czechoslovakia. She went to England as an au pair; what was meant to be a short-term learning experience turned her into a refugee when the Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia in August 1968. So began her journey from emigrant to immigrant. She went from sleeping in a telephone booth in London’s Victoria railway station to the lights of the fashion runway, magazine covers, TV commercials and movies, using the more pronounceable moniker of Anika Pavel. She married an American and dedicated the next 20 years to raising children and money for non-profits fighting cancer. With the last child off to college she returned to her high school passion. Her writing draws from the varied experiences of her life. Follow her at www.anikapavel.com Go to the book page.

Newfangled: This is a delightful story about a brother and sister who try to bring Grandmother into the current century. She has definite ideas about how her grandson should look and act and the same for her granddaughter. Nana is a bit old fashioned but a wonderful companion for both. Author Lou Storey gives us tremendous insight into the impact that ‘newfangled’ ideas and values have on older people. 

Lou Storey is an artist and psychotherapist living on the beachside edge of coastal New Jersey with his husband of thirty-three years Steve, and a happy bounty of dogs, cats and chickens. Promoting all forms of creative expression, his own as well as the support and encouragement of others, is his primary life passion.

Lou’s writings have appeared in The New Yorker, New York Times Tiny Love Stories, as well as an assortment of poetry magazines and various academic journals related to mental health. His private practice focuses on a meaning based approach to life inspired by the writings of Viktor Frankl, and his 2019 solo exhibition at the Noyes Art Museum in Atlantic City, New Jersey, featured over fifty of his circular Life Mandalas. Go to the book page.

Riding Shotgun: Author Terry Tierney has written an excellent tale of a hitchhiker and his journey through Texas. A recent Vietnam era veteran, Flash, sets off on a cross-country hitchhiking trip to escape his unraveling marriage. In Fort Worth a Texas Ranger orders him into his patrol car at gunpoint, and Flash fears arrest or worse with an ounce of weed rolled into his sleeping bag.

Terry Tierney’s short story “Riding Shotgun” is adapted from a scene in his upcoming novel Lucky Ride, due to be published 12/31/21 by Unsolicited Press. He is also the author of a poetry collection, The Poet’s Garage (Unsolicited Press, May 2020), and a novel The Bridge on Beer River (Unsolicited Press, July 2023). His stories and poems have recently appeared in Ghost Parachute, Flash Fiction Magazine, Rust and Moth, Typishly, Valparaiso Poetry Review, The Lake, and other publications.

Terry was born in South Dakota and raised in Minneapolis and Cleveland. After serving in the Seabees, he received a BA and MA in English from SUNY Binghamton, and a PhD in Victorian Literature from Emory University. He taught college composition and creative writing and later survived a series of Silicon Valley startups as a software engineering manager. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, their two cats, and their enthusiastic Golden Retriever. His website is http://terrytierney.com. Go to the book page.