One of the nice things about publishing creative nonfiction is writers who work in the genre often like to blur the borders
between literary categories, often blending the techniques of memoir, narrative nonfiction, nonfiction, and even poetry. “Jive” by Clark Collier Cooke is one such fascinating concoction. Cooke describes his piece like this: “As he journeys from a predominantly white D.C. college campus to the city’s seedier streets and black ghettos, ‘Jive’’s protagonist guides the reader through the ironies and jarring humor of post-racial America. Grotesque and erotic, narrated in a jagged-edged, staccato voice, ‘Jive’ presents a searing and unflinching portrait of one outsider’s search for someone and something to call his own.”
I was riveted to Mansoor Alzayer’s “Reviving Murad,” due to its compelling exploration of unusual subject matter: a young man trying to save his elders’ family business. It’s always great to find an offbeat piece that’s expertly realized. The creative-nonfiction category attracts a lot of family memoirs, and rarely do they rise above the mere recitation of events. “Finding Pride: A Remembrance of My Grandfathers,” by Joe Ponepinto, is one of those family memoirs that’s not only a pleasure to read, but that makes you care about people who are long gone.
As a caregiver, I’m always a sucker for a story about eldercare and the corresponding issues of illness and death. The fact that there are millions of Americans caring for sick parents is evidenced every month in my inbox, which usually contains several examples in this new genre. “The Pathology of Cancer,” by David Womack, is one of the best examples I’ve seen. Read it and see for yourself.
Many of you who follow me on Facebook already know that everything I’ve made from my own writing over the past four years has gone toward keeping my infirm parents living in dignity and freedom in their own home. Many of you also know that my mother passed away on May 18.
I’m thankful to be still caring for my dad. I am also still contributing to his financial support. Thus, I would be grateful if you would consider downloading one of my titles from my virtual bookshelf on Amazon here.
If you don’t have a Kindle, you’ll be happy to learn that the Kindle App downloads for free onto a wide variety of devices here.
Many of my titles are also available on the Nook from Barnes and Noble here.
And the film about my struggles to care for my parents, Someday You, which many of you have been waiting for, is now available from Amazon.
My family and I thank you for your support.