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The Twist Podcast #310: On to Christmas, Colonoscopy Gift Ideas, and Prime’s ‘The Outsider’ Chills
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we head for the Christmas homestretch, take a break for Mark’s colonoscopy, and recommend Prime’s ‘The Outsider’ for some winter chills.
NOW ON YOUTUBE! Check us out each week on the MadeMark Publishing YouTube Channel. Playlist: The Twist Podcast.
Our holiday survey: What are your favorite parts of the holiday season?
You can treat your co-hosts to a cup of coffee … just $3 a brew!
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The Twist Podcast #309: Not So Quiet Piggies, Fun Thanksgiving Facts, and Emma Zoe Lyons Talks John Candy
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we shout to piggies everywhere (never be quiet!), check out some fun Thanksgiving facts (Jefferson was not a fan), and check in with Emma Zoe Lyons on the John Candy documentary.
NEW! You can treat your co-hosts to a cup of coffee … just $3 a brew!
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‘God’s Teeth’ 3rd Place Finish in Short Story Competition – Read the Story Here, Listen to the Audio
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‘God’s Teeth’ Places Third In Hunterdon Main Library Short Story Contest – Read Them All
How much more could I love our local libraries? The main branch of the Hunterdon County Library, where I also conduct workshops, recently held a short story contest. All of the stories are posted online, and you can read my own ‘God’s Teeth’ at the library’s website. LINK HERE.
UPDATE: My story placed third! From the Hunterdon Co. Library organizers:
“Hello Mark,Congratulations! Your story “God’s Teeth” got third place in the Adults Category of the Hunterdon County Short Story Contest. Pick up your prize at the North County Branch Library in Clinton.Thank you so much for participating! It was a pleasure to read your work!Best,Tess Furnari” -
The Twist Podcast #308: New Time Same Great Taste, Plus Epstein’s Besties, Frankenstein’s Soul, and a New Twist Survey!
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we record at our new afternoon time slot, chat about the Epstein coverup, stan on Frankenstein, and offer up a brand new survey!
SPEAKING OF SURVEYS – TAKE IT HERE!
What color best describes you?
NEW! You can treat your co-hosts to a cup of coffee … just $3 a brew!
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Coming in January! Weekly Autobiographical Journaling Workshop In-Person in Lambertville
Coming up in January: A weekly journaling workshop in Lambertville, NJ
I’ll be conducting a weekly autiobigraphical journaling workshop every Monday, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm (eastern) at Bucks on Bridge Coffee Shop/Soupcon art space. It’s a great location for intimate workshops and it’s also a terrific way to support and be part of the community.
It will be $10 weeklyk ‘at the door’ or $30 for a month (4 or 5 weeks, excluding absences for vacation or travel).
Autobiographical journaling centers on thematic writing, with participants writing each week on a selected theme. Wokshops include handouts, thought- and conversation-generating ideas and suggestions, ice breakers, flash writing each week, and the pleasures of bonding with the group members while we all travel this path together.
Every life is a story, and each of us is the storyteller. Participants will join in journaling exercises, various weekly pre-workshop assignments (such as bringing in photos or objects of meaning) and a weekly theme-based writing assignment. Pen and pad are strongly suggested! In -person participants will receive the workshop outline (PowerPoint), complimentary folder, yellow writing pad, and pen.
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New Hope Free Library Book Launch: Vibrant New Hope – Our 21st Century Stories
Last night’s book launch at the New Hope Free Library. An essay collection by people who live in New Hope. These three writers are in my writers group! I felt like such a proud workshop instructor. And the library director singled me out when he gave a speech. I love libraries!
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Featured Book: Bruce Conord’s ‘Come and Get Her: A Suspense Thriller
I had the pleasure of meeting the author at the Mytery Writers of America-New York chapter holiday party last night in Manhattan. As a big fan of thillers myself, I’m always happy to recommend a new one. Check out Bruce Conord’s ‘Come and Get Her,’ released just in time to make a great holiday gift for yourself or someone you know!
Former Special Forces soldier Jesse Arroyo believes his days of danger are behind him. But a desperate late-night phone call that his teenage daughter is missing drags him back into a world of violence, where he realizes his past may never fully leave him. As he navigates the treacherous Mexican cartel territory to rescue his daughter, he encounters ruthless killers who show little regard for innocent lives, and Arroyo must use all of his skills and instincts to survive and bring his daughter home.
With help from a widowed journalist seeking her own revenge, he races the clock to track down the woman who lured his daughter to Mexico and the evil cartel boss holding her captive. When he digs deeper into their cruel underworld, the lines between hunter and hunted become blurred. Arroyo discovers that this is much more than a kidnapping—it’s a conspiracy far more deadly than he could have ever imagined. If you enjoy books by Don Winslow, Robert Ludlum, Brad Thor, or Lee Child, then you won’t want to miss “Come and Get Her,” a heart-pounding thriller filled with action, suspense, and a father’s unwavering determination to save his child.
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One Thing Or Another Column: Why November?
By Mark McNeease
Temperatures have plummeted, leaves have fallen, the gray days have taken on a certain despondency, depending on your mood. It must be November. I don’t have anything against it, and I always enjoy Thanksgiving, but there will always be something misplaced about the month, which I describe in further detail in this column from a few years ago. It still rings true.
NOVEMBER SEEMS LIKE AN ORPHAN month, stuck between the festivities of Halloween and the extravagance of Christmas. It’s that month when we wave goodbye to moderate weather, and say hello to furnaces and fireplaces. We watch leaves fall helplessly, their spectacular colors melting to a dull compost brown. November has a way of confirming our suspicions that nothing lasts forever. We get the tires checked or replaced, knowing they’ll soon be slipping and sliding in winter weather. We twiddle our thumbs, waiting for sleigh bells and gift ideas. November is just there, like a stretch of time spent in a waiting room. Eventually the door will open and we’ll be invited to the party, but in the meantime we’ll be reading a magazine on dental hygiene and hoping for the best.
November can be exciting if you celebrate a birthday, anniversary, or early retirement. But the month doesn’t offer much pizazz. It’s like February, that sad, short stretch of days sandwiched between the hopes of the new year and the tease of spring. November doesn’t announce itself with a confident, “I’m here, let’s have some fun!” It arrives with a sudden chill, reminding us to order new winter socks and get the space heater out.
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The Twist Podcast #307: Democrats Crush It, Rick Hearts Jennifer Lawrence, and the Nashville Tenors Deliver
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we bask in electoral victory, say what bugs us, and recommend Jennifer Lawrence’s new flick and the Nashville Tenors’ amazing vocals.
NEW! You can treat your co-hosts to a cup of coffee … just $3 a brew!
