Category: Published Books

“Scattering the Ashes” Preview & Excerpt (Coming October 22, 2019)

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My first novel, Scattering The Ashes, will be published on October 22, 2019 by Artemesia Publishing and is now available for Pre-Order here.

This novel tells the fictional story of Sam Holmes as he struggles though the aftermath of losing his father and having the responsibility and obligation of fulfilling his late father’s final request.

Readers will become attached to Sam Holmes as he seeks to find himself in this trying period of his life. Initial reviews of the novel have been very positive.

Baseball is one (of many) themes that forms the framework of the story. Throughout this year, leading up to the book’s release, I will share excerpts from the novel here on these pages and on my Yankees site: www.startspreadingthenews.blog.

The following is an except from Chapter 5. In this scene, early in the novel before his father passes, Sam Homes awakes in pain the morning after his longest training run as he is preparing for his first marathon – the New York City Marathon. He is feeling doubtful about his abilities as a runner. Soon the prospect of a fictional encounter with two former baseball stars changes his outlook on the day…

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(From Scattering The Ashes (2019, by Dr. Paul Semendinger, with permission from Artemesia Publishing)

The next morning, after I swung my legs out of bed, I realized I could barely stand.  The plantar fasciitis in my foot screamed with pain every time I put even a tiny bit of weight on it.  I had never felt such pain.  Have you ever stuck hot needles into the bottom of your foot?  I haven’t either, but it sure felt like I had.  In addition to this foot agony, everything else, especially the fronts of my thighs, seemed to ache.  I wondered if I had pushed my body further than it was able to handle.  Was twelve miles my limit?  Maybe I wasn’t built for a marathon.  Dr. Alfonzo, my chiropractor (who is also a miracle healer), advised me to always stretch before a hard run and also to always ice this injury after the effort.  Why didn’t I listen to his advice yesterday?

Continue reading ““Scattering the Ashes” Preview & Excerpt (Coming October 22, 2019)” →

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Me On The Radio – Quite An Honor

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One of the most wonderful parts of being an educator and a writer is that my ideas and words seem to inspire other people and bring them joy.  

I am absolutely honored (and humbled) to be featured on WCBS News Radio 880 A.M. in New York City. 

Thank you Sean Adams and WCBS!

Here is the story:

Stories From Main Street: A Principal Who Writes To Inspire Kids And Adults

Is This?

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(This piece is included in my acclaimed  book, Impossible is an Illusion which is available on Amazon.  This version has previously been published here as well, but…it’s Fathers’ Day and it’s a story worth telling again and again.)

***

I love baseball.

My dad loves baseball even more than I do.

That’s where this story begins…and ends.  It’s what this story is all about.  Baseball.

The American Game.

The Great American Game…

Well, maybe it’s about more than that.  It’s about fathers and sons.

And baseball.

***

Continue reading “Is This?” →

Impossible is an Illusion!

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My book of motivational, inspirational, and (sometimes) funny essays is now available on Amazon and other book retailers.

If you enjoy my blog writing, you will certainly enjoy this book.

The feedback has been tremendously positive.

Please take a look!

Impossible is an Illusion by Dr. Paul Semendinger

 

 

 

Scattering The Ashes

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I recently signed a contract for my novel, Scattering the Ashes, with Artemesia Publishing.  This book will be released in hardcover in October 2019.  It is bound to be a huge hit!

This is a story that will engage and inspire readers to overcome challenges and to learn to appreciate the people and simpler things in their lives.  Written in an enjoyable prose, this story has a strong character-driven plot with surprising humor.  

Scattering the Ashes tells the story of Sam Holmes, a school teacher, not yet thirty years old, who is living an uneventful, yet not unpleasant, life.  Although he doesn’t admit it to himself, Sam is lonely.  While Sam is a dedicated and hard-working teacher, he is energized by the fact that the school year has ended and an endless summer sits before him.  Sam plans to use much of this free time to train for his first marathon in New York City.

Continue reading “Scattering The Ashes” →

Other Picture Books

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In addition to my (soon to be) published works, I have a host of picture books that are in the “Pre-Published” phase.  

These books are not yet represented by a literary agent or publisher.

Artist John Fredericks is currently working on the Principal Sam series of books and, as such, is not available for these projects.  (He did the art work that is featured above.)

The wonderful editor Britta Eastburg Friesen works with me to bring the highest quality writing and story development to each of these works.  

Continue reading “Other Picture Books” →

Principal Sam

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PRINCIPAL SAM AND THE CALENDAR CONFUSION and

PRINCIPAL SAM GETS FIT

ARE NOW AVAILABLE

ON AMAZON and at other Book Sellers!

Please see the book trailers here:

Principal Sam and the Calendar Confusion

Principal Sam Gets Fit

Principal Sam is the main character in a new series of picture books for children in the early elementary grades.

Principal Sam works at Sunnyside School.  An excellent school leader, Principal Sam works hard to make his school one that is a positive and enjoyable place of learning for children.  As such, he is loved and respected by all.  There’s only one problem, Principal Sam is forgetful and he often confuses simple things.  When this happens, the children and the teachers in the school often come to Principal’s Sam’s assistance.

Children will delight in reading about Principal Sam’s exploits and in figuring out his mistakes before he does.  The Principal Sam books are happy, positive, and very engaging.

The first Principal Sam book, Principal Sam and the Calendar Confusion, was published by Ravenswood Publishing on February 14, 2017.  This story is earning many positive reviews including the highly coveted Five-Star rating by Readers’ Favorites.

Continue reading “Principal Sam” →

Impossible is an Illusion

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The first published collection of my motivational writings is titled “Impossible is an Illusion.” This work contains more than 40 of my best essays and has been published by Ravenswood Publishing.  This book is now available!

Link to Purchase – Impossible is an Illusion

The title for the book comes from the following essay which is featured in the text.     Enjoy this FREE preview of Impossible is an Illusion!

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Impossible is an Illusion

I’m an optimist.  I always believe that good will prevail.  I look to the bright side.  The glass is half full – even when it is half-empty.  I believe in miracles.  Hope springs eternal.

I believe I can do anything.  I believe we all can.

Continue reading “Impossible is an Illusion” →