This essay can be found in the book Impossible is an Illusion published by Wipf and Stock and available here.
***
My son came home from college, and in a discussion with me brought up a Japanese word, Kintsugi, that immediately opened up my mind to many thoughts.
It’s wonderful to find new words, new ideas, and new ways of thinking.
And, just for the record, kintsugi is now my new favorite word.
My first novel, Scattering the Ashes, will be released on October 22.
This book, a wonderful story about family, inspiration, hope, faith, love, and so much more, is bound to delight readers. This is a special story that will touch many hearts.
My publisher, Artemesia Publishing, just released some pre-publication materials including this postcard:
PUBLISHED BY WIPF & STOCK!
Thank everyone who believed in me, and God, of course, for helping make this step in my dreams come true.
(No other words are necessary.)
I am looking forward to another great author event on March 18, 2019 at the Oakland, New Jersey Public Library.
I appreciate all of the support, kindness, and encouragement from so many.
I hope to inspire many people tomorrow to help them realize that, like me, they truly can achieve their dreams.
Those of you who have known me long enough have read stories of my hopes to be a published author and all of the trials, travails, failures, and bumps along the way I have faced as I pursue this dream.
Along the way, there have also, of course been some successes, but these only came after much failure, many rejections, and more than a few (sometimes harsh) criticisms from those in the business of publishing.
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…
***
(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)”
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:
(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.
***
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
MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW PRAISES SCATTERING THE ASHES:
***
Scattering the Ashes, will be released by Artemesia Publishing. This book will be released in hardcover in October 2019. It is bound to be a huge hit! (Please see below for the publisher’s postcard graphic for the novel.)
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.
Sam’s life is radically changed when his father passes away. He soon finds himself in the office of Donald M. Stevens as the contents of his father’s Last Will and Testament are read to him. Sam learns that this Will is not like any other. Before he can earn his inheritance, Sam must visit various places that had been significant in his father’s life. As a result, Sam is thrust into a journey he neither wanted nor asked for.
Scattering The Ashes is the story of a young man and his father told through travels to locations that were meaningful to them. This story is also told through the real life confrontations Sam faces as he returns to work and is forced to deal with a contentious situation. As he tries to make sense of this difficult period, Sam has to confront his father’s past history and decisions as an educator himself.
Fortunately, it is during his travels that Sam meets a special young woman, Rachel Parker, who helps bring direction, clarity, and focus to him. A runner herself, and experienced marathoner, Rachel provides inspiration, guidance, and support to Sam. As such, it is through his experiences with Rachel that Sam Holmes makes the critical decisions that will impact the rest of his life.
***
Reviewers for this work have been extremely positive. The story has been called “delightful” and “uplifting.”
One reviewer stated, “I enjoyed Paul’s story very much. It led me to deep thoughts on death and on all sorts of life stuff. The writing has good flow and good characterization.”
Author Paul Semendinger has been told of this work, “You have something special on your hands.”
