Interested readers can find Scattering the Ashes on Amazon HERE.
Thank you!!!
Category: Published Books
“Scattering the Ashes” is Phenomenal!
Readers’ Favorite recently reviewed my novel, Scattering the Ashes.
The review was glowing!
Scattering the Ashes earned Readers’ Favorite’s prestigious 5-Star Rating.
The reviewer noted:
The narrative was perfectly paced and incredibly rich with details.
Sam’s voice proved to be exactly what the reader needed to immerse themselves in the narrative and feel each part of the story resonate inside their heart.
Scattering the Ashes was just as self-reflective as it was entertaining.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the places where Sam went, I enjoyed the way the story flowed and I loved the way Sam over thought everything (that was common and human of him!).
Scattering the Ashes by Paul Russell Semendinger was phenomenal.
Kintsugi
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.
Scattering the Ashes – Will Be Released on October 22, 2019
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:
Now This Is Something!
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.)
Author Visit – March 18, 2019
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.
Living The Dream
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.
“Scattering the Ashes” Preview & Excerpt (Coming October 22, 2019)
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)”
Me On The Radio – Quite An Honor
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?
(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.
***
