Knuckleheads by Dan Antion – New Release

My friends and visitors, I’m delighted to have a fellow blogger and an author, Dan Antion, as my guest today. I met Dan years ago at Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday (SoCS) Challenge. Dan writes about his gathering at his virtual bar for SoCS. Occasionally, he invites guests to his bar party. In fact, he invited Robbie Cheadle and me over on April 20, 2022. It was a wild party with 330 comments. Robbie and I had a blast with Dan and his friends at the bar.
Dan is good at many things. I’m impressed with his woodworking, photography, and technology skills. You must visit his blog to find out more about him.
The most exciting thing of all, we’re celebrating Dan’s new release, Knuckleheads, Book 1 in the Dreamer’s Alliance Series. I’ll let him tell you more about his intriguing Paranormal Fantasy and Speculative Fiction.

Thank you, Miriam, for inviting me to be your guest, and thank you for the graphic support you provided to help me with this book launch. You have been more than kind, and I deeply appreciate what you have done.
As you mentioned, Knuckleheads is Book 1 in a series, but I didn’t start out writing a series. My original plan was to write the story that is told in the second book. As I was writing that book, I reached a point where I saw the opportunity to create a sequel. I discussed this with Teagan Geneviene, who was helping me get started. As I was discussing how the paranormal abilities the two main characters possess emerged during childhood, she suggested that perhaps I should also write that story.
This story is told by Zachary Livingston Amstead to his adult daughter on the day after his retirement party. The other books in the series begin shortly after Zach shares this story with Abbie.
That story begins when Zach and William Ignatius Terrance are in fourth grade. They are experiencing the emergence of their paranormal abilities. Billy sees the future in a limited way. He sees events that are going to happen in his life, and to a lesser degree, things that are going to happen to Zach. Meanwhile, Zach is beginning to be able to participate in the lucid dreams he has had for as long as he can remember.
Both boys struggle with these abilities. They don’t understand what’s happening to them, and they are having a difficult time controlling these powers. Both boys get into trouble, and both are helped by Zach’s father as they try to “get ahead of the situation,” as Zach’s dad puts it on numerous occasions.
The boys grew up outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and many of my regular blog readers will recognize elements from the setting as those described in various blog posts after my visits to that city. While the setting is similar in many ways to my surroundings growing up, the book is not my story. I drew on my experience, mainly because it was easier than researching another.
So far, the book has been getting good reviews, and I’ve gotten some very nice comments from people who are reading it. The few people who have read the other books in the series (they are all complete, but the 2nd and 3rd books are still being edited) have said that they were glad to have read Knuckleheads first.

Series Blurb
The Dreamer’s Alliance series chronicles the challenges and dangers faced by two men who have been gifted with paranormal abilities. From their struggles to understand and control these powers through their battle with the attempts of corrupt authorities to exploit them.
Knuckleheads Blurb
Zach and Billy didn’t ask for the paranormal powers that were beyond their capacity to understand or control. Zach, interacting with his lucid dreams, and Billy, “gifted “with shadowy glimpses of the future struggle to make sense of the world around them. Adults in authority in the nineteen sixties have no time for what they considered mental outliers of the baby-boom. The boys are institutionalized, marginalized, and ignored. Zach’s father learns of the challenges they face as children and knows the dangers they will face as adults. With no way to comprehend how these boys perceive and move within their world, he must find a way to guide them.
Purchase Links

Author Bio
Dan Antion was born outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up and attended college in the area around western Pennsylvania. Dan has written and published the popular No Facilities blog since 2011. A lifelong interest in writing became a reality after he retired from a successful 42-year-long career in information management.
Knuckleheads, published in June 2022, is the first book in the Dreamer’s Alliance Series. This story introduces the main characters in this series, which the next two books will follow in the late summer and early winter of 2022.
Dan lives in Connecticut with his wife, a few pets, and all the wildlife they can feed.
Contact Dan at:
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It’s delightful to learn more about your book Knuckleheads, Dan. I look forward to seeing Book 2 and Book 3 of The Dreamer’s Alliance series.
Again, thank you for inviting me to talk a little bit about Knuckleheads, and for all your assistance with the graphics I’ve used in marketing the book.



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Thank you for stopping by to celebrate the new release with Dan.
I welcome you to share your thoughts.
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Great post Miriam and best wishes to Dan and his series
😊☀️📚
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Thank you for coming to the launch party, Yvette! I’m delighted to see Dan’s series get so much attention! 🙂 🙂
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📚📚📚🎉🥳🎉
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😉📚💖
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It’s awesome to see Dan’s book getting so much attention!! A big congratulations to him and thank you for hosting, Miriam!
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Thank you so much for dropping by, Jan! Dan has a huge following and supportive fans. I’m delighted to host this party to celebrate his book birth! 🙂
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A wonderful interview and book review!
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Thank you very much for dropping by and commenting! I appreciate that.
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Congrats to Dan on the new release!
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Thanks Teri! I am happy to be here.
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Thank you so much for stopping by, Teri!
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Nice job Miriam. Congratulations again Dan. I too have my copy, looking forward to the read.
Also, I am reblogging this.
Pat
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Thank you so much Pat, and thanks for reblogging this. I hope you enjoy the book!
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My pleasure 🙂
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Wow, that’s great, you got your copy! Thank you so much for reblogging, Pat! This is a wonderful summer read, for sure. 🙂
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Yeah, I’m thinking so. I really liked the tease.
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I think Dan has a schedule to release books 2 and 3. You don’t have to wait for too long. 🙂
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Promoting Dan’s book on several different blogs was such a good idea. Miriam–I am so impressed with your graphics. This was a fun way to get the word out about Knuckleheads. It’s not Saturday at the bar, but I am toasting you both today! 🍷🥂Kudos to everyone!
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Thanks for following the tour this week, Lois. It has been fun. Miriam helped so much with the graphics, and explaining the process. She even sent me a template. Writing a book is a very different thing than marketing a book. I’ll be toasting Miriam and all the others at the bar – actually, I started a little while ago 😉
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Cheers to you and Dan at the bar, Lois! I popped over to your blog. How many pets do you have? I just learned that you survived stage IV melanoma. So did I. I finished writing my memoir about that and hope to publish it soon. I would like to know more about your experience. Are you still working with the inmates?
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Come on over with us, Miriam–there is plenty of room at the bar! I have 5 cats–all indoor kitties–1 male and 4 females–and they get along great. Brought the first of them for her yearly check-up today. My vet love$ me. 😆 Sadly, I no longer work with the inmates. Even if I could have after my cancer bout, Covid would have put a stop to that. They were so much fun–I do miss them. Oh, Miriam–the cancer…I am sorry you had to go through that, but we are strong, aren’t we? Cannot keep good women down.
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You’re right, Lois! We’re strong women and grateful survivors. 🙂 I have to browse around your blog to find out more about your posts.
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Thank you for sharing his new book with us! I’m always looking for new great reads.
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It’s great to hear you’re looking for new great reads, Bella! You won’t be disappointed with Knuckleheads and the following two books in the series. Dan tells great stories.
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I’m excited to get it!
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Have a wonderful summer reading great books, Bella!
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I hope you enjoy this one, Bella. I enjoyed writing this series. The people (beta readers) who have read the three books have enjoyed them and recognize the importance of this first book.
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Congratulations to Dan! I am ordering them today.
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Thank you!
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I love your launch of Knuckleheads by Dan Antion, Miriam. I have downloaded Knuckleheads and am enjoying the read. Dan – congratulations. I am very excited for you.
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Thank you so much, Rebecca. I am so happy to hear that you’re enjoying the book. I am excited to be here and grateful for all the help I’ve received.
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That’s wonderful that you’ve downloaded Knuckleheads and enjoying the read, Rebecca! I can’t wait to hear what you think of it. We’re very excited about Dan’s book birth!
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Thanks for sharing Dan’s book Miriam and loved hearing in your own words Dan you wonderful story and sequels as well!
This is so exciting and I know many that can relate.
Congratulations truly!! 💖💖👏👏👏
Thrilled for you! 💖
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Thank you Cindy. I am so happy to be here on Miriam’s blog. She has been very helpful in spreading the word about this series.
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You’re so welcome Dan!! That’s so awesome. It sounds wonderful!! 💖
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Hi Cindy, hope you are having a wonderful weekend with you there?
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Thank you sooo much and you too. 🙏💖
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It’s lovely to have you stopping by, Cindy! Dan is a great storyteller and he has a wonderful story to tell in his books. It’s wonderful to share it in this supporting community! ❤
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OH I’m happy to hear that Miriam. He is and he is most grateful to you. He’s a great guy and love his stories for sure. I do love our community! 💖💖
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This community is so wonderful and supportive. I’m glad we’re in the same community together, Cindy.💞😍
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It really is and we are so lucky! I’m glad we are in it together as well Miriam! 💖
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I get more support here than any other community, Cindy! ❤
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I love our community Miriam minus the spam and technical issues. I had a major issue again today where people didn’t read me in my reader which is so frustrating! 💖💖
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Oh no, Cindy! Not again. How frustrating. I hope it’s resolved by now. 💖💖
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I know.. I don’t think it is yet but I hope by the time I post tomorrow.. can you guess what it will be about? 😂😂😂 thanks a lot.🙏🙏
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Oh, you’re teasing me, Cindy! 🙂 🙂
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Stay tuned.. lol
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Another great post:) I am looking forward to reading this!
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Thank you for dropping by during your own busy new release tour, Denise! I look forward to seeing what you think of Dan’s book!
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Thanks Denise. I know you are very busy with your new release. I appreciate your stopping by here.
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Thank you, Miriam, for sharing Dan’s book with all of us. I’m so happy for him. A first book is an unforgettable milestone in a writer’s life. Congratulations, Dan!! ✨🎉✨
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I agree with you about the first book, Dwen. It’s like having the first baby! We’re here cheering Dan for his unforgettable book birth! Thank you for being here!
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Thanks so much, Gwen. This has been so much fun. I’m overwhelmed by the support. It has been a wonderful week.
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Congratulations to Dan and thanks to Miriam for hosting.
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Thanks John. Miriam has been a great host.
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Thank you so much for dropping by, John! Dan has a blast celebrating his new release!
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He seems to be enjoying it, Miriam.
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Yes, he is, John. 😂
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😊
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Very nicely wrapped up for this week’s promo of Dan’s book. I hope all this good sharing will help him be a huge success.
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Thanks Deborah. It has been an exciting week. I’m so grateful to all the help from this community, and for Miriam’s help with the book tour.
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😀
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Thank you for stopping by, Deborah! Dan has a very busy and successful promotion week. Your post about the upside-down house is most interesting.
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You’re welcome and thank you!😀
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You’re welcome, Deborah! 😃
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😀
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Back in the ’60’s, too many people were institutionalized for stuff society didn’t understand. This book sounds good.
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Thanks Jacqui. They were institutionalized, and those labels followed them for a long time.
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I know, Jacqui! When I studied psychology, I was horrified by how people were treated for their issues. Dan’s book is an interesting read.
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Thank you for introducing me to Dan. Wishing him great success with his new book. I’ll check it.
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Thanks for that comment. If you get the book, I hope you enjoy it.
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Thank you for stopping by to read and comment, Balroop! You write beautiful poetry based on your reflection and observation. Dan wrote his book partly based on his personal experience. It’s an interesting book.
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Miriam, a wonderful support for Dan & his new book. I read it and wrote a review. It made me think how some paranormal stories can be so believable. It was Dan’s writing style and approach to vivid dreams & seeing into the future that did it. The characters were so real they could have been my friends from childhood. That’s what made it a compelling read. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. I published my first book a little before Dan. And last month I was a guest at the bar also. So much fun. Dan has been very supportive, too. If you have time, please check out my blog, Before Sundown, for more about the book. ❤️🎶 cerobinsonauthor.com.
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https://cerobinsonauthor.com
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Thanks Christine. I love having guests at the bar. I hold it to about once a month. You followed Miriam and Robbie – I don’t think the bar has ever been that busy 😉
I am enjoying your book, and I enjoyed Miriam’s poetry in the book she appeared in. There is so much talent in this community – it’s amazing.
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It’s great you open up the bar scene for Indie authors, Dan. Our chance to get the word out about our books. Thank you for giving me that chance. I know historical fiction is a hard sell , so I’m happy you are reading it. As you are finding out, there’s more than dry history in the story, balanced with romance, music, and a risky East Berlin mission. Looking forward to your next book in the series. 📚🎶 Christine
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It’s good to see you on my blog, Christine! I just hopped over to your blog and followed you. What a marvelous idea to collect sunrise/sunset photos around the world from bloggers. I haven’t thought of it. I’ll check out your book later.
It’s my great pleasure to get the words out about Dan’s book. The characters are relatable because they’re partly based on a real story. Thank you for stopping by, Christine.
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Thanks, Miriam for following my sunset blog. They were collected from world wide blog followers. And thanks for checking out my book. I know historical fiction is not a popular genre for many readers. But, I can promise a balance of history, romance, music & a risky mission! 📚🎶 Christine
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You’re welcome, Christine.
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Thanks, Miriam, for sharing in Dan’s book tour. I love the book series and feel a lot of people will identify with the kids, their challenges and struggles in dealing with their ‘gifts’, and cheer them on when they face possible disaster.
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Thanks Cheryl. It seems like forever ago that I was at your blog. I know it was only 5 days ago, but this has been a very busy week. I am so grateful for all the help. I am very happy you liked this book and the others, even though you’ve only seen a draft of them.
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I have my Kindle copy of book one!
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🙂
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You’re welcome, Cheryl! It must have been wonderful to read Dan’s draft and see it in a book form. The story is so natural in life that we can identify it. I just went back to your blog to browse a little. I love your greenhouse pool.
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It was wonderful to be a part of Dan’s book coming to life. Thanks for visiting my blog. Yes, I love the pool very much. Looking forward to the end of the rainy season.
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Sounds like a great read! Congrats to Dan on the release! Thanks for hosting, Miriam. xo
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Thanks for stopping by, Jill, and thanks again to Miriam for hosting. This has been a fun week.
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Thank you for your comment, Jill. I agree that Dan’s book is a great read we all can enjoy.
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Thank you, Miriam, for helping our mutual friend advertise his book. I enjoy his imagination.
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Thanks GP for following these posts. Miriam has been so kind. This support was beyond my ability to imagine.
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You deserve it, Dan!
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Thank you for stopping by, GP. Dan has a great imagination and has the skills to show it for us to enjoy.
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Indeed!
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😊
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All the best to Dan for the launch of his series! It sounds like a winner!!
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Thanks Liz. This week has been a great start. I’m overwhelmed by the kindness from this community.
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You’re welcome, Dan. 🙂
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Thank you, Liz. I got the copy but haven’t read it yet. I’ve followed the tour along and loved what Dan talked about in the book. It’s a very interesting book people can relate to!
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You’re welcome, Miriam.
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😊😍
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Wishing you all the best, Dan. I love the story of how this book came to be. This is an amazing community.
Miriam, thanks for hosting.
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It is an amazing community, Staci. People are so willing to share what they know and introduce me to their followers. The support I’ve received made this possible. I can’t thank Miriam enough for the help she has provided. Since I follow Story Empire, I’ve also benefited from your experience and advice. It’s all wonderful. Thanks!
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And I apologize for making my favorite mistake – Story Empire – I don’t know why I always think it’s ‘express.’
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So sweet of you to say. Thanks, Dan. I’m glad we’ve been of help to you.
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We all do that, Dan. It’s ‘Story Empire’ right now!
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I agree with you, Staci. This is an amazing community to support each other. I’m thrilled to see you and others here to celebrate Dan’s success.
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Thank you so much, Suzette. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I’ve come to enjoy your poetry.
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Thanks Claire. I like that word – wordsmith. It has a nice sound. I enjoy writing, and I am thrilled to be at this point and to have the support of wonderful people like Miriam, and the encouragement from people like yourself. I hop you have a wonderful weekend.
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Reblogged this on No Facilities and commented:
I am wrapping up this week of visiting authors and bloggers on the west coast with Miriam Hurdle. Miriam was a guest at the bar, not long ago, and she prepared most of the promotional images used in the book tour. She has been more than supportive of me as I bring this first novel into the world. Please head over to her place to read this latest entry.
I want to than everyone for the outpouring of support you’ve shown this week. I am especially to those people who have read Knuckleheads, and left positive reviews and comments. I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I will be closing comments here, but I’ll follow them at Miriam’s.
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I’m trying to whittle my overflowing Kindle down, but I’ll make room for Dan’s book.
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Thank you so much, Pete. I know what it’s like having a tall to-be-read pile. I appreciate your adding me to the stack you’re trying to shrink.
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Thank you. I know the feeling, Pete! It’s our ongoing effort to thin out the Kindle. With so many good books like Dan’s coming up, you just can’t resist keeping to add more!
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Great to learn a little more about Dan’s book, Miriam. Good for him in completing this project and keeping his blog going with his popular challenge, #Thursday Doors. Dan has an enormous amount of creative energy. Thanks for sharing this so we can all learn a little more about Dan.
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Thanks Marsha. I appreciate your support at No Facilities and Thursday Doors. This was quite a different project, but I am thrilled to have been able to get this far, and I am overwhelmed by the support from Miriam and others.
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I’m thrilled for you. I’ll have to give it a read. 🙂
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🙂
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Dan has been writing for a long time, Marsha. It seems to be a natural flow to him. It’s wonderful to see his books. Thank you for stopping by. I’ll see you soon. 🙂
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So fun to see Dan here, and to catch up on his endless creativity as a wordsmith!
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I think my reply landed higher in the list, Claire. I have been having problems leaving comments all week.
Thanks Claire. I like that word – wordsmith. It has a nice sound. I enjoy writing, and I am thrilled to be at this point and to have the support of wonderful people like Miriam, and the encouragement from people like yourself. I hop you have a wonderful weekend.
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Good to see you, Claire! I’m glad Dan is retired to have time to do all the fun things. Thank you for stopping by.
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That’s wonderful, Suzette! I have my copy also. It’s going to be a treat reading Dan’s book! His 2nd and 3rd books are coming up very soon. Thank you for stopping! I appreciate that.
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I know it will be, Miriam!. I am glad to read them in order starting with this one. Thanks again for the showcase of Dan’s book.
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That’s great, Suzette. I get behind a lot of time.
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Me too👍
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🙂
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Thank Miriam for a lovely share of Dan’s new book. I have my copy ready for my summer reading list. Congratulations Dan!
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My original comment landed higher in the group, Suzette. I hop you enjoy Knuckleheads as much as I’ve come to enjoy your poetry. Thank you very much for your kind words and support.
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I am certain that it will be a fabulous read. Thank you for your support as well. Blessings to you Dan.
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