I can’t believe it’s been a week already!

October 4, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

It seems like 5 minutes ago, I was in Charlotte, NC, at James Tabor’s conference, staying in that beautiful hotel!!

Honestly, where does the time fly to, gang?? It is mind-boggling.

Here’s something I wanted to mention about the book signing yesterday:

Two different times, young women (19 or 20, tops) came up to buy a copy of my book. They were excited to buy it. Because they already had heard about it — but not through social media. I found that extremely interesting, especially since no one is reviewing the book, except for Ron Bass, and it doesn’t seem to be selling very well. So I have no way of knowing how people are responding to it.

It seems to be word of mouth.

So, I just found that really, really interesting. Here’s hoping it continues.

The whole event was such a strange experience for me, since all the book signings I’ve done in the past were when my books were really well known. And people came to the event specifically to see me.

Yesterday, except for my friends who stopped by to be supportive, no one had a clue who I was. Plus, it was only me. I thought 2 other writers were going to be there signing, as well, but it was just me. With a table of books, in an empty (but really pretty) mall.

So I really was thrilled to sell almost all the books I had brought with me. I hadn’t expected that.

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Also, on the New Guy front–

We spoke briefly on the phone yesterday. He got to Florida just fine, but his AC is out and it’s 90 degrees Fahrenheit there right now, so he has to sort of drop everything and fix it…

But we had a nice chat and it sort of seems like we’re in a “relationship” — in his opinion. Which is actually totally fine with me.

Sadly, though, I found out why he prefers to get to Florida before Christmas. One of his sons died from cancer many years ago, and then his wife died a few years ago. And so he doesn’t want to be in Ohio anymore at Christmastime.

But he said yesterday on the phone that maybe next year, he won’t head down to Florida until after Christmas. So we shall see, gang.

(He wouldn’t want to miss this insanity, right?? So, we’ll see.)

Simple, downhome Christmas.. Nothing fussy.

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Okay!!

I have an odd mix of “here’s this’s” today.

Someone on Facebook considered this to be the “greatest rock band in the world”… Hmmmm. I’m guessing that I couldn’t agree more! (Rolling Stones, 1969)

And here’s that Happy Family of Rock!!

Keith, Anita, Marlon…. long, long time ago, gang. Marlon is a grandad already.

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Here’s this!

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Stan Lynch, the original drummer for Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, released a song he wrote & sings (with his band The Speaker Wars), in honor of Tom Petty on the 9th anniversary of his passing the other day.

It is just beautiful!! The song and the video.

Stan Lynch and the Speaker Wars – High Flying Bird (Official Video):

“High Flying Bird”

What do you see from way up there
What’s it like in that soft clean air
Quiet calm and understood
Ode to a high flying bird
Flying bird
Flying bird
Flying bird

Must be sweet to have no plans
But how do you know when it’s time to land
Stunning view so I’ve heard
Ode to a high flying bird
Flying bird
Flying bird

I know you’re out there flying round
Hidden in the broken clouds
Will you be singing when it’s my turn
An ode to a high flying bird
Flying bird
High flying bird
High flying bird

c – 2026 Stan Lynch

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And I think ALL of these are from Facebook–

I’ve posted this before, but just a reminder that rock & roll is serious business, gang.

Nick Cave & Iggy Pop!

Have no idea why this is titled “Lost”– but here it is! Nick Cave, lost!

And here’s this!! Couldn’t agree more!

And I know for sure I’ve posted this one before, but I love this photo!! Including but not limited to that shirt!!

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And that’s it for the “here’s this’s”!

Meanwhile…

Valerie in Brooklyn and I are both very excited that Season 2 of “Ludwig” is finally coming to Britbox here in the US!! It starts Oct. 13th!! Yay!!

We both totally adored Season 1…

And BTW — a little update on Valerie .

Even though her hands have both healed nicely from the surgeries, she is now having a terrible ordeal with her eyes. Cataracts and macular degeneration. She is hoping to get surgery by late October, but it might not be until November. And meanwhile, the idea of doing the Writers & Artists mini-podcast is starting to look like it will not happen.

But I guess we’ll see, gang. I could do it by myself, but it just doesn’t seem like it would be nearly as fun.

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Okay!

I officially start back to work tomorrow!!

I am really excited, gang. It’s looking like my schedule will be Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. About 20 hours a week, total. Then the rest of the week will be for my writing projects.

I really think this is going to be a great balance for me.

Meanwhile–

I’m gonna go get the laundry finished here.

Enjoy your Sunday, wherever you are in the world, gang!!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this !

From 2 days ago already —

The Rolling Stones – Mr Charm (Official Video):

Final tally!

October 3, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

My dear friend Kara did indeed show up toward the end of the event and bought the Lucky 13th copy!!

So, considering I expected to sell about 3 copies, and since the Ohio State football game was going on and the place was dead, I think it was a complete success.

And the owner of the bookstore invited me to come back next year and sell any new titles and/or old titles if I can get copies of them, so, yay.

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And while I was doing that, the owner of the health & wellness store texted me and asked if I can start on Monday!

Okay. Hope your Saturday was great, gang!

See ya tomorrow.💖

A cool update!

October 3, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

12 books sold now… almost out of stock!

One of my former writing students from 10 years ago showed up to buy a book! He saw the ad on Facebook! Drove an hour to get all the way out here. It was so cool to see him. He brought along his 5 month old son!🥰

Considering it’s not too busy…

October 3, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

I have sold 6 books so far!!!😺📚

Just now… There’s an Ohio State University football game today. So the world stops. But still!!!

Update about tomorrow

October 2, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

It occurred to me, gang, that I won’t be able to post to the blog in the morning.

I’m going to want to get to the bookstore early, and before I leave for town, I will probably want to try on 14,000.02 outfits!

You know, to get the look just right!!

Especially since I will be seated at a table the entire time!!!

I will maybe try to post some photos from the book signing while it’s going on, if it isn’t crowded or anything. (I’m expecting about 3 people to show up: Kara, Wendy, and Debbie. But we’ll see…)

Okay. More from the Historic Arcade in Newark, Ohio, tomorrow afternoon!!

See ya, gang!!

📚📚📚🌹

Wow. What a great morning.

October 2, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

Even though it is supposed to rain all day…

Before I talk in detail about my great morning, let’s do this!!!

Happy birthday Richard Hell!!!! Born this day in Lexington , Kentucky, in 1949!!

Smoking, gun-toting, shade-wearing, black & white, in NYC, 1976!! (Photo by Roberta Bayley)

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And on a more somber note–

Tom Petty has been gone 9 years, as of today. I hope he is having the time of his (after) life!

Mature Tom!! Shade-wearing, writing, guitar-playing in black & white!!

Attitude Tom, 1 & 2!! Smoking!!

(The only song of Tom Petty’s that I ever played live in NYC folk clubs!! “Don’t Do Me Like That” !! 1979)

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It’s time for the Story of the Week over at Brown Hound Press!

And it’s a really good one!! (And the editor claims the story is the author’s first publication! And it was submitted as a typewritten manuscript! Wow!)

“And the World Was Wide Open” by Willie James Bess

You can read it HERE. (Free)

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From Johhny Depp this morning!

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Here’s Gram Parsons in one of his many Nudie suits!

And here’s this! Gram, with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, “In My Hour of Darkness” from Grievous Angel, 1974:

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A couple of Stones smoking — but Brian has TWO!!!!

KEITH (looking away, quietly thinking): “Greedy bastard.”

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A couple of great ones — Jack Kerouac, October!

And if you STILL haven’t read or listened to On The Road, get with it already!! He only wrote it 75 years ago!! God purposely made cigarettes and amphetamines so that we could HAVE great literature like this!! What are you waiting for??

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All right!

It has become clear!!

He is WITH the band!! Not hanging out in the audience!!

From Bad Seed Jim Sclavunos yesterday (meaning that, if you were waiting on me, you missed the show in Porto!):

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Facebook has let me down, gang. They had photos of Nick Cave, but not any good ones today.

I had to go to the desktop stash for this one:

Nick Cave!! (Wondering: What the fuck is the deal with Facebook??)

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All righty!!

Here it is: “The wonderfully true tale of LUNCH and how it went!!”

Wow, gang.

I’m not even sure where to start. I can at least start by saying again: What a nice man. And it is safe to also say that it looks like we’re officially DATING.

Even though he leaves for Florida later today. So it’ll be “long distance, over the phone” dating for a while. (He’ll be back for a week in January, to check on his house — furnace, water pipes, etc.)

We share the same sense of humor and he is so easy to talk to. He says the sweetest, while totally unexpected things. For instance:

“You should enter a beauty contest, you know, in the category of women your age — you’d win that, easily!”

Okay, here are a few things, in no particular order.

In all the best ways, I feel like my dad is back. This guy is taller than me, bigger than me, older (mid-70s), he gives great hugs, he’s smart and he likes to laugh, and he can fix absolutely everything.

And he has plenty of money and property (3 homes in Florida and one across the road from me!).

But 2 of the homes in Florida are up for sale. He loves to buy older homes and rehab them and then sell them. He can’t stand being retired and needs to stay busy… The one remaining home that he is keeping (and living in) has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths and is really pretty– he said (more than once) “Come visit me in Florida! I’ll pay for it! I’m all by myself now.”

He’s a widower with grown children and a couple grandchildren.

And probably most importantly of all!! He owns an enormous RV. He keeps it parked on some property not far from my house, where other campers are parked, but his is in an isolated area because it is huge.

(BTW, he was showing me all this stuff on his phone while we were at lunch.)

I love RVs and campers. I love to go camping. But this RV is 2 stories tall. It’s nothing like the campers of the 1960s. The bedroom is upstairs. It looks a lot like this, but this is not his:

He said, “I really hope you’ll come out and see it. It’s just sitting there now.”

And then he showed me the view outside the upstairs bedroom window — green fields and tons of trees . He said, “You could run around naked out there and no one would see you.”

I thanked him for the head’s up on that…

Anyway. He is of course retired. He worked various kinds of construction his whole life. He’s very down to Earth and just very nice. And after lunch, he came inside for a few minutes to meet the cats and they seemed to really like him, too.

He did not ask me anything specific about my life yet, he was being very polite — he knows I’m divorced, that I’m a writer and that I lived in NYC and worked in publishing for about 30 years. He didn’t ask what kind of writing I do, so I didn’t tell him. I have decided I’m not telling him anything unless he specifically asks me. (Oh, and I mentioned I’m returning part-time to the health & wellness store in town and he has actually shopped there before, because his son is into natural healing and health food, etc.) (He grew up, got married and raised his family in that area of town where the store is now, a long time ago, when it was still just cornfields and farms.)

So we’ll just see how it all goes.

We texted quickly this morning around 6AM and he does indeed use smiley-face emojis!!

I thanked him again for lunch yesterday — I really did have a nice time with him. And he texted back that he feels “good vibes”! (So, yes, we are both kinda OLD!!)

But I’m excited to see where it goes. We’ll likely be talking on the phone for 3 months before I see him again. So I should have a pretty good idea by January.

Meanwhile!!

That’s it for today, gang! Gotta work on the M. Christian anthology now, and tomorrow– my book signing!!

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Enjoy your Friday, wherever you are in the world!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this today!!!!

I don’t think it needs any explanation. Enjoy, gang.

“It had nothing to do with pills and booze!!”

October 1, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis 2 Comments

No. I was totally sober.

I simply did not know until after I’d posted to the blog yesterday, that I missed a couple of birthdays!!

Happy belated birthday, Marty Stuart!!

And happy heavenly birthday, W.S. Merwin!! He would have been 99 yesterday!

For his upcoming 100th birthday next year, the WS Merwin Conservancy in Hawaii has plenty of really cool things planned. My favorite is this:

“A new podcast is in the works, by way of a collaboration with Hawaiʻi Public Radio. It will highlight the voices of some of our writers-in-residence, carrying their vision, and the work made while here on Maui, across the ocean.”

To find out about all their upcoming plans, and to sign up for their newsletter, visit HERE.

Meanwhile, here’s one of my favorite poems by WS Merwin:

“A Single Autumn” (2008)

The year my parents died
one that summer one that fall
I moved into the house
where they had lived their last years
it had never been theirs
and was still theirs in that way
for a while

echoes in every room
without a sound
all the things that we
had never been able to say
I could not remember

doll collection
in a china cabinet
plates stacked on shelves
lace on drop-leaf tables
a dried branch of bittersweet
before a hall mirror
were all planning to wait

the glass doors of the house
remained closed
the days had turned cold
and out in the tall hickories
the blaze of autumn had begun
on its own

I could do anything

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Okay!

If you’re a writer doing anything Singapore- or Asia-related, be sure to check out Jee Leong Koh’s Singapore Unbound and sign up for their newsletter:

“A transnational literary organization based in NYC, Singapore Unbound envisions and works for a creative and fulfilling life for everyone. We do so through the subversive, innovative, and empathetic powers of the arts, especially by amplifying underrepresented voices.”

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And here’s a trip down Memory Lane–

My own foray into Singapore unbound in NYC! 1981!

Me and Chong, our first Christmas!! (Chong, my first husband who now lives in Seattle, was born & raised in Singapore.)

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And here’s this!

Warren Ellis and his pup, Tupac, had an urgent update for us last evening, about vomiting in cars!

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And here’s this update from Nick Cave Official:

“Nick Cave has collaborated with PETA on a limited-edition merchandise collection featuring his original illustration of a dog and a rat alongside the organisation’s “Every Animal Is Someone” slogan. The collection includes T-shirts, tote bags and tapestries, with all proceeds supporting PETA’s work.”

You can shop HERE!

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And that’s really all I have for today. It was already 2PM when I got home from my job “re-application” yesterday (I had to fill out a bunch of tax forms, etc.) —

BTW, this is where I’ll be working again, part-time. My favorite Health & Wellness store! Comfrey Corner of Heath!

And once I got home yesterday, I had a bunch of little things to tend to.

Including but not limited to:

I had the cutest conversation with the man I’m going out to lunch with today.

We were over in his driveway, confirming our plans.

Then he said, sort of quietly, while glancing nervously over at my house, “There isn’t anyone who’s going to, you know, put a gun in my face because I’m taking you to lunch tomorrow, right?”

How cute was that??!!

I assured him that, no, there was no one on Earth who cared if I went out to lunch with him… Then he totally relaxed. He is so sweet.

Anyway.

We’re going here! Applebee’s, in Muskingum County! (Where basically everybody owns a gun!!)

And then tomorrow, he leaves for Florida for the winter.

What is it with all these people who go to Florida all winter and miss the thrill of Christmas in the snow & icy winds of Ohio???

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Well, anyway. I’m looking forward to lunch today.

And then, when I get back, I will focus on the M. Christian anthology!!

Enjoy your Thursday, wherever you are in the world, gang!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this!

If you have the time — it’s an hour and half long — I am really enjoying this. Although it’s taking me a while. I can only watch it a couple songs at a time before I have to go focus on something else.

However.

Absolutely classic Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers! 1978! I was only 18 back then. So hard to even believe that.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers: Live at Winterland 1978 (Full Concert Experience) (1 hr 32 mins) Enjoy, gang:

More good news!

September 30, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

I did indeed get my old job back!

I’ll be working part time at my favorite health & wellness store!

I love that place, and I’m still friends with everyone who works there.💖

It turns out that it was a relief for the owner! It saved her having to post an ad, take applications, do interviews, train someone.

She was actually really happy that I wanted to come back.

It’ll probably be a week or so before I start.

I am so looking forward to being around people again but still having time to work on my writing projects.💖

Keeping track of all the departments!

September 30, 2026 marilyn jaye lewis Leave a comment

Today is going to be all about taking care of loose ends, gang, before I get really busy — and then also washing my hair!! (Tomorrow I’m supposed to be going to lunch with the gentleman across the street!)

Because, also, tomorrow — the official deadline for contributing stories to the M. Christian tribute anthology arrives. So, beginning tomorrow, I will have my editor’s cap on a lot. Here’s hoping it won’t mess up my hair!!

So with all that hard work in mind, let’s tackle some of these loose ends together!!

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In the “Guess What Day It Is” Department:

Here’s this!!

Happy heavenly birthday Marc Bolan!! Born September 30, 1947 (and gone by September 16, 1977):

And here’s this, appropriately enough! “20th Century Boy,” performed on England’s Top of the Pops, 1973:

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And in the “I had a feeling this was gonna be a good one”‘ Department:

Rave reviews are in for the one-man show, “How Shakespeare Saved My Life,” at the Public Theatre in NYC!

You can still BUY TICKETS HERE

“ONE OF THE TOP ONE-MAN SHOWS I’VE SEEN THIS YEAR”— DAVID WALTERS, THE FRONT ROW CENTER

“A deeply moving testament to transformation, forgiveness, and the power of finding one’s voice” –Deirdre Donovan, Off Off Online

“Brilliant showcase of his dramatic range.”—Kenji Fujishima, TheaterMania

“Ming-Trent’s talent shines through as he portrays a wide range of characters.” —Thom Geier, Culture Sauce

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In the “I actually didn’t know that” Department:

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In the “I’m not really clear if he’s gonna be onstage or in the audience” Department:

From Bad Seed Jim Sclavunos:

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And this next one falls into 2 separate departments–

The “Updates on my dog’s relieving himself in the live studio” Department

And the “I’m not really clear if it was Warren who swallowed the button after playing his viola or the dog did” Department:

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From the “Cool things my heroes said when I was a wee bonnie lass” Department:

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From the “Cool things my heroes are currently doing” Department:

Ronnie Wood has 2 new portraits of Jimi Hendrix, along with some other Jimi Hendrix prints, on display right now at the Handel-Hendrix House in London!

You can buy prints of the new portraits HERE.

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From the “Cool things my heroes did together a long time ago and I wish I could have been there” Department:

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From “The only reason Facebook is cool” Department:

(And if you are not American — the song referenced below is an old-timey song sung at every baseball game throughout eternity.)

(And if you are American, don’t even THINK of singing even the opening line to this song, or it will get stuck in your head the whole fucking day!!)

This next one also fits into 2 separate departments–

In “The only reason Facebook is cool” Department

And the “I could look at this photo everyday for the rest of my life” Department:

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And I think that covers all the departments for today!!

I am still kinda flying high from that Lammy nomination my publisher made for my new novel yesterday. (See post here if you missed it.)

“Lambda Literary nurtures and advocates for LGBTQ writers, elevating the impact of their words to create community, preserve our legacies, and affirm the value of our stories and our lives.”

And this next thing was so cool — it appeared in my Instagram feed yesterday. Not an account I had heard of before, but apparently she was having breakfast with my publisher!!

And in case you live anywhere near Newark, Ohio, please don’t forget to join me on Saturday afternoon! Books will be on sale at the event.

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And I guess that is it!

Oh — I am having a great time looking at the private app James Tabor setup for our conference memories — looking at everyone’s photos and reading everyone’s comments really makes me wish I was still in that wonderful hotel with everyone in Charlotte!!

Okay!

Have a wonder-filled Wednesday, wherever you are in the world, gang!

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya!

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Let’s close with this.

I am still reading Conversations with Tom Petty (2005) and Tom was talking about what a thrill it was to hear Johnny Cash’s version of Tom’s classic, “Southern Accents”.

So, of course I had to drop everything and listen to it! (I also played it many times on my trip to town yesterday.)

So here it is for you!

Johnny Cash, “Southern Accents,” from his album American II: Unchained, 1996. Enjoy, gang.