The Very Best of Big Table Publishing, Volume One and Two

      These two volumes, released recently in all their iridescence, have the very best writings of Big Table Publishing. I am honored to have two pieces in each. Robin Stratton has run Big Table for fifteen years, and the place feels like home and the writers feel like family. In Volume One I have a poem This Is Where I Am (When Here), from Chief Jay Strongbow is Real, and an excerpt from my novel Grand Slams: A Coming of Eggs Story, entitled Happy Birthday from Grand Slams.

     In Volume Two, Robin picked the flash piece, Jack from Every Day There is Something About Elephants. Also included was the excerpt Inside the Mind of Brad's Therapist from The Thursday Appointments of Bill Sloan. 

Here's the rest of the Family

List of contributors, volume 1

 Timothy Gager, Lawrence Kessenich, Phillip Temples, Annie Stanzel, John Cuetara, Brad Rose, Christopher Bullard, Brady Peterson, Jane Banning, Mark Saba, John Stanizzi, Jim Gustafson, Karen Kelsay, Elizabeth Szewczyk, Lyle Roebuck, Robert Hilliard, Paul Beckman, Judith Blake, Nancy Scott, Nancy Stohlman, Thomas Lyons, Tina Barry, Rodger LeGrand, Laurette Folk, Vic Sizemore, Amye Archer, Burgess Needle, Jennifer Jean, Susan Hodara,, Joan Potter, Lori Toppel,Vicki Addesso, Michael C. Keith. Glenn Bowie, George Ovitt, Christopher Reilley. Jon Sindell, Robert Scotellaro, Carol Lynn Grellas, Jennifer Martelli, Martin McCaw, Liz Ciampa, Rebecca Leo, Richard Fox, Cindy Lurie, Keith Tornheim, Cheryl Pallant, Judy Hogan, Steve Klepetar, Meg Tuite, Nancy Gerber, Zvi A. Sesling, Tony Press, Lorraine Davis, Craig Fishbane, John Gifford, Brian Fanelli, Rex Stockton, Rob Dinsmore, Ebby, Lois Cuddy, Nina Bingham, Zack Kopp, Renuka Raghavan

 Table of Contents, volume 2

Amye Archer, Brady Peterson, Doug Holder, Richard Fox, Cindy Lurie, Jon Sindell, Keith Tornheim, Jim Gustafson, John Stanizzi, Jennifer Martelli, Cheryl Pallant, Judy Hogan, Steve Klepetar, Laura Rodley, Phil Temples, Robert Scotellaro, Meg Tuite, Tina Barry, Nancy Gerber, Glenn Bowie, Zvi Sesling, Tony Press, Chris Reilley, Lorraine Davis, Craig Fishbane, John Gifford, Brian Fanelli, Elizabeth Szewczyk. Rex Stockton, Jennifer Jean, Laurette Folk, Rob Dinsmoor, Lois Cuddy, Rodger LeGrand, Robert Hilliard, Nina Bingham, Liz Ciampa, Zack Kopp, Christopher Bullard, Michael Keith, Renuka Raghavan, Maureen Sherbondy

Tomorrow will be Nine years of sobriety....so here's my story, and also an appearance on podcast, Recovery Happy Hour

 So tomorrow is another day, but it's also a day that I'm nine years sober, and on a great podcast,  hosted by Tricia Lewis!

Listen to a podcast that came out today called 
Recovery Happy Hour 
(click the above link and listen. I come on at the 7 minute mark)





--------------Now, here's my story-----------
I came out of a blackout here at The People’s Republic in Cambridge. It was November 6, 2010, 1:30 AM, and it was, in fact, right on the stool slightly to the left of the bar tap. I always liked sitting in the corner.

The very seat is back left...

      I didn’t know where the  friends I came with were but the next day they were no longer my  friends on the account of my behavior.  One of the people that left me during that night, a night that I hardly remember, went home and overdosed.

     Today, all I know, because I can look it up, is that I hosted The Dire Literary Series that night which featured Victor David Giron, Michael Atwood and Leo Racicot.

     I also know that my drinking had been bad for a long time. I’d been blackout driving for the past year. People would call me the next day saying they’d been on the phone with me during these times and were worried that I was going to die and probably take people with me.  During one of these phone calls I told someone I was entering the Mass Pike in the wrong direction.

     I survived that night but I had taken people with me. Besides alienating friends, my children told me that they were afraid to spend time with me. I had swings of anger. I embarrassed them when I was drunk.  On November 6, 2010, I woke up feeling horrible and desperate. I decided to give it a honest attempt at becoming sober.  I attended a 4 PM meeting in Needham and so far, I have never had another drink.

     Since then, I’ve been happier. My moods remain for the most part pretty stable. I have support from others. I am a better person. I have some good friends I can tell anything to. Most of all I’m not afraid to be honest. This is the greatest gift. Being honest isn’t that bad at all and by doing so, life is much easier.

     Tomorrow will be nine years without alcohol, but it’s not about the years, it's about living through each day--all    of them. Keeping the thoughts to only one day is pretty easy. In hindsight, I should have held off posting this until another six days, but I get very reflective upon things that happen to me.

     There have been some big challenges recently in my life, which in the past would have been devastating and destructive to me personally. Instead, I’ve been able to think about how grateful I am for my life, rather than focus on the negatives, such as what I have lost or almost lost.  These recent events in my life have really sucked. They have made me upset angry and most of all, sad. I am able to see that these are real and honest emotions. Life is full of real events. Not every day is good and often it is far from it, but life is life, and I can't control that either–but I’m here…I’m alive…and I love.

New work out in "Better Than Starbucks," "Broadkill Review," and a nice review for "Spreading Like Wild Flowers."

So November brings a few things that I'm grateful to be involved in. First a flash fiction called The Four Kings of Harmony is out Better Than Starbucks.
     Personally, I'm a Starbucks drinker, so being better than my cup o' Joe is damn good. Of course, if it means that they are rubbing things in Starbucks face---I'm okay with that too. Better Than Starbucks is available in on line format (link above) and also in two print versions which you can purchase. 1)  Economy and 2) Premium.  
     The story behind this story was that I was in my office talking to a co-worker about THIS MILLS BROTHERS SONG., so my mind goes to records and '45's, which are vinyl things you play music off from a thing called a record player. Then it leads me to '45,' our 45th President. Well read the story, it's veiled politically (well, okay, not really)

Also in their November Issue
The Interview: Tendai Rinos Mwanaka & Five Poems. Featured Poems: Barbara Loots, AM Roselli, Evan Guilford-Blake, Xuanjie Huang. Free Verse: John Grey, Emily Strauss, Susan Richardson, L.R. Harvey, Doug Pinkston, Luis Cuauhtémoc Berriozábal, and more. Haiku: Gerry Fabian, Sarah Calvello, Andrea Cecon, Paula R. Hilton, Tate Lewis, Goran Gatalica and more. Formal & Rhyming Poetry: Richard Wakefield, Alfred Nicol, Aaron Poochigian, Jennifer Reeser, Jean L. Kreiling, Chris O’Carroll, and more. Free Verse: Heather Brett, Yahia Lababidi, and more. Poetry Translations Janice D. Soderling, Michael R. Burch. International Poetry: Kushal Poddar, Zohar Teshartok, and more. African Poetry: Lazola Pambo, Emmanuel Stephen Ogboh, Ibrahim Sorie Bangura, and more. Poetry Unplugged Arthur Powers, Sonia Beauchamp, David Gershan, and more. Experimental & Form Poetry: Stephen Bett, James Swafford, and more. Fiction: Jonathan Ferrini. Flash Fiction: Clive Aaron Gill, Timothy Gager. Creative Non-Fiction: John Haymaker.


-------------------------------------------------------------------

     Also out today is a poem Existential Crisis, in The Broadkill Review out of Milton, Delaware. This is a "found poem," from an on-line message conversation, where my friend was talking about her day's existential crisis. I love borrowing---borrowing Mills Brothers lyrics to make a political story, and the awesome words from others, telling me about their lives (with approval, of course.)

Linda Wlodyka

-------------------------------------------------------------------
A few weeks before my book, Spreading Like Wild Flowers was released, I read with amazing poet Linda Wlodyka at the Great Falls Word Festival. held in Turners Falls, Massachusetts at The Shea Theater. When the book was released she bought a copy, and reviewed it on Amazon.
The review was delightful and I greatly appreciated the time and effort from any reader, but from another poet is extra special. 

5.0 out of 5 stars

 Poignant and Riveting

October 30, 2019

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

The phrases Timothy Gager chooses in his poetry I find smoldering and profound. It's like waiting for the other shoe to drop while standing on the threshold of passion. In his recent publication "Spreading Like Wildflowers," he expresses pathos and also looks at the nuances in life with deft realism. Sometimes it feels like reading cause and effect, yet it's the be-cause that I find riveting. The poignant moments are tender, and the not so poignant ones make one want to say to themselves "suck it up it's only life." I particularly love, "Connections of a Bridge." It is packed full and generously waiting for Gager's readers to find how bridges make all the difference. Thank you Timothy for delighting me with the first poetry collection of yours I have read. 

Linda Bratcher Wlodyka, poet. Cheshire, MA

 

Happy Nomination, Sweet Sixteen

My newly birthed book, Spreading Like Wild Flowers ( PURCHASE IT HERE) was nominated for a Pushcart Prize by Big Table Publishing. It was nominated with these other fine people and books. Overall it's my sixteenth Pushcart nomination. A nomination, some might say, isn't a big deal.  In fact, John Fox says so. Well, I think it's an acknowledgment of all the work published by any given publisher, that out of everything they saw and reviewed this year, yours was one of their best. I still list it in bios (sorry John Fox), because, you know, sixteen nominations is good stuff. Thank you to Robin Stratton, Editor and CEO at Big Table. She's the absolute best!

Tina Barry for "Beautiful Raft"

Timothy Gager for "Spreading Like Wild Flowers"

Christopher Reilley for "One Night Stanzas"

Rob Dinsmoor for "Toxic Cookout"

Jon Sindell for "The Pugilist Poets of Venice."

Sweet 16

How to purchase my latest book, Spreading Like Wild Flowers----

You can buy, Spreading Like Wild Flowers, 
using the suggestions below, but you can also buy any of the books below







Every Day There is Something About Elephants

Chief Jay Strongbow is Real,

Grand Slams: A Coming of Eggs Story

The Thursday Appointments of Bill Sloan 
or any of my books 

                                              the exact same way 

1. Through me, Paypal, (ctgager37@yahoo.com) $15.00   on my website (paypal)

You make out with no shipping, I don't charge any.
Author makes out from you buying direct.
Paypal takes some of the money, unless you use the gift button.

2. Though me, Credit Card, $15.00

You make out with no shipping, I don't charge any.
Author makes out from you buying direct.
Paypal takes some of the money, because this option is through them

Contact me with your credit card numbers (sounds a little sketchy, I know. Sorry).






 


3. Though me, Venmo 
@Timothy-Gager, $15.00

You make out with no shipping, I don't charge any.
Author makes out from you buying direct.
Paypal takes some of the money, unless you use the gift button.

4. Though me, Check, $15.00 (google the word check if this confuses you)

You make out with no shipping, I don't charge any.
Author 's best option.

Contact me for my mailing address. ctgager37@yahoo.com

5.  Through your favorite Indy Bookstore $15.00 + brief wait

You make out by getting the book. Ask store to order with  ISBN-13:  978-1945917363 
For other books Amazon page has the number
Author  makes out by  very small royalty.

6.  At Amazon $14.99 + shipping 

Kindle $7


You make out by getting the book.
Author  makes out by sales number increase on site and the very small royalty. Can you say a dime?'
If you buy from a outside seller listed on Amazon, author gets ZERO






7.  Though Barnes and Noble,  website $15 + shipping, store $15

You make out by getting the book.
You pay a penny more
Ask store to order by ISBN number   ISBN-13:978-1945917363
Author  makes out by sales number increase on site and the very small royalty.

8.  By coming to a reading or appearance. If you don't,  I'm sure I'll have some hanging around, if you bump into me. The trunk of my car. My closet. At work.

You make out by getting the book, saying hello, and hearing an entertaining read. I'll get to thank you. I'll even sign it..
Author  makes out by you buying direct, getting to say hello to you, and receiving all my gratitude--and no shipping cost for me.

Upcoming Readings 2019-2020

With Spreading Like Wild Flowers due out in late October, here is my line-up for appearances---more to be announced. 

 




















Sat., October 12, 2019 Turners Falls, MA

Great Falls Word Festival, 4:00 PM

Upstairs Shea Theater
71 Avenue A
Turners Falls , Ma


Featured poet reading with Tom Timmons, Terry S. Johnson
Jon Wesick and TBA





Book Release Party
Sat., November 9, 2019 Somerville, MA

Center for the Arts at the Armory, 4:30 PM

Cafe
191 Highland Ave
Somerville , Ma
 
Book release for Spreading Like Wild Flowers, with Special Guests





Fri., December 6, 2019 Dorchester, MA

Unearthed Song & Poetry, 7:00 PM sign up, 7:30 show

Home.stead Bakery and Cafe
1448 Dorchster ave,
Dorchester , Ma


Featured poet reading with featured musical act




Sun., December 22, 2019 New York, NY

Great Weather for Media Event, 4:00 PM

Parkside Lounge
317 E Houston St,
New York, NY
 
hosted by George Wallace

 Thur, January 23, 2020 Roslindale, Ma
 Rozzie Reads Poetry, 7:00 PM
 Roslindale House, Community Room
120 Poplar Street,
Roslindale, Ma.
 
Featuring with Pui Ying Wong




Sat., January 25, 2020 Boston, Ma

Boston Italian American Writers Association Event, 6:00 PM

I AM Books
189 North Street,
Boston, Ma.


Featuring with another Italian-American writer
hosted by Julia Lisella and Jennifer Colella Martelli.





Wed., March 25, 2020 Lynn, MA

Speak Up at the Walnut Street Cafe, 7:30 PM

Walnut Street Cafe
157 Walnut Street,
Lynn, Ma

Featuring at this wonderful series, with an open mic

"Joe the Salamander," Semi-Finalist in 2019 Holland Prize

The winner of the first-ever Holland Prize for Fiction from Trnsfr Books has been announced!

Look for Rebecca Fishow's stellar debut story collection The Trouble with Language in 2020!

Finalists Dan Hoy and Mike Kleine's collaborative novel Where the Sky Meets the Ocean and the Air Tastes Like Metal and the Birds Don't Make A Sound will also be published in 2021!

Cheers to these incredible semi-finalists:
- Timothy Gager (for Joe the Salamander)
- Brooks Sterritt (for The History of America In My Lifetime)
- Christian TeBordo (for The Last Days of Science)
- Joan Wilking (for A Sign of the Times)



     I don't mind losing to the people on this list---Rebecca, Dan, and Mike get well earned books. I get to blog about not minding the results (bad joke. Too soon?) . Side note...on May 4, 2018 Rebecca and another of the Semi-Finalists, Joan Wilking all read in New York at KGB, F-Bomb Series. Joan and I drove down together from Massachusetts  and had the BEST time. Lot's of laugh and really bad food at 2 AM on the way home---all was open was a KFC and all they had was "Big Bowls." The  food was the actual punch-line.  Somewhere, May 5, 2018, on Route 95 North....chicken, mashed, corn in a bowl ended up in my trunk.


 
 

Joan Wilking, May 2018, KGB, NYC

Rebecca Fishow, May 2018, KGB, NYC

Synopsis

Joe The Salamander (69000 words) follows Joe, a quirky man, mostly, from birth through age eighteen. Joe, a born people-pleaser, only chooses to say the word, "Yes," to everyone, except his mother, Mille, who he has unconditional trust with. The other woman in his life, Laura, his nurse on-duty at the time of his birth, becomes a life-long friend of his and his family.

Joe, overwhelmed by loud or extreme stimuli gets through life by wearing various costumes but loves Superman in his various television/movie forms. As he gets older, he finds comfort by wearing a Superman costume under his regular clothing. It is only after his parents die tragically on 9/11 that Joe stops feeling safe through the Superman strategy, because even Superman couldn't prevent such a catastrophe.

Throughout the novel, Joe's inability to successfully interpret life's sights and sounds, combined with his singular word language use, causes him to be placed in situations which work out in ways, not intended. His mother tries to increase Joe's independence so he could eventually survive on his own, but after her death, Joe is left to figure things out on his own.  

 As he hits his mid-thirties, and entirely by desperation, he goes to the local costume shop to buy the bigger, and better Superman costume he had seen to help him to re-enter society using an old coping mechanism.

            Joe The Salamander, takes a sensitive, and human look at what it is like the stimulus of the world are challenging, and also how misunderstood and beloved people are within the spectrum

THIS is the cover for soon to be released, "Spreading Like Wild Flowers"

     Finally here is the front and back cover of "Spreading Like Wild Flowers." I expect the book to be out in November, which is just in time for my readings in Dorchester and New York.  

     This replaced the less dramatic blue one. It had the wild flowered photo, but the light blow wasn't very "strong."

     Originally I prematurely announced the cover this pale green one, with the old, less wild flowered picture. It appeared on my website until today.














     The very first model was the one I made myself....which is very rough, but it gave my publisher an idea of what I was thinking. Here it is below.  Well, I hope you had fun---because I sure went crazy.