Blog Archives
The Meteor Symphony: Stories and Poems
The Meteor Symphony is a colorful mix of short stories, poems, and microfiction, stitched together with music, humor, grief, and hope. It moves from tales of jazz musicians and stolen saxophones to intimate portraits of aging, love, heartbreak, and resilience. Some pieces lean into whimsy, others lean into sorrow, and many hover in the strange, honest space in between. The title story ties it all together with an imaginative search for a lost symphony, but the book itself feels like a symphony of voices, moods, and rhythms.
I enjoyed the range in this book. One page had me laughing at the absurdity of a sax heist, and the next had me sitting with the weight of a widow’s quiet grief. Burke writes with sharp clarity, yet there’s also a looseness in her storytelling that feels natural, like listening to a friend talk late into the night. I loved that she didn’t try to polish away the odd details. People misstep, conversations derail, feelings clash, and it all feels real. At times, the jumps between stories and poems felt a little jarring, but in a way, that’s what made it lively. The collection refuses to settle into one mood.
I also found myself connecting with her fascination with ordinary people. She doesn’t write grand heroes or villains, but flawed, funny, messy people. That resonated with me. Her style is direct but not cold, and she doesn’t shy away from emotions. Some of the poems hit me harder than the stories, brief as they were, because they carried that distilled punch of truth.
I’d say this book is best for readers who like variety, who don’t mind skipping from lighthearted banter to heavier reflections, and who enjoy the intimacy of short-form writing. If you’re open to being surprised, amused, and sometimes gutted all in one sitting, Burke’s collection is worth your time. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves music, who has wrestled with family, or who has ever paused at sunset and felt the ache of beauty and loss in the same breath.
Pages: 114 | ASIN : B0DTJ37FVK
Last Episode
The book tells the story of Mark and Ilona, a married couple drifting apart, wrapped in petty arguments, television addictions, missed connections, and quiet despair. Their life unravels in small humiliations and sharp little moments, where love and bitterness mix until it’s hard to tell them apart. What begins with a spat in a gym escalates into a portrait of two people who can’t quite meet in the middle. The novel is full of irony, awkward humor, and raw sadness, as it peels back the layers of a marriage stuck in stasis.
Reading it, I felt both frustrated and strangely tender toward these characters. Ilona is maddening, with her endless TV watching and excuses, but I could also see myself in her inertia, that feeling of wanting life to change while doing nothing to make it happen. Mark is no better. He’s smug, distracted by work, and so blind to his wife’s pain that it almost hurts to watch him miss the obvious. Yet he still clings to her. He still wants to save something, even as he sabotages it with his own arrogance. I caught myself rooting for them and then, two pages later, wanting to shake them both. The writing makes you sit in that discomfort, and it works.
What struck me most was the bluntness of the prose. The language is plain, sometimes even harsh, and that gives the story its power. There are no grand speeches, just small conversations that sting because they feel true. The humor is dark and awkward, the kind that makes you laugh and then feel guilty for laughing. At times, the dialogue felt almost too on the nose, but maybe that’s the point. The book is unafraid to show people at their pettiest, their most foolish, their most ordinary, and somehow it makes that ordinary mess compelling.
I’d recommend Last Episode to readers who like their fiction sharp, uncomfortable, and painfully honest. It’s not a hopeful love story, and it doesn’t hand you easy lessons. It’s for anyone who has ever sat across the table from someone they loved and felt like strangers, for anyone who has wondered how small habits can hollow out a life. If you’ve ever laughed at the absurdity of your own arguments, this book will hit home.
Pages: 50 | ISBN : 1912831139
Anecdotes and Observations
In You Don’t Have to Be Famous to Write a Memoir, you share a story of a life well-lived from your childhood in post-war America to your travel and career adventures over the years. Why was this an important book for you to write?
There are several reasons I wrote this memoir. I wanted to reminisce and remember events and people who were important in my life. Writing this memoir gave me the chance to do that. Revisiting those memories was an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Equally important, I wanted to leave behind a record of my life for my children and grandchildren. Like many, I now wish I had asked my parents and grandparents more about their lives—but I didn’t, and now it’s too late. This memoir fills that gap. It offers my family not just stories about me, but glimpses into the lives of their grandparents and great-grandparents. I also wrote it for my cousins and friends—people who shared parts of this journey with me—and finally, for the general public. I wanted to produce a story that is entertaining (it is filled with humorous anecdotes and observations, quotes, occasional jokes, fun facts, and bits of boomer wisdom) and relatable, showing you really don’t have to be famous to have a life that is worth sharing.
Is there anything you left out of this memoir that you now wish you had included?
No, not really. Of course, in writing a memoir, you choose what to include and what not to include. There are other stories I could have included, but I am satisfied with the ones I did include.
Did you learn anything about yourself as you were putting this book together?
Writing this memoir has helped me see just how fortunate I’ve been—and how truly blessed my life has been.
What advice would you give to someone considering sharing their own story with readers?
Early on, decide the tone of your memoir. Is your memoir going to be reflective, nostalgic, somber, serious, or confessional? The tone I chose was conversational with understated humor. I wanted the readers to feel like we were two old friends sitting in a coffee shop, reminiscing about our lives. I am a fan of trivia (which I call “fun facts”) and humorous quotes, so I knew I wanted to weave lots of them into my memoir whenever possible, using my life stories as springboards.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Irony is Overwhelming
Coming of Age in Retirement is a funny, thoughtful, and eye-opening memoir-meets-social-commentary about stepping away from a high-powered advertising career and fumbling through the uncertain terrain of retirement. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I was at the point in my life where I was trying to understand the intricacies of life in general and retirement life in particular. The more I thought about my existence, the less about it I understood. I was lost without my nearly 50-year career, my work-friends, the national TV commercials I wrote and directed, the production shoots that I executive produced, and my packed schedule that included more than 180,000 hours of work I had amassed. It wasn’t replaceable, and certainly not in an instant.
I took to heart the words of the Buddha, who said, “There is no path to happiness. Happiness is the path.” And that clicked with me. From that clickage came my new book, which is my path of revelation and enlightenment. I had heard time and again that the transition into retirement, for many, wasn’t as simple as it appears to be, so it was important for me to share my struggles, fumbles, and missteps in hopes that others might learn from my ineptitude.
What is one of the biggest misconceptions that social media and advertising try to convince people about retirement, and what is the fallout when the truth is revealed?
The misconceptions are so prolific, I barely know where to begin. But the takeaway for anyone, regardless of their age, is that the perceptions about retirement, in many shapes and sizes, are dictated to us — both positively and negatively — by advertising agencies and their employees, who, in many cases, are 25-year-olds. The irony is overwhelming that the impressions created about retirement are messages developed by juniors who know nothing about seniors. It’s sorrowful, but also damaging and damning. In my book, I prove this beyond any doubt.
So, what we have are either perceptions of retirement bliss, mostly in an effort to sell retirees something, either a product or a service, or retirement angst, also in an attempt to sell us something, but by way of fear of losing everything. There’s no effort to empower retirees, only a well-established effort to devour us.
There is prolific research that shows purposeful advertising impressions of seniors and the elderly to be incompetent, technologically incapable, lonely and sad, without purpose, and to be physically wrinkled, dotted with age spots, and even imagery of us drooling. This couldn’t be further from the truth. My retired friends, and I have hundreds of them, are probably in better shape than people I know who are half their age.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It’s difficult to whittle it down, but I think your Editor-in-Chief, Thomas Anderson, did an insightful job when he reviewed my book and wrote, “This isn’t a how-to. It’s not about finances and hobbies. It’s about getting honest with yourself. About reckoning with who you’ve been, who you might become, and what matters in the time you have left. For me, it was both a reality check and a relief.” I think that’s right.
And I also think we owe it to ourselves to be ourselves and not what we are supposed to be because of these myths and stigmas that surround seniors and the notion of what retirement is supposed to look like, which, incidentally, we think of as so American. In fact, most of what we know retirement to be is almost completely shaped by what retirement is in other countries and continents. I would also add that it’s important to find your path, not someone else’s, or some guidebook on how to retire happy. There’s no formula, no concoctions, and certainly no elixir that guarantees some sort of happiness spritzer.
What advice do you have for individuals approaching retirement or who have recently entered it?
Of course, the advice I’ve always given to people, whether it’s business advice, retirement advice, or matters of the heart, has always been, “Don’t take my advice!” That said, I will tell you that I’ve heard from dozens of people and reviewers who have received the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of the book that they wished they had read the book before they retired. I do remind them that it’s never too late.
Aside from the fact that this sounds swollen-headed, and I’m typically not that way, I would say read the book; there’s literally never been any book written about retirement the way this manuscript is written, and certainly nothing has ever been written about the history of retirement from the perspective of an ad man, the unblemished truth, supported by one fact after another, how our perceptions of retirement are not our own, and the notion of failure in retirement transitioning, my own, in such a raw and honest style.
Author Links: LinkedIn | Website
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter, by Bertie Stephens, is a quirky and fast-paced middle-grade adventure that blends science, humor, and environmental themes with a heavy dose of curiosity and chaos. It follows the story of Ellie, an 11-year-old self-proclaimed scientist living in the endlessly rainy town of Hapsie. After witnessing her brand-new school go up in strange purple flames, Ellie is drawn into a mystery that includes jam jar experiments, mysterious adults, glowing embers, suspicious teachers, a secret science club, and a new girl who seems just a little too perfect. Armed with a fierce love of science and a head full of questions, Ellie digs deeper into what’s really going on, and ends up discovering more about the world (and herself) than she bargained for.
The writing is seriously fun. Bertie Stephens has a wild energy in his prose that feels like Roald Dahl with a scientific twist. There’s a real rhythm to the way he plays with narration, slipping in clever asides and running gags that make you grin without feeling overdone. The world-building in Hapsie is rich in detail, from a pothole nicknamed “Stego-hole” to an art teacher who inexplicably wipes down students’ faces with talcum powder. It’s packed with oddball characters and moments that are both funny and surprisingly touching. I loved how the book never talks down to the reader; it trusts kids to understand big ideas, and that trust feels earned. The science woven into the story isn’t just accurate, it’s exciting. Ellie’s obsession with the periodic table, her experiments with rainwater, and her balloon hypothesis all made me want to pull out a notebook and start investigating things myself.
Ellie is a joy. She is relatable, sharp, stubborn, and delightfully flawed, but Kami, her main “rival,” didn’t feel quite as developed early on. I found myself wanting to understand her a bit more beneath the confident, polished surface. Some of that depth does come through later. I loved the fast pace and witty writing. While a few moments felt a little rushed or slightly tangled, there were still plot twists that surprised me in the best way. This is a story that’s bursting with creativity, warmth, and just the right amount of scientific mayhem.
Ellie Ment and the Material Matter is one of those rare stories that feels smart and silly in equal measure. It’s great for curious kids who love science, adventure, or just getting into a little trouble in the name of learning. Teachers and parents will appreciate its environmental message and the way it champions creative thinking without preaching. It reminded me how important it is to question the world around us and to never accept “that’s just the way it is” as an answer. If I had this book when I was eleven, I would’ve read it twice.
Pages: 284 | ASIN : B0F6T1ZMFX
The Substi-Tooth
In The Substi-Tooth, by Kristin Manty, readers are whisked away on a sun-soaked beach adventure with young Austin and his mother. From the moment they arrive, Austin dives headfirst into the day, splashing through the waves, digging in the sand, and soaring his kite high into the sky. But there’s a tiny distraction he just can’t ignore: a wobbly tooth on the verge of falling out. With every activity, Austin can’t resist poking and wiggling it, determined to help it along.
Eventually, the tooth does come out, and Austin is thrilled. The Tooth Fairy is sure to visit him tonight! But his excitement quickly turns to panic when a large wave crashes over the sandcastle where he hid the tooth for safekeeping, sweeping it away in an instant. With the prized tooth gone, readers are left wondering, will Austin recover it in time? Can the magic of the Tooth Fairy still happen?
This charming story is a joy to read, offering fun and heartwarming moments that children of all ages will appreciate. The opening scenes of Austin and his mother heading to the beach capture the simple, meaningful joy of spending time with family. Through Austin’s excitement and playful energy, young readers are reminded of how special shared moments can be.
The narrative cleverly centers on the loose tooth, a small but relatable childhood milestone. As Austin clutches the tooth in triumph, there’s a real sense of anticipation, only for it to be dashed when the ocean intervenes. The wave’s sudden arrival adds just the right touch of suspense, pulling readers in as they anxiously turn the pages, hoping for a happy resolution.
Kaori Iha’s illustrations appear on every page, rendered in warm, earthy tones that perfectly match the story’s tone and setting. Each image feels thoughtfully placed and richly detailed, bringing Austin’s beach day to life.
The Substi-Tooth is a delightful picture book with endearing characters, an engaging plot, and expressive illustrations, making it a standout read. Whether at bedtime or in the classroom, it’s a story sure to entertain, spark imagination, and leave young readers smiling.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0F2GS7GPC
I Wrote to Remember
I Finally Have the Smoking Hot Body I Have Always Wanted is a wildly honest, heartbreakingly funny, and beautiful tribute to your late mother, sharing with readers your mother’s bold personality and her passion for life. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Because watching someone you love disappear in slow motion – while sitting across the table from you, eating toast – is surreal, maddening, and in many strange moments, hilarious. Writing this book was how I made sense of it.
It gave structure to the chaos of Alzheimer’s and honoured the woman my mom was before, during, and even after her death.
She was vibrant, feisty, and deeply funny ( sometimes unintentionally), and I wanted readers to get to know Mom and realize just what an incredible woman was taken from us and from the world.
I wanted readers to know that Alzheimer’s erased pieces of her slowly over time, but not entirely…some of those pieces were just rearranged.
I wrote to remember, to grieve, to laugh, to educate, and to honour every single person affected by Alzheimer’s – and hopefully, in the process, help someone else feel a little less alone in their own upside-down world.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your family’s story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
It wasn’t the big dramatic moments that were hard to write- it was the quiet ordinary ones that were the most difficult to write about …they knocked the wind out of me.
The moments when I saw her doubt herself. When she looked at us with her eyes searching, trying to remember or to find the right words… hoping we’d fill in the blanks.
Writing about her confusion, her fear, reading her hospital records, and the way her confidence evaporated-that gutted me.
And maybe the hardest part? Owning up to my guilt about not having spent as much time with her as I might have, and that I wasn’t her primary caregiver. My dad and my sister were. They were in the trenches daily. I have endless respect for all the full-time caregivers who show up day after day, holding it all together.
During the brief reprieve I gave here and there, I felt heartbreak, more guilt, and helplessness.
Admitting it and writing that on paper made it real, and once published, I couldn’t take it back.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
Heartbreak and humour can—and often do —co-exist. That grief can be sneaky and slow and yet, darkly funny. That caregiving in all its forms…matters.
A reminder to always use the “people first” approach. There’s real dignity in that. Being remembered for the WHOLE person they were and not just the Alzheimer’s patient they became.
I also wanted to challenge the notion that writing about illness has to be sterile or solemn. Life is not tidy. Relationships are messy, and family dynamics aren’t perfect.
So, I wrote something messy, funny, painful, and true…because that’s what the journey was…
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your mom’s story?
I hope readers walk away thinking about their people-the ones who shaped them, annoyed them, challenged them (maybe drove them a little crazy), and loved them anyway.
I want them to feel compelled to tell their stories…even if there’s guilt, cracks, or unresolved issues. Especially if there is. There is healing in the process.
AND I hope readers realize that humour doesn’t minimize the pain – it makes space for survival.
Above all, I hope they fall a little in love with my Mom …because she really was pretty cool.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Instagram | Amazon
A moving, yet darkly funny, memoir.
Writer, Barb Drummond, grew up in a home filled with crazy antics, love, laughter, and an exceptionally unique and zany mother. Who else had a mom who specifically baked cream pies to throw at people she loved?
Her mom, however, drew the short straw by getting Alzheimer’s in her 60s. She lived with the monster for twenty years, and the disease stole her vibrant personality and voice. When Sybil died, an ordinary obituary just wouldn’t do. She was a glamorous Renaissance woman filled with creativity; a former ER nurse who saved lives; she was what movies are made of.
Barb wrote the quirky obituary with her mom’s voice. No one could’ve predicted her mother’s wild obituary would go viral within 24-hours-worldwide! The New York Post, The Irish Times, The London Times, The Huffington Post, CBC TV & Radio, Global, CTV, Hamilton Spectator, and many more media from Australia, UK, USA, and Singapore, spread the word to millions.
Hundreds of thousands of people internationally soon read about Sybil Marie Hicks and her smoking hot body and they wanted more!
Barb’s memoir takes you into her mother’s life and into the media whirlwind when her mom became an instant world-wide celebrity AFTER she died.
In this hilarious, quirky, and poignant memoir, I Finally Have the Smoking Hot Body I Have Always Wanted, Having Been Cremated, you’ll fall in love with Sybil and wish you’d known her in real life.
(Even if she’d smoosh a cream pie in your face!)
Winning is Not Always Winning
MATE takes a unique look at marriage through the lens of a chess match in which each phase of the relationship is examined with play-by-play commentary. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This was my first and, probably will be, my only, relationship book. The challenges were many. I had to restrain myself from judging the couple’s actions. Since “the game” happens on a subconscious level, I didn’t want their behaviors to be extreme. The book revels in making the everyday, seemingly insignificant things said and done to be monumental and epochal. Only they don’t know it. Hence, the use of the commentator, who may get a tad overwrought in the interpretation and importance of their actions. Also, I had to purge myself of caring who was the winner in “the game”. The commentator addresses this early on. Winning may be not be really winning. Winning a game may actually be detrimental, but the players will never see why.
How did your idea to use the chess metaphor evolve as you planned and wrote this book?
I started with the Chess scheme. It had been on my mind for many years. The chess/marriage idea seemed natural. “War” might be extreme. You could call it battles. The conflict and friction that I dwell on was probably influenced my reading the work of R. D. Laing in the 1970s. His book Sanity, Madness, and The Family had an impact on me.
What do you find is the most difficult aspect of writing about relationships?
The most difficult part was trying not to forget to include the many aspects and perspectives on their relationship. Each other, the kids, the friends, parents, the in-laws, not mention the other innumerable sources of conflict. Ultimately, it took a long time to write the book because of the nature of the narrative. There were few opportunities to elaborate on the details of their conflicts except for the times the commentator rhapsodized about certain episodes and the games that were summarized and did not advance move by move.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from MATE?
Because MATE took a long time to write, causing me to think too much about different ways to engage the reader. Two examples: One, leave some blank pages after a chapter and have the reader rewrite how he or she would have the chapter on the children or the living arrangements would go. Second, at the end of the novel, leave eight to ten pages and have the readers write the “game” of their own marriage – it would be interesting to compare the woman’s to the man’s version.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Facebook | Amazon
LITERARY TITAN 