A Writer's Blog

The Last Three Days of #Vegas

8/5/2017

the last three days of Vegas

The end of time keeps coming at us faster it seems and suddenly there are only three days left in Vegas (and it's really more like 2 1/2). Are there a lot of things to get done? More than we can possible accomplish in these hours? Whelp, we'll do what we can do and not stress too much about the rest.

It's only fitting that I simply don't have time to pause and reflect on any of my Vegas experience before leaving. This city can feel like a blurred rush of life, coming at you in an endless stream of promised party. It's a carnival, an endless vacation. But it's not. Just another spot on the map on this object named earth.

What will I think of my 8+ years in Vegas after I'm gone from here? I can't tell you. Unlike my last cross-country move from Providence area to Vegas - I don't feel anything for this city. It's empty and doesn't allow attachments. Most of the people here are in transition, fleeting faces in the cosmic meld of gambling, drinking, and whatever else it is that people do here (I never figured that out).

I came for a reason I can't quite remember, met my wife, and started a family. For that, I'll always have a spot for Vegas.

Beyond that, I can't even tell you what the hell happened here the last 8+ years.

It's true. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Soon, it's a road trip. See you in the photos of America.

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August 1st - First Day of My Last Month in #Vegas

8/1/2017

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August 1st
FIRST DAY OF MY LAST MONTH
IN VEGAS

Dear readers,

The time has come to leave Las Vegas. My health and other factors have combined to make this move a necessity. From a writing point of view, I'll be re-orienting the story back to Providence - where it was located for many years (even more than the eight I've lived in Vegas).

Due to the nature of the insanity of a move almost 3k miles and all the preparations for such a journey - I haven't had time to reflect on what it will mean to leave this city. Will I miss it, will this impact my writing and creative routines?

There are so many questions, so few answers.

I do have a few questions for my readers.

What casinos/spots in Vegas would you like me to visit one last time/write about on my way out the door (so to speak)? Tell me in the comments or on Facebook or Twitter or comment on this blog post.

In the coming days I'll post a tentative map of our proposed journey and ask if anyone wants us to visit them in a particular city.

For now - there's fiction posting at 11am PST. Enjoy the story.

I'll be posting often as I ready the family to flee Las Vegas.

Chat soon,

Stephen John Moran

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VIDEO - Social Media for Authors in the Age of #Trump

6/15/2017

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VIDEO Reading - Excerpt from SERVER - Day Adventure with Monkey

6/9/2017

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YouTube VIDEO - Reading and Short Description of SERVER

5/24/2017

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READING AND DISCUSSION
SERVER

Click the cover image or the link below to purchase a paperback copy.

PURCHASE SERVER

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The E-Book Edition of SERVER

5/10/2017

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SERVER
THE E-BOOK EDITION

The e-book edition of SERVER is now available at Amazon. Now that this book is finally published, after a long delay for technical reasons, I can talk about this book and what readers can expect.

Server tells the story of a working class anti-hero, a man that attempts to retain his sense of individuality in a society that demands you follow along with the road map of capitalism - or else.

Scott Holden is part waiter and part writer and those two halves do not mix. The identity of artist clashes with the mundane routine of serving tables. The exploits of capitalism fill Scott with dread and a sense of anguish at losing touch with his dreams of becoming a published writer.

He watches others pass him by, some not bothered by the rat-race of money accumulation that forms the basis of modern American life. Scott recoils against being reduced to a number or set of numbers on a performance review. Are we not more than the sum of money in our bank accounts?

Server catalogs Scott's inner demons and paints the moments and scenes those monsters begin to consume him, body and soul. He can't acclimate himself to modern American life and finds himself an abandoned stranger looking in from the outside - alienated man.

Many ask me - what type of book is Server? I can't give an easy answer as many will find something different in the pages. To me this is a horror story that creeps with the story-chapter installments towards a shocking ending I can't wait for you to experience.

Step into the world of Scott Holden.

I present Server - the e-book edition.

PURCHASE SERVER E-BOOK

PURCHASE SERVER PAPERBACK

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Sign Up List for Paperback Edition of SERVER

5/3/2017

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LIST TO PURCHASE
SERVER

I've ordered the proof copy for SERVER and the book will be available within two weeks. To those that have been waiting for the book - contact me, comment on this post or the Facebook update or Tweet to let me know you want a copy. I'll order one for you.

No need to pay up front. Just let me know you want on the list and I'll reserve one for you.

Thanks to all the readers that helped me at every stage with input on the cover and stories in the collection. Hopefully the long wait will be worth it.

The paperback price is $15, shipping included.

However, if you purchased The Terrorist of Providence Street and want to get the special edition, Server, I'll ship the new title to you for $10, shipping included.

Have a great evening,

Stephen Moran

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SERVER - The Complete Edition of The Terrorist of Providence Street

4/30/2017

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SERVER
THE COMPLETE EDITION
OF
THE TERRORIST OF PROVIDENCE STREET

Good morning from Vegas,

I can finally - after a year of delay - report to my readers that the special edition of The Terrorist of Providence Street - Server, is almost ready. The text is complete and all that remains are a few bits of publishing red tape.

For a long time I referred to the upcoming release Server as the special edition of The Terrorist of Providence Street, but more aptly - it's the complete edition. As some that follow this page know, I had a computer crash a few years back that erased/destroyed some of the stories from Server - including the title story.

Faced with that, I released the collection under a new name and a new vision - The Terrorist of Providence Street. However, the complete edition became possible when a long-time reader found hand written versions of Day Adventure with Monkey and Edmund - two of the three missing stories from Server. All that was left to complete the book was to re-write the title story Server.

That proved to be no easy task. I re-wrote the story no less than ten times, but none of the new versions captured the feel of the original. Finally, I had something of a eureka moment. I stopped trying to re-write the story from memory and simply wrote a new version. How can you truly re-capture the feel of a story nearly 20 years old? Likely you can't. So, a new version of the title story will lead the collection.

I have two questions for readers. Do you want me to add bonus content to the back of Server? Perhaps a short story or essay? Second - Shall I release the three stories that complete The Terrorist of Providence Street in a separate volume so those that bought the original can purchase the missing content without having to buy Server? Let me know your thoughts.

As for the timetable for publication - Server is in the last formatting stages. All that remains is deciding if I'm adding a bonus story (or two perhaps). This book will be available within a month.

Thank you to all the readers that helped shape this book - from reading stories or giving opinions on covers on Facebook/Twitter. I truly hope you enjoy the complete edition.

Have a great Sunday,

Stephen John Moran

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Thoughts on the Cover in Progress for SERVER

4/9/2017

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I've let this cover sit for a few days without making changes so I didn't rush in one direction or another. What do you think of it?

My thoughts are - it's a little too 'busy' and the red text is difficult to read. I wonder if blue might be easier to read.

Do you have any suggestions for a fix? Let me know in the comments or on social media. Thank you for any feedback you have.

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