Welcome to the first edition of Fireside Notes.

Reading and writing go hand-in-hand, without writers, there would be nothing to read and without readers, writers would have no audience. And, although, Ernest Hemingway once said, “I have to write to be happy whether I get paid for it or not,” most writers probably would like to be paid and have an audience. Therefore, Fireside Notes is dedicated to both readers and writers, and we hope to address some of the concerns of both as we progress.

For our readers, we offer our first six publications: The Second Annual Journal of the Creative Writers Notebook: A Book of Short Stories (The First Annual Journal has been sold out); Rambling Through Life Or A Collection from a Roving Mind; An Agent Speaks: Secrets of Submitting to an Editor or an Agent; Englehardt: The Story of a Family; Beyond Forever; Deadly Visions; and Cry of the Loon.

Growing out of the Creative Writers Group in The Villages, Florida, a national newsletter for writers, The Creative Writers Notebook, offered a contest for the writers of short stories a couple of years ago. The winning stories, along with several Honorable Mention stories and a selection of other worthy entries was published as Fireside Publications’ first endeavor and quickly sold out. The winners of the second contest appear in the current Second Annual Journal with the stories that run the gamut from comic to deadly serious and all points in between. Some of the authors were prize winning writers before entering the contest and we are privileged to be able to include them in the collection.  It’s a great read and a great gift.

“I Ain’t Eatin’,” “The Day the Giants Came,” “Final Intrusion,” Susan the Vamp,”and “Lionel’s Cupid Arrow” are just a few of the thirty-eight titles in the book. See the Home/Book page to order.

For our writers: The contest material for the Third Annual Journal is in the process of publication; however, the fourth annual contest will begin soon. Email Managing Editor Mary Lois Sanders (mary.lois.sanders@att.net)  for information and/or to subscribe to The Notebook.

Rambling Through Life Or A Collection from a Roving Mind is a collection of newspaper columns that first appeared in The Villages Daily Sun. Written by Joan West, who describes herself as a writer who is also a literary agent and who has been penning the pieces for the past three years. Some ramble, as life tends to do, or at least as hers does; some are hilariously funny, as when she describes her forays into the kitchen (Joan is not a gourmet cook) or when she “dishes,” as he calls it, her husband, Glen; some are serious, as she delves into one of her past lives as a psychologist or another as a college professor. This book is in process and will be available shortly. Copies may be reserved.

Stay tuned. Other books will be described as they become available. Copies of any may be reserved.

For our writers: See our Contests page for ways to submit your work for publication with Fireside Publications. A short story contest, a contemporary novel contest and a mystery novel contest are currently in the mix.

For readers and writers: Give us your feedback. Let us know what you want to hear about in the newsletter. Email us at firesidepubs@comcast.net with your suggestions and comments.

Until the next issue, thanks! Keep reading and writing!