 The Acorn Stories by Duane Simolke |
Congratulations
to Duane Simolke for the second edition of this book of short
stories—all written by him. Duane Simolke's first book, The Acorn Stories, will return with a second edition this fall, as part of iUniverse’s “Editor’s Choice” series. Simolke polished the dialogue and descriptions, while keeping the characters and situations the same. Gay readers especially love this book’s portrayals of closeted gay lives in a small Texas town, but readers of any kind can find characters here who remind them of themselves and the people they know. Anyone familiar with the play and movie "Greater Tuna" about a small town and it's goings on in the West Texas town of Tuna will enjoy this collection of interrelated short stories. Simolke has created a growing universe of characters, plotlines, places, and unforegettable scenes in this book—some funny, some poignant. In addition, he has developed the town of Acorn online. Visit there to find out more. The Acorn Chamber of Commerce. |
 The Acorn Gathering: Writers Uniting Against Cancer Edited by Duane Simolke |
The stories continue in this second collection—with a twist. Simolke invited other writers to contribute short stores for this book. All proceeds go toward fighting cancer. Visit "A Gathering of Writers" homepage. A vision Duane Simolke had for this book was that writers would contribute stories freely and that all proceeds from the sale would go to the American Cancer Society. Perhaps what he did not count on is that this "gathering" of writers has also produced an artistic realization rarely witnessed in anthologies. The various and individual voices of each story teller in this collection lends cadence and lyrics like an orchestra to a whole larger than the sum of its parts, from Simolke's humorous and "biting" "Fat Diary" to Shawna Chandler's haunting and beautiful "Flamenco Painter." Native Americans, Hispanics, African Americans, and even gay people delightfully form a cohesive voice in the fight against cancer and prejudice and hate. Also given voice, here, is how the destructive cancer of hate can ruin lives, and this message adds urgent notes in the orchestration of the whole. Read Bill Wetzel's two stories and you'll see how two disparate themes are unified by this collection; or read Huda Orfali's work and see how a continuing sub-theme is woven into this smart collection. In all, each story is a note or theme in a surprising whole. |
For information about Duane Simolke's wide ranging interests, writing, and activities visit Duane Simolke's central homepage.
Page 9