Daniel McTaggart (r) & Theodore Webb (2012) Writer, editor, and accomplished poet Daniel McTaggart told me my latest short story, "Is Freedom on the Menu?," is accepted into a new anthology, "Diner Stories," to be published by Mountain State Press, based in Charleston, West Virginia. Many thanks to Cat Pleska, Mountain State Press president, and Rhonda Castle, administrative assistant, for their support for this project.
Dan is editing the book. It'll be packed full of fascinating stories by incredible authors writing about "mom & pop" diners.
"Is Freedom on the Menu?" represents a contemporary fiction tale with powerful echoes. It's set in Huntsville, Alabama: The story of Gladis Howard and her daughter, Erykah, as they sit at the lunch counter in Culbersons' All-American Diner and talk about the past with diner owner, Richard Culberson.
Here's an excerpt from Theodore Webb "Is Freedom on the Menu?":
Dan is editing the book. It'll be packed full of fascinating stories by incredible authors writing about "mom & pop" diners.
"Is Freedom on the Menu?" represents a contemporary fiction tale with powerful echoes. It's set in Huntsville, Alabama: The story of Gladis Howard and her daughter, Erykah, as they sit at the lunch counter in Culbersons' All-American Diner and talk about the past with diner owner, Richard Culberson.
Here's an excerpt from Theodore Webb "Is Freedom on the Menu?":
The lunch counter was a long, gleaming chapel of shiny chrome. Patrons felt like saints eating off the grill of a 1955 Chevy or large-finned Cadillac flying out of Detroit early post-World War II. The family diner threw folks back into a time when American automobile manufacturing was king; when a man could earn a full day's pay for a full day's work, a living wage enough to feed his family, to truly afford a home and decent life. That's what Richard's father, Nathan Culberson, had tried to do for his family; passing the diner down to his eldest son, Richard, the boy who washed dishes, who'd helped most in the kitchen over the years.
I spent a good solid three days in the bitter cold of January working on this story. Felt like I went through 30 drafts! But it was worth it. As you can see from the excerpt, Culbersons' All-American Diner took on a life of its own, becoming an integral "character" in the story.
Of course, many of the main themes/questions/philosophy regarding freedom are also highlighted in my "STARLING Series," currently available as in e-book format on Amazon.
"Is Freedom on the Menu?" may be my best short story so far. I have a deep, positive feeling about it. This is a story about our recent history (early 1960s) that I've had churning within me for years, but never quite knew how to write/say it until Daniel McTaggart encouraged me to submit to"Diner Stories." I owe him a debt of gratitude for his support/encouragement.
Dan gave excellent submission guidelines that quickly got me into the time/place/people; giving birth for the first time this special story I've had within me for so long. I'm very thankful to Dan for collecting/editing the "Diner Stories." Without Dan, "Is Freedom on the Menu?", and perhaps many other new stories, might not have been brought to life.
Mr. McTaggart is an expert on unique, locally owned "mom & pop" diners from West Virginia to New York state, where he experienced working in his family's diner.
Daniel McTaggart is the author of a wonderful poetry book, titled "Diner Poems" (2009). The poet has a fine eye for the key details many people overlook, the keys of our lives which can unlock everything. Dan's writing brings out the rich tapestry of diner life, interesting folks, communities and historical eras.
I highly recommend you "Like" Dan's picturesque Facebook page associated with his book, "Diner Poems," "a collection of paintings in poetic form of classic Americana," https://www.facebook.com/DinerPoems?ref=br_tf There are some terrific photographs on the Facebook page of numerous mom & pop diners, both past (1940s, 50s, etc.) and contemporary.
And be sure to bookmark/check out Dan's wonderful posts on his Diner Stories blog, http://dinerdan.blogspot.com/.
The exact release date for the "Diner Stories" anthology hasn't yet been announced. The Mountain State Press website says the anthology is scheduled to be published this year (2014). Stay tuned here to theodorewebb.com. I'll post an update as soon as it becomes available on how to order the anthology and related news.
Of course, many of the main themes/questions/philosophy regarding freedom are also highlighted in my "STARLING Series," currently available as in e-book format on Amazon.
"Is Freedom on the Menu?" may be my best short story so far. I have a deep, positive feeling about it. This is a story about our recent history (early 1960s) that I've had churning within me for years, but never quite knew how to write/say it until Daniel McTaggart encouraged me to submit to"Diner Stories." I owe him a debt of gratitude for his support/encouragement.
Dan gave excellent submission guidelines that quickly got me into the time/place/people; giving birth for the first time this special story I've had within me for so long. I'm very thankful to Dan for collecting/editing the "Diner Stories." Without Dan, "Is Freedom on the Menu?", and perhaps many other new stories, might not have been brought to life.
Mr. McTaggart is an expert on unique, locally owned "mom & pop" diners from West Virginia to New York state, where he experienced working in his family's diner.
Daniel McTaggart is the author of a wonderful poetry book, titled "Diner Poems" (2009). The poet has a fine eye for the key details many people overlook, the keys of our lives which can unlock everything. Dan's writing brings out the rich tapestry of diner life, interesting folks, communities and historical eras.
I highly recommend you "Like" Dan's picturesque Facebook page associated with his book, "Diner Poems," "a collection of paintings in poetic form of classic Americana," https://www.facebook.com/DinerPoems?ref=br_tf There are some terrific photographs on the Facebook page of numerous mom & pop diners, both past (1940s, 50s, etc.) and contemporary.
And be sure to bookmark/check out Dan's wonderful posts on his Diner Stories blog, http://dinerdan.blogspot.com/.
The exact release date for the "Diner Stories" anthology hasn't yet been announced. The Mountain State Press website says the anthology is scheduled to be published this year (2014). Stay tuned here to theodorewebb.com. I'll post an update as soon as it becomes available on how to order the anthology and related news.
Freedom Philosophy Click Pic! THEODORE WEBB, a co-founder of Morgantown Poets, actively supports authors of all genres, songwriters, artists and all human beings, in sharing their voices.
A poet, short story writer, and aspiring playwright, Webb is the author of the Dystopian fiction short novels, "Lifeline,” “Crucible,” “Colossus” and “Inferno,” which represents “The STARLING Series," available for ALL DEVICES VIA the FREE Kindle Reading APP: smartphone, PC, MAC, via Amazon.com.
All 4 books are also available as 1 volume, "The STARLING Connection." Webb's short stories are online, including "Desperate Engine" (Amazon) & "Family Hour" (Smashwords).
A poet, short story writer, and aspiring playwright, Webb is the author of the Dystopian fiction short novels, "Lifeline,” “Crucible,” “Colossus” and “Inferno,” which represents “The STARLING Series," available for ALL DEVICES VIA the FREE Kindle Reading APP: smartphone, PC, MAC, via Amazon.com.
All 4 books are also available as 1 volume, "The STARLING Connection." Webb's short stories are online, including "Desperate Engine" (Amazon) & "Family Hour" (Smashwords).
