Summer is upon us.

Friends,

I must admit to being a bit sidetracked, this summer, with other tasks keeping me from my writing. Numerous activities of a more mundane nature have assailed me and required my attention, and I have been taking long walks in the country to ease my mind and repair my soul. The photo at the top is from one of my jaunts, and oui, I was caught in that storm, but managed to find cover and enjoyed it immensely. I will take some time away from all of that in the way of a short holiday with a friend visiting us from the States, in the second half of this month. I do hope to get back to France for a bit, and I might even break into my strict diet for some pain, fromage et champagne! I do hope everyone is having a fun summer (and winter, for my Aussie compatriots). Play safe and keep smiling!

KJ

At last...

Friends,

If you have wandered through these pages, it is likely that you already know that Impaired Ocular Acuity and Other Demented Synapses is now available. It was a long process to bring it to this stage, and I have learned much along the way. I do hope you will take a moment to browse the previews offered on this site, and if what I have shared moves you to do so, order a book or two.

Enjoy, and feedback is always welcome.

KJ

Good news, and an apology...

Friends,

I must apologize for not posting excerpts from 'Not For The Moon,' and activities have kept me too busy to do so. There is also good news: 'Impaired Ocular Acuity and Other Demented Synapses' is finally being printed, in the UK, this week! I should have the books by the first week of May, if all goes well, an outcome which I anticipate. The page for purchasing books will be put up as soon as the books are in stock.

I also have good news for international readers: shipping from the studio in Germany to any country outside of Germany will be 6 Euros, and 4.5 Euros for Airmail in Germany. Not bad, eh? Yes, the book will be shipped in an appropriate cardboard container, much like Amazon uses. We do want the book to arrive unscathed, yes?

If you want to be alerted when the books are available, send me an email at: kj@kristophe.com and I will put you on the notification list.

Thank you for your many notes of encouragement, and support.


KJ

Spring is coming...

Yes, it is, and I am expecting what I hope to be the last proof before I print IOAAODS. It should arrive this week, or next. Cross your fingers for me. I have updated the hoped-for release times for 'The Other Lamb' and 'An Atheist In A Foxhole,' and I will be posting excerpts from 'Not For The Moon' later this month. This fourth book is scheduled for the first quarter of 2010, if all goes according to plan. Let us hope, yes?

I was recently asked how I juggle several books at the same time, and I can only say: I haven't a clue. I do not use an outline, nor do I start from page one, the title comes to be while I am constructing the story and I have never had writer's block at any point. It would appear that I am truly fortunate that some entity in this universe has blessed me with this ability to handle multiple tasks, and if I were to add the other projects, including The Boys of St. Precocious Academy, well......let's just say that Scotland needs to keep their distillers hard at work to lubricate my beleaguered talent. It wouldn't hurt if the cookie-makers kept up with those little shortbread things, either. They do help, I must admit.

Thank you one and all for your continued good wishes for my speedy recovery, and I wish you all the best of health and pleasures.


KJ

Back to work, soon...

I have returned home, to continue my recuperation, and while I am doing so I shall continue writing.

The latest proof has arrived, and I will review it next week, when I have the courage to open the package. I know they did not fix the cover colours, yet, so that disappointment will have to be addressed. This process has been so long and drawn out, and I just hope it will end soon, so that I can focus on the other books. I am not cut out for the minuscule details of editing, I assure you. Perhaps a single malt and a shortbread will bring the temporary cure I need.

KJ

It has been a while since my last blog on this page, what with the constant interruptions from surgeons and therapists, but I have managed to escape their studied attentions long enough to write this short note, and with any luck they will be unable to break down the barrier I have built behind the studio door - at least for a few minutes or so. Persistent buggers, they be.

I have posted a new story, which can be found in 'New Additions,' and was inspired by my time at the Dr. Baumstark Klinik, in Bad Homburg, in October, following the first surgery to repair my impaired mobility. If curiosity drives one to pursue the details of the rigors involved, feel free to do so by reading the blog at: http://www.myspace.com/kristophe_johansson. It was the worst of times, it was the worst still of times, but, I digress.

The story, 'The Promise,' was written after experiencing the visage of an older man, whose face seemed to hold no promise, in the face of his experience. It saddened me greatly to see it, and after sharing it with a boy of 19, and then a writer who has just reached his 80th year, their confirmation of its truth reassured me of the purpose for which I wrote this short story. It is an unavoidable truth which, with good fortune, all must face, at some point.

Because of my seven weeks of hospitalization, and rehab - to which I am about to return for another four weeks, the printing process has been on hold, for 'Impaired Ocular Acuity...' I hope to have it continue, in my absence, and be ready for release by the first of the year. Bless you all for your patience.

If I am unable to send out suitable greetings for the holidays, due to my confinement among they who wear the white coats and uniforms, then let me wish you, one and all, the best and happiest of holidays. Do remember that the best gift is the gift of love and attention, and all will succumb to their beauty. Trust me.

KJ

We are in the first steps with a printer from the UK, and we anticipate a couple of weeks for proofs to be printed and reviewed, and then the printing of the book for customers will commence. This has been a long road, and at times frustrating, yet I do sense that it has all been worthwhile. I sincerely hope my readers will agree, when they have the opportunity to acquire 'Impaired Ocular Acuity and Other Demented Synapses.'

'The Other Lamb' is coming along, and surprisingly, 'An Atheist in a Foxhole,' has over eight-hundred pages, and I will begin the process of editing while I am recuperating from surgery, next month. I also hope to get in more writing on the fourth book, 'Not For The Moon,' which is a story about a young teen in San Francisco, and his exciting discovery. I will try to have snippets from this book on the site by the end of October, when I return from recuperation.

I would like to thank everyone for their kind words of support, in emails and notes. They warm the cockles of me heart, they do. Merci.