I’ve been planning for about a month to dedicate my next published work to my niece, Tammy Kalb, who has been suffering from brain cancer for a while now. Her father, my brother Jimmy, called this morning to say she was in a coma and that the doctors say she could pass on at any minute. They’ve been saying that for a couple of days now so we’ve all been bracing ourselves.
Jimmy, who is twenty years older than me, was already married and gone by the time I was born. But in my first fifteen years or so he used to come home at least once a year with his family. Tammy was his firstborn and was only about a year and a half younger than me. We played together a lot and got along very well. We were good friends and steady companions when she visited. After Jimmy and his family moved to England for many years, I didn’t see Tammy very often. I’ll always remember our days wandering across the farm, though, and that she was the first person to ever ride on the back of my old Suzuki motorcycle.
As some of you know, I’ve been working on a collection of noir tales, and I’d intended to dedicate that to Tammy. However, a couple of days ago I found out that an anthology I had submitted a story to hadn’t panned out and so I decided to epub that piece through Razored Zen Press and dedicate it to Tammy. The young girl in the story, Ehma, isn’t that much different from the Tammy I remember hanging out with. Both were tough girls, and Tammy is a very tough woman.
The story is called “Harvest of War,” and is a little over 5,000 words long. I uploaded it to Kindle last night and was surprised to see it had already been posted as of this morning. It’s on Kindle-only for the next 90 days. It’s a heroic fantasy story involving Orcs, the first such tale I’ve ever written. I owe a major debt of thanks to Scott Oden. Without his prompting I never would have written the piece. And many people owe a debt to Tammy Kalb, for all of her caring over the years. She is, and will be, remembered.
NOTE: Harvest of War is HERE if you want to take a look.
-----
-----
Charles, I'm very sorry about your niece, Tammy. You have so much you're dealing with right now and your family is in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteThat's a wonderful to dedicate the book to Tammy. I'll hop over to Amazon now.
Often moved by your thoughtful posts. This is another one. Dedicating your story to your niece is a fine way to remember her.
ReplyDeleteCharles,
ReplyDeleteI"m so sorry about your niece. That's a wonderful dedication. Much love to you, Lana, and your brother.
Alex, thanks, man. Tammy definitely is a cool niece to have.
ReplyDeleteRon, it seems like it's what I can do. Writing is something I enjoy so it feels a bit like sharing it with her.
Michelle, Thanks. My brother sounded pretty exhausted this morning and I can imagine why.
I hate to hear this, Charles. I'm very sorry to hear about Tammy. I'll add your brother and his family to my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHarvest of War shows as not being available yet, but as soon as it is, I'll buy it.
When I saw my daughter had dedicated her last novel to my recently deceased mother, it meant the world to me. I am sure this will mean the same to her family.
ReplyDeleteKeith, that's weird. I see that. But when they sent me a note this morning saying it was ready I clicked on it and it had the purchase information. 99 cents right there on it. I'll have to try and figure out what happened. Sigh.
ReplyDeletePatti, I find such dedications wonderful things as well, although I don't think everyone appreciates them the same way as we readers do.
Gosh, Charles, you're dealing with a lot of sadness, my friend.
ReplyDeleteyet another blow, charles, sorry to hear that - i'll add her and her family to my prayers/best wishes....
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that, Charles :( dedication is a very moving way to remember someone.
ReplyDeleteI hope some dau i'll be remembered on a way like this.
My best hopes are with you
I'm not sure what happened at Amazon, but Harvest of War is now available. Just bought it.
ReplyDeleteIt saddens my day when I hear of things like this and I'm sorry to hear about your niece, Charles. A nice dedication though.
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush, March has not been kind. That is certainly true.
ReplyDeleteLaughingwolf, thanks, man.
Deka, I dedicated a book to my brother-in-law when he was suffering from cancer. I don't have a lot of things I can offer people but it seems like something I can do.
Keith, well that's good. Some kind of weird glitch.
Oscar, thank you. I appreciate that.
Charles, you and your niece Tammy, are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteDon
Keeping you rock solid in my thoughts and prayers, man. Sounds like a swell story.
ReplyDeleteIt is a harsh trek through this veil of tears, my friend.
ReplyDeleteDon, thank you.
ReplyDeleteRichard, I appreciate it.
Bernardl, and it doesn't get any easier with the passing years.
Sorry you have so much on your plate right now. Carry on, Bro-
ReplyDeleteWarm Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
>< } } ( ° >
I'm so sorry to hear this. I can't put into words how much I hate cancer.
ReplyDeleteWe are all braced in an 'epidemic' of our age. Coping is what we all do in the fear and the rage of this. You have great heart, Charles, and this post is evidence. Thank you. Tammy and her family are part of my world now.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Tammy, looking forward to the tale however. All the best to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteWhy does this artistic project remind me, eerily, of Andrew Wyeth's "Christina's World."
ReplyDeleteCharles, from my personal experience, have something dedicated to you, do a great amount of good. Be sure you're doing it.
ReplyDeleteA very touching post, Charles. I am sorry about your niece. I hope you see the bright light at the end of the tunnel soon. Prayers and best wishes ever...
ReplyDeleteHang on Charles you're in the middle of a hell of ride right now.
ReplyDeleteI looked but didn't want to use my card til next month, it seems as if Kindle got their shit together. I'll get it then.
Cloudia, it certainly seems so.
ReplyDeleteTravis Cody, It's a horrible word, a horrible disease. I hope they get a cure soon.
M.M., thank you.
David J., thanks, man
Ivan, I do not know. I've always liked Wyeth though.
Deka, thanks.
Prashant, peace of mind. I sure would like some peace of mind.
Mark, I set it up like I did so that at some point it will be offered free for a few days. I wanted it to be that way for Tammy's family and friends particularly. I'm not sure when that will be. I'll let people know when that happens.
It is a wonderful dedication Charles, and you are a wonderful person.
ReplyDeleteCharles sorry to hear of your news. Your gesture is a noble one.
ReplyDeleteOceangirl, thanks.
ReplyDeleteRichard, I appreciate the kind words.
That's horrible news. My best to you, your family, and most of all Tammy.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading the noir tales (you can probably guess, that I'm a fan of the genre).
X-dell. the noir stuff will probably be out in about a month. I'm not sure. Things are pretty up in the air at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry, Charles. Life just seems to get harder and harder.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear about your niece.
ReplyDeleteJust got my copy, it will be one of my "short story a day" stories for tomorrow. Hang in there, brother. It can't rain all the time.
ReplyDeleteHi, Charles: Just checking in with you guys. Hope things will start looking up soon-for all in the family. Please tell Lana that her friend in Oklahoma is thinking about her. And sending good thoughts your way. Best as always. D
ReplyDeleteCandy, was a rather rough March for sure.
ReplyDeleteGolden Eagle, thank you.
Chris, I appreciate that, man
Donnetta, I tell you, we appreciate it for sure.
I don't know how many folks check back here after commenting, but I want to say this story is right up there with the best work Charles has done, and I've read quite a bit of it. I really enjoyed it. If you haven't checked it out yet, don't wait!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chris
ReplyDelete