TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Haggle »
The Voyeur
The Enabler
Harry Waddell's Pole
That Which the Surgeon General Missed
The Heat Pump
The Sick Man
The Waddell Factor
The Dark, Smelly Hole
The Drive
The Long Flight
The Winner »
AVAILABLE NOW!
Jim W. Coleman's fourth book, a collection of short stories, has been released in time for the 2005 Holiday Season!
Originally published in 2004, this new "Deluxe Edition" (273 pages) comes with brand new stories, new updated Author's Notes and is bound in a larger, easier-to-read size.
The new book, published as a 6x9 inch paperback, is a great gift for your loved one who loves to read.
The question I hear the most is this: "Where is the world do you come up with this stuff?"
This book, "Level Heads XE: The Deluxe Edition," is my answer to that question. Following each story, you will find a page or three of information about the story: where the original idea came from, how the story was developed, and more. The comments are written to benefit those who strive to develop writing projects on their own, and provide valuable information to those who struggle with creative concepts, sustainability or writer's block. All that for no additional charge. Again, I encourge you to put this on your wish list today!
ROD SERLING WOULD TIP HIS HAT!
XE, as I call it, is a perfect entry into my writing for those who have not yet read a Jim W. Coleman book. Basically, it's a collection of short stories written over the last 20 years. Some are very humorous, some are a bit scary, some are creepy and some might just make your toes curl. But one thing they all have in common are their endings - unpredictable and on-the-edge.
You see, my inspiration while writing this book was Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone." Each story is like a "Twilight Zone" episode in and of itself.
A man recognized me on the street the other day and told me that he'd just finished XE. "Jim," he said, "if Rod Serling were still alive, he would tip his hat to you." What a compliment! Another said, "I am halfway through the story about the guy who is trying to quit smoking. You hit it dead on, Jim. Good job!"
The book, newly available on amazon.com is my latest and also my best. Additionally, it contains samples of the three previously-published novels, plus a peek into the upcoming novel: The Rogue.
After each story, you'll find several pages that explain how I got the idea, how the story developed and what inspired me to write it. These are the questions I'm asked most often and this book answers those questions. In almost every case, people are surprised to find out that little, ordinary things we all see and experience every day inspire the stories in the book.
WHO IS THE GUY ON THE COVER???!
When coming up with ideas for the cover, I needed to find a rough-and-tumble tough guy with whiskers, tattoos, etc. When I ran into Ralph Everson at work, I just knew he was it! With great fear and trepidation, I asked him to model for me. (Go ahead...you ask a big tough guy to model for you and see how far you get thrown across the parking lot!) In all actuality, Ralph is a giant teddy bear with a big heart. He drives a big truck and works in the Bremerton, Wash. area. Say hi to him if you run into him in a grocery store or a neighborhood saloon.
Oh, and the heat pump on the cover is the heat pump that sits out by my driveway on Ranch Drive. That alone might give you the heebie-jeebies after you read this book. :)
