Approved for release:
In July 1940, one man is an island. Continue Reading →
DEFENESTRATIONISM.NET — 2017 !FLASH SUITE Contest! — Finalist
I am again honored and humbled to be part of such a creative, thought-provoking, and artistic endeavor brought to us all by Professor Punk Reaves and eatstuf at defenestrationism.net.
Meet the 2017 FLASH SUITE Contest finalists
Welcome to defenestrationism.net reality. The Art of Throwing People Out Windows.
The FLASH SUITE Contest begins daily posting on Monday, Dec. 19th. My entry entitled “TWAS BRILLIG” was inspired by the works of Lewis Carroll and takes place on the English Coast in late 1940. My entry will post in multiple parts starting Dec. 26th.
Flash Suite entitled TWAS BRILLIG by Chad Ehler
The egg shaped glass gunner’s nose of the Luftwaffe HE-111.
Meet the finalists:
William R. Soldan received his BA in English Literature from Youngstown State University. He currently studies fiction and poetry in the Northeast Ohio MFA program and teaches English Composition at YSU. His work has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize and has appeared or is forthcoming in a number of publications such as New World Writing, Thuglit, The Vignette Review, Kentucky Review, and Elm Leaves Journal, among others. He lives in Youngstown, Ohio, with his wife and son and some cat named Ringo.
Chad Ehler is a 20th century military historian and the son of a World War II US Marine. He studied national security and political science at UC Berkeley and constitutional law and jurisprudence at Santa Clara University. His latest novel, Battle for Glory, is set in England and France during the Battle of Britain, 1940, and was published in October 2016 by London-based Endeavour Press, Ltd. His other published fiction and non-fiction works appear on defenestrationism.net and Historynet.com. You can find him on Twitter @ghqhomeforces, at www.ghqhomeforces.com or on Fidalgo Island, Washington.
Ingrid Jendrzejewski grew up in Vincennes, Indiana, studied creative writing at the University of Evansville, then physics at the University of Cambridge. Her work has found homes in places like Passages North, The Los Angeles Review, The Conium Review, The Mainichi, and The Liars’ League (London & NYC) and. Links to Ingrid’s work can be found atwww.ingridj.com and she occasionally tweets @LunchOnTuesday. When not writing, Ingrid enjoys cryptic crosswords, the python programming language and the game of Go.
back to the FLASH SUITE Contest
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DEFENESTRATIONISM.NET — Runner Up — Short Story Contest — “I’ve Got You”
DEFENESTRATIONISM.NET
“The Art of Throwing People Out Windows”
RESULTS as of September 2016:
WINNER: “Billy Luck” by DC Diamondopolous
RUNNER UP: “I’ve Got You” by Chad Ehler
In May 1940, a British RAF pilot rescues a member of the Royal Family from the chaos of Dunkirk, France under Nazi Blitzkrieg.
RUNNER UP: “Surveillance” by Don Noel
Members of RAF 85 Squadron relax in front of a Hurricane with well deserved pints in hand.
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FIRST USAAC – RAF MISSION, 4 July 1942
FIRST USAAC – RAF MISSION, 4 July 1942
Toggle HERE to receive the full mission briefing.
USAAC Lt. Leslie Birleson, 15th Bombardment Squadron (Light) attached to RAF 226 Squadron, Swanton Morley, July 4th, 1942.
15th Bombardment Squadron (Light)
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DEFENESTRATIONISM.NET — !Short Story Contest! — Finalist
I am honored and humbled to be part of such a creative, thought-provoking, and artistic endeavor brought to us all by the owners at defenestrationism.net.
defenestrationism.net
!Short Story Contest! 2016
This is not a subtle contest. This is a contest of sudden change.
Thanks to the immediate success of the Art of Throwing People Out Windows we have been pledged an annual !Short Story Contest!
RESULTS as of September 2016:
WINNER: “Billy Luck” by DC Diamondopolous
RUNNER UP: “I’ve Got You” by Chad Ehler
RUNNER UP: “Surveillance” by Don Noel
The 2016 !Short Story Contest! Finalists
DC Diamondopolous is an award-winning short story and flash fiction writer published worldwide. DC’s short stories have appeared in online literary magazines: Antioch University’s Lunch Ticket, Fiction on the Web, Eskimo Pie, Five on the Fifth, Crab Fat Lit and many more. DC stories are also in print anthologies, Blue Crow, the Australian literary journal and Scarborough Fair, published by the University of Toronto. DC won second place in the University of Toronto’s literary Contest for 2016 for her short story, Taps, and won two Soul Making-Keats honorary mentions in 2014 for her short stories, The Bell Tower and Taps. DC lives in California.
Glenn A. Bruce has an MFA in Writing, was associate fiction editor for The Lindenwood Review, and has published seven novels as well as two collections of short stories. He wrote the movie Kickboxer, episodes ofWalker: Texas Ranger and Baywatch. He has been published in RedFez, Beat Poets of the Forever Generation, Alfie Dog, LLR,Carolina Mountain Life, Oval, Brilliant Flash Fiction (where he was also final judge for the Flash Fiction 2015 contest) and many others. He recently won top prize in the “Quick & Dirty” short story contest for Also That (which included a cash prize and some cool art!). He currently teaches Screenwriting and Acting for the Camera at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
The son of a World War II US Marine, Chad Ehler studied national security and military affairs at UC Berkeley and constitutional law and jurisprudence at Santa Clara University. His latest novel, Battle for Glory, is set in England during the Battle of Britain, 1940, and is scheduled for 2016 publication by London-based Endeavour Press, Ltd. His other published fiction and non-fiction works appear on defenestrationism.net and Historynet.com. You can find him on Twitter @ghqhomeforces or on Fidalgo Island, Washington, where he lives with his wife and daughter.
Tara Campbell [www.taracampbell.com] is a Washington, D.C.-based writer of crossover sci-fi. With a BA in English and an MA in German Language and Literature, she has a demonstrated aversion to money and power. Previous publication credits include stories in Lorelei Signal, Punchnel’s, the WiFiles, Silverthought Online, Toasted Cake Podcast, Litro Magazine, Luna Station Quarterly, Master’s Review and Magical: An Anthology.
Don Noel retired after four decades’ print and broadcast journalism in Hartford CT, a career that included runner-up for a Pulitzer Prize, finalist for a White House Fellowship, an Alicia Patterson Fellowship for study in Cambodia and Romania, and a dozen or so other honors. Turning in retirement to fiction, he took an MFA in Creative Writing from Fairfield University at age 81. His work has so far been chosen for publication by Calliope, Shark Reef, Drunk Monkeys, The Tau, Indian River Review,Midnight Circus, Oracle, Clare Literary Magazine and The Raven’s Perch. He has a novel and two novellas looking for publishers. The Albert Einstein quote on the desk reads: “If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?
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TOP FIVE MISTAKES To Avoid When Submitting Your Manuscript to Agents: What TOP GUN Taught Me About Bail Outs, Flame Outs and Black Outs
TOP FIVE MISTAKES To Avoid When Submitting Your Manuscript to Agents:
What TOP GUN Taught Me About Bail Outs, Flame Outs and Black Outs
1) “I heard that about you. You like to work alone.”
Mistake #1: Always working alone.
We all do it. We know the long missions all too well. Iron Keister One, do you copy? Yet take a look at your horizon. Where does the ground stop and the sky begin? Hard to tell sometimes because you’re so far into it. Gain perspective from friends, family, colleagues, editors, agents, and writing groups. Your best work begins with the input from others. It’s never too late to engage. They’ve got your six. And if things really go south, then they’ve got your six pack.
Lesson learned: “I’m not leaving my wingman.”
2) “Rules of engagement exist for your safety . . .”
Mistake #2: Rules don’t apply to me.
Really, they don’t. But alas they do. Time to brace up and fly right. Formatting (Times New Roman, 12), overall word count (70K-85K words), agency submission guidelines (follow them), compelling query (250 words; see http://queryshark.blogspot.com), spelling (no typos), running headers, Oxford comma, and the list goes on . . .
Lesson learned: “Either obey them or you are history. Is that clear?”
3) “I feel the need. The need for speed.”
Mistake #3: Expecting agents (and editors) to fast track my work.
You know it. You’re doing it. Full throttle to the firewall. Pushing the envelope . . . and the “send” button. You want your greatness acknowledged ASAP. Hey, we all do. But sometimes the harder you push, the more resistance you get . . . especially if the reader’s door you’re trying to open says “PULL.” Traveling too fast to see that one, weren’t you?
Lesson learned: Don’t “ride into the danger zone.”
4) “Son, your ego is writing . . .”
Mistake #4: Letting your ego write anything.
My ego drove my 450 page, 150K word debut manuscript. Yeah, now I know. My ego also let me think my first draft was awesome. I would have submitted it to agents. Then I got lit up by an awesome editor. And she shot me down in flames. I bailed out and cut 75K words in the process. My clever darlings didn’t make it either. Murdered by my hand. (See Darlings Found Murdered). I replaced my ego with solid content. Yeah, now I know better.
Lesson learned: “Gutsiest move I’ve ever” made
5) “That’s a negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full.”
MISTAKE #5: Taking rejection personally.
Agents are slammed. To rise in the slush pile, you need to be the best of the best. You need to be doing it better and cleaner than the other guy. But don’t be a clown. Keep your composure. Keep things professional. Keep it simple. Don’t harass. Ever. Don’t nudge like a stalker. You’re in this for the long game. And if I were to say to an agent “you cannot help but like my manuscript,” then this personal rejection would make me smile: “that’s a double negative, Ghost Writer, your word pattern is bull.” Not that I’m actively seeking amusing rejections.
Lesson learned: Avoid the “circus stunt fly-by.”
So you may recall the solid advice in TOP GUN’s final scenes: “A good pilot is compelled to evaluate what’s happened, so he/she can apply what he’s/she’s learned.” So it’s OK. Maybe you flamed out and made a mistake. Maybe you bailed out of a manuscript because it didn’t work. Maybe you blacked out because you turned and burned pages or worse, agents. It happens. You gotta keep going. Keep evaluating. Keep improving. Keep applying. I crashed and burned on 1) my first draft, and 2) the first round of my agency submissions. And as for the second ones? Well, they’re looking good so far.
CHAD EHLER is a debut author doing his level best not to be a total write-off. And yes, there are two e’s in Ehler. You’ll find him avoiding Charlie Foxtrots at www.ghqhomeforces.com.
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72nd Anniversary: First USAAC – RAF Combat Mission July 4th, 1942
Honoring the 72nd Anniversary of the First USAAC — RAF Combat Mission
“First Mission” by Nixon Galloway
In May of 1942, the men of the 15th Bombardment Squadron Light comprised the vanguard of the USAAC’s friendly invasion of the United Kingdom. Today, these men remain gloriously modest yet justifiably proud of their achievements as the first USAAC combat ready squadron to fly and fight in the WW2 European Theater. Using DB-7 Boston III (modified Douglas A-20 Havoc) aircraft, borrowed from RAF 226 Squadron, the men of the 15th are best known for their participation in the daring, hedge hopping, cross channel bombing attack on four Nazi occupied airdromes in Holland on 4 July 1942 — an attack identified as “Mission One” in Eighth Air Force history.
Captain Kegelman’s Z for Zebra
Truly a Squadron of Firsts:
First USAAC crew to bomb occupied Europe
First Eighth Air Force combat mission
First US unit to fly with the RAF in combat
First DSC awarded to an Eighth Air Force airman
First long distance flight record of the Douglas A-20
First USAAC prisoner of war, Marshall Draper, in German hands
First USAAC airmen posting as MIA
First combat proven bomber squadron to battle Rommel’s vaunted Afrika Korps in North Africa
A special project was commissioned to honor these men:
52nd Anniversary First USAAC/RAF Combat Mission July 4th, 1942 Commemorative Flown Cover 15th Bomb Squadron (Light)
Certificate of Authenticity 24 Signatures Nixon Galloway Remarque
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Commemorative D-DAY T-Shirts on TEESPRING
GHQ HOME FORCES presents a selection of D-DAY inspired shirts on Teespring.
1) USAAF – RAF D-DAY Shirt
USAAF RAF Airborne Invasion SHIRT
2) RAF D-DAY Shirt
Royal Air Force D-DAY Shirt 6/6/44
3) Invasion Beaches Shirt
UTAH OMAHA GOLD JUNO SWORD
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PROJECT PACKAGE for Troops Abroad
NOTE: the following “Project PACKAGE” is a template available without copyright restriction. In 2011, we developed the program as a simple, cost effective way to get essential supplies to troops in the field. Feel free to adopt the program by using the copy below:
PROJECT: P.A.C.K.A.G.E.
A project to benefit those everyday heroes in harm’s way serving America’s interests far and wide across the globe.
PACKAGE means Patriotic Americans Contributing Kindness And Gratitude Everywhere
Mission Briefing
Overview: To express thanks to our American active duty service personnel.
Goal: To send 100 care packages to military service personnel in any area of operation.
Methodology: Maximum impact for minimum cost. To provide a $12 care package internationally by leveraging the current United Sates Postal Service Priority Flat Rate $6 envelope. USPS will send the package to CONUS based Army Post Offices (APO) and Fleet Post Offices (FPO) at current domestic rates. From the domestic location the package hits the military postal system. The end result is the shipment of a parcel internationally at domestic rates. Under the current structure $1.50 per pound is the total cost for worldwide airmail service — that’s a great deal at only 9 cents per ounce!
Action Taken —
INVENTORY: We obtain bulk package discounts from major retailers. We scrutinize each bulk item as to individual weight and unit cost to reach the desired $12 item goal and the maximum allowable shipping weight of FOUR pounds. The items we select have been requested by soldiers subject to postal restrictions and country of destination regulations (e.g. pork is prohibited in some countries).
PACKAGING: Once the items are in hand we package the items (typically food and toiletries) to minimize or eliminate breakage and/or cross contamination. That is, we wrap the soap and peanut butter bars separately. Stuffing items in the socks provides excellent padding for a trip to the other side of the planet. Once packaged we weigh the parcel to confirm that weight is just under four pounds.
PAPERWORK: We address the parcel to the soldier(s) of your choosing. Plus we fill out the standard small packet customs forms, affix it to the package, and deliver said package to the local US Post Office where we pay for the shipping. Once delivered to the APO/FPO, the parcel is subject to military transit schedules and its arrival with the soldier is completed in due course.
WHO WE ARE: We are a non-profit virtual project interested in donating our time (customs forms, travel, packaging items, etc) and incidental monies (Etsy/Ebay & Paypal fees, gas, tape, supplies, etc) so that soldiers abroad may benefit from the good will, well wishes and charity found at home. Twelve dollars goes directly to items for the troops and six dollars goes to the USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope.
CONTENTS: as of this writing all packages will be identical and contain the following:
Personal Items:
Disposal Razor, 4 ea
Bar of Soap, 1 ea
Toothbrush, 1 ea
Ziploc brand freezer bag, 4 ea
Cotton socks, white, 1 pair
Personal Wipe, 1 ea
AA Battery, 2 ea
Hand/Foot warmers, 4 ea
Foods:
Fruit by the Foot, 1 ea
Peanut Butter cookie pack, 1 ea
Nuts, assorted, 1 ea
Non-Melting hard candy, misc assorted, as necessary
Carnation instant breakfast, 1 ea
Aplet or Cotlet, 1 ea
Fruit bites package, 2 ea
Miscellaneous:
As space or weight or substitution dictates:
Magazines and/or Stationery
REQUIREMENTS FOR ACTION:
Four simple steps will enable you to S.E.A.L. one or more packages as follows:
SEE something on this page that you wish to purchase. We’ve made it easy as there’s only one item – a $12 bulk value care package under four pounds shipped internationally for $6. Total: $18
ENLIST your resources. If you’re under 18, please check with your parents before any further payment action. However, if you have an older sibling serving in the Armed Forces then you have our permission to ask your parents to donate to our worthy cause. Previously, items could be addressed to “any soldier” but now the new security parameters require that we have an actual name and valid APO/FPO address. Perhaps you already have a child serving — active service members are a fantastic source of the names of those who might not have family or who simply might need a thankful taste of home in a long tour of active duty.
ACT affirmatively by committing to buy via Paypal. If Christmas deadlines are looming, then we would like nothing more than to send as many parcels as possible before the holiday rush.
LET us know to whom to send the package after you have paid. Anonymity is our default position — your identity will remain with us. At this point, no further action is required from you. You will have the satisfaction of knowing you helped to brighten the life of a soldier. However, if you would like to include a message and/or your contact address then please do so in the PAYPAL section entitled “note to seller.” We’ll include your message in the package.
To summarize we have developed a numerical moniker: 24 – 12 – 6 – 0
Approx 24 items more or less
for close to 12 dollars
shipped for 6 dollars
with ZERO BS.
Thank you for your contribution. By doing so you make this . . .
MISSION: P.O.S.S.I.B.L.E.
Packages Overseas Sent Securely & Immediately Because Liberty Endures
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Dilettante’s Inferno: The Five Circles of H.E.L.L. Y.E.S.!
Dilettante’s Inferno: The Five Circles of H.E.L.L. Y.E.S.!
A Quick Guide to Highly Effective Laconic Listicles – Your Eternal Solution!
I. First Circle: Rabbit Holes
Everyone’s pretty sure Lewis Carroll fell into a pitch black sewer hole in the center of several London opium dens. And that’s really the first step, isn’t it? Recognizing the gravity of the situation.
II. Second Circle: Knitting
Grandma and her friends had knitting devices made of concentric wooden hoops. Bloggers knit social circles together and require people to jump through electronic hoops. Grandma thinks clever bloggers are “knit-wits.”
III. Third Circle: Geometry
Without a circle, a tangent wouldn’t exist, or really be any fun. It’d simply be a direct line to Erehwon. And that’s getting you nowhere fast. Q.E.D.
IV. Fourth Circle: The Clock
Seconds and hearts are ticking so make sure your actions are timed so as not to tick anyone off . . . your particular listicle. Keep watching this space or you might get clocked.
V. Fifth Circle: Logrolling
It’s a revolution in mutual admiration. It will all come spinning back if you’re a giver that loves taking praise. It’s all about balance.
So if you think you are a knit-wit with the creative gravitas to go off on a tangent, and not be worried about ticking off a few people, then you’re ready to roll out your best work spinning balanced, authoritative listicles. Are you fired up to set the Internet ablaze with your new torch of wisdom? HELL YES! Well done, you little devil.
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Breaking News: Darlings Found Murdered!
DARLINGS FOUND MURDERED! Local Seattle Area Author Reportedly Confesses to the Grisly Cover Up.
–Seattle, WA by Chad Ehler, Sept. 2013
The manuscript chewing world was aghast at what insiders are calling a chilling form of serial alphabet killer. The lives of multiple, beautiful, eloquent, mellifluous, and clever darlings were cut short today, the apparent victims of “the editorial psychosis of an overzealous debut author.”
One unnamed authoritative official described the gruesome site:
“All the computers were left on — the dim of all the anguished screens was a wretched display. Blood red ink was splattered everywhere. Some of the darlings were literally rubbed out of existence, and erased forever. Having used a Sharpie to cut a darling, it left a hideous dangling modifier. I just about double-backspaced and over-hyphenated my colon upon seeing this total write-off.”
Authorities collected evidence and confiscated the author’s “enter” key on his laptop. “He’ll never use that key to get into this manuscript again,” said one source identified only as, Roman Aclef, to protect his identity.
When pressed for a comment, the accused and traumatized author repeated the same words: “I see dead lines. I see dead lines. I see DEAD LINES!” The author’s agent, Paige Turner, was on hand to comfort him in his time of shock and grief. She was overheard saying, “What you did was write. I can all but guarantee you a book deal now.”
The lead prosecutor released this bold statement:
“This author is indeed an alternate and shifty fellow who has clearly lost control of his functions. He’s entered our space now with no escape and no end in sight. He will not capitalize despite his best efforts. There will be no Windows where he’s going. He’ll never return to the Surface. You can take my Word on that. Period. End of sentence.”
Still, the author’s fate remains largely in the hands of his audience. Newly revised sentencing guidelines require a mandatory punishment — the very public exhalation of the author’s breath by elocution before the worldwide reading community. But will the author’s firm conviction in his actions lead to the imminent publication of his manuscript?
We’re keeping tabs on
the story for you.
