Salutations!
I am elated to find you here at Day 10 of my extended blog tour. I am humbled by the kindness of my wondrous host, Harmony, for sharing some blog space today. I hope to interest you bookish types in trying my first book in way too many years, this my only collection of short fiction: Comes this Time to Float: 19 Short Stories by Stephen Geez. You could add another “by Stephen Geez” to that, as I put the moniker in the subtitle, too. I’d be forcing it to find a theme, except maybe that all my stories try to look at something I think is important, but told in a decorative sort of way. Written here and there among novels over two decades, they show a variety of genres and styles, as I get restless. Now they’re tucked between jacketed hard covers and softs, or in e-however-you-likes.
The Enticement
Each tour stop will offer the opening paragraphs of a story from the book, then link to the full story online. A few will also link to audio-shorts narrated by me. A promo video will be foisted on you every day. Using a narrator didn’t seem right for my own trailer, so yeah, it’s me. Be sure to post reviews in your favorite places, most helpfully if Amazon.
And you, the reader, I thank, too.
A Geez Author Blurb
Stephen Geez grew up in the Detroit suburbs during the American-auto domination. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor. He retired from scripting/producing television and composing/producing television music, then expanded his small literary management firm into indie-publisher and multi-media company Fresh Ink Group. Now he works from a deck overlooking the lake in north Alabama, helping other writers share their compelling narratives with the world. 
The Book Blurb
Prepare to think as you explore these wildly disparate literary short stories by author, composer, and producer Stephen Geez. Avoiding any single genre, this collection showcases Geez’s storytelling from southern gothic to contemporary drama to coming-of-age, humor, sci-fi, and fantasy—all finessed to say something about who we are and what we seek. Some of these have been passed around enough to need a shot of penicillin, others so virgin they have never known the seductive gaze of a reader’s eyes. So when life’s currents get to pulling too hard, don’t fight it, just open the book and discover nineteen new ways of going with the flow, because NOW more than ever Comes this Time to Float.
The Promo Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkjcmX6oRyE&feature=youtu.be
Today’s Excerpt
“Holler Song”
Retta danced the willy-nilly, grabbed at slick branches, then lost both feet and whomped back-end down on the ice. Hit ’em mean like that and 70-year-old bones act scared, then angry, then out for revenge—and they’ll complain bitterly for weeks. It’s not how hard the ground is, makes ’em mad; it’s how brittle the bones has got.Now a sheet of frozen slick, this low patch in the double-rut drive-back had been needing some ’dozer work a long time running, one of many get-to’s set for when next year’s lump-sum money could hire some younger help. Hardly anyone drove it but Randall, easing the pickup ’tween overgrown mirror-snaggers when he brung groceries and what-not to Lurlene and her girl. Deputy Wallace used to ramble back here regular-like to pretend friendly and keep an eye for signs local cookers mighta set up, but when he found Hollis’s makeshift lab a ways down
Cutter Road, his brother Cletus shot him dead. State Police come in and tore ’ern up from there to right up Middleton Holler just beyond. Now a new deputy’s donetook over, but ain’t yet been out here lying about smells to claim “probable cause” when he trespasses on Lurlene and Retta’s private property. This very minute would be a good time, him to show for a howdy-ma’am, seein’ as how there’s an old lady needs picking up off her arse.Retta rolled over on her side and wound up mashing the holdin’ end of that pocketed fish-knife into her thigh, then managed despite bad arthritis to pull herself up and set about shuffling forward, keeping to the treeline for more grab-branching. She came to sight of cousin Lurlene’s place, built by their granddaddy when he carried his unimpressed young bride here for a lifetime of second thoughts in the hills of East Tennessee. Lately the place looked embarrassed at being let to run down, but now the dim gray fog and last night’s snow gave it a fairy-tale gingerbread-house look, all sugar-frosted and gleaming with drips of icing drooping its eaves. Wisps of smoke fed by a stingy stack of splits curled from the chimney and bent north to tickle more sleet from dark clouds of a mind to paint these hollers another coat of quick-freeze.Lurlene stepped out and stood on the wide, covered porch. Ten years younger than cousin Retta, she looked real old of a sudden. Bundled in wool coat, crochet hat and scarf, jeans and hide boots, she’d already got a mind to head out. “Found her, didn’t they?” she asked as Retta stopped at the slicked-over bottom step. Eyes red and swole, Lurlene had been crying, imagining the worst and expecting nothing better.
The Whole Story
Find the Book Now
Each tour stop will offer the opening paragraphs of a story from the book, then link to the full story online. A few will also link to audio-shorts narrated by me. A promo video will be foisted on you every day. Using a narrator didn’t seem right for my own trailer, so yeah, it’s me. Be sure to post reviews in your favorite places, most helpfully if Amazon.
Short stories are becoming a rage. This sounds like a great collection. Congratulations, Stephen and thank you for hosting, Harmony.
They do seem to be gaining in popularity. Thanks, Joan 🙂
Oooh, I love the intro to this story! Thanks for such a fun post, Harmony and Stephen! I’m heading straight to Amazon. Nothing like tales set anywhere in the southern Appalachians to pull me right in! Great job! 🙂
Thank you, Marcia. Be sure to check out the story “Veneer,” as well, of which I’m making an audio-short right now. Maybe I’ll see your review on Amazon or elsewhere… 🙂
That’s awesome. Thanks, Marcia 🙂
Thanks for hosting today, Harmony. I’ve loved every book I’ve read of Stephen’s and now have “Time to Float.” The anticipation of greatness builds!! 🙂
That’s great to see. Thanks, Gwen 🙂
Another compelling teaser from Stephen’s new book! Thank you for hosting, Harmony!
It’s been a pleasure hosting Stephen today. Thanks, Jan 🙂
Holler Song is a fantastic short story that calls to mind the very best of Daniel Woodrell. This is a collection worthy of a place on your book shelf!
Thanks for always being so supportive, Harmony!
I’m looking forward to getting around to reading this collection. Thanks, Beem 🙂
Thanks, Staci! It’s always a treat to see you stop by!
Thanks for hosting today, Harmony. I have enjoyed Stephen’s books and this collection looks great.
That’s lovely. Thanks, John 🙂
What a cool title and a diverse collection of stories. Congratulations to Stephen on his newest release, and thanks for introducing us to the book, Harmony!
It’s a pleasure to introduce Stephen and his book today. Thanks, Mae 😊
All the best to you, Stephen. Thanks for hosting, Harmony.
Thanks so much, Staci 😊
Thanks, Harmony! You’re the best. This is quite the privilege to visit your most-excellent blog and website. VISITORS: Be sure to FOLLOW for more great posts by Harmony Kent.
Aww, thanks, Stephen! It’s lovely to have you over to visit, and you’re welcome anytime 🙂
Fun excerpt! I have Time to Float on my TBR list and look forward to reading it soon. Congrats on your new release:)
Thanks, D.L.! I hope you manage two squeeze out some time to look at it! Thanks for the kind words and for following the tour!
That’s great. Thanks, Denise 🙂
This book looks great, Harmony. I read another post about it yesterday. I will go over to Amazon now.
That’s great to see Stephen and his book getting lots of love on the web. Thanks, Robbie 🙂
I love the voice in the excerpt. It’s like regional music. Mr. Geez’s painted author image is pretty cool, too!
Painted? Hee hee. Thanks, Priscilla. That’s the digital work of Anik, our staff artist at Fresh Ink Group. I’ve never had a narrator’s voice, but it didn’t seem right trying to tell someone else how to read my stories, so there it is. I’m doing a story at a time until I can release a full audiobook. Thanks for the good thoughts, and for helping spread the word!
I love Stephen’s narration too. Thanks, Priscilla 🙂