Volume One is 'Flying along!'

Volume One ('Waiting for Life To Return) is on the move again. Kerrie Collins has nominated John Martin as the next recipient. 'Flying along, I am' is all 'Waiting For Life To Return' had to say when given the news. He did, however, have a massive grin on his face at the time!

Friday Forum

This is the first in what I plan to be a regular Friday update on the One Short Story To Be Told Volumes. In other words I will be updating every Friday on movements, emotions and status of each of our Volumes. Of course I'm praying that as the number of Volumes criss-crossing the globe increases I won't buckle under pressure.

But for the moment that's not an issue as there are just (JUST; God I never give myself enough credit!) three Volumes in circulation.

So let's start with Volume One. 'Waiting For Life To Return' is currently in the hands of Kerrie Collins. I have had no contact with Kerrie as yet, but have (worriedly) emailed her today for an update. Truthfully I'm not that worried as 'Waiting For Life To Return' has been in touch and says he is very happy.

Volume Two ('Wink') has had a good week as John Linehan has passed him on to Ivan Bevan (any week that includes a new owner being announced or reached is a good one for our stories!). Ivan is delighted he was chosen. And 'Wink' is over the moon to have reached his ninth home. I await feedback and a photograph from John, but he has orally informed he was 'impressed'.

So a pat on the back for me today, me thinkd!

Volume Three ('Grey Skies') meanwhile is still with his second owner, Marius Griffin. Marius has told me she is taking her time with 'Grey Skies', and while a new home is always a priority for our stories 'Grey Skies' has been in touch to say he loves Marius so much he's not even thinking about a new home just now.

So all good on the 'stories in circulation' front.

Of course I'm preparing for the launch of Volume Four of One Short Story To Be Told at the moment as well. And I'm thrilled to tell you that all is on track for the 22nd October (that's Saturday week!). The chosen story - 'Sleepyhead' - is printed (thanks Mary for the layout and John for the printing), and is with Albert 'The Wonderful Binder' Browne. Tom Barry's, Barrack Street is booked, and the free beverages are organised. And Marc has his superbly creative brain firmly focused on the animation for the night. I can't wait to see what Marc comes up with.

So that's it for the first ever Friday Forum. I'll be in touch again next week, so stay tuned for regular reminders of Saturday 22nd October the day 'Sleepyhead' is released into the world.

88*googleplex

leyton

Extract from Volume Four as promised

Extract from 'Sleepyhead' (the story that is going to grace the pages of Volume Four of One Short Story To Be Told) as promised earlier in the week.

'In this dream John was playing centreforward for leeds united in their fifth straight

Champions league final. This was a special dream for John as being a footballer was the only thing, apart from sleeping of course, that he considered a worthwhile job. Just as John arrived Pele played a one two with maradona and slipped John a pass that put him through on goal. John then rounded the three goalkeepers manchester united were playing and nonchalantly back heeled the ball in to the net.'

88*googleplex

leyton

Volume two on the move

John Linehan has confirmed Ivan Bevan will be the next recipient of Volume Two. 'Wink' is delighted to be finding his ninth home, I'm as happy as a re-elected politician and Stan? Well Stan is smiling broadly.

88*googleplex

leyton

Update on Volume Four Launch

Less than two weeks - 12 days to be exact - before Volume Four of One Short Story To Be Told is released. And I'm delighted to say that all is on track. The PDF file is ready (thanks Mary), and is with the printer, Marc is working on the animation, and Albert the binder has been put on stand by. All we need now is for The Universe to saty on our side, and for you to ensure 6 to 8pm on 22nd October is in your diary. Extract from 'Sleepyhead' - a very excited story - will appear on Wednesday next!

88*googleplex leyton/Stan

Time to move on

Well time to move on from the excitement of a front cover being graced by my name and face and get on with the work of keeping One ShortStory To Be Told going. So we are delighted to announce the title ofthe story to be included in Volume Four (coming on 22nd October) is...... 'Sleepyhead'.
Extract will follow next week. Don't forget the22nd Oct. We'll be in Tom Barry's Bar Barrack St, Cork and would loveto see you there.
88*googleplex leyton/Stan

One doesn't like to brag. And one certainly has to avoid allowing thoughts of fame and fortune being on (a very close) horizon to dominate. But some days...well it's hard. The announcement a week or so ago that One Short Story To Be Told was to be featured IN the Writers' News magazine proved a tad incorrect. It's not 'in' the magazine - it's on the FRONT COVER. Photographic proof is provided (of course) and Writers' News is available in all good newsagents. You will need to look for Writers' Magazine as Writers' News is a supplement within that mag, but hey I'm not complaining!

End of the week.

So the end of another busy weeks dawns. We reach that ending with the knowledge that Volume's One and Two are happy, and assuming - because no news is good news - that Volume Three is too. On the downside we are still awaiting feedback (and, please God, photo's) from Collette O Donoghue and Nuala McGrath. But trust is a huge thing, and we have huge amounts of it. We know the ladies won't let us down.
Finally Maureen Collins has informed us that she will be passing Volume One to her daughter Kerri. The process is in process, if yo get what we mean. Kerri will be the TENTH recipient of Volume One, which means Waiting For Life To Return has an average ownership of almost one a month. Not bad, we thinks.
If you're interested in numbers Volume Two is currently with it's eighth owner, while Marius Griffin is the second person to provide Volume Three (the current baby of our family) with a home.
88*googleplex, leyton and Stan

Volume Four Story Selected.

After much deliberation, procrastination and representation from legal teams on behalf of other stories, we have decided on that the story that will grace the pages of One Short Story To Be Told Volume Four (otherwise known as the 1st Anniversary edition) will be 'Sleepyhead'.
An extract will follow shortly (leyton will decide on the definition of that word) and maybe even a short explanation of the tale, too.
Stay tuned for updates (some of which will inevitably include an element of panic) on printing, packaging etc.
88*googleplex

Just an Update.

Volume Two of One Short Story To Be Told (Wink) landed in John Linehan's hands yesterday. He is delighted. 'Wink' on the other hand is, to put it succinctly, feverish with excitement. 'Wink' did say that Collette O Donoghue had been 'a darling', and that he would miss her. So thanks Collette!
That's the good news.
The bad news is I can't get hold of the current owners, Maureen and Marius, of Volume's One and Three. Needless to say my heart rate has been affected in an acceleratory manner by this. But I am refusing to panic. Putting my trust in The Universe, and waiting patiently. So if anyone out there knows anything or sees Maureen or Marius (is it a woman who's name begins with 'M' thing I wonder) let me know will you.

Ta. 88*googleplex

The show must go on.

I may still be on a high after yesterdays news (I AM) but the show, as they say, must go on. Volume Two is in the hands of An Post and heading to John Linehan as we speak. And I'll be contacting Volumes One and Two over the weekend for updates. I'll let you all know what's happening with them by Monday. In the meantime I should let you know Writers News requested a photo of me. And yes, I provided one. So the fact that leyton attens is in fact Stanley Notte will lose it's shroud of secrecy (if it ever had one) once the article is published. Ah well, I suppose I'll just have be a split personality for the rest of my life.
88*googleplex leyton/Stan

BIG NEWS (*2)

Two pieces of BIG news. Firstly Collette O' Donoghue has decided that the next recipient of Volume Two of One Short Story To Be Told will be John Linehan. 'Wink' as you may imagine is delighted, excited and ready to go.
Secondly we (Stanley and I) had a call from Writersnews, a rather large UK based magazine, to say they will be featuring One Short Story To Be Told in an upcoming edition. They have about 40,000 readers! Wow. Wow. Wow. is all I can say.

88*googleplex leyton

Volume Two seeks new owner

Hey all Collette O Donoghue has been in touch to say she is NOW ACTIVELY SEEKING A NEW OWNER FOR VOLUME TWO of our big, bold and brilliant adventure.

CONTACT ME HERE, BY EMAIL OR THROUGH THE FACEBOOK PAGE TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE.

88*googleplex leyton/stan

Almost a year old!

We are approaching our first anniversary here at One Short Story To Be Told. It falls on 23rd October 2011 and to celebrate we will be launching Volume Four on the 22nd October. Full details to follow as they are put in place. Ta to all of you for showing an interest. We wouldn't still be alive without you!

Collette moves swiftly!

Volume Two - 'Wink' landed in Colette O Donoghue's hands on Friday 2nd Sept. And she has, in direct contrast to other owners, flown through the process and is already considering a new owner. Obviously all you One Short Story To Be Told followers are in the running to be next but... well Collette wants to see if you are prepared to make an extra effort by contacting her or me through this blog, the facebook page or by emailing oneshortstorytobetold@gmail.com.

Good luck to you all. 88*googleplex leyton

Love and Kisses

As Valerie has now moved 'Waiting For Life To Return' on to Maureen Collins I thought this would be a good time to show you how much Valerie cared for my little story. A trip to London that included a great big kiss is proof enough, don't you think!

88*googleplex leyton

Volume One Moves Again.

Hi De Hi! Volume One has reached it's ninth owner. An 'Excited but a little nervous about the responsibility' Maureen Collins took possession of 'Waiting For Life To Return' from Valerie Spencer today. In a sweet twist Paul McSweeney (who passed Volume One To Valerie) was included in the proceedings. This was done over the phone, but 'Having his spirit involved was what mattered' apparently. This idea just keeps on delivering surprises. Which is why I love it!
88*googleplex leyton

Volume Three moves for the first time!

Been so busy the last couple of days I forgot to tell you guys that Volume Three (Grey Skies) is on the move. Interestingly (if all went well) it will have passed from Nuala McGrath to Marius Griffin exactly two months to the day after it's launch. That smidgen of information didn't increase the excitement levels of 'Grey Skies', but only because it was of the scale at the news of a new home!

88*googleplex leyton

County Sound Interview.

It's taken a while but the audio for the interview I did on County Sound radio about One Short Story To Be Told has arrived. I've uploaded the file to an internet site. This is link http://www.archive.org/details/CountySoundInterview&reCache=1

I hope you can access it.

88*googleplex

leyton

Movement.

We have TWO volumes on the move at the moment. As announced on the 18th August Paddy Fitzhenry is sending Volume Two to Collette O' Donohgue (who is very excited). As that journey begins in Canada and ends in Kildanan, Ireland it's taking a while. And now Valerie Spencer has announced that Volume One is ready to find a new home, and that Maureen Collins will provide that home. This jouney is a much shorter one, but it's just as exciting for 'Waiting For Life To Return, and indeed me.
Now all I need is Nuala McGrath to let Volume Three go. Actually I'm goign to contact her now.
88*googleplex
leyton

Radio Fun.

I've just returned from a stint in the offices and studios of Community Radio Youghal. And I want to send a big thanks to all the staff and volunteers down there for making my stay a truly enjoyable one. An especially big thanks to Beads for showing me the ropes, helping me with my tasks and for taking these lovely photos.

It's Colette's turn!

Paddy Fitzhenry has rewarded Colette O Donoghue for her swift response to his request for a new owner of 'Wink', by choosing her as the next recipient. I have to say Collette has been consistent in her persistent insistence that she should receive a volume of One Short Story To Be Told, and that her selection is more than deserved.
88*googleplex leyton

A week in review.

A lot of news to get through today, it's been a busy week for me and our stories. I'll start by telling you that my two week stint in Waterstones, Cork ended yesterday. I had a ball and Kerry and all her staff were great. I really enjoyed the canteen food, too - which was a plus. My human friend Stanley, as you can see, kindly snapped me as I left the premises. He, I have to say, was emotional at the time. But then he is a big softie!

All other news is about the One Short Story To Be Told volumes I have out in the world, and goes as follows.

Volume One: ‎'Waiting For Life To Return' nudged his way in to my mind a little earlier today and told me that Valerie Spencer, his current owner, is - and I quote - 'A Dear!'.

Volume Two: Paddy Fitzhenry who you will remember took 'Wink' to Canada has been in touch to say our little volume is having a great time. Aww isn't that nice. I'm expecting 'Wink' to be in touch on foot of that, he does like to have his say.

Volume Three: 'Grey Skies' is still basking in his new found freedom. He has been in touch every day, but his long chats can be summarised by saying that Nuala McGrath is treating him splendidly. In fact she is treating him so well that 'Grey Skies' is not sure he wants to move on! I, of course, have told him that's not cricket (to use a rather spiffing english phrase), and that Nulala has already indicated she has a new home in mind for him. He took that news better than I thought.

So that's it your up to date (or as up to date as you need to be). I do have further visits and moves afoot, but to tell now would only spoil the surprise.

88*googleplex

leyton

A forgotten day trip.

You know with all the excitement of Wink headingof to Canada, Valerie Spencer finally getting her hands on 'Waiting For Life To Return' (not to mention the energy expended on reaching 150 friends facebook or the leyton attens story) I entirely forgot to post the photos of 'Waiting' and Paul McSweeney on the nostalgic day trip I agreed to arrange when 'Waiting's' transfer to Valerie was (again) delayed. Needless to say that today, once he had settled into Valerie's life 'Waiting' was on the blower to point out the error. So here I am putting that mistake right.

As you can see it was a tad of rock climbing we participated in. And on 'The Devil's Rock' no less; a place where Paul and my human form Stanley frolicked away many a day in a youth that now feels as distant as an imaginary galaxy. Thankfully it was all new to 'Waiting' and he enjoyed the climbing, and indeed (as picture two below illustrates) the rest that followed. As for me? All I have to say is that 'The Devil's Rock' has a shrine to the Virgin Mary embedded in it. Don't think the devil would have allowed that if he actually lived there! But then maybe I'm not mad, or childlike, enough to understand.

88*googleplex

leyton attens

Yippee!

It's not often I get specifics on the handover of our little books. In fact this is the first time. But then there has been some confusion and delays on this one. Anyway the upshot of it all is that Volume One, Waiting For Life To Return', will leave PAul McSweeney's possession and (finally) land in Valerie Spencer's hands this evening @8pm. YIPPEE
88*googleplex, leyton