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141 pages

English

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Description

In ALIVE & Kickin': Sideways Views from an Upright Guy, ALIVE Magazine humor columnist Michael S. Copeland's shares his unique, smile-producing perspective on life. With over 50 essays covering diverse topics that range from Thanksgiving turkeys to Global Warming, this is the perfect book to keep the reader's mind and mood in "up mode."

Informations

Publié par	Advanced Publishing LLC
Date de parution	18 juin 2012
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9780985736712
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0022€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

Hi, my name is Mike Copeland and I am a writer. I've put together a collection of my favorite humor lifestyle articles from the past five years in a book entitled Alive and Kickin’. Even if you'll never read it, the highlly artistic, beautifully decorated cover will make the perfect Toilet Tank Book. Here's what readers are saying about my literary masterpiece:
“If a toilet tank book is something to read while you're sitting on the crapper I'll take two.”
—Mike Mooney, Softball Teammate
“I hope everyone buys Mike's book. It's not very good, but he owes me $40.00.”
—John Macholz, Mike's Neighbor
“Mike must have had a great proofreader and editor, because he almost never went to class and always copied my homework.”
—Burt Harris, Fraternity Brother at Cal State Northridge
“That was the funniest book I've ever read. I laughed so hard I wet my pants.”
—Ekim Dnalepoc, Mike's Best Friend
“A toilet tank book? That's brilliant! I wish I would've thought of that because a book on my life would be much more entertaining than Mike's silly ramblings.”
—Floyd Killen, Legendary Lead Singer of Floyd's Ordeal
“If my dad sells a lot of books he promised to buy me a horse. He better not be lying.”
—Hannah Copeland, Mike's Daughter
“I would rather read all seven Harry Potter books than Mike's stupid book. Wait, he mentioned me in his acknowledgements? I take back what I just said.”
—Mitzi Copeland, Mike's Sister
“Alive and Kickin’ is a wonderful read. It has action, adventure, romance and a really cool Soduku puzzle. To be honest, I never read it.”
—Dana Kruger, Mike's Book Club Friend
“Oh sure, you can write a book, but do you ever vacuum the carpet, fold laundry or cook dinner? I don't think so.”
—Julie Copeland, Mike's Wife
“Dad wrote a book? On what?”
—Claire Copeland, Mike's Daughter
“Alive and Kickin’ had nothing to do with martial arts. That's false advertising. What a rip off!”
—Craig Nunn, a Close Personal Friend of Mike's Wife
alive & kickin’
Sideways Views from an Upright Guy
Michael S. Copeland
ALIVE and Kickin’
Sideways Views from an Upright Guy
Copyright © 2012 by Michael Copeland
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publisher and author.
ISBN 978-0-9857367-0-5 Paperback
ISBN 978-0-9857367-1-2 E-Book
Library of Congress Control Number: 2012942005
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
LC control no.: 2012942005LCCN
permalink: http://lccn.loc.gov/2012942005
Alive & Kickin’: Sideways Views from an Upright Guy / Michael S. Copeland.
Edition: 1st ed.
Published/Created: Alamo, CA: Advanced Pub. LLC, 2012.
Description: p. cm.
ISBN: 9780985736705 (pbk. : alk. paper)
9780985736712 (ebk. : alk. paper)
Printed in USA by Advanced Publishing LLC
ALIVE Publishing Group
3200 A Danville Blvd.
Suite 204
Alamo, California 94507
www.alivebookpublishing.com
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to Julie, Hannah and Claire. You are my everything!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Forward
Acknowledgments

I. Holiday Magic
1. What Am I Going To Be for Halloween?
2. The Turkey Doesn't Have It So Bad
3. Why Thanksgiving is a Guy's Favorite Holiday
4. How Can it be Thanksgiving?
5. A Visit With Santa
6. Christmas Magic
7. The Lost Art of Caroling
8. If I Was Santa
9. Occupy North Pole

II. New Thinking About New Years
10. My New Year's Resolutions
11. A Positive and Optimistic New Year
12. I Resolve to Fulfill My New Year's Resolutions
13. Finding the Meaning of Life in the New Year
14. My New Year's “To Do” List

III. Spring is Special
15. The Evolution of Valentine's Day
16. Misfit Holiday Mascots
15.
17. The Fight for February
18. Admitting My March Madness Addiction
19. My Father's Day Gift Letter

IV. Summer Daze
20. Summer Vacations
21. Sizzling Summers
22. A Trip to The Moon
23. June Swoon
24. The Last Days of Summer

V. Ideas on the Fly
25. The Vroom Principal
26. The Spring Cleaning Triathalon
27. I've Met Famous People
28. I Don't Like the Wind—It's too Blustery
29. I Wish I Was a Dog
30. Pizza: An American Staple
31. Anyone Can Be a Writer
32. To Friend or Not to Friend
33. Rain, Rain Go(ne) Away
34. I Play Words with Friends By Myself

VI. School Daze
35. Back to School: Sentenced to Another Year
36. The Back to School Experience

VII. Double the Fun
37. I See Dead People
38. I See Dead People Part Duex
39. I Am a Disney Channel Dad
40. I Was a Disney Channel Dad
41. Things I Just Don't Get
42. Things That Scare Me

VIII. Lighten Up!
43. Taking One for The Team
44. Freedom and Independence in The Suburbs
45. I Hate Shopping
46. Whatever Happened to Customer Service?
47. The Obsession with Swim Teams
48. Dad's Night Out
49. The Economy is Killing My Lawn
50. What Does “Going Green” Mean?
51. Dad University
52. Who Couldn't Use a Million Dollars?
53. I am a Dinosaur
54. Another Election Year is Coming
55. My Interview With Me
FOREWORD
My introduction to Michael Copeland came by way of the first article he submitted to me at ALIVE Magazine , in late 2006 or early 2007. As I recall, his submission was quite formal—neatly typed, double spaced with a well conceived cover letter attached. He noted, quite properly, that he was an experienced writer, with several of his works having appeared in a few other magazines. I read Mike's article and decided that it wasn't the best fit for ALIVE ; an emailed rejection letter was Mike's introduction to Eric Johnson.
At this point I will offer a tip to aspiring writers—while persistence is a virtue some editors consider annoying, some of us appreciate it and consider it an indication of a writer's backbone. The relationship between writers and editors can be delicate, and if a writer gives up after only one or a few rejections, it's doubtful they will ever see their work in print, much less see it as a regular feature in some periodical.
Of course Mike didn't give up. He worked-up submission number two which became the beginning of a series of what is now some fifty-plus feature articles in ALIVE Magazine over the past five years—the fruit of which you hold in your hands. Not only has Mike developed a healthy immunity to rejection letters, his writing has developed to where it is an integral part of what makes ALIVE Magazine , alive!
The full measure of Mike's accomplishment in ALIVE & Kickin’ can only be realized when you understand the level of talent, discipline and hard work required to come up with different article ideas, month after month. As you will see, Mike's subtle approach keeps it fresh and fun, as the smile he brought to my face each month will soon be yours.
As best selling author and columnist for The New Yorker , Malcom Gladwell says in his preface of, What the Dog Saw , “Good writing does not succeed on the strength of its ability to persuade. It succeeds or fails on its ability to engage you, to make you think, to give you a glimpse into someone else's head…” This book is successful because it does all of these.
Writers have different reasons for doing what they do. Some are after commercial success or professional accolades. Some are hoping to “make their mark” by creating what they hope will someday be considered classic literature.
When Mike first suggested ALIVE & Kickin’ , I asked him why he wanted to publish his work as a book. He replied that he had a dual purpose; he wanted to create something for others to enjoy and he wanted to create something dedicated to his family—a legacy of sorts for his children.
As to purpose one, Mike's work has always received high praise from countless ALIVE readers over the past five years, so I know ALIVE & Kickin’ is right on target. As to purpose two, Mike's family can and should be proud of him. I know I am.
Eric Johnson
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I wish to thank the following people for all their support, encouragement and love. Julie, my wife, who has the tolerance of a saint and a great sense of humor. My daughters, Hannah and Claire who have provided me with inspiration and motivation every day of their lives. Thank you to my publisher and boss at Alive Magazine, Eric Johnson. Eric gave me an opportunity, a voice and is a wonderful mentor. Thanks to my proofreading team of Julie Lewis, Julie Copeland and my late father-in-law, Lou Warshaw. You've caught mistakes, typos and grammatical errors that I never would. Appreciation also goes out to my buddies, Rob Price, Brian Kelly, Burt Harris, Jason Allen, John Killen and