Looking back at 2015

Tomorrow, 2015 rolls over into 2016. So like everybody else, I guess I should be taking the time to take stock of the year. It’s kind of strange to do that, though. Some big things happened this year, but it’s not exactly like I need to look BACK on any of them. They’re still with me. I think about them all the time.

I almost died, for example. For once, this is not hyperbole. I spent 12 days in the hospital in March and April, recovering from an ailment that has clearly been afflicting me for years and, what’s more, that the doctors can’t be sure won’t happen again. So I’m always going to be a little paranoid, but I know what to look for in the hopes that IF it happens again, I can cut it off before it gets bad.

The good news is, as a result of this, I’m now healthier than I have been in years. I feel better, I move around better, I’m more flexible and agile. I walked a 5K in September. I know that doesn’t sound like much to a lot of people, but I’ve never even dreamed of doing something like that before. Hopefully it was just the first one. I know Erin and I both want to keep trying to get into better shape and do more stuff like that. She keeps talking about actually running in one of these things some day. I tell her to not get ahead of ourselves.

And if not for that change, I couldn’t have achieved one of my dreams this summer, playing Max Biyalistock in The Producers. It’s one of my favorite musicals, and it’s a role I’ve wanted to play since I first heard the music. This is one of the things I have on my theatrical bucket list. And I did it.

I was also lucky enough, this year, to revisit one of the best shows I’ve ever done in the past, “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [Abridged],” this time sharing the stage with the amazing Seth Pontiff and Chance Simoncelli, and directed by Melanie Bird. It was wonderful to do it again, and I only wish I could have done it AFTER I got sick, because if I had the energy for that show that I do now… man. At any rate, I hope I get to work with both of these guys again, and if it can be in a show with this kind of wild, zany energy, all the better, because I really think we worked well together.

There was a new Star Wars movie. That was pretty awesome.

I celebrated an entire year of marriage to a wonderful woman that I love more every day, and I only wish Erin’s job allowed us a little more time together during my Christmas break. Retail, man — it’s brutal at the end of the year.

I wrote this year. I put out some stuff. I released a new book, Everything You Need to Know to Survive English Class. And I turned it into a series of YouTube “lecture” videos, which I intend to continue into 2016.

Everything You Need to Know to Survive English Class

But I’m also at something of a crossroads, creatively. I know what I want to do. I don’t know how to do it. I don’t know how to get my work out there, to put it in front of more people, to actually (and I know this is a dirty word) monetize it. Don’t misunderstand me, friends — each and every one of you reading this, I’m grateful. I’m thrilled that you care. I just wish there were MORE of you. So let me remind you guys again that the BEST way to help a creator whose work you enjoy (not just me, but anybody) is to tell other people about it. When you see a video you like, share it. When you read a book you like, write a review on Amazon or Goodreads (or both). And follow your creators on social media. Look, you can find me on Facebook, on Twitter @BlakeMP, or on Instagram @BlakeMP25.

(I’ll be honest, I’m still trying to figure out how to use Instragram. I like it, though. Facebook and Twitter turn so negative so fast. Instagram is almost always positive. “Look, here’s my kitten! Look, here’s my kid! Look, here’s my lunch!”)

The point is, I’m still working things out, guys. I know that isn’t really a satisfying conclusion to a “year in review” sort of piece, but it’s as honest a conclusion as I can give. All I know for certain is that I’m going to keep trying.

And I hope you’ll all join me for the ride.

Everything You Need to Know to Survive English Class Lecture 10: Charles Dickens & A Christmas Carol

With the holidays upon us, Professor Petit turns his attention to one of the most cherished, beloved tales of the season. That’s right. It’s the 1,932nd version of “A Christmas Carol” you’ve seen so far this year.

And don’t forget, the book is available from Amazon.com!

Now FREE: An All-American Christmas (and other tales of the holidays)

Hey, everyone! Like I promised you yesterday, my new collection of three holiday short stories is now in the Amazon Kindle Store, and as my Christmas gift to you, it’s absolutely FREE until Dec. 27! Bounce on over and grab your copy now!

An All-American Christmas (and other tales of the holidays)

If you like the stories in this book — or any of my work — there’s two things I’d like to ask you to do. First of all, pass the link along. Let people know there’s a free book they can snag for the next few days. Second, write a little review there on Amazon. Having reviews of your work helps boost the profile of the book in the store, and it also helps my other books as well. It only takes you a couple of minutes, but it means a lot to me

“But Blake!” you are shouting at me. “I don’t have a Kindle! How can I read your eBook?”

No problem, guys. Amazon has made apps for pretty much any device to allow you to read books from the Kindle store.

• Kindle App for Android
• Kindle App for Desktop
• And if you’ve got an iPhone or iPad, just cruise over to the app store and snare it.

So you see, no matter WHAT you’re reading this post on, you can read the eBook SOMEHOW.

And finally, in case you’ve forgotten just what it is you’re about to read, here are the stories inside this collection:

An All-American Christmas: A group of crooks decide to pull a holiday heist while the city’s superheroes are occupied with their annual Christmas party. But what none of them stopped to consider is that not everybody celebrates Christmas…

Akkis’s First Christmas: Akkis of the Thrung never expected to have to raise a human child. After the death of his best friends, though, he’s tasked with making their young son merry. For an alien who has never experienced one to give a five-year-old the perfect holiday may just take a Christmas miracle.

Baby New Year: A New Year’s Eve party is thrown into chaos when a group of monster-hunters realize that the holiday’s most important set piece is not what anybody thought it was.

This collection of three short stories takes us to the worlds of Siegel City (OTHER PEOPLE’S HEROES and THE PYRITE WAR), The Curtain (THE BEGINNER and OPENING NIGHT OF THE DEAD), and to author Blake M. Petits newest storytelling realm, Shadows of Earth.

Coming tomorrow: An All-American Christmas

It’s almost time, guys! Tomorrow is the premiere of my NEW short story collection, “An All-American Christmas (and other tales of the holidays)”! This eBook will include THREE stories, featuring each of the three worlds of my realms. Inside you’ll find…

An All-American Christmas: A group of crooks decide to pull a holiday heist while the city’s superheroes are occupied with their annual Christmas party. But what none of them stopped to consider is that not everybody celebrates Christmas…

Akkis’s First Christmas: Akkis of the Thrung never expected to have to raise a human child. After the death of his best friends, though, he’s tasked with making their young son merry. For an alien who has never experienced one to give a five-year-old the perfect holiday may just take a Christmas miracle.

Baby New Year: A New Year’s Eve party is thrown into chaos when a group of monster-hunters realize that the holiday’s most important set piece is not what anybody thought it was.

This collection of three short stories takes us to the worlds of Siegel City (OTHER PEOPLE’S HEROES and THE PYRITE WAR), The Curtain (THE BEGINNER and OPENING NIGHT OF THE DEAD), and to my newest storytelling realm, Shadows of Earth.

The collection will be priced at 99 cents on Amazon, but from Dec. 23-27, you’ll be able to download it absolutely FREE.

Everything You Need to Know to Survive English Class Lecture 9: Edgar Allan Poe

On All Hallow’s Eve, the Professor turns his attention to America’s original master of the macabre: Edgar Allan Poe.

Everything You Need to Know to Survive English Class Lesson 8: The Eddas (A Heapin’ Helpin’ of Nordic Fun)

This week, Professor Petit delves into the world of Norse Mythology. Join the class as he regales you with the tales of the Gods of Asgard: Thor! Heimdallr! Tom Hiddleston!

Everything You Need to Know to Survive English Class Lecture 7: Much Ado About Nothing

After being rendered nearly catatonic by the class efforts to analyze “Romeo and Juliet,” Professor Petit tries again with Shakespeare’s greatest romantic comedy, “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Everything You Need to Know to Survive English Class Lecture 6: Ernest Hemingway

This week, Professor Petit turns his attention to one of the most legendary writers ever to chew broken glass, Ernest Hemingway.

Everything You Need to Know to Survive English Class Lesson 5: The Epic of Gilgamesh

With much of the class missing to attend Comicon, Professor Petit turns his attention to the tale of the world’s first superhero: the Epic of Gilgamesh.

Everything You Need to Know to Survive English Class Lesson 4: Poor Richard’s Almanack and The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

In celebration of the impending Independence Day, this week Professor Petit turns his attention to the writings of one of America’s founding fathers, and the man known to far too many of you as “The President on the 100 dollar bill,” Benjamin Franklin!