I’d like to start off by thanking Steve for this great opportunity to promote my blog about new (to me) authors and to divulge a few things about myself. Others have tried and failed to get me to do this, but he managed by threatening to contact my mate and have my banana supply cut off until I gave in – that worked!
Before I launch into my blog promotion, I’ll get the ME bit out of the way, so here are some personal secrets:
In age I am mentally in my mid 30′s, but physically in human terms I am 63 years old, which, my younger friends, does NOT involve decrepitude, assistance in crossing roads, etc, no matter what you think!
My mate is a very patient and extremely intelligent lady, who not only has my heart, but also my respect and we tackle the world, with all its vagaries, challenges and variety, as a team.
I am a proud Father of one daughter and proud Brother of one much younger sister, both of whom never cease to amaze me regarding what they have achieved in life.
My work, career and travels have allowed me to meet and get to know a veritable multitude of people from every imaginable background, nationality and religious belief, plus, as a bonus, be able to call many of them friends.
My enthusiasm for books goes way back into my early formative years when my Mother first read stories to me, then taught me how to read them for myself, so that when I started school and found that I was so far ahead of the other pupils I had no other recourse than to continue reading in order to keep learning, but I didn’t mind because by then I had learned to love reading.
Please don’t misunderstand, I am no genius and have no great talents, other than to have been able to survive life thus far. Without the ability of being able to read, I would have probably gone barking mad before I left Primary School (no sniggering, whispering, nodding of head and twirling of finger beside your ear from you at the back thank you!)
The authors of books are, in my opinion, one of the most valuable assets the human race could have – they are the equivalent of the Shamans and Storytellers whose lineage goes way back into the dawn of the species and are what have made the REAL difference between humans and other species and Hominids.
In fact, I fully agree with Sir Terry Pratchett when he surmises that instead of being called Homo Sapiens – wise man (with 1200cc brains), or even Homo Sapiens Sapiens – modern wise man (with 1350cc brains), the correct term should be Pan narrans – the storytelling ape (brain size irrelevant).
I on the other hand, could be termed a Pan audiendo – story listening ape (brain size irrelevant), an equally valuable asset to the species.
All types together have contributed to the existence of the sole surviving and dominant species of Hominid/Ape we know today.
That is basically why I have set up my blog to promote Authors (modern day Shamans / storytellers / Pan narrans) and enlighten or expand the choices of Readers (modern day story listeners / Pan audiendos).
Since my blog about new (to me) authors and their books began on 4th April 2013, it reached its 1000 hits & 100 followers by 29th April, which surprised and encouraged me to continue and experiment with it.
By 29th May it reached 3500 hits and 200 followers which shocked me, so I fiddled around with it some more.
As I write this article now (3rd July – 3 month mark) it is reading 8,866 hits and has 335 followers, so I’m sitting firmly on my branch and holding on tight with astonishment, for it’s a long fall down to the ground!
My blog friends and followers have been very, very supportive and spread the word around all their friends, fans and blog followers and I give a BIG Thank You to them.
Why have they done this? Some of them have already been featured authors on the blog, so why bother hanging around it? Some of them are not even authors, but keep coming back time and again!
Well, I guess you’ll just have to call over, look through the articles and various sections, including wandering through the various Bookcases, read the comments and see the banter that goes on and find out for yourself if you’d like to join in the fun
You are all cordially invited to try it for yourself (it’s FREE) by clicking on the link below:
http://www.thestoryreadingapeblog.com
Many, many thanks to Chris, the Story Reading Ape! I’m happy announce that his banana eating rights have now been fully restored. Trust me, folks! You really will gain a great deal by visiting his Blog Suite, which is the besst description I can give the string of blogs that he has assembled to help readers find great books, and to help aauthors find new readers. One caution: take supplies! You could be there quote a while!!
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