Edgar Allan Poe’s Birthday

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I want to wish a heavenly happy birthday to Edgar Allan Poe, one of America’s great writers!

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Poe is the father of the modern detective story and one of the best Gothic writers. I not only  have read all of his writings, but I also teach him in a variety of college courses. 

“Literature is the most noble of professions. In fact, it is about the only one fit for a man. For my own part, there is no seducing me from the path.”

 

 

 

Martin Luther King Day–2026

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Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and I would like to offer a few of this extraordinary American’s quotations as a tribute to him. He was one of the finest, most decent, and empathetic people in the history of the United States of America. We should all remember him and honor his teaching, his legacy, and his call for justice for everyone.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

“There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because conscience tells him it is right.”

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

“We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

It Is Time For A January Self-Promotion Party!

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Maledicus

It is now the middle of January of 2026, and I thought it would be interesting to do a book promotion party by giving not only the name of your book and what it is about but also a quotation from your book, from anywhere in the text.

I offer the following from Maledicus: The Investigative Paranormal Society Book 1 by Charles F. French, which is as much a love story as it is a horror novel:

“As he did every morning, Roosevelt woke up and reached for Sarah, only to be dismayed when he realized she wasn’t there, that she was, indeed, gone, and he would have to make it through another day without her. That was the worst part of every day, having to face another waking period without Sarah” (18).

So, if you would like to join the party and promote your book, please offer a quotation!

Have fun, promote your book, and so as many as possible see this promotion, please share and reblog this post.

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Please follow the following links to find my novel:

ebook

Print book

My radio interview:

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Available on Amazon

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Get The Draft Done! is available here: Amazon.com

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Gallows Hill can be found here in ebook.

Gallows Hill in paperback can be found here.

An interview about Gallows Hill can be found here.

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Available on Amazon

French On English

Available on Amazon

January Writers Encouragement Group

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Hello everyone!

It is already the middle of January! As the old saying goes, tempus fugit!

I am holding a writing workshop on Sunday if you are interested. This is an extremely friendly group, and there is no money involved. I call it a Writers Encouragement Group.

Here is the information:

Charles French is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84889049430?pwd=Lq1pFrCyX3YjAupa3Sa2GGlwoES9aH.1

Meeting ID: 848 8904 9430
Passcode: 054923

One tap mobile
+16469313860,,84889049430#,,,,*054923# US
+19292056099,,84889049430#,,,,*054923# US (New York)

Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/84889049430/invitations?signature=g7290D0OXsc_mpzyTvsHRZogvuDSA8aofxPbcU3fktU

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As I said, there is no money involved. You may join and read a few pages or simply listen. You receive critique only if you wish it. All that is required is kindness.

What Are You Reading?

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I have spent the majority of my time on this blog writing about writing, so I thought I would address the most fundamental and most important part of this experience with books: reading.

I have been reading my entire life; in fact, I cannot remember a time when I did not read. And reading has informed my life in many ways, not only in terms of career but also in the joys of life itself.

I read books, I teach them, and I write about them, but mostly, I enjoy them. I remember my mother telling me when I was very little that you can go many places that you might not ever have a chance to visit, real and made up, if you read. And I have visited and continue to journey to real and fantastic lands.

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I am not a reading snob. While I teach college English Literature, I read in a very wide range, from adventure and horror to drama and so-called high literature, although I am not so certain that this distinction is accurate. Both Shakespeare and Dickens were considered popular writers in their time. Hemingway straddled the mythical fence of literature and genre writing. Today, I happily read authors in a multitude of genres, including Stephen King and John Connolly, among many others. So, I read whatever I choose, in any area. And I get great pleasure from the reading.

I am currently reading, as I often do, several books: A Pedagogy For Liberation by Ira Shor and Paulo Freire, The Black Phone Stories by Joe Hill, and The Secret Of Secrets by Dan Brown.

So, I ask all of you: what are you currently reading?

Happy New Year For 2026

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As this year ends and the new one begins, I have been thinking about what I am thankful for. I am deeply grateful for my family, including all the members of my extended family, and my friends. Additionally, I am extremely grateful for are my readers on this blog. You are a disparate group, but you are also unfailingly intelligent, kind, and civil. I have also made several friendships here with people who live far away, and I value those connections. You are as true friends as those who live close by! I thank you for your friendship and kindness.

To all my blog followers:

Thank you!

Charles F. French

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(Photo by Giftpundits.com on Pexels.com)

And I wish everyone a healthy and happy 2026!