Bob Gilberg The San Diego Writers and Editors Guild has published its annual anthology containing stories written by its members every year since 2012.
Gilberg puts pen to paper for the sheer delight of turning blank pages into memories of years gone by, also creating stories that explore the secrets of the heart.
“The Last Road Rebel” was selected for the anthology series of short stories,” Gilberg said. “It’s about growing up in the ’50s and ’60s in small town Ohio when young people were trying to keep up with the music and social changes of the era. We had one foot in our parents’ music and the other in Elvis, then The Beatles and Dylan’s. We found our futures the old-fashioned way.”
Two of Gilberg’s books have been finalists in the San Diego Book Awards, he said. The last book he submitted was a romance novel, “Twists of Fate,” and he is currently writing “Burning Leaves,” a short story of life-altering events in peoples’ lives.
“As a writer, it’s important to have a realistic view of what it’s going to take to get your work published. In the process you can spend a tremendous amount of money that you more than likely will never get back,” Gilberg said. “I don’t do it to make money. People have to go into this field with their eyes wide-open. I’ve had a career; I’m fine. I retired at 59. I write because it’s fun. It’s more of a hobby than a moneymaking avocation. Getting good reviews and the occasional award is enough for me.”
Carleton’s short story “I’m Not Roger Blaime and Other Curious Phenomenons” was published in the “The Guilded Pen anthology.”
A retired San Diego State University philosophy professor, Carleton is battling Parkinson’s disease. Speaking is difficult. Now, instead of giving lectures in a classroom, he puts his words on paper.
“Larry was diagnosed in 2011; he used to be very active. There are a lot of things he once did that he can’t do anymore,” said Lynne, Carleton’s wife. “Being able to write his short stories and his books has helped Larry to deal with the affects of Parkinson’s. He can’t go hiking or even play his trumpet, and he has a difficult time speaking, but he can still write.”
“Immediately after I joined the Writers and Authors Guild, they started The Guilded Pen series and I’ve had at least one story in each of their 10 books,” Larry said. “Writing gives me a sense of accomplishment and a way to communicate with my audience, especially now, because I can’t speak very well due to my disease.”
When asked what part of the writing process his wife plays, Larry forced a laugh and said, “She reads my stuff.”
Both authors have books on Amazon and available at the Central Library.
