Thoughts From Midnight

I see things that never were and say, "Why not?" Brad R. Cook, author of the steampunk series - IRON CHRONICLES. Historian of St. Louis Writers Guild as well as a blogger and lecturer. Find out more at www.bradrcook.com

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Happy World Turtle Day! Saw this little turtle sunning itself on the path while I walked around Cahokia Mounds the other day.

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The Journey Begins!

Today's the day - May 23, 1903!

Crocker and Jackson drove off from San Francisco on their road trip across America.

Dr. Jackson had made a $50 bet that he would be the first.

Crocker was the mechanic who kept the automobile moving.

It started as a bet, became a race, and changed the world!

www.bradrcook.com

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Happy World Bee Day! May 20 An Azorean bee. This bumble bee took a break on the trail beside us while we were admiring the view.

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Since 2018, World Bee Day is celebrated to raise awareness on the essential role bees and other pollinators play in keeping people and the planet healthy, and on the many challenges they face. Want to help? Planting bee friendly flowers and buying honey and bee products locally are some of the ways. Find out more here at https://www.fao.org/world-bee-day/en

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Happy World Bee Day!

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St. Louis Writers Guild's Deane Wagner Poetry Contest Deadline is June 1, 2026 The Deane Wagner Poetry Contest has been held since 1994 and SLWG has held poetry contests since 1921. Entry fee is $10 for 2 poems. First place prize is $50. www.stlwritersguild.org

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The trilogy is complete! Stonetree, book three of the Airdrainium Adventures Follow the river of stars. Find the tree of stone. Forge peace with the Elves. Steamtree, book one Geartree, book two All three books are illustrated by Jennifer Stolzer. Ebook and paperback are illustrated. Find more at www.bradrcook.com/steamtree/

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Happy Yule! Here’s to a wonderful winter solstice My poem, Yule Logs

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Check out all the books! The 6th Annual St. Louis Writers Guild Virtual Book Fair Books, readings, and more Small Business Saturday through December 31st, 2025 Book Room - www.stlwritersguild.org/book-room Readings and Workshop Speakers - www.stlwritersguild.org/book-fair

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St. Louis Writers Guild's Short Story Contest first held in 1920 Deadline is December 1, 2025 3000 word maximum Submission form and guidelines at www.stlwritersguild.org/short-story/

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Happy 105th Anniversary to St. Louis Writers Guild!

On October 28, 1920 SLWG held its first meeting. About 30 people gathered for a talk on novels.

It was held in Shirley Seifert's parent's living room on DeGiverville Ave. Shirley would be SLWG's 2nd president.

Sam Hellman was SLWG's first president and the inspiration for Sam, the apprentice club hedgehog, illustrated by Jennifer Stolzer.

Sam's added a plus because SLWG has many more years to go!

As always, thank you to all SLWG Members, past, present, and future. This organization would not be what it is without all of you!

You have friends here!

For more about SLWG visit www.stlwritersguild.org

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The 2025 Young Writers Awards! St. Louis Writers Guild's contest to encourage young writers! Submissions open Aug 1, Deadline is Oct 15 4th-8th Grade First Line: "A strange noise..." 250-500 Words High School Edition Theme: "Noise" 500-1500 Words No entry fee Winners are published in a collection! Held since 2012 4th-8th Grade - https://www.stlwritersguild.org/young-writers-awards

High School - https://www.stlwritersguild.org/ywa-high-school Good luck to all who enter!

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Now on Kindle Unlimited I have three more short stories in KU St. Louis Writers Guild's 1st picnic - historical fiction https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FQDSKYNK/ The Legend of Spring-Heeled Jack - steampunk horror https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Spring-Heeled-Jack-horror-steampunk-ebook/dp/B09P1HQRNX/ Battle of Salga - historical fiction https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3JTV42D/ bradrcook.com

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The 2025 Young Writers Awards! St. Louis Writers Guild's contest to encourage young writers! Submissions open Aug 1, Deadline is Oct 15 4th-8th Grade First Line: "A strange noise..." 250-500 Words High School Edition Theme: "Noise" 500-1500 Words No entry fee Winners are published in a collection! Held since 2012 4th-8th Grade - https://www.stlwritersguild.org/young-writers-awards

High School - https://www.stlwritersguild.org/ywa-high-school Good luck to all who enter!

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1764: a literary journal Issue 1 2025 published by St. Louis Writers Guild

In 1764, Pierre Laclede and Auguste Chouteau founded the trading post that became the city of St. Louis. Echoing that pioneering spirit, SLWG offers this journal to give reader the opportunity to find new favorite authors, to encourage writers on their publishing journey, and to honor seasoned wordsmiths. Short stories, essays, poetry, flash fiction, and art. Writers did not have to be members to submit to this journal. You have friends here! In Issue No. 1 Keith Byler, Thomas Duggan, Marie Chewe-Elliott, gaye gambell-peterson, Genny Jessee, Lisa L. Krystosek, Cathy Luh MD, Steve Magnino, and Rick Skwiot.

1764 is available as an ebook or a full-color paperback https://www.amazon.com/1764-literary-journal-Issue-1/dp/B0FGCTHP1V/

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Show vs Tell

"Don't tell me the moon is shining, show me the glint of light on broken glass." - Anton Chekhov, author.

A great quote. It gets shared every year at the SLWG Summer Writers Camp and we realized we have all this "writing advice" that we pass along. So I've collected a bunch and added them to the SLWG website as Writer's Notes. I will share more over the coming weeks.

Find more at www.stlwritersguild.org

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The 2025 Young Writers Awards! St. Louis Writers Guild's contest to encourage young writers! Submissions open Aug 1, Deadline is Oct 15 4th-8th Grade First Line: "A strange noise..." 250-500 Words High School Edition Theme: "Noise" 500-1500 Words No entry fee Winners are published in a collection! Held since 2012 4th-8th Grade - https://www.stlwritersguild.org/young-writers-awards

High School - https://www.stlwritersguild.org/ywa-high-school Good luck to all who enter!

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Workshops for Writers The Power of the Pod with Nicki Jacobsmeyer July 12, 2025 www.stlwritersguild.org

The workshop is in-person at The Lodge Des Peres in St. Louis, MO. and online via Zoom. Click one of the Join Event Buttons on the website to join. Free and open to all writers.