Against the Current: Little Ripplings and Spumings

by W. Royce Adams

What to do with a bunch of short anecdotes, drabble, fables, feghoots, and mini-saga musings written over time and more or less useless to anyone- even to oneself? Put them all together and burn them is one warm thought, since no publisher would agree to publish them as a collection. Another thought is to pretend someone (god knows who) might be interested in reading one or two pieces out of inane curiosity. But which one or two? Well, combine them, and let that curious “someone” pick which ones to read. So why not bind them into a book? It would then supply more space on my computer for writing worthier musings. So I’m putting these efforts (yes, I did put effort into these, for better or worse) into a collection so that it can position itself on an invisible shelf somewhere in the ether waiting for that “someone.” Could you be that someone?

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2020

About the author

I'm an Emeritus Professor of English, Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara, California, where I taught for twenty-three years. Before that I taught for seven years at South High School, Torrance, California. Before that I spent three years, five months, and five days in the navy.

I earned degrees from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, and California State University, Long Beach. During my thirty-year teaching career, I published twenty-two college textbooks, primarily in the areas of developmental reading, writing and study skills.

I've published several adult short stories, several of which appear in my short story collection, Teacher, Teacher, I Declare! Several of my young adult novels have won awards. See http://www.rairarubiabooks.com.

I'm a past-president of the College Reading and Learning Association, a member of the Author's Guild, the International Reading Association, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, The Association of Booksellers for Children, and the Rockford Writers Guild.

I live in Santa Barbara, California, with my wife, Jane Brody.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of short stories.... some interesting and some odd. Won in a giveaway.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure if I'm disappointed in the book itself, or in myself for not enjoying it. I love stories, I love listening to people tell their stories and I love to read good stories as told to others. None of the passages in Against The Current were particularly interesting or poignant or compelling. I grew bored rather quickly and I was glad to finish and put it down. It may have been the tone of voice it is written in, the way the passages were organized, or perhaps just that it wasn't necessarily for me at this time in my life. I don't ever want to discourage anyone from sharing their thoughts and stories, so I won't say anything rude, just that I didn't particularly enjoy it.

[Lorraine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Goodreads giveaway
What a weird book, I started reading these short stories, not having read about the author!
My first thought was, they were put together by a teacher who had asked his class to write stories and this was the result, so I then read about the author and I wasn’t far off the mark!!
These short stories were poorly written, rambling, rubbish and downright creepy!

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does the right book ever find you just when you need it? That was my experience with this collection. A truly random assortment that made me wonder if I was reading mostly memoirs or lessons the author wanted to convey, and ultimately deciding it didn't matter. Don't rush this one, read a few every day. Stop when one touches you, and let it sit with you.
Some stories touched a wound in me I didn't know still needed to heal and others left me with a sense of calm amusement. I'm not sure if it is the specifics of my life that led me to find so much meaning, but I can't imagine others wouldn't at least take something away from it. Highly recommend.

[Carla Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I found some stories full of nonsense, and found others that were very good. Some made me laugh, some made me look inward at myself and how I would deal with the situation being told. Overall mostly well written. #goodreadsgiveaway

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read—highly recommend!