profile

My Monthly Newsletter

Newsletter No. 39 (March-May 2025)

Published 5 months ago • 1 min read

Books, Blogs, and Brain Clouds

Newsletter #39 (March-May 2025)

Mark Gruenwald Update

​

My biography of Marvel editor and writer Mark Gruenwald (1953-1996) is closer than ever to publication! I recently filled out a "marketing questionnaire" for the publisher, which is a sure sign that we're nearing the final stages of production.

​

Keep your eyes glued here for the cover reveal and publication date!

​

​

My Berenstain Project

​

I can finally reveal the project I've been working on with Mike Berenstain!

JUST KIDDING! I still can't reveal anything yet, but I saw this on the 'net and thought it was really funny. Except for Sister Bear being a giant, it's very accurate!

Hopefuls Song of the Month

Flag With Hank - "Bruce, I'm Not Feeling Fine" (1989)

​

In case you missed it in the last newsletter, we lost a Hopeful in February. Click the button below to read my tribute to Heath Henjum.

What I'm Reading

​

I've been doing a lot of reading for the two ESL Endorsement classes I'm taking, but I'm still finding time to read for fun, too.

​

I really enjoyed The Future Was Now, which is an in-depth look at the eight landmark sci-fi movies that were released in the summer of 1982 (among them E.T., Blade Runner, The Thing, and Star Trek II.) I've since moved on to Stephen King's latest short story collection, You Like It Darker.

​
Meanwhile, Theo and I are on the last book of Peter Brown's Wild Robot trilogy.

And Finally, a Brain Cloud

Peace, love, and thank you for reading.

paul.allen@gmail.com
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​

My Monthly Newsletter

Paul V. Allen

Sign up if you haven't already!

Read more from My Monthly Newsletter

Mark Gruenwald! It's literally been years in coming, but my biography of Marvel Comics writer and editor Mark Gruenwald finally has a publication date! It'll be out March 16, 2026, and you can preorder it at the link below. https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/M/Mark-Gruenwald The Karate Kid Part III Reimagined I've been a huge Karate Kid fan since the 1984 film, but I've always loathed The Karate Kid Part III. This summer I finally decided to do something about it and write my own version....

3 months ago • 1 min read

Books, Blogs, and Brain Clouds Newsletter #38 - January / February 2025 Farewell to a Hopeful On February 23, word came that Hopefuls bassist Heath Henjum had passed away at the age of 55. While working on The Hopefuls, I had the pleasure of interviewing Heath at a coffee shop in St. Louis Park. He was frank and funny and super informative. I'm really bummed he's gone. Please take a moment to read the tribute I wrote here. Hello Hello, Sun! The newest Beginner Book marks a fascinating - and...

8 months ago • 1 min read

Books, Blogs, and Brain Clouds Newsletter #37 - November/December 2024 A Christmas Story There are two Christmas stories in my as-yet-unpublished children's chapter book The Groundhogs of Linden Manor. As a gift this holiday, I thought I'd share one with you. I hope it brings you joy and comfort. Read "Up on a Housetop" Eleanor Cameron and Karen Rose About a year ago I got an e-mail that sent me on down a fascinating rabbit hole. Read about what happened here. Jack Kent Rarities Jack Kent was...

10 months ago • 1 min read