From The Third Planet
A collection of short stories,
written by the internationally unknown author...
A collection of short stories,
written by the internationally unknown author...
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Jay Kemp of Payson, Arizona (Click Here for Bio Info) |
It's about... 
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TESTIMONIALS: I have just read this most delightful book... what a joy to read! Something fun and funny, and each story with a surprise ending! Jay gives us a taste of science fiction, fantasy and humor throughout the book, with some of the stories uniquely told from the mouths and minds of the "CRITTERS!" A truly wonderful read! - Anonymous ~ · ~
What an imagination! I started reading, and never ~ · ~
I found "Critters from the Third Planet" by Jay Kemp to be very
entertaining. It's a bit like combining animal stories with "The Twilight
Zone." As a collection of short stories, it's perfect for reading aloud
around the campfire or in the bath. One of the stories, "Old Shep,"
reminded me of a similar experience I had when my first dog died, and
it brought a tear to my eye. ~ · ~
Few self-published books have pulled me from one page to the next as did
Jay Kemp's "Critters from the Third Planet." His eight short stories,
which are punctuated by some exceptionally delicate poetry,
should be recommended reading for anyone who enjoys being completely
amazed at what an inspired writer can do to a story line.
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Selected Excerpts...
A scene from "Old Shep"... Later that day, when Lola appproached the old oak tree, she heard a voice... a strong, deep voice. It said, "You're late, Lola." The voice sounded like her father's, and she wondered if she had heard the voice in her ear or in her mind. "Maybe Dad's hiding on the other side of the tree, trying to trick me!" she thought, but when she looked, there sat her beloved dog, Old Shep. His eyes were bright and he was smiling. At least it looked that way. "Hi, Old Shep." said Lola. "Is Dad here with you? I thought I heard his voice." She sat next to the tree and Old Shep sat with her. She stroked his head. The voice startled her this time. "Don't be frightened, Lola. It's just me, Old Shep, talking in your mind." Lola couldn't believe she was hearing her dog's voice. The voice spoke again. "I just wanted to tell you how much I have loved you ever since I was a pup, and to let you know that the time is near for me to leave for Doggy Heaven, as you used to call it." Suspending her disbelief, Lola spoke aloud, telling him not to even think about leaving. Then Old Shep said, "Lola, would you hug me for awhile?" She held him tight, as she had many times before. Shep suddenly stood and scooted off like a young pup. Lola, thinking he wanted to play, jumped up laughing, and chased after him as Old Shep disappeared around the tree. Then she felt his warm, damp mouth close lightly around her ankle from behind. "Gotcha again, Lola." Shep said. He wagged his tail briskly, then stopped and looked intently into her face. His old eyes brightened suddenly and he dashed off into the barley field and out of sight. A sudden wind swayed the giant oak and the essence of Old Shep's voice blended softly with the sighing sounds of wind rushing through leaves... "Remember me, Lola." A scene from "Clan of the Mockingbird"... Placing my hands flat on the table, I concetrated on being a mockingbird. The POP noise came as expected, and PRESTO!, as if by magic, I was a bird again! I hopped around my coffee cup a couple of times, then took flight. This was, without a doubt, the wildest day of my life! All the things mockingbirds do seemed to come so naturally to me; like making strange noises, flying from one tree to the other, then up to the top of a power pole to try out some new songs. I sounded darned good for an amateur! The more I flew, the more daring I became, like flying high and circling on rising air currents, then folding my wings and plummeting in free fall toward the earth, feeling the air rush by me at gale force, then spreading my wings at the last moment and feeling the air slam against them. What a wonderful, wonderful sense of freedom! A verse from "Hidden Meanings"...
Yes, Dear. I want to play grand songs, to move people with my music. Yes, Dear. I want to stir the Soup of Life, to inspire people to have deep thoughts when they hear my music. Yes, Dear. Mother, where is my trumpet? On your piano. I don't have a piano. Yes, Dear, I know.
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CRITTERS PRESS 704 E. Skyway Court Payson, Arizona 85541 |
You may contact Jay Kemp by telephone at
(928) 474-2798
RimCountry.Com
eMail: admin@rimcountry.com|
A Brief Profile of J.M. (Jay) Kemp Creative writing in the Science Fiction genre challenges my mind and gives me great pleasure. I'm continually hooked on writing with each passing day, days that race by all to quickly. After six years of plot changes, rewrites and 95,000+ words, the final chapter with the famous word "END" signalled the completion of Book One, "The Adventures of Lhone." Book Two is currently in progress. My varied life is conveyed in my Unauthorised Autobiography entitled "Hopscotch Life." So far, the story has progressed to 1960 and page three hundred fifty, with several exciting and adventurous years yet to be chronicled. Vern Harden, a playwrite friend, and I collaborated on a treatmenat and a 90-minute script from an adaptation of my short story, "Secret Formula," registered with WGA West. Other fictional short stories still in submission are: "Mockingbird," "The Crossing," and "Tunnel." In Non-fiction, there is "Hearth Cricket." Between stories, occasional poems have appeared, each inspired by some relatively trivial incident. It is impossible for me to sit at the electronic machine purely for the purpose of writing a single poem. A book, therefore, of my poetry is in the works for the future. Other works currently in progress are "The Adopted Ones," a sci-fi story about an unique plan to invade Earth; a novel, "World in Crisis," weaves a devastating story that forever changes its characters' lives. During years of working in the many facets of television production since its inception in 1948, I've held many enjoyable and meaningful positions, to include: set designer, lighting technician, camera operator, floor manager, director, and even an actor in TV productions at KABC-TV 7 in Hollywood, California, and in stage plays at the Little Theater in Phoenix, Arizona. While working at KPHO-TV 5 in Los Angeles, I wrote the script, produced and played the part of a space man in a production called "Mr. 5." My stint as a singer in a dance band and solos with stage reviews was short-lived due to a bout with cancer. Since attending the Jay Datus Kachina School of Art in Phoenix, Arizona, art has remained a very fulfilling part of my life and has allowed me to exhibit my work professionally in galleries in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona and Payson, Arizona, and in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Works purchased from collectors are from Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, California, Florida, New York, Washington and Texas domestically, as well as England and Germany overseas. Over these years, working with acrylic, oil and gwash, I have developed what I feel to be a distinctive painting style. My sculptures are of wood, concrete, stone, clay, wire and various metals. I am an active juried member of the Arizona Artist Guild of Phoenix, and the Payson Art League. I am also a long-standing member of P.A.W.S., the Payson Area Writers Society.
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