Creekbank Blog

I could tell you all of the reasons I want our new book, As the Crow Flies, to be in Braille. Instead, I’ll share this story from our time in Chad, Africa:   “Pastor, will you please read Acts 1:8 for us?” The white-haired Mzee picked up his Bible and began thumbing through it. I’d never seen someone read from …

A word from Curt Respect.  What a fine word. Today is Mother’s Day.  This is my favorite story about a mother’s love. I share it with humility and respect.     This story is from my short story collection, Deep Roots.  A Thirty-Year-Old Picture As the older woman wrote her check, she laid down her billfold. Then I saw the …

Of all the things I learned from three years in Africa,  a lasting lesson was the sacrifice of families who serves overseas. Grandchildren grow up a world apart from their grandparents with only yearly (or less) face-to-face visits. Missionaries worry about their aging parents as the years roll on. Parents in the United States pray, worry, pray, and worry some …

A word from Curt Enjoy! Be Grateful! LISTEN TO Audio Podcast of this story My Mother is Named Mary   Jesus and His Mother Mary: It’s a reminder that even when your child is perfect(ly obedient) you may not understand him or her.   I’ve been thinking a lot about Mary this week. I love learning more about my wonderful …

It’s true.  Many things that seem insignificant can become momentous. Yes, from small starts come large trees. _____________________________________________________________ Kickstarter Update Speaking of small starts: We started our Kickstarter campaign on May 1. We’ve nearly done it. In twelve days, you’ve backed As the Crow Flies with over $ 3500 and counting. This has allowed us to nearly reach our initial …

I’m so thankful for readers and friends who allow me to write and publish independently.  Although I’ve yet to receive a “traditional contract” from a large publishing house, I’ve been privileged to write twelve books that have sold thousands of copies and touched so many folks.  I am grateful to God for this. This video is how I feel about …

A quick word from Curt. Quick Update on our Kickstarter Campaign:Together, we can do it!  That’s been our theme for this project to publish our next novel.Thanks to the help of readers and friends like you, we’re halfway to our Kickstarter goal of $4000 to publish As the Crow Flies.  This is amazing because it has occurred in the first five days …

Together, we can do it! Friends, You are invited to become part of the Creekbank Tribe that helps publish As the Crow Flies. Learn more at the Creekbank Kickstarter page.  I want to thank you in advance for believing in our stories and their worthiness to appear in print. Together, we can do it! Gratefully, Curt Iles       …

Scroll down:  We need your help to publish As the Crow Flies. Scroll down to learn how you can support our Kickstarter campaign that begins Monday.   Are you receiving updates on our books, stories, and free giveaways? If not, subscribe here.  ________________________________________________________ One of the best parts of being part of the Creekbank Tribe is having fun being a …

From the very start our upcoming novel, As The Crow Flies, has been a team project.  So many of you have given timely information and feedback. Thank you. For context, visit our As the Crow Flies Page to read synopsis, back cover copy, and sample chapters. Today we’re asking you to help select the promo image for our Kickstarter Campaign. …

Help us “build” the Westport Store Part of the fun of writing (and reading) fiction is creating images and characters in your mind. Our upcoming novel,  As the Crow Flies, is scheduled for release on Labor Day.  I’ve been living in its location for most of the past year. The Westport Store, also known as the Hatch and Moore Store, …

It’s amazing that our first book, Stories from the Creekbank (2000) is still in print and being enjoyed by a new generation of readers. To celebrate this, we’ve released a new edition.  It features a new cover, five new stories, plus the original chapters. You can order your copy of Stories from the Creekbank at: Amazon  Paperback or Kindle   Order …

The new edition of our first book, Stories from the Creekbank, features five new stories.  This is one of my favorites.   “Curt, disregard that first message.” Any school principal knows that phone calls from about 3:30 PM to suppertime are never good. They are usually from angry parents who have just heard their child’s (one-sided) story of discipline, trouble, …

This is the weekly Tribe Creek Storyletter.  It’s just an opportunity to tell you what’s going on in our writing world, and hopefully encourage and inspire you.   I try to live by a series of words.  Right now, gratitude is filling my heart. I am so thankful for the gifts in my life. I’m extremely grateful for my returning …