Our Books

There are two life lessons I’m presently learning. First, is the power of the outdoors and nature. One of my keywords is L.L.L. Life Long Learning. I wish to finish strong in my life and constantly have a learner’s lean.  Eager to listen, learn, and grow. This corresponds with my three mantras: Stay Curious. Be Amazed. Tell Stories. Often I …

Scroll down to learn how you can get a special copy of A Spent Bullet.      In this passage from A Spent Bullet,  Elizabeth Reed’s father has an infected cut on his hand from being tusked by a hog. An Army Field Hospital is near their home.  She cajoles her father, a veteran of the Great War (what World …

  Through February, we’re sharing stories from our novel, A Spent Bullet. Today’s chapter is probably my favorite. It’s based on a true story and an example of the wonderful Southern rural hospitality that I love so dearly.   Go to our home page to subscribe to our story letter and download free chapters of A Spent Bullet. You can …

  A word from Curt Many of you took part in our Kickstarter campaign in May. By pre-ordering copies of As the Crow Flies, you received discounted copies and helped fund the book. I’ll be forever grateful for the sixty people who backed us for $4800.00. (Our goal was $4000). One of our reward packages was a special weekend in my …

Don’t miss this great book deal on A Spent Bullet and Uncle Sam. Learn more at www.creekbank.net I’ve been doing book inventory for our yearly Creekbank IRS filing.  I realized how many great books we have sitting in anticipation of being read by our readers both young and old. So to do something about this, we’re offering 33% off on …

  A word to the Creek Tribe: In the coming weeks, we’re going to have fun with several creative book sales.  As I’ve inventoried our backlist of twelve books, I’ve thought,  “We have too many good books in this closet needing to be in the hands of our Tribe readers.  So get ready for some treats. Follow this blog for …

Transparency is a Good Thing. “But he (Jesus) said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  -Paul in I Corinthians 12:9   There’s just something about a fire in the woods. …

I never met Tyler Lundin. At least not when he was alive. My journey to learning about his life and death began on a dusty soccer field near the Nile River in Uganda. Africans wear all manner of American shirts and caps.  I always enjoyed talking to them about who the Boston Celtics were, Adrian Peterson’s Vikings jersey, and my …

It’s a new year. Always a good time to think about the speed of life and balance. This story from my childhood sums up what I’m still searching for: the balanced life.   “Come apart or you will come apart.”  – Vance Havener I come from a long line of men and women who lived in the woods and loved …

  From The Old House by Curt Iles “Coco” Harper Lives Recently, they built a new Post Office in Dry Creek. It’s a large modular building complete with glass doors and modern conveniences. Out in front of it, the Postal Service poured a large concrete paving area. However, it just doesn’t look like it fits in Dry Creek. On the …

  I love Christmas.  I really do. I’d glad it occurs yearly. And glad it only occurs yearly. I call the week after Christmas,  Dec. 26-Jan.1, “Bah Humbug Week.” It’s a week to recover.  It’s a week to reflect.  I use this week to look back over the past year with gratitude and as a springboard to think about and …

  An Easy Mark   “I’m a thousand miles from anywhere, waiting for a train.” -Jimmy Rodgers “Waiting for a Train”   Calling someone an “easy mark” is normally not a compliment. We use it in the context of taking advantage of someone and associate it with weakness. I have a story that explains the term’s origin. I’ll let you—the …

Merry Christmas to you and your kin from all of us at the Creekbank. This new short story, “Midnight Chicken”, is our gift to you. May its theme of It is more blessed to give than to receive resonate and bless your Christmas. Curt and DeDe Iles Midnight Chicken   Dec. 23, 1943 Bundick, Louisiana   Elizabeth Miller awoke to …

A Gift from DQ   Christmas is a time for gifts and there are all types of gifts. The best gifts come from hands, hearts and are created from love and skill. As Christmas 2011 approaches, I’m obsessed with a gift I saw last week.  I call it a gift from DQ. DQ. I’m not referring to Dairy Queen. I’m …