Our Books

  I can’ t get this poem off my mind. My life has been a succession of travel on the road less traveled. This New England poem takes me back to Africa. The Road Not Taken By Robert Frost. Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood …

This is a story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. It concerns a famous person from Galveston, Texas. The plaque mentioned is at sidewalk level atop the sea wall. A Good Epitaph to Have     Have you ever thought about what epitaph you’d like to have? Recently as I walked Galveston’s seawall, I read a plaque: In …

“He went through life oiling squeaky doors.” -A good epitaph to have: He made things better wherever he went. May the same be said of us. He carried an oil can. We can do the same with a small can of WD-40. Most importantly, we can go around helping others daily, lightening their load, and encouraging them in tough times. …

    Bro. Hodges’ Best Sermon The preacher stood in the middle of the muddy red clay road, staring at the problem straight ahead.   It was a long way from his pulpit, so he had no idea he would preach “his best sermon” right here in a few minutes. This preacher standing in the middle of the road was Kenneth …

What is “Courage under Fire?” Most people run away from trouble, while others run toward it: David: ”This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” ”As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.“ * What is it in a man that causes some to run away, while others face it head …

The Evening Holler   This is the first story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank. Over thirty years later, it is still my most requested story. You can hear an audio version of the “The Evening Holler read by the author, at the Creekbank Podcast  as well as Spotify. Our YouTube Channel episode comes straight from my rocking …

  The 100-Foot Line     There’s a fine stand of young slash pine at Dead Man’s curve on the Longville Road. I’ve watched the growth of this forest since it was clear cut, then replanted in straight rows. The following year, the pines began to poke their heads above the grass. They’ve emerged above the surrounding bushes and scrub …

    The Best Trade: A Christmas Tree for a Basket of Jelly This story from my first book, Stories from the Creekbank, is still a favorite of readers of all ages. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas to all of my friends. -Curt Christmas jelly is probably my favorite holiday gift. Yearly, I receive this present from a …

  The bird crashed into the plate glass window. My friend and I walked over to where a red cardinal lay on the grass. She said, “It’s dead.” “Let’s watch for a while. I’ve seen birds, knocked silly from a collision, get up, wobble around, and fly off.” But it was evident this cardinal’s flying days were over. He was …

Pine Trees and Gravel Roads This story, written in 2023, is from my third book Wind in the Pines.  They’ve clearcut a large swath of pine forest adjacent to the home I grew up in at the dead-end road where my parents live. A Clear Cut is always sad to me.  This one removed the thick strands of pines about …

I’m in the process of uploading all thirteen of my books to my website. The reason I’m doing this is simple: I want folks to enjoy them. You can download a PDF of my fourth Louisiana novel, A Spent Bullet. Download here. Writing, Curt Iles P.S.  You can follow my current novel in progress, Where We All Belong, at www.creekbank.net …

A Good Place, Curt Iles’ second novel,  continues to be a favorite of readers worldwide. As a gift, we’d like you to have a complete PDF download. Click this link to download Enjoy Mayo Moore on his journey! Curt Iles P. S.  As a thank you, please share this link with a friend. Our goal is always to spread our …

  Today would be the birthday of my precious great aunt,  Letha Stockwell Reynolds.  In honor and memory of her life, we’re posting a reader favorite story, “Running Through The Lobby.” It’s a post about love and Aunt Letha and her husband of seventy-seven years, Gordon, are the stars.   Learn more about Deep Roots at http://www.creekbank.net/books/deep-roots/         …

                 Dead End   Mr. Frank Miller stormed into my office. Maybe stormed is too strong a word, but he was evidently highly upset. When a man over eighty storms into a room, and he is your mentor, you quickly want to find out what is wrong. I didn’t have to ask as Mr. Frank got right …