Jay Bechtol @BechtolJay Twitter profile

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Jay Bechtol

3 years

Well, it's here. My debut novel The Great American Coward is available now from @BooksStoryline and on Amazon. Today, reality disappears. A little sci-fi, a little horror, and a vanished coffee shop.

The Great American Coward

www.amazon.com

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

Good Morning Everyone- I've been back and forth about posting anything here, but there's something therapeutic about screaming into the void. On Monday, my dear wife Karalee died unexpectedly. I've been a mess ever since. The girls came up, family poured into...

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

...The girls and I will gain strength by seeing her in each of us. And for now, that will have to do. For the last 28 year, this wife of mine has been amazing. But she wasn't really mine. I am simply one of the lucky one's who got to live in her world.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

...and the hundreds of people she touched in CA and AK with her kindness and wisdom. Karalee is beloved by so many, I don't know what they will do without her. I don't know what I will do without her. I wish she was here to guide me...

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

...tiny little Homer. And, as happens in small towns, everyone knew by Tuesday morning. She has a small store in town which sells beads and crystals and all sorts of things you didn't know you needed. She also reads tarot. Her store is a safe place, a magic place...

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

...and a place anyone in town can get the most compassionate, sympathetic ear you can imagine. Karalee was a therapist in L.A. A damn good one. But in Homer she reinvented herself. Kind of. Everyone in town knows that if you need to talk to someone, go see Karalee...

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

...where she will listen to you and help you navigate the world in a way you hadn't thought possible. Still a therapist, disguised as a tarot reading shop owner. I'm selfish. This should be my loss. MINE. But it isn't. She taught me that. This is a loss for our family...

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

One of the kids I work with said they were scared of a doll in the play therapy room. I said, "How bad can it be?" The doll:

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Got a new one today: "Thanks for submitting, but we've decided it would be better if we stopped publishing our magazine..." So technically, not a rejection!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Do you remember...the 21st night of September? 27 years ago today. Goodness, were we young. And everything positive in my life since is because of her.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

Whatever happens to the actual KROQ, the spirit of KROQ will live forever! Many thanks @richardblade @clydetombaugh @RalphGarman @SwedishEgil Jed the Fish, Freddie Snakeskin @alliemackay @thekevinryder Lisa May, Doc, Rodney @SluggoDoug and so many more. You all are the best!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Wait, people actually refer to it as X?

Dexerto

@Dexerto

1 year

A new poll revealed that 69% of U.S. users still refer to the platform as Twitter

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

just got a story accepted from the place i subbed it to 292 days ago. that is a new record for me.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

Anyone submit stories simultaneously to places that say "no simultaneous submissions?" Not that I do. Just, you know, curious.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

@kimah Thank you. I hope your own pain is healing.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

It's my birthday today. Did I wake up to an acceptance in my email? No. But will I be doing laundry later? Hell yeah!!!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

Hey gang- Thanks again for all of the support over the last two weeks. It has been a reaffirming experience born of immense tragedy. I'm heading back to work today, may do some tweeting, may do some writing tonight, mostly just trying to get back into a routine. Wish me luck!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

Hey everyone- I can't thank you enough for the outpouring of support, thoughts and heartfelt wishes. I'm trying to keep up, but just know, if I don't get back to you, I am reading all of your tweets and appreciate this strange on-line community... You all are the best.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

@TomBradyEgo that's a legit crazy stat

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Locally known here in Homer as "The Peter Pan House." Mostly used for parties, retreats, weddings, etc. Like most of Homer, it's a funky little place.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

Writer: I spent 26 hours crafting this short story, please read! (3 RTs and 16 Likes) Some dude: Remember when they came up with that striped toothpaste? That was the shit! (3,431 RTs and 11,292 likes).

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

10 months

I mean, really, can you blame her?

Whole Mars Catalog

@WholeMarsBlog

10 months

Voyager 1 has stopped communicating with Earth

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

4 months

Oh man, did you all see that! Stephen King liked one of my tweets!!!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

So, my favorite number is 7. Signed a contract with @uncharted_mag_ to have my story "Around the Corner From Everywhere" published in their mag on July 7th! Coincidentally, 7/7 is also my wife's birthday. I love stuff like that.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

5 months

Hey all- I was excited to have my first anthology invite published earlier this year in HellBound Books. I got paid $50 for the story. In light of recent events, I will use that $50 to buy Horror books from the transgender community. Please send me a link to your book!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

My oldest daughter's current work... She may have some talent.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Apparently not only is a hurricane descending on San Diego, but it is also tarantula mating season... I'm gonna be pissed if I get hit in the face with a flying spider.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

@thrillerchick Thank you.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

4 years

@nikkidolson this seems like a bunch of excitement over something so small

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

26 years ago today we got married, this summer we went fishing. Everything in between was exactly what I signed up for.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Got this in the mail this morning...so that was nice.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

9 months

He's driving for distance He's driving for speed

D. J. Runnels - author

@d_j_runnels

9 months

Drive with cake?

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

Contests are odd. I read other people's stories and wonder why I bother sending mine in, the other stuff is always so good. Then, every now and then, someone says, "Hey, your stuff isn't so bad."

Crystal Lake

@crystallakepub

3 years

The results for our Twist Ending flash contest are in... 1st: “Fifteen Years” by Jay Bechtol 2nd: “The Stillness” by Ken MacGregor 3rd: “The Siren's Mother” by Frances Pauli Thanks again to everyone who entered, as well as to the patrons who voted. You all rock!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

Holy cow. I'm 55 today. Seems like just yesterday I was 54. Looking for that last minute gift? Head to my website and click a link to one of my short stories. Mysterious, try "Wyeth;" sentimental, try "Airplanes;" creepy, try "Around the Corner..."

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

10 months

What song do you hear and immediately think of a movie it played in?

Shaun Bennett

@Shauncsbennett

10 months

What song do you hear and immediately think of a movie it played in?

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Very excited that my story "Chalk" has been accepted for publication in @SequestrumLit Huge thanks to @gr8stewart for his help and suggestions in getting this one ready!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

I'm happy to announce that one of my stories has made the shortlist for stories I'm thinking of sending out.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

When my kids were 5 & 6 we got them a dog from the pound. This little scragamuffin right here. Named him Toby. The girls are now in their 20s and living on their own. We had to call them today and let them know Toby is done chasing squirrels. RIP buddy.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

Good news, surgery went well! Flying up to Anchorage today to check in. She'll be in a brace for a time, but doctor said no long term damage. We will happily take that. Thanks for all of the kind words and thoughts!!!🧡🧡🧡

Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

So, not much of a "sharer" on the ol' Twitter, but here you go. Saturday wife and oldest daughter were in a car crash. Oldest is fine, wife with three cracked vertebrae. Medivac'd to Anchorage today (48 hour weather delay) for surgery. All will be well, but what a start, 2022.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Daughter called today, "Dad, our dryer is broken and the guy wants $800 to fix it." Me: "So, you going to take it apart yourself?" Her: "Hadn't thought of that." She called 10 minutes ago, "DAD, I FIXED IT!" Damn straight she did.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

Perhaps the greatest story I've ever written.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

@HarrisonSmith85 Given the origins of the Michael Myers mask, may I suggest:

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

So, guess what. I signed a contract and will be partnering with @BooksStoryline to release my first novel, "The Great American Coward." A little horror, a little sci-fi, and disappearing coffee shops. I'm extremely excited. More details to come.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

11 months

Punkrock History

@PunkRockStory

11 months

52 years ago A band called 'Death' was punk before punk was punk Formed in Nov. 71' by the 3 Hackney brothers, they were influential pioneers of the genre and, along with Pure Hell, the first all-black proto-punk/punk band. #knowyourroots #protopunk #history #punkrockhistory

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

This afternoon the wife took a picture of her bead/tea shop. We've had a bit of snow.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

8 months

Spent the last few days writing a story for a specific call. Just finished it and it's absolutely nowhere near the theme, the call, the genre...anything. Nailed the word count though!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

4 years

Well, I did it... Yesterday Today

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

So, not much of a "sharer" on the ol' Twitter, but here you go. Saturday wife and oldest daughter were in a car crash. Oldest is fine, wife with three cracked vertebrae. Medivac'd to Anchorage today (48 hour weather delay) for surgery. All will be well, but what a start, 2022.

Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

Been a ridiculous start to 2022. More to come on that front later today.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

Just watched Hunting Bigfoot by @kathleenmadigan . Dear Lord, was it funny. And I want whoever wrote her Kathleen song to write one for me that plays wherever I go... Because that would be awesome.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

@thisone0verhere Alan Rickman in...well, anything really. But especially

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

I worked up the courage to send a story in to a place way above my paygrade. Three months, no response I considered it a rejection. A week later I found the original submission email in my drafts, unsent. And now am too embarrassed to send it in. It makes sense in my head.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

The main reason we came down to L.A. is for this little goober on my back. She's always loved art and will be a senior at CSULB this year. Last night was the opening of her first solo how. I'm not crying.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

9 months

A short story about ageing. My wife: Can you grab that dustpan over there on the floor? Me: Sure thing. My back: This will be the last thing you do for a while.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

Very excited to wake up today and find out my flash (horror?) story "Starfish" eked out a win over some remarkable competition. @crystallakepub

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

I read my story "Ardent" (first appeared in @crystallakepub ) last night at Bunnell Street Arts here in Homer. First time reading one of my stories in public. Total blast!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

In the last 28 years I've been to the haircut place once, a visit etched in family lore. Karalee has always taken care of it for me. Today I will endeavor to cut my own hair. What's the worst that can happen?

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

5 months

You ever meet Twitter folk in real life and find out they are even cooler than you hoped?

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

10 months

Current view out my office window...

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

Some good news today!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

It seems @punk_magazine will be sharing a story of mine later this week. Excited to be part of their world!!! It's a dark piece, probably one of the two darkest things I've written. So, brace yourself.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

So, some of you believed me when I said my story made this long list. Would you believe me if I told you that same story has now made the short list?

Uncharted Mag

@uncharted_mag_

3 years

Thrilled to share the short list titles for our Horror/Thriller Short story contest! Judge @Benjamin_Percy is reading these stories now and we'll announce the winners soon!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

9 months

My wife scrolled through my Twitter stuff last night and said: "Mostly dad jokes and retweeting stuff. You are like more of an introvert on here than in real life..." She was a nice lady when I married her.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

Hey, Look! I story I wrote is available today at @uncharted_mag_ Thanks so much to Tommy and the gang over there for giving it a place! I hope you like it.

Uncharted Mag

@uncharted_mag_

2 years

New Horror Short Story by @BechtolJay "My ex-wife’s mother is buried in my backyard. And that’s not the creepy part of the story, I’m just telling you that to add a little context to the rest of my story. So maybe you’ll understand things a little better."

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

10 months

Friendly seasonal reminder. Technically the gift was Frankincense's Monster. Frankincense was the doctor who created it.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

I'm not a hugger. My girls and wife (watching from somewhere) have thoroughly enjoyed seeing the number of hugs I've had to endure over the last weeks...

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

Very excited this morning to see a short story acceptance for the @thealienbuddha 's House of Horrors Anthology! The October Horror Showdown is coming!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

5 months

I found out today the girls have this photo of our family prominently displayed in their house because they think it's funny.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

I've realized that if I submit a story to The Dark after 8pm Alaska time, it doesn't get rejected quite so quickly, and then I feel a little better about the story!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

Every May, since I joined Twitter, I've done a series of "May is Mental Health Awareness" posts. This year it hits a little differently, but forge ahead we will! To kick things off, I'm going to quote Joni Mitchell: "Laughing and crying, you know it's the same release."

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

Two story responses this morning. One was a "sorry, not this time" and the other was "congrats, second place in the contest." So, scrambled eggs and Dr Pepper for breakfast!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

I had my favorite writer experiences yesterday. In a local workshop, we read stories, offered feedback. With my story, instead of "shorten here" or "use fewer adverbs," the group discussed their connection to the main character and how the story made them feel. It was awesome.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

4 years

ME: I just wrote a story about a woman, her goldfish, and kleptomania. Journal: We are open to themed submissions about people, their pets, and shoplifting. ME: Submit! Journal: Sorry, this isn't what we are looking for right now.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

5 months

Little bit of imposter syndrome being in San Diego. But woke up to a new review for The Great American Coward... "I absolutely love a story that can travel from premise to conclusion with such nightmarish, lonely single-mindedness." So that's nice.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Not to brag, but that's a reading injury on my chin there...

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

10 months

Long Beach. Couldn't ask for better.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Update while sitting in an airport. The story I wrote based on this tweet just got shortlisted. For what it's worth.

Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

I'm going to write my next short story like a song that fades out. As I get to the end of it, I'm just going to use smaller and smaller font until it disappears.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

Moose are large.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

@monicabyrne13 Bono. I love the (U2) qualifier, as if maybe you meant (Sonny)?

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Going to the Stokers tonight was one of those things that makes me want to keep getting better as a writer. Effing inspiring.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

5 months

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. A simple thing you can do? Get some sun, get outside, touch grass. As little as an hour a day has positive impact on mental health.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

5 months

Really wrestled with going to @StokerCon this year. So glad I did. Was absolutely wonderful to escape and feel normal for a few days with the horror community. Thank you all. Especially @KCGrifant and @denniskcrosby and Sarah Faxon for putting together such a great event.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

8 months

some days story rejections hit differently than other days

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

I was lucky enough to have my story "Windchimes" connect with readers over at @crystallakepub . Congrats to @WrittenByLarry , Theresa Derwin, and everyone else who participated.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

Hey! My story "Ardent" took first place in the January Shallow Waters Contest over at @crystallakepub . @fictionknot 's and @Georgiacooked 's stories finished in the top three also. Not to mention multiple other fantastic stories!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

2 years

Happy birthday to my beautiful wife. Here we are 26 years ago celebrating her birthday as an engaged couple... You can just make out the tiny little ring on her finger.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

Am very excited to be back in L.A. for a few days. So excited that I flipped on KLOS looking forward to hearing @SluggoDoug and @thekevinryder in real life on the car radio, the way god intended. Turns out today is Saturday.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

4 months

house building update... Bathroom (with a bathtub view), driveway, and deck.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

4 months

One of the kids that comes to work with her mom made me this coaster for my Dr Pepper today...blood dripping down and it says "Gore." She's my new hero.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

5 months

Gabby and Corey are absolutely lovely. We talked books, writing, tarot, and oat milk... And maybe a little bit about Living In Cemeteries.

Corey Farrenkopf

@CoreyFarrenkopf

5 months

Guess who got to hang out with @BechtolJay today??? We did!!! Jay’s been one of my longest friendships on here and it was wonderful getting to hangout in person!!!

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

6 months

Finished this last night. Loved it and recommend it.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

I'm beginning to think that story I sent in to that place 17 months ago is probably "not a fit" at this point.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

4 months

Book Haul I got four new books in Long Beach (my daughter works at B&N) Seven more at StokerCon Three more in the mail when I got home to Alaska Going to try and read them all tonight.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

This young lady outside our back window. Single, in the snow, on Valentine's Day. It's like a country song.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

3 years

Very proud to have my short story "Memories From Franklin County, Missouri" finish third over @toasted_cheese 's Savage Mystery Contest. Give it a read.

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Jay Bechtol

@BechtolJay

1 year

Have you ever thought, "Boy, where can I find three of Jay's stories all in one place?" Well, coming Thursday: "The Manual," A tree seeks revenge against humanity. "No. It Doesn't," A deadly high wire act. "Fifteen Years," A married couple's argument spirals.