Outdoorsman Short Stories

by Kevin Coolidge (for Joe Parry)
(Wellsboro PA)

Genre: Short Stories

I’m writing this about "Of A Predatory Heart" for seasoned woodsman, Joe Parry. Joe is just what he appears to be, a blue-collar, working class guy, but Joe has a talent that not everyone has. Joe is a natural storyteller, and he can put it to paper. The first rule of writing is to write what you know. Joe does one better, he writes what he is, a little guy with a big heart. His stories brought memories of my Grandpa, and my first hunting knife, of that special dog, and some brought tears of laughter. But more importantly, I thought these were stories that would do the same for many people the world over. You know how you read a book so good that you just have to share it? Yep, this is just such a book. Joe is chock full of tales and has many quality stories.

I work in a small, eclectic bookstore in rural Pennsylvania and hunting and fishing is an important part of our culture. I had several customers ask if we had any books by local writer Joe Parry. There were not any books to be had, and when Joe came in to sell off his book collection to pay his bills, I told him that there was a demand for his short stories.

Short stories are a hard sell. Even Joe Hill, Stephen King's son could not get a book of his short stories published until his success of "The Heart-shaped Box." I helped Joe Parry put together 18 of his short stories, and worked as both the editor and proof reader and self-published the book with Infinity.

Joe Parry, a Vietnam vet and an outdoor writer, has written for the Pennsylvania Game News, Field and Stream, Fins and Feathers, Turkey Magazine, Sports Afield, Readers Digest, Northwest Outdoors, the Philadelphia Daily News, and the Pittsburgh Tribune Review, and our very own Wellsboro Gazette. These stories on hunting, fishing, and the outdoor lifestyle run from snort-milk-through-your nose funny, to bringing a tear to a seasoned woodsman’s eye. It’s a memoir of a lifelong outdoorsman, starting from his return from the Vietnam War, with tales ranging from archery hunting, flyfishing, introducing children to woodcraft, and the bond that forms between generations through appreciation of the woodlands.

I especially enjoyed reading, The Royal Roachman. My uncle was a dedicated fly fisherman, and I remember the dining room table covered with vices and tiny hooks and filled with turkey feathers and multi-colored deer tails. I would watch him create delicate mimicries and speak of matching the hatch. That’s why I could not stop laughing when I read the short story. Anyone who has every tried to duplicate one of nature’s creations, will surely appreciate “Big Bill’s” gallant but feeble attempt, and the creation of THE FLY.

Perhaps, that’s what is so familiar about Joe’s book. It will remind you of home. Hunting and fishing is an important part of our culture here in Tioga County, and there’s something about the smell of gun oil and the searing heat of a woodstove that has a place in any hunters heart. If you were raised hunting, you know there’s just something about a gun. No man deserves the title of hunter that doesn’t feel a deep, honest gratitude for nature’s bounty.

Joe is a regular visitor at From My Shelf Books, and stops by to sign a few books. Joe's book is a steady seller, and though he doesn't make a lot of money on his book. It does give a retired vet much satisfaction to see his tales enjoyed. Joe's book is also available at Infinity Press, which gives the standard discount to bookstores, which is a huge plus on getting your local bookstore to sell your book.

Visit Joe's Blog, Of a Predatory Heart.