I started the Mt. Sneffels Press blog just a few days ago (today is Dec 30th, 2008) and have been transferring legacy comments and legacy blog entries from the American Flying Broomstick website to this blog. My old blog entries all had dates, so I transferred them under those dates. The reader comments, however, were undated, and I’ve long lost track of the original dates, so I’ve arbitrarily saved them under the date of Nov 30, 2008, so they’d all be in one place. They were received across 2008 and are here presented oldest first (meaning the oldest has the most recent time tag).

American Flying Broomstick, Reader Comments

From a This is True reader: The real question is not “Why is this man flying a broomstick?” but rather: “Why is this man flying a broomstick _backwards?” As any good witch knows, the bristles go in front–to hold the candle. (One of the earlier dangerous designs which made it to production…..

Hmph. Interesting question. I did a search on Google Images for broomsticks, and not a single image showed anyone flying in reverse. So I must assume that having the tail behind you is the standard position. But, as I note in my books, the broomstick is as happy going backwards as forwards, so I suppose what you propose is possible, although I would put it in the category of aerobatics, plus it would put the control area behind you. —Dave

American Flying Broomstick, Reader Comments

From Spock in MD: The referenced web page is from my recent copy of This-is-True and I found the idea delightful enough to want to share it with my students and, in fact, anyone else who may have a similar sense of the ridiculous. There are four samples of the book to read. It should be enough to whet your appetite for more. (See his original post.)

Thanks Spock! —Dave

American Flying Broomstick, Reader Comments

From Don in Ridgway, CO: I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dave Casler’s fanciful and witty novel. His devilish sense of humor and his amazingly realistic descriptions of his “broom flights” around the mountains of Southwestern Colorado and beyond, help make this book a “page turner.” I look forward to reading his next book.

Thanks, Don! Your comment about the “amazingly realistic descriptions” is one I get frequently. And the next book is Book 2: The Missing Wand which will be released July 4, 2008.

American Flying Broomstick, Reader Comments

From Jeff via e-mail: $17.76 is an excellent price, but… There are certain
sensitive folk who dislike that particular number.

True story:

While I worked at a large international company, one of our
computer products needed a numeric password so Field
Engineers could access and change the configuration table.
They already needed a specially cut key, so the password
only needed to be long enough that no one would key it
accidentally, and it should be easy to remember.

The engineering department decided on 07041776 and a memo
was sent to all the heads of Field Engineering Departments
worldwide.

Several months after the product entered service, our
factory began getting problem reports from across the pond.
To drastically shorten a hilarious Keystone Kops runaround,
it turned out that the head of Field Engineering for UK had
thrown the memo in the trash because of the ‘offensive’
number which it asked him to provide to all his Engineers.

Some people have a loooong memory!

So, if you’re not getting many orders from the UK, consider
giving them a ‘special’ price. Perhaps £11.05 for Guy Fawkes
Day.

Hmph. Well, I suppose. That was a loooong time ago. But interesting now that you mention it. After all, the power to fly a broom came from London. The reason for calling it the “Great American” broomstick was to avoid the label of witchcraft (see page 121). There’s more on the English vs. Yankee problem in Book 2 and even more in Book 3. Your suggestion to provide an especially significant price for our British forefathers is interesting, but £11.05 works out to close to US$23! Hmmm…maybe I could give a discount on the shipping. Let me think about it and play with PayPal to see how to make a button just for the folks in the U.K.

American Flying Broomstick, Reader Comments

From Eleanor in Ouray, Colorado: Dear Dave, Last week at the Community Musical Program at the 4H Center I bought your book. Once I started reading I couldn’t put it down–a delightful story. I am going to send it to Illinois to my bipolar scientist son to read. Now when I go outside I look up to see if you are flying by! Keep up the good work. Blessings, Eleanor.

Thanks for the kind words! Yes, I’m quite frank in the book about being bipolar. Tell your friends to come online and get copies!

American Flying Broomstick, Reader Comments

From Jim in Ridgway, CO: I was down photographing the Durango and Silverton train in the winter snow at Rockwood on Wednesday, and found three great photo locations that would have yielded spectacular shots. Only problem was that they were all about 40 feet to one side of the track and about 15 feet above it – right in the middle of the air over a 400 foot dropoff. Of course I told Kathy that I really needed one of Dave’s brooms! So there’s another use – an ideal photo platform (if you can keep balance steady). The scary thing is that I was serious! It would be perfect!

I agree–the perfect platform. Better than a helicopter, because you can get in tight and there’s no noise. But do keep one eye on the horizon to keep your balance!

American Flying Broomstick, Reader Comments

Barbara is following the “chapter a week” philosophy. Some of her comments so far:  “I’m interested to see how your creativity differs from other authors.” “What a surprise to find Moses in a story. Very unusual. And neat the way he just disappeared. Also interesting that our hero rides a motorcycle.” “Thanks for the installment. It’s got some good chuckles in it. And the chapter ends with a page-turner.”

Thanks, Barbara! And please pass on those chapters on to your friends!

American Flying Broomstick, Reader Comments

From Tom relative to his free chapter every week: Thanks for the chapters – I enjoy getting them each week. Like a little treat!

Thanks Tom! I’ve had many people tell me verbally how much they like the book. It’s nice to get it in writing so I can post it here. I like the “little treat” idea.

American Flying Broomstick, Reader Comments

See this article in our local paper. Nice writeup, plus a nice photo.

American Flying Broomstick, Reader Comments