LOOMINGS is Here!

Loomings A Literary Newsletter by John B. Rosenman Welcome to Loomings, a newsletter about what’s new in the world of speculative fiction—and in my own writing. Here, I share recent developments, upcoming releases, reflections on storytelling, and the occasional twist from the edge of reality. To my former subscribers, if you want to continue, I’d be honored to have you come along. And if you’ve drifted, I understand and wish you the best. Warmly, John Volume 1, Number 1 -------------- Did You Know? Scientists believe the Greenland shark can live up to 500 years—meaning some are older than Shakespeare or the Jamestown settlement. That’s a lot of breaths. ————————————- To Mark the Launch of Loomings: The Riddle Challenge (See below): How It Works: Solve just one of the two riddles below and send your answer(s) by October 10 to  jroseman@cox.net. All correct entries will be entered into a random drawing. Three winners will receive a free Kindle copy of one of my novels, either Dreamfarer or A Breath of Fresh Air. When you submit your answer(s), please indicate which novel you'd prefer to receive. Winners will be announced in the next issue of Loomings. Here are the riddles: 1. What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years? 2. What can travel around the world while staying in the same corner? ————————————- Yes, I’d like to keep receiving Loomings. A Near-Death Experience Since we last spoke, strange things have happened. The first time, I lay down and slipped into a sleep where I felt I was drowning—unable to breathe. I was paralyzed, and I knew: if I didn’t manage to heave myself upright, I would die. The most recent time, I was playing tennis and sat down during rotation to wait my turn. As I waited, I drifted into a mental fog. Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe and was screaming inside. When I woke up, I had a headache. Nevertheless, I rose to my feet and played tennis for another hour. And ever since, one thought has haunted me: What if that happened while I was driving my car? I could kill someone. I could kill myself. Eventually, I saw a neurologist. After a test, I received the diagnosis: sleep apnea. Now I sleep with a machine that helps me breathe when I sleep. But here’s where life turned into fiction. I gave my character, Michael Windsor, the same symptoms. And in my novel A Breath of Fresh Air, the machine doesn’t just help—it watches. It learns. It judges. Soon, the government is after Michael, seeking to seize the sentient device for military and scientific purposes. The novel is the first in a series, and it's available on several outlets and can be purchased on Amazon: A Breath of Fresh Air on Amazon ~                 Is there a moral here? Maybe. Sometimes the scariest moments become the most fertile ground for storytelling. And sometimes, the machine that saves your life becomes the one that asks what your life is worth—and what your existence is really about. > Art Imitates Life — A Novel Born < > I’ve just received the edited, accepted version of Book 2 in the series, Every Breath I Take. It’s sitting in my computer now, waiting for me to go through it. The journey continues… and deepens. < This first issue is intentionally simple—a breath, not a broadcast. After nearly ten years of silence, I’m stepping back into the current with new stories, reflections, and a few surprises. If you’d like to continue receiving Loomings, just click below to stay aboard. I’m planning exciting things, and I’d welcome your company. Subscribe to Loomings Copyright (C) 2025 John B. Rosenman. All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because I'm inviting you to subscribe to my newsletter. Our mailing address is: John B. Rosenman 6229 Auburn Drive, VA Beach, VA 23464 Virginia Beach, Va 23464 USA Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe