There are places in the world that I like to refer to as “Islands of Misfit Toys”.  Now, usually, this is used in a derogatory sense, to convey the idea that the people who congregate there are the strange outcasts of society, pariahs of their own people.

Let me tell you people, it’s not!

How do I know you may ask?  Because I frequent one all the time, and they are usually filled with the most interesting and entertaining people.  The Tinder Box, a cigar shop, in Williamsville, New York is a place I started to work at in college.  A place that has provided me countless hours of distraction and room to think and create ever since I’ve started to write seriously.  Customers and and fellow co-workers alike have provided sounding boards for when I hit a roadblock, and quite a few laughs when I couldn’t get around it.

How many laughs you ask?  So much that it filled a book with an anthology of short stories.  Cigar Boys: Stories from the Ashes is a collection of all the best stories from the place we affectionately refer to as “The Box”.  This book has a little bit of everything for everyone.

It’s filled with tales of romance, drama, shady business dealings and more a more than slightly humorous twist.  Now I’ll be honest guys.  In my time hanging around The Box, I’ve had front row seats to most of these stories and I still laughed when I reread the book.

Hell, as of right now, Lou Rossi is listed in the Top 10% of New Authors on Amazon.  I don’t think he would have gotten there with an anthology of boring stories.

Before I sign off, I have a question for all of you.  What Islands of Misfit Toys do you frequent?  Leave a brief story in the comment section below.  I can’t wait to read them.

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