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Out of My Mind


Out of My Mind is a collection of 72 short stories by R. Brian Campbell, an Author, Freelance Writer, Storyteller and Nature Photographer, from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. This contains a miscellany of stories, literally from out of the author’s mind, on a wide range of topics, in a variety of genres.  The stories are broken up into eight sections.

Short Shorts contains a number of very short stories that only have one thing in common. They are all 600 words or less. This is truly the best way to get a handle on the author’s writing style and find out if you will like what comes next.

All in the Family is a selection of fictional stories about families dealing with family dynamics ranging from a marriage proposal, dealing with parents and in-laws, children, marital breakdown, to going into business together. Some stories are tongue-in-cheek, while others are deadly serious. Some are both. All will stir your emotions.

Campbell Alternative News was inspired by Donald Trump’s coin of phrase, “Fake News” and is a series of political satire stories, mostly about President Trump, but also including some Canadian politics. Some of these stories are loosely based on actual events, some are made up entirely. If you are not able to find the humour in U.S.A. or Canadian politics, this section may not be for you.

My Political Viewpoint is the author’s blunt-as-a-spoon look at politics in Canada, the U.S.A. and around the world between the years of 2017 and 2019. This section offers the author’s opinion of events that have occurred in our world over these years and his blunt, often sarcastic view of what he thinks we should be doing about it. This section includes the author’s breakdown and comparison of U.S. President, Donald Trump with Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau.

The World As I See It takes the author’s blunt viewpoint out of the political arena and into the world in general. In this section, the author gives his opinion on the subjects of technology, multitasking, Winnipeg drivers, scammers, bullying, the Me Too movement, the environment, and much more.

Spooky Tales takes us into the darker side of the author’s imagination.  Lovers of Stephen King and the Twilight Zone are sure to enjoy this section. But beware, things are not always what they seem.

Seasonally Speaking takes us through several years of living in Winnipeg from the point of view of a winter hating Winnipegger. This section is divided according to seasons, not years, so it tends to jump around a bit. This section may remind Winnipeggers why they love their city and give non-Winnipeggers some insight into the Winnipeg state of mind.

Living the Adventure is the final and, potentially, most exciting section of the book. This section deals with heroic stories that include a fight over a river, a street gang, a ninja, dirty business dealings, escaped criminals and, finally, the end of life as we know it.

Happy Reading.

Out of this World

Brian’s second book, Out of This World, is mainly a collection of Science Fiction and Fantasy stories, intended to take you out of this world.   This book is broken into three sections, Off The Beaten Path, Through Time and Space, and Welcome To My World.  Here there be dragons, ogres, elves, ghosts, aliens and much, much more.

This book is broken into three sections.  The first section, Off The Beaten Path, and consists of thirteen random, often humorous stories, of a style that will be familiar to anyone who read Out of My Mind.  The author even includes a brief return to Campbell Alternative News, when intrepid reporter, Brian Campbell, attempts to interview a Modern Day Prophet.  From the author’s first story, I Talk To Animals, in which the author describes his relationship with the animals he has met in his travels, to Vampires in Whitby, to Adventurer for Hire, the author attempts to gently lead you out of your comfort zone and into the realms of his imagination.

The second section, Through Time and Space, plunges the reader directly into the author’s Science Fiction worlds, offering several potential futures for our world, and venturing off onto other Planets.  The last story in this section The Price of Peace, is, a 31,000 word novella, which is sure to be a favourite among Sci Fi fans.

The third and final section Welcome To My World, leads the reader into a fantasy world entirely of the author’s creation.  This section consists of ten separate, yet interconnected, fantasy stories, set in the same world, but involving different protagonists.  As the stories are interconnected, you will find that there are some reoccurring characters, occasionally leading us from one story to the next. This series of stories represents a foreshadowing of things to come.

Welcome to My World.

Or contact Brian at brian@brianthewriter.ca or phone: (204) 880-5505

Testimonials & Blog

Out of My Mind – Reviews

 A Great Read

Reviewed in Canada on September 19, 2020

Joan-Dianne Smith

  Recommends the Book Out of My Mind

January 21, 2021

I met Brian Campbell many years ago through Business Networking. I knew he wrote articles for magazines and helped other business owners with content for their websites, etc. What I never realised was what a multi-facetted mind Brian has! The picture on the front of the book says it all. And this book will have something for everyone, I’m sure. Off-the-wall-funny, spooky and adventurous, political comment and family points of view. To top it all, you can’t live in Winnipeg and NOT talk about the weather, and he does! My favourite story? “Legacy of the Master.” Beautifully told and very interesting, I loved it right to the end. Support local talent and support local businesses……order yours today!

Cheron Long-Landes

I found it entertaining

December 14, 2020

I just finished reading “Out of my Mind” a collection of short stories by Brian Campbell. I found it entertaining and extremely funny! It would be in your best interest to pick up this book and give it a read!

Philip Chiola

Brian’s book held my interest.

October 11, 2020

Previously I had no interest in political satire-actually had no idea even what it was. Upon reading certain chapters in Brian’s book, I now understand and appreciate this concept of humour.

The chapters about how families’ live and navigate thru less than ideal circumstances-could feel close to home for some of us readers.

A section of Spooky Tales definitely an entertaining experience. Lovers of various Halloween themes will appreciate the darker shades of grey…..well written and easy to visualize the story.

As a writer myself I truly appreciate the time-consuming task of choosing the exact word or phrases needed to convey the author’s precise thoughts and meanings.

Well done Brian.

I do highly recommend purchasing and reading Brian’s unique and personal narrative. Feel the emotional input. Hear what your mind is thinking as you experience this joy of reading. Visualize different situations presented in Living the Adventure.

What would you do?

Respond or React —-you’ll understand the energy Brian presents for our reading pleasure.

Marilyn Jestin.

Marilyn Jestin

I’m enjoying it very much

June 18, 2020

I’ve read half the book and it’s highly interesting and entertaining I’m enjoying it very much I recommend it to everyone who likes to read and have a bit of a giggle while doing so.

Tania Kallstrom

Thanks Brian for the personal delivery.

August 4, 2020

I enjoyed the fiction parts the most – brief insights into bigger stories left to the imagination, like a short story is meant to do.
I call it a light read, but it leaves behind some food for thought.

Amazon Customer

Blog

An Old Buck’s Tale

“Grandpa! Grandpa!”  The two fawns came tearing across the meadow.  Bambi looked up from munching dandelions and smiled.  He always enjoyed it when Didi brought the fawns over. Their energy invigorated him.  “Grandpa, tell us a story,” Daisy begged, as she skidded to a halt in front of him. “Yes.  A story,” her brother, Lucky, agreed, as he crashed into his sister, knocking them both into the remaining dandelions, crushing them. Ah well, he should stop snacking anyway. The other bucks were beginning to ask when his fawns were due.  “Hi Dad,” his daughter, Didi greeted, then asked. “Where’s Mom?” “Hi Didi.  Your mother is in the field at the other end of the glade, foraging some vegetables for dinner.  She could probably use and extra hoof.” “I’m on it, Dad.” Bambi watched his daughter glide towards the human farmer’s field, then turned and smiled at his grandfawns. “A story, is it?  What story would you like to hear?”

Witch Adventure Now

To tell the truth, I didn’t want this job, which was what I was attempting to explain to my potential client.  But, sometimes you have to take the lesser of two nasty problems.  I only hope I made the right choice. “I’m sorry sir, but I don’t think I can help you.” “But my children. The witch has them, and I dread to think what she may do, if someone doesn’t rescue them soon.  Even now, we may be too late.”   The man was pleading with me.  He looked desperate, and it was obvious that he dearly loved his children. But he was also poor, which was where the problem lay.  “I understand, sir. I really do. And I sympathize with you.  But my fee-”

Double Trouble

“Run, Princess! Run!”  I hauled on the Princess’s arm as hard as I could, pulling her along behind me as fast as I could manage without dragging her off her feet.  Time was of the essence, but making her fall, then having to stop to help her back to her feet would be counterproductive.  So, I pulled and begged. “Please, Princess, we need to go faster.”

Alfie and the Case of The Missing Map

“Alfie. I could use your help.” Anything to put off trying to figure out why this silly robot won’t walk, Alfie thought. He set the toy down, pasted a grin on his face, and turned around. “Sure, Santa. How can I help you?” Santa didn’t look his usual, jolly self. In fact, he looked worried, and that made Alfie worried. “Alfie, do you know Doodles?” “Doodles the mapmaker? Sure. He’s been here forever.” A booming laugh exploded from Santa’s chest. “OH HO! That’s one way of looking at it. And you aren’t far off.  Doodles was among my first elves, when I first opened my workshop, before I even met Mrs. Claus.”

Planning the Perfect Christmas

“Hello.” John stepped inside, stamping his boots on the rubber mat as he closed the door. “I’m back. Carrie? Are you home, or am I talking to myself?” “In here,” a voice called from the dining room. John pulled off his boots, hung his coat on the hook, and walked toward the voice. Carrie met him at the doorway with a kiss. He returned it, then asked, “So what have you been up to?”

Santa is Missing

“Alfie. Have you seen Santa?” Alfie looked up from the dump-truck he was assembling. Mrs. Claus was standing in the doorway of the workshop. “Sorry, but he hasn’t been in here the morning. In fact, you are the first person I’ve seen since breakfast. Have you checked the other workshops?”

Tis the Season, 2023 Edition

I usually post this in December, but here we are on November 20th and I am already seeing “War on Christmas” posts, so I felt that it was time, once again, for my annual holiday season rant. 

Adventurer for Hire

I was relaxing in my office, leaning back in my chair with my legs crossed, feet up on my desk. Okay, so my “office” was an old shed next to the stable that was formerly used by the stable-hand and my desk and chair were old shipping crates, but it was all mine. I even had a sign on the door, albeit crudely made, that read, “Adventurer for Hire”. And why not? After more than ten seasons in His Majesty’s service, I’ve seen my share of adventure and fought nearly every creature in the land. Why not put all that experience to good use and make a bit of coin in the process?  Admittedly, business had been slow, thus far. Finding lost pets and truant children weren’t exactly the adventures I was expecting to do. But after all, I’d only been in business a little over a month. Besides, it was paid work, even if most of it was in vegetables and poultry. A man’s got to eat. But it sure would be nice to have a real paying client with an actual adventure.  That’s when I learned to be careful about what you wished for. There was a rap on the door. I sat up, feet dropping to the floor. “Enter.”

Things That Go Bump in the Night

The sun had already set by the time Leonard left his office. He stood in the doorway, searching the night for signs of danger, before stepping out onto the sidewalk. He walked swiftly, his neck pivoting back and forth, like a radar antenna, scanning the shadows for signs of danger. There was a full moon tonight, but the clouds continually passed over it, adding an eerie quality to the night. Worse yet, it was October 30th, the night before Halloween, the spookiest night of the year.

Mourning Halloweens Past

The full moon was high in the night sky as the bat flitted quickly towards its destination.  It hovered briefly over the All Hallows Inn, before descending.  As it approached the boardwalk, it began to blur and grow, until it transformed into a tall, lean man, dressed entirely in black. As his feet touched down, he began walking swiftly to the entrance, his black cape fluttering behind him.

Events

Does the one you love, love reading?

Does the one you love, love reading?I have the solution for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. You can find Out of My Mind at: https://www.amazon.ca/Out-My-Mind-Brian-Campbell/dp/1777209013/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=Out of This World at: https://www.amazon.ca/Out…/dp/1777209021/ref=sr_1_2…You can phone R. Brian Campbell at: (204)880-5505, email: brian@brianthewriter.ca, or go to: https://brianthewriter.ca/

The choice is yours

Enjoy reading quirky and often humourous tales of the world we live in, or take a journey into strange and mystical realms. The choice is yours. Out of My Mind is a book of more than 70 short stories on a variety of topics, from family related stories, to political…

Was reading more one of your 2024 resolutions?

Was reading more one of your 2024 resolutions?If so, I have a couple of recommendations. My first book, Out of My Mind is a book of more than 70 short stories on a variety of topics, from family related stories, to political satire, some spooky tales, some adventure stories, some…

Seasons Greetings, and all the best to everyone in 2024.

Seasons Greetings, and all the best to everyone in 2024, from Brian the Writer. R. Brian Campbell (204)880-5505, or brian@brianthewriter.ca

Brighten someone’s Christmas with the gift of a book.

Brighten someone’s Christmas with the gift of a book. You can find Out of My Mind at: http://mazon.ca/Out-My-Mind…/dp/1777209013/ref=sr_1_1… Out of This World at: https://www.amazon.ca/Out…/dp/1777209021/ref=sr_1_2… You can phone R. Brian Campbell at: (204)880-5505, email: brian@brianthewriter.ca or go to: https://brianthewriter.ca/

This Christmas, consider putting a book or two under the tree

This Christmas, consider putting a book or two under the tree, for the readers on your list. You can find Out of My Mind at: http://mazon.ca/Out-My-Mind…/dp/1777209013/ref=sr_1_1… Out of This World at: https://www.amazon.ca/Out…/dp/1777209021/ref=sr_1_2… You can phone R. Brian Campbell at: (204)880-5505, email: brian@brianthewriter.ca or go to: https://brianthewriter.ca/

Christmas Gift Ideas

Here are a couple of gift ideas for the reader on your Christmas list. You can find Out of My Mind at: http://mazon.ca/Out-My-Mind…/dp/1777209013/ref=sr_1_1… Out of This World at: https://www.amazon.ca/Out…/dp/1777209021/ref=sr_1_2… You can phone R. Brian Campbell at: (204)880-5505, email: brian@brianthewriter.ca or go to: https://brianthewriter.ca/