Booking his own artistic future

After more than 40 years of writing short stories and poems, Glendale resident Ronald Walter Klimmek is publishing a book of his works. He plans to bring it to bookstores and libraries in Glendale.

The book, “The Literary World of Ronald Walter Klimmek,” is a compilation of work ranging from poems to suspense stories.

“I keep my stories very stimulating,” Klimmek said.

“I keep it so you want to turn the page.”

Klimmek is in the process of having his work published at www.authorhouse.com — a self-publication site — and plans to bring copies to the Glendale Public Library and retailers such as Borders and Barnes & Noble in hopes that they will decide to purchase and stock his book.

He is also considering donating a copy to the Glendale High School library, he said.

“With my books out there, I’ll live for a long time — at least in a literary sense,” he said.

Though most of his stories are fictional, Klimmek said he often draws on his own experience to create a concept.

One instance can be found in the story, “When Judge Beelzy’s Court was in Session.”

This tale — about a sadistic judge — was slightly inspired by his time as a security officer in Burbank courts, he said.

“Since my birthday is Halloween, I also try to put Halloween in [my stories] just to drop a little of myself in there,” he said.

Klimmek first discovered his desire to write when he was a student.

“When I was in high school we had to take literature and analyze it in English class,” he said.

“It started to kindle an interest in me. I especially remember one story … ‘The Most Dangerous Game.’”

From that point, Klimmek said he made a hobby of writing everything from poems to love stories, passing some along for friends and family to read.

“I think his work is excellent, I’ve read many of his stories,” his wife’s uncle, Nicky Garganta, said.

Klimmek hopes his work will be successful and discussed his secret for writing an interesting story.

“When I write these stories I like to give them a good ending,” he said.

“I like to make my stories have a good beginning and a good ending.”

Klimmek is a social worker in private practice.

He helps people with alcohol and drug problems.

He hopes his efforts will one day make him a successful writer.

“I’d like to be a well-published short-story writer and poet,” he said.