Since I never wrote a post for the #introduceyourself tag, I'll let this post serve as my Steemit introduction. It can also be a reference for anyone who wants to know more about @Blockurator on Steemit. It is my intent to link to this post in all future posts so readers can get a glimpse into my soul and learn more about who I am.

Who Is @Blockurator?

My real name is Allen Taylor. I live in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. I'm a writer, a former U.S. Army officer, a husband, Dad, brother, son, uncle, and Poppy to my four amazing grandchildren. So, let's talk specifics.

Freelance Writer/Editor

I've been a full-time freelancer since 2006. With over 10,000 blog posts behind me, I've learned a thing or two about content creation. My clients have included small business owners, entrepreneurs, major corporations, global enterprises, and Internet-based businesses.

For eight years, I was chief operations officer for a content service that specialized in SEO-based articles, blog posts, website content, and social media posting. In that capacity I oversaw the content production of up to a dozen writers, 50 commercial blogs, and thousands of articles monthly. In 2013, I went out on my own.

Today, I specialize in fintech, blockchain, and cryptocurrency content. As editor of two niche publications--Lending Times and Blockchain Times--I stay on top of important developments in these business specialties. I have written under my own byline and ghosted for real estate crowdfunding platforms, marketplace lending executives, crypto hedge funds, news and information websites, and other types of businesses related to these.

To learn more about my freelance writing services, visit my website and check out my LinkedIn page.

Note of trivia: I've had the fine distinction of having interviewed @Ned.

Fiction Writer, Editor, and Publisher

My first ambition in life was to be a novelist. That dream began when I was 10 years old. Since then, I've had stories published at various venues, in print and online.

My first published story appeared in The First Line in the early 1990s. Genres I've dipped a toe into include literary, science fiction, fantasy, horror, Bizarro, and surreal/irreal. Here is a small taste of storytelling:

• Shopping for Feelings
• The Saddest Tale Ever Told
• Memorandum of the Ministry of Silly Putty
• My Secret Life as a Garden Gnome

I am also the author of Limerents in the Bog, a novella, and editor of the Biblical Legends Anthology Series, a series of speculative fiction multi-author anthologies. Titles include:

• Garden of Eden
• Sulfurings: Tales From Sodom & Gomorrah
• Deluge: Stories of Survival & Tragedy in the Great Flood

Limerents in the Bog	Garden of Eden	Sulfurings	Deluge

I am also the publisher and head chimney sweeper at Garden Gnome Publications.

Poet

I started writing poetry in college in the late 1980s. Over the years, I've had a few publication credits, both online and in print. Some of my scribblings include:

• We All Sing America Now
• Cigar
• Music
• Nocturne: Battlefield Sonnet
• Old Goth

Steem Monsters

Created by @calumam
I wasn't on Steemit long before the Steem Monsters craze took off, and I got swept into that. Fortunately or unfortunately, I cannot discern. I've entered all of their writing contests. These are my entries:

• Haunted Spider (Runner up)
• Feral Spirit (Runner up)
• Feet of Clay, Heart of Flesh
• The Ballad of the Crustacean King
• How Magic Was Born (Runner up)
• Enkidu the Fire Beetle (Runner up)

Nonfiction Writer

I've also been known to kick out some nonfiction, such as this essay on weird fiction and this curated digest of the latest crypto news spiced with a dash of humor. I'm also the author of an e-book on e-book publishing titled, "E-book Publishing: Create Your Own Brand of Digital Books."

U.S. Army Veteran

I served in the U.S. Army from June 1984 to May 1987 and from 1997 to 2005 as a National Guardsman. I attended officer candidate school through the Texas National Guard and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005. I resigned my commission in December 2005 after 12 years of honorable service.

Jesus Follower

Image from Pixabay
There was a time when I would not have identified with Christ. One night, in 1992, I was all alone in my living quarters (that happened a lot back then). I was going through a rough stretch emotionally, financially, and psychologically. So I asked God, if He was real, to show me a sign. He did.

No sooner had the request flown my lips when the Holy Spirit descended upon me and I found myself praising God, clapping my hands and shouting Hallelujahs. Consciously, I asked myself, "Why am I doing this? Why am I acting this way?" But I knew, and had no better explanation for it, that it was the Holy Spirit showing me a sign of God's presence in my life.

From that day forward, I studied my Bible, prayed, and sought to discern God's will for my life. I found a church where I could have a support group and be strengthened in my newfound faith.

This, of course, does not mean that I am perfect or that I don't sin. I am still human. But I know I have an advocate in heaven who continues to remind my heavenly father that he has bought me with His Son's blood. I am free from the bondage of sin and now live unto Christ. Content to reflect this part of me is on the way.

Note: All e-book covers featured on this page were created by professional artists for hire and the rights are owned by me. The top profile photo was taken by my wife and companion of 15 years.

Got questions? Is there anything about me you'd like to know? Leave your questions in the comments and I'll do my best to answer them.

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