Prudence in Hollywood: And Other Stories

"I went to the gynecologist last week, which isn't all that unusual except I'm a man. Prudence insisted I go." So begins the title story of this collection exploring the matrix of modern American relationships.

From Farewell True Love to Prudence in Hollywood, Lover Boy to Laughing Stock, Claim to Fame to Alpha Girl, we follow a quirky cast of unconventional characters pursuing love with surprising and often humorous consequences: a long-term romance ends; the love junkie meets his match; an Elvis impersonator crashes his class reunion; a stand-up comedian faces her fears; Hollywood personal training clients realize their dreams; a blended family heals emotional wounds.

Ralph Cissne's first novel Angel City Singles was published in 2018. An award-winning poet, his short stories have appeared in publications such as American Way and Playboy. The poetry collection Don't Be Shy was published in 2015. A native Californian, Ralph Cissne grew up in Oklahoma in a military family filled with storytellers who encouraged his early interest in creative writing. After graduation from The University of Oklahoma School of Journalism he worked in the advertising agency business for several years, launched his creative strategist consultancy and moved to Southern California where he marketed many leading health and fitness brands including StairMaster Sports/Medical Products. In Los Angeles Cissne hosted poetry and performance art venues, studied stand-up comedy with Greg Dean, improvisation with the ACME Comedy Theatre and writing through UCLA Extension. An avid golfer and lifelong yoga advocate, Cissne authored Will of Golf, Mastering the Mind-Body Connection in 2001. He has edited and published the work of his mentor Frank Natale including the books Results, Relationships for Life and The Wisdom of Midlife. Cissne lives in Oklahoma where he writes and volunteers as a creative life skills mentor.