Jim Bellar
writer/author
Books
Am I Too Late? A mother's reflection on her son's gap year and how it prepared him for an uncertain world discusses the current state of higher education and follows the adventures of a student who decides to take time away from the classroom. It is currently available on Amazon and through my co-author's website: www.funkandmyers.com
The Deal: A collection of Southern Gothic stories. A former Hollywood photographer moves to a small Southern town in the 1960's to extort money from men for sleeping with his wife. Currently being shopped to agents.
Red Boiling Springs: The Tradition Lives covers the bustling heyday of Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee in the 1920's when hotels and entertainment filled the small town. A copy is included in the State of Tennessee archives.
Stories My Gampa Tells Me. In this children's book, a grandfather teaches his granddaughter to dream big by telling her outrageous bedtime stories. Currently being shopped to agents.
Short stories
"Traffic Lights," is a short story recently published in Flash Fiction Magazine.
"Mama, I Need Some Money!" is a chapter from The Deal that was published in the Fall edition of the Louisville Literary Journal and nominated for a Pushcart Prize.
"A Bigger Window" another chapter from The Deal, was nominated as a semi-finalist in the Bayou Magazine, New Orleans University, 2020-2021 Knudsen Fiction Contest.
"The dogs are talking to me." A married couple tries to resolve infidelity issues by adopting two dachshunds named George and Tammy. Currently being shopped to literary magazines.
"An introduction to brass knuckles." The life of a 15-year-old guitar player changes when he rides to a gig with the band's new saxaphone player who has a car full of weapons to fend off his enemies. Currently being shopped to literary magazines.
Careers and workforce
Jim has worked with a variety of clients in transition including executives, high school and college students, and those facing multiple barriers to employment. He has been a presenter at national and international career conferences and has served in management and leadership positions in workforce developement and higher education.
"Three Questions All Hiring Managers Should Ask" was included on the Mumbai, India employee engagement website, Inspirit.
"Can You Hire and Retain Millenials? It's Complicated" Stereotypes, statistics and hiring strategies are discussed in this article featured in Talent Blueprint, a workforce publication of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce.
"Should I Stay or Should I Go?" The decision-making process regarding whether to stay in a job or leave is a webinar produced for Vanderbilt Alumni Association career series.
"Networking: Myths, Facts and Hacks." Misconceptions and effective strategies are discussed in this networking webinar produced as part of the Vanderbilt Alumni Association career series.
More than 30 articles published via LinkedIn on the workforce, workplace, trends, and higher education.
Music
As a musician and songwriter, Jim has opened for a variety of artists including Townes Van Zant and Dottie West and has performed with the Blue Plate All Stars and Eastside Story at Nashville venues including the Bluebird Cafe, Douglas Corner, Windows on the Cumberland, the Radio Cafe, Hair of the Dog, the 5 Spot, the Alley Cat and the first Tomato Arts Festival in East Nashville.
"That's How I Say I Love You" was included in the Mother's Day video for Crusoe the Celebrity Dachshund,
Wiener Dog Extraordinaire, a Canadian website with more than 4 million followers and 1 billion views.