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seanpatricklittlewriter · 6 years

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Updates and Reviews

It’s been a while since I’ve written a major post, so I figured it was time to remedy that. Things are still progressing on the novel front. As soon as Paige finishes the cover to All We Have, that will go to press. I’ve completed edits on the two TeslaCon novels I’ve prepared for this fall, so hopefully I’ll be able to get on the same page with Eric about those covers, and we’ll make something happen.

I’m a little nervous about releasing any of these books, because I always get that way. In Henry Rollins’ most recent special, “Keep Talking, Pal,” he tells a story about opening for Ozzy Osbourne. Over 19,000 people came to see Ozzy play, and before the show, after Rollins Band played their opening set for Ozzy’s band, Henry sees Ozzy huddled in a corner, hands on his knees. When Henry checks on Ozzy, the Blizzard of Oz, in his distinct Birmingham accent, says, “Is there anybody out there, man? I always get nervous that no one will show up.” That says something about the self-doubt that fills all artists. If Ozzy is worried that people aren’t coming to see him, then none of us have any hope.

I think it’s even tougher for writers, though. Unless you’re one of the big names, there are no direct lines to tell how you’re doing. You can upload your books and hope for the best. Once a month, or once a quarter you can check your sales stats, but those are meaningless. You can get a few reviews. However, for the most part, you’re just shouting into a void.

I know that Geoffrey Owens (The Cosby Show actor who played the guy who married the oldest daughter) got somewhat shamed by some yokel taking his picture as he worked a second job at Trader Joe’s. He still acts on stage. He still teaches acting classes. But, he needs to make ends meet, and so he works another job. It’s a stark reminder that those lucky few who are able to make a living from their art, and solely from their art, are the exceptions, not the rule. Even most traditionally published writers have to have second jobs, or even third jobs. Most writers have to work to finance their writing habit, and so it is with me, as well. Despite AFTER EVERYONE DIED selling more than 20,000 copies over two years, I don’t think my entire catalog of sales over more than twelve years of publishing has added up to what I make in a year in my day job. It is what it is, though. I write because I must. No other reason. It’s my dream that someday I can make a living solely from hanging out at Culver’s and jamming out stories, but that’s lottery odds. It just doesn’t happen for most of us. And that’s okay.

It’s so hard to sell any books, even the big names, and it’s even tougher for niche books (like post-apocalyptic survival stories, or steampunk adventure novels). Most of those books exist only as ebooks, and most of them sell only a few thousand copies, at best. That’s just the way it is. Nothing any of us do can change it.

Which brings me to my reviews for this post—I just finished reading THE FAT LADY’S LOW, SAD SONG by Brian Kaufman. This book is a perfect example of how traditional publishing misses great books. This book, an indie title self-published through an aggregate house called Black Rose Writing, is easily the best book I’ve read this year.

Parker Westfall is a career minor-leaguer. He’s never made The Show. For more than a decade, he’s been grinding out a career playing baseball in podunk towns for podunk teams, and those playing days are coming to a close. He’s given one last chance for a season in the sun playing first base for the Fort Collins Miners, an independent baseball team. If there’s one step below the minor leagues, it’s independent baseball. With no other options, Westfall signs on. When he gets there, the team owner asks Westfall for a special favor—mentor a young pitcher who throws a helluva knuckeball.

Oh, yeah—that pitcher is a woman.

The signing of Courtney Morgan could be just a publicity stunt, and the book could have turned into a trite, damsel-in-distress novel, but it doesn’t. Parker and Morgan don’t fall in love. Parker isn’t the white knight who teaches her the game, but rather a coach who helps her find her own way to play.

The book is a sweet paean to baseball, the unsung heroes who never get to be on baseball cards or interviewed on ESPN, and the tiny towns that keep the spirit of real baseball alive. As a baseball fan, and as a fan of good writing, this book falls into place at the top of my reading list (so far) for 2018. It’s one of those books that probably should have gotten more looks from agents or publishers. It’s one of those books that should get more readers than it’s ever going to get.

But, like the minor leaguers this story encompasses, sometimes what you get in the end is just good enough. I loved this book. I can’t recommend it enough.

I haven’t read too many other books, lately. I’ve started a bunch, but for various reasons have not plowed through to the end. I’m getting curmudgeonly in my old age. I’m not willing to invest time in something that isn’t knocking my socks off, maybe. Or maybe it’s because I realize how limited my time is lately, so I can only indulge in books that are really moving me at that moment.

I’ve also found that a lot of books are victims of headspace—how am I feeling when I read them? I’ve started some books in the past that I just wasn’t feeling at that moment, but later on, I’ve gone back to find that I loved them. That’s how I’m feeling at the moment.

As far as movies and TV goes, however: I just saw ALPHA today. It was very good. Not as good as I hoped it would be, given the trailer, but still a solid flick. It’s a survival story set 20,000 years ago, and tells a hypothetical tale of how the first wolf might have been domesticated. While the story is beautifully shot and well-acted, I think it missed some real chances to swing for the fences emotionally and a better director and editor would have really been able to bring a larger emotional scale to the film. It’s still worth checking out, though.

I saw THE MEG last weekend, because my kid likes any movie with giant animals eating people. THE MEG is everything the trailer promised. It’s a Megalodon shark eating people and fighting Jason Statham. That’s what the trailer promised. That’s what the film delivered. If you go to this film hoping it will be some great think-piece, you’ll be disappointed. However, if you go to have some mindless fun, you’ll be happy. It’s not great. It’s not bad, either. It’s exactly the movie you think it will be.

On Netflix, I’ve been binge-watching PERSON OF INTEREST lately. I never watched it when it was first broadcast, but I’ve found that I greatly enjoy this. It’s a solid series.

I’ve also gotten through the first five episodes of Amazon Prime’s new JACK RYAN series. I’ve always loved the Jack Ryan character (even though I’m not a fan of Tom Clancy’s writing style), and I’m a fan of John Krasinski, so this series works very well. The first five episodes have been quite good, and I’m looking forward to finishing it.

Musically, I’ve been digging Brett Newski’s new album “Life Upside Down,” and the new album from Lords of the Trident, “Shadows from the Past.” Both are Wisconsin-based acts, and both are really solid. Brett’s more the indie-folk-geek genre (think, dude with an acoustic guitar and a silly sense of humor), and Lords are doing what I consider to be 80’s-style metal—big, loud, over-the-top, and silly in the best possible way. The lead singer, Fang Von Wrathenstein, has a great set of pipes. Much like how indie books get overlooked by the masses, both of these indie music acts should be much bigger than they currently are. Get in on the ground floor and listen to them on Spotify, or be a mensch and purchase their records. Every little bit helps.

That’s probably enough rambling for now. As always, please tell friends about books you enjoy. Write reviews. Share links. Encourage others to support the artists who are grinding it out.

Stay tuned for further updates on the release of ALL WE HAVE. In a perfect world, it would have been out by the end of September. It’s looking like early-to-mid-October will be more likely.

Thanks for reading.

--Sean

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