Review of Tyler McMahon's How the Mistakes were Made

Who's ready for new rock lit? Tyler McMahon has written one of my favs, How the Mistakes were Made, which just came out in October. Read my review of it at TNB.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.

Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.

Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

My Facebook Fan Page

Because you're not a writer until you have TWO Facebook pages.


Art Edwards Facebook Fan Page

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.

Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.

Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Art's 2011 Year-End Review

So, here 'tis. The end of another year. I've gotten much done in 2011, and have much to look forward to in 2012. Let's get at it.

First of all, as you may know, I've spent 2011 trying to get my third novel Badge published or represented by an agent. This has not come to fruition. It hasn't been for lack of trying. I've submitted the query for Badge to 103 agents, eight indie publishers and a couple of contests/grants. Some people rejected the novel because its subject matter would make it a difficult sell. Others found Badge, the main character, unsympathetic. I've taken this latter criticism to heart and have gone back in to find ways to make him more palatable. The thing I like about rejection (there isn't much) is it can awaken me to problems with the book, which I can fix, thereby making it stronger. The same exact problem surfaced with Hote late in the writing of both of my previous novels. I always leave my characters a little too edgy. I want them to be a little abrasive because I want them to get your attention; there's nothing worse than a character who does too little. Also, it's fairly easy to roll back abrasiveness, which usually just involves a deletion or line change here or there, and more difficult to make a character more active and in-your-face, which for me requires complete scene rewrites. So, I've gone back into the novel and rolled back some of Badge's edginess. (Don't worry, he's still edgy.)

Also, Badge is still out there at several indie publishers, and there's a grant I'm still hoping to corral with it.

So, what's my plan for Badge moving forward? I could give up and self-publish Badge right now. This is about when I gave up looking for a publishing partner for Ghost Notes, and I would certainly like to get Badge to my loyal readers, who have been good enough to let me know they're waiting for it. This would be a relief on many levels.

But here's the deal. These novels take too long to write, and I can't just self-publish book after book and expect to grow my readership. I need help on the marketing end, if I can get it. So I've decided I will also dedicate 2012 to finding Badge a publisher. I need to exhaust every possibility of letting someone else publish this thing before I go it alone again.

The worst part of this decision is that my readers will have to wait another year to get their hands on Badge. This sucks, but that's how it is. I don't like that there are people out there dying to read Badge, but I can't sell this thing short. It's too good, and it's too important to me.

Still, loyal reader, I will make this guarantee to you right here, right now:

One way or another, Badge will come out in 2013.

I know that's not much consolation, but it's something. I can even see a scenario where Badge is out in the first quarter of 2013, but I reserve the right to change my mind that. Stuck Outside of Phoenix came out in 2003, Ghost Notes in 2008. Publishing Badge in 2013 would mean I'll be publishing a novel every five years, and that seems the least you can ask of me.

So 2013, one way or another.

As far as other writing goes, I've had my most prolific year ever. (Funny how that happens when you're not tied to writing a novel.) I will complete 52 writing projects in 2011--yes, one per week--and I've already published about half of them. I still have many short stories and nonfiction pieces out there in the world, looking for homes. My guess is you'll be seeing some of them in the first part of 2012 at The Nervous Breakdown and elsewhere. You can bet I'll keep you posted on all of my exploits here at the blog, at my website, at my Facebook page, and through Twitter.

Other good news? 2012 will see the production of Stuck Outside of Phoenix the Movie! Filming is scheduled to start in early 2012, and it should be in the can by May. More on this in the next week or so.

I also have an idea for a new novel, which I'll start in January, and all kinds of essay projects planned. You can expect long personal essays on things like Van Halen, YouTube, and watching Van Halen on YouTube. And maybe a few more things about Van Halen and YouTube.

So, enjoy the holiday season, and know I'll be around in 2012 doing what I do. Drop me a line if we haven't touched base in a while, unless you're going to chastise me about Badge not coming out until 2013. Okay, even if you are.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.

Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.

Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Writing Off Script

If you've followed my writing this past year, you probably know how much I dig Patrick deWitt's work. Well, an expanded version of my TNB interview with deWitt is in this ebook called Writing Off Script, which was put together by Cynthia Hawkins and features contemporary writers writing about how movies have affected their craft. The ebook goes on sale on Dec. 1, and all proceeds go to a great cause. Moreover, the trailer for the book will make you play air drums.



WRITING OFF SCRIPT Book Trailer from Morris Hill Pictures on Vimeo.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.

Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.

Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Van Halen Live 1982

I think I need to write a very long essay about this clip.



Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.

Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.

Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Steve Almond God Bless America Review

And here is my review of Steve Almond's latest short story collection God Bless America. It all happened at The Nervous Breakdown.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.

Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.

Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Occupy Clip

A great way to spend 24 minutes if you want to understand a little more about what's going on in the country these days.

Charlie Rose

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.

Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.

Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Nirvana-Aneurysm

I always preferred the live version of this song. I don't miss the backing vocals in the chorus at all.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.

Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.

Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Review at The Collagist

My latest, a review of There is Something Inside, It Wants to Get Out by Madeline McDonnell, appeared this week at The Collagist.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.

Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.

Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Two New Posts about my Clothes at TNB

I know you've all been waiting to hear more about my wardrobe. Here's your chance!

Read about my predilection for J. Crew Pants and my reluctant acceptance of my Eddie Bauer long-sleeved T-shirt at TNB.


Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.




Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.


Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Dana Spiotta Review, plus Steve Almond Trailer

I'm going to try (no promises) to make my posts here a little more substantial during the last quarter of the year.

There's a steady stream of rock fiction coming from big publishing these days, and you can bet I have an opinion on all of it. First up is my review of Stone Arabia by Dana Spiotta at elimae.

Also, Steve Almond has a new collection of short stories coming out called God Bless America. I've already read and reviewed it. I could tell you how much I love it, but let's wait for the review to come out. Until then, take a gander at the book's trailer, which is as funny as any you'll see.



I'll let you know when my review of the book is up.

Thanks, folks.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.




Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.


Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

The Wanderers

This movie freaked me out as a kid. It kind of freaks me out now.




Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.




Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.


Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Your Art Edwards Semi-Annual Update

Hello,

The last six months have brought much goodness for me, so let's hit it.

First and foremost, my third novel Badge, which I completed at the beginning of the year, was a finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Assocation's Literary Contest for 2011. There were over 1,000 entries in twelve different categories, and my category, Mainstream, was the most popular. It was an honor to be in the final eight. Hopefully this means some agent or publisher will get off her duff and take this novel on. I'm still actively beating the industry over the head with it. As always, I hope to have more to report soon.

Also, the movie version of my first novel Stuck Outside of Phoenix is underway! Director, Producer, Mr. Everything Nico Holthaus is starting preproduction in Phoenix this month with principle photography (whatever that is) scheduled to begin November 2nd. Look for the thing to be in the can by April 2012, when there will be much rejoicing. Keep your eyes peeled here for the occasional update on the movie and more (or when there's no news, a random video of the week).

In celebration of the commencement of the filming of Stuck, two things have happened: 1) Stuck Outside of Phoenix the book-book is again in stock at my website! For a mere $5 plus shipping, you can have a signed copy delivered to your door. Also, Stuck the ebook versions at both Amazon and Smashwords have been reduced to 99 cents! I must be out of my mind to offer these prices, which of course I am, so there you go!

Finally, real-life paper versions of both Ghost Notes and Stuck Outside of Phoenix are now for sale at a real-life bookstore here in Portland! Yes, if you're one of those archaic folks who prefers to buy books during an actual trip to a bookstore (me), you can get mine at Broadway Books in NE, the best little bookstore in town. Give them a try! 

I've had many pieces published since my last communicado, among them a piece at The Writer about my struggles with the memoir form; a short, fun piece about falling out of love with a song at Girls with Insurance; and many TNB posts. Also, there now exists an interview with me at TNB by the inimitable Gloria Harrison! We talk Badge, the Refreshments and of course, senior discount food joints. Take a gander, lest you go unentertained today.

That's it. As always, keep apprised of all thing me at my website, my blog, my Facebook page, or any of the thirty of forty other places I do my best to update on the web. Drop me a line if we haven't touched base in a while.

Have a fab fall, folks!


Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.




Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.


Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

No Talking, Just Head

The only band from the 80s they'll care about in 100 years.

Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.




Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.


Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Badge's Favorite Band

A taste for those of you waiting for my third novel, Badge.



Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.




Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.



Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Garbage

In case anyone was wondering where Betty (Pippy) came from.




Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.




Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.



Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.

Primus

Forgive the Facebook overlap, but this is just too good to lose track of.



Yours in laying down the law,

Art

Try Ghost Notes, the award-winning novel, in print form for just $5.




Try Ghost Notes the Audio Book as an unabridged digital download for just $4.99.



Or try Ghost Notes the 99 cent Ebook.