So I finally finished the first draft to BLACKY JAGUAR AGAINST THE COOL CLUX CULT!!!, the follow up to my wildly acknowledged novella, THE FURY OF BLACKY JAGUAR.
Only took about a year to write a fucking novella (among a ton of other projects, thankfully).
This was a tough one. Not because of any fears regarding expectations. I try not to think about how folks take the work once it’s pubbed and read. If they like it, great; if not, there’s not much I can do – them’s the breaks.
So why did this take so long?
Well, I probably chose a pretty terrible time to write a semi-satirical homage to movies like Walking Tall and Billy Jack in the modern American South while 99% of the racial insanity has been going on. It’s a tricky balance. There’s more characters here, more viewpoints, more opportunities to completely fuck things up.
But that’s the goal. Blacky works in juxtaposition with serious subjects. In Fury, we had the sex trade. In this one; social movements, exploiters of said social movements, and what comes when said causes become tainted. It’s slightly heady, but there are plenty of beatings and cursing.
Mind you, this is still a first draft, but I’m happy with it. I’m looking forward to folks meeting Broderick Kimbo, Erica Ramos, and Neil Clancy. They’re interesting characters and all have similar motivations.
Hopefully, I’ll nail the landing.
And hopefully, we’ll have more news about release soon – well, as soon as I mail Ron Earl the goddamn finished manuscript.
Extra also: I’ll hopefully have some more news about my upcoming novella, NO HAPPY ENDINGS, soon too!
So, I’m procrastinating on other writerly duties (more like taking a breather, I’ve laid down over 10K words in less than two days) and decided to do a little blogging since I’ve been slacking.
So, Happy New Year!
I didn’t want to do a bullshit ‘best of’ list. I feel like I trumpeted all the things I loved enough over the year, to be honest.
released a bunch of stories (check those out HERE)
Wrote another book!
Started writing another…other book!
Took notes for another, other, other book!
FURY ROAD!!!!
STAR WARS!!!!
CREED!!!
SO MANY COOL BOOKS BY AMAZING PEOPLE!!!!!!
BLARGHLEBLARFLEZOUSZ
This is me about 90% of the time these days
That work for you?
2016 is going to be exciting (I hope). I’ve got a few new pieces coming out, I’m working on a Blacky sequel (if One Eye Press and Ron Early will have me again), I also have a new book coming out with the fine folks over at Down & Out Books (edits are due in March, GAAAAAH), I’ll hopefully sell my debut novel, AND a new baby!
Not like a metaphorical baby either, like a new and crying, pooping, screaming baby. I’m excited and terrified all over again but for all the right reasons.
Of course, I’m going to be busier. This means I may cut back on the shorts and reviews a little bit – we’ll see. There are a lot of things I need to work on to make sure I do for me and the family, right?
Anyway, here’s hoping you folks have a bad ass year. Keep it up.
I’ve been on a blogging bender lately, and for good reason: I have no idea how busy I’ll be in the upcoming months. There’s a lot to do life/work wise and a ton to do writing life wise.
What are those things, you didn’t ask, but I will provide answers to anyway?
Well, for one, reworking my novel, Hell Chose Me.
It’s been a ride. Hell Chose Me was ‘finished’ back in June and I pitched it to a handful of agents. The results? Kind, informative rejections. It stung, but at the same time, helped to set me on a new path this year. For January, I’ll be rereading it for the first time since the summer and making notes. The good news is nobody asked me to change my writing. It’s all in a state to be enhanced, which at least lets me know I can actually write and engage.
I can honestly say I’m not upset. Disappointed, sure, but hey, I’ve been at this a solid year and the novel was written in seven months. To even get full MS requests and solid feedback (from dream agents too) is an achievement. I can do this.
After the read-through, it’ll be edits. Then back into the wild. Good times.
In between all that:
Three short stories being written for three separate anthologies (none guaranteed a spot, which means I’m breaking my ass to get these done by deadline AND to make sure they’re actually good).
Edits to The Fury of Blacky Jaguar – a book I am AMPED that One Eye Press is publishing and that many of you will have in your sweaty paws this summer.
I’ll be back in Boston this February (weather permitting) to read at Noir at The Bar.
A trip to Portland this March for Left Coast Crime! Looking forward to seeing my writing compatriots and making new friends in a town I’ve been dying to visit for a decade.
A trip down to North Carolina for Bouchercon 2015! I have to book that at some point…
Anxious waiting to see if certain award nominations bear fruit (not talking about those, yet).
Two stories out this month!
Bear Mountain, a story of about the choices we make when we’re at our worst, is popping up over at Thuglit.
First Timer’s Club, a prequel to my short, Separation Anxiety, will be over at All Due Respect (which makes sense, since the latter story appeared there as well).
Other stories coming soon will be introducing you to Blacky Jaguar through the eyes of an admirer and bring you to a world where a doomsday prepper’s dreams come true, only to turn into a soul-crushing disappointment when the drama fizzles out.
Beyond that, there are a ton of wonderful books coming from fantastic writers:
I don’t have to repeat myself regarding the above.
Also, check out the earlier parts of this series HERE and HERE.
I’ve been lazy on this front, but blame holidays, sicknesses, and all the fun stuff that goes on in the adult world of lameness.
Anyway, the third part of my 2014 breakdown!
This is going to be a little longer and might break some rules, because that’s how threequels work. Only rule still sticking, I ain’t spoiling or giving summaries. That’s what the Amazon links are for.
Full disclosure: I just finished this one earlier last week.
Still loved it.
I’m a fan of Adlerberg’s way of taking the dark and the banal and seemingly granting an otherworldly air about them. He’s done this in his short fiction and his novella, Jungle Horses, furthers that. What he does with the common conceit of the down on his luck loser is a lot of fun, and I can say with certainty that I did not expect this story to go where it went. This is a good thing, since I sort of despise when I can smell an ending from three states over.
Anyway, you may have noticed a lot of novellas on my list this year, and to be honest, it’s because of that limited reading time of mine. Novellas seem to be a nice, easy way of getting in a read during the commute.
With that in mind, I think I’m going to just lay it out here and add a second entry.
I’m biased here, what with One Eye releasing my debut novella next summer (THAT’S how you cross-promote, kids), but I wouldn’t have bothered to write that story for these folks if the work they put out there isn’t a slice of god damn fantastic.
Each story is wildly different, but explores the darkness that can be found just about anywhere. We’re talking broad genres, so just about anyone can jump on in and enjoy, even if you’re in unfamiliar territory.
I’ve said it before. I can’t recommend these novellas harder. I am recommending them VERY HARD in your direction.
Holy fuck was I DYING for these fellas to make new music.
I learned about Death From Above 1979 when they opened for NIN with Queens of The Stone Age a few years ago and I was blown away by the energy a two-piece band could throw my way. Seriously, I remember nothing of the other sets, but I completely remember theirs.
Trainwreck 1979 stands out as one of my favorite tracks on the album.
Another hell-yes moment for most wanted albums. Not as aggressive as past works (hell, it’s almost relaxing) Syro is more brilliance from Richard D. James, one of the few electronic artists that I not only respect, but believe was and will be incredibly ahead of his time. Seriously, look at his output in the 90’s. Not a bit of it would sound out of place if released tomorrow.
Here’s a track named 4 bit 9d api+6 [126.26] because James is a fucking sadist when he titles tracks.
While outclassed by that OTHER movie, Cap kicked an unholy amount of ass earlier this year. I’d call Winter Soldier the strongest of the Marvel sequels and it definitely amped me up for the rest of Phase 2. Again, Evans ends up being the best actor in the Marvel stable and one of the best choices to place a superhero in a long time. I have a feeling he’ll be to Cap what Reeves is to Superman. No joke. I love RDJ as Iron Man, but I don’t see people losing their minds at a recasting the way they might when it comes time to choose another Steve Rogers.
Also, Sebastian Stan was awesome. Just give him more lines in Civil War.
Anyway, if you haven’t seen the flick, what the hell man?
You guys get a single flick. I don’t get out as much anymore.
Comics
Meh, nothing worth mentioning. I’m woefully behind, and sorry, Saga is uninteresting. Won’t be touching that until I know for sure Vaughn nails the ending. We will not be reliving the ending disappointment of Runaways or Y: the Last Man again, thank you very much.
I own four of these: Han Solo, Boba Fett, Darth Maul, and Darth Vader.
They are beautiful. Everything I’ve ever wanted in a Star Wars figure. Great detail and picture perfect accessories. A little bit of a pain in the ass to stand, but hey, whatever. The Vader and Fett are stand outs. All the little bits and pieces are there. Very cool to examine things I never noticed before.
They make me wish I was 6 again.
Still, they interested my kid enough to really get him on the Star Wars train. He even built me an X-Wing for Christmas!
So there, Star Wars made my son a better kid.
Star Wars is better than us.
Anyway. one more entry in what I liked, then we try to close out the year with the steaming garbage heap.
Here’s the rundown on Blacky’s novella length adventure:
Blacky Jaguar—ex-IRA hard man, devoted greaser, and overall hooligan—is furious. Someone’s made off with Polly—his 1959 Plymouth Fury—and there’s not much that can stop him from getting her back. It doesn’t take him too long to get a name, Osito—the Little Bear. This career bastard has Polly in his clutches, and Blacky doesn’t have long until she’s a memory.
The sudden burst of righteous violence gets the attention of Special Agent Linda Chen—FBI pariah and Blacky’s former flame. Linda’s out to get her man before he burns down half the Bronx and her superiors get the collar.
All roads will lead our heroes to an unassuming house in one of the worst parts of the South Bronx, where fists and bullets will surely fly, but maybe—just maybe—Blacky will find a better reason to fight than a car.
The Fury of Blacky Jaguar is the story of friends, enemies, and one sweet ass ride.
I had a hell of a time writing this book, and I sincerely hope people enjoy it as much as I did.
Anyway, I’m not only excited but incredibly, incredibly humbled to be in some amazing company. One Eye Press, home of Shotgun Honey, Blight Digest, and The Big Adios – as well as publisher of some fun Shotgun Honey Anthologies – has been killing it with their Singles releases.
Click those links and buy those books. They’re on sale, can be read in a single sit down, and are worth your time. Indie publishers like One Eye are doing some wonderful work and need our support (I may be more biased than I was before, but whatever).
The authors I’ll be joining with releases next year, though, are a sure kick in the crotch. I am super excited to be in their company.
We’ve got, Tom Pitts with Knuckleball, Tim Friend with a western corker called Gunmen, and Mike Miner with some gritty crime in Hurt Hawks.
These guys are aces, and I’m damn sure people are going to love what they’ve got coming.
I should have more details soon, and for anyone coming out to the Noir at The Bar in Queens tonight, you’ll get to hear me read the first chapter of ‘The Fury of Blacky Jaguar’! Good times!
Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Angel Luis Colón 