Out of this world

LIVING THE GIMMICK is now available worldwide

The big news first, and then some fun stuff, OK? First of all, LIVING THE GIMMICK is now out in the world, and you can get yourself a copy at Shotgun Honey, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at your favorite indie bookstore.

The book’s getting some favorable notice. Josh Olsen at Slam Wrestling did a nice piece, which you can read HERE, while The Trussville Tribune and The Troy Messenger have also both written stories about it. I was also the featured guest on the Dark Waters podcast, and it was a great time.

Mitch Clarke over at WDUN Radio in Gainesville, Georgia, had me on as a guest to talk about the book, and that was a load of fun as well.

So how’s the book doing, you might ask. It went to No. 39 on the New Release top 100 for Amazon Kindle, and the early numbers and reviews are really encouraging. I feel very fortunate that the book has so far been as well-received as it has.

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you already know that LTG is dedicated to my Dad. I was able to put a copy of the book in his hands last week, and that was one of those moments that will live with me forever. (If you’re curious: Dad loved the book, and I feel pleased and also a palpable sense of relief at the same time. Can you imagine how I’d feel if he’d hated it? LOL)

Vacation

The wife and I packed up the kids (and dog) for a few days of R&R at Panama City Beach last week, and a few days of sun, sand, and surf was just the thing I needed to relax after a very trying Spring. Hanging out on the beach with Misty and the boys made me realize exactly how over-worked and stressed I’ve been over the last, say, 10 weeks or so. It was good to get away, and seeing how my sons really embraced the beach kept a smile on my face all week long.

What’s next

I’ve got some appearances booked over the next few months — signings, speaking gigs, conferences and the like — but I’m also turning my attention to the next thing, which is the DIRTY SOUTH anthology. If you’re a writer who’s interested in submitting to the antho (or a reader who might be interested in purchasing a copy when it publishes next year), take a look at the brief HERE.

I’m really, really excited about this anthology, because it’s got a chance to be and do something really different with Southern crime/noir fiction. My co-editor, Raquel Reyes, is really rocking it out behind the scenes, since I’ve been kind of overwhelmed with the day job and the book launch. She’s also a fantastic writer in her own right, which we’ll get to in a minute.

Book recs

I’ve got three for you today: The first is Peter Farris’s THE DEVIL HIMSELF. I had been struggling through a book that I’d had high hopes for but that for whatever reason wasn’t working for me. It might’ve been the writer. Or it might’ve been me. As I get older, I tend to blame myself more when I’m not enjoying a particular book but really love the author.

Anyway, Pete’s book rescued me from that. I blew through THE DEVIL HIMSELF, and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s a hellacious ride, and you’re going to love the oddball characters, the action, and the conclusion.

Now, for my co-editor: Raquel Reyes is just a talented, inventive wordsmith in addition to being a generally kickass person. Her work leans more toward the cozy mystery side of things, but you are going to absolutely love MANGO, MAMBO, AND MURDER.

My buddy Scott Blackburn’s book IT DIES WITH YOU publishes this Tuesday, June 7. To say that I’m anticipating this book is a severe understatement. You’re gonna want to get on this bad boy, and soon. Do. Not. Miss. Out.

That’s about it for this month’s newsletter. It’s been a long, long slog over the last two-plus months. Looking forward to tackling all of these new opportunities set in front of me. See you next month!