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6th Book I read this year: Am I Evil – Jack Mangan
Jack Mangan is a good friend of mine. Many MANY moons ago, we both put out podiobooks. His is still available in ebook format and if you enjoy cyberpunk, go get yourself a copy of Spherical Tomi. You’ll thank me.
Last year he launched a KickStarter campaign for Am I Evil, a graphic novel he’d gotten permission to create while interviewing Diamondhead on his show Metal Asylum. Perhaps I should back up a little bit.
Diamondhead released the song Am I Evil in 1980. Most people discovered this song when Metallica (Maybe you’ve heard of them) covered the song in 1984. The song, if you’ve never heard it, is quite the epic tune. Much like the titular character of the song, my mother was a witch. This song meant a lot to me.
So Jack did a KickStarter Campaign that, for reasons, didn’t get traction and failed. But, it saw life when he ran an Indiegogo campaign and it was a success!
The graphic novel is going to happen. It’s coming. I can’t wait. In the interim, Jack produced a novella of the story. Many Metallica and Diamondhead lyrics are sprinkled throughout as well as lyrics from the song that gave the story its name.
To be honest, there’s lots to work with in the song and Jack could have taken it in many different directions. He gave characters names, motivations, more than just revenge and destruction. I have moments where I thought the lyric dropping might get too much, but all in all Jack made it work. I wish I could like to this story for you to pick up a copy. It’s so much fun and Jack even left a little open to go back and add more stories later.
Honestly, I think Jack should do an anthology and invite other authors to write in this world he created (nudge nudge hint hint know what I mean).
Should this novella become publicly available or the graphic novel, I will make sure to bring it to your attention.
A few small updates.
The Computer
For those following along, the home PC is doing well. Yes, I did a backup of my writing (I do weekly regardless as should you!). I’m still amazed that the CMOS battery (a $2 part) caused my machine to go belly up. I’d like to think, being that we live in the future now, that this wouldn’t be as critical of a failure.
The Puppy
Gracie (we haven’t renamed her again, previously she was Abby) is doing wonderful. She still won’t go in or out of the doggie door on her own. The sound of it closing scares her. Heck, any noise scares her. We need to walk her later in the evening when there isn’t as much sound about. Still getting her used to the neighbor.
The Mrs did a great job of leash training in 2 days. She doesn’t like to be pulled and will stop often for no apparent reason, but at least she won’t freeze when on the leash and refuse to move at all. That took some time and effort (and little chicken treats). She will, on occasion, lay down as if to say “I’m done.” It’s cute.
The Book Sale
If you haven’t read Paradise Palms yet, it’s still on sale. Reformatted and updated the print book contents (the print edition isn’t on sale at this time).
A Kickstarter
Finally, J. Daniel Sawyer is a close, personal friend of mine. You’d do well to seek out one or two of his many books. He’s currently running a KickStarter campaign for his latest, non-fiction book where he delves into the Young Adult books of Robert Heinlein. Dan is witty, funny, well-written, and smarter than I am. I’ve already ordered my copy and, if you’re nervous about this campaign succeeding, it’s already funded (on the first day). There are some great rewards.
The Secrets of the Heinlein Juveniles
Until Next Time!
Stay Awesome!
More about the Ministry Initiative
Find out more about this endeavor and support the Kickstarter here: http://bit.ly/ministry-initiative
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I’m very excited about this project for two reasons:
1) I am a Ministry agent (buy my story here or here)
2) I played Bulldogs in high school! BEFORE it was a real game! That’s where V&A Shipping came from. WOO WOO!
So to say I really want to see this happen is an understatement! I’m crazy super extra want to see this happen. I want to see it happen, that I’ll give you a chance to win all my currently published ebooks! That’s right. Just for stopping by here and leaving a comment, I’ll put you in the running. If you tweet about this, facebook it, pinterest it, G+ it, anything, I’ll add you to the drawing. All you need to do is come back here and drop the link to where you posted. That means if you tweet it, add a comment here to your tweet, that’s 2 entries to win! If you facebook it and add a comment to link to your facebook post, that 2 more entries! See how easy this is?
Here’s what you have a chance of winning!
That’s right! Just by leaving a comment (or tweeting or blogging or facebooking or whatever) you have a chance to win all seven of my titles currently available! What are you waiting for? Spread the word! WOO WOO!
Visit the Kickstarter project! Click Here
Announcement: Ministry working on an RPG
Unless you were living under a rock last year, you know that I was lucky enough to be chosen to write a story for the Ministry of Peculiar Occurrences. (check out my story here and buy a copy for just 99 cents).
Well, big news! The Ministry is raising money to create a Role Playing Game based on the universe they created! I’m super, crazy excited about this. GO HERE! Go HERE NOW! Help this game become a reality! There’s a long way to go and they’re already 1/4 of the way there. I know they’ll make it, but you can get some great fiction, a great game (designed by Galileo Games who are responsible for Bulldogs) (Side Note, Bulldogs was a game some friends of mine created in high school that the characters from V&A Shipping came from).
As I said, I’m really excited about this. This is HUGE! I hope you’ll take a moment, check it out, and throw a few bucks their way to make this happen. I can guarantee it’ll be a great product.
So excited!
J.R. Murdock 