Moving On...

Now comes that period of shameless promotion

It is a hard fact of working within the small press universe that, when something new is available, there comes that sometimes uncomfortable period of self-promotion that is a necessary evil of that universe. It would be better if one was just “discovered” organically, naturally, somehow, and the latest work to get into print was picked up as if by magic or osmosis so that there doesn’t feel like the whole thing is akin to an ad for toothpaste and the latest miracle drug that causes sneezing, vomiting, cancer, and psoriasis.

But it is part of the deal. There is no star-maker machinery in the alternative world. So here is my pitch for my latest bit, Drainman. Freshly at Amazon and, soon, a fine alternative bookstore near you.

Drainman - available now from AlienBuddha Press

I’m pretty satisfied with this bit of absurdist fiction, though if the past is prologue I will probably grow to be dissatisfied with it in 5 or 10 years like everything else I’ve ever done.

Absurdism in literature is that which purposely depicts the experiences of characters who find themselves in illogical situations, calling into question accepted concepts and definitions of the commonly understood world. That’s as close to a “manifesto” as I care to have. I write what I like to read. I’ve already been told a hundred times it’s not for everybody.. Oh well.

Lubiko is a Drainman. A worker hired by the state to keep a particular drain clear to keep the streets from flooding, as it has been raining every day for so long there are children alive today who have never seen their shadow made by the sun. It’s already too late to fix the climate crisis. Forget it. And in Lubiko’s part of the world the result of the change in the weather is seen in a constant rain. It never stops. This is his life. It doesn’t change. Until a refugee from the flooded northlands appears at his side and seems to know him, though he has never met her in his life.

I’ve always felt that once I get you to buy into the absurdity, I got you. In the case of this piece, if you can “get” the purpose of the refugee, you have it.

I hope this entices you to get a copy.

What isn’t shameless self-promotion in the small press world is that, in most cases, the writer sees very little in the way of royalties. The important thing is that you support, not me, but the small press world. It is the only place where writing and art that is untied to the corporate dealers can be found. It is a myth that writers make a ton of money and live off their royalties. Most writers I know have straight jobs.

The important thing is to support the alternative press. And if what I think is about to happen in the country happens, this has never been more important.