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Tag: I Didn’t Mean to be Kevin

  • Watch book-related videos, win something cool.

    Watch book-related videos, win something cool.

    As I get more and more into this YouTube channel thing, I’m starting to understand more about the YouTube community. One thing I’ve noticed is that when channels hit subscriber milestones (100 subscribers, 500 subscribers, etc.) they do something special as a way to say thank you. So, I’m going to do just that.

    I currently have 75 subscribers. Once I hit 100 subscribers I am going to give something away to one randomly chosen subscriber. What will that giveaway be? Not sure yet, but I promise it will be good and it will be made by my very own hands. I generally err on the side of handmade slipcases and a copy of one of my books, but who knows, maybe I’ll do more.

    Here’s how it will work:

    1. You MUST be a subscriber to my YouTube channel.
    2. Once I hit 100 subscribers I’ll make a video outlining the giveaway details.
    3. Win a prize (or lose).

    I anticipate item #2 above will go something like this: If you are a subscriber AND you comment on the giveaway video, I’ll assign a number to your comment and use a random number generator to do the ugly work for me. Then I’ll reach out to you with the good news.

    Considering I’ll have only about 100 subscribers during the contest, your chances are damn good that you will win. Many channels with 500+ subscribers do giveaways, too.

    Also, don’t think of this as charity for me. You’ll be subscribing to get amazing weekly(ish) videos containing book reviews, book skits, and other bookish buffoonery.

    Subscribe here: http://www.youtube.com/user/calebjross

    And PLEASE, share on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and all the rest if you feel so compelled.

  • Interviewed at the Books and Booze podcast. I think I validate 50 Shades of Grey as culturally relevant…

    Interviewed at the Books and Booze podcast. I think I validate 50 Shades of Grey as culturally relevant…

    A couple of nights ago I was invited to be the interviewee on an episode of the burgeoning and fun Books and Booze podcast. This, episode 4, has me chatting books with Renee Pickup and Dakota Taylor, sans books or booze in my hands, unfortunately.

    We talk a lot about my books, of course, but we get larger issues such as the implied cultural relevance of books that we (Renee, Dakota, and myself) don’t necessarily assume are good (ahem…50 Shades of Grey…) but must strike a unique chord if they are selling so well. We don’t always have to agree with cultural shifts, I suppose. But we’re all interested, it would seem, in the idea that mass consumption of a product must mean that product has some relevance beyond the aesthetic (but if now, doesn’t wide aesthetic appeal still say something about a culture).

    Anyway, it was tremendous fun. Thanks to both of them for killing an hour with me. Click over this is amazing podcast episode to listen (or use the player above). Better get over there quick, too; Books and Booze only keeps the latest 2 hours of its programming live, meaning in 2 more interviews, my interview will no longer be available!

  • Surreal Grotesque Magazine likes I Didn’t Mean to be Kevin: “This novel is easily comparable in subject matter to Chuck Palahniuk and Kurt Vonnegut with satisfying results.”

    Surreal Grotesque Magazine likes I Didn’t Mean to be Kevin: “This novel is easily comparable in subject matter to Chuck Palahniuk and Kurt Vonnegut with satisfying results.”

    New review of I Didn’t Mean to be Kevin in Isssue 4 of Surreal Grotesque Magazine (pg. 43). Many, many thanks to Surreal Grotesque, and to the reviewer, Courtney Alsop, for taking the time.

     

    “This novel is easily comparable in subject matter to Chuck Palahniuk and Kurt Vonnegut with satisfying results…Ross has crafted a splendid story of identity and validation when one has no roots or beginnings.”

  • Novel Easter Eggs, part 2 – Human Parts Museum eggs (Video Blog Ep 008)

    Novel Easter Eggs, part 2 – Human Parts Museum eggs (Video Blog Ep 008)

    Easter Eggs, you know, those hidden references in movies, books, websites, and more that aren’t necessary but are damn fun in a treasure hunt sort of way. I planted a few (13 to be exact) in my newest novel, I Didn’t Mean to be Kevin. In this, part 2, I reveal references to T.C. Boyle, Steve Aylett, Craig Clevenger, Brian Evenson, Will Christopher Baer, Octavio Paz, and Flannery O’Connor.

    Seven down, four to go.

    After watching, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay updated on new videos

  • Novel Easter Eggs, part 1 – Metafiction eggs (Video Blog Ep 007)

    Novel Easter Eggs, part 1 – Metafiction eggs (Video Blog Ep 007)

    Easter Eggs, you know, those hidden references in movies, books, websites, and more that aren’t necessary but are damn fun in a treasure hunt sort of way. I planted a few (13 to be exact)  in my newest novel, I Didn’t Mean to be Kevin, not on the assumption that some reader would be thrilled by a find in one of my books, but because the concept actually worked well with the theme of the novel. The theme being that people need validation. Jackson, the narrator, validates himself as a person by telling crazy stories to strangers. I, as an author, validate myself by telling you about all the cool books I’ve read.

    Two down, eleven to go.

    After watching, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel to stay updated on new videos

  • I did it. I have an official author Facebook page now. Changes coming.

    I did it. I have an official author Facebook page now. Changes coming.

    I did it. I broke down and created an official Caleb J. Ross author page on Facebook. I’ve been averse to doing this for a while, primarily because I want to avoid perceived ego as much as possible (well, as much as a guy with a self-titled website can do), but also because I don’t want to bombard people with duplicate content posts. The logic being that until the official author page gains traction, I would have to post updates to both the author page and my personal page in order to curb anybody missing out on my genius (see, no ego there). Nobody needs double Caleb.

    So, here’s what I propose:

    1. If you are currently a Facebook friend via my personal page, but you ONLY WANT TO RECEIVE AUTHOR TYPE UPDATES, then un-friend my personal page and Like my author page. You can actually do this by clicking this link or you can click “like” in the sidebar box to the right.
    2. If you are currently a Facebook friend via my personal page, and you want to receive BOTH AUTHOR AND PERSONAL TYPE UPDATES, then stay friended AND Like my author page. You can actually do this by clicking this link or you can click “like” in the sidebar box to the right.*
    3. If you are not currently a Facebook friend via my personal page, and you are not currently a fan of my author page, then you are likely responsible for the Holocaust. Sorry.
    *The inevitable question: “If I am a Facebook friend on your personal page and I Like your author page, won’t I be bombarded with duplicate content?” At first, yes. However, I have started a new category on this blog called Un-Writerly. Any blog post with this tag will ONLY be posted to my personal page and WILL NOT be posted to my author page. For example, if all is set up correctly, you are able to view this very blog post ONLY on my personal page. You may still receive a few duplicate status updates, but those should be very minimal.

  • Get a free print copy of I Didn’t Mean to be Kevin. Goodreads giveaway ends March 31st.

     

    Goodreads Book Giveaway

    I Didn't Mean to Be Kevin by Caleb J. Ross

    I Didn’t Mean to Be Kevin

    by Caleb J. Ross

    Giveaway ends March 31, 2012.

    See the giveaway details
    at Goodreads.

    Enter to win