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Video Review of The Orphan Master’s Son by Adam Johnson (Video Blog ep 027)

September 15, 2012

The Orphan Master’s Son is a remarkable book. I’ve been a fan of Adam Johnson’s work since his story collection Emporium (which I credit as being a primary impetus to my own fiction writing), and though both books are stellar, they are so in such different ways. It’s hard to believe that the man who wrote Emporium is the same guy who wrote The Orphan Master’s Son. Perhaps the two personalities are a Jun Do/Commander Ga thing (reference to the book). In this video review you’ll suffer through my overt praise as well as my amazing Photoshop skills. Who knew Adam Johnson could so easily become Kim Jong Il?

Noir at the Bar vol.2 is available and sexy

September 14, 2012

Noir at the Bar, vol. 2, with my story "The Lipidopterist" (read at a Noir at the Bar event at Meshuggah Cafe in St. Louis MO on February 28, 2012) Many thanks to Jedidiah Ayres and Scott Phillips for putting this together. Featuring stories by (in alphabetical order): Jedidiah Ayres, Frank Bill, Jane Bradley, Sonia L. Coney, Hilary Davidson, Les Edgerton, Nate Flexer, Matthew C. Funk, Jesus Angel Garcia, Glenn Gray, Kevin Lynn Helmick, Gordon Highland, John Hornor Jacobs, David James Keaton, Tim Lane, Erik Lundy, Jason Makansi, Matthew McBride, Jon McGoran, Cortright McMeel, Aaron Michael Morales, Scott Phillips, Robert J. Randisi & Christine Matthews, John Rector, Caleb J. Ross, Duane Swierczynski, Mark W. Tiedemann, Fred Venturini, Benjamin Whitmer and Nic Young.

Video Review of F*ckload of Shorts by Jedidiah Ayres (Video Blog ep 026)

September 8, 2012

The stories of Fuckload of Shorts by Jedidiah Ayres, which includes the stories that inspired the short film Fuckload of Scotch Tape, are the best kind of short stories. Each one takes an idea that, realistically should make for a horrible, shock-driven story, and instead delivers amazing noir fiction with beautifully rendered characters. Ejaculating a dead man? Yep. Selling corpses to a dog foot plant? Yep. In the hands of a lesser writer, these ideas would amount to nothing more than throwaway snuff fiction. But in the hands of Jedidiah Ayres, these ideas are simply climaxes of and catalysts for truly compelling stories. This video book review examines one of those scenarios in-depth: how exactly, logistically speaking, can one ejaculate a dead man? Yes, there is a whiteboard and drawings included.

Getting the Signed Book – How the Hula Girl Sings by Joe Meno (Video Blog ep 025)

August 25, 2012

Hear the amazing, mostly made up story of how I got my copy of Joe Meno’s How the Hula Girl Sings signed by the author during the 2004 Association of Writers and Writing Projects conference in Chicago, IL. You’ll hear the first-hand account of how I knew Meno as a musician first and an author second, why I should be more sensitive to Hula throat issues, and why Joe Meno owes me a royalty check.

Who Wrote FCJR? Video Evidence From Kevin Helmick

August 22, 2012

Kevin Helmick, author of the forthcoming Driving Alone reveals the secret of his dirty pants. Wait, I probably shouldn't have said that...

Review of Windeye by Brian Evenson (Video Blog ep 024)

August 18, 2012

I’ve never hidden my love for the work of Brian Evenson. In fact, overly enthusiastic may be a good way to describe my infatuation. His stories are like none other, both in concept and execution. So, know that this review of Windeye, Evenson’s latest story collection, comes to you with a deep history of appreciation. You aren’t getting a first-time reader here. You are getting a fan’s true perspective. With that being said, WHAT A DAMN FINE BOOK!

Insomnia Press for Charactered Pieces: “One of the most moving and diverse pieces of work I’ve read in years”

August 8, 2012

Thanks to Gordon Highland for bringing this Charactered Pieces review to my attention. Generally my ego is a pretty good magnet for the rare praise floating around out there. And of course, super thanks to Dakota Taylor and Insomnia Press for the kind, kind words. "Charactered Pieces is on par with...early novels by Chuck Palahniuk. The difference is, Palahniuk sucker punches the reader with his prose and knocks your teeth out, leaving you bleeding and cheering. Caleb is a little more sneaky. Charactered Pieces spikes your drink and has you in someone's trunk before you even know it...One of the most moving and diverse pieces of work I've read in years." Read the full Charactered Pieces review here. And if you are so bold, find links to buy Charactered Pieces here.