Bullheaded Bullets

Round-up

• Gosh darn, I broke my rule of not talking writing craft yesterday and got some pushback, which reminded me of why I don’t like talking craft on Substack because the energy to explain myself was 1) wasted, and 2) not appreciated anyway. I guess the commenter wanted a more full conversation, but hey, my classes are available online through SMSU if anyone wants to know more about my teachings.

• And, fine, people can disagree with me all the live-long day, but did I detect a tone? In that case, each and every one of ya should follow your own writing rules and not listen to an old hack like me. Godspeed. May the forces of evil stop for a flat and never catch up to you.

• But, again, if you wanted to sign up for my Craft & Theory class this fall…

• What else? I handed over a script for Steven Fain to take a gander at. Hoping we can turn it into a sweet zine. And Steve’s got his new imprint Paper Gun Press off and running. I look forward to reading and writing for some projects there.

• Got some “official” confirmation that Trooper Down! is still on track for a late October-ish publication date, but we’re still a few days or weeks away from additional details. As soon as I know more, I’ll start reaching out to some of you (or you can reach out to me) begging for help to set up some small “home” or “local Mexican restaurant” readings. What do I mean? I’ll come to YOUR HOUSE with a box of books, some free zines, and some pizza or Chinese takeout (or maybe you want to cook us some tacos) to read for a small group of fans, friends, or interested parties. No need to get a bookstore involved in this. Or, again, get a big table at a Mexican joint - I’ll buy the table some queso dip - where we feast, followed by a short reading, a Q & A, and you give me money for signed books.

• Alternatively, I’ve got no issue with teaming up with a few other writers for a Noir at the Bar (or Coffee Shop, or Mexican joint, or You Name It) if someone’s got a hankering to help set it up. But my experience has been that smaller is better.

• Since I was waitlisted for the Twin Cities Book Fair in November, I can’t pin my hopes on that. I’ll be searching calendars for new book fairs to try.

• An upper-middle-class conundrum: do I buy a reasonably-priced Stetson cowboy hat and call it good, or do I save up my pennies for a year and try for a custom-made cowboy hat next time I’m in Santa Fe?

• I didn’t say it was a cool conundrum. It’s a pretty stupid thing to think about, but hey, it’s a stupid thing I like.

• Many, many, many thoughts swirling on the self-pub/small press divide for Lafitte and Slow Bear. My leanings shift as new info changes the conversation. What’s going to be best for me financially going forward? And the better it is for me financially, the easier it is to continue writing books about those two characters. Like I said before, communication is one of the big deciders. Also, how much will I have to pay ahead of time to get a good product ready? How quickly can I recoup? When will I see profits in my pocket?

• I’ve got some major life concerns that require my savings account to grow a lot over the next ten years, none of which have anything to do with cowboy hats. Which path is going to help me achieve them?

• I have a very exclusive (in fact, “secret”) writer’s retreat coming up in October, and I hope to be close to the end of Shitkicker’s first draft by then. If I can get it ready for publication by Spring, well…

• …in other words, being able to go from completed book to formatted, covered, ready to sell in a much faster turnaround time is very very appealing.

• And an illustrated collector’s hardcover? 100 copies? Enticed yet?

• Anyway, August is my birthday month, my wife’s birthday month, and my “back to class” month. I’ll pound out thousands of words before my college schedule kicks in again. More to come, as always. In the meantime, I have PLENTY of these Lafitte Pocket Noirs here to sign and sell, along with Ghost Dance, Murderapolis, The Ticks Will Eat You Whole, The Drummer ($2R edition), Once a Warrior (Down & Out paperback), and Holy Death (Lafitte #4, Down & Out paperback). If interested, DM me for prices. Each order comes with a Lafitte bookmark from Steve Fain along with the two zines we collab’ed on (while supplies last).