Interview with Sam Gridley

  See the full blogpost here

See Sam's Website here

Today, we have an opportunity to talk to Sam Gridley. Sam has written the book The Bourgeois Anarchist, a novella. First, let me thank you for joining me. I absolutely love Novellas and think they will really be popular over the next few years as I watch the reading habits of my friends and family. In particular, I have noticed younger readers like the serial or the novella size read. 

"What led me (to writing) — who knows? Perhaps trying to figure out where I belonged after so many moves." 

 I appreciate you giving me your links and I want to share those with our readers.

 

 Website: https://gridleyville.blog

Twitter: @SamGridley2

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bourgeois-Anarchist-Sam-Gridley/dp/1646625447/

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/the-bourgeois-anarchist/9781646625444

 

That is great.  And today we are promoting The Bourgeois Anarchist. Can you tell us a little about yourself and what led you to start writing?

My family moved around a lot, a product of my father’s frequent job-switching and wife-switching. In succession I lived in Pittsburgh, Camden, Providence, Bristol, Westchester, Palos Verdes Estates, Torrance, Redondo Beach, Northridge, Culver City, Berkeley, Oakland, Cambridge, Brighton, London, Palo Alto, Bellefonte, Baltimore, Lyndhurst, Rutherford, and perhaps a few other places I’ve forgotten. This was before the age of 29. Since then, I’ve settled in Philadelphia, PA, and scarcely budged.

 

"It usually takes two such “hits” for a story to develop, an intersection of two ideas or themes, before I sense the “arc” of an actual story."

I first started writing a bit of poetry and creative nonfiction in elementary school, probably in Torrance. What led me—who knows? Perhaps trying to figure out where I belonged after so many moves. In high school, after two more moves, I developed the idea of writing fiction, though at that point the ability to do so eluded me. In college, two additional moves later, it seemed I was destined for an academic career as an English professor, but during a summer seminar on Milton I spent a lot of time reading Milton criticism, and at that point realized that a career that compelled me to read other critics would bore me to death. (From that summer’s reading, only a single bit sticks in my mind: a critic’s assessment that the opening lines of Paradise Lost tell us that something grand is about to begin. Okay, grand, but how and why? And so what? Is that useful criticism?) Soon after graduation, therefore, I took an equally boring job in book publishing, and that industry is how I’ve made a pseudo-living ever since.

 

Even a pseudo-living can open doors and create possibility though. Do you get any inspiration in your day to day life?

I find inspiration anywhere and everywhere. Often it comes from reading—a particular phrase will hit me and suggest a theme for a story. But it usually takes two such “hits” for a story to develop, an intersection of two ideas or themes, before I sense the “arc” of an actual story.

 

Information about stuff I don’t already know comes—of course—from the internet, plus books. My interest in anarchism began initially with a book I helped produce about the Spanish Civil War. Then I read other books on that era. When I got the idea for The Bourgeois Anarchist, I did a lot more reading online in the history and current practice of anarchism.

 

I've heard you mention reading and research. What is your favorite part about writing?

That’s hard to say. The feeling of being so absorbed in the story that the characters come alive and the words just flow out on the page. (That doesn’t happen too often.) And then the feeling of satisfaction at the end of a day when you feel you’ve written something good. (Although when you reread it the next morning, your illusion may be dashed.)

"Marry a rich person who believes in your genius. Then be a very, very devoted spouse so you don’t lose your financial backing."

What are your hobbies and do they ever play into your writing?

My hobbies are reading and taking long walks with the dog. For reading, see above. For dogs, see many of my published stories, including “Dogs Welcome” and “The Goodbye Dog” (links to both on the About page of my website). The Bourgeois Anarchist, however, does not include a dog; I’m afraid that’s a shortcoming.

 

Well, as a dog lover I must say they are always welcomed presences in a story. I think there is a joke in there somewhere about a dog and an anarchist? Something about dogs and cats, communists and capitalists... but I don't recall it off the top of my head.

As someone who writes but also makes a living inside the world of writing, I'd be interested to know what advice would you give someone who wants to be a writer?

(A) First choice: Marry a rich person who believes in your genius. Then be a very, very devoted spouse so you don’t lose your financial backing.

(B) Second choice: Find a day job that allows you time and energy to write during your off-hours. But keep looking for that rich soulmate.

 

Whether you choose (A) or (B), take all advice with multiple grains of salt. For instance, if people tell you that good writing eschews adverbs, respond graciously and ignore them thoroughly. But if the advice happens to be useful, embrace it. Be both openminded and utterly stubborn.

 

 

That is strong advice. I had a mentor once say something similar: "You can marry more money in a day than you can make in a lifetime." Assuming you did not go down path "A," what is the best advice you have ever been given as a writer that you use?

Wallace Stegner suggested my hair was too long, which I suppose was advice that I cut it. Twenty years later, I did.

"Persistence, that’s the key." 

(chuckles) Do you write full-time or around another job? How do you schedule your time to write?

Work in book publishing still provides most of my small income. For a while I tried a rigid part-time schedule: writing in the morning, work for pay in the afternoon. My production was slender, so I gave that up. Since my work for pay is freelance, I now write whenever and however, no fixed schedule, and this seems to fit my fitful imagination. For people who need a lot of structure, this wouldn’t work, but it suits me.

 

How many hours a day do you write?

Between zero and five hours a day, more on occasion. Really, it depends. Beyond five hours in one day, I start to fade. But if I have something going, I’ll devote at least some time to it every day, six or seven days a week. With The Bourgeois Anarchist I would put in at least two or three hours daily, probably averaging about 25 hours a week. Persistence, that’s the key.

 

What does literary success look like to you?

Groupies! But where are they? Why don’t I have any?

 

 Maybe they will arrive as soon as you tell us about your current release.

The protagonist of The Bourgeois Anarchist, Susie Alioto, is a longtime political militant. After college she spent two decades in an anarchist commune, and at age 66 her beliefs haven’t wavered. She protests with young people to demand justice and human rights. She marches for gun control, for Black Lives Matter, for action against climate change. A portrait of her special anarchist hero, Errico Malatesta, hangs on her refrigerator with an inspirational quote of his: “Impossibility never prevented anything from happening.”

 

Yet Susie now teaches at an expensive private school, and her life is comfortably middle-class. Her son Eric, a budding mathematician, mocks her as a “bourgeois anarchist.”

 

As the story opens, violence breaks out at a peaceful rally, and Susie is injured. A young woman dressed in Antifa gear rescues her, and Susie is drawn into a mysterious intrigue involving angry activists and devious capitalists, gentrification, arson, even mobsters. Cops pound on her door to demand information. Though Susie tries to hew to her principles, the true nature of justice becomes muddled, and her anarchist heroes—including the grizzled Malatesta on her refrigerator—provide no clear answer. People’s lives are at risk, and she doesn’t know what to do. The dilemma escalates into an existential crisis.

 

In the midst of this turmoil, Susie stumbles into unexpected romance. But is the new man any more reliable than the ones who’ve failed her in the past? Meanwhile her son, the apolitical math geek, adds an offbeat and comic perspective that may offer a clue to the personal and political intrigues.

 

Can you share a sample?

Here’s the very beginning:

 

NOT ONE MORE!

 

—a sign hand-lettered in red, white and blue, lifted high above the marcher’s shoulders.

 

I want to read BOOKS, not EULOGIES

 

—stark black on white, poked aloft on a wooden cross.

 

Susie Alioto, a tiny woman packed in by the crowd of marchers on Market Street, strained to see past the welter of signs and banners bouncing around her—what block was this? how much farther to City Hall?—as she proudly hoisted her own handmade contribution, drawn with markers in the anarchist colors of red and black. It aimed straight at the National Rifle Association, which funded the politicians who refused to adopt commonsense gun-control measures. The latest attack in the wave of mass shootings across the country—16 dead, 19 wounded at a high school in the Midwest—had prompted this outpouring into the streets of Philadelphia, semi-coordinated with demonstrations in other cities.

 

KIDS’ BLOOD on YOUR HANDS, NRA!!!!

 

read Susie’s sign, the “blood” red and drippy, the “NRA” a shadowed, ominous black with the outline of a semiautomatic rifle behind it. A longtime teacher as well as activist, Susie knew the value of dramatic presentation.

 

What exciting story are you working on next?

My current story-in-revision is an exploration of the stereotype that men never discuss their feelings with each other. 

Not sure how I feel about that one. Sorry... the opportunity was too good. Continue.

It features two middle-aged guys who were “best friends” for 20-odd years until a seemingly minor incident drove them apart. One dies, and the survivor thinks back to the incident and realizes how little he understood his friend. I don’t know that I’d call this story “exciting,” but I found the bantering, man-to-man dialogue a lot of fun to write.

 

Who are your favorite authors?

Too many to list! Current ones: Elise Juska, Liz Moore, Richard Russo, Colm Toíbín. Lates: William Trevor, Brian Moore, Wallace Stegner. Oldies: James Boswell, Jane Austen, W.B. Yeats, Ford Madox Ford.

 

That's good. I always ask that question and am surprised when authors don't read. I am glad you do and it will speak well for your own work. In the same line of questioning, what’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?

The Speed of Clouds by Miriam Seidel.

 

I'll have to look for that one. Maybe a holiday read. Speaking of, This interview will publish as Halloween approaches. Any plans?

If a holiday involves a family get-together, I treasure it. Otherwise, I ignore holidays, partly because I dislike crowds. What’s the appeal of a beach when it’s so crowded you can hardly see the sand? Or a park when large parties of picnickers are blaring music? Being a freelancer means I can work on a holiday and then take another, quieter day off.

Does a dislike of crowds make any part of marketing difficult??

Appearing in public to promote my writing. Still difficult.

 

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

My first computer! It was a—wait, can I remember the name?—have to turn to the internet to jog my memory—yes, there it is, a Leading Edge! A brand long forgotten, like most of what I wrote back then..

"The first unsolicited comment from a reader of The Bourgeois Anarchist: 'Your book was hard to put down and done in three days. I disagreed with Susie quite a bit, but I feel like she’s someone I know. Even me at times.'” 

What is your writer’s kryptonite?

Noise! Can’t write when there’s turmoil around me. Can’t listen to music while writing. I’m amazed by people who write in coffee shops.

 My writer group had a long discussion the other day about music they listen to while writing. I am with you. I prefer silence. Are you involved in any writer groups?

The Working Writers Group in Philadelphia, founded in 1986 and still going strong. Bravo, WWG! The Bourgeois Anarchist is dedicated to the group.

 

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

The first unsolicited comment from a reader of The Bourgeois Anarchist: “Your book was hard to put down and done in three days. I disagreed with Susie quite a bit, but I feel like she’s someone I know. Even me at times.”

 

 

That sounds like your first groupie!! One more time, where can someone go to purchase your book?Add your links here again

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bourgeois-Anarchist-Sam-Gridley/dp/1646625447/

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/the-bourgeois-anarchist/9781646625444

 

 

Get You the Moon Promotion

 

"Write what you want to write. Don’t get distracted by what’s popular or what people want to read."

Get You the Moon by Hasnita Singh. Get You the Moon is a standalone coming of age story about academic rivals whose animosity turns into something more.

This blog tour is organized by Lola's Blog Tours and the tour runs from 18 till 31 October. You can see the tour schedule here.

Get You the Moon
By Hasnita Singh
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: July 15, 2021

Blurb:
Scarlet Bridge is beautiful, intelligent, and ambitious. In her final year of high school, she has five goals she wants to achieve before graduation, and she won’t let anything – or anyone – stand in her way. Not even everyone’s favorite golden boy, Levi Henare.

Levi has it all – good looks, quick wit, and he is a rugby prodigy. And nothing gives him more pleasure than getting on Scarlet’s every last nerve.

When Scarlet accidentally dials Levi’s phone number, a chain of events that neither of them expected is set into motion.

Thrown together by a twist of fate, will Levi and Scarlet overcome the challenges of their final year at school, their mutual dislike of each other, and their own personal demons to successfully graduate?

Links:
- Goodreads
- Bookbub
- Amazon
- Bookdepository
- Waterstones
- Indiebound
- Books a Million

About the Author:
Hasnita Kiran Singh is a twenty-one-year-old living in Auckland, New Zealand. As a university student, she spends most of her time procrastinating. As an Optical Assistant, she’ll do everything to convince you to get glasses. When she’s not writing (which is unfortunately too often), she can be found baking or trying out new restaurants. She loves her friends, being on time, and chocolate fondants as much as she loves reading. She is a proud feminist, typically sleep deprived, and a lover of the stars.

Author links:
- Website
- Wattpad
- Twitter
- Goodreads
- Pinterest
- Instagram
- Newsletter

 

Today, we have an opportunity to talk to Hasnita Singh.  Hasnita Singh has written the book, Get You the Moon.  

 

First, let me thank you for joining me.  I appreciate you giving me your links and I want to share those with our readers.

 

YOUR INFORMATION:

http://hasnitasinghauthor.com/

https://twitter.com/HasnitaSingh

https://www.instagram.com/hash.tag22/

https://www.tiktok.com/@hasnitasingh?

 

"What do you want to read? Because that’s what’s going to be fun to write. More than that, during editing, you’re going to have to read it so many times, it best be something you enjoy reading."

That is great.  Can you tell us a little about yourself and what led you to start writing?

 

I was born in Fiji but now live in the very beautiful, New Zealand. I’m a university student who loves (as you can guess) books. In the 21 years of my life, I’ve learnt that I love travelling, baking, dancing, theatre, and astronomy. My favorite days of the year are Diwali, Holi and my birthday. I got into reading just as I started high school and soon after, I had this very specific idea of what I wanted to read. Back then, I didn’t really understand tropes, nor did I have access to book bloggers and their recommendations. So, I did the natural thing and decided to write it. Fast forward almost a decade, and we’re here now!  

 

 

Where do you get your inspiration, information, and ideas for books?

 

I think the best stories have a foundation of truth, so I draw from life. Not just my own but the people around me and what’s happening in the world. Get You the Moon deals with a lot of topics that are relevant today, like youth mental health and sexual harassment. 

 

As someone who worked many years in mental health, in particular as an addictions counselor, I love that aspect of your writing. I know it comes in to play in my writing along with several of my hobbies like woodworking and camping. What are your hobbies and do they ever play into your writing?

 

My hobbies range from theatre to baking. Surprisingly, they haven’t come into play yet. Writing gives me a chance to explore new hobbies so I’ve been more focused on that. But I like to think there’ll be a story soon about my own hobbies, especially dancing. 

 

What advice would you give someone who wants to be a writer?

 

Write what you want to write. Don’t get distracted by what’s popular or what people want to read. What do you want to read? Because that’s what’s going to be fun to write. More than that, during editing, you’re going to have to read it so many times, it best be something you enjoy reading.

 

That is brilliant advice brilliantly said. What is the best advice you have ever been given as a writer?

 

To just write. I used to get so focused on making it perfect, but first drafts are supposed to be a hot mess. Once someone told me to just keep the ball rolling and then once it’s done to come back and edit, it changed everything. 

 

Do you write full-time or around another job? How do you schedule your time to write?

 

I am a full-time university student and I also work a lot of hours, so this has taken me a while to figure out. I always try and write a little every day, even if it’s just a few words. It’s impossible for me to write a lot every day after working and studying. But sticking to a routine definitely helps. The thing that helps me consistently write is a writing sprint. If anyone doesn’t know, it’s basically where you and another writer set a timer for let’s say 20 minutes and try and write as much as you can. You’ll be surprised at how much you can get done!

 

Please tell us about your current release.

 

Get You the Moon is a young adult, contemporary about academic rivals, Levi and Scarlet. You can expect dysfunctional families, slow burn romance, some good old banter and important topics like racism, sexual harassment, and mental health intertwined.

 

What exciting story are you working on next?

 

I’m currently working on Played You Like a Fiddle, another young adult novel. This time it’s a mystery set at a boarding school in New Zealand. The vibe is a little different with dark academia but always, a slow burn romance.

 

One more time, where can someone go to purchase your book?

http://hasnitasinghauthor.com/books/

This link has links to pretty much everywhere you can buy Get You the Moon from. Everything from Indiebound, Barnes & Noble, Amazon to Waterstones. 

Easy, Healthy packed lunch

Quick Meal Prep Pasta

 

Here is one I can make in less than 15 minutes. I usually make two days worth, but you can flex the recipe to make it for however many days you want. 

It is delicious, fairly healthy, and good when reheated in the office microwave (I hate microwaves).

Ready? Okay. Did I say this was a quick meal prep for a busy night? I did. Okay... then make sure you don't judge my dirty stovetop. This recipe is made in a "normal" house. If you own a glass stove top, that means a little burn around the edges most days.

Pot #1: Prep noodles per package directions (or precook and reuse the pot for pot #2 recipe. Then it is a 1 pot meal).

Pot #2: Sauce

    - Chop an onion and set in pot with a little olive oil (or butter). Add a teaspoon of garlic and sauté. (I sometimes use a bit more garlic.... measure with your heart).

- Add cherry tomatoes, cover and steam on medium heat (5.5 on my front eye). I usually do about 8-10 per serving

- Steam until the skin is wrinkly like one of those wrinkle dogs (see picture to left). When you get there, mash it up all together.

- Add noodles and stir

-serve with a bit of parmesan cheese and a meat. I dice some fully cooked sausage. If serving for dinner, heat the sausage before serving.

Yep.... That is it!!  You are done!!!! Trust me, you will love it. And it can be crazy adaptable with different proteins (I love shrimp) and noodle types. I used whole wheat spaghetti here but love some penne also.

Review: Horizons Unlimited: A Space Adventure Anthology

 

I was given a copy of Horizons Unlimited for review. Below is my review as posted on Amazon and Goodreads.

I love trapped in space novels and shows. Whether it is a serial like Lost in Space, more comical like The Hitch Hiker’s Guide, a more modern twist like Gravity or And Weir’s The Martian and recent Hail Mary. There is something fun about getting to know characters, watching the pressure of their situation mount, and seeing how they respond. Part of good sci-fi is crafting an interesting universe. Beckwith has an interesting spin on beloved sci-fi tropes: What if we can convert matter to energy and vice-versa? This notion sets the world for a fun adventure in Quicksilver, the first story opening up the universe for other tales. As Beckwith’s character reminds us of the Chinese curse, ‘May you live in interesting times.’ While the universe sets the stage, I am happy to report Beckwith’s characters are extremely like us and a the safety of a Sarah’s husband will still boil down to prying a password out of an unwilling crewmember. Overall, these are three easy to read, fun stories with the possibility of more to come.

-------------

Beckwith is part of The Corner Scribblers and has participated in several of their collections:

SEE THE WORKS OF THE CORNER SCRIBBLERS HERE

He also has his own writings that can be found on his Amazon Author's page. 

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Beckwith's book: EConscience Beta

J.D. Beckwith is a mechanical engineer with delusions of writing grandeur. A lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy, he has recently taken the opportunity to try his hand at the craft he's always admired.

When he isn’t working on either expanding his bibliography, or finding more efficient ways of manufacturing things — like bulldozers, excavators, and garbage trucks — he amuses himself with reading, tabletop & RPG gaming, arguing on the internet, growing tomatoes, and herding cats… all while trying to stay hidden in the woods of Northwest Georgia.

Check out J.D.'s book reviews & other nerdy stuff on his blog: 

Words from the Wampuscat @ wampuscatenterprises.wordpress.com

Interview with Tyler Edwards, Author of The Outlands

Link to full blog post

 BUY IT HERE

Today, we have an opportunity to talk to Tyler Edwards.  Tyler Edwards has written the book, The Outlands.  First, let me thank you for joining me. I appreciate you giving me your links and I want to share those with our readers.

  

Amazon

Goodreads

Website: http://entertheoutlands.com

Facebook

 

 

That is great.  Can you tell us a little about yourself and what led you to start writing?

 

I have always loved writing. Growing up my mom and I would read books together and I fell in love with stories. About fifth grade I started writing down stories and ideas in notebooks when I should have been listening to my teachers. Ever since then, I’ve been writing and developing story ideas. There’s just something about crafting stories, worlds, characters that has always excited me.  

 

Where do you get your inspiration, information, and ideas for books?

Usually when I am really busy and away from my computer, super exciting ideas strike and I have to hope to remember them when I get the time to write them down. A lot of my inspiration comes from moments of margin, when I’m not actively doing something and mind wanders.

 

"Take criticism well. It’s hard when you write something you love to hear others talk bad about it. Do NOT get offended. Hear what they are saying and learn from it."

What are your hobbies and do they ever play into your writing?

I love movies and stories in any form so yea, consuming stories in various mediums of entertainment plays well into crafting stories. 

What advice would you give someone who wants to be a writer?

I’d say a couple of things: 

1. Write because it’s what you love. Write because you have a story to tell. Write because it brings you joy. Don’t write to sell books. It’s easy to get discouraged if you write for the wrong reasons.  

2. Never show anyone your first draft. After you write a story, start again from scratch using the first draft as a general outline. After writing the story at least twice you might have something that other people can look at.

3. Get some beta readers who can provide detailed, thoughtful feedback and listen to ALL of it. You bring an ego into writing and your book will suffer.

4. Take criticism well. It’s hard when you write something you love to hear others talk bad about it. Do NOT get offended. Hear what they are saying and learn from it. The only way to get better is to through accepting critiques. If you’re just starting, you need to get better if you want to do anything with your books. 

 

That's great advice. Truly. What is the best advice you have ever been given as a writer?

Don’t write the story you are passionate about first. You won't have the audience to share it with or the skills to develop it properly.

 

Don't think I have ever heard that said so well. I think it is very true. I have one I've been sitting on and had that feeling... I'm not ready. So much of that is learning the craft but also practice. Do you write full-time or around another job? How do you schedule your time to write?

I write on the side. For me, my ideas tend to come late at night. So when the rest of my family goes to sleep, I get up and write, usually at the expense of a good night’s sleep. 

How many hours a day do you write?

I am an inspiration writer. I try to give myself 30 minutes – 1 hour a day to write but most of the time, I get a jolt of inspiration and write for 4 hours straight and then the next day just stare at the screen like I’m in a vegetative state.

 

What is your favorite part about writing?

Building a new world.

That is fun. And can be the reward in and of itself. What does literary success look like to you?

Success is writing a story that people enjoy, want to re-read, and want more from. Getting a base audience is hard. I don’t care about the numbers. My hope is that those who read my books enjoy it and find some encouragement or escape in them.

 

"I am an inspiration writer. I try to give myself 30 minutes – 1 hour a day to write but most of the time, I get a jolt of inspiration and write for 4 hours straight and then the next day just stare at the screen like I’m in a vegetative state."

It is hard, but you are doing the right things. That said, tell us about your current release.

In the ruins of the world that was lies the city of Dios, a haven protected from the hostile environment known as The Outlands. Ruled by an oppressive Patriarch, the people of Dios are conditioned in fear. The smallest infraction could result in banishment to the Outlands, a fate worse than death.

With his make-shift family of “Undesirables”, Jett Lasting struggles to find his place in a world where drawing attention to yourself can get you killed. His very existence is considered a crime. To survive, he must avoid guards, beggar gangs, and an ever-growing tension that could drag the whole city into chaos.

Jett unwittingly becomes entwined in a plot to overthrow the government where his choices could lead to freedom or the death of everyone he’s ever known or cared about.

That is awesome. I'd want to read it. You said you are an inspirational writer, writing in jolts. What exciting story are you working on next?

I am finishing up book 2: The Tides of Reckoning, which is considerably better in my opinion. Book 1 was my first novel and writing book 2 I could feel my ideas and writing coming together in ways that book 1 didn’t.

 

Who are your favorite authors? 

J.R.R Tolkien, C.S Lewis, Jim Butcher, Andy Weir, Suzanne Collins, Llyod Alexander, J.K Rollings, George R.R Martin

 

Those are some great writers, for sure. What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?

The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

 

Any plans for the upcoming holiday?

Just a ten-hour road trip with my wife and 2 year old son to visit my wife’s family for thanksgiving. What could go wrong?

 

LOL. Sounds like it might be ripe for inspiration! As a writer, we have to also be marketer, publisher, and many other hats. Part of the craft is deciding where to spend your budget. What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Good editors. Every typo, misplaced word, event in the wrong order, and confusing sentence has the potential to pull your reader from the story and destroys the magic you want them to get lost in. You can’t get your book polished and quality enough.

 

What is your writer’s kryptonite? 

The comma. I was taught incorrectly how to use it and can’t unlearn it for some reason. 

 

I, understand. Apart from commas, what part of writing and publishing was most difficult for you?

The marketing is the worst for me. I love writing. I don’t even mind editing. Getting the book in front of people is physically painful. 

 

Are you involved in any writer groups?

I have some writer friends who I talk books with, but not any formal group.

 

Well, let them know any friend of yours has an open door here if they ever publish. One more time, where can someone go to purchase your book?

Amazon

Goodreads

Website: http://entertheoutlands.com

Facebook

LONGHAND:

https://www.amazon.com/Outlands-Tyler-Edwards-ebook/dp/B08QL3SSYJ/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=the+outlands&qid=1629300918&s=digital-text&sr=1-2

 

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-outlands-tyler-edwards/1139319969?ean=9780578896083

 

https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Outlands-Audiobook/B09B7WCW3Q?asin=B09B7WCW3Q

 

https://www.target.com/p/the-outlands-by-tyler-edwards-paperback/-/A-83193293

MY REVIEW: I was given a copy by the author for an unbiased review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

You can see my review also on Amazon.com

Tyler Edward’s debut novel, The Outlands is a great read for Dystopian fans. There are already several quality reviews regarding the plot, so I will focus on what made the story engaging for me. 

 

First, Tyler does a marvelous job world building. There is enough connectivity to my own world, sufficient description of this one, and enough humanity sprinkled in that I can easily visualize the setting of The Outlands. I never felt like it was borrowed from others. The introduction of Paragon Virtues, the Primes, the Artisans, and Plebs echo other modern dystopian societies where people are divided up. However, What Tyler does with his framework is original and refreshing. Tyler sets forth a unique effort. 

 

Secondly, there is action. Lots of action. Tyler is a good story teller and an excellent action sequence writer. As his character Spike states at one point, “Aye, he fights. Fighting is easy. Rage is easy. It’s the aftermath ye never ready for.” It is perhaps one of my favorite lines of the book and as much a promise to the reader turning a page as it is to the characters themselves.

 

Third, the book is satisfying but also leaves plenty of room for a sequel or series outside the dome of Dios.