My books

Flies Update 2 years later... Feb 2023
I got close. I went to my first writer's conference where I signed up to pitch to a acquistions publisher. I was given 5 minutes and I walked out of there with an email at least to contact her. I gave her the summary and I was asked to submit the full manuscript. They said it could be awhile but I had an answer within a week. Bad timing. It was the week before Christmas and they said they passed. I've done nothing about it since. 


I am always finding something else to do instead of putting it out there again. Now I'm thinking of self-publishing again but given the three options 1) submit to more traditional publishers 2) self-publish or 3) write a dystopian legal thriller about a dolphin that sexually assaults vacationers. Out of those choices, I'm finding #3 to be my focus.


Flies Update (2021)

I was lucky enough to find a wonderful person who gave my draft of Flies a thorough and critical beta read; they were encouraging and receptive to the subject matter while also providing some good insights and caught some of the smaller errors. 
I will definitely be emulating her as I continue beta-reading for others. 

With that said, I have done a tight re-write of Flies and have submitted it to 5 traditional publishers, although that oddly terrifying process took me nearly two months in itself (as my very first submission was returned 'not thanks' three days later). So that set me back a few weeks. 

Anyways, four submissions are still out there. I may do more in the weeks to come but I've been pretty laid back about the whole thing, which I think is good. 

I think a lot of writers self-publish because they are in such a hurry to show the world what they created; that they are proud of their accomplishment and so they should be. However, I don't really believe that means that their books are the best they could be, which summarily tends to muddy the waters as to the respectability of being a self-published author. 

I'm hoping patience pays off this time; I'm in no rush to release Flies, although I think it's likely my strongest book from a straight-forward, linear, no nonsense type way. Here's to my strategy of Karma and patience coming true. 

In the meantime, I'm again back at IoB, another epic project I started years ago, currently re-reading and editing it down from the 106,000 words it is now. Going to be a curious adventure, that one. 

Then there is Aristotle Cavendish, my protagonist of a current story with no plot, other than it somehow involves aliens and a lawyer who dresses up as a bee. I have no idea what that will mutate into. 

Flies  COMING SOON

(aug 23,2020)

I've finished the first draft of my next book. It's a complete departure from the usual shits and giggles I write; a serial killer murder mystery told in three viewpoints. The victims are all pedophiles. The victims are also all teenagers.  

The hardest part of finishing this book is probably Karmageddon wasn't that well-received. I thought I might get some reaction but nothing. It fell into the void. And with that lack of encouragement, so went my marketing. 

The second hardest part is nobody has asked what my next book is about so as the old adage goes, I'm mostly writing for myself. 

Anyways, it's titled Flies and I hope to have completed a second draft in 2 months time. 


Karmageddon


Thirty-six short stories about the events leading up to the end of the world and its rebirth. 

The United Nations has legalized marijuana, world-wide in a misguided effort to stop the Great Apathy brought on by Karmafarianism. The world has never known so much happiness and bongo drums. Yet, the seeds of destruction have been sown. Jacques LaPlante's Karmafarians are about to change the cosmic scales and only one man can stop them. 

But Jack Steele is missing.  


Now Available at Lulu.com! 



Enter A Fistful Of Marijuana


Deep in the Canadian Rocky Mountains Jacques LaPlante has kidnapped world-renowned horticulturist Ruby Valentine to aid in his plan for world domination via his revolutionary brainwashing marijuana. 

It is up to retired tax super cop Jack Steele to infiltrate LaPlante's mountain headquarters, rescue the girl and save the world before marijuana is legalized. 

If only it were that easy... 



You can buy the .99 Kindle version here or hardcopy version of it here.

*****It's a post modern trip through the war on drugs and all of the politics surrounding it. The author manages to show a great sense of humor, while examining some of the larger issues confronting our materialist society. The book manages to be social commentary without being boring social commentary-- something that more literary work should aspire to****** - Ken E
*****Clever, fast-paced, engaging. Laughter waiting at every turn of the page!***** - Rachel N, Canada
*****The author takes both American Paranoia and American Exceptionalism to the Nth degree. An imaginative tale that makes me proud to live above the 49th. I got the munchies just reading it. - Vern K, Canada
*****There's some fun touches in here that will make you laugh out loud, and it moves at a pretty fast pace....Overall, a great read for anyone seeking something fun, sometimes deranged, and lighthearted!***** - RW Tucker, author of High Water/Low Point
*****This is hilarious. Smart, satirical and an easy, breezy read*****-Catherine G. via Amazon.ca

Stoner, Unincorporated


Stoner, Unincorporated is about the shooting of Kevin Carter, Bylaws officer of the Rocky Mountain Township of Stoner. It is also a humorous tale of young love, angst and Bigfoot through the eyes of just a few of the residents of this small mountain town which have all come to escape one thing; themselves. 

*****Excellent book. I loved following this story right to the end - TJ

You can buy the .99 Kindle version here...

or the hardcopy version here...

EaFoM is also on Smashwords, another multi-purpose ebook platform.


The Midland Mutiny


The town of Midland has a community pride contest in which its residents can be 'Leader for a Day'. A typo in the legal paperwork creates unintended consequences for a few of its civic leaders who are trying to win back some public confidence after the local Tar Plant fiasco. 

One of the easiest stories (meaning quickest) I wrote, I think it's reminiscent of Kurt Vonnegut, if I could be so bold. Midland was the town at center of Breakfast of Champions.


It's up for free on smashwords.


Or I will mail you a signed copy. Contact me. To be on Amazon eventually.

One of the best books I have read in a long time. Excellent writing style and epic page turner! The idea of this story is great for anybody who loves a super hero /underdog tale!! - TJ


Murder, They Wrote

Two mysteries of mini-epic proportions in one mini-package. 

A Writer's Group meets every Tuesday at Three. Until one by one, they stop coming. It's a mystery all right, if only someone would get around to solving it. 

Bud Larkin happens upon a missing mystery in his retirement residence. With the help of his granddaughter, Audrey and best friend Johnny One Ball he baits the killer with the only thing Bud has, himself.  

You can read it for free here...

Or, I will mail you a signed copy. Contact me. To be on Amazon eventually.

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