By Christopher Ryan
It has taken a ridiculously long time to decide how to go about writing this newsletter. I used every excuse and considered a kaleidoscope of possible formats and content that ate up years. Yeah, years.
Procrastination, anyone?
I believe I’ve got it now, and not a moment too soon. I have new work coming out, one independently published by me, another traditionally published by Alien Buddha Press, and a third project I’m publishing by another author. I can’t hide anymore, it is time. I’m jumping in. I hope you’ll jump in with me.
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Hi, I’m Christopher Ryan, a hybrid author with forty years of previous experience in journalism, education, sketch comedy, indie film, unions, community service, parenting, public speaking, acting, fiction writing, and podcasting. I’ve experienced moderate success in all of these, but I’m pushing to be more, to become one of the oldest breakout authors in the business. (“LOL,” he said, throwing his back out with the laugh).
My goal here is to offer three newsletter-length posts per week – Music on Mondays (that feature is called Gems), this newsletter on Wednesdays, and Friday Freakouts.
In Gems, so far I’ve covered Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks which you can read here:
Bob Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks at 50
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Jan 22
Brothers and sisters, we share much. Sometimes it’s elation, sometimes our soul screams.
I also wrote about the biological improbability of Aerosmith’s career, which you can read here:
Aerosmith: Staggering Rock Consistency That Defied the Limits of Humanity
Jan 27
I aim to have a new music column every Monday, focusing mostly but not exclusively on music that is fifty years old this year, hoping to inspire some of you to give these gems another listen.
On Wednesdays, I’ll update my progress as an emerging fiction writer (apparently, I’ve been emerging for almost half a century), and all that entails.
Friday Freakouts could be anything; new obsessions, current events, new releases, whatever. That’s my big risk. Let’s see what happens.
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A TRUTH NOT MANY TALK ABOUT – Done right, independent publishing helps you become a better author. My publishing company, Seamus and Nunzio Productions, LLC, is almost exclusively a one-person shop. Yes, I do have, um, staff, but, well, allow me to show you…
Bottom left is Sonny Mehlman, our security chief. Top center is Isabella, who supposedly does marketing but mostly just offers superior glances. Finally, to the right is Silvio “Steve” Licitra, our never satisfied editorial manager. Even now he is giving me his withering “write faster” look.
You can imagine the challenges. However, the good news is, as an independent publisher, if you want to sell any books at all but cannot afford to hire three to a dozen pros to help produce your books, you need to learn to: 1) edit with a blistering lack of mercy, 2) proofread professionally and tirelessly, 3) develop an eye for what constitutes good covers, and 4) learn how to do all of it better with each publication.
Fun right? I think so.
Then you need to learn marketing. I’ll admit I am still getting my ass kicked here on a regular basis, but that’s part of the journey, right?
The upside is that the work you send out to other publishers will have gone through edits with this more discerning eye so it has a better chance of getting recognized as professional from other editors and publishers.
I hope that is as encouraging to other writers as it is meant to be.
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HAPPENINGS – Coming up on Feb. 12 (the start of MLB spring training) Detectives Mallory and Gunner are back. While their novels City of Woe and City of Pain included a bit of supernatural in its police procedural crime thriller, this time around the guys are trying to enjoy a ballgame with friends when crime turns over 50,000 fans into potential suspects. With more twists than a killer knuckle ball, Mallory and Gunner RIVALS is a novelette you can enjoy in one fun-filled sitting. Available for pre-order on Amazon. Here’s a look at the cover reveal ad:
On March 31, Alien Buddha Press will publish It’s Been a Privilege, a horror story told in verse. This collection of narrative poetry is presented as the journal of an impulsive serial killer who reflects the darker side of our times. Plain spoken and accessible, early feedback has described it as compelling reading. I hope you agree.
Here’s a look at the cover:
On May 22, Seamus and Nunzio Productions will publish Alex Simmons’ gripping play Sherlock Holmes and the Hands of Othello. More on that as we get nearer the pub date.
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CURRENT OBSESSIONS:
Walk This Way: the Aerosmith Autobiography – I read this as prep for the Gems column I published on Monday, but was in no way ready for the sheer amount of debauchery that is their history. Read the column for more.
Kolchak the Night Stalker – this finally whole and complete edition of Jeff Rice’s classic novel is given love and respect by James Aquilone’s Monstrous Books. I can’t gush enough about how great it looks, feels, and reads. Bravo!
Star Trek: Discovery – After my wife Glorious and I binged the entire run of Homicide: Life on the Streets (which stands up impressively after all these years), we needed something more escapist, and knowing almost nothing about Discovery we gave it a shot. Each episode packs a movie’s worth of storytelling. The writing, production quality, and performances are impressive and addictive.
107.1-The Peak FM – Looking to expand beyond the classic rock retreading of the same 100 songs for the last thirty years, I spun the dial and found this fresh mix of new and old music that keeps me writing. Worth a listen.
A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn – This was all over social media in January for some reason (insert wiseass emoji here). I’ve had it on my shelves since, like, birth, so I thought I’d give it a shot. Eye opening and engaging.
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Wow, I finally did a newsletter that seems newsletterish. Thanks for giving this a chance. I hope you continue on this fascinating journey with me.
Talk atcha soon.
Chris Ryan 