A Bungalow in Purgatory
March 29, 2006 @ 8:13 pm
The cruelest month nears, and I’ve still no title for the book. Been brainstorming the quandary with Chris and we’re close to a solution, much like seeing a lake on the hot horizon of the Mojave. With the forthcoming Velvet offerings being Demon Theory and Godspeed, the names are shaping up to serve as a third, thematic pillar in a virtual trilogy of titles. Otherwise, I’m homebound for a while, keeping my laptop company by day and the tenderloin drinkers company by night, and things will stay that way until I hit the L.A. Times Festival of Books at the end of April.
Spring in the U.K. is looking good for Mr. Vincent, as it looks like 2 May ‘06 is the street date for the new version of the Handbook and the release of Dermaphoria, with this latest interview posted on a British site paving the way for both, with their home page dubbing this author a “gonzo noirboy.”
For the reading impaired, or simply fans of the genre, Mr. Kiss has set loose the latest four pages of his graphic novel rendition of the Handbook. As usual, the hourglass has enough sand for two weeks, at which point the earliest four pages are pulled and a new set are posted. Gabor Kiss is doing some remarkable work, so check it out when you can.
As long as I’m getting so link happy in this post, I should also point you to a recently podcast interview with the taller, more prolific third of the Velvet, Stephen Graham Jones. The Misnomer Podcast, produced by Velvet members Logan and Will, is most definitely worth the download.
Speaking of Velvet authors, I have smelled Godspeed’s sulphur scent from the netherworld, as Baer sent me his author statement for the MacAdam/Cage catalogue (the ‘author statement’ is the pretentious thought piece we write, so readers will think we’re locked in our respective ivory towers, reading the classics and debating Western philosophy instead of blowing up video game zombies or watching Seinfeld/Family Guy/Brass Eye with a glass of Woodford Reserve). As little as I’ve seen, I do know that it will be well worth the wait.
Lastly, while I’m still struggling with a title and overall structure, I’ll offer the beginnings of my research for the curious. My current reads include a science/history book on the origin and development of the mirror, as well as the prison writings of Juan de la Cruz, a 16th century Spanish monk prone to, uh, “visions.”
Demon Theory approaches with Godspeed on its heels, and The Velvet continues to grow. I see a bright future for dark books.
Stay Warm and Bound,
-Gonzo Noirboy
Life in the Faust Lane
March 20, 2006 @ 1:18 pm
I’m doing the thing I hate the most: sitting in a cafe with my laptop, and I’ll only forgive myself for embodying such a cliche because I’m currently on the road, nearing the end of a hectic travel schedule for March. On the upside, I’ve stopped in Santa Barbara to crash for the night at Chez Baer, so the hilarity will ensue, shortly (said hilarity usually entails catching up over drinks at a sketchy dive and hurling insults after the first two hit our respective bloodstreams).
Sincere thanks to all who made it to the Rickshaw Stop, and sincere apologies for the garbled directions on my site. Indeed, I am the Devil’s Homing Pigeon. Among the notable in attendance was fellow San Francisco neo-noir writer, David Corbett, and among the high points of the evening was sharing the podium with John Shirley, who’s been at the blood-soaked book game for a long, long time. It was a true privilege to read with him.
The Rickshaw’s a great venue with absolutely amazing sound. Whoever was working the dials that night has my eternal gratitude for keeping me from sounding like Wallace Shawn impersonating Bob Goldthwait, though it didn’t hurt that I had time for my Johnny Cash/bourbon shot warmup ritual, nor that I had Penelope nibbling on my ear and kissing me good luck before I left for the event. Y’all can get your minds out of the gutter… Penelope is my friend’s yellow-breasted amazon parrot who loves to perch on my shoulder while singing like Ethel Merman, playing with my hair and trying to rip out my earrings.
Elsewhere… Demon Theory, from fellow Velveteer and Cage scribe, Stephen Graham Jones, is on the horizon, and Michelle Tea, local San Francisco legend and member of the Cage has just released her newest, The Rose of No Man’s Land, and read to a packed house at her reception on Friday at Varnish (and I love the fact that “the Cage” is becoming a more and more common shorthand way of saying MacAdam/Cage). Get your hands on both of ‘em, when you get the chance. During my brief downtime in San Francisco, last week, I managed to catch Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at the Fillmore, and they bloody rocked.
I’ll be back with more of the graphic novel, soon.
Thanks for the review, Sabrina.
Stay warm and bound,
-Craig
Snapshots
March 15, 2006 @ 4:24 am
Lot’s of show and tell, today. Back from the conference in Austin, and Stephen’s got a video of our conference over on his site. It’s a big file, shot from a hand held video camera but, if you’re curious, check it out. I’m the long haired dude, second from the left, right next to Stephen. Next, Gabor’s got four more pages of the Handbook graphic novel up. Check ‘em out.
Once more, I’ll be at the Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco this Thursday, if you feel like swinging by.
Stay warm and bound.
-Craig