…but no so much on the inside. There are formatting errors and the type in the novels is so small as to be unreadable. But we are far from discouraged! We will get it right. In the meantime, don’t buy them.
(Well, you can. If you really want to. I can’t un-publish them at this point. But I’d warn draxfans against it. They can’t be un-published, but they can be improved.)
Ω
… you will be the ruin (or glory) of me, oh Button, Button.
(This is of course not the real revamped edition, not this:
… and the “Collected Serial Edition” will probably not be for sale.)
Probably.
But you never know…
Ω
What button, you ask? Why, this button, right there on the amazon KDP control panel.
“Create paperback.” So innocent. We’ll get to The Button soon enough. But first…
Entry! It’s not only the last day of the year but the last day of the decade. Many folks on the web are creating best-of lists, as well as lists of accomplishments and lands visited, books published and goals attained. (I see nary a list of BIGGEST REGRETS or WORST MISTAKES, etc. Just sayin’.) Anyway, I’m not going for any of that. I’m just offering a few snaps of December 31 2019, like The Sun, above, and my current bureau shelf, below.
My kids are glorious, yes. But boy, the extant hardcopy Drax library is woefully thin, even when spiced up with the Barsoom Design business card (like, big deal). Which brings us to the…
Entry! Button, Button. Oh that damn button.
No, it’s not black and red on the Kindle Direct Publishing control panel but that damn button sure burned a fiery red mark in my brain for the last week and a half, during which I prepped files for paperback editions of no less than three of my books, second time around for DESCENT and first-ever for DOOMTROOPERS and the poems, ALWAYS APOCALYPSE.
The reason? Well, pure vanity, obviously. But also the simple desire to produce physical copies of works that still matter to me, physical copies that I can give to my kids, maybe kind and indulgent friends. I simply miss making books. And evil amazon’s print on demand service is stick-stone-stupid; clumsy, but easy to use and each copy costs only pennies to produce. Besides, as much as it might seem I’m looking backwards, I really am inspired to move forward…
… and complete unfinished major works…
…so, Entry! Here’s to the 2020s, here’s to The Future.
So mote it be.
Ω
SABBATH | Nick Mamatas | A Tor Trade Hardcover | $ 27.95 | 304 pages
Though I’m uncertain super-scribe Mamatas would agree (given that he mentions in the acknowledgements of his latest novel that he should thank the “meatheads in heavy metal t-shirts” but he won’t), it is however this reviewer’s belief that all true and authentic metal is deeply entrenched in matters of philosophy. I’m thinking of the thunderous epics of Zeppelin and Maiden, real bone-crunching operas that shake fists at cruel fate and indifferent skies. Thus so with SABBATH, with its titular hero Hexen Sabbath, an 11th century warrior who questions nearly every jab of his weighty blade as he cuts a bloody swath through modern day Manhattan in his quest to “track down and kill the living personifications of the Seven Deadly Sins before they bring about Armageddon!” Whew! Sabbath is aided by an “Angel of the Lord” who niftily keeps our hero 21st-century savvy with instant mental downloads, as well as a way-cool illuminated tat of NYC streets that directs Sabbath to his prey. Along for the ride are two perky art scene lasses, Jennifer and Miriam who thankfully “keep things real” and offer not so dry commentary on the mayhem and gore. Mamatas treats this admittedly ludicrous scenario with a deft hand and never allows the material to slide into dreaded tongue-in-cheek, thank god. It’s a heady—and heavy—trip that gallops to blistering heights, and Mamatas pulls it off with a master’s technique. Four out of five stars.
Ω
… the paperback edition of DOOMTROOPERS is now available via Evil Amazon. You know you want one! Assuming you don’t mind a few glaring pagination goofs, that is. Repeat after me: “Thank you Amazon Robot Typesetter.”
Ω
ALWAYS APOCALYPSE ALL THE TIME is now available in paperback!
Makes the perfect (sort of) Hexmas gift!
ALWAYS APOCALYPSE ALL THE TIME now in paper
Ω
Peace on Earth, and all that jazz.
Ω
Parasite is a masterful film. Miss it at your peril!
Ω
ENTRY! We were pleasantly shocked by Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood. Nostalgic without tripping into sentimentality, outrageous but sidestepping the obnoxious, the enfant terrible’s 9th film is nothing less than a joy. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a fading TV star in 1969 L.A., aided and backed-up by Brad Pitt, his stunt-double, wingman, and de facto best friend. Also on hand is Margot Robbie as DiCaprio’s new neighbor, Sharon Tate(!), a very tricky maneuver that Tarantino handles with the gentle grace of a fairy tale. And hence the title. It’s a bold move but it surprisingly satisfies. Once Upon a Time delivers all the pleasure of a good novel written by a trickster who has at last revealed a tender heart.
Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood is streaming now on Amazon Prime.
† † †
ENTRY! Thank the Gods for John Coulthart, the artist, designer, and occasional writer who dazzles us each week with his Weekend Links. This time he wakes us from our stupor with the long out of print Blade Runner Sketchbook! It was more than just flying cars, kids.
The Blade Runner Sketchbook is available at The Internet Archive.
† † †
ENTRY! Kemper Norton’s new album, Brunton Calciner
Nobody does contemporary British neo-folk goth experimental better than Kemper. But don’t take my word for it, give him a listen. And while we’re talking music…
† † †
ENTRY! Maiden’s mastermind Steve Harris speaks to Rolling Stone!
You’re also still doing “The Number of the Beast,” which got you in hot water with the far right in America in the Eighties for its satanic imagery. How did that one come together?
It was things like watching The Omen but it was more inspired by a poem [by Robert Burns] called “Tam o’ Shanter.” I’ve just always liked reading books and watching horror films.
Full Interview HERE.
Ω
No, that’s not the cover, merely a teaser poster. Make no mistake, draxfans, HEXES: THE FINAL HEX is going to be the thing of things. It will not only feature completely original material from a stellar league of contributors including Maxim Peter Griffin, David Southwell, Zali Krishna, Allison Bloom, Paul Watson, Christina Sholtz, Andy Liefer, Chris W., Leigh Wright, Malcolm Johnson and others, but it will also be a formatted as a downloadable PDF magazine, something I’ve never attempted before. Yes, the headaches involved will be considerable, but it will be worth it. So watch this space, true believers!
Ω
