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This Morning’s Dream
Man, sometimes the subconscious just throws it all in one. I had a dream between my wife’s leaving for work and my own alarm clock going off that really stuffed it in there, symbolically speaking.
I wish I could talk about everyone that was in it, but that would reveal just a bit too much. I wouldn’t have any problem detailing all the details in my life… except that my life includes other people, too, and they deserve their privacy.
So let’s talk generalities, some. The dream was about a reunion with a number of folks I haven’t seen in a while, and additionally, one person with whom I have a complicated history and haven’t had much contact with in a while. The overall tone of the dream was unease, longing, and melancholy.
Is there a word for a bad dream that isn’t a nightmare? Know what I mean?
In the dream, I was invited by a faceless friend to come to a rehearsal / recording studio in a small building located in a rustic mountain town that might as well have been Kirby Lake / Big Bear. In this place were ten or so of my extended family of friends. Everyone was surprised to see me, but welcoming. The complicated-history person and I saw each other, were restrained and polite and uncertain, and kept to opposite sides of the room.
No fun. Very sad.
Then, in the cinematic scene-transition manner of dreams, I was in a window booth in a restaurant with comp-hist person. I automatically understood that we had been thrown together to meet another person — an old drummer from our band. The drummer’s identity kept shifting between two different former drummers of mine.
Dream inconsistency: comp-hist person and I have never been in a band together, at least not in the musical sense.
Body language was evident here. I sat on the outside edge of my side of the booth, facing the window and comp-hist person, who sat in the opposite side as close to the window as possible. They faced the window, their back mostly to me. Distance and separation, and comp-hist making an effort to keep it that way.
Perhaps interesting: there was absolutely nothing on the table between us. No place settings, no silverware, napkins, water, coffee, condiments… nothing.
We made small talk. Have you ever walked through very clear water and tried as hard as you could to not stir the mud with your feet as you went, so as to maintain the purity of the water and not literally muck it up? That was what this conversation was like. At the same time, I felt a desperate urge to just shove my hands in the mud and dig deep. Didn’t.
The chimeric drummer showed up. I wanted to give him a hug, he reached out to shake my hand, and an awkward combination of both was the result. He gave comp-history person a hug.
End of dream.
I laid in bed and wallowed in the emotional backwash for another forty five minutes or so.
And now it’s daytime and everyone’s awake and life goes on. I’m trying to process the dream, trying not to put so much illogical significance on it that I treat it like “a sign” to act upon or any such caveman crap… and I’m saddened by the whole engine of behavior and choice and circumstance that drove the dream in the first place.
There’s that.
Sonitotum Episode Twelve - Big Big Big
Hey, another Sonitotum! I really am back to this podcasting thing, see? I told ya!
In this episode: an eclectic range of music, promos from fellow podcasters, and all the latest news from my little corner of the aethernets, including a call to action for all of you as we come closer to Sovereign Summer!
Music
- The Livingstons - “Holy Metal Box” from “Holy Metal Box”
- Emma Wallace - “Pet” from “A Reason To Stay Up All Night”
- Aaron Zimmer - “Rerun On the TV” from “Buy 1 / Get 1″
Promos
Links
- Swarm Press, publishers of “Brave Men Run - A Novel of the Sovereign Era,” Summer 2008!
- Masters of Podcast Novel Promotion and Fansourcing:
- Michael Jackson’s
song “Rock With You” — better than hearing me sing it, I promise!
- Follow me on Twitter!
- Twittermonster Jason Calacanis
- Mahalo.com
- My Wikipedia page — do you have anything to add?
- Drew Beatty, author of “White Trash Land,” who rose to the challenge.
- Participate in the Forums, and help build the community.
Feed Back!
In addition to leaving a comment right here in the show notes and participating in the Forums…
- Voice Mail: 1-206-600-6364
- Musicians send CDs: MWS Media, PO BOX 402081 Hesperia, CA 92340-2081
- Send an E-Mail
Outro theme: “Bound To Be Free” from the album “Culture of Self” by Dan Wallace.
Show Your Support
Please consider donating whatever you think this episode was worth, with my heartfelt thanks.
Recommended worth: $5.00
“Nightswimming” by Gabriel D. W. Wollenburg
A year or so ago (probably more), I had it in my head that I would release an anthology called “Wordhouse: Songs and Stories.” The theme would be short stories inspired by, but not literally adapted from, songs that particularly inspired the authors.
I overextended myself, like I do now and then, and had to let the project be shelved… for now.
Yesterday was International Pixel-stained Techno-peasant Day, when authors are encouraged to post their writing for free on the Internet. This, as you can guess, is something I whole-heartedly support. Imagine my glee when I discovered that Gabriel D. W. Wollenburg posted the story he’d originally submitted for inclusion in “Wordhouse!”
Stranger Things
I don’t think I’ve ever talked about the Internet video anthology series, Stranger Things on this blog — let’s fix that.
First, let’s get out of the way the fact that creator and executive producer Earl Newton is a friend of mine. When I first heard of Stranger Things and watched the first episodes, I had no idea who he was. Only later would I come to learn he’s some kind of strange genetic sport, gifted with more energy, ambition, talent, and intelligence than anyone in their twenties should have. I may be his elder, but I’ve learned a lot about writing and creativity by observing his work.
Stranger Things is the first dramatic science-fiction anthology series shot in high definition and digitally-syndicated through the Internet. This is HD, better-than-broadcast quality stuff, and not just in the audiovisual sense. The writing is excellent, the acting solid, and they get the most out of what I’m assuming is (for now, it’s hoped) a minuscule budget.
I want Stranger Things to explode across all media. Earl and his crew are doing amazing work; I can’t think of a higher quality example of what the DIY ethic can produce. I rarely beg for Diggs and Stumbles for my own stuff, but I’m asking you to share this post — tell at least one other person about Stranger Things, and you will help raise awareness and raise the bar for independent media.
Here are a couple trailers:
Subscribe to Stranger Things via RSS or find the show on iTunes.
Signed A Contract
On the twenty third anniversary of Declaration Day, April 18, 2008, I applied my signature to an agreement with Swarm Press to re-issue the paperback edition of “Brave Men Run - A Novel of the Sovereign Era.”
Swarm is a new imprint of Permuted Press, a small independent publisher in Mena, Arkansas run by Jacob Kier. While Permuted is well established in the zombie / apocalyptic genres, Swarm will feature speculative fiction, action/adventure, and that baby sub-genre of science fiction I know so well, super-hero fiction. We’re shooting for a Summer, 2008 release.
We Thought Matt Was All DIY And Stuff!
So why am I forgoing self-publishing through Lulu.com in favor of working with a small press? How can I advocate the DIY ethic and turn over part of my creative endeavors to a third party? Dear heavens, has Selznick sold out?
I’ve always said that I would consider a publishing deal… if it was the right deal. I’ve never sought one out, but twice now, offers have come.
The first time was last June, from St. Martin’s Press… “Brave Men Run” was championed by the excellent David Moldawer for a line they were considering, and the book got to the editorial board before they passed. David understood what I was trying to do with “Brave Men Run,” and he gets new media. I’m grateful to him for taking it as far as he could!
Then, twelve days ago, I got an exploratory e-mail from Jacob at Permuted. We exchanged a flurry of correspondence as I tested the water. I consulted with some friends and colleagues to get impressions, advice, and opinions — I owe them, and I’m lucky to have such people in my life! I had an hour-and-a-half telephone conversation with Jacob on Monday. We talked about new media, the power of the podcasting community and audience, and the growing force that is the cadre of podcast novelists.
Jacob gets it, too. His zombie-lit Permuted Press is a labor of love that has grown into a well-respected house in that genre. Some of his authors started their books as blogs and some give away entire books online, so he understands and embraces the power of new media and the direct connection / fuzzy line between content creator and content consumer. I get the impression he’s genuinely excited by the passion and commitment alive in the podcasting sphere.
What does Swarm Press bring me that I couldn’t get by myself? What am I giving up? Why is this the right deal?
I’m giving Swarm the right to print the book and distribute it world-wide — I still have all other rights. In return, I get professional editing, typesetting, design, and cover art. I get a marketing budget and another brain to help think of ways to promote “Brave Men Run” and myself. I get to be associated with a publisher with a great track record with award-nominated, top-selling books and a strong community.
I’m the guy who always says that doing it yourself should never mean going it alone. I look at this as a mutually-beneficial team-up: DIY author and DIY publisher. I think we’ll be stronger together.
Additionally, I like being there at the beginning. I was one of the first music podcasters, one of the first podcast novelists, and one of the early champions of the new Internet merit economy. I like the idea that I’ll be one of the first authors published by Swarm Press, too.
What Happens Next?
We’re going to move fast getting “Brave Men Run” to print. I’m hoping for the middle of July. Yes, we’re going to ask you all to do another rush at the gates of Amazon.com when the time comes — we want “Brave Men Run” and Swarm Press to make a huge impact, right out of the gate. I’ve got some fun ideas regarding that day. More on that as we get closer to go-time.
I’m going to be reaching out to everyone who ever enjoyed “Brave Men Run,” and everyone who has supported or expressed an interest in me and my works. I’ll be asking you for support, and calling you to action. Again, more on that as the magic day draws nearer.
I’ll be hitting the podcast trail, pushing “Brave Men Run,” Swarm Press, and new media. I’ve got a big metaphorical glass of water and I’ve been gargling metaphorical chili pepper juice… I’m ready to talk, talk, talk, and talk to you, podcasters. I’ll also be engaging traditional media as much as possible, in as many ways as possible.
Meanwhile, the paperback edition of “Brave Men Run — A Novel of the Sovereign Era” will not be available until the Swarm Press edition is in print. If you have a copy of the original MWS Media edition with the orange cover, consider it a collector’s item!
The last two weeks, coupled with my already renewed effort on the follow-up to “Brave Men Run,” “Pilgrimage,” has me charged up and pushing even harder to finish that book. You’ll see “Pilgrimage” in some form before the end of this year.
Your First Mission
This is a simple on, gang. It’s the same thing I’ve asked all along… the same thing that helped bring the “Brave Men Run” podcast so many listeners:
Tell everyone you know!
If you’ve read or listened to “Brave Men Run,” start with a review at Amazon.com.
Thank you… my friends and my fans, this has happened because of you. I am forever grateful.
