Leave it to the twisted mind of Neil Gaiman, one of my favorite authors, to turn Santa's delivering of Christmas presents into a punishment. Sadly, I don't think that I will be able to see the Santa Claus cultural myth in any other light than a punishment harsher than "... Prometheus and Loki, Sisyphus and Judas."
12.29.2010
12.27.2010
12.26.2010
12.24.2010
12.20.2010
Advance Praise for "The Many Lives of Inez Wick" from David Oppegaard
Advance Praise just in from David Oppegaard, author of The Suicide Collectors and Wormwood, Nevada:
"As our world continues its slow crumble, Aaron M. Wilson soldiers on, writing with a clear eye and strong voice. The Many Lives of Inez Wick entertains and, more importantly, gives cause for reflection."And don't for get to "like" the Facebook product page: The Many Lives of Inez Wick
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| Buy Here My Review Here |
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| Buy Here My Review Here |
12.18.2010
12.17.2010
"Thinker's Lure" by Toianna Gump in @Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities
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| buy here |
In Gump's "Thinker's Lure," the main character saw the impending doom that the Committee of Twelve's Uniformity Code would bring upon Minnesota and the rest of the country. See this doom, he begged his wife and son to travel to California to join the resistance with him. Alas, they wouldn't join him. Now, ten years later, he received a distressed call from his son, and he has - disguised - returned to the Twin Cites seeking his son.
What I liked about Gump's "Thinker's Lure" is that I can see the complacency and laziness that led to the Uniformity Code in people now. The U.S Census Bureau estimated Minnesota's population in 2009 to be 5,266,214, and less then half that number voted in the 2010 elections. Thus, a full half the Minnesota electorate is willing to allow someone else to do their thinking for them. It is no wonder that Gump's future comes to fruition.
All I have to say is think for yourself! be an individual! and Vote!
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Special Note: Yes, I have a story in Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities - "What's For Dinner" - so I have a vested interest in the anthology selling. However, all the authors in the anthology are local Twin Cities' authors, and the stories are excellent, so I'm going to review them all over the next few days. Cheers!
12.16.2010
"Godless" by Brian Garrity in @Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities
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| buy here |
Our Indy Rock Band hero-types are hiding and waiting to ambush a gathering of the The National Church of Athletics. It seems that their is going to be a worship service (game) that afternoon, and our heroes are dead set on stopping it or at least hindering it. Our heroes have in their arsenal, AK-47s and some type of rocket launcher. When The National Church of Athletics procession rolls down the highway, our heroes launch their awkward yet effective attack. Then, all hell breaks loose.
Garrity's story is very entertaining. Of all seven stories, this one uses crude adult dialog to good effect, which is not to say that that dialog in the others was less effective. Just, Garrity knows how to use the word "fuck" to good effect to help round out our heroes personalities and mindset.
Yet, I wonder, would I fight for the Indy Rock Band or The National Church of Athletics? I'm particular to either side. I don't care for sports, expect Roller Derby - The Minnesota Roller Girls are awesome! And I don't really like Indy Rock Bands. I just don't know where I'd fit into the this Twin Cities Future.
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Special Note: Yes, I have a story in Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities - "What's For Dinner" - so I have a vested interest in the anthology selling. However, all the authors in the anthology are local Twin Cities' authors, and the stories are excellent, so I'm going to review them all over the next few days. Cheers!
12.15.2010
"The Prisoner" by Ken Lubold in @Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities
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| buy here |
"The Prisoner" by Ken Lubold is a story about what it will take to be successful in the future. The main character is Brett Richards, the ultra-successful vice-president of TransCorp. TransCorp is the leading developer and manufacturer of cranial implants that do everything from make a person smarter, funnier, more confidante, or in some extreme cases, an implant can completely augment and alter personalities. Strangely, however, Brett Richards, VP doesn't believe in using implants, believing them beneath his awesome prowess as a leader.
On one hand, a Matrix-style download of personal improvement sounds great, but...there is something to be said for hard work and earning a reputation. If everyone can be augmented, everyone is virtually the same. The only difference between people would be their ability to afford the next new upgrade or which upgrade was implanted. Where does that leave the genuine human personality?
Which is the exact question that Brett Richards must confront. Brett Richards must come to terms with the stress of his high profile job and the looming voice that questions his every move. What's at stake for Brett Richards? Money, Women, Prestige all ride on how he handles the next few hours, and his decision will have lasting consequences for his soul.
On one hand, a Matrix-style download of personal improvement sounds great, but...there is something to be said for hard work and earning a reputation. If everyone can be augmented, everyone is virtually the same. The only difference between people would be their ability to afford the next new upgrade or which upgrade was implanted. Where does that leave the genuine human personality?
Which is the exact question that Brett Richards must confront. Brett Richards must come to terms with the stress of his high profile job and the looming voice that questions his every move. What's at stake for Brett Richards? Money, Women, Prestige all ride on how he handles the next few hours, and his decision will have lasting consequences for his soul.
==
Special Note: Yes, I have a story in Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities - "What's For Dinner" - so I have a vested interest in the anthology selling. However, all the authors in the anthology are local Twin Cities' authors, and the stories are excellent, so I'm going to review them all over the next few days. Cheers!
12.14.2010
Jack Hayes @rfrostbanjo 's Advance Praise for The Many Lives of Inez Wick #TheManyLivesofInezWick
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| The Many Lives of Inez Wick |
Jack Hayes, author of The Spring Ghazals, musician, blogger, and interviewer recently sent me these words in advance praise:
"A narrative that careers through space & time, The Many Lives of Inez Wick brings us serious environmental issues in a swirl of hard-bitten fragments—Edward Abbey meets Quentin Tarentino. This is an eye-opening work by Aaron M. Wilson."And don't for get to "like" the Facebook product page: The Many Lives of Inez Wick
"For the Killing of the Happiest Man" by Max Harbal in @Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities
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| buy here |
Okay, I have to calm down.
Harbal's "For the Killing of the Happiest Man" is about the a sanitation worker, Piper Hines, who goes to work everyday beneath the Twin Cities. Far bellow the surface of "Shitters," as Piper refers to people, there is a lagoon of raw sewage, a vast lake of human excrement, that is being recycled into fertilizer to later be applied to fields for growing food. Today, as Piper goes about his patrol of the sewage systems inner workings, he comes across a body gumming up one of the recyclers. Who is it? Why is the body in the system? How did the body get stuck in the recycler? These questions better left to the police, but Piper sees that there's note sticking out the body's pocket...
I have to say that I loved this story, loved it!
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Special Note: Yes, I have a story in Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities - "What's For Dinner" - so I have a vested interest in the anthology selling. However, all the authors in the anthology are local Twin Cities' authors, and the stories are excellent, so I'm going to review them all over the next few days. Cheers!
12.13.2010
"Bicyclopolis" by Ken Avidor in @Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities
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| buy here |
"Bicyclopolis" by Ken Avidor is a graphic-story in which the United States collapsed seventy years ago. A brave European explorer, Percival Flodge, discovered that survivors existed in the once great state of Minnesota, so he felt obliged to investigate and document the survivors experience.
On his journey, Flodge rides his trusty touring bike across the desert once called Canada and through the Superior Salt Flats to area once known as the Twin Cities. There, he is confronted with misshapen human monsters harnessed like horses for transportation, knights on bikes, and ruins constructed out of useless automobiles, and strange religions. The stroy is amazing, and I was left wanting to read more about our dystopic future.
If you scroll up and take a look at the cover of Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities, you'll see an example of Avidor's frightful "Bicyclopolis" art work. Percival Flodge's journal account of his adventures in Minnesota are in black and white, which gives you the feeling that you've uncovered his unfinished sketchbook and are along for the ride. When I finished the story, I was left asking - no hopping - that Flodge survives his explorations, but...that is another story.
What to know more about Avidor's world of "Bicyclopolis"? Check out the website: Bicyclopolis.
==
Special Note: Yes, I have a story in Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities - "What's For Dinner" - so, I have a vested interest in the anthology selling. However, all the authors in the anthology are local Twin Cities' authors, and the stories are excellent, so I'm going to review them all over the next few days. Cheers!
On his journey, Flodge rides his trusty touring bike across the desert once called Canada and through the Superior Salt Flats to area once known as the Twin Cities. There, he is confronted with misshapen human monsters harnessed like horses for transportation, knights on bikes, and ruins constructed out of useless automobiles, and strange religions. The stroy is amazing, and I was left wanting to read more about our dystopic future.
If you scroll up and take a look at the cover of Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities, you'll see an example of Avidor's frightful "Bicyclopolis" art work. Percival Flodge's journal account of his adventures in Minnesota are in black and white, which gives you the feeling that you've uncovered his unfinished sketchbook and are along for the ride. When I finished the story, I was left asking - no hopping - that Flodge survives his explorations, but...that is another story.
What to know more about Avidor's world of "Bicyclopolis"? Check out the website: Bicyclopolis.
==
Special Note: Yes, I have a story in Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities - "What's For Dinner" - so, I have a vested interest in the anthology selling. However, all the authors in the anthology are local Twin Cities' authors, and the stories are excellent, so I'm going to review them all over the next few days. Cheers!
12.12.2010
"Ill Communication" by Bob Lipski in @Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities
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| buy here |
"Ill Communication" by Bob Lipski is an amazingly observant graphic-story featuring Lipski's popular Uptown Girl characters.
Have you ever had one of those ultra-modern conversations where you're in the same room or sitting next to the person that you are texting or instant-messaging? If you've had one of these digital conversations, you will love "Ill Communication."
In "Ill Communication," Uptown Girl has been assigned the task of writing an article about what the Twin Cities might look like in 100 years. Uptown Girl isn't motivated by what the physical landscape of Minneapolis and St. Paul will look like but what the people will be like. It's a good question. Can we know? I remember, in grade school, we were asked to imagine what the year 2000 would look like, and everyone drew pictures of space stations, rocket cars, etc. It's 2010, and we don't have anything that we imagined in class; however, life is much different and Uptown Girl and Ruby have hit the social nail on the head.
Technology has changed people's expectations. The expectation that Ruby and Uptown Girl struggle with is being available 24/7. As a culture, we have decided that it is acceptable to always be reachable by friends, family, and work. Thus, the question is: How will the culture of 24/7 communication evolve in the next 100 years?
Aptly, "Ill Communication" doesn't provide an answer. Instead, through a good dose of irony, it points out the horrible, inescapable present.
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Special Note: Yes, I have a story in Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities - "What's For Dinner" - so I have a vested interest in the anthology selling. However, all the authors in the anthology are local Twin Cities' authors, and the stories are excellent, so I'm going to review them all over the next few days. Cheers!
12.11.2010
Advance Praise for "The Many Lives of Inez Wick" #TheManyLivesofInezWick
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| The Many Lives of Inez Wick |
Joe Sherry, the local Twin Cities book reviewer at Adventures in Reading, surprised me this week with advance praise for my forthcoming book of short stories:
"This is preamble to the point that Aaron Wilson has his debut collection making its way out there in the world and I want to get some word out on his behalf. Sometimes you just have to throw some support to a local author and a former fellow book blogger. And hey, his story “Dog Fight” was rather good and it’s part of this collection."
And don't for get to "like" the Facebook product page: The Many Lives of Inez Wick
Earth Hour 2011
You can support Earth Hour by:
- Turning off your lights at 8.30PM on March 26 2011
- Showing your support and adding yourself to our world map
- Adding Earth Hour logos to your blog or website to help us spread the word.
- Talking about Earth Hour in your social network by updating your Facebook status, grabbing aTwibbon, tweeting about your support, and more
- Get together with your friends and family, by hosting an Earth Hour party or holding your own candlelit affair
- Rally your local council or community group to run an Earth Hour event for your community
- Encourage your employer and workmates to take part in Earth Hour and make energy savings every day
- Make an Earth Hour Lantern as a symbol of hope for the future
- Be creative! Find a new way to mark Earth Hour and let us know all about it!
12.10.2010
Henry Rollins & The Anger Gene?
National Geographic, December 14
10 - 11pm
I wish I had cable! I love Henry Rollins!
12.09.2010
My Story "What's For Dinner" in @Cifiscape Vol. 1: The Twin Cities Received Today!
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| buy here |
"The community comes together, to narrate their hopes and fears of our future in the Twin Cities. Cifiscape vol. I describes a diverse and gritty future for our beloved Metro. Including seven of the best Twin Cities short stories and graphic comics, Onyx Neon Press is proud to present these glimpses into the future of the Twin Cities."
My story, "What's For Dinner," is about Penny. She is an over weight woman turning thirty. Not only must Penny confront her age, her weight, her loneliness, but the changing landscape of food. Oil has run out, genetically modified foods are rampant, so Penny must change her life and the way she eats. Not only does Penny change the way she eats, she changes the way she thinks about herself, and part of her transformation is becoming Penny Slots - a Minnesota RollerGirl.
12.07.2010
Third Book Blurb @Skytale_Writer #TheManyLivesofInezWick
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| The Many Lives of Inez Wick |
My third book blurb arrived via email today. Hunter Liguore, the talented author of The Forsakens and the editor of The Last Man Anthology, was kind enough to send these words:
"Thoughtful, insightful, and intuitive: readers will share in a book that decodes the human condition."And don't for get to "like" the Facebook product page: The Many Lives of Inez Wick
12.06.2010
"Blameless Mouth" by Jessica Fox-Wilson @9to5Poet on sale today!
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| Buy Here Join the Virtual Release Party Here Check here for a special 15% off discount code! |
"Can we teeter together, on the knife’s edge of having and wanting? In Blameless Mouth, Jessica Fox-Wilson asks this question, by exploring the cycle of hunger, consumption and satiety. The collection traces the poet’s relationship with hunger from childhood to womanhood, uncovering what it means to feel forever wanting. Her work also considers the cultural legacy of hunger, through stories of starving children and hungry women, like Hansel and Gretel, Persephone, Eve, and others. Blameless Mouth illuminates the struggle of living daily with the contradictory pressures to want less but take more and searches for satiety in a culture that encourages insatiability."
It has been a heartbreaking pleasure to see Jessica's manuscript come together. Don't let anyone tell you that writing and being creative is easy. There are few moments of joy and accomplishment, and the publication of Blameless Mouth is one of them. Please, share in our joy at its birth into the world.
Again, make sure that you check here for a special 15% off discount code!
Congratulations, Jessica - You did it!
12.04.2010
12.03.2010
12.02.2010
Second Book Blurb #TheManyLivesofInezWick
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| The Many Lives of Inez Wick |
My second book blurb arrived via email on Tuesday. Darci Schummer, a talented writer and poet, was kind enough to send these words:
Aaron M. Wilson's perfectly plotted stories engross their readers in a world where environmental concerns are paramount. His characters are unafraid to fight for their ideals, and yet they retain a humanity that allows readers to identify with them, which illustrates Wilson's penchant for carefully crafted fiction.
And don't for get to "like" the Facebook product page: The Many Lives of Inez Wick
12.01.2010
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