The weirdness flows between us
Celebrate, celebrate, dance to the music
Friends, I have good news
On Monday I turned in the first draft of The Repo Code, my forthcoming book about Repo Man. I’ve lost track of how many people I’ve interviewed, books I’ve read, movies I’ve watched (and rewatched) or hours I’ve logged on this manuscript, but I finally have something to show for it all. What started as a crazy idea is now a book with a beginning, middle and end, and that’s always an incredible feeling.
I’m a big believer in celebrating every milestone. If you knew me in my drinking days, you know that I celebrated a lot, but I still think it’s important to acknowledge accomplishments big and small. I wonder if this is a product of having a summer birthday, and missing out on all those cupcakes at school. Do any Cancers have thoughts on this?
The strange thing about finishing a book is the disbelief that comes with it. I’m not sure if it’s: I can’t believe I did it or I can’t believe it’s over. Of course, it’s not really over. In some respects, it’s just getting started. But you would think by now the disbelief wouldn’t be part of the process. I know I can write a book. Getting them published is the hard part. But finishing a book under contract just hits different.
So what am I to make of this ever-so-faint but all-too-real flickering of belief? What does my brain think I’m doing? That I’m writing a book forever? Before this takes a turn into cosmic horror, I have more good news…
I turned in edits of Mightier than the Sword last week
First of all, thanks to everyone who preordered the novel last week. It’s a great feeling knowing that so many of you are excited about the new book. I think it’s my best novel so far and my most accessible one yet. I can’t wait to share it with you!
I should have galleys soon and I’ll turn my attention to marketing, promotion, and firming up events. Do you want me to come to your town? Coffee parlor? Barber shop? Tattoo salon? Well-funded university reading series? HMU!
If you’re an editor, producer, or unscrupulous patron and would like to be added to the galley list, HMU!
If you’re in SD and want to meet for coffee, tacos, or aura cleansing, HMU!
For the first time in a long time both mss. are off my desk. I know it won’t be for long. There’s still a long way to go before either book is ready to go, but it’s a pretty good feeling.
I think I’ll go eat some ice cream, read a trashy novel, walk the earth. Who’s with me?
Thanks for reading! If you liked this newsletter you might also like my latest novel Make It Stop, or the paperback edition of Corporate Rock Sucks: The Rise & Fall of SST Records, or my book with Bad Religion, or my book with Keith Morris. Message from the Underworld comes out every Wednesday and is always available for free, but paid subscribers also get my deepest gratitude and Orca Alert! on most Sundays. It’s a weekly round-up of links about art, culture, crime, and killer whales. If you’re still reading this, go ahead and pre-order Mightier than the Sword. There’s a link right here..
I did an analysis of the song Repo man some years back - I seem to recall that Iggy basically made the words up right before recording the track. But I feel like there are a lot of sly references to the Reagan Revolution in that song, particularly how Reagan's deregulation policies lead to pollution in the environment and pollution in the psyche of the American people in general.
Congrats dude....I can't wait to read it. 🔥