Michael A. Ferro's Blog: The Bloggiest Blog in All of Blogdom

TITLE 13 has been named as a "Best Book of 2018" by the Emerging Writers Network. From their website: 

"A true MacGuffin of a novel...look over here, no here, really look here. Sorry, that's not the story you're looking for, it's really over here. What appears to be a conspiracy or mystery novel, or even an odd office-place novel, turns into a close look at addiction, at loneliness, and at various levels of attempting to cope with both, while not coping well at all with either. My reading of this novel went from 'Is he going to...?' to 'I think he IS trying to...' to 'Damn, Ferro did that well.'"

It was one of the great pleasures of my life to sit down and chat with one of NPR's greatest hosts, Cynthia Canty of Michigan Radio's "Stateside" program. NPR does so much to promote new authors and their work, so I hope you enjoy this inside peek at the genesis of TITLE 13, as well as our discussion of a unique American loneliness, being a debut novelist, and the timeliness of TITLE 13's satiric story of a despotic government run amok.

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At first I was terrified to do a LIVE interview with the Chicago Tribune's Rick Kogan for his wonderful radio program "After Hours with Rick Kogan" to talk about TITLE 13: A Novel. But as soon as we began, I felt right at home, because Rick is one of the kindest and most generous radio folks in the Midwest! (He also happens to be one of my favorite newspaper columnists and since my days in Chicago, I always try to catch his articles.) Though I was nervous, I quickly realized that Rick had truly understood what I was trying to accomplish with my novel and the discussion we had was one of the real pleasures of my life. Also, Rick has one of the MOST AMAZING radio voices of all time. Unlike my cartoony and annoying Midwestern voice, his is the one we all imagine when we hear that voice of reason in our heads. Please enjoy this chat we had last week about the secrets of TITLE 13, my writing and style, and what absurd nonsense I'm up to these days!

Absolutely thrilled to share this interview that I did with the Michigan Quarterly Review about TITLE 13: A Novel , writing, and my horribly deranged sense of humor. Many thanks to the wonderful MQR team—a literary journal that I love deeply. I hope you all enjoy this peek behind the curtain!

It's the big release day for TITLE 13! Today is the day I've long dreamed of. It's been a tough road getting here that included many sleepless nights, permanent vision loss in one eye due to stress (more on that in an upcoming article), and one very tolerant dog named Rube who dealt with all my crazy hours and insane ramblings these past few years. I'm so grateful to so many people, including my publisher, Harvard Square Editions, and also to so many talented authors who shared their kind praise of my novel. I'm honored and thrilled to have my book in the world and hope you all enjoy it! To celebrate, here's a photo of the aforementioned Rube holding my book (which he later ate). I love this dog with all of me, and may his sweet face and seductive eyes melt your heart and force you to buy my book.

I'm happy to share the Goodreads Giveaway for an advance paperback copy of my debut book, TITLE 13: A Novel, from my publisher, Harvard Square Editions (officially dropping Feb. 1). Please feel free to enter for a chance to win! I'll also be autographing the book for the winner and leaving a personalized message inside. Or, for a small fee of $5, I'll happily not do that! (Just kidding! Har har.)

More info on the book here!

I'm honored that Crack The Spine literary journal has nominated my short story, "Industry & Idleness," for a Pushcart Prize. This sardonic fiction piece will always have a special place in my ham-filled heart after I had the pleasure of reading it at the University of Michigan's Institute for Research on Women and Gender in Ann Arbor. Check out Crack the Spine's latest print anthology being published and printed soon for this story and more!

Please check out my latest humor piece for Splitsider, in which I offer up a very dumb pairing menu for fine drinks and works of postmodern literature. Please drink and read responsibly!

"A Pairing Menu for Works of Postmodern Literature and Appropriate Beverages"

I was thrilled to take part in this interview alongside an Ann Arbor publisher for the IBPA!

http://articles.ibpa-online.org/artic...

I really enjoyed participating in this Wordsmith Interview with Crack The Spine literary journal! Also very grateful they didn't mind me getting a bit absurd and schmucky with my responses... apologies.

Please check out their awesome magazine and my short story in Issue 219 titled
Industry & Idleness." Also forthcoming in their print anthology.

http://www.crackthespine.com/2017/09/...