Daniel B. Martin's Blog
June 2, 2023
What makes book bloggers Tick? An interview with a book blogger
What makes book bloggers tick?
A Book Blogger Highlight: Kenchi Reads
What makes book bloggers tick? Book bloggers often interview authors for spotlights. I wanted the book blogger to have the opportunity to be interviewed - for once.
In this article, I have a chat with a book blogger and bookstagrammer: Kenchi of Kenchi Reads ( https://kenchireads.wordpress.com/ ).
Me: Hey Kenchi. How did you get into book blogging?
Kenchi: When I started I was just reading books for fun. Eventually, I decided to try and start my own book blog. I even created my own bookstagram account (IG: @kenchireads), and everything just went into place.
I love interacting with authors and reviewing books for them.
Me: Nice! I love people who do reviews out of pure passion and enjoyment.
Do you only do them by request, or do you also use net galley?
Kenchi: Most of the books that are sent out to me are from authors that sent me book review requests through my email. The others are from authors that I reach out to on Twitter and ask if I can review books for them.
Sometimes, it's the other way around.
Me: What kinds of things inspire you to reach out to authors?
Kenchi: If the book they wrote peaks my interest, I will reach out to them and try to review it for them.
Also, I like having authors sign their books before sending them out. It just so it feels more personal.
Me: That is always a nice touch, isn't it?! Having the signature.
Have you had authors you reached out to turn you down, or do most of them happily respond and coordinate with you?
Kenchi: Some have turned down my offer. Usually, it's because I live far away from them. But also, I do understand that it can be expensive to send out books to the Philippines.
The main reason I ask for physical copies is because I like the feel of reading a physical book. My second reason is that I usually take photos of the books I review on my bookstagram account.
Me: It does cost a bit to send it there, to be honest. But, having someone who you think will really appreciate reading your work is more than worth it. For me at least.
Aside from your blog, do you write in any other form?
Kenchi: I usually post my reviews on Goodreads as well, since most of the authors I review for ask me to do it. I oblige and started posting every review there as well.
Me: Sure, Amazon and Good Reads are very important hubs for any author to have reviews. That's really nice of you to post it on both.
Kenchi: I think the reason why some authors won't send it out to me as much is because they are indie authors and they do everything from their end. I don't really put pressure on them.
Me: Do you write fiction yourself?
Kenchi: I have thought about writing my own novel before. I realized later on that I'm better off as a reader rather than a writer.
Having a broad imagination is a talent. I think I have a normal amount of imagination so I can't really pull it off as well as others.
Me: Fair enough! The world needs readers perhaps even slightly more than it needs authors…
Kenchi: I do feel happy and tingly when I see a book that I reviewed before and is now sitting on a shelf at one of the bookstores where I usually check out new releases from.
Me: I'd never thought of that aspect, thanks for sharing that! It must be rewarding in that sense to feel like a part of the process of getting that book onto the shelves and into the hands of more readers (especially when it's independently published and not from a major publishing house).
Kenchi: Definitely! I like when I can share it with my friends that the book I reviewed a couple of months ago is hitting the shelves at our local bookstores.
Me: Last question: What is your least favorite aspect of being a book reviewer, blogger, and bookstagramer?
Kenchi: I think that some people won't give you the time of day to check out your blog if you don't have enough followers. I'm fortunate that I know a couple of reviewers that have a decent amount of followers and still interact with me even if I don't have that many.
Me: In that sense, both authors and bloggers have a common struggle. Finding their audience.
In my experience, it takes a lot longer than I first expected it would. But I think the struggle only draws more out of me, so I try to embrace it in both its ups and downs. That doesn't always work out so great, but coming back to it always takes it one step further.
Kenchi: Once, I was able to review books for Peter James, and now his book series has a show in their country. It just amazes me sometimes.
The struggle is part of the process and it really is what makes your work more rewarding.
Me: You never know how far a ball can roll until you throw it!
Well, I have to get going, but thank you so much for sharing your insights.
Kenchi: No problem at all! I enjoyed talking to you. It's always great to meet new people!
A Book Blogger Highlight: Kenchi Reads
What makes book bloggers tick? Book bloggers often interview authors for spotlights. I wanted the book blogger to have the opportunity to be interviewed - for once.
In this article, I have a chat with a book blogger and bookstagrammer: Kenchi of Kenchi Reads ( https://kenchireads.wordpress.com/ ).
Me: Hey Kenchi. How did you get into book blogging?
Kenchi: When I started I was just reading books for fun. Eventually, I decided to try and start my own book blog. I even created my own bookstagram account (IG: @kenchireads), and everything just went into place.
I love interacting with authors and reviewing books for them.
Me: Nice! I love people who do reviews out of pure passion and enjoyment.
Do you only do them by request, or do you also use net galley?
Kenchi: Most of the books that are sent out to me are from authors that sent me book review requests through my email. The others are from authors that I reach out to on Twitter and ask if I can review books for them.
Sometimes, it's the other way around.
Me: What kinds of things inspire you to reach out to authors?
Kenchi: If the book they wrote peaks my interest, I will reach out to them and try to review it for them.
Also, I like having authors sign their books before sending them out. It just so it feels more personal.
Me: That is always a nice touch, isn't it?! Having the signature.
Have you had authors you reached out to turn you down, or do most of them happily respond and coordinate with you?
Kenchi: Some have turned down my offer. Usually, it's because I live far away from them. But also, I do understand that it can be expensive to send out books to the Philippines.
The main reason I ask for physical copies is because I like the feel of reading a physical book. My second reason is that I usually take photos of the books I review on my bookstagram account.
Me: It does cost a bit to send it there, to be honest. But, having someone who you think will really appreciate reading your work is more than worth it. For me at least.
Aside from your blog, do you write in any other form?
Kenchi: I usually post my reviews on Goodreads as well, since most of the authors I review for ask me to do it. I oblige and started posting every review there as well.
Me: Sure, Amazon and Good Reads are very important hubs for any author to have reviews. That's really nice of you to post it on both.
Kenchi: I think the reason why some authors won't send it out to me as much is because they are indie authors and they do everything from their end. I don't really put pressure on them.
Me: Do you write fiction yourself?
Kenchi: I have thought about writing my own novel before. I realized later on that I'm better off as a reader rather than a writer.
Having a broad imagination is a talent. I think I have a normal amount of imagination so I can't really pull it off as well as others.
Me: Fair enough! The world needs readers perhaps even slightly more than it needs authors…
Kenchi: I do feel happy and tingly when I see a book that I reviewed before and is now sitting on a shelf at one of the bookstores where I usually check out new releases from.
Me: I'd never thought of that aspect, thanks for sharing that! It must be rewarding in that sense to feel like a part of the process of getting that book onto the shelves and into the hands of more readers (especially when it's independently published and not from a major publishing house).
Kenchi: Definitely! I like when I can share it with my friends that the book I reviewed a couple of months ago is hitting the shelves at our local bookstores.
Me: Last question: What is your least favorite aspect of being a book reviewer, blogger, and bookstagramer?
Kenchi: I think that some people won't give you the time of day to check out your blog if you don't have enough followers. I'm fortunate that I know a couple of reviewers that have a decent amount of followers and still interact with me even if I don't have that many.
Me: In that sense, both authors and bloggers have a common struggle. Finding their audience.
In my experience, it takes a lot longer than I first expected it would. But I think the struggle only draws more out of me, so I try to embrace it in both its ups and downs. That doesn't always work out so great, but coming back to it always takes it one step further.
Kenchi: Once, I was able to review books for Peter James, and now his book series has a show in their country. It just amazes me sometimes.
The struggle is part of the process and it really is what makes your work more rewarding.
Me: You never know how far a ball can roll until you throw it!
Well, I have to get going, but thank you so much for sharing your insights.
Kenchi: No problem at all! I enjoyed talking to you. It's always great to meet new people!
What makes book bloggers Tick? An interview with a book blogger
What makes book bloggers tick?
A Book Blogger Highlight: Kenchi Reads
What makes book bloggers tick? Book bloggers often interview authors for spotlights. I wanted the book blogger to have the opportunity to be interviewed - for once.
In this article, I have a chat with a book blogger and bookstagrammer: Kenchi of Kenchi Reads ( https://kenchireads.wordpress.com/ ).
Me: Hey Kenchi. How did you get into book blogging?
Kenchi: When I started I was just reading books for fun. Eventually, I decided to try and start my own book blog. I even created my own bookstagram account (IG: @kenchireads), and everything just went into place.
I love interacting with authors and reviewing books for them.
Me: Nice! I love people who do reviews out of pure passion and enjoyment.
Do you only do them by request, or do you also use net galley?
Kenchi: Most of the books that are sent out to me are from authors that sent me book review requests through my email. The others are from authors that I reach out to on Twitter and ask if I can review books for them.
Sometimes, it's the other way around.
Me: What kinds of things inspire you to reach out to authors?
Kenchi: If the book they wrote peaks my interest, I will reach out to them and try to review it for them.
Also, I like having authors sign their books before sending them out. It just so it feels more personal.
Me: That is always a nice touch, isn't it?! Having the signature.
Have you had authors you reached out to turn you down, or do most of them happily respond and coordinate with you?
Kenchi: Some have turned down my offer. Usually, it's because I live far away from them. But also, I do understand that it can be expensive to send out books to the Philippines.
The main reason I ask for physical copies is because I like the feel of reading a physical book. My second reason is that I usually take photos of the books I review on my bookstagram account.
Me: It does cost a bit to send it there, to be honest. But, having someone who you think will really appreciate reading your work is more than worth it. For me at least.
Aside from your blog, do you write in any other form?
Kenchi: I usually post my reviews on Goodreads as well, since most of the authors I review for ask me to do it. I oblige and started posting every review there as well.
Me: Sure, Amazon and Good Reads are very important hubs for any author to have reviews. That's really nice of you to post it on both.
Kenchi: I think the reason why some authors won't send it out to me as much is because they are indie authors and they do everything from their end. I don't really put pressure on them.
Me: Do you write fiction yourself?
Kenchi: I have thought about writing my own novel before. I realized later on that I'm better off as a reader rather than a writer.
Having a broad imagination is a talent. I think I have a normal amount of imagination so I can't really pull it off as well as others.
Me: Fair enough! The world needs readers perhaps even slightly more than it needs authors…
Kenchi: I do feel happy and tingly when I see a book that I reviewed before and is now sitting on a shelf at one of the bookstores where I usually check out new releases from.
Me: I'd never thought of that aspect, thanks for sharing that! It must be rewarding in that sense to feel like a part of the process of getting that book onto the shelves and into the hands of more readers (especially when it's independently published and not from a major publishing house).
Kenchi: Definitely! I like when I can share it with my friends that the book I reviewed a couple of months ago is hitting the shelves at our local bookstores.
Me: Last question: What is your least favorite aspect of being a book reviewer, blogger, and bookstagramer?
Kenchi: I think that some people won't give you the time of day to check out your blog if you don't have enough followers. I'm fortunate that I know a couple of reviewers that have a decent amount of followers and still interact with me even if I don't have that many.
Me: In that sense, both authors and bloggers have a common struggle. Finding their audience.
In my experience, it takes a lot longer than I first expected it would. But I think the struggle only draws more out of me, so I try to embrace it in both its ups and downs. That doesn't always work out so great, but coming back to it always takes it one step further.
Kenchi: Once, I was able to review books for Peter James, and now his book series has a show in their country. It just amazes me sometimes.
The struggle is part of the process and it really is what makes your work more rewarding.
Me: You never know how far a ball can roll until you throw it!
Well, I have to get going, but thank you so much for sharing your insights.
Kenchi: No problem at all! I enjoyed talking to you. It's always great to meet new people!
A Book Blogger Highlight: Kenchi Reads
What makes book bloggers tick? Book bloggers often interview authors for spotlights. I wanted the book blogger to have the opportunity to be interviewed - for once.
In this article, I have a chat with a book blogger and bookstagrammer: Kenchi of Kenchi Reads ( https://kenchireads.wordpress.com/ ).
Me: Hey Kenchi. How did you get into book blogging?
Kenchi: When I started I was just reading books for fun. Eventually, I decided to try and start my own book blog. I even created my own bookstagram account (IG: @kenchireads), and everything just went into place.
I love interacting with authors and reviewing books for them.
Me: Nice! I love people who do reviews out of pure passion and enjoyment.
Do you only do them by request, or do you also use net galley?
Kenchi: Most of the books that are sent out to me are from authors that sent me book review requests through my email. The others are from authors that I reach out to on Twitter and ask if I can review books for them.
Sometimes, it's the other way around.
Me: What kinds of things inspire you to reach out to authors?
Kenchi: If the book they wrote peaks my interest, I will reach out to them and try to review it for them.
Also, I like having authors sign their books before sending them out. It just so it feels more personal.
Me: That is always a nice touch, isn't it?! Having the signature.
Have you had authors you reached out to turn you down, or do most of them happily respond and coordinate with you?
Kenchi: Some have turned down my offer. Usually, it's because I live far away from them. But also, I do understand that it can be expensive to send out books to the Philippines.
The main reason I ask for physical copies is because I like the feel of reading a physical book. My second reason is that I usually take photos of the books I review on my bookstagram account.
Me: It does cost a bit to send it there, to be honest. But, having someone who you think will really appreciate reading your work is more than worth it. For me at least.
Aside from your blog, do you write in any other form?
Kenchi: I usually post my reviews on Goodreads as well, since most of the authors I review for ask me to do it. I oblige and started posting every review there as well.
Me: Sure, Amazon and Good Reads are very important hubs for any author to have reviews. That's really nice of you to post it on both.
Kenchi: I think the reason why some authors won't send it out to me as much is because they are indie authors and they do everything from their end. I don't really put pressure on them.
Me: Do you write fiction yourself?
Kenchi: I have thought about writing my own novel before. I realized later on that I'm better off as a reader rather than a writer.
Having a broad imagination is a talent. I think I have a normal amount of imagination so I can't really pull it off as well as others.
Me: Fair enough! The world needs readers perhaps even slightly more than it needs authors…
Kenchi: I do feel happy and tingly when I see a book that I reviewed before and is now sitting on a shelf at one of the bookstores where I usually check out new releases from.
Me: I'd never thought of that aspect, thanks for sharing that! It must be rewarding in that sense to feel like a part of the process of getting that book onto the shelves and into the hands of more readers (especially when it's independently published and not from a major publishing house).
Kenchi: Definitely! I like when I can share it with my friends that the book I reviewed a couple of months ago is hitting the shelves at our local bookstores.
Me: Last question: What is your least favorite aspect of being a book reviewer, blogger, and bookstagramer?
Kenchi: I think that some people won't give you the time of day to check out your blog if you don't have enough followers. I'm fortunate that I know a couple of reviewers that have a decent amount of followers and still interact with me even if I don't have that many.
Me: In that sense, both authors and bloggers have a common struggle. Finding their audience.
In my experience, it takes a lot longer than I first expected it would. But I think the struggle only draws more out of me, so I try to embrace it in both its ups and downs. That doesn't always work out so great, but coming back to it always takes it one step further.
Kenchi: Once, I was able to review books for Peter James, and now his book series has a show in their country. It just amazes me sometimes.
The struggle is part of the process and it really is what makes your work more rewarding.
Me: You never know how far a ball can roll until you throw it!
Well, I have to get going, but thank you so much for sharing your insights.
Kenchi: No problem at all! I enjoyed talking to you. It's always great to meet new people!
January 2, 2022
New Novel Coming 2022!
Aloha everyone!
Happy New Year!!!!
I don't know about you, but I am quite done being so quiet, isolated and locked up. Though this period has been challenging, it's also been incredibly productive. I have several book projects that I have been working on and have written more this past year than I have in any other year of my life.
With that said, I wrote a novel that will be published in mid-2022! I have recently been turning over the final preparations for the manuscript.
It is a fun project: a generational saga, cultural commentary, a journey of self-reclamation, and of course, a love story.
Set in Des Moines, Iowa, Ivan has sidelined his life to climb the ladder of his professional career. While having been met with great success professionally, the situation of his home life with his aging, senile, and abusive father helps him to recognize how empty he feels inside. A few twists and turns later and he finds new love and subsequently begins to take his life more seriously.
Unfortunately, his brother-in-law is a lot like his father. While this leaves his sister unhappy in her marriage, it weighs even heavier upon his nephew. The urge to break out from cycles that have persisted for too long motivates Ivan and his Nephew to usher in some major life changes.
Title, cover, and more publishing details will be popping up in the next few months. I am also building a team of ARC readers so if you see this and would like to participate send me a message <3
Take care,
Daniel B. Martin
Happy New Year!!!!
I don't know about you, but I am quite done being so quiet, isolated and locked up. Though this period has been challenging, it's also been incredibly productive. I have several book projects that I have been working on and have written more this past year than I have in any other year of my life.
With that said, I wrote a novel that will be published in mid-2022! I have recently been turning over the final preparations for the manuscript.
It is a fun project: a generational saga, cultural commentary, a journey of self-reclamation, and of course, a love story.
Set in Des Moines, Iowa, Ivan has sidelined his life to climb the ladder of his professional career. While having been met with great success professionally, the situation of his home life with his aging, senile, and abusive father helps him to recognize how empty he feels inside. A few twists and turns later and he finds new love and subsequently begins to take his life more seriously.
Unfortunately, his brother-in-law is a lot like his father. While this leaves his sister unhappy in her marriage, it weighs even heavier upon his nephew. The urge to break out from cycles that have persisted for too long motivates Ivan and his Nephew to usher in some major life changes.
Title, cover, and more publishing details will be popping up in the next few months. I am also building a team of ARC readers so if you see this and would like to participate send me a message <3
Take care,
Daniel B. Martin
December 7, 2021
Christmas Book Sale!
Ho Ho Ho!!! Merry Christmas!
Having trouble deciding what to get for someone on your Christmas list this year? Search no more!
The very merry elves at the North Pole want you to know that Alethea's Dreams is on sale for a limited time only
link to purchase here
Alethea's Dreams">
Snag a copy as a gift for your friends and family for just $10
Stuff stockings & minds, leave your gift giving worries behind by ordering a copy (or three) today!
The lively collection of stories in Alethea's Dreams is sure to leave readers with lots to think about, so perhaps this is the perfect gift to give someone who you wish would partake in a little more self or critical reflection. ;) ;)
Or, if you know someone who loves critical thinking this is the perfect gift to help remind them that they are not (totally) insane—or at very least that they aren't alone this holiday season.
Happy Holidays!
- Daniel B. Martin
Having trouble deciding what to get for someone on your Christmas list this year? Search no more!
The very merry elves at the North Pole want you to know that Alethea's Dreams is on sale for a limited time only
link to purchase here
Alethea's Dreams">
Snag a copy as a gift for your friends and family for just $10
Stuff stockings & minds, leave your gift giving worries behind by ordering a copy (or three) today!
The lively collection of stories in Alethea's Dreams is sure to leave readers with lots to think about, so perhaps this is the perfect gift to give someone who you wish would partake in a little more self or critical reflection. ;) ;)
Or, if you know someone who loves critical thinking this is the perfect gift to help remind them that they are not (totally) insane—or at very least that they aren't alone this holiday season.
Happy Holidays!
- Daniel B. Martin
July 16, 2021
Summer Reads Sale July 17th-18th
After many great reviews and an excellent first month on the market, my book Alethea's Dreams will be on sale this weekend!
It is an excellent time to grab your copy and mark one more off your TBR stack.
Enjoy 33% off paperbacks, now only $10
and 80% off Kindle EBook, now only $1
It is an excellent time to grab your copy and mark one more off your TBR stack.
Enjoy 33% off paperbacks, now only $10
and 80% off Kindle EBook, now only $1
May 31, 2021
Philosophical Fiction as a Genre, and Alethea's Dreams
Tomorrow my new book Alethea’s Dreams is going to be available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Through the format of 8 Novellas staged as the dreams of the Ancient Greek Goddess of Truth, Alethea, I go beyond the bounds of both ‘traditional philosophy’ and literary fiction to work in a niche genre of philosophical fiction in order to perform a critique of modernity: an existential critique of the aches and pains of humanity that stem from a modern disconnect from self, other, nature and world.
Alethea’s Dreams is a suspenseful collection of adventure, romance and tragedy which looks into the heart of the modern human condition and exhibits evaluations of its woes. It is an effort to make something as abstract as modern philosophy has become more relatable and digestible for the average reader. While the stories can also be read for amusement, Alethea’s Dreams takes on a layered approach to writing that offers the opportunity for the reader to at once be amused but also to undergo a self-, and culturally, reflective experience.
This past weekend I partook in a Seattle Writers group’s Meet the Author interview where I discussed the inspiration for this book and some of the highlights and difficulties of the creative process. I 100% self publish, so I have experienced a huge learning curve in becoming my own concept editor, line editor, production editor, photographer, cover designer, marketer and PR manager.
You can view the interview via the URL below to learn more about my inspiration and process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5SZk...
To learn more about the unique sub-sect of literary fiction that is philosophical fiction you can also read a Medium article on the subject at:
https://daniel-bert-martin.medium.com...
Through the format of 8 Novellas staged as the dreams of the Ancient Greek Goddess of Truth, Alethea, I go beyond the bounds of both ‘traditional philosophy’ and literary fiction to work in a niche genre of philosophical fiction in order to perform a critique of modernity: an existential critique of the aches and pains of humanity that stem from a modern disconnect from self, other, nature and world.
Alethea’s Dreams is a suspenseful collection of adventure, romance and tragedy which looks into the heart of the modern human condition and exhibits evaluations of its woes. It is an effort to make something as abstract as modern philosophy has become more relatable and digestible for the average reader. While the stories can also be read for amusement, Alethea’s Dreams takes on a layered approach to writing that offers the opportunity for the reader to at once be amused but also to undergo a self-, and culturally, reflective experience.
This past weekend I partook in a Seattle Writers group’s Meet the Author interview where I discussed the inspiration for this book and some of the highlights and difficulties of the creative process. I 100% self publish, so I have experienced a huge learning curve in becoming my own concept editor, line editor, production editor, photographer, cover designer, marketer and PR manager.
You can view the interview via the URL below to learn more about my inspiration and process:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5SZk...
To learn more about the unique sub-sect of literary fiction that is philosophical fiction you can also read a Medium article on the subject at:
https://daniel-bert-martin.medium.com...
February 26, 2021
The Power of Collections for Criticisms and Critiques of Modernity
In the year 2021, we live in a more connected, yet more complicated, world than humans have ever experienced. To parallel this changing substratum of reality, our sources of literature are undergoing modifications to try and mirror that diversity and the many different relative complications which arise from our increasingly modernized world.
Traditionally, most novels and books have a specific set of themes and a limited scope. With so many aspects of our existence in need of attention and reflection, the curation of a series of stories that touches upon more than one theme of critique per story, across multiple stories, is an efficient way to say a great deal about the modern human condition within one solitary collective work.
In Alethea’s Dreams multiple stories are able to open up and develop diverse spaces for the culmination of varied subjective perspectives and interests within multiple protagonists, antagonists and ‘others’. This method provides a fuller-spectrum picture of how we are not only self, but self and other—to other selves.
While creating Alethea’s Dreams, it became apparent that there is a special power that can be derived from a collection of stories (as opposed to a singular novel). The special power is that through writing a collection of stories you are less limited as to the number of topics and themes that can be woven into one book.
Alethea’s Dreams reaches into as many nooks and crannies of the modern human condition as possible. In its entirety, the Dreams touch upon the following themes;
- Addiction
- Business Ethics
- Capitalism and Consumerism
- Civil Rights & Social Equity
- Coping Mechanisms
- Homelessness
- Cultural Heritage
- Death
- Domestic Abuse
- Domestic and International Politics
- Drug Wars
- Environmental connection/ concerns
- Immigration
- Incarceration
- Lingering effects of Colonialism and Modern Imperialism
- Parenting
- Poverty
- Prejudice
- Psychotherapy
- Service, ideals of service
- Slavery
- Social and Political Order
- Suicide
- Terrorism
- Totalitarian States
- War
Thus the power of a collection, such as Alethea’s Dreams, to function as a broad sweeping critique of modernity is amplified by the way that these themes do not occur in isolation. As in ‘real life’, there are overlaps, cross-sections and divergences of aspects of all of the themes above; which cumulatively display the existential agitations of our stressed relative interests and innate lostness in our relations from self to self, self to world and self with other selves.
Traditionally, most novels and books have a specific set of themes and a limited scope. With so many aspects of our existence in need of attention and reflection, the curation of a series of stories that touches upon more than one theme of critique per story, across multiple stories, is an efficient way to say a great deal about the modern human condition within one solitary collective work.
In Alethea’s Dreams multiple stories are able to open up and develop diverse spaces for the culmination of varied subjective perspectives and interests within multiple protagonists, antagonists and ‘others’. This method provides a fuller-spectrum picture of how we are not only self, but self and other—to other selves.
While creating Alethea’s Dreams, it became apparent that there is a special power that can be derived from a collection of stories (as opposed to a singular novel). The special power is that through writing a collection of stories you are less limited as to the number of topics and themes that can be woven into one book.
Alethea’s Dreams reaches into as many nooks and crannies of the modern human condition as possible. In its entirety, the Dreams touch upon the following themes;
- Addiction
- Business Ethics
- Capitalism and Consumerism
- Civil Rights & Social Equity
- Coping Mechanisms
- Homelessness
- Cultural Heritage
- Death
- Domestic Abuse
- Domestic and International Politics
- Drug Wars
- Environmental connection/ concerns
- Immigration
- Incarceration
- Lingering effects of Colonialism and Modern Imperialism
- Parenting
- Poverty
- Prejudice
- Psychotherapy
- Service, ideals of service
- Slavery
- Social and Political Order
- Suicide
- Terrorism
- Totalitarian States
- War
Thus the power of a collection, such as Alethea’s Dreams, to function as a broad sweeping critique of modernity is amplified by the way that these themes do not occur in isolation. As in ‘real life’, there are overlaps, cross-sections and divergences of aspects of all of the themes above; which cumulatively display the existential agitations of our stressed relative interests and innate lostness in our relations from self to self, self to world and self with other selves.
February 18, 2021
Why I write and formed my own publishing company
In 2015 I had completed writing my first book. I was eager (perhaps an understatement) to release it and its insights into the world. I fell into the trap that many first time authors fall into, pairing up with a ‘self-publishing’ company. This was a hard lesson learned.
Since publishing Life is Weird, a memoire styled non-fictional work, I changed my writing focus toward Philosophical Fiction. This transition was inspired by writers like Albert Camus and J.M. Coetzee. The project of philosophical fiction is to open up both philosophical inquiries to something more suggestive and open ended and also to expand fiction beyond simple story telling to encompass enlivened arguments which are set back within the framework of human life through the lived and embodied experience of engagement with fictional texts full of ‘as if’ worlds.
This genre, as valuable as I believe it is, is a fringe genre, resting just outside of the shelves of both philosophy and regular (mainstream) fiction. However, it is a genre that has the unique potential to open up inspiring and thoughtful, though fun and entertaining, stories to wider sets of dynamic audiences.
I spent a few months re-engaging with the text of Life is Weird after earning my Masters in Philosophy. I cleaned up the writing and made it more simple to read and absorb its themes and insights. Then I started the arduous work of learning how to actually self-publish. This is an ongoing process, with ups, downs, frustrations and ‘aha!’ moments alike.
As a Philosopher (though I prefer to be remembered as a wandering Sophist) thinking is my true passion, and anyone who knows me also knows that I talk a lot! But, there is a timelessness to writing and a share-ability which goes beyond modern forms of media that exists uniquely in the medium of published books. Which is why I labor countless hours to create compelling narratives that also function as commentaries and thought inquiries into ‘what it means to be human’ in an ever changing world (one which also seems to constantly be a further departure from nature).
I love plants, animals, natural landscapes and the natural balance and harmony which they aesthetically reveal. My characters thus are often torn between the frills of a modern existence and the perils of nature that seem to be an unfortunate byproduct of our diving deeper and deeper out of alignment with the natural flow of the planet which we all call home.
For more information and updates on my work and the growth of my publishing company visit my website:
prefuturepublishing.com
or follow my instagram page: @prefuturepublishing
Since publishing Life is Weird, a memoire styled non-fictional work, I changed my writing focus toward Philosophical Fiction. This transition was inspired by writers like Albert Camus and J.M. Coetzee. The project of philosophical fiction is to open up both philosophical inquiries to something more suggestive and open ended and also to expand fiction beyond simple story telling to encompass enlivened arguments which are set back within the framework of human life through the lived and embodied experience of engagement with fictional texts full of ‘as if’ worlds.
This genre, as valuable as I believe it is, is a fringe genre, resting just outside of the shelves of both philosophy and regular (mainstream) fiction. However, it is a genre that has the unique potential to open up inspiring and thoughtful, though fun and entertaining, stories to wider sets of dynamic audiences.
I spent a few months re-engaging with the text of Life is Weird after earning my Masters in Philosophy. I cleaned up the writing and made it more simple to read and absorb its themes and insights. Then I started the arduous work of learning how to actually self-publish. This is an ongoing process, with ups, downs, frustrations and ‘aha!’ moments alike.
As a Philosopher (though I prefer to be remembered as a wandering Sophist) thinking is my true passion, and anyone who knows me also knows that I talk a lot! But, there is a timelessness to writing and a share-ability which goes beyond modern forms of media that exists uniquely in the medium of published books. Which is why I labor countless hours to create compelling narratives that also function as commentaries and thought inquiries into ‘what it means to be human’ in an ever changing world (one which also seems to constantly be a further departure from nature).
I love plants, animals, natural landscapes and the natural balance and harmony which they aesthetically reveal. My characters thus are often torn between the frills of a modern existence and the perils of nature that seem to be an unfortunate byproduct of our diving deeper and deeper out of alignment with the natural flow of the planet which we all call home.
For more information and updates on my work and the growth of my publishing company visit my website:
prefuturepublishing.com
or follow my instagram page: @prefuturepublishing
