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Open Lines
A late night radio host wrestles with the fundamental questions of his existence on the last broadcast. What will he do with himself when the show ends? Will Joan say yes? Will he even survive the night? Why would God call a national talk radio show? There's something here for everyone to absorb.
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2013
33 people want to read
About the author
Jeremy Maddux
5 books153 followersIf you want to find out more about me, my youtube channel will speak for me: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEJR...
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 5, 2016
This story captured my attention from the first line and kept me intrigued until the last. A late-night radio host is on his last night of the job. His final broadcast is, well ... electrifying. It runs the gamut from humor to hostility: from mildly odd to downright bizarre. The author has a fine ear for dialogue and keeps the flow dynamic, increasing the tension until the unconventional but apt ending. I will be eagerly looking for more work by Jeremy Maddux.
August 2, 2020
I read and reviewed this short story before I knew that the author was/still is an alt-right nazi incel member of MGTOW. Knowing that information changes the context of this particular story.
The main character, being semi-autobiographical, is broadcasting his final radio show, when God calls in and makes the host question what he will do with his life after the show. Maybe the main character would give up radio and turn to whining and complaining for seven years about not being able to finish writing a book, and half assedly self-publish one short story. That would be an ironic little twist since the author did the exact opposite, and being so desperately starved for attention turned to podcasting his bigoted, angry, highly transphobic and misogynistic beliefs. I'm also pretty sure that Joan is going to say no, which will drive the main character to the madness of joining MGTOW and blaming women for wanting no part of him, rather than looking inward.
I would love to see a sequel to Open Lines where we see the main character sitting at his computer in his dad's basement ripping the hair out of his head and frothing at the mouth over the positive attention and exposure his former author friends continue to receive based on the merit of their talent and output. Perhaps as the main character is using his mother's death as an excuse to try and fail at smearing one of his former friends, resulting in free exposure and a few book sales for the former friend, God will Skype him and just laugh at what a pathetic dipshit he is.
I've changed my rating to a 3, rather than giving it a solid 1, because in a strange and sick way I actually want more.
The main character, being semi-autobiographical, is broadcasting his final radio show, when God calls in and makes the host question what he will do with his life after the show. Maybe the main character would give up radio and turn to whining and complaining for seven years about not being able to finish writing a book, and half assedly self-publish one short story. That would be an ironic little twist since the author did the exact opposite, and being so desperately starved for attention turned to podcasting his bigoted, angry, highly transphobic and misogynistic beliefs. I'm also pretty sure that Joan is going to say no, which will drive the main character to the madness of joining MGTOW and blaming women for wanting no part of him, rather than looking inward.
I would love to see a sequel to Open Lines where we see the main character sitting at his computer in his dad's basement ripping the hair out of his head and frothing at the mouth over the positive attention and exposure his former author friends continue to receive based on the merit of their talent and output. Perhaps as the main character is using his mother's death as an excuse to try and fail at smearing one of his former friends, resulting in free exposure and a few book sales for the former friend, God will Skype him and just laugh at what a pathetic dipshit he is.
I've changed my rating to a 3, rather than giving it a solid 1, because in a strange and sick way I actually want more.
May 27, 2020
Jeremy is incredibly critical of this story. Most authors are their own biggest critics, at least ones who have any worth. That said, as bad as Jeremy built this up to me, I enjoyed it.
Clifford Henley is a radio DJ with a show dedicated to the paranormal and conspiracy theories. He's playing his last show, when stranger than usual calls start coming in. Cliff is determined to see the show through despite all the problems that begin happening in the studio.
I very much enjoyed reading this. The dialogue is well-written, which is especially essential for a story like this, and it balances the humor and drama well. Jeremy really dogs the ending, but I think it worked in this context. I won't go into detail on that to avoid spoilers.
One star off for several formatting errors, the very amateurish construction of the ebook, and the cover that looks like it was thrown together in MS Paint in five minutes.
Clifford Henley is a radio DJ with a show dedicated to the paranormal and conspiracy theories. He's playing his last show, when stranger than usual calls start coming in. Cliff is determined to see the show through despite all the problems that begin happening in the studio.
I very much enjoyed reading this. The dialogue is well-written, which is especially essential for a story like this, and it balances the humor and drama well. Jeremy really dogs the ending, but I think it worked in this context. I won't go into detail on that to avoid spoilers.
One star off for several formatting errors, the very amateurish construction of the ebook, and the cover that looks like it was thrown together in MS Paint in five minutes.
November 4, 2013
This is going to be an unorthodox review from me. The reason being, I have much to discuss about the presentation of this sort then I do with the guts of the story. I will try to walk the line carefully, just read everything further on as constructive criticism and not a troll review.
OPEN LINES by Jeremy Maddux is a short story, 44 pages as the crow flies. It's a decent twisted tale a la Tales From The Crypt or Twilight Zone. As a matter of fact, it would fit Jim Dandy into a collection of that ilk.
But...
OPEN LINES had my eyes opened from the first turn of the page. Cover image then BANG, next page story. No title page, copyright page, dedication page. Immediately, that alone made this feel amateurish, hack.
I continued on. The story itself a fair yarn. A quick read. Not a big fan of the ending, but it was a valid ending I suppose. Out of curiosity I check to see what else the author has in his catalog on Amazon and that's when it hits me. I notice the price point of this sort, not quite ready for prime time story is being sold for $1.99!
To me, a reader, a consumer, that is a poor value based on the limited content. If you ever want to lose a reader real quick, overcharge them. I don't care how magnificent this story may have been, two bucks for a 44 page story is lunacy. Consider that an anthology featuring Maddux plus several other writers is a mere dollar more, for a complete novel length book!
I don't want to carry on about it but I would suggest the publisher change the price point or add content to the product to bring it in line with the cost. It would be a shame to lose potential readers (and sales) as a result.
(In the interest of full disclosure, I picked up this book during a free promotion. As a result I didn't not feel personally ripped off. I do review everything I read as a help to fellow readers. I give accolades, as always, to all the young guns with the guts to put their art out they for public scrutiny.)
OPEN LINES by Jeremy Maddux is a short story, 44 pages as the crow flies. It's a decent twisted tale a la Tales From The Crypt or Twilight Zone. As a matter of fact, it would fit Jim Dandy into a collection of that ilk.
But...
OPEN LINES had my eyes opened from the first turn of the page. Cover image then BANG, next page story. No title page, copyright page, dedication page. Immediately, that alone made this feel amateurish, hack.
I continued on. The story itself a fair yarn. A quick read. Not a big fan of the ending, but it was a valid ending I suppose. Out of curiosity I check to see what else the author has in his catalog on Amazon and that's when it hits me. I notice the price point of this sort, not quite ready for prime time story is being sold for $1.99!
To me, a reader, a consumer, that is a poor value based on the limited content. If you ever want to lose a reader real quick, overcharge them. I don't care how magnificent this story may have been, two bucks for a 44 page story is lunacy. Consider that an anthology featuring Maddux plus several other writers is a mere dollar more, for a complete novel length book!
I don't want to carry on about it but I would suggest the publisher change the price point or add content to the product to bring it in line with the cost. It would be a shame to lose potential readers (and sales) as a result.
(In the interest of full disclosure, I picked up this book during a free promotion. As a result I didn't not feel personally ripped off. I do review everything I read as a help to fellow readers. I give accolades, as always, to all the young guns with the guts to put their art out they for public scrutiny.)
February 23, 2019
I was proud of writing this at the time of its completion, and to some degree, I still hold it in kind esteem. But if I'm being totally honest, you can see the stitching all over this one. I was subconsciously taking notes from an old movie called Talk Radio, written by and starring Eric Bogosian. I took the basic thrusts of that movie's story, internalized it and elevated the strangeness of the calls slightly to a more supernatural level. If I'm to be honest and probing, this story doesn't really work as serious literature. As a reviewer and reader, I've learned to not be afraid to tear into other people's work. I also shouldn't be afraid to tear into my own. On an unfortunate note, the tone of liberal insanity that has overtaken the publishing industry and writers in general, has mostly soured me on the idea of even wanting to be a writer. I don't want to call myself a writer if I have to become like what they currently are. I hope to one day rediscover my love of writing, but for now, it feels good to tear into my own work with one hundred percent honesty. I wish more writers would savage their own hard work like this. It would be quite a sight.
February 25, 2014
I know of Jeremy Maddux from all of the admirable things he does with Surreal Grotesque. I had this on my to read list for some time now. However, I wasn't sure what to expect, since this was the first piece I read by him.
This quick read was funny, witty and well constructed. The interactions and dialogue between the characters were more than entertaining and kept the story flowing well. I only wish that it was longer. I am ready to read more from this author.
This quick read was funny, witty and well constructed. The interactions and dialogue between the characters were more than entertaining and kept the story flowing well. I only wish that it was longer. I am ready to read more from this author.
August 20, 2013
Jeremy Maddux has produced a great tale that is tense, scary, and surprisingly funny. The story is reminiscent of the tales King tells in "Everything's Eventual." It is well-written. It flows like a mix of good songs on the radio. while on a long drive. The only problem I had with this story was that I wanted to spend more time with the characters. But other than that this was a great story and i can't wait to see what's next.
July 4, 2013
This story moves fast but carries some heavy weight. Both haunting and filled with great social commentary (while not in any way preachy), Maddux takes us through the evening of a radio talk show host on his last night. Fun, unique, and like I said before, haunting. Maddux is someone I definitely look forward to reading more of.
July 28, 2013
Open Lines is a short story by Jeremy Maddux who is also the one of the editors of Surreal Grotesque. I've read a few short stories of his, but this my first real introduction to his work considering this is longer than his usual fare-the ebook clocks in at 44 pages.
The story revolves around Cliff, a larger-than-life radio talk show host, who is doing his last radio show. The radio show is similar to Coast to Coast Am and covers a range of paranormal topics and this night isn't any different.
Cliff wants to go out with a bang and begins to receive a number of strange phone calls and things quickly go downhill from there. The majority of the story is told through smooth dialogue and the prose in-between is short and simple-I read this on a 45 minute ferry ride.
Open Lines is a fast paced story that is reminiscent of the best episodes the Twilight Zone and Jeremy Maddux is definitely a writer to watch.
The story revolves around Cliff, a larger-than-life radio talk show host, who is doing his last radio show. The radio show is similar to Coast to Coast Am and covers a range of paranormal topics and this night isn't any different.
Cliff wants to go out with a bang and begins to receive a number of strange phone calls and things quickly go downhill from there. The majority of the story is told through smooth dialogue and the prose in-between is short and simple-I read this on a 45 minute ferry ride.
Open Lines is a fast paced story that is reminiscent of the best episodes the Twilight Zone and Jeremy Maddux is definitely a writer to watch.
April 10, 2014
Due to computer operator error and not quite understanding mechanics of how to mark the rating, I inadvertently gave Open Lines a one star when I meant to mark it 5. Jeremy is a fine writer and I found the book very well done with excellent pacing and well drawn characterization. Well done! And I DO apologize for the rating confusion. That was not intentional. What it speaks to is the difficulty this writer has with the Brave! New! World! of computerism that sometimes bypasses the mental prowess of some of us older, computer challenged folks. My apologies to Mr. Maddux!!
January 12, 2014
If you like talk radio you will love this book!
this is a fast fun read. I told myself I was gonna read 5 books before this, however I was curious to look at the cover. and then I wanted to read the beginning and one thing lead to another and I didn't have the will power to stop myself before I finished. I give OPEN LINES 5 stars because I got sucked in. I grew up listening to personalities like coast to coast with art bell, Phil Hendrie, bubba the love sponge, and Howard stern so I found this to be a very compelling read. I didn't want this one to end.
this is a fast fun read. I told myself I was gonna read 5 books before this, however I was curious to look at the cover. and then I wanted to read the beginning and one thing lead to another and I didn't have the will power to stop myself before I finished. I give OPEN LINES 5 stars because I got sucked in. I grew up listening to personalities like coast to coast with art bell, Phil Hendrie, bubba the love sponge, and Howard stern so I found this to be a very compelling read. I didn't want this one to end.
September 20, 2013
I was first introduced to Jeremy when he contacted me after reading my book, The Crooked God Machine. When he published “Open Lines”, I picked it up immediately. More of a novella than a novel, I read this one in a car ride to Idaho, unsure of what to expect. What I found was a thoughtful, engaging story with sleazy but sympathetic characters, witty fast-paced dialog, and an unexpected ending. Maddux takes no short-cuts in Open Lines, and I look forward to seeing more from him.
August 19, 2013
Jeremy Maddux debut novel is a classy read. Definitely reminds me of the masters Harlan Ellison and Richard Matheson. The prose is sharp and the story is provocative and subversive. When you find those key elements, you know you've run across something special.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews