Shoot: Portrait of a Pornographer

The Lonely Motel #4

by Duncan Ralston

"There's a really layered message on every f*cking page. I'll be thinking about this one for a lonnnnnnnnngggg time." - Jae Mazer, author of Slit Mouse

"The 4th book in The Lonely Motel series might just be the grossest one yet!" - ARC Reader

"Absolute cinema." - Andrew Adams, author of Black Widow Blues

"A fast, fun, vile ride." - Trevor Woods, author of The Shimmering

Porn mogul Chuck Power, creator of the Bespoke camshow app and director of countless adult films, returns to his roots at the Lonely Motel for one final candid interview about his life, his career, and the so-called "Chuck P. curse."

Owing his twenty-six year career to his humble beginnings at the Lonely, Chuck, along with close friend and star Tammy Rivers, built an empire from their first one-camera shoot to an adult entertainment creator studio, featuring dozens of live, interactive webcam broadcasts.

From a legend-in-the-making obsessed with orgasms to a gym rat psychic, to addicts and exotic dancers, the stories Chuck tells are filthy, funny, heartbreaking and a raw, unflinching portrait of a man who made his name selling pleasure.

But there's one story he refuses to tell anyone, the darkest of them all. The Lonely Motel has claimed many victims in its storied past. And everyone knows, whether you rent by the hour or the night, staying there comes at a cost.

Chuck Power has paid that price more than just about anyone else.

Genres: Horror

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2025

About the author

**CVLT: Lonely Motel Book 3 out now!!!**

**Sequel to the hit novel PUZZLE HOUSE coming Winter 2026**

Author of the cult smash-hit Woom and Ghostland and more than 15 other books that aren't the cult smash-hit Woom or Ghostland. His debut collection was blurbed positively by the legendary Jack Ketchum. His vampire novel, Pedo Island Bloodbath, was nominated for a 2024 Splatterpunk Award for Best Novel. His horror-thriller Ghostland will soon be a board game from Crystal Lake Publishing.

For 10 FREE dark fiction short stories/novellas including the prequel to GHOSTLAND, "The Moving House," signed copies of Woom, bookplates and merch, please visit www.duncanralston.com.

Photo © Josh Silver 2015

Reviews

[Judith Sonnet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duncan Ralston never misses. I'm always in awe of his smart, clever, and unpredictable stories. I love Woom, but I think all the sequels have been even better. This and CVLT especially.

[Buffy M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now, my enjoyment from this book is a bit biased.

For one, I've read the first three books that take place in this universe, so the familiarity does some heavy lifting. Two, I may or may not like the type of "films" discussed in this book as I am a bit of a spicy gal(lmao). Three, I think Duncan Ralston and I would get along as every single reference to movies, talk shows, books, etc. is stuff that I know very well and enjoy. I think he and I have similar taste in media.

This extremely short novella is a fictional interview done with the adult film director that we saw a lot of in Woom. It's interesting if you have even a mild fascination with the porn industry and a nice, short little read.

I will say that if you aren't familiar with some of the references to media and you haven't read Woom, I don't think that this would do much for you but it was tailored for me because of what I mentioned at the beginning of this review so keep that in mind if you want to check this out.

Rating: 3.75 stars

[Matty · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a nice blend of light and dark dialogue. The writing structure flowed smoothly from chapter to chapter, loved how one ended and the next began. The interview format without the specific questions actually being asked was enjoyable, something I’ve never seen before.

It had a great cast of characters that are highly memorable. Spin off books could easily be written on a few of them for sure. Great insight into the adult film industry evolution with technological advancement and were it could go in the future with advancements in AI, scary! Also shows that those involved are good people with good intentions (at least some of them). No abuse, consensual, adults, safe outlet for sexual desires. Consumption of pornography can be positive. Could have easily kept reading more, didn’t want it to end. The Lonely Motel just never stops giving.

[Oliver Bloomer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading this as an ARC book, which was my first ever. I really enjoyed reading Woom and I didn't expect that this one could rival it, let alone be better (in my opinion). At this time, I've only read 3 books by Duncan Ralston, but I can safely call myself a fan and it's been amazing to see his growth as a writer, from what I've read so far. I can't wait to pick up more books by him in the future!

[Michael Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve got good news and bad news.

The good news is the lore of the Lonely Motel continues with Book 4, Shoot: Portrait of a Pornographer.

The bad news is Duncan can’t write these books fast enough to satisfy my craving for the Lonely Motel’s perversion.

Book 4 features an interview with Chuck P. Is he a darker, more twisted version of Stephen King’s Chuck? Yep.

Duncan’s Chuck is an endearing porn mogul who’s seen a thing or two, including a gonorrhea pukefest. Don’t ask. I’ll let you discover that gem for yourself.

The interview-style format is a fresh twist that adds to the growing legend of the Lonely Motel. Duncan continues to breathe fresh air into this series (The Lonely Motel definitely needs it), tackling each story in a new and inventive way. You’ll get his signature masterful dialogue, plenty of Easter eggs, and one hell of a fast, fun, vile ride.

Shoot: Portrait of a Pornographer is darkly human, wickedly funny, and charmingly obscene.

[Kati Chastain · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the surface, this book is exactly what it promises to be — a raunchy, gag-inducing romp straight through DuncanRalston’s mind. Every page drips with the kind of sensory overload you can practically smell (for better or worse). Fans of The Lonely Motel series will have a blast spotting the Easter eggs — including some familiar faces from past horrors. Ralston leans into the alleged curse of the motel and deepens its sinister mythology with glee.

Beneath the splatter and sleaze lies something thoughtful. Behind the guise of splatterotica, Shoot becomes an important exploration of the sex industry and sexuality itself. Through the lens of a pornographer, Ralston dives into topics like consent, feminism, fetish, commodified pleasure, and the evolving relationship between technology and voyeurism.

Look beyond the sloppy meat and you’ll find a story that’s as smart as it is sick. The only thing dirtier than the motel carpets is the commentary. You’ll need a shower after this one — maybe two.

Rating: 5 Gonorrhea Pukefests out of 5.

[Ashlee Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

the 4th book of the woom series is HERE! i had the absolute honor of being an arc reader and it really was such a fun ride! Chuck P took us back to his roots, which in turn took me back to mine as Woom was my first ever horror read in the genre! it was bittersweet. i love the way Duncan pulls us in at the end of each chapter by having the chapter name complete the sentence on the last page of the previous chapter- i think that’s neat, and a cool way to keep everyone engaged & on edge. in TLM4 (Shoot), Chuck is sitting down for the last interview to discuss his career and the “Chuck P Curse”. if you have bad luck… believe in the universe acting against you sometimes, it’s definitely a fun read with bits of sadness, humor, and what really made it stand out for me, positivity towards women. you don’t get that much anymore, so that really made it even better for me as i read on. Duncan pays homage to a lot of 80s/90s movies along the way also which is a huge plus for me! it really puts you as the reader into the story. definitely check this book out! be sure to start with Woom, and work your way through the series. check your triggers, and have fun! 🤩

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that was a wild few days. Until now, I’d only read Helloween by Duncan so I wasn’t totally prepared for what I was doing walking into the Lonely Motel. What a ride (no pun intended)! I definitely had a few “wtf am I reading” moments but that did not stop me really enjoying each book.
I love how different they all are from each other, it kept this series fresh and not just rinse and repeat with every instalment.
This fourth book was written in such an engaging style, I absolutely flew through it in one sitting. I woke up still smiling at the psychic’s dead lifts this morning. 😂 From the first page, I was engaged and ready to hear everything Chuck had to say, which he did in full detail and very well. An excellent fourth book in this awesome series 🖤

[Andrew Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lonely Motel has quickly spawned one of my favorite book series across any genre, this series itself flawlessly spanning multiple genres, a feat that deserves special note.

Each book in this series gifts us something fresh, new tales from the grungy underbelly of humanity. Our propensity for depravity is clearly a bottomless well of inspiration.

Shoot is written in a conversational format, both endlessly informative for those of us not extremely well versed with the inner workings of the pornographic industry and jaw dropping in its depictions of such.

The final product is a highly entertaining look into one of our biggest fascinations, told from the perspective of a been-there-done-that veteran of the craft, and I can't recommend it enough. Hand on heart.

Absolute cinema.

[Sarah Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check into The Lonely Motel for another installment. There may be vacancies, but you’ll be sure to leave a piece of yourself behind.

Duncan has a way with story telling that is unique and leaves you wanting more. He manages to tie all the stories from this universe together beautifully while captivating you with another stay at The Lonely Motel.

I cannot get enough of these unforgiving and relentless tales. This one was short and sweet but manages to tie in reality with fiction and left me pleading for more.

[Dani Suomela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as an ARC book and I have to say, with each of Duncan Ralston's books I become more and more of a fan. Chuck is our narrator in an interview in which we do not see the questions being asked. The entire book is set in this dialog which is incredible and unique in how it's executed. I absolutely love the Woom Universe's fourth installment: Gonorrhea Pukefest and cannot wait for more.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duncan had me at Christopher Meloni - this book is everything you expect when reading a Ralston story but so much more.

I cringed, I eww’d, & as expected, there were so many moments I laughed out loud I think I should call a therapist in the morning.

I’m petrified to leave spoiler so I will just say Chuck Power is unhinged & I absolutely loved every second of this read.

Duncan always impresses me with the way he makes such gross human beings into fascinating stories that you can’t put down - this was another winner in the series.

Mainly because…the clown riding a bike. Is that a thing? It is in Duncan’s world & I cannot wait to see what his twisted mind brews up for us with #5.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second best in the series so far. (Nothing will compare to my beloved Woom) Absolutely ate this up. Sex work is real work!!!

[Amethyst Maxey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read Woom yet as I have too many books to read but after reading this, I want to pick it up asap. It was a quick and interesting read.

[monika hoppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little novel will teach you more about the porn industry than you ever wanted to know,( or maybe you do) while crafting characters you fall in love with, all while being creepy and disgusting at the same time. It is perfect.

[Amanda Elizabeth Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was epic! The gonorrhea scene was so disgusting and nasty. I was gagging the whole time. Great job as usual Duncan.

[Jodie Fayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

love the whole woom universe 💚

[Delaney A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This installment of The Lonely Motel felt incredibly intimate. I really enjoyed this style of narration. I felt like you could put yourself into the shoes of the person the narrator, Chuck, was talking to. It felt like Chuck was talking to YOU the reader the entire time.

Chuck is truly a likable narrator. I found myself laughing out loud reading this. The subtle nods and not so subtle nods to other books in the series, as well as other books in general were great Easter eggs, but they didn't take away from Chuck's experience and his story.

I liked the thought-provoking world building. You begin to think that maybe a certain character who calls in an exorcist was correct. Maybe whoever interacts with the motel is cursed, is bound to suffer. It really makes you think.

Now...the ending I DID NOT see coming. That was a shock. I think it wraps together beautifully in the end.

And it leaves us with: "There's always a toll. Always a price. You might pay it now, or you might pay it later."

[D.Z. Hollow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book four in the Lonely Motel Series is a leap in a different direction than the previous three. If you've read them all, you know Duncan aims to do something unique with each release, and Shoot: Portrait of a Pornographer is no different. Written in first-person monologue style, it reads like a confession chalk-filled with creamy details.
There are gross-out moments, cringeworthy charades, and times when you gasp in awe at how creatively obscure Ralston's ideas are. This one's all about the porn, and the research done for it is quite astounding. This isn't just about sex; sure, there's plenty of it, but Duncan does a great job crafting a story that gets into the artsy side of pornography.
Shoot ties in classic Woom elements while maintaining its own shape. Another great addition to a truly bizarre series like no other. If you're looking for a fun, sex-filled squirtfest that will make you squirm, look no further; Duncan Ralston’s got you covered.

[Kimberley Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checking in for the 4th time.
Duncan once again nails the next installment of the Lonely Motel Series.

This one is written memoir interview style.
A different take on his past writing, but it was so damn good.

Chuck P, prolific 🌽 director retells his life from first lights, camera, action at the motel to the downfall of his career.
The MC is wildly likable, despite carrying a “curse.” People die. In creative ways.
There’s a few catchphrases that can come from this book, and you’ll know them when you find them.
It then takes a dark turn on the progression of technology and how it’s involved in the industry. Stellar social commentary.
You can tell he put thought and research behind this one.

It’s transgressive, it’s satirical, it’s scary.

So grab your key from under the neon lights.
Don’t miss it.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really have come to be a big fan of Duncan’s work. I read Woom not too long ago, and it was just crazy. Good kind of crazy to me though. I loved it. I needed more of the Lonely Motel, so was happy that a 3rd one was coming out and was honored to read it before it did. I had been thinking there’s no way that he can top the first 3 books. I’m excited to say I was proven wrong. Shoot, the 4th Lonely Motel book, is by far the best yet. Chuck P is an amazing character and the stories he tells are outrageous. I could have read a book twice the length with more stories and would have been perfectly ok with that. The only bad thing about the book is that it ended and now I have to wait for a possible future 5th Lonely Motel book. Guess now I have time to go through Duncan’s back catalog. That’s definitely my plan. Read this book now. I give it my top honors.

[Christopher Dahman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although Shoot is the fourth installment in the Lonely Motel series, it can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. I would’ve loved it that way on its own; however, being a fan of the entire series since Woom, I found that catching the little details that tie everything together made it even more fun.

This story delivers exactly what readers have come to expect from Ralston and the Lonely Motel world—it’s raunchy, dramatic, and darkly humorous. Told through a one-sided interview format, the narrative style is tricky to pull off, but Ralston handles it effortlessly, keeping the story both engaging and entertaining from start to finish.

Overall, Shoot was an absolute blast to read—don’t skip this one. I’m already looking forward to more Chuck P. and Lonely Motel stories in the future. I was thrilled to receive this as an ARC.

Lastly, I’d like to say that the author’s research on this book had to have been wild!

[Yolanda Raya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shoot: Portrait of a Pornographer is the fourth book in The Lonely Motel Book series. It was a very interesting and unique short story. It is about Chuck P who worked in the porn industry and he has a lot of interesting stories to tell about his life during this time.
What was so unique about the book is that the way each chapter ended would segue into the new chapter which was brilliant! Naturally with this kind of book there is a lot of detail about the porn industry but the underlying story was so good.
Chuck is actually giving an interview about his time in the pornographic business but there is an event that occurred that changed his life forever. The story is very tragic and sad. It was definitely not something I was expecting for this book but wow! It was definitely a great read!!!!

[Susan Strauss · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty disappointing on so many levels.

We find that Woom was actually shot as a porn film and partially staged? Didn't need to know that. Takes a LOT away from that story.

The entire book is for the ending which is .... to say the least .... blah, boring and inconsequential.

I also don't think a book, any book, needs so many foul words. I'm not a prude but at least have them make a point. There was no point to a sentence with a string of foulness when the same thing could have been said with a few less. They added absolutely NOTHING to the story.

And the ending? Please.

Maybe this author is trying to relieve thee success of WOOM and he needs to stop. It's almost obsessive with him. When a book, a film a t.v. show, anything tries to redo the success of a first bestseller with a sequel it very rarely works out. Give it up DR.

[Diana2U · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the name of the book, Shoot is apropos, the book should really be called, Everything you Wanted to Know About Porn, but Were Afraid to ask.
This book has everything; drama, porn, and lots of surprises. I read the book in one sitting, because I literally couldn’t put it down. Shoot is not only an interesting concept, but it gives you a glimpse into the seedy underbelly of the pornography trade. Shoot is the fourth installment in the Lonely Motel series. It makes mention and ties in the three previous Lonely Motel books.
Although the book is the fourth installment in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Shoot is supposed to be the last installment of the series, or is it? I’d be open to reading more about The Lonely Motel.

[Joseph Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5⭐️ read from Duncan!

Shoot: Portrait of a Pornographer is our fourth trip to the lonely motel, and it might just be my favorite. Chuck P returns to The Lonely Motel for a tell-all interview…



The story of Chuck P is one of intrigue..it’s full of success, laughs, a gonorrhea puke fest, and more tragedy than any single person should have to endure.



The first person perspective was very interesting. I loved reading everything from Chuck’s point of view and inferring what each question was when he responded. I wasn’t expecting the twist at the end and reading the end really pulls at your heart strings.



If you love Duncan’s warped mind and your trips to The Lonely Motel, you need to read this!



I also have to say…we need more Mystic Mike! 😂

[Pauline B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had promised myself I would wait before reading the latest installment in the Woomiverse, and yet, here we are.

I'm out of Lonely Motel books now, do something about it, Duncan, PLEASE.

This was the shortest of the four, but it doesn't it had any less impact because of it.
This is purely told in a monologue form, the great Chuck Power telling a journalist (as well as us, the readers) his story and career as a porn filmmaker.

Life (aka, tiredness) prevented me from reading it in one sitting, but it was just that type of book.

I can't wait for the next ones ! (At least 42 more, thks.)

[Dan Mckeithan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duncan brings us the nitty gritty of the porn industry in this fourth book of the Lonely Motel Series. This was my first outing with him, and now I'm interested in diving back in for more. In this story, we meet Chuck, who is a porn industry mogul and he is being interviewed about his experiences in the industry. It's dark, dirty, and full of exactly what you'd expect on this kind of expose. The characters are well drawn and keep you turning the pages to see what he'll tell you about next. Can't wait for the fifth book in this series.

[Jason A · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Clever and Entertaining Interview-Style Horror

Shoot: Portrait of a Pornographer by Duncan Ralston was a fun, engaging read with a clever narrative style. The story is told entirely from an interview perspective, using only the interviewee’s responses, which gives it a unique and intimate feel. This format works surprisingly well, slowly revealing character and tension without ever needing the interviewer’s voice. While it doesn’t dive quite as deep as I hoped in a few areas, it’s still an entertaining and inventive story that sticks with you after finishing.

[Wicked Habit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Duncan Ralston just knocks it out of the park again. Just when you think the Lonely Motel has seen it all - Take it away Chucky-baby….
Chuck P. Is being interviewed in room 6 about his time in the porn industry. We hear jaw-dropping stories that are all leading up to something he refuses to discuss but all correlates with the infamous “chuck p curse”.
No matter who you are “the Lonely Motel leaves a mark on you”.
This book was an absolute f$&king RIOT!