Coasting

by Ari Rosenschein

Perched between Middle Men and A Visit From the Goon Squad, the book follows music-industry aspirants, a brooding record store clerk, goth teens, and others into rehearsal rooms, 12-step meetings, a cult indoctrination, even a Russian heavy metal bunker. Along the way, they pursue success, connection, and a sense of purpose.

Unknown Binding

Published January 1, 2019

About the author

Ari Rosenschein is a Seattle-based author who grew up in the Bay Area. Books and records were a source of childhood solace, leading Ari to a teaching career and decades of writing, recording, and performing music. Along the way, he earned a Grammy shortlist spot, landed film and TV placements, and co-wrote the 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Contest Song of the Year.

In his writing, Ari combines these twin passions. Coasting, his debut short story collection, was praised by Newfound Journal as “introducing us to new West Coast archetypes who follow the tradition of California Dreaming into the 21st century.” Award-winning author Jeff Zentner calls Rosenschein's young adult novel Dr. Z and Matty Take Telegraph "a keenly and compassionately observed coming-of-age story that glows with truth and yearning."

Ari holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch Los Angeles, and his work appears in Noisey, Observer, PopMatters, The Big Takeover, KEXP, Drunk Monkeys, and elsewhere. He lives with his wife and dogs and enjoys the woods, rain, and coffee of his region.

Reviews

[Tim Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I identified with every character in every story of COASTING. I know these people. I was cringing in places...all the artists, loners, musicians, and dreamers, strung out on dreams as much as drugs.

The collection reminded me of Jennifer Egan's Pulitzer-winning novel "A Visit to the Goon Squad" meets Steve Almond's astounding collection of short stories, "My Life in Heavy Metal".

The story HAL & ALLIE was especially beautiful, heartbreaking, and hilarious.
Highly recommended collection from an insightful writer.

[Sarah Suhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Punk Rock, love and sex, petty theft, and hawking guitars to pay the rent—Ari Rosenschein’s breakout collection of stories Coasting, is a true-to-life rendition of the everyday misfortunes of misfit musicians trying to make it big in Tinseltown. Candid, poignantly tragic and humorous, Rosenschein’s stories pluck at the nitty-gritty of what it takes to coast. The anxiety and thrill will keep you turning pages.

[T.D. Severin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being in the music industry myself, this book was a delightful, insightful, fun peek behind the scenes of many music industry hopefuls and wannabees. Ari has a keen eye for characterization and detail, and many of these folks will be reminiscent of people the reader may know.

I dug this book.