To say the creation of my own imprint followed a
circuitous path is a gross understatement. It’s basically 37 years in the
making, beginning when I wrote the first draft of Chumpy Walnut age 16 in 1979.
Since then I’ve been both published by small presses
and self-published; had a real New York agent (Marilyn Marlow of Curtis Brown
Ltd.) for over a dozen years that did nothing for me; been courted by a major
celebrity editor (Judith Regan of Simon & Schuster) that likewise let me
down; had a movie deal with Christian Slater that failed to reach fruition
after many close calls over a 13 year long option process; and meanwhile, I gradually
made my own brand name, “Thrillville,” on which I’ve built my own social
network.
Now it’s finally all coming together.
NOW AVAILABLE from THRILLVILLE PRESS:
THE THRILLVILLE PULP FICTION COLLECTION!
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| VOLUME ONE: A Mermaid Drowns in the Midnight Lounge and Freaks That Carry Your Luggage Up to the Room BUY
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It’s time to take control of my own destiny. I’ve
tried every other way, and none have gone the distance with me. Nobody’s fault.
Everyone ultimately prioritizes his or her own personal agenda and survival
over the concerns and interests of others. And that’s exactly what I’m doing.
I’ll be 53 in April. Any way you cut it, I’m on the
downslope of my natural life span. No more time to waste.
These four anthologies, initially published by the suddenly and sadly defunct Double Life Press last year, comprise the bulk of my life’s work.
I have four other books on the market from two other publishers (Gutter Books and
Scott Fulks) that treat me right, so they’re in good hands. But these books
belong entirely to ME. Together they comprise the foundation of whatever
literary legacy I will eventually leave behind, for whatever that’s worth to
anyone. It’s worth a lot to me,
anyway, and that’s the one person I’m really doing this for.
This fantastic cover art – by Mike Fyles (Thrillville Pulp
Fiction Collection Vol. 1), Matt Brown (Thrillville Pulp Fiction Collection Vol.
2 and The Vic Valentine Classic Files), and Dyer Wilk (Thrillville Pulp Fiction
Collection Vol. 3 as well as the new Thrillville Press logo) – were all created
based on my own crude sketches and basic concepts. (Actually, Mike produced the
art that eventually became the cover of Volume 1 a while ago, on spec, but it
was my idea to add the zombies!). So even there, I took command of my own
vision.
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| The Thrillville Press logo was inspired by our official wedding logo! |
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| My original crude concept sketch |
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Sure, I’m breaking "the rules" by making and
abiding by my own, but as they say, whoever they are, necessity is the mother
of invention. Nobody else writes books like these. They’re completely unique
and don’t fall under all particular genre. I’ve created my own alternate
universe. As their creator, I understand and know these books more than anyone,
which means makes me the ideal custodian of my own career.
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| Interior formatting for all four volumes by Rik Hall |
I am way beyond requiring the validation of strangers.
It doesn’t matter to me whether these books become bestsellers or win any
awards. That would be swell, but the point is I’m not counting on the acclaim
and accolades of others for my artistic and personal contentment any longer. I
don’t need fame and fortune to feel fulfilled. It’s enough that these works
exist, in the most pristine editions possible, the interiors and exteriors all professionally
designed. I will mine my own two-decade experience as a PR man/publicist for
other people’s dreams to promote them. But the rest is simply out of my hands.
The world can now take ‘em or leave ‘em. Either way, I am very, very proud of
them. And nobody can ever take that away from me.
Lesson learned: unless you live in a dictatorship, generally
speaking the only power another human has over you is whatever power you give
them. I’m taking mine back. It feels great not to be in direct or even indirect
competition with anyone, not even myself.
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| With Catherine & Kyle Fischer of Wild Card Press (and later Speakeasy Theaters), original publishers of "Love Stories Are Too Violent For Me," 1995 |
Thrillville Press, like all of my artistic endeavors
over the past thirty-odd (very odd) years, is purely a labor of love. I’m truly
at the point where if anybody doesn’t dig who I am or what I’m about or the
work I produce, it simply isn’t my problem. Self-reliance is the key to professional
happiness, at least for me.
It was a long, rocky road to reach this place of peace
and acceptance (as opposed to bitterness and resignation), and I’m never
turning back.
More than anything, the founding of Thrillville Press
represents my survival against all odds. It is manifest destiny in action.
Now back to dog walking and dreaming.
Now back to dog walking and dreaming.
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| Artwork by Mike Fyles; photo by Jim Thomsen |
Thrillville Press Facebook page.
Back story on The Thrillville Pulp Fiction Collection here.
Backstory on The Vic Valentine Classic Case Files and The Space Needler's Intergalactic Bar Guide here.
Backstory on Hard-boiled Heart here.
Backstory on Love Stories Are Too Violent For Me here.
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Interview with Scott Fulks and me for Tiki Oasis TV, August 201
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You may also dig:
BOOKS, ETC.
| My story MEANTIME is included in this bitchin' anthology, for which I also wrote the foreword: |
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 Bachelor Pad Magazine #35 featuring my movie column on "Women In Prison" movies! |
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| Bachelor Pad Magazine #36 featuring my movie column about classic biker flicks! |
COMING SOON:
NOW AVAILABLE:
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The new Vic Valentine novel HARD-BOILED HEART now available from Gutter Books! BUY
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MERCH
Order your official THRILLVILLE FEZ from Fez-O-Rama!
Order your official THRILLVILLE T-SHIRT from November Fire!
