Matt Nagin's Blog: Matt Nagin, on Writing

EXCITING NEWS!!

These are some wild times. The stock market is going up and down like Charlie Sheen on a coke bender. And Canada just might become the fifty-first state, which is terrific if you're a moose hunter.

But perhaps the best news of all is that many of you bought a copy of The Book of Outcasts. Thank you so much for that! It means the world to me that you checked it out!

The Book of Outcasts was recently featured at The Books By The Bay Festival and The Opelika Book Festival, where I did Author Signings. It is also now available, along with the rest of my books, at The New South Bookstore in Montgomery, Alabama and DeDes-Book-Rack in Trussville, Alabama. What is more, I'll be conducting a presentation as well as selling my books at the upcoming Impact Book Festival in Birmingham, AL June 14th. Finally, I'll be doing a book signing at DeDes-Book-Rack on Saturday May 17th from 1PM-4PM.

The critical reviews of the book have been excellent. The newest review, by Anoka Tony, Tony's Book Review Blog, said this: "All of the stories in this collection are imaginative, well written, and a pleasure to read." Meanwhile, D.B. Frick, who writes for Stage Biz felt this is a "fun group of stories without many flaws...a compelling read that will stay with you long after you've finished the final page." For the full editorial and reader reviews check out on Amazon. And don't forget to leave your own review! This really helps!

I've also been doing interviews and podcasts and radio appearances about The Book of Outcasts. Nina Soden recently interviewed me on writing and reading. I also discussed the book, as well as various contemporary topics, including the socio-political landscape, on Audrey Russo's radio show REELTalk. Finally, I'll soon be appearing on Marc McLean's podcast for the second time,

Have you ever wondered what the purpose of life might be? Why do we go on? What is it all about? What compels us to do anything? Jung seemed to feel the purpose of life was voluntary self-sacrifice. You donate your time and energy to something you feel is important. Joseph Campbell seemed to make similar statements. For instance, he once said, "We're not on our journey to save the world but to save ourselves. But in doing that you save the world. The influence of a vital person vitalizes."

Are they right? Voluntary self-sacrifice? Saving ourselves? It all sounds a lot less fun than Spring Break in Ibiza.

But without meaning of some kind, or purpose, our lives certainly become barren and feel worthless. So I'll defer to these great minds and also just say we all do our little part to have some sort of impact, however small, and go on blindly, in the hope we add a little light to an often dark and crazy world. The point I'm trying to make is I gotta lay off the magic mushrooms.

Thanks!

Matt

It's a whacky world out there!

The Gulf of America. USAID. Kanye and his Swastika t-shirts. The Immigration Gold Card.

It's a whacky world out there! Every day is a new adventure! In these zany times, I'm pleased to announce some news of my own, my fifth book, The Book of Outcasts, is finally officially published!

"The Book of Outcasts" includes fourteen stories about characters relegated to the fringe of society; characters just trying to survive in a wide range of challenging situations. You can order it today on Amazon, B&N, and other outlets in both paper and epub versions. Doing so would mean the world to me as would writing a review if possible!

I recently was part of The Opelika Book Festival, which was a great experience! It gave me a chance to sell my books as part of The Author Fair in The Cooper Auditorium along with 70 other authors. There were also free lectures and seminars and a key note speaker, Mary Kay Andrews, that was excellent!

I've also been appearing on podcasts and radio programs to promote my book and discuss current events in a comedic fashion, including REELTALK, Audrey Russo's radio show, The Planet Texas Podcast, and several others, which will be released shortly.


Thanks again for your support!

Matt Nagin
mattnagin.com
@naginplease on socials

The Book of Outcasts has arrived!

Amazing news! My new book is available for pre-order! It's a short story collection, fourteen stories, and is titled "The Book of Outcasts." You can pre-order it here https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT7F22CB

This is a book I was actually trying to put out in 2020. The pandemic definitely threw me for a loop! Next thing you know I'm on the farm down here in Alabama having pseudo-intellectual conversations with an overfed donkey. But that's another story.

Eight years ago I was hit by a car crossing the street. During that harrowing experience, when I was bleeding all over the road, I felt a strong desire to put my writing out into the world. Well, there was that and a strong desire for a root beer float. But that's also another story.

The point is ever since that terrible day when I nearly lost my life I became determined to complete the books I've been working on and this is one of them. It took longer than anticipated but I'm glad it's finally out there in the world. Hopefully, you will enjoy it. If not, use it as kindling. Or a paperweight. Or rip out the pages and turn them into wondrous, little origami birds.

With "The Book of Outcasts" I hopefully provided the reader with something a bit different from what is standard. I always felt like a bit of an outcast; someone on the fringe; someone looking in on what others considered standard; so it was natural that I would name this work "The Book of Outcasts." It fits thematically with what I was trying to present, as the book features misfits, rebels, and outliers who struggle to fit into the confines of their respective worlds.

I have been writing fiction and poetry for almost thirty years. This is my fifth book. I also wrote three poetry books and a humor book.

If you would pick up a copy of this book it would mean the world to me! Also, if you enjoyed the book, please tell a friend or spread the word, as that is of course super helpful. If you are a reviewer or podcaster or anyone else with promotional opportunity, please reach out at your convenience.

Thanks! And stay safe out there!

Matt NaginThe Book of Outcasts

Greetings Comrades!

Greetings Comrades! In these wily times, this apocalyptic landscape, it seems a bit ludicrous to share my latest updates.

If the zombie takeover was here, would I still plug my blog? What would be the point, since my brains would be zombie food anyway? Or if the Earth was hit by asteroids would I suggest you check out my Tumblr?

Sorry. Philosophical digression. This reminds me of a quote by Voltaire: "Life is a shipwreck but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats." This has always struck me as true, even though Voltaire might have revised this statement had he ever attended Karaoke Night on the Upper West Side.

Point being, life proceeds, and there are a few updates possibly worth mentioning. First, a few people have noticed yours truly in a comedic film, "Tango Shalom," now playing in theaters in NY, LA, NJ, Canada and elsewhere. The film stars Lainie Kazan, Renée Taylor, and Joseph Bologna. I have a small part in the film and I have yet to see it, so if you get a chance to check it out please throw a tomato at the screen and take a picture for me! https://www.tangoshalommovie.com

On September 30 at 8pm eastern, I appeared on Reel Talk with Audrey Russo which aired on WJHC Talk 107.5 and can be found on multiple platforms like iHeart Radio, Audible, and other platforms. You can listen to it here: https://youtu.be/y8CeL-Fx5gk

What is more, I made two appearances on the Ed Tyll Show recently, one discussing Ivermectin, which I have personal experience using, and a second episode where we covered monoclonal antibodies in Florida.
https://post.futurimedia.com/wdyzam/p... and https://post.futurimedia.com/wdyzam/p...

In addition to the above, if you've not yet checked out my humor book, "Do Not Feed The Clown," the paperback is on sale right now. Some of the issues brought up in the book...political correctness, corporate malfeasance, authoritarianism and groupthink, seem more pertinent than ever. https://www.amazon.com/Not-Feed-Clown...

As it happens, an audio excerpt of the book with images is now live on YouTube. You can listen to it here: https://youtu.be/iDdYTL9JC1k . This excerpt comes from the section "Conversations With Stanley," wherein a fictional character seeing a whole cottage industry developed around legendary filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, decides to capitalize by interviewing people that met him briefly for a book....a colon hydrotherapist, an exterminator, a gas station attendant. This excerpt is an account of Kubrick's meeting with a part-time dentist.

Thanks for reading my update! Hope you're all well. God Bless you all...even the bitter, god-loathing atheists!

Best,

Matt

God, Tragedy, Laughs

Hi. I'm writing this from my kitchen table in Montgomery, Alabama. Most of my life I spent in New York City. Moving here has been a big change but a great one. There is everything you could want down south....sunshine, fresh air, bible study groups. Okay, I don't partake in the last of these, but I am intrigued.

Anyway, I'm writing this blog because I wanted to share some interviews I've been doing about writing, the creative process, and my latest books. If you're a fan of mine, and I know there are at least three or four of you out there, please consider watching these videos.

The first is called The Writer Talks and was a chance to discuss the truly challenging times India is going through in terms of the pandemic, the new double mutant variant, the lack of oxygen in hospitals, as well as how all that relates to my poetry book, Notes From The Bonfire If you haven't checked out this book yet, it discusses what I experienced after coming down with coronavirus and my general poetic response to the whole pandemic. I caught it in March 2020, in New York City, the heart of the first U.S. epicenter, and employed those experiences in discussing this harrowing time.

I was also recently on the DYI Writer Podcast where we had a more general discussion of the creative process. I offered some tips for writing humor and described my creative process. We also tackled how I approach writing in different modes (humor, poetry etc.), the indie publishing scene, book marketing, and many other writing-related topics. This was another fun podcast and it was great to discuss "Notes From The Bonfire," and my humor book, Do Not Feed The Clown

In addition to the above, I also discussed my books recently on The Staten Island Comedy Show and on The EdTyll Show on 660AM, Florida Man Radio.

If you do get to check out my latest poetry collection, "Notes From The Bonfire," 50% of proceeds go to Doctors Without Borders. If you prefer, you can also contribute directly to this great charity in support of India and the crisis they face Here

Thanks for reading. If you have feedback, I'd love it if you could share it with me on my twitter

Recent Podcast Interviews

Recently, I appeared on two podcasts discussing my newest poetry book, "Notes From The Bonfire." You can find them here:

Writera Magazine Podcast: Notes From The Bonfire: Poems In The Age Of Coronavirus

DIY Writer Podcast: Episode 58: Poets, Viruses, and Comedy with Matt Nagin

As for the book itself, it is available here


Stay Safe!

--Matt

Notes from the Bonfire: Poems In The Age of Coronavirus

My third poetry book, "Notes From The Bonfire" is now avail on Amazon. It is mainly poems about Covid-19 and the impact it has had on us all.

This virus has been devastating to so many. It has not only caused tremendous death and suffering, but, in many cases, led to long-term health-consequences. What is more, it has damaged countless individuals financially, mentally and, more often than not, led to a complete alteration of lifestyle.

I had my own set of trying experiences with Covid-19, which I recount in the book, the entirety of which was written during the five weeks I struggled to recuperate from the virus. Fortunately, I have recovered, but others, sadly, have not been so lucky.

I wrote the book as a way of responding to all the chaos and sorrow I saw around me while
living in New York City, the first U.S. epicenter. I hope it can be of some help to others, possibly offering them new ways of processing what has happened. If not, then, in the very least, it stands as a record of my thoughts and feelings at the time, a way of responding to this national tragedy.

Poems are accompanied by photos by Adrzej Jerzy Lech and illustrations by Natasha Yearwood. Half of all proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders. Hope you can check it out!
Notes From The Bonfire: Poems In The Age of Coronavirus

I Recently Joined Quora

I recently joined Quora. My goal is to answer questions, mainly, about writing, since that is an area where I'm experienced. Later, I might branch out to other areas such as standup comedy, acting, film, art, the stock market, dating and gambling. If you would like to ask me a question, please do so here.

Incidentally, my book Do Not Feed The Clown seems to be selling fairly well in spite of the pandemic. This may be owing to the fact that people need a distraction right now and, in these dystopian times, are generally looking for a laugh. It has, fortunately, obtained some terrific reviews. Do Not Feed The Clown is available on Kindle Unlimited, as well as regular Kindle and Paperback.

I also have two poetry books out, Feast of Sapphires and Butterflies Lost Within The Crooked Moonlight. There are videos of yours truly reading these poems to imagery available on my Amazon Author Page as well as my Youtube page, just so you can get a sense of my style (or lack thereof?).

Incidentally, I believe my humor book falls under the category Transgressive Fiction. If you're not familiar, there is a terrific site with some information here. The site further details various authors who have created works that fall under this rubric. Hopefully, one day I'll be included on that site (if not taken out back first and shot in the head).

Anyway, reading is so important. It is what elevates the soul (or at least I keep telling myself that even though my soul seems trapped in some weird, Byzantine dungeon). Thanks for your support and as Beckett once wrote: "Ever tried. Ever failed. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."

Matt Nagin

Unprecedented Times

These are unprecedented times! It can seem like the sky is falling. Few of us know where to turn. At loss, grappling, really, for some sort of foundation, quarantined over here, in financial straits over there, many of us are looking for some sort of meaning--or, if not meaning--then, at least, some worthy distraction.

With this in mind, I recently published two humor pieces on the coronavirus, with the thought being that it is better to laugh at our suffering than succumb to it (links below). If you enjoyed these satires, please, again, consider purchasing my humor book, "Do Not Feed The Clown," which is filled with 34 such satirical pieces. This book is a great way to take your mind off your problems. It also will serve you well in the event you decide to hold a book burning. Thanks!

--Matt

Coronavirus: Scenes From The New Musical

Pandemic Forces California Governor to Ban Group Sex

Do Not Feed the Clown

DO NOT FEED THE CLOWN!

Thanks to everyone who checked out my humor book, "Do Not Feed The Clown." The feedback has mostly been positive and I appreciate the reviews on Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble. The book is a collection of short humorous pieces on a variety of topics. If you need a quick read, something to brighten up your day, then this might book might work for you (if not don't shoot!).

I am seeking more professional reviews of the book, so if interested or available to review it please dm me and I'll send you a copy.

Incidentally, I hope to publish some other books soon and have two new manuscripts in draft form. I find it rewarding to write in different styles/forms as it frees the imagination a bit. It also keeps the writing process INTERESTING. Also, I just read the Chuck Palahniuk book, "Consider This," over the weekend, and, while I'm not generally a big fan of writing guides, this book was one of the best in the genre I've read.

It inspired me a bit. Gave me some clarity about a few elements of my own writing. Of course, in the end, writing is a very personal journey; there are many paths up the mountain; but it's helpful, sometimes, to get other perspectives.

I've been trying to read books, lately, in genres I usually avoid; to read outside my comfort zone, if you will, which has been interesting as well. It's just hard to find the time, sometimes, which is exactly what people tell me when I suggest they read my book. Yikes! When you do, though, in many cases, it really seems worth it. In the very least, reading gets your mind thinking in new ways about stories and narrative structures etc.

Anyway, that's all for today. Happy writing! Happy reading! All that shit! Thanks!!!!