Sheldon Lee Compton's Blog, page 6
June 15, 2016
27
DAY 12 (June 15, 2016) – Didn’t get started until about 5 p.m. Took a day off work today and rested until early evening. Watched a cool Janis Joplin documentary, a few X-File episodes, and then read some more on David Mitchell’s Bone Clocks. But when I did get started, the three pages came pretty easy. I thought I was through writing about my dad, but that ol’ cuss has made it into this book at last. At least this time, the “my dad” parts of the character are mostly background. The character himself will end up being an observer in the death realm where the entirety of Book 1 takes place. It was a nice breakthrough moment, just when I thought I was about to be at a loss for a direction to take. I love literary discoveries like that. Good writing day. Total: 785
Source: 27

June 14, 2016
New Brown Bottle Review
I want to thank Richard Derus for the comprehensive and flattering take on Brown Bottle at his review site Expendable Mudge Muses Aloud. Here’s an excerpt, and please do have a look at his other reviews:
“When I saw that Donald Ray Pollock, of KNOCKEMSTIFF fame, called the author of this novel “a hillbilly Bukowski,” that was it. I asked Bottom Dog Press for a review copy and was blessed with one. And let me say this right up front: Pollock’s assessment is spot-on…Sheldon Lee Compton jumps onto my must-buy list with this dizzyingly fast-paced, beautifully choreographed, blood-soaked book. And will someone please tell Norman Reedus that his Oscar-winning role’s right here in this book?”
Read the full interview here.


June 13, 2016
May 20, 2016
Goodreads author/reader discussion to kick off Monday
Monday begins the author/reader discussion for my novel Brown Bottle at Goodreads, thanks to The Next Best Book Club’s Lori Hettler, founder of TNBBC and moderator of the event.
Should you be interested in joining, below is the link. I think it’s going to be fun and I hope I make some kind of sense in answering whatever questions come my way.


April 30, 2016
New review at Small Press Book Review
Matthew J. Hall writes a favorable review of my new novel Brown Bottle at Small Press Book Review.
Excerpt:
“Despite its rather bleak subject matter the book has a definitive line of hope running all the way through. Compton writes about addiction with remarkable insight. He captures the comforting highs and the humiliating lows with an equal measure of subtlety. But this is not a drug story. Addiction is an underlying theme which serves as a foundation for this compelling story about community, family and love.”
Many thanks to Mr. Hall and also to the always amazing Mel Bosworth for all the good work he does to bring attention to small press authors far and wide.


April 1, 2016
TNBBC picks BROWN BOTTLE for its April read
I’m very grateful to Lori Hettler at The Next Best Book Club for having my novel Brown Bottle as their choice for April’s Author/Reader Discussion book. I’m really looking forward to it. Follow the link below to enter the giveaway, and I hope you’ll take part.


March 27, 2016
“These Falling Stars” named a finalist for Best Small Fictions 2016
My short story “These Falling Stars,” published in Blue Five Notebook this past year, was named as a finalist for Queen Ferry Press’s Best Small Fictions 2016. Thanks to the series editor Tara Masih and guest editor Stuart Dybek.
Link below to see the full list of winners and finalists:


March 7, 2016
BROWN BOTTLE reviewed at Change Seven Magazine
Writer and editor Sandy Ebner writes about my new novel Brown Bottle at Change Seven Magazine. It’s clear she closely considered the novel and gave it a perfectly balanced review. Visit the link below to see her full thoughts.


March 2, 2016
BROWN BOTTLE Reading and book signing set for March 6
I’ll be reading from my new novel Brown Bottle and signing copies at The Morris Book Shop on Sunday at 2 p.m.
The book store is located in Lexington, Kentucky. I’ve love to see you there, especially my family. Below is a link for more information:


February 16, 2016
RogerEbert.com discusses Sudden Storm
I’ve said this several times, but I’m going to say it again. I have a piece in Larry Fessenden’s curated Wendigo reader Sudden Storm, a book that’s already been talked about in Entertainment Weekly and has now been discussed at RogerEbert.com.
In every article I’ve read, the thirteen pieces in the book, which also boasts some amazing illustrations, are referred to as essays. Mine is a short story, but I’m not complaining. Not when a book I have work in is getting this much attention.
Go have a look at the RogerEbert.com article – “Hell to Pay: Indie Horror Icon Larry Fessenden On Wendigo’s and Ugly Americans.”

