Scott Semegran's Blog, page 16
March 1, 2019
To Squeeze a Prairie Dog is 99 Cents on BookBub
To Squeeze a Prairie Dog is 99 Cents on BookBub for a limited time! Buy it today! https://www.bookbub.com/books/to-squeeze-a-prairie-dog-by-scott-semegran?ebook_deal
February 12, 2019
Interview with Scott Semegran, author of To Squeeze a Prairie Dog
Originally posted on NewInBooks on February 12, 2019
What can you tell us about your new release To Squeeze a Prairie Dog?
To Squeeze a Prairie Dog is about a young man from a small town who joins a data entry unit of a state government agency. His unit becomes his makeshift, dysfunctional family and their lives are revealed to the reader. When his supervisor accidentally discovers a technological solution (after a drunken lunch outing) which could save the State of Texas millions of dollars, the crotchety governor and a curious reporter enter their lives and threaten to ruin everything. It’s a satirical look at working-class folks colliding with political ambition and the power of friendship. I wanted to write a novel that was quirky without being snarky and also uplifting without being saccharine. It was a huge challenge for me. I’m pleased with how it turned out.
What or who inspired you to become an author?
I was inspired to write after studying literature in college. It seemed, after I graduated, to be the logical thing for me to do after spending four years dissecting and analyzing great works of literature. With an English degree, my parents assumed I would teach. I didn’t want to teach; I wanted to write. So, I started writing literally the week after graduating from college. That was over twenty-five years ago. I have published five novels, two fiction compilations, a compilation of comic strips, short stories in literary journals, and hundreds of comic strips in newspapers.
What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?
Aargh! I’ve read a lot of books, so that is a tough one. Here’s a list in no order of importance with a sixth-place runner-up. 1) Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry 2) The Road by Cormac McCarthy 3) Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon 4) South of No North by Charles Bukowski 5) Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut 6) Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.
February 3, 2019
Available Now! To Squeeze a Prairie Dog
Out Now! To Squeeze a Prairie Dog: An American Novel is available in paperback, hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. The new humorous literary novel that BlueInk Review declares "Humorous yet uplifting at the same time. By the novel's last page, readers will be longing for more." Find it here:
Amazon: eBook, Paperback, Hardcover, Audiobook (Coming soon!)
Barnes & Noble: eBook, Paperback, Hardcover, Audiobook (Coming soon!)
IndieBound: Paperback, Hardcover
BookPeople: Paperback, Hardcover
Lulu: Hardcover
Audible: Audiobook Coming soon!
eStories: Audiobook
Playster: Audiobook
Libro.FM: Audiobook
Downpour: Audiobook Coming soon!
Audiobooks.com: Audiobook
"An amusing yet heartwarming romp... To Squeeze a Prairie Dog is an entertaining slice-of-life story that's humorous yet uplifting at the same time. By the novel's last page, readers will be longing for more." — BlueInk Review (Starred Review)
"A comic sendup of state government that remains lighthearted, deadpan, and full of affection for both urban and rural Texas." — Kirkus Reviews
"To Squeeze a Prairie Dog paints a rollicking story that careens through the office structure to delve into the motivations, lives, and connections between ordinary individuals... an uplifting, fun story." — Midwest Book Review
"An accomplished tale... a recommended read for fans of humor, drama, and office politics." — Readers' Favorite Book Reviews. 5 stars.
"Fascinating and heartfelt." — IndieReader
Read more about the book including reviews, excerpts, and more here.
Read more about the audiobook here.
January 16, 2019
Three Humorous Indie Books That Will Make You LOL
These three indie books--one a rom-com, another a fictional memoir, and the final a satirical romp--will make you laugh, think, and smile (hopefully not all at the same time). Don't believe me? Check out the Starred Reviews for these fun, indie books.
[widgetkit id=14]
"A fun, satisfying read that will particularly appeal to older readers looking for romantic mulligans of their own." - - BlueInk Reviews (Starred Review) for Deja vu All Over Again.
"A piquant and fun romp that recounts the misadventures of a beer drinker who proves to be as insightful as he is amusing." - - Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review) for The Unlounging.
"An entertaining slice-of-life story that’s humorous yet uplifting at the same time. By the novel’s last page, readers will be longing for more." - - BlueInk Reviews (Starred Review) for To Squeeze a Prairie Dog: An American Novel.
Originally posted on RiffleBooks.com
October 31, 2018
The Good Young Man
1.
When J. D. Wiswall arrived outside the building of the Texas Department of Unemployment and Benefits in downtown Austin, Texas, he already needed to go to the bathroom, his bladder full from drinking thirty-two ounces of soda during lunch—something that sounded good at the time but had become an unfortunate inconvenience. He was excited to start his first day of work but his excitement had gotten the best of him. He simply ate and drank too much, something he was prone to do all too often.
Dang it! he thought. Even when he cussed in his mind, his cussing was toned down as if someone might hear him.
He ascended the granite steps to the building entrance with trepidation, his left hand over his gut, his right hand clinching his lunch box full of afternoon snacks: roasted pecans, pecan rolls, and pecan pralines. He loved pecans; they fondly reminded him of his rural hometown: Brady, Texas. Inside the great, granite building, the mustiness of decades of public service molested his nostrils, but he was determined to relieve his bladder before starting his new job. He approached the only person he thought could help him: a security guard. The black fellow in uniform manned a desk—holding a telephone receiver to the side of his weary head with one hand and supporting his body with the other hand planted on the desktop—and spotted J. D. as he frantically approached him. The security guard’s name was Emmitt, as stated on a name tag pinned to his starched white shirt. Emmitt raised a patient index finger to J. D., indicating silently to wait for him to get off the phone. J. D. danced impatiently. Soon, Emmitt hung up.
“Can I help you?” he said, flashing a pleasant, toothy smile.
“Is there a restroom I can use?” J. D. said, still dancing a urination two-step.
October 19, 2018
Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
Signup for my newsletter by 12/1/18 and receive a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card for Xmas. You could use a gift card for Xmas, right? And you'll receive the latest news about my books and upcoming appearances. Signup today!
SIGNUP FOR MY NEWSLETTER
October 6, 2018
Interview with Author Scott Semegran
Originally posted by Anthony Avina's Blog on October 5, 2018
This interview discusses To Squeeze a Prairie Dog: An American Novel by Scott Semegran, which Anthony Avina gave a rating of .
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I began writing in earnest literally the day after graduating college with a degree in English way back in 1993. Over the years, I have published poetry, short stories, comic strips, and novels. Novels and short stories are what I have kept at the longest and find the most joy in writing and publishing these days.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
Oh, man. That’s a loaded question. I have a few answers: 1) To be honest, I wrote this story for my wife. Having written quite a bit before that didn’t particularly tickle her fancy, I set out—as a challenge to myself—to create a story that would inspire and affect her deeply. She said I accomplished that so I consider it a success. 2) I wanted to write a novel that was endearing but not saccharine and quirky but not snarky. That was a huge challenge! 3) I wanted to explore the power of friendship amongst a group of people with very different backgrounds and personalities. I felt the current state of the U.S. needed that.
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
That camaraderie amongst kind-hearted friends wins the day over evil intentions. I truly believe that.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I have mostly written literary fiction, usually with elements of humor or satire. That’s my jam. I’ve been inspired by Kurt Vonnegut, Tom Robbins, Charles Bukowski, Michael Chabon, and the like. I hope to have a lasting legacy like these authors.
September 12, 2018
To Squeeze a Prairie Dog
This is the story of J. D. Wiswall, a sincere young man from a small town, who joins a state government agency in a data entry department comprised of quirky clerks. Quickly endearing himself to the diverse group in Unit 3, J. D. learns his coworkers have a pact to share the $10,000 prize if they win a cost-savings program for a suggestion that could save the government money, in turn helping them rise above their own personal struggles. A multimillion-dollar cost-savings suggestion is accidentally discovered by J. D.'s supervisor, the goof-off alcoholic Brent Baker. This lucrative discovery catches the attention of crotchety Governor Dwayne Bennett, a media-hungry demagogue, who turns the coworkers of Unit 3 into props for his selfish political reasons. The publicity surrounding the clerks piques the interest of a newspaper reporter, Esther Jean Stinson, whose investigative reporting threatens to reveal the governor's career-ending secret, as well as jeopardizes the prize that the clerks so desperately desire.
Along with J. D. and Brent, the lives of the amiable coworkers in Unit 3 are revealed. There is Rita Jackson, the kind matriarch of her large brood, who spends her time outside of work caring for her five struggling children and thirteen wily grandchildren. Then there's Deborah Martinez, a single mother to a felonious son, who struggles to keep her head above her sinking financial woes. There's also Conchino Gonzalez, a quiescent giant of Mexican and Japanese descent, who street races at night to relieve worries about his ailing grandfather in Japan. Finally, J. D. has dreams bigger than his small hometown can provide, and Brent wants nothing more than to drop the bureaucratic routine to become a rock star with his bar band.
A few blocks away from the agency that houses Unit 3, Governor Bennett, a smarmy politician who whizzes around the Governor's Mansion on a gold-plated wheelchair, parades the unwitting clerks in front of the local media in an attempt to raise his sagging poll numbers. But reporter Esther Jean sees through the governor's bald-faced motives and uncovers secrets not meant to be revealed. Will her revelations keep Unit 3 from receiving their elusive prize?
From award-winning writer Scott Semegran, To Squeeze a Prairie Dog is an American, modern-day tale with working-class folks—part fable, part satire, and part comedy—revealing that camaraderie amongst kind-hearted friends wins the day over evil intentions.
August 4, 2018
Different Seasons by Stephen King
I recently watched The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me with my wife and children. My wife and I had seen the movies when they first came out but our children had not seen either movie. The kids loved both movies and I was very pleased to see that the films held up beautifully with time. The movies are universally loved. If you don't believe me, then go look on Rotten Tomatoes (here and here).
I got to thinking (uh oh). The source material had to be great to make such fantastic movies. I read quite a bit of Stephen King in my teen years (Cujo, Carrie, Night Shift), but I hadn't read Different Seasons, the book of four novellas—two of which were the basis for these movies. My curiosity was piqued. Was it time for a personal reconsideration of Stephen King? I've recently discovered that there are a lot of critics doing this, particularly The Guardian's 'Rereading Stephen King' column is giving it a go. I read their review of Different Seasons with great interest, although I disagreed with most of the James Smythe's assessments. But there is one thing he and I agree on: there is some literary greatness within the cover of Different Seasons. Unfortunately, there are some not so great moments, too.
I decided to buy the book through Audible. It is narrated by Frank Muller. I'll review his narration separately.
So, let's dive in!
July 6, 2018
BOYS Audiobook Giveaway
I am giving away 5 audiobook editions of BOYS to 5 lucky readers / listeners. To enter the giveaway, you must sign up for Author Updates here on my website. I send out a few updates a year, so I won't bother you too much. Plus, you could win an amazing audiobook.
The audiobook giveaway is open from Jul 9 - Jul 31, 2018. The winners will be announced soon after Aug 1, 2018. The winners will receive download codes for Libro.FM. Retail price of the BOYS audiobook is $21.99. Good luck!
Enter here:
SUBSCRIBE TO AUTHOR UPDATES TO ENTER THE AUDIOBOOK GIVEAWAY
For more about my audiobook like book reviews, a video trailer, and more, go here: https://www.scottsemegran.com/audiobooks/boys.html
For more about my audiobook on Libro.FM, go here: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780999717370-boys
Download the Libro.FM app to listen to the audiobook on Google Play, iTunes, or Amazon Fire.
UPDATE 8/1/18:
Congratulations to the winners! The redeem codes have been emailed to these winners: Jacqueline, Denna, Ashley, Natasha, Nancy, Penley, Isaac, James, Heather, Suzanne
