Scott Semegran's Blog, page 21
April 5, 2016
March 29, 2016
March 20, 2016
December 17, 2015
Reading at Malvern Books in Austin, TX
613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705
Thanks for your support and I look forward to seeing you there!
Scott
October 28, 2015
October 26, 2015
To Cuss or Not to Cuss?
I've been toiling away at a new novel that I started a few weeks ago. It's in the embryonic stages right now--my little baby. It's the first draft which means it will be a skeletal framework that I will revisit later and flesh out with things and notes and details that I've jotted down, similar to contractors finishing out a house with sheetrock and paint and roof shingles and exterior siding and shit like that. But one of the things I've been thinking about lately is the use of profanity in my work. You know? Blue language, curse words, CUSS WORDS. If you still don't get it, then I'm referring to what George Carlin famously listed as the seven dirty words. These words are: shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker, tits, and any variant of these words as well as dammit, goddamn, bastard, fuck, asshole or any other word that is considered offensive to somebody. And that somebody is important here; that somebody could potentially be one of my readers.
Now, I know what you're thinking. 'That Carlin bit is from 1972. Nobody is offended by these words anymore!' Au contraire, dear blog post reader. Cuss words still offend A LOT of people. 'How can this be? I mean, I heard someone on prime-time TV say jackass just the other day.' I know, I know. The proliferation of foul language is apparently clear but it still offends a lot of people just like female nipples on TV offend people. Foul language and female nipples in print still offends people too. It's just crazy in this day and age that cuss words offend anybody. But they do. Creative types like me have to wrestle with this at one point in our careers because our audience can be shaped, expanded or restricted, by the use of these foul words. But what are we 'writers' going to do about it?
September 1, 2015
Books from Mutt Press by Scott Semegran Sold at Malvern Books
Malvern Books in Austin, TX carries visionary literature and poetry from independent publishers, with a focus on lesser-known and emerging voices the world needs to hear. Now, they carry books from Mutt Press by Scott Semegran. Mr. Grieves, Modicum, and The Meteoric Rise of Simon Burchwood; these are the selections from Mutt Press they carry. Please stop by and pickup a paperback. They also host book and poetry readings and musical performances, and provide a friendly meeting space for book clubs. Shop local, support small business and indie publishers like Mutt Press.
For more info about Malvern Books, please visit http://malvernbooks.com/. Or stop by at 613 West 29th Street, Austin, TX 78705.
For more info about Mutt Press, please visit http://muttpress.com/.
Books from Mutt Press by Scott Semegran Sold at Dragon's Lair
Dragon's Lair in Austin, TX carries comics, manga, games, and all kinds of great books. Now, they carry books from Mutt Press by Scott Semegran. Boys, Mr. Grieves, Modicum, The Meteoric Rise of Simon Burchwood, and The Spectacular Simon Burchwood; they're all there. Please stop by and pickup a paperback. Dragon's Lair is an amazing store with a huge selection of great things to read and a great staff. Shop local, support small business and indie publishers like Mutt Press.
For more info about Dragon's Lair, please visit http://dlair.net/austin/.
For more info about Mutt Press, please visit http://muttpress.com/.
August 3, 2015
Boys by Scott Semegran Sold at Farewell Books in Austin
Farewell Books is a progressive new and used bookshop and art gallery in the city of Austin, Texas. They now carry my latest book Boys. If you are in Austin, then go to 913 E Cesar Chavez, check out the store, and buy a copy of Boys as well as some of their other books. This store is pretty amazing and a worthwhile visit.
Boys is a collection of stories about three boys living in Texas: one growing up, one dreaming, and one fighting to stay alive in the face of destitution and adversity. There's second-grader William, a shy yet imaginative boy who schemes about how to get back at his school-yard bully, Randy. Then there's Sam, a 15-year-old boy who dreams of getting a 1980 Mazda RX-7 for his sixteenth birthday but has to work at a Greek restaurant to fund his dream. Finally, there's Seff, a 21-year-old on the brink of manhood, trying to survive along with his roommate, working as waiters and barely making ends meet. These three stories are told with heart, humor, and an uncompromising look at what it meant to grow up in Texas during the 1980s and 1990s.
Boys is published by Mutt Press. The paperback is 184 pages, 6" x 9", with perfect binding, white paper, black and white ink, and a full-color cover with matte finish.
For more info about Farewell Books, please visit http://www.farewellbookstore.com/.
For more info about Mutt Press, please visit http://muttpress.com/.
July 7, 2015
Boys by Scott Semegran
I'm proud to announce the pre-release of my new book titled Boys. These are the stories of three boys living in Texas: one growing up, one dreaming, and one fighting to stay alive in the face of destitution and adversity. There's second-grader William, a shy yet imaginative boy who schemes about how to get back at his school-yard bully, Randy. Then there's Sam, a 15-year-old boy who dreams of getting a 1980 Mazda RX-7 for his sixteenth birthday but has to work at a Greek restaurant to fund his dream. Finally, there's Seff, a 21-year-old on the brink of manhood, trying to survive along with his roommate, working as waiters and barely making ends meet. These three stories are told with heart, humor, and an uncompromising look at what it meant to grow up in Texas during the 1980s and 1990s.
The cover was designed by Andrew Leeper and myself. The book was edited by my long-time editor Brandon Wood as well as Robyn Smith. And the photo of yours truly was taken by my beautiful wife, Lori Hoadley. Boys is published by Mutt Press. The official release date is August 1, 2015. Reserve your copy now!
The paperback is 184 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, white paper, black and white ink, full-color cover with matte finish and available here:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Boys-Scott-Semegran/dp/0692470115/
Createspace - https://www.createspace.com/5558081
The retail price for the paperback is $14.99.
You can also order a paperback from your favorite book store by giving the following info, if it is not already in stock:
Boys by Scott Semegran. ISBN 978-0692470114.
The eBook is available for pre-order at the following website locations or go into the Kindle Store, iTunes Store, Google Play Store as well as other eBook app stores and search for "Boys by Scott Semegran." The eBook will appear in your eBook apps on August 1, 2015:
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010359KE8
Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1122163460…
Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/boys/id1008540711?mt=11
Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/boys-9
Google Play - https://play.google.com/…/books/details/Scott_Semegran_Boys…
Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/551123
Scribd - Available August 1, 2015
Oyster - Available August 1, 2015
The retail price for the eBook is $2.99. It's free to read with a subscription to Scribd or Oyster.
Thanks for your support, I hope you enjoy these stories, and please share this with your friends. Salud!
Yours Truly,
Scott
