Philip Fracassi's Blog: PHILIP FRACASSI BLOG, page 8

Don’t Sweat the Haters

I don’t really do opinion pieces. But every now and then I’m motivated – usually through an unpleasant experience – to open my keyboard mouth and yammer in 12-point font about something or other.

This is for all the Strugglers out there. You know who you are.

Quickly, a personal history (it’s relevant, I swear):

In the late 90’s, I received a few hundred rejections for a literary novel called THE EGOTIST. Most of those (this is the late 90’s) were pre-printed postcard-sized rejections (less postage than a letter).

After a couple years of denial and roadblocks, I started my own publishing company called Equator Books, hired a professional editor and book designer, launched an LLC, learned everything I could about publishing and marketing books, and released THE EGOTIST myself.

[image error]

Mind you, this is a time when there was no print-on-demand. You had to invest in the work. Something most independent publishers don’t have to worry about today (sometimes to the detriment of a title – one is far more motivated to market a book when you have 1,500 pre-paid copies in a warehouse, believe me).

Within months I was being sold through Borders (R.I.P.), Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and distributed by Ingram / Baker & Taylor. I sold out of my 1,000 copy print run in about two years and didn’t invest in a second run – the money went into the publishing company.

[image error]

I published 6 titles (none of them written by me) over about a 5-year span. In 2004, at a crossroads of my life, after leaving my job as a music executive, I pooled everything I had and raised enough additional capital to open a brick-and-mortar 3.400 sq. ft. bookstore / art gallery in Venice Beach, from which the publishing company was also run.

The bookstore, also called Equator Books, was written about in everything from The New York Times (Top 5 Creative Destinations in Los Angeles), to Rolling Stone and countless international tour guides and magazines.

[image error]

After about 7 years, the economy tanked and the whole thing collapsed. During this period, however, I kept writing. I wrote hundreds of short stories and two more novels (none of which will likely ever see the light of day).

Around 2011, broke and bankrupt (literally) and thinking literary prose was a dead-end, I decided to try my hand at screenwriting.

So I read books about screenwriting, downloaded a bunch of screenplays, and started writing scripts while working as an overnight security guard. One of these scripts was distributed by Disney, and I ghost-wrote another six for them, along with a constant flow of script-doctoring and work-for-hire writing for other producers. A couple years later, I sold a spec thriller that was produced and distributed by Lifetime Television. I’m still writing scripts and look forward to my future projects.

In 2015, I decided to try fiction again. This time genre fiction. I wrote a story called MOTHER, met a few authors online, got some good advice about writing and publishing in the current market, and eventually sent the extensively-rewritten story to Dunhams Manor Press, who accepted it. This was almost exactly 2 years ago.

[image error]

Since then, I’ve published about a dozen stories, two novellas and a collection. I was fortunate enough to land an agent who is currently shopping my first genre novel, and lucky enough to have The New York Times review my collection (somewhat favorably) along with one of my novellas. I write every day while also working a day job, and hope to keep the genre-fiction ball rolling.

So why am I telling you all this?

Because although there was a lot of help along the way, there were also a lot of setbacks. A lot of rejections. A lot of people ignoring me. Telling me to Pay My Dues. A lot of people telling me to stop.

Look, I get rejections every day. Not just story rejections. Little rejections. Personal rejections. The kind of rejections you can’t tally, that don’t come on cheap postcards. And this is my point:

Not everyone is going to be helpful. Not everyone is going to care about you, about your work, about your agenda, about your hopes or talents or goals. Frankly, most people will not deem you worthy of the equivalent of that cheap postcard. And it will sting.

You’ll feel unimportant. Unwanted. Rejected.

What I’m telling you is this: Get Used To It and Move On.

The world’s a hard, cold, cruel place. People who have found success generally do not like to help others, for multiple reasons, but mostly because they Don’t Have To. They’ll ignore you or, worse yet, they’ll respond with animosity, with cruelty, with jest or sarcasm. They’ll deride you or belittle you because of your naiveté, your ignorance, your newness. 

They don’t know how hard you’ve worked to get here. They don’t care about your struggles, your early successes, your past failures.

And they shouldn’t.

Because they’re not YOU. 

Do the work. Ignore the haters. Ignore the ones who make you feel less than yourself, who boil your blood or darken your hopes or dampen your spirit. Move On to the next thing, the next rung in the ladder, the next handhold in the climb up the cliffside.

Persevere.

Be better than those who would see you fail.

There are a lot of amazing resources and a lot of amazing people out there willing to help, willing to read and listen and offer support. Offer real advice. Move past the haters, find the mentors. They’re out there.

But remember that no one is ever going to care about you more than you.

And when you get that good advice? When someone is willing to invest in You? You better listen. Because if you don’t, than you’re the hater, you’re your own worst enemy. And the failure is yours, and yours alone.

So toss out the crappy postcards and get to work. I’ll help get you started:

I believe in you.

You can do this.

 

Blood Standard Arcs

These ARC’s look amazing. My excitement for this release is unparalleled. Coming May, 2018.

I got a peek at arcs of my forthcoming crime novel, Blood Standard. Thank you to Gretchen Achilles and the G.P. Putnam’s Sons team for a terrific cover design. I’ve often been lucky when it comes to covers and this is such a case.

photo by Jessica M. Cover design by Gretchen Achilles and G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

View original post

Blood Standard Release Date

New Laird Barron en route from Putnam — May 2018 — BLOOD STANDARD, the first in a series.

This is hands-down THE Must-Get title of 2018.

Laird Barron

Blood Standard, first in a series about ex-contract hitter, Isaiah Coleridge, will arrive toward the end of May, 2018. I owe a debt of gratitude to a lot of people, but today I want to thank my agent Janet Reid for her support and dedication,and Sara Minnich at G.P. Putnam’s Sons for acquiring this novel and its follow-up.

Preorders are available. I’ve linked to Amazon for convenience, but I encourage folks to support local bookstores and your favorite independent sellers. Click here to check out a list of alternatives at the Penguin site.

Thanks, everybody. More soon.

Blood Standard

Award-winning author Laird Barron makes his crime fiction debut with a novel set in the underbelly of upstate New York that’s as hardboiled and punchy as a swift right hook to the jaw–a classic noir for fans of James Ellroy and John D. Macdonald.

Isaiah Coleridge is a mob enforcer in Alaska–he’s…

View original post 178 more words

Stories to Date – July 2017

Forgive this post — it’s a bit self-serving but such is the nature of being an independent author who must, sadly, market oneself and their work as there is no one else to do it.

Following is a list of stories I have published in 2017 as of July 1. This list is for any and all awards consideration, reprints or consideration for foreign territories.

I’ve categorized the stories per Horror Writers Association guidelines for members who may wish to nominate any of the individual pieces for Stoker award consideration. I’ve also included any applicable reviews and first appearances for individual stories.

From BEHOLD THE VOID (JournalStone, March 2017):

“Fracassi…builds his horrific tales slowly and carefully…he’s especially skillful at creating, and sustaining, suspense.” — The New York Times

“Every story is as unique in its subject matter as it is identical in its quality and excellence.” — This Is Horror

Short Fiction:

“Soft Construction of a Sunset”
(original to this collection)

“…a wildly bizarre Dali-esque tale…” — Ginger Nuts of Horror

“Coffin”
(original to this collection — reprinted in Strange Aeons Magazine #21)

“Fail-Safe”
(original to this collection)

Long Fiction:

“The Horse Thief”
(original to this collection)

“[This] story is the strongest embodiment of what seems to be the book’s prevailing theme: our human attraction, often fatal, to the unknown.” — The New York Times Book Review

“The Horse Thief is one of my favourite stories in the book…It’s strange and weird and I loved every moment of it.” — Dark Musings

“The Baby Farmer”
(originally published in Murder Ballads, an anthology by Egaeus Press, Mark Beech, editor — February, 2017)

…”the best of the bunch.” — Rue Morgue

“Surfer Girl”
(original to this collection)

“Mandala”
(original to this collection)

“…the suspense becomes truly nail-biting.” — Rue Morgue

“With the final tale in the book, “Mandala,” we discover just exactly what terms like “edge of your seat” or “nail-biter” really mean.” — Hellnotes

Other releases:

“Sacculina”
(a standalone novella)
JournalStone, May 2017

“The story is exciting, and terrifically scary. ” — The New York Times Book Review

“King Mob” — short fiction
(originally published in All is Full of Hell, an anthology by Mount Abraxas, Damian Murphy, editor – June 2017)

To view my upcoming releases for the remainder of 2017, please visit my BIBLIO page.

For reprints or foreign sales inquiries, please CONTACT me.

 

As of this posting, I am not able to offer the stories for free (other than KING MOB — please contact me if interested). The work may be purchased HERE.

Thank you!

My Complete 3-part Interview with THIS IS HORROR is now live and available.

I want to once again thank Michael David Wilson and Bob Pastorella at THIS IS HORROR for devoting three episodes to this epic interview.

All three parts are available using the links below. I hope you find them interesting, inspiring or hopefully a tiny bit useful if you’re a writer or fan of writing.

Part ONE – TIH Episode 150

In which I discuss my biggest fears, my thoughts on story structure for prose and screenplays, and some of my screenwriting experiences.

Click the graphic below to listen or download PART ONE of my interview. [image error]

Part TWO – TiH Episode 151

I discuss my early – unpublished – literary novels and how writing lit fiction helped develop some of my tools for genre fiction. Also chat more about screenwriting and my personal take on why horror is a great escape from the real world horrors we live with every day.

Click the graphic below to listen or download PART TWO of my interview. [image error]

Part THREE – TiH Episode 152

I discuss my writing habits, talk about my experiences with the folks at the Lovecraft eZine, and offer some take-it-or-leave-it advice for writers from my own experiences or passed down from far more talented folks than I.

Click the graphic below to listen or download PART THREE of my interview. [image error]

My THIS IS HORROR podcast interview – Part Two now LIVE (6/15)

Part TWO of my epic interview with This Is Horror is now live.

I discuss my early – unpublished – literary novels and how writing lit fiction helped develop some of my tools for genre fiction. Also chat more about screenwriting and my personal take on why horror is a great escape from the real world horrors we live with every day. Hope you check it out.

Click the graphic below to listen or download PART TWO of my interview.

[image error]

My Interview with Ginger Nuts of Horror (6/8/17)

I was very thankful to Jim Mcleod and John Boden for interviewing me at the awesome Ginger Nuts of Horror website.

I discuss writers I admire, upcoming projects, my days in the literary mines, screenwriting and more painfully personal information.

Jim is doing some amazing stuff and working hard to give back some serious love for the worldwide horror community. Please check out the interview and spend some time reading their other incredible content – interview, book reviews, articles and more. Great place to get your daily horror fix!

[image error]

CLICK THE GRAPHIC TO READ THE INTERVIEW

My THIS IS HORROR podcast interview – Part One now LIVE (6/7)

A few weeks ago I was fortunate enough to be asked to come on the THIS IS HORROR podcast, one of the premier horror podcasts and editorial websites in the world.

What was supposed to be a 2-hour interview became an epic 4+ hour dialogue about how I started writing, my biggest fears and inspirations, screenplay work and story structure, what I have coming up next, and much, much more.

It’s a fun and freestyle interview with hosts Michael David Wilson and Bob Pastorella.

Hope you check it out and enjoy it.

Click the graphic below to listen or download PART ONE of my interview.

[image error]

‘Behold the Void’, ‘Sacculina’ get nods in the New York Times Book Review (6/4/17)

[image error]

I’d be lying if I said this wasn’t a big deal.

I know, I know. Be cool. But look, I’ve only been in the genre game a little over a year now, and the reality is I’m an unknown writer on an indy publisher – and guys like us just don’t get written about in places like The New York Times.

Writers like myself (new to the scene, still cutting our teeth, etc.)… we desire everything – success, praise, awards – but feel we deserve nothing. Praise is an uncomfortable blanket on a cold night. Awards should be etched with: “Yeah, but what have you done for me lately?” on their plaques so when we look at them a year on we feel that familiar anxiety more than pride. Success is more a primal need than black accounting. Success is the wrong word to use really. Validation is more spot-on. Still…

To be mentioned in The New York Times – yeah, it feels great. So does winning the lottery. Like the lottery, it also feels somewhat undeserved. A battering of invisible positivity protons hammering through my writer’s mind but leaving no trace of accomplishment behind. I do an internal search for the positivity, the validation, but find only determination (read: pressure) to continue the Work, to continue to write, to create, to double-down on the donut production because there are mouths to feed, hopefully more than there were yesterday. I can’t worry about who I’ll be feeding tomorrow. Maybe someone, maybe no one. But that’s out of my control, and always will be.

Am I honored? Of course. Is it a bucket-lister? Definitely. An undreamed of checkbox filled. Will it help? To be seen. More than anything I’m humbled. More than that even, grateful. Grateful to the writing community for keeping my chin up. Grateful to readers for supporting and – most importantly – enjoying the work. Still…

Do praise and validation and each small success add pressure to work harder? To type faster? To create bigger and better ideas? To write with my heart tossed out onto my desktop and my brain pushed to overdrive while the muse is whipped and bullied to justify everything that can be construed as positive – every kind word, every 5-star review, every public mention?

Yeah, and she’s right tired, my muse. Lying on the mat, panting a bit.

So I showed her today’s New York Times. And she smiled. Looks like she might even be ready to get up.

*

To read the New York Times article online, click here: http://nyti.ms/2qUQwaI

[image error]

Photo by Stephanie Simard

 

Five Books You Should Read this Summer

Very gratifying to see BEHOLD THE VOID in this wonderful list of summer reads.

Shotgun Logic

Summer is upon us once again. Kids are getting out of school, average families are departing or planning to depart on vacation, and some of us poor slobs are stuck with the drudgery of our day to day with no cessation or respite in sight. But odds are, whatever your situation, if you’re reading this blog, you’re an avid reader and you’re going to need some quality material to get you through the season. So let me help you out with that. Here are five of the best books I’ve read in 2017 so far, perfectly written gems from some of our brightest stars. It’s a guarantee that some, if not all, of these books will end up on my favorite reads of 2017 list and if you’re looking for the best that speculative genre fiction has to offer, here’s a good little primer for you.

Black Mad Wheel – Josh…

View original post 654 more words