Marcel Feldmar's Blog: The Typewriter Keeps Me Awake at Night, page 2
August 22, 2014
Paranormal Pop Fiction??
From my guest blog at Mythical Books:
( http://www.mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/... )
Defining a genre: What is Paranormal Pop Fiction?
When I started writing The Devil’s Jukebox I knew that it was “Fantasy”. Beyond that, I wasn’t sure. I wanted to finish the story first and then figure out what it was. That may have been a mistake, but I didn’t want the genre to define the book—I wanted the book to find its own genre.
I toyed with YA, but the characters grew up and probably smoked too many cigarettes. There’s some paranormal and romantic elements, but it doesn’t work as a Paranormal Romance. It’s fiction, and there are definitely supernatural elements. It’s set in an urban environment, and deals with fantasy—but is it Supernatural Fiction or is it Urban Fantasy? Paranormal Fiction?
These genres are loosely defined, but I wanted something to stand behind. First, I thought Supernatural Fiction. Nope—this is traditionally tied to ghost stories, and more recently, horror fiction. The Devil’s Jukebox holds a little horror, but also mystery, music, and poetry. There’s art, humor, compassion, and conflict. I did want to keep the “Fiction” part, though.
Then Urban Fantasy—this would have been the genre of choice if this was written twenty years ago. While The Devil’s Jukebox may look like another entry into the Urban Fantasy milieu, it really isn’t. When I started writing the book I wanted the act of reading it to be similar to walking through a crowded record store and reading a horror comic while a poetry slam took place outside. I wanted High Fidelity meets On The Road meets The Vampire Lestat. Between start and finish, my vision shifted, but so did the Urban Fantasy genre. Now it seems to be full of seductive vampires, sexy werewolves and lusty demon hunters. Urban Fantasy as a genre has been co-opted by Paranormal Romance, and that’s not my world.
So does that leave Paranormal Fiction? I believe this is the umbrella genre, covering UF and SF; but what about something that fits into both, or neither. Some literary version of Shoegaze or Post-Punk, a fictional Britpop or Darkwave. A subgenre with a twist.
That’s where I wanted to be. Paranormal with a pop culture twist. I wanted to have something that would stand out. I wanted something that might get those invested in Literary Fiction, those who dismiss Popular (Genre) Fiction as worthless and clichéd, to give it a second look. So it’s a hit of Pop, for the musical reference; and then also a slight tongue-in-cheek nod to Popular Fiction. Given by someone who appreciates and incorporates elements of Literary Fiction into a paranormal world. This is where Paranormal Pop Fiction lives.
We are dealing with the real world, but there are other planes of reality attached to it. The Muses, The Immortals, The dead. There are vampires and not quite vampires, there are werewolves and shape-shifters, Curses, Voudou, and Magic. There are people who believe in all of that, and those who don’t. There are records, comics, toys, movies. These are characters who have seen the remake of Dark Shadows. These are beings who have seen Bauhaus play live. These are Immortals who just want to enjoy a good drink and listen to some music. These characters live in a literary world of supernatural proportions, where there is a great importance placed on images created; the lyrical flow of words, the emotions given to the reader, the touches of beauty that can sometimes take precedence over plot. This is the world of Paranormal Pop Fiction, and there’s enough room for all of us to live within it.
( http://www.mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/... )
Defining a genre: What is Paranormal Pop Fiction?
When I started writing The Devil’s Jukebox I knew that it was “Fantasy”. Beyond that, I wasn’t sure. I wanted to finish the story first and then figure out what it was. That may have been a mistake, but I didn’t want the genre to define the book—I wanted the book to find its own genre.
I toyed with YA, but the characters grew up and probably smoked too many cigarettes. There’s some paranormal and romantic elements, but it doesn’t work as a Paranormal Romance. It’s fiction, and there are definitely supernatural elements. It’s set in an urban environment, and deals with fantasy—but is it Supernatural Fiction or is it Urban Fantasy? Paranormal Fiction?
These genres are loosely defined, but I wanted something to stand behind. First, I thought Supernatural Fiction. Nope—this is traditionally tied to ghost stories, and more recently, horror fiction. The Devil’s Jukebox holds a little horror, but also mystery, music, and poetry. There’s art, humor, compassion, and conflict. I did want to keep the “Fiction” part, though.
Then Urban Fantasy—this would have been the genre of choice if this was written twenty years ago. While The Devil’s Jukebox may look like another entry into the Urban Fantasy milieu, it really isn’t. When I started writing the book I wanted the act of reading it to be similar to walking through a crowded record store and reading a horror comic while a poetry slam took place outside. I wanted High Fidelity meets On The Road meets The Vampire Lestat. Between start and finish, my vision shifted, but so did the Urban Fantasy genre. Now it seems to be full of seductive vampires, sexy werewolves and lusty demon hunters. Urban Fantasy as a genre has been co-opted by Paranormal Romance, and that’s not my world.
So does that leave Paranormal Fiction? I believe this is the umbrella genre, covering UF and SF; but what about something that fits into both, or neither. Some literary version of Shoegaze or Post-Punk, a fictional Britpop or Darkwave. A subgenre with a twist.
That’s where I wanted to be. Paranormal with a pop culture twist. I wanted to have something that would stand out. I wanted something that might get those invested in Literary Fiction, those who dismiss Popular (Genre) Fiction as worthless and clichéd, to give it a second look. So it’s a hit of Pop, for the musical reference; and then also a slight tongue-in-cheek nod to Popular Fiction. Given by someone who appreciates and incorporates elements of Literary Fiction into a paranormal world. This is where Paranormal Pop Fiction lives.
We are dealing with the real world, but there are other planes of reality attached to it. The Muses, The Immortals, The dead. There are vampires and not quite vampires, there are werewolves and shape-shifters, Curses, Voudou, and Magic. There are people who believe in all of that, and those who don’t. There are records, comics, toys, movies. These are characters who have seen the remake of Dark Shadows. These are beings who have seen Bauhaus play live. These are Immortals who just want to enjoy a good drink and listen to some music. These characters live in a literary world of supernatural proportions, where there is a great importance placed on images created; the lyrical flow of words, the emotions given to the reader, the touches of beauty that can sometimes take precedence over plot. This is the world of Paranormal Pop Fiction, and there’s enough room for all of us to live within it.
August 21, 2014
Book Tour: Day Four
On with The Devil's Jukebox Bewitching Book Blog Tour...
A quick and fun interview is up at Pembroke Sinclair's blog:
http://pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com/...
and that book giveaway is still going on!
A quick and fun interview is up at Pembroke Sinclair's blog:
http://pembrokesinclair.blogspot.com/...
and that book giveaway is still going on!
August 20, 2014
Book Tour: Day Three
Today we have a brand new interview with The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom here:
http://www.creativelygreen.blogspot.c...
A spotlight post at Books and Tales here:
http://booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/2...
and, the Book Giveaway continues at any and all of the Book Tour Blog Stops...
http://www.creativelygreen.blogspot.c...
A spotlight post at Books and Tales here:
http://booksandtales.blogspot.co.uk/2...
and, the Book Giveaway continues at any and all of the Book Tour Blog Stops...
August 19, 2014
Book Tour: Day Two
We have a completely different Top Ten list, a completely different Interview, and a chance to win a free book!
Top Ten: http://www.roxannerhoads.com/2014/08/...
Interview: http://www.totaleclipsereviews.blogsp...
Top Ten: http://www.roxannerhoads.com/2014/08/...
Interview: http://www.totaleclipsereviews.blogsp...
August 18, 2014
Blog Tour Starts Today!
August 18th to 25th, thanks to Bewitching Book Tours...
first stop(s):
http://shutupandreadgroup.blogspot.co...
http://www.darkestcravings.blogspot.c...
-MjF
first stop(s):
http://shutupandreadgroup.blogspot.co...
http://www.darkestcravings.blogspot.c...
-MjF
July 9, 2014
sidewalk blind
underneath the streets
the city takes shape
shifting the direction of
my stride
until I end up walking
opposite your footsteps
as if I could see them
understand these streets and
how they move
against me
how they leave me
tracing the echo of your passing
and in doing so
I move even further away
as if I was ever close enough
-M.Feldmar
the city takes shape
shifting the direction of
my stride
until I end up walking
opposite your footsteps
as if I could see them
understand these streets and
how they move
against me
how they leave me
tracing the echo of your passing
and in doing so
I move even further away
as if I was ever close enough
-M.Feldmar
June 27, 2014
Referential Review
"While touching upon the Urban Fantasy genre, The Devil’s Jukebox finds its own songs to sing. This is not a tale of seductive vampires, shirtless werewolves, or sexy demon hunters. There’s love, lust, and blood, but that’s not where the story lies.
Marcel Feldmar seems to somehow combine a more subtle dark and poetic romanticism—similar to Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire or The Vampire Lestat—with a well mixed batch of musical references that would make Nick Hornsby want to hit his favorite record store, and a twist of pop cultural phrase and vision that makes me think of Douglas Coupland, if he wrote ghost stories, or Richard Kadrey, if he wrote, well, happier, lighter ghost stories.
The story crashes like the dark wave of the late 80’s and the now wave of new inspirations. The Devil’s Jukebox is a work of paranormal pop fiction that leads you, on a trail of cocktails and cigarette smoke, across highways and through cities, on a quest to save the once mighty Muses from fading away into obscurity."
Marcel Feldmar seems to somehow combine a more subtle dark and poetic romanticism—similar to Anne Rice’s Interview With The Vampire or The Vampire Lestat—with a well mixed batch of musical references that would make Nick Hornsby want to hit his favorite record store, and a twist of pop cultural phrase and vision that makes me think of Douglas Coupland, if he wrote ghost stories, or Richard Kadrey, if he wrote, well, happier, lighter ghost stories.
The story crashes like the dark wave of the late 80’s and the now wave of new inspirations. The Devil’s Jukebox is a work of paranormal pop fiction that leads you, on a trail of cocktails and cigarette smoke, across highways and through cities, on a quest to save the once mighty Muses from fading away into obscurity."
June 5, 2014
The Devil's Jukebox Book Release Party
Date: June 12, 2014
8:00PM to 10:00PM
Venue: The Spare Room, Hollywood
7000 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
The Author will be on hand to sign your pre-bought books, and there will also be some books on hand to purchase. There will also be some nice treats on hand as well, plus the bartenders make *fantastic* drinks.
8:00PM to 10:00PM
Venue: The Spare Room, Hollywood
7000 Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
The Author will be on hand to sign your pre-bought books, and there will also be some books on hand to purchase. There will also be some nice treats on hand as well, plus the bartenders make *fantastic* drinks.
March 14, 2014
poetikal
Slowly dipping into that self-publishing realm, I've let a small chapbook of poetry loose within the world.
No, it's not perfect, but - for me - that was the point of this particular edition. a rough copy for me and for anyone else who is interested. And it still looks pretty nice.
It can only get better, and right now bad ain't that bad.
I just got to the point, with this little book bite, where i knew i could either hold on to it forever or just let it go.
The Typewriter Keeps Me Awake At Night - with photographical help from Shelley Venemann.
It's only the beginning.
No, it's not perfect, but - for me - that was the point of this particular edition. a rough copy for me and for anyone else who is interested. And it still looks pretty nice.
It can only get better, and right now bad ain't that bad.
I just got to the point, with this little book bite, where i knew i could either hold on to it forever or just let it go.
The Typewriter Keeps Me Awake At Night - with photographical help from Shelley Venemann.
It's only the beginning.
March 7, 2014
Thank God It's Po'alima!
So, even though I've only just started on the pre-publication promotions for Debut Novel, I'm finding it hard to stop thinking about all of the other things I need to write.
I don't think I'm going to do a series based on the characters in The Devil's Jukebox, unless there's some sort of massive reader uproar for me to continue detailing their exploits, so this one story in my head is heading for Hawaii, and I'm playing around with a couple of main character names.
Po'alima means Friday, but I think it also might be a nice name for a cool character. A Hawaiian "girl Friday," perhaps?
I don't think I'm going to do a series based on the characters in The Devil's Jukebox, unless there's some sort of massive reader uproar for me to continue detailing their exploits, so this one story in my head is heading for Hawaii, and I'm playing around with a couple of main character names.
Po'alima means Friday, but I think it also might be a nice name for a cool character. A Hawaiian "girl Friday," perhaps?
The Typewriter Keeps Me Awake at Night
Occasional bursts of something or other from out of the things going on in my head. I'm not the best at consistent "updates" - especially when attempting to juggle all the internetable options... but
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