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Chris Deal (author of Cienfuegos), Sean Ferguson, Anthony David Jacques, and Tim Beverstock discuss the life of a writer. Where does appropriate pride in a writer’s work and overt egotism intersect and is there a definitive line to be drawn between the two. Get ready for some personal introspection from these four fantastic writers. Episode Panelists: Chris Deal/enjoi (Moderator) Sean Ferguson/ferg Anthony David Jacques Tim Beverstock/Timb5 Long ago, way back in 2010, when the world was a simpler place, a group of writers and readers decided to create a podcast which would establish a round-table, literary discussion format for the purposes of imbuing dick and clit jokes into otherwise serious literary discussion. Well, in late 2011, The Velvet Podcast sadly went the way of Snyder's of Hanover BBQ flavored pretzels (at least I cannot find them anywhere near me). But I didn’t feel it right to watch this great content fade away. So, over the next few months look forward to a resurgence of The Velvet Podcast…as much as re-posted archived material can be called a resurgence. Enjoy. And don’t hesitate to add this podcast URL to your favorite podcast subscription app so you can enjoy the wonderful content wherever you may be.

Authors Gordon Highland (Major Inversions), Brandon Tietz (Out of Touch), and Caleb J Ross (Stranger Will) have a spirited conversation about self- and vanity-publishing, debating its legitimacy, logistics, and financial aspects, as well as insights from their own experiences in this oft-scorned segment of the industry. Episode Panelists: Gordon/Flash (Moderator) Brandon/brandon.tietz Caleb/thirstygerbil Episode Topic: Vanity in Publishing 00:01:54 Distinguishing between traditional, vanity, and self-publishing distribution, printing, consumer fake it til you make it, selection, risk, Yog’s Law examples: Author Solutions POD explained 00:09:42 How much does vanity publishing cost? contacts, volume, editing, charges “marketing,” time 00:13:06 How much money can you make? word of mouth, reviews, reinvestment, advances, royalties Amazon’s and Kindle’s industry influence 00:19:55 Success stories vs. typical results Chicken Soup, Amy Fisher average sales numbers, author copies, Lulu’s philosophy what if a famous author self-published? 00:25:46 Ideal vanity publishing customer-authors short run, niche, nonfiction 00:28:23 The stigma of self-publishing no marketing, simplicity, credibility, exclusivity hypocrisy compared to other mediums, prestige 00:32:40 Otherworld Publications and Brandon’s experience 00:34:47 The vanity business model and process 00:36:33 Signed copies and personalization 00:39:00 Is there a legit place for vanity publishing? entry level, why not just POD? increasing author responsibility 00:42:00 Advice for new authors considering self-publication pitch, MFA, agents shorts, community, platform 00:44:26 Author self promotion Goodreads, follow-ups, advocacy readings, events 00:48:35 How to gauge your success milestones, commercial skepticism 00:52:46 What are you reading now? 00:55:13 The Lastlies Stranger Will, I Didn’t Mean to be Kevin – Caleb J Ross Out of Touch, Vanity – Brandon Tietz Major Inversions – Gordon Highland  

Writers Richard Thomas (Transubstantiate), Nik Korpon (Stay God), Pela Via and Nic Young grind out the topic of sex and violence in fiction and their complex relationship to sadistic bedfellows, love and shock. Episode Panelists: Pela/pela-via (Moderator) Nik/nikronomican Nic/Ridiculous Richard/wickerkat Episode Topic: Sex and Violence in Fiction 00:01:04 The graphic line between literary fiction and erotica character truth, tone, intent Glamorama 00:04:06 Appropriate sexual terminology 3rd vs 1st person, bodily/sensate, detachment, fuck as verb Birdsong, Disintegration 00:10:14 Handling violence contrast, emotion/passion, pacing intensity American Psycho, Stay God 00:13:12 Sex and violence across genres 00:15:36 The shock factor reader baggage/threshold, story expectation, manipulation, honesty Irreversible, The End of Alice, Palahniuk personal taboos 00:22:45 Why are we drawn to writing sex and violence? intensity of emotion, visceral reveal of character, vicarious, catharsis writing masturbation, The Color Purple, Nik’s novel 00:28:30 Dynamics of the femme fatale archetype manipulation, fantasy, likability/vulnerability, emotionless, gender bias Phineas Poe trilogy 00:33:12 Love as destiny between characters “one and only,” tragedy of noir, the pursuit love’s place in noir, consequence, emotional drive, shorts vs novels 00:40:36 Homosexual storylines in dark fiction Comeau, Maupin, Ellis, Lansdale alienating audiences, author interest/honesty, subtlety 00:43:24 What are you reading now? (above photo taken from Tin House’s collection, Do Me) Long ago, way back in 2010, when the world was a simpler place, a group of writers and readers decided to create a podcast which would establish a round-table, literary discussion format for the purposes of imbuing dick and clit jokes into otherwise serious literary discussion. Well, in late 2011, The Velvet Podcast sadly went the way of [insert dead celebrity name here]. But I didn’t feel it right to watch this great content fade away. So, over the next few months look forward to a resurgence of The Velvet Podcast…as much as re-posted archived material can be called a resurgence. Enjoy. And don’t hesitate to add this podcast URL to your favorite podcast subscription app so you can enjoy the wonderful content wherever you may be.

“If I made it I might as well destroy it by eating it” – Blake Butler In this interview episode of The Velvet Podcast, Caleb J Ross interviews Blake Butler, author of Ever (Calamari Press), Scorch Atlas (Featherproof Books) and the forthcoming There is no Year (Harper Perennial). Blake and Caleb discuss the impact of eReaders on visual-dependent literature, the novels vs. movies fallacy, and the importance of humility in a predominantly stuffy industry. Show Notes: 00:00:52 Why has there been a sudden Blake Awareness with these last two books, Ever and Scorch Atlas? 00:02:25 Tell me about your style. Is there a connection between your interest in computers and your seemingly scientific style of writing? 00:04:10 The visual format of Ever 00:06:37 Is there a disconnect between the implied “edginess” of eReaders and their current inability to translate literature with visuals? 00:14:12 All about HTML Giant 00:17:16 Blake Butler eats Page 1 of Scorch Atlas from blake butler on Vimeo. 00:17:43 Is there a necessary distinction between gimmick and traditional promotion? 00:19:49 Scorch Atlas (destroyed) by Blake Butler from featherproof books on Vimeo. 00:20:11 How successful was the destroyed copies of Scorch Atlas promotion? 00:23:50 Was Baby Leg‘s blood really Brian Evenson’s? 00:24:20 Tell me about your deal with Harper Perennial. 00:30:47 Does knowing that you have an editor whose paycheck depends on your book put pressure on you? 00:33:45 Instead of charging books to compete against movies, why not write books that do something that movies cannot? 00:37:50 Tell me all about your forthcoming Harper Perennial books, your novel There is No Year and your non-fiction book about insomnia. Whoring Ever, Calamari Press Scorch Atlas, Featherproof Books There is No Year, Harper Perennial (forthcoming April, 2011)  Long ago, way back in 2010, when the world was a simpler place, a group of writers and readers decided to create a podcast which would establish a round-table, literary discussion format for the purposes of imbuing dick and clit jokes into otherwise serious literary discussion. Well, in late 2011, The Velvet Podcast sadly went the way of Robin Williams. But I didn’t feel it right to watch this great content fade away. So, over the next few months look forward to a resurgence of The Velvet Podcast…as much as re-posted archived material can be called a resurgence. Enjoy. And don’t hesitate to add this podcast URL to your favorite podcast subscription app so you can enjoy the wonderful content wherever you may be.

Discussion of other mediums like film and television has always been an important aspect of The Velvet, because we find that our shared tastes in books translates well to art and entertainment in general. Inspired by one of our most popular forums, this episode features three Velvet staffers and author Stephen Graham Jones waxing about the big and small screens, both as consumers and creators, cinners and cineastes wading through the Cinemuck. Long ago, way back in 2010, when the world was a simpler place, a group of writers and readers decided to create a podcast which would establish a round-table, literary discussion format for the purposes of imbuing dick and clit jokes into otherwise serious literary discussion. Well, in late 2011, The Velvet Podcast sadly went the way of Joan Rivers. But I didn’t feel it right to watch this great content fade away. So, over the next few months look forward to a resurgence of The Velvet Podcast…as much as re-posted archived material can be called a resurgence. Enjoy. And don’t hesitate to add this podcast URL to your favorite podcast subscription app so you can enjoy the wonderful content wherever you may be.

In this interview episode of The Velvet Podcast, Caleb J Ross interviews Matt Bell, author of The Collectors (Caketrain Press), Wolf Parts and the forthcoming How They Were Found, both from Keyhole Press. Matt’s short fiction has been published and anthologized just about everywhere and is forthcoming to Ninth Letter, the ML Press chapbook series, and Kill Author. We talk about live-writing with an audience over at Everyday Genius, editing for The Collagist, teaching writing to fourth graders, and mucho more.   Show Notes: 00:01:04 Why did it take me so long to find Matt Bell? 00:02:04 Involvement with Dzanc Teaching 4th grade writing Emerging Writers Network Best of the Web 00:05:46 All about Wolf Parts? Fairy Tale Review Is Wolf Parts still available? 00:07:52 Chosen by Brian Evenson 00:09:42 Live-writing at Everyday Genius 00:18:31 What is Matt Bell’s writing process? 00:23:22 About the AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs) experience Originally posted 6/5/2010 Long ago, way back in 2010, when the world was a simpler place, a group of writers and readers decided to create a podcast which would establish a round-table, literary discussion format for the purposes of imbuing dick and clit jokes into otherwise serious literary discussion. Well, in late 2011, The Velvet Podcast sadly went the way of a Malaysian airplane. But I didn’t feel it right to watch this great content fade away. So, over the next few months look forward to a resurgence of The Velvet Podcast…as much as re-posted archived material can be called a resurgence. Enjoy. And don’t hesitate to add this podcast URL to your favorite podcast subscription app so you can enjoy the wonderful content wherever you may be.

Most writers, whether hobbyists or professionals, would defend that writing is a compulsion. Yet despite this apparent need, writers find a lot a lot of ways to procrastinate (creating this podcast being one). In this episode, three Velvet members discuss why writing is so necessary, what keeps us from writing when we know we should, what keeps us writing once we start, and how helpful are writing exercises (Writers Digest would say “very;” their bottom line depends on it).(WARNING: We like tangents. Be weary) Episode Panelists: Caleb/thirstygerbil (Moderator) Mark/PocketFives Rob/MuttersomeTaxicab 00:01:39 Episode Topic: Why aren’t you writing?! Is getting a book on a shelf still a reasonable goal? Writing allows us to deal with people. William S. Burroughs could only truly communicate through writing. Writing keeps us from doing worse things to ourselves Writing/reading offers a window to other people dealing with situations that may be similar to our own In the same way folktales engage us, modern fiction, especially crime writing, engages us by passing on morality lessons What inspires or motivates? Knowing other people do it (and knowing about people like Stephen Graham Jones who writes a novel in 3 days AND has the time to keep a journal about the experience) University writing workshops (with credit given to Tamas Dobozy and his story “The Encirclement” and Padgett Powell of The University of Florida) Constant rejection What are your writing goals? Session-based word count goals Truly writing for yourself (not for academics or any other specific audience). Academics are still skittish about an author like Paul Auster, and he’s relatively not threatening. Rob wants to gain eligibility to apply for a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts Have you tried writing Exercises? Max Berry’s 500 word maximum Shotgun writing – just sit down and go; turn off the internal editor Binge writing – hole up in a motel for a few weeks, just you and the laptop. Create your own prison. Blogging as a character Gilbert Sorrentino and art as the shattered mirror Recommendations for books on writing Pat Walsh’s 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why it Just Might Read interviews with authors 00:33:16 Other Voices, Other Rooms Tracks by Louise Erdrich The Comintern: A History of the Third International by Duncan Hallas Ulysses by James Joyce My White Planet by Mark Anthony Jarman 2666 by Roberto Bolano “The Encirclement” (short story) by Tamas Dobozy Queer by William S. Burroughs The Broken World by Tim Etchells Tell-All by Chuck Palahniuk 00:39:51 What are you currently jamming to? Deftones, Diamond Eyes The Dead Weather, Sea of Cowards Burning Love Broken Social Scene, Forgiveness Rock Record Dillinger Escape Plan, Option Paralysis Murder By Death, Good Morning, Magpie Ha Ha Tonka Elliot Smith Bruce Springsteen, Nebraska 00:45:26 The Lastlies: Buy Caleb J Ross’s Charactered Pieces: stories Rob is awaiting a response from subTerrain Magazine. Good luck! Originally posted 5/26/2010 Long ago, way back in 2010, when the world was a simpler place, a group of writers and readers decided to create a podcast which would establish a round-table, literary discussion format for the purposes of imbuing dick and clit jokes into otherwise serious literary discussion. Well, in late 2011, The Velvet Podcast sadly went the way of Pete Seeger. But I didn’t feel it right to watch this great content fade away. So, over the next few months look forward to a resurgence of The Velvet Podcast…as much as re-posted archived material can be called a resurgence. Enjoy. And don’t hesitate to add this podcast URL to your favorite podcast subscription app so you can enjoy the wonderful content wherever you may be. The post Episode 004: “Why Can’t I Write,” I Write OR Inventing Trans Fat appeared first on Burning Books: Humor[...]

DeLeon DeMicoli (Lick Me, White Belts) reads an excerpt of his novel, White Belts, at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 The post The Velvet LIVE: DeLeon DeMicoli reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing. The post The Velvet LIVE: DeLeon DeMicoli reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing.

Colin McKay Miller reads “All The Pathos and Pain” at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 The post The Velvet LIVE: Colin McKay Miller reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing. The post The Velvet LIVE: Colin McKay Miller reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing.

Mark Jaskowski reads an excerpt of his novel, South City Blues, at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 The post The Velvet LIVE: Mark Jaskowski reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing. The post The Velvet LIVE: Mark Jaskowski reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing.

Mark Grover reads “Stolen Promise” at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 The post The Velvet LIVE: Mark Grover reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing. The post The Velvet LIVE: Mark Grover reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing.

Christopher J Dwyer reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 The post The Velvet LIVE: Christopher J Dwyer reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing. The post The Velvet LIVE: Christopher J Dwyer reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing.

Rayo Casablanca (6 Sick Hipsters, Very Mercenary) reads an excerpt from his novel, Future Imperfect, at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 The post The Velvet LIVE: Rayo Casablanca reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing. The post The Velvet LIVE: Rayo Casablanca reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing.

Bradley Sands (My Heart Said No, But The Camera Crew Said Yes!, It Came From Below The Belt) reads an excerpt from his upcoming novel, TV Snorted My Brain, at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 The post The Velvet LIVE: Bradley Sands reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing. The post The Velvet LIVE: Bradley Sands reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing.

Paul Eckert reads “Mystery Box” at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 The post The Velvet LIVE: Paul Eckert reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing. The post The Velvet LIVE: Paul Eckert reads at Leela European Café, Denver CO, 4/9/10 appeared first on Burning Books: Humor + Tragedy x Pity = Caleb J. Ross. If you are reading this post anywhere else, please return to the original source when sharing.