At the risk of grossly oversimplifying, there are roughly two kinds of people in the world: those who love to follow trends, and those who can’t be told what to like. I know what I like. And, lately, I haven’t found much to like about most of the new fiction I’ve been reading, despite its standing on lists, awards won, or reviews from critics. So, I decided to write my own.
For the past 10 years, I have been researching and writing an ambitious historical fiction trilogy, which I never planned to show to anyone else, let alone publish. I did it purely for my own enjoyment. I wanted to explore an era and subjects that interested me while challenging myself with the intricate puzzle of a complex historical narrative. Yeah, some people have weird hobbies…
I’m not claiming to be a great writer (whatever that means) or that my ideas have any wider appeal. But I began to wonder if, like me, there might be readers out there who were bored with their limited—and predictable—choices in fiction who might find the book interesting. I had an agent, but unsurprisingly, the industry whose fiction hasn't interested me in years wasn't all that interested in mine either. So, I’ve decided to go the independent route. In time, I’ll be publishing other indie works in the Aristeas Press section.
I work in another field, but my personal interests are broad and it’s those that I will likely be exploring here. Although I am nonpartisan, I am generally interested in culture and politics, and specifically the issues of free speech and cancel culture which, as an author of dark eras, vexed cultures, and thorny subjects, I watch closely, particularly in publishing.
My intention for this newsletter is to delve into issues that interest me with the hope that at least some of it will interest others, while offering a place for civil conversation and good-faith debate. I will share my experiences with being a self-taught writer, the publishing industry, anthropology and archaeology, and more. I will also be serializing the first novel in my historical fiction trilogy for anyone who might be interested, and I welcome constructive commentary. Beyond that, I will write about whatever else inspires me, offer reading recommendations that could evolve into a kind of book club with enough interest, and occasionally comment on relevant news, although I have no specific format or schedule in mind.
I am an author, not an activist. Art shouldn’t be made to serve sociopolitical aims, and I reject the call for artists, including authors, to bend their words and works in service of any cause. I’m not willing to be a conscript in anyone else’s crusade. My work is my own. If you don’t like the stuff I write or how I write it, you’re not obligated to read it. There are ample alternatives—or write your own. If you have a different perspective, please share it! But please do so without denouncing those with whom you disagree or trying to deny their work the light of day. For those who do read and enjoy this content, thank you for your interest. This newsletter will remain free for the foreseeable future, though if one day you feel compelled to buy one of my books you will have my gratitude.
This is not my life, so I work on it when I can. My apologies for the erratic schedule.
If you enjoy this newsletter or find it useful, please share it with anyone else to whom it might be of interest. Thanks for reading!
In the meantime, tell your friends!