Book Review

[kaasirpent]

Today is the release of the first print edition of Matthew Wayne Selznick's novel Brave Men Run. He is asking that people buy it from Amazon today to drive the rank up to give notice to the "traditional" press that alternative media are a force to be reckoned with.

His book is available for free as a podcast at PodioBooks, and it's also available in several formats of e-Book. The book was widely acclaimed when released as a podcast, and recently got noticed by a dead-tree publisher. He—and his fans—would like to show the publishing business that it was a good decision.

But why should you listen to me? Let me give you a quick run-down of what the book is about, and you can decide.

The book is set in an alternate 1985. Nate Charters is a fifteen-year-old high-school student who doesn't just feel different (because we all did), he actually is different. Stronger. Faster. With heightened senses. Eats like a horse and never gains weight. His eyes are larger than normal and tend to glow a bit. But in order to "fit in," Nate doesn't reveal all of his differences. The ones he can't hide make him the target of every bully in school. Even one who used to be his best friend. He doesn't fight back because he knows that he could beat them into a bloody pulp if he lets loose, but he's all too aware that this would reveal too many other secrets about him. So he tries to lie low.

He has no idea why he's so different. His mother may know something, but she's not talking. According to her, his father died in an explosion at work when he was a baby. He has a circle of close friends who know some of his differences, but aren't intimidated by them.

Then he meets this girl. She's older and seems to really like Nate in spite of—or perhaps because of—his differences. Life seems to be getting better.

Then, it happens. On television, some guy Nate's never heard of named Dr. William Donner comes on television and reveals his amazing powers live, to the world. He declares that he is a Sovereign—a superhuman. They exist. And they demand autonomy from the U.S. Government...or else. He gives a very convincing demonstration.

Suddenly, Nate realizes what he is. It has to be, right? It doesn't take long for his friends...and the school...and the authorities...to realize it, too. Nate doesn't know what to do. An ally he didn't know he had appears, and there's a mysterious figure that seems to be following Nate around.

Not knowing who he can trust, and having had all his assumptions turned upside down, he goes on the run. With his girlfriend, who fiercely stands by him even when everyone else seems to be against him.

Think of it as a coming-of-age superhero novel. :) It would be good for teens, as well. It has some adult themes, but teens can handle that. Most of them are adult-themed, anyway. :)

So...go. To Amazon. Buy it. Or download it from Podiobooks or get one of the many e-book formats. At least take a look. And if you buy it today, it'll help raise the rank as thousands of people all buy it at once.

Here's the website for the book: Brave Men Run

You can get pretty much everything over there. A sample chapter, the soundtrack, wallpapers, the podcast version, the e-book (on a "pay what it's worth to you" plan).

And if you really want to, Matt is spending all day on a live video feed reading short stories written by other podcast authors, but set in his Sovereign Era universe. And chatting with people in his forum, and announcing the rank every hour or so.

So...go! I've done all I can except force you to submit to my with the awesome power of my own telekinesis.

Not...that I have telekinesis. I mean...it's just a book.

Comments

[dorsai.livejournal.com]

OK, sounds like a reasonably decent premise for a book. I just don't get why we're supposed to be helping him rage against the traditional print machine or whatever. I'm guessing he went with a non-traditional publisher because he couldn't get a major publisher to bite...and given the not-very-outlandish nature of the story, my first thought is that he isn't being held down by The Man, but that he's just a crappy writer.

But if he's not a crappy writer, what's the deal here?

[kaasirpent]

I'm not sure he even tried to get it published via the traditional route. He's not trying to "rage against the traditional print machine" at all. He's trying to show the traditional print machine that non-traditional publishing has a voice and that they shouldn't be afraid to publish works that have already been released in podcast form. They get that "But if it's available for free, why would anyone buy it?" look. On top of that, though, it's about marketing. The marketing budget for publishers goes for their "big name" authors. The little guys get little to nothing. So...it's up to the authors to do a lot of it themselves. That's where podcasting comes in. :)

Also, he's not a crappy writer. I happen to think he's good.

On top of that, just because people don't get published doesn't mean they don't write well. Getting published the traditional way appears to be as much luck as skill. You have to find an agent who is willing to take a chance on you and who likes the work enough to push it to a publisher. And the publisher has to be able to see the potential sales or they won't bite. And when you're writing in a genre like this...well, I imagine if I were a publisher and I saw it, I'd think, "Teenage superhero coming-of-age? I...don't know...."

But this publisher is actually launching their new imprint with three superhero novels. Apparently, the numbers started looking impressive.

[siercia]

Yeah, publishing is a cut throat world - like so many others it's about who you know, or how lucky you get - not how good you are - and that's just finding an agent, never mind getting someone to actually publish your stuff.

[siercia]

I've done all I can except force you to submit to my with the awesome power of my own telekinesis.

Well, you could buy copies and send them to people =)

It's already sold out on Amazon, so that's a good start, I'd say.

Also, you and Zen using nearly the same icon is totally messing me up. Stop that!

[kaasirpent]

Yes! The book's in the top 100 last I checked, and it was #3 or so on the "Action Adventure" genre list. I'd say that's pretty good.

By the time I ordered mine just before I made this post, it was already sold out. That means the guys at Swarm Press will have to do a second printing to cover the orders. That not only helps Selznick, it helps small publishers. :)

[kaasirpent]

Find me another one that says "pimpin'" to you, but doesn't have a person in it. I told Brain the same thing when he made the same complaint. I've looked and looked. :)

I'd make one of a snake wearing a pimp hat if I had the ability to do so, but I don't have that gene expressed. :)

[siercia]

Maybe if I'm bored someday soon, I'll get working with some photoshop =)