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WORLD-MART: What Readers Are Saying

1/31/2012

Reviews and feedback have been pouring in for World-Mart—and much to my relief, most have been enthusiastic. I wrote World-Mart in response to the death of Kurt Vonnegut Jr., determined to create not only a dystopia for modern times, but a payment of homage to the genre. Tucked throughout the work, you’ll find allusions to numerous greats of science fiction past, hints to a future world that could easily come to pass, and subtle references to the death of an important and meaningful literary era.

Given the times, I knew I was taking a huge chance with a corporate American dystopia, especially one that both pays homage to the great dystopias of recent past and raises present day issues, so I’m delighted that so many readers have been able to understand and appreciate my intentions for writing it. Here are some of the latest:

Goodreads:

“This book can stand with the Classics.” (5 stars) –Marilyn

“This book for me was enjoyable to read even if it didn't have a happy ending.” (4 stars) –Andrew F.

“This is a thought-provoking and quite frightening book.” (4.5 stars) –Kat

“Frighteningly wonderful. It freaked me the hell out and I hope that our society never becomes like it. Good job!” (5 stars) –Jesse

Amazon:

“Amazingly good a great view of the future bogged down in corporate redtape and micromanaged lifestyles. Great characters in a gloomy and realistic world.” (5 stars) –Mike

“A chilling vision of the future which is all too believable. The logical, if frightening, conclusion to corporatism, environmental destruction, and the 1% left unchecked. Ms. Lane's writing flows effortlessly, I read this straight through and could not put it down.” (5 stars) –Nick S.

“Would go nicely on a shelf with 1984 and Fahrenheit 451. I highly recommend this one.” (5 stars) –T. Zelazny

“A very good read. I thank the author tremendously and look forward to reading more from her.” (5 stars) –Andrea

World-Mart also recently placed in the top ten finishers in this year’s Predators and Editors Readers’ Poll. Here are the voter comments:

“Ms. Lane hit the nail on the head in terms of what a sci-fi book needs to be in today's literary world. Bravo!”

“Great Book!”

“It's the best book on the list. Mrs. Lane is so talented!”

“One of my favorite authors. I'm a fanatic for her writing.”

“World-Mart was an awesome book!”

“Loved this book. Dystopia at its finest!”

My thanks to all who have taken the time to read, review, and recommend World-Mart. For those who would like more information, or to check out more reviews, stop by Goodreads and Amazon.

Available in paperback and electronic formats:

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Book Review: WHISPERS FROM THE DARK by Bryan Hall

1/29/2012

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Bryan Hall’s Whispers from the Dark is an excellent collection that kept me coming back for more. With the exception of “Dirt Don’t Hurt,” which I found creepy but without substance, all of the stories in this collection are either very good or exceptional. The finest of them, which includes “Secrets Beneath,” “Valenchenko in the Dead City,” and “The Swim,” are of the same caliber as Stephen King at his best. These stories are masterfully written and will surely haunt me for some time. I highly recommend this collection and rate it an enthusiastic 4.75 stars.

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BREAKING BAD: Measuring Up Walter White

1/15/2012

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I first discovered AMC’s BREAKING BAD when the show was already around halfway through its second season. I happened upon the episode by chance, but I knew immediately when I saw it that AMC had something exceptional. The premise seems mundane enough: After finding that he has stage three lung cancer, a high school chemistry teacher begins cooking methamphetamines with the hope of leaving behind a nest-egg for his growing family. What is far from mundane is everything else about the show: the writing; the directing; the acting. Combined, BREAKING BAD is arguably the most brilliant television show I’ve seen.

AMC recently began showing the series from the beginning in anticipation of its upcoming season. While I have enjoyed viewing the episodes I missed and look forward to revisiting the ones I’ve already seen, watching tonight’s episode “Crazy Handful of Nothin’” was impossible to watch without feeling inspired to write about just how brilliant this show is.

At this point in the series, chemist/teacher/cancer victim Walter White has just begun chemotherapy and is lying to his family about where he’s getting the money to pay for his $1,500.00-a-pop treatments (his HMO won't cover them). He wants to do the right thing by his family, but this has already begun to leave a wake of destruction in all other facets of his life. This duality within his character is further demonstrated by his choice in pseudonym: Heisenberg.

Werner Heisenberg was a physicist who came up with the Uncertainty Principle, which basically states that one cannot accurately measure the position of a particle while also predicting that same particle’s path. This principle illustrates Walt’s character in profound ways. Like a particle identified in space, where his character is going—the certainty of his future and the direction his life is heading—is impossible to gauge. The Uncertainty Principle also covers the ambiguity of enigmas like light, which behave both like waves and particles. Walter is as if two men concurrently; he is the particle and the wave, the good family man and the ever-corrupting methamphetamine cook.

This duality is skillfully demonstrated in a scene in which his hair begins to fall out from the chemotherapy. He stands in front of the mirror, looking at the image staring back at him as he takes the shaver from the bathroom counter, contemplating. The camera cuts to a shot of a crystal jar on the counter with a clear sphere as its handle. For that quick moment, we see Walt’s reflection in that as well, upside-down because of the curve of the sphere. Because of that moment, we understand that Walt’s life has been turned upside-down. He leaves the bathroom bald and transformed.

What makes BREAKING BAD so exceptional is that every episode I’ve seen contains a similar level of layers, symbolism, and profound connections. It is like fine literature on a television screen, far from what one would expect from a storyline about a man who decides to become a methamphetamine cook … and that is most likely precisely the dichotomy AMC was looking to create.

Go to http://www.amctv.com/shows/breaking-bad for more information on this mind-blowing series.

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Book Review: SHINING IN CRIMSON by Robert S. Wilson

1/13/2012

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In this dark dystopian horror, the United States has become the Empire, a theocracy that offers no tolerance for any offense from crimes of morality to murder. Those found guilty are sent to Necropolis, the rotting remains of Las Vegas, to be devoured by its undead inhabitants. Hank, among the most recent group of convicts sent to die, is desperate to find his way out and to his son, Toby. Hank’s offense: following an ex-hooker-turned-undercover morality agent in a frantic attempt simply to talk to her, as she holds an uncanny resemblance to his deceased wife. In his scramble to survive the night, he falls into a scandal that sheds new light on Necropolis, its inhabitants, the Empire, and its very unholy leader.

This is one of the best horror stories I’ve read in some time. The mesh of religious symbolism and political commentary tucked neatly between pure horror and suspense is superb. The characters are intriguing, the pace nearly perfect, and the story practically flawless. There was a short lag in the middle of the book, and with that a couple of character motivations that left me puzzled. I couldn’t understand why the leader of the living vampires would choose exile over death for his adversary when there was no question the backlash would be dire, then go on to put full trust in those who would obviously turn on him at the first chance. The erotic scene between Hank and Rachel felt terribly out of place, given his intense suffering at the time. These issues are minor, however, compared to the brilliance of the rest of the story. I rate SHINING IN CRIMSON a very enthusiastic 4.5 stars. I highly recommend!

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Free at the Kindle Store January 13-17

1/12/2012

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It's my birthday weekend, and to celebrate, World-Mart and Myths of Gods will both be available absolutely free at Amazon's Kindle store January 13-17.

World-Mart is a modern, corporate dystopia that follows one family's struggle to hold together while the world around crumbles all around it. World-Mart recently received a 5-star review from the Kindle book review and also finished in the top 10 in this year's P&E Readers' Choice Poll.

Myths of Gods takes a critical look at religion through an infant God's eyes in a dramatic, dark, science fantasy satire spanning from the Big Bang to present day.

Get them while they're free--and don't forget to tell your friends!

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The Final Tallies Are In!

1/12/2012

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My thanks to all who took the time to read and vote for World-Mart for this year's Predators and Editors Readers' Choice Poll. Out of a whopping 93 entries, World-Mart finished in 8th place--not bad for an indy book! Here are the top ten winners of the sci-fi/fantasy category:

1. Zero Time, T.W. Fendley, L&L Dreamspell, [link][comments]

2. Exiled: Autumn's Peril, Rosalie Skinner, MuseItUp Publishing, [link][comments]

2. Bloodbreeders Living in Darkness, Robin Renee Ray, Hellfire Publishing, [link][comments]

3. Spectra, Joanne Elder, MuseItUp Publishing, [link][comments]

4. Champion of Valor, Nicole Zoltack, Desert Breeze Publishing, [link][comments]

5. Time Pullers, Horton Deakins, 4RV Publishing, [link][comments]

6. Rex Rising, Chrystalla, Thoma, [link][comments]

7. Blood Divided, Kevin James Breaux, Dark Quest Books, [comments]

8. World-Mart, Leigh M. Lane, Cerebral Books, [link][comments]

9. Lucca: Warriors for the Light, Karen Michelle Nutt, Rebecca J. Vickery Publishing, [link][comments]

10. Pandora's Box, Gracen Miller, Decadent Publishing, [link][comments]

View the full list of standings here.

Time to celebrate!

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Book Review: NAILED by David Fitzgerald

1/8/2012

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NAILED takes a serious look at the inconsistencies and problems with the Jesus myth, offering a rational take on it all while delving into the actual history behind current beliefs. This book is a must-read for skeptics and non-skeptics alike.

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Please Welcome Guest Author Jeffery M. Anderson!

1/5/2012

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It is my pleasure to introduce fellow dystopian author, Jeffery M. Anderson, who has some beautiful insights on the genre. Take it away, Jeffery!

The Dystopian Virtue

Various literary scholars and Websites, have identified several common elements that are distinct within classic dystopian literature. What distinguishes the dystopian tale, when examined, reveals the why of its importance as a literary form. The examination also gives insight into the why of the authors and their motives for writing such generally bleak stories.

Classic dystopian novels, such as 1984, A Brave New World and Farenheit 451, commonly involve a humanity overburdened by technology and dehumanized by its own fragility and helplessness that technology has brought on. It is often a humanity tightly controlled and oppressed by a government, corporation or other controlling power that has stepped in to fill the vacuum left by the populace’s inability or unwillingness to self govern behaviors and social structure. The governing power may have intentionally encouraged the powerlessness of the people and helped to create the dystopian society, or simply arose as a response to the decline of self governance. Regardless, the result is always nightmarish.

The “heroes” of the genre, perhaps better simply termed protagonists, are usually disaffected members of the defunct society, insiders who, for one reason or another, are not fully indoctrinated by the governing power and not susceptible to the soporific trance of the average citizen. They rebel against the dystopia and try to escape, or fight back against its oppression. Interestingly, in many cases, the protagonists are largely unsuccessful, falling prey to the power of the antagonistic governor. This leaves many dystopian novels with predominantly frightening and sorrowful endings, and leaves readers feeling as hopeless and powerless as the citizens of the novel.

The intentions of dystopian novels are pretty clear-cut. The whys of these stark warnings about society are deep seeded concerns of the writers as observers of their own times and cultures. Portraying a totalitarian end result to their concerns over apathy, censorship, over-governance and over-technologied people is a plausible and logical conclusion to these writers, observing the trends of the world.

It is a significant and important genre because it realizes fears that many people have about their modern world and can serve as a message of warning that the dystopia can be averted if people become more involved in the formation of their future. But is dystopian literature averting anything, or is it symptomatic of the dystopia becoming realized?

The popularity and frequency of the genre has increased over the last several decades. Literature and film both seem to show an increased fascination with the dystopia. There may be something to the idea that, somewhere in our collective human conscience, the dissatisfaction with the world is increasing, as is the fear of its general direction.

In my own dystopian novel, Ephemera, the world is not a clear-cut dystopia, yet. But, it is far more dystopian than its citizens realize and it edges closer to it every day. It is a dystopia and a totalitarian power that has slowly been emerging for sometime and is on the brink of taking total control of the people, as technology slowly puts them to sleep.

And that is the most likely way that this scenario would come about. Not with a major defining event, but in bits and pieces over time. As the old adage goes – with a whimper, not a bang. There are any multitude of trends one could point to as evidence that the slide toward dystopia has been long coming. It is a pessimistic and perhaps, hyperbolic view of modern history. Still, observant watchers of history cannot deny that the presence and power of media, technology and governing bodies over the daily lives of people has been steadily increasing, if in seemingly innocuous, or even beneficial ways. As to now, society has not hit a stopping point, drawn a line in the sands of tolerance that it will not allow any of these influences to cross. That, in itself, may be of most concern to writers and readers of dystopian literature.

Jeffery M. Anderson is the author of the breakthrough novel, Ephemera. He is the former senior publicity director for the firm FSB Associates and a graduate of the University of Iowa. He writes and blogs from his home in New Jersey. www.theephemera.com

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Predators and Editors Reader's Choice Poll

1/4/2012

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If you have not yet cast your science fiction/fantasy vote for P&E, my dystopia WORLD-MART could use your vote. Let me know if you need a copy in time to decide before the polls close on the 10th and I'll set you up.

I do not want any cheat votes; I want to win this on my book's actual merit.

Already read WORLD-MART and think it deserves your vote? Stop by the voting page and show your support. Thanks!

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