10 Years of Being an Indie Author

And a New Book Release Date!

10 years ago today, I released my first book, Bender at the Bon Parisien. It was only available as a Kindle e-book then. I’m gonna take a minute to celebrate what’s happened since.

In the past decade, I’ve released 3 more novels and a play (the latter of which just had it’s sold-out live-reading debut in December). I’ve given two TEDx talks, been featured in/on the likes of our local NPR affiliate, the Chicago Tribune, and many other small regional media outlets.

I’ve given books talks and made appearances at libraries, comic conventions, and notably, several presentations and readings at the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library. And to date, my books have been downloaded or sold in print over 5,600 times.

I am so grateful for all of it. But I’m most excited for what’s next.

On March 7, my new book, Chinatown Troubadour: A True Story will be available to order in print. It’s my first try at non-fiction, and I’m so so proud of it.

I’ve said it before: I think it’s healthy for any artist to believe the next project is their best project, but I truly mean it here. I think this is the best thing I’ve ever written.

Here’s the synopsis:

30 years ago, I met a street singer in Paris's Chinatown. While the chance encounter only lasted a few minutes, I never forgot him. Now as a writer and musician, I want to find and interview the man. But I don’t know his real name, where he lives now, or even if he’s still alive. I only have the cassette tape I bought in 1996. After two years and many twists, I find him. And I never expected what is waiting for me on the other side of that journey.

Three decades in the making, this is the story of a reunion between strangers.

I shared that with my paid subscribers last week. I’m still working through cover art with an awesome artist, but paid subscribers will see that first as well.

As for Bender at the Bon Parisien, I’m still proud of it 10 years later. Of course I’ve grown as a writer and creative thinker since then, but I’m pleased with it for what it was: my first try at doing something I really didn’t know how to do (write a novel).

But that’s how everything starts. By someone trying to so something they’ve never done before. So in that spirit, that’s how I’m going to celebrate today. I’m going to try something new. Not sure what yet.

How about you? What’s something you’ve never tried to do before? It doesn’t have to be big. But consider today as a good day to give it a whirl.

If you ask me, that’s an underrated experience.

Paid subscribers can scroll beyond the paywall to hear the latest episode of Live Readings, where I read this post (like a podcast or radio show), have more to share about this book release, and play a little music.