The Serious Tip

Book Signing at Tiger Dust on 6/5/2026

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 21:02:27 +0000

I am taking author Joshua Ginsberg's usual spot at Tiger Dust this Friday. I will have an assortment of creative reads and copies of the Beast Mode DVD!

Review of Joel D Wynkoop's Beast Mode by Septum Sin

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Mon, 25 May 2026 05:07:28 +0000

Check out this review of Joel D Wynkoop's Beast Mode by youtube movie reviewer Septum Sin. Septum Sin has seen other Joel movies and is a fan of independent cinema. This is a good review that gives a overview of the plot and production of the movie.

If you want a copy of Beast Mode, either contact me or find Joel Wynkoop on Facebook and send him a DM.

Early review of Joel Wynkoop's Beast Mode by horror director Phil Herman

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Tue, 19 May 2026 03:57:32 +0000

Joel D. Wynkoop’s new movie Beast Mode was shown for the first time a few weeks ago at the Tampa Bay Screams horror festival in Clearwater, Florida. As I might have mentioned a few dozen times, I am in the movie as newscaster Jordi Scrubbings. I want it to be a cult classic, viewed by thousands in indie theaters everywhere. But to get there, it has to be good. And so far, according to reviews, it is.

Here is a great review indie horror director Phil Herman posted on imdb.com. Parts about me are italicized by me. Perhaps acting can be another creative arrow in my quill. Even if this is my only role ever, Jordi Scrubbings will live forever in cinema, and that makes me happy.

Currently, Beast Mode is only available by contacting Joel Wynkoop. I hope to have DVD and Blu-Ray copies soon and hopefully it will be on a streaming platform in the near future. I will be sure to let everyone know.

Joel D. Wynkoop returns with another wild, energetic ride in Beast Mode!

Joel D. Wynkoop returns with another wild, energetic ride in Beast Mode a Low budget horror comedy that proudly embraces everything fans have come to expect from his filmmaking style: outrageous fun, over the top characters, practical effects, humor, heart, and pure independent movie passion.

Written, directed by, and starring Joel D. Wynkoop himself, Beast Mode tells the story of Mark Butters, an ordinary man with dreams of becoming a superhero. But instead of turning into the savior he imagines, fate has other plans when he accidentally transforms into something monstrous. From there, the film launches into a chaotic blend of horror, comedy, and creature feature madness that never takes itself too seriously and honestly works better because of it.

The Jordi Scrubbings Show opens the movie with a hilarious talk show host performance by Michael Lortz that perfectly sets the tone for the insanity that’s coming. It immediately throws you into the bizarre world of Beast Mode while introducing us to Mark Butters, played by Joel D. Wynkoop.

Busty Barbara and Happy Mary are absolutely hysterical in the opening sequence as they’re chased by a werewolf and handle the situation exactly how you’d expect in this kind of over-the-top universe. Their performances are genuinely funny and help introduce our humble but troubled hero, Mark Butters.

Mark is a character who mixes fantasy with reality, costing him both his job and his marriage. Beneath all the outrageous comedy and creature chaos, there’s actually something sad about him. As the film progresses, the innocent and humble Mark slowly festers on the edge, and by the end I honestly found myself feeling bad for him.

A special appearance by Bob Glazier as Mark’s grandfather is surprisingly heartwarming and leads into a montage that helps explain why Mark becomes what he does not the superhero of his dreams, but a monster instead. It adds an unexpected emotional layer to the madness.

What makes Beast Mode enjoyable is that it knows exactly what kind of movie it wants to be. This isn’t polished Hollywood horror it’s unapologetically independent filmmaking driven by creativity and personality. Joel D. Wynkoop has always made films for people who appreciate grassroots cinema, cult horror, and filmmakers who simply love making movies. That passion shows in every scene.

The practical monster effects and makeup have a gritty charm that old school horror fans will appreciate, and the movie keeps a fast pace with plenty of bizarre moments, laughs, and entertaining performances. There’s a fun “anything can happen” energy throughout the film that keeps it engaging.

The supporting cast also adds to the fun. Horror legend Lloyd Kaufman brings his trademark cult-film presence, while scream queen Debbie Rochon delivers exactly the kind of genre performance fans will enjoy. Anthony Wayne, M Catherine Wynkoop, Sean Donohue, Dustin Hubbard, Jose Dieguez, and Jim Tanner all help create the movie’s fun ensemble atmosphere.

One of the biggest strengths of Beast Mode is its personality. It feels handmade in the best possible way like a group of friends got together to create something entertaining for horror fans rather than chasing trends or studio formulas. That sincerity gives the film charm and makes it easy to root for.

Fans of underground horror, Troma style comedy, creature features, and classic shot on video cult cinema will likely have a blast with this one. It’s the type of movie best enjoyed with fellow horror fans who appreciate practical effects, outrageous situations, and filmmakers who wear their love for cinema on their sleeve.

And definitely stay through the end credits there’s a fun final scene that makes it worth it.

In closing, we seriously need a weekly Jordi Scrubbings Show. I loved every one of his segments.

Beast Mode isn’t trying to reinvent horror it’s trying to entertain, and it succeeds through enthusiasm, creativity, humor, heart, and pure indie spirit.

Book Signing May 16th, 2026 Citrus and Sage Bookshop, Brooksville, FL

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Thu, 14 May 2026 03:21:31 +0000

I will be at the Citrus and Sage Bookshop this Saturday from 10am to 3pm selling and signing Curveball at the Crossroads!

Should be a great time! Come by, pick up a book, get a cup of coffee or tea, and support local bookstores and support local authors!

The Counterculture will not be in your algorithm

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 04:47:00 +0000

I had an interesting conversation with a Gen Z person the other day. She confirmed what I have been reading for a while now – that younger people are starting to rediscover physical media and no longer relying on streaming services as much. For years, we have seen vinyl record sales growing, but that was always a niche. Physical books made a comeback in the last decade or so, thanks in part to Booktok. E-books, Kindles, etc are still a tool for travelers or minimalists, but I think most avid readers want a book in hand.

If it was only vinyl collectors and book lovers, the physical renaissance would be niche. But there is an underground of people, from Gen X nostalgists to curious Gen Zers, who are embracing DVDs, CD, tapes, records, books, and all other form of physical media. Not only that, but they are also embracing radio as well as in-person experiences. Perhaps it is the rejection of our algorithmic overlords or perhaps it is an embrace of what we lost during COVID, but I am seeing more younger people interested in the mediums and technology of previous generations.

An interesting Substack article dropped into my feed the other day. Written by Michelle Lhooq, a psychedelics and rave journalist, the article is about a rave in Los Angeles and how rave culture provides not only an escape, but a way of life, a continuation of the Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out mindset of the 1960s. I read a lot a Timothy Leary, Ken Kesey, and Aldous Huxley in the late 90s and the late 60s always fascinated me. Lhooq carries these philosophies through rave culture, which has always had the trippy drug elements. The rave can be both escape and lifestyle, depending on how integrated one makes it.

The fact that I found this article in my email brings me back to my conversation with the Gen Zer. When we were talking about counterculture, we agreed that to be counterculture now means to be offline. I mentioned that if you Google “counterculture”, you find pictures of hippies and the 1960s. You don’t find pictures of people who are offline. It is logically impossible.

That is the true modern counterculture. It is not in your algorithm. It is not televised. It is not Google-able. It might not even be on the Dark Web.

(Is anyone still on the Dark Web besides hackers and blackmarket dealers? That’s a post for another day.)

I am not talking luddites either. I know people who don’t want to be on social media for privacy reasons or they believe the government is using it all to collect our data or turn us into mindless capitalist zombies mired in mediocre media slop.

In a way, that last part is true. In another recent article, music culture and historian Ted Gioia wrote that popular art really hasn’t progressed since the 1990s. Mega media platforms have flooded us with unoriginal, recycled slop, whether they be rehashed movies or straight up AI-produced garbage. By only greenlighting crap, only crap gets produced, consumers get used to the crap, and art gets numb. Add in the need to monetize everything, and risky art is not part of the business plan.

In his next article, Gioia writes about how through recycling, creativity is hurting. There are no new movements. No excitement. No experimentation.

He closes with the following:

“This limp, empty approach to culture is a dead-end. People will soon demand something more from the creative economy—something riskier, something more inspiring, something more disruptive. Above all, they will insist on something more human.

Or maybe they will even seek out something more timeless on a larger scale. This would be a kind of art-making that contributes to human flourishing and a deeper understanding of who we are and what we can do.

They are unlikely to get it from the large entertainment platforms. And I’m even more certain that they won’t get it from an AI chatbot. But sooner or later, people will find it somewhere.

I know that because I can feel the hunger for it everywhere. You tell me this in your comments and emails. I feel it myself.”

But ….

Let’s pick up the pieces we’ve scattered through this article. What if Ted Gioia isn’t talking to Gen Z folks who clamor for more than what they have been fed by their algorithms? Unfortunately, they don’t know where to look. In my conversation with the Gen Zer, I told her about local bookstores and local radio stations, places that I go for new media. But as a Gen Xer, I have to be careful. A conversation can’t be a lecture. I can’t rant about “back in my day …”. I have to leave a few breadcrumbs, a few links, a few addresses, or a few Reese’s Pieces and let the younger generation discover their own way and embrace their own creativeness. They might create something totally new and fresh.

Maybe they already have.

What if the creative economy is alive, but it lives underground? Some might say the underground has always been creative. That’s definitely true. But what if the counterculture is not weak, but strong and vibrant. But you, I, and Ted Gioia don’t know where to find it because we have been trained for so long to look online for our answers. Looking on the internet for answers has become instinct. Again, can something exist if it isn’t online?

We might be going back to a time of flyers and zines and handouts and word-of-mouth events. We might see flyers for cultural events with the caveats “don’t post this” and “no phones”. Maybe we even go back to a world where people exchange offline media to build buzz for an event or a band or writer or a performer. Once it goes online, even in an article, the mystery will be gone.

That is true counterculture. And it won’t be in your algorithm.

Things were never sweet in Tarpon Springs

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 03:54:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, I was mindlessly swiping through tiktok when I saw a video by a young creator detailing how difficult life is in Tarpon Springs, FL. But the video was seeped in irony as he was by the beautiful sponge docks in the small historic fishing town. The video was absolutely hilarious and had hundreds and thousands of views.

Being that I have an upcoming book festival appearance in Tarpon Springs (Saturday 4/25, 10am to 4pm), I wanted to know what was up. What was this video referencing? It took me a few additional minutes to find that famous video gamer Jynxzi had recently gone on a rant about growing up in Tarpon Springs. When Jynxzi tried to bring up pictures of his tough side of town, all he found was images of the tourist areas. Whether or not he set himself up is unknown, but he rolled with it well. It is definitely a huge self-own.

After a few tiktokers posted the clip, others ran with the audio and the theme to hilarious results. The videos got so big that Tarpon Springs now has its own mention on KnowYourMeme. That’s how you know you’ve made it.

Being the entrepreneuring and resourceful creator that I am, and never one to pass an easy opportunity, I used Jynxzi’s new trend to promote my upcoming appearance at the Tarpon Springs Book Festival. I drove up to Tarpon Springs and made my own tough video where I sat on a curb and talked about slanging products on the streets - the products of course being my books.

This tiktok and another I made about the trend are my most popular tiktoks, far eclipsing any of my previous videos. I’m by far the oldest person making videos about Tarpon being tough, but no one seems to care. I was a little worried about jumping on a trend done mostly by ironic kids, but the likes and positive comments say otherwise. One commentor actually said “that is how you advertise!”. I won’t do anymore, but showing that I get it, running with it, and adding something new to the discourse allowed me to fit in.

You gotta be a real sponge, because ain’t nothing sweet in Tarpon Springs.

Not so serious movie reviews - Zombies, Kung-fu, and a Giant Poop Monster

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:29:00 +0000

Wrapping up my latest cinematic adventures. If you want to read all my movie reviews, check out my profile on letterboxd.

Redneck Zombies (1987)

One of my favorite movies ever. I saw it 30 years ago and it stayed with me like herpes. The need to watch it again flared up and I embraced it with all its glory. It’s gross, it’s bloody, it’s cheap, it’s fun. Everything video herpes should be.

Grade: 5 moonshine still stars out of 5. They don’t get much better than this.

Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies (2014)

I’ve seen Strippers vs Zombies, Zombies vs Strippers, Abraham Lincoln vs Zombies, Kung Fu vs Zombies, and Ninjas vs Zombies. All better than this.

If WWF legend Rowdy Roddy Piper is carrying your movie, that’s not saying much. I like Roddy Piper. But he should be a fun side character. Not your main event.

So many plot holes, missed spots, botches, and stiff acting. I like low budget movies. I like Troma Films. I like zombie flicks. I like wrestling. I loved The Unbreakable Bunch. This was not good.

Grade: 2 botched zombie slams out of 5

Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976)

You don’t watch kung fu for the plot. You watch for the fight scenes. And this is one of the best. Also the basis of a lot of video game characters from Mortal Kombat to Street Fighter. Definitely a movie to lose your head for.

Grade: 5 flying stars out of 5

Monsturd (2003)

From the bowels of Geoffery Chaucer’s The Miller’s Tale and Shakepeare’s bawdy toilet humor comes 2003’s epic horror comedy Monsturd. It’s lewd, it’s crude, it’s sophomoric and amateur. But therein lies the beauty of Monsturd.

A prisoner escapes, gets mixed with toxic waste, and becomes a killer shitmonster. This is the kind of story we will be telling for generations to come. It is relatable on every level because everyone poops.

500 years from now our great-great-great-great-great-great grandchildren will appreciate Monsturd, just as today we appreciate Chaucer’s lewd humor of the 16th century.

Grade: 4 peanut poops out of 5

CHAOS IN THE CORNER - NEW NOVEL COVER REVEAL

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 00:20:00 +0000

Here it is! As we get closer to release of my new novel, Chaos in the Corner, I wanted to drop the cover art.

I am really excited about this cover. The art is done by Dell Barras, artist for Marvel, DC, and other comic companies. Color was done by BrokenOptics, definitely check him out. He has done art for a lot of pro wrestlers and entertainers. I recommend both of these guys. Working with them was great.

They gave a very unique look to my novel. I think the comic book vibe will attract more wrestling fans who might be regular book readers or book store visitors.

I also made a promo video for the cover. Check it out.

An Author’s Guide to Tampa Bay Bookstores (Updated March 2026)

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 06:27:00 +0000

In the last 15 years or so, the amount of independent bookstores in Tampa Bay has grown.

I have met most of the bookstore owners in Tampa Bay in an attempt to get my books on their shelves. Most of them carry my novel, Curveball at the Crossroads. Some bookstores do consignment, some order from Ingram Spark, and some buy directly from me. Some don’t carry my books at all. And a few I have yet to meet.

To date, there are 24 bookstores in Tampa Bay from Brooksville to Sarasota.

This list is broken down into how the bookstores acquire my books. There is no preferential order. I have a great relationship with every bookstore I work with. I hope this list comes in handy for other authors (as well as readers!) in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. This is my experience. Yours might be different.

— Order from Ingram Spark —

Oxford Exchange Book Store (Tampa)

Point of contact: Laura Taylor, Bookstore & Programming Director

Best way to contact: visit and email — Laura(@)oxfordexchange.com

The Oxford Exchange is in downtown Tampa. The bookstore only orders from Ingram Spark and does not do consignment. Hence, they are looking for books that are known or authors that will move product. I was part of the Oxford Exchange Book Fair in 2022 and 2023 and did well. Then I approached their front counter and asked how they would carry my novel on their shelves. I emailed Laura Taylor and asked how my book can be on their shelves. Laura ordered two copies. During my next visit, I signed the books and made social media content letting my followers know the book was available at the Oxford Exchange Book Store.

Tombolo Books (St Pete)

Point of Contact: Alsace — owner

Best way to contact: visit and email — authors(@)tombolobooks.com

Tombolo Books is one of the most high profile bookstores in the Tampa Bay area. If New York Times Bestselling authors are going to visit, they are going to go to Tombolo. While the folks at Tombolo are nice, they are busy. Getting your book approved for their shelves takes time. That said, once I was listed on Ingram Spark, I immediately filled out their local author form.

At the time, the local author form required Ingram Spark, reviews from other local authors, and an active social media presence. They now do consignment as well. Whatever the requirement, it is Tombolo, they are busy, and people buy plenty of books there.

BookendsYbor (Tampa)

Point of Contact: Teresa — owner

Best way to contact: visit and email — read(@)bookendsybor.com

BookendsYbor does not have a brick-and-mortar storefront yet (as of March 2026). But they are working on it. They do however have a bookmobile they bring to local pubs and breweries as well as the Ybor Saturday Market.

I found BookendsYbor via Bookshop.org. I followed them on social media, dropped them an email, told them how much I am looking forward to their opening, and mentioned my book. They said they would look into ordering it from Ingram. Within two weeks, they had copies in hand. I then visited their next bookmobile event, chatted with a few customers, and their copies of Curveball at the Crossroads were sold. I have seen them several times since and they carry my novel often.

Bookstore1 (Sarasota)

Point of contact: Byrn — Director of Programming

Best way to contact: email — bryn(@)sarasotabooks.com

Bookstore1 is located in downtown Sarasota. I was part of the Bookstore1 Book Fair in 2023 and 2024. In preparation for their event, Bookstore1 orders five books per author every book fair via Ingram Spark. If authors don’t sell all five, the store will carry the book on their shelves until they sell. Bryn and the team are great and very nice. They do a great job of promoting the book fair and the authors. Bookstore1 is an hour away for me, so it is a little difficult to visit regularly. However, they host author events and book club readings regularly.

The Gilded Page (Tarpon Springs)

Point of contact: Julia — owner

Best way to contact: visit and email — thegildedpagebookstore(@)gmail.com

The Gilded Page is in Tarpon Springs. I visited The Gilded Page first, and while there, I discussed how they carried an author I am friends with. Then I mentioned my book and how it might be a fit on their fiction shelf. Julia agreed and ordered a copy of Curveball at the Crossroads.

The Gilded Page both orders local books on Ingram if possible or they do consignment. If doing consignment, they ask for up to five books from the author. If they order on Ingram, they order one at a time. I prefer the upfront revenue of Ingram so I opted for that.

Additionally, The Gilded Page hosts the Tarpon Book Fair in April. Highly recommended for authors to be a part of. I crushed it there. The Gilded Page also hosts author signings on the first Friday evening of every month. That is a great opportunity to meet readers and sell books.

Book & Bottle (St Pete)

Point of contact: unknown

Best way to contact: visit or website

Book & Bottle is a bookstore/coffee shop/wine store in downtown St Petersburg. They have a small selection of books on one wall of their store. Nice people and great ambiance. They are preferential to new books. They do carry local authors, but it is kinda tough due to their limited selection. If your book fits, they will order it from Ingram.

Portkey Books (Safety Harbor)

Point of contact: Crystel — owner

Best way to contact: Visit

Portkey Books is a small bookstore in Safety Harbor, Florida and the most recent store to carry my debut novel. As a small store, they are very selective in the books they carry. To echo my pro tip above, you have to be on Ingram and a return policy is recommended.

Portkey Books asks that local authors donate their first book to the store as an act of good faith. After that book sells, they will continue to order the book from Ingram as long as they sell. As my publisher cost is $6, that’s worth it to me.

Back in the Day Books (Dunedin)

Point of contact: Boe Rushing — owner

Best way to contact: email: backinthedaybooks(@)yahoo.com

Back in the Day Books is particular on which local and independent books they carry. You have to fit their store and show that you can move books. After a face-to-face talk with the owner, I convinced him that my book would fit his store and I am now in his fiction section.

Due to the size of his store, he doesn’t do signings, but you can do signings at Skip’s Pub at the end of the plaza. I should do another post on the places I have done book signings.

— Consignment —

Wilson’s Book World (St Pete)

Point of contact: Michelle — owner

Best way to contact: visit

Wilson’s Book World is a family owned and operated, used and antiquarian bookshop in St. Pete. They have a steady and loyal clientele and are very personable. They don’t carry new books, but they do carry local authors on consignment. They accept three books per author and they put a copy of the book in the front of the aisle for a month before putting all the copies in their associated section. Their percentage return on consignment is the best in the area (80/20), although they don’t provide the money for the books until all the books are sold.

I have sold several copies at Wilsons. Always have your books in your car when you visit, because they might have sold them and need to restock.

Mojo Books and Records (Tampa)

Point of contact: Melanie — owner

Best way to contact: visit and email — mojotampa(@)comcast.net

Mojo Books and Records is a combination music and book store. They have been around for a long time and have a strong underground following. They mostly carry used books and cater to the University of South Florida market. They do consignment for local authors and will carry two books at a time.

I like Mojo Books and Records a lot. They are nice folks and very responsive, but although their store is divided 50/50 between books and music, their focus isn’t books. If they can do more for books, and especially local authors, they could become a powerful ally.

The Paperback Exchange (Port Richey)

Point of contact: Joanie — owner

Best way to contact: visit or Instagram

The Paperback Exchange is a classic used bookstore in Port Richey, Florida. Like Wilson’s in St Pete, they mostly carry used books. They also carry a wide selection of new books by local authors. I was surprised how many local authors they carry and honestly, how few I recognized. They do consignment and give 50% on each sale. I left two books there but some authors have left more.

The Paperback Exchange has rows and rows of used books. If your book is there, create videos, take pictures, and post about the store on social media. They are great folks and they are doing a great service by carrying your book, but you have to create the demand.

The Book Rescuers (Largo)

Point of contact: George — owner

Best way to contact: visit or email / phone: thebookrescuers(@)gmail.com / (727) 222–0495

The Book Rescuers is a giant used book warehouse in Pinellas Park. Since they moved to their current location a few years ago, they have been very friendly with local authors. They recently created a huge island in the store for local authors.

They typically take three books at a time from local authors and give a considerable consignment, only keeping $3 from every sale. For me, that’s $15 in my pocket each sale. They pay via Zell, so make sure you have that set up before visiting.

The Book Lounge (St. Pete)

Point of contact: Natalya and Pamela at (727) 545–0245 and info (@) thebooklounge .com

Best way to contact: Visit and email

The Book Lounge opened in November 2025. They primarily cater to romance/romantasy/fantasy, and women readers, but are open to everything. They offer a 60/40 split with authors and ensure authors sign a contract with the store. They ask for up to 6 copies of the book for 90 days, which is different from other stores in both quantity and time. They do a “date with a book” mystery wrapping offers with books that don’t move off their shelves quickly.

This Bookstore Kills Fascists (Mobile)

Point of contact: Tiffany — owner

Best way to contact: visit or Facebook

This Bookstore Kills Fascists is a niche pop-up/mobile bookstore run by Tiffany Razzano. Tiffany sets up at street markets and festivals all around Tampa Bay from Sarasota to St Pete to Tampa and anywhere else that will have her. Her selection is very focused on bring attention to marginalized or minority voices. She is an outspoken advocate for freedom of speech and a proponent of provocative media.

This Bookstore Kills Fascists sells both new and used books that fit her niche. Tiffany does consignment for local authors giving 50% on sales. She carries my book The Man Makes You Work among her wares.

— Purchase from author —

Tiger Dust (Tampa)

Point of contact: Jason and Laura — owners

Best way to contact: visit or Instagram DM

Tiger Dust is not a traditional bookstore. They are an oddities and novelty store in the Seminole Heights area of Tampa. They feature a small room of occult, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and hard-to-find books. My book about someone who makes a deal with the Devil fits their selection of books. They bought three books from me at a 33% discount.

If your novel fits their store, Tiger Dust is recommended.

Citrus and Sage Bookshop (Brooksville)

Point of contact: Andrea — owner

Best way to contact: visit, email ( citrusandsagebookshop (@) gmail), phone (352–741–8870)

Citrus and Sage is one of the newest bookstores in Tampa Bay, if you count Brooksville as Tampa Bay. Located an hour and a half north of Tampa, Citrus and Sage is super cute, quaint, and charming. They are also really nice and receptive to independent, self-published authors.

This is another case of doing the work. I drove from Tampa and met Andrea and her team. We talked, I bought a book, and they bought two of my books from me for 33% off. They make $6, I make $12. They were very optimistic about my book, saying it was good fit. I also made a social media video from the store to tell my followers where to find it.

— Stores that do not (yet) carry my books —

Black English Bookstore (Tampa)

Point of contact: unknown

Best way to contact: Unknown

Black English opened in December 2023. I haven’t checked on them since their founder, Tampa City Councilwoman Gwen Henderson, passed away. They are predominantly focused on African-American authors and books on the African-American experience. They are a small store and are very welcoming but I have not yet discussed my novel with them. If your book is a fit, I encourage you to reach out to them.

Novel in the Neighborhood (New Port Richey, FL)

Point of contact: Tiffany Butts — owner

Best way to contact: novelintheneighborhood@gmail.com

Novel in the Neighborhood just opened in March 2026. They are a small independent store in a strip mall off Old Country Road 54. They have a small space for local authors currently, but hopefully that increases as they get more established. They order from Ingram if your book fits their store.

Novel in the Neighborhood also allows local authors to do book signings. To date, they are scheduled until fall 2026.

Inchstone Books (New Port Richey, FL)

Point of contact: unknown

Best way to contact: unknown

Inchstone Books is scheduled to open in April 2026.

Pages and Perks (St. Petersburg)

Point of contact: unknown

Best way to contact: unknown

Pages and Perks is currently a mobile bookstore settling into a physical home soon.

The Wandering Shelf (Tampa)

Point of contact: Sandra & Suzanne

Best way to contact: Instagram

The Wandering Shelf is a mobile bookstore in Tampa. I met them at a brewery in the end of 2025. I gave them a copy of my novel. I am not sure if they ordered one or more.

Steamy Lit Romance Bookstore (Tampa)

Point of contact: Unknown at (813) 724–1002

Best way to contact: visit

Steamy Lit Romance Bookstore is a new bookstore in South Tampa. They are tiny and niche, catering mostly to romance, fantasy, and fiction. I visited to say hello. My book is not in their market, but we had a good conversation and they are very nice. If your book is a fit, definitely check them out.

Haslem’s Bookstore (St Pete)

Point of contact: Unknown

Best way to contact: Unknown

I am listing Haslem’s out of respect for one of the area’s oldest local bookstores. Unfortunately, they closed during the pandemic and have not been open since. If I had to guess, my book will never be in the store and the property will turn into condos.

Barnes & Noble (various locations)

Point of contact: Unknown

Best way to contact: email — crm3429(@)bn.com

Barnes & Noble is obviously not an independent bookstore. They are however the biggest box bookstore chain in Tampa Bay. That said, they don’t carry self-published authors. As a chain, they don’t do consignment. They also don’t order print-on-demand, which includes Ingram Spark.

I hope this helps other authors in Tampa Bay area and beyond. Self-publishing is a hustle and is a lot of work. You are not only an author, but a marketer, an event planner, and a salesperson. But the more places you place your book, the more chances it has to be bought. It is a numbers game, but by working with local bookstores, you increase your chances of success.

Good luck!

Clip of Joel D Wynkoop's Beast Mode featuring Jordi Scrubbings

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 20:49:00 +0000

Joel D Wynkoop's new movie Beast Mode is coming soon and I am in it. I play a daily news host named Jordi Scrubbings who reports on the brutal murders happening in Sunnyville, FL.

Not so Serious Movie Review: Invasion USA (1985)

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 06:02:00 +0000

Should be called Chuck Norris: Christmas Vacation.

Chuck Norris goes to Florida, wrestles an alligator, drinks some beers, and stops a terrorist army from destroying America. Based on a real Tuesday in the life of Chuck Norris.

RIP to the legend.

Book Signing - March 22nd, 2026 at Skip's Bar and Grill in Dunedin

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:13:27 +0000

I am very excited to announce my first book signing in Dunedin, Florida. I like doing book signings of my baseball novel in conjunction with Spring Training, running from February to March. While I have done signings in Tampa, Clearwater, and Bradenton, I have not yet done Dunedin. But dun-dun-dun, Dunedin is now on the schedule!

I will be at Skip’s Bar, 371 Main St Dunedin, FL 34698 from noon to 5pm this Sunday. Skip’s is only 0.6 miles from TD Ballpark, spring home of the Toronto Blue Jays. Dunedin gets crowded and its a fun area to be in, especially on baseball days. I hope to see everyone there!

The Indie Dilemma

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:51:00 +0000

When I set out to release Curveball at the Crossroads to the masses way back in 2013, when the book was 95% finished, I originally looked for a publisher. From 2013 to 2015, I emailed several dozen agents and publishers. I received a few rejection letters and a lot of ghosting.

After re-writing the ending and adding additional scenes to the novel in 2020, I perused publishing again. The less said about Gabriel Vaughn and Legacy Book Publishing the better. Not a good experience.

That led me to self-publishing. Following a few years of my own hustle, I learned I am referred to as an “Indie Author” and that this is a badge to be worn proudly. I am proud of my work regardless, but people say I should be proud to be an indie author, so here I am. I own all my own rights, negotiate all my own deals, and make all my own profit. Income is split between me and my distributor, be it Ingram or Amazon.

There are downsides to being an indie author. All of the marketing, hustle, and promotion is on me. Spreading the word is tough. Social media has not been a magic panacea as it is for other authors. I have less than 1,000 followers on tiktok and Instagram and less than 2,000 on twitter. I get it. My book is not in a tik-tok friendly genre. Despite booktok’s overwhelming legendary clout, it’s not for everyone. I’m there, but it’s not a gamechanger.

I’ve done what I can to get positive feedback. I’ve done morning television, newspaper write-ups, and given away dozens of free books to get reviews from people I think might influence my demographic. Those who have replied have liked the book, which is a good thing. Good reviews help me stand out.

Standing out is important when it comes to attracting other book reviewers. They look for what’s trending, what’s hot, and what’s popping. From what I have seen, they rarely take a chance on random indie books. There is a stereotype that indie equals less than. Indie authors have to have an even bigger buzz than traditional releases to be reviewer, which is even more difficult given indie book’s lack of marketing machine.

It’s unfortunately a battle indie authors rarely win and therein lies the problem. If a reviewer dismisses indie authors because the authors haven’t gone through the traditional publishing process, they are doing their readers a disservice. Plain and simple.

The other day, I read a substack column by Summer Brennan, a writer and book reviewer. I don’t know Summer at all. I’ve never read her books and until Substack recommended her article to me, I had never heard of her. Apparently she has 23,000 followers, but it was her content that got my attention, not her follower count. In the giant, massive, enormous slush pile that is online content, I took the time to read her post because it caught my interest. I didn’t gatekeep.

What Summer said bothered me a bit.

“The problem with trying to put self-published books on my reviewing radar is that I have no idea how to find the good ones in an expedient manner. This concern is not new. Doing so would take far too much time. The world of self-published books is, essentially, one enormous slush pile—perhaps the world’s largest and slushiest—and I don’t have interns who can take the time to look for those inevitable, rare gems—nor do I think it economical to do so.”

When it comes to indie novels, all reviewers have to do is check the ratings. If 25 ratings is enough, then my book makes the cut. If 50 or 250 is the minimum, then I don’t make the cut. But never fear, Bookweb.org, Indiebound.org, Indiebookspotlight, and Kirkus have websites dedicated to top indie books. Even Amazon has a Top Indie Books ranking. I found all that with a quick, two-minute DuckDuckGo search. DuckDuckGo is your friend. But if two minutes is far too much time, so be it. Some people are busy.

Imagine writing a list of the top movies of 2025 and not listing any indie movies. Imagine your list only consisted of the top five film studios – Disney, Warner Brothers, Sony, Universal, and Paramount. Imagine writing a list of the top rock bands of 2025 and not including any indie rock bands. Imagine writing a list of the top professional wrestlers in the world and your list was only wrestlers in WWE and AEW. Those reviewers would be laughed out of the building. They would have no credibility because they didn’t do their homework. I know reading a book takes more time than watching a movie, listening to a song, or watching a wrestling match, but I expect credible reviewers to do their homework.

There are a lot of indie musicians, indie movie makers, and indie wrestlers who make a good living. There are also a lot of indie authors who do as well. They are goals. I like being an indie author. If I want to release an unprofessional book, I can. If I want to release a book that can go toe-to-toe with anything on the New York Times Bestseller list, I can do that too. I can release a mixtape. I can release a double album. I can be like Lil Wayne and release a chapter every Monday for a year. As an indie author, I can do whatever I want. Gatekeepers be damned.

And as for the critics that might not like that, to paraphrase the Adam Sandler classic Big Daddy, “Indie authors only caught a bad rap because most critics are cynical assholes.”

Spaces to Grow, Places to Belong

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 06:22:00 +0000

I have written in the past that comedian, columnist, and advocate Jenn Sterger is one of my online writing influences. We were at Florida State University at the same time. I was in grad school, preparing for a life in International Affairs when she arrived on – or was thrown into – the sports culture world. When I saw she had a blog and was writing for Sports Illustrated, I was inspired to also find a place to write online. Blogging was the thing to do and I was a former Writer of the Year at the Florida State student newspaper. Writing had gotten in my blood.

Fast forward twenty years (jeez!), and Jenn and I are still writing. Her move to substack, combined with a few conversations with my other writer friends regarding a push-mailing list-based blogging platform, led me to create my own substack, which is probably how you are reading this. Outside of writing, our careers have had some other parallels, albeit in very different fields. I am not comparing my trials, tribulations, and career turmoil to hers, but I will say that career-caused mental health is understudied and under-served. We both needed help to get through some tough times and we have both found solace in the creative arts.

Pause: if you haven’t read, listened to, or watched Jenn’s story, this is a good time to do so. Seriously, she is a warrior. Duck Duck Go is your friend.

These days, after years of survival and reinvention, Jenn is in the stand-up comedy circuit. She is kicking ass, and touring America with some of the biggest names in comedy. I’ve seen her perform in Tampa a few times with names that sell out arenas. People are discovering her now because of her comedy, and that’s what she wants.

Although I have never gone through the public scrutiny she has, I completely identified with a line she wrote in her recent blog post. When discussing how she thought of herself as a high achiever who couldn’t settle down anywhere because she was labeled “difficult”, she wrote:

“Maybe the issue was that I kept trying to grow in environments that were never designed for me.”

Woah.

First, let’s admit that I have never been called “difficult” and how that term carries different weight for men and women in the workforce. That’s a thing.

Label aside, I have also had a difficult time settling down. A dating interest asked me recently what I have not been able to find that has led me to being single at 48. I told her stability. The longest I have been at one job in the last twenty years was almost four years, and that was my first job from mid-2006 to early 2010. Since 2010, I have had 15 jobs, to include side gigs and 1099 work. I average a new company every year. Very successful people have told me they don’t understand how I can’t keep a job.

For the numerically inclined:

Layoffs: 5
End of contract job terminations: 4
Internships left at end of term: 2
Resignations: 1

Some people have a list of ex-girlfriends or ex-boyfriends, I have a list of ex-companies. When I did stand-up years ago my opener was “I lost my job recently. Let me rephrase that, I didn’t lose my job. I know exactly where it is. But when my boss handed me my notice, I knew I would never see it again.”

Let’s look again at Jenn’s statement:

“Maybe the issue was that I kept trying to grow in environments that were never designed for me.”

I have tried to make a career of government contracting. I have tried to hop from one contract to another, developing skills and moving up in salary and status. But that’s not how government contracting works. I was trying to do something no one else does. I was trying to fit a square career in a circle hole.

Career growth and career development were never talked about when I took jobs. The last time I was promoted in a work place was when I was in military uniform in 1998. Seriously.

The type of government contracting I did was designed for people who were already experts or proficient in their field. They are hired to come in, do a job for a certain amount of time, and then leave. It is very transactional. Only the program managers, contract writers, business development folks, and senior staff have long term positions. The rest of the employees are at the whim of the contract. If the government doesn’t renew, or ends the contract for whatever reason, employees on the contract are advised to “go to our website and find any open positions”.

Why was I always seen as expendable? I only willingly left one job out of 15. The other jobs dumped me.

Was it because I don’t have the background of the career military people who look out for their fellow retirees? Was it because I was too expensive – often the case for the internships? Was it because I lacked skills? Was it because I didn’t fit in socially, militarily, or politically in workplaces that are becoming more governed by red-hat groupthink?

Could be any one of those reasons. It could also be because “I kept trying to grow in environments that were never designed for me”.

In her blog post, Jenn wrote:

“At my best, I’m the classic high-achieving gifted kid turned star employee, the one who sees patterns others miss and solutions others don’t think to look for. I work hard, think fast, and push past limits because that’s what I was trained to do.”

She writes in order to fit in, she “masked”, hiding her true self in environments where she wasn’t a good fit for the benefit of her career. That was my time in the defense contracting space. I fit in amongst old white male military retirees who think a certain way politically and watch the same news channel. I found my job interesting, did it to the best of my ability, and got a good paycheck. But I couldn’t grow in a world where promotions and advancement don’t exist. And if I am not growing, I am probably getting frustrated - on top of the social workplace frustrations.

As Jenn developed a passion and success in comedy, I built recognition in my novels and books. I am good at writing, selling, and hustling. As a self-published author, I grow through experimenting and running with what works.

I have designed my own environment, albeit one that doesn’t pay the bills. But there is growth. I am developing a reputation as a writer that I am proud of. I have almost more pride in my writing than in my twenty years in defense contracting. That was a job. The creative arts are my passion.

I was laid off from my last defense contracting job in April 2025. Although there are good people there, some of whom I am still friends with, I have no intention of going back. I was hurt too bad by defense companies and their bad management. I had to get therapy to get over that. When I explained my pattern of reapplying to a field that has treated me poorly numerous times, my therapist said my career was similar to an abusive relationship.

Every time I went back, I thought it would be different. I thought it would be better.

That’s a phrase commonly echoed in abusive relationships. I need to break free, take the skills I have acquired, and pivot someone where I can be myself. I am currently exploring fields such as Business Continuity, Disaster Response, or Emergency Management. Preferably at company that provides stability.

Somewhere where I can grow.

Thanks again, Jenn, for another writing inspiration.

Add him to the song

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 07:30:00 +0000

This May, Star Wars hits the big screen for the first time in several years with The Mandalorian and Grogu, a cinematic expansion on the popular streaming franchise. In anticipation for the movie, Star Wars social media has been sharing clips and scenes from past episodes of The Mandalorian. While most videos are of Mando flying or shooting or of Grogu using the force or being cute - everything you would expect from the series - there is one clip that was different. Instead of adrenaline, one clip went for the heart.

In a scene from Season 3, Episode 24, we see Din Djarin, the Mandalorian, attempt to add Grogu to the clan of the Mandolorians. The Armorer, official keeper of Mandalorian tradition, denies Din Djarin’s request, stating that Grogu cannot speak therefor he can’t take the creed. The Mandalorian then asks if Grogu’s parents can speak for him. While the Armorer approves of the request, she states that Grogu’s parents are not present and may not be alive. Din Djarin responds by offering to adopt Grogu, making him Grogu’s father and Grogu a part of the clan. The scene tugs on the heartstrings, cementing the bond that grew between the Mandalorian and Grogu through the episodes.

It is also indicative of how I feel about my cat.

I rescued Oliver on August 1st, 2024. It was the second time in his six years he was rescued. It will be the last time.

Oliver aka Oily aka Oily Boily first came into my apartment in November 2022. I attempted to help his owner, a friend at the time, get back on her feet. She rescued Oliver when he was a kitten and moved him from Florida to various states then back to Florida. He lived with her mother, her friends, and her significant and not-so-significant others. When I opened my home to her, she brought him with her. Unfortunately, the demons of substance abuse and addiction were too much for our friendship to bear and I told her to leave in July 2024. When she left, she took Oliver.

For the year and half that she on and off crashed at my place, Oliver was always hers. He and I got along, but he had a mom. And when she left with him, I thought about getting another cat. But when my friend’s mother called me three weeks later at nearly 11pm to say my friend abandoned Oliver at the home of an old high school friend and the friend was going to get rid of him the next day, I drove 40 minutes to make Oliver mine.

When I picked him up at the high school friend’s apartment, Oliver was scared. While the guy was nice, he had Oliver in a cage. My feline friend was in a strange place with a strange person, locked behind cold, metal bars. He was sad and he was scared.

By the time I returned home with Oliver, it was just short of midnight. I had no idea if he had been fed or not, so after letting him out of his cage so he could re-acclimate to my apartment, I raced to the nearest 7-11 for a few cans of cat food. I remember giving him half a can of turkey feast. He ate as if he hadn’t eaten in days.

To be honest, during the first few days, I wasn’t sure I was going to keep him. If she came back, I was ready to give him to her and bid them both farewell, especially if it meant her leaving and never coming back. I had zero interest in getting re-tangled in her problems.

But I quickly realized I couldn’t give him away. He deserved better. He deserved a good home. When he curled next to me on the couch on his second day back and placed his head on my leg, I knew I was that good home. I was the better he deserved.

Almost two years later, Oliver has become my little guy. He curls up to me almost every night. He is always in what ever room I am in, even the bathroom. He gets hugs. He gets treats. He gets more than enough toys. He gets spoiled on his birthday. He sits on the porch of my apartment and watches the ducks swim in the pond. He is living his best life.

Like Grogu, I don’t know where Oliver’s parent is or if she is even alive. We hope she is sober and safe but those are her choices to make. We have charted our own journey. Like Din Djarin, I might not have intended to have a little guy in my life, but sometimes the Force works in mysterious ways. Like the Mandalorian and Grogu, Oliver and I are a team. We are a family.

This is the way.

My 2025 Year in Books

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 08:01:00 +0000

According to Goodreads, I read 22 books in 25. That's not bad. A few less than I read in 2024, but still a good amount. My goal was 18 and I exceed that.

Here are the books I read in 2025 from latest to earliest. If you want to connect with me on Goodreads, click here.

Veil of Eden: Expired
Larkin, Andra
Fiction, Dystopian
5 of 5 stars
Finished Dec 31, 2025

Destined for Destiny: The Unauthorized Autobiography of George W. Bush
Scott Dikkers

3 of 5 stars
read, comedy, fiction, politics
Finished Nov 23, 2025

Screaming Streets
Jensen, Stephanie E. *
5 of 5 stars
read, fiction, horror
Finished Nov 16, 2025

Dissecting House (Mina Bassey, Serial Killer)
Jensen, Stephanie
5 of 5 stars
read, fiction, horror
Nov 11, 2025

House of Sunshine
Jensen, Stephanie E.
5 of 5 stars
read, fiction, horror
Nov 06, 2025

The Kitty Killer Cult
Smith, Nick
3 of 5 stars
read, fiction
Finished Nov 01, 2025

The Man Didn’t Want This Book Published
Scrubbings, Jordi *
5 of 5 stars
read, comedy, nonfiction

Finished Oct 02, 2025

Gone to the Wolves
Wray, John
4 of 5 stars
read, fiction, metal

Finished Sep 28, 2025

Smashed, Squashed, Splattered, Chewed, Chunked and Spewed
Carbuncle, Lance

5 of 5 stars

Finished Sep 18, 2025

The Fall of the Roman Umpire
Luciano, Ron
3 of 5 stars
read, comedy, nonfiction, sports
Finished Sep 07, 2025

Tales from the Dusty Tiger
Ginsberg, Joshua

5 of 5 stars

read, fiction, horror

Finished Aug 31, 2025

How Lucky
Leitch, Will
4 of 5 stars
read, fiction
Finished Aug 21, 2025

The Killer Angels (The Civil War Trilogy, #2)
Shaara, Michael
5 of 5 stars
read, fiction, history, war
Finished Aug 17, 2025

How to Love Yankees With a Clear Conscience
Whaley, Bo
3 of 5 stars
read, comedy, nonfiction
Finished Jul 15, 2025

We Sold Our Souls
Hendrix, Grady
5 of 5 stars
read, fiction, horror, metal
Finished Jul 03, 2025

Blood and Honor (Honor Bound, #2)
Griffin, W.E.B.
2 of 5 stars
read, fiction, war
Finished Jun 12, 2025

Heartbeat and Other Tales of the Weird and Macabre
Jensen, Stephanie E.

5 of 5 stars
read, fiction, horror
Finished Jun 12, 2025

Shook! A Black Horror Anthology
Barnes, Rodney
4 of 5 stars
read, fiction, horror
Finished May 16, 2025

Goon
Lee, Edward
4 of 5 stars
read, fiction, horror
Finished Apr 09, 2025

The Motern Method
Farley, Matt

5 of 5 stars

read, business, nonfiction
Finished Apr 07, 2025

Con-thology: Stories of Convention Horror
Ford, Douglas
5 of 5 stars
Finished Mar 08, 2025

Business @ the Speed of Thought: Succeeding in the Digital Economy
Gates, Bill
3 of 5 stars
read, business, nonfiction
Finished: 14 Jan 2025

My 2025 Year in Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 00:50:00 +0000

I watched quite a lot of movies in 2025. Sixty-nine (nice!) to be exact. That's a lot. I also joined Letterboxd to keep track of what I have watched. I recommend Letterboxd. It is not really a social site, but it is a great place to review the movies you watch.

In 2025, the most popular movie I watched was Sinners, by far. It was probably my favorite movie of the year. I talked about Sinners on my youtube page as well as on my tiktok. I also wrote a review of Sinners on American Blues Scene.

But 2025 was more than Hollywood blockbusters about vampires and the Blues. It was also the year I dove into the Joel Wynkoop filmography. After discovering Joel in Clownado in the end of 2024, I watched six Joel Wynkoop movies in 2025.

The Craiglon Incident I
The Craiglon Incident II
The Craiglon Incident III
Indiscretions
Strip Club Slasher
Dirty Cop, No Donut

According to Letterboxd, my favorite types of movies are:

I don't disagree. Here is the entire list of movies I watched in 2025.

Hologram Man (1995) ★★
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil (2010) ★★★★
FX's A Christmas Carol (2019) ★★★★
He-Man and She-Ra: A Christmas Special (1985) ★★★
Escape from Angola (1976) ★
Assault of the Killer Bimbos (1988) ★★★
Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie's Island Adventure (2003) ★
The NeverEnding Story (1984) ★★★★★
Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964) ★★★★
The Dark Crystal (1982) ★★★★★
Poster for Rock Star (2001) ★★★★
Nuremberg (2025) ★★★★★
From Justin to Kelly (2003) ★
Shaft (1971) ★★★★★
Fart: A Documentary (2016) ★★★
A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985) ★★★
Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street (2019) ★★★★
Devil's Partner (1961) ★★★
Santa Jaws (2018) ★★★★★
Dante's Hell Animated (2013) ★★★
Mahakaal (1994) ★★★★
Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970) ★★★★
Strip Club Slasher (2010) ★★
HIM (2025) ★★★
Ghoulies III: Ghoulies Go to College (1990) ★★
Grunt! The Wrestling Movie (1985) ★★★★★
Laserblast (1978) ★★
Electrocuting an Elephant (1903) ★
Waitress! (1982) ★★
Monster (2008) ★★
The Devil's Advocate (1997) ★★★★★
Happy Gilmore 2 (2025) ★★★★
Suburban Commando (1991) ★★
Gone (2002) ★
Satyr Monks (1994) ★★★
5-25-77 (2008) ★★★★★
Shaolin Iron Finger (1977) ★★★
The Craiglon Incident III: Annihilation (2022) ★★
The Craiglon Incident II: Aftermath (2021) ★★★
The Craiglon Incident (2021) ★★★
The Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires (1974) ★★★★
Indiscretions (2009) ★★
Cloak & Dagger (1984) ★★★
Werewolves on Wheels (1971) ★★★
Warlock: The Armageddon (1993) ★★★
Fanboys (2009) ★★★★
The Beast Comes At Midnight (2023) ★★★★
Warlock (1989) ★★★★
Sinners (2025) ★★★★★
Nothing But a Man (1964) ★★★★★
Desperate Cargo (1941) ★★★
Robo Vampire (1988) ★★★★★
Just a Bit Outside: The Story of the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers (2024) ★★★★
Blackenstein (1973) ★★★
Disorderlies (1987) ★★★★
Dirty Cop No Donut (1999) ★★★★
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) ★★★★
Eephus (2024) ★★★
Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D. (1990) ★★★★
Studio 666 (2022) ★★★★
Bloody Murder 2: Closing Camp (2003) ★★★
Deathgasm (2015) ★★★★★
Ernest in the Army (1998) ★★
Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984) ★★★★
Paganini Horror (1989) ★★★
The Devil's Nightmare (1971) ★★★★
Zombie Strippers! (2008) ★★★
Freak City (1999) ★★★★
Wizards (1977) ★★★★

Book Review: Beyond the Crossroads - The Devil in the Blues Tradition by Adam Gussow

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 03:33:00 +0000

With the release of the blockbuster movie Sinners, Beyond the Crossroads is a must read for anyone who wants to know the story beyond the story. Gussow thoroughly dissects the use of the term Devil in blues music from the earliest days before Robert Johnson, through Johnson's career, through the movie Crossroads, and into the 2000-era explosion of blues tourism in Clarksdale, MS. The book is split into several essays exploring the aspects of the devil and his association in the blues. Even though I thought I knew a lot about the subject, I learned a lot. Gussow is very, very thorough.

That said, Gussow writes like an academic. It almost too thorough. Beyond the Crossroads is not a quick read. The comparative theories and analysis create drag in the narrative. This is a book for the hardcore fans and academics, not for the casual blues fans. Even though the casual blues fans are the ones who probably need to read it.

Artificially Intelligencing the cover of Curveball at the Crossroads

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Sat, 10 Jan 2026 05:41:00 +0000

The AI craze has taken over. Artificial Intelligence is everywhere. Even places where intelligence has never been. AI is lurking in the dark, about to steal your job, your life, and your lady. It knows all, sees all, and will be all up in your face like a can of mace.

I'm not one for AI'ing, but my good friend the Snowman of the Afro-Squad is. He is covertly trying to reprogram the algorithms one byte at a time. How many bytes does it take to get to the center of the algorithm? The world may never know.

While plugging away deep in the brain of our omnipotent algorithmic overlords, Snowman fed the program the cover my novel Curveball at the Crossroads. AI is trying to get on my good side, because this is a sweet alternative cover. I dig it. I'll never put it anywhere near my novel, but it is fun to look at. I like the increased fire around home plate. And those crossroads are mighty spooky.

Support real artists and real writers, folks. AI art is a fad.

Not so Serious Movie Review: From Justin to Kelly

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Mon, 05 Jan 2026 21:32:00 +0000

My latest not so serious cinematic misadventure: From Justin to Kelly (2003)

I have been putting this movie off for years. The time wasn't right.

But there is never a good time for this movie. Ever. According to the internet, forcing someone to watch this is punishable in 47 countries. Any viewing is considered cruel and unusual punishment in Rwanda, Singapore, and Turkmenistan.

This movie makes the Star Wars Christmas Special look like Casablanca.

Grade: 1 sunburnt generic bikini song of 5

Not so Serious Movie Review: He-Man and She-Ra Christmas Special (1985)

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Sun, 28 Dec 2025 04:40:00 +0000

Kinda a mess, kinda warms my heart.

Takes a lot of creative liberties in the plot. I have so many questions. Still, a million times better than the Star Wars Holiday Special.

How did Skeletor and two kids walk from snowy mountains to a desert in five minutes?
Why do I think Miguel and Alisha are from Spain? Does Orko land in the Pyrenees?
Why does Skeletor ditch his lackies and go solo for the rest of the show?
What was Horde Prime going to do with the kids if he got them? Why is he endangered by Christmas?
What was the point of the tall robots?
Why did they put She-Ra in the bubble and then walk away? Why were they there in the first place?
Why did Man-At-Arms create a device that requires a crystal from another planet?
Was the Beast Monster's lake connected to other bodies of water? If not, how did the mermaid lady get there?
How does He-Man's flying motorcycle fly with no pilot?

Grade: 3 flying wizard ghosts out of 5

Not so Serious Movie Review: Santa Claus Conquers the Martians (1964)

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 15:00:00 +0000

This is a cult classic. An MST3K classic as well. It is widely regarded as a flop and one of the worst movies ever.

I have watched some bad movies. Santa Claus Conquers the Martians is not that bad. It is infinitely better than The Star Wars Holiday Special.

As goofy as this movie is, it sticks to the plot. It's just low budget. It is hardly the worst low budget movie of all time. I am not sure where this movie got its bad reputation from.

Is it a top 5 holiday movie? No. Top 100 holiday movie? Probably not.

But if you are looking for campy holiday fun, you might want to check out Santa Claus Conquers the Martians. It is definitely more of a Christmas movie than Die Hard. I would also watch this before 99% of the Lifetime Holiday Movies. They don't have a guy in a cheap bear suit.

Grade: 4 goofy galactic stars out of 5

Not so Serious Movie Review: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation 2: Cousin Eddie’s Island Adventure (2003)

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 11:30:00 +0000

Why?

It's bad.

Not as bad as The Star Wars Holiday Special, but far worse than Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.

I would rather watch Cousin Eddie empty the sh*tter for 90 minutes.

I'm sorry I told you this movie exists.

Don't watch it.

Grade: 1 metal head plates out of 5

A Tribute to Ton

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 08:24:00 +0000

I've been fortunate to not lose many friends in my life. I've lost a brother, my Dad, grandparents, classmates, etc. But only a few friends. And of the friends I've lost, most were friends from long ago. That changed on December 1st, 2025.

Andrew Hill (aka Ton) was a good friend. He was part of our small group of friends who care for and take care of our friend Nick, who has battled with Parkinson's for over a decade. Most my interactions with Ton were through Nick and because of Nick. I hope you don't mind the weaving of others in these stories and recollections. That's how you know your circle of friends becomes family.

I first met Ton in early 2018 at a birthday party for the legendary (and also very humble and friendly) DJ Sandman at a now-destroyed roller rink in South Tampa. Due to his health, Nick moved back to Spring Hill, Florida after years in Tampa and I didn't see him often. When I went to Sandman's party, Nick was accompanied by this large man who was catering to Nick's every need. I had no idea who this dude was or where he came from. But it was clear from the get-go he was there for Nick. His compassion quickly squashed any suspicion.

Through Nick, I learned Ton had a huge heart. As Nick lived with Ton, Ton would open his home and be a gracious host whenever Nick wanted to have people over to watch WWE events. Ton even drove Nick to a NXT (WWE Minor League) event in 2019 in Tampa so we could all go to a show together. That was the night Ton discovered my penchant for wearing giant afro wigs to wrestling events as well as my habit for trash talking wrestlers. Ton thought it was hilarious that after a few whiny fans complained to security and wanted me thrown out for yelling at the wrestlers, security sided with me rather than the overly-sensitive fans.

Over the years, there was always an open line of communication in our circle. While some conversations inevitably covered what we were doing for Nick, we also talked about several other things, such as Ton's history in hip-hop or family or anything else. Ton was always eager to support whatever project I had going on, such as my novel or my project documenting the life of Tampa DJ Kenny K. Ton had much love for his friends and wanted them to succeed and he wanted to help.

Even as his own health started to falter, Ton would still call me and ask how he could help Nick. As Nick moved into a permanent care facility, Ton would still offer his last dollar to buy Nick food or other needed items. I would often tell Ton to focus on himself, but he insisted and continued to give. He would always talk about helping Nick. In one of our more outlandish conversations, Ton suggested we bring Nick a few adult entertainers for his birthday.

This year, Ton added to the conversation his proposed wedding with his fiance Darlene. When I told him that I am an ordained minister, Ton asked if I would wear the big afro wig and dress up like a pimp to marry them. Of course I said yes. Ton would then call me every week with another themed idea or another interesting location to host their pending nuptials. I was up for every idea he suggested. How could I refuse?

Most recently, Ton would appear in my chatrooms while I was entertaining the internet on TikTok. Whether online or in person, he continued to support me and even offered to make videos promoting my book. I'm sure they would have been hilarious.

Ton was a great dude with a great heart. We lost one of our brothers. He will be missed.

Making Beast Mode with Joel D Wynkoop

noreply@blogger.com (Jordi) — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 05:07:00 +0000

A few months ago, I reviewed Sharknado starring Joel D Wynkoop. Joel is known as the "King of the B Movies" and lives near Tampa. I've been following him on social media for years.

When he posted on facebook that he was looking for people to be in his latest film "Beast Mode", I answered the call. Keep in mind, I don't have much acting experience. As a matter of fact, my IMDB page only lists my roles in "Flash Vs The Aliens" and my appearance in comedian John Jacob's Steak Break as my only roles. Which is 100% true because I made my IMDB page that is legitimately all I have been in.

To my surprise, Joel wanted me to be a news reporter. I had to interview the superhero known as Ray Blast, defender of Sunnyville. That's right up my alley. Perfect casting.

From what I heard, Beast Mode will be released in early 2026. About the same time as my new novel. 2026 is turning into a big year for my creative projects.

Many thanks to Joel and his wife Cathy for letting me be involved in Beast Mode. I hope this is the start of something new and fun that I can add to my creative legacy.