AKS Book Blog

My PKD Big Bang aka “Accidental Appreciation” – really novel writing ;)

2012-04-20T14:08:00.029-06:00

The following is a piece I wrote back in Y2K (2000) when I wasn’t quite ready to really write the novel. I’m posting now for two reasons. 1) Mr. Hand of the Philip K. Dick and Religion blog offered me a guest post (thank you, Teddy!) and 2) I needed to explain what I mean by my PKD Big Bang epiphany. I could probably articulate this better now, that like Phil, I have a million words under my belt that I did not back in 2000. Oh well, this is it. The end is really PhilDickian!!
(I hadn't read it for a long time.)

I’m not writing a novel about Philip K Dick because I’m a life-long fan of his, or of any science fiction. I didn’t set out to write about this guy, HE came after me – with a vengeance. Phil insinuated himself into MY world, apparently because I would listen. Stop right there. I know you think a line like that means I must be crazy, especially because he had been dead for 14 years when this happened. You could dismiss my whole story right now on that basis– she’s nuts. But, I hope you’ll continue reading because there’s something compelling about my story, mainly that it contains Universal Truth aka Universal Knowledge.

My link to Phil has nothing to do with science fiction, it’s a spiritual story. Or more precisely, a Spiritual Encounter. I could launch into an exhaustive explanation of the series of unusual and bizarre experiences that are my life, but instead I’ll try to sum up that part briefly and get on to the crux of the matter-- the part that affects YOU and everyone—our link to What Is.

I grew up surrounded by mysterious Masonic rituals, Pentecostals speaking in tongues, Ouija board contacts, and miraculous healings. My mother and my aunt were steadfast followers of Edgar Cayce and believed Houdini would reappear and confirm the afterlife at any moment in our humble home in the Midwest. None of that seemed ODD when I had no basis for comparison. In fact, when I was seven or eight years old, my best friends thought the stuff going on at my house was really cool. It wasn’t until word spread around school that I learned Ouija board and séance communication was generally frowned upon. I felt embarrassed to learn that I fit right in with the Adams Family and Munsters (remember this was the 1960s), so I stopped communicating with the “intangible” until…

I had a series of “experiences” after my parents died (1976 and 1979.) (2012 NOTE: as it turns out, I actually did insert quite a bit about my life experiences in the novel—especially the transcendental “Encounter” that occurred when my dad died. I did not have any intention of doing that that when I first wrote this piece. I had already written two articles back then: "The Door is Open"-- a story about what happened when Dad died and "My Grandmother's Ring" that explained what happened when Mom died. Those were actually linked in the 2000 version of this piece. That website is no longer accessible. Sorry, back to the article now.)

During the late 1980’s I dabbled in Shamanism and that led to a series of events VERY similar to Phil’s—maybe stranger, if you can imagine. I was involved in automatic writing that culminated in the release of a little booklet called Beyond the GodForce (that’s now available again in eBook form.)
My talents were much sought after in the 80s. I probably could have cashed in on this and hawked my "wares" like JZ did Ramtha on the talk show circuit, but I didn’t. My day job, at the government, would have really frowned on that extra-curricular activity! I did moderate an international New Age conference via computer BBS systems in 1987, but that’s another story. I didn’t make a dime from any of that, because I didn’t think it was right to profit from my “gift.”

I’m sure you are weary of waiting for the PKD BIG BANG. Well, it came in 1996. I was visiting my friends in Denver, Colorado. (This is the story I planned to use for the Intro to AKS)

We were sitting around on a Sunday morning reading the newspaper and drinking coffee. John asked if I had ever read any PK Dick. “No,” I confessed, embarrassed because he had suggested PKD several times over a couple of years. I still recall how he glanced up looking over the top of his half-lens reading glasses. “You really should, you know,” he said with a bit of a disapproving tone. “Okay,” I sighed. “Remind me which one should I start with?” I remembered checking once and discovering that the guy had written a shit-load of sci-fi books.
“Oh, start with the Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch or maybe Man in the High Castle,” John said. “Just don’t start with his late stuff because by then he was totally insane.”

Totally insane. That’s what stuck in my mind. What does someone write when they’re totally insane, I wondered. Of course, I went right out and got the late stuff.

That little bit, along with this next very important part is how I always thought I would introduce AKS:

My god, he thought, she was ready… She's answering questions in advance, questions I haven't asked. I have to listen to her answers, he thought excitedly, and figure out from them what's what, what the real situation is."
‘Man Whose Teeth Were All Exactly Alike’ -- PKD

I didn’t intend to write this book. Oh, sure, like a million other wannabe authors, I thought I might write a novel someday. But this book wouldn’t take no for an answer. It HAD to be written. "The story must be told." That’s the first glimpse I got of the situation.

Of course, now you (Teddy followers) really SEE the situation. But I still haven’t even got to the Big Bang. Here it comes, exactly as written in 2000:

I went right out and got a copy of VALIS, what some would call the craziest of Phil’s novels. And, that’s when the PKD Big Bang occurred. Right smack in the middle of reading it, I knew everything there was to know about Phil. I have never learned one thing since that I didn’t intuitively understand that night. I completely understood his obsession over his mystical experiences and this feed-back loop that I find myself in, remembering and then forgetting my own past insights and experiences.

It’s inherent to any mystical experience, I believe, that you immediately “get it” and then lose it in the process of analysis.
I put that in bold because that sums it up right there. Our rational mind can never comprehend the unfathomable. Obvious, isn’t it? It’s why people can’t explain why they believe in God, or Jesus or Buddha. Zen Buddhists can’t explain Satori and don’t even try. True Zen monastics don’t even speak at all. Why bother?

But the rest of us just can’t leave it alone, can we? We insist upon struggling to explain or justify or understand our experiences, especially those that truly impact us. And if you’ve ever had any type of mystical or religious experience, or even an intense sexual encounter, then you know that it’s a crazy-making process to analyze or try to explain.it. Phil took his obsession to the extreme by writing over a million words trying to deal with it. Did he ever get any closer to the meaning of it than that period when the actual experiences occurred? I doubt it. What you do get is confirmation, over and over again—the feeling of de ja vu or synchronicity.

So, why am I surprised to find that my own recent encounter with Paul Williams (March of 2000) is so remarkably similar to the time when he first met Phil? (Read Chapter One – Vanishing Realities from Paul’s Only Apparently Real.) I think I might really write the novel after all. Paul said, “Phil likes being in your story.” He gets it! Paul understood all the dreams and uber weird experiences I’ve had since I started reading and writing about Phil.

And, Phil, I finally “get it!" The story really will be told. Thanks for the great new title. Should I tell anyone that you sent it to me in a dream? Or is that also part of the story?

When the PKD Big Bang occurred, I understood about Phil, but also that everything would unfold just as it should. Now, I finally believe it really will. Somehow, I just KNEW!

Did I mention the title of my novel-in-progress? Phil says to call it, “A Kindred Spirit.” by ejm, Albuquerque, NM

March 28, 2000

Okay, if you found this on your own, then head over to Ted Hand's blog -- Philip K. Dick and Religion for either the beginning or...
the rest of the story ;)

"Thirty years ago today..."

2012-03-02T21:11:00.005-07:00

the writing stopped. When Philip K. Dick died of a stroke (followed by a heart attack) March 2, 1982, there was no more speculation about VALIS, no more "what ifs" and no more maniacal all night journaling that he called the Exegesis. Our PKD Fan Site developer, Michael Fisher, created this excellent Memorial.

Of course, on the shelf above is my "what if." Death may not have stopped PKD. What if he found someone to prod into finishing his Unfinished Business. That's the basic premise of "A Kindred Spirit" the novel. BTW, that shelf is at Bookworks in Albuquerque (a little personal triumph. ;) If you are local, please buy a copy from one of the book sellers on our main page: AKSbook.com

AKS and Author in Otaku #23

2012-01-17T13:11:00.007-07:00

As I called it over on Fbook, "the biggest, baddest, BEST issue of Otaku ever!" Someone quickly asked, "Otaku??" Yes, OTAKU... PKD Otaku!" The word is actually Japanese slang referring to people with obsessive interests. Obsessive is an understatement when it comes to fans of Philip K. Dick. Dickheads is our other affectionate term.

Anyway, this is the 23rd issue of Patrick Clark's great zine, and the third one I've been involved with. My novel was featured in issue #21 with several pages of Q and A with me, book reviews and commentary on A Kindred Spirit. Issue #22 had a follow-up on AKS, plus interviews by me: one with Tessa Dick (Phil's fifth and final wife) and a reprint of an old interview with Scott Apel on PKD's Dream Connection. Now, this Exegesis-laden issue has a commentary by moi (ej 'jami' Morgan) about the newly released Exegesis of Philip K. Dick and another fine book review of AKS by Senior Dickhead (pronounce as Spanish or elder statesman) Frank C. Bertrand. I would link directly to those, but the zine is not set up that way. darn! You'll have to page through the PDF starting here, Otaku #23, but admire the eye candy along the way -- stunning!

Tachyon Bombardment!

2011-11-18T11:18:00.011-07:00

I think this term "tachyon bombardment" sums up Philip K. Dick's VALIS/Pink Beam/Exegesis experience as well as anything I've heard (and I've heard a lot!) So, here are my musings on the Exegesis from yesterday, a Buddhist holiday. Imbedded here on my Crypto blog, is also the podcast with Erik Davis, a PKD scholar who assisted with some of the Exegesis editing, along with Pamela Jackson and Jonathan Lethem. Pamela and Erik really get into what it was like editing the 8-thousand rambling pages of insight and speculation that Phil left behind. I also posted a comment on their "Expanding Mind" page.

the Amazing AKS Free Book Project

2011-10-12T11:11:00.026-06:00

In a moment of inspiration this week, I decided to begin the Great AKS Book GiveAway! In the fine tradition of the 1000 Journals Project (launched around 2001), I am going to place FREE copies of AKS (A Kindred Spirit, the novel) around Albuquerque, New Mexico and BEYOND!!

Free copies? "Have you lost your mind?" NO. These are older versions -- either Sept 16, 2010 or March 6, 2011 editions (maybe even a few original FDO copies) that have errors. But, who can complain-- they're FREE! I was going to donate these remainders to a worthy cause, and I'm still willing if you have suggestions, but over the coming days (weeks) I am going to place numbered copies at various locations all around ABQ (and beyond.) If you find one, I would love to know where you found it. I'm also asking that you pass it on. If you want you can mark errors, or make your own corrections, but that's not necessary. I have a long list of ERRATA that was fixed in those copies. You can make comments here, though, on anything: where you found the book, what you think of it, and hopefully where you left it. Because that's the other catch...

I hope you will keep passing the books along. It helps everyone. YOU get a free book to read, you pass along a free book for another reader and maybe word of mouth will spread about AKS being a good read ;) After all, it won Best Spiritual/Metaphysical eBook for 2011, from Poynter's Global eBook Awards.

If you want your own copy, or a corrected one, you can click the BOOK on the home page for a list of current LOCAL and indie book sellers. You can also buy the trade paperback or Kindle version (only $4.95) on Amazon. (the link is good for either eBook or paper ;)

Finally, if you have suggestions about how to improve the Great AKS Book GiveAway , just leave us a note below! Namaste!

WINNER!

2011-08-22T08:02:00.008-06:00

A Kindred Spirit took top honors in the Spiritual/Metaphysical category at Dan Poynter's first Global eBook Awards in Santa Barbara, California August 20, 2011! In other words, I WON!!

I want to say right off, I did not pay to enter this competition. Many did, but I was fortunate to be nominated and fees waived! It makes the win so much sweeter -- a real reward and honor. I was not aware of Dan Poynter prior to being part of this event. I have since learned he is considered the original self-publishing guru.

That brings me to my second point. AKS is not "self-published." ZiaLink Ink is a New Mexico LLC (Limited Liability Corporation), and a business consortium. Bringing together the talents of other artists and writers means AKS is the product of a group of professionals, not a first-time effort slapped together in a few months. I worked several years on the novel and had first rate talent helping me get it published. And now, it truly is the award-winning novel A Kindred Spirit!

For now, I will link to my own press release again, but as soon as I receive publicity, those links will be here or in the comments below. (Did I link to the latest Otaku #22? See comments) The new WINNER badge is on front page ( www.AKSbook.com ) Oh, and I mention Ottumwa, Iowa in the press release so I can send it to the Courier -- the REAL Ottumwa Courier where Niki fictionally worked ;)

THANKS again to everyone who helped proof, edit, write reviews, tweak graphics and again to Mary Gray, bless her heart, for pouring her heart and soul (and final drawings) into my novel. (She is legally blind now, so no more drawing after a fabulous career in the arts.)

The final editions (trade paperback and Kindle) are posted and for sale on Amazon. PLEASE use the widget or link to the right to buy, Buy, BUY!! and thanks in advance for your support!

Global eBook Finalist?

2011-08-09T22:41:00.000-06:00

I think so! We just got the first peek at the list of finalists tonight, and unless I'm wrong, it appears that "A Kindred Spirit" is on that list!!! Here, check the links: the list of Spiritual/Metaphysical fiction (note the word Finalist in my box) and then there's this, the actual list of finalists!!

I'll be looking for that updated FINALIST badge to put on the front page of the AKS site, next. YIPPEEEE!

And, as for the NEA event (in the post below), I received a list of three pages of contacts for the novel. The letter I received said that there was a lot of interest in adult fiction and very few offerings at the NEA Book Expo -- mine received a lot of attention. How exciting is that?

Book sales have definitely picked up recently. So, the eBook award, being in the Expo and mentioning it on new Facebook groups is paying off. Now, can I get the 8.2.2011 Revision on Amazon for sale?! The process has taken much longer than anticipated. Revisions were actually done in July, but apparently August is one of the busiest months in the publishing world so getting new trade paperbacks, Kindle update and ePub for iTunes (Apple) is taking extra long. Really soon now. I will tweet, blog and post on Fbook the moment the new edition can be purchased. Thank you for your ongoing support and interest in A KINDRED SPIRIT!!

2011-06-01T12:12:00.001-06:00

My trade paperback version of A Kindred Spirit (the novel) will be on display at the huge NEA Expo in Chicago, June 30 - July 2!!

I'm very excited because nearly 20-thousand attendees will pass through the book expo and several MILLION will have information about the books and materials at the event. It's an excellent opportunity for exposure. If anyone SEES the book there, please let me know: jami@aksbook.com

Also, I just lowered the price on the eBook to $4.99 While some authors have dropped even lower (to 99 cents!) many to $3.99, I decided to step down more slowly. I can knock off another buck this summer or fall, but for now it's $4.99

After all, AKS is nicely formatted with graphics and art. I spent beaucoup bucks getting it in perfect format for iBook and Kindle and for distribution through Ingram as both trade paperback and eBook, so you get what you pay for, right? Some of the cheap-o books are truly self-published with little attention to detail. AKS had many hands involved and is published through a local consortium of professionals. It's worth a buck more, trust me!

AKS available on iTunes, too!

2011-04-04T12:44:00.001-06:00

My novel, A Kindred Spirit, is now available as an iBook on Itunes! That link is a preview, promo site which can be viewed even if you don't have an iTunes account.

To buy from Apple, you must have iTunes via some Apple product -- iPad, MAC, iPhone, etc. (if that's wrong, then someone correct me.) I can access iTunes on my PC but I think it's best to buy the iBook where you will read it. Anyway, it's THERE along with a Free Sample (yes, of iBook!)

AKS is also available via Ingram for Nooks, Kobos, Sony's eReader, and others. Of course, it was a Kindle first and still is! Free sample chapters on Kindle, too. ENJOY!!!

Author Interview in Alibi!

2011-03-19T10:10:00.001-06:00

Hot off the press: March 17 Issue of Albuquerque's Alibi (alternative local paper) features moi in author interview. check it out!! and
VOTE NOW in the Category Best Local Author #45, Please vote for: ej "jami" Morgan

You can buy the eBook by clicking on Amazon widgets (below or to the right.) You'll see both paperback and Kindle versions once you land at Amazon. ENJOY!!

AKS is an eBook!

2011-03-10T11:11:00.001-07:00

Here it is -- the eBook edition of AKS!! For just a few bucks, you can own the hot, new revised eBook! or get a sample!! If you don't have a Kindle, no problem. You can get the FREE Kindle app for your PC, phone, iPad, whatever...
then get a lengthy FREE sample of A Kindred Spirit!
(prologue, ALL of chapter 1, including art of PKD in his chair, and a bit of Chapter 2, too!!) Just do it! Thank you!!
Oh, and please post what you think of the eBook!

AKS Excerpt

2011-02-25T23:11:00.040-07:00

Per suggestion from a Dickhead, here's part of the Prologue...

"Suppose a man died with the dearest wish of his heart unfulfilled.
Do you believe that his spirit might have the power to return to Earth and complete the interrupted work?"

Jerome K. Jerome "Ghost Story"

November 17, 1971 - Santa Venetia, California

It was an ordinary ranch-style house on a quiet cul-de-sac; a dark, starry night—until the explosion. Even that was muffled and neighbors would later claim they didn’t hear a thing. If they had been watching, they would have seen a firestorm roll through the house and crack the front picture window.

An hour or so later, a big, red 1963 Pontiac convertible rumbled around the corner onto Hacienda Way heading toward the house. The couple inside the car giggled like teenagers. The girl driving was only eighteen, but the man pawing at her was old enough to be her father. He was also a semi-famous science fiction author, but that meant nothing to her. She had other interests in Philip K. Dick.

“Stop it,” she said as she pushed him away. “You smell like greasy burger and onions. You know that stuff’ll give you bad dreams.”
“Not tonight, baby,” he whispered in her ear as Sharon parked the car in front of Phil’s place. “I’m only dreaming of you.” Phil was swaying to Carole King’s light and breezy voice on the radio. “Let’s do it here.”
“Nooo,” she whined. “Let’s go in and do it on the floor.”
Phil’s girlfriend-of-the-moment hopped out of the car and pulled him from the passenger seat. He playfully tugged at the buttons on her blouse as they staggered up the walk-way to the front door. Phil had never actually “done it” with this girl, but liked the idea. Since his last divorce, he hadn’t technically been dating anyone. Sharon was one of several young druggies he let crash at his house.

In the Bay Area in 1971, everyone was scoring or selling some kind of dope. Phil didn’t care much for hash or coke, but was a considerable consumer of white cross tabs—amphetamines. Writing fuel. His need for speed was also a way to keep Sharon around, and keep an eye on her. Phil fancied himself her savior. Actually, Sharon was the one taking care of Phil. Someone had to.

Phil was prone to terrible bouts of depression and paranoia. He was also agoraphobic, and needed someone to drive him places, even to the grocery store or burger joint. But on such a starry night, Phil was happy for a change and focused on the possibility of making it with this young dark-haired girl.

“Vincent,” he slobbered in Sharon’s ear while fumbling with the key to unlock the front door.

"Man, you are stoned," she stopped and frowned. "Are you a homo?"

Phil smiled, "It's a song. Fabulous." He sighed, "Brand new album. Wait til you hear..." He pushed the door open with his hip and was about to give another push toward Stephanie, but she moved to flip on the light switch. Before he could finish his thought, she shrieked, "Jesus! Phil, look!"

For a moment, Phil couldn’t comprehend the devastation. "What the…?!"

A million tiny pieces of white debris covered everything – the carpet, furniture, the drapes and it was even sticking to the walls. As his eyes darted toward the adjoining den, his writing room, where chunks of metal were strewn among the bits of white. Phil pushed past Stephanie, who was frozen in place, to his study and saw the mangled remains of his fire-proof file cabinet.

“Shit, I knew it!” Phil rubbed his eyes and temples. The force of the explosion had blown slivers of steel into the side of his oak desk. Bits of canceled checks, and other unrecognizable paper and plastic swirled together into a sickening stew of debris.
Phil allowed friends to come and go, smoke pot and make a mess of his house, but no one was allowed in the writing room. It was his only safe haven, strictly off limits. He kept that room neat and tidy. It was the only way he could organize his thoughts and have any privacy to work on his novels. Now, his mind was as cluttered and confused as the mess around him. He knew one thing for sure—his latest and most important manuscript was gone.
Sharon followed Phil into the den and found him staring off blankly. Then he erupted into a crazy, maniacal laugh that scared her.
“Thank God I’m not crazy!”

"I’m calling the cops," the girl said, looking around for the phone.

Phil grabbed her forcefully. “No you’re not.” The wild look in his eyes scared her. “No fucking cops, you hear?”

She began to shake and cry.

“I’ll deal with this. You need to leave.” Phil practically shoved Sharon out the door and then felt bad. It wasn’t like him to be mean, especially to a crying woman. But he was about to cry himself, and didn’t want anyone to see that.
Phil collapsed in a heap on the living room floor, in the middle of the mess. “Damn,” he sputtered. “I knew the sons of bitches were after me.”

For hours Phil sat on the floor, rocking back and forth and playing over in his mind theory after theory of who would go to such extremes to steal his writing. It was a carefully crafted, professionally executed explosion. They knew to use heavy wet bath towels to muffle the sound and contain the contents. "The bastards," he thought, hoping they got a soggy wet manuscript and that maybe one of them blew a hand off in the process. Eventually, he drifted off to sleep, still curled up in a half-sitting, half fetal position.

He sat on the floor for hours, rocking back and forth, playing over in his mind theory after theory of who would go to such extremes to steal his writing. It was a carefully crafted, professionally executed explosion. Whoever did it knew to use heavy wet bath towels to muffle the sound and contain the contents.
The bastards. He hoped they got a soggy, illegible manuscript, and that maybe one of them had blown off a hand in the process. Eventually, he drifted off to sleep in his half-sitting, half-fetal position.

In the light of day, the scene was even more disturbing. It hadn’t been a dream. The mess was real. Stiff and foggy, Phil got up and stumbled to the phone, which remarkably was still intact. He found the number of a guy who had been a demolitions expert in the Special Forces. Carl knew all about explosives. Once he was on the line, Phil identified himself and mumbled some cryptic, code talk. He had no trouble conveying the point. In less than an hour there was a knock on his door.

Phil cautiously peeked through the peep-hole. Standing there was a mountain of muscle; six-foot-five, at least two hundred and fifty pounds of it, still sporting a marine-style buzz cut.

Phil opened the door and the ex-marine had the same reaction that Phil had the night before.

“Shit!” Carl cursed as he carefully stepped inside.
Carl instantly began surveying the scene. He reached down and ran his fingers through some of the white debris.
“Asbestos. Your safe was blown, eh?”

Phil shushed him, finger to his lips, and turned on the TV for background noise. Amazingly, it still worked. His stereo, an expensive quadraphonic, was gone. Suspecting the place was bugged, Phil spoke in a hushed voice. “An eleven hundred pound Mosler Class D fireproof file cabinet.” He pointed toward his den.

--------- what happens next? Gotta get the book ;) BUY IT NOW! click link to your right ------> Scroll up ;)

Latest Links!

2011-02-06T12:28:00.016-07:00

Updates: 2.11.2011
I was going to wait until all the new reviews are out, but with THREE of the four ready and such good news, I had to post now! The pic is from Feb 4 event in Albuquerque. Dennis (my editor and fellow writer) and I sold several books (a good night!) Just before the event Dave Hyde posted his new review of A Kindred Spirit. It's here at PhilipKDickFans. So it Otaku #21 (Posted by Marc of Germany) I've also created a fan forum there called AKS Issues where we can discuss some of the topics in the book and debate fine points of PKD references. Join in! Otaku is linked in my comments there, again. Just click the Forum button here on AKSbook and magically jump over to PKD Fans! (You'll need an account to post over there, but it's very simple to create one.) Phil's widow, Tessa Dick, just posted a review of AKS on Amazon! And, she's agreed to be interviwed for Otaku #22! (by me) I hope Gill will link to all of this along with his own comments over on Total Dickhead. I'll turn these to links the minute the info is there! Thanks everyone for buying, reading and talking up AKS! OH, and below is the place to post final Errata for the forthcoming eBook. yay!

Final Version Errata

2011-02-03T13:11:00.010-07:00

Anyone who has read, is reading or can help, a few of us are pushing through AKS again (the 9.16.2010 print version, not FDO) for final corrections. Maureen, leader of the pack, finds errors on practically every other page. I know some people say I can't write, but that's a moot point now (and yes, moot not mute, as some folks say.) I am trying to find and fix as many typos, glaring punctuation issues, and the most abhorrent grammar at this point.

Here's what has been discovered thus far. Comments with page #. If I have a return comment (other than simply fixing it) mine will be bold:

p 108: in the quote, "Without Peace there will be No Future" - Done
Pg. 110 fixed formatting around Pike's final sentence.
Pg. 111 Removed Pre-Civil War reference - redundant Mars Hill
Pg. 113 several word changes including "Pike's persistent pestering." cause I love me some more alliteration ;)
p 115 line 3: "pretty damn difficult" should that be "damned"? no, do a Google on that phrase
p 117 "the open road sounds better than it is" ... s/b "sounded", right?, since the rest of the context is past tense -- If so, it would be "was" not is.
p 119 line 13: "and thought the of a travel column" ... word missing? maybe "idea"? (this was supposed to be: Phil had been watching "and thought the travel column was..." typo
p 121: line 2 you say "redhead" but line 3 you say "red head" ... s/b redhead
p 121 line 8: you break "thoughts" at end of line ... it doesn't look right
p 122 line 11: "all she wanted a hot shower" ... missing a word? perhaps "was"? YES (to all typos/hypens, etc.)
p 123 line 2: since you're using "fake leather" as an adjective, i think it should be hyphenated?
p 125 line 28: "with landscape like this to enjoy" ... like what?
p 125 line 32-33: "apple pie for desert" .. s/b "dessert"
p 126 line 15: "interstate rest-stops" ... rest stops is not hyphenated
p 127 5th line from bottom: in 1982 would the young boy have been referred to as "native american" or as "indian"? GOOD -- SEE EXTENSIVE COMMENT BELOW
p 128 last line: "that is not the dream that she awoke with" ... s/b "that WAS not the dream"

p 126, line 24 ... "the ocean lie ahead" - her note said it may be correct as is, but it caught her eye (i think "lie" is right here) Kay thinks lay ahead Her thoughts: I have a strong feeling that "lie" is NOT correct, because when we say "it looked as though " followed by anything, the verb is never in the present tense. examples: It looked as though the road turned (not turn) ahead. It looked as though better weather was (not is) in store. I reserve the right to be wrong though. ;)

Mo's third batch (the OMG batch ;)
p 130 line 14: "Indian culture" - you see, here you say Indian, not indian or native american
p 130 4th para: "this travel log idea" -- should be travelog or travelogue, per dictionary.com ... and this phrase is used numerous times Only when Pike says travelogue
p 131 lines 20-21: "no Need" ... s/b "no need"
p 133 line 12: "Remind me Phil, how ..." s/b "Remind me, Phil, how ..."
p 133 end of 3rd para: "self righteous" s/b "self-righteous"
p 134 para 3 line 8: "writing the Native American" feature ... again, that's a foreign phrase in 1982, right?
p 137 para 4: you use the terms "indian" (l/c )
SEE BELOW -- ALL NA REMOVED!!
p 138 line 5: "pony-tail" ... i looked it up s/b "ponytail"
p 138 2nd para from bottom, line 1: "Flags-taff" -- s/b "Flag-staff"
p 140 line 4: "back-pack" -- s/b "backpack"
p 140 3rd line from bottom: "who" ... should that be "whom" ???

p 141 para 7: "i didn't bring any water or supplies", followed by Koteen tossing her a canteen of water and a bundle of supplies -- like what? (added details there.)
p 142 para 4 line 1: "bellagonna" -- often used derisively?? YES, supposed to be "dig" of sorts at the white woman
p 143 line 1: "flat-lander" -- i think you're hyphenating it, because you refer to flat land in the next line, but i'm not sure since it's also a break in the line, but it should be one word "flatland" and "flatlander"
p 143 para 9 line 5: you say "Old Ones" (capitalized) but earlier (not sure where, sorry) you used "old ones" (no caps)
p 143, 7th line from bottom: "marauders destroyed, them" ... delete the comma, s/b "destroyed them"
Yes, fixing all typos, commas, Caps/consistency issues, etc.
p 144 para 7 line 1: "alright" ... i think that's a colloquialism, and s/b "all right" instead ??
p 144 para 7 line 2: "some tribes do not" ... s/b "some tribes did not" ... i think, given the context, but not sure
p 144 para 12 line 1: "flat-lander girls" .... s/b "flatlander girls"
p 145 2nd para from bottom, last line: "he advised she conserve" ... s/b "he advised that she conserve" or possibly "he advised her to conserve"
p 145 last para line 3: "well manicured hands" .... i think that s/b "well-manicured hands" since you're using a 2-word adjective
p 147 2nd para from bottom, line 2: "vision quest" ... in previous references you say "Vision Quest" (capitalized)
p 148 line 10: "gathered his incense, and drums and spread blankets" ... s/b "gathered his incense and drums, and spread blankets"
Some places I have changed a few words for better flow, resolves some of the "auto hyphen" issues, and improves context. BUT no time now to enter ALL of them here.

p 150 para 1 lines 4-5: "here's what WAS happening" plus "constant drumming produces" ... conflict of tenses
p 150 para 3 line 2: "he could easily tune-in" ... s/b "tune in" without hyphen
p 150 picture: i'm assuming the top of the head is not there on purpose, right? it fit perfectly with the text, but i'm just askin'
p 151 line 3: "he spent" ... s/b "he had spent"
p 151 para 4 line 4: line break on "po-werful" ... can only break at pow-er-ful
p 151 para 5 line 1: "high pitched flute sound" ... i believe that s/b "high-pitched" since it's a 2-part adjective
p 152 para 6: the paragraph starts with "Phil's mind ...." but then about halfway thru the para you say "he got up to get Niki ..." -- it took me a moment to realize you'd switched to Koteen, so i don't think that's clear enough? Easy fix, new para.

p 153 para 3 line 1: awkward sentence -- perhaps "handed a pair of his loose cotton pants with a drawstring top through the door, along with a big cotton shirt" ???? One word fix: handed HER
p 153 para 8: "the girls is also bird clan" -- shouldn't that be "Bird Clan" (capitalized) AND since you say "also", was there an earlier reference to Koteen being Bird Clan? i didn't find it, i flipped back to when he first appeared, but i coulda missed it ;) Made a FAB FIX here on pg. 153 by interrupting Koteen's confession: "It's the old way,” Koteen continued. “The girl is Bird Clan, and—”
“Don’t tell me..."
p 154 para 6 line 1: "And, I've got ..." -- should that perhaps be without the comma ?

Betty's Suggestions:
p 146, line 3 ... "learn more how the Vision Quest"
p 169, line 10 ... "blindingly" - she thought the word was incorrectly divided at end of line; instead of "blin-dingly" she thought it should be "blind-ingly" ... initially i thought breaking it between two consonants was right, but looked it up and i think betty is right. I have to check this specific example, but in general the auto-hyphen function created these. Sometimes I had room to adjust them, but not always. So, I'll check this and other alleged "hyphen violations" to see how I can adjust them.

p 200, line 16 ... "... the agree" s/b "they"
p 214 ejm adds "With them?" to line 3 for context
p 215, line2 s/b cap on Grand (Kiva)
p 215, line 12 ... "her pulsed quickened" s/b "pulse"
p 216 star gazer s/b stargazer
ejm findings:
Pg. 222 added "I found out…” to solve one of the comment Qs
p. 250 "Come again?," Jake said. (s/b NO comma)
p. 255 "...the planet Sirius?" it's a star, not a planet
p. 256 Valis s/b All caps on VALIS (for consistency and because PKD capped it. And this ref IS the actual book. NOTE: when Niki is first hearing the term, and it's not a book title, it can be "valis" -- just a vague term.)
p. 259 "Okay, just tell..." this s/b "just LET ME tell" (it was correct in FDO and I messed it up in final version.)

p 274, line 13 ... "where would we eve start" s/b "even"

If you have corrections (not just commentary) please post below. Thanks in advance for your help!

Oh boy... PKD in the Crosshairs

2011-01-14T12:28:00.006-07:00

Sorry, Gil, but what else is there to say, so I had to take your line. Let's start with what our own obsessive blogger David Gill says in The Total Dickhead. This piece in the Washington Post apparently started the discussion -- because of this:

Loughner's favorite writer was Philip K. Dick, whose science-fiction tales travel a mystical path in which omnipotent governments and businesses are the bad guys and the average man is often lost in an identity-shattering swirl of paranoia, schizophrenia and questions about whether the universe and the individual are real or part of some vast conspiracy.

That mention became fodder for Slate, which further analyzes PKD and his obsessions. The discussion is underway now on Cal's PKD discussion list (sorry, members only.) So far just this addition, beyond above, from member Andre Welling:

Well the whole development described here sounds like a classic case of garden-variety juvenile shizophrenia: I knew someone exactly like this - if they are intelligent, the reality breakdown suffered from the illness is always channelled into complex theories about fakes, scams, conspiracies. This person threatened me with violence out of anger that I was so stupid and uncareful so that I let them film me and live-transmit that footage into his disabled TV set at night. He thought better of me. Maybe I was in on the plan to wreck is sanity...

So I guess it is rather Phil's than Sarah's fault?

Unfortunately Patrick won't be able to cover this in the upcoming Otaku, because it just went to press with a review of AKS (A Kindred Spirit) in it. I'm waiting anxiously for that to post. For those who remember PKD 'zines FDO or Simulacrum Meltdown, Otaku is really the last of our dying breed. sigh... (to everything, Loughner link, losing our 'zines and our sanity.)

Transrealist Manifesto

2010-12-28T02:28:00.021-07:00

I am thrilled with an article about AKS due for January 2011 publication. Patrick Clark's OTAKU 'zine is the standard bearer these days in PKD-land and he is writing a very flattering article about the novel. In particular I love that he has solved an issue that has really plagued me-- "is the AKS novel autobiographical?" Thanks to Patrick and Rudy Rucker I feel vindicated. AKS is Transrealism, according to Clark:

The character of Niki is really well done; she became a real person to me while I read. I was reminded of Rudy Rucker’s theory of “transrealism” or “transcendental autobiography:" which I believe Rudy describes as “writing about yourself, only more so.” Jami gave me what she called the “FDO” copy at the festival. It had yet to go through a final edit. The published version of “A Kindred Spirit” (AKS) is available now.

That is one small excerpt from the 2200 word piece that will appear. But click on that link and read the PDF, please. Rudy Rucker is a SF writer famous for his "ware" series (now called the Ware Tetralogy) the first two of which (Software and Wetware) both won Philip K. Dick Awards. I just love that I am a Transrealist and didn't know it! I totally agree with what Rucker says in his manifesto. I will weave some of these thoughts into Part II (yes, there will also be a part two to the article) because it ties to why I could not shelve nor finish the book for so long. Even though it was very complicated writing about real people and incorporating them into fiction, I could see no other way to tell the story. And as Rucker so lucidly points out, who would want to! Anyway, I feel great and no longer have to hang my head when asked if it's autobiographical. NO, it's Transrealistic! Thank you Patrick!!

PKD's Birthday

2010-12-16T14:28:00.001-07:00

December 16 was Philip K. Dick's birthday. This one is especially poignant, so I blogged over on the PKD Fan Site. Enjoy!

Last Signing of 2010

2010-12-15T16:14:00.003-07:00

I received a warm welcome at Bernalillo Book Store "Under Charlie's Covers" Sunday, 12/12. I loved walking up and seeing the sign! I called it a little book store, but only in size. Lara has over 50,000 titles (maybe more) in gently used, fine and a few new books (like mine.) She's really wonderful. UCC is one of my top three fav indie bookstores: Page One, UCC, and Bird Song. (each one has my book so check 'em out if you are in ABQ or Bernalillo, next to Flying Star.)
Here I am with former writing group gal Amanda inside the store. We laughed and really enjoyed catching up. This was the last of seven local book signings (eight if I count my pre-release party) for 2010. I hope to head north to Santa Fe and Taos next, but not until after the weather settles. Snow predicted there tonight! Happy Holidays!!
Next up: a feature article in the famous PKD "Otaku" zine. AND PKD's widow, Tessa, says she is also writing a favorable review and will send the link. She said, "love your AKS story." yay!

December Writing

2010-12-07T13:01:00.003-07:00

I just posted pics of my last book signing (Page One, Dec 4) on Facebook/AKSbook I'll post the Charlie's pics here next week. For now, I've committed to daily blogging over on the Crypto Blog for Reverb10. If you haven't checked out REVERB, you must. GREAT concept!! Perfect way to decompress from the nano frenzy. Does this sound like a foreign language? Well, online types are used to that. HUGS. Happiness! Buy books!!

Back on Track

2010-12-01T14:28:00.003-07:00

Sorry about the lack of updates. First it was the NanoWrimo project -- National Novel Writing Month -- that took every bit of my energy. Then on the last two days of that I got food poisoning. I'm still recovering. So for now, I just want to post my hard-fought (for) victory banner and let you all know I'm back on the book signing trail in December, promoting AKS in other ways, and a big shout out to Tessa Dick for her recent kind remarks about the novel. That along with Patrick Clark (Mr. Otaku's) nice praise, has kept me going. More VERY soon!!!

Yes, even sick I gathered up my last 2800 words, flung them into a doc, posted on the Nano site and WON!

Two Weeks!

2010-10-19T13:21:00.001-06:00

Just two weeks to go (a little less, now) before we begin the yearly insanity known as National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. Yes, I credit NaNo for getting a novel written. Without those fevered November word wars, forums and fellow nanoers to cheer me on, and GUILT (that was probably the top motivator) I might not have had a word pile to edit into a novel. That's about all you can hope for from Nano -- a big, messy pile of words and that all important daily writing habit.

But I really came here to mention a brainstorm I just had. Maybe I will tweet the following crazy idea: Want to write a novel this November? Just send me a tweet (those can only be 144 characters, just a few words) and I will incorporate them into my NaNo word pile. I kind of see this as 1) a publicity stunt to get attention for my novel and NaNo; 2) a way for people who won't actually spend the month writing to get some of their odd ball ideas into circulation; and 3) a goofy, fun way to spend the month. I have not yet committed to this, but I'm pondering it. I think it could take off, especially if NaNo folks embraced it. hmmmmm. I would have to have a place (I guess on the NaNo site) to post some rules. No profanity, or racist remarks. Probably some legal disclaimer. What say ye? JC? Mo? KayB? Eire boy? DD? Polvinsky? Especially nanoers.... yes or no??

10.10.10

2010-10-10T22:10:00.004-06:00

I wanted to be someplace really special for this auspicious date. Mitch, at the Blue Eagle Metaphysical Emporium, granted that wish. I was there signing books Sunday afternoon. Can you SEE the three pics I posted on Facebook? I'm curious whether non FB "friends" can see those postings. Anyway, it was a quiet time, but I meditated and manifested a prosperous future for the AKS book. Signed books are available at the store. Please patronize our local merchants if you live in Albuquerque area. Blessings!

PS - AKS is spawning a new "Fan Page" on FB. Try it, just CLICK!

Another day, another dollar

2010-10-03T19:00:00.001-06:00

Here I am at the Page One book signing Saturday afternoon. Not as many books sold here as that first Hastings event, but it was fun being with other local authors (five of us) during Balloon Fiesta. Best of all, the bookstore manager ordered some of my books through Ingram, putting me in a more professional category than the consignment deals. I'm moving up in the publising world. That, plus cracking the Top 100 Metaphysical Fiction list on Amazon, is helping me believe the novel might really take off. I hope so. I have no idea how anyone could make a living at this, a few bucks for each signing?

Book Signing Part Deux

2010-09-25T21:09:00.004-06:00

Sorry, you must be rolling your third eye at my endless self-promotion and non-original headings. But, here I am... in a Valis Pink haze at the Albuquerque Hastings book signing. With me is Mary, aka mmgray, the artist who drew all the sketches in my novel. Below are more dear friends who came to share the experience of seeing AKS in a bookstore. Jim Byrd, below (the only guy in the pics) said he had never actually seen books on a bookstore shelf written by anyone he knew before. Well, how stupid of us -- no one took a photo of me sitting with my editor Dennis, and he's had plenty of his books on shelves since 2002! I can't believe he's not in any of these pics!! Mo, you should have grabbed the camera and snapped a couple. Speaking of Mo, there she is holding the novel. Pat has the hot pink Ouija board, and I'm draped in the pink scarf. Dennis is taking the pics. Well, he's here in spirit! Like A Kindred Spirit, cough, cough, choke ;)

Jim surrounded by his lovely wife Teresa (left), me and Renetta (small in stature, but trust me, big shot at Bernco!) We all worked at the County (everyone except Mary) at one time or another! Jim was a former fireman, Teresa is still the Budget Director and RT runs the whole damn place! I'm going to stop before I screw up this formatting again.

I'll pontificate more in a comment.

ABQ Book Signing

2010-09-24T12:45:00.004-06:00

Step One: take the novels to Hastings Book and Music store and get them logged and priced, with discount for buyers (yay!) Step Two: stick the label on the back of the book and place on the shelf in the "M" section of novels (for Morgan) Step Three: get photo and hope like hell they sell!!

I'll be there tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 pm signing. Please if you know me and care, come get one!! I don't want to sit for two hours with no friends and no sales... boo! I won't be alone, tho. Editor Dennis Domrzalski will sit with me and attempt to hawk some of his books, too. So, I'll get my ratty hair down and washed, and post more pictures of the actual event later.

For now, here's the close up of the book on the store shelf (novel section) and "shameless self-promotion pic" of the bookmarks, actual AKS book, and note about tonight's signing. I know, I could have printed up something nice for the card... but who knew?

Thanks to everyone who helped, bought books and cheered me on!