YOU LOOK SO FINE, I WANT TO BREAK YOUR HEART

It's been almost a whole month since the Bobby Pins and Mary Janes project wrapped. I had been meaning to post a round-up of all the chapter links closer to the August 5th anniversary, but last night the above drawing showed up on Megan Levens' blog, and though she hasn't said it was a drawing of Parker from the novel, the Garbage quote she uses for a headline makes me suspicious. Regardless, I'll take it!

And if you're looking for handy way to download all of Bobby Pins and Mary Janes, look no further: 

Part 1 * Part 2 * Part 3 * Part 4

Part 5 * Part 6 * Part 7 * Part 8

Part 9 * Part 10 * Part 11

I am currently working on another novel and developing some other things, including a couple of comics projects with Megan, but I still plan to put this book out in some form or other, something complete and separate from this, hopefully with another copyedit.

Current Soundtrack: Blur, Leisure (Bonus Disc)

SHE'S ALWAYS IN MY HAIR

It's always nice to get good reviews, and since this is one of the very first of Bobby Pins and Mary Janes by, well, anyone, it's particularly gratifying to get a positive write-up right out the gate--especially when you've delivered more than the reviewer expected.

Dustin Cabeal writing for Comic Bastards:

To be honest I never thought that a novel about a comic book company would suck me in as much as it did. Granted, I’m the demographic for this novel, but even still I couldn’t put it down until I gone through all thirty-three pages. For those unfamiliar with Bobby Pins and Mary Janes, it is a novel from Jamie S. Rich that is being released in pieces on the web… for free. It’s like a web novel using the web comic formula. 

Parker is living the dream, someone’s dream, but not hers. She always wanted to be in book publishing, but after a college internship ended up working full-time as an assistant for Bubblegum Crayon Press. Now she’s in the comic industry and has on the job training when it comes to comics. The company’s hottest commodity at the moment is Valerie Flames written and drawn by the secretive creator Amanda Fowler. The book is a mix of Nancy Drew and Sci-Fi and dominates the top sales for the company. 

The first chapter is a very fluid read. We start off with Parker in her apartment getting ready for work; trying to remember how much she had had to drink the night before. From there she makes her way to work which was the part I found to be the most interesting. It lays out her career and what’s she currently working on. Then it goes into her love life which makes things very complicated, but in a great for fiction way.

Read the whole thing through this link.

Current Soundtrack: Elvis Costello covering "Beautiful;" Ian McCulloch, "Kansas"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JAMIE S. RICH’S COMIC BOOK NOVEL GENERATES COOL FAN ART

In late April, comics writer Jamie S. Rich (It Girl and the Atomics; 12 Reasons Why I Love Her) launched his most recent prose novel, Bobby Pins and Mary Janes, as a free online serial. The book is a workplace drama set at a mid-level comics publisher and stars a twentysomething junior editor making her way in the funnybook world.

From the get-go, Bobby Pins and Mary Janes has had art to go along with the story. Four sections of the novel are formatted as comic book scripts, telling the tale of Valerie Flames, a popular character in Rich’s narrative. The Valerie Flames characters were designed by the writer’s regular collaborator, Joëlle Jones (House of Night; You Have Killed Me).

Now, other comic book artists have gotten in on the fun, providing fan art for the book that Rich has run as part of his sidebar posts showing inspiration and process material.

Having contributed so far are:

* Chynna Clugston Flores, the beloved creator of Blue Monday, has drawn a mock cover for Bobby Pins and Mary Janes. [http://newwavezombie.blogspot.com/]

*  Nicolas Hitori de, the artist on Rich’s Spell Checkers series (alongside Joëlle Jones), drawing Valerie Flames and her dog Henry. [http://www.nicohitoride.com/]

* Megan Levens, who runs the Buzzing Over Bombshell blog and drew a story with Rich for Double Feature, depicting the grown-up Varlerie Flames. [http://buzzingoverbombshell.blogspot.com/]

* Dan Christensen, artist of Paranormal, envisioning a scene from the retro sci-fi comic Integer City. [http://dcdrawings.blogspot.com/]

* Also, more designs and other artwork from Joëlle Jones. [http://www.joellejones.com]

“I am extremely flattered that these fine folks would choose to lend their art to my story,” Rich commented. “And I am over the moon about the super cool work they all turned in. There’s nothing quite so gratifying as seeing your characters come to life via a talented cartoonist’s pen.”

Bobby Pins and Mary Janes updates with a new section every Friday. Readers can peruse the novel online or download a free pdf to import to their e-reader. The narrative is currently past the halfway point, with an expected wrap date of July 6, 2012. All previous posts will remain online indefinitely.

Interested readers can see all of this art and catch up on the story at bobbypinsandmaryjanes.com. For interviews or review material, contact Jamie S. Rich at golightly[at]gmail[dot]com

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE SUCH SWEET MUSIC

I think I have come to the tail end of what turned out to be more labor-intensive for an obsessive-minded music nerd such as myself than even I anticipated.

Given the positive reaction to the Spotify playlist that I created for Bobby Pins and Mary Janes, I decided to backtrack and rebuild the playlists for all my books that had them or could have had them.

For instance, if I had a Cut My Hair mix, it was on cassette. There was no such thing as iTunes or Spotify back then. So, for that book, I just pulled out a copy and flipped through the pages, building a rather long playlist based on chapter titles and significant songs. You can access the results through this link if you have Spotify.

It's not as complete as I'd like. A couple of songs are missing. In fact, a lot of the playlists I have built are incomplete. Some of the more obscure Britpop that makes up a lot of The Everlasting's original list is just not available in the States. Neither is the Faye Wong track that should be on the Have You Seen the Horizon Lately? list, not to mention the Geneva title track. Same goes for My Life Story's "12 Reasons Why I Love Her"--in fact, 12 Reasons has such a bad batting average, I was forced to actually label the list as "incomplete."

On the other hand, almost all the songs from Love the Way You Love are there, and you can hear tracks from all three Spell Checkers books, including the one that isn't out yet.

The Spotify interface is a little weird for getting the urls for individual lists, but essentially, if you got to the Cut My Hair list or Bobby Pins and Mary Janes version, and then click on my profile name, you can see all of my public lists. The books covered are:

* 5 1/2 - the book in progress
* 12 Reasons Why I Love Her
* Cut My Hair
* The Everlasting
* Have You Seen the Horizon Lately?
* Love the Way You Love
* Spell Checkers

It should be noted that I don't actually like all the songs in Spell Checkers. I picked that Lady Gaga one for the party scene in volume 1 because the lyrics are so bad!

Current Soundtrack: take your pick!

BACK NUMBERS

More Bobby Pins and Mary Janes art this week.

I asked Dan Christensen to consider doing an image from Integer City, the old comic book Parker is editing for a reprint edition. Dan and I are doing a weird crime book for Oni Press, and it just made sense to me that he'd tackle my fake sci-fi detective story.

He killed it. This is just a tease. Click through on the image to see the full reality of this.

This scene will all make sense when you read Friday's installment. It's a massive section, the longest I'll be releasing--though next week's will be the second longest. I know some might think I should draw it out longer, but I want people to get the story in satisfying chunks.

I hope you're keeping up with the blog in general. I posted some more Joëlle art this week, too, and I have a little more from her in the coming weeks. I tend to keep a lot of her work around (I can see two drawings by her as I type this, just by lifting my head) and I draw inspiration from just about everything she does. There would have been no Ryu in Valerie Flames if not for this random sketch on her long-dead, old website:

We're in the home stretch. I think we're essentially more than halfway through the book. It's been suggested to me that I create a tip jar. I feel weird about it, because free is free, right? Plus, what if I decide to Kickstart later or something?

But anyway, if you're enjoying the book, and you want to buy me a drink, then buy me a drink.

Current Soundtrack: The Small Faces, From the Beginning: Deluxe Edition 

e-mail = golightly at confessions123.com * Midi-Confessions123 * Criterion Confessions * Last FM * GoodReads * The Blog Roll [old version] * DVDTalk reviews * My Books On Amazon

All text (c) 2012 Jamie S. Rich

HAVE YOU SEEN HER LATELY?

This week's Bobby Pins and Mary Janes fan art comes just in time for the second chapter of the Valerie Flames serial embedded in the novel.

It's from Megan Levens, and it showcases the grown-up Valerie from the future we met at the end of the first chapter.

Here is a tease, click on the image to go to the book's tumblr and see the whole thing (and also to read the novel!):

Megan's Buzzing Over Bombshell sketch blog is a must-follow. Her girls are too gorgeous!

Also, if you never read the story she and I did for the Double Feature Romance Special, what are you waiting for?

The new installment of Bobby Pins and Mary Janes is up now, and remember, we update every Friday!


Current Soundtrack: Pet Shop Boys, "If Love Were All/Do I Have To/To Speak Is a Sin"

e-mail = golightly at confessions123.com * Midi-Confessions123 * Criterion Confessions * Last FM * GoodReads * The Blog Roll [old version] * DVDTalk reviews * My Books On Amazon

All text (c) 2012 Jamie S. Rich

GINGER SNAPS

It's week 4 of Bobby Pins and Mary Janes, and the next section will go live tonight after midnight, PST.

In the meantime, you have to check out this unbelievable drawing Chynna Clugston Flores did for the book. I literally had tears in my eyes when I saw this the first time earlier this week. It's a knock-out.

Click on the teaser image to see the whole thing.

Current Soundtrack: Gene, "A Town Called Malice;" Dean & Britta, "Ginger Snaps"

FORGET THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD

I just hit schedule on the last bit of text for Bobby Pins and Mary Janes.

The book, for all intents and purposes, has been put to bed.

You don't know what a huge relief this is. Like a load has been lifted from my shoulders. Forget any idea of accomplishment, the best part is I no longer have to fret about being done on time. I no longer have to worry about making my weekly quota. No more proofreading. No more obsessing. I can sleep again, I can digest properly, I have surrendered this manuscript to the world. I can return to my normal life and focus on other work again.

At final count, the book is spread over eleven total posts and will end on July 6.

For the rest of the run, up through section 10, there will be an average of two extra posts a week, showcasing sidebar material and inspiration. Those are all loaded, too. Tuesday is my regular extra day, though expect surprises other days. Fridays will remain the update day for the text.

Don't forget to add the site to your RSS feeder. You only have three chapters to get caught up on so far. bobbypinsandmaryjanes.com


Now for a nap or something. Sadie, where are you? Get ready to cuddle!

Current Soundtrack: Mos Def, The New Danger

e-mail = golightly at confessions123.com * Midi-Confessions123 * Criterion Confessions * Last FM * GoodReads * The Blog Roll [old version] * DVDTalk reviews * My Books On Amazon

All text (c) 2012 Jamie S. Rich

THIRD FINGER, LEFT HAND

We're three weeks in on Bobby Pins and Mary Janes. It's been cool getting the project out there, getting reactions, etc. There is always a feeling of unburdening when you publish. This stuff you've been carrying around for so long is finally going out into the world. It's not yours to fret over any longer.

If you haven't checked in yet, now is a good time. You can grab section 3 and all the rest and have a pretty good chunk of story in your hands.

You can also look through the archives of posts with links to my inspirations and stuff I reference in the story. More of that is to come. In fact, there are two posts going up this week that will give you a taste of some of what Parker and Mario are talking about. People always complain they don't know what my characters are on about when they read the novels; now you're part of the club!

We also had our first bit of fan art this week. Nicolas Hitori de drew this awesome picture of Valerie Flames and her trusty dog Henry. I'm beyond chuffed.

I'm only giving you a tease here, you have to go to the site to get the rest. Follow the link in the image.

I have more art in hand from Megan Levens and Dan Christensen that I'm going to time with specific posts. In the meantime, I hope more of you will take a shot at drawing some characters from Bobby Pins and Mary Janes!

But above all...keep reading!

Current Soundtrack: The Mystery Jets, Radlands

THE SPEAK IT MOUNTAINS

A couple of new, extensive interviews with yours truly.

Both give the lowdown on It Girl and the Atomics and also Bobby Pins and Mary Janes.


* If reading is your pleasure, this Multiversity piece by David Harper will be right up your alley.

* If you'd rather listen, then head to the 2 People Talking podcast to hear my chat with Angela Paman. You can stream or download the file.

The second installment of Bobby Pins and Mary Janes goes live tonight. It's the first Valerie Flames-centric chapter, complete with Joëlle Jones illustrations. Don't miss it!

Current Soundtrack: Michael Kiwanuka, Home Again

THIS IS THE DAY WHEN YOUR LIFE WILL SURELY CHANGE

My new novel, Bobby Pins and Mary Janes is now live!

Please visit the site bobbypinsandmaryjanes.com/ and read the first section of pages. You can read the whole thing online, or go ahead and download the pdf and read it at your convenience on your favorite E-reader.

And let me know what you think when you do!

Current Soundtrack: Gangstagrass & Kool Keith, "Western"

TRYING TO MAKE A MOVE JUST TO STAY IN THE GAME

We are only a couple of days until the first chapter of Bobby Pins and Mary Janes becomes available on bobbypinsandmaryjanes.com.

Are you following the blog yet? I've been posting images, songs, and even a link to a Spotify playlist of the mix I made when writing the book.

Please follow the site and spread the word. I am trying to plan lots of surprises in addition to giving you an entire novel for free. It's a tremendous undertaking for me, but I am committed to the material and very excited to share.

Plus, when you read the book, you can find out why this Plastic Man page is important the narrative:

Current Soundtrack: Brett Anderson, "Unsung" and Interpol, "Specialist" - DJing at Confessions of a Pop Fan

RADIO GA GA II: WORDS & PICTURES NOW ONLINE

To follow up on the previous post, the interview Joëlle and I did on the local radio station yesterday is now online for listening. It's a pretty good half hour, covering a variety of topics, including some good questions about craft.

Listen and download here.

I have a cold so I was doing my best to talk quietly and without inflection so I wouldn't cough. I think it kind of works for me. It helps me balance the marbles in my mouth.

To go along with it, I've also uploaded the "Love the Way You Love" song to Tumblr, in case you haven't heard it.

And if you want to put faces to the voices, I quite like this photo Deborah Curtis Lipski took at Emerald City...

Current Soundtrack: Etta Jones (a.k.a. "Not Etta James") - "Don't Go to Strangers" (via Old Hollywood)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COMICS WRITER JAMIE S. RICH SELF-RELEASES FIFTH PROSE NOVEL AS AN ONLINE SERIAL

MEANDERING THROUGH THE EMERALD TURF

My promo cards for my next online venture came in time for Emerald City Comic Con...

I'll be handing these out at the show. You're coming, right?

Emerald City is this weekend in Seattle. Joëlle Jones and I will be sharing a table. Come see us at H-11. Get a card, buy a book, and commission Joëlle to draw you a sketch. Get on her list now! (Details here)

Wanna know more about this convention? Go to their website.

Programming note. We are part of a the Friday night Oni Press event, come check it out:

The Not So Late Late Show with Oni Press
Room: 2AB
Time: 7:00 - 8:00

Join Oni Press’ marketing guru Cory Casoni for an exciting new adventure in comicon programming: a live comic book talk show! It’s just like the gabfests you see on TV, but with people talking about nerdy stuff you actually love! Cory’s guests at this inaugural event include Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O’Malley and the creative team behind Tiny Kitten Teeth, Becky and Frank. Featuring fake baking with House of Night artist Joëlle Jones, special musical guestDelta!Bravo, and a whole lot of comedy... some of it intentional.

Current Soundtrack: MDNA

R U MINE?

"I want to break your heart and give you mine..."

WITH A CLEVER LINE WE'RE RUINING LIVES

Several months and 70,000 words later and the first draft of the young adult novel To See the Lights, the sequel to Love the Way You Love, is done.

Done, done, done.

Too soon to suss out how I feel about it, as it has been a weird process with lots of turmoil surrounding the actual work, but I saw it through regardless of what happens next. It was sometimes weird to write, a little strange to see these characters in this new context; other times, it was as fateful as the regular mythology of this little romantic world. Thanks to Maryanne, Terry, Anna P., Steven E., Maribeth H., and Andrea A. for their early advice, and to Marc and Joëlle for listening and support, Natalie for inspiration, Nico for translating French and telling me how France smells, and Christopher for his snapshot of Polly Maggoo's.

Not sure when or how this one will come out. Publishing BP & MJ is currently a priority, and the book is now under the care of Brendan Deneen at FinePrint Literary (as are all my literary concerns, for any interested parties). After that is settled, Tristan and Isobel and the rest will be waiting.

In the meantime, the novel's playlist:

1. Gene - "To See the Lights"
2. Erasure - "Blue Savannah"
3. The Rolling Stones - "In Another Land"
4. Tony Johnson - "Stage Door"
5. The Who - "Girl's Eyes"
6. Twinkle - "Golden Lights"
7. Joe Dassin - "Les Champs-Élysées"
8. The Primitives - "Lead Me Astray"
9. Fiona Apple - "Sally's Song"
10. Mareva Galanter - "Miss U"
11. Taylor Swift - "Love Story"
12. The Divine Comedy - "A Lady of a Certain Age"
13. Lara Michell - "Love the Way You Love"

I think if you listen to those, you can put two and two together in regards to what the plot is concerned with.

Now...sleep.

Current Soundtrack: Joe Dassin; Leonard Cohen, Live in London

e-mail = golightly at confessions123.com * Criterion Confessions * Live Journal Syndication * My Corporate-Owned Space * ComicSpace * Last FM * GoodReads * The Blog Roll * DVDTalk reviews * My Books On Amazon

All text (c) 2009 Jamie S. Rich

YES! YOU TALK TOO FAST

Just a quick note.

An interview, a sort of "no-update update," I did with Chris Arrant went live on Newsarama yesterday. You can read it here.

I'd have posted it yesterday, but I wanted to give John Updike the top of the page for the day.

NEW ART FOR THE PEOPLE

Taking stock for 2009:

- TO SEE THE LIGHTS (a.k.a. the Love the Way You Love YA novel) is about halfway to completion with a current count of 33,000 words. I alternate between liking it and not knowing what the hell I feel.

- JAMIE S. RICH'S 5 1/2 is on hold while I work on the above.

- LYING DOWN, the comics series with Mike Holmes, is still in limbo. Need to make a decision soon.

- SPELL CHECKERS, the graphic novel series with Joëlle Jones and Nicholas Hitori de looks to have a publisher, and I am very excited about that. If you recall, Nico leaked some art, which got things rolling.

- YOU HAVE KILLED ME is so very close to being done. Joëlle has been cranking, and it looks awesome.

- BP & MJ is in limbo. So is THIS WORLD AND BODY. I'd really like to have something definite for them ASAP, and in the order of their listing, but sadly the world works on its own timetable, not mine.

Current Soundtrack: Blur, "Tender;" El-P, "The League of Extraordinary Nobodies;" the Who, "Our Love Was"

HE WAS REALLY SAYIN' SOMETHING

Ganked from Jennifer de Guzman's blog, I used Wordl to create a vocabulary cloud of the first section of BP&MJ.




I like how it looks like some kind of algae formation in liquid. Or maybe the nose of an octopus.

Click through, and you can actually read it. I don't know how to make it bigger.

Current Soundtrack: Roxy Music, "More than This;" Morrissey, "You're the One for Me, Fatty"