The most important book published by a Kunken this year.
Or checkout the ‘Hollywood Heist’ backlot.
Hello, by the way…
Brandon Frasier in BLAST FROM THE PAST (1999)
Neither is the book. Never was. Like ‘ole Punxsutawney I’m rearing my head to see what the world is looking like. You remember Brandon Frasier in ‘BLAST FROM THE PAST’? That’s the movie where Christopher Walken (his dad) thinks there’s a nuclear war and makes his family live in a homemade bomb shelter from like the 1960’s until 1999. Back when I started this novel all we had was Google. Now there’s ChatGPT???
For those of you keeping score at home, I typed the first words to this manuscript in January of 2020. Covid projects weren’t even a thing. I literally just counted my fingers to confirm that it’s really been six years. WTF?
That’s a question better suited for my memoir, or my therapist but this email is focused on what’s doing now: I’ve fired off a sample to my editor as we negotiate the final line edit. Another apropos movie reference from 20+ years ago might be VAN WILDER, the one where Ryan Reynolds is in his 7th year of undergrad. If I remember correctly, he traverses campus in a golf cart. Amen.
If my editor takes a couple months on the full manuscript and then I take a couple months to incorporate her suggestions I like to think I’ll get the cover and book blurb done in parallel which would have us looking at a summer release party. I like to think a lot of things.
So, what do I need from you?
I’m kicking around the idea of doing a Kickstarter for this release. It’s not for funding, that ship has f*n sailed off the edge of the earth. I’ve flushed invested about a golf cart’s worth of dinero into this lark. My accountant won’t even let me write off business expenses anymore. The IRS considers what I’m doing a hobby. However, we need to launch this thing right. We deserve it. You deserve it.
So, I want some ideas for Kickstarter tiers. I want to give you guys the chance to be involved in whatever form you desire. Here are some thoughts to get you started:
Tier 1 = e-book + Crew Dossier (intelligence files, redacted memos, character sketches, deleted scenes, the spreadsheet I made coordinating the final heist sequence in the book); Tier 2 = all of above + a signed hardcopy; other tier ideas = a writer’s room hangout (on Zoom or in person); Get a character named after you; I will come perform a live, interactive and engaging Powerpoint presentation on the history and conventions of the heist genre based upon my peer-reviewed research. This can be for a class, or a group, or I can do it for you individually in your kitchen while we sip on house beverages; I fly to come meet you and we plan and execute an actual heist together of your choosing (*disclaimer, this cannot be illegal, think more like a practical joke. I am willing to toe the line if you can convince me said target will not press charges).
So, send me your thoughts, ideas, critiques, brainstorms. If there is something off-menu you’d like I will entertain most ideas. (Why does this feel like it’s turning into an only fans pitch?)
Anyways, as you can see I’m squarely in the right frame of mind to be finishing a novel (on the precipice of mental instability) and there is absolutely nothing to worry about. I’m excited. Hit me up. We’ve got a book to finish. Missed you guys.
Love, Charlie
Christopher Walken & Brandon Frasier in BLAST FROM THE PAST (1999)
Behind the scenes: charleskunken.com/theganymedejobbacklot
Have some thoughts? Feel free to drop a comment or hit me up: charlie@charleskunken.com
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Hello, by the way…