Time to Catch up!
[wkr 01] First issue of the weekly roundup. Mainly about another death, and a big launch!
Hello Everyone,
If you’ve read my few posts, you know that I started this because the death of my closest friend, Ivan, prompted me make the leap, to put myself out there, to commit my words to the public eye.
It has been nearly two years since his passing, and I feel that I am reaching a better place. I don’t think of his death as much, I don’t feel the loss as intensely, nor do I wonder as often at the inanity existence. I have made some progress on my novel, that is itself a dedication to my friendship with Ivan.
Things are better, or at least they were. In January, I lost another friend and I won’t lie, it sent me spiralling again.
My now closest friend, Marty, died. It’s not like I have many friends, even less of them are close enough to earn the moniker of “brother”. Marty definitely did. We grew up together. We did martial arts together. We never lost touch. We drifted in and out of each other’s lives as all adults do, but we had our regular meetings at the pub. We went to see the big action movies together. We played video games together, online and in-person. When Elden Ring was released, I brought my PS5 to his place. We set up two TVs side-by-side and launched into an all-night adventure fuelled by pizza and snacks. We had done the same for the third Dark Souls. Living the dream.
Listen we’re in our early fifties. We’re way too young for this shit. Ivan’s death, in retrospect, made sense, but Marty was healthier than most of us can ever hope to be.
R.I.P. Marty. I miss you brother.
In March, I went to Paris to visit Ivan’s family and do some much needed research for Mandolin Dreams, the novel I’ve been working on as a fictional tribute to Ivan and a form of therapy to deal with his death.
In order to add some pressure and accountability to the process, I’ve decided to serialize the novel right here on Substack and it is launching this Friday (June 28th)!
I’ll be running some tests over the next few weeks. Moving things around, adding and removing elements as I figure out the best way to get the chapters into your hands. If you come across anything that you really like or really hate, feel free to drop a comment. Feedback is always super appreciated.
You can expect a chapter a week until it’s done. Everyone on the mailing list is auto-enrolled to receive the novel as well. Once it launches you should have the possibility of opting out of either publication, the main newsletter or Mandolin Dreams, should you choose.
I hesitate to classify this novel, but it is in essence a story of friendship with some slightly sci-fi/magical realism elements. Keep in mind, that this is a work-in-progress and even though I have a pretty good idea where it’s going, it might will definitely take some detours to get there.
Here is what you can expect each Friday:
A fresh chapter of Mandolin Dreams
An audio version of the chapter, read by me.
Links to any relevant music from the chapter
And if we’re really really lucky, some original artwork by my wonderful wife, Kim.
I will also be creating a Spotify playlist for all the music. A link will be included with each chapter. This will be updated on a weekly basis as chapters are published.
Feedback is always super appreciated. Be loud and comment!
About the Weekly Roundup
As of next week, I will be sending a weekly update that will include
A list of notable books I bought since the last update.
A short list of the books I read and perhaps recommend.
Updates on the progress of Mandolin Dreams
And anything else that tickles me…
Do you know someone that would enjoy reading my work? Someone that would love to read Mandolin Dreams? Consider sharing.
It would mean the world to me. 🙏
I completely understand why you write, similar for me. The waves of grief can take you to the weirdest islands or out to the stars.