2023 Year in Review

Art by Ian Permana

Let’s just say this was a hell of a year. Internal shakeups, transition after transition, beautiful plants blooming in my inner being, and more. I felt like I was tested by the universe and went through a million Tower card moments, old foundations and belief systems fell apart. I have a solid support system but I was forced to strengthen the faith I had in myself ten-fold and I’m thankful for the journey. 

For new readers, I just hopped back into the writing world last year after a 7-year hiatus. I dropped two books in 2022 one via Bizarro Pulp Press & the other via Broken River Books. This year my first short story collection The Hum of the World & Other Stories dropped via Nictitating Books. It received mixed reviews but I’ve learned a lot in the process specifically how I can make the next one better. Expect a stack focusing on that game plan in the future. 

The first book in The Motorpapi Chronicles dropped—Melancholy’s Finest. This is my first foray into cyberpunk, something I like to refer to as lofi cyberpunk, and my first time crafting a series. Unknown territory, but part of the collective war effort by Broken River Books. I took all of my love for anime, comic books, and manga and whipped up a literary gumbo. I plan to drop a book in the series every year until it’s done. 

This book has the lowest amount of reviews in my catalog but this is the first time movie studios have reached out, inquiring about the film/tv rights. Don’t let numbers deceive you or get you down. Great things can always unfold behind the scenes. I’m still waiting and nothing has been signed, but just know Hollywood’s calling, baby.

A few other secret projects are stirring in the background. Other books have been started, a collaborative screenplay might be getting tweaked, and other projects are being planned as well. We’ll see what pans out in 2024.

I can’t forget the award nominations. God’s Leftovers made a bigger splash than I remembered. It made the final ballot for the Wonderland Book awards. I think this is the third time I’ve accomplished this feat, but sadly I did not win. I feel like I almost made the Splatterpunk awards, but no cigar.

Upon further reflection, this has been a year of firsts and I’ve been a lot bolder than I realized. *Pats myself on the back* I mean I finally got my own apartment in LA, the first time I’ve had my own space in a long ass time. 

In terms of short stories, I had “Scam Nation” published at Apocalypse Confidential and “Rolling with the Gawd$” published in the final issue of The Bear Creek Gazette. These are two of my personal favorites that I’m extremely happy found cool homes. 

I got an Ai Jiang blurb, a Paul Kane blurb, a David Simmons blurb, a Tiffany Morris blurb, and a Charlene Elsby blurb. All monsters when it comes to writing. In my early writing days, I would visit Paul Kane’s website and read his short stories all the time, gaining great inspiration. So it’s cool to know he fucks with Bullet Tooth. And y’all need to quit sleeping on Charlene Elsby. Go read The Devil Thinks I’m Pretty and tell me she isn’t fire.

This sounds like sweets and sugar and I’m proud of my accomplishments, but there were some dark moments. Bullet Tooth was rejected by Ghoulish Books & Apocalypse Party (both loved the pitch), but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it needed more work and definitely needed “room to breathe.” Shoutout to Max Booth III for keeping it real. Countless short story rejections (you have no idea). Sudden changes at the day job, misleading writing gigs like the romance ghostwriter company, and the gaming place. Lots of instability that made me feel like the foundation underneath my feet was constantly crumbling which made me seriously consider offing myself. Thankfully I have a good support system I was able to lean on during these times. But I like I said before I feel like these dark times were necessary, you know the whole pressure creates diamonds thing. More importantly, I feel like these moments of tension and great pressure, pushed me to find new solutions, move outside my comfort zone and try things I was too scared to try. Some of these moves are being prepped for 2024 as we speak. Lots of planning, lots of strategy. 

Speaking of Bullet Tooth, it’s probably the book that I’ve pulled off my vision about 95 percent for the first time. Melancholy’s Finest is a close second, but the crime elements, the horror elements, Chicago, drill music, and my love for fashion come together so well. I’m firing off on all cylinders. I actually pitched this book to J. David Osborne back in 2013 and he wanted to see a sample. Ten years ago, I wasn’t ready to write this book. It had to percolate and I had to mature. An astrologer told me I’m in a creative peak right now according to my chart and I’ll still be riding that wave for some time to come.

I went through a multitude of spiritual changes. Shroom trips, the shamanic sweat lodge, Joe Dispenza meditations, and more. I was reborn under the night sky, crawling out of the sweat lodge like an infant slick with the fluids of the universe. This year I learned how to walk again, slowly disposing of my shell, next year I RUN. 

Expect some important announcements regarding Bullet Tooth next Saturday. The rollout begins soon…

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Currently Watching: Love, Death & Robots Season 3 & Lost Season 1 & Invincible Season 2 & Onimusha Season 1 & Ballers Season 3

Currently Reading: Full Throttle by Joe Hill & Cosmic Horror Monthly #2 & An Altar of Stories to Liminal Saints by Rios de la Luz and Pedo Island Bloodbath by Duncan Ralston & The Devil Thinks I’m Pretty by Charlene Elsby

Currently Smoking: CLSCS Pre-roll

Listening: The Danny Brown Podcast, The Higherside Chats, Agitator, Mutual Aberration Society, Victory Light, and Lost Xplorers

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The producer blaccmass has a knack for taking older tracks and breathing new life into them. I’ve never heard Lil Uzi Vert sound so hard in my life and serves as a the perfect reminder that the boi’s from Philly.

A lotta people forget how ilovemakonnen had the rap game in a chokehold in Atlanta back in the day, but that skill & talent never disappeared. People just stole his style and influence and ran with it. OUTSIDE is a wavy single and a reminder that the boi never truly left.

Kanye’s new collaborative album with Ty Dolla Sign has yet to be released, but there are some amazing tracks on here including “Back to Me.” A heavenly instrumental, a beautiful hook by Ty Dolla, and Freddie Gibbs verse is amazing. Beautiful big titty butt naked women don’t just fall out the sky you know.

ilykimchi is known as a dope producer, but I recently found out she’s a talented solo artist as well. “agony” is that liminal intersection between sadgurl pop and boppy dance music.

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Until next time…

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