Dream Panther Redux
Art by Manuel Cetina
Time’s been flying by for me. Mercury Retrograde is approaching in 30 something days so it feels like a race against time when it comes to writing these books. Everything will unfold when it’s supposed to.
I used to read Warren Ellis and Brian Keene’s respective newsletters weekly along with Caitlin R. Kiernan’s live journal blog posts way way back in the day. Back when I was a young lad (I’m writing this during St. Patty’s day and listening to DJ Slim K’s slowdown lounge so you know…)
I had no idea how they came up with new material every week, but it’s routine at this point and it’s somewhat of a fun challenge. Good for the soul.
Weird dreams continue happening to me at night. I had some good inspo come from a dream about the sequel to Project Melancholy. I may or may not have a cover artist working on something behind the scenes for this cyberpunk series.
Ellie from The Last of Us popped up in a futuristic dream of mine. She was a friend of a friend in a dream. I grabbed a girl’s hand and reassured her by saying “I dreamt of this moment.”
I whipped up a new article for
where I make a case for backing up your work and navigating the Internet. You can read it here.
This is my book haul from Stories Books & Cafe in LA. I attended Sadie Dupuis book tour stop for her poetry collection Cry Perfume. I mainly went to meet Sarah Rose Etter, but it turned out to be a pleasant event. Great poems from Sadie and Morgan Parker. Plus, Sarah read a snippet of her forthcoming book Ripe which was fire.
I’m a big fan of Sarah’s work, but you know I kept it kosher. It feels good to see writers supporting each other. None of the events I’ve attended have been duds so that says something…
This makes me think, am I becoming an LA author? When people think of hot LA writers will Grant Wamack be thrown in the mix?!? None of my LA themed books have dropped yet. Black Gypsies is set in Chicago so is Project Bullet Baby, but a substantial amount of stories in Project Hum (coming this spring) are set on the west coast. Plus, Project Colours and Project Bloody Fashionista are set in LA.
I’m cool with becoming an LA author though. For the longest time I wanted to move out here, but never thought beyond that.
Anyway Project Hum is moving forward. I’m nearing the finish line with edits and I’m tired of looking at it, but I’m proud of these stories. Then pure focus on Project Melancholy. It’s safe to say I’m dropping 3 books this year in different genres.
Everyone kept telling me how I’m so prolific last year. I didn’t believe it, but now I do.
Currently Watching: Love, Death & Robots Season 3 & Lost Season 1 & Swarm Season 1
So you might be thinking why the hell is Grant watching Lost. I had some moscow mules with a friend and this bartender/actor convinced me to check it out. Now mind you, I know what Lost is and my high school art teacher even convinced one of the writers to come talk to me my senior year in an attempt to get me to pursue writing. Guess it worked.
I watched the first episode, which I enjoyed, but I’m pretty sure I saw it before and forgot. I think my parents kept up with the show, but I know I didn’t. Still, this feels like some long-standing full circle moment I’m stepping into.
Currently Reading: Sing Behemoth Sing by K.E. Wolfe & Blame! by Tsutomu Nihei & Gleipnir by Sun Takeda & The Reyes Incident by Briana Morgan
Currently Smoking: Pure Beauty-OG Secret Society
Currently Listening: Black Tapes Podcast & The Danny Brown Podcast
The music video for “Show Me” is shot like a 90s black romance movie a la Love & Basketball or Love Jones. Joey Bada$$ wants to take things to the next level with his girlfriend and raps about his need for transparency and the ups and downs of their relationship. Joey’s really coming into his own and his skillset is maturing like fine wine.
The Puerto Rican songstress CHESCA links up with DALEX for the flaming hot single “EASY.” This is the type of shit that makes me want to go to the club, have a drink, and spit game to a girl. It’s a sexy bop I can actually understand with my limited spanish.
“No expectations, no disappointments…”
I always felt like Jay-Z jacked Young Chris’ flow, but either way “Belly of the Devil is fire. The Philly spitter flows effortlessly as he reflects on his turbulent past, but seems to come away with a plethora of lessons.
BIA has a banger with “SIXTEEN” where she reflects on her crazy ass come-up. You see how far she’s come, but she hasn’t forgotten paying bail, having no idols or positive examples, and living on her own since a teen. Watching this makes me feel proud of ole girl.
Until next time…