comedy Archives » Adam Bender

Utopia PR Audiobook Coming July 1! ARC Out Now

headphones near smartphone and cappuccino on cafe table

Utopia PR Audiobook Coming July 1! ARC Out Now

Published by Adam on April 16, 2022

I am excited to announce that the Utopia PR audiobook will be released July 1, 2022, on most popular retail sites, including Audible and Barnes & Noble (click to pre-order).

Want to read the book early? If you’re happy to write a review, you can listen to the Utopia PR audiobook from now until June 12 on NetGalley! Thank you in advance for your help creating buzz and spreading the word. I’m an indie author so this is really the biggest way you can help me, even more than paying for my books (though that is also appreciated, of course)!

I recently had to approve the audio recordings of each chapter to make sure they were just right. Let me tell you, it was an absoltue blast listening to narrator Tristan Wright bring my book to life. I know I might be biased, but I daresay the book is even funnier read aloud. Wright brings out all the individual wackiness of Blake “The Hammer” Hamner (the n is silent), Our Leader and the rest of the cast. Sitting alone in my home office, I seriously LOLed at his reading of the speech in which Our Leader ticks off every crazy idea in Blake’s Grand List of Distractions.

This was my second time working with Findaway Voices to create an audiobook (The Wanderer and the New West audiobook is also now available and 50% off until April 30 on B&N!). As before, it was a seamless process. Based on my requirements, they provided a list of suggested narrators, and then I asked a few of them to send audition tapes. It was a tough choice, but I’m really happy with what Tristan Wright has done with the book. I can’t wait for you to hear it!

Of course, if you’re not keen on audiobooks, you can get the book in eBook and paperback formats from major online retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Bookshop.org (or ask your indie book store to order it!). Check out the official website for Utopia PR for more information on the book and where you can buy it.

Just in case you haven’t heard my elevator pitch before, Utopia PR is a sci-fi satire about a public relations rep seeking work-life balance while managing crisis after crisis for a dystopian president. PR extraordinaire Blake Hamner (the n is silent) put off his honeymoon for his big break: joining a major political campaign for president. Now, the “Hammer” struggles to make time for his marriage as Crisis Communications Manager for Our Leader, who since taking power has become increasingly mad and totalitarian.

So yeah, mark July 1 on your calendars for the audiobook’s release date. Or better yet, pre-order it. Or better yet, get the free advance review copy (ARC) on NetGalley and write a review! I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of it!

Leave a Comment

Utopia PR Audiobook Coming Soon!

Published by Adam on February 20, 2022

Maybe you hate the droning sound of your own voice in your head. Maybe the part of storytelling you like the most is the telling. Maybe you don’t like the look of the printed word on paper (gross). Maybe you want to keep your eyes on the road when you’re driving.

Whatever the reason you love audiobooks, you’ll be excited to know I have started production on an aural version of my dystopian satire Utopia PR.

I for one cannot wait to hear the voices of Blake “The Hammer” Hamner and his presidential PR comrades come to life in glorious stereo sound. I wrote the novel in a style that I think is a great match for the spoken word. Narrator Tristan Wright has signed on for the project through Findaway Voices. Utopia PR designer Bailey McGinn will square-ify the cover per audiobook convention.

I had a great experience with Findaway on The Wanderer and the New West and am looking forward to hearing Utopia PR. I’m not yet ready to announce a release date, but please keep your eye on my blog–and subscribe to my newsletter–for updates on this exciting project.

In the meantime, if you do like printed words (delicious!), you can buy Utopia PR in eBook or paperback today!

Leave a Comment

Satire for Dystopian Times: My novel Utopia PR is out now!

Satire for Dystopian Times: My novel Utopia PR is out now!

Published by Adam on February 22, 2021

It’s here! My dystopian satire Utopia PR is now available for your reading pleasure.

After writing three fairly dark novels, I decided to have a little bit of fun for my fourth book. Utopia PR is a sci-fi satire about a public relations rep seeking work-life balance while managing crisis after crisis for a dystopian American president.

Public-relations extraordinaire Blake Hamner (the n is silent) put off his honeymoon for his big break: joining a major political campaign for president. Now, the “Hammer” struggles to make time for his marriage as Crisis Communications Manager for Our Leader, who since taking power has become increasingly mad and totalitarian.

The Hammer starts to reconsider his career choices when one of Our Leader’s savage steel hounds attacks the Comms team at a press conference. When a revolutionary levels grave allegations against Our Leader—and implicates Blake for the cover-up—the PR rep who thought he could talk his way out of any crisis finds himself utterly trapped in a dystopian job.

Given the times we’re living in, I think we could all use a laugh. So, rather than dwell in the terrible, I wrote a lighthearted farce! Like my other books, it’s still very much about our present politics, but my goal with this one is to leave readers smiling. Some of my influences include Douglas Adams, Kurt Vonnegut, Joseph Heller, Terry Pratchett and Christopher Buckley.

I’ve already received some glowing early reviews. The Hammer himself blogged about some of his favorites on the official Utopia PR website. Just yesterday, I received a very nice review from IndieMuse. Here’s an excerpt:

“Utopia PR is extremely well-written with humor, wit and imagination, and it’s a lighthearted, uplifting vision into the dark times we’re facing. What I took from this book was one important thing I felt Bender implied throughout: no matter how messed up things get in the world, never take it too seriously. There is always time to take a step back from it all, have a little fun and enjoy your time…and, most importantly: focus on what’s most important.”
Shane Staley, IndieMuse

Couldn’t have said it better myself.

You can get Utopia PR in paperback and eBook editions from the following stores and more:

If you like the book, please help me spread the word by leaving a customer review at your place of purchase, Goodreads, LibraryThing or your blog. I’m an indie author who does all his own marketing, and your assistance can make a huge impact.

Please also consider joining my newsletter The Underground for updates on my writing. Right now, you can get a free eBook of my first book, We, The Watched when you join.

Hope you enjoy! Thanks very much for all your support.

2 Comments

Get an early copy of the new novel Utopia PR

Utopia PR in paperback and eBook editions

Get an early copy of the new novel Utopia PR

Published by Adam on January 22, 2021

My next novel Utopia PR will be in readers’ hands in just one (hopefully short) month! Personally, I can’t wait for Feb. 22, so I’ve set up a couple ways for you to get an early copy of the eBook edition.

For Kindle owners who enjoy a good game of chance (and frankly, who doesn’t?), I present to you this Goodreads giveaway! Enter to win one of 100 free copies of the Kindle edition. The contest ends Feb. 12, meaning you’ll get the book more than a week early!

For those who want an early copy and don’t mind paying $2.99, I will have a pre-sale on Smashwords starting on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day! The pre-sale is open only to members of The Underground, my free-to-join e-newsletter.

Prefer a physical book and don’t mind waiting for Feb. 22? I’m excited to announce the paperback edition is now available to pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with more booksellers expected to add it soon. The eBook was already available for pre-order on those sites, plus Apple, Google Play and Kobo.

Utopia PR continues to garner positive early praise!

“In a tale that’s reminiscent of political farces such as the HBO TV series Veep, Bender employs a smooth, amusing, and straightforward prose style that’s briskly paced … Its tone is irreverent, and readers looking for a quick chuckle will likely enjoy Bender’s winking comedy, which is punctuated with genuinely sweet, sincere moments.” — Kirkus Reviews

I’m even more excited to hear what you think. Please leave a customer review wherever you get a copy or on Goodreads. I’m an indie author with a limited marketing budget, so your help spreading the word really makes a difference.

Book reviewers may also obtain an ARC at NetGalley. If you write a review, please contact me to let me know and I’ll be happy to feature it on my blog or via social media. I’m also available for interviews if so desired.

Thanks for all your support!

Leave a Comment

Utopia PR is coming 2/22/21! Preorder the dystopian satire now

Published by Adam on December 27, 2020

Blake Hamner, the crisis comms hero of my upcoming novel Utopia PR, somehow beat me to the punch in revealing the book’s cover. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, given all his recent tweeting.

Here it is again, in case you missed it.

I’m positively ecstatic to inform you that Utopia PR will be available as a paperback and eBook on 2/22 in the new year.

The early buzz on my dystopian satire is good!

“A dystopian novel laced with intrigue, science fiction, romance and humor,” wrote Gail Kaufman in a review for Reedsy Discovery. “I recommend this book to fans of dystopia who would appreciate a comedic writing style and the underlying themes of marital challenges, finding your purpose, diversity and manipulation through social media.”

Who doesn’t like those underlying themes? Am I right? More reviews should be coming soon, which I am anxious (so very anxious) to read and share. In fact, if you’re a critic, blogger, or even a Goodreads user, please help yourself to a digital advance review copy (ARC) on NetGalley! I just ask that you please write a review, as I am an indie author who does all his own marketing!

If you’re not a reviewer but still want to get your hands on an early copy, I’m planning to make the eBook available to buy one week early on Smashwords to anyone who is subscribed to my newsletter The Underground by Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14). Please join!

You can also preorder the eBook today at the below online bookstores:

You’ll be able to order a paperback on release day. Or possibly sooner, if I can figure that out. Let me get back to you!

And don’t forget to add it to your shelf on Goodreads!

Thanks very much for all your support!

Leave a Comment