The Wanderer and the New West Archives » Page 2 of 7

A quick writing update before he wakes up

Published by Adam on October 27, 2019

It’s never great practice to start out a blog with, “It’s been a while since my last blog post.”

But it has been a while, hasn’t it?

I have a really good excuse, though! On July 15, I became a father, and so my son Rishi has been the priority for the last three months. I am writing this as he takes the lightest of naps, threatening to wake at any time to demand a cuddle. So if this post cuts off suddenly, you’ll know where I went.

So, quickly then, a writing update! I am editing the manuscript for my next novel, Utopia PR. It’s a satire following Blake “The Hammer” Hamner, a public-relations specialist who struggles to find work-life balance while responding to crisis after crisis for a dystopian leader.

The first draft is written, and now what I’m largely doing is figuring out what parts either don’t work or need strengthening. Sometimes after months of writing, you have to pull back and look at it from 10,000 feet above (or however many feet is customary). In this story, for example, I realized that I needed to make the bad guy’s threat a little bit more convincing. And just yesterday, I cut a scene that was too much like a previous one (though obviously I saved it for the special edition). Gotta cut the fat!

When am I finding time to write? Oh, you know, the other night I found some time between Rishi’s 9:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. meals…

Long story short, Utopia PR is shaping up quite nicely and I think it’s my most fun novel to date — this, coming from a Dystopian author! Can’t wait to share it with you.

By the way, I am looking for reviews of the new audiobook edition of The Wanderer and the New West. If you’re interested in listening to a free copy for review on your blog, Goodreads or even a popular online bookstore, please apply here!

Uh oh, Rishi just woke up. Gotta run!

Photos: The Wanderer and the New West book signing at ALA Annual 2019

Published by Adam on July 6, 2019

I won’t lie — I’m still buzzing from last month’s American Library Association (ALA) Annual 2019 Conference & Exhibition in Washington, DC.

I gave away free signed copies of The Wanderer and the New West to librarians and educators from around the country. The good folks at the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) hosted me and were a big help bringing in the crowds. My wife Mallika lent a hand getting me set up and taking photos as dystopian fans arrived to learn more about my novel.

The conference itself took place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and was widely attended. Mallika and I saw great keynotes by Frank Miller and Hoda Kotb.

I brought a suitcase full of books — 25 copies in all — and I have to admit that I was a little scared going in that I’d have to bring most of them home. In actuality, I gave out all the books before my 20 minutes was up at the stand! I even gave out a few eBook and audiobook editions to visitors who didn’t get a paperback.

The event left me on a pretty big high! I hope to get out to another big event like this soon. It was great to meet everyone who stopped by!

1 Comment

Audiobook Out Now! The Wanderer and the New West

Published by Adam on June 6, 2019

Want to hear the Wanderer’s gravelly twang deliver an acerbic sendoff before he dispenses with another Red Stripe gangster? Do you yearn to listen to clever Kid Hunter’s bold attempts at flirtation?

Now you can! The audiobook edition of The Wanderer and the New West by Adam Bender has arrived on your favorite digital platform!

The cover for The Wanderer and the New West — Now also an audiobook!

Look for it today on Audible, Google Play, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble Nook, Rakuten Kobo, Scribd and many more popular platforms! You’ll also be able to find it at your library via services like Overdrive, Hoopla, and Bibliotheca. Check the book’s official page for an updated list of links.

James Sasser provides the stellar narration — just listen to a sample by clicking one of the store links above to hear for yourself!

Many thanks to Findaway Voices for producing and distributing the audiobook. Findaway connects indie authors with professional voice actors and gives them access to a wide network of audiobook retailers.

Named to Kirkus Reviews‘ Best Books of 2018, The Wanderer and the New West won gold for Dystopia in the 2018 Readers’ Favorite Awards and best Western Fiction in the 2018 National Indie Excellence Awards.

A rogue vigilante seeks redemption in a lawless, near-future America that fully protects the rights of armed citizens to stand their ground. When a marksman known as the Wanderer opens war against injustice in the state of Arizona, his violent actions attract the attention of journalist Rosa Veras, writer of a subversive blog about America’s return to the Wild West.

Prefer a stare down with the written word? The Wanderer and the New West is also available as a paperback and eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and many other popular retailers.

3 Comments

In Memory of Gary Zingher

Published by Adam on May 27, 2019

I dedicated The Wanderer and the New West to my friend Gary Zingher. Known to some as the Daffodil Kid, this great writer, school librarian and camp counselor passed away last month. My family and his many friends celebrated his life on May 26 in Callicoon, NY.

I said a few words:

When Gary would visit my family during summer breaks, we would hang out at home during the long days while my parents were at work. We’d play cards or board games most of the day, with epic tournaments of Yahtzee, Crazy Eights and Scrabble. Even though I was a kid, I don’t think he ever let me win.

We usually would order a meatball pizza for lunch. Gary claimed our local pizza place was as good as anything in New York City. That was a pretty high compliment coming from him.

We’d watch a lot of movies– videotapes borrowed from the library, or rented 4 for $4 from the local video store. He introduced me to a lot of classic adventure and sci-fi movies, like Kidnapped, Westworld and The Omega Man.

He was always writing notes and drafts in a pad for his next magazine article, and sometimes he’d ask me to help him brainstorm ideas for the theme of his latest piece. He’d also read stories I wrote and encourage me to keep at it.

Then my parents would come home, which usually meant a dinner like Beef Stroganoff or Spaghetti and Meat Sauce, and even more movies!

Those were some pretty fun days!

I write stories now, both as a journalist and as an author. When I was writing my latest novel, a sci-fi Western adventure, I thought back to the movies I watched with Gary, and our shared passion for writing.

So I put this at the beginning:

“Dedicated to Gary Zingher for igniting my fervor for action-adventure stories and for encouraging me to spin exciting tales of my own.”

We miss you, Gary.

Gary (left) with Adam and Mallika Bender

1 Comment

The Wanderer Spotted in London! Plus, ManyBooks interviews the author and IndieReader raves

Published by Adam on April 1, 2019

The London Book Fair,
Photo Credit: Combined Book Exhibit

The Wanderer and the New West presents a dystopian view of near-future America, but that doesn’t mean it’s only for readers from the States!

I was excited to display my novel at the London Book Fair in March. The book appeared in the New Title Showcase on a physical shelf and digitally. Actually, my book does have one English connection. Cover artist Ben Mcleod hails from Manchester!

Try to spot my novel in pictures below from the show, courtesy of Combined Book Exhibit.

ManyBooks promo and interview!

In other news, The Wanderer and the New West is featured today on ManyBooks, with a special $2.99 discounted price for the eBook all week long!

ManyBooks featured me as its Author of the Day. Please check out the full interview, where I talk about how I got the idea for my latest novel and whether I think America is going to end up in as dark a place as my book predicts! And I give a sneak preview of my couple next projects, so you don’t want to miss it.

Reviewed by IndieReader

IndieReader gave my novel a great review:

“THE WANDERER AND THE NEW WEST sports smart prose, entertaining dialogue and distinctive characters, and it reads at a breakneck pace,” wrote IndieReader. “Adam Bender’s novel is tight, literate pulp.”

I got the verdict as part of IndieReader’s annual book competition, which will reveal winners later this spring. Wish me luck!

Bid for a signed 3-Book set and support Writers for Hope

I’m donating a set of three signed novels to the Writers for Hope auction, supporting RAINN. Click here to bid. This event began in 2014 and is held every April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 100% of the money raised by this event goes directly to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), the United States’ largest anti-sexual assault organization.

At your local bookshop…

What’s this? The Wanderer and the New West in my local Philly bookstore Shakespeare & Co? It wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t switched paperback distributors to IngramSpark. With more flexible terms for small businesses, the move is making my novel more accessible to libraries and independent bookstores.

If you know a great library or local shop, please ask them to order a copy! You can also benefit local bookstores by buying my book online from IndieBound.

Tag: The Wanderer and the New West