Friday, May 23, 2008

Exile in Readerville -- American Cool

Who's got more Indie than me? Helio Castroneves has a lot more Indie. Harrison Ford has major Indy again. But when it comes to books, I'm like Liz Phair up in here with indie cred.

What I'm saying, poorly, is this. My collection of short stories, American Cool, won the bronze medal in the 2008 IPPY Awards, Erotica Category. This time it merits a picture and a link!


American Cool at B&N
or at Amazon



Also, it's been named a Finalist in the 2008 Indie Book Awards, in the Short Story Fiction Category!

I'm really happy, particularly because these noms are spanning a couple of different categories.

And I reference Liz Phair because, well, she's cool and is gearing up for the re-release of her debut album, Exile in Guyville, which you really oughta check out if you've never given it a listen. But also because we have a few things in common, such a penchant for sexually explicit content and really foul fucking mouths. Also, the awards kinda like her, but she's never the big winner. And, when it comes to mainstream success, we've both asked "Why Can't I?"

Frankly, I figured that little ditty up there was gonna do it for Liz. I don't know what the fuck with her, you know? Me, though? When I asked "Why Can't I" and then tried to write a mainstream answer, it just got all fucked up and went to hell. I just can't, that's why. It's not what I do or what I write, and I can't change that, at least not yet.

That's the whole point of "Indie" -- it doesn't have to exactly conform to the mainstream expectations. And though I love plenty of mainstream books, movies, and TV, it's apparently, clearly not quite what I create. So some people like what I do, and some hate it, and some are offended by it. But there's also not a whole lotta people liking or disliking. It's, like, exile in readerville, dig?

So my point is this. When someone does like my stuff, maybe it's a little more precious to me. (I mean, it's not like Gollum and the Ring precious, but, you know.) And maybe it's not, I don't really know. I'm still pretty convinced they're judging the book by its awesome cover anyhow!

But I do know that I like being raunchy and foul-mouthed and as indie as I wanna be. That's unironic American cool.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congrats! The coyotes howl with joy. Mo' blings. At the next outing you can go pimped with your medallion and moonie pendant, and epaulets if you have any.

Donald Capone said...

Wear that bronze medal proudly Susan! (How big is it anyway?) And thanks for the Liz Phair reference. She's one of my long-time favorites.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely wear it! Congratulations! Well deserved.

Anonymous said...

I think a picture of you wearing the bronze needs to be posted.

Preferably on a bear skin rug.

SusanD said...

Aw, you guys are so nice. First time I'm all dressed up (or down) with it on, I'll snap a pic!

janey jay said...

Lovey, this is AWESOME! And so well deserved -- couldn't happen to a more wonderful person.

PS: Liz Phair. Rocks. "Why Can't I?" -- always in heavy rotation at Chez jane. Even though it is woefully mainstream.

Best comparison with you and Liz, though: you're both Whip-Smart.

JenWriter said...

Awesome! Congrats, seriously. You definitely deserve it!

Donna said...

This is great news, your book is GOLDEN and one of my favorite erotica books of all time. And I've read LOTS.

Really, these awards give me faith in poetic justice.

Please send me a picture of you with the medal!