Book Review: The Dick by Jimmy Pudge

The Dick by Jimmy Pudge on Amazon


So, Jimmy Pudge has a new book out, does he? Yes he does, and it's a book well worth buying.




The Dick gives us an unlikely hero, Jonny Sausage, who can jump out of a fifth story window, get up and run away, yet gets winded riding a bike up a hill. Jonny was a porn star, but he's just been given his walking papers. So what does he do? He becomes a private detective, of course. This being a Jimmy Pudge book, Jonny's only client is a sexy vampire who wants to find out who's killing off her clan.



Mr. Pudge has gone all in on this novel. Jimmy has always traveled the edge of good taste in his writing, and this time he floored the accelerator and sped past, never looking back. The Dick is violent, funny, and filthy, to a degree never seen in his writing before. The is your Adult Content Warning, my friends, and I do mean warning. If sexual content is going to bother you, you might want to skip this book. If you like fast paced, whacked out adventure that makes you laugh out loud, then brothers and sisters, pay out your money right now, because you're going to have a great time.



You won't learn great truths about humanity reading a Jimmy Pudge book, but you will find yourself enjoying the ride as you hold on for dear life. Jimmy Pudge's writing is the kind of writing that punches you in the gut, and when you're looking at it as if to say "What the heck?" it laughs in your face. When you come to something and you think, "Oh no, he's not going there.." - he goes there, and then he runs past there and shakes you up and down, just for the fun of it.



The Dick is fun, filthy and exciting. If you like writing that is one, two or three of those things, then you should buy this right away, because you'll have a great time. IMO the ending is a little weak, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this book. It's so strong in every other way, it doesn't matter.



Jimmy Pudge is an author with a growing body of work that is deserving of attention and support. His is a unique voice in fiction, and that really says something. There's a lot of dreck in the world of independent publishing, but this isn't it. This is the real deal, sealed and delivered. Buy it. Read it. Be happy.   The Dick by Jimmy Pudge on Amazon

I am Interviewed About My Weird Art, and Two New Books Worth Checking Out!

Lots of news to pass along today. First, a crafting blog interviews me about my weird art! Yay! The blogger, Geri, is a really nice person, and I'm so thankful to her very the chance to talk about my art. She did a great job on the interview. Check it out!

Dream Weaving Interview Series

In other news, two books worth checking out became available for kindle. Now, before you start whining about not having a kindle, let me tell you that you don't need a kindle to read kindle books. There's a great free app available, so you can read kindle books on your computer! Here's the link for the free app:

Kindle for PC

Now for the books. The first is a new book by author Jimmy Pudge. I'm a big fan of this guy. He's really out there. His writing has a unique style you won't find anywhere else, and he's always entertaining. This new book is no exception. It's called "The Dick" and it's about an ex-porn star who becomes a private detective. This being a Jimmy Pudge book, that's only the beginning. Where it goes, you'd never guess. It's violent, it's silly, it's heartbreaking, and it's filthy. I mean that. Adult content warning! If you're easily offended, don't bother, but if you like a good adventure that's unlike anything you've ever read, then this is for you. I'll do a full review soon. Check it out here:

The Dick, on Amazon

The other book worth checking out is a new anthology from daring publisher Omnium Gatherum Media. It's called "Fortune Lost and Found" and deals with "money and wealth and the potentially horrifying consequences of gaining or losing it." Edited by L.S. Murphy and Kate Jonez, it features some of my favorite authors: Brent Michael Kelley, Phil Hickes and Garrett Cook. This is certain to be a worthwhile read. Available for kindle now, and paperback soon. Check it out here:

Fortune Lost and Found, More Information

Buy Fortune Lost and Found on Amazon 

Two Writers Who Influenced Me

Many, many years ago, when I was a teenager and was starting to take the idea of becoming a writer seriously, there were a couple of writers who I admired more than others. I tried to read everything I could get by these two, and they came to have an influence on what and how I wrote.

H.P. Lovecraft

It's become a cliche' today to be influenced by Lovecraft, but back in the 70s he was not nearly so well known as he is now. The only editions of his writings were the Arkham House paperbacks, which I read as soon as each one came out.

What appealed to me was the atmosphere Lovecraft created, and the overwhelming sense of dread of the world around you. His imagination created the most unusual creatures, alien beings from galaxies far away, creatures that sounded absurd and just a bit comical if you took the descriptions out of context, but by the sheer power of his writing, made them terrifying- so terrifying they could drive you mad, which often happened in his stories.

What was also so unique about his writing was his concept of a cosmically indifferent universe. These bizarre creatures weren't evil, they just were. They didn't care about humankind one way or another, but if humanity happened to get in their way- oh well! They weren't gods who demanded obedience, but in humankind's limited perception, that's how they were seen.

These concepts boggled my mind. Today, Lovecraft is more popular than he's ever been. There are websites, publications, even conventions celebrating his work. I'm glad he's getting the recognition he's due, but I'm also jealous that he's not my secret discovery any more.

I'm working on a Lovecraftian story of my own, one set in my adopted city of Portland, Oregon, in the present day. I hope one day I'll be able to give you notice of it's publication!


Ray Bradbury

I related to Bradbury not only as a writer, but as a person. He grew up in the Midwest United States in a time he considered simpler, easier, more magical, more honest, and so did I. In "Something Wicked This Way Comes," a young boy, who looks at his father as a failed man, wants to run away and join the circus. How I related to that scenario! In his short story "The Murderer" he writes of a man who rebels against the control that increasing mechanization has on his life by murdering his house. Again, how I related!

In much of Bradbury's writing there's a dread of what the future brings- a loss of freedom, a loss of choice. This speaks to me on a personal level. Bradbury also created vivid characters with a strong sense of themselves, strong feelings, passions. All this spoke to me.

I recently had my writing described as similar to Bradbury's, and that couldn't please me more. Personally, I know I'll never reach his level of storytelling, but to have his influence recognized, is gratifying.

If you're not familiar with these writers, or only know a few of their works, I highly recommend seeking out more. It'll be a journey well worth taking.

Positive Reinforcement

Just a few days ago I had a poem rejected by a magazine. That's not an unusual occurrence- in fact I pretty much expect everything I submit to be rejected. I'm not getting down on myself- it's just the reality of the situation. However, this rejection had an interesting personal observation. This wasn't the standard "we enjoyed reading your work and hope you will consider us in the future." She actually said something about the poem itself. She called it "a ferocious pop-culture collage." I was sincerely touched. That was a very kind thing to say about my poem, and it was an accurate observation. I wrote back and asked her if I could use that description when the poem was eventually published. She gave me permission!

This simple comment, which is more than most editors will give, was enough to keep me going.  Thank you, poetry editor! I guess I'll keep on with this writing stuff.