If the title sounds familiar, you can thank Jason Reitman for adapting the book and casting George Clooney in an Oscar nominated turn as the executive-status obsessed main character.  I highly recommend the movie to anyone looking for a grownup antidote to an endless summer of poorly executed IMAX 3D conversions.

The smart, enjoyable film becomes fascinating when compared to the original book.  The obvious changes are there.  Reitman dropped several major plotlines and added characters to give Ryan Bingham both a reason to explain “airworld” to the audience and someone to challenge his observations.

Devoid of most of these characters, the book deeply entrenches the reader in Ryan’s progressively flawed perspective, and that’s where things get interesting.  George Clooney is the natural embodiment of what the book’s main character imagines himself to be.  You can feel the similarity slowly fall away as it becomes increasingly clear that the book’s Ryan Bingham is an unreliable narrator.

In the film, Ryan eventually comes to question the end result of his beliefs.  The book goes for much darker territory.  Hiding behind Ryan’s detached vision of “airworld” is paranoia, substance abuse, delusions of grandeur, disillusionment, and desperation.  How did such a major tonal shift happen?  Listen to the director talk about what drew him to the book:

 
The film version of Ryan then becomes a vehicle for Reitman to explore his own attachment to “airworld.”  The end result is a satisfying personal detour that broadens the main character’s story arc for the masses, streamlines the plot, and puts the book in a difficult position.  Amazon reviews (since the movie’s release) have been negative, ranging from disappointed to outright anger.  The reality of Ryan Bingham can’t compete with his idealized counterpart.

It doesn’t help Kirn that readers, brought to the book by the movie, will find very little material in common.  Even the most central device, Ryan’s backpack speech (heard in the teaser trailer below) is a new additions created by Reitman. 

 
One of my favorite classes in college studied the process of adapting print to film.  Reading Up In The Air, I couldn’t help but wonder where readers would lose their ability to identify with the increasingly flawed main character and intentionally winding narrative.  The two works almost serve as doppelgangers for each other.  I’m an accidental tourist to both worlds, happy with the idealized and floundering versions of Ryan Bingham.  Readers that need to identify with a book’s main character should think twice before purchasing a ticket.

Take a look around and let me know what you think.  And if you haven’t already, sign up for updates (on the sidebar) so I can keep you in the know when new fiction is released.  Thanks for dropping by.  Grab a drink from the fridge and make yourself at home.

Jerry

 
Severed Dreams

I’m rereading the novel and making a few final tweaks before writing up the submission package.  I hope to have this young adult project off my desk by the end of July, early August at the latest. 

Ghosts of Chernobyl

I keep walking away from Severed Dreams to jot down notes on the plot and characters of this book.  I’m really looking forward to writing it.  I put another novel on hold just to tackle the radioactive setting.  Writing should be in full swing by early September.

Short Fiction

Spent a day last week updating the current events referenced in “Zombie Nation” and “Ghost in the Machine.”  Both are making the rounds as I type this.  A third short, “Communicating With The Dead” needs expanding.  I’ve put together the outline and will tackle it as soon as I need a break from one of the novels.

Stage

Despite my best efforts, I haven’t been able to squirrel away enough time to finish my interactive adaptation of Shakespeare’s greatest war story.  I’m leaving this here until it shames me into action.

Editing

My publisher recently approached me about doing a follow-up to this years anthology, Dark Faith.  Maurice Broaddus and I are quietly laying the groundwork for a second volume but there won’t be a lot to say about it for a while.  If you’ve made it this far into my project updates, consider yourself part of the inside scoop.

IHW Writers Retreat (Indianapolis)
February 19-21

Mo*Con V (Indianapolis)
April 30 – May 2

WisCon (Madison, Wisconsin)
May 27-31

InConjunction (Indianapolis)
July 2-4

GenCon (Indianapolis)
August 5-8

Context (Columbus, Ohio)
August 27-29

World Fantasy (Columbus, Ohio)
October 28-31

Apex Day (Lexington, Kentucky)
November ?

If you’re interested in the book and still sitting the fence, you’ll find no better place to convince you to order… or at least badger your local library to order a copy for you (most have a special fund for patron suggestions).  If you order Dark Faith directly from Apex Publishing, you’ll receive Last Rites, a limited-edition chapbook, for free.  Dark Faith is also available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Borders.  Or if you prefer electronic form, you can get it for the  Kindle and iPad. 

40% off at Apex Bookstore until July 23rd!  Discount Code:  NEWSTORE40

Dark Faith: 

Faith.  So much of our reality is determined by what we believe, and it can so easily be… undone.  Editors Maurice Broaddus and Jerry Gordon have created an anthology that explores, questions, and shatters the boundaries of faith.  

Pick up a gun and write a new psalm with Brian Keene.  Confront the inhumanity of modern society with Gary Braunbeck.  Find magic behind the suburbs of Portland with Jay Lake.  Walk the line between art and desire with Tom Piccirilli.  Through twenty-six stories you will be transported from the rooftops of the twin towers to steps of the Vatican. 

Review Blurbs: 

“It may be the best anthology I’ve ever read…reads like a “Year’s Best” rather than a nominee for it.”
~Horror Web 

“Terrible beauty and mind-shattering horror. It’s all here, in what’s sure to be one of the year’s best anthologies.”
~ Shroud Magazine 

“No matter what your ideas about heaven or hell or religion (or lack therof) are, this book is designed to challenge you, to make you think, and most importantly, to entertain you.”
~ Sevier County News 

Sample Story: 

The Days of Flaming Motorcycles by Catherynne M. Valente 

Related Fiction:

The Last Stand of the Ant Maker by Paul Jessup

City of Refuge by Jerry Gordon

City of Refuge (audio version) by Jerry Gordon (read by Maurice Broaddus)

Interviews: 

Fantasy Magazine (June 2010) 

Fangoria Magazine (May 2010) 

Dark Faith Devotions (April-May 2010) 

Podcasts:

The Dead Robot Society’s Podcast – Episode 132 – A Discussion of Dark Faith  

The Funky Werepig:  Mo*Con V live! 

Official Website:

www.darkfaithanthology.com 

The Guys Behind The Book: 

L to R: Jason Sizemore (Publisher) Maurice Broaddus (Editor) Jerry Gordon (Editor)

The reviews have been exceedingly positive, and the blur of interviews continues.  Here are a couple new ones I couldn’t help but share.  I’m going to have to put together an “All Things Dark Faith” post soon to consolidate these bursts of good news.

“Terrible beauty and mind-shattering horror. It’s all here, in what’s sure to be one of the year’s best anthologies.”  Check out Shroud Magazine’s full review here. 

“It may be the best anthology I’ve ever read… reads like a “Year’s Best” rather than a nominee for it.”  Check out Horror Web’s full review here.

New Interviews:

Many thanks to Greg Hall and R.Scott McCoy for bringing The Funky Werepig to Indianapolis for the launch of Mo*Con.  Scroll down to check out some of the most recent interviews.  And if you haven’t yet, order your copy of Dark Faith!

Live at the Dark Faith Launch: Chesya Burke, Jerry Gordon, Greg Hall, and Maurice Broaddus

Dark Faith Devotions - A series of mini-interviews that explore the writers behind Dark Faith.

Fantasy Magazine - Inteview with Maurice Broaddus and Jerry Gordon on the making of Dark Faith.

The Funky Werepig – A madhouse cast of Dark Faith characters, including Brian Keene, Alethea Kontis, Kelly Owen, Chesya Burke, Maurice Broaddus, and Jerry Gordon.

If you order Dark Faith directly from Apex Publishing, you’ll receive Last Rites, a limited-edition chapbook, for free.  Dark Faith is also available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Borders.  Or if you prefer electronic form, you can get it for the  Kindle and iPad.

Friday

1.  @mauricebroaddus snoring = late start.  Must pick up ear plugs.

2.  Learning how to pick locks.  This Con is already paying for itself!

3.  Catching up with @catrambo and @nayad in the tarot line.

4.  Drinks in the hotel bar somehow replaced the apocalypse panel.

5.  Obligatory conversation about why Native Americans qualify as people of color.

6.  Dinner and writerly musings with @nayad and wife.

7.  Much like her fiction @jenpelland’s karaoke is made of win!

8.  Closing out the night with FOGcon fun.

Saturday

9.  I could talk to Sharyn November all day.  Smart, witty, and opinionated people make me happy.

10.  Journeymen Writers Meeting very useful.

11.  Skipping more panels for a long lunch with @mauricebroaddus and @maryrobinette.

12.  Catnap time.  Trying to do my best impersonation of @nickmamatas.

13.  TOR Party!

14.  Talking Shea and Hollywood with James Frenkel.

15.  Getting to know @Vylar_Kaftan.  Her @lightspeedmag story rocks.

16.  It’s all about red @MaryRobinette’s dress and @daviddlevine’s trip to Mars.

17.  @tinytempest makes any party fun!

Sunday

18.  Even on no sleep, the Mars Society presentation @daviddlevine put together is riveting.

19.  It’s true.  I’m the only white guy in the Strangers Writing Strange Lands panel.

20.  Turns out the Strange Horizon Party is my cup of tea.

21.  You can have a great conversation on no sleep.  Of course @GaryKloster might tell you I was just drooling on myself.

22.  Packing is always an adventure when @mauricebroaddus is involved.

23.  Revitalized by a last minute appearance at the inaugural Jim*Con.

24.  Industry gossip can get you from Wisconsin to Indianapolis.

25.  Sleep!

Did you know President Nixon was warned to act on Global Warming?  It’s true.

So that time machine better be a galaxy spanning spaceship!  Sorry Lost fans.  Marty McFly R.I.P.  On the bright side, Sara Conner can probably breath a sigh of relief.

Cartoon via buzzfeed

Part science fiction.  Part literary horror.  Check it out by clicking on the issue cover below, or scroll down for a taste of the story.  Leave me a comment over on the Apex site to let me know what you think.

City of Refuge (excerpt):

David watched from behind the crowd, as two men led a young woman up a small set of steps to the hangman’s noose. A razor-sharp wire replaced the traditional rope, ensuring a clean decapitation and a bigger spectacle of blood and death. The crowd’s palpable sense of anticipation surprised him less than the calm demeanor of the accused. She faced the gallows with such serenity stepping to the noose as if receiving Holy Communion.

The Order’s crest pinned to David’s putrefying animal hide cloak parted the crowd as effectively as its foul odor. He approached the makeshift structure, sizing up the two men standing on either side of the woman. The tall man in the bowler hat appeared to be in charge, but David focused his steely gaze on the short one with the set jaw. The little man’s face erupted with anger at the interruption.

“What can I do you for, Cardinal?” the tall man said, after looking down at the crest pinned to David’s rotting coat.

“Bring me the accused.”

“What?” the short man exclaimed, stepping forward.

“You heard me, boy.”

“She killed my father. I have a right to–”

“Unless you’d like the archbishops cutting off trade to this little haven, you will mind your place.” David stroked his unkempt beard, setting his jaw. “Do it. Now.”

The man in the bowler hurried the accused forward. On closer inspection, she was more girl than woman. Her tangled black hair and vibrant blue eyes dwarfed her petite nose and mouth. She stood with both hands tied behind her back. Deep bruises marred both sides of her face.

“Are you Jenna, the miller’s daughter?”

The girl bowed her head. “Yes, Cardinal.”

David produced a handwritten document from a pouch inside his cloak. “You petitioned the archbishops for asylum?”

“Yes, Cardinal.”

David handed the document to the short man. “The archbishops have granted Jenna an audience. If her claims are found wanting, she will be returned to you and you can continue,” David motioned around, “this exhibition.”

“Asylum?” The short man rifled through the document as though he wasn’t illiterate like the rest of the peasants. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“It is an unusual request,” David admitted, “but one the archbishops have agreed to hear.”

“Then I will go with you and speak for my dead father.”

“If your testimony is needed, the church will call for you. Until then, there will be no vengeance upon this girl or her family. Understood?”

“Whatever you say, Cardinal,” the tall man in the bowler replied, stepping between David and the dead man’s son to deliver the girl. “Please give our regards to the archbishops.”

David yanked the girl toward him and turned to face the deflated crowd. People looked away, averting their gaze as he brushed past them with his prisoner. Like most havens, this one relied on the church for tools and guns. No one would question the archbishops’ judgment.

David’s mule grazed on a patch of grass near the front gate, obscured by a cloud of flies. The girl shuddered as she approached the rotting animal skins that covered the beast.

“Will I have to wear a cloak?” she asked, clearly blanching.

“Only if you want to live,” David said. “The Fallen may have little interest in this high altitude settlement, but in the lowlands they’ll pick your body clean if they think you’re alive. Get used to wearing it.”

David untied her hands and pulled a long coat of rotting flesh from the mule’s saddlebags. The girl vomited twice before she settled into the foul garment. Even then, she retched and gagged uncontrollably. David retied her hands, this time in front of her, and leashed her to the mule with enough slack to allow her to walk.

With a nod to the gatekeeper, the tall wooden doors that protected the enclave parted. David chose to walk at first, leading the mule and his prisoner down a series of treacherous mountain switchbacks.

Here, above the dark clouds, he almost felt safe. As long as the Fallen could sustain themselves in the lowlands, they had no urge to feed in the mountains. For one stray moment he closed his eyes and felt the burn of the sun on his face. One day this will all be gone, he thought. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Continue reading…