After I graduated from art school back in 2007, one of the execs tried to recruit myself, some close friends and others for this new animation studio he was opening up. Even though he had paid folks for some freelance stuff, there was something off about him and I never trusted him.
I found out later he began posting classmates' reels on his website and trying to pass it off as the studio's work without their permission:
Life for Noah Scott changes drastically when he is accepted to Hollowstone Academy, one of the most prestigious boarding schools in the country set in the mountains of Eastern Tennessee. Within the hallowed halls of the illustrious school, Noah soon discovers that the world of the privileged is rife with social hierarchies, politics, depravity and corruption. It is also there that Noah meets his roommate and best friend, the charming and enigmatic Caleb Warner.
Tragedy soon strikes when Cal is brutally murdered in a hold-up. But when Noah is haunted by Cal’s ghost, he soon discovers that the random act of violence was in fact a premeditated one. Determined to uncover the truth and find Cal’s killer, Noah soon finds that the school and its patrons have more than their share of secrets. Secrets they are willing to preserve at any cost. Noah also quickly learns that greater supernatural forces are at play. In a race against time, Noah must solve Cal’s murder before he’s the killer’s next victim.
Elements of contemporary noir, paranormal, and the Southern gothic are interwoven in Dennis R. Upkins’s debut novel. Hollowstone also serves as both an homage and a modern day retelling of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Fans of Whistler, Brick and Veronica Mars will also want to check out this book. Although this is a young adult novel, by no means is it child’s play. Hollowstone takes an unflinching look at many social issues and contains universal themes that will appeal to readers both teens and adults alike. ____________________________________
Why else should you pick up a copy of Hollowstone? The story features a diverse cast including multiple POC and queer characters in key roles. In fact, of the three main leads, one is African-American while the other is a bisexual female.
Hollowstone is also unflinching exposing a myriad of social injustices that plague society. The novel pulls no punches in calling out the horrors of racism, homophobia, rape culture, poverty, domestic violence, and the various permutations of institutional oppression.
By no means does Hollowstone presume to have the answers, in fact it doesn't present any. But what the story does is make a good-faith effort to cast a light on many of the injustices that people are forced to endure each day, in the hopes of prompting self-reflection and a dialogue.
This is also a novel I would encourage parents read with their teens and have a discussion about, afterwards.
Hollowstone is coming soon from Parker Publishing. ____________________________________ That's right, we're coming for ya.
BUT WAIT! THERE'S MORE!!!!
I'm going to be doing a Q&A session about the Hollowstone. Writing the story, the inspiration behind the novel, my process, the characters, etc. So if there's anything you want to ask, leave a question in the comment section or if you're shy, PM me or email me at neo-prodigy@livejournal.com.
This entry was made possible via cross platform post from Livejournal and Dreamwidth.
Busy doing the writing thing as well as running errands and completing long overdue chores. These two profound pics I found on Tumblr really spoke to me and ergo I share.
The New Pornographers- All The Things That Go To Make Heaven And Earth
With June being LGBTQ Pride, I couldn't think of a better time to do a Roll Call celebrating exceptional LGBTQ characters in comics.
While there have been a number of LGBTQ characters, most of them at best have been relegated to minor characters and at worst deplorable homophobic queer minstrel shows. And don't get it conflated.
If it were then the Rawhide Kid and Northstar would be progressive trailblazing characters.
So no, this isn't just my list of queer comic characters.
This is a salute to the elite characters who have provided me with a more than a few OH HELL YEAH! moments and made me proud to be a comic book geek and an LGBTQ.
Also, if you haven't already, feel free to check out my recent post on No_Scans discussing Queer Tropes to better understand where I'm coming from on this.
A webcomic pioneer by the name of Randy K. Milholland once said, "I guess that's how death works. It doesn't matter if we're ready or not. It just happens."
I just found out that one of my favorite artists, Michael Turner, passed away Friday from a long battle with cancer.
For those of you who don't keep up with comics, Turner was an artistic phenom whose distinctive style took the industry by storm. On a personal level, he is one of the catalysts which inspired me to get my BFA in computer animation.
I had the pleasure of meeting Turner several years ago when I was living in Chattanooga. He was on a signing tour and he stopped in at American Comics & Cards; one of my hangouts. I was irked because I was scheduled to work at the computer lab at UT Chattanooga and I would miss meeting him.
Obsessed with his work, I had followed Turner's career pretty closely. I was surprised to learn that he was a fellow Tennessee boy like myself and he had accomplished much both as a writer and an artist in comics. I can't tell you how many days and nights I spent sketching away in my tablets, trying to emulate his penciling style. Needless to say he is a serious influence in my work. And on top of that....well...he was hot. Suffice to say I wasn't going to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity; job or no job.
I went on my "lunchbreak" and headed out to AC&C to meet one of my idols. I stood in line and waited for Turner to sign issue 12 of Fathom which was the big crossover featuring Tombraider, Witchblade and the titular heroine herself.
He greeted me with a warm grin and signed my copy. As he signed, I flipped through his portfolio and saw his various pieces.
"Did you have any formal training?" I asked. "Nah," he said. "I took one art class one time and I got a C-." "Do you have any advice for novice artists?" "My only advice would be to just to keep at it and keep working on it."
I thanked him and we shook hands. You could tell his warmth was genuine and he couldn't have possibly been a nicer guy.
I must've been gone from work for a couple of hours. I never did get caught or get in any trouble. Later I returned to the AC&C and imagine my shock to learn that Turner (who was supposed to have been gone at that point) was still around greeting fans and signing autographs.
Tip, one of the AC&C workers, stated that he stuck around of his own volition, was one of the friendliest people he ever met and an all-around class act.
A few weeks after the signing, I first learned that he had been diagnosed with cancer. What was even more inspiring was not only did he beat it, but he came back with a vengence. He launched his own company, produced his own titles, and was still sought after by Marvel and DC alike to do cover art and story arcs. And when the cancer returned, he didn't let it stop him. Giving credence to the notion that Turner was every bit the superhero that he made his living drawing. That indominable spirit is what prompted me to go to art school and when things got rocky or when pissy professors were lining up eager to tell me that I would never work in the field, he was one of my inspirations to keep me persevering.
I read a month ago that a number of his projects were being delayed because another bout with cancer, but I was confident that Turner would be fine as he always was. So you can imagine how surreal it is for me to be writing this post. Not to mention difficult because it's all I can do not to get depressed, lock myself in my closet and curl up in a ball.
While our only meeting was brief, Turner inspired me in a profound way. I imagine his fans around the wold echo that sentiment.
To Michael Turner, your time on this world was far too brief but that didn't stop you from making a monumental impact. You created new worlds for us to explore and you showed us a glimpse of the beauty that was in your soul. Your work and character inspired countless lives and for that all I will be forever grateful.
amused
accomplished
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