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Category: News and Writing

News about Adam’s writing and other creative projects.

Get an early copy of the new novel Utopia PR

My next novel Utopia PR will be in readers’ hands in just one (hopefully short) month! Personally, I can’t wait for Feb. 22, so I’ve set up a couple ways for you to get an early copy of the eBook edition.

For Kindle owners who enjoy a good game of chance (and frankly, who doesn’t?), I present to you this Goodreads giveaway! Enter to win one of 100 free copies of the Kindle edition. The contest ends Feb. 12, meaning you’ll get the book more than a week early!

For those who want an early copy and don’t mind paying $2.99, I will have a pre-sale on Smashwords starting on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day! The pre-sale is open only to members of The Underground, my free-to-join e-newsletter.

Prefer a physical book and don’t mind waiting for Feb. 22? I’m excited to announce the paperback edition is now available to pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with more booksellers expected to add it soon. The eBook was already available for pre-order on those sites, plus Apple, Google Play and Kobo.

Utopia PR continues to garner positive early praise!

“In a tale that’s reminiscent of political farces such as the HBO TV series Veep, Bender employs a smooth, amusing, and straightforward prose style that’s briskly paced … Its tone is irreverent, and readers looking for a quick chuckle will likely enjoy Bender’s winking comedy, which is punctuated with genuinely sweet, sincere moments.” — Kirkus Reviews

I’m even more excited to hear what you think. Please leave a customer review wherever you get a copy or on Goodreads. I’m an indie author with a limited marketing budget, so your help spreading the word really makes a difference.

Book reviewers may also obtain an ARC at NetGalley. If you write a review, please contact me to let me know and I’ll be happy to feature it on my blog or via social media. I’m also available for interviews if so desired.

Thanks for all your support!

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Utopia PR is coming 2/22/21! Preorder the dystopian satire now

Blake Hamner, the crisis comms hero of my upcoming novel Utopia PR, somehow beat me to the punch in revealing the book’s cover. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, given all his recent tweeting.

Here it is again, in case you missed it.

I’m positively ecstatic to inform you that Utopia PR will be available as a paperback and eBook on 2/22 in the new year.

The early buzz on my dystopian satire is good!

“A dystopian novel laced with intrigue, science fiction, romance and humor,” wrote Gail Kaufman in a review for Reedsy Discovery. “I recommend this book to fans of dystopia who would appreciate a comedic writing style and the underlying themes of marital challenges, finding your purpose, diversity and manipulation through social media.”

Who doesn’t like those underlying themes? Am I right? More reviews should be coming soon, which I am anxious (so very anxious) to read and share. In fact, if you’re a critic, blogger, or even a Goodreads user, please help yourself to a digital advance review copy (ARC) on NetGalley! I just ask that you please write a review, as I am an indie author who does all his own marketing!

If you’re not a reviewer but still want to get your hands on an early copy, I’m planning to make the eBook available to buy one week early on Smashwords to anyone who is subscribed to my newsletter The Underground by Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14). Please join!

You can also preorder the eBook today at the below online bookstores:

You’ll be able to order a paperback on release day. Or possibly sooner, if I can figure that out. Let me get back to you!

And don’t forget to add it to your shelf on Goodreads!

Thanks very much for all your support!

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My protagonist is tweeting and I think I’m afraid

I don’t mean to alarm anyone, but I think the protagonist of my next novel is tweeting. According to his Twitter profile, Blake “The Hammer” Hamner also has a business website.

I thought I was writing a novel — a dystopian satire called Utopia PR — but Blake seems to think I’m the co-writer of a very serious non-fiction memoir on his days managing crisis communications for the president.

So yeah, that’s kind of worrying. But hey, 2020 has been pretty weird.

Anyway, he seems to be sharing some savvy public relations tips under his handle, @Utopia_PR, as you can see below. I followed him. Maybe you should follow him, too.

Oy, I think I need a drink.

Utopia PR is coming soon. For updates on my new novel, or Blake’s memoir, or whatever the heck it is, please join the Hammer’s email list. Or mine. Whichever you prefer.

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My short stories en español

¡Buenas noticias para los lectores en español! David, de Artifacs Libros, me escribió recientemente y me preguntó si podía traducir seis de mis relatos al español. Por supuesto, dije que sí. Estoy muy emocionado de poder llegar a una nueva audiencia de lectores con mi ficción.

El eBook incluye los relatos:

  • Intercambio de Vida (Life Trade)
  • Rincón de Fumadores (Smokers Corner)
  • Día de la Invasión (Invasion Day)
  • Ojos de Fuego (Fire Eyes),
  • Una Boda de IntercambioDeVida (A Lifetrade Wedding)
  • Puerta Equivocada (Wrong Gate).

Great news for Spanish-language readers! David from Artifacs Libros reached out recently asking if he could translate six of my short stories into Spanish. Of course, I said yes. I’m so excited to be able to reach a new audience of readers with my fiction.

You can also read all my short stories for free in English.

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Returning as editor… Jim Spivey!

In my last blog post, I told you the manuscript for my next novel was ready for a professional edit. Today, I’m happy to announce that Jim Spivey will be returning to edit Utopia PR.

Jim did a bang-up job proofreading my last novel, The Wanderer and the New West. Without getting too in-the-weeds on the nuances of editing, he will be doing a more intensive copy edit this time around (another editor did this for The Wanderer). Jim brings 20+ years of experience in the publishing industry, including at Hachette, DC Comics and Kirkus. Check out his website for more.

While I wait for Jim’s edits, I will be taking a much-needed break to catch up on video games (Life is Strange 2, Super Mega Baseball 3, Pokemon Shield and others…), TV shows (Devs, Afterlife, Space Force…) and books (There There, The Dark Forest and several comics). Even creators gotta consume, sometimes.

More updates soon! Keep your eye on this blog and subscribe to my newsletter to stay informed.

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Adam Bender | adambenderwrites.com | watchadam.blog