I gave away free signed copies of The Wanderer and the New West to librarians and educators from around the country. The good folks at the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) hosted me and were a big help bringing in the crowds. My wife Mallika lent a hand getting me set up and taking photos as dystopian fans arrived to learn more about my novel.
Must … sign books … faster …
The conference itself took place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and was widely attended. Mallika and I saw great keynotes by Frank Miller and Hoda Kotb.
Look at the size of that floor!
I brought a suitcase full of books — 25 copies in all — and I have to admit that I was a little scared going in that I’d have to bring most of them home. In actuality, I gave out all the books before my 20 minutes was up at the stand! I even gave out a few eBook and audiobook editions to visitors who didn’t get a paperback.
I’m all out of bullets … er, books!
The event left me on a pretty big high! I hope to get out to another big event like this soon. It was great to meet everyone who stopped by!
Want to hear the Wanderer’s gravelly twang deliver an acerbic sendoff before he dispenses with another Red Stripe gangster? Do you yearn to listen to clever Kid Hunter’s bold attempts at flirtation?
Now you can! The audiobook edition of The Wanderer and the New West by Adam Bender has arrived on your favorite digital platform!
James Sasser provides the stellar narration — just listen to a sample by clicking one of the store links above to hear for yourself!
James Sasser
Many thanks to Findaway Voices for producing and distributing the audiobook. Findaway connects indie authors with professional voice actors and gives them access to a wide network of audiobook retailers.
A rogue vigilante seeks redemption in a lawless, near-future America that fully protects the rights of armed citizens to stand their ground. When a marksman known as the Wanderer opens war against injustice in the state of Arizona, his violent actions attract the attention of journalist Rosa Veras, writer of a subversive blog about America’s return to the Wild West.
Prefer a stare down with the written word?The Wanderer and the New West is also available as a paperback and eBook on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and many other popular retailers.
The London Book Fair, Photo Credit: Combined Book Exhibit
The Wanderer and the New West presents a dystopian view of near-future America, but that doesn’t mean it’s only for readers from the States!
I was excited to display my novel at the London Book Fair in March. The book appeared in the New Title Showcase on a physical shelf and digitally. Actually, my book does have one English connection. Cover artist Ben Mcleod hails from Manchester!
Try to spot my novel in pictures below from the show, courtesy of Combined Book Exhibit.
ManyBooks promo and interview!
In other news, The Wanderer and the New West is featured today on ManyBooks, with a special $2.99 discounted price for the eBook all week long!
ManyBooks featured me as its Author of the Day. Please check out the full interview, where I talk about how I got the idea for my latest novel and whether I think America is going to end up in as dark a place as my book predicts! And I give a sneak preview of my couple next projects, so you don’t want to miss it.
Reviewed by IndieReader
IndieReader gave my novel a great review:
“THE WANDERER AND THE NEW WEST sports smart prose, entertaining dialogue and distinctive characters, and it reads at a breakneck pace,” wrote IndieReader. “Adam Bender’s novel is tight, literate pulp.”
I got the verdict as part of IndieReader’s annual book competition, which will reveal winners later this spring. Wish me luck!
Bid for a signed 3-Book set and support Writers for Hope
Iguana not included.
I’m donating a set of three signed novels to the Writers for Hope auction, supporting RAINN. Click here to bid. This event began in 2014 and is held every April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 100% of the money raised by this event goes directly to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), the United States’ largest anti-sexual assault organization.
At your local bookshop…
What’s this?The Wanderer and the New West in my local Philly bookstore Shakespeare & Co? It wouldn’t have been possible if I hadn’t switched paperback distributors to IngramSpark. With more flexible terms for small businesses, the move is making my novel more accessible to libraries and independent bookstores.
If you know a great library or local shop, please ask them to order a copy! You can also benefit local bookstores by buying my book online from IndieBound.
So, here’s a great way to close out the year. The Wanderer and the New West has been named to Kirkus Reviews‘ Best Books of 2018!
The honor follows Kirkus Reviews listing The Wanderer and the New West as one of its best indie books of April. The magazine also gave my Dystopian Western novel a starred review back in February.
“A dystopian novel about an America ruled by gangs and gun manufacturers and about the brave few who are willing to fight them both … A tight, thoughtful work that has much to offer readers on both sides of the gun control debate.”
The recognition follows two separate indie awards for The Wanderer and the New West, including a gold medal (Fiction – Dystopia) in the 2018 Readers’ Favorite Awards and Best Western Fiction in the 2018 National Indie Excellence Awards.
Ego trip aside, it was really great to meet so many other cool indie authors who won awards. We talked about our books, compared notes on marketing tricks, and generally had a good time. We learned from other creators like R.J. Tolson and Eddie Price, as well as media expert Burke Allen and legendary literary agent Frank Weimann.
Readers’ Favorite displayed our novels at the Miami Book Fair, with money from the sales going to St. Jude’s Hospital. Here are some pictures from the booth…
At the booth…
Hangin’ with authors Eddie Price, Jalpa Williby and Glede Browne Kabongo
Shooting a promo video
Incidentally, you should really check out the Miami Book Fair next year! I had a really good time perusing the abundance of books on display, and seeing White House reporter April Ryan talk about what it’s like to cover President Trump (whew)! Miami itself is a fun city with a great beach, vibrant culture and exceptional Latin food and drinks.
White House reporter April Ryan talks Trump
C-SPAN was there
The Remyz rocked out
Got some swag and a graphic novel!
Oh, and it sure was nice to soak in some sun in the middle of November. It was snowing back home in Philly! Right now outside my window, it’s a gray morning… wouldn’t mind a return to the Sunshine State soon!
