NY_Dan
Well-known
I’m proud to announce that my new novel, SCHMENDRICK is now available in both paperback and ebook versions from Poliwag Books PayPal (link at Poliwag Books), and Amazon. My main inspiration for writing the book is a photo I shot of my father back in 1978, on the rooftop of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, in Los Angeles. I can still remember that day.
The story is set in Los Angeles, California and takes place over a one-week time span. I began writing in April, 2015 with the goal of the book being published by November 10, 2017, which happens to be the 30th anniversary of the day my father passed away. Luckily, I met my self-imposed deadline by three weeks. I think my father would have liked the book.
As a photographer, I drew from the image bank in my head created during my trips to LA to both see my father and photo assistant work in 1981. These images were so vivid, that I felt compelled to employ them in the novel and to shoot a separate book titled California Dreaming—I really was dreaming about California.
This cover blurb provides a taste of what the book’s about:
Stanley Schmendrick has no idea why big-bosomed Mabel Johnson, the Heavy Chevys Latino gang, and transgender hellions from the Fosse’s Fighters dojo are all after mobster Rocky Organza’s record book-much less why they think he has it. For Stanley, trying to keep his pursuers at bay while going about his daily business of donating sperm, driving a taxi full of tipsy stewardesses, and staying on the right side of the law is a daunting task.
Fortunately, Stanley’s goldfish Jaws XV, sidekick Tony Aqua-Velva, and guardian angel Lieutenant Frank Columbo Jr., are there to help him navigate a week of weirdness. Along the way, the bad guys do all they can to thwart him-even going so far as to outfit Stanley with a transmitting testicle.
But never fear, for armed with a lasso, tabs of LSD, the ability to fly from the top of his head, Frank Sinatra albums, and a lifetime supply of birthday presents his mother never gave him, Stanley has all he needs to fight back-or so he hopes. Surfing legend Laird Hamilton, Olympian Bruce Jenner’s double, and even God lend a hand, but will it be enough for Stanley to survive and emerge a better man?
I look forward to receiving feedback from people who have read the book.
Thank you.
Dan Wagner
The story is set in Los Angeles, California and takes place over a one-week time span. I began writing in April, 2015 with the goal of the book being published by November 10, 2017, which happens to be the 30th anniversary of the day my father passed away. Luckily, I met my self-imposed deadline by three weeks. I think my father would have liked the book.
As a photographer, I drew from the image bank in my head created during my trips to LA to both see my father and photo assistant work in 1981. These images were so vivid, that I felt compelled to employ them in the novel and to shoot a separate book titled California Dreaming—I really was dreaming about California.
This cover blurb provides a taste of what the book’s about:
Stanley Schmendrick has no idea why big-bosomed Mabel Johnson, the Heavy Chevys Latino gang, and transgender hellions from the Fosse’s Fighters dojo are all after mobster Rocky Organza’s record book-much less why they think he has it. For Stanley, trying to keep his pursuers at bay while going about his daily business of donating sperm, driving a taxi full of tipsy stewardesses, and staying on the right side of the law is a daunting task.
Fortunately, Stanley’s goldfish Jaws XV, sidekick Tony Aqua-Velva, and guardian angel Lieutenant Frank Columbo Jr., are there to help him navigate a week of weirdness. Along the way, the bad guys do all they can to thwart him-even going so far as to outfit Stanley with a transmitting testicle.
But never fear, for armed with a lasso, tabs of LSD, the ability to fly from the top of his head, Frank Sinatra albums, and a lifetime supply of birthday presents his mother never gave him, Stanley has all he needs to fight back-or so he hopes. Surfing legend Laird Hamilton, Olympian Bruce Jenner’s double, and even God lend a hand, but will it be enough for Stanley to survive and emerge a better man?
I look forward to receiving feedback from people who have read the book.
Thank you.
Dan Wagner
squirrel$$$bandit
Veteran
Hey, congratulations!
summar
Well-known
Congratulations again! A novel is probably the most demanding form of prose writing, and humor is especially difficult. I've been following your photo posts with great appreciation.
Coopersounds
Well-known
well done! best wishes with the books success - but it sounds like you have been successful already
helen.HH
To Light & Love ...
Very Cool !!
Congrats
Dan, Is this a self publishing endeavor ?
Congrats
Dan, Is this a self publishing endeavor ?
kxl
Social Documentary
Congratulations!
Chriscrawfordphoto
Real Men Shoot Film.
Awesome!
NY_Dan
Well-known
Thanks for the kind words.
summar, Thank you. I don't know where to begin. I hadn't really intended to write a novel. I had a few ideas in my head, and a lot of stuff from remembrances of my father, Los Angeles, experiences -- and so much was visual. Which being a photographer makes sense. Prior to the age of 8, we didn't have a TV. But, I had drawing supplies and a street-find record player, and some Broadway show records like Peter Pan and West Side Story - all of which stimulated my imagination. My sub conscious worked harder on the story than my conscious, and made writing the first draft in 3 months doable. I feel like the book communicates some essence of my father and LA while also being entertaining. I look forward to hearing from readers. I'm happy to answer questions relating to the story and would love to answer questions about specific characters in the book, in the "voice" of that character. But most important about all this, is how writing, music, and all other arts help evolve and improve one's photography, and vice versa.
summar, Thank you. I don't know where to begin. I hadn't really intended to write a novel. I had a few ideas in my head, and a lot of stuff from remembrances of my father, Los Angeles, experiences -- and so much was visual. Which being a photographer makes sense. Prior to the age of 8, we didn't have a TV. But, I had drawing supplies and a street-find record player, and some Broadway show records like Peter Pan and West Side Story - all of which stimulated my imagination. My sub conscious worked harder on the story than my conscious, and made writing the first draft in 3 months doable. I feel like the book communicates some essence of my father and LA while also being entertaining. I look forward to hearing from readers. I'm happy to answer questions relating to the story and would love to answer questions about specific characters in the book, in the "voice" of that character. But most important about all this, is how writing, music, and all other arts help evolve and improve one's photography, and vice versa.
John Lawrence
Well-known
Congratulations from me too!
John
John
raid
Dad Photographer
You are a very talented man, Dan. I could see this fact in your past postings here at RFF.
Congratulations. Your dad would have been proud of you!
Congratulations. Your dad would have been proud of you!
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Most heartfelt congratulations, Dan! Now, I must see to buy both, the novel and your previous photography book. Good job!
Good job!
Been wondering what you've been doing Dan... I'll try to check it out.
NY_Dan
Well-known
Thanks for looking. If you want a laugh, check out the goofy cosplay author photo on back cover.
High John. Please let me know when the next NYC meet up is. What I've been doing--lol--this, shooting about 4 rolls of 120 per week, current backlog of 90 plus rolls to develop and so far behind on scanning I have nightmares. For work I've been writing for B&H (think Dickens), and shot an event for the Fed Reserve recently -- I was thinking of you and what you do for work. Saw lamefrogs new work last week, and it's phenomenal. Cheers.
High John. Please let me know when the next NYC meet up is. What I've been doing--lol--this, shooting about 4 rolls of 120 per week, current backlog of 90 plus rolls to develop and so far behind on scanning I have nightmares.
For work I've been writing for B&H (think Dickens), and shot an event for the Fed Reserve recently -- I was thinking of you and what you do for work. Saw lamefrogs new work last week, and it's phenomenal. Cheers.
lamefrog
Well-known
As I wrote in the classifieds thread, I read a draft version of this book and its at the same time hilarious and absurd. I think the photograph of his father Dan posted above and the ambiguity of the cover art (very successful imho) also convey the special quality of the work . You won't be disappointed.
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
Congratulations, Dan, you must stay up all night drinking cup after cup of hot black java while writing literary masterpieces.
NY_Dan
Well-known
"Masterpieces" lol!
More like master-fe--oops better not write that. Seriously, I need escapes from the prison of my 9-6 routine, and writing is one of my escapes. I just describe the images in my mind with a few plot twists and wacky characters for flavor.
leica M2 fan
Veteran
Congratulations Dan and continued success! I have always enjoyed your photos here,
and it's obvious you have talent. Keep going at it.
and it's obvious you have talent. Keep going at it.
dmr
Registered Abuser
Congratulations and good luck on the book sales!