Cancel culture probably exists! (Now that I have your attention…)

Posted by Jeff on Jul 11th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Everybody’s talking about cancel culture these days, what with that notorious Harper’s Bazaar letter and whatnot. Why do I bring up the subject, when there are much more pressing problems in the world right now?

Because the novel I’ve been working on, Hate Story, is a satire of so-called cancel culture. Or, if you hate that term and think it’s nothing but a right-wing myth designed to protect the wealthy and privileged… how about public shaming? Online bullying? Mob hysteria and rule? Whatever you want to call it, my book’s about it. And I’ve posted a preview – the first six chapters – on the writing website Wattpad. You should read it. Here’s the link.

 

It’s a new novel about the Internet, a human life, and everything in between.
Paul Shoreditch has died – and his funeral has inspired a violent riot. Jackie Roberts, a young freelance journalist who’s addicted to classic cinema and online flame wars in equal measure, has been assigned to find out why. What led to Paul’s death? What did he do to make so many people so angry? Who put up a website devoted solely to shaming him – and why?

Mixing satire with mystery, cynicism with compassion, Hate Story is an outrageous, darkly funny and timely tale that will keep you wanting more.

* * * * *

The other reason I’m posting this is to let you know that I’m reading in a Zoom event this Friday – Ad Lib’s Got Talent: Zoom Edition II. It’s the standard Ad Lib talent show that typically happens at the Arts and Letters Club in Toronto, only there’s a silly pandemic out there, so we’re doing it online. Other likely performers include Vanessa McMahon, Charlene Winger and Dimetre Alexou. Damon Lum hosts as always. Check the right sidebar to find out more.

If you can’t make it Friday, but you still want to see and/or hear me read and perform stuff, go to this page here for a handful of videos and mp3s.

Remember, cancel culture probably isn’t real. Or is it?

I guess I’m cancelled now. Damn.

Must read book excerpts now posted on Wattpad: “Hate Story”

Posted by Jeff on May 16th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Check out the first several chapters of the must read book, Hate Story, by Jeff Cottrill, now posted on the writing website Wattpad. Here’s the link.

 

It’s a new novel about the Internet, a human life, and everything in between.
Paul Shoreditch has died – and his funeral has inspired a violent riot. Jackie Roberts, a young freelance journalist who’s addicted to classic cinema and online flame wars in equal measure, has been assigned to find out why. What led to Paul’s death? What did he do to make so many people so angry? Who put up a website devoted solely to shaming him – and why?

Mixing satire with mystery, cynicism with compassion, Hate Story is a darkly funny and timely tale that will keep you wanting more.

*****

As I’ve mentioned in previous entries, I’ve posted the first six chapters – or five, if you don’t want to count the prologue-pretending-not-to-be-a-prologue that I’ve titled “Chapter Zero” – of Hate Story online. This time, I’m trying something a little different. I’m using my limited yet professionally relevant knowledge of SEO optimization to see if I can attract random web searchers. This may be a really dumb idea that won’t work in the slightest, but I thought it would be fun to try.

You may have noticed that I’ve begun the title of this post with the words “must read book” and included that phrase in the opening paragraph. That’s my keyword for this web page. Apparently people look for that or something. I’ll write it again: must read book. (I really want to put a hyphen in that, but people on the Internet hate hyphens.) You may also notice that I’m trying to stretch this out to at least 300 words, since I understand that’s the minimum limit.

I guess I need an internal link too. Here you go. It’s a handful of videos and mp3s.

Happy reading.

Lockdown got you bored?

Posted by Jeff on Apr 19th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Looking for something to read while you’re stuck at home self-isolating? Gone through all your books and desperate for something new?

Well, have I got something for you, kids.

You can read Hate Story, my novel-in-progress!

Or at least the first few chapters.
I’ve been posting them weekly on the writing website Wattpad. So far, I’ve put up the first three: Chapters Zero, One and Two. (Chapter Zero is really kind of a prologue. I’m calling it that because I didn’t want it to look like the standard, cliché prologue-before-the-main-action deal. Even though it, well, kind of is.)

Here’s the link.

Bear in mind that I don’t consider these to be final drafts. They say that a work of art (or, perhaps in this case, brainless entertainment) is never completed, but only abandoned. I’m currently working with the Humber School for Writers to tweak this into something that fits the barest outer reaches of being publishable by even the smallest of presses. And even if I end up having to self-publish this thing, I don’t want it to suck completely.

Happy reading.

*****

Are you done reading? Still bored?

Here’s what the Chipmunks sound like at normal speed.

Ta ta.

The luck of the pot

Posted by Jeff on Feb 29th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Hey you.

Friday night, come to the Ad Lib Potluck.
I’ll be reading something. There will be other performers, probably Vanessa McMahon and Charlene Winger and stuff. Damon Lum hosts again.

And there will be food.
Details, right sidebar.

Don’t feel like writing anymore.
Here are some puppies and a mean mommy.

Happy March.

Valentine’s / And the lovin’ is easy…

Posted by Jeff on Feb 7th, 2020 in News | 0 comments

Just a quick note to let you know that I’m about to do my first poetry gig in more than eleven months. This Tuesday, you can catch me at the Art Bar Valentine’s Night, along with Valentino Assenza, Rahul Gupta and an open mic. Cynthia Gould hosts.

Yeah, I know. Three males. Two of them white. Not the wokest of lineups. But that’s the way it worked out, so I say shrug and come and have a good time. Deets on the right sidebar.

And to put you in the Valentine’s mood, here’s an uplifting Valentine’s scene from the ultimate Valentine’s movie.

Seeya.