Amazon.com says my copy of Monte Schulz’s new novel, “This Side of Jordan,” is on its way. Monte has been on a book tour, mostly making the rounds in California. I couldn’t catch him at one of his book signings, but here’s Monte in an audio interview with Mr. Media.
I really liked Jane in Monte’s novel, “Down by the River.” Jane is a good example of an idea that I’m fond of, which is the big external events of a story being window dressing for something deeper.
I was pleased when the TV series “The X-Files” had Mulder actually come out and say it, for those who were missing the point. I’m paraphrasing, but the point was, “Don’t you see, Scully? It’s not about aliens, and abductions and the government cover-up. It’s about you, Scully.” The same sort of theme was explored in Alan Moore’s “Watchmen,” relating to the character Laurie.
That’s what I took away from “Down by the River.” There was an assault, and a murder, and corruption in town, but the story really was about Jane. I don’t know if “This Side of Jordan” has a character as appealing as Jane, but I’m looking forward to reading it.
Adoring fans, gorgeous woman, signing body parts . . obviously Fantagraphics did NOT put me on the right tour! When I reach Seattle on Sunday, I intend to have a heart to heart with those dudes!
Congrats on your new book, Monte! A lot of authors cringe at the thought of book tours. All that mindless babble from adoring fans, and gorgeous women lining up to have you sign … er … body parts 😉
Hi Monte,
My copy of “This Side of Jordan” arrived today. I was wondering if the title came from the Peter, Paul and Mary song “Old Coat,” and you confirmed that in the interview. The first three PP&M albums were played over and over at our house until the Beatles arrived.
The story opens in Farrington, Illinois in 1929, eh? That’s about 150 miles from Paris, Illinois, where my father was born in 1928.
By the way, my mother’s father was chairman of the English department at a small college in Illinois, and he knew Carl Sandburg, who I know is a favorite of yours.
Enjoy the tour if you can, and best wishes for success with the book, Monte!
Well, I’m really just starting my tour. I spoke Friday night at the Southern California Writers Conference in Irvine, and had a great time there. Then I signed books at Chaucer’s in Santa Barbara last night, and am in San Diego tonight to sign at Mysterious Galaxy books tomorrow night and Laguna Beach Books on Thursday and Skylight Books in LA on Saturday, then back to Nor Cal for my drive up into the great Northwest (Portland, Seattle, Eugene on the 8th to the 14th), and over to the Bay Area in mid-October. I’m not a real public person, so the signing and such make me nervous! But I love the book and am doing all I can to see it make some money for Fantagraphics in gratitude them publishing my work. I think Dad would have been pleased.
I have the real book in my hands right now! I guess it pays to have Amazon Prime once in awhile. The “Dedication” reads: “For My Father, Whose Persistent Inspiration Still Guides This Imperfect Hand.” Imperfect it may be, but that’s the perfect dedication.
In 1997, Fantagraphics publisher Gary Groth interviewed Charles Schulz for the 200th issue of The Comics Journal. During the course of the interview, they discussed the authors that Schulz liked to read.
Gary Groth: You introduced your son Monte to such writers as Flannery O’Connor and Carson McCullers and Joan Didion.
Charles Schulz: Yes. You’d like Monte. Monte’s very well read, very bright. He’s working on a novel now which I have tremendous hopes for.
Twelve years later, we finally have the book and it’s published by Gary Groth’s company. I’m sure Gary had no idea at the time that he would be the one to publish Monte’s book. But I’m glad he did, because I was intrigued by Charles Schulz’s comments and wanted to see the book. As Doug says, I look forward to reading it!