From info at michaelamos.net Thu Apr 3 21:05:20 2008 From: info at michaelamos.net (Information about forthcoming releases from Michael Amos) Date: Thu, 03 Apr 2008 21:05:20 +0100 Subject: [Info] The Rocktastic Corduroy Peach Message-ID: <47F53880.5070806@michaelamos.net> Hi, Welcome to the fourth bulletin of the Michael Amos mailing list. My new novel, The Rocktastic Corduroy Peach, is finally here, released in print by Samhain Publishing Ltd and available from all good on-line and brick ?n? mortar bookshops (Amazon.co.uk are selling it for as little as 5.15 UKP, Amazon.com for 10.50 USD). Read the first three chapters on-line at www.michaelamos.net/excerpts.php?pub_id=2 and let me know what you think on my guestbook or via email at mamos at michaleamos.net. The book blurb and a short extract follow ? I hope you enjoy it: The Rocktastic Corduroy Peach Big schemes, big dreams and some really big drama-queens? For Marcus Mason, young at heart guitarist with unsigned rock band Corduroy Peach, life is just one big shit-sandwich. The status of rock ?n? roll legend has thus far eluded him and, with the psychological milestone of his thirtieth birthday fast approaching, the chance of hitting the big time seems ever more remote. Struggling to give up the damned cigarettes and haunted by the specter of an unhappy divorce, he hates his day job as a dog food salesman and wishes he could pluck up the courage to ask out gorgeous but nerdy Oxford student, Rose Finer. When a throwaway comment by local celebrity Radium Mars puts Corduroy Peach briefly into the limelight, Marcus finds himself competing with suave drummer Dermot for Rose?s affections, and fighting to remain in the band as insufferable singer Danny-boy tries to maneuver him out. Not willing to let go of his dreams easily, Marcus struggles to work out if this is the beginning of the big-time or the beginning of the end, a question that can only be answered in a final showdown with Radium. Warning, this title contains the following: foul language, strong sex references, mild drug references, cruelty to a cuddly toy, outrageous melodrama and poor personal hygiene. -------- ?Right, what I wanted to say was, I don?t live with my mum.? Dermot fixed the other members of Corduroy Peach with an earnest stare. ?I live with my dad. And he?s gay.? Another Monday night?s quiet rehearsal session had arrived but this one was already set to be a bit different. Dermot insisted he wished to make an announcement once the band?s equipment was set up and, now that he had said it, Danny-boy and Paul were lost for words. Marcus just chewed on the inside of his lip, this was old news. ?I think that?s just so cool,? purred Jenny. ?Is he here? I?d love to meet him.? Jenny was there for the first time, much to Marcus? annoyance. She immediately became the centre of attention as Danny-boy, Dermot and even Paul vied with each other to flirt with her. Nominally attached to Danny-boy, she seemed happy to toy with all three of them but Marcus noticed a real glint in her eye when she talked to Dermot. Dermot always got the girl, no contest. The guy was all suntan and six-pack. Marcus wondered if he ought to dig out his chest expander and try to improve his physique a little. Sit-ups to get rid of the beer belly maybe? Marcus resolved to start a diet and a vigorous exercise routine the very next day. At the weekend at the very latest. ?No, he?s not here. He goes out on Mondays. With Bill. His boyfriend.? Dermot blushed a little but had an air of defiance about him. ?It?s absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, Dermot.? Danny-boy spoke solemnly. ?I?m glad you felt you could share that with us.? ?I?m not ashamed, okay.? Dermot glowered crossly at Danny-boy. ?You never mentioned it before,? said Paul. ?Are you gay then?? ?No,? Dermot was almost shouting. Paul held his palms up submissively. ?Alright, me duck, okay. I just wondered why you never mentioned it, that?s all.? ?Because it?s, well?? Dermot floundered for a moment. ??because people take the piss, you know? All my life, people have taken the piss ?cos I?ve got a gay dad.? ?It?s a shame he?s not here.? Jenny was all doe-eyed. ?It would be really cool to meet a real gay person.? Something troubled Marcus. ?If he?s gay, how come you?re here?? ?What do you mean?? Dermot looked at him coldly. ?Well, was he not gay for a bit? Was he drunk?? Danny-boy drew himself up importantly. ?Don?t be so crass, Marcus. Dermot?s just shared something that?s very personal with us. I think a little more tact is in order.? ?Na, Marcus has got a point,? said Paul, warming to the subject. ?I mean, how did he get a girl up the duff if he?s a fudge packer?? Jenny stifled a giggle behind her hand. Danny-boy glowered at Paul. ?What?? Paul?s face was awash with honest incomprehension. Dermot held up a hand before Danny-boy could speak. ?Look, it?s very simple, okay? When you live in the outback, there?s a lot of pressure on you to conform. My mum and dad met, got married and had me but it was all against my dad?s nature. Now he?s happy with who he is and I?m happy for him.? ?He could be bi?? Jenny ran her fingers through her hair. ?No.? ?Sometimes people?s sexuality changes as they get older,? Jenny continued. ?You?re absolutely right.? Danny-boy was eager to concur with her. ?I recall reading all adolescent boys have a crush on their P.E. teachers at some point.? Marcus snorted. ?Hey, well I know I did. What a lot of bollocks.? ?You can ridicule all you like but it?s true.? Danny-boy brought his knees up under his chin. ?So you did, did you? You had a crush on your P.E. teacher?? Danny-boy flushed crimson. ?Er?no, no.? ?Yeah, I bet you did.? ?No I didn?t.? ?What about you, Paul? Fancied a bit of rugger with your P.E. teacher, did you?? Paul jolted upright. ?Fuck off.? ?I did,? said Jenny. The boys all turned and looked at her. ?What?? Danny-boy?s mouth dropped open. ?I had a crush on my schoolmistress.? All four boys took a sharp intake of breath. A long silence followed. Dermot clapped his hands together. ?Right. Who?s for a cup of tea then?? -------- You are receiving this email because you?ve previously signed up to the Michael Amos mailing list. If you do not wish to receive these emails, please let me know and I will remove you from the list. All the best, Michael Amos www.michaelamos.net Fast, funny science fiction Rocktastic, contemporary comedy