"Alexander Murphy's Home for Wayward Celebrities" is now available for your Kobo reader from the Kobo Bookstore here:
http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Alexander-Murphys-Home-Wayward-Celebrities/book-WWrpSfbukUi_WA3G-Gzg0g/page1.html
Also, strangely, listed as a Fiction Anthology.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
Publishing Addendum Volume 3
"Alexander Murphy's Home for Wayward Celebrities" is now available at the Reader Store for your Sony Reading Device or Reader App. for Android Tablet here:
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/josh-karaczewski/alexander-murphy-s-home-for-wayward-celebrities/_/R-400000000000000501229
Can't tell you why it's listed under "Fiction Anthologies"...
http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/josh-karaczewski/alexander-murphy-s-home-for-wayward-celebrities/_/R-400000000000000501229
Can't tell you why it's listed under "Fiction Anthologies"...
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Publishing Addendum Volume 2
Hail readers. My novel "Alexander Murphy's Home for Wayward Celebrities" is now available through the diesel e-book store.
Check it out here:
http://search.diesel-ebooks.com/author/Karaczewski,%20Josh/results/1.html
Check it out here:
http://search.diesel-ebooks.com/author/Karaczewski,%20Josh/results/1.html
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Season's Readings Catch-up #1 - Patrick O'Brian
I have always loved tales of the sea. As much as I loved Edgar Allen Poe's horror and detective stories it was his strange and wonderful stories on the open ocean ("Manuscript Found in a Bottle"; "A Descent into the Maelstrom") that most fired my imagination; the initial draw of Tom Clancy was the water-heavy "The Hunt for Red October;" and the next novel I read from Jack London will certainly be "The Sea Wolf."
This interest found its culmination in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series. Through twenty-and-a-half books I felt I was part of Lucky Jack's crew, part of Dr. Maturin's intelligence community. I got to know these characters better than I know many of my friends, so that leaving them abruptly with "21" (because it was unfinished at the time of O'Brian's death) was traumatic; the years I spent reading this series was akin to going away to school: I went in not knowing anyone, learned and experienced so much, shared in so many lives, and then had to return home alone. And there will be no phone calls, no facebook updates, no serendipitous meetings, no reunions to attend. I was left onshore at Aubrey and Maturin's last sailing, and never will they return to my port.
I will not give reviews for individual books in the series, for they all blended together in one vast narrative for me. But if you too are drawn to clear horizons in every direction, adventure with good company, and perhaps even a sea change, volunteer to go aboard. The journey will be worth the melancholy at journey's end.
This interest found its culmination in Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin series. Through twenty-and-a-half books I felt I was part of Lucky Jack's crew, part of Dr. Maturin's intelligence community. I got to know these characters better than I know many of my friends, so that leaving them abruptly with "21" (because it was unfinished at the time of O'Brian's death) was traumatic; the years I spent reading this series was akin to going away to school: I went in not knowing anyone, learned and experienced so much, shared in so many lives, and then had to return home alone. And there will be no phone calls, no facebook updates, no serendipitous meetings, no reunions to attend. I was left onshore at Aubrey and Maturin's last sailing, and never will they return to my port.
I will not give reviews for individual books in the series, for they all blended together in one vast narrative for me. But if you too are drawn to clear horizons in every direction, adventure with good company, and perhaps even a sea change, volunteer to go aboard. The journey will be worth the melancholy at journey's end.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Where I was, and what I was doing
Those visiting this blog may notice the sizable gap between my last "Season's Reading" in early 2009 and my recent flurry of activity. So before I continue on with what passes for "content" on this blog, I thought I would give an explanation.
Firstly, my career as a fledgling teacher occupied most of my intellectual resources, so that when I had a break where I could stop working and devote my mind to the consumption of a story, it was either one that I could share with my family (a film or book or video game with the kids; television or film with my wife after the kids were put down to bed), or in a medium that was more immediately engaging, where I didn't have to work so hard at comprehending form, content, or inferred meaning.
Literature is solitary - while a story experienced through television and film can and should be shared. As much as I crave the mental film of reading, there are the films Up, Coraline, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, Despicable Me, etc, to share for the first time; the exquisite detail of HD Blu-Ray in Disney re-releases like Sleeping Beauty, to experience anew. So of a weekend morning or family movie night I would rather hold one of my children than a pen or book - I would rather be with them in the landscape of whatever film we are experiencing than alone with an author (even with myself as that author).
And when the children were tucked away and my wife and I could sit together, I wanted to be entertained by a medium that we could share. Lost, Mad Men, Heroes, Burn Notice, Dexter, Entourage, Big Bang Theory, Chuck - all excellent shows where I could immediately see my wife's reaction, know her opinion; relax and commune with the limited conscious time we had together.
And then there were the times when I was alone downstairs - when my loves slumbered - and I could choose my entertainment - usually of a Friday night. Those hours I spent on the movies and TV shows that my wife didn't care to see, or that my kids are not allowed to see yet. Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles; Asian action films like The Myth, Rob-B Hood, House of Fury, PTU, etc; those films and seasons filled the hours when I just wanted to sit on the couch, drink an ale, and neglect the mental and physical duties and obligations of being a Mr. K, and just be Josh.
Then, finally, there were video games. They can also be a shared entertainment experience with my children (Wii Sports Resort, The Legend of Zelda, New Super Mario Bros Wii, Rachet & Clank, Lego Harry Potter, Little Big Planet, and yes, even, occasionally, Disney Sing It Family Hits (what happens in the living room, stays in the living room), and a more immediately gratifying mature gaming experience (Half Life 2, Splinter Cell, Uncharted, Knights of the Old Republic, etc). But what video games offer now are increasingly complex interactive experiences - and the best modern games can offer intellectual engagement with a sense of progress more tangible than a turned page, or a finished chapter; games offer a more readily quantifiable achievement in their gameplay and completion than books - and while they should never be a replacement for literature, they are certainly a rich alternative.
But now, my energies are finally beginning to balance between the work I get paid for (teaching), the work I wouldn't mind getting paid for (writing), and my entertainment choices. So stay tuned for reviews of what I've read over the past couple years, and continuing updates on my writings.
Firstly, my career as a fledgling teacher occupied most of my intellectual resources, so that when I had a break where I could stop working and devote my mind to the consumption of a story, it was either one that I could share with my family (a film or book or video game with the kids; television or film with my wife after the kids were put down to bed), or in a medium that was more immediately engaging, where I didn't have to work so hard at comprehending form, content, or inferred meaning.
Literature is solitary - while a story experienced through television and film can and should be shared. As much as I crave the mental film of reading, there are the films Up, Coraline, My Neighbor Totoro, Ponyo, Despicable Me, etc, to share for the first time; the exquisite detail of HD Blu-Ray in Disney re-releases like Sleeping Beauty, to experience anew. So of a weekend morning or family movie night I would rather hold one of my children than a pen or book - I would rather be with them in the landscape of whatever film we are experiencing than alone with an author (even with myself as that author).
And when the children were tucked away and my wife and I could sit together, I wanted to be entertained by a medium that we could share. Lost, Mad Men, Heroes, Burn Notice, Dexter, Entourage, Big Bang Theory, Chuck - all excellent shows where I could immediately see my wife's reaction, know her opinion; relax and commune with the limited conscious time we had together.
And then there were the times when I was alone downstairs - when my loves slumbered - and I could choose my entertainment - usually of a Friday night. Those hours I spent on the movies and TV shows that my wife didn't care to see, or that my kids are not allowed to see yet. Battlestar Galactica, Firefly, Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles; Asian action films like The Myth, Rob-B Hood, House of Fury, PTU, etc; those films and seasons filled the hours when I just wanted to sit on the couch, drink an ale, and neglect the mental and physical duties and obligations of being a Mr. K, and just be Josh.
Then, finally, there were video games. They can also be a shared entertainment experience with my children (Wii Sports Resort, The Legend of Zelda, New Super Mario Bros Wii, Rachet & Clank, Lego Harry Potter, Little Big Planet, and yes, even, occasionally, Disney Sing It Family Hits (what happens in the living room, stays in the living room), and a more immediately gratifying mature gaming experience (Half Life 2, Splinter Cell, Uncharted, Knights of the Old Republic, etc). But what video games offer now are increasingly complex interactive experiences - and the best modern games can offer intellectual engagement with a sense of progress more tangible than a turned page, or a finished chapter; games offer a more readily quantifiable achievement in their gameplay and completion than books - and while they should never be a replacement for literature, they are certainly a rich alternative.
But now, my energies are finally beginning to balance between the work I get paid for (teaching), the work I wouldn't mind getting paid for (writing), and my entertainment choices. So stay tuned for reviews of what I've read over the past couple years, and continuing updates on my writings.
Social Mediating
Friday, September 16, 2011
Publishing Addendum
"Alexander Murphy's Home for Wayward Celebrities" is now available for your Nook E-Reader at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/josh-karaczewski, and for your iPad through iTunes (just do a lil' searchy for josh karaczewski). Remember to write a review!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Published Ho!
Ahoy readers! I finally published my first novel, "Alexander Murphy's Home for Wayward Celebrities"! It is in port now as an e-book in a variety of e-reader formats at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/joshkaraczewski
and, tide willing, will be landing soon at many other fine e-book harbors.
To foster trade relations, you can enter the coupon code CQ98C through October 1st to get 50% off of the already reasonable price of $4.99.
If you enjoy the read, please help me hoist my pendant by purchasing copies for your friends and family, writing a review (on the Smashwords site for example), "liking" the book on your preferred social media outlet, or simply drop me a line letting me know that I'm not floating alone in the doldrums.
if you do not enjoy the read, please avoid firing off your broadsides. Send a dispatch on the next packet with constructive criticism.
Hark the Blue Peter, I must ship anchor and away!
and, tide willing, will be landing soon at many other fine e-book harbors.
To foster trade relations, you can enter the coupon code CQ98C through October 1st to get 50% off of the already reasonable price of $4.99.
If you enjoy the read, please help me hoist my pendant by purchasing copies for your friends and family, writing a review (on the Smashwords site for example), "liking" the book on your preferred social media outlet, or simply drop me a line letting me know that I'm not floating alone in the doldrums.
if you do not enjoy the read, please avoid firing off your broadsides. Send a dispatch on the next packet with constructive criticism.
Hark the Blue Peter, I must ship anchor and away!
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