I DO NOT! (Or did I already do it?)

 

Warning - Rant Ahead. 

This was written in 2010 before I had any books published. Did I stick to my guns?

I  D O  N O T

 

I do not aspire to be the next Bruce Courtney. I do not aspire to be the next Di Morrissey. I do not aspire to be like Matthew Reilly. I don't aspire to be the next Dan Brown. Or Stephen King (even though I like his early books). Or Stephanie Myer, (God Forbid) or any other mainstream populist novelist.

They are the entertainers of their day and that is their right. They are the circus come to town. They are clowns in paint and frivolity. The court jesters in rhyme and folly.

 

But they will not be worth a word beyond their time. Their work will be forgotten as quickly as it was consumed. The McDonalds of Publishing.

 

I aspire to create something that is worthwhile, that I can be proud of. That perhaps can be admired by a few, and that's all I'm after, as long as it has some merit. Who wants to leave this world knowing what they did and left behind was disposable, as disposable as the day they created it?

Gone. Forgotten. Yesterday's story.

It's like an architect who wants their work to be respected in decades hence, rather than a kit home than will only suffice. For Now.

 

Sure we might need them. The masses have to be entertained somehow. But just don't justify it to me. Don't tell me your worth more than the literary sect, because you sell the most. Or that they really want to be like you, but can't do it. You're totally misguided. You're only kidding yourselves. Bubble gum. Burger. Coke. Takeaway coffee. Daily newspaper.

 

Circa 2009

They claim that their mass appeal gives them worthiness. That numbers speak higher than critics. And it may provide them the means with which to exist comfortably. But we all meet in the same place in the end, and I'd rather have left something worth savouring, perhaps kept in a dusty bookcase or drawer somewhere, or even relegated to some digital archive as something perhaps worth reviewing to some future individual, than end up as recycled pulp for next year's toilet paper.

 

History has taught us that these mainstream diatribes do not survive. I'll take my chances. For I must be able to hold my head high, that I wrote to satisfy art, and to satisfy myself, than to satisfy the masses. I cannot think of a crime more heinous, than a person with artistic qualities, however minute, who shelved them in pursuit of something far more shallow. That is a crime that one cannot return from.

 

I'd rather die in obscurity that aim for the so called Bestseller List. I will never be there. I'll make sure of it. If by some absurd situation, I do, then I have failed.

 

12/5/2010

Pen is mightier ... Around 2010

Bit harsh on Stephen King. I love his books. He'll be remembered for a long time.

I certainly had a lot of confidence then, even arrogance perhaps. Maybe that's what was required in order to get to the point where books could be written and published. It took a lot of drive and work.

Since then I have had nine books published, from 2012 - 2022. If you've read any of them, maybe you will know if I stuck to the ideals of that idealistic, determined writer. Did I?

Bottomless River - Novella

Caged Without Walls - Poetry Collection

For your pleasure - Poems and art coffee table book (collaboration with Paolo Rassu)

Pseudo Stars - Story Collection

Allowing a love to die is not murder - Poetry Collection (on relationships)

A Refugee's Rage - Novella

Lone Wolf World - Novel

Perve - Novel

Us & Them and the things in-between - Story/Poetry Collection

(This post, July 2024).

Questions for now;

Have I lost my drive? Yes. Much of it is due to anti-depressant withdrawal. My story here.  It's robbed me of my confidence. 

Will I ever write another book? I don't know. Not in the near future.

Do I have books ready to be published? Yes

Will I publish them? I don't know. Maybe one or two but not all. 

Does anyone care? Probably not haha.

If you have read any though, I would be interested in your opinion.

My Books HERE

or try these Amazon Author links.

Amazon Profile 1

Amazon Profile 2

Until next time,

Peace

Anthony

Your unique Christmas gift is right here!

 

For the reader in your circle.

These make for a unique gift and can be signed/inscribed any way wish.

All books are on sale.

There's something for anyone over 16, Us & Them and the things in-between or one of the most controversial novels you'll ever read in Perve (18+), or a cutting edge quasi satire/thriller in Lone Wolf World. (Dubbed the Australian Catcher in the Rye).

30 Sec Trailer HERE

Dripping with truth.

PLUS Story collections. Poetry collections. Novellas. Almost all are based on real events and people. All characters act with a realistic manner. They're written from a philosophical and psychological approach, not a fabricated plot driven one.

More info on each book at A.J. Langford Books

                            

                    

             

Art / Poetry Collaboration 

    

My Books HERE

or Try these Amazon links in Australia

Amazon Profile 1

Amazon Profile 2

Or Amazon in your local country

I can organise deals and inscriptions in the books. Visit;

A.J. Langford Books

Peace

Wow it's 10 years. Bottomless River - New Video

Bottomless River - 10th Anniversary

Regret runs deep

Three teenage friends are growing up carefree in the country when something goes terribly wrong, setting in motion events for the next twenty years.

The debut Novella 

Based on my country upbringing, Bottomless River is a decade old this month, June 2022. 

It was an exciting time to finally have something significant published, thanks to Gininderra Press. While a small book, being a novella, it meant a lot to me to be acknowledged in some form after years of quiet toil. 

I have put together a new video to celebrate, combining the original two trailers. Below that are some photos of the book launch in June 2012 plus how you can read it for FREE.

Watch NEW Video HERE

The initial draft of Bottomless River was hand written on a train going to and from work over several days in 2006. It was a simple story then. Every year it was given another draft, grew in scope until it was finally submitted in May 2011. A month later they came back with a yes. It took a further 11 months to get it released. 

Photo taken for author promotion

First copies

How to read for FREE below

Musician Hazzy Bee performing specifically for the Book Launch

My partner of the time Ayela, co-reading a fictional banter

You can buy a signed paperback for only $11.90 AU HERE 

or 

download a digital copy FREE Here

Please help me celebrate by sharing, reading, re-reading or just saying hi!

Have a good week.

Peace

Anthony

What is the Dilemma of our Times? A Video Discussion

What are some of the major pitfalls with Social Media? 

What is the Dilemma of our Times?

Topics include: Isolation. Depression. Narcissism. Self centeredness and more

An analysis through simple but heartfelt poetry from the collection, 'Commentators.'

Recorded in late April in the Lockdown Era.

Books

M ISSED - A Short Film 14 years in the Making

A 7 year old girl waits to be collected after school. Nobody comes. What happened to them? What did she do next?

What happens to her?

Starring Tilly, in her first role.

(Film at bottom of this page)

Background; Why 14 years?

My Last short film, Irons, took many months to make, a huge amount of work, stress and five years worth of savings. I was hoping for some sort of career opportunity out of it. Had I been living in L.A., I might have had one. I was working in News at Channel 10. I showed someone in the Drama Department. Nothing happened. I applied for a bunch of Festivals. It got into two, one in South Africa. 

I was angry with Sydney Film Festival. I had made the film, hoping to get into it. I made the film shorter that it should have been to get into it. (Under 15mins). A mistake. It wanted to be longer. I've since re-edited parts of it (in 2011) but the original scenes are fixed and it's too late. 
They broke their own rules to screen Harvey Krumpet, an animation that had been doing well. That peed me off, so I wrote to the Entertainment section of the Daily Telegraph. They printed it. I got some satisfaction from that. Don't pick mine, that's fine but don't go changing your own rules to suit yourselves. 

Something that big, requires a lot of input. Literally 50-60 people worked on it. The bigger the project the harder it is to control, especially if most aren't getting paid. Inevitably, many compromises are made. I must bear the brunt of it though as I was ultimately the one in charge. I was happy with about 50%. Maybe 60% on a good day.

From there on, I decided to concentrate on writing, and began writing my first novel later that same year, 2004. I could create whatever I wanted, without budgetary constraints, and have total control over my universe. And to be honest, I found Directing extremely stressful. I enjoyed editing and the writing the most.

And so went the next dozen years. Many novels, stories and poetry were created. Something I returned to, in a way, as I began writing stories at ten.

I continued to make small videos in the way of Video Poetry and Music style videos and Family videos. And I had a daughter. All of that takes up your time. I had a job and was a step father too. God, no wonder I'm tired.

Come early 2018, I decided I wanted to make a little film. So small that I would make all of it myself and have total control. I did'nt want Irons to be my last film. And you know? I'm pretty happy with it. And I had an actor whom I could work with. That's always a positive. She did good. Especially as the film progresses. It was shot mostly in order.

Budget? Around $400, compared to $35,000 of Irons. I submitted it to a bunch of small Festivals, which is why I had to wait. Then I was concentrating on releasing my book, A Refugees Rage in 2019. It got into one Festival in LA.

And now it has life. Enjoy. Please share the video if you can. It's the 'Little film that could.'

Watch MISSED  on Vimeo.

MISSED Now on IMDB HERE - If you are able, a Rating would be awesome.

See IRONS and other Short Films Here.