Futureproof Author N. Frank Daniels talks about his novel, his DIY journey and more – By Melinda Carroll
In a revealing blog, N. Frank Daniels reflects on his novel Futureproof, which garnered some recognition in 2006 from Entertainment Weekly, New York Press and as being one of the top five finalists for the coveted Needle award on the PODdy Mouth blog (a blog that reviews self published books).
Noveltown reviewed Futureproof last year declaring it: “… a book I consider the most important of 2006. What does his book mean to the average American? Perhaps what Jessica Cutler’s trashy novel Washingtonienne says about the state of America’s post-Millennial sex-warped political machine, N. Frank Daniels society numbing book Futureproof says for an entire generation with slacker origins: there’s a slow numb, what should we do?”
(Read Noveltown’s review of Futureproof and interview with N. Frank Daniels)
Even though Futureproof didn’t win the coveted Needle award Daniels states: “Hope of the American Idol flavor still reigns in my bloodstream. As in, many of the AI runners-up have found record deals despite not having won the title, most notably Jennifer Hudson, who just won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the movie Dream Girls. Not bad for having lost what was surely in her mind her one shot at a career in entertainment. So here's to perpetually crossed fingers.”
Daniels also talks about his DIY journey as a self-published author.
“I had more than five opportunities to sign with top-tier agents in 2006 but in the end chose not to because I was too stubborn and "married" to the book as it is. My rationale was that it wouldn't have been able to gather as much support from readers as it already had if it wasn't good enough to be published as is--with possibly a few minor changes. But when I was asked to change entire story lines and themes, on down to the point of the book in the first place, I respectfully declined. Now I'm not so sure that was the best choice. As a first novel, and as a first time novelist, I should have realized that when one is trying to break into such an exclusive club, one almost always has to compromise.”
The DIY journey involves a labyrinth of decisions that every author has to make. Without a guidebook or the advice of literary agents, DIY authors make these decisions the best they can. They don’t always make the right decisions, but they follow their hearts and their dreams and what they feel best represents their work.
The same can be said of DIY Indie publishers like Noveltown. While there may be more of a guidebook or direction an Indie publisher follows as we learn from the commercial publishing industry and other Indie publishers; the whole idea of DIY or Indie is to carve your own niche and follow your own dream. Noveltown is doing just that.
Daniels garnered advice from established writers along the way including: LA Times Best Seller Brad Listi, Susan Henderson of LitPark and N.L. Belardes of Noveltown among others. In a similar effort, Noveltown is building a literary community befriending the commercial publishing world, Indie publishers and writers. Noveltown wants to be your friend, join us on myspace and on Paperback Writer. We have a lot to discuss.
Daniels DIY journey, which he shared in part on the Nervous Breakdown site, is an important one and one that he’s decided to turn into a memoir. He’s also currently working on a memoir with Deena Neville and a sequel to his novel Futureproof, as well as a complete revamping of his writers collective site RiotLit, which he hopes will be online again soon.
Daniels also recommends a fabulous reading list.
(Read Daniels full blog)
Noveltown is a big supporter of N. Frank Daniels. His work is being featured in our upcoming inaugural edition of The Noveltown Review. He’s a fabulous writer with a DIY riotous attitude that Noveltown loves. If you haven’t read his novel Futureproof yet, you need to buy it.
Noveltown reviewed Futureproof last year declaring it: “… a book I consider the most important of 2006. What does his book mean to the average American? Perhaps what Jessica Cutler’s trashy novel Washingtonienne says about the state of America’s post-Millennial sex-warped political machine, N. Frank Daniels society numbing book Futureproof says for an entire generation with slacker origins: there’s a slow numb, what should we do?”
(Read Noveltown’s review of Futureproof and interview with N. Frank Daniels)
Even though Futureproof didn’t win the coveted Needle award Daniels states: “Hope of the American Idol flavor still reigns in my bloodstream. As in, many of the AI runners-up have found record deals despite not having won the title, most notably Jennifer Hudson, who just won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the movie Dream Girls. Not bad for having lost what was surely in her mind her one shot at a career in entertainment. So here's to perpetually crossed fingers.”
Daniels also talks about his DIY journey as a self-published author.
“I had more than five opportunities to sign with top-tier agents in 2006 but in the end chose not to because I was too stubborn and "married" to the book as it is. My rationale was that it wouldn't have been able to gather as much support from readers as it already had if it wasn't good enough to be published as is--with possibly a few minor changes. But when I was asked to change entire story lines and themes, on down to the point of the book in the first place, I respectfully declined. Now I'm not so sure that was the best choice. As a first novel, and as a first time novelist, I should have realized that when one is trying to break into such an exclusive club, one almost always has to compromise.”
The DIY journey involves a labyrinth of decisions that every author has to make. Without a guidebook or the advice of literary agents, DIY authors make these decisions the best they can. They don’t always make the right decisions, but they follow their hearts and their dreams and what they feel best represents their work.
The same can be said of DIY Indie publishers like Noveltown. While there may be more of a guidebook or direction an Indie publisher follows as we learn from the commercial publishing industry and other Indie publishers; the whole idea of DIY or Indie is to carve your own niche and follow your own dream. Noveltown is doing just that.
Daniels garnered advice from established writers along the way including: LA Times Best Seller Brad Listi, Susan Henderson of LitPark and N.L. Belardes of Noveltown among others. In a similar effort, Noveltown is building a literary community befriending the commercial publishing world, Indie publishers and writers. Noveltown wants to be your friend, join us on myspace and on Paperback Writer. We have a lot to discuss.
Daniels DIY journey, which he shared in part on the Nervous Breakdown site, is an important one and one that he’s decided to turn into a memoir. He’s also currently working on a memoir with Deena Neville and a sequel to his novel Futureproof, as well as a complete revamping of his writers collective site RiotLit, which he hopes will be online again soon.
Daniels also recommends a fabulous reading list.
(Read Daniels full blog)
Noveltown is a big supporter of N. Frank Daniels. His work is being featured in our upcoming inaugural edition of The Noveltown Review. He’s a fabulous writer with a DIY riotous attitude that Noveltown loves. If you haven’t read his novel Futureproof yet, you need to buy it.
Labels: Bakersfield, Brad Listi, DIY, Entertainment Weekly, Futureproof, independent literary press, literary, N. Frank Daniels, N.L. Belardes, New York Press, Noveltown, PODdy Mouth, Susan Henderson
This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on
Monday, March 19, 2007.
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