The End of the World As I Know It: Armageddon just got even more Buffy

Holly and I are finishing the manuscript for the next book in the Ghosts & Demons Series. It’s called The End of the World As I Know it and should be released in April.

NEW G & D COVER

This is a draft cover with a quote from Alex Kimmell, author of The Key to Everything. He was talking about the first book in the series, The Haunting Lessons. I’m hoping he’ll like this one, too. Well. I hope everyone likes it. (Please leave a review. We always need more reviews!)

This fun, dark fantasy series tracks Tamara Smythe, a young woman from Iowa who can see ghosts and demons. She joins a secret society dedicated to defending the human race from demons from another dimension. As Tam’s journey evolves, she shares lessons she’s learned about how to combat evil and survive Armageddon. It’s fun, packed with action, jokes and pop culture references (like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for instance!)

Are you a book blogger, reviewer or typo spotter? If you’d like an advanced reading copy for beta reading or for early reviews, please email us at expartepress [AT] gmail [DOT] com. Cheers!

On Writing and Word Jazz: When anything could happen

I’m listening to “Wind” by Ibrahim Maaloouf. I am inside and outside of the music at the same time. It’s smoky, bluesy jazz, the sort that uses rich, full notes to have a conversation with your soul about emptiness. I am acutely aware of my aching distance from this bar scene, this cherished scar. 

The air is blue. Maybe that’s the lighting or maybe that’s the hanging cigarette smoke, curling and twisting slowly. Maybe that’s my mood. Maaloouf’s muted trumpet is the instrument most like a mournful loon echoing across a lake at night.

The floor is sticky with splashed beer and spilled grenadine. We swirl our drinks, making them last. We all sway slightly in Maaloouf’s wind, to the feelings the musician stirs. Each breath is heat and lime, igniting need and imagination. Rum is a pickpocket, slipping away with our shyness. The city makes us turn away from each other, avoiding eye contact. Maaloouf, in this bar, now, lets us meet each other again.

The suits are sharp and the ties are leather and thin. The fedoras are not ironic. The curvy woman at the bar wears fire engine lipstick. She looks my way as she sucks an ice cube. Cue glances that turn to smouldering gazes and flirtatious smiles. We are each other’s next glorious mistake. Once we leave this room, anything could happen.

Remember when anything could happen? 

The waiting, melancholy rain makes me want to linger over our drinks, contemplating possibilities. There is sadness, but it’s the romantic kind to revel in. It’s okay to be honest about my feelings on a night like this. I won’t be so free to be honest again until I’m in my seventies.

When I listen to Maaloouf, I’m not even thirty. I am awake and I won’t even think of making my way home to my own bed until dawn. Twenty-six? Twenty-seven? The slide has begun, sure, but I can still say my potential isn’t wasted. Not yet. 

I wish I played jazz. I could still write but I could riff. I could play the same song over and over and my audience would plead to hear it again, exactly the same. I could produce art in three or four-minute sprints of genius instead of book-length marathons. You’d dig it and I’d be cool. Every night would be this night, real and unreal, a scene from a movie before the complications ensue.

If I were Maaloouf, I’d hear the applause from the stage. From my desk…. No.

I’m listening to “Wind” by Ibrahim Maaloouf. There is sadness, but it’s the romantic kind to revel in. I can almost taste the santo libre. 

#Podcast: Wombats and Brickbats


Meet Joe Contradiction! He’s a sweet old guy, and by that I mean his blood sugar is alarmingly high. Have some sweet tea, listen to the crickets and enjoy!

This podcast is sponsored by Kit Foster of KitFosterDesign.com, who is not in any way responsible for any content that crosses your eyes, sets your hair on fire and makes you uncomfortable. For all your graphics needs, check out Kit’s portfolio at KitFosterDesign.com.

It’s Feb 3, 2015 and seven of my books are marked down to 99 cents within the next 24 to 48 hours. It’s a pulse sale. That means the deals won’t last long. Head to AllThatChazz.com and click the affiliate links in the sidebar to the right to get your next book of fun, fantasy and danger cheap!

If you enjoy the new format for the show, please leave a review so more people can find the  my new weird.

Cheers and thanks for listening!

~ Chazz

Book reviews: In case you didn’t know…

Sometimes when I review a book, I do a video review. Yes, you can do that on Amazon. For instance, yesterday I gave a review to Audiobooks for Indies by Simon Whistler. If you have the time, video reviews are great.

However, if you don’t have the time, a review doesn’t have to be an elaborate, divinely crafted time suck. Just a sentence or two saying you want to join the cult and have the author’s babies will do just fine.

Seriously, though, if you enjoyed a book, please do spread the word. That’s how the last book makes the next book possible.

For your consideration. Thanks! Now go have a great day, or make it a great day.

~ Chazz

The All New All That Chazz


This is a rising from the ashes, let’s go crush our enemies type of thing. Buckle up for a brand new Chazz, full of fun.

As we bury the old podcast, we explain how the pit bull’s lipstick has faded but we won’t podfade! This podcast is short, punchy and full of jokes and not a little self-loathing. It’s a new year and a new do. 

This podcast is sponsored by the sweet mad genius, Kit Foster of KitFosterDesign.com. For all your graphics and advertising needs, hit him up. Don’t forget to tell him Chazz sent you.

See you in a few days. In the meantime, please subscribe for updates, advanced reading copies, review copies, deals and more through AllThatChazz.com. That’s also a great place to get your books. (Look to the sidebar to your right for suspense, thrillers, and more of the funny.)

Thanks for listening! If you enjoyed the new All That Chazz podcast, please leave a review to spread the word of my resurrection.

Cheers!

~ Chazz

 

Podcast: The Jesus Saves and Delivers Edition


Finally! In the last of the old format, it’s time to finish the author reading of Higher Than Jesus by Robert Chazz Chute. 

Next week: New format. More episodes. Short, punchy and funny, just like me.

This podcast is sponsored by Kit Foster of KitFosterDesign.com. For all your graphics needs, go see Kit!

For more links to great books from Ex Parte Press, check out the sidebar at AllThatChazz.com and sign up for Advanced Reading Copies, deals and updates.

For interviews with cool people, go to CoolPeoplePodcast.com.

Thanks for listening!

~ Chazz