Riki Moss Takes on the Challenge of Self-publishing

After North Atlantic Press (Blue Snake) wrote that my 2009 novel An Obese White Gentleman In No Apparent Distress was now out of print, I reread the book and decided I didn’t want to let it go.

Rereading an old, published novel after ten years is dicey – you can’t help but rewrite. You’re just a better writer, and every awkward sentence, every misplaced adjective and ridiculous metaphor hits you between the eyes and there’s no choice but to get the files from the publisher and start pulling it apart.  Rather than go through the harrowing process of finding a new publisher, I decided this was the time to learn how to self-publish.

The new edition is out now on Kindle and as a paperback trade book.

“Riki Moss debuts with a wonderfully original comic novel about art both fine and martial, about self-betrayal and redemption through love, beautifully written and full of memorable characters. Her louche, bohemian Vermont is captured in full color, like Anne Tyler’s Baltimore and Richard Russo’s upstate New York.” —Michael Gruber, New York Times bestselling author of The Forgery of Venus/The Book of Air and Shadows

At the same time, out of the blue came a request for a film option of one of the stories in the book. Director Mickey Lemle  has hired a Japanese production company, interviewed actors and started fund raising. His goal is to begin production in April. Check out his docs on Ram Dass, the Dali Lama, International Astronauts and Martin Van Der Post.

Images from a paper sculpture series of mine called Curious Life Forms, published years back in the Mud Season Review print edition and exhibited internationally, will be brought back to life in the upcoming issue called Non-Human in Unpsychology Magazine. Images are being considered for the cover.

Here’s to Spring!