As some of you may know, I write (or I'd like to think I do). I recently completed the necessary revisions to my novel (previously published, publisher went belly-up), and I decided to jump into the world of ebooks. My titles are available in any e-reader format, but I cannot discount directly through Kindle, Nook, Sony, et cetera. To this end, and to offer my fellow ADV inmates a little discount (we are all in this asylum together), I partnered up with Smashwords where I can offer a discount. Smashwords is a secure site that allows you to download any of the books in the format your e-reader needs. If you don't own an e-reader, they offer a pdf option, html, or even .rtf to view in your standard word processor. By clicking on a book's link, you will be taken directly to Smashwords where you can preview (for free) up to 20% of each title. That being said: My books are not for everyone. There are some adult themes, which may offend some readers (no porn, gore, explicit sex, et cetera). I write literary fiction with emphasis on psychological realism. Most of my writing is in a first-person narrative, and stream of consciousness (as it happens). You can also click my Goodreads profile in my sig line to see what other readers had to say about my titles. Thank you for your support! Book page: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/254682 Use Coupon Code:UP37U at checkout. This will bring the Inmate price to $1.50 (regular price $2.99) Book page: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/352549 Use code QL57L at checkout. This will bring the Inmate price to $2.00 (Regular $3.49). Book page: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/352550 Use coupon code AR79A at checkout. This will bring the Inmate price to $2.50 (regular $3.79) Book page: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/273525 Use coupon code BC46N at checkout. This will bring the Inmate price to $2.00 (regular $2.99). Print books receive a 15% discount at CreateSpace checkout. Please use code PLBPSWCH This applies to all my titles. If you are not familiar with CreateSpace, it is an Amazon company and the checkout is just like Amazon. The links below will take you directly to the book page and checkout. Mad Days of Me: Escaping Barcelona Mad Days of Me: Finding Eivissa Mad Days of Me: Eluding Reality Coffee, Cigarettes, and Murderous Thoughts
I grabbed this one evening while it was still free. You bastard! I got sucked in, had to finish it and didn't get to sleep until 2am. Nice going, and thanks!
Glad to have kept you up most of the night. Just in case you end up reading books two and three - they are considerably longer (50% or thereabouts) so don't start reading after dusk Haven't read that one, but I quickly Googled it just now. Nope. If I had to make a comparison, I would say that it is like Hunger (Knut Hamsun) meets Midnight Express. Then again, I'm not objective, I wrote it. In short: Book one is sort of a psychological drama mixed with the struggle to remain dignified in an undignified world, make the best of the circumstances, and get atop a soapbox every now and then. It takes place in Barcelona. Book two takes place in Ibiza, and continues the theme, with a little romance thrown in. Of course, there are obstacles, and not the foreseen ones. Book three starts in Ibiza, continues through France, Italy, and Austria, making a return back to Ibiza, then ending full circle where it all started - Barcelona. It is more picturesque (due to the scenery), struggles with the previous issues as well as some new ones, gets more philosophical, yet continues on the psychological drama aspect. Yes, I know - the most horrible sales pitch ever written. But I don't want to give anything up. Unlike the book you mentioned above, this one is not an autobiographical travelogue. I'll shut up now and let someone who read it chime in with their own interpretations / impressions. There were plenty of free downloads for someone else to chime in. Hopefully, they won't disclose the plot too much.
I read some Knut Hamsun back in the day. It's going to be a long winter even here in Maryland, so I will grab a copy of Henry's book off Amazon soon.
Today I received a review that made my day. The copied text is here: “Mad Days of Me: Escaping Barcelona” by Henry Martin is a difficult and an emotional read but one well worth your time. The main character Rudy is down and out in Barcelona after he has been robbed and raped. Without passport and money and unwilling to ask his parents to rescue him he gets stuck with homeless people, backpackers and seedy world of drugs and crime. The writing is superb, reminiscent at its best of Henry Miller and Charles Bukowski with their raw emotions and heartfelt honesty. The dark tone, the anger and the bitterness of Rudy feels towards life, his parents and all other people of authority however were something I had to get used to, at times I found it challenging and uncomfortable but at closer analysis I understood that given the life circumstances of Rudy he has little option but to feel that he is a victim. Once he has hit rock bottom there is no one to help him. Like so many people, I did not want to be reminded of the existence of so many whose harsh everyday reality is just like that of Rudy. It is a raw and uncomfortable read at certain moments but a great thought provoking one. The story is not all doon and gloom however and not without flirtations, suspense, action and hope. As Rudy stays in Barcelona he also grows up and overcomes some of his personal issues. This is a story of a backpacking holiday gone wrong, it is about the thin dividing line between fine and not so fine, personal freedom and many other issues I invite you to check out for yourself. Posted by Christoph Fischer on Goodreads
Good job Henry, I wish I had the know how and drive to put words to paper and make it readable. Awesome !
Thanks. Be careful what you wish for - the pay is minimal, the stress is high, and the bills for your beverage of choice will reach sky-high
New review over on Goodreads. Florence Osmund's review Feb 19, 13 5 of 5 stars Read in February, 2013 "Mad Days of Me Escaping Barcelona by Henry Martin was a very interesting read. In part what made it so interesting was Martins vivid development of the main character, Rudy. Teenage Rudy flees his home in Rome to Barcelona, leaving his family and girlfriend behind, looking for freedom. He realizes he needs to embrace who he really is in order to find peace within himself and joy in his life, but he doesnt know who that is. For months, he spends his days on the streets of Barcelona interacting with an pitiful array of junkies, criminals, drunks, street performers, stray dogs, and other lost souls, adapting to the backdrop of the day like a chameleon. Occasionally Rudy has a bout of philosophical thinking, but that soon dissipates as soon as a new situation presents itself. After squatting in an old abandoned building with a Romanian thug, a deaf Columbian, and a heroin addict, he focuses on leaving Barcelona, but that proves more difficult than he ever imagined. This book was extremely well written with intense drama and beautifully executed scenes. It is well worth the read." Florence Osmund is the author of The Coach House. If you are curious about her own writing, or other books she recommends, you can visit her website http://florenceosmund.com/
Another good review to share, this time all the way from Australia. "What a first chapter! It grabs you by the shirt front and gives you a solid wake up slap in the face. This book tells an interesting story of a young man stranded in Barcelona and how easily he falls into the cracks of society. It is a refreshing read and unlike any other book I have read. Through the story the author explores the undesirable and often taboo subject of the homeless. It shines the spotlight on how one area can seem ideal, but if we stop to look closer we can see misery skulking around the corners watching the world pass it by. All up one fantastic read that will see me returning for more. 4.5 Stars" Review courtesy of The Lazy Book Reviewer http://lazybookreviewer.blogspot.com.au/
Temporary discount from $2.99 to $0.99 effective 3/4-3/5 on Amazon only. This is a promo in partnership with eReaderNewsToday, The Fussy Librarian, and eBookSoda. 20 Reviews on Amazon with an average of 4.4* http://www.amazon.com/Mad-Days-Me-Escaping-Barcelona-ebook/dp/B00A7Z243O or, 27 reviews on Goodreads with 94% of readers liking the book.
New title added today: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K0KYJN4 The Silence Before Dawn is an avant-garde collection of 73 poems compiled within five categories: Relationships: Reflections upon love, fragile feelings, and the pain that comes with loving. Thoughts: A look into the poets soul, where anything goes. Confessions of a Troubled Soul: Deepest desires and simple reflections, mainly the product of the poets twisted mind. Tickling the Surreal: Welcome to the border of reality . . . a personal outlook at our surroundings. The Noise After Sunrise: Revisiting places that touched the poets soul, and a look at the brighter side the rising sun reveals.
I have made Escaping Barcelona FREE on Kobo, Nook, iTunes, et cetera. Amazon shall follow suit shortly. No codes, no coupons, just a straight download. If you are looking to download it, search for "Mad days of Me" or "Escaping Barcelona" on the bookstore of your choice. Happy Thanksgiving day!
Thanks! I appreciate the support, and I hope the book will meet your expectations. All the reviews on Amazon are from actual customers.
For those interested, my humble take on avant-garde poetry with a hint of surrealism is currently FREE on Amazon Kindle worldwide. This weekend only, ends midnight 03/19/15. This is just a service announcement for fellow ADV inmates who may like a poem or two every now and then. No profits involved. Linky to Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Silence-Before-Dawn-Henry-Martin-ebook/dp/B00K0KYJN4 For other sites, just replace the .com with .co.uk or .ca or .de, or .co.jp or . . .