Category: Fiction

Dear Bloggers. . .a quick note on an unpublished novel

On By Devlin De La ChapaIn Book, Fiction, WritingLeave a comment

Dear Bloggers,

Back in February 2011, I completed a novel titled “Growing up Traffic” now re-titled “HUSH” about suburban teens subjected to prostitution by other suburban teens.  Unfortunately this novel was not what some agents were looking to represent, and other agents who took an interest suggested that I tone down the novel as it was graphic and somewhat intense due to the nature that my MC is only 14 years old.  But because I was reluctant to do just that, simply because I felt it would only take away from the premise of the novel itself, I decided to leave the novel “as is”.  Since it has been sitting on my shelf (aka, flashdrive) I decided that I would either do one or the other:  Self-publish or publish it here in 2 Chapter increments at a time, three times a week.  So I’m going to do both.

Before I start publishing, a quick warning to the fainthearted:  This novel does contain scenes of physical abuse, violence, drug abuse, kidnapping, child sex exploitation, and graphic scenes of rape, gang-rape and incest.

Your comments are welcomed, good or bad, and will post once out of moderation.  I thank you for reading, and for allowing this piece to shine here.

Devlin De La Chapa

———-NOVEL FOLLOWS THIS POST BELOW———-

Book Query Update & “If Robert Ford were Jesse James”

On By Devlin De La ChapaIn Book, Fiction, Poetry, WritingLeave a comment

Well it’s another year. . .another year of trudging through the economy while trying to avoid being hit by the fiscal cliff, which btw, was somewhat resolved at around 2AM this new year’s morning.

Aside from another year gone, I spent the last few days preparing Queries to Lit Agencies for my new and latest YA novel, “ROMEO”, a unique derivative to the much beloved play, Romeo + Juliet only with a paranormal twist. So I have my fingers (tightly) crossed in hopes to garnishing an agent and a book deal this year. As time progresses, and if my query makes it past the slushpile of an agent’s inbox, I will post it here. Until then enjoy my latest poem.

If Robert Ford were Jesse James

He had collected a memoire of the man
perhaps one too many times, particularly around
the time the last of the snow had fallen and faded,
fallen and faded like hot whiskey cold sweat
off the brows of dense calculating eyelids
in saloons or at the table of ever changing galleys.

Right around the time the wild foxtail wheat
had become aplenty beneath his feet,
he dreamt of Jesse James romancing as
Thomas Howard, trailing his footsteps, each
becoming less than a shadow of a coward
despite a soft unpleasant voice that cracked
like bones when spoken or badgered upon.

Right around the time Zee, pleasant and contrite,
was left a betrayed and loyal weeping widow,
still frames of horses and black lacquer stenciled gold
empty rocking chairs and holy matrimonial secretes
whispered on clean white cotton linen sheets had
become the muffles beneath the four of seasons of what
the future revealed in scripture of what was to be foretold.

Right around the time wind of fire had spread across the plains,
he had lost the inspiration of who he was to what he desired;
A gentleman, perhaps; An outlaw, first and foremost, it seemed;
A trusted hand holding down the hammer on humility
or perhaps, humanity, but never a true cowboy. If Robert Ford
were Jesse James, he would have stripped down his legendary guns,
laid down his best suit coat above the muddy terrains and let
the sins of his ghosts cross into the sunset of no regret-

only if.

“Writhing & Alive” by Mike Meraz – chapbook review

On By Devlin De La ChapaIn Book, Fiction, Poetry, WritingLeave a comment

Okay, all you fans of west coast Poet, Mike Meraz.  What can I say about this poet. . .only but WOW!

Recently I had the honor of reading Mike’s latest chapbook titled “Writhing & Alive” which took me a few minutes to read from my busy schedule, and in it’s entirety.

And the poetry. . .what can I say about the poetry?  Concise, rich in voice, very descriptive, often heartbreaking with just enough hint of personal heartache, and unarguable truth.  Each poem details it’s own narrative thus allowing each verse to shine in it’s own reflective and with anticipation of the next.

As a connoisseur reader of sorts, I highly recommend “Writhing & Alive” to anyone wishing to loose themselves within someone else’s ‘Fifteen Minutes of Fame’ even if it’s in poetry.

You can read Mike’s “Writhing & Alive” chapbook @ BoySlut – http://www.boyslut.wordpress.com.

The Book on Publishing – a must read article

On By Devlin De La ChapaIn Fiction, Writing1 Comment

     Over the weekend I read Keith Gessen’s article in this month’s (October) issue of Vanity Fair, “The Book on Publishing”.  And while I was anticipating reading about the author in general, Chad Harbach who spent a decade (10 years to those not yet familiar with the word “decade”) writing and revising his now famed published novel, “The Art of Fielding”, I was not prepared for the reality of where the publishing industry is actually heading. . .And I must say, it is an eye opener to those not yet familiar with the publishing industry.

     Aside from delivering a great piece on Chad Harbach’s struggle to getting his novel published, Gessen’s article was not only informative and insightful behind the production of the book, he also imprinted a rather haunting reflection of where the publishing industry may be heading. . .out of print.

     With the digital age having been fast approaching since the late 2000, it’s hard for struggling writer’s, such as myself, to believe, and with the economy still in a flux, that my novels will never make it to print, only digital.

     While there is nothing eccentrically unethical with reading books online or within a reader because of their convenience with virtually no driving to the nearest bookstore or waiting in long lines to purchase the latest best-sellers, I would be the first to say that I would honestly miss the feel of turning an actual page, miss the feel of paper between my fingers.  Or to say, I would miss the touch of a shield cloth protecting a great masterpiece, or holding something treasured, or owning something that could possibly be post-Americana Art.

     I have been writing for the past thirty years.  I only began pursuing my writing seriously in the last five years, and I must express this in grief and heartache because I can honestly see my lifelong dream of becoming a “traditional” author slowly succumbing to a “digital” author.

     I will be the first to admit that I have dabbled-thus far, and with no success-in self-publishing a couple of novels online, with downloading capabilities to Kindle, Epub and PDF.  And the only way I felt my novels could’ve gained marketable and profitable recognition had they been first traditionally published within a publishing house, offering the option of digital print.  Self-publishing, I find, is a very competitive business particularly when contending with other self-publishers whom are flooding the market at a vast rate.

     So I guess the question here is:  Is digital print the way to go?  Perhaps with the ever constant growth of modern day technology, digital publishing may no longer be the alternative to print as print could just possibly become. . .the alternative.

     You can read Keith Gesson’s article in its entirety at http://www.VF.com.