I woke to a soft chorus of birds, reviewed a chapter for a writing student of mine, took a 15-minute nap after lunch, read two sections of what promises to be a fine work of literature (The Lost City of Z), it was partly cloudy and the high was 80 F (27 C), another one of my short stories was accepted for publication, I made a few shots and my team stayed on the court in the pickup basketball games, fresh ceviche for dinner, and I fell asleep next to a kind and beautiful woman who I care about deeply.

Yesterday was a good day in the tropics.

As some of you know, I’ve been working on vignettes, flash fiction, and short stories set on the streets of Las Vegas. I’ve finished ten of the pieces, and hope to write a handful more, and one of them has already been published: the short story “All Eyes on Me” in the April/May 2022 issue of London-based Lay It Out Magazine. And I just found out that the flash-fiction piece “Coming Clean” has been accepted for publication in The Perch, a creative-arts journal associated with the Yale School of Medicine.

A hearty “thank you!” to Brittany Bronson, Scott Dickensheets, and Mike Masefield for their informed feedback on “All Eyes on Me.” And to John L. Smith, Kelle Schillaci Clarke, and Steve Lang for their thoughts on “Coming Clean.”

“All Eyes on Me” was published behind a paywall, but I plan to post a link to the fall issue of The Perch when it goes live. The theme of the issue is substance use, and “Coming Clean” is about a homeless, drug-addicted prostitute who hits rock bottom at a seedy, downtown motel. Can you guess what motel that is?

Beneath the Neon is my most popular book, I suppose. The book, which details my experiences exploring the underground flood channels of Las Vegas, has sold the most copies, received the most media attention, etc. When someone says, “I really liked your book,” I assume they’re referring to that one.

But my best rated book is my latest, Dark Days, Bright Nights. An uncensored oral account of surviving the Vegas storm drains, it has a 4.5 rating on Amazon, 4.02 on Goodreads, and 4.8 on Audible. (Thanks to those who have reviewed or rated it!)

If you have not read Dark Days, Bright Nights, please consider flipping through its photo-laden pages. Twenty-five percent of the money I make off the book is donated to Shine a Light, a nonprofit organization that assists the people who live in the tunnels. To date, the book has raised roughly $1,500 for the organization.

https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Days-Bright-Nights-Surviving/dp/1949481425

https://bookshop.org/p/books/dark-days-bright-nights-surviving-the-las-vegas-storm-drains-matthew-o-brien/14125844?ean=9781949481426

As an extension of my editing service, which continues to evolve and grow, I occasionally offer one-on-one, online writing classes tailored to the student’s specific interest: business writing, academic writing, creative nonfiction, fiction, etc. I brainstorm a prompt, provide simple instructions and a deadline, and then edit the piece, giving big-picture and micro feedback. I’m also available to discuss the piece via an audio or video call.

If you want to improve your writing, and a simple and pressure-free class like this suits your schedule and learning style, please reach out to me. I’m comfortable working with all levels of writers, from beginners to professionals, and I would love to discuss the possibilities of designing a class specifically for you! #OBrienEditingServices

Every three months, my dad emails me to let me know that a royalty check for a few hundred dollars has arrived in the mail. And every time I receive that email, I’m surprised.

Beneath the Neon, which finds me exploring the underground flood channels of Las Vegas with a flashlight, tape recorder, and expandable baton for protection, was published in 2007 by Huntington Press. My Week at the Blue Angel—a collection of creative-nonfiction stories set in the seedier side of Vegas—was published in 2010 (also by HP).

The fact that I’m receiving royalties for two books that were released by a niche publisher more than ten years ago is a bit of an anomaly in the publishing industry. Thanks to everyone who has recommended the books to a friend or family member, has rated or reviewed them online, has covered them for a media outlet, etc., and continues to do so!

Happy Friday, everyone!

I recently finished copy-editing a photo-essay book and providing developmental (big-picture) feedback on a grad-school thesis. Next up in the queue is a personal statement for a grad-school application.

As some of you know, I am focusing on my editing service this year, and I had a busy February, and March is off to a strong start. Thanks for your support!

www.obrieneditingservices.com

I was honored to serve as lead editor of Brooke Siem’s memoir May Cause Side Effects, which is now available as an audiobook. Brooke is a gifted writer and thinker and she documents her fifteen-year struggle with antidepressants with humor and raw honesty and in rich detail. She’s also, as you may know, a former Chopped champion.

If you’re writing a memoir and looking for a model, or simply looking for something to read in the new year, please consider May Cause Side Effects. You can view the book’s trailer below. I’ve also included a link to the publisher’s (Central Recovery Press) page for the book.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDk9ydvchX4

https://centralrecoverypress.com/product/may-cause-side-effects

My friend Timothy O’Grady, who some of you may know from his writing and teaching stint at UNLV, has finished another book. Titled Monaghan: A Letter to My Wife, the novel is scheduled to be released by Unbound, a crowdfunding publisher. In short, people pre-order the book, and Unbound uses the money to produce it.

If you are not familiar with Tim and his work, I can vouch for them both. He is smart and thoughtful, a talented and dedicated writer, and a good guy. If you are interested in learning more about Monaghan and Unbound, please click on the link below.

PS- Tim celebrated a birthday recently, so buying the book would make a wonderful gift!

https://unbound.com/books/monaghan/

The theme of 2022 was balance: creative writing, editing, reading, studying Spanish, traveling, etc. This year, I want to focus more on work—specifically my editing service—while, of course, maintaining some equilibrium.

Does your résumé need to be updated, reorganized, and edited? Are you trying to revive a short story or book? Is your bio or website not generating the response you had hoped?

Surf the recently updated OES site (link below) and see how we can help you! If you’d like a price quote, submit the Get Started form or email me via the contact form on this site.

Also, please feel free to spread the word. I pay referral fees.

Happy new year! And thanks for your support!

https://www.obrieneditingservices.com/

It has been an incredibly busy two months for O’Brien Editing Services. I have edited a résumé, a Substack essay and six books, two of which are under contract with a publisher!

I plan to take a few days off from editing and get back at it later this week or on Monday. Thanks again for the work, referrals, shares, positive vibes, etc.!