Beneath the Neon
Go West, the online magazine of the University of West Georgia, recently published a piece related to my latest book. The story, among other things, touches on how a paper in a history class at the school helped launch my writing career.
https://www.westga.edu/news/alumni-and-friends/alum-pens-best-seller.php
Half Pint and the Tunnel Man. That’s how Beth Brower and I jokingly refer to ourselves. It’s a long story, and a relationship that’s somewhat difficult to explain, but Reno Gazette Journal reporter Ed Komenda captures the essence of it here, through the frame of my new book, Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains.
My book Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains will be available tomorrow. If you’re interested in learning more about the book, please click on the link below. It’s an excerpt, chapter one, in which I ask the storm-drain survivors how they discovered the underground flood channels, and it will give you some idea of the narrative and structure.
Thanks to my former Las Vegas CityLife colleague Jimmy Boegle and his publication, the Coachella Valley Independent, for running the excerpt!
A thoughtful review of Dark Days, Bright Nights by popular website Living-Las-Vegas.com:
Book Review: “Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains”
Because of a backlog at the printer, the release of my book, Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains, has been delayed a month. It’s now scheduled to be available Nov. 17.
Thanks to everyone who has preordered the book! If you have not preordered it and are interested in doing so, please see the links below.
Twenty-five percent of the money I make off the book will benefit Shine a Light, a Freedom House Sober Living program that befriends and houses and counsels the people who live in the underground flood channels of Vegas.
Thanks again for your support! Much love and light to you all!
Las Vegas preorders
Preorders outside of Vegas
PS- the photo of storm-drain survivor “One Shoe Sue” was taken by Steve Fanell
The video of the Las Vegas Book Festival panel discussion centered around my book Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains is now available. Though my expression does not always give it away, I had fun doing this with three of my friends: Beth Brower and Paul Vautrinot, both of whom I interviewed for the book; and the book’s editor, Dan Hernandez, who moderated the discussion.
Also, thanks to everyone who submitted questions before the discussion, and to Shannon Brokaw and SA Bergfalk, in particular. Dan asked your questions toward the end of the discussion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9p681sgj4Y&feature=youtu.be
We sent an advance reading copy of Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains to longtime Vegas writer and editor Scott Dickensheets. He shared some thoughts on the book in Desert Companion magazine.
My book Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains is now available via preorder. The book is a raw and honest oral account from people who lived in the underground flood channels of Vegas and made it out and turned around their lives. It also reveals a rarely seen side of Sin City and offers a portrait of homelessness and recovery in America.
Twenty-five percent of the proceeds I make off of Dark Days, Bright Nights will benefit Shine a Light, a Freedom House Sober Living program that provides housing, counseling and other services to those in the drains. The photographer, Steve Fanell, is donating his entire check to the program.
If you have any questions about the book, feel free to comment or email me. And thanks again for all of your support!
Las Vegas preorders
Preorders outside of Vegas
https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Days-Bright-Nights-Surviving/dp/1949481425
The first review of my latest book, Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains, is a positive one from Kirkus, a key trade publication. The review reads, in part: “Powerful and relentlessly honest, the interviews explode myths surrounding homelessness while promoting compassionate views of the growing number of homeless Americans. Compelling reading about what is a depressingly evergreen societal ill.”
Dark Days, Bright Nights will be available in October, but it can be preordered now (through the Kirkus website). I will post more about the book and other preordering options soon.
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/matthew-obrien/dark-days-bright-nights-obrien/
Are you in need of a writer or ghostwriter? An editor for your book, poem, web content, résumé, bio, etc.? A writing or English tutor?
After three years of teaching full time, I’m venturing out on my own. I plan to focus on my creative writing, learning Spanish and promoting my book Dark Days, Bright Nights: Surviving the Las Vegas Storm Drains (October 2020), but I will also take on select writing, editing and teaching/tutoring projects.
If you are interested in my services or have any questions, please let me know (via the “Contact” form). Thanks!