Blog Archives
Right Can Be Wrong
Right Can Be Wrong is an unconventional collection of musings, observations, and aphorisms that span a wide range of topics, parenting, race, religion, relationships, politics, and human nature. Rather than following a traditional narrative structure, the book offers a series of thought-provoking statements, often contradictory, that encourage readers to question the status quo. It reads like a stream of consciousness manifesto, challenging societal norms while pointing out the paradoxes of everyday life.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its raw honesty. The author does not shy away from controversial topics, tackling issues of race and inequality with a bluntness that is both refreshing and, at times, unsettling. Statements like “America’s FOUNDING FATHERS fled OPPRESSION in EUROPE, to come to THE NEW WORLD, to OPPRESS BLACK AFRICANS” hit hard, exposing the contradictions in American history. The book does not offer easy answers but instead forces readers to sit with uncomfortable truths. It’s the kind of book that makes you nod in agreement one minute and shake your head the next, which speaks to its power to provoke deep thought.
That said, the writing style can be somewhat polarizing. The heavy use of capitalization, fragmented thoughts, and lack of a traditional coherent narrative might frustrate some readers. While the format creates a sense of urgency, it can also feel disjointed, making it difficult to engage with the text in a sustained way. At times, I found myself wishing the author had expanded on certain ideas instead of simply presenting them as standalone statements. For example, “We cannot see THE DARKNESS of POP CULTURE, because it is COVERED WITH GLITTER” is a brilliant insight, but I wanted more exploration into why pop culture operates this way.
Another striking feature is the book’s balance of cynicism and wisdom. There’s a sense of world-weariness in statements like “Some people who ARE THE PROBLEM believe they are THE SOLUTION.” Yet, amidst the critique, there is also hope, an encouragement for self-awareness and change. Lines like “The BETTER WAY to EDUCATE our CHILDREN is to BETTER EDUCATE OURSELVES” highlight the book’s core message: personal responsibility and growth are the first steps toward a better world.
Right Can Be Wrong is best suited for readers who enjoy philosophical musings and social commentary without the constraints of traditional storytelling. It’s a book that sparks conversation, challenges assumptions, and refuses to be neatly categorized. If you appreciate authors like James Baldwin and George Carlin, or even the fragmented wisdom of Twitter threads, you’ll find value in this book. But if you prefer a structured argument or a clear narrative arc, this might not be the right fit. I highly recommend Hendrix’s unique collection of one-liners to any reader seeking a work of satirical fiction designed to challenge their thinking on everyday topics.
Pages: 204 | ASIN : B0CV48MSZB
Compassion
Spin Cycle: Notes from a Reluctant Caregiver follows an exhausted and frustrated man navigating the complexities of caregiving for his aging mother with dementia. The book is beautifully written and addresses a subject that is rarely discussed in this way. Why did you want to write about caring for an aging parent?
This is the book I wish I had five years ago. It was around then that my mom was first diagnosed with “likely onset Alzheimer’s.” Those years, during which I became a parent to my parent, were some of the most challenging and exhausting of my life. I was frustrated, confused, angry, and felt guilty about feeling frustrated, confused, and angry. I felt alone. That’s the spin cycle. And going with fiction rather than, say, a memoir, gave me the freedom to explore and imagine more facets of that experience. If one person reads this book and thinks, “I’m not alone. These characters think and feel what I think and feel,” then I’ve done my job. I want this book to resonate with readers, and, hopefully, comfort them.
I find that authors sometimes ask themselves questions and let their characters answer them. Do you think this is true for your characters?
I think it was Truman Capote who said, “You can’t blame a writer for what the characters say.” I love this because I think it’s true. As you get to know a character more deeply through the writing process, you begin to hear their voice, their opinions, their view on life. For me I can be much more honest and raw – and therefore, hopefully, relatable – when I inhabit the minds of other people, people who might say or do things I wouldn’t. I think of myself as being reserved and polite, perhaps excessively so, and my characters give me the chance to break from myself.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Compassion is the overriding theme in Spin Cycle. When we meet the protagonist, Ezra, he is so consumed by resentment, frustration, guilt, and self-loathing that he no longer has the capacity to be compassionate, to others as well as himself. The book is about his journey to rediscover his capacity to empathize and love. I also try to explore the corrosive effect of family secrets, as well as the fulfilling sense of human connection we have when we choose to be vulnerable with others.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
It is called Convergence. I’ve just begun it. The theme for this novel will be “escape.” I think there are times in all our lives when we wish we could just snap our fingers and “escape” – perhaps literally: to a different place, a thousand miles from home; perhaps with extreme diversion: sex, drugs, booze; or maybe the escape is an internal one we make by shifting – not our circumstances – but the lens through which we view them. Put characters with these varying approaches to “escape” in a pressure cooker and that’s the book. Knowing my work pace, it will probably be out in a year, perhaps a year and a half.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Website | Instagram | Amazon
Overwhelmed by it all, Ezra opens a strip-mall school to help others-and himself-become better caregivers. As he learns to handle the personalities of his nine misfit students, Ezra must also navigate the complex feelings he has toward his mother. It doesn’t help that she adores his do-nothing slacker brother.
But Ezra hasn’t told his students that he also has an agenda beyond becoming a more compassionate caregiver. And, it turns out, so does one of his students. Ezra confides the entire tale to his childhood friend Danny as he attempts to sort it all out and find room in his heart again for compassion and love.
Laughing In the Face of COVID
Laughing in the Face of Covid by Glen Stone offers a refreshing and humorous take on the chaos of the 2020 pandemic, turning the bleakness of quarantine into an opportunity for sharp-witted commentary. While many of us struggled through lockdowns and hospital stays, Stone found a way to lighten the mood by documenting his experiences through a Facebook diary. This collection, born out of those feverish, Covid-induced posts, brings readers a mix of stories, commentary, and humorous observations that are bound to resonate, no matter how varied our pandemic experiences were.
Stone’s whimsical sarcasm leaps off the page, making even the darkest moments of the pandemic feel laughable. His strong opinions and biting humor make the book wildly entertaining, though some readers with differing views might find themselves a little ruffled. But as the saying goes, you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, and Stone doesn’t shy away from cracking them. The stories span everything from Covid-themed pop-culture references to political jabs, lyrical poems, and even short fiction, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy. What makes Laughing in the Face of Covid stand out is its relatability. Instead of dwelling on the hardships, Stone masterfully flips the narrative, finding humor in the bizarre norms we adopted during the pandemic. His commentary allows readers to laugh at things that, at the time, felt overwhelming. Serious issues are transformed into moments of levity, and it’s all done with a light-hearted touch that makes the collection deeply enjoyable. Most of Stone’s stories are hilarious, with 90% of them delivering laugh-out-loud moments. However, some stories toward the end veer into unexpected territory—such as his Harry Potter Covid fan-fiction. This particular tale is a wild ride, blending disorganized chaos with a quirky “what if” scenario about Harry transferring to Oxford after a brawl. While it might not stay true to the original characters, it’s a curious and humorous alternate take that some readers may find entertaining, even if a bit off-the-rails.
No matter which story strikes your fancy, Stone’s collection has a way of changing your perspective on the pandemic. By focusing on the absurdities, his tales bring out the lighter side of those difficult months, reminding us that even in the darkest times, laughter is essential. Laughing in the Face of Covid is one of the best pandemic-inspired books I’ve come across—equal parts entertaining and cathartic.
Pages: 60 | ASIN : B0DCF3ZHDZ
Grimmer Revisionist Fairy Tales, Fables, and Nursery Rhymes
Remember those cherished childhood moments, listening to bedtime stories filled with classic fairy tales, fables, and nursery rhymes? Perhaps you’ve even read these timeless tales to your own kids. Now imagine taking those beloved stories, throwing out the rulebook, and infusing them with modern twists, witty humor, and a dash of cheeky irreverence.
Grimmer Revisionist Fairy Tales, Fables, and Nursery Rhymes by Marissa Carter is a delightful blend of styles, presenting fairy tales and fables with a twist. The nursery rhymes might start off sweet but could suddenly veer into snarky commentary or transform into entirely different stories. Along the way, you’ll encounter clever nods to pop culture, movies, books, politics, and even a bit of quantum physics (because, why not?). It’s as if someone turned your grandma’s storybook inside out and sprinkled it with a generous dose of mischief. Get ready to laugh because this isn’t your childhood fairy tale collection—and that’s exactly what makes it so much fun. Marissa Carter has crafted a hilarious adult take on well-known nursery rhymes. This book is definitely not for children, but it’s perfect for parents looking for a good laugh. Each story is funnier than the last, and the new spin on the fable/fairy tale genre is incredibly entertaining. Carter provides unique commentary with each story, offering readers insights into how we as a society view and absorb the themes of these iconic tales. The fast-paced nature of each fable, combined with modern-day story elements like the internet and television, makes it easy to devour these stories. The imaginative use of imagery brings these tales to life on the page. From parenting techniques and anger management to higher education, the wealth of modern themes breathes fresh air into these traditional stories.
Grimmer Revisionist Fairy Tales, Fables, and Nursery Rhymes takes familiar fairy tales, fables, and nursery rhymes and puts a comedic, new-age spin on them. While it’s definitely not for children, it’s a must-read for adults who appreciate humor and wit. This brilliant collection turns well-known stories on their heads, offering twists to the morals or even the absence of them altogether. The relatability of these stories as an adult and their inappropriately funny nature make for a truly enjoyable read.
Pages: 92 | ASIN : B08KPN2SJB
Professor Hex Vs. Texas Men: Where Women’s Rights and Revenge Fantasy Meet
Professor Hex Vs. Texas Men, by Melanie S. Wolfe, offers a biting dark comedy that holds a mirror up to the stark realities facing women in states with stringent abortion laws. Through the lens of fantasy, Wolfe constructs a narrative that, while fictional, resonates deeply with the ongoing debates over women’s bodily autonomy in America. The novel creatively explores what happens when these roles are reversed, with men experiencing pregnancy and the associated challenges.
The story centers around Professor Hex, a character who, despite not being entirely human, navigates human society with poignant observations and interactions. Alongside Professor Hex, we follow Holly, a news anchor on trial for what is perceived as a botched abortion following a miscarriage, and her husband, Juan, a police officer who finds himself pregnant. The trio’s journey touches on sensitive issues such as women’s rights and male pregnancy, asking readers to maintain an open mind and remember the fictional nature of the work, even as the themes it discusses press closely to reality. Wolfe’s writing is clear and engaging, making it easy to empathize with the characters and their predicaments. The reversal of traditional roles not only highlights the importance of bodily autonomy but also offers a unique perspective that may help readers to better understand the stakes involved. Wolfe challenges us to consider the lasting implications of reproductive rights restrictions through a narrative that is both thought-provoking and entertaining. Keeping an open mind will allow the reader to fully engage with this intriguing blend of fantasy and reality.
Melanie S. Wolfe’s Professor Hex Vs. Texas Men is a compelling exploration of serious issues through a fantastical lens, effectively challenging readers to think critically about gender, autonomy, and the consequences of legislative control over personal freedoms. By infusing her narrative with dark humor and role reversals, Wolfe not only makes the subject matter more approachable but also underscores the universal importance of empathy and understanding in discussions about rights and identity. This book is a noteworthy addition to conversations about societal issues, offering a unique and engaging perspective that encourages deep reflection and dialogue.
Pages: 283 | ASIN : B0CNG4C2FB
The Best and Worst Among Us
The Arsonist follows a man seeking redemption who has lost his home, career, wife, and children and seeks to change the course of his life at a new job at the world’s largest bank. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
In many ways, the inspiration for writing The Arsonist was my own life. I had been fired after a 13-year career in global finance and had pivoted to working on sustainability and climate but had struggled to make progress even though I’d come close to a few big bangs. I was soon going to lose my house, and I got the ‘last’ chance of a lifetime to work on climate for the world’s largest asset manager. It didn’t pan out, and the ways in which I was rebuffed both cold and dramatic seeded many of the plot elements and crystallized my view of how Wall Street would not only fail to solve but also capitalize on the climate crisis. There’s also a fair number of true stories in The Arsonist, like the Running with the Bulls.
What were some of the emotional and moral guidelines you followed when developing your characters?
I felt that whatever ‘side’ the character fell on, they should be complete. The best and worst among us have elements that are antithetical to their primary drivers. True to real life, these dichotomies are the sources of conflict that forge us, through our decision making. So, I tried to stay true to that where the opportunity afforded itself and to ensure that the characters stood up to the tests of reality.
As far as morality, one sage bit of wisdom I received from a long-time advisor was that the good guy can
never solve the problem by killing. It seemed nuanced to me when she said it but now, I see it as a larger truth and statement on where our storytelling may have led us awry, so I’ve tried and will try to stay true to this. To solve the problem, the protagonist must find another way then resorting to killing.
Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?
I think there are multiple moments in life that afford us the opportunity for change and those changes can be large or small, subtle or profound, but they can all be important for our journey. For me, art and nature became a release value from pressure and stress, and they evolved into a way of living, passion, and ultimately mission to live presently and express myself through various artistic mediums. Eventually, I became more attuned to larger catalytic moments, like the death of my father, and smaller ones, like the infinite appreciation of watching a bee hover through the air drunk on pollen. Life is happening all around us, everywhere there is beauty; we just need to remember to look. This has been a profound realization that has changed me deeply and made me more satisfied, even in troubling times.
What is the next book you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I’m working on the sequel to The Arsonist, titled The Bombmaker’s Apprentice set principally in Savannah, Georgia. With the characters that survived The Arsonist firmly established, readers can expect a more fast-paced thriller packed with political corruption, more on the unfolding climate catastrophe, and a dangerous southern dynasty with, dare I say, nuclear ambitions. This book should be out in early 2025 by my best guess.
I plan to release a companion podcast for the Cal Minor books called the Wall Street Diaries that will initially contain some satirical writing and other stories from Cal Minor’s early life. This is an entertaining way to expand the world I’ve created through Cal, and I hope to evolve it in more interactive ways, including commentary on real-world and real-time corruption, greed, and excess.
I’m also writing a book on mindfulness, movement, and music and the inspiration for my ten-year journey to the present, called now, 100 Steps to Here and Now. Readers can stay in touch with all these projects and interact with me at KenCoulson.com.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Amazon
When Cal Minor strikes bottom-losing his home, career, wonderful wife, and children-redemption appears at the elite Atlas Corp led by the corporate bull, Hank Henleman, who is hell-bent on monetizing the looming global climate catastrophe. An ambitious young prosecutor and the FBI have other ideas and Cal soon finds himself ensnared between them and Henleman’s protectors including the sadistic head of a shadowy paramilitary force, Arik Bane, and his drug-addled #2, John Ryker. Riding the razors edge, The Arsonist brings readers to the brink of calamity in an intriguing, contemporary, and revelatory debut corporate thriller.
The Arsonist
In Ken Coulson’s The Arsonist, protagonist Cal Minor finds himself at a crossroads after a series of regrettable decisions lead him down a perilous path, culminating in a desperate moment on the brink of giving up. However, a lifeline presents itself in the form of a unique opportunity at the world’s largest bank, courtesy of influential Wall Street figure Hank H. Henleman. What initially appears as a chance for redemption soon reveals itself as a trap, with Cal unwittingly becoming a pawn in Henleman’s elaborate corporate machinations. As tensions escalate and betrayal looms large, Cal finds himself ensnared in a perilous game where his very survival hangs in the balance, with the FBI, AG New York, and Henleman himself closing in. Will Cal navigate the treacherous waters of high finance, or will he succumb to the cutthroat world he’s been thrust into?
Coulson’s narrative in The Arsonist immerses readers in a world teeming with suspense and intrigue. From Cal’s darkest moments to his ascent within the corridors of the banking elite, Coulson’s deft storytelling sweeps readers along on a captivating journey. Beyond the gripping plotline, Coulson’s intricate understanding of the finance world adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, elevating the novel beyond mere entertainment to a thought-provoking exploration of power and manipulation. Although I feel the novel starts off somewhat slowly, it gradually finds its stride, building momentum and delivering a captivating sequence of events that will keep readers eagerly engaged.
The Arsonist distinguishes itself by boldly breaking away from the norms of conventional thrillers. Instead of following predictable tropes, Coulson expertly constructs a conclusion rooted in authenticity, opting for a nuanced and impactful finale that resonates deeply with readers.
The Arsonist is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, depicting Cal Minor’s journey through existential crises and life’s most daunting challenges. It serves as a reminder that redemption is always within reach, even in the most dire of circumstances. Fans of corporate thrillers, particularly those with an interest in the high-stakes world of finance and Wall Street intrigue, will find this book to be a compelling and engrossing read.
Pages: 274 | ASIN : B0CV4FM2YC
LITERARY TITAN 