I’m trying something I’ve never done before. Something I’ve never heard of anyone else doing. I have absolutely no idea if it will work, but I’m giving it a shot.
The project
After over 40 years of writing and honing my craft, I’ve written Kick Drum, a book that I believe is head and shoulders above anything I’ve ever done before. Not only the story, but also the themes it tackles: fame, ambition, race, sexual orientation, addiction, and recovery. I’m immensely proud of this book and I believe in it with all my heart.
The challenge
More than ever before, it’s hard to get noticed by agents and publishers. While I’ve been published in the past, my former agent has retired and my credits are all out-of-date. I’ve become, in effect, a newbie, and agents get well over a thousand book queries a year, only taking on 5 or 6 of those.
The crazy idea
Since the book is a fictional memoir of a life in music, I’m reaching out to the people who’ve actually lived that life and asking them to read it. So far, six well-known musicians have taken me up and are reading the book. (I don’t want to be a creepy name-dropper, but believe me, they are the real deal.)
The hope
Enough musicians will read and like the book for it to command the attention of agents and publishers. In short, I’m looking for people to champion the book.
How I’m implementing my plan
I’m reaching out to anyone who will read my book. If you want a copy, just click one of the links above. The digital copies are free and the paperbacks are at cost. All I ask is that you let me know what you think and that you pass the word on to anyone you know in the music business.
Will it work?
I guess we’ll all see. At the very least, all of you who accept my offer will read the book and, not to get all esoteric, that’s what my soul really wants—to share my work. Publishing is just the vehicle to do that at a larger scale.
Should you try my book?
Here’s the blurb from the back cover:
You never have to face how hollow your dreams are
until they all come true.
Mike Bybee was the drummer for one of the biggest acts of the 80s and 90s until everything came crashing down. Since then, he’s rebuilt his life by embracing recovery and moving far from the limelight. His cozy life is rocked when he learns Jesse, the talented and toxic front man for the group, has less than a year to live and wants to stage a reunion tour. Mike has to decide whether he can forgive the man whose cruel act of revenge devastated his life—or at least share a stage with him.
From the hardscrabble Smoky Mountain foothills to the glamorous Hollywood Hills, Kick Drum is an epic look at outrageous success, the depths to which it can lead, and the hard work it takes to climb back out.
Also, I’m putting the first chapter on the blog. If it piques your curiosity, please go ahead and give the book a look.