A pretty cool milestone took place this weekend. A store agreed to carry my paranormal YA book. This particular store isn't the first to pick up my book, I've been fortunate enough to have a couple commercial distributor orders for The Thin House. The reason this specific store is special is because of what it is, I.e. my local comic shop. 
    I've said before on here, that I'm a pretty big comic fan. I grew up on my dad's old silver age comic books. My earliest memories were mostly X-Men, Thor, The Justice League, and my all time favorite, Batman. Besides these treasures, I also devoured anything I could get a hold of at used bookstores, and local libraries. I still remember the triumph of discovering the entire run of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's The Long Halloween at a flea market, and getting all thirteen issues for ten bucks. 
    I really didn't understand the joy of a great local comic shop until I was an adult. I found my current shop shortly after I returned from my missionary service and started college. I'd read about a then rising writing talent named Scott Snyder who was about to start a run of Batman comics with one of my favorite artists, Greg Capullo, and I wanted to experience it as a monthly subscriber. My search led me to a store that at the time was called Comics and Stuff. Now, eight years, two owners, two locations, and a name change later it is still my local comic shop. 
    I still keep a list of subscriptions at what is now Bombshell comics even though I no longer live in Hattiesburg. I do this because it's an awesome store, with great customer service, that has made accessing illustrated storytelling so special. This store and the management over the years have not only provided the comics I was looking for, but also introduced me to whole new worlds of stories including Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley's Invincible which is now one of my all time favorite series. 
    When I released my book, one my personal goals was to get it in Bombshell Comics. Not because I necessarily expect to sell a ton of copies there, it's a comic shop after all. But anyone who has had a regular relationship with a business for years knows it evolves into something special. Particularly with a local comic shop, once you make the New Book Wednesday trek for the hundredth time you start to realize you're part of a community. I've been part of a great one for eight years, and I was delighted when the owner Jarred Howze said he'd carry a couple copies of The Thin House. 

    I can't sing Bombshell's praises enough. Over the years I've participated in midnight release parties, Free Comic Book Day, and several other fun events. The staff is courteous and knowledgeable. They regularly host artists, cosplayers, and other special guests. Even during Covid-19 they are doing everything they can to safely support the needs of customers like me. I highly recommend a visit. 
    No matter how successful The Thin House becomes, this particular milestone will always be special. There's something awesome about my book having a home at my local comic shop. Bombshell Comics and Stuff is located in Hattiesburg, MS on Hardy Street.
    You can find them on Facebook and Instagram or check out their Website at Bombshellcomicsonline.com ​

    Fun fact about me, the adults of my childhood were correct when they told me I watched too much TV. But for better or worse that's how I was as a kid, and it's how I am as an adult. I love TV and movies, and though sometimes I struggle to remember the names of people I meet at work, I can easily rattle off quotes from Nick-at-Night, the cast of obscure movies like The Terror (1963), and the plot of just about every episode of Batman The Animated Series (as well as every other Bruce Timm show).
    I love old stuff like The Twilight Zone (Sterling) and new stuff like...The Twilight Zone (Peele). Whether we are talking about mysteries and detective shows like Fargo and Justified, horror like Stranger Things and The Haunting of Hill House, Sitcoms like Superstore and Brooklyn Nine Nine, or animation (looking at you Bob's Burgers) I'm in. To give you a sense of the wide net of my veiwing interest, during the quarantine I've polished off the following: 

• Barry Season 1&2 
• Batman Beyond Seasons 1-3 
• The Simpsons Seasons 1-20 (admittedly this was on in the background a lot while working/writing) 
• Hannibal Season 1 
• Dead Like Me Season 1 
• Avatar The Last Airbender Seasons 1-3 
• The Legend of Korra Seasons 1-4 

Not to mention Movies like 

• The Dark Knight Trilogy 
• Hunt for the Wilderpeople 
• Logan Lucky 
• Howl's Moving Castle 
• Parasite 
• Orange County (totally underrated)

    I say all this to drive home the reality that pretty much as soon as I started writing The Thin House, I was already fan-casting my own book. Now I want to be clear, as of right now this is only wishful thinking, but I thought it would be fun to share my dream version of a live action The Thin House. Know that far too much time has been spent on my part weighing these choices, but I hope it paints a picture. 
    Before we get to the actual cast, let's talk format. I'm a big fan of mini-series, and I feel like that is the most natural way to tell a visual story for The Thin House. I wrote the book so that each chapter was almost a self-contained story, so you could almost do an episode for each chapter. So ideally we are looking at something like a Netflix single season mini-series. Also, technically The Thin House rides the line between middle grade/young adult fiction, but I like to think I wrote in a mature voice that could be appreciated by an older/family audience. So, I wouldn't really see this as a children's show/series, more like something tonally close to Umbrella Academy or Locke and Key. 
    Now, without further adieu let's look at my cast: 

    So there you go. This represents a dream scenario, the reality is that any of these actors in these roles would be awesome (Especially Jeff Bridges as Ezekiel, I mean come on) I am also prepared to defend these castings with examples if necessary. Anyways, I want to hear what you think on this one. Who do you see in these roles? 

    I am sincerely grateful for those who have left reviews so far on Amazon and Goodreads, and as a way to encourage more, I have previously mentioned a raffle. Everyone who has submitted a review so far is already included. In addition, anyone else that leaves honest feedback for The Thin House on Amazon or Goodreads will be entered into a raffle. The winner will receive a free T-Shirt. I'll be doing the drawing when we reach 20 reviews on Amazon, and I'll announce the winner here on the website. 
    A note for those wishing to participate. Amazon is very particular about the reviews they post so if a member of your family has already left feedback you will most likely not be posted. In this case I recommend using Goodreads instead. And of course, I really want honesty here. I'm not encouraging anyone to leave feedback that doesn't accurately reflect your opinions on the book. I hope to be announcing a winner soon! Best of luck!