'As a Machine & Parts' by Caleb J. Ross
Synopsis: Mitchell, a twenty-something cougar cub, wakes each morning next to his midlife girlfriend, living an ever-thinning line between human and machine. As his literal condition progresses he looses his capacity for human emotion, and potentially with it, Marsha. As a Machine and Parts is a story of Mitchell’s struggle to discover which assembly line he belongs to.
What makes As a Machine and Parts especially unique is the way it integrates illustrative elements to render the story beyond the conventional textual style. As Mitchell morphs from human to machine, the text changes with him, evolving (devolving?) from a handwritten style to a typed style and ultimately to a schematic diagram. Throughout, the pages reflects Mitchell’s change, immersing the reader in ways that traditional print storytelling cannot.
About The Author: Caleb J Ross has a BA in English Literature and creative writing from Emporia State University. His fiction and nonfiction has appeared widely, both online and in print. He is the author of Charactered Pieces: stories (OW Press), Stranger Will: a novel (Otherworld Publications, 2011), I Didn’t Mean to Be Kevin: a novel (Black Coffee Press, 2012), and As a Machine and Parts (Aqueous books, 2011). He is an editor at Outsider Writers Collective and moderates The Velvet Podcast, which gathers writers for round table discussions on literature.
I'm stoked with the turnout we got these last two months. You guys are great! Let's make this one just as good as the last two. Caleb will be joining in.
Discussion will start January 15th.
Order the book here:
http://aqueousbooks.com/author_pages/13_ross.htm
Get to reading!
Oh fuck. I've been waiting for this one.
Then you're about ready!
Huzzah!
I preordered this a little while back. Hopefully it will arrive pretty swiftly, I don't want to miss out on this one.
Prick of the Spindle.
Sweet. Signed. I love illustrated novels.
The next big thing folks. The next big thing.
Great selection Pete. Can't wait to start on this one.
And starting today, you can also pre-order his New Novel, "I Didn't Mean to be Kevin," right here: http://www.blackcoffeepress.net/
Sounds cool! I am guessing it will be darker than Barry's Machine Man - which was a good read. Looking forward to reading it ( if I can finally buckle down and finish 1Q84 ).
can't wait
If you order Caleb's Novel before December 31st, you can get a two books for $20 deal at Aqueous Books.
So dive in and do it!
I look forward to this one. I saw what I think was an early draft of this over a year ago!
Caleb wrote a foreword to my own book, and I hope to support him in his own career too.
@Chester, You have a reccomendation for the other book to order along with Caleb's? I hate to say it but I am not familiar with any of these titles
Just ordered this. Hope it doesnt take longtime to ship.
Damn...no Ebook. Have to sit this one out.
I think it would be like reading House of Leaves on an ebook - at least from what I hear.
Yeah supposedly there is a lot going on with the typeset and stuff. Would make for a headache on an E-reader.
I suppose I'll just have to suck it up and order it. I wish I didn't forget my pin num. though right about now...
So I don't really know too much about Ross but I just was listening to older episodes of "Booked" podcasts Nd came across the one on Stranger Will. Sounded so good I just ordered the kindle edition for my iPad. Also ordered his Character Pieces. Both are only 2.99. Just a heads up.
Stranger Will is really good. The Cult did a discussion of it a while back. It's strange. The story is very original IMO.
@ Hetch
Charactered Pieces contains one of my favorite short stories, called The Camp. It is not very often I read a story and then start it right again as soon as I finish. You'll love that one.
This book is fantastic. I think you guys are going to love it. Very inventive but it doesn't crumble under its own weight and devolve into merely clever.
Thanks voodoo. I read your post earlier this afternoon and skipped right to The Camp, read it and amazingly enough went back and read it again. The man has skills. That cannot be debated.
Wow everyone, thank you so much for the kind words. I can wait to lurk around for the January discussion.
It has been brought to my attention that the books have not shipped yet. Meaning, they probably won't be around for the first of the month. However, as a Band-Aid until the physical books arrive, if anyone wants to get started on a .pdf version just send your order confirmation directly to me at caleb@calebjross.com. I'll get the .pdf to you. I think the book works better as a physical product, but at least the .pdf may bridge the gap between the have not and the inevitable, though late, have.
Well, from what I hear from Brandon and from the description - it's a pretty quick read. And the discussion doesn't start until the 15th. And who cares if the discussion starts a little late. ;) Don't worry about it.
I finished it in one sitting...took maybe a of couple hours.
Just emaiiled CaLeb about hat PDF. Should still look sexy on my iPad.
Sweet mother of God, I just finished Stranger Will and was pretty damn blown away. I am am ordering this one now and now Im going to finish Character Pieces while I await my copy. By the way, and I asked this before, but does anyone have any reccomendations for the other book I should order with it to get my 2 for 20? I really am not at all familiar with any of these titles ( http://aqueousbooks.com/publications.htm )
Thanks.
@Hetch
You can never go wrong with J. A. Tyler. I haven't yet read his Aqueous title (Girl with Oars & Man Dying), but that's definitely the one I would buy.
Reading this on my iPad. Not the intended format but I think the experience must be pretty close to the print book. A crazy one for sure. Review coming soon.
@Michael, thanks for the reccomendtion, man. Thats the one I'm going with.
Sorry, late to the recommendation party. The only other Aqueous title I've read is The Saints are Dead by Aaron Polson. It's got a Brian Evenson, Matt Bell, detached quality mixed with some horror elements. I truly, truly enjoyed the book. But yes, JA Tyler, he's got a style about him that pretty damn unique. I've enjoyed just about everything I've read from him.
Speaking of Tyler, I found this on the Black Coffee Press Facebook stream that may interest you: http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2492131353824&id=1568992535
If you order both Caleb J. Ross and Ryan W. Bradley's books (I Didn't Mean to be Kevin and Code for Failure, respectively) from Black Coffee Press you will get J.A. Tyler's A Shiny, Unused Heart for free. Three kickass books! Hurry. Deal ends Monday!
To avoid confusion, let me explain: both JA Tyler and myself have books on both Aqueous and Black Coffee coming out about the same time. Weird, I know.
Oh, that explains it. I kept looking for that delivery and wondering if I'd just imagined ordering it. Good to know it is on its way, excited.
@Brandon: Lullaby is my favorite Palahniuk.
freakin thrilled
I agree about Lullaby, I still think that would make a good movie.
That would be a cool movie.
Good news, my as a machine and parts came today and I think it is even signed by some of Caleb's pubic hairs.
Caleb's book needs to arrive at my house.
I agree! I'm getting jealous of people saying that their copies have arrived...
I think it is even signed by some of Caleb's pubic hairs.
I'm glad you caught that. The ride begins...
Also, I must add to the Lullaby love. That book doesn't get the credit it deserves (except in this thread, apparently).
Man, I'm still working out how to use LitReactor - just joined today; my head is swimming and throwing a wobbly. Looks neat, though, and I'll have to pull my finger out and go read Caleb's tome... stay tuned. ;)
Andrez - good to see you on here!
Hey Andrez - good to see you around here, man!
In other news - I am jealous you guys are getting your copies of this already. Damn international shipping. I'm sticking to my guns and waiting for the print version to arrive though.
Yeah. All these publishing houses that exclude the uk suck! Although for $4 extr
A for a second book I'm happy. Especially considering I didn't realise till afterwards and they still let me pt it through.
My copy came in today. Just in time too because I'll be finishing The Marriage Plot (finally) today.
Yeah, mine came in yesterday.
Oh man im so tempted to steal money to buy all of CJR's works. Read good things on all of his work. For sure in the morning I'll order "Charactered Pieces" due to hearing the print edition supplies are very limited :(
Then POSSIBLY order "As a Machine & Parts" if I can milk a couple more dollars from my couch.
Oh man im so tempted to steal money to buy all of CJR's works. Read good things on all of his work. For sure in the morning I'll order "Charactered Pieces" due to hearing the print edition supplies are very limited :( Then POSSIBLY order "As a Machine & Parts" if I can milk a couple more dollars from my couch.
What a coincidence. Not to come across as too salesy, but now through January 17th, the e-versions of my two story collections are just $0.99. Here are some details: http://www.calebjross.com/book-news/99-cents-now-through-january-17th-charactered-pieces-and-murmurs/
Regarding print editions, yeah, there are literally 5 left (other than the handful I am keeping for myself). If anyone is interested, there is a link on this page to purchase one. The orders are routed through me, so they will be signed (for whatever that's worth).
[/ Purina checkerboard slacks used car salesman pitch]
I just ordered one.
Fuck yeah, just ordered one.
I pray to my maker that I'll recieve it by Friday.
Hey Caleb, why aren't any of your books besides Stranger Will listed on Goodreads? I wanted to let the world know that I'm reading As a Machine, but I couldn't!
edit - Never mind. I figured it out.
Guess what I have in my hands, ready to be signed, and ready to be mailed out early tomorrow? If you guessed stripper tits, you're wrong. I like where your head is at, though.
