Berlin-based Irish novelist julian Gough (and daughter) makes a special case why YOU should send a man to Vegas.
It’s for important literary RESEARCH.
Julian writes:
“I’m a writer of peculiar and, I hope, enjoyable fictions. My stories sometimes win awards, sometimes appear as novels, and sometimes turn up in more unusual places. (I wrote the narrative at the end of Markus “Notch” Persson’s wonderful computer game, Minecraft; I wrote the first short story ever printed in the Financial Times; I’ve had a number one Kindle Single in the UK, etc.) In the world of more traditional writing, I’ve also had a couple of radio plays on the BBC, a stageplay performed, a book of poetry published…”
Get you.
“The Las Vegas Postcards is a little art project; a literary experiment. It will let people who enjoy my work help to fund a research & writing trip, from Berlin (where I live) to Las Vegas (where my next novel, Infinite Ammo, is set), for the month of August.
In Las Vegas?
“In return, each funder will, firstly, get a PDF of my favourite, as-yet-unpublished, short story. It’s called “Harvest”, and was shortlisted for the €15,000 Davy Byrnes Award this year. (The judges, Yiyun Li, Jon McGregor, and Booker Prize winner Anne Enright, called it “a superb story””;
Kerching!
“…but I didn’t win. That’s one reason I’m short of cash, and need your help with this.) You will also get to follow my adventures in Las Vegas through my Kickstarter updates; and, most importantly, if you are in for more than ten bucks, I will send you a postcard from Vegas.
It’s certainly a novel idea we’ll give you that.
“Thanks.”
Novel.
“Yes. Got that.”
The Las Vegas Postcards by Julian Gough (KickStarter)
galway and los angeles and now berlin to las vegas, ha?
love a bit of julian gough. tis a long from puckane yiz are now boy!
“I wrote the narrative at the end of Markus “Notch” Persson’s wonderful computer game, Minecraft”
While I’m sure the rest of his work is great, I’ve read that ending, I really wouldn’t go around advertising that I wrote it.
“(and, jeeeez, Berlin-Las Vegas flights are expensive)”
Julian you’re flying over at peak season, of course it’s expensive. Flying over in January or February would be cheaper and you’d also be avoiding the worst of the Berlin winter.
Another kickstarter beggar. Do they have any shame?
I don’t suppose he could use his imagination? Like, I’m pretty sure Ray Bradbury never visited mars. Unless I missed the letter he sent nasa trying to pav a lift?
If people came to your door looking for money like this I think most people would laugh (nicely) in their face before politely telling them no. I’m not sure how asking via a website like Kickstarter makes it any less ridiculous. Although, I understand writers make a pittance usually, but if you can’t afford a research trip (or if you haven’t managed to convince a body like the Arts Council to give you funding) then maybe it’s time to think of another way to research your book. As Mani points out, it’s not crucial that you physically visit somewhere to write about it. This really feels like a junket trying to convince itself it’s an art project.
A new interpretation of the poet selling his self published book around pubs and on the street. I think it’s an interesting and modern way about it….you get a short story and a personal postcard which is a piece of art in itself for $10+ and it works as advertising for the writer for future and existing works. Good luck
Did he write a book about twin sisters attending NUIG, or am I imagining that?
Juno and Juliet. A very good evocation of the city, as I remember.
Haters may hate, but Mr Gough’s campaign has been a runaway success.
Happy for the man.