Hello. My name is Justin C Gordon. This blog will cover my attempts to bring Out of the Gutter Magazine (outoftheguttermagazine.com) to three of the most godless places in the world: Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. I can say this because I grew up on the south hills of Pittsburgh where in bars Rocky Bliar's photo was hung parallel to The Virgin Mary's statue. So there are the 3 States...
There is a real funeral involved, but hang on, I'll get to it. Let me just start with the who and why. I am a writer who lives in Austin, TX with my beautiful wife and two sons. I left a cubicle and marketing career to work on a novel. I take odd jobs from craigslist to pay my mortgage: sometimes I build websites or drywall houses or mow lawns, but I get to write everyday. My novel, "The Electric Pickle" was just accepted to the Taos Summer Writers' Conference where I'll study under John Dufresne.
Over the past few months, I've become a Pimp for Out of the Gutter Magazine. That is my real title: OOTG PIMP. It's on my business cards. Email me and I'll send you one: justincgordon at gmail.com
The Pimp can't tan, but he got Schlitz to donate tall-boys for the Staple! Pre-party at Austin Books & Comics. Dig the OOTG Paper Bags
My relationship with OOTG began when I found their submission guidlines at duotrope.com The guidelines were intelligently written. This is one of my filters for sending out work to mags I've never heard of.
Out of the Gutter Magazine's mission is to provide a place for short stories in a shrinking market and were looking for stories themed "Hard Times." I sent a story titled "Rules" that explains how to rob crack houses with illegal immigrants in Chicago. OOTG editor Matt Louis accepted the story for issue #4. If you buy a copy, you could read it and successfully rob houses or get killed. That's what makes it a degenerate literature story.
Now, I've never been the kind of guy that does well with one night stands. I don't think its enough to have a drunken lay and leave. I stick around for morning, cook her breakfast, rub her feet, and have more sex.
After 14 years and 2 kids, my wife still refers to me as a one night stand who wouldn't leave.
Here is the token blog self portrait: Stuck at the Austin Airport carrying tons of heavy OOTG books around. My 6:15 am flight is canceled because the crew doesn't show. All my afternoon appointments are screwed. I have to add an extra day to my trip.
For writers, publishing is the same as getting laid. It's something you're always thinking about and when it happens, you should cook someone breakfast afterwards.
On the engine: This is the universal symbol for no people >
So I'm helping OOTG. I beg or stalk journalists for reviews. I chase down bookstores with email, snail mail, phone calls, and then show up at their door. The book gets on shelves. Books sell. Bookstores are happy and order more. We use a grassroots push to get the book out there. We use creative solutions and not financial ones.
A Little More Background about the Funeral:
After a stroke last September, my paternal Grandfather, Fred M. Gordon, Sr. died at the Pittsburgh VA Hospital . My grandmother and he never divorced, but had not lived together for twenty years. She hates the cold so lives in Florida. There were other things, but it would be inappropriate to discuss them. Just know that there is a desire in everyone from Western PA to one day retire to Florida. It's something you hear growing up around old people. Then one day you don't hear it anymore because the old person either moved south or died.
My grandmother said she would wait until the last frost for a funeral. Grandfather was cremated and the service was scheduled for April 14th, 2008.
When I was four my father, Fred Gordon, Jr. abandoned my mother, sister and me. He was a bricklayer who discovered Jesus on a scaffolding and left us to become a born again Christian minister. He went off to Eastern Europe to preach the good word. There were no visits every other week. No two weeks in the summer with Dad. No check to help with food, electricity, or clothing. I can't imagine how he looks at himself in a mirror.
Fred Gordon, Jr preaches the good word while his children starve. What a prick
I never heard from my father's side of the family for years. Because writers are disturbed, I hunted them down. I was curious. I began a phone relationship with my Aunt Helen. She's very kind and family means everything to her. She told me that my Grandfather (Sr.) repeatedly begged my father (Jr.) not to abandon his children. She said he would cry on the phone to my Dad. For this, I figured I would attend the funeral. If my father showed up, I could break this arms and legs with a tire jack.
For my birthday, my sister bought me a ticket to Pgh so I could attend the funeral. Out of the Gutter #4 was printed and bound in March. "Rules" was in there along with a couple illustrations I had provided. I started contacting bookstores that were in the region with email and postcards. Some responded and I worked out a plan. I put together Google Maps. On 10apr08, Thursday at 8:30pm, I finally got into Pgh. I rented a car with unlimited miles. This KIA was great on gas. I crashed at my sisters.
So begins this absurd book tour:
11apr08 - Friday
I woke early and drove 2.5 hrs to Cleveland for my first stop, the incredible Jakprints. I had met Dameon Guess at their South by Southwest Booth a month ago. This operation really has it together. They understand digital printing and customer service. I picked up some beautiful Out of the Gutter Magazine posters, postcards, and business cards Dameon had set me up with.
Share the love: If you mention this promo code: 3OUT8GUTTER you'll save $50 off an order of $200 or more. Visit: jakprints.com or their shop at 33133 Chester Ave. Cleveland, OH 44114
I was armed to attack bookstores...
Suspect Thoughts Books
In such a run down part of town sits this lovely book paradise and online presence run by Greg:
Suspect Thoughts Books
4903 Clark Ave. Cleveland, OH 44102-4527
suspectthoughtspress.com
and
alternaqueerbooks.com/
216.631.2665
Astound Comics
25943 Detroit Rd. Westlake, OH 44145
astoundpop.com
440.835.8055
Since my first email, Scott (center of pict) was so enthusiastic about an OOTG visit. They have a large collection of independent comics, mags and art books on one wall. There, photocopied/ stapled creations sit beside perfectly bound works. Astound Comics also has everything from Darkhorse, Marvel, and DC.
<Scott declared OOTG #4 "True Smut", committed to 5 copies, and dragged customers outside for this photo!
Mac's Back Paperbacks
1820 Coventry Rd. Cleveland Heights, OH 44118
macsbacks.com
216.321.2665
Mac's Backs Books on Coventry is a lovely book shop specializing in hard to get items. This is a cozy store with so much to look through. Suzanne was kind enough to meet with me while juggling customers. Mac's Backs books was initially interested in taking 2 copies until a couple from Detroit on their way to New York, inquired about the OOTG#4 on the counter and bought one. I wish this happens in every shop I visit. They asked me to sign my short story "Rules." Wow, I felt like a real writer.
All-American Comics & Cards
161 West Market St. Warren, Ohio 44481 myspace.com/allamericancomics
330.393.3137
On Fridays, Cleveland has really, really suck ass bad traffic leaving the city on I-80. So I fought my way to an alternative route, 422, floored it to Warren, almost hit a tractor, but missed the manager of All-American Cards and Comics, Josh, who had a birthday party to get to. Over the phone he agreed to get some books. I dropped them off with posters in the mail slot.
Their store in Youngstown also has OOTG Magazine, here is their contact info:
All-American Comics & Cards
1295 Boardman Canfield Rd.
Youngstown, OH 44512
myspace.com/all_american_comics
330.629.8754
1295 Boardman Canfield Rd.
Youngstown, OH 44512
myspace.com/all_american_comics
330.629.8754
Outside of Warren, God's car wash?
< This is the Liberty Tunnels in Pgh. We don't have tunnels in Austin. We have other things, like Willie Nelson and breakfast tacos. Got back to my sisters around 10 pm tired, but it was a good first day
12apr08 - Saturday
Took time out with my sister and nephew in the morning. Walked to a playground. Damn the hills here are steep, my calves were killing me. This is not a good place for a smoker, but everyone seems to smoke here. They smoke indoors in restaurants, bars, and malls. They smoke in cars with the windows rolled up. My sister doesn't smoke anymore. Smart woman. My nephew doesn't smoke either.
Then back to the tour:
Pittsburgh Bookstores
Mystery Lovers Bookshop
514 Allegheny River Blvd. Oakmont, PA 15139
mysterylovers.com/
888.800.6078 or 412.828.4877
This is Richard who began our interview with, "Frankly I find this cover offensive and really don't believe my customers will read it."
He did take 2 copies, appreciating that Out of the Gutter Magazine is trying to give writers a place to publish their work. Someone please visit Mystery Lovers Bookshop and buy the copies to show them there is a market for OOTG in this store.
Phantom of the Attic in Oakland
406 South Craig St. Pittsburgh, PA 15213
http://ww3.telerama.com/~phantom/intro.html/
412.621.1210
Jeff is the man that convinced me to buy Eddy Current by Ted McKeever years ago. The story is about a kid who finds a utility belt in a cereal box that turns him into a superhero. He's not alone. There are others that find a belt in their cereal boxes. Some become heroes and others villains, but you'll never look at Nuns the same way.
Now
Copacetic Comics Co
Copacetic Comics Co is run by Bill, who was one of the major inspirations I had in becoming a writer. When I was a teen, I would sneak over to his old store, B.E.M.(for Bug Eyed Monsters) in Wilkinsburgh and get copies of whatever he told me to try. Bill had me reading Frank Miller and Moebius stuff as an education.
His new store is on the edge of Oakland/ Shadyside and stuffed with great reads, listens, and things to watch. Having OOTG Magazine on his shelves is such a cool feeling.
Copacetic Comics Co
1505 Asbury Pl. Pittsburgh, PA 15217
http://home.earthlink.net/%7Ecopaceticcomicsco/
412.422.1344
Here is a map
Bill used to publish his own zine, "Transformer"
Check out at this awesome cover art >
Check out at this awesome cover art >
Of course he talked me into getting a bunch of books. I walked out with Edwin Mullhouse, Steven Millhauser, and Howard Norman. I also got back issues of "Transformer". My OOTG boxes were getting lighter and as I put them into the KIA's trunk I hear my name called by...
Out of the Gutter Magazine's mortal enemy!
Murdaland Magazine editor Michael Langnas...
lives in Pgh. Bill had called him, thinking we would have lots of things in common to talk about, like Pulp Fiction or Anthony Neil Smith.
In March, Michael had been on a panel with Matt Louis at Noircon Philadelphia where we released Out of the Gutter #4. He took a copy of our book and actually read it. Prick.
Michael and I go have a few drinks at a pub. He was very open with industry info and genuinely supportive of OOTG. Prick.
Michael Langnas, Anthony Neil Smith is ours and Murdaland would do well to back the hell off!
I was driving back to my sisters when I passed a strip club. A dancer was leaving. I asked her if she would pose with a copy of OOTG #4. This self professed "Hoochie Momma" agreed as long as her face didn't get shown. She didn't want her kids finding the pict on the web. It's a funny and sad thing.
Those pricks at Murdaland Magazine wouldn't have the balls to get a cover model like this.
Maybe I should have given her a buck, but as I said, OOTG uses creative solutions, not financial ones.
13apr08 - Sunday
Sunday, I hung out with my sister and saw "The Body" exhibit at the Carnegie Science Center. They gave us this press release stating that none of the bodies were from tortured Chinese Prisoners. This didn't mean they weren't Chinese prisoners. I couldn't get that out of my head as we went through the whole exhibit. You can get anything in China with money now. From a writing standpoint, what a great way to get rid of a body: fillet it and exhibit to Americans.
Now back to...
Eide’s Entertainment
1121 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh PA 15222
eides.com
412.261.0900
Here is a map
An institution in Downtown Pittsburgh, Eide's has music, books, and movies galore. This is Merle who was kind enough to meet with me on the morning of my Grandfather's funeral.
Don't even get me started about this guy!
This is Bill O'Driscoll. He's the Pittsburgh City Paper Arts Editor and he won't give us a review. Everyone should flood him with emails, letters, and phone calls to give us a review:
Pittsburgh City Paper
650 Smithfield St. Suite 2200 Pittsburgh, PA, 15222 412.316.3342
fax: 412.316.3388
driscoll@steelcitymedia.com
The funeral at 2pm
My father didn't attend the service. He's as much of a prick as Michael Langnas.
Look, I'm not going to say anymore about this family event. After meeting everyone, I liked my cousins and Grandmother who are pictured here.
I'm only including a couple photos to prove there was a funeral during our morbid Out of the Gutter book tour, then move on to the third and last state: Maryland (pronounced, "Merril-land").
The Fucking Cop
I was tired after the funeral and would have liked to hang with my relatives, but I was so worried about over sleeping. So I drove from Pittsburgh to Baltimore. I know this makes no sense, but being on the road with a finite destination was something I had to do. I got in at 1 am then couldn't sleep, too amped from chain smoking American Spirits and getting a fucking speeding ticket when I crossed into Maryland. I was speeding to find a bathroom because their turnpikes have these long stretches with nothing out there. When I handed over my license and insurance to the fucking cop, he grinned and said, "Oh, your from Texas."
I asked if I could piss on the side of the road. Christ, I was swimming in piss.
The cop said, "Well, I don't know what it's like in Texas, but if you do that here I'd have to give you a ticket for indecent exposure."
I pinched my dick, got a ticket for $180, and then slowly drove to find a fucking gas station to piss.
Here is the Baltimore Harbor.
Baltimore is the city of dreadlocks. It doesn't matter skin color, there are tons of people here with dreadlocks. It's like Marley-fest everyday.
At this point, my allergies are killing me. Everything is blooming and my nose is dripping all over the place. I haven't been sleeping much or eating on time, so I'm getting pretty sick. I only have one day left to finish this. Today is important, I'm to meet with Brett McCabe from the Baltimore City Paper and try to get a review.
Mystery Loves Company
In case you don't know, like I didn't, Myster Loves Company's store is closed on Tuesdays. If Northwest Airlines wouldn't have screwed up at the begining of this trip! So Mystery Loves Company got a copy of OOTG in their small mail slot to check out, but I didn't want to trash the poster. So I start putting this poster under the door and suddenly this cat appears in the store and attacks.
Mystery Loves Company
1730 Fleet Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
mysterylovescompany.com/
800.538.0042 or 410.276.6708
Rub Nick behind the ear for us.
1730 Fleet Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
mysterylovescompany.com/
800.538.0042 or 410.276.6708
Rub Nick behind the ear for us.
Cosmic Comix and Toys
87 Mellor Ave Catonsville, MD 21228
cosmiccomix.com/newblog
410.747.3041
This is Rusty. He has a nice store, well lit, and organized. There are cool wall murals and paintings through out the store. He's trying Out of the Gutter Magazine out, so please visit his store and get a copy.
Baltimore City Paper
Nested in a gorgeous row house, the Baltimore City Paper keeps the people informed of, well, everything.
Arts editor, Bret McCabe, had read an advance copy of Out of the Gutter Magazine #4 and still wanted to meet me. He's full of energy and loves his work, if I wasn't so worried about getting a ticket for being illegally parked (there is no parking in this part of town) I would have taken him out to lunch. The best part was hearing he really enjoyed Out of the Gutter.
Atomic Books
I love this shop, it has the largest collection of independent books on consignment. Talk about cool: John Waters picks up his fan mail here.
This is Eamon who put up with tons of emails from us. We begged to be in Atomic Books even though those Murdaland Magazine pricks are also sold here.
Stop in, buy a copy of Out of the Gutter Magazine, and tell Eamon he is wonderful for putting up with independent mags.
Atomic Books
1100 W. 36th St. Baltimore, MD 21211
atomicbooks.com
410.662.4444
Here is the OOTG page on their site:
http://www.atomicbooks.com/products/-/11285.html
Last stop in Baltimore:
Comics Kingdom
3998 Roland Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21211
amazingspiral.com/
410.889.6005
Crystal was really nice to meet. I got on to the outer loop right before rush hour traffic and out of town.
I drove from Baltimore to Pgh so I could meet with Tom of Duncan Books. Not only did he give me great directions, but also kept his shop open an extra hour to meet with me. His shop is filled with Sci-fi, mystery pulps, action figures, and a ton of comics. What I loved about talking with Tom, is he is a voracious reader and has tons of recommendations for anyone to check out.
Duncan Comics, Books, & Accessories
1047 Perry Highway Pittsburgh , PA 15237 duncancomics.com
412.635.0886
Before I leave, a stop on the Southside at the Beehive:
Put up a Out of the Gutter magazine poster of in the Beehive Coffeehouse window. Check out their site at: www.beehivebuzz.com
Grabbed a sandwich and then headed to the airport to drop off the KIA. The terminal was closed, so I slept on a chair for two hours and then caught my flight back to my beautiful family in Texas. I was now sick as a dog and useless. What a lovely present for my wife. I owe her big.
Damn, that was a lot to do.
What have I learned?
Fred M. Gordon, Sr., Justin C Gordon, and Fred Gordon, Jr - 1976
One prick in the family doesn't make the entire family full of pricks. The sins of the father, stay with the father. Children are free to make their own sins.
People that own bookstores really care about reading. It doesn't matter if it has pictures, panels, or just words. Like writers, they love the intimacy this medium has; the voice that gets inside you and makes you believe. This is what you don't get at chain stores and is why you have to take your money to local independent bookstores. Without that support, these places close.
I didn't see anyone reading in my family as I grew up. I read all the time. My mother told us that the library was a safe place, because my father only read the bible and he already had his own copy. I loved that Brookline library in the south hills of Pittsburgh. I've been told that Fred M Gordon, Sr. devoured Civil War books in his small local library. Here is a connection I've gained.
Yes, I write because there was a lack of intimacy in my extended family growing up. There was spiritual, emotional, and physical abuse, so of course I would skip off into fantasy. Had there been a wardrobe when I was a kid, I would have nailed the thing shut from the inside and stayed in Narnia instead of returning to Pittsburgh. Writing and art filled a void for me then and are now such a part of my personality that I'm irritable when I don't do it. They are healthy ways of coping with chaos. They are tools for solving problems. They are also a lot of fun.
There was another Fred in my life growing up, Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood. He lived in Pittsburgh. I borrowed Mister Rogers, made him into a patron saint for the fatherless kid. He was calm, optimistic, and never preachy. Funny, Fred Rogers was also an evangelist preacher, but he never would condemn you to hell. He was available, twice a day on PBS/QED and encouraged the world of make believe. I don't know if he could tan.
Perhaps some kid out there now has a copy of Out of the Gutter they can read and escape into. It doesn't have to be beautiful or fluffy fantasy to fill the need. It's just having a book to make you forget what you don't have, until you can figure out how to make your own thing.
3998 Roland Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21211
amazingspiral.com/
410.889.6005
Crystal was really nice to meet. I got on to the outer loop right before rush hour traffic and out of town.
I drove back to:
I drove from Baltimore to Pgh so I could meet with Tom of Duncan Books. Not only did he give me great directions, but also kept his shop open an extra hour to meet with me. His shop is filled with Sci-fi, mystery pulps, action figures, and a ton of comics. What I loved about talking with Tom, is he is a voracious reader and has tons of recommendations for anyone to check out.
Duncan Comics, Books, & Accessories
1047 Perry Highway Pittsburgh , PA 15237 duncancomics.com
412.635.0886
Before I leave, a stop on the Southside at the Beehive:
Put up a Out of the Gutter magazine poster of in the Beehive Coffeehouse window. Check out their site at: www.beehivebuzz.com
Grabbed a sandwich and then headed to the airport to drop off the KIA. The terminal was closed, so I slept on a chair for two hours and then caught my flight back to my beautiful family in Texas. I was now sick as a dog and useless. What a lovely present for my wife. I owe her big.
Damn, that was a lot to do.
What have I learned?
Fred M. Gordon, Sr., Justin C Gordon, and Fred Gordon, Jr - 1976
One prick in the family doesn't make the entire family full of pricks. The sins of the father, stay with the father. Children are free to make their own sins.
People that own bookstores really care about reading. It doesn't matter if it has pictures, panels, or just words. Like writers, they love the intimacy this medium has; the voice that gets inside you and makes you believe. This is what you don't get at chain stores and is why you have to take your money to local independent bookstores. Without that support, these places close.
I didn't see anyone reading in my family as I grew up. I read all the time. My mother told us that the library was a safe place, because my father only read the bible and he already had his own copy. I loved that Brookline library in the south hills of Pittsburgh. I've been told that Fred M Gordon, Sr. devoured Civil War books in his small local library. Here is a connection I've gained.
Yes, I write because there was a lack of intimacy in my extended family growing up. There was spiritual, emotional, and physical abuse, so of course I would skip off into fantasy. Had there been a wardrobe when I was a kid, I would have nailed the thing shut from the inside and stayed in Narnia instead of returning to Pittsburgh. Writing and art filled a void for me then and are now such a part of my personality that I'm irritable when I don't do it. They are healthy ways of coping with chaos. They are tools for solving problems. They are also a lot of fun.
There was another Fred in my life growing up, Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers Neighborhood. He lived in Pittsburgh. I borrowed Mister Rogers, made him into a patron saint for the fatherless kid. He was calm, optimistic, and never preachy. Funny, Fred Rogers was also an evangelist preacher, but he never would condemn you to hell. He was available, twice a day on PBS/QED and encouraged the world of make believe. I don't know if he could tan.
Perhaps some kid out there now has a copy of Out of the Gutter they can read and escape into. It doesn't have to be beautiful or fluffy fantasy to fill the need. It's just having a book to make you forget what you don't have, until you can figure out how to make your own thing.
Fred M Gordon Sr. Rest In Peace.
Justin C Gordon
Out of the Gutter Pimp
29apr08
I hate you:
29apr08
I hate you:
