I’m ecstatic to announce that Rock Gods & Messy Monsters was officially released today and is now on sale on Kindle and online retailers. It’s definitely up on Amazon, though other sites might still be processing it. It’ll be there soon if it’s not already.
- The paperback lists for $14.95
- The ebook lists for $4.99. And if you’re a Kindle Unlimited member, it’s free! I know! (It will only be on Kindle/KDP for 90 days.)
- If you live outside the U.S., you should be able to find the book on your country’s Amazon page through this link.
I’ve included the press release below (or you can read it online) in case you aren’t familiar with what I’ve written. In short, it’s one woman’s search for self among the blood-soaked walls, dangling body parts, and alien-hatched explosions inside Acht Records, a fictional record company in the 1990s.
I think I’ve mentioned previously that I originally wrote this book in the latter part of the 1990s when I was working in the music industry. I finished it after I left but couldn’t find a publisher. I ended up publishing it myself – but never promoting it because I had such low self-esteem around my writing.
And even with a fantastic review from Kirkus (the gold star of book review sites), I still didn’t think anyone would read it. And I didn’t understand that it was a good review – a case of my perception creating my reality. So the novel sat in the black hole of unread books that were never loved.
(Photo by OsakaWayne Studios for Getty Images)
A friend from those days read the book recently, quit her job after finishing it, and convinced me to republish the novel because it’s just as relevant today as it was back then.
I also recently heard from another friend who finished it and wrote to tell me she was so inspired that she’s finally getting serious about her own writing. Even my sister-in-law, who I never thought would like something like this, called yesterday to tell me how much she enjoyed it. I’m still in a little shock.
And I couldn’t ask for bigger compliments. The novel has a lot of surreal and absurdist elements in it, but they all stand for or symbolize something. I’ve decided I’m going to go through each chapter in the book and write pieces here in Next Draft explaining what the different aspects mean.
I hope you’ll get Rock Gods and join me.
If you’d like to stay in touch, please do!
- I’ve created a mailing list for all things book. Please join if you’d like to stay up-to-date on all the special events, contests, and goings on around the release and promotion of Rock Gods.
- If you’re a Substack reader, please subscribe to Diane Discovers if you haven’t already. (free and optional paid)
- If you’re Facebook-friendly, please follow and like my Facebook author page!
- And there’s the usual:
A paid opportunity for The Journey Home
Hello Diane,
What caught my attention about *The Journey Home* is the way Alex’s external fight against a powerful billionaire is tied to a much more personal struggle—breaking the patterns of fear, shame, and self-erasure that have shaped her life. That combination of psychological conflict, satire, and visionary elements gives the novel a distinctive angle for reaching readers.
I’m reaching out because I offer a **paid book promotion service for authors**, and I believe there may be a worthwhile opportunity to position *The Journey Home* in front of readers who are receptive to its themes and genre.
To be completely transparent, this is a **paid engagement**. I don’t promise guaranteed sales, reviews, or specific results. Instead, I’d explain the exact approach, deliverables, and cost upfront so you can decide whether the service is relevant to your current goals for the book.
Would you be open to taking a look at the details?
Best regards,
Alaric Wren
[alaricwren@yahoo.com](mailto:alaricwren@yahoo.com)
A Readers First Club Invitation for Rock Gods & Messy Monsters
Dear Diane Hatz,
Your novel, *Rock Gods & Messy Monsters*, caught my attention because of its unusual blend of absurdist humor, corporate satire, and personal struggle. Alex Scott’s experience in a 1990s record company where the pursuit of her dream job threatens her sense of self offers a fascinating angle on ambition, power, and the cost of trying to succeed without losing who you are. I particularly like how the surreal elements seem to reflect very real pressures within the workplace and music industry.
I’m Edward Jones, reaching out on behalf of Readers First Club, a reader-focused community dedicated to discovering books that spark thoughtful conversations and leave a lasting impression. We bring readers together to explore the characters, themes, choices, and ideas behind a story, paying attention to what makes each book distinctive and how its message connects with readers’ own experiences.
What makes Readers First Club special is our focus on meaningful discussion rather than simply recommending another title. I believe *Rock Gods & Messy Monsters* could inspire an engaging conversation about corporate culture, identity, the pursuit of success, and the importance of holding on to one’s humanity in environments that challenge personal values. Its distinctive mix of comedy and deeper emotional questions gives readers plenty to explore and different perspectives to share.
I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss featuring your novel in an upcoming Readers First Club discussion and introducing it to our community. Would you be open to a brief conversation about how we could bring *Rock Gods & Messy Monsters* to our readers?
Kind regards,
Edward Jones
Readers First Club
*Putting Readers First. One Story at a Time.*