So excited to finally say that EAT THE RICH will be available to buy tomorrow, July 13th!
When Ed Anderson discards his life to become a homeless person, he has no idea of the shit storm about to happen. Almost overnight, the city’s homeless population spikes.
So does the murder rate.
Ed learns that aliens posing as homeless people are eating the city’s wealthiest residents. He tries to warn the police, but they think he’s crazy.
The situation is worse than Ed describes, though.
He’s right about the aliens. They’re here to free humans from wealth and poverty. The flesh of the rich is just a tasty reward for their hard work.
And if humans refuse to embrace the utopia imagined for them, there is a Plan B.
Kill everyone.
So, let’s talk about where this story came from. The inspiration for is covered in the dedication:
Me: I need a story idea that’s off the wall.
Kurt: (Trying to drive the car with minimal conversation.) Yeah.
Me: Maybe a new take on cannibals? I’ve probably used those too much.
Kurt: Hobo cannibals?
Me: Meh.
Kurt: Alien hobo cannibals.
Me: Oooh…
Kurt: Who only eat rich people.
Me: Perfect.
It was SO much fun to write, and I thought no one would want it, because that’s often the case when I have too much fun and when I go a little weird, but M.R. Tapia at Hindered Souls Press surprised me and said yes. And here we are.
As I wrote this book, a few things occurred to me.
First, if we’re going to write about cannibalistic homeless people, we need a motive for said cannibalism. Before I added the alien angle, I thought maybe I could highlight the socioeconomic imbalance in society, and show how just abandoning everything might be appealing.
I also wanted us to imagine a world where poverty and homelessness don’t exist. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if no one starved? No one suffered. No one worried how they’d feed their kids or keep a roof over their heads. I think that we as a society can work toward something better, but a society where everyone is equal and no one owns more than anyone else just isn’t the answer.
My main goal with Eat the Rich, though, was entertainment. I wanted this book to be a disturbing, pulpy, action-packed read that made the reader at least smile now and then. I just want readers to have fun.
And it’s almost here. So, along with Jesse Dedman of Deadman’s Tome, I’m throwing a wee launch thing.
I’ll be chatting with Jesse during the Eat the Rich stream this Sunday at 3pm EST/4pm CST. Call in, answer questions, and be eligible to win over $100 In prizes.
Or you can just listen (we really hope you’ll call in) to the Deadman’s Tome Podcast, and join in the fun on Twitter by following me (@ReneeMJ), Deadman’s Tome (@MrDeadmanDT), or Hindered Souls Press (@m_r_tapia) or by following the hashtag #EatTheRichBook. I’ll be posting a few questions on there and I’ll use the hashtag for updates and reminders. Those who answer questions live or on Twitter will be entered to win prizes.
What prizes? Well, I’ve got a few signed copies of Eat the Rich and Church to give away, as well as some awesome titles from Unnerving, Hindered Souls Press, Deviant Dolls, and Deadman’s Tome.
Here’s what we’ve got confirmed. It’s likely there’ll be more.
Oh, and I’ll be giving away this nifty t-shirt from Hindered Souls Press.
So, I think that about covers it. Join us on Sunday and keep an eye on #EatTheRichBook on Twitter.
Dangling on the Edge of Insanity 