My book launched and, yes, we’re celebrating!
Despite being an “out loud” person in general, it turns out I get twitchy about things like blowing my own horn … which almost compels me to downplay the event, referring to this post as “shameless self-promotion.” But I’m not going to do that because, frankly, what artist/entrepreneur in today’s world doesn’t need to self-promote, and why on earth is there anything shameful in that? Even the guy who tinted my car windows asked me to review him on Google!
Except for Judge Susan Crawford’s recent win, there hasn’t been much in our world to cheer about lately, so it’s incumbent upon us all, for the sake of collective sanity and equilibrium, to make special note of the good times, the happy moments; the accomplishments deemed worthy of celebration. Hence, I’ll joyfully shout about my book’s release!
CHICK SINGER: Available in ebook & paperback
Click links below to access book sites:
AMAZON • BARNES & NOBLE • APPLE BOOKS
RAKUTEN kobo • BOOKSHOP • BAM Books-a-Million
It’s been an interesting journey, this book, with a longer gestation period than any of my previous novels. It started out decades ago as a screenplay, with a different title, much younger characters, and—given the 120-page parameters of the average film script—a much shorter, less in-depth narrative. It went through various permutations over the years; optioned a few times, awarded in a couple of screenplay competitions, garnered scads of positive response, but no actual fruition. As years passed, I aged up the cast (which, given the core element of “former ‘80s singer,” was necessary) and contemporized the story as needed, until I hit a point where I couldn’t stretch it any further. Then someone suggested a brilliant update that changed the foundation of the family at the story’s heart and I was off again.
Wanting to deepen the plot, develop characters more thoughtfully, and take the story onto a more dramatic territory, I knew the only way I could achieve that was in novel form. Daunting, as that demanded a completely different creative process from screenwriting, but before long out went the brads and three-hole punch paper.
It took a minute (a long minute), but when I finally cracked the code, the evolving characters and plot pushed the story into salient topics that resonate with, I believe, a wider audience: Letting go of dreams. Facing age. Balancing creativity with practicality. Fractured families. Loneliness. Toxic work situations. Betrayal. Love. Mother/daughter issues. Reclaiming true self. Discovering what’s needed for true happiness. And so on. The end result was Chick Singer.
I unabashedly love this book. I love the main characters, Libby Conlin (whose story, if you were wondering, is not mine), and her cranky daughter, Bridget. I love the people in their orbits, how they all traverse the world in and around each other; its ins and outs, ups and downs, good points and bad. It’s real life … with a rock & roll soundtrack!
I shared a short synopsis and some early reviews earlier; I’m leaving those again below for those who missed that piece.
Oh, and I had a great Substack LIVE chat yesterday with my good friend, Dr. Lauren Streicher, who very generously wanted to talk about the book, intro’ing it with this:
A spontaneous Substack LIVE with Lorraine Devon Wilke, the author of CHICK SINGER, a novel about a middle-aged woman who left behind a career as a rock and roll singer to become a more traditional wife and mom. Lost opportunities, new opportunities, and the challenges of aging yet staying relevant.
While Chick Singer is not autobiographical, Lorraine, as a former rocker herself, gives a behind-the-scenes peek at what it was like to be part of an ‘80s rock band. It’s a great read!
It was a fun and feisty conversation (as it always is with Lauren!), so give it a listen/watch when you have a sec.
I want to thank everyone who asked about the book and expressed interest in reading it; who volunteered to be an advance reader; who did podcasts and newsletters to help promote it, and who are assisting my entrepreneurial efforts with word-of-mouth, social media posts, and well-placed reviews. It does take a damn village, this creative and commercial process of art, so know that all the interest, help, and support is deeply appreciated.
Lastly, and as I always write when I sign a book: “enjoy the read!” That really is the main thing, isn’t it?
CHICK SINGER: Available in ebook & paperback
Click links below to access book sites:
AMAZON • BARNES & NOBLE • APPLE BOOKS
RAKUTEN kobo • BOOKSHOP • BAM Books-a-Million
Short synopsis:
The hope and glamor of ‘80s rock & roll stardom is ancient history for Libby Conlin, whose focus is now on the unexpected return of her newly divorced daughter Bridget, home again despite their historically fractious relationship and the chaos it inspires. When Bridget’s application to a local art school involves anonymously posting Libby’s old music online, music that garners the attention of industry gatekeepers, Libby’s mysterious past—and all its dark secrets—comes roaring into the present. The resulting reconfiguration of everything and everyone in their orbit is both bittersweet and life changing. Chick Singer explores a complex mother/daughter relationship against the backdrop of music, dreams, and love—and the art of redefining all three.
Reviews from early readers:
“A smart, twisty, wonderful novel with all the messy grit of the real world. Devon Wilke digs into complex relationships and finds heartfelt emotion in a story of suppressed ambition and motherly love that resolves in unexpected and profound ways. Just a wow.” ~ James Parriott, award-winning producer/writer/director, Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Patriot
“Chick Singer rocks with dynamic characters whose dialogue pops like a backbeat. Devon Wilke trains a knowing look upon our current frantic and fragmented state, and the music that goes with it. A multi-track saga for these digitized times.” ~ Junior Burke, award-winning dramatist, songwriter, and author of Buddha Was a Cowboy and Cold Last Swim
“Bittersweet and deeply felt, Chick Singer nails the heartbreak of an artist forced to recalibrate when the heady dreams of youth crumble into the stale compromises of middle-age. But Libby Conlin is not about go gently. In a world where music, passion, and even sex are pitched as the exclusive domain of the young, Libby fights to reclaim some part of her stolen youth and promise. It’s a hell of a story, by a hell of a writer, with characters that live and breathe and stick with you long after the music stops.” ~ Tom Amandes, actor/director/playwright, Everwood, The Untouchables, Celestial Events, Brothers & Sisters
“From the first page of Lorraine Devon Wilke’s Chick Singer, we’re immediately involved with the full-throated, living, breathing, complex human beings who truly seem more like people we know than fictional characters. The writing, while gorgeously descriptive, is honest and fully grounded in the real world, so this fast-paced story is truly a page-turner. Like all of Devon Wilke’s novels, once you start, you can’t stop until the last page. Another great read from this terrific contemporary novelist!” ~Susan Morgenstern, award-winning theatre/storytelling director & Producing Director of The Braid Theatre.
“In Chick Singer, Lorraine Devon Wilke masterfully transports the reader into a compelling world of secrets, suppressed dreams, artistic passions, challenging relationships, and personal triumphs. A page-turner not to be missed!” ~ Judith Teitelman, award-winning author of Guesthouse For Ganesha
“With pitch-perfect writing, fully fleshed out characters, and a page-turning storyline, Chick Singer belts out a classic tune of love, not just love-of-your-life soulmates, but between mother and daughter, best girlfriends, and, finally, that undeniable passion that pulses through your blood and defines your true self. Lorraine Devon Wilke’s best book yet.” ~ Debra Thomas, award-winning author of Luz and Josie and Vic
“Lorraine Devon Wilke has masterfully captured the middle-aged angst of a woman who dreamed big, lost, and successfully put her dream in a box never to be opened. It’s a page-turner that will resonate with anyone who has ever dreamed big and lost, only to find out that sometimes dreams can come true, just not in the ways you expect.” ~ Ann Werner, author of Crazy and the After the Apocalypse series.
| Rock+Paper+Music | 