danchamp says:

STAND CLEAR DOORS CLOSING follows the frenzied journey of twenty-something Joseph Holden as he struggles to make sense of the images and people around him, and come to terms with his place in the world. Presented in a series of abstract short stories, Holden drags himself through the terrors of middle-class life in the minefields of suburbia and beyond. With no punches pulled, the book hurtles through the surreal world of the daily commuter and into the dark visions of a mind on the brink of breaking point.

SHANE CONROY is a nationally syndicated journalist and director of Caged Media. Also a frustrated fiction writer, he recently finished wallpapering his office with the polite rejection slips he receives from publishers far and wide. As a result, he’s decided to lose all his beer money self-publishing his debut jaunt, and hopes to publish the work of other rejected geniuses with no concern for the holy grail of commercial viability.

CAGED MEDIA is an independent, small-run publishing company based in southern Sydney, Australia. We are constantly looking for work from exciting new writers to add to our list of titles. Unlike larger mainstream publishers, there are no rules and strict submission guidelines. We are happy to consider all genres and styles, and are also receptive to short fiction, poetry, novellas and experimental prose.

#1 Posted 1 years ago

Jaemi says:

Oo. Can I be a hog and ask for this one too? He sounds like my kind of guy.

#2 Posted 1 years ago

danchamp says:

I'll request they send you a review copy. Don't worry about being a hog, enjoy the lack of competition while it lasts!

#3 Posted 1 years ago

Jaemi says:

Haha. Good point!

#4 Posted 1 years ago

silentdesperation says:

I would greatly appreciate being sent a copy of this book to review.

#5 Posted 1 years ago

danchamp says:

No problem, I've sent a request on your behalf, but the publisher may not be willing to send another copy. If that is the case Jaemi might be willing to send you her copy once she's read it?

#6 Posted 1 years ago

Jaemi says:

Surely. If you can't get your own I'm happy to read the poor little thing and send it on as soon as I'm done with Haters.

#7 Posted 1 years ago

silentdesperation says:

Thank you both.

#8 Posted 1 years ago

shaneconroy says:

Really appreciate your interest guys. No probs on the second review copy -- feel free to email me at books@cagedmedia.net.au with your address and I'll send one off.

Would love to hear some feedback when you've both had a look. It's my first attempt so very keen to hear opinions on what's right and wrong with it.

#9 Posted 1 years ago

Jaemi says:

I started it awhile ago, but the spiders were weirding me out so I put it back on the shelf to try again later. Some books I have to be in the right mood for. I will give it another go after I finish my current book though.

#10 Posted 1 years ago

shaneconroy says:

Yeah, that story is one of the weirder ones. Don't know where it came from -- I'm actually terrified of spiders :-)

#11 Posted 1 years ago

Jaemi says:

I finished Haters last night...and started reading something else since I wasn't home and had to go with what was at hand, but it's short. So tonight I'll bring your book along as well and give it another shot.

The other thing I was having an issue with was the style. It seemed to me the kind of writing that you almost feel like you're tripping over. Anyhoo, I'm sure I can be more helpful once I read further.

#12 Posted 1 years ago

shaneconroy says:

Yeah, I was experimenting with style, but my aim was to try to get the style to reflect the confusion of the character -- to sort of demonstrate the character's chaotic mood.

Anyway, I'll shut up and let you read it.

#13 Posted 1 years ago

Jaemi says:

Okey dokey...I read it last night. I have some stuff to do at work first, then I'll write up my review. I still have some issues with the style, but it was pretty good.

#14 Posted 1 years ago

shaneconroy says:

Thanks Jaemi -- looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

#15 Posted 1 years ago

Jaemi says:

Woops. So that's going to have to wait a wee bit--Dan has to add the book for me and it will be a few days before that gets done. But as soon as it is, the review will be there!

#16 Posted 1 years ago

silentdesperation says:

I just received the book the day before yesterday, I think I'm going to start it tonight :)

#17 Posted 1 years ago

silentdesperation says:

I finished the book but since it's not listed on Amazon.com I don't know how to get to it to write the review. Any suggestions? I found the book fairly interesting. It was written in a kind of strange style, but it had a lot of cool metaphors and subject matter.

#18 Posted 1 years ago

danchamp says:

I'll need to add the book for you. It'll be done in the next 24 hours, I will let you know once it's available.

#19 Posted 1 years ago

shaneconroy says:

Thanks guys -- glad you found some interest in the book!

It's not listed on Amazon yet -- the shipping charges from Australia are nasty -- but it is available at www.cagedmedia.net.au if that helps.

#20 Posted 1 years ago

silentdesperation says:

Thanks.

#21 Posted 1 years ago

Jaemi says:

OK, I posted a review. Although it's kind of a sucky one. I'll try to go back and edit it later. I had to overhaul my laptop yesterday and I'm not done restoring it to natural order yet.

#22 Posted 1 years ago

shaneconroy says:

Thanks Jaemi, I enjoyed your review. I'll definitely rethink leading with the spider story -- don't want to get off on the wrong foot. And your opinions on the style are noted -- I'm having a shot at writing a novel now and have pulled back on the repetition and overall messiness quite a bit and feel like I'm getting a better result. But most of all I'm happy that it illicited a strong response -- even if that means throwing it at the wall :)

#23 Posted 1 years ago

Jaemi says:

Yes I suppose if I wanted to throw it, I cared a lot right? :) I'll try to remember which one I liked best....seeing as that could make a better lead-off. If you want any advice on the novel as it goes along, I'm happy to take a peak if you like.

#24 Posted 1 years ago

shaneconroy says:

Beautiful -- thanks so much. I'm only a chapter into it right now (if only I didn't have to work for a living!) but when it gets further along I'll definitely take you up on that.

#25 Posted 1 years ago

silentdesperation says:

I just finished my review. If you ever need another book looked over let me know. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

#26 Posted 1 years ago

shaneconroy says:

Thanks a million -- love your review. So glad you felt like the stories were linked as that was my intention. As I said above, I'm planning to peel back the craziness a bit in the book I'm writing now, and hopefully make it an easier read while retaining an off-beat tone.

Will definitely run it passed you guys for feedback when it gets a bit further along. You spend ages writing these damn things and at the end of the day have no idea whether it's of interest to anyone or just a pile of insane garbage!

#27 Posted 1 years ago

silentdesperation says:

It was definetly of interest to me although I like offbeat books so I might not be the best judge?

#28 Posted 1 years ago