Tessera

Hey, give me a topic for substack. Writing related, movie related, raising heathen children related. Anything.

On Substack I talk about two remakes of classic films and novels that I feel might've missed the point of their inspirations: Jackson's KING KONG and del Toro's FRANKENSTEIN. open.substack.com/pub/alexbled...

Frankenstein and Kong: Two Remakes

Did Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson miss the point?

open.substack.com

The recent news of suicides, plus just the news in general, have gotten me so deep in a hole that I can't write, can't focus, and can barely function. I'm seriously not made for the world we've got now; nothing I'm good at is valued. I feel as if I serve no purpose. Anyone else feel this?

I've been reading a collection of essays and interviews with Michelangelo Antonioni, as well as immersing myself in his films. I knew I liked him, but when I ran across this, I understood my affinity even more. We share the same favorite painter. :-)

Latest: urban fantasy crime thriller WHILE THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS. The Tufa series: The Hum and the Shiver Wisp of a Thing Long Black Curl Chapel of Ease Gather Her Round The Fairies of Sadieville The Eddie LaCrosse series: The Sword-Edged Blonde Burn Me Deadly Dark Jenny (continued)

Finished up my expenses for my taxes. The fun part? Damn near every receipt from our trip is a) in Euros, and has to be converted to not just $, but to the conversion rate at the time, and b) in Italian, so I have to look up what some of these places are since many receipts aren't itemized.

At my Substack today, I go through the Spotify playlist for my new novel, WHILE THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS. Videos for all the songs and links to the playlist, too. alexbledsoe1.substack.com/p/music-from...

Music from the City

A breakdown of my Spotify playlist for my novel While the City Never Sleeps

alexbledsoe1.substack.com

At my substack, I talk about my favorite movie. It may not be the one you think. alexbledsoe1.substack.com/p/howard-haw...

Howard Hawks and Red River, My Favorite Movie

I may write fantasy and horror, but my favorite film is a classic Western

alexbledsoe1.substack.com

All right, y'all, it's a) release day and b) my birthday, so I bet you know what present I'd like! Available in kindle, audio, hardcover and paperback editions. If you like it, leave a review on your site of choice, and share the word! www.amazon.com/While-City-N...

While the City Never Sleeps

While the City Never Sleeps [Bledsoe, Alex] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. While the City Never Sleeps

amazon.com

Since there's ONE MORE DAY until my new novel, WHILE THE CITY SLEEPS, hits. I thought I'd share some more of its influences. Link to order in the next post! alexbledsoe1.substack.com/p/influences...

Influences on While the City Never Sleeps

The book series and movie that shaped my latest novel.

alexbledsoe1.substack.com

We have a Chevy Volt, and for the most part it's a jewel. But on ice? Not so much. I mean, we also have an SUV, and with a full tank it's heavy enough it does pretty well. But the Volt? Turns out a fully-charged battery weighs as much (or as little) as an empty one. And it ain't enough, baby.

Since there's a general strike tomorrow, AND my new novel comes out next Tuesday on my birthday, I thought I'd share a brief excerpt to give you a taste of what you'd be getting if you decide to try it. Let me know what you think! alexbledsoe1.substack.com/p/chapter-on...

Chapter One of While the City Never Sleeps

In which you meet the Lightning Girl and the Mendicant on a rooftop in Ratway

alexbledsoe1.substack.com

I know there are fans of Stefan Rudnicki on here, because I'm sure one of them. The audiobook of WHILE THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS is now up for pre-order at Barnes and Noble. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/while-the-...

While the City Never Sleeps|Audio MP3 on CD

barnesandnoble.com

Last night the Siren hit herself in the lip with the rim of her metal water bottle. I didn't see this, but heard the "Ow!" Me: Are you all right? What happened? The Siren: I was taking a drink and missed!

Hot town, Justin in the city@thebitterguy.bsky.social · 6mo ago

The Brokenwood Mysteries. I'm not kidding.

Wonder Man. Good morning!

I was re-reading Andrei Tarkovsky's diaries and came across this. Not bad as a statement of purpose for any creative types: "All that I wanted was to tempt into life things that wanted to come out of me."

Addendum to my earlier post. My novel WHILE THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS also has a character named "Tom Asiago," taken from the menu abbreviation for tomato asiago quiche at Sjölind's Chocolate Shoppe. 😁

How can you resist a novel with character names like: The Mendicant Grimy Tim Apocalypse Joe Mummadabba  Lobotomy Eyes Harry the Less Artie the Dodger and the Lightning Girl? You can't! Well...I hope not. Pre-order WHILE THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS below! falstaffbooks.myshopify.com/products/whi...

While the City Never Sleeps

This is a preorder item. Ebooks will deliver on 2/5/26, and print books will ship after inventory arrives in our warehouse. Remember, any time you order a print book from Falstaff, you get the ebook D...

falstaffbooks.myshopify.com

Pipes going into the dishwasher motor froze, so it's hand-washing in the sink for a while. Love the way old houses clue you in to WHERE one of the old owners skimped on insulation (it's literally easier to wash dishes by hand than to try to get to the motor and thaw the pipes).

Your periodic reminder that in next novel, WHILE THE CITY NEVER SLEEPS, you get: Gangsters; Rogue cops; Crusading reporters; Child criminals; A snake that guards a tattoo parlor; and a female vigilante who controls electricity. Pre-order now! falstaffbooks.myshopify.com/products/whi...

While the City Never Sleeps

falstaffbooks.myshopify.com

Did a tarot reading for the Siren, age 14. As I told her when we were done, it basically boiled down to, "You need to get your shit together." Actually, they all boil down to that, now that I think about it...

Got some tough news about one of my best friends, and Saturday would've been my son Charlie's 18th birthday. So I may not be on social media for a few days. Y'all behave, hear?

Now this is the email you want to get from your audiobook reader: "Dear Alex, "Finished recording [WHILE THE] CITY [NEVER SLEEPS] today. "And OMG what a ride. Your mix of modern urban culture(s) and classic mythology is as astounding as it seems totally reasonable. I love it!" Thanks, Stefan!

New Substack! substack.com/inbox/post/1...

The Tiny Terror and Me

How I (re)discovered Truman Capote

substack.com

Fifty yards from my desk, a garage is getting a new roof. You know what isn't getting done? ANY WRITING BY ME.