Rick’s Blog

  • Glenn Hates Books by Glenn Conly

    Glenn Hates Books Vol. 1 by Glenn Conly

    First of all, Glenn Conly doesn’t hate books, just poorly written ones. Glen Conly’s book of reviews ranges and rages from one-star vitriolic personal attacks on authors to five-star honest, accurate and insightful observations. If suggesting an author deserves anal or oral rape doesn’t offend you, then this is your five-star compilation of reviews.

    Flash Fiction Stories Three
    Three Novels by Rick DeStefanis

    If you can get past more blatant pornographic exposition and language than the average Marine drill-instructor uses, then this is your book.  I believe this author’s excesses may cause him to miss an opportunity for his work to become a best-selling series. Granted 90% of the self-published works out there offer a fertile bed of manure in which Conly revels with hilarity, but he caters only to sci-fi, dystopian, porn, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic works. I couldn’t help but think what wonderfully hilarious observations he might have of some so-called “literary” works where authors look like Russian gymnasts with wardrobe malfunctions.

    Pat Conroy’s “South of Broad” and  John Green’s “Looking for Alaska” are prime examples where the writing is phenomenal until one realizes there’s this big elephant standing in the room because many of the characters are high school kids talking with the insight and depth of Bohemians on the left bank. Or Ben Fountain’s “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,”  where the author opens every jar on the literary spice rack, dumping the entire lot in the mix. Reading it was like watching the aforementioned Russian gymnast perform in a pink tutu with a huge flower in her hair and glow-in-the-dark shoes.

    Glenn Conly could have the high-brow snoots of academia leaping in horror from their ivy walls. I believe Conly has a tremendous opportunity to produce a series of mixed genre reviews with broad appeal if he can minus much of the pornographic description, language, and personal attacks. I believe like many comedians, such as Red Foxx and Richard Pryor who began their careers with sewer-pipe humor, Glenn Conly has an opportunity to reach a new level of sophistication with his humor, thus garnering wider appeal. It is a shame that so many idiots can so easily publish so much crap these days, but I see a new generation of gate-keepers like Conly discarding the politically-correct niceties for more pointed and unbiased reviews. I wish him all the best.

    You may also like: The $200 Dollar Jeans and How about a Western?

  • A New Cover Design for The Gomorrah Principle

    A New Cover Design for The Gomorrah Principle

    Four novels are now available from Rick DeStefanis Books including The Gomorrah Principle with a new cover.

    Book Logo (Small)The Gomorrah Principle has a new cover design. After several fellow authors suggested the change, I outfitted this award-winning novel with a new look. Please check it out at Rick DeStefanis – The Word Hunter and send me your comments. Additionally, the soon to be published (now published) prequel to The Gomorrah Principle has now been given a title and cover as well. The cover for Melody Hill can also be viewed on the website. My sincerest thanks and

    appreciation go to cover designer Todd Hebertson. His work is fantastic, as well as reasonably priced. You can view many of his previous cover designs at: www.BookCoverArt.webs.com and contacted him at: MyPersonalArtist@hotmail.com.

    And if you missed it, Raeford’s MVP came out in February 2016. This one will make you laugh and cry at the same moment as you follow nineteen-year-old Mississippi boy, who finds himself in charge of an

    A novel about love, war and redemption.
    A novel about love, war and redemption.

    airborne infantry squad in Vietnam. Travel with Billy as he searches for meaning in his life after the horrific experience of combat in Vietnam.

    Rick DeStefanis books now offers four novels, including The Gomorrah Principle, Melody Hill, Raeford’s MVP and the newest Tallahatchie. Tallahatchie will be a departure from the previous military fiction themed novels. It will be the first in the new Southern Fiction Series. As always, your review of any of my books posted on Amazon, GoodReads or the retailer website of your choice is very much appreciated. Also feel free to send your comments to me directly via the blog page on this site.

    All these books along with the corresponding e-book Kindle editions are now available at Amazon. Check them out. I don’t think you will be disappointed.

  • The Gomorrah Princple: Writer’s Digest Book Awards

    The Gomorrah Principle: Judge’s commentary from the Writer’s Digest Book Awards

    It is always good for the writer’s heart and soul to receive positive commentary, whether it be from readers or professional sources. Below is such a commentary from a judge representing the Writer’s Digest Book Awards. If you’ve read The Gomorrah Principle, send your comments as well, or better yet, post your review on Amazon, and GoodReads or the retailer’s site of your choice. Meanwhile, back at the ranch: The prequel to The Gomorrah Principle is Melody Hill. Already receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews, this story begins in the fictional east Tennessee town of Melody Hill and tells the story of Duff Coleridge. If you have already read The Gomorrah Principle, fret not. You will not be disappointed. As several reviewers have written, either book can be read first.

    Additionally, out in February of 2016, Raeford’s MVP is somewhat of a departure from the military fiction thriller genre inasmuch as it delves more into a veteran’s life after Vietnam. Only the first six chapters actually take place there, with the bulk of the story devoted to combat veteran Billy Coker’s journey as he searches for meaning in his life after the Vietnam War. Raeford’s MVP is a love story, a war story and a story of redemption all rolled into one. It’s guaranteed not to disappoint.

    Here are the comments from the Writer’s Digest Book Awards:

    Writers Digest Logo

    The Gomorrah Principle, a Vietnam Sniper’s Story, by Rick DeStefanis is a riveting tale written with the skill and precision that is necessary for the topic. Anyone who has ever served the country will appreciate the deft hand and heart, combined with the hard, cold reality of how war affects the human soul. The opening scene gives readers an inside look at the conflicting emotions of the main character. In this genre blend, DeStefanis proves that he is a force to be reckoned with in the literary world. There are no glaring technical errors that would pull the reader out of the story. The plot is well crafted, and the pacing is spot-on…. Once people read it, I think word of mouth will make DeStefanis a must-read for anyone who enjoys recent history, war stories, mysteries, and romance.

    -Judge, 22nd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards