Michael Alan Peck

Author of The Commons Books

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Happy Teacher’s Day

Michael Alan Peck May 3, 2016 Leave a Comment

Happy Teacher’s Day

When I moved from third grade to fourth, Mrs. King kept giving me mimeographed short-story assignments—even though I was no longer in her class—because she saw something in my scribblings she thought was worth encouraging.

Happy Teacher’s Day and a heartfelt thank-you to my first fan—and to all of the teachers who do whatever they can think of to keep pain-in-the-ass kids like me showing up and, to whatever degree possible, engaged.

Way down deep, beneath the obstinance, wise-assery, and chewed-up scrambled eggs I pretended to throw up so I wouldn’t have to go to school, I always suspected you were right.
You were.

Now please turn your back while I bang out another brick-wall obscenity with these erasers I’m supposed to be cleaning.

‪#‎ThankATeacher‬

Image credit: Wendy under a Creative Commons license
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Filed Under: Creativity & Inspiration

Publishers Weekly: “[A]n Author to Watch”

Michael Alan Peck March 18, 2016 Leave a Comment

Publishers Weekly: “[A]n Author to Watch”

Just a quick note to mention how happy I was to see The Journeyman reviewed in Publishers Weekly. Among several kind observations, the book was described as an “intense debut” and I was called “an author to watch.”

I’ll take it.

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Filed Under: Reviews & Awards

Fun with Commons Art

Michael Alan Peck February 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

Fun with Commons Art

Fun with Commons art, courtesy of Photofunia. (And here’s the larger version for those who like the big picture.)

See the originals in the Commons Art category.

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Concept Art: Ken the Mummy

Michael Alan Peck January 17, 2016 Leave a Comment

Concept Art: Ken the Mummy

My friend Mike Visnov has once again outdone himself with another concept sketch of Ken, our philosophical mummy friend with the sledgehammer fists and the bigger-than-big heart. There isn’t much I can say to add to the visual, but you can check out Mr. Visnov’s past takes on Ken, Po, and more in the Commons Art category.

 

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From a Box of Memories

Michael Alan Peck November 5, 2015 Leave a Comment

From a Box of Memories

A story in three panels.

My brother shipped me a bunch of boxes he’d been storing for me since our parents sold the house we grew up in. This is but one old gem among many. I read The Stand in high school, and all I remember is staring at the clock in class, counting the hours until I could get home and dive into more of it.

A friend of mine nabbed this autographed copy for me in college, and I can’t tell you how glad I am to have dug it out of the past once again. I’m an avowed ebook guy now, but this is something pixels still can’t do.

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Filed Under: Look What I Found

Signed Journeyman Copies Now Available

Michael Alan Peck October 15, 2015 Leave a Comment

Signed Journeyman Copies Now Available

The headline says it all (or almost all). At long last, signed paper copies are available (U.S.-only for now, alas, until I figure out an international solution as part of the plan to take over the world).

You can request a personalized note (assuming it’s not obscene or overly unsettling—yes, even I have my limits), plus you get a bonus card/bookmark that doubles as an effective self-defense tactic when thrown properly.*

Just click below, and you’re on your way to customized goodness.

Order Online

*You probably need to be Gambit, Bullseye, or an accomplished ninja to pull this off.

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Filed Under: Stuff You Can Buy

Peckapalooza

Michael Alan Peck October 8, 2015 Leave a Comment

Peckapalooza

Never let it be said that the Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project library folks don’t have a sense of humor. This is from the Illinois Library Association‘s latest issue of ILA Reporter.

(And the list of upcoming appearances can always be found here.)

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Filed Under: News & Events

Booknista Selfie Video Interview

Michael Alan Peck August 26, 2015 Leave a Comment

Booknista Selfie Video Interview

The very generous Booknista gave me the questions and the opportunity to do a video interview with myself. And so, surrounded by the lush foliage of Commons HQ, I did. (As you can see by my grim countenance, ’twas a very serious affair.)

Video link: 9 Questions: Michael Alan Peck

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Filed Under: Press

A Runaway American Dream

Michael Alan Peck August 25, 2015 Leave a Comment

A Runaway American Dream

Happy 40th to the album that helped get this goofy kid who was long on hair and short on wisdom through high school.

Four decades later, it still sounds like what it was: a Hail Mary for the desperate, an anthem for the losers too stubborn or too far gone to admit their loss.

Together they take a stab at romance and disappear down Flamingo Lane…

Image credit: Eric Meola
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Filed Under: Creativity & Inspiration

Concept Art: The Shade

Michael Alan Peck July 11, 2015 Leave a Comment

Concept Art: The Shade

Shade 1
Shade 2
Shade 3
Shade 4
Shade 5
Shade 6

It’s been far too long since I last posted a contribution from artist extraordinaire and Commoners pal Michael Visnov, who’s blessed us with character concept sketches for The Commons: Book One: The Journeyman numerous times now. (See Ken the mummy and Po the Shaolin monk. And while you’re at it, take a look at James Barnett’s Annie work, too. Or peruse the Commons Art category to soak everything in.) Keep in mind that several of these are just to establish underlying details that would be much more subtle when the monster’s properly portrayed as a true shadow.

I have a tough time making up my mind, but I think I’m slightly partial to a combo of 2 and 4. (Hover over each image to see its assigned number or click on one to cycle through the gallery in close-up.)

You?

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Filed Under: Commons Art

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I tell tales big and small. Life's magical, but it isn't always enough for a good story. So I make up the rest. >> More…

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