Just a dude who writes

BookCon 2017 in New York City was an absolute blast.  So many people, and so many books!  Being my first BookCon, I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was bigger than I'd ever imagined. And, it got off to a great start.  I was blown away to receive an IndieReader Discovery Award for best Science Fiction Novel! After that, my wife and I toured the floor, and then we wanted to check in on some panel discussions.  In the first one, Marc Maron and his producer Brendan McDonald discussed 'Waiting for the Punch', their new book that's compiled from the hundreds of episodes of their world-famous WTF podcast.  They recounted some of their favorite stories and interviews, from the session with Obama to a candid discussion/argument with Louis CK about friendship.  I was struck by Mr. Maron's candidness (though that's sort of the whole crux of the podcast) and honesty, especially when he admitted the blog's first few episodes were basically him inviting p...

From now until May 20th, you can win one of two free copies of Election 2064: Book One.  There's no purchase necessary, all you have to do is follow me on Amazon - where you'll get updates on new releases and other events!   Thanks and good luck - winners will be notified once the contest is complete. Click this link to enter

I'm proud to announce that Election 2064: Book One received a 5-star review (that's out of 5!) from the influential review and awards site Readers' Favorite .  Full text below. "Election 2064 by Scott McDermott is a fascinating look into the future of American politics. This book follows several characters as they navigate a political landscape that, though rather grim, isn’t vastly different from today’s. It certainly is a lot more treacherous, however. From noble politicians with lofty ideas for fixing a broken country, to super-rich sponsors with their own agendas in mind, Election 2064 follows them all for a full and unbridled perspective. The political minefield includes terrorist attacks, assassination attempts, and well timed entries into the presidential race. In this installment (book 1) no one person emerges as the front runner; rather we are told the story from the beginning of each presidential race.  "With exciting plot twists and a story that we...

A few months ago, a group of friends chartered a sailboat for a 10-day jaunt around the Caribbean - including Guadeloupe, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Antigua.  This is the final chapter in our harrowing adventures. ( Click here for part 1 ) T he Aves set sail at the break of dawn. Along the peninsulas that framed English Harbour, Antigua's citizenry had flocked to wish us well. Weathered captains looked to us with quiet hope. Native islanders appealed for blessings from the gods. Maidens waved kerchiefs in the breeze. Free from shore, the water adopted an eerie calm, a blue mirror stretching across the horizon. No signs of life were visible - we'd been left alone on this passage, by human and marine life alike. Left alone, to face the beast. But as we sailed, the beast would not come. We navigated our vessel southward to Guadeloupe, making good speed despite the light winds. It was as if something was drawing us forward. We reached Guadeloupe, still skipping across a ...

T he crew of the S/V Aves pays loving tribute to the rock gods Styx during our sailing adventure in the Caribbean.  Be sure to stay tuned until the guitar solo (it's magic) and the landing of a giant sea beast. We hope you enjoy!

A few months ago, a group of friends chartered a sailboat for a 10-day jaunt around the Caribbean - including Guadeloupe, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Antigua.  This is the second chapter in our harrowing adventures. ( Click here for part 1 ) A fter a few days in Antigua, word of our quest began to spread. 'You seek the Marmodon?' asked the salty owner of the Drop-In Bar. She branded us as fools, but then again she was a bartender who refused to make cocktails and had the bar closed on weekends. Our fortunes turned when both Travis and Jimmy recognized a gargantuan, 80-meter yacht berthed in Falmouth Harbour. Wasn't that same boat moored in our hometown of Norfolk, Virginia, just a few months ago? Known as the M/V Skat, it'd made quite a bit of news for both its massive size and unique, angular design. Well, fortune revealed itself as fate, as fortune is wont to do. Touring one of the artisanal shops ('Heard ye seekin' the Marmodon,' was the shop owner...

A few months ago, a group of friends chartered a sailboat for a 10-day jaunt around the Caribbean - including Guadeloupe, St. Kitts & Nevis, and Antigua.  Brace yourself, for here is the first chapter in our adventures. S ailing into Antigua's Jolly Harbour on New Year's Eve, the feeling was pervasive and palpable. Something here was very wrong. Where were the people? Our lonely vessel, the Aves, wound through the channel, docking at the customs station to process our arrival. But only one person was there, and she was leaving. 'Come back tomorrow,' the customs agent said hurriedly. 'Doesn't matter anyway.' Why the rush? And why were such stringent regulations so easily dismissed? We gaped in silence as she scampered away. We found our answer as we ventured into town, but it was hardly forthcoming. 'Happy New Year!' we'd exult to the lonesome strangers we passed by, but were met with stone faces. 'Is it?' someone res...