Field Notes: From Conference Stages to Vinyl Records
The latest from Kevin Carver's season of words, music, and motion
Hey friends: First and foremost, happy October!
If you’re anything like me, then you’ve welcomed in the fall season with open arms (clothed in flannel, of course).
I watched Clown in a Cornfield last night, and it left me conflicted. On one hand, I’m super happy for Shudder, which is a streaming service I’ve enjoyed on and off for many years. They produced/distributed the movie, and it’s one of their first big mainstream hits. On the other hand, the narrative was rushed, and, tonally, it was all over the place. You might say to yourself, “Kevin, aren’t you overthinking a movie called Clown in a Cornfield?” To which I’d say, “Get behind me, Satan!”
Anyway, it’s been a minute since I’ve provided you all a proper update regarding The Forbidden Parallel and your’s truly. Here’s the latest from my crazy world.
The Central Coast Writer’s Conference
I was pleased to return to the Central Coast Writer’s Conference. This year, I led not one but TWO sessions. It was a two-day conference with over 200 attendees, multiple learning tracks, and master classes. I spoke on the below:
Multimedia Storytelling: Blending Music and Fiction to Tell a Bigger Story
Abstract: Ready to think outside the book? Join author and musician Kevin Carver as he discusses his debut novel—and novel soundtrack!—The Forbidden Parallel. In addition to giving a behind-the-scenes look at his project, Kevin will share ways you can challenge yourself with ambitious, multimedia storytelling. Whether you want to incorporate music, video, art, live performance, or something else entirely, we’ll discuss ways you can expand your project to really help your masterpiece make a splash.
Finding a Publisher is as Easy as A-B-M
Abstract: When Kevin Carver decided to query his debut novel, he leveraged a little-known tactic called “Account-Based Marketing” or ABM. Join Kevin—a career digital marketer and published fiction author—as he rolls up his sleeves and shares tips and tricks he learned from his hyper-personalized path to publishing. He’ll go step-by-step through his process, take questions, and cover real life examples that can help YOU land an agent or a publisher.
Overall, the turnout was great. I didn’t expect ANYONE to show up to my music session. But guess what? People did! I had the honor of meeting fellow ambitious, music-loving writers and poets and photographers. It was an enriching and rewarding experience, and I walked away with a full and grateful heart.
Even better, my second session completely filled up! There, I got to flex my digital marketing muscles and talk shop about how I queried and eventually landed a publisher. (Fun fact: that presentation was inspired by this Substack post!).
Finally, there was a pop-up bookstore at the conference, and for the first time ever, I got to see my book and vinyl record for sale side-by-side. A huge moment for me.
Pen & Pier Annual Writing Retreat
For anyone looking for an online writer support network, I’d highly recommend Pen & Pier. While focused mostly on supporting and encouraging writers in and around San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, its also inclusive of writers from the Bay Area.
For an afternoon, I hosted a few of the writers at my home. We grilled burgers and then I led (you guessed it) a presentation on marketing. :) In this session, I spoke about how writers should identify their short-term and long-term goals and then prioritize their marketing efforts around those goals, emphasizing momentum over moments.
New Official Playlist: Kevin Carver’s Forbidden Tunes
One of the great joys of my life is finding and highlighting emerging artists. Not only do I find it important to seek out new art, but I find it personally enriching and inspiring. So, on that note, I launched an official playlist on Spotify!
I’ll be refreshing this playlist once-per-month. For now, enjoy my first selection of “forbidden tunes” (see what I did there?).
Various flash updates:
In case you missed it, The Forbidden Parallel is now available on ebook providers everywhere, including Amazon Kindle.
The latest single from my novel’s soundtrack, “Nothing Comes Easy, Nothing Comes Free” is out now with a brand new music video.
The new and improved kevincarver.com is refreshed and ready! Check it out when you get a chance.
Speaking of my website, don’t forget: I’m selling a very limited edition autographed bundle on my shop.
🫨🤯🤯 The sequel to The Forbidden Parallel (i.e., Book 2 in the Parallels of Power) is nearing completion! I’m still working out the release date, but I’m hoping for Q4 2026. I’m SO FRIGGAN EXCITED about this book, y’all. I’ll be looking for a handful of beta readers soon, so let me know if you’re interested.
That’s all for now. Talk to you later!
Kevin Carver is the published author of The Forbidden Parallel, the first in an epic fantasy and science fiction trilogy, and founding musician of Kevin Carver & The Parallels.
Sounds awesome Kevin ~ so happy to see you and your book getting out into the world 🌟🎉🥳🙌