Stayin' Alive in Channel Country

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Debut novel by James Alfred Podhorodecki

Alter-ego Sloan James and photographer Kial James Menadue set out to pursue their dreams of being a writer/photographer troupe in this beat-paced, spontaneous-prose driven, dark-comedy, gonzo adventure novel.

A Stayin' Alive Odyssey

Originating as a year-long immersive project in the small town of Daylesford, Victoria in 2016: A Stayin' Alive Odyssey is the lifelong partnership of writer James Podhordecki and photographer Kial Menadue. Conceived as a series of Odysseys, the pair have carved out a unique collaborative style - Aussie Gonzo Existentialism.

James Alfred Podhorodecki (BA(hons),MA) is a published philosopher focusing on ontology, phenomenology, aesthetics, and authenticity in Sartrean existentialism. He is a writer of Aussie Gonzo Existentialism and has short stories and poetry published by Melbourne/Berlin indie publisher Soyos Books. He is a musician, lyricist, and singer, and has released an E.P and L.P as front-man of the Melbourne outfit Dirty F. As well as releasing two E.Ps with Amateur Songs for Friends & Lovers, an album with Friends & Lovers, and an organ instrumental solo single entitled To Wake Up Unsore. Separately to his post graduate research, he is completing a Diploma of Clinical Hypnosis with the Anglo European College of Therapeutic Hypnosis. He lives in Brunswick, Melbourne, and probably works in a liquor store.

"Advertising Lies, Art doesn't... have to." - #2

"The Most original Rat-Bastard swine of a Work I've read. If I were Alive, I'd wish I'd have written it Myself." - #3

"Podhorodecki has captured the voice Of ennui that Permeates his Generation. Rebellion remains Possible." - #4

"Praxis is Indeed necessary, but The Socio-Politique is not Enough. If Only I'd had James' Vision." - #5

"James retains the ambiguity necessary for a truly authentic literary life." - #6

"When the writing gets chuggin' it really splutters sad and hilarious engine smokeclouds into the Dharmic abyss of above. If I could return through the ineffable night in which my scattered atoms all whirl and rage infinite-true brightly as a star that they do right now BOOM! then I'd pack my bags and go Sloan anywhere he says, 'lessgoo next!' In my all-everlasting-way maybe that's jus what I'm doin anyhow." - #7

"Humour is the antidote. Sloan proves this at the turn of every fuckin' page." - #8

Aussie Gonzo Existentialism

true

"Advertising Lies, Art doesn't... have to."

- James A. Podhorodecki

not true

"The Most original Rat-Bastard swine of a Work I've read. If I were Alive, I'd wish I'd have written it Myself."

- Hunter S. Thompson

not true

"Podhorodecki has captured the voice Of ennui that Permeates his Generation. Rebellion remains Possible."

- Albert Camus

not true

"Praxis is Indeed necessary, but The Socio-Politique is not Enough. If Only I'd had James' Vision."

- Jean-Paul Sartre

not true

"James retains the ambiguity necessary for a truly authentic literary life."

- Simone De Beauvoir

maybe true

"When the writing gets chuggin' it really splutters sad and hilarious engine smokeclouds into the Dharmic abyss of above. If I could return through the ineffable night in which my scattered atoms all whirl and rage infinite-true brightly as a star that they do right now BOOM! then I'd pack my bags and go Sloan anywhere he says, 'lessgoo next!' In my all-everlasting-way maybe that's jus what I'm doin anyhow."

- Jack Kerouac

not true

"Humour is the antidote. Sloan proves this at the turn of every fuckin' page."

- Bill Hicks

Stayin' Alive in Channel Country

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First run of #67 Copies

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Stayin' Alive in Channel Country

The First #67 copies will be Signed, Numbered, and Hand-Stamped by Kial Menadue & James Podhorodecki

Two friends set out to find a worthy photo-project and story in the absurdity of a camel race in Boulia, Channel Country, deep in the Australian desert of South West Queensland. With no set plans, only a loose awareness of the mystical Min Min lights reported to flash and fly across the sky at night, they boldly figure the narrative and aesthetic direction will simply find them. In a haze of alcoholism and ravenous gambling the two realise the camel racing itself holds no interest for them, instead the people, the vastness of the outback, and their own existential crises saturate every interaction. The two must face up to the truth; that nothing miraculous will happen to them and that meaning and purpose are not given, but arduously fought for. Their pursuits of writing a book and curating a photo-project become increasingly reflective of their inner anguish and alienation. Nothing belongs in Boulia, especially them.

Brunswick, Victoria, Australia

wordsofsloan@gmail.com