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A selection of books by award-winning writer Scott Semegran. Paperbacks, hardcovers, and eBooks are available.

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Starman After Midnight

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Reviews for Starman After Midnight:

BlueInk Review
Readers' Favorite Book Reviews (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
Reedsy Discovery (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
Midwest Book Review (Highly Recommended)
The BookLife Prize (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)

Pub Date: March 4, 2025

In suburban Wells Port, things are not what they seem: wild animals appear unexpectedly in backyards, raised garden beds produce fruit in days, not weeks, and a mysterious figure lurks across sidewalks late at night.

The stories in Starman After Midnight weave an often hilarious and sometimes melancholy spell. Four young boys are terrorized by a wiener dog on their walk to school, but strategize for a safer route. A beer-loving man befriends a likeminded neighbor, only to discover his jovial new acquaintance is a registered sex offender. An elderly Uber driver suspects a young rider is being lured by a night stalker and debates whether he should help her or mind his own business.

Connecting these stories are two next-door neighbors—Seff and Big Dave—who couldn’t be more different: one a progressive-minded writer, the other a conservative plumber. Their love of beer drinking, backyard philosophizing, and gossiping brings them together. When several pets in the neighborhood wind up missing or worse—dead—Seff and Big Dave monitor their security cameras for the culprit. When they discover a naked man roaming their street late at night, suspicions are raised while hysteria spreads through the neighborhood social media app. What is the connection between the missing pets and this naked man? Seff and Big Dave form a posse of neighbors to find out.

Moving between humor and surrealism, friendship and grief, Starman After Midnight is a novel told in stories, a collection that adds up to something greater than the sum of its parts. From the quirky imagination of Scott Semegran, Starman After Midnight packs a comedic punch and uncovers the magic that seems possible in ordinary places.

Praise for Starman After Midnight

“Starman After Midnight is effortlessly funny, likably odd, surprisingly moving, and imminently relatable—a genuine pleasure to read.” — BlueInk Review

“The book intersperses named stories with the novel’s ten chapters, creating a fun reading experience that incorporates Seff’s prose into Semegran’s writing... Starman After Midnight offers laugh-a-minute reading with wise guy observations.” — Readers' Favorite Book Reviews ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“Scott Semegran’s Starman After Midnight is a wonderful kaleidoscope that turns through a variety of characters’ points of view while maintaining a humorous throughline about a mysterious naked man who is wandering the after-midnight streets, menacing the locals. This book shines through its characters’ relationships to one another and to their neighborhood, and how they alternately show up as backdrops to others’ stories as well as becoming main characters in their own. Interspersed are transitional vignettes that cleverly link the montages. Starman After Midnight is packed full of goodies that will charm every reader.” – Kerri Schlottman, award-winning author of Tell Me One Thing

“A great story... as unique as it was a pleasure to read.” — Reedsy Discovery ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

“The tale is, quite simply, utterly compelling, fun, and attractive. Starman After Midnight will reach audiences interested in humor, puzzles, interpersonal relationship quandaries, and community challenge. It will also delight libraries looking for accessible, modern literary works that sizzle with originality and delightful surprises.” — D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“Starman After Midnight is an absorbing, immersive, and intriguing collection. [Semegran] brings a uniquely quirky and often surrealistic quality to the interconnected tales full of mystery and suspense.” — The BookLife Prize ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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Paperback Info

ISBN: 979-8218415945

LCCN: 2024908796

Language: English

Edition: First Edition

Printed: 236 pages, 4.37" x 7", perfect binding

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Literary / Humorous / Psychological

eBook Info

ISBN: 979-8224289899

LCCN: 2024908796

ASIN: B0D4RBN2NF

Language: English

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Literary / Humorous / Psychological

Word Count: 48,500 words

The Codger and the Sparrow

Reviews for The Codger and the Sparrow:

Readers' Favorite Book Reviews (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
Kirkus Reviews (Verdict: GET IT)
Lone Star Literary Life (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
New York Journal of Books
Midwest Book Review (Highly Recommended)
Book Reviews to Ponder (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)

From award-winning writer Scott Semegran, his latest novel The Codger and the Sparrow (Paperback from TCU Press, Audiobook from Vibrance Press) is a comical yet moving story about a widower’s unlikely friendship with a young troublemaker.

Hank O’Sullivan can’t catch a break. The 65-year-old widower lives a routine life, nursing his loneliness with cocktails at his favorite local bar in Austin, Texas. A brawl with an acerbic barfly lands him in jail. The judge pities the old codger and sentences him to do community service, picking up trash beside the interstate highway.

Luis Delgado lives with his stern, single father in a small apartment. The 16-year-old troublemaker has remarkable artistic abilities, but his penchant for sneaking out and trespassing onto rooftops late at night also lands him in community service.

These loners form an unlikely friendship in an inhospitable setting. When Hank tells Luis about his desire to drive to Houston, Texas to reconnect with an old flame, Luis asks to tag along. Luis’ estranged mother also lives in Houston and he has been saving money for a trip, dreaming of reconnecting with her. Hank agrees, setting in motion a raucous road trip in a hot pink 1970 Plymouth Barracuda. Neither Hank nor Luis find what they are looking for, but something altogether different and unexpected happens.

With humor and a bit of grace, The Codger and the Sparrow is a rambunctious story about an unusual friendship stretching across the generations.

“Scott Semegran’s The Codger and the Sparrow is a wondrous novel of the road, where two unlikely people seek out the larger world, and in their uncertainty, help each other navigate the way toward something like home. Told with such an abundance of both humor and tenderness, this is a novel of discovery, of searching for answers, and I could not think of two people I’d rather ride alongside than Hank and Luis.” – Kevin Wilson, New York Times Bestselling author of Nothing to See Here and The Family Fang

“The Codger and The Sparrow is delicious fun. A story told with an abundance of surprise and humor; I loved the characters, the snappy dialogue, and hitting the road in the pink Barracuda. Scott Semegran is one hell of a writer, and this is a terrific novel.” – Annie Hartnett, author of Rabbit Cake and Unlikely Animals

Read an excerpt here.

Praise for The Codger and the Sparrow

“Concise and well-written, The Codger and the Sparrow by Scott Semegran is an excellent example of a contemporary novel that may one day be considered a classic... The character development, including that of the protagonists and secondary individuals like Luis' father, is exceptionally well-crafted. The story progresses at a sublime pace, making The Codger and the Sparrow a superb tale that will captivate young and older readers alike, and I highly recommend it.” – Readers' Favorite Book Reviews (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)

“Semegran deftly blends humor with heart in a road trip romp that crosses generational divides. A coming-of-age for one, a coming-to-terms for the other, Semegran’s characters are deeply drawn in a way that envelops readers from the start of their journey to its unexpected end. The Codger and the Sparrow is a fun, fresh meditation on friendship, loss, and new beginnings.” – James Wade, Spur Award-winning author of All Things Left Wild and River, Sing Out

“A fun tale of an endearing May-December friendship.” – Kirkus Reviews. Verdict: GET IT!

“Scott Semegran’s characters capture the essential human contradiction: that deep flaws and bad decisions exist right alongside our beautiful capacity for kindness and compassion. With equal parts heart and humor, The Codger and the Sparrow is an ode to the strange, messy, and transformative power of friendship.” – Stacey Swann, author of Olympus, Texas

“Heartening and thought-provoking... an entertaining tale well worth telling.” – Lone Star Literary Life (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)

“The Codger and the Sparrow captures many of the joys themselves of the stories it tells—road trips and friendships, chasing curiosities and relationships. The surprises of ourselves and the wonders of the larger world only discovered on the other side of awkward silences and things gone wrong, the beauty of life when fully embraced. It made me want to go on a road trip, to call up an old friend or make one anew, to take a sketchbook with me out into the world and draw the places that have made me who I am.” – Aaron Burch, author of Year of the Buffalo

“The Codger and the Sparrow marks a leap forward in Scott Semegran’s already impressive narrative artistry. Semegran brings to mind Hemingway’s dictum that we are stronger in our broken places, as he brings us inside two very different characters—an aging, irascible widower and an artistically gifted orphan—and shows them coming together in a compelling story of grief and renewal.” – Thomas H. McNeely, award-winning author of Pictures of the Shark and Ghost Horse

“The Codger and the Sparrow is a wide-open heart of a novel, filled with empathy and populated by flawed but loveable characters. A tender, funny ode to families—the ones we’ve lost, the ones we imagine, and the ones that come along when we least expect it.” – C. Matthew Smith, author of Twentymile

“Author Scott Semegran delivers a moving and humorous story of two strangers who bond while doing community service for the Austin judicial system. Hank, a lonely old man haunted by the past, and Luis, a Puerto Rican teen broken by his parents’ separation, begin a journey of self-discovery and friendship in a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda as they travel the highways of Texas in search of forgiveness and family. The Codger and the Sparrow, like many of Semegran’s novels, shines in its loveable characters and authentic sense of place.” – Johnnie Bernhard, award-winning author of Sisters of the Undertow and Hannah and Ariela

“Scott Semegran’s “odd couple” story is both endearing and heartfelt. It’s about the struggles of two men who must lean on each other to find a place for themselves in a seemingly neglectful world. This beautiful tale is Semegran’s most powerful novel yet!” – Ran Walker, award-winning author of A Burst of Gray and Keep It 100

“In this wonderful gem of a novel Scott Semegran expertly crafts a most unlikely friendship between grumpy white widower Hank and Puerto Rican teenager Luis, who meet while serving community service. With beautifully concise language Semegran masterfully deepens his portraits of these odd companions until they rival some of the greatest characters in American literature. Connected by the rage that simmers within and the losses life has forced them to live through, Hank and Luis come to find in each other not only friendship but hope for a future without the brutal weight of negativity. The result is a sincere and touching journey across racial, generational and cultural lines, from darkness into light, told with Semegran’s trademark belief in the capacity of the human spirit to overcome our darkest instincts and lift one another up instead. This conviction provides the foundation for all of Semegran’s fiction, but never has he written so beautifully nor with such breathtaking authenticity as he does in The Codger and the Sparrow.” – Philip Elliott, award-winning author of Nobody Move and Porno Valley

“The Codger and the Sparrow is Semegran at his feel-good best, bumping up the artistry while rolling heartache and laughs into yet another of his poignant, masterful gems.” – Brian Kindall, author of Delivering Virtue

“In The Codger and the Sparrow, author Scott Semegran has deftly woven together humor and heart in this tale about an odd couple navigating life and the road. Semegran has breathed life into a pair of wonderful characters in Hank and Luis. At once a fun romp and tender tale of life, love, and friendship, The Codger and the Sparrow is a thoroughly satisfying story from first page to last.” – Rick Treon, PenCraft Award-winning author of Deep Background and Let the Guilty Pay

Eric Hoffer Award Nominated

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Paperback Info

ISBN: 978-0875658681

LCCN: 2023049066

Language: English

Edition: First Edition

Printed: 226 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding

Publisher: TCU Press

Category: Fiction / Literary / Humorous / Friendship

eBook Info

ISBN: 978-0875658759

LCCN: 2023049067

ASIN: B0CW18R79C

Language: English

Publisher: TCU Press

Category: Fiction / Literary / Humorous / Friendship

Word Count: 71,629 words

Audiobook Info

For more about the audiobook edition and links for purchase, please go here.

The Benevolent Lords of Sometimes Island

Reviews for The Benevolent Lords of Sometimes Island:

Readers' Favorite Book Reviews (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
The Prairies Book Review
Midwest Book Review (Highly Recommended)
BlueInk Review (⭐ Starred Review)
Jennie Reads
Lone Star Literary Life
Kirkus Reviews
IndieReader (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
Book Reviews to Ponder
Reedsy Discovery
Hall Ways Blog
Julia Picks 1
The BookLife Prize - 2020 (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)

The summer of 1986. Central Texas. William and his friends should be having a blast. Instead, they are hounded by the Thousand Oaks Gang and their merciless leader, Bloody Billy. William found Billy’s backpack. And because of what it contains, Billy desperately wants it back, and he’ll do anything to get it. William hatches a plan for his friends to sneak away and hide in an abandoned lake house, except they become stranded on the lake’s desolate island without food or water. Will their time on the island devolve into chaos? Will the friends survive and be rescued?

The Benevolent Lords of Sometimes Island is Lord of the Flies meets The Body by Stephen King, the inspiration for the classic movie Stand By Me.

A gripping suspense story with adventure and danger, tinged with humorous banter between the four friends, the middle schoolers face certain death without adults to protect them from the unrelenting natural elements, as well as the wild creatures that lurk in the wilderness around the lake. With a backpack filled with money and marijuana they stole from the merciless gang leader, it’s only a matter of time before the high schoolers come looking for them, too.

From award-winning writer Scott Semegran, The Benevolent Lords of Sometimes Island is his eighth book. This novel is Semegran’s response to William Golding’s 1954 novel Lord of the Flies, which was Golding’s response to The Coral Island by R. M. Ballantyne, an adventure novel from 1858. All three novels tackle the premise of boys stranded on an island, with Semegran’s novel taking a decidedly modern view of a group of friends in Central Texas during the summer of 1986 working to survive in a situation filled with danger and desperation with only each other to rely on.

“It’s a delicate and masterful dance to create a world wherein hope and kindness have equal footing with danger and despair, but Semegran succeeds by lining his sentimentality with very real stakes. Semegran is already an accomplished writer, but this may be his preeminent effort.” — James Wade, Spur Award-winning author of All Things Left Wild and River, Sing Out

“Semegran has done it again with The Benevolent Lords of Sometimes Island, serving up everything I want from a story: adventure, mystery, humor, and plenty of pathos. This isn’t just a coming-of-age novel. Sometimes Island is a roller coaster thrill ride about the essential nature of friendship.” — Heather Harper Ellett, author of Ain't Nobody Nobody

Read an excerpt here.

Praise for The Benevolent Lords of Sometimes Island

“This well-crafted story will appeal to anyone who grew up in the '80s. Fans of Stand by Me will also enjoy this trip back in time. Although at times wistful, it’s not a purely nostalgic ode to growing up, but a genuine, moving and irresistible meditation on the value of friendship.” — BlueInk Review (Starred Review)

“A fantastic coming-of-age thriller that puts a positive spin on troubled adolescence.” — IndieReader (IR Approved)

“Scott Semegran stretches his literary muscles in this highly accomplished and well-crafted read... a modern classic.” — Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews. 5 stars.

“A page-turner. With his assured writing, tight plotting, and talent to fill a story with realistic details, Semegran has created another winner... a must read!” — The Prairies Book Review. 5 stars.

“Evocative and compelling... a highly recommended, superb example of psychological twists and interpersonal encounters gone awry.” — Midwest Book Review, D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer

“Sharply drawn characters in an engaging, suspenseful coming-of-age tale.” — Lone Star Literary Life

“[Semegran] puts the dynamics of adolescent friendships at the heart of his story... an absorbing, nostalgic, and polished story.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Semegran excels at crafting vivid, realistic characters through sharp and nuanced descriptions. The narrator's warmth, humor, and candor is a joy to read.” — The BookLife Prize. Quarter Finalist. Overall: 9.75 out of 10.

Accolades for The Benevolent Lords of Sometimes Island:

Starred Review - BlueInk Review
IR Approved - IndieReader
2020 BookLife Prize - Quarter Finalist for Young Adult Fiction
2021 U.S. Selfies Book Awards - Shortlisted for Children's Books
2021 Page Turner Book Awards - Finalist
2021 Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards - First Place for Middle-Grade/Young Adult

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Austin Public Library

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Paperback Info

ISBN: 978-1087878645 and 979-8616396556

LCCN: 2020909290

Language: English

Edition: First Edition

Printed: 316 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, cream paper, black and white ink, full-color cover with matte finish

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Suspense / Literary / Young Adult

Hardcover Info

ISBN: 978-1087856858

LCCN: 2020909290

Language: English

Edition: First Edition

Printed: 316 pages, 6" x 9", hardcover binding, case laminate, full-color illustrated cover, cream paper, black and white ink

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Suspense / Literary / Young Adult

eBook Info

ISBN: 978-0463651728

LCCN: 2020909290

Word Count: 82,329

Audiobook Info

Audiobook is available at Audible, iTunes, and Amazon

To Squeeze a Prairie Dog

Reviews for To Squeeze a Prairie Dog:

Author Anthony Avina's Blog
IndieReader
Readers' Favorite Book Reviews (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
Midwest Book Review
Kirkus Reviews (Verdict: GET IT)
BlueInk Review (⭐ Starred Review)
Book Reviews to Ponder
The Prairies Book Review
Reedsy Discovery
Lone Star Literary Life

This is the story of J. D. Wiswall, a sincere young man from a small town, who joins a state government agency in a data entry department comprised of quirky clerks. Quickly endearing himself to the diverse group in Unit 3, J. D. learns his coworkers have a pact to share the $10,000 prize if they win a cost-savings program for a suggestion that could save the government money, in turn helping them rise above their own personal struggles. A multimillion-dollar cost-savings suggestion is accidentally discovered by J. D.'s supervisor, the goof-off alcoholic Brent Baker. This lucrative discovery catches the attention of crotchety Governor Dwayne Bennett, a media-hungry demagogue, who turns the coworkers of Unit 3 into props for his selfish political reasons. The publicity surrounding the clerks piques the interest of a newspaper reporter, Esther Jean Stinson, whose investigative reporting threatens to reveal the governor's career-ending secret, as well as jeopardizes the prize that the clerks so desperately desire.

Along with J. D. and Brent, the lives of the amiable coworkers in Unit 3 are revealed. There is Rita Jackson, the kind matriarch of her large brood, who spends her time outside of work caring for her five struggling children and thirteen wily grandchildren. Then there's Deborah Martinez, a single mother to a felonious son, who struggles to keep her head above her sinking financial woes. There's also Conchino Gonzalez, a quiescent giant of Mexican and Japanese descent, who street races at night to relieve worries about his ailing grandfather in Japan. Finally, J. D. has dreams bigger than his small hometown can provide, and Brent wants nothing more than to drop the bureaucratic routine to become a rock star with his bar band.

A few blocks away from the agency that houses Unit 3, Governor Bennett, a smarmy politician who whizzes around the Governor's Mansion on a gold-plated wheelchair, parades the unwitting clerks in front of the local media in an attempt to raise his sagging poll numbers. But reporter Esther Jean sees through the governor's bald-faced motives and uncovers secrets not meant to be revealed. Will her revelations keep Unit 3 from receiving their elusive prize?

From award-winning writer Scott Semegran, To Squeeze a Prairie Dog is an American, modern-day tale with working-class folks—part fable, part satire, and part comedy—revealing that camaraderie amongst kind-hearted friends wins the day over evil intentions.

Read an excerpt here.

Praise for To Squeeze a Prairie Dog

"An amusing yet heartwarming romp... To Squeeze a Prairie Dog is an entertaining slice-of-life story that's humorous yet uplifting at the same time. By the novel's last page, readers will be longing for more." — BlueInk Review (Starred Review)

"A comic sendup of state government that remains lighthearted, deadpan, and full of affection for both urban and rural Texas." — Kirkus Reviews

"To Squeeze a Prairie Dog paints a rollicking story that careens through the office structure to delve into the motivations, lives, and connections between ordinary individuals... an uplifting, fun story." — Midwest Book Review

"An accomplished tale... a recommended read for fans of humor, drama, and office politics." — Readers' Favorite Book Reviews. 5 stars.

"Fascinating and heartfelt." — IndieReader

"Semegran is at the top of his game as he crafts this thoroughly engaging read. Written in a crisp, clear prose, this fast-paced novel will delight fans of literary fiction." — The Prairies Book Review. 5 stars.

"Semegran lures you in with a combination of sardonic wit and slapstick comedy, but before you know it, you’re contemplating issues of money, class, media, politics, the social contract, and the many possible definitions of success... To Squeeze a Prairie Dog concludes on just the right note and contains depths you won’t expect." — Lone Star Literary Life

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Accolades for To Squeeze a Prairie Dog:

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Paperback Info

ISBN: 978-0999717387 and 978-1723866890

Language: English

Edition: First Edition

Printed: 332 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, cream paper, black and white ink, full-color cover with matte finish

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Literary / Humor

Hardcover Info

ISBN: 978-0359261024 and 978-1087939001

Language: English

Edition: First Edition

Printed: For 978-0359261024, 330 pages, 6" x 9", hardcover binding, cream paper, black and white ink, blue linen hardcover, gold spine text, full-color dust-jacket cover with gloss finish. For 978-1087939001, 330 pages, 6" x 9", hardcover binding, cream paper, black and white ink, case laminate hardcover binding full-color cover with matte finish.

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Literary / Humor

eBook Info

ISBN: 978-0463522530

Word Count: 84,100

Audiobook Info

Audiobook available at Audible, iTunes, Google Play Books, Kobo, Nook Audiobooks, eStories, Libro.FM, and more

Sammie & Budgie

Reviews for Sammie & Budgie:

Kirkus Reviews (Verdict: GET IT)
Indie Reader
BlueInk Review (⭐ Starred Review)
Foreword Clarion Reviews (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
Publishers Weekly

From award-winning writer Scott Semegran, Sammie & Budgie is a quirky, mystical tale of a self-doubting IT nerd and his young son, who possesses the gift of foresight. The boy's special ability propels his family on a road trip to visit his ailing grandfather, a prickly man who left an indelible stamp on the father and son. The three are connected through more than genetics, their lives intertwined through dreams, imagination, and longing.

Simon works as a network administrator for a state government agency, a consolation after a promising career as a novelist flounders. He finds himself a single parent of two small children following the mysterious death of his adulterous wife. From the ashes of his failed marriage emerges a tight-knit family of three: a creative, special needs son, a hyperactive, butt-kicking daughter, and the caring, sensitive father. But when his son's special ability reveals itself, Simon struggles to keep his little family together in the face of adversity and uncertainty.

Sammie is a creative third-grader that draws adventures in his sketchbook with his imaginary friend, Budgie, a parakeet that protects him from the monsters inhabiting his dreams. Sammie is also a special needs child but is special in more ways than one. He can see the future. Sammie seemingly can predict events both mundane and catastrophic in equal measure. But when he envisions the suffering of his grandfather, the family embarks on a road trip to San Antonio with the nanny to visit the ailing patriarch.

Sammie & Budgie is an illustrated novel brought to you from the quirky mind of writer and cartoonist Scott Semegran. The novel explores the bond between a caring father and his children, one affected by his own thorny relationship with his surly father, and the connection he has with his sweet son is thicker than blood, going to the place where dreams are conceived and realized.

This is the third book in the Simon Adventures Series which includes The Meteoric Rise of Simon Burchwood, The Spectacular Simon Burchwood, and Sammie & Budgie.

Read an excerpt here.

Praise for Sammie & Budgie

"Illustrated throughout by Semegran, this book is the author's best... An unconventional, beguiling, and endearing family tale." — Kirkus Reviews

"The novel's delights abound... Semegran is a gifted writer, with a wry sense of humor." — BlueInk Review (Starred Review)

"The writing quality is excellent and the dialogue between Simon and Sammie is immersive." — Foreword Clarion Reviews. Clarion Rating: 4 out of 5.

"A quirky, mystical tale of a self-doubting IT nerd and his young son, who possesses the gift of foresight. Engaging and fun, with wonderfully crafted characters." — Derf Backderf, award-winning and bestselling creator of the graphic novel My Friend Dahmer

"Sammie & Budgie is instantly absorbing, its affable narrator hooking you with wit and whimsy, then reeling you into the boat, where larger revelations await. Scott Semegran is a lively, vivid storyteller, and this book will delight readers of all ages, while leaving them with plenty to ponder about their own lives. I loved this book!" — Davy Rothbart, author of My Heart is an Idiot, creator of Found Magazine, and contributor to public radio's This American Life

"Scott Semegran’s loose charm and conversational style brings his shaggy narrator to vivid life in this story of a loving, if imperfect father and his maybe-psychic son. A sweet story about an extraordinary everyday family, Sammie & Budgie will find its way into your heart, and stay there." — Emily Flake, New Yorker cartoonist, author of Mama Tried: Dispatches from the Seamy Underbelly of Modern Parenting, and creator of Lulu Eightball

"Through Semegran's tongue-in-cheek writing, we get to step inside a wacky world where each chapter is an adventure and we're led to see just where Sammie’s vision will propel us." — Mary Bryan Stafford, award-winning author of A Wasp in the Fig Tree

"A feel good story that captures the extraordinary love between a parent and child. This particular father nurtures the uniqueness of his son emulating the bond usually held between a mother and child. Together they capture the hearts of the chosen few who become intertwined in the life of Sammie's world. A reality-based fairy tale both entertaining and inspirational." — Bessie David, author of the novel On a Pedestal

"Sammie & Budgie is a heartfelt novel about a Daddy's love for his family. The reactions to Sammie's special gift are balanced on the dual edge of pride in Sammie's gift and fear that educators might view the gift differently. I was caught up with the honest exchanges between Sammie and his Daddy. There is a level of fun in relating the everyday activities of the children of a single parent home. This story will tug at your heartstrings." — Rox Burkey, co-author of The Enigma Series

Accolades for Sammie & Budgie:

Starred Review - BlueInk Review
First Place Winner for General Fiction: Sammie & Budgie - 2018 Texas Authors Book Awards
First Place Winner for Fiction: Sammie & Budgie - 2018 Texas Authors Book Cover Awards

BlueInk Review Notable Book Seal texas authors book awards first place gen fiction

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Austin Public Library

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Sammie & Budgie (Simon Adventures Book 3)

Paperback Info

ISBN(s): 978-0999717349, 978-0999717332, and 978-0692926925

Language: English

Edition: First Edition

Printed: 290 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, cream paper, black and white ink, full-color cover with matte finish

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Literary

HARDCOVER INFO

ISBN: 978-0999717301

Language: English

Edition: First Edition

Printed: 292 pages, 6" x 9", hardcover binding, cream paper, black and white ink, blue linen hardcover, gold spine text, full-color dust-jacket cover with gloss finish

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Literary

eBook Info

Word Count: 112,565

Boys

Reviews for Boys:

Kirkus Reviews (Verdict: GET IT)
BlueInk Review
IndieReader (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
Foreword Magazine (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)

These are the stories of three boys living in Texas: one growing up, one dreaming, and one fighting to stay alive in the face of destitution and adversity. There's second-grader William, a shy yet imaginative boy who schemes about how to get back at his school-yard bully, Randy. Then there's Sam, a 15-year-old boy who dreams of getting a 1980 Mazda RX-7 for his sixteenth birthday but has to work at a Greek restaurant to fund his dream. Finally, there's Seff, a 21-year-old on the brink of manhood, trying to survive along with his roommate, working as waiters and barely making ends meet. These three stories are told with heart, humor, and an uncompromising look at what it meant to grow up in Texas during the 1980s and 1990s.

"The writing is sharp and unpretentiously thoughtful, and since each of the main characters finds solace in companionship, this is an affecting literary depiction of the comforting power of friendship. Each of the stories can be read on its own, but taken together, they make a coherent, thematic whole, skillfully produced. An endearing collection that deftly captures the need for youthful fellowship." — Kirkus Reviews

Read an excerpt here.

More Praise for Boys

"Verdict: With nary a dull moment, Scott Semegran's BOYS features short stories filled with unexpected nuances that draws readers right into the heart of his well-developed characters." — IndieReader. 5 Stars. IR Approved.

"Semegran's work is evocative and replete with relatable, recognizable characters... who find comfort in friendship. With its descriptive flair and flashes of humor, Boys offers an engaging read—one short fiction fans are sure to enjoy." — BlueInk Review

"Raising difficult questions of morality, this slice-of-life narrative is as heartfelt as it is entertaining... Boys is compellingly realistic fiction. Its fantastic details, interesting construction, and humor make it worth the read." — Foreword Clarion Reviews. Clarion Rating: 4 out of 5.

**Accolades for Boys:**

IR Approved sticker IR Discovery Awards sticker

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Boys: Stories about Bullies, Jobs, and Other Unpleasant Rites of Passage from Boyhood to Manhood

Paperback Info

ISBN(s): 978-0999717325 and 978-0692470114

Language: English

Edition: Second Edition

Printed: 184 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, white paper, black and white ink, full-color cover with matte finish

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Short Stories / Humor / Coming of Age

Hardcover Info

ISBN: 978-1087874456

Language: English

Edition: Awards Edition

Printed: 246 pages, 6" x 9", hardcover binding, case laminate, full-color illustrated cover, cream paper, black and white ink

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Short Stories / Humor / Coming of Age

ISBN: 978-0999717318

Language: English

Edition: Second Edition

Printed: 186 pages, 6" x 9", hardcover binding, cream paper, black and white ink, blue linen hardcover, gold spine text, full-color dust-jacket cover with gloss finish

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Short Stories / Humor / Coming of Age

eBook Info

Word Count: 68,424

Audiobook Info

ISBN: 978-0999717370

Narrated by: J.R. Moorland, John Stempien, and Cody Roberts

Length: 7 hrs and 29 mins

Language: English

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Short Stories / Humor / Coming of Age

Available at Audible, iTunes, Google Play Books, Kobo, Nook Audiobooks, eStories, and more

Short Stories

The Great and Powerful, Brave Raideen

Description: Second-grader William enjoyed the sanctity of his room where he would sit by himself, surrounded by his toys. In his room, he was safe from Randy, the bully who tortured him at school. William schemed about what he would do to get back at Randy with his favorite toy, a Shogun Warrior called Brave Raideen. When pressed about what he should do to get back at Randy, Brave Raideen told him, "You should get the thing in your mommy's nightstand. That'll scare him real good!" With that sage advice, William was convinced that Brave Raideen had the answer to his problem; he would show Randy who was the bigger kid when he saw him on the school playground. The next day, William's plan did not work out well for him but he later discovered a different way to make peace with Randy. A short story by Scott Semegran.

Read online here.

This short story is also in the book Boys by Scott Semegran. Paperback, hardcover, audiobook, and eBook editions available.

the butterfly effect cover sm The Butterfly Effect

Description: A father watches his daughters lovingly care for a squirmy gang of caterpillars. When they morph into butterflies, the girls witness the true meaning of life... unfortunately. A short story by Scott Semegran.

Kindle Bestseller - Literary Fiction

Read online here.

This short story is also in the book Modicum by Scott Semegran. Paperback and eBook editions available.

Good Night, Jerk Face

Description: Sam is a 15-year-old boy living in San Antonio, Texas who dreams of getting a 1980 Mazda RX-7 for his sixteenth birthday. When he learns that his parents refuse to give him one, he finds a job at a nearby Greek restaurant to earn money to buy his RX-7. He forms a bond with the owner of the restaurant and discovers what is really important when getting his dream car. A novelette by Scott Semegran.

Read online here.

This short story is also in the book Boys by Scott Semegran. Paperback, hardcover, audiobook, and eBook editions available.

morningwood cover sm Morningwood

Description: When a strange old man slowly shuffles in front of a suburban house, the quiet neighborhood is turned upside down. A short story by Scott Semegran.

Read online here.

This short story is also in the book Modicum by Scott Semegran. Paperback and eBook editions available.

that mouse is high cover sm That Mouse Is High

Description: A father frantically prepares for his daughter's birthday party only to come across a stumbling block that threatens to ruin the day. A short story by Scott Semegran.

Read online here.

This short story is also in the book Modicum by Scott Semegran. Paperback and eBook editions available.

that little devil cover sm That Little Devil

Description: Rogelio enjoyed playing with his friend George in the ditch behind his house. And Rogelio's mother was glad he had a friend to play with until she found out George's true identity. Short story by Scott Semegran. This short story was first published in The Next One Literary Journal, Texas Tech University Honors College - Winter 2003-2004.

Read online here.

This short story is also in the book Modicum by Scott Semegran. Paperback and eBook editions available.

in my garage cover sm In My Garage

Description: A couple of years ago, I made a pact with my two best friends, Nolan and Jacob. We decided that we would spend the last night before the end of the world partying in my garage. And that's just what we did. A short story by Scott Semegran.

Read online here.

This short story is also in the book Modicum by Scott Semegran. Paperback and eBook editions available.

Mr. Grieves

Mr. Grieves started as a poke at human nature through the use of talking, narcissistic animals. It has evolved into a full-on assault to your funny bone. Where else will you find rats fighting over cubicles, camels worrying about aging, a parrot talking to aliens, and a lonely water snail longing for a friend? Welcome to the world of Mr. Grieves!

Mr. Grieves and other comic strips by Scott Semegran appeared in the following newspapers:

The Austin Student
The Funny Times
The Austin American-Statesman
Rocky Mountain Bullhorn
Seven Days
The University of Texas at Dallas Mercury
The North Austin Bee

Reviews for Mr. Grieves:

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Amazon	$13.99

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Paperback Info

ISBN: 978-0615762029

Language: English

Edition: First Edition

Printed: 154 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, cream paper, black and white ink, full-color cover

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Comics & Graphic Novels / Anthologies

Modicum

This collection of short stories, musings, and cartoons by award-winning writer Scott Semegran explores such themes as parenting, pets, religion, masculinity, and the apocalypse. In the story titled The Butterfly Effect, a father watches his daughters lovingly care for a squirmy gang of caterpillars. When they morph into butterflies, the girls witness the true meaning of life. Another story finds little boy Rogelio playing with his friend George in the ditch behind his house. Rogelio's mother is glad he has a friend to play with until she finds out George's true identity. In the story In My Garage, a group of friends make a pact that they will spend the last night before the end of the world partying in the garage. And that's just what they do, creating their own mayhem on the eve of the apocalypse. This collection runs the emotional gamut from endearing to hilarious to twisted and is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, or both at the same time.

Praise for Modicum:

"Funny, sweet, dark, and sad, Scott Semegran's comics and short stories create a wholly convincing world of love, loss, and fear. His light touch with heavy subjects is a gift, and his forays into silliness are a delight. I can't tell if his kids should read it as soon as possible, or never." — Emily Flake, cartoonist and author of LuLu Eightball

"Hilarious, poignant, twisted... and those are just the stories. Scott Semegran's cartoons bring an added one-two visceral punch to a powerful collection of work." — Davy Rothbart, author of The Lone Surfer of Montana, Kansas and publisher of FOUND Magazine

Reviews for Modicum:

Retailer	Paperback
Bookshop	$13.99
Amazon	$13.99
Barnes & Noble	$13.99

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Paperback Info

ISBN: 978-0615769509

Language: English

Edition: Second Edition

Printed: 168 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, cream paper, black and white ink, full-color cover

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Comics & Graphic Novels / Literary

The Spectacular Simon Burchwood

Recently divorced and his writing career in shambles, Simon Burchwood's life is a complete disaster. He reluctantly finds work as a computer support technician and resigns that his career as the next great American novelist will never come to fruition. When he learns that his ex-wife abruptly moves to Dallas with his children, he embarks on a crazy road trip with a nerdy coworker and a hitchhiking punk rock girl and discovers the inspiration he desperately needs for his new literary masterpiece. Take another trip with the one and only Simon Burchwood.

From Kindle bestselling writer and cartoonist Scott Semegran, The Spectacular Simon Burchwood is for fans of literary fiction with a touch of magical realism and a dose of dark humor. This is the second book in the Simon Adventures Series which includes The Meteoric Rise of Simon Burchwood, The Spectacular Simon Burchwood, and Sammie & Budgie.

"Simon is starting to understand something, and his luck literally changes. Semegran handles this quite deftly. We see the progress he is making in getting a grasp of what life is about." — The New Podler Review of Books

What Reviewers Are Saying About Simon Burchwood:

"Simon is such a character that I couldn't wait to find what he did next." — Great Books Under $5 (5 Stars)

"It's pretty fun to be inside his head." — Red Adept Reviews (4.5 Stars)

"Simon Burchwood Is A Genius, It's True!" — Bitsy Bling Books (4 Stars)

"Cracked me up!" — Ashton the Book Blogger (4 Stars)

Read an excerpt here and here.

Reviews for The Spectacular Simon Burchwood:

Retailer	eBook	Paperback
Bookshop		$15.99
Amazon	$2.99	$15.99
Barnes & Noble		$15.99
Apple	$2.99
Kobo	$2.99
Google Play	$2.99

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Paperback Info

ISBN: 978-0999717363

Language: English

Edition: Second Edition

Printed: 188 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, cream paper, black and white ink, full-color cover

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Literary