Phil Johnston at New Moon Comics Recap
On Friday August First, members of the SFSNNJ met up at New Moon Comics for an intimate chat
with literary author Philip James Johnston. It was a wonderfully relaxed and pleasant evening with
lots of questions and discussion about topics ranging from publishing to box office draws and
comics. Phil arrived around 7:45 and sat with Barry, Craig, Chris, Rob, and I discussing a number
of truly earth-shattering issues (like whether Titanic's record would fall to Dark Knight). Much of the
discussion was centered around the role of comics in cinema, and there was a great discussion of
why Comic Book movies have taken so long to become a larger part of the media. The positions
taken ranged from lack of effects ability to strange perceptions by Hollywood executives and public
prejudices against comics in the 1950's. In addition, we all got a laugh talking about Galactus and
his intergalactic burger joint uniform. When I stated that I always thought he should be asking
people if they wanted fries with their order, Barry replied "I am here to consume your world, would
you like fries with that?" The jokes devolved from there.
We began truly diving into the subject matter after our side discussions tied off, and Rob (host,
owner of New Moon Comics, and all around great guy) formally introduced Phil and talked a bit
about the book. Phil told us what it was like writing for the Barnes & Noble imprint and doing events
at the B&N in NYC. Rob explained his passion for the book, and Phil went on to talk about the
challenges of publishing in today's market, his writing process, and more. Mike Piazza had some
questions about shopping the book around, and what it takes to get it in print, which spawned
some great conversation about the publishing business itself. We moved on to the specifics of the
book, which centers around the bar culture in New Jersey. Phil relayed an anecdote about how one
editor thought that there should be more female characters in the story, to which Phil replied, "It's a
story about a group of guys who hang out in bars and drink much more than is good for them." I,
personally, agreed and said, "Most women are smarter than that, and the ones who aren't are
generally kind of scary." The Philadelphia trip in the book was mentioned, and Phil then talked a bit
about how he structured the book and outlined. By the way (so those of us who care can rest easy)
he listens to rock music when he writes in order to generate white noise and allow him to
concentrate.
By the end of the night, we were all cheered immeasurably Phil was a truly engaging
conversationalist and kept the talk lively without making it seem forced. For those of you who
couldn't make it, I recommend picking up Last Call as it seems like a fantastic book. It is also the
2nd place winner of the Independent Publisher Book Award!
On Friday August First, members of the SFSNNJ met up at New Moon Comics for an intimate chat
with literary author Philip James Johnston. It was a wonderfully relaxed and pleasant evening with
lots of questions and discussion about topics ranging from publishing to box office draws and
comics. Phil arrived around 7:45 and sat with Barry, Craig, Chris, Rob, and I discussing a number
of truly earth-shattering issues (like whether Titanic's record would fall to Dark Knight). Much of the
discussion was centered around the role of comics in cinema, and there was a great discussion of
why Comic Book movies have taken so long to become a larger part of the media. The positions
taken ranged from lack of effects ability to strange perceptions by Hollywood executives and public
prejudices against comics in the 1950's. In addition, we all got a laugh talking about Galactus and
his intergalactic burger joint uniform. When I stated that I always thought he should be asking
people if they wanted fries with their order, Barry replied "I am here to consume your world, would
you like fries with that?" The jokes devolved from there.
We began truly diving into the subject matter after our side discussions tied off, and Rob (host,
owner of New Moon Comics, and all around great guy) formally introduced Phil and talked a bit
about the book. Phil told us what it was like writing for the Barnes & Noble imprint and doing events
at the B&N in NYC. Rob explained his passion for the book, and Phil went on to talk about the
challenges of publishing in today's market, his writing process, and more. Mike Piazza had some
questions about shopping the book around, and what it takes to get it in print, which spawned
some great conversation about the publishing business itself. We moved on to the specifics of the
book, which centers around the bar culture in New Jersey. Phil relayed an anecdote about how one
editor thought that there should be more female characters in the story, to which Phil replied, "It's a
story about a group of guys who hang out in bars and drink much more than is good for them." I,
personally, agreed and said, "Most women are smarter than that, and the ones who aren't are
generally kind of scary." The Philadelphia trip in the book was mentioned, and Phil then talked a bit
about how he structured the book and outlined. By the way (so those of us who care can rest easy)
he listens to rock music when he writes in order to generate white noise and allow him to
concentrate.
By the end of the night, we were all cheered immeasurably Phil was a truly engaging
conversationalist and kept the talk lively without making it seem forced. For those of you who
couldn't make it, I recommend picking up Last Call as it seems like a fantastic book. It is also the
2nd place winner of the Independent Publisher Book Award!
Philip James Johnston
August 1, 2008, 7:30pm
New Moon Comics
463 Main Street
Little Falls, NJ 07424
973.81.COMIC
Join us for this Special Activity event with guest Philip James Johnston at New Moon Comics. Mr.
Johnston is the author of the literary novel The Last Call. He is also a good friend of Rob at New
Moon Comics, and a fan of comics! Looks like another interesting, fun SFSNNJ night out!
Bio
Philip James Johnston was raised in Harrison and Kearny, New Jersey. He currently resides in
North Caldwell, New Jersey.
About the book
In this engaging novel, a man must come to terms with his dysfunctional life through a new
romantic relationship.
“Shannon, I don’t understand. What do you want me to be?”
“See James, that’s the point. You’re life is not about what everyone else wants you to be. It’s about
what you want to be, about finding out what makes you happy.”
The Last Call is the story of James Patrick Cameron, a man in his late twenties who grows
unhappy with his dysfunctional life—a life he is desperate to change but feels powerless to do so.
James lives and works in the same blue-collar town where he was raised. He hangs out with his
two high school friends at the neighborhood bar. He works for his alcoholic father, James Patrick
“Booby” Cameron Sr., the owner of a local contracting company, and is terrorized by his father’s
vice president, Mike Munro, who has a raging drug addiction.
James moves aimlessly through life, drinking too much and caring too little. When he meets
Shannon O’Rourke, a woman who motivates him to put his life in order, he knows he must make
some changes. He starts working out, avoids his nightly appointments at the bar, and becomes
more active in his father’s business. But an escalating series of unfortunate events culminates in
a decision that will change his life forever ...
August 1, 2008, 7:30pm
New Moon Comics
463 Main Street
Little Falls, NJ 07424
973.81.COMIC
Join us for this Special Activity event with guest Philip James Johnston at New Moon Comics. Mr.
Johnston is the author of the literary novel The Last Call. He is also a good friend of Rob at New
Moon Comics, and a fan of comics! Looks like another interesting, fun SFSNNJ night out!
Bio
Philip James Johnston was raised in Harrison and Kearny, New Jersey. He currently resides in
North Caldwell, New Jersey.
About the book
In this engaging novel, a man must come to terms with his dysfunctional life through a new
romantic relationship.
“Shannon, I don’t understand. What do you want me to be?”
“See James, that’s the point. You’re life is not about what everyone else wants you to be. It’s about
what you want to be, about finding out what makes you happy.”
The Last Call is the story of James Patrick Cameron, a man in his late twenties who grows
unhappy with his dysfunctional life—a life he is desperate to change but feels powerless to do so.
James lives and works in the same blue-collar town where he was raised. He hangs out with his
two high school friends at the neighborhood bar. He works for his alcoholic father, James Patrick
“Booby” Cameron Sr., the owner of a local contracting company, and is terrorized by his father’s
vice president, Mike Munro, who has a raging drug addiction.
James moves aimlessly through life, drinking too much and caring too little. When he meets
Shannon O’Rourke, a woman who motivates him to put his life in order, he knows he must make
some changes. He starts working out, avoids his nightly appointments at the bar, and becomes
more active in his father’s business. But an escalating series of unfortunate events culminates in
a decision that will change his life forever ...
Special Activity -- Phil Johnston -- August 1, 2008
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