The Counterculture will not be in your algorithm

 

I had an interesting conversation with a Gen Z person the other day. She confirmed what I have been reading for a while now – that younger people are starting to rediscover physical media and no longer relying on streaming services as much. For years, we have seen vinyl record sales growing, but that was always a niche. Physical books made a comeback in the last decade or so, thanks in part to Booktok. E-books, Kindles, etc are still a tool for travelers or minimalists, but I think most avid readers want a book in hand.

If it was only vinyl collectors and book lovers, the physical renaissance would be niche. But there is an underground of people, from Gen X nostalgists to curious Gen Zers, who are embracing DVDs, CD, tapes, records, books, and all other form of physical media. Not only that, but they are also embracing radio as well as in-person experiences. Perhaps it is the rejection of our algorithmic overlords or perhaps it is an embrace of what we lost during COVID, but I am seeing more younger people interested in the mediums and technology of previous generations.

An interesting Substack article dropped into my feed the other day. Written by Michelle Lhooq, a psychedelics and rave journalist, the article is about a rave in Los Angeles and how rave culture provides not only an escape, but a way of life, a continuation of the Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out mindset of the 1960s. I read a lot a Timothy Leary, Ken Kesey, and Aldous Huxley in the late 90s and the late 60s always fascinated me. Lhooq carries these philosophies through rave culture, which has always had the trippy drug elements. The rave can be both escape and lifestyle, depending on how integrated one makes it.

The fact that I found this article in my email brings me back to my conversation with the Gen Zer. When we were talking about counterculture, we agreed that to be counterculture now means to be offline. I mentioned that if you Google “counterculture”, you find pictures of hippies and the 1960s. You don’t find pictures of people who are offline. It is logically impossible.

That is the true modern counterculture. It is not in your algorithm. It is not televised. It is not Google-able. It might not even be on the Dark Web.

(Is anyone still on the Dark Web besides hackers and blackmarket dealers? That’s a post for another day.)

I am not talking luddites either. I know people who don’t want to be on social media for privacy reasons or they believe the government is using it all to collect our data or turn us into mindless capitalist zombies mired in mediocre media slop.

In a way, that last part is true. In another recent article, music culture and historian Ted Gioia wrote that popular art really hasn’t progressed since the 1990s. Mega media platforms have flooded us with unoriginal, recycled slop, whether they be rehashed movies or straight up AI-produced garbage. By only greenlighting crap, only crap gets produced, consumers get used to the crap, and art gets numb. Add in the need to monetize everything, and risky art is not part of the business plan.

In his next article, Gioia writes about how through recycling, creativity is hurting. There are no new movements. No excitement. No experimentation.

He closes with the following:

“This limp, empty approach to culture is a dead-end. People will soon demand something more from the creative economy—something riskier, something more inspiring, something more disruptive. Above all, they will insist on something more human.

Or maybe they will even seek out something more timeless on a larger scale. This would be a kind of art-making that contributes to human flourishing and a deeper understanding of who we are and what we can do.

They are unlikely to get it from the large entertainment platforms. And I’m even more certain that they won’t get it from an AI chatbot. But sooner or later, people will find it somewhere.

I know that because I can feel the hunger for it everywhere. You tell me this in your comments and emails. I feel it myself.”

But ….

Let’s pick up the pieces we’ve scattered through this article. What if Ted Gioia isn’t talking to Gen Z folks who clamor for more than what they have been fed by their algorithms? Unfortunately, they don’t know where to look. In my conversation with the Gen Zer, I told her about local bookstores and local radio stations, places that I go for new media. But as a Gen Xer, I have to be careful. A conversation can’t be a lecture. I can’t rant about “back in my day …”. I have to leave a few breadcrumbs, a few links, a few addresses, or a few Reese’s Pieces and let the younger generation discover their own way and embrace their own creativeness. They might create something totally new and fresh.

Maybe they already have.

What if the creative economy is alive, but it lives underground? Some might say the underground has always been creative. That’s definitely true. But what if the counterculture is not weak, but strong and vibrant. But you, I, and Ted Gioia don’t know where to find it because we have been trained for so long to look online for our answers. Looking on the internet for answers has become instinct. Again, can something exist if it isn’t online?

We might be going back to a time of flyers and zines and handouts and word-of-mouth events. We might see flyers for cultural events with the caveats “don’t post this” and “no phones”. Maybe we even go back to a world where people exchange offline media to build buzz for an event or a band or writer or a performer. Once it goes online, even in an article, the mystery will be gone.

That is true counterculture. And it won’t be in your algorithm.

Things were never sweet in Tarpon Springs

 

A few weeks ago, I was mindlessly swiping through tiktok when I saw a video by a young creator detailing how difficult life is in Tarpon Springs, FL. But the video was seeped in irony as he was by the beautiful sponge docks in the small historic fishing town. The video was absolutely hilarious and had hundreds and thousands of views.

Being that I have an upcoming book festival appearance in Tarpon Springs (Saturday 4/25, 10am to 4pm), I wanted to know what was up. What was this video referencing? It took me a few additional minutes to find that famous video gamer Jynxzi had recently gone on a rant about growing up in Tarpon Springs. When Jynxzi tried to bring up pictures of his tough side of town, all he found was images of the tourist areas. Whether or not he set himself up is unknown, but he rolled with it well. It is definitely a huge self-own.

After a few tiktokers posted the clip, others ran with the audio and the theme to hilarious results. The videos got so big that Tarpon Springs now has its own mention on KnowYourMeme. That’s how you know you’ve made it.

Being the entrepreneuring and resourceful creator that I am, and never one to pass an easy opportunity, I used Jynxzi’s new trend to promote my upcoming appearance at the Tarpon Springs Book Festival. I drove up to Tarpon Springs and made my own tough video where I sat on a curb and talked about slanging products on the streets - the products of course being my books.

This tiktok and another I made about the trend are my most popular tiktoks, far eclipsing any of my previous videos. I’m by far the oldest person making videos about Tarpon being tough, but no one seems to care. I was a little worried about jumping on a trend done mostly by ironic kids, but the likes and positive comments say otherwise. One commentor actually said “that is how you advertise!”. I won’t do anymore, but showing that I get it, running with it, and adding something new to the discourse allowed me to fit in.

You gotta be a real sponge, because ain’t nothing sweet in Tarpon Springs.

 

 

 

Not so serious movie reviews - Zombies, Kung-fu, and a Giant Poop Monster

 

Wrapping up my latest cinematic adventures. If you want to read all my movie reviews, check out my profile on letterboxd.

Redneck Zombies (1987)

One of my favorite movies ever. I saw it 30 years ago and it stayed with me like herpes. The need to watch it again flared up and I embraced it with all its glory. It’s gross, it’s bloody, it’s cheap, it’s fun. Everything video herpes should be.

Grade: 5 moonshine still stars out of 5. They don’t get much better than this.

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Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies (2014)

I’ve seen Strippers vs Zombies, Zombies vs Strippers, Abraham Lincoln vs Zombies, Kung Fu vs Zombies, and Ninjas vs Zombies. All better than this.

If WWF legend Rowdy Roddy Piper is carrying your movie, that’s not saying much. I like Roddy Piper. But he should be a fun side character. Not your main event.

So many plot holes, missed spots, botches, and stiff acting. I like low budget movies. I like Troma Films. I like zombie flicks. I like wrestling. I loved The Unbreakable Bunch. This was not good.

Grade: 2 botched zombie slams out of 5

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Master of the Flying Guillotine (1976)

You don’t watch kung fu for the plot. You watch for the fight scenes. And this is one of the best. Also the basis of a lot of video game characters from Mortal Kombat to Street Fighter. Definitely a movie to lose your head for.

Grade: 5 flying stars out of 5

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Monsturd (2003)

From the bowels of Geoffery Chaucer’s The Miller’s Tale and Shakepeare’s bawdy toilet humor comes 2003’s epic horror comedy Monsturd. It’s lewd, it’s crude, it’s sophomoric and amateur. But therein lies the beauty of Monsturd.

A prisoner escapes, gets mixed with toxic waste, and becomes a killer shitmonster. This is the kind of story we will be telling for generations to come. It is relatable on every level because everyone poops.

500 years from now our great-great-great-great-great-great grandchildren will appreciate Monsturd, just as today we appreciate Chaucer’s lewd humor of the 16th century.

Grade: 4 peanut poops out of 5

CHAOS IN THE CORNER - NEW NOVEL COVER REVEAL

 

Here it is! As we get closer to release of my new novel, Chaos in the Corner, I wanted to drop the cover art.

I am really excited about this cover. The art is done by Dell Barras, artist for Marvel, DC, and other comic companies. Color was done by BrokenOptics, definitely check him out. He has done art for a lot of pro wrestlers and entertainers. I recommend both of these guys. Working with them was great.

They gave a very unique look to my novel. I think the comic book vibe will attract more wrestling fans who might be regular book readers or book store visitors.

I also made a promo video for the cover. Check it out.

 

 

An Author’s Guide to Tampa Bay Bookstores (Updated March 2026)

 

 

 

In the last 15 years or so, the amount of independent bookstores in Tampa Bay has grown.

 

I have met most of the bookstore owners in Tampa Bay in an attempt to get my books on their shelves. Most of them carry my novel, Curveball at the Crossroads. Some bookstores do consignment, some order from Ingram Spark, and some buy directly from me. Some don’t carry my books at all. And a few I have yet to meet.

 

To date, there are 24 bookstores in Tampa Bay from Brooksville to Sarasota.

 

This list is broken down into how the bookstores acquire my books. There is no preferential order. I have a great relationship with every bookstore I work with. I hope this list comes in handy for other authors (as well as readers!) in the Tampa Bay area and beyond. This is my experience. Yours might be different.

 

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— Order from Ingram Spark —

 

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Oxford Exchange Book Store (Tampa)

 

Point of contact: Laura Taylor, Bookstore & Programming Director

 

Best way to contact: visit and email — Laura(@)oxfordexchange.com

 

The Oxford Exchange is in downtown Tampa. The bookstore only orders from Ingram Spark and does not do consignment. Hence, they are looking for books that are known or authors that will move product. I was part of the Oxford Exchange Book Fair in 2022 and 2023 and did well. Then I approached their front counter and asked how they would carry my novel on their shelves. I emailed Laura Taylor and asked how my book can be on their shelves. Laura ordered two copies. During my next visit, I signed the books and made social media content letting my followers know the book was available at the Oxford Exchange Book Store.

 

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Tombolo Books (St Pete)

 

Point of Contact: Alsace — owner

 

Best way to contact: visit and email — authors(@)tombolobooks.com

 

Tombolo Books is one of the most high profile bookstores in the Tampa Bay area. If New York Times Bestselling authors are going to visit, they are going to go to Tombolo. While the folks at Tombolo are nice, they are busy. Getting your book approved for their shelves takes time. That said, once I was listed on Ingram Spark, I immediately filled out their local author form.

 

At the time, the local author form required Ingram Spark, reviews from other local authors, and an active social media presence. They now do consignment as well. Whatever the requirement, it is Tombolo, they are busy, and people buy plenty of books there.

 

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BookendsYbor (Tampa)

 

Point of Contact: Teresa — owner

 

Best way to contact: visit and email — read(@)bookendsybor.com

 

BookendsYbor does not have a brick-and-mortar storefront yet (as of March 2026). But they are working on it. They do however have a bookmobile they bring to local pubs and breweries as well as the Ybor Saturday Market.

 

I found BookendsYbor via Bookshop.org. I followed them on social media, dropped them an email, told them how much I am looking forward to their opening, and mentioned my book. They said they would look into ordering it from Ingram. Within two weeks, they had copies in hand. I then visited their next bookmobile event, chatted with a few customers, and their copies of Curveball at the Crossroads were sold. I have seen them several times since and they carry my novel often.

 

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Bookstore1 (Sarasota)

 

Point of contact: Byrn — Director of Programming

Best way to contact: email — bryn(@)sarasotabooks.com

 

Bookstore1 is located in downtown Sarasota. I was part of the Bookstore1 Book Fair in 2023 and 2024. In preparation for their event, Bookstore1 orders five books per author every book fair via Ingram Spark. If authors don’t sell all five, the store will carry the book on their shelves until they sell. Bryn and the team are great and very nice. They do a great job of promoting the book fair and the authors. Bookstore1 is an hour away for me, so it is a little difficult to visit regularly. However, they host author events and book club readings regularly.

 

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The Gilded Page (Tarpon Springs)

 

Point of contact: Julia — owner

 

Best way to contact: visit and email — thegildedpagebookstore(@)gmail.com

 

The Gilded Page is in Tarpon Springs. I visited The Gilded Page first, and while there, I discussed how they carried an author I am friends with. Then I mentioned my book and how it might be a fit on their fiction shelf. Julia agreed and ordered a copy of Curveball at the Crossroads.

 

The Gilded Page both orders local books on Ingram if possible or they do consignment. If doing consignment, they ask for up to five books from the author. If they order on Ingram, they order one at a time. I prefer the upfront revenue of Ingram so I opted for that.

 

Additionally, The Gilded Page hosts the Tarpon Book Fair in April. Highly recommended for authors to be a part of. I crushed it there. The Gilded Page also hosts author signings on the first Friday evening of every month. That is a great opportunity to meet readers and sell books.

 

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Book & Bottle (St Pete)

 

Point of contact: unknown

 

Best way to contact: visit or website

 

Book & Bottle is a bookstore/coffee shop/wine store in downtown St Petersburg. They have a small selection of books on one wall of their store. Nice people and great ambiance. They are preferential to new books. They do carry local authors, but it is kinda tough due to their limited selection. If your book fits, they will order it from Ingram.

 

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Portkey Books (Safety Harbor)

 

Point of contact: Crystel — owner

 

Best way to contact: Visit

 

Portkey Books is a small bookstore in Safety Harbor, Florida and the most recent store to carry my debut novel. As a small store, they are very selective in the books they carry. To echo my pro tip above, you have to be on Ingram and a return policy is recommended.

 

Portkey Books asks that local authors donate their first book to the store as an act of good faith. After that book sells, they will continue to order the book from Ingram as long as they sell. As my publisher cost is $6, that’s worth it to me.

 

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Back in the Day Books (Dunedin)

 

Point of contact: Boe Rushing — owner

 

Best way to contact: email: backinthedaybooks(@)yahoo.com

 

Back in the Day Books is particular on which local and independent books they carry. You have to fit their store and show that you can move books. After a face-to-face talk with the owner, I convinced him that my book would fit his store and I am now in his fiction section.

 

Due to the size of his store, he doesn’t do signings, but you can do signings at Skip’s Pub at the end of the plaza. I should do another post on the places I have done book signings.

 

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— Consignment —

 

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Wilson’s Book World (St Pete)

 

Point of contact: Michelle — owner

 

Best way to contact: visit

 

Wilson’s Book World is a family owned and operated, used and antiquarian bookshop in St. Pete. They have a steady and loyal clientele and are very personable. They don’t carry new books, but they do carry local authors on consignment. They accept three books per author and they put a copy of the book in the front of the aisle for a month before putting all the copies in their associated section. Their percentage return on consignment is the best in the area (80/20), although they don’t provide the money for the books until all the books are sold.

 

I have sold several copies at Wilsons. Always have your books in your car when you visit, because they might have sold them and need to restock.

 

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Mojo Books and Records (Tampa)

 

Point of contact: Melanie — owner

 

Best way to contact: visit and email — mojotampa(@)comcast.net

 

Mojo Books and Records is a combination music and book store. They have been around for a long time and have a strong underground following. They mostly carry used books and cater to the University of South Florida market. They do consignment for local authors and will carry two books at a time.

 

I like Mojo Books and Records a lot. They are nice folks and very responsive, but although their store is divided 50/50 between books and music, their focus isn’t books. If they can do more for books, and especially local authors, they could become a powerful ally.

 

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The Paperback Exchange (Port Richey)

 

Point of contact: Joanie — owner

 

Best way to contact: visit or Instagram

 

The Paperback Exchange is a classic used bookstore in Port Richey, Florida. Like Wilson’s in St Pete, they mostly carry used books. They also carry a wide selection of new books by local authors. I was surprised how many local authors they carry and honestly, how few I recognized. They do consignment and give 50% on each sale. I left two books there but some authors have left more.

 

The Paperback Exchange has rows and rows of used books. If your book is there, create videos, take pictures, and post about the store on social media. They are great folks and they are doing a great service by carrying your book, but you have to create the demand.

 

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The Book Rescuers (Largo)

 

Point of contact: George — owner

 

Best way to contact: visit or email / phone: thebookrescuers(@)gmail.com / (727) 222–0495

 

The Book Rescuers is a giant used book warehouse in Pinellas Park. Since they moved to their current location a few years ago, they have been very friendly with local authors. They recently created a huge island in the store for local authors.

 

They typically take three books at a time from local authors and give a considerable consignment, only keeping $3 from every sale. For me, that’s $15 in my pocket each sale. They pay via Zell, so make sure you have that set up before visiting.

 

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The Book Lounge (St. Pete)

 

Point of contact: Natalya and Pamela at (727) 545–0245 and info (@) thebooklounge .com

 

Best way to contact: Visit and email

 

The Book Lounge opened in November 2025. They primarily cater to romance/romantasy/fantasy, and women readers, but are open to everything. They offer a 60/40 split with authors and ensure authors sign a contract with the store. They ask for up to 6 copies of the book for 90 days, which is different from other stores in both quantity and time. They do a “date with a book” mystery wrapping offers with books that don’t move off their shelves quickly.

 

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This Bookstore Kills Fascists (Mobile)

 

Point of contact: Tiffany — owner

 

Best way to contact: visit or Facebook

 

This Bookstore Kills Fascists is a niche pop-up/mobile bookstore run by Tiffany Razzano. Tiffany sets up at street markets and festivals all around Tampa Bay from Sarasota to St Pete to Tampa and anywhere else that will have her. Her selection is very focused on bring attention to marginalized or minority voices. She is an outspoken advocate for freedom of speech and a proponent of provocative media.

 

This Bookstore Kills Fascists sells both new and used books that fit her niche. Tiffany does consignment for local authors giving 50% on sales. She carries my book The Man Makes You Work among her wares.

 

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— Purchase from author —

 

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Tiger Dust (Tampa)

 

Point of contact: Jason and Laura — owners

 

Best way to contact: visit or Instagram DM

 

Tiger Dust is not a traditional bookstore. They are an oddities and novelty store in the Seminole Heights area of Tampa. They feature a small room of occult, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and hard-to-find books. My book about someone who makes a deal with the Devil fits their selection of books. They bought three books from me at a 33% discount.

 

If your novel fits their store, Tiger Dust is recommended.

 

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Citrus and Sage Bookshop (Brooksville)

 

Point of contact: Andrea — owner

 

Best way to contact: visit, email ( citrusandsagebookshop (@) gmail), phone (352–741–8870)

 

Citrus and Sage is one of the newest bookstores in Tampa Bay, if you count Brooksville as Tampa Bay. Located an hour and a half north of Tampa, Citrus and Sage is super cute, quaint, and charming. They are also really nice and receptive to independent, self-published authors.

 

This is another case of doing the work. I drove from Tampa and met Andrea and her team. We talked, I bought a book, and they bought two of my books from me for 33% off. They make $6, I make $12. They were very optimistic about my book, saying it was good fit. I also made a social media video from the store to tell my followers where to find it.

 

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— Stores that do not (yet) carry my books —

 

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Black English Bookstore (Tampa)

 

Point of contact: unknown

 

Best way to contact: Unknown

 

Black English opened in December 2023. I haven’t checked on them since their founder, Tampa City Councilwoman Gwen Henderson, passed away. They are predominantly focused on African-American authors and books on the African-American experience. They are a small store and are very welcoming but I have not yet discussed my novel with them. If your book is a fit, I encourage you to reach out to them.

 

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Novel in the Neighborhood (New Port Richey, FL)

 

Point of contact: Tiffany Butts — owner

 

Best way to contact: novelintheneighborhood@gmail.com

 

Novel in the Neighborhood just opened in March 2026. They are a small independent store in a strip mall off Old Country Road 54. They have a small space for local authors currently, but hopefully that increases as they get more established. They order from Ingram if your book fits their store.

 

Novel in the Neighborhood also allows local authors to do book signings. To date, they are scheduled until fall 2026.

 

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Inchstone Books (New Port Richey, FL)

 

Point of contact: unknown

 

Best way to contact: unknown

 

Inchstone Books is scheduled to open in April 2026.

 

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Pages and Perks (St. Petersburg)

 

Point of contact: unknown

 

Best way to contact: unknown

 

Pages and Perks is currently a mobile bookstore settling into a physical home soon.

 

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The Wandering Shelf (Tampa)

 

Point of contact: Sandra & Suzanne

 

Best way to contact: Instagram

 

The Wandering Shelf is a mobile bookstore in Tampa. I met them at a brewery in the end of 2025. I gave them a copy of my novel. I am not sure if they ordered one or more.

 

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Steamy Lit Romance Bookstore (Tampa)

 

Point of contact: Unknown at (813) 724–1002

 

Best way to contact: visit

 

Steamy Lit Romance Bookstore is a new bookstore in South Tampa. They are tiny and niche, catering mostly to romance, fantasy, and fiction. I visited to say hello. My book is not in their market, but we had a good conversation and they are very nice. If your book is a fit, definitely check them out.

 

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Haslem’s Bookstore (St Pete)

 

Point of contact: Unknown

 

Best way to contact: Unknown

 

I am listing Haslem’s out of respect for one of the area’s oldest local bookstores. Unfortunately, they closed during the pandemic and have not been open since. If I had to guess, my book will never be in the store and the property will turn into condos.

 

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Barnes & Noble (various locations)

 

Point of contact: Unknown

 

Best way to contact: email — crm3429(@)bn.com

 

Barnes & Noble is obviously not an independent bookstore. They are however the biggest box bookstore chain in Tampa Bay. That said, they don’t carry self-published authors. As a chain, they don’t do consignment. They also don’t order print-on-demand, which includes Ingram Spark.

 

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I hope this helps other authors in Tampa Bay area and beyond. Self-publishing is a hustle and is a lot of work. You are not only an author, but a marketer, an event planner, and a salesperson. But the more places you place your book, the more chances it has to be bought. It is a numbers game, but by working with local bookstores, you increase your chances of success.

 

Good luck!