The Book of Outcasts

The Book of Outcasts is a short story collection featuring dynamic characters in surreal, often imaginative worlds. The stories run the gamut; in one, the narrator is stripped of his job, his apartment, and his civil liberties for refusing a brain implant; in another, a compulsive gambler is so desperate to repay his debt he robs a casino; in a third, a writer, tormented by a pernicious doppelganger, goes to all lengths to exact revenge. There is also a film festival operator framed for ghastly murder on The French Riviera; a game show host who profits off a deadly pandemic; and a former nightclub comedian who gets abducted by aliens and taken to a planet where cannibalism is the norm. Several of these stories were previously published. "The Failure" made Best of Across The Margin 2021. "Whose Pandemic Is It Anyway?" was anthologized in The Rabbit Hole Vol 5. Still others were published in literary journals such as The Binnacle, Void Magazine, and New Works Review. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Matt Nagin is a writer and comedian. He has been writing fiction and poetry for almost thirty years. This is his fifth book. For more info go to mattnagin.com.

Review :
Matt Nagin's writing is immediately arresting, always rife with complex and curious characters that while often eccentric, always feel relatable and authentic. His short stories are engaging, peculiarly addictive, and flat out fun. --Michael Shields, Editor in Chief, Across the Margin "The Book of Outcasts" is a thought-provoking collection of short stories. Each story presents a raw and honest portrayal of individuals who must endure their circumstances, offering a poignant reflection on the modern human condition. "Outcasts" is a compelling read. --James Israel, Editor, The Humor Times I like a bit of literary hyper-violence and pulp and picaresque and noir from time to time, so The Book of Outcasts was a great opportunity to indulge some of the darker literary pleasures. And all of these stores are well-plotted, description is vivid and engaging and, sure, this isn't a book that's going to change the world, but every piece here is an engaging and exciting and upsetting (when it's aiming to be) way to spend 15-20 minutes. It's a solid collection of stories...These stories know what they're trying to be, and they're doing it well. --Scott Manley Hadley, Triumph of The Now It is the direct straightforward quality of the writing that makes these stories work, as well as the undercurrent of dark humor. All of the stories in this collection are imaginative, well written, and a pleasure to read. --Anoka Tony, Tony's Book Reviews With a darkly comedic and often surreal touch, Nagin crafts narratives that are as unsettling as they are thought-provoking, exploring themes of alienation, obsession, and the search for meaning in a world that often feels absurd. [The Book of Outcasts] is a fun group of stories without many flaws...a compelling read that will stay with you long after you've finished the final page. --D.B. Frick, Stage Biz