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New book about Scientology: Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley, by Carol Es

CommunicatorIC

@IndieScieNews on Twitter
New book about Scientology: Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley, by Carol Es [@esart on Twitter].

Amazon: Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley, by Carol Es

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NVWJTV9

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Kindle: $14.99

Six houses, five apartments, three motels, a Hollywood mansion, and a small vegetable farm in Pennsylvania. Experiencing the early life of self-taught artist, writer, and drummer, Carol Es was enough to confuse any kid. Carol grew up believing she was inherently bad; she'd suffered psychological abuse of her mentally ill mother, an unstable family that moved around a dozen times before her ninth birthday, and endured horrific sexual molestation. By the age of 15, she felt compelled to ditch a rootless, dysfunctional family circus and head out on her own. From there, she wound up trapped in a cult for the next 20 years.

Seduced by the celebrity that lured her into Scientology and their magic promises to fix her broken life, Carol buried herself in the concepts and philosophies of L. Ron Hubbard. Meanwhile, she hopelessly denied and hid her own underlying mental illness which went on untreated because of her belief in a doctrine that made psychiatry out to be an evil hoax. Throughout suppressing the pain she was living through, and that of her past, she somehow remained truly bonded to art and music as a means of survival.

After a tumultuous childhood and years of mind control, Carol has taken a huge stride out of the blackness of fear and silence by completing her book, Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley—where she shares an unexpected perspective through moments of true vulnerability, gallows humor, and genuine honesty. Illustrated with original sketches throughout, she invites the reader into her confidence, laying bare her most raw and intimate revelations as an artist and a woman finding self-worth, something she had to build upon with only a fragile foundation. It is a courageous, relatable story that will keep you turning the pages.

Carol Es has earned many honors during her career in the arts, including a Pollock-Krasner and the Wynn Newhouse award. Her work can be found in the Getty Museum, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and MOMA. As a musician, she has worked with renowned producers, recorded with artists such as Rickie Lee Jones, and has toured North America. She lives in Los Angeles, where she enjoys studying cultural anthropology and spending time with her partner and their little gray dog. For more info, visit Carol's blog at esart.com/blog.


Editorial Reviews

Review

"...acerbic, warm, and funny. A captivating account filled with sharp perspectives on mental illness, childhood trauma, Scientology, and art."
-Kirkus Reviews


"Carol Es has written about our essence and blasted it across the stars. I could not stop turning the pages. Her book is insightful, funny, horrifying, and beautiful, like life itself."
-Michael Phillips, Author of Riding Out the Dumb Silence

"Carol's deeply moving and inspiring story sheds light on the resiliency of the human spirit to overcome profound childhood sexual abuse and neglect."
-Magen Todd, Ph.D., CSAT, Trauma Specialist

"While seemingly strapped to a spinning wheel as a blindfolded carny throws knives at her, knives tipped with the poison of her off-kilter family, sexual assault, Scientology and abusive relationships, Es takes us through all this with a singular voice full of humor and warmth."
-Stephen Hines, Author of The Late Season

"With her strong voice and talent for descriptive experiences, Carol Es's writing is raw and original, giving you a sense that you are right there with her. Definitely a memoir to be enjoyed!"
-Nancy Many, Author of My Billion Year Contact: Memoir of a Former Scientologist


From the Back Cover

Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley is a guided tour through a Tilt-A-Whirl life that takes so many turns that you may find yourself looking up from the pages and wondering how the hell one person managed to fit them all into 40-odd years. And many of them are odd years indeed. From a rootless, abusive childhood and mental illness through serious and successful careers in music and art, much of which were achieved while being involved in a notoriously destructive mind-control cult. Carol Es presents her story straight up. No padding, no parachute, no dancing around the hard stuff. Through the darkness, she somehow finds a glimmer of light by looking the big bad wolf straight in the eye, and it is liberating. When you dare to deal with truth, you are free. Free to find the humor that is just underneath everything and the joy that comes with taking the bumpy ride.

Illustrated with original sketches throughout, Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley is not just another survivor's tale, it's a creative ride where raw and intimate revelations are laid bare. As an artist and a woman finding self-worth, it's a truly courageous, relatable story that will keep you engaged.

Product details

File Size: 8319 KB
Print Length: 537 pages
Publisher: Desert Dog Books; 1 edition (April 6, 2019)
Publication Date: April 6, 2019
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07NVWJTV9
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Bot Enabled
Word Wise: Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled
Screen Reader: Supported
Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled

Biography

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Los Angeles writer, musician (drummer), and self-taught artist Carol Es writes for the Huffington Post, Whitehot Magazine, and Coagula Art Journal. She’s been published with Bottle of Smoke Press, Islands Fold, Chance Press, and her Artist’s books are featured in the Getty Research Library, Brooklyn Museum, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Awarded grants from the National Arts and Disability Center and Asylum Arts for writing, she’s also a two-time recipient of the Durfee Foundation’s ARC Grant. Additionally, Carol is a Pollock-Krasner Fellow and won the Wynn Newhouse Award in 2015.

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CommunicatorIC

@IndieScieNews on Twitter
Kirkus Review: Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley, by Carol Es.

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/carol-es/shrapnel-in-the-san-fernando-valley/

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

A Los Angeles artist revisits her volatile life as a Scientologist rocker in this debut memoir.

[SNIP]

But in recounting her adult life, Es truly taps into intriguing self-reflection. She writes of the moderate success that her band, The Extinct, attained by touring with comedian Pauly Shore and of her brainwashing in Scientology. Being “in a band made up of Scientologists? It’s a cult within a cult,” she writes. Even as it became apparent that she had major health issues and had inherited her mother’s mental instability, the author refused to seek care, opting for a Scientologist’s self-reliance. She provides engrossing details about cults, playing with the peculiar vocabulary of Scientology to craft hilarious and terrifying illustrations of people constructing their own realities. (One memorable fight with a boyfriend named Peaches ended with Es screaming “REFUND CYCLE,” apparently violent words considered a “high crime.”)

[SNIP]

A captivating account filled with sharp perspectives on mental illness, childhood trauma, Scientology, and art.

* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
 

CommunicatorIC

@IndieScieNews on Twitter
Review by Anthony Avina (author of the "Welcome to Nightmare Academy" young adult series) of "Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley."

Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley by Carol Es Review

https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/2019/03/04/shrapnelinthesanfernandovalleycarolesreview/

* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

The Review

This has got to be one of the most detailed and emotionally powerful books of not only an ex-Scientologist, but of a survivor in general. Having overcome so much hardship and struggles in her life, author Carol Es has delivered an emotionally driven, informative and down to earth retelling of the events that shaped her life, and her journey to overcome those experiences.

While I will reiterate that his novel has some powerful themes and stories that can be triggering for some (and should not be read by anyone who is triggered by these stories or children), the story is one everyone should get an opportunity to read. The life led by the author has elements many people can find a way to relate to. Whether it’s the abuses she survived, the indoctrination in Scientology, (one of the biggest cults currently running in the world), a troubled childhood and family life and coming to terms with that while dealing with loss, the highs and lows of the music industry, and even those struggling with autoimmune illnesses like MS and Lupus, this novel has something most readers will be able to relate to and identify with.

The Verdict

This is a must read novel of 2019. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say it’s a top contender for best nonfiction and top read of 2019 on my website. It’s has humor infused in a natural way, while also incorporating emotionally charged stories that not only showcase the worst of humanity, but also shows the power of resilience and fighting for a brighter, better tomorrow. An in-depth analysis of Scientology as well, viewers of the show conducted by former Scientologist Leah Remini or former scientologists themselves will be shocked, surprised and relieved to see someone give such an accurate and powerful account of what life in this organization is truly like. If you enjoy powerful memoirs, real life accounts of life inside of a cult and stories of overcoming great odds to find a brighter future, then grab your copy of Carol Es’s novel “Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley” on April 6th, 2019.

Rating: 10/10

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CommunicatorIC

@IndieScieNews on Twitter
Hardcover and special editions of Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley are now available.

Word!

https://esart.com/blog/word/


* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

63mKR8S.jpg


I’m finally feeling like I’m getting things done, probably because I AM! The To-Do list is finally getting shorter (I never thought that would happen), and I sent out my newsletter on Tuesday. (Sign up now!) I wanted to give my mailing list first dibs on pre-purchasing signed copies of my books and giving them first crack at the big discount on the limited edition copies. Everyone gets a bit more than two weeks at the pre-sale price, which is a $100 savings. Lots of bang for your buck, as they say. But there was one piece of news I had to leave out of the newsletter that I will announce now.

UPDATE: I guess I should’ve also mentioned that the signed trade copies that are available for pre-sale on the Desert Dog Books website are for the same low price as Amazon with free shipping. Those of you that received the newsletter would have known that.

I had to keep it under wraps until it was officially announced, or I would have tooted my shofar since I’m pretty thrilled about it. I was awarded the Bruce Geller Memorial Prize WORD Grant for Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley. This is an amazing honor and it still hasn’t really sunk in yet. This award is a project of the American Jewish University’s Institute for Jewish Creativity which supports artists living and working in Los Angeles. The funding for my project is one of nine awards given out for 2019. Pretty awesome!

Also, I’m going to be doing a blog book tour. I don’t have all the blogs booked yet, but check on my blog tour page in the coming days/weeks to see what’s happening.

Now I’m putting the colored pencil drawings inside all the editioned books. It’s the same drawing (of a cake stand?) that varies every time I draw it. I wanted it to be pretty consistent since the watercolors are already completely different in every single book.'

AWbuxit.jpg


All the pattern drawings are done. Maybe I didn’t mention that yet, since I finished them last Friday and took them to Jeff Kies, my framer (who is also an artist). He’s framing 15 little pieces. I have one oil painting to go, and as of 5:00 a.m. I was able to finish up the first 10 of the book drawings. The above isn’t really finished. They get slightly more detailed, but not by much. With everything else going on, I can do about four a day. I still have to go back to sign and letter them though.

Oh yeah…I was informed by Craig that I gave out the wrong RSVP number for the gallery in my newsletter. I gave out the fax number. Gah! I will remedy that in the show announcement when I send that out around the 1st, but the gallery number is (310) 828-6410. Sorry about that!

The oil painting is loosely sketched out onto the canvas and roughly looks like this (but don’t ask!):

opkU6Ao.jpg


* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *


********************************************************

Exclusively From Desert Dog Books

Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley Special Edition

https://desertdogbooks.com/titles/shrapnel-limited-edition/


* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

IM4qCg1.jpg


Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley by Carol Es Special Edition. These beautiful specimens are limited to 29 copies. There are 26 lettered copies, an Artist's proof (signed), a Bon á tirer (unsigned), and a Hors de Commerce (unsigned). There is one "mystery copy" that is one of a kind. Only the 26 lettered copies are available for sale.

Printed on 60# Accent warm white paper and hardbound in starched linen, and the title stamped with red foil on the spine, the book also comes with a dust jacket. Every copy includes an original colored pencil drawing on the first page, a totally unique 5 x 8 inch watercolor and ink painting on #140 watercolor paper, and a cassette mix tape of 1970s and 1980s music. All books are lettered and signed by Carol Es.

jpWs8vt.jpg


4z6S3De.jpg


X5tu2Pu.jpg


ksWLau1.jpg


70p6ZA5.jpg


r1dwmfk.jpg



* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
 

Type4_PTS

Diamond Invictus SP
Hardcover and special editions of Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley are now available.

Word!

https://esart.com/blog/word/


* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

63mKR8S.jpg


I’m finally feeling like I’m getting things done, probably because I AM! The To-Do list is finally getting shorter (I never thought that would happen), and I sent out my newsletter on Tuesday. (Sign up now!) I wanted to give my mailing list first dibs on pre-purchasing signed copies of my books and giving them first crack at the big discount on the limited edition copies. Everyone gets a bit more than two weeks at the pre-sale price, which is a $100 savings. Lots of bang for your buck, as they say. But there was one piece of news I had to leave out of the newsletter that I will announce now.

UPDATE: I guess I should’ve also mentioned that the signed trade copies that are available for pre-sale on the Desert Dog Books website are for the same low price as Amazon with free shipping. Those of you that received the newsletter would have known that.

I had to keep it under wraps until it was officially announced, or I would have tooted my shofar since I’m pretty thrilled about it. I was awarded the Bruce Geller Memorial Prize WORD Grant for Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley. This is an amazing honor and it still hasn’t really sunk in yet. This award is a project of the American Jewish University’s Institute for Jewish Creativity which supports artists living and working in Los Angeles. The funding for my project is one of nine awards given out for 2019. Pretty awesome!

Also, I’m going to be doing a blog book tour. I don’t have all the blogs booked yet, but check on my blog tour page in the coming days/weeks to see what’s happening.

Now I’m putting the colored pencil drawings inside all the editioned books. It’s the same drawing (of a cake stand?) that varies every time I draw it. I wanted it to be pretty consistent since the watercolors are already completely different in every single book.'

AWbuxit.jpg


All the pattern drawings are done. Maybe I didn’t mention that yet, since I finished them last Friday and took them to Jeff Kies, my framer (who is also an artist). He’s framing 15 little pieces. I have one oil painting to go, and as of 5:00 a.m. I was able to finish up the first 10 of the book drawings. The above isn’t really finished. They get slightly more detailed, but not by much. With everything else going on, I can do about four a day. I still have to go back to sign and letter them though.

Oh yeah…I was informed by Craig that I gave out the wrong RSVP number for the gallery in my newsletter. I gave out the fax number. Gah! I will remedy that in the show announcement when I send that out around the 1st, but the gallery number is (310) 828-6410. Sorry about that!

The oil painting is loosely sketched out onto the canvas and roughly looks like this (but don’t ask!):

opkU6Ao.jpg


* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *


********************************************************

Exclusively From Desert Dog Books

Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley Special Edition

https://desertdogbooks.com/titles/shrapnel-limited-edition/


* * * * * BEGIN EXCERPT * * * * *

IM4qCg1.jpg


Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley by Carol Es Special Edition. These beautiful specimens are limited to 29 copies. There are 26 lettered copies, an Artist's proof (signed), a Bon á tirer (unsigned), and a Hors de Commerce (unsigned). There is one "mystery copy" that is one of a kind. Only the 26 lettered copies are available for sale.

Printed on 60# Accent warm white paper and hardbound in starched linen, and the title stamped with red foil on the spine, the book also comes with a dust jacket. Every copy includes an original colored pencil drawing on the first page, a totally unique 5 x 8 inch watercolor and ink painting on #140 watercolor paper, and a cassette mix tape of 1970s and 1980s music. All books are lettered and signed by Carol Es.

jpWs8vt.jpg


4z6S3De.jpg


X5tu2Pu.jpg


ksWLau1.jpg


70p6ZA5.jpg


r1dwmfk.jpg



* * * * * END EXCERPT * * * * *
Just ordered my copy! :)
 

CommunicatorIC

@IndieScieNews on Twitter
PODCAST: Interview with Carol Es: Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley.

This Is Not A Test - Interview with Carol Es: Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley

https://thisisnotatest.com/interview-with-carol-es-shrapnel-in-the-san-fernando-valley/

* * * * * BEGIN INTRODUCTION * * * * *

In this ear-crushing aural assault on the senses, artist and author Carol Es talks to us on the day her debut memoir Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley is published. Okay, it’s not really an “ear-crushing aural assault on the senses,” it’s just an interview, but lend a crushed ear to hear about Carol’s adventures in writing and publishing a book, as well as her take on how Scientology ultimately affected her approach to the book (probably not in the way you might think), how her friends and family have reacted (before even reading the book), about her upcoming book launch/art show at the Craig Krull Gallery in Santa Monica, and how ultimately the truth will always set you free.

Links mentioned in the episode:

Interview with artist and writer Carol Es
Desert Dog Books
Shrapnel in the San Fernando Valley
Los Angeles artist Carol Es – THIS IS NOT A TEST #3
The death of the truth

* * * * * END INTRODUCTION * * * * *

EDITED TO ADD:

The podcast is on YouTube.

 
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