Bocaue John worked on a comic novel called Kiss My Gun in the late ’80s. He was pitching it as early as 1985, and seems to have abandoned it by 1987. It involved UFOs, MIB, midgets disguised as aliens, and, for reasons known only to the inscrutable Keel, numerous sex scenes in small enclosed spaces. He completed four chapters, as well as a few scattered synopses and addenda. His agent didn’t like it, however, and so he abandoned it. I can understand the objections, but I’m still sorry we were deprived of a Keelian comedy about UFOs. As John said, “Jeez… What’d you expect from a book titled KISS MY GUN? Tolstoy?”
Following are John’s letter to his agent, Knox Burger; Burger’s reply; and a four-page synopsis that followed the sample chapters.
John thought that COMMMUNION was “likely to fizzle.” He was wrong on that score–to say the least. KISS MY GUN was not a title likely to appeal to UFO and New Age buffs.
Comment by Ross — September 19, 2014 @ 8:36 pm
John was indeed wrong about “Communion”; it sounds like he hadn’t read it, and thought it was a novel. He wasn’t targeting UFO and New Age buffs with this; he was hoping for a mainstream audience, and a screen deal. As Burger points out, it had its problems. But I’m curious what he would have done with it!
Comment by Doug — September 19, 2014 @ 9:34 pm
Old Knox was bit harsh on John, but that’s an agent’s job. I think I tried my 1986 nonfiction book ESCORTS INTO DARKNESS (author interviews from my work with THE HORROR SHOW magazine…my mentor, J.N. Williamson, was a Keel correspondent) on Burger’s agency, but was told Douglas E. Winter (who I ended up working with on my Ray Bradbury interview) had beat me to the punch with his FACES OF FEAR. Yeah, John’s piece sounds like not the strongest he might have offered, and I see the comic intent was possibly close to that of FICKLE FINGER OF FATE. Of course, I wish it HAD been published! This was the first night of the annual Mothman Fest in Point Pleasant, by the way. Pissed off I couldn’t make it this year!
Comment by William J. Grabowski — September 20, 2014 @ 4:05 am
John had enormous respect for Knox Burger, although they didn’t always agree. I’ve never been to the Mothman Festival. I’ve been tempted, but never had the time or money for the trip from NYC. How is it?
Comment by Doug — September 22, 2014 @ 1:27 pm
Doug, the fest is a lot more lively than you might expect. Like catharsis in action, at least for locals like Jeff Wamsley and Carolin Harris (who I think knew Keel). Incredible “museum” and tours of TNT area. A good thing.
Comment by William J. Grabowski — September 23, 2014 @ 11:03 am
Well, I hope I can go some year. I need to put Mothman Pancakes on my bucket list.
Comment by Doug — September 23, 2014 @ 2:53 pm