Goodloe Byron may have graduated from the College in 2004, but when he returns to the Hilltop from time to time, he brings with him his vigorous spirit, a few copies of his latest novel, and usually his lawyer—Hunter S. Thompson style. Having finished both Mach I and Mach II of his two-year “Zero Dollars” tour, during which he gave away hundreds of copies of his book The Abstract to random American citizens, Byron has moved on to bigger and better things: Mach III.
His latest text, Revisions Of, is aptly titled. Written when he was 21, and then rewritten about ten times since then, it has definitely seen its share of revisions. The book follows Nathan First playing the role of historian. First is one of those struggling writer types, but his end goal sets him apart from the rest. In an attempt to chronicle the history of an ordinary man, he eventually becomes exceedingly ambitious, finding a little too much meaning in the superficial search for the metaphysical.
While Revisions Of may have taken him years to write, Byron’s next book, The Wraith, only took him a few weeks. “Basically I got Revisions into the printer, and then wrote [The Wraith] in the three weeks that Revisions Of was going to print,” said Byron about his latest book. Expect to be handed a copy of that book on a street corner near you sometime next year. The Wraith deals with drunken trailer park escapades and an odd little man who isn’t constricted by basic human functions like sleeping and eating.
But by far the most interesting character that has come from inside the cranium of Goodloe Byron is Goodloe Byron himself. “I don’t really believe in audiences,” Byron said when asked about what type of crowd he’s looking to attract with his latest books. “Nobody is my customer here.” in giving out his books for free, he can make certain that this is an unbiased hobby without consumer influence. Not only does Byron write all of his own books, but he also operates a small publishing company that releases all of his books, and he does his own artwork—all funded completely by his own wallet. Byron gets by with odd jobs, frugal living, and a willingness to rack up debt from time to time.
“Naturally, I’m not opposed to doing stupid things,” Byron said. And there isn’t a better way to describe the life choices of Goodloe Byron. His aim is genuine, and his goals surprisingly attainable, but he constantly puts himself through hell. His books haven’t received critical acclaim, and they may never, but his efforts won’t slow anytime soon.
