Devil On My Trail | December 10, 2024 | Unsolicited Press
It was an accident. Marc's hand slipped and he played the secret chord that summons the Devil—the same chord Jimi Hendrix and Robert Johnson knew. The one Keith Richards’ ghost showed him years ago in a moment of weakness. When all hell breaks loose, Marc is pulled into a quest to collect magical artifacts from rock and roll history to prepare for a showdown with the Devil. Marc’s road is instantly beset with supernatural forces working against him, but he isn’t alone. Not by a longshot. Riding shotgun is his band of misfits: the pop-culture loving Bollocks; the burgeoning rock journalist Maybelline; the occult practitioner Tanner; and Marc’s ghost buddy who brought this all about in the first place, Keith Richards.
Along the way he crosses paths with Papa Legba and one of the biggest rock stars of the 20th century, who just so happens to be the Devil’s son. Failure means eternal damnation—not only for himself, but for his friends and Keith Richards' ghost, who needs Marc to help him win back his own soul traded years ago. Armed with one of the most famous guitars in history, a leather jacket that may have been worn by Elvis, and a magic guitar pick, this should be a piece of cake. But when bargaining with the Devil, it might take more than tricks and sick guitar riffs to save their souls.
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Along the way he crosses paths with Papa Legba and one of the biggest rock stars of the 20th century, who just so happens to be the Devil’s son. Failure means eternal damnation—not only for himself, but for his friends and Keith Richards' ghost, who needs Marc to help him win back his own soul traded years ago. Armed with one of the most famous guitars in history, a leather jacket that may have been worn by Elvis, and a magic guitar pick, this should be a piece of cake. But when bargaining with the Devil, it might take more than tricks and sick guitar riffs to save their souls.
ORDER ORDER ORDER ORDER ORDER ORDER ORDER
Advanced Praise
"Devil On My Trail is a concept album without the bloat, where Side A puts together a conspiracy-board version of the rock pantheon, connecting everyone from Robert Johnson to Leonard Cohen to Tenacious D, and Side B takes us on an alternate-history road trip down America's black magic byways. A rollicking novel from DiFranco—all killer, no filler." –Jeremy P. Bushnell, author of Relentless Melt
"Daniel DiFranco’s Devil On My Trail is the story you’ve been looking for. A tale that reads like a house on fire, blazing trails between devils and rock n’ roll and the ghost of Keith Richards. DiFranco’s book makes all the fun, dangerous choices. Read it with your favorite booze in hand." –Micheal Poore, author of Reincarnation Blues
"Looking for an indie Grady Hendrix? Look no further. Daniel DiFranco's Devil on My Trail is a sharp, fun, funny, scary, wild, unpredictable ride, well worth catching." –Catherine Baab-Muguira, author of Poe for Your Problems: Uncommon Advice from History's Least Likely Self-Help Guru
"Imagine School of Rock meets Stranger Things meets Almost Famous meets Space Jam, and if you're wondering how that conglomeration could possibly describe one novel, you're right, it seems impossible, but DiFranco does it. You'll be crowdsurfing on an encyclopedia over waves of bourbon and Philly sewage before you know it. And you will lap it up. And you will like it. Devil On My Trail takes you on an otherworldly vision quest, possessing you with a rhythm that teaches you how to serve the song and own the stage all at once." –Claire Hopple, author of Echo Chamber
"Daniel DiFranco’s Devil On My Trail is the story you’ve been looking for. A tale that reads like a house on fire, blazing trails between devils and rock n’ roll and the ghost of Keith Richards. DiFranco’s book makes all the fun, dangerous choices. Read it with your favorite booze in hand." –Micheal Poore, author of Reincarnation Blues
"Looking for an indie Grady Hendrix? Look no further. Daniel DiFranco's Devil on My Trail is a sharp, fun, funny, scary, wild, unpredictable ride, well worth catching." –Catherine Baab-Muguira, author of Poe for Your Problems: Uncommon Advice from History's Least Likely Self-Help Guru
"Imagine School of Rock meets Stranger Things meets Almost Famous meets Space Jam, and if you're wondering how that conglomeration could possibly describe one novel, you're right, it seems impossible, but DiFranco does it. You'll be crowdsurfing on an encyclopedia over waves of bourbon and Philly sewage before you know it. And you will lap it up. And you will like it. Devil On My Trail takes you on an otherworldly vision quest, possessing you with a rhythm that teaches you how to serve the song and own the stage all at once." –Claire Hopple, author of Echo Chamber
Panic Years (2018) Available Here
Be good.
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Be evil.
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Feed the monkey.
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Whatnow?!
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"DiFranco creates a world that nicely draws back the curtain on the rock life that most people fantasize about. It’s an insightful and illustrative read." - Bruce Warren Executive Producer of World Cafe on NPR Music
"Panic Years is authentic, bighearted, and fun. The novel's tight pacing and uncynical approach to its subject matter capture the essence of a young group on the road—a trip to be savored, one gritty gig at a time." -Foreword Reviews
"This is more than a great rock novel—it's a great novel about work, friendship, and making art against all odds."
- Dave Housley author of Massive Cleansing Fire and co-founder of Barrelhouse
"DiFranco creates a world that nicely draws back the curtain on the rock life that most people fantasize about. It’s an insightful and illustrative read." - Bruce Warren Executive Producer of World Cafe on NPR Music
"Panic Years is authentic, bighearted, and fun. The novel's tight pacing and uncynical approach to its subject matter capture the essence of a young group on the road—a trip to be savored, one gritty gig at a time." -Foreword Reviews
"This is more than a great rock novel—it's a great novel about work, friendship, and making art against all odds."
- Dave Housley author of Massive Cleansing Fire and co-founder of Barrelhouse
Daniel DiFranco lives in Philadelphia. He teaches high school English and music.
He graduated from Temple University with a BS in English Education, and Arcadia University with an MFA in Creative Writing. In a former life he studied guitar and music performance until he realized the real money is in teaching and writing. Sometimes he writes about music. He doesn't play music about writing, though. That would be boring.
His work has appeared in Smokelong Quarterly, Fractured Lit, Monkeybicycle, LitroNY, and other fine publications. His writing has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. He is co-host of the podcast book.record.beer.
You may have seen him play in Philadelphia indie bands Those People and Panic Years, but it's ok if you didn't. What's not ok is if you don't check out imani! (produced by Daniel DiFranco).
He graduated from Temple University with a BS in English Education, and Arcadia University with an MFA in Creative Writing. In a former life he studied guitar and music performance until he realized the real money is in teaching and writing. Sometimes he writes about music. He doesn't play music about writing, though. That would be boring.
His work has appeared in Smokelong Quarterly, Fractured Lit, Monkeybicycle, LitroNY, and other fine publications. His writing has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize and Best of the Net. He is co-host of the podcast book.record.beer.
You may have seen him play in Philadelphia indie bands Those People and Panic Years, but it's ok if you didn't. What's not ok is if you don't check out imani! (produced by Daniel DiFranco).
Photo Credit Ellie Miller ©2017