You Can Pre-Order My Novel Now!

For real. Holy shit.

Since starting this space five months ago, I’ve often mentioned this novel of mine. It felt weird at times, because aside from a Publisher’s Marketplace announcement last year, I didn’t have anything concrete to point you towards to prove it is a real thing.

But no more!

Today, I am excited to share that my debut novel VICTIM, which will be published on March 12, 2024, is officially available for pre-order! 

It’s real. I still can’t believe it.

I’d love it if you would consider pre-ordering the book here through my favorite and indispensable indie bookstore in Miami, Books & Books. If you do, you’ll get your copy signed by yours truly. 

If you prefer, however, the book is also available for pre-order through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

As I’ve written many times before here, I poured 10 years of my life into this novel. I learned a ton along the way about how to be a writer, lessons which I’ve committed to sharing in bits and pieces on this Substack with you–in the hopes that they might be helpful. 

I’ve said little in that time, however, about what my novel is actually about. 

What is VICTIM about?

VICTIM centers on the story of Javier Perez, a hustler from a family of hustlers. 

From an early age, Javi (as he’s called by loved ones) learns that his seemingly tragic background—murdered drug dealer dad, single cash-strapped mom, best friend serving time for gang activity—can become a key to doors he didn’t even know existed if he molds it into the right narrative. 

Amid a culture suddenly obsessed with championing diversity and “underprivileged” people, he realizes his Puerto Rican heritage, rough Bronx upbringing, class status, and skin color provide him with currency. Currency that helps him receive a full academic scholarship to a prestigious university, and bring him one step closer to his dream of becoming a famous writer.

But as a college student, Javi doesn’t let up. He’s found a new hustle, something that doesn’t seemingly lead to death like his dad’s drug trade, and continues to embellish his life story for personal gain until there’s not even a kernel of truth left. 

The only real connection to his past is the occasional letter he trades with his incarcerated, childhood best friend, Gio. Soon after graduating, a viral essay lands Javi a coveted staff writer position at a legendary magazine where his fabulist writing is lauded for its “unique perspective.” At least, that’s what the gatekeepers tell him as his star continues to rise.

But Gio more than anyone knows who Javi really is, and sees through his game. Once he’s released from prison and Javi offers to cut him in, will he play along with Javi’s charade, or will it all come crumbling down?

A pulls no punches sendup of virtue signaling and tear-jerking trauma plots, VICTIM was written to ask what real diversity looks like and how far some of us are willing to go to make our stories hit the right notes. 

Who might like VICTIM?

If you’re a human being who appreciates good writing (fuck off A.I., or at least until you have your own money and learn how to buy things) this book is for you. 

If you’re a fan of diverse stories that present nuanced, selfish, messed up characters (real people, in other words) instead of characters who are supposed to be saints simply by virtue of their racial/ethnic background or class status, this book is for you. 

If you know there are big, systemic issues our society really needs to tackle, but also know that the way we talk about those issues—and especially online lately—have gotten ridiculous, this book is for you. 

If you’re fascinated by the stories of real life fabulists like Jussie Smollet, George Santos, Rachel Dolezal, Stephen Glass, and Jayson Blair, this book is for you. 

If you’re Latino, Puerto Rican, or like to read about Latino characters, but can’t bear to read another book where a tragic abuela quietly cries while staring into the distance and fingering a rosary, this book is for you.  

If you’re in search of a New York story that doesn’t take place in the same four neighborhoods of Brooklyn, this book is for you. 

If you know all the lyrics to Lean Back, H to the Izzo, and Big Pun’s verse on Twinz by heart, this book is for you. 

What really cool people have said about VICTIM

I’ve been so fortunate to have wonderful early readers enjoy the book. Here are some of the nice things they had to say! 

“You will burn through VICTIM and find your hands scalded when you are done. It’s not just because of the tight, engaging prose and pitch perfect voice of our narrator, Javier—but because no one is innocent in this stinging satire that turns everything about meritocracy and success on its head. Boryga pulls no punches, and leaves you alternating rolling in laughter and cringing as a result.” — Xochitl Gonzalez, author of New York Times Bestseller Olga Dies Dreaming and recent Pulitzer Prize Finalist 

“Andrew Boryga dismantles with audacious precision the lies upholding certain lives and the lethal undertow of truth. Blazing with insight, VICTIM is part social commentary and part requiem for the values of our time. This is a simply stellar debut.” — Patricia Engel, author of New York Times Bestseller Infinite Country 

“VICTIM sizzles like Tito Puente on timbales.” — Ernesto Quiñonez, author of Bodega Dreams

“VICTIM is bold, unforgettable, and wickedly funny. Andrew Boryga has written a pitch-perfect Stephen Glass cautionary tale of the 21st century and a scathing satire of the commodification of identity and experience in the attention economy. I absolutely loved it.” — Leigh Stein, author of Self Care 

“Boryga is a preternaturally gifted new voice for the aftertimes. VICTIM is a dazzling, triumphant debut that acerbically unpacks hard truths behind this post-truth era in which social media, personal branding, and the wants of others distort the lenses through which we see ourselves. And eventually distort the lens through which we see the world. An absolute scream of a debut novel. It lands like a comet of truth–raw, brilliant, unstoppable.” — Daniel Peña, author of Bang

What a pre-order means to me

If what I’ve written so far hasn’t moved you to consider pre-ordering my book, here is my personal appeal. 

I’ve been dreaming of writing a book since I was a kid. Since I was walking through the aisles of the Barnes & Nobles in Bay Plaza, thumbing spines, smelling those fresh pages and thinking damn, wouldn’t it be cool to have something like this with my name on it? 

Publishing this novel is really a dream come true.

A pre-order doesn’t only validate that dream, but also does a lot to help my book succeed out the gate when it is published next March. 

For those that don’t know, pre-order sales help determine the success and visibility of a debut novel and influences things like how many books my publisher decides to print, best seller lists, and review coverage.

Thus, by pre-ordering the book, you’re not only showing me support, you’re also helping to propel my book in ways that will allow it to reach a wider audience. 

What I’m trying to say is: A pre-order isn’t just a financial transaction. It is really a vote of confidence for me and my work. 

It would mean the world to me if you were to consider making the purchase.  

What you can do if you can’t pre-order VICTIM?

I grew up poor, even though I didn’t realize it until I got to college. I know that forking over $30 on a book is not easy—especially not these days when everything from groceries to car insurance is outrageously expensive. 

If you don’t have the funds to pre-order VICTIM right now, but would still like to help me out, here are some alternative things you might consider: 

1. Share this pre-order link to your friends and family (especially those who have money) and, if you feel up to it, include a personal appeal as to why you think they should consider buying the book. (You might even get a copy of your own out of this!)  

2. Share news about the book with your followers on social media. Word-of-mouth is everything, so a simple social media share (feel free to take the picture I have in this post, or even simply share this post itself) can go a long way. 

3. Ask your local library to purchase the book. I love libraries and couldn’t think of a higher honor than having my book available there. To make this happen at your library, Google the library system's name and “purchase request.” Most places have an online form you can fill out that asks for the title, author, and other basic information. This is my book’s ISBN if they ask for it: 9780385549974 and the release date is March 12, 2024.  

4. If you are a book reviewer who is enticed by what I’ve said thus far, early e-editions of the book are available to reviewers now through Net Galley. If you’re friends with a book reviewer, or married to one, share the link with them! Reviews help a ton.

5. If you’re not already a subscriber to my Substack, subscribe—or share the subscribe link with people who you think might enjoy it. Subscribing will help you stay abreast of future news related to the book. Along the way, you’ll also be able to read about some of the insights I’m learning through my publishing journey. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you to anyone who reads this and considers pre-ordering my novel. It means so much to me to have your support.

Peace, 

Andrew