The Otto Digmore Series Book Tour & Giveaway

The Otto Digmore Difference The Otto Digmore Series Book 1 by Brent Hartinger Genre: New Adult Humorous M/M Romance

“Road trip!” Otto Digmore is a 26-year-old gay guy with dreams of being a successful actor, and he’s finally getting some attention as a result of his supporting role on a struggling sitcom. But he’s also a burn survivor with scars on half his face, and all indications are that he’s just too different to ever find real Hollywood success. Now he’s up for an amazing new role that could change everything. Problem is, he and his best friend Russel Middlebrook have to drive all the way across the country in order to get to the audition on time. It’s hard to say which is worse: the fact that so many things go wrong, or that Russel, an aspiring screenwriter, keeps comparing their experiences to some kind of road trip movie. There’s also the fact that Otto and Russel were once boyfriends, and Otto is starting to realize that he might still have romantic feelings for his best friend. Just how far will Otto go to get the role, and maybe the guy, of his dreams? Author Brent Hartinger first introduced the character of Otto Digmore in 2005, in his Lambda Award-winning books about Russel Middlebrook. Back then, Otto was something pretty unusual for YA literature: a disabled gay character. Now, more than a decade later, Otto is grown up and finally stepping into the spotlight on his own. The Otto Digmore Difference, the first book in a new stand-alone series for adults, is about much more than the challenges of being “different.” It’s also about the unexpected nature of all of life’s journeys, and the heavy price that must be paid for Hollywood fame. But more than anything, it’s a different kind of love story, about the frustrating and fantastic power of the love between two friends. Add to GoodreadsAmazon * B&N * Kobo * Website

The Otto Digmore Decision The Otto Digmore Series Book 2

“If we get caught, they’ll throw us in jail. On the other hand, we’ll have been involved in one of the craziest Hollywood stories I’ve ever heard, and maybe someone will want to turn *that* into a movie!” Otto Digmore is back, still trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood (despite his facial scars), but frustrated by all the schemers who’ll stab you in the back to get ahead. But then Otto’s good friend Russel Middlebrook sells a screenplay, a heist movie set in the Middle Ages — and Otto has been cast in an important supporting role! For twelve weeks, Otto and Russel will be on location together in England and Malta. Problem is, once production is underway, it quickly becomes clear that the director is ruining Russel’s script. If the movie ends up being the bomb that both Otto and Russel expect it to be, it could destroy both their Hollywood careers forever. But Otto and Russel aren’t willing to take that chance. Together, they hatch a crazy plan to make a good movie behind the director’s back! But how far are they willing to go to save their careers? Are they willing to become exactly the kind of scheming backstabbers they always said they hated? The Otto Digmore Decision is partly a caper story, partly a humorous Hollywood satire. It’s also an inside look at the struggles of anyone “different,” and it’s even something of a love story, except it’s one between two friends. More than anything, The Otto Digmore Decision proves the old adage about creative pursuits: the most interesting drama always happens behind the scenes! Add to GoodreadsAmazon * B&N * Kobo * Website

I am Brent Hartinger, a novelist and screenwriter. I’ve published fourteen novels, had nine screenplays optioned, and had two of my projects turned into feature films. My first novel, GEOGRAPHY CLUB (2003), is the story of a gay teen named Russel Middlebrook. It was one of the first in a new wave of break-out LGBTQ young adult fiction, and it was adapted as a feature film in 2013. I subsequently wrote three more books about Russel, calling them The Russel Middlebrook Series. I tried to give these books a lot of humor and heart. In 2013, I continued Russel’s story as he grew up, into his twenties, in a new, stand-alone series called Russel Middlebook: The Futon Years. These books are “new adult” (making Russel one of very few literary characters to “jump” genres in projects created by the same author). In 2017, I released a new, stand-alone series starring Russel’s gay disabled friend Otto Digmore, called The Otto Digmore Series. I love mysteries and thrillers. My 2016 gay teen puzzle box thriller THREE TRUTHS AND A LIE was nominated for an Edgar Award (this, and my 2005 novel GRAND & HUMBLE, are real mind-benders, trust me). My 2007 YA mystery, PROJECT PAY DAY, is much lighter, and has also been adapted as feature film (which I wrote), to be released in 2020. Here are all my books: THE OTTO DIGMORE SERIES * The Otto Digmore Difference (book 1) * The Otto Digmore Decision (book 2) RUSSEL MIDDLEBROOK: THE FUTON YEARS * The Thing I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Know (book #1) * Barefoot in the City of Broken Dreams (book #2) * The Road to Amazing (book #3) THE RUSSE MIDDLE BROOK SERIES * Geography Club (book #1) * The Order of the Poison Oak (book #2) * Double Feature: Attack of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies/Bride of the Soul-Sucking Brain Zombies (book #3) * The Elephant of Surprise (book #4) * Two Thousand Pounds Per Square Inch (a free short story) MY OTHER BOOKS * Project Pay Day * Three Truths and a Lie * Grand & Humble * Shadow Walkers I also love to travel. In fact, I no longer have a home. Instead, I travel the world indefinitely with my husband, writer Michael Jensen, moving to a new country every few months. You can follow our “digital nomad” journey at BrentandMichaelAreGoingPlaces.com I try hard to write books that are page-turners, and movies that are fast- paced and accessible. If I had to describe my own writing projects, I would say, “Strong central concept, strong plot, strong character and voice.” Basically, I see myself as a storyteller. But I think “story” is a lot more than “beautiful language” or complicated camera angles, which I often find self-indulgent and distracting. In most cases, I think the important thing for a writer or filmmaker is to get out of the way and just tell the damn story. I answer all questions, so feel free to contact me on social media, or through my website: BrentHartinger.com Cheers! Brent Hartinger Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

People are staring at me, and I’m in the moment, and I want it to go on forever.
I’m boarding a plane in Seattle, and even the other First Class passengers have their eyes on
me as I store my bag above my seat. One women is staring so intently her dangly earrings don’t
move, and I’m glad I wore my Vince V-neck because I like the way it makes my chest look.
The first person to actually talk to me is a teenage girl who’s managed to work her way up
from the aisle of Business Class.
“Sorry,” she says. “Are you Otto Digmore?”
“I am,” I say with my practiced modesty.
She holds up her phone, a bit meekly, meaning she wants to take a selfie with me.
“Sure thing,” I say, cool and confident.
She steps toward my left side — they always step to my left side, at least if they have any say
in the matter, as far from my right side as possible. I’m still not sure if it’s because they’re afraid
to get too close to the right side of my face, or if they think it’ll make a better photo if it isn’t
covered up.
The girl and I lean in close — her shampoo smells fruity, like fake strawberries — and out of
the corner of my eye, I see her face suddenly light up like a Christmas tree, sparkling. I smile
too, but more like cool neon, and she snaps the picture. I wait for her to check the screen, then
smile apologetically and lean in for a second shot — they always want a second shot — and I
smile again, exactly the same as before. By this point, the flight attendant has appeared, and
she’s
all business, directing the girl back to her seat, then standing between me and the aisle,
because
she knows this could start a chain reaction and lots of other people will want selfies too, unless
she puts a stop to it right now.
With the girl gone, I squeeze past a businessman in the aisle seat — he has white hair but
actually looks kind of boyish — and I sit down next to the window.
“Can I get you both a drink before takeoff?” the flight attendant asks.
“I’ll have a martini,” the businessman says, but he’s staring at me. I know it’s partly because
he’s recognized me, knows that I’m famous, but he wouldn’t be able to say why.
“Bottled water, please,” I say.
Before she leaves, the flight attendant leans in and whispers to me conspiratorially, “You’re
the best part of Hammered.”
The businessman grins: he’s realized I’m an actor on a TV show. Finally, he has an
explanation for his recognizing me, and for the girl wanting to take that selfie.
“Thanks,” I say to the flight attendant, “that’s so nice of you to say.”
Hammered is a sitcom on the CW network, about this guy named Mike Hammer and all his
friends in a college dorm — mostly about how they’re always getting drunk and getting laid.
I play Dustin, one of the other guys in the dorm, even though I’m actually twenty-six years
old. It’s a supporting role, but I am a regular cast member, not just featured. The show debuted
in
June, and me and my character ended up getting a lot of attention. I even got invited to be on
both Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Kimmel — the last guest slot on both, true, but I was the only
actor from Hammered who was asked. It’s the start of October now, and my life has been turned
upside down. Somehow I’ve become a celebrity. And people stare at celebrities, and ask to take
selfies, and generally make a big fuss.
It’s taken a while to get used to being famous — to being the center of attention. The
publicists at the studio all said the same thing: You’re an actor, so think of being famous as a
role
you’re playing. You’re playing the version of “you” that your fans most want to see, someone
humble and charming and accessible, and also cool and confident and hip. Your fans want to
like
you, so give them lots of reasons to do that.
This was good advice. And so for the last four months, I’ve been playing two roles: Dustin,
my role on Hammered, and Otto Digmore, the celebrity I want everyone to like. As an actor, I

know that the most important part of acting is about being present, being in the moment, or at
least seeming that way, even if you’re not necessarily feeling it.
Being famous is the strangest role I’ve ever played.
But being on Hammered, and being famous, isn’t the reason I’m feeling so good right now.
I’ve just come from the weekend wedding of my friend Russel Middlebrook to his longtime
boyfriend, Kevin Land. I wasn’t in a very good mood when I got there — the reason why is a
long story — and I hadn’t expected to have a very good time. But it was amazing. I even sang a
song I wrote for the occasion, and it went over really well.
The wedding was earlier today — it’s evening now — and I’m still on a high. So right now it’s
easy to give off the sense of being humble and charming and accessible, and also cool and
confident and hip. I barely have to act.
“Going to L.A., huh?” the boyish businessman with white hair asks me, and I’m aware it’s a
stupid question — we’re on a plane to Los Angeles, obviously. But I smile and nod, because I
know it’s an excuse for him to talk to me, to tell his friends and maybe his kids that he spoke to
Otto Digmore, an actual celebrity.
I turn and look out the window, but the lights are still on inside the plane, so all I see is the
reflection of the First Class cabin in the clear plastic.
I also see my face — the whole right side.
It’s covered with scars. In some places, it looks a little bit like my face is melting.
This is the other reason the businessman was staring at me. The good news is that I still have
both my eyebrows.
I have more scars too. They run down onto my shoulder and chest, hidden by my clothes, and
also up under my hairline. Most of my hair is real, but one small part of it isn’t — it’s a hairpiece
that’s woven into my actual hair. It was really expensive, and it has to be adjusted every three
weeks, but it looks real. Not even my friend Russel knows about it.
When I was seven years old, I had an accident with some fire. I tell people I was playing with
matches and some gasoline I found in the garage. I’ve never told anyone the truth, not even my
parents or the therapist. I wanted to be Pyro, the X-Man who can control fire. I wasn’t quite
stupid enough to pour gasoline on myself, but I poured it on these Nerf sponge balls that I was
going to light and throw. Didn’t quite work out that way.
I know I was in a lot of pain for a long time, but I don’t remember any of that. I guess I’ve
blocked it out. There isn’t any pain now, and I don’t even notice if my skin is tight or anything —
it just feels like me. But I have to be careful, because the smell of gasoline can still sometimes
set off a panic attack.
My scars used to be worse. As I got older, I had surgeries and skin grafts, and the scars also
healed more than any doctor ever told me they would. But it’s impossible not to see them. If you
touch them, they feel both smoother than other skin, and also thicker. Whiskers don’t grow
there,
so I also have to shave every day, otherwise I look like I only have half a beard. That’s probably
the least of my worries, looks-wise, but it still makes me feel self-conscious.
Sitting in my window seat, I hear a scraping out on the tarmac, and I lean forward to look
outside. I still can’t see anything, only my own reflection in the plastic, but now I see the other
side of my face, which looks like everyone else’s — no scars. It’s not like there’s a clear dividing
line between the two halves of my face, but if you only see me from the left, you can’t see the
scars at all.
I know it’s weird that someone like me chose to become an actor, but it’s what I’ve really
wanted to do ever since high school. It’s ironic that people stared at me even before I was a
celebrity. They’ve stared at me for as long as I can remember. I could say that it’s been really
traumatizing, and it probably has been, but it’s hard for me to know for sure, because that feels
like me too. How people treated me before the accident is another thing I don’t remember.
But the way people stare at me is definitely different now. Before, I could always feel the pity.
Now it’s mostly people with smiles on their faces and admiration in their eyes. Because I’m on
TV. I’m one of the cool kids. That’s never been me before.
“Here you go,” the flight attendant says, putting my bottled water on the beverage holder on
the armrest and giving the martini to the businessman. “Can I get you gentlemen anything
else?”
“Nah, I’m good,” I say, and I realize that the businessman is looking at me, leaning forward a

half inch or so, trying to get a better look at the scarred side of my face.
I unscrew the top of my bottled water and lift it in sort of a “Cheers!” motion. The
businessman joins me, smiling awkwardly, and we both drink.
It’s strange to think that a big part of the reason I’m a celebrity now is because of my scars. It
was sort of a fluke that the producers hired me. My agent somehow managed to get me an
audition, and the producers liked me so much that they ended up creating a whole new
character
for me, basing him on my own experiences, writing my facial scars into the storylines. Then me
and my character started getting all this attention. I stand out because I’m so different. That’s
ironic too, because I’ve been acting forever, but for a long time I couldn’t get any parts at all,
except as zombies in student films, and as the Elephant Man and the Phantom in The Phantom
of
the Opera in college productions.
Who would have thought that burning myself with gasoline when I was seven would have
turned out to be a pretty good career move? But it did kind of work.
Almost everyone in the plane is seated now, and they’re getting ready for takeoff. We’ll be in
the air soon with all our media devices turned off, but I decide to text Spencer, this guy I’ve gone
out with a few times.
Sup? I write. I had a great time at the wedding, but I really missed you!
“Can I take a picture?” a voice says.
I look over, and it’s a kid in the aisle, maybe ten years old, holding up his phone.
I glance at the businessman, apologizing with my eyes, but he’s more impressed than
anything. I also look around for the flight attendant, but she must be up in the galley pouring
more drinks.
So I say to the kid, “Sure thing,” cool and confident again. Then I squeeze my way back out
into the aisle.

$20 Amazon gift card, plus choice of any two e-versions of my previous books. Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! a Rafflecopter giveaway