Double Exposure Uses Art, Literature, Film, and Photography to Save the Environment

 

Florida novelist, playwright, columnist, and filmmaker Michael Lister is bringing together a host of artists and various art forms for the release of his new novel, “Double Exposure.” The goal—far more than promoting his new literary thriller, to actually support environmental protection and conservation.

“Like most artists, I’ve always been involved in several art forms,” Lister said. “There’s something about creativity that can’t be contained. And though writing is the center of my creative universe, I enjoy acting, directing, design, and filmmaking. Everything you do informs and makes everything else better.”

Lister’s new novel, set deep in the dangerous river swamps of North Florida, is a suspenseful, life-and-death tale of survival.

“In addition to an action-adventure story, “Double Exposure” is a literary love letter to the Apalachicola River basin where it’s set. And since it’s about a wildlife photographer and touches on conservation, I thought it presented a great opportunity to bring together various art forms to appreciate and celebrate the region and educate people on how to care for it.”

“In “Double Exposure,” wildlife photographer, Remington James, is struggling to survive and the odds are against him. I see the river system the same way—fighting to survive, and I want to do all I can to help make sure it does. I think using the arts is one of the very best ways to get the word out.”

            In “Double Exposure,” one fateful fall evening, as the sun sinks and the darkness expands, wildlife photographer, Remington James, ventures deep into the river swamp to try out some new equipment and check his camera traps.

Encountering the kind of wildlife that made him want to be a photographer in the first place, Remington gets some of the best shots of his life, but he’s about to happen upon the most dangerous animal of all—a feral, patient, sociopath who wants Remington dead.

While checking his camera traps, scanning the eerie images of overexposed deer and bats and foxes, Remington comes across the most haunting images of his life—the frame-by-frame murder of a helpless young woman.

By exposing the killer, Remington has exposed himself to danger, even possible extinction. Hunted like an animal, by the predator and his psychotic friends, Remington must do two things: make it through the night and make it to the river -- and the odds of doing either are slim to none.

An ode to the wild wonder of North Florida, “Double Exposure” is far more than a literary action adventure story. It’s a meditation on life and death and art and meaning you won’t soon forget.

“Few things give meaning to our lives the way art does,” Lister said. “That’s what the book is about, what I’m interested in exploring—meaning. How to have a meaningful life. What to do if it we find we don’t have the meaningful life we want. That’s what Remington’s wrestling with during what might be his last night on earth.”

But Lister is quick to say “Double Exposure” is not a message disguised as a novel. “There’s nothing preachy about the book. My first job is to provide an entertaining experience for the reader, and I really think I have. But I want it to be inspiring and thought-provoking, too. For me, the key is for everything to rise organically from the protagonist and his predicament. There’s nothing in ‘Double Exposure’ that doesn’t meet that criteria.” 

Lister is donating all the profits from “Double Exposure” toward protecting the land and animals the book celebrates. A documentary film is being produced about the project which will be shown at events this fall. It will feature readings from “Double Exposure,” art, photography by Clyde Butcher, Elam Stoltzfus, and Debbie Hooper, and music inspired by the extraordinary and inspirational Apalachicola River basin.

“We’ve put together an entire evening of multi-media presentations for the launch of the book and we’ll be traveling all over the region with it,” Lister said. “It’s very exciting—a way to make this about far more than just the release of another book. I really think it’ll not only be very entertaining and inspiring, but hopefully make a difference.”

Additionally, “Double Exposure” will performed as a play in November at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Florida.

“It’s so exciting to see other artist adapt and interpret my work,” Lister said. “Jason Hedden the director, is doing an amazing job. It won’t be a traditional play as much as a dramatic presentation of the book. It’s very cool. I hope everyone will go see it—I just hope they read the book first. And with the book coming out in September and the play in November, that should give people plenty of time. In fact, all they need is one evening. Put on a pot of coffee, plug in, and prepare to be thrilled as you race toward the end.”

“Double Exposure” will be published by Tyrus Books in September. For more information, go to www.TyrusBooks.com or www.MichaelLister.com

Join Michael and other artists at the following “Double Exposure” Cultural and Arts Events: September 5th at Gaskin Park in Wewahitchka; September 8th  at the Bay County Public Library in Panama City; September 10th at The Rabbit Hole in Downtown Panama City; September 12th at Books-a-Million in Panama City and Borders on Panama City Beach; September 15th  at Palm Tree Books in Port St. Joe; September 19th Gulf Coast Writers Conference in Panama City; November 18th -- 22nd  at Gulf Coast Community College for the “Double Exposure” play and art and photography exhibit.