Morty Shallman: A Maverick in Fiction, Music, and Screenwriting

Jan 21

Morty Shallman: A Maverick in Fiction, Music, and Screenwriting

Morty Shallman is a genre-defying storyteller, an audacious novelist, a visionary singer-songwriter, and a boundary-pushing screenwriter. With a body of work that blends literary depth, satirical edge, and cinematic flair, Shallman has carved a unique niche in contemporary fiction and entertainment. Whether crafting razor-sharp political commentary, darkly comedic thrillers, or groundbreaking multimedia narratives, his work consistently challenges conventions and captivates audiences.

The Author: Pioneering New Forms of Storytelling

Shallman is the author of War and Sex, a satirical erotic thriller that has been described as a "Catch-22 for the 21st Century." Exploring the paradoxes of modern warfare, masculinity, and national identity, the novel is a darkly humorous critique of America's "forever wars" and the personal battles that rage within. His other major work, The Tyranny of Desire, is a dark comedy that explores the chaos unleashed by unchecked obsession, soon to be adapted into a six-part limited series.

Always pushing boundaries, Shallman is re-releasing Last of the Zacharys as a trilogy—the world’s first "novel with songs," seamlessly integrating original lyrics into the text with full-length songs available for streaming. This innovative fusion of literature and music represents his pioneering approach to storytelling.

The Musician: A Unique Voice in the Singer-Songwriter World

As a musician, Shallman brings a distinct lyrical sensibility to his songs, blending folk, rock, and indie pop with a novelist’s eye for narrative. His albums and singles have garnered critical acclaim for their haunting melodies, clever wordplay, and emotional resonance. His work as a singer-songwriter adds a musical dimension to his literary universe, creating a multi-platform artistic experience that few can match.

The Screenwriter & Producer: Bringing Bold Stories to the Screen

With a passion for adaptation and cinematic storytelling, Shallman has written multiple screenplays, including adaptations of his own novels. His current focus includes adapting The Tyranny of Desire into a darkly comedic six-episode limited series and pitching his satirical thriller War and Sex to top production companies, and actively developing his projects with an eye toward securing talent and financing.

The Marketer & Entrepreneur: A Master at Selling Stories

Beyond his creative work, Shallman is an expert in book marketing, branding, and audience engagement. With deep knowledge of Amazon algorithms, digital advertising, and social media strategy, he has built a dedicated readership while refining the art of connecting books with their ideal audiences. His marketing prowess extends to Twitter (X), where he skillfully blends political commentary, cultural insights, and book promotion, leveraging sharp, engaging content to build his brand.

A Voice That Refuses to Be Ignored

From literary fiction to music, from novels to screenplays, from political satire to psychological depth, Morty Shallman is a creator unafraid to push limits and challenge norms. His work is an invitation—sometimes seductive, sometimes confrontational—but always compelling.

For more on his books, music, and latest projects, visit www.morty.org.

Morty Shallman

MORTY SHALLMAN was born on the West Coast of Illinois and studied creative writing at the University of Chicago. A singer, songwriter, and novelist, he is the creator of Literary Pop, an artistic genre characterized by unique mashups of pop music and literary fiction. Morty’s seminal works of Literary Pop include Love’s Oblivion, A Novel in Twelve Pop Songs (2002), Last of the Zachary’s, A Novel with Songs (2010), and Pop Fiction, An Indie-Noir Musical Thriller (2017). In 2018, Morty was the #1 Indie Recording Artist in LA (Reverbnation.com). His forthcoming novel, The Tyranny of Desire is “a fast-paced phantasmagoric satire of a debauched contemporary LA, brilliantly written and very funny,” (Robert Grossmith, author of The Empire of Lights), and his novel-in-progress, War and Sex, was shortlisted for a Faulkner-Wisdom Prize. Morty is an AWAL recording artist and a member of NARAS (The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) and the Author’s Guild. Morty currently lives in Los Angeles with his dog, Primo the Maltese.

https://www.morty.org