Eric Kelly’s hilarious yet thought-provoking new novel will strike a chord with the millions of Americans who have faced the uphill battle of redundancy and job-seeking in a post-9/11 economy. Protagonist Stan Smith serves as a microcosm for this epidemic; rapidly replacing his (lack of) job security and paychecks with a new life of late morning, cheap beer and a slew of degrading slavish stopgaps. Will he get his glory back? How does his story relate to those of real-world pink slip recipients and is there really humor to be found in losing one’s livelihood? ‘In This Tough Economy’ answers it all.
Hilliard, OH -- (SBWIRE) -- 09/19/2014 -- Millions of Americans have ended up at home by Noon on a Monday, with a box of desk toys in their hand and a pink slip rolled up in their back pocket. Of course, while it would be nice to think of unemployment as a rare event, it’s a reality many are facing time and time again as the economy sinks to new lows. Many authors shy away from including unemployment in their fiction, but Eric Kelly tackles this evil not just with gusto, but with humor.
‘In This Tough Economy’ twists plenty of fact into the fray to depict one man’s fall from grace and insurmountable struggle to get his status, routine and bank balance back. Kelly injects just the right amount of dry and unlikely humor, to prove that good things can eventually happen.
Synopsis:
In This Tough Economy takes a humorous look at unemployment through the eyes of Graphic Designer Stan Smith. Stan had dreams of climbing the corporate ladder…until it was kicked out from under him! After coming to work one morning Stan realized something wasn’t right. This was especially true after H.R. handed Stan his walking papers and threw him out in the street, literally! Join Stan as he finds out losing his job isn’t an easy prospect, especially In This Tough Economy!
“I take a Dr. Seuss-esque approach to what is a very touchy subject, but one that does have humor attached,” explains Kelly. “Many people are stuck in a vicious circle as companies stop hiring ‘outsiders’, increase layoffs and in turn force more and more qualified people to enter the pool for jobs that actually are hiring.”
Continuing, “You’d be amazed what people get up to during their unemployed days, and the lengths they’ll go to in order to find work. That’s what I’m trying to show the lighter side of – the complete reversal of life. Stan was a driven graphic designer who ended up slouched on the couch all day watching Maury, scraping through his assistance checks and having to work hard to muster the energy to tie his bath robe up for the daily trip to the mailbox. Of course, he only brings home rejection letters.”
The narrative’s cocktail of whining co-workers, pointless H.R. Managers and even a kinky Congressman also shines the spotlight on the growing culture of temporary work.
“It’s tough trading in a good job for menial work, like flipping burgers or stamping envelopes in an office all day, but those who have found their unemployment checks running out do just that. Stan signs up for temp agency and finds out just what a slog it is. But throughout the calamities and hilarity he teaches us a lesson – never give up, as good things can happen. Everyone has been in a tight spot at some time or another, making Stan’s story pertinent to all,” Kelly adds.
With unemployment rates sky-rocketing and the book’s popularity increasing, interested readers are urged to purchase their copies as soon as possible.
‘In This Tough Economy’ is available now: http://amzn.to/1AQKdDa. Also available in the Apple iBooks store.
About Eric Kelly
Eric Kelly grew up a native of Columbus Ohio. He graduated from Northland High School and went on to receive his B.A. from Ohio University. Like Stan Smith from In This Tough Economy, Eric was downsized shortly after 9/11. “I remember checking my Monday morning e-mail and seeing two to three new names who were suddenly no longer with the company. This procedure continued until about the fourth week when I was visited by the head manager and an empty brown box.”
Drawing on his experiences and a lot of fun adlib, Eric decided
to write ‘In This Tough Economy’. “My hope is the general public can laugh at Stan Smith’s unemployment ordeal as much as I have. I like to think most of us can find the story relatable, but also uplifting to those currently without a job.”