Critical Blast Publishing

Featuring stories from Eric Shanower, Troy Riser, Michael Tierney, and seventeen other masters of the form, FANTASTIC VOYAGES is all about doors -- doors in this world we were never

For years, readers have known R. J. Carter as a storyteller through novels, short fiction, essays, comics, and publishing projects. On August 14, Carter adds a new chapter to that creative journey with the release of his debut Americana album, Another Second Chapter.

Built around ten story-driven songs, Another Second Chapter explores faith, family, gratitude, regret, perseverance, adoption, working-class life, and the unexpected turns that reshape a life. The album began with two deeply personal songs: Days Ahead, written after the realization that the years ahead had become fewer than the years behind, and The Boy I Told Goodbye, a reflection on the son Carter placed for adoption three decades ago.