I Never Desired to Become an Author: How I Wrote One Hundred Novels by Golden November is a reflective work, where the author humorously recounts their unexpected journey to becoming a prolific novelist. Despite never intending to write, Golden November shares the creative processes and moments that led to the publication of 100 novels, blending personal anecdotes with a playful narrative tone. Through these stories, the book delves into the Milestoneville series, emphasizing the author's unique writing style and improvisational storytelling and explaining much of the ethos behind the series for fans to understand it in a whole new light. November's conversational and humorous tone brings a refreshing sense of self-awareness to this work about the writing process, making me feel like I was part of an ongoing dialogue with the author. Fans of the Milestoneville series will get a lot out of this work as we get to know the author better, and the use of meta-narratives, where characters interact with the author and each other, blurring the line between reality and fiction, creating a dynamic read with new perspectives on both the story and its creator.

I was particularly captivated by the author's playful approach to writing and formatting, which breaks conventional storytelling molds and offers an inventive, almost cinematic experience as readers are encouraged to act out scenes. Golden November's commitment to originality, as seen in the whimsical Milestoneville universe, provides a consistent thematic exploration of creativity, making each book feel like a distinct yet connected journey. This author's unconventional path to success and the unapologetic embrace of their unique style are both truly inspiring elements, leaving me with a newfound appreciation for the diverse ways creativity can manifest. Overall, I enthusiastically recommend I Never Desired to Become an Author to aspiring writers, book lovers, and anyone seeking an entertaining and thought-provoking look at the creative process and the unexpected turns life can take.

I Never Desired to Become an Author by Golden November recounts their unexpected journey as an author, having written over a hundred novels, mostly set in the fictional town of Milestoneville. It is actually a story that moves back into November's trademark town, following the new and the familiar, like Jackie Thomas, a pop star facing criticism from rival Pineapple at a music awards show, and Click Clack, who transitions from a ranch worker to an actor. JBT and G, former employees of the GN Book Hunting Agency, start their own business, working on book retrievals and dealing with Milestoneville's own rare bookstore runners, Flower Rose and June. Things heat up as JBT and G encounter others, such as Dr. Yes and Oliver, whose book transaction leads to complications. The mixed storylines also feature Milestoneville’s entertainment industry, from awards ceremonies to auditions, and the personal and professional lives of its residents.

Golden November’s I Never Desired to Become an Author is another wonderful dive into the world of Milestoneville. November inserts themselves again into the story, teasing us with a backstory on authorship and throwing any lines between fiction and reality out the window. Acting instead of reading, the characters come alive through the interactions of participants. Even with the dangerous aftermath of skydiving mishaps and shady dealings of rare book auctions, the argument among actors will remain: Who gets to be Golden November? In all the books, there is always a standout and, naturally, here it is the introduction of November's journey. November creates an immersive book that keeps readers hooked. Though the stories run through a wide range of subplots, the author makes sure each one ties firmly into the larger, more unpredictable picture of Milestoneville. Very highly recommended.

Author Golden November brings all his popular characters from the Milestoneville Series and other books into this entertaining action-adventure caper that defies genre conventions. I Never Desired to Become an Author opens with the author having a conversation about an envelope that hasn't been opened in the last five years. The scene switches to the Channel 1994 Music Awards Show, where a colorful cast of characters gathers. Jackie Thomas, the millennial artist, performs, and The Host entertains the audience. Meanwhile, GN tells Click Clack's story, which begins with his father, Chatsworth, in 1948. Finally, GN explains how G and JBT were incorporated into the Milestoneville narrative, and now they are off on another adventure. The GN Book Hunting Agency seeks to recover a rare book from the collector Bookmark. G and JBT delve into the case along with their friends.

I Never Desired to Become an Author pays homage to all those secondary characters who have appeared in Golden November's books over the years. The meta-storytelling style complements the experimental narrative structure of the plot, and it makes this novel unlike most other books. The fourth-wall break by the author might remind you of Marvel's Deadpool, except, of course, the narrative tone differs a lot. I enjoyed it very much. November has a unique way of moving the plot solely through dialogue and interactions between the characters. This is not just one story but a series of events played out by a lively cast of characters, each of whom is more memorable than the last. G and JBT still feel like the main characters of these books, but I also loved the appearance of Flower Rose. Milestoneville fans will love this one!

Read Reviews about the author. Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite - There is a line in chapter eight, a chapter before a full metal armor sword fight at a Renaissance fair happens but after JBT is interrupted when cooking for Claire, where JBT and G are rappelling down a waterfall and G says, “Safety first.” A male friend who is familiar with Golden November novels but new to A Song Was Playing changed his line to “Safety second!” We all fell over laughing because it is a genuinely accurate line for how November makes characters work for their supper. My favorite exchange in the entire book is the back-and-forth jabs between Tessa and Flower Rose, which is brilliantly delivered in November's single-line zings. This is, yet again, another winner for Milestoneville and was a blast to play act.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn Author Golden November is always on hand to provide an exhilarating and delightful read that exudes character and charm on every page. The pursuit of the rare first edition by G and JBT provided an engaging central plot filled with twists and turns, but as always, there are plenty of side plots, fascinating characters, and amusing vignettes to dive into that widen the portrayal of an immersive world of adventure. Golden November’s ability to create distinct and memorable characters through dialogue alone is consistently impressive, and the script format is easy to read with each character's unique voice and style brought to life so vividly. The dry humor was perfectly balanced, making the book not only entertaining but also light-hearted and enjoyable, and at this point in this multi-book series, the setting of Milestoneville really feels like a character in itself. The comedic elements provided a refreshing contrast to the action and were well-balanced to shift the mood just when things might get stale. Overall, Downtown Milestoneville is another fun adventure in the series, and it has left me eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Keith Mbuya for Readers' Lovers of urban fiction and drama will not be able to peel their eyes off the pages of Golden November’s Downtown Milestoneville once they flip open this gripping read. Unfolding the intriguing plot using conversations rich with pop culture, November features a huge and fascinating cast. The colorful images and evocative depictions made reading this book feel like watching a Hollywood adventure comedy. Fans of the movie The Lost City will relish this read. The spell-binding plot twists, suspense, adventure, and thrills had me hooked. November adds a tremendous dramatic touch to the scenes, giving the narration a witty backdrop. I could not get enough of the characters working in the shadows and their clumsy plans to rob brokers and book collectors. November harnesses sentiment to the narration, allowing me to experience the cast’s emotions. This made it easy for me to connect with them.

Asher Syed My teenage daughter played the role of Flower Rose's college frenemies and I have to say it was her best performance yet! The book on the whole is interesting because Golden November, or at least as far as I've read of their work, usually dives right into the action. We know the characters because of what they tell us and over time they feel like real people, but unlike real people, we cannot ask how the heck they came to be in the professions they are in. Sure, new cast members join the regulars in their own little spin-offs and we see vineyards and tour company-owning characters, but as a rare book dealer, Flower Rose has always been a little mysterious. The book isn't just about Flower Rose and it does switch to other scenarios. The comedy is deadpan and hilarious and crisp, Very highly recommended.

Jamie Michele Our readout for the novel was, as it tends to be now, a party game. We changed it slightly by drawing names out of a hat randomly and it was while having to comb through hundreds of pages to write down individual names that I discovered a flaw in the book's composition: it is in desperate need of a list of characters so selection can happen in full before the acting begins. I would have enjoyed the task of writing everything down if I had one of Chatsworth's famed pens but alas I had a lowly off-brand plastic, and again was wishing for November to supply me with names. The intelligent wit and turns of phrases that November is so skilled at were on point, the photography is crisp and had a sprinkling of black and whites mixed in, and I got to play the part of Thorpe and let everyone know that the value of “my” rock collection was worth over twenty-million bucks. Overall, it was a great day. Very highly recommended.

Asher Syed for Readers' My favorite scenes in all of the Golden November books land, quite literally, in a recurring category, and I was so pleased that All The Characters carried on with the tradition and even added a few for good measure. In every book, someone is always in the air, and a lot of times that person is in a ridiculous extreme sporting contraption that they are clueless about how to use. This installment has multiple! What are you in the mood for? We have traditional aircraft, helicopters, parachutes, gliders, flying cars, and hot air balloons, among a couple of extra surprises. Where would you like to land? We have in a tree, in a lake, somewhere a mile from where you're supposed to be but mysteriously near a hot air balloon...this story is your oyster. However, in All The Characters, it is the Twist and Twirl Granny who steals the show in an insane feat of aerobatics that you have to act out to believe. There is truth in what Willow says although it applies to all: “You're a mysterious, intriguing professional adventurer.” True indeed for the Milestoneville cast. Very true indeed.

Vincent Dublado Golden November’s unconventional storytelling has produced one of the finest looks at life in this spinoff novel. The author is undoubtedly a humorist who writes characters that are well-defined by their values and characteristics such as their craftiness, resourcefulness, wit, sincerity, frankness. Practically everything falls under the emotional spectrum as Flower Rose gives you her life story. These characters strike me as bittersweet meditations on the human experience, and it distinguishes November’s attitude to the subject matter. If Garrison Keillor has his Lake Wobegon and Edgar Lee Masters has his Spoon River, then November has Milestoneville. It may well etch its own name in the list of popular fictional places that have their own colorful and unabashed tapestry. Anyone drawn to stories with strong, diverse characters and settings will likely find it here.