Inside Out

Inside Out weaves together an engrossing story of a young actor who, after volunteering for a unique project to teach drama to inmates of the local medium-security prison,months later finds himself locked in a cell as a convict. Where he now has already made friends and unforgiving enemies. It introduces the reader to multitude of characters. Some are good, some are bad, and a few are just evil. It is a fictional account of what happens to an “Everyman” that gets caught up in a system deliberately designed to treat all felons the same. Inside Out is a commentary on the difference between justice as seen in the eyes of the law, and true justice.

As an actor, Danny Belson has played many criminal types, but as the prisoner transport bus pulls out of the LA county jail, the realization of his conviction overwhelms him. The irony is that only six months ago he taught an acting workshop at the same institution he is now going to be incarcerated in. Danny had been chosen to take part in California's answer to New Jersey's highly acclaimed “Scared Straight” by actually working with the inmates of the Medium Security Federal Prison in Lompoc. In his short stay, Danny made some interesting friends as well as unforgiving enemies.

Utilizing a groundbreaking format, Follow Danny as he goes from a care free beach volleyball loving, pool shooting, actor, who's only worry is knowing when his next audition will come, to a convicted murderer. Written using flashbacks, with no chapters, learn what a struggling actor goes through, and how, after his incarceration, Danny's life is turned INSIDE OUT.

I believe that this is the first book to take an absolute non-criminal type and toss him into a situation where he knows some of the inmates already. Ironically, because of the workshop he has made some friends as well as enemies. When his foes attack him, his friends help to avenge his attackers. Readers will be tormented with this dilemma and hopefully be left with plenty to think about in their own lives.
There are no chapters, giving the narrative a vivid cinematic feel that has forced many beta readers to consume it in a single sitting. Told through a series of flashbacks, it’s a totally-unique reading experience that I hope will become a hallmark of my style. Oh yes…for those with a vengeance streak…there’s a stop-at-nothing ‘payback’ in the prison. Whether they succeed or not depends on you reading the book.