The Pursuit of Cool

Get ready to be transported back to the 1980s in this fun and moving novel, The Pursuit of Cool. Lance Rally seems to have it all - coming from a family of high-achievers, he is determined to follow in their footsteps and become a success. But beneath his facade of ambition lies an inept and hopeless romantic, obsessed with pop culture and easily distracted. As he navigates through his college years, unexpected friendships with a punk rocker and a subversive scholar challenge his beliefs, while relationships with a beautiful psychology major and a feisty goth girl change him in ways he never expected.

But this coming of age journey is not just about self-discovery - it's a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of laughter, heartbreak, and everything in between. From all-nighter revelations to disastrous corporate internships, Lance's story is a relatable and entertaining ride through the iconic album covers, dance techniques, and movies of the 80s. Music and movies serve as a constant backdrop, providing solace as Lance questions his beliefs and experiences the crushing blow of a broken heart.

As Lance tries to capture the essence of "cool" and hold on to the magic of youth, readers will be captivated by his journey and the powerful emotions it evokes.

With strong reviews from Kirkus, Midwest Book Review, Writer's Digest, and many others, this novel is a Winner of a Next Generation Indie Award. It appeals to fans of Nick Hornby's High Fidelity, J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye, and fans of John Hughes movies. It's the definitive novel about the 80s. It gets past the stereotype, to the way things actually were in the 80s.

"An experience as moving and thought provoking to its reader as it is to its hero."
--Literary Inklings

"A skilled writer… A smart account of '80s college kids… the novel believably summons the '80s, complete with floppy disks, 9 1/2 Weeks on VHS and R.E.M. cassettes."
--Kirkus Indie Review

"…A novel surrounding college student Lance Rally, as he seeks to rise to the top of the social ladder by finding what cool is, only to be swept into the whirlpool of its many definitions. With plenty of humor and a strong moral on the purpose of youth, The Pursuit of Cool is a strong pick for general fiction collections and those who want an original take on the college dynamic."
--Midwest Book Review

"Lance...such a lovable character! The lovable male character who is kinda goofy and different, loved easily, intelligent, but who has a depth... I loved it!"
--Novel d'Tales

"...An excellent job of taking a character and creating his time and place perfectly. A totally enjoyable flashback ride.."
--Dew on the Kudzu

"A great debut, and I can't wait to read more from Robb Skidmore."
--The Book Fetish

"The characters are so well-developed and precise, I am already envisioning which actors would play them on the big screen."
--Mamarific

"A splendid job… The lively dialogue is the real music of this novel."
--Writers Digest