Strange Highways Music & Publishing

Tag: Starr Love

  • Starr Love Audiobook Round 2: The Patel Motel

    Starr Love Audiobook Round 2: The Patel Motel

    Stack 15

    In this episode, Jeff writes live from a cheap, slightly sketchy roadside stop on I-20 in Texas where he holed up for three days to record the audiobook version of Starr Love. He talks about why the dogs made the first attempt impossible, why he chose a fifty-dollar motel over a proper studio, the MacGyver-level problem solving required just to get the gear running, and why John Waters is the reason he decided to narrate this one himself.

    Click here for the full article on Substack

    Jeff Elder Isn’t Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

    Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn’t Real on Substack for free, new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay. Jeff Elder Isn’t Real also broadcasts as a podcast available on most major providers.

  • Revealing My Dream Cast for Starr Love

    Revealing My Dream Cast for Starr Love

    When I started Starr Search, it wasn’t really a contest or a vote so much as a playful way to let readers peek inside my head. These characters have lived with me, and so have the actors I’ve pictured playing them. Starr Search simply gave me a fun framework to share those mental snapshots — the faces, voices, and energies that shaped how I wrote each scene.

    Now that the series is wrapped, it feels like the right moment to reveal the full dream cast that has been with me since the beginning.

    ⭐ The Starr Love Dream Cast

    • Stu Starr — Frankie Grande
    • Mariel Starr — Barbara Bel Geddes
    • Steve Starr — Kyle Chandler
    • Sterling Vaughn — Simon Le Bon
    • Rowdy Ranger — Joe Exotic
    • The President — Alec Baldwin
    • Lance Robb — Trae Crowder
    • Stu’s Attorney — Jon Hamm
    • Stacy Perry — Heidi Gardner
    • Judge — Sam Waterston
    • Prosecuting Attorney — Angela Bassett
    • Sherri — Ricki Lake
    • Julian Rainwater — John Waters
    • Vicky — Gabourey Sidibe

    How These Faces Shaped the Story

    Every writer has their own way of building a world. For me, seeing the characters as real people — with specific expressions, mannerisms, and emotional textures — helps me develop how they move through the story. If you read my post on Substack, you’d know that the actual characters weren’t inspired by these actors. But it is a great way to get a visual of what was going on in my mind with them.

    • Frankie Grande has Stu’s chaotic sparkle and delusional charm.
    • Simon Le Bon embodies Sterling’s effortless cool.
    • Joe Exotic captures Rowdy’s unhinged devotion.
    • Trae Crowder grounds Lance with humor, heart and handsomeness.
    • Angela Bassett and Sam Waterston bring weight to the courtroom.
    • Barbara Bel Geddes and Kyle Chandler shaped the Starr family’s emotional core and, come on, if Barbara could handle JR Ewing as a son, Stu would be a breeze.
    • John Waters as Julian Rainwater? That one explains itself.

    These weren’t random choices — they were emotional anchors based on the characters’ personalities.

    Now I’m Curious…

    When you read the book, did any of these actors match the versions you saw in your mind? Or did your imagination cast someone completely different?

    I’d love to hear who you pictured.

    Jeff

  • Starr Love Is Officially Here

    Starr Love Is Officially Here

    Today marks a milestone I’ve been working toward for a very long time. My new book, Starr Love, is officially out in the wild — available now in both Kindle and print — and I’m thrilled to finally share it with you. Alongside the book, I’m also releasing a companion single, “I’m A Star” by Stu Starr, which ties directly into the story’s universe. Both projects go live today, and it feels surreal to see them come together at last.

    A Story Decades in the Making

    This book has a long history. I first came up with the idea in the 90s, when my friend Joe Christ had shifted from making music to making indie films. I originally built the concept as something to pitch to him, my band would do the soundtrack, blah blah blah. Life, of course, had other plans. Joe passed away before I ever finished it, and the project sat unfinished for years.

    In many ways, Starr Love became my way of finally completing that idea. If you’re familiar with Joe’s work, imagine something he might have co‑produced with John Waters: a strange, funny, slightly chaotic look at the quest for fame, filtered through the lens of someone who has spent a lifetime around music, performance, and the people who chase the spotlight.

    Building Stu Starr’s World

    One of the most enjoyable parts of writing this book was creating the world around Stu Starr — a fictional pop star with big dreams, questionable decisions, and a universe full of real‑life echoes. I had a blast weaving in little nods to places and moments from my own past.

    Readers familiar with my hometown, Tulsa, will spot a few recognizable locations: record stores, restaurants, The Max, and other pieces of the city’s musical DNA. And for my fellow Duran Duran fans, you may notice a wink or two in the form of Sterling Vaughn and his band, Tiger Baby. Then, there’s Julian Rainwater and ol’ Rowdy… I’ll leave those two to your own imagination.

    To bring Stu’s world to life even further, I recorded a companion single, “I’m A Star,” which releases today as well. It’s a fun extension of the book’s tone — part satire, part homage, part glitter‑covered chaos.

    What’s Coming Next

    The release of Starr Love is just the beginning. Over the next few months, I’ll be expanding Stu Starr’s universe even further.

    Audiobook (Coming Soon)

    An audiobook edition is currently in production and will be released in the next few months (date TBA). I’ll be narrating it myself, which, I’m sure, will be its own wild and rewarding experience.

    Extended Dance Remix EP

    To keep the legend alive, I’ll also be releasing an extended dance remix EP of “I’m A Star” to coincide with the audiobook launch. Think club‑ready, glitter‑covered chaos — very Stu Starr. Stay tuned!

    Wider Ebook Availability

    Right now, the ebook is exclusive to Amazon for the initial 90‑day launch period. After that window closes, Starr Love will also be available on additional platforms including Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and more.

    Where to Read and Listen

    Starr Love is available now on Amazon. I kept the Kindle price low, and it’s also included in Kindle Unlimited if that’s your preferred way to read.

    Book Link:
    Kindle & Print Version from Amazon

    Companion Single – “I’m A Star” by Stu Starr – Available from all major streaming services, including:
    Spotify
    Amazon Music

    A Small Favor, If You Enjoy It

    If you do pick up the book and enjoy it, an honest Amazon review would help more than you know. Early reviews are a huge part of how Amazon’s system recommends books to new readers, and every single one makes a difference. Same with the song.

    Thank you for taking the time to check out this project. It’s been a long road getting here, and I’m excited to finally share Stu Starr’s world with you — and even more excited for what’s still to come.

    Jeff

  • Starr Love Goodreads Giveaway!

    Starr Love Goodreads Giveaway!

    Hey Hey Hey… just a quick post to let you know that we’re doing another Goodreads giveaway for Starr Love! Use the link below to enter to win a free Kindle copy of the new book. Contest ends February 13th. Good luck!

    Goodreads Book Giveaway

    Starr Love by Jeff Elder

    Starr Love

    by Jeff Elder

    Giveaway ends February 13, 2026.

    See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

    Enter Giveaway
  • New Single Release: “I’m A Star” by Stu Starr — Straight From the Prison Yard

    New Single Release: “I’m A Star” by Stu Starr — Straight From the Prison Yard

    Every once in a while, a project comes along that feels so strange, so chaotic, and so unexpectedly electric that you can’t help but follow it wherever it leads. Today, I get to share one of those moments.

    I’m thrilled to announce the debut single from rising underground personality Stu Starr — a track called “I’m A Star.” And yes, the rumors are true: this song was recorded from inside the state prison.

    Stu’s cellmate, Rowdy, sent me his vocals through monitored phone lines, raw and unfiltered, straight from the yard. My job was to take that energy — the bravado, the delusion, the charisma, the sheer force of will — and shape it into a full studio production. What came out the other side is a high‑energy dance track that somehow manages to be both chaotic and irresistible. It’s Stu at his most determined, declaring his fame long before the world has caught up.

    Early download access is available now through my Bandcamp page:

    I’m A Star – Early Access:
    https://jeffelder.bandcamp.com/track/im-a-star

    The single will be released worldwide on all major streaming services on February 14, 2026, alongside the release of Starr Love, a book I wrote featuring Stu Starr.

    Here’s what Stu had to say about the track:

    “They tried to lock me up, but they couldn’t lock up my destiny. I’ve always known the world was waiting for me — now they finally get to hear what a real star sounds like.”
    — Stu Starr

    And from my side of the studio:

    “Working with Stu is unlike anything I’ve ever done. Rowdy sends me these raw, chaotic phone recordings of him from inside, and somehow there’s always a spark in them. My job is just to shape that spark into something the world can dance to.”
    — Producer, Jeff Elder

    This whole project has been a wild ride — part music experiment, part character study, part world‑building fever dream — and I’m excited to finally share it with you.

    More updates soon as we get closer to release day.

    Jeff

  • Starr Search – Week 2 – Mariel Starr

    Starr Search – Week 2 – Mariel Starr

    ⭐ THIS WEEK’S CHARACTER: Mariel Starr

    Stu Starr’s mother. A quiet force in the background of his chaotic life, Mariel embodies patience, worry, and unspoken disappointment. Her steady presence anchors the emotional undercurrent of Starr Love, revealing the roots of Stu’s lifelong need for validation. She’s the kind of woman who folds laundry while listening for sirens, who knows more than she says, and who carries the weight of family history in her posture.

    [ays_poll id=”3″]

    Cast your vote above — and check back Thursday for the reveal.
    If you want updates first, follow my page on my Facebook page.

    Pre‑Release Prize

    Everyone who votes in any of the four pre‑release weeks is entered into a drawing for one autographed paperback of Starr Love.
    (The more weeks you vote, the more entries you get – enter your email address if you want to be entered.)

  • Starr Search – Week 1 – Stu Starr

    Starr Search – Week 1 – Stu Starr

    ⭐ THIS WEEK’S CHARACTER: Stu Starr

    The man, the myth, the meltdown. Stu is a walking cocktail of ambition, delusion, charm, and catastrophic decision‑making. He’s the kind of guy who thinks the universe is sending him secret messages — and he’s absolutely the star of them.

    [ays_poll id=”2″]

    Cast your vote above — and check back Thursday for the reveal.
    If you want updates first, follow my page on my Facebook page.

    Pre‑Release Prize

    Everyone who votes in any of the four pre‑release weeks is entered into a drawing for one autographed paperback of Starr Love.
    (The more weeks you vote, the more entries you get – enter your email address if you want to be entered.)

  • Announcing the Release of Starr Love – Available for Pre‑Order Now

    Announcing the Release of Starr Love – Available for Pre‑Order Now

    Announcing the Release of Starr Love — Available for Pre‑Order Now

    I’m excited to share some news: my new book, Starr Love, officially arrives on February 14th, 2026 in both Kindle and paperback editions (audiobook to follow this Summer). After years of shaping this story — its humor, its heart, its glitter‑coated delusions — it’s finally ready to meet readers.

    Pre‑order is now available!

    👉 Pre‑Order from Amazon: Starr Love

    About the Book

    Starr Love is a darkly comic psychological tale about fame, fantasy, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. At its center is Stu Starr, a lifelong dreamer who has always believed he was destined for something bigger. The world never quite agreed — but that’s never stopped him from rewriting every moment of his life into a story where he eventually shines.

    With rhinestones polished and cape in place, Stu is convinced the spotlight is finally his. But as the line between fantasy and reality begins to warp, what emerges is a story that’s unsettling, funny, and painfully familiar in a culture obsessed with being seen.

    Set partly against the backdrop of Tulsa’s music scene in the 1980s, the story taps into the raw ambition that fuels performers everywhere — from garage bands to bar‑band veterans. Readers who love offbeat, boundary‑pushing fiction, dark humor, or camp‑infused storytelling will feel right at home.

    A Satire Wrapped in Sequins

    Described as “a portrait of delusion in sequins,” Starr Love offers a sharp, satirical look at:

    • celebrity worship
    • political spectacle
    • the cultural hunger for attention
    • the fragile psychology behind wanting to matter

    It’s a book for anyone who’s ever chased a dream, questioned their own narrative, or watched the spotlight burn a little too bright.

    The tagline says it best:
    “Fame is a fantasy. Delusion is forever.”

    Pre‑Order Today

    If you’d like to support the book — or just want to be among the first to read it — you can pre‑order below:

    👉 Pre‑Order from Amazon: Starr Love

    Your early support means the world and helps the book reach more readers when it launches.

    Stay Connected

    For updates, behind‑the‑scenes notes, and future releases, keep an eye on strangehighways.com and thanks, as always, for being part of this journey – Stu Starr is almost ready for his close‑up – I have some fun ideas that we’ll be playing with as a part of that.

    Happy Friday,

    Jeff

  • “Fame, Fear, and Funhouse Mirrors” — A Short Interview with Jeff Elder, Author of Starr Love

    “Fame, Fear, and Funhouse Mirrors” — A Short Interview with Jeff Elder, Author of Starr Love

    “Fame, Fear, and Funhouse Mirrors” — A Short Interview with Jeff Elder, Author of Starr Love

    Interview by Mic Copiloti (MC)

    MC: Jeff, Starr Love is a novel that feels both intimate and unsettling in the best way. For readers who haven’t encountered it yet, how would you describe what the story is about at its core?

    Jeff: Starr Love is the story of a wanna‑be rock star gone wrong. It takes us through his life, how he rose to fame, and beyond.

    MC: The book unfolds across Tulsa and Las Vegas — two places with wildly different energies. What drew you to set the story there?

    Jeff: I wanted to be able to describe subtle details of the city Stu lived in. I grew up in Tulsa, and since it’s such a rich playground for subject matter and scenery, it seemed perfect for the Starr family. As for Las Vegas — that’s where stars go to fade away into history, right?

    MC: Stu is a complicated figure: delusional, earnest, hungry, and heartbreakingly human. What should readers understand about his psychology?

    Jeff: Unfortunately, Stu is a bit like what the U.S. has become. He’s obsessed with fame, fortune, himself and not much else. It’s a sad commentary, but if you look at any device, that’s what you see. Stu is just an exaggerated version of that.

    MC: That cultural reflection is part of what makes the book so timely. Let’s talk about your writing process. Are you an outliner, a discovery writer, or something in between?

    Jeff: First off, I don’t consider myself a writer — not like a Stephen King or whatnot. I’m a story creative. I develop mostly full stories in my mind, then take them into a word processor and lay them out as completely as I can. From there, I’m not afraid to use the tools out there: editing software, critiquing software like AutoCrit, and bouncing ideas with AI. But I don’t use AI for coming up with ideas — I bring the ideas, and I might just ask how to word something or ask if something says what I am trying to express. At heart, I’m a dumb musician with a knack for crazy ideas, and I’m okay with that.

    MC: You’ve been open about using modern tools in your creative process. What’s your take on technology’s role in creativity?

    Jeff: AI isn’t for coming up with ideas — it’s for exploring them. I don’t think it’s a threat to the writing world. Have you ever read a book totally conceived by AI? I have. They’re all over Amazon. Add in virtual voice and it’s a double‑whammy slap to the creative community. But as a collaborator? As a tool? Absolutely. I’m a bit of a hermit, so sometimes I need a sounding board. Technology lets me sanity‑check ideas, take notes, voice‑type, and assemble thoughts into usable chunks. I’m all for technology in the arts when it’s used responsibly.

    MC: You’ve said before that Starr Love carries an underlying message. What do you hope readers take away?

    Jeff: The underlying message is to — gasp — stop worshipping fame so much. Fandom is fun, but when it crosses into worship? That’s kind of like being in a cult, isn’t it? While my story is fiction, it could happen. It’s not far‑fetched in today’s world. That alone makes it a pretty scary story, huh?

    MC: One last question. Why was now the right time to tell this story?

    Jeff: I can do it in one sentence: Have you seen the news?

    MC:
    That might be the most concise — and accurate — justification I’ve heard for a novel in years. Sometimes the world hands you a moment so absurd, so loud, so fame‑drunk that the only reasonable response is to write a story that holds a mirror up to it.

    ⭐ Book Availability

    Starr Love will be available February 14th, 2026 in both digital and print formats. Readers will be able to purchase it through Amazon and other major retailers. A full announcement with links will be posted prior to its release.

  • Looking Back at 2025 — and Ahead to 2026

    Looking Back at 2025 — and Ahead to 2026

    Looking Back at 2025 — and Ahead to 2026

    So, here we are again – New Years Eve. As usual, I have been reflecting and thinking ahead.

    2025 was a strange one — a year that didn’t always go the way I expected, but still managed to deliver some real highlights, a few surprises, and more than a little personal growth (forced or otherwise). As the year winds down, I wanted to take a moment to look back at what happened, what I created, what I survived, and what’s coming next.

    Creative Highlights of 2025

    In April, Uncle Jeff’s Once Upon A Time finally made its way into the world. By December, it climbed to #20 on the Amazon Children’s Books chart, which is something I’m incredibly proud of. That little story book found its audience, and seeing it resonate with readers has been one of the brightest parts of my year.

    Early in the year, I released a couple of experimental electronic tracks — not under a band name, not behind a persona, just Jeff Elder. They’re like me – odd, atmospheric, and definitely “an acquired taste,” but they made me happy. Sales weren’t wild, but that was never the point. It felt good to create something purely because I wanted to and I look forward to doing more in the future.

    On the non‑creative side, I started SOHO Admin Force, a business I’ve been quietly building behind the scenes most of the year. I know that’s not what most people come to this site for, but if you are curious, I’ve included a link where you can learn more about what we do above.

    On a Personal Note

    2025 was… physically challenging. Early in the year, I learned that my foot had actually been broken — not recently, but two years earlier. I’d spent all that time assuming it was a stubborn sprain. Turns out, no. It was very broken.

    I had the bone repaired, and the recovery took far longer than expected. I ended up off my feet for more than half the year. And just when I finally started walking again, I managed to injure the other knee. Physical therapy has been my new friend ever since.

    It wasn’t the year of movement I wanted, but I’m grateful to say I’m doing much better now — not quite 100%, but close. Healing is slow, but it’s happening, and I’m ready to step (carefully) into 2026.

    Looking Ahead to 2026

    So, what’s coming next? Quite a bit — the kind of work that’s been simmering quietly while I’ve been healing and regrouping.

    I’ve spent much of this winter finishing and editing my next release, Starr Love. Despite the title, no — it’s not a romance novel. It’s the story of a delusional wannabe rock star who maybe takes things a bit too far. It’s strange, darkly funny, and very much its own thing. You’ll see it on shelves this Spring.

    I’ve got two (maybe three) other manuscripts in various stages of development. Once Starr Love is officially off my plate, I’ll decide which one gets my attention next.

    I’m doing a couple of remixes for the latest Red Red Groove album, Resonance. Since I’ve stepped back from playing live and have mostly retired from the music scene, I only appear on the new album on one track (Activate) — a guitar part I recorded back during the Return sessions. Think of these remixes as my small way of supporting Mike Castle and the groove as he keeps it moving forward.

    I really enoyed making music with no rules, no expectations, and no persona — just me and a pile of synths. Will another track appear in 2026? Maybe. Probably. We’ll see where inspiration leads.

    And Finally…

    I hope everyone has been having — and continues to have — a wonderful holiday season. This time of year always feels like a reset button, a chance to breathe, reflect, and look ahead with a little more optimism than we had in the middle of the year.

    I’m looking forward to making 2026 a great one, creatively and personally, and I hope you’re able to carve out something meaningful for yourself in the months ahead too. Here’s to new projects, better health, and whatever strange, unexpected joys find us along the way.

    Cheers,
    Jeff