Who Are The Real Victims? By Glenn Langohr

Who Are The Real Victims? By Glenn Langohr. On my wordpress site I asked, "Who are the real criminals?" Now I'm changing the context to victims. Maybe it's more compassionate.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to speak to 20 kids on probation about drug addiction, gang life and prison time. When I got out of prison in 2008 on drug charges I started going to A.A. I met my sponsor, Mr. Phillip Doran and worked the 12 steps. I was selfish but real about it. While in prison in solitary confinement I spent 10 hours a day writing Roll Call, a drug war novel. Phillip Doran is a prolific writer and one of the ex producers of many hit TV shows. I told him I wanted him to help me take over Hollywood. Okay, I am a little vain. After working the steps, Phillip read all of my prison books and reviewed them. He also helps me with marketing.

Part of the 12 steps is giving back to newcomers in sobriety, hence we spoke to the kids in trouble at probation. While speaking to the kids I couldn't help but see them as victims. Kids from broken homes. Kids who are so hyper sensitive they become their own victims. Both Phillip and I shared our story of hope and inspiration. I told them, "God loves you." and gave out my number to one of the kids. We'll see if he calls and I get the chance to sponsor him.

Here's a review for my drug war novel Roll Call- A harrowing, down-and-dirty depiction--sometimes reminiscent of Steven Soderbergh's Traffic--of America's war on drugs, by former dealer and California artist Langohr. Locked up for a decade on drugs charges and immersed in both philosophical tomes and modern pulp thrillers, Langohr penned Roll Call, a light fictionalization of his troubled life. "I went from obsessively pacing my cell and wondering and worrying about how I was actually going to get my attorney to defend me, and how many years this sentence would bring," writes Langohr in an afterword, "to realizing that if I find a way to write what's in my head, I can find a way out of this hole I had put myself in!" Roll Call makes for exciting reading--gunplay, covert operations and backhanded deals abound. A vivid, clamorous account of the war on drugs. --Kirkus Discoveries, Nielsen Business Media, 770 Broadway, N.Y Yk

All of Glenn Langohr's drug war and prison thriller books are available on Amazon and other retail outlets in print, kindle and audio book. 

Glenn Langohr's New Book: Prison Riot, A True Story of Surviving a Gang War in Prison, is Available in Print, Audio Book and Kindle

Glenn Langohr's New Book: Prison Riot, A True Story of Surviving a Gang War in Prison, is Available in Print, Audio Book and Kindle. 

Ever wonder what a prison riot is like? B.J, a white inmate, serving time on drug charges, gets caught up in a Mexican gang war. The northern California Mexicans demand that the southern California Mexicans keep their shirts on to cover up their gangland tattoos. The prison explodes into chaos as each building erupts in deadly violence. For B.J, the war isn't over when he and over a hundred inmates get housed in solitary confinement, it's just beginning. For getting involved, he's labeled a southern Mexican ganster.

The hardcore action unfolds like a movie in this bare bones thriller of true crime. 

Glenn Langohr spent over 10 years in some of the roughest California prisons on drug charges. During this period he wrote novels to turn it into a blessing. His vision is to help other inmates get instructional writing guides and change their lives.

Glenn Langohr's Drug War Book Roll Call is Getting Great Reviews

Glenn Langohr's Drug War Book Roll Call is Getting Great Reviews. Here's one from a book blog review site. To purchase Roll Call in print or kindle go here- http://www.amazon.com/Roll-Call-Prison-Corruption-Redemption/dp/1439246084/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351960112&sr=1-3&keywords=glenn+langohr

The first thing I noticed about the book is the length, Wow 734 pages, I did think I was going to be reading it for weeks as it has got to be the longest book I have read to date.
I infact finished reading this after around 14 hours. This 14 hours did take a week though as I read for a couple of hours before going to sleep.

There was drug cartels, violence, underhand police, crime and it all was very believable, Yes I know its a true story but sometimes truth does not always sound believable.
It seemed that a certain detective would try to bust B.J for just breathing and was on his back all the time trying to stitch him up even when B.J went legit. I really felt for him as I could see all he wanted to do was put the drugs behind him and start over. Which I guess would be pretty difficult when he is being hounded all of the time with drugs raids and the likes for no reason at all.

Prison life sounds as I had thought it would be but the story differed slightly from my own perception, I think it is probably because I can be a little naïve as I have never been in trouble myself so just go by TV programmes of what prison life and prison officers are like.

Roll Call is a fantastic and insightful read. It was very well written and it has left me wanting to know the rest of the story so I will be reading Upon Release very soon.

Glenn Langohr's Book Prison Riot Focuses on Gang Violence

Glenn Langohr's Book Prison Riot Focuses on Gang Violence. It is available in print and kindle here- http://www.amazon.com/Prison-Riot-Crime-Story-Surviving/dp/1480193933/ref=sr_1_8_title_0_main?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351916309&sr=1-8&keywords=glenn+langohr%27s+books

Ever wonder what a prison riot is like? B.J, a white inmate, serving time on drug charges, gets caught up in a Mexican gang war. The northern California Mexicans demand that the southern California Mexicans keep their shirts on to cover up their gangland tattoos. The prison explodes into chaos as each building erupts in deadly violence. For B.J, the war isn't over when he and over a hundred inmates get housed in solitary confinement, it's just beginning. For getting involved, he's labeled a southern Mexican ganster.

The hardcore action unfolds like a movie in this bare bones thriller of true crime. 

Glenn Langohr's Video About His Prison Books

Glenn Langohr's Video About His Prison Books. He met a Christian named Steve at the library and they immediately started shooting videos. Here's one. 

Glenn Langohr: In Prison on Drug Charges for 10 Years, Now Author Of 8 Books: Roll Call, Upon Release and the Prison Killer Series. http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00571NY5A In his drug war novel Roll Call, Glenn Langohr illustrates how the U.S. has made drugs more desirable by making them taboo, which has increased the demand for them, throwing gasoline on Mexican cartel wars, along with breeding gangs in California's prisons. “For the last 6 years of my incarceration I woke up at 4 AM every morning to write, before the on-rush of prison life took over, to finish my drug war novel Roll Call.” States Langohr, “I felt compelled to write, to open the eyes of the community, that the drug war is a spiritual war.” Roll Call, available in print and e-book retailers, follows Glenn Langohr’s path portrayed as B.J.; from being raised by the Angelic mother he is torn from, to becoming a drug dealer, always trying to find a way out of the dark life of an addict. In another thread the path of three large Mexican cartel members have a hungry quest to obtain U.S. money and delves into how the Sinaloa and Michoacán cartels commit thousands of murders and deceptions for control of the drug trade. The cartel paths inevitably meet B.J. in Orange County, California leading to a roller coaster ride of excitement through drug smuggling cartels, to street gangs, to outlaw bikers, all trying to get their piece of the action. Add a good detective squeezed out of the loop by an overzealous narcotic detective; a robust prison union trying to call the shots; and a handful of other drug criminals trying to hold on to their conscience; and, you have the perfect recipe for a revolutionary uprising, bound by blood; all leaving the reader wondering, who are the real criminals? Kirkus Discoveries Nielson Media Review “A Harrowing down-and-dirty depiction of the U.S. War on Drugs, sometimes reminiscent of Soderbergh’s Traffic, by former dealer, California artist Langohr.” Upon Release from prison, Glenn Langohr finished the sequel to Roll Call, Upon Release, along with A California Pelican Bay Prison Story, Lock Up Diaries and Gladiator. He started Lockdownpublishing.com  to help other prisoners turn their lives around through writing and art. See his u-tube video. Or for his print books go here http://www.amazon.com/UNDERDOG-True-Crime-Thriller-Prison/dp/148013466X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351268918&sr=1-4&keywords=glenn+langohr

Check Out My Audio Book I Narrated- Lock Up Diaries by Glenn Langohr

Check Out My Audio Book I Narrated- Lock Up Diaries by Glenn Langohr. You get a free 5 minutes to listen to. Let me know how it is. I'm narrating my newest prison thriller and could use any feedback. Of course if the free 5 minutes makes you buy it, please leave a review! Here's the link- http://www.amazon.com/Lock-Up-Diaries-Inside-Killers/dp/B009UX5NYG/ref=sr_1_10?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1350947457&sr=1-10&keywords=glenn+langohr  

On another note, I found out on goodreads that I have over 15 reviews for my drug war novel Roll Call that took me 7 years of prison time to write. I always check my Amazon reviews and had assumed any on goodreads would of course be on Amazon as well. Another lesson in assuming anything. That lesson feels similar to the one about expectations...

Here's one of the new reviews for Roll Call- Roll Call (Glenn Langohr) Glen Langohr gives you a true analysis of what it's like to get caught up on the wrong side of the law. An extremely fascinating book filled with honesty about the world of drugs and prison. The suspense Glen Langohr creates is suspenseful, exciting and real. I recommend this book to young readers in hopes some will find it helpful within their own lives.

To check out all of my ( Glenn Langohr ) drug war and prison books in print, audio or kindle go here- http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00571NY5A

Glenn Langohr's audio book, Underdog, Shines a Light on the Corrupt Prison Union

Glenn Langohr's audio book, Underdog, Shines a Light on the Corrupt Prison Union. Underdog in audio book

Here's a great review from American Media- It's B.J. fighting for his life again in the wretched California prison system.
In his latest novel, "Underdog," Glenn Langohr takes B.J. back into the dreaded Supermax at Pelican Bay, California's toughest prison. At first he's just fighting to survive, hopelessly outnumbered by Mexican and black gang members, but then he goes back to try and help his friend, still inside, ferociously battling to change the penal system.
And ex-con Langohr can describe the hell of life inside better than any other writer. His vivid passages on just surviving in prison describe a nightmare we'd rather not know about.
He compares the plight of abandoned dogs, locked and horribly mistreated in rows of cages in animal shelters, to California prison inmates, locked and abused in the same cages.
Not a book for the faint of heart. We who sleep peacefully in our beds at night, unaware of the savagery going on behind prison walls, can only thankfully say: "There, but for the grace of God, go I." John South, American Media

More then the review, Underdog is about shining a light on a California Prison Union that is out of control and at times corrupt. Check it out, share it, review it and lets fight for the Underdog. 

To read all of Glenn Langohr's drug war and prison thrillers check out the links or go to Amazon. 

I Got an Awesome 5 Star Review From Professor Keramet!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Insights September 7, 2012

By K. Reiter

Format:Kindle Edition

This is a page-turner of a read about life inside the California prison system, told from the perspective of an experienced and thoughtful former prisoner, who describes remaining unaffiliated with the various prison gangs, but collaborating and mediating among them to maintain peace on the prison yards.

This first-hand account of the California prison system is not only interesting, but provides an useful counterpoint (and compliment) to more academic accounts of prison life.

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Flurries of Words: BARGAIN BOOK: ROLL CALL ~ A Prison List by Glenn L...

Flurries of Words: BARGAIN BOOK: ROLL CALL ~ A Prison List by Glenn L...: We are happy to announce as a BARGAIN BOOK:   ROLL CALL ~ A Prison List (True Prison Story)     by Glenn Langohr  (Click here for UK purcha...

My drug war novel Roll Call is being featured today on Flurres of Words! Pick it up on Amazon in print for 16.99 and immediately with a free downloaded kindle.

Interview With Author Seth Ferranti, the Owner of Gorilla Convict

1.What was your life like before being penned an LSD kingpin by the government?

I sold drugs, I partied, I went to different colleges to check out the scenes and followed the Grateful Dead a little bit. I was just a regular suburban youth who got caught up in the drug scene. I never carried a gun and I wasn't prone to violence. I didn't even consider myself a criminal really. I wasn't out to hurt anyone or take anything from anybody or rough anybody off or anything like that. I came from a good home with good parents who installed good morals and ideals in me I just got caught up in the drug scene and fancied myself a sort of stoner outlaw. But I didn't have any kind of Scarface mentality. I was just supplying LSD and marijuana to my friends from high school who went off to a bunch of colleges on the East Coast. I was originally from California and grew up a military brat and when my dad retired we settled in Northern Virginia where he got a job with a defense contractor. It was a real lily white and affluent area and I was the new guy and I found that when I proved I could get a hold of drugs I became real popular real quick. So that is how it went. I started selling drugs at a young age and it just progressed and by the age of 19 I was supplying about 15 colleges in 5 states with marijuana and LSD. But still in the big scheme of things I was a small time drug dealer maybe making $20 grand or so a month.

2. Were you overcharged?

I would say so. I was a first-time, non-violent offender and I got slammed with 304 months or a 25 year sentence with no possibility of parole. It was right when the feds had just started their War on Drugs in the early 90s and plus being right outside of DC they made it like my case was this big thing, it was like a witch-hunt really. But in all actuality it was just some kids partying and doing drugs at colleges just like they are still doing today. It was no organization, really it was unorganized and chaotic. I was just the dude with the best contacts and when I refused to snitch they threw the book at me but I realize now I made matters worse by taking off and becoming a fugitive for 2 years. But I was barely 20 years old and I had some money and I wasn't trying to snitch anyone out or go to prison so at that time it seemed taking off was my only choice. But now I have been in prison 19 years for crimes largely committed while I was a teenager that didn't involve any type of violence.

3. How do you deal with the same problem?

I do glorify and romanticize the stuff I write about. It is kind of glamorous in a way and people are interested in it. So I perpetuate the myths and legends but I do it in a way that it all comes from my perspective and it comes through my eyes and experiences. I am not doing anything new. They have been glamorizing this type of stuff since Billy the Kid and the Wild, Wild West. I am just doing it in my style and putting a more modern flavor to it. How outlaws and gangsters live and the things they do are amazing and people are very interested in reading about it all and watching the Hollywood version of the stories in movies and stuff like that. So I go with it. I am not fighting what is already there. People have been enamored with outlaw heroes since Robin Hood. I am myself. This is my passion. This is why I write about this stuff and bring these stories to life. When I first came to prison I read every prison and gangster book I could and then when I exhausted what I wanted to read I started writing my own stories from my own experiences and from the people I met and was doing time with. Everything I have done, book wise has been done before, I am just putting my twist on it. Reality is reality and I lay it all out but I still glorify it because even though I am older and in hindsight I know it is the wrong road it is still romantic in its own way, that is why gangster and prison stuff is such a big sell in popular culture.

4. Can you give me a timeline on how your prison stretch started, to when you started writings and publishing to how   it grew to when you finally get out of prison?

I got caught in 1993 and have remained incarcerated since then. So I have 19 years in now. I had always wrote songs and poems and stuff and dabbled in creating little stories and fantasy worlds (check out felons rage on myspace it has some of my songs I recorded in prison), but when I came to prison I got a job in the recreation department and I started helping to run the intramural sports leagues and that included writing a little sports newsletter on what was going on with the leagues and the standings and statistics and stuff like that and I started writing commentary  and dudes in here really liked it and I made my name writing about prison basketball games for Slam, Don Diva and other magazines and websites like hoopshype.come and that led to writing about prison issues for magazines like Vice and then to writing my first novel Prison Stories and then doing the gangster interviews for Don Diva and F.E.D.S. and the Street Legends book series and now I am writing about the Drug War and drug addiction and recovery for thefix.com and continuing to do pieces for my blog/column on http://www.gorillaconvict.com. This all happened gradually throughout the 90s and into the early 2000s and then I got more serious about my writing in 2005 and got the website built and started the publishing house also to put out my own books. So we have been online and selling  books since 2005 and we have developed our name and reputation and web presence. I couldn't have done it without the assistance of my beautiful and talented wife Diane who has enabled me to do all of this from her. Without her I wouldn't have accomplished any of what I have, so really it is all down to her. When I come home I want to continue doing what I am doing but I want to get into the visual aspect of it and start doing documentaries and films also. Plus more merchandise like we have on the gorillaconvict.com website now with the t-shirts, stickers and posters. But I have a lot of plans and ideas to implement and get going once I get home.

5. I see that you have some powerful reviews from a bunch of magazines and well known sources. How have you managed to make those connections while locked in prison?

I am relentless I just write and write and write and I send out a tremendous amount of mail. I mail out 100 of letters at  a time sometimes every week and in it I am constantly promoting and showing what I am doing that is new. I send the stuff out to magazine editors and websites and anyone who I think might be interested in my stuff and now since we have email I contact and email as many people as I can to market and promote my stuff. So I have done it basically through email and the mail and being relentless and never giving up. I have created and built something from nothing and now I have an audience and people who like my work and who buy my books and check out my website. But also another main reason is content. I keep creating new content. I write, write and write some more. I promote, promote and promote some more and I make connections and I cultivate them and I find out how I can help them and how they can help me and I make it work and I keep my word and do what I say I am going to do.

6. What is your vision for the next five years?

I get out in 21 months and then I have to go through the halfway house probation routine so I have to be on point for that and not violate because I am not trying to come back to prison but when I can move and work for my own company gorillaconvict.com I will work and network and do the same thing I have been doing from in here but I will have much more access and I will be able to do all types of radio interviews and pod casts and make little commercials and youtube promos. I am really looking forward to it. I have a tremendous drive and ambition and I am relentless in pursuit of my goals and most importantly I am not afraid to put in the hard work that is necessary for success. So in five years I plan to be making movies and have my own production company.

7. Do you believe prisoners can be redeemed?

Yes, I do but they have to want it because if they want to stay in the same criminal lifestyle they will only be going back to prison. In our country right now there is no emphasis on rehabilitation and a lot of men are going home ill prepared and with no tools to deal with society plus when you just throw them back into the same environments they came out of with no tools what do you expect? Why do you think recidivism is so high? But I have taken the time and effort to do what I need to do to prepare for my future and eventual release back into society and I am ready for the challenge and I am confident that I can redeem myself and be successful and become a productive member of society and bring my unique vision to the world.

8. How would you change the system to make redemption more common?

Education is mandatory. Prisoners need to learn and open and expand their minds. Those capable should be allowed to enroll and take college courses and function in an environment which cultivates that. Others should be allowed to learn and practice a trade so that they have skills when they come home so that don't have to revert to the only thing that they knew prior to coming to prison- crime. But basically we have to give prisoners some hope and show them that yes you can turn your life around and change. I did and I am the better man for it.

Please check out my books which are available in print or ebook formats at gorillaconvict.comand amazon.com and read my blog at gorillaconvict.com which posts a new story every week and gives the 411 on street legends, prison gangs, hip-hop and hustling, the mafia and life in the belly of the beast. Also check out my weekly news blogs and columns at thefix.com