John Pistelli

Bruce Wagner, born in 1954, is an American novelist and screenwriter whose work often explores humanity through the lens of Hollywood, presenting an apocalyptic yet spiritual perspective. His career began in his twenties with magazine articles and screenplays, including an unreleased script that later influenced his novel and the film "Maps to the Stars." Wagner has a diverse writing background, contributing essays to major publications like The New Yorker and The New York Times, and his novels "I'm Losing You" and "The Chrysanthemum Palace" received critical acclaim.

Beyond his literary and screenwriting achievements, Wagner has had significant involvement in esoteric circles. He became part of Carlos Castaneda's inner circle, adopting the name Lorenzo Drake, and directed early videos for Tensegrity. His writings have also touched upon these experiences, particularly in essays for publications like Tricycle magazine. Wagner's work has been recognized for its unique temporal perspective, and he has also engaged with the broader art world, writing prefaces for books by notable photographers and painters. His career has also included co-writing for television series and films, demonstrating a multifaceted creative output.

Bruce Wagner's engagement with mysticism is a notable aspect of his life and work. Following an interview with shaman and author Carlos Castaneda in 1994, Wagner became deeply involved with Castaneda's teachings, joining his inner circle under the alias Lorenzo Drake. He played a role in disseminating this knowledge by directing the initial Tensegrity videos for Cleargreen. Wagner has maintained his connection to this group even after Castaneda's passing in 1998. His experiences with Castaneda have been a subject of his writing, including an essay for Tricycle magazine where he reflected on the lessons learned from his teacher. This immersion into mystical practices offers a unique dimension to his otherwise Hollywood-focused artistic output.

Wagner's career spans novels, screenplays, and essays. His early screenplay "Young Lust" did not see release, but the experience led him to develop material inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald's "Pat Hobby" stories. His self-published collection "Force Majeure: The Bud Wiggins Stories" garnered attention and was optioned by Oliver Stone, eventually forming the basis for the film "Maps to the Stars." He has written for prestigious publications including The New Yorker and The New York Times. His novels "I'm Losing You" and "The Chrysanthemum Palace" achieved significant recognition, with the latter being a PEN/Faulkner finalist. Wagner also contributed to the screenplay for "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors" and created the mini-series "Wild Palms."

In recent years, Wagner's novel "The Marvel Universe: Origin Stories" faced publication challenges due to its language, which editors deemed problematic. This led Wagner to release the book for free online and into the public domain, opting out of traditional publishing routes. He has also appeared on various podcasts, engaging with contemporary cultural discussions. His novel "I Met Someone" was adapted into a film titled "Mother Tongue" by Mike Figgis, though its release is pending. Wagner continues to publish, with works like "ROAR: American Master" and novellas appearing in recent years.

“His work exists in several different epochs simultaneously, like a transcended master who has slipped the bonds of the merely temporal. In that final sense, Bruce Wagner's time has never left, is sure to arrive, and has come at last.”

“the language is problematic.”

“not even a character can call herself that.”

“My entire body of work would be thrown into a furnace if it were to be read and judged by sensitivity readers.”

“simple but not easy”