It is easy to say that 2011 sucked and boy did it ever. I hit rock bottom financially in 2011, got arrested for assault in a road rage incident (Don't ask. Still pending.) I was unemployed twice, tore the hell out of my meniscus and had to have knee surgery, and found and then failed to qualify for a house my wife had fallen in love with. Yeah, shit sucked. But there were quite a few bright spots as well.
I made the ballot for the HWA Bram Stoker Awards for the first time in 2012 for my poetry collection VICIOUS ROMANTIC. I can't tell you how proud I am of that little book. Poetry has always been my first love.
The company that bought the film option for The Resurrectionist, renewed the option with the promise to get started on the movie in early 2012. This is a big deal for me. I think every author's dream is to see his novel hit the silver screen and this book is perfect for it. The sale of the film rights will also help me finally purchase a new house after losing my house in 2009. Fingers crossed.
I helped my good friend Shane McKenzie start his small press publishing company and became one of their first authors when they published SACRIFICE. The genre desperately needs strong publishers and Sinister Grin Press now has a pretty solid business plan that should see them thrive in the next two years. They will be publishing my collaboration with J.F. Gonzalez, THE KILLINGS next year and another novella by me sometime near the end of 2012. Their emergence also helped stabilize my finances when they were at their worst.
I made a great new friend in Brian Wubbena who gave my wife and I the best anniversary we ever had. He also has many of the same interests as me and, like Shane Mckenzie and Nate Southard, bridges the gap between my horror friends and my fighter friends. Kicking it with him and his wife, Tabitha, actually makes me feel normal. In addition to being a horror fanatic and a fight fan, he also likes to cook (he's actually a chef) so that pretty much seals the deal. Odd to find someone with all the same interests as you. My wife doesn't even have all the same interests as me. If he had breasts and a vagina she'd be in trouble. Well, if he had a pretty face as well and was genetically female not transgender and if he was more curvaceous. Okay, I wouldn't get romantic with him, but you know what I mean.
After being unemployed twice in 2011, I ended the year by being rehired at the company I had worked for since 1999. How huge that is for my family and I cannot be measured. It makes the prospects for 2012 all that much brighter.
Deadite Press put out three of my novellas last year and the fans were nearly unanimous in their approval. It's great to have a strong new publisher in the horror genre. Even the rereleases were better received this time around then they were on their initial release. Might have something to do with the covers? If you pick up a book with a title as provocative as LIKE PORNO FOR PSYCHOS with a cover image featuring a woman posed on a bed minus much of her skin and you're surprised by the amount of sex and gore then you're an idiot. I think Deadite got that and the fans got it as well. More good stuff coming from them in 2012.
KillerCon was a huge success in 2011. We had many surprise celebrity attendees, last minute guests of honor, the panels were amazing, and the contests were just plain incredible. Everyone had a great time and we're doing it again in 2012!
Shane McKenzie came through for me like a champ this year, once again proving what a great friend he is and confirming that my choice to move to Austin was a great one. Don't know what I would have done without friends like him, Nate, and Brian.
So, despite the many ill fortunes I suffered this year, I had my share of good fortune as well. Still, as I said in a recent Facebook post: "2011 should have been murdered in the womb, but I survived it and came out stronger in the end than I was when it started. Now, I just need some peace."
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Appreciation
There's an old saying that goes: "No man loves his debtors." It is hard to feel gratitude. It is hard to live with the knowledge that you owe someone, that you are in their debt. It typically breeds resentment and eventually denial. But this isn't always the case.
There are a great many people to whom I am indebted. My writing career may have never gotten off the ground had it not been for a few writers and editors who helped me along the way. My fighting career would have never begun had it not been for my trainers, promoters, and matchmakers. Here's a partial, but by no means exhaustive, list of those to whom I owe a debt.
Floretta James White (Mom). Besides giving birth to me and raising me, my mother always encouraged me to do and be whatever I wanted to do. She believed that everyone should explore their talents and do what they love. She was also the one who exposed me to horror and nurtured my love of reading. Without a doubt, I would be nothing I am today without her. I love you, Mom. Thanks for making me the man I am today.
Bob Strauss. I had just started writing, posting stories at the Horror Author's Network's now defunct (and greatly missed) website, when Bob contacted me to tell me how much he enjoyed my writing. I had never heard of Extreme Horror before him. I naively assumed that all horror was extreme, but then I hadn't read much horror in over a decade. I was just writing the type of stories I wanted to read. He was the one who told me about Edward Lee, Richard Laymon, and Jack Ketchum. He was also the one who told me about Delirium Webzine and suggested that I submit stories there. I owe you one, my friend.
Shane Ryan Staley. I was an unknown writer still learning his craft back in 2001 when I submitted my first story to Delirium Webzine. It was a twisted little tale called "After The Cure" about an orgy breaking out following the cure for AIDS. Shane published it and then followed that up by putting me in his first and only online gross-out contest. I entered another story titled "Nothing Better to Do" about a man trying to kill a dog who was really a two thousand year-old demon that planted subliminal suggestions in his mind at night while he slept. That story was the first one to really get me noticed. At that time, Delirium Webzine was one of the most widely read horror webzines online. Their Sunday night chats (which I still miss) were attended by some of the brightest up and coming writers in the genre including Brian Keene, Paul Tremblay, and Monica O'Rourke. Putting my little story online helped introduce me to all of them. I was surprised when I went to my first convention, Horrorfind I, and people noticed me and remembered me because they'd read me in Delirium. Shane was also responsible for my first sale to a major anthology, Dark Testament and the publication of my first solo novella, His Pain. Even my short story collection, The Book Of A Thousand Sins, was originally written for Delirium Books at Shane's request though he later passed on it. Thanks for all you've done for me, Shane.
Brian Keene. I was attending my first horror convention, Horrorfind I, when I met Brian. I had spoken to him online before. He'd even published a couple of my stories in Horrorfind's fiction section. Still, I was surprised by how friendly and accommodating he was. He introduced me to several writers, editors and publishers. It was Brian who, at a later Horrorfind, introduced me to Edward Lee, inspiring the collaboration that would have the first major impact on my career, The Teratologist. It was Brian who put me in a reading slot with Edward Lee and Jack Ketchum, one of the highlights of my career, which led to the best blurb I've ever received. It was Brian who introduced me to Don D'Auria, which led to my first mass-market deal for Succulent Prey. No other person has done more for my career than you, Brian. My debt to you is immeasurable. Thanks, my friend.
Brian Hopkins. Brian was my mentor when I first joined the HWA. My style was raw and unpolished (some may say it still is) when he took me under his wing. I doubt that I would have gotten anything published back then if not for his guidance.
Edward Lee. I had just started reading Lee's work when I met him at Horrorfind. I was blown away when he told me that he had read and enjoyed my writing. A nearby editor overheard the exchange and offered to publish a collaboration between the two of us and thus Teratologist was born. Lee didn't have to agree to it. He had plenty of other authors clamoring to work with him. If he hadn't though, my career would never have received that much needed boost. Thanks, my friend.
Monica J. O'Rourke. I met Monica online at Delirium's Sunday night chats and in person at Horrorfind. We hit it off pretty quickly. Her twisted little novel, Suffer The Flesh, remains one of my favorite reads. After reading it, I contacted her about collaborating on a piece and Poisoning Eros, one of my most popular and sought after collaborations, was born. Since then MoJo has been my behind the scenes weapon proofreading nearly every novel and novella I've published. Thanks, my luv.
Larry Roberts and Jamie La Chance. I put them together because, my very first novel, Succulent Prey, would never have existed had Jamie not read it and recommended to Larry that he publish it and had Larry not agreed to take that world altering leap of faith on a new writer. This book was the one that introduced me to the world and later led to my first mass-market deal. My sincere gratitude to both of you.
Don D'Auria. Yes, I have had my issues with Leisure Books. Still, the fact remains that my star would not be shining nearly so bright had Don not agreed to publish my first mass-market novel. And, had he not published The Resurrectionist, the possibility of seeing the product of my imagination on the silver screen would not exist either. Thanks for everything, Don.
Maurice Broaddus. Yeah, I know. I'm stretching here, but the reality is that if Maurice had never invited me to join his messageboard and never invited me to speak at his church, I would never have realized how many people were actually interested in my views on atheism. Arguments with Maurice have led to many of my most popular essays and even led to the creation of my blog at GODLESSANDBLACK.blogspot.com. Our collaboration, Orgy of Souls, introduced my work to a whole new audience and (if he ever gets his ass in gear) our latest collaboration, God's Wrath, is destined to make serious ripples. Thanks, Maurice!
Kru Sam Phimsoutham. Kru Sam was my first Muay Thai instructor. I would never have stepped into the ring had it not been for the patience and skill Kru showed in training me throughout my amateur career and his commitment in sticking by me through my pro career as well, even when I was training with Master Toddy. He was there to train me for my retirement fight. Much of the man I am today, I owe to you, sir. Thank you.
Thohsaphon Sitiwatjana (Master Toddy). When I turned pro, I moved to Las Vegas to train with the world famous Master Toddy. I lived at his house, ate at his table, and fought whoever he put in front of me, even when I sometimes had no chance of winning. I trusted the man that much. If he said fight, I fought without question. I would never have fought in Japan had it not been for Master Toddy. I would never have had some of my most cherished memories. Many of the techniques I use and teach today, I learned from you. For that, I owe you much. Thank you.
There are many more people I could add to this list. My wife, my ex-wife, my ninth grade English teacher, my great-grandfather, my grandmother, my philosophy professor, my latest collaborators: J.F. Gonzalez and Andre Duza, my former fight promoters, the matchmakers who got me my first fights in Japan, everyone who's ever bought one of my books. There are too many to name. My point here is that I hate being indebted to someone else as much as anyone. I am militantly independent and I like to think I can do it all by myself, but the reality is that none of us can. We all need other people and it is good to know there are people who will step in to help even when you think you don't need it. I love my debtors. There is no way I could ever fool myself into thinking I could have gotten half as far in my life without you. Thank you all.
There are a great many people to whom I am indebted. My writing career may have never gotten off the ground had it not been for a few writers and editors who helped me along the way. My fighting career would have never begun had it not been for my trainers, promoters, and matchmakers. Here's a partial, but by no means exhaustive, list of those to whom I owe a debt.
Floretta James White (Mom). Besides giving birth to me and raising me, my mother always encouraged me to do and be whatever I wanted to do. She believed that everyone should explore their talents and do what they love. She was also the one who exposed me to horror and nurtured my love of reading. Without a doubt, I would be nothing I am today without her. I love you, Mom. Thanks for making me the man I am today.
Bob Strauss. I had just started writing, posting stories at the Horror Author's Network's now defunct (and greatly missed) website, when Bob contacted me to tell me how much he enjoyed my writing. I had never heard of Extreme Horror before him. I naively assumed that all horror was extreme, but then I hadn't read much horror in over a decade. I was just writing the type of stories I wanted to read. He was the one who told me about Edward Lee, Richard Laymon, and Jack Ketchum. He was also the one who told me about Delirium Webzine and suggested that I submit stories there. I owe you one, my friend.
Shane Ryan Staley. I was an unknown writer still learning his craft back in 2001 when I submitted my first story to Delirium Webzine. It was a twisted little tale called "After The Cure" about an orgy breaking out following the cure for AIDS. Shane published it and then followed that up by putting me in his first and only online gross-out contest. I entered another story titled "Nothing Better to Do" about a man trying to kill a dog who was really a two thousand year-old demon that planted subliminal suggestions in his mind at night while he slept. That story was the first one to really get me noticed. At that time, Delirium Webzine was one of the most widely read horror webzines online. Their Sunday night chats (which I still miss) were attended by some of the brightest up and coming writers in the genre including Brian Keene, Paul Tremblay, and Monica O'Rourke. Putting my little story online helped introduce me to all of them. I was surprised when I went to my first convention, Horrorfind I, and people noticed me and remembered me because they'd read me in Delirium. Shane was also responsible for my first sale to a major anthology, Dark Testament and the publication of my first solo novella, His Pain. Even my short story collection, The Book Of A Thousand Sins, was originally written for Delirium Books at Shane's request though he later passed on it. Thanks for all you've done for me, Shane.
Brian Keene. I was attending my first horror convention, Horrorfind I, when I met Brian. I had spoken to him online before. He'd even published a couple of my stories in Horrorfind's fiction section. Still, I was surprised by how friendly and accommodating he was. He introduced me to several writers, editors and publishers. It was Brian who, at a later Horrorfind, introduced me to Edward Lee, inspiring the collaboration that would have the first major impact on my career, The Teratologist. It was Brian who put me in a reading slot with Edward Lee and Jack Ketchum, one of the highlights of my career, which led to the best blurb I've ever received. It was Brian who introduced me to Don D'Auria, which led to my first mass-market deal for Succulent Prey. No other person has done more for my career than you, Brian. My debt to you is immeasurable. Thanks, my friend.
Brian Hopkins. Brian was my mentor when I first joined the HWA. My style was raw and unpolished (some may say it still is) when he took me under his wing. I doubt that I would have gotten anything published back then if not for his guidance.
Edward Lee. I had just started reading Lee's work when I met him at Horrorfind. I was blown away when he told me that he had read and enjoyed my writing. A nearby editor overheard the exchange and offered to publish a collaboration between the two of us and thus Teratologist was born. Lee didn't have to agree to it. He had plenty of other authors clamoring to work with him. If he hadn't though, my career would never have received that much needed boost. Thanks, my friend.
Monica J. O'Rourke. I met Monica online at Delirium's Sunday night chats and in person at Horrorfind. We hit it off pretty quickly. Her twisted little novel, Suffer The Flesh, remains one of my favorite reads. After reading it, I contacted her about collaborating on a piece and Poisoning Eros, one of my most popular and sought after collaborations, was born. Since then MoJo has been my behind the scenes weapon proofreading nearly every novel and novella I've published. Thanks, my luv.
Larry Roberts and Jamie La Chance. I put them together because, my very first novel, Succulent Prey, would never have existed had Jamie not read it and recommended to Larry that he publish it and had Larry not agreed to take that world altering leap of faith on a new writer. This book was the one that introduced me to the world and later led to my first mass-market deal. My sincere gratitude to both of you.
Don D'Auria. Yes, I have had my issues with Leisure Books. Still, the fact remains that my star would not be shining nearly so bright had Don not agreed to publish my first mass-market novel. And, had he not published The Resurrectionist, the possibility of seeing the product of my imagination on the silver screen would not exist either. Thanks for everything, Don.
Maurice Broaddus. Yeah, I know. I'm stretching here, but the reality is that if Maurice had never invited me to join his messageboard and never invited me to speak at his church, I would never have realized how many people were actually interested in my views on atheism. Arguments with Maurice have led to many of my most popular essays and even led to the creation of my blog at GODLESSANDBLACK.blogspot.com. Our collaboration, Orgy of Souls, introduced my work to a whole new audience and (if he ever gets his ass in gear) our latest collaboration, God's Wrath, is destined to make serious ripples. Thanks, Maurice!
Kru Sam Phimsoutham. Kru Sam was my first Muay Thai instructor. I would never have stepped into the ring had it not been for the patience and skill Kru showed in training me throughout my amateur career and his commitment in sticking by me through my pro career as well, even when I was training with Master Toddy. He was there to train me for my retirement fight. Much of the man I am today, I owe to you, sir. Thank you.
Thohsaphon Sitiwatjana (Master Toddy). When I turned pro, I moved to Las Vegas to train with the world famous Master Toddy. I lived at his house, ate at his table, and fought whoever he put in front of me, even when I sometimes had no chance of winning. I trusted the man that much. If he said fight, I fought without question. I would never have fought in Japan had it not been for Master Toddy. I would never have had some of my most cherished memories. Many of the techniques I use and teach today, I learned from you. For that, I owe you much. Thank you.
There are many more people I could add to this list. My wife, my ex-wife, my ninth grade English teacher, my great-grandfather, my grandmother, my philosophy professor, my latest collaborators: J.F. Gonzalez and Andre Duza, my former fight promoters, the matchmakers who got me my first fights in Japan, everyone who's ever bought one of my books. There are too many to name. My point here is that I hate being indebted to someone else as much as anyone. I am militantly independent and I like to think I can do it all by myself, but the reality is that none of us can. We all need other people and it is good to know there are people who will step in to help even when you think you don't need it. I love my debtors. There is no way I could ever fool myself into thinking I could have gotten half as far in my life without you. Thank you all.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Writing My Ass Off!
Writing to pay bills has always been a fear of mine. "What if I become a hack, churning out the next book just to pay the light bill? What would happen to my artistic integrity?" I didn't see how anyone could give an honest effort while cranking out three or four books a year. Now, even though I have a full-time job, this economy has so decimated my savings that I have had to up my writing output to keep food on the table. This terrified me at first. All my fears of becoming a hack resurfaced. "How could I feed my family with my writing and not compromise myself?"
I remembered Stephen King's output in the eighties. I read then that he wrote 2,000 words a day. I write around 850 words a day. That's not exactly balls to the wall. I have more ideas for stories in my head than I could ever possibly write this year or next. So, I am not at a lost for inspiration. I am not struggling to come up with the next book and churning out whatever I can just to make a quick buck. That would suck, for both you as a reader and me as a writer. I'd rather starve.
Every book I have written in the last year has been one that has been on my mind for at least two years prior to me putting pen to page and some had been sitting unfinished for ten years or more. The stories I'm coming up with now will probably not get written for a year or two at the least. I write as much as I possibly can without taking too much time from my family or risking divorce or insanity.
What I have found is that necessity not only breeds creativity, but it spawns the motivation to actually give life to the ideas languishing in one's mind. An overdue power bill is a great impetus to get off one's ass and write. I cannot imagine how much longer Sacrifice might have remained unfinished had I not needed to pay the rent or when or if I would have ever finished Amber Alert or written SKINZZ. Would I have even begun my collaborations with Andre Duza or J.F. Gonzalez had I not been unemployed from March to September? Probably not.
Writing three or four books a year while working full-time, training fighters, and raising three kids and a wife ain't easy. Don't get me wrong. My point is that it does not necessarily lead to a decrease in the quality of one's work as an artist. Some authors, like Brian Keene, have done some of their best work since they became full-time writers. If I had more time to write, and didn't need the money, I'd probably write a helluva lot less and many of the books my readers now enjoy would not even exist. Hell, I wrote The Resurrectionist under a time crunch and finished the last 17,000 words in one weekend and I would go so far as to say that it is one of my best books with one of the best endings I've ever written. So, more time is not necessary for better quality when it comes to art. And it appears that my fears of becoming a hack have (so far) been for nothing.
Despite my enormous output the last two years, I still have more ideas than time to write them. My novel about a former Ugandan child soldier being chased through Death Valley by subhuman cannibals remains uncompleted. My novel about an interracial couple involved in a cruel BDS&M; game is only half complete. My zombie(ish) novel has yet to be written. There's a collaboration I've been meaning to start with one of your favorite extreme horror authors that I have not gotten around to yet. The sequel to Population Zero is still bouncing from brain cell to brain cell, but has yet to make it onto the page. I've got a novella to write for Sinister Grin Press next year that is still just a pile of notes. I am trying hard to finish Prey Drive by January and I just came up with an idea for a screenplay. That's seven or eight projects right there that will carry me through 2013. So no dearth of ideas here.
What's funny in all of this, is that even writing three or four books a year, I feel like I'm not writing enough. I keep remembering Stephen King's 2,000 words a day and thinking: "Damn. I'm a fucking slacker." I need to get my ass in gear! So, I'm setting a goal for myself of 8,000 words a week until Prey drive is complete. That's the goal. Now, if I can just get my slave-driver of a muse to back off and let me concentrate on one project before filling my head with new ideas, I should make it. Wish me luck!
I remembered Stephen King's output in the eighties. I read then that he wrote 2,000 words a day. I write around 850 words a day. That's not exactly balls to the wall. I have more ideas for stories in my head than I could ever possibly write this year or next. So, I am not at a lost for inspiration. I am not struggling to come up with the next book and churning out whatever I can just to make a quick buck. That would suck, for both you as a reader and me as a writer. I'd rather starve.
Every book I have written in the last year has been one that has been on my mind for at least two years prior to me putting pen to page and some had been sitting unfinished for ten years or more. The stories I'm coming up with now will probably not get written for a year or two at the least. I write as much as I possibly can without taking too much time from my family or risking divorce or insanity.
What I have found is that necessity not only breeds creativity, but it spawns the motivation to actually give life to the ideas languishing in one's mind. An overdue power bill is a great impetus to get off one's ass and write. I cannot imagine how much longer Sacrifice might have remained unfinished had I not needed to pay the rent or when or if I would have ever finished Amber Alert or written SKINZZ. Would I have even begun my collaborations with Andre Duza or J.F. Gonzalez had I not been unemployed from March to September? Probably not.
Writing three or four books a year while working full-time, training fighters, and raising three kids and a wife ain't easy. Don't get me wrong. My point is that it does not necessarily lead to a decrease in the quality of one's work as an artist. Some authors, like Brian Keene, have done some of their best work since they became full-time writers. If I had more time to write, and didn't need the money, I'd probably write a helluva lot less and many of the books my readers now enjoy would not even exist. Hell, I wrote The Resurrectionist under a time crunch and finished the last 17,000 words in one weekend and I would go so far as to say that it is one of my best books with one of the best endings I've ever written. So, more time is not necessary for better quality when it comes to art. And it appears that my fears of becoming a hack have (so far) been for nothing.
Despite my enormous output the last two years, I still have more ideas than time to write them. My novel about a former Ugandan child soldier being chased through Death Valley by subhuman cannibals remains uncompleted. My novel about an interracial couple involved in a cruel BDS&M; game is only half complete. My zombie(ish) novel has yet to be written. There's a collaboration I've been meaning to start with one of your favorite extreme horror authors that I have not gotten around to yet. The sequel to Population Zero is still bouncing from brain cell to brain cell, but has yet to make it onto the page. I've got a novella to write for Sinister Grin Press next year that is still just a pile of notes. I am trying hard to finish Prey Drive by January and I just came up with an idea for a screenplay. That's seven or eight projects right there that will carry me through 2013. So no dearth of ideas here.
What's funny in all of this, is that even writing three or four books a year, I feel like I'm not writing enough. I keep remembering Stephen King's 2,000 words a day and thinking: "Damn. I'm a fucking slacker." I need to get my ass in gear! So, I'm setting a goal for myself of 8,000 words a week until Prey drive is complete. That's the goal. Now, if I can just get my slave-driver of a muse to back off and let me concentrate on one project before filling my head with new ideas, I should make it. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
IS THERE A DEMON IN YOU?
A new anthology from Camelot Books containing the following novellas:
The Witching Tree by Brian Keene
Fan-favorite Levi Stoltzfus (the ex-Amish occult detective from Brian's Ghost Walk and A Gathering of Crows) returns home to fact a very different sort of possession--one that will rock his faith to its core and challenge everything he believes.
Possessing Amy by Mary SanGiovanni
When police officer Liam McInnes answers a domestic disturbance call, he discovers a battered woman whose inner demons have given her a new kind of strength. But in order to free her of those demons, Liam will have to navigate the gray areas of evil, and face the desperation that comes with true possession of another.
Mr. Gray by Nate Southard
After years of terror and heartbreak, Ben Gregory confronts the demon that possessed him as a child, but how many innocents will suffer in order for him to get revenge?
Amber Alert by Wrath James White
All over Las Vegas, women are giving birth to monsters. While on a search for a missing child, Spencer Logan stumbles into a world of occult science, demonic pregnancies, and an angry young scientist intent on changing humanity's genetic future.
Specifics on the book:
Cover art: Chad Savage
End papers and intertior art: Glenn Chadbourne
Page count: 303
Limited to 500 signed and numbered hardcover copies
Published price: $50.00
While the above stories may one day appear in digital or paperback form, this will not happen for at least two years from date of publication of the limited.
There will also be a lettered state, but we are still working out the details.
Those ordering copies direct from Camelot Books will also receive a free chapette as follows (1 chapette per 1 book ordered):
Fast Zombies Suck by Brian Keene
Baby Teeth by Mary SanGiovanni
The Devil Crashed In by Nate Southard
Tamara's Last Exorcism by Wrath James White
Chapettes are limited to 125 signed and numbered softcover copies
Here's how the chapettes work:
With each order of a book, we will include a chapette with the shipment or paid for copy, put in hold box. Please don't ask for a particular chapette as they will be shipped one after the other as books are shipped or put in a hold box, while supplies last. What that means is, when I ship out a book, or put a paid for copy in your hold box, I'll include "Fast Zombies Suck", with the next book, I'll include "Baby Teeth", then "The Devil Crashed In" with the next book and "Tamara's Last Exorcism" with the next, and then start the sequence over.
Order your copy now!
http://www.Camelotbooks.com
The Witching Tree by Brian Keene
Fan-favorite Levi Stoltzfus (the ex-Amish occult detective from Brian's Ghost Walk and A Gathering of Crows) returns home to fact a very different sort of possession--one that will rock his faith to its core and challenge everything he believes.
Possessing Amy by Mary SanGiovanni
When police officer Liam McInnes answers a domestic disturbance call, he discovers a battered woman whose inner demons have given her a new kind of strength. But in order to free her of those demons, Liam will have to navigate the gray areas of evil, and face the desperation that comes with true possession of another.
Mr. Gray by Nate Southard
After years of terror and heartbreak, Ben Gregory confronts the demon that possessed him as a child, but how many innocents will suffer in order for him to get revenge?
Amber Alert by Wrath James White
All over Las Vegas, women are giving birth to monsters. While on a search for a missing child, Spencer Logan stumbles into a world of occult science, demonic pregnancies, and an angry young scientist intent on changing humanity's genetic future.
Specifics on the book:
Cover art: Chad Savage
End papers and intertior art: Glenn Chadbourne
Page count: 303
Limited to 500 signed and numbered hardcover copies
Published price: $50.00
While the above stories may one day appear in digital or paperback form, this will not happen for at least two years from date of publication of the limited.
There will also be a lettered state, but we are still working out the details.
Those ordering copies direct from Camelot Books will also receive a free chapette as follows (1 chapette per 1 book ordered):
Fast Zombies Suck by Brian Keene
Baby Teeth by Mary SanGiovanni
The Devil Crashed In by Nate Southard
Tamara's Last Exorcism by Wrath James White
Chapettes are limited to 125 signed and numbered softcover copies
Here's how the chapettes work:
With each order of a book, we will include a chapette with the shipment or paid for copy, put in hold box. Please don't ask for a particular chapette as they will be shipped one after the other as books are shipped or put in a hold box, while supplies last. What that means is, when I ship out a book, or put a paid for copy in your hold box, I'll include "Fast Zombies Suck", with the next book, I'll include "Baby Teeth", then "The Devil Crashed In" with the next book and "Tamara's Last Exorcism" with the next, and then start the sequence over.
Order your copy now!
http://www.Camelotbooks.com
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Out Now!
I know it's hard to keep track of all the stuff I've got coming out in the next few months, so here's a quick list with links (You may need to cut and paste them into your browser window):
HIS PAIN from Deadite Press.
http://www.amazon.com/His-Pain-Wrath-James-White/dp/1936383675/ref=pd_sim_b2
LIKE PORNO FOR PSYCHOS from Deadite Books.
http://www.amazon.com/Porno-Psychos-Wrath-James-White/dp/1936383845/ref=pd_sim_b1
SACRIFICE from Sinister Grin Press
http://sinistergrinpress.com/books/
http://www.amazon.com/Sacrifice-Wrath-James-White/dp/0983911800/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_3
PURE HATE from Dark Quest Books.
http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Hate-Wrath-James-White/dp/1937051218/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_3
COMING SOON:
THE REAPER from Cargo Cult/Delirium Books (Fall/Winter 2011)
SKINZZ from Thunderstorm Books (Fall/Winter 2011)
SON OF A BITCH (co-authored with Andre Duza)from Sideshow press (Winter 2011)
THE KILLINGS (co-authored with J.F. Gonzalez) from Sinister Grin Press (Spring 2012)
If you like what you read feel free to post a review on Amazon, on your blog, on messageboards, Facebook, Google+, Goodreads, or Library Thing. Thanks for your support! Keep reading and I'll keep writing.
HIS PAIN from Deadite Press.
http://www.amazon.com/His-Pain-Wrath-James-White/dp/1936383675/ref=pd_sim_b2
LIKE PORNO FOR PSYCHOS from Deadite Books.
http://www.amazon.com/Porno-Psychos-Wrath-James-White/dp/1936383845/ref=pd_sim_b1
SACRIFICE from Sinister Grin Press
http://sinistergrinpress.com/books/
http://www.amazon.com/Sacrifice-Wrath-James-White/dp/0983911800/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_3
PURE HATE from Dark Quest Books.
http://www.amazon.com/Pure-Hate-Wrath-James-White/dp/1937051218/ref=pd_rhf_dp_p_t_3
COMING SOON:
THE REAPER from Cargo Cult/Delirium Books (Fall/Winter 2011)
SKINZZ from Thunderstorm Books (Fall/Winter 2011)
SON OF A BITCH (co-authored with Andre Duza)from Sideshow press (Winter 2011)
THE KILLINGS (co-authored with J.F. Gonzalez) from Sinister Grin Press (Spring 2012)
If you like what you read feel free to post a review on Amazon, on your blog, on messageboards, Facebook, Google+, Goodreads, or Library Thing. Thanks for your support! Keep reading and I'll keep writing.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
KillerCon?
You may have heard all the buzz about this year's KillerCon and might be asking yourself, "What's the big deal? It's just another convention." But KillerCon is more than just another horror convention. KillerCon is a celebration. It's Christmas for writers of disturbing fiction. It's where writers and would-be-writers come to feel like the 80s never ended and horror is still the most popular genre of all. At KillerCon, horror, thriller, science fiction, and paranormal romance authors are literary rockstars! No pretentious B-movie cult stars or aging scream queens hogging the limelight and charging fans for autographs. No video game or role-playing game creators or voice-over actors. Here, writers take center stage.
In addition to the readings, author Q&As; and the mass-signing, at KillerCon we present informative panels and workshops on the business and craft of writing. From Matt Schwartz's workshop on self-marketing at the first KillerCon to Mort Castle's writing workshop at KillerCon 3, we are committed to making this convention an opportunity to learn and grow as well as a chance to meet your favorite authors. Next year, we are planning a workshop on self-editing and a "Grammar Workshop for Writers" from "Grammar Girl" Mignon Fogharty.
Then there's the location. No dingy hotel in the middle of nowhere. KillerCon takes place in the world's playground, Sin City, the Las Vegas Fucking Strip! The hotel, the world famous Stratosphere hotel and casino, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in a city of landmarks. The staff is friendly, cooperative, and accommodating. They really do treat you like royalty. I'm sure we've all been to conventions where you've paid between a hundred and two hundred dollars a night for a room only to have the hotel staff treat us like annoyances rather than honored guests of their establishment. Not here. The staff at The Stratosphere could not be more gracious and hospitable and most people paid roughly a hundred and sixty dollars for the entire weekend!
Though most people stuck close to the hotel, within walking distance from the convention, there are more than a dozen casinos, bars, strip-clubs, four and five star restaurants, and outrageous danceclubs and Vegas-style stageshows. Once back at the hotel, there is a party every night during the convention with alcohol flowing non-stop unto the wee hours of the morning. But that's not what makes the event so special. It's the people.
From our volunteer staff to our guests of honor to our attendees, everyone at KillerCon is treated like family. I know you've heard that before, but here it is true. It is something you can feel the moment you enter the hospitality suite for our traditional Thursday night welcome party. It is a reunion of friends. KillerCon is your safe place. It's where you can get falling down drunk and can trust that someone will get you safely back to your hotel room (though I wouldn't recommend it.) As one of our guests of honor said this year: "I feel okay leaving my books unattended here because I know that no one's going to take them. Everyone here's a friend." And that is probably the best summation I can give of the atmosphere at KillerCon; "...everyone here's a friend." Ray Garton put it best in his convention recap when he said, "In some ways, it was like attending a reunion ... The great thing about KillerCon — the thing that struck me repeatedly throughout the weekend — was that even though Dawn and I had never attended before, we were made to feel a part of the reunion."
That's what KillerCon is and that's why you should be a part of it. www.killercon.com
In addition to the readings, author Q&As; and the mass-signing, at KillerCon we present informative panels and workshops on the business and craft of writing. From Matt Schwartz's workshop on self-marketing at the first KillerCon to Mort Castle's writing workshop at KillerCon 3, we are committed to making this convention an opportunity to learn and grow as well as a chance to meet your favorite authors. Next year, we are planning a workshop on self-editing and a "Grammar Workshop for Writers" from "Grammar Girl" Mignon Fogharty.
Then there's the location. No dingy hotel in the middle of nowhere. KillerCon takes place in the world's playground, Sin City, the Las Vegas Fucking Strip! The hotel, the world famous Stratosphere hotel and casino, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in a city of landmarks. The staff is friendly, cooperative, and accommodating. They really do treat you like royalty. I'm sure we've all been to conventions where you've paid between a hundred and two hundred dollars a night for a room only to have the hotel staff treat us like annoyances rather than honored guests of their establishment. Not here. The staff at The Stratosphere could not be more gracious and hospitable and most people paid roughly a hundred and sixty dollars for the entire weekend!
Though most people stuck close to the hotel, within walking distance from the convention, there are more than a dozen casinos, bars, strip-clubs, four and five star restaurants, and outrageous danceclubs and Vegas-style stageshows. Once back at the hotel, there is a party every night during the convention with alcohol flowing non-stop unto the wee hours of the morning. But that's not what makes the event so special. It's the people.
From our volunteer staff to our guests of honor to our attendees, everyone at KillerCon is treated like family. I know you've heard that before, but here it is true. It is something you can feel the moment you enter the hospitality suite for our traditional Thursday night welcome party. It is a reunion of friends. KillerCon is your safe place. It's where you can get falling down drunk and can trust that someone will get you safely back to your hotel room (though I wouldn't recommend it.) As one of our guests of honor said this year: "I feel okay leaving my books unattended here because I know that no one's going to take them. Everyone here's a friend." And that is probably the best summation I can give of the atmosphere at KillerCon; "...everyone here's a friend." Ray Garton put it best in his convention recap when he said, "In some ways, it was like attending a reunion ... The great thing about KillerCon — the thing that struck me repeatedly throughout the weekend — was that even though Dawn and I had never attended before, we were made to feel a part of the reunion."
That's what KillerCon is and that's why you should be a part of it. www.killercon.com
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Like Porno For Psychos
When I first started writing short stories again, after more than a decade of only writing poetry, my first efforts were in the realm of pornography. It was pornography with a strong supernatural or thriller element, but pornography nonetheless. Its sole purpose was to arouse unto the point of orgasm. I even sold a couple to Hustler Magazine. Later, I rewrote many of these short stories, pumping up the speculative fiction elements, and removing much of the sex (or so I thought.) I then resold these stories to horror magazines. I was quickly labeled an "Erotic Horror Author". Years later, when I reread these tales, I realized that I had not removed nearly as much of the sex as I had thought. A couple of these stories, like Fly, about a guy who tosses women off balconies after having sex with them, ended up in The Book Of A Thousand Sins. The rest of them have been collected here, in my latest short story collection available now from Deadite Books.
Like Porno For Psychos includes some of my most lascivious writings. These stories drip with body fluids. There is a story about a cure for AIDS that spawns a world-wide orgy resulting in the erosion of society, a story about a woman with a fetish for lions, a story about a pimp who sees the power of creation in the vaginas of his whore's, a story about a prostitute from hell and the right-wing conservative politician who can't get enough of him. There are less salacious fare as well. A story about the neighbor who owns the dog that is really the thousand-year-old demon that once commanded David Berkowitz to kill, a story about a woman so obsessed with losing weight that she will go to any lengths. There are even a couple of erotic poems.
After reading this short collection of pornographic terrors, you might be left with the impression that Wrath really likes sex. This impression would be correct. There are few things I enjoy that I can't either fuck, fight, or eat. If you don't also like sex, violence, death, and horror then this is not the read for you. As the title implies, this is not a book for prudes. This is erotic horror with a strong emphasis on the erotic. Ever read a horror book with one hand? Well, this would be the one to start with. Enjoy.
You can order this little book of horror porn here:
http://deaditepress.com/2011/09/12/like-porno-for-psychos-by-wrath-james-white/
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