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THE YEAR 2003 IN LITERATURE NEWS
feoamante.com is rated in the top five of Horror Resource Guides at
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Contributors
to feoamante.com are going places!
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JUNE 27 TAMARA
THORNE'S SPIRIT OF THE RADIO Ghostly Talk is a weekly internet talk show about ghosts and the paranormal. The focus is the scientific and logical study of paranormal activities. Ghostly Talk tries to use common sense with uncommon topics. The show is currently broadcast live over the internet on Sunday nights beginning at 7:00pm eastern time. Interaction between the listeners and the hosts during the show is accomplished through internet Instant Messaging. The internet radio show will repeat during the week. The live show begins at 4pm/7pm and Tamara will check in and hang out at 4:30/7:30. Check out Ghostly Talk at ghostlytalk.com to learn more. From Monica J. O'Rourke CATALYFT PR3SS Nicole Thomas (owner, 3F Publications), and Monica O'Rourke (owner, Catalyst Press) completed the merger of their respective publishing companies, under the new name of deMoNic Books, earlier this week. The new management have completely re-evaluated their publication schedules, as well as the titles each imprint has slated for publication. Several anthologies have already been cut from the line-up, which include Spirits & Sleuths, Cockroach Suckers, Fresh Blood, Obscure Visions, and Lingering Dementia. With financial hardships extending from residential to commercial, a small press stands little chance of lasting a year. O'Rourke and Thomas hope to beat that by uniting their companies under the parent company of deMoNic Books. The focus is now on novels and short story collections, with less emphasis on anthologies. It is hoped that the restructuring of both companies under deMoNiC will result in a stronger business entity and be in a better and stronger position to serve the horror community. TAKING CHANCES WITH THE CHANCERY How weird does it get out there? This weird according to Lisa Manetti of thechanceryhouse.com. Lisa Manetti
in the United States of America runs a website called The
Chancery House. Someone else runs a site in the United Kingdom called,
The Chancery
House. The claim on THEIR TopSite page is the following: Well, that
webspace provider, according to Lisa Manetti, was tripod and that company
dumped her for "violating our Terms of Service." according to So I checked WHOIS (an international database which keeps track of domain names, who registers them, and when. They are the industry standard) to get information on thechanceryhouse.co.uk and this is what I found. The registrant is S. Byard. They've blocked access to their home address and that's fine. It's their privacy and nun my biz. But here is the kicker! According to WHOIS, thechancery.co.uk has only been registered since JUNE 20, 2003! What's more: Registrant's
Agent: Name servers
listed in order: So, unless WHOIS is ALSO involved in this vast global conspiracy, thechanceryhouse.co.uk hasn't been around longer than squat! Who to believe? thechanceryhouse.com, google.com, netcraft.com, and WHOIS? Or the UK site? Hmmm... Of course, when the UK site makes its accusation - without naming names - it is pointing directly at thechanceryhouse.com because the only other like named domain out there is thechanceryhouse.info, which resides on one of those repugnant generic sites that buy gobs of domains and, if you accidentally get on their page, load a ton of cookies on you and try to make themselves your homepage. Of course, same name assignment goes on all the time. From your local Sam's Hardware to fun loving gals named Bambi (Hey Bambi! How ya doin'? I got my own website here!). Writers write their novel, have a cool title, and find out that the name has been published before. Peter Straub's MR. X novel, only by title alone, reminded me of the early 1980s comic book, MR. X by the Hernandez Bros. It even had the same red color and black lettering. When Andy Fairclough had his Masters of Terror site, based in the UK, someone else had a Masters of Terror site based in the US (it was a hardcore gaming site). If something sounds cool, then with billions of folks around the world there are bound to be some like minded folks around. There was a brief time when someone started a music website called, ShadowMusic.com. I wrote them, told them I had a section on my site called the same thing (and had had it for a year longer) and as long as he had no problem, I had no problem, and welcome to the web. He was cool about it: BUT of course, not everyone feels so "Open Source". Right now there is mud slinging going on back and forth between thechanceryhouse.com and thechanceryhouse.co.uk. "S. Byard" is leading the attacks it appears and is certainly being a liar when "she" (?) claims to have her TopSiteList around longer. I say, check 'em BOTH out and may the best site win! And if anyone out there decides to take sides in this matter, keep in mind that having a website in the UK doesn't make you any more British than eating FRENCH TOAST (NOT Freedom toast you clods!) makes you a snob. And even if this S. Byard IS from the UK, so what? I do want to add one more thing. I was checking out the topsites list at thechanceryhouse.co.uk and right at the top is some guy called Thor Svenson (NOT to be confused with the famous surfer of the 1960s). His boast is thus: "I am Thor Svenson; you may know my work and that I am widely regarded as one of the most exciting writers of horror fiction in the USA today." I am rather stunned by that bit of news because I've NEVER heard of the guy! WIDELY REGARDED? Funny; I thought I was in touch with this kind of thing. He also doesn't show up on amazon.com, bn.com, shocklines.com and I can't even find him on google.com! Funny again. Mysterious, no? Interesting list to say the least. Ah well, at least the artwork on his book covers is recognizable. Some Horror artists may want to check it out ... if you get my drift...
JUNE 20
WELCOME THE NEW REVIEW-er!
JUNE 18 Wrath James White returns to feoamante.com with a review of Carlton Mellick's RAZOR WIRE PUBIC HAIR. It's not just for shock value anymore.
JUNE 16 From Simon
Clark and Chris
Reed Simon Clark writes: 'When I was working on Vampyrrhic Rites I realised that here was a story that could break free of the confines of its book covers. So, as well as the launch of the novel in July, there will be stories, too, that tie-in with the Vampyrrhic 'world' inhabited by David Leppington, Electra Charnwood, Bernice Mochardi and characters new to the Vampyrrhic setting. 'One such story is Vampyrrhic Outcast. This will appear here on the Simon Clark website next month. The story is a new original piece for the site and will be on-line for a limited time only. To mark the launch of Vampyrrhic Rites the manuscript of Vampyrrhic Outcast is to form the main competition prize. With large cash sums being exchanged for my books and manuscripts on auction websites this could be worth locking away with the rest of your family heirlooms.' And What's Next.... The US edition of Stranger is to be published by Leisure in October. And here is exclusive news: Simon's delivered a brand new novel to Leisure entitled In This Skin for a 2004 release. Keep a look out for the next Simon Clark mailer with details of the competition and updates on the value of first editions of Simon's hardcover books. Those values just rise and rise and rise... Stay well. From Hertzan Chimera HERTZAN CHIMERA SPLITS WITH ERASERHEAD PRESS Hertzan Chimera (real name, Mike Philbin), author of acclaimed psycho-erotic horror novels SZMONHFU and UNITED STATES, has split with his U.S. trade-paperback publisher Eraserhead Press. Citing a lack of confidence in the publisher to properly represent its authors in the competitive print market place, the 37 year old Oxford-based author explained that, "..despite repeated written requests, a publishing and marketing schedule has never surfaced for United States." UNITED STATES has been projected for release since Fall of last year to ride out the wave of publicity started by the release of SZMONHFU back in November 2001. Though Hertzan feels that the search for a new paperback novel publisher is going to set him back a full year, a split with the publisher was an obvious measure. On the Hertzan Chimera paperback collection front, Massacre Publications has just scored a Number One Bestseller on Shocklines Distribution with their violent and erotic BOYFISTGIRLSUCK collection, co-written with Alex Severin. Double Dragon Publishing, who publish all the aforementioned titles in ebook format, will also bring out a fully illustrated over-sized trade paperback format version of Hertzan Chimera's ANIMAL INSTINCTS ebook collection in Q1, 2004 (illustrator Mitch Phillips). REJOICE!
FOR YEA THE DARKTOWER SERIES IS ALL IN HARDCOVER! Grrr! But that ain't happening THIS time! This time Stephen King and his publishers really HAVE released the complete DARK TOWER series IN hardcover (and NOT in limited editions either - so you don't have to murder your brother because he got the last copy and you didn't!) and you can get them anywhere! EVERYWHERE! So go to your favorite - whatever - all you SK fans (and don't EVEN pretend you ain't!) and get the all new, updated (purists be damned!) copies of the Dark Tower series with additional illustrations and a new and final (?) book coming out this fall!
JUNE 9 From Judi
Rohrig The Bram Stoker Awards recognize Superior Achievement in writing for the horror genre and IMAGINATION BOX included(s) a wealth of multimedia goodies: fiction, plays, poetry, essays, digital video and audio, photo albums, and more. The award for IMAGINATION BOX marks the second Stoker win for an LWP title. Last year, EXTREMES 2: FANTASY AND HORROR FROM THE ENDS OF THE EARTH, edited by Brian A. Hopkins, received the award in the Anthology Category. The staff also offers congratulations to (their boss) LWP publisher Brian A. Hopkins for being honored with his fourth Bram Stoker Award. His novella, EL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS, (Earthling Publications) tied for honors, with Thomas Ligotti's "My Work Is Not Yet Done", in the Long Fiction category. From
Judi Rohrig NOVEL:
FIRST
NOVEL: LONG
FICTION - A Tie: SHORT
FICTION: COLLECTION:
ANTHOLOGY:
NONFICTION:
ILLUSTRATED
FICTION: SCREENPLAY:
WORK
FOR YOUNG READERS: POETRY:
ALTERNATIVE
FORMS: Lifetime Achievement Award winners were Stephen King and J.N. Williamson. Presented
annually since 1988, the Bram Stoker Awards recognize Superior Achievement
in writing for the horror genre. The awards non-juried and follows procedures
by which any member of the Horror
Writers Association may "recommend" a work in an of twelve
categories to be considered for recognition. Following a preliminary ballot,
a nomination list becomes the Final Ballot. Both of these ballots may
be voted on only by "Active" members of the writers' organization
who have demonstrated "professional" status through sales of
their work.
JUNE 6 NEW
BOOK REVIEW |
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MAY 27 DOUG SPEAK No. As far as he can tell. However,
THE ATTRACTION will be released as a hardcover in October from Delirium
Press. More than Paperbacks that will see release this year are, RED ANGEL, under Doug's pseudonym Andrew Harper, is expected in September. THE HOUR BEFORE DARK also comes out in September and will be released under Doug's real name. Also out in hardcover this year will be THE NECROMANCER, which should be out by late summer from Cemetery Dance Publications. THE MACHINERY OF NIGHT has an expected November, 2003 release (it would've been out earlier, but Doug held it back so he could add a couple of extras to the collection.) NEVERLAND,
which, thanks to pre-orders, has sold out from its publisher, will be
out by August, 2003. If you would
like to get the Douglass Clegg email Newsletter, write to douglasclegg-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
MAY 24 From the
IHG NOVEL
FIRST
NOVEL LONG FORM
INTERMEDIATE
FORM (Tie) SHORT
FORM COLLECTION
ANTHOLOGY
NONFICTION
GRAPHIC
NARRATIVE PERIODICAL
ART FILM TELEVISION
IHG judges are Edward Bryant, Stefan R. Dziemianowicz, Bill Sheehan, and Hank Wagner. For additional information - including a personal tribute to Grant - please see ihgonline.org.
MAY 22 STILL
- AND YET - ANOTHER 2003 WORLD HORROR CONVENTION REVIEWER AT FEOAMANTE.COM PMS TO
BE FOUND AT BOOKSTORE! Authors scheduled
to be on hand and the books they are signing are Dark
Delicacies is located at MYSTERIOUS
CALIFORNIA WRITERS AT MYTERIOUS GALAXY EVENT TIME: Saturday, May 24, 2:30 PM Southern
CA Mystery Author: Barbara Seranella Southern
CA Mystery Author: Jennifer Apodaca EVENT TIME: Sunday, May 25, 2:30 PM CA Mystery
Author: Richard Barre CA Mystery
Author: John Billheimer CA Mystery
Author: John Shannon EVENT TIME: Saturday, May 31, 12:30 PM Best-selling
Author: David Morrell Mysterious
Galaxy Books
MAY 20 From Jack
Fisher Hi, Everyone, It's just after 8 p.m. on Thursday. I just spoke by telephone with Sheila Kopaska-Merkel. I have her permission to share the following information about her husband Dave: Dave K.M. was involved in a one-vehicle traffic accident in Mobile yesterday. He cannot remember the accident itself, but the authorities say that, judging by the skid marks, he was forced off the road by another driver. They have no idea who the other driver was. Dave's vehicle hit an embankment and flipped over. He was wearing his seatbelt (which undoubtedly saved his life). However, three vertebrae in his neck were broken, and he's mostly paralyzed from the neck down. Surgery is scheduled for Tuesday, to put several steel pins in his neck. Dave still has limited use of his hands and is able to breathe on his own, but will probably be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. Dave is conscious and responsive. He's in the intensive care unit of the University of Southern Alabama Medical Center in Mobile. His family is allowed to see him. Sheila doesn't have a mailing address yet (for cards and letters). She's staying with friends in Mobile, and will remain there until Dave can be transferred (either to Birmingham or Tuscaloosa). Dave's accident was truly a tragic event. He is a much-loved member of our congregation, and I know you're all as upset about this as I am. It's a sad reminder that every time we go somewhere in a motor vehicle, we put our lives and health at risk. Let us hold the Kopaska-Merkels in our hearts and lift them up in our prayers. They've done so much for us; now let's do what we can for them. Faithfully
yours,
MAY 19 From
Gomez Howison The charity book, which features original art and short stories by over 60 horror artists and writers, is a bi-annual event published by the owners of Dark Delicacies for different charities. Over 35 of the contributors are scheduled to appear at a mass signing for the book on Sunday May 18th. The art auction features many of the original pieces from the book. The auction can be accessed on-line at darkdel.com or by coming into the store itself and bidding. The pieces up for auction are on display at the store or on the website. The auction ends at 1:00p.m. on the 18th, one hour before the mass signing starts. Some of the other writers and artists involved in the project include Bernie Wrightson, Richard Matheson, L. J. Dopp, William F. Nolan, F. Paul Wilson, Scott Weymouth, Mick Garris, Jhonen Vasquez, Rob Reger, Michael Dougherty, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Joe R. Lansdale and others. Dark
Delicacies is located at
MAY 5 PIECES
OF PICCIRILLI THE
NIGHT CLASS: Best Novel His latest novel, A CHOIR OF ILL CHILDREN, is available now from Night Shade Books. Cover and interior artwork by the incredible Caniglia. Kirkus reviews calls it, "Lyrical, ghastly, first-class horror." so it might be worth reading. As we mentioned before, the unusually sedate Tom has written a new novella called FUCKIN' LIE DOWN ALREADY which will be given the full collectible signed / slipcased treatment by Roger Range's start-up publishing house Endeavor Press. Cover and interior art by, of course, Caniglia. In fact, Tom has a whole lot of stuff coming out this year, so it's best that you go visit the guy that everyone from Kirkus Reviews to TIm Lebbon is raving about. Check out Tom at his website EPITAPHS. You can also talk to Tom directly at anyone of his 5 FREAKIN' MESSAGE BOARDS! Night
Shade Books: http://www.nightshadebooks.com/cgi-bin/discus/discus.cgi
MAY 2 A MESS
OF MYSTERIOUS GALAXY Weston Osche Nancy Holder
& Debbie Viguie "Buffy
the Vampire Slayer" Author: Nancy Holder "Angel"
Author: Jeff Mariotte And though
the last author doesn't write Horror, some of you may be Star Trek fans,
so... "Star
Trek" Author: Jeff Mariotte Mysterious
Galaxy Books From Del Howison CHARITY BOOK SIGNING On Sunday, May 18th in Burbank CA., USA, (Los Angeles area) Dark Delicacies will be holding a signing for its charity book Framed: A GALLERY OF DARK DELICACIES. As of press time 39 of the authors and artists in the book were scheduled to be on hand for the 2:00p.m. signing which benefits Guide Dogs of America. The artists
include such notables as (deep breath here) Authors are
(another deep breath) The anthology edited by Gomez and Morticia Howison is loosely based upon the idea of the old Night Gallery television show. Dark
Delicacies is located at
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APRIL 22 SELF PROMOTION
WORKS! Thorndike Press and Five Star Mysteries have just purchased Harry Shannon's first noir effort MEMORIAL DAY for release as a hardcover early in 2004. The novel tells the hard-boiled story of young 'Media Psychologist' Mick Callahan, a former Navy Seal washout, who returns in disgrace to his home town of Dry Wells, Nevada and gets dragged into a murder investigation. Also just announced: Shannon's pulp horror novel NIGHT OF THE WEREWOLF, the sequel to NIGHT OF THE BEAST, will be released this August, just in time for the Horrorfind Convention. This book is the second in a loose "Night of..." trilogy commissioned by John Turi, owner of Medium Rare Books. Finally, to make an already good year even better, Shannon's long dark fantasy novella BEHOLD, THE CHILD appears in the Cemetery Dance anthology BRIMSTONE TURNPIKE (edited by Kealan-Patrick Burke) along with tales by Thomas F. Montelone, Michael Oliveri, Tim Waggoner and Scott Nicholson.
APRIL 8 From Jason
Brannon From Joe Nassise HWA ANNOUNCES 2002 LAA WINNERS Each year, the Horror Writer's Association presents the Bram Stoker Awards for Superior Achievement, named in honor of Bram Stoker, author of the seminal horror work, Dracula.
The Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement is the most prestigious of these awards, given in acknowledgment of superior achievement not just in a single work but in an entire career. Individuals must be at least sixty years of age or have been published for a minimum of thirty-five years to be considered eligible for the award. Previous winners have included such noted authors as John Farris, Ramsey Campbell, Charles Grant and Ray Bradbury.
Recognizing that no one lives forever and opportunities to say thank you are finite, this year the committee has unanimously chosen to bestow two awards: one upon Stephen King and one upon Jerry Williamson.
Mr. King is the author of over thirty horror novels and is the first writer to have had three, four, and finally five titles appear simultaneously on The New York Times bestseller list. His works include DREAMCATCHER, FROM A BUICK 8, AND EVERYTHING’S EVENTUAL, among others.
Mr. Williamson is the author of over thirty horror novels, including AFFINITY, THE HAUNT, and SPREE. He is also the editor of the renowned MASQUES anthology series.
The HWA Annual Conference and Bram Stoker Awards banquet will be held this year on June 6th – 8th at the Park Central Hotel in New York City. Both the conference and the banquet are open to the public, though there is no guarantee that any award nominee will appear.
More information on the awards and the banquet can be found by visiting horror.org.
Contact information
Horror Writers
Association (HWA) Report by
Judi Rohrig Stepping in to serve in that capacity is three-time Bram Stoker winner Brian A. Hopkins. 13 HORRORS, edited by Hopkins, featuring original stories by thirteen past World Horror Guests of Honor and an introduction by Joe R. Lansdale, will be debuting at the convention as well. Read Regina Mitchell's April review of Hopkins EL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS. More information on the convention may be found at the website: whc2003.org All our reviews of Brian A. Hopkins books can be found at our BAH Page.
APRIL 1 THE
FINAL BALLOT IS IN NOVEL
LONG FICTION
SHORT
FICTION ANTHOLOGY
POETRY
COLLECTION |
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MARCH 31
From Edo
van Belkom The idea is a guaranteed ratings winner: a reality television show where six contestants agree to spend a night in a haunted house outfitted with countless cameras and fear-inducing special effects. The winning scream queen - voted on by television audiences - will win $50,000 and the starring role in the next Gowan Brothers horror feature. But, the house they're in is actually haunted, and when things start to go horribly wrong, who can tell what's real and what's just so much movie magic? Edo van Belkom is the Bram Stoker and Aurora Award-winning author of more than 20 books and 200 stories who noted horror journalist Stanley Wiater has called "A one man factory of fear." His books include the novels TEETH and MARTYRS, the collections DEATH DRIVES A SEMI and SIX-INCH SPIKES, and the how-to manual WRITING HORROR. Edo also pens the serial story "Mark Dalton: Owner/Operator" which has been published monthly in the industry trade magazine TRUCK NEWS since June 1999, as well as a new monthly column on writing for the acclaimed horror publication HELLNOTES. SCREAM QUEEN,
the latest horror novel by Edo van Belkom, and his first mass-market paperback
release from Kensington Books under their Pinnacle Horror imprint, is
in bookstores now!
MARCH 18 From
Weston Ochse HD4D Cinema Entertainment is a new company that will begin packaging high-definition, holographic theaters with their own movies filmed in 35mm and digitalized to high definition. In fact, not only is “Catfish Gods” going to be a movie, but it will be the company’s very first film. HD4D is a proprietary technology which uses an entirely new process that allows viewing of holographic HDTV without glasses, helmets or any other awkward ocular device. The theaters don’t have screens, rather a stage-sized light box with digitalized projectors and mirrors. When correctly polarized, the movie extends out from the lightbox for true, interactive holographic viewing. I can’t tell you enough how excited I am to be part of this new technology. HD4D should make IMAX and traditional 3-D Paper Glasses movies obsolete. I asked the people of HD4D what interested them in Catfish Gods and they told me that it was the story's ‘pathos’. They saw the story as similar to Spielberg’s AI, but without the hopelessness. “Catfish Gods” will be produced by Roderick Stevens who has worked with Troma, Fly On The Wall, Strange Carnival Films and many others. In addition to commercials and music videos, he’s also been the Director of Photography for movies for the USA Network and the Sci Fi Channel. An initial casting call has already occurred. Final casting should be completed within the next several weeks. Shooting begins in May. This is very cool. Link - www.cinema-vista.com
for the Producer.
MARCH 18 SWAG ACCORDING
TO MIKE Well, a sad day for gross-out horror, people. My publisher Massacre Publishing just got BANNED from advertising my latest trade paperback short story collection (co-written with Alex Severin) in a mass-market goth-fetish mag called SWAG. And I quote from their own press releases, "For those who live on the wild side!" Their reason? The word fist. "What?" My publisher said. "The word FIST," SWAG said. "Could you change that word?" "What?" my publisher said again. "You don't care about the words SADISM, GASPERS, FETISH, NECRO, BODY MODIFICATION, CREMATED REMAINS & LIQUID LATEX in the ad? Do you know how hard it would be to censor the word FIST when it is 1/4 of the title of the book?" Fabulous. BOYFISTGIRLSUCK, 28 deviant stories from two of the most reviled underground authors, is the book SWAG tried to stop you reading, remember that when you next walk into Hot Topic, Tower Records, Borders Books, Virgin Megastores...
MARCH 13 4 PRELIMS
FOR MEDIUM RARE First Novel: Fiction Collection: Poetry Collection: Alternative
Forms: DOH! HAPPENS!
"Since each nomination is a well-deserved recognition of achievement," said award coordinator Paula Guran, "we are pleased the focus at WHC will be on the entire slate, but we realize not having a presentation ceremony there may be a disappointment for those attending the convention." "In order to give due consideration, we felt the judges simply needed more time to make their decision. The integrity of the awards is more important than the date on which they are announced," she added. "We've also been a bit short-handed this year as Fiona Webster had to withdraw from the adjudication for personal reasons." Webster had served as a judge since 1998. One IHG award, however, will be presented during the World Horror Convention. Author Graham Masterton was the winner for Short Fiction published in the year 1996 for UNDERBED. For reasons unknown, Masterton, who lives in Ireland, never received his physical award. A new award is being crafted and will be presented to Masterton, the convention's Guest of Honor. The juried award, now in its eighth year, is based on public recommendations and the judges' knowledge of the field. Edward Bryant, Stefan R. Dziemianowicz, Bill Sheehan, and Hank Wagner currently serve as judges. Information about the awards can be found online at ihgonline.org.
MARCH 11 Report
by John Merz According to Jon F. Merz, who writes the Lawson Vampire series for Pinnacle Books, some of his fans are attempting to do just that: save his series from being pulped. Pinnacle Books originally bought four novels in the LV series. March sees the release of the 3rd in the hard-boiled horror noir series, THE DESTUCTOR. With October 2003 looming in the not-too-distant-future and with it, the release of the 4th book, The Syndicate, fans were starting to wonder if there would be more. "I'd get a bunch of emails from people asking the inevitable, 'what's next?' after October's release. And I'd write back and say, 'I don't know yet.' The truth is, my agent and I are due to talk to my publisher at the end of March, so we'll see then." But the fans weren't satisfied with just waiting. Two fansites have sprung up to rally the troops and get as many people involved in the "Save Lawson" campaign as possible. Its goal? For as many readers and fans to send letters and/or emails to both the publisher and editor at Kensington Publications Corp. about why they should keep buying more books in the series. "Obviously, letters are better," says ProdigyMytch who runs The Merz Legacy fansite at themerzlegacy.tk. "Emails work, too, but they don't have the finesse and impact of a written and stamped letter. Snail mail takes time and that means a bigger impact with our targets." A fellow named Bodegage, who runs the other Merz fansite at angelfire.com/scifi2/bodegage agrees. "Mytch and I have both discussed the best way to do this and we're attempting to coordinate our efforts as much as possible. We've started printing out petitions and getting people to sign them, we're hitting the media outlets, that sort of thing. Word-of-mouth right now is the best way to spread it and it seems to be working well." Merz has also joined in to help where he can. "I agree with the band Kiss: it's all about the fans. If I can help in any way, I will. And if they can help convince Pinnacle that they need to buy more of my books, then that's great. I'll keep writing them for the fans." So if you're
looking for your chance to help impact the publishing industry, here's
your opportunity! Take part and see if the fans really do make a difference.
Save Lawson! More information on the campaign can be found at the websites
listed above.
MARCH 7 SPACESTATIONS
AND GRAVEYARDS There is nary a popular Horror writer who hasn't frequently touched on the blend of the two; from H.P.Lovecraft (AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS, THE WALLS OF ERYX) to Stephen King (THE STAND, THE LANGOLIERS). And there is hardly a Science Fiction writer who hasn't dabbled with Horror from Robert Heinlien (STARSHIP TROOPERS) to Greg Bear (BLOOD MUSIC). Even Isaac Asimov wrote a ghost story or two. And of course, there are those writers who have made their entire careers being Horror/Science Fiction writers (Ray Bradbury, Richard Matheson, Michael Crichton). The most popular, influential movies of one genre have always included the other from FORBIDDEN PLANET to ALIEN to THE MATRIX. Even the cable network, SciFi Channel, has found more success with their SF/Horror offerings than their Science Fiction shows alone. So it's no wonder that authors Jason Brannon, Eric S. Brown, and John Grover have co-penned the 24 story collection SPACESTATIONS AND GRAVEYARDS, available from Double Dragon e-Books. Is this book worth your hard cash? Check out the free online sample story "Kamikaze" at DDeB.
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FEBRUARY 27 IT'S LIKE
THE OSCAR FOR HORROR! OR MAYBE THE HUGO! MAYBE IT'S LIKE THE EDGAR! Other feoamante.com contributors on the preliminary ballot are, FIRST NOVEL: LONG FICTION: SHORT FICTION: FICTION COLLECTION: ANTHOLOGY: NONFICTION: WORK FOR
YOUNG READERS: POETRY COLLECTION: ALTERNATIVE
FORMS: For the full Preliminary Ballot List, go to Horror.org.
FEBRUARY 11 From
Judi
Rohrig
BEST NOVEL BEST FIRST
NOVEL BY AN AMERICAN AUTHOR BEST PAPERBACK
ORIGINAL BEST CRITICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL BEST FACT
CRIME BEST SHORT
STORY BEST YOUNG
ADULT BEST JUVENILE BEST TELEVISION
EPISODE TELEPLAY BEST MOTION
PICTURE SCREENPLAY BEST PLAY THE SIMON
& SCHUSTER-MARY HIGGINS CLARK AWARD ROBERT
L. FISH MEMORIAL AWARD GRAND
MASTER RAVEN ELLERY
QUEEN AWARD SPECIAL
EDGAR AWARD The awards
are scheduled to be presented on May 1, 2003 at the Grand Hyatt FEBRUARY 4 PICCIRILLI
SEES HIS SHADOW From Leisure Books: THE NIGHT CLASS has just been released in mass market paperback. There's an additional 10k words to this new edition. Originally Leisure felt the book might be a little too short to make their list. The hardback anthology FOUR DARK NIGHTS, containing Tom's 25k word novella "Jonah Arose." The book also features fantastic work by Bentley Little, Douglas Clegg, and Christopher Golden. The paperback will be out from Leisure in December 2003. From Catalyst Books: is Tom's second book of poetry THIS CAPE IS RED BECAUSE I'VE BEEN BLEEDING. The collection features 60 pieces and cover art by the acclaimed Caniglia. From Delirium Books: a new fiction and poetry collection MEAN SHEEP. From Nightshade Books: A CHOIR OF ILL CHILDREN, Tom's latest novel, is due to head off to the printer soon. Cover and interior artwork by Caniglia. From Endeavor Press: FUCKIN' LIE DOWN ALREADY is the title of a new novella of mine which will be given the full collectible signed/slipcased treatment by Roger Range's start-up publishing house. Cover and interior art by Caniglia. Release Date: Spring 2003. (Well, Tom is certainly keeping Caniglia busy! -feo) From Necro Publications: BASTARDS OF ALCHEMY By Tom Piccirilli and Gerard Houarner, #4 in the Necro chapbook line. This is a collection of two brutally dark tales. Tom's tells the story of a night of fun at the beach gone horribly wrong when dead bodies start washing ashore. While Gerard's tells of a man born to clean up the atrocities of the powers that be and the new order that seeks to gain control. If
all of this news still doesn't satisfy your craving for all things Pic,
why aren't you visiting him at his freaking website already? Epitaphs
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JANUARY 30 Original
info supplied by Brett Savory So far, QUEER FEAR II has been nominated for 2 Lambda Awards, one in the Fiction Anthology category, and one in the SF/Horror/Fantasy category. As
for critical raves, here's what Clive
Barker had to say; I don't understand his phrase, "Finally, horror without limits!" as I'm pretty sure that is what Clive has been writing his entire career! But no matter. Some of the writers featured in QUEER FEAR II are no strangers to feoamante.com visitors. The book includes, I
STAND ALONE - by Sephera Giron, just to name a few. Congratulations to all!
JANUARY 28 CATCH!:
SOME FREE GOODIES! Here is a list of publishers and writers who are giving out their complete stories and/or novels for free on the net - to members of specific organizations. You may have to pay to become a member of these organizations, but then you get free goodies! For the Horror Writer's Association membership: From Catalyst
Press - The current catalog is: SINS OF BLOOD AND STONE by John Urbancik (recommended under First novel) DRAGONFLY by Brian Knight (recommended under Collections) SONGS FROM DEAD SINGERS . . . and Other Eulogies, an anthology edited by Michael Kelly (recommended under Anthology) ROYAL ASPIRATIONS III, edited by Monica J. O'Rourke RECKLESS ABANDON, edited by David Sparks and Bob Strauss THIS CAPE IS RED BECAUSE I'VE BEEN BLEEDING, a poetry collection by Tom Piccirilli (recommended under Poetry Collection) DARK OFFSPRING, edited by Brian Knight, an anthology written by children ages 16 and younger (recommended under Work for Young Readers) RANDOM ACTS OF WEIRDNESS, an anthology edited by Brian Knight If you would like a pdf sent to you of any of the above titles, contact Monica J. O'Rourke at catalystbooks@aol.com. From M.
Laimo -
JANUARY 27 BRAUNBECK
AND THE WOLVES OF THE MIDWEST As was announced last week, both Joe Lansdale's audio disk (Lansdale HISOWNSELF reading "Steppin' Out, Summer '68" and "By Bizarre Hands") and Gary A. Braunbeck's long anticipated new collection, SORTIES, CATHEXES, AND PERSONAL EFFECTS, will ship before the end of the month. Regarding Joe's audio disk, I think LWP's Marketing Mistress Judi Rohrig covered everything, but I was remiss in giving Judi all the information she needed to tell you about Braunbeck's collection. Two years in the making (feel free to read that as two years of me pulling out my hair - and we all know how I value my hair!), this sucker is phenomenal. Originally advertised as 36 stories, it has GROWN. Let me give you the inside scoop. (This information isn't even on our website yet.) In addition to those stories in our usual dual formats (one for the screen and one for your overworked printer), you will receive, on this one multimedia compact disk, the following bonus items: 1. You will get Gary Braunbeck's novel THE INDIFFERENCE OF HEAVEN. Yes, the WHOLE FREAKIN' NOVEL. With the novel, you'll get a very long essay that was not included in the original book. It hasn't, in fact, ever appeared anywhere else! 2. You will get 130 megabytes of digital audio (in mp3 format). These are Gary's personal introductions and discussions about the stories, as well as several readings. Some of the discussion is as moving as the stories themselves. 3. You will get various written story notes with full color photos to back up some of salient topics Gary discusses. 4. You will get five BONUS stories that were not originally advertised as part of this collection: "Bright Be the Face," "Have a Drink on Me," "The Fields, the Sky," "In the Lowlands," and "Palimpsest Day." 5. You will get a complete, ORIGINAL, never been seen any-freakin'-where-before NOVEL. Yes, I said AN ORIGINAL NOVEL. This was originally advertised as a brand new short story, but I guess in the two years we've all been waiting Gary just kept writing and writing and it turned out he had a novel in him. The novel is called KEEPERS, and let me tell you, it is some damn fine reading! 6. And last,
but certainly not least, this disk is another first in Lone Wolf's ever-pushing-that-damn-envelope
attitude toward electronic publishing: a dual track compact disk. What
this means, to the uninitiated, is that if you stick it in your computer,
you'll see one thing, but if you stick it in your stereo system you'll
find one more mind-boggling bonus item: the audio rendition of "A
Death in the Day Of..." - yet another fine Braunbeck story recorded
especially for this collection. You can't read it. You can't find it anywhere
else. This is one that you need to sit back and listen to.
JANUARY 24 ANOTHER
FICTION EDITOR LEAVES GOTHIC.NET Now Kealan Patrick Burke (DAMN but that sounds suspiciously Irish!) has cut and pasted Seth's reason for leaving as his own: Editorial Demands! As of today, Kealan Patrick Burke (of Ohio) is one week away from delivering his edited anthology TAVERNS OF THE DEAD. After that (he claims) he has but a month to deliver BRIMSTONE TURNPIKE. Has he let success go to his head? Oh, I think we can all agree on that! You too, can trash him at Yahoo. This turn of events puts a terrible burden on the leader of Castle Gothic.net, Baron Darren. He can't very well have Afi take over as Afi belongs to Igors, Henchmen, & Hunchbacks local 137 (always look for the Union Postscript), and as such, is barred from management despite all qualifications - union rules. This
reporter has found a few juicy things about Kealan Patrick Burke (God
DAMN but that name sounds suspiciously Irish! I can't be the only
one who thinks so!) that he'd rather you not know! Consider the
following (but quietly now): Kealan Patrick
Burke is working on a non-fiction project called QUIETLY NOW, and a novel
called CHRISTINE SINGS A SONG OF FALL. Plus he is promoting a collection
of short stories called RAVENOUS GHOSTS. He's also doing a bunch of other
crap which is taking time away from his main job; being a fiction editor
at Gothic.net
(that link again is Gothic.net).
Kealan Patrick Burke (I don't care WHAT anybody
else says, god dammit! That name is freaking Irish! Don't try and tell
me different! You are fools, all of you, to believe otherwise! I wash
my hands of your madness!) is also suspected of having paranoid
psychotic episodes. During his tenure at Castle Gothic.net
he was known to mumble about the wolves. Naturally someone would ask,
"What wolves, Kealan Patrick Burke?" Obviously psychotic because there just aren't enough wolves in the entire world to find a few who would actually want to live in Ohio. *"Old Europe" is Germany and France according to U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld - who is no spring chicken himself. He still remembers when they were "Young Europe". ^And get drunk and sing Barry Manilow songs, though no one knows why.
JANUARY 22
Starved
of simple human necessity due to the ever-giving umbilicus, FCU (foetus
collective unconscious) had come to understand that Afterlife was rotten
to the core. The FCU agreed that it must, at all costs, prevent its end-of-term
DEATH (as it saw it) into Afterlife where bones lengthened with terrifying
pain before buckling under the weight of gravity to funereal powder. All
in the blink of an eye, or so the twisted eye of FCU saw it; a tall delicate
thing grows, crumbles and turns to dust.
JANUARY
20 From
Judi
Rohrig HORROR-WEB
PRESENTS: CHAT WITH CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN Christopher Golden is known for such novels as STRANGEWOOD, PROWLERS, and the teen thriller series BODY OF EVIDENCE. As well as writing novels he has also co-written many books and comics related to the "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" TV series shows and the script for the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" X-Box game. Get
to know the man, the myth, the author. Join us for chat at horror-web.com/chat.html
and visit christophergolden.com
to gather more info on our guest.
JANUARY 14 BATTLEFIELD
EARTH CAPTURES ANOTHER MAJOR eBOOK AWARD AS TOP SCI-FI BESTSELLER Marilyn Jenkins, CyberRead President, said, “'Battlefield Earth' has been one of our most popular fiction titles and quickly topped the science fiction bestseller list.” She added, “We are pleased to have the line of L. Ron Hubbard’s fiction eBooks and will be releasing more of his titles throughout the next few months.” Although some publishers were initially skeptical of eBook publishing, the market seems determined to prove itself with reported sales figures this year double those of 2001. Several eBook sites report sales of over 15,000 eBooks a month. Celebrating its 20th year as an international bestseller with a special anniversary edition, BATTLEFIELD EARTH won its first eBook accolade in 2000 -- the Peanut Award -- presented by Palm Digital Media. One of the most popular science fiction novels of all time, BATTLEFIELD EARTH was also voted among the top three English-language novels of the 20th century by the Random House Modern Library Reader’s Poll.
JANUARY 13 HECK
HAS ANOTHER GO HAIRY
NEWS FROM IGOR WHAT
MAKES HIM TICK?
JANUARY 12 AS
PROPHESIED BY ROHRIG Kathryn Ptacek, editor of the Gila Queen Marketing Newsletter and the HWA print Newsletter and a respected writer and editor, will serve as Senior Editor. Hank Wagner steps up as the new Review Editor for HELLNOTES. Wagner's reviews have appeared in Cemetery Dance Magazine as well as HELLNOTES and other publications. Wagner also serves as a jurist for the International Horror Guild Awards. Mark Lancaster and Donald Koish will also be joining the staff as associate editors. February
is being tagged as "Notes from Hell" Month with subscriptions
specials being offered and special prizes being given.
JANUARY 8 HORROR-WEB
HAS A HARRY CHAT The Horror-Web was established and set loose on the world just minutes after midnight on a quiet night in September of 2001. Never wanting to be 'just another horror site,' the Horror-Web is different from the rest in how they encompass the genre in general; from books to movies, famous to newcomer, and always remembering the independents and fans. One area in particular that works as a hub to bring fans and creators together is the chatroom. Unlike other chats, Horror-Web only uses this for special guests and contests. Past chats have included such guests as Jack Ketchum, FX creators, and the 'Ladies of the Evil Dead'. Upcoming chats include Harry Shannon, a 'Writer's Weekend' which will work as an interactive internet writer's convention of sorts, and a Femme Fatal chat with several females in the literary world. Chat
can be accessed two ways. The basic route horrorseek.com/horror/horrorweb/chat.html
will download a small java class applet and allow you to chat on your
browser. For those have an
JANUARY 6 MYSTERIOUS
GALAXY'S JANUARY EVENTS On Saturday, January 18, starting at 11:00AM: Its
the MG KIDS’ BOOKS EVENT! Kids’
Mystery Author: Rodney Johnson “Wicked”
Teen Authors: Nancy Holder & Then, at 2:30PM on the same day, Crafty
Mystery Author: Monica Ferris Debut
Mystery Author: Kathleen Delaney MG
Sunday, January 19, 2:30 PM San
Diego Suspense Author: Dr. Sandy Ceren MG
Friday, January 24, 7:00 PM Reviewer
and Mystery Author: Betty Webb Mystery
Author: Mike Lester MG
Saturday, January 25, 2:30 PM LA
Crime Novelist: Helen Knode Mysterious
Galaxy is located at
JANUARY 2 From
Judi
Rohrig Sign-ups begin before the door opens at 7:30 p.m. Fiction reading is limited to 20 minutes; poetry to 10 minutes. As always, the Reading Series is upstairs at the Red Lion Restaurant and Pub on Lincoln Ave., just across the street from the Biograph Theater (where John Dillinger was shot!). There is an admission charge of $4 per person. (They call it a "suggested donation," but this is Chicago! I think that's the mistake Dillinger made!) It's worth it! From
Judi
Rohrig |
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Amante's Horror Home Page and feoamante.com are owned and copyright 1997
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Mad
Englishman, 
WESTON
GALAPAGOS