COBWEBS: New Collection Available in July

Coming in July 2019, I am pleased to present my fourth short story collection, COBWEBS: Tales of Dread and Disquiet.

Mara hunts and harvests 'shamblers' in a dystopian near-future where dried human brains are the hottest drug on the market in ENCEPHALOSHROOMS.

After a lovers' quarrel, Cindy's husband storms off, only to return transformed into something perfect, yet utterly inhuman, in CAVEMANNEQUIN.

Jake harbors a dark secret and an insane desire to experience all the joys of fatherhood in a single hour in PROUD PAPA.

Fantasy turns to nightmare when an amorous couple find themselves adrift on a lifeboat with a menacing stranger as their sole companion in EROTIC, AQUATIC.

An ominous old man's Halloween tales shred the veil between madness and monsters in COBWEBS AND COLD TRUTHS.

A newcomer to a tiny Bayou town learns the horrifying legend of CRONE CARVER OF CATCHEM CREEK.

In these and the dozen other macabre misadventures included in this collection, readers are sure to find much to haunt their thoughts.

For more, three previous collections are available in paperback and Kindle formats: ANT FARM NECROPOLIS; WHEN BEDBUGS BITE; and BEDTIME STORIES FOR CARRION BEETLES.

I Want to Tell You A Story

I want to tell you a story.

This past weekend, my wife found several misplaced items around the house. A television remote, one of my brown dress shoes, my bifocals. The latter two items had been missing for over a month. For my part, I found a portable recorder I hadn't seen since last August.

Funny how things all fell into place, and we found not one, but four missing items in a two-day span.

I haven't written a word of fiction in nearly two years. For a decade or more, short story writing took up all my spare time. I loved the entire process. But somewhere along the line, it became more and more like work. I dreaded doing it. I tried too hard to be something I wasn't and then let self-doubt poison my attitude. I resented certain things that were out of my control.

I stopped writing entirely.

During this period of time, I did a lot of reading.

I also line-edited my next short story collection. These are all stories that have been previously published, but they all benefited from another read-through. I made edits, revisions, and corrections to the entire manuscript.

I am proud of it and excited to publish it. This will happen very soon.

During this editing process, I still didn't feel any inclination to write anything new.

Then, about two months ago, some interesting things started to happen. I had a series of vivid dreams that lingered in my memory long after waking. I typed random phrases that popped into my head into my note-taking app on my phone. I jotted down one of my dreams in a notebook. I woke up one night and wrote down an idea for a poem.

I still didn't want to write, but I had started telling myself stories.

A month ago, I ran into a friend who is a professional photographer. Over two cups of coffee--and two hours and forty-five minutes!--we discussed the similarities and differences between photography and writing. We talked about contests and awards, and critics and editors. We talked about the difference between work and "just for fun". I confronted some of my insecurities and admitted holding grudges.

Afterward, the strangest thing happened: I went home and wrote a poem. I also wrote two pages of a new story, and sketched out an idea for a second new story.

A few days later, to get back into practice, I resurrected an old trunk story, and polished it up. I didn't have to think too hard. I just revised, edited, and corrected. No new content. No first draft.

Several days after that, I saw a submission call that gave me an opportunity to use a story premise I'd had rattling around in my brain for the last year or so. And the theme of the anthology allowed me avoid creating entirely new content. Authors were invited to re-imagine a classic. Once again, I'd avoided writing something entirely new. I took an old story and changed it, shortened it, and gave it a twisted new ending.

I wasn't consciously aware of it, but I was backing, step by step, into the haunted forest I'd so scrupulously avoided for so long.

A week ago, I completed the story I'd begun that night after coffee. It took me two days, which for me, is fast.

After completing that story, I wrote another.

After that, I wrote another.

Three new stories in less than a week. Each, in my opinion, turned out better than the last.

All told, in the last thirty days, I wrote three new short stories, a new/old retelling of a Jack London classic, a new poem, and revised an old favorite. I have submitted them all to various publishers. Fingers crossed, right?

I didn't want to say anything at first. I didn't want to jinx it. I wanted to be sure.

It didn't happen overnight. The pieces fell into place incrementally, like a puzzle that I didn't even know I was putting back together.

I'd like to make it official: after nearly two years on hiatus, I am actively writing short stories again.

The best part? I'm having fun doing it.

Honest Review of Suspense Unimagined and Mindscapes Unimagined

Since Amazon doesn't allow authors to review anthologies that include their work, I've made a habit of posting my reviews here on my blog.

Title: Mindscapes Unimagined
Theme: "An Anthology of the Supernatural, Science Fiction, and Horror"
Publisher: Left Hand Publishers
Editor: Karen T. Newman
Number of stories: 24
Pages: 357
Price: $17.99 paperback

Favorite stories: "Every Single Day" by Sophie Kearing, "The Mating Moon" by Chris Rodriquez, "Pax" by Gustavo Bondoni, and "The Sixteenth Ritual" by Jeff Stevenson.

My story: "The Sodbuster and the Spider." This is one of my favorite stories, but lots of publishers passed on it. I'm glad it finally found a home! It's a weird western with a kindhearted teenage protagonist whose nightmares and visions help him solve a crime. But when the marshal won't listen, the boy takes drastic measures.

Final thoughts: Although I didn't have a lot of stories I loved, the anthology is remarkable solid, with high quality fiction, only a handful of mistakes, and a nice cover. Having all the authors' names on the cover was a nice touch I give it a B.

You can order a copy of Mindscapes Unimagined here.

Title: Suspense Unimagined
Theme: "An Anthology of Suspense, Thrillers, and Nightmares."
Publisher: Left Hand Publishers
Editor: Karen T. Newman
Number of stories: 22
Pages: 336
Price: $17.99 paperback

Favorite stories: "Rurale" by Blake Jessop, "My Sister, Electra" by Laura Campbell, "Not Easy to Forget" by S.E. Greco, "Mixed Messages" by Jay Seate and "Rhiannon" by Sophie Kearing.

My story: "Amelia," another of my favorite stories that finally found a good home. Inspired by a real person I encountered, this is a story about a young man who falls madly in love but who also harbors a dark secret. This version features a more hopeful ending than my original vision for the story.

Final thoughts: As an avid reader of horror, I wasn't sure I'd enjoy this one as much as Mindscapes Unimagined, but I enjoyed it a bit more actually. Very solid lineup, several stories grounded in reality, while others pushed the envelope. This reminded me of the old Alfred Hitchcock Presents anthologies. I give it an A-.

You can order a copy of Suspense Unimagined at this link.

Honest Reviews of: The Bad Neighbor; Creature: and Beautiful Broken Things

David Tallerman's The Bad Neighbor is a gritty, paranoia-inducing suspense story that feels like it could explode into a full blown horror novel at any moment. It doesn't, but I still enjoyed it. Tallerman is a British author, but I found none of the quirks or wordiness that marred Ramsey Cambell's  latest offering (see the previous review.) Tallerman created an Everyman--almost sad sack character, if it weren't for his hot temper--character that conveyed the hopelessness of one's living situation when money is tight. (The only part of the story I didn't completely buy was Ollie inheriting a large sum of money and then quickly purchasing a home only to immediately regret the purchase.) From there, the nightmarish neighbor and his friends were all too real, as were Ollie and his pals distancing themselves from one another. Nice climactic ending, some good suspense, and few well-placed red herrings and twists made this an enjoyable read. I give it a B.

Hunter Shea's Creature is a single-setting horror novel that builds the tension but never quite explodes into a big payoff. There are only two main characters, and later two more are added, for a total of four. Reading the book is almost like watching a play unfold. A woman with a debilitating, perhaps fatal, disease hopes for rest and relaxation in a secluded cabin. Strange noises and small dead animals outside increase in frequency. The woman's hubby tries to keep these developments a secret. I felt sympathy for the sick woman and the descriptions of her pain and daily challenges were effective. What is the creature outside? Sasquatch? Wendigo? An amalgamation of nature like in The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon? The truth is, I'm not sure what the creature was/is. The author gives a partial explanation, but I'm not sure I am buying his explanation. I can suspend disbelief, but there's a disconnect between the why and the how surrounding the creature that I couldn't quite get around. I give this one a C.

Beautiful, Broken Things is a short story collection by Rose Blackthorn. Some of the stories are horror, some are dark fantasy, while others fall somewhere in between. I like the variety of settings, some historical, some otherworldly, and some could have been set in the house next door. I also liked the inclusion of several flash fiction pieces interspersed between longer stories. My favorite stories were: Something Savory, in which a teenager is both repulsed by and drawn to the creepy new girl in town; Outside the Gates, a coming of age story/survival tale set in the near future; The Lilac Hedge, in which a girl befriends a mysterious being who manifests inside the hedge; In the Dark, in which a father and daughter move into a remote house only to discover something strange living in the woods close by; and Harvest of Night Seeds, involving a farmer's daughter, a pushy creep of a farm hand, and some very strange plants growing in the farmer's garden. I give this collection an A.

Honest Reviews of Three New Titles from Flame Tree Press

I had the opportunity to read Advance Reading Copies of several titles from Flame Tree Press' new paperback line. These books have now all been released.

Here are the first three (of five).

-"Thirteen Days by Sunset Beach" by Ramsey Campbell.
This author is a legend, but I don't care for his writing style at all. I gave up on page 109.
A family on holiday on a mysterious island near Greece runs into trouble when three of their number are bitten and begin exhibiting an aversion to sunlight. The barrage of hints regarding the vampire-like activity on the island and the reactions of the natives to the members who've been bitten are ham-fisted, yet the rest of the family somehow remains completely oblivious. I found myself hoping that it was all misdirection, because it was all SO obvious, but at this point I don't care enough to ever find out one way or another.
The members of this family are the most passive aggressive bunch you're ever going to encounter. ("I take it you'll have tracked him down?", "Won't that be too spicy for you, William?") In fact, they're insufferable. I think that's my biggest peeve with the book. I dislike nearly every character. The author's dialogue is formal and stilted, and dialogue tags are unwieldy.
Here are a few samples:
Pg. 23
"Are you hungry?" Ray was able to hope.
"Do you know, I think I could be."
Pg. 39
"Well that's my choice for now," Julian said with just a hint of petulance. "I thought it might be good for all concerned."
"I think you've left somebody out of the choosing," Natalie said.
Pg. 67
"Can you hear me? Are you in difficulties?"
"I'm quite all right," Ray felt bound to declare.
Pg. 81
"Maybe you shouldn't try and take her over quite so much, do you think?" Having blurted this, Ray saw no reason not to add "We all need to be ourselves."
Pg. 94
"I suppose that could have been the case," Julian said. "Thank you for bringing reason to bear."

I found myself hoping "Jules" and "Pris" and all the others would get hit by a bus just so something exciting would happen. I gave up, which is something I have only done on a precious few occasions.

On to two books I enjoyed:
-"The Siren and the Specter" by Jonathan Janz
A skeptic of the supernatural is hired by an old college friend to write a book about a supposedly haunted house with a dark history. It becomes apparent pretty quickly that the house is the real deal as far as being haunted. There's an interesting back story about who haunts the house, but no real answers or details about HOW or WHY this evil creep was able to return. Maybe it's just something about the area, because in the end, there are almost as many ghosts as living characters.
Some of the characters are pretty over the top. If it's possible for a literary character to "chew the scenery" then several of the less-savory characters certainly do that. Perhaps that's intentional; the entire peninsula is under the dark influence of its own history and several of the characters in question seem to be acolytes of the ghost.
Overall, I did enjoy this book. I found myself wondering who was truly and ally and who was double-dealing the main character. The suspense was pretty good, and I had fun imaging the house.
The main baddie was dispatched rather easily, but most of the unsavory characters received satisfying comeuppance. I would read this author again.

-"The Mouth of the Dark" by Tim Waggoner
My favorite of the three. An overprotective man (who was raised by an overprotective mother) freaks out when his daughter drops out of sight. Convinced she's fallen in with the wrong crowd, or is in extreme danger --and honestly, who wouldn't be?-- he tries to find clues to her whereabouts. It doesn't take long for him to start running into some very strange characters and situations. Waggoner pulls out all the stops, creating a dark fantasy world with plenty of horror elements. Some great twists, and shades of gray characters who are neither all good or all bad, making for some interesting interactions along the way.
This one had good suspense, some neat surprises via flashbacks, and some vivid imagery. Toward the end I just kept reading, and the book became almost like a fever dream (but in a good way.)
There's a huge twist at the end that I only HALF saw coming. My only quibble is that, after the twist is revealed, the guy basically accepts his fate/his new role, and seemingly forgets all about his missing daughter. That goes counter to his driving motivation for 98% of the book. Maybe I misinterpreted, or missed something. Because when I finished, I just felt sick, wondering if Emory (the daughter) was still trapped where we saw her in the prologue. That would be horrible. Oh wait, this is a horror novel, so actually that would be quite satisfying.

Honest Reviews of Corporate Cthulhu and Digital Horror Fiction Anthology

Since Amazon doesn't allow authors to review anthologies that include their work, I've made a habit of posting my reviews here on my blog.

Title: Corporate Cthulhu
Theme: Cosmic and Lovecraftian horror in bureaucratic and business settings.
Publisher: Pickman's Press (now Stasheff Literary Enterprises
Editor: Edward Stasheff
Number of stories: 25
Pages: 418
Price: $19.99 paperback, $4.99 Kindle, $34.99 hardcover

Favorite stories: "Shadow Charts" by Marcus Johnston, "Career Zombie" by John Taloni, "MaryAnne's Equations" by Harry Pauff, "Forced Labor" by Peter Rawlik, "The Shadows Lengthen in the Close" by Ethan Gibney, and "Retraction" by Marie Michaels.

My story: "Corporate Cthulhu Inc." I collaborated with a very talented author named Evan Dicken on this story. Honestly, Evan wrote at least two thirds of this story, probably more. I contributed certain scenes and helped with line edits and fine-tuning the final manuscript. Overall, I am very happy with how the story turned out.

Final thoughts: I will be honest and admit I dreaded reading this anthology. It's 418 pages of what seems like a very limited theme. Credit to the authors for turning in excellent stories and to the editor for putting this anthology together with variety in mind. Each story is different; some are funny, some grim. Some seem very cutting edge and modern, while others hearken back to older times. Some are short, others are rather lengthy, in some you see the protagonists, in others they are only hinted at. Some of the authors employed clever formatting tactics (like a series of emails, for instance) to tell their stories. I was astonished to find myself breezing through this anthology at a very fast clip. Thinking back there's not really a dud story in the bunch. I give it an A.

You can order a copy of Corporate Cthulhu here.

Title: Digital Horror Fiction Anthology
Theme: non-themed horror story showcase
Publisher: Digital Fiction Publishing Corp.
Editor: Michael Wills
Number of stories: 25
Pages: 390
Price: $12.99 paperback, $4.99 Kindle

Favorite stories: 2:51, Behind the Caterpillar by Gregory L. Norris (what an abrupt, heartbreaking ending!), A Pocket of Madness by Samuel Marzioli (very interesting), Aces and Kings by David M. Koenig (excellent weird western-meets-King in Yellow mythos), Democracy by Larry Hinkle (had a feeling about the ending and I was right, but well worth reading), and Intermediary by Jason A. Wyckoff (classic jungle exploration gone horribly wrong vibe.)

My story: "Building Condemned (Seeking Asylum)"
A man finds himself in a mental asylum and immediately begins making much-needed improvements, even after learning the structure will soon be demolished.

The concept of chirality is explored. I wrote the story for another anthology. That editor short listed the story but ultimately passed on it. Soon after, it found a home in Alessandro Manzetti's Bram Stoker award-nominated "The Beauty of Death" anthology. Since then, I polished up the story and made a few revisions, and Mr. Wills kindly reprinted it in this new anthology.

Final thoughts: I would have chosen a more creative title, but story-wise there are some real gems here. (A previous anthology, Memento Mori, is also a very worthwhile read.) I am also glad that, despite their name, Digital Fiction Publishing publishes not just for Kindle but in paperback, which I prefer.

The only bad news is that two of the stories are absolutely dreadful for all the wrong reasons. I counted nineteen (19) typos and mistakes in the second story and several typos in one of the last stories.

I give it a B. You can order a copy of Digital Horror Fiction Volume 1 by clicking this link.

Buckle Up Folks, This One's A Doozy

I was only trying to HELP. But I should have known better.

Red flag #1: There was no publisher named in the submissions call.
Red flag #2: Acceptance email but no contract offered.
Red flag #3: I don't know anyone in the table of contents (not always a bad thing, but definitely a rare occurrence.)
Red flag #4: Editor does not use blind carbon copy (BCC) but instead CCs everyone, failing to keep their emails private.
Red flag #5: Editor sends out the "final" manuscript, and asks contributors to edit not only their story, but also the stories preceding and following their story in the table of contents.

The stories before and after mine were fun and engaging, but definitely needed some clean up and correction.

I turned on Track Changes and got to work.

Examples of issues I flagged (I looked up every single issue online for verification first; feel free to do the same to check my work!):

Character paces the "parameter" of a bedroom. I replaced with "perimeter."

Character spins around and "flaired" her robe. I replaced with "flared."

Character waits with "baited" breath. I replaced with "bated."

Painting looks "Van Gogh-esc. I replaced with "Van Gogh-esque."

A pane of glass "lie" flat on a desk. I replaced with "lay."

"Awe, I'm sorry." Changed to "Aw, I'm sorry."

The children leave their "parent's" house. I changed to parents' house (plural, since both are indicated to be living.)

"Moment's ticked by." Corrected to "Moments ticked by." (It's just plural, not possessive.)

Something went "passed" someone's field of vision. I changed to "past" their field of vision.

Someone might have a heart attack caused by "shear" pain. I changed it to "sheer" pain.

Improper placement of a comma AFTER the quotation mark.

Quotation mark facing the WRONG WAY.

"Ge" remembered... Corrected to "He" remembered.

Twice in the second story the author says something in one sentence, then directly contradicts what was just said in next sentence. I merely pointed this out.

In one scene, author uses the word "phone" to describe everything, including the actual phone, but also in reference to the receiver, the (phone) line, the cradle, and the hand set. I suggested cleaning this up.

Three characters in a room argue with each other. Author omitted dialogue tags. I suggested with three characters, dialogue tags would help the reader keep track.

The phrase "a little" preceded an adjective three paragraphs in a row. I suggested omitting the phrase in all three instances.

Here was the trickiest issue: "seven pm" According to grammar guides, 7:00 a.m. is acceptable, as is 7:00 AM, but NOT "am" (lower case, no periods). Additionally, author mentions "seven pm" and later switches to military time/24 hour clock and says "19:07." I suggested for consistency's sake, the author stick with one or the other. THIS IS ONE I DID MESS UP ON, ERRONEOUSLY STATING 19:07 was 11:07, which is incorrect. It's 7:07 p.m.)

A character could smell "it's breath." I corrected to smell "its breath" as in this instance it is a possessive determiner, not a contraction of "it is."

Author uses "they/their," "it" (no caps) and "It" (capitalized in mid-sentence) interchangeably throughout the document whenever referencing the ghost. I suggested choosing one and sticking to it for consistency.

Use of the phrase "absently minded" I flagged it and asked if this was a British colloquialism. Suggested, but did not change it to, "absentmindedly."

I stand by these decisions and suggestions.

The editor, upon receipt of my pages, sent me this response (AND I QUOTE:)

"Many of these are incorrect, or not welcome, as you were asked for errors, not editorial feedback, suggestions, or opinions."

Okay. Fair enough. Perhaps I DID overstep my bounds. But how in the heck did all these issues slip through the editorial process?

If the changes and corrections listed above are going to be ignored, I think that is indicative of a sloppy, amateurish finished product.

As such, I politely asked to withdraw my work from inclusion. As of this writing, the editor has yet to respond.

I have felt terrible all day. I was only trying to help.

I love editorial comments and constructive criticism. I love critique groups. I love fine-tuning manuscripts.

Now I am questioning if I should reach out to the authors of the two stories, or just wash my hands of the entire situation. The editor seemingly won't be making (or requesting of the authors) changes or corrections. But perhaps the authors would want to know. It's a good opportunity to learn. Or maybe not. I don't know what to do in that regard. At this point, I am embarrassed for the whole project and the authors involved.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There is some positive news, however. I just signed two short story contracts with another publisher who I know from firsthand experience works carefully and judiciously to produce error-free, professional products. I look forward to working with them again on two forthcoming anthologies.

Honest Reviews of Hinnom Magazine 3 and Crimson Streets 2

Since Amazon doesn't allow authors to review anthologies that include their work, I've made a habit of posting my reviews here on my blog.

Title: Hinnom Magazine #003
Theme: "dark fiction and cosmic horror"
Publisher: Gehenna & Hinnom Books
Editor: C.P. Dunphey
Number of stories: 7 (plus articles, reviews and an interview)
Pages: 133
Price: $6.99 paperback, $2.99 Kindle

Favorite stories: "Jennifer Brings it to Work" by Jack Lothian, which involves a mysterious entity that serves a massive distraction for an office staff, but might also be the harbinger of the end of life as we know it; and "The Enameled Crown" by Steve Toase, which is set in a dentist's office. It reminded me of a Bentley Little story (a compliment).

My story: "Home Again." This story is inspired by my own tiny home town and the idea of all points in history overlapping in the afterlife. At first I had a typical "horror" ending but the editor encouraged me to try for something with more of an emotional impact. Full disclosure: the paperback version has a continuity error I missed, while the Kindle version should have it fixed.

Final thoughts: I give this magazine a B. It has a gorgeous cover paying homage to a number of supernatural characters (villains) from classic horror literature. I skipped all the non-fiction and only read the stories. Leaving mine out of the equation, I enjoyed five of the six stories, especially the two noted above. It's a good deal for the price, especially if you opt for the updated Kindle version.

You can order a copy of Hinnom Magazine #003 right here.

Title: Crimson Streets 2
Theme: "stories inspired by the classic pulp magazines"
Publisher: portableNOUNS
Editor: Janet Carden and G. Shane Meeks
Number of stories: 12
Pages: 155
Price: $7.99 paperback, $2.99 Kindle

Favorite stories: "Five Crisp Tens" by Chris Bauer, an interesting mystery with a shocking twist, which would have been a perfect fit in the old Alfred Hitchcock Presents crime anthologies; "Three on a Match" by Robb White, which started as a heist story but ended in Tarrantino territory; and "Under the Earth" by Micah Castle, a creepy story that reminded me of the vintage Weird Tales.

My story: "Nic Fits," is a humorous story in which a mob hit man with serious anger issues wakes up dead and buried. Things get worse for Nic when a rat decides to nest in the casket.

Final thoughts: I give this magazine a B. Every story features an illustration, which is awesome. Some of the stories entertained me more than others. Most were either fun or suspenseful, with only one I didn't care for. Plenty of variety too!

You can order a copy of Crimson Streets 2 at this link.

Honest Reviews of Whispers of the Apoc and Perceived Realities

Since Amazon doesn't allow authors to review anthologies that include their work, I've made a habit of posting my reviews here on my blog.

Title: Whispers of the Apoc
Theme: "Tales from the Zombie Apocalypse"
Publisher: Tannhauser Press
Editors: Martin Wilsey
Number of stories: 16
Pages: 406
Price: $14.95 paperback, $3.99 Kindle

Favorite stories: "All Dolled Up" by Stephen Kozeniewski, which chronicles a thuggish character who, while fleeing the zombie outbreak, finds himself in an even more harrowing situation; "Needs Must" by John L. French, which follows a strike-force on a (heartbreaking) post-outbreak extraction mission; and "Blood in the Water" by Emmet O'Cuana, in which the zombie apocalypse is almost secondary to a safe haven's ghastly secret.

My favorite of all, however, is "A Slow Leak" by Cameron Smith, in which a lonely outcast faces the mistrust of others in an isolated compound, yet still finds the strength of character to make the ultimate sacrifice when the safe haven is invaded by the walking dead.

My story: "Crave New World." This is an extended version of "Encephaloshrooms" which appeared in The Misbehaving Dead last year. This version is not only polished up and revised, but also features two additional scenes, one heartfelt, one ultra-violent.

Final thoughts: I give the anthology a B+. If you love zombie stories, maybe even an A. Lots of different styles, and only one story (very heavy on military jargon) was a chore to finish. Most of the authors included were new to me and there were many pleasant surprises, and no two stories alike.

You can order Whispers of the Apoc here!

Title: Realities Perceived
Theme: "Speculative Fiction on Reality, Perception, and the Unreal."
Publisher: Left Hand Publishers
Editors: Karen T. Newman
Number of stories: 15
Pages: 259
Price: $10.99 paperback

Favorite stories: Several! "The Mortal Coil" by A.P. Sessler, a jarring mix of sci-fi and horror; "I Carry You Everywhere" by Katta Hules, a fascinating story about a reporter who scores an interview with a reclusive celebrity; "The Dodos" by Gregory L. Norris, which chronicles friendship amidst tragedy; "Demon" by A.D. Ross, a violent action story involving a cult and a tragic hero; and "The Ogress" by Keith Gouveia, in which a cabbie in Japan unwittingly transports a demonic assassin from job to job.

My story: "Cobwebs and Cold Truths," which features two stories within a third story. The editor of the anthology calls it "a psychological thriller where Halloween shreds the veil between madness and monsters."

Final thoughts: I give the anthology an A for story content and a C for cover and interior layout, averaging out to a B. Lots of unique and entertaining stories here, all of them well-written.

You can order Realities Perceived at this link.

New Releases for Winter Reading!

Here's an update on several new publications that feature my short fiction.

Note: These are NOT reviews. I have not read these yet.

Hinnom Magazine #3. Where things go bump in the night and dimensions fold within one another. Beasts lurk in shadows and nightmares take physical form. In this tome, you will find the most exciting dark fiction and cosmic horror from the best up-and-coming authors in the genre. Embrace the Unknown. (Excerpt from Amazon's product description.)

My story, "Home Again," follows Adam's return to the town of his childhood after many years away. He's surprised to find everything the same as when he left. But something isn't quite right, and as the facade starts to fall apart, it becomes clear that someone doesn't want him there.

Hinnom Magazine #3 featuring Home Again

Realities Perceived. Perception is Reality... or is it? Do we create our own reality? Or does our view of it shape our world? Neither heroes nor heavens, victims nor villains, may grasp the true nature of our being.

From science fiction, to horror and the supernatural, to dramas about the fabric of our existence, this anthology features an international fusion of artists who will thrill you with an eclectic selection of tales. (Excerpt from Amazon's product description.)

My story, "Cobwebs and Cold Truths," is a psychological thriller/horror story where an ominous old man's Halloween tales shred the veil between madness and monsters.

Realities Perceived anthology featuring Cobwebs and Cold Truths

Whispers of the Apoc: Tales from the Zombie Apocalypse.
"No one knew how it began. The world fell in just a few weeks.
These are the stories of those people strong enough, lucky enough or crazy enough to survive." (From Amazon's product description.)

My story, "Crave New World," follows Mara as she hunts and harvests zombies. In the near-future, humans crave the dried brains of zombies. In fact, it's the hottest drug on the market. And Mara must make the hardest decision of her life when she comes face to face with a zombie she recognizes...

Whispers of the Apoc featuring Crave New World

Honest Reviews of Blood in the Rain 3 and The Misbehaving Dead

Since Amazon doesn't allow authors to review anthologies that include their work, I've made a habit of posting my reviews here on my blog.

Title: Blood in the Rain 3
Theme: vampire erotica, with a dark/horror bent
Publisher: Cwtch Press
Editors: Cecilia Duvalle and Mary Trepanier
Number of stories: 19
Pages: 312
Price: $14.99 paperback, $3.99 Kindle

Favorite stories: "His Angel of Death" (about a war-time nurse who falls in love with a recovering soldier) by Jordan Monroe was the runaway favorite. "Tanteo" by Victor H. Rodriguez (dark and terrifying), "Master and Slave" (suspenseful) by Zoe Woodard, and "The Stories We Tell" (very hot!) by Mary Trepanier were also quite enjoyable.

My story: "Erotic, Aquatic" follows the sexual exploits of an adventurous couple aboard a steamer travelling across the Black Sea. They run afoul of the crew, who throw them--and a pale stranger who attempts to intercede on their behalf--off the ship. There is some hot action aboard the lifeboat, but dawn is approaching, and none of them will get a "happily ever after."

Final thoughts: I give the anthology a B. There's nothing specifically wrong here. All the stories are good. In a few, the horror aspects overwhelm the erotic portions of the story. In a few others, the erotica is merely hinted at. Only a few were really hot, though all were well-written. I think the key, for maximum enjoyment, is to read this and pace yourself. Read some other stuff at the same time. Don't read all the stories back to back or the impact of each story will be diminished. That said, however, the editors did a great job choosing a variety of places, time periods and settings, and a variety of situations (m-f, m-m, f-f, ffm, mmf).

You can order Blood in the Rain 3 here.

Title: The Misbehaving Dead
Theme: ghosts, zombies, and others who should be dead but...
Publisher: A Murder of Storytellers
Editors: Jack Burgos
Number of stories: 23
Pages: 202
Price: $12.99 paperback, $2.99 Kindle

Favorite stories: "Sisters of Midnight" by Kim Munsamy (at first I thought this was set back in the 'olden days' but it's contemporary. That said, this premise and these characters, kept my interest and left me wanting to read more); "The Stray Bones Trap" by Chris Kuriata (perhaps the most interesting 'monster', visually, in the anthology); "Girls From Jumbo" by John T. Biggs (this guy is a fantastic writer. If you've read and enjoyed Joe R. Lansdale's humorous and horrifying East Texas tales, you owe it to yourself to check out John T. Biggs. Man, does he have a great 'voice.' This story is one of his best.); "You Must Not Be Yourself" by Joseph Shelton (speaking of writers with great voices, Joseph Shelton is another frequent Murder of Storytellers contributor who deserves a wider audience. This story is certainly the most literary in the anthology--in multiple ways!).

Besides those four, I also enjoyed the stories by Lynda Clark, Deb Jannerson, and J.A.W. McCarthy.

My story: Mara hunts and harvests zombies in a post-apocalyptic near-future where dried human brains are the hottest drug on the market in "Encephaloshrooms." She faces a heartbreaking decision when she encounters a long lost family member while out on one of her hunts.

Final thoughts: I give the anthology a B-. The story selection, and the stories themselves are a bit uneven. The worst-written story I have ever read in a Murder of Storytellers anthology (typos, grammar issues, and all telling, no showing) is followed by perhaps one of the BEST stories I've read in years. The Misbehaving Dead features a couple very literary tales alongside several that I felt were aimed at young adult/teen readers. So while there are highlights, there are also some lows.

A note about the cover: it looks good pictured here, but the actual cover is darker and grayer. The rib cage is not visible, and the words on the back cover are very hard to read. Maybe a glossy finish instead of matte might have helped.

You can order The Misbehaving Dead here.

And you can read my reviews of other A Murder of Storytellers anthologies by clicking the links below:

The Book of Blasphemous Words

Broken Worlds

Now Playing in Theater B

For a small indie horror press, they sure have a knack for discovering and publishing some fantastic authors.

Honest Reviews of The Book of Blasphemous Words and Ink Stains #5

Since Amazon usually doesn't allow authors to review anthologies that include their work, I've made a habit of posting my reviews here on my blog.

Title: The Book of Blasphemous Words
Theme: horror and supernatural fiction based on religion, deities, and zealotry
Publisher: A Murder of Storytellers
Editor: CJ Miles IV
Number of stories: 29
Pages: 281
Price: $12.99 paperback, $2.54 Kindle

Favorite stories: "A Hole in the Head Reveals the Secret Nature of All Things" by Joseph Shelton (I think he's a brilliant writer with a great voice), "Sack Race to the River" by Chris Kuriata (terrifying ending), "The Unearthed Thing" by Ben Larned (gorgeous use of language), "The Sign" by John Biggs (he never disappoints) and "The Annunciation of Josie" by Jack Burgos (seems like this story could actually happen...)

My story: "Hero Worship," in which a "Christian" heavy metal singer and an impressionable fan exchange a series of emails. The story reads backwards, with the newest email first, and obviously things do not end (or start?) well for the young fan.

Final thoughts: I give the anthology an A-. The publisher, A Murder of Storytellers, always produces excellent anthologies featuring talented authors. I'm never disappointed. Kudos for them always turning out a fine product. And Joseph Shelton and John Biggs deserve a wider audience. Let's start with YOU.

You can order The Book of Blasphemous Words here.

Title: Ink Stains 5
Theme: literary dark fiction
Publisher: Dark Alley Press
Editor: N. Apythia Morges
Number of stories: 12
Pages: 193
Price: $15.95 paperback, $3.99 Kindle

Favorite stories: "Agents of the Seraphim" by Michael Pico, "Dick and Ruth Forever" by Paul Tanner, and "Pleased to Meet Me" by Peter Emmett Naughton. I also want to praise the layout of this book. It's gorgeous and I appreciated the special attention to detail and extra effort that sets it apart.

My story: "Always Confined" in which Johann, an elderly survivor of Nazi-occupied Germany, receives a gift from a well-meaning relative that forces him to relive one of his darkest moments.

Final thoughts: I give this anthology a B. Very solid overall, and I loved the layout. With only 12 stories, I didn't quite LOVE enough of them to give it an A. But it's good, no doubt about it.

You can order Ink Stains #5 via this link. (See what I did there?)

Honest Reviews of Zippered Flesh 3 and HWA Poetry Showcase IV

Since Amazon usually doesn't allow authors to review anthologies that include their work, I've made a habit of posting my reviews here on my blog.

Title: Zippered Flesh 3
Theme: horror tales of body enhancements gone bad
Publisher: Smart Rhino Publications
Editor: Weldon Burge
Number of stories: 19
Pages: 371
Price: $18.95 paperback, $3.99 Kindle

Favorite stories: "Worm" by Jeff Menapace, "All Will Turn to Gray" by Jezzy Wolfe, "Invisible" by E.A. Black, "And the Sky Was Full of Angels" by L.L. Soares, "Shopping Spree" by Meghan Arcuri, and my favorite, "Closer" by Charles Colyott.

My story: "Reduced to Tears," which describes a world where extreme body modification--in the form of yearly reductions--is the social norm. Margo thinks she's met the man of her dreams, until he breaks her heart by asking her to do the unthinkable.

Final thoughts: I give the anthology an A. What a thrill to share a table of contents with legends like Graham Masterton, Jack Ketchum and William F. Nolan, and Billie Sue Mosiman and James Dorr are talented pros as well. My favorites this time around were all new to me. In particular, Meghan Arcuri, L.L. Soares, and Charles Colyott all turned in riveting page-turners. Colyott's "Closer" keeps popping into my head at random times weeks after finishing the book. This may sound absurd, but I'm teary-eyed AGAIN just thinking about it. Powerful story.

You can order Zippered Flesh 3 right here.

Title: Horror Writers Association Poetry Showcase Volume IV
Theme: poems by members of the HWA
Publisher: HWA via Create Space
Editor: David E. Cowen
Number of poems: 50
Pages: 90
Price: $7.99 paperback, $2.99 Kindle

Favorite poems: "Stranded" by Robert Perez, "Atoms and the Void" by Miriam H. Harrison, "Cthulhu, Call Your Mother" by Lenore Hart, "The Length of His Spine" by Rob E. Boley, and "They May Not Tell Tales, But They Do Sing Songs" by Nina Shephardson.

My poem: "The Burial Shroud." A short poem about the so-called One Percent versus everyone else, and how it all ends.

Final thoughts: Overall, I give it a B. Besides my "top 5" noted above, I also appreciated the poems of Steve Rasnic Tem and Annie Neugebauer, in particular. The beauty of this showcase is that you can read it for fun, or read it to better understand poetry, or (in my case) a bit of both. I read every poem aloud first, then silently, then aloud again. Based on cost and how small the book is, page-wise, I'd recommend the Kindle. (There's even a deal where you can get all four volumes on Kindle for one price in one download.)

You can order HWA Poetry Showase IV here.

HONEST Reviews of DOA III and Memento Mori anthologies

Since Amazon usually doesn't allow authors to review anthologies that include their work, I've made a habit of posting my reviews here on my blog.

Title: DOA III
Theme: EXTREME horror
Publisher: Blood Bound Books
Editors: Marc Ciccarone and Andrea Dawn
Number of stories: 30
Pages: 397
Price: $15.99 paperback, $6.66 Kindle

Favorite stories: "The Broken Hearted" by T. Fox Dunham, "N Word" by Shane McKenzie (this one nauseated me--yes, that's a compliment), "The Machine" by Bentley Little, "Bury Them Deeper" by David Sandner, "Beer Battered" by K. Trap Jones, "Taking Root" by Christoph Weber, and "Ritchie" by Eric Guignard.

My story: "Proud Papa," in which a man gets to experience a lifetime of parenthood in a single hour, but with horrifying results.

Final thoughts: Honored to share a table of contents with legendary authors like Bentley Little, Richard Christian Matheson, John Skipp, Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, Wrath James White, and Jeff Strand. I own books by all these authors, and they're all famous in the world of horror literature for a reason. The up-and-comers all bring great stories to the table as well. This book is a bargain for the price. A+

You can order DOA III here.

Title: Memento Mori
Theme: dark stories about death
Publisher: Digital Fiction Publishing
Editors: Wills, Lockhart, Reeves-McMillan
Number of stories: 30
Pages: 424
Price: $16.29 paperback, $2.99 Kindle

Favorite stories: "My Wasteland" by T. Fox Dunham (surreal, harrowing, and semi-autobiographical), "Dead Men Tell No Tales" by Elaine Cunningham, "The Broken Silence of Fanghan" by Jennifer Brozek (fascinating concept), "Father Figure" by Tracie McBride (Oh. My. God.), "The Cottage of Curiosities" by Annie Neugebauer (holy crap that one was scary), "Dead Girls Don't Love" by Sarah Hans and "Acrylic on Canvas" by William Holden. My favorite (though it was almost impossible to pick) was the haunting and heartbreaking "Ghost Story" by Carly Holmes.

My story: "Cold Feet," in which a mortician's assistant goes to great lengths to win the affection of the man she loves. Part creature horror, part body horror, part morbid humor. One of my favorites.

Final thoughts: This book doesn't have as many "big name" authors as the other one I reviewed, but I actually liked it just as much, if not better. It's a good deal, packed with stories, and the Kindle is super cheap.

And WOW! so many female authors totally kicked ass in this anthology. Remember these names: Elaine Cunningham, Jennifer Brozek, Tracie McBride,  Annie Neugebauer, Sarah Hans, Carly Holmes. Those happened to be my favorites, but do yourself a favor and buy this book. No matter what, I think you'll be impressed by the authors (men AND women) featured! A+

You can order Memento Mori by clicking this link.

Honest Reviews: Grave Markers Volume 3, Cranial Leakage 2, and Depraved Desires

 Amazon typically does not allow authors to review anthologies to which they have contributed. With that in mind, here are honest reviews for three more collections that feature my work. 

All three were published in 2017 and easily found on Amazon and other online booksellers.

Publisher: Grinning Skull Press
Editor: Michael Evans
Number of stories: 3 (novelettes)
Pages: 163
Price: $11.99 for paperback. All three novelettes available for Kindle individually at 99 cents each.
Theme: historical horror stories, two weird westerns, and the third is hard to pin down (it's never really specified.)

Favorite: Dominic Stabile's story is a quick, fun read about an outlaw gang who are in fact, all supernatural creatures. (I won't spoil the surprise though.)

My story: "Bottled Spirits," in which Truman Bonner and his son Isaac embark on a harrowing series of adventures in a quest to find Helena Bonner, who's gone missing after a drunken argument. One of my favorite stories I've ever written, and deeply personal.

I give it a B+ overall. If you are cost conscious, I'd recommend getting the Kindle versions of Full Moon in the West and Bottled Spirits for 99 cents each. I love having the actual books, though, so I'm glad I paid extra. Here is the link to the paperback.

Publisher: Grinning Skull Press
Editor: Michael Evans
Number of stories: 21
Pages: 266
Price: $15.95 for paperback. $3.99 Kindle.
Theme: non-themed horror stories

Favorites: "Snowbound" by Damir Salkovic has a classic Weird Tales style and setting and was an early standout. "Slashes of Joy" by Chris Phillips, "Darwin's Ravens" by Jonah Buck and "The Night Auction" by Catherine Grant were all strong, memorable stories. My favorite of them all was "The Anteater" by Robert Stava. It was like something Bentley Little would write, only funnier.

My story: "Another Mouth to Feed" is a body horror story that was partially inspired by real events.

I give this anthology an A. Great cover, nice story selection, no duds, several highlights. Ordering link is right here!

Publisher: HellBound Books
Editor: Xtina Marie
Number of Stories: 26
Pages: 354
Cost: $12.96 paperback, $4.99 Kindle
Theme: Dark Erotica (or Erotic Horror)

Favorites: "Show Off City" by Shaun Avery, "Dark Desires" by Dusty Davis, and the superb "Small Town Vampire" by Brandon Cracraft.

My story: "Twenty-Six Photographs" in which a man coerces his wife to indulge in his vices. I don't feel like my story was as good as it could have been. The first reason is that in the book, there are hard returns creating new paragraphs where there shouldn't be (not my doing). The second reason IS my fault. I let the author read between the lines to get to the true horror of the story and I think maybe I should have been more obvious, or gave better clues. The main character doesn't worry about his wife after their "exploit" is finished. He is only focused on himself. That, to me, is the Horror of the story, but readers might miss that.

I give this anthology a B. There are a few stories I didn't care for, but the overall quality of the stories is quite good--almost unexpectedly so. If you like horror and erotica mixed, I think you'll enjoy this anthology. Order it here.

2017 Anthologies: Thanksgiving Update

Adrian's third collection, ANT FARM NECROPOLIS, features 18 newly-collected stories and two poems. It was published in late June of 2017 by A Murder of Storytellers.

Includes the following stories:
Four Houses Down (on the Bad Side of Town) / Death Guiding 350 Horses / Reynolds’ Tale / Everyone Wears a Mask / Ant Farm Necropolis (poem) / I Can Do What I Need to in the Dark / Glass Caskets / Slay It Forward / Questions Still Unanswered / The Way It Will Be / Little Hearse on the Prairie / Sprat / Building Condemned / Heart Like an Anchor / Rougher than the Rest / After the Storm (poem) / Storm Cloud Rain, Graveyard Dirt / The Monster’s Leather Apron / Reunited / Sod Webworms.

Order directly from the publisher.

Or from Amazon here.

Zippered Flesh 3

Zippered Flesh 3 is the newest anthology from Smart Rhino Publications. This is Adrian's second appearance in a Smart Rhino anthology. (The first being Insidious Assassins)

Theme: body modification horror

Story included: Reduced to Tears.
Margo lives in a society where people have surgical reductions of their bodies each year of their lives. She meets the man of her dreams but once they start dating, he insults her by asking something unspeakable of her...

Also features fiction from Graham Masterton, William F. Nolan, Jack Ketchum, Billie Sue Mosiman, and many more. Edited by Weldon Burge.

Order Zippered Flesh 2 here!

Ink Stains (Volume 5)

Theme: literary dark fiction

Story included: Always Confined. 

A man who escaped Nazi Germany during World War II receives a gift from a well-meaning relative and instead is forced to relive his harrowing ordeal --and face his darkest secret.

This anthology also features stories by Michael Picco, Paul Tanner, Tiffany Michelle Brown, and many more. The publisher is Dark Alley Press. Edited by N. Apythia Morges.

Order Ink Stains 5 here.

Blood in the Rain 3

Theme: Erotic vampire fiction

Story included: Erotic, Aquatic.

An amorous couple end up as castaways in a lifeboat in the Black Sea in the middle of the night. But who is the pale stranger in the boat with them and why is he suggesting they undress? What does he want? And what will happen when the sun rises?

This anthology also features steamy vampire fiction from Jordan Monroe, Andrea Dale, Amber Dawn Eris and many more. The publisher is Cwtch Press. Edited by Cecelia Duvalle and Mary Trapanier.

Order Blood in the Rain 3.

Horror Writers Association: Poetry Showcase IV

Theme: poetry by horror authors

Poem included: The Burial Shroud.

It's the one percent versus the rest of the world in this short poem.

Featuring poetry by Bruce Boston, Stephanie Wytovich, Steve Rasnic Tem, John Palisano, and many more!

Order HWA Poetry Showcase Volume IV here!

Corporate Cthulhu Needs YOUR Support!

The official KICKSTARTER campaign has begun!

Contribute HERE to help fund this anthology.

Evan Dicken and I collaborated on a 6900 word story called "Esoteric Insurance, Inc." It is one of the tales set to be included in Corporate Cthulu.

Most of the stories are horror, but a few are humorous too. The more money raised, the more stories will be included. 

There are many, many gifts and incentives for making a pledge. Here is one example:

"Pledge $60 or more and you will get:

Signed paperback of Ant Farm Necropolis by Adrian Ludens

Paperback copy of Corporate Cthulhu anthology

PDF/EPUB/MOBI copy of Corporate Cthulhu

Your name in the acknowledgement section (if you wish)"

There are higher dollar options and more economical options; see the LINK for the complete list.

Honest Reviews of The Prison Compendium and The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories

Amazon typically does not allow authors to review anthologies to which they have contributed. With that in mind, here are honest reviews for two more collections that feature my work.

Publisher: EMP Publishing
Editors: Jennifer Word and Kimberly King
Number of stories: 33
Pages: 285
Price: $5.99 Kindle, $14.95 for paperback.
Theme: prison-themed stories, mostly mystery and horror
My story included: a reprint of Solitary Man, in which a penitentiary guard confesses to his comatose son the dark secrets of a famous author held in solitary confinement.

My favorites were: "End A Days" by Kristin Dearborn, "The Flea Jar" by Layla Cummins, "Second Chance" by Tom Larsen, "Swing A Sparrow on a String" by Ken Goldman.

I give it an A-. Only a couple stories that didn't grab me, and a wide variety of interpretations of the theme. You can order a copy here.

Title: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories
Publisher: Robinson
Editor: Maxim Jakubowski
Number of stories: 37
Pages: 562
Price: $6.99 Kindle, $14.99 for the paperback.
Theme: Jack the Ripper stories

My story included: The Monster's Leather Apron, in which the man responsible for the murders attributed to Jack the Ripper escapes England and resurfaces a decade later in Alaska during the Gold Rush. A fever, a betrayal, and a dash of the supernatural combine to push Edward (aka Jack) to his breaking point.

This is a hefty volume and it took me a long time to finish. I'd read a story here and there, because 37 different interpretations of Jack the Ripper's crimes seemed like it would get stale. (They don't actually.) I'm glad I paced myself because each story really shines. There were only a couple I didn't care for, and one in particular was written in an experimental style that made it tough for me to understand. Most, however, were good to great.

My favorites were numerous. With so many great interpretations, it's difficult to select even a handful. Start with the always amazing Steve Rasnic Tem's Monkeys for a Ripper story unlike any other! I also thoroughly enjoyed the tales by Martin Edwards, Paul Freeman, Nic Martin, K.G. Anderson, William Meikle, Brett McBean and David Bishop, among others.

Rating: A
Honored to be included in such a respected series (The Mammoth Book of...) You can --and should-- order a copy here.

ANT FARM NECROPOLIS is out now!

Ant Farm Necropolis is HERE!

Eighteen macabre stories and two poems by Adrian Ludens. 

Clive wants to show you around his home, but watch out; it harbors more than just recollections from his bizarre past in "Four Houses Down." 

Those who want insight into Poe's descent into madness prior to his death should pay close attention to "Reynolds' Tale." 

The Idea Man is a retired professional killer who employs a novel method for making the world a better place in "Slay it Forward." 

Jack the Ripper brings mayhem and murder to Alaska during the Gold Rush in "The Monster's Leather Apron." 

Randle has a job he loathes; erasing people from existence in "Death Guiding 350 Horses." 

These characters and many more are waiting inside this new collection from the author of When Bedbugs Bite and Bedtime Stories for Carrion Beetles.

Ant Farm Necropolis Cover Reveal and Pre-Order

Pre-order ANT FARM NECROPOLIS here!

18 newly collected stories and 2 poems. Cover art by M. Wayne Miller. Published by A Murder of Storytellers.

Available June 23rd.