It's Been a Very Good Year

Overall, 2012 was a very good year. This year, more than any other, reminded me that I still have so much to learn. To paraphrase George Harrision, "the more I learn about writing, the more I realize I still don't know!" (George was talking about playing sitar, but the sentiment is dead-on.)

I wrote fewer stories this year than in any of the previous five years. It is a constant struggle to remember Quality is better than Quantity.  After two professional sales in 2011, I thought for sure I would make that coveted "Active" status in the Horror Writers Association in 2012, but as of December 10th, I remain an Affiliate.

Rather than be discouraged, I think it would be best to reflect on the positives:

After nearly two years of corrections, edits, and revisions (special thanks to Karen Hall and Michaelia Kendall of Black Hills Writers Group), I released my debut short story collection, Bedtime Stories for Carrion Beetles. The book is available in quality paperback via Createspace, and electronically via Amazon Kindle. The book collects nineteen of my favorite previously-published stories, ranging from weird western to steampunk mystery (but mostly horror and supernatural suspense). Every story was polished prior to publication, and some were revised extensively.

Bedtime Stories for Carrion Beetles is available HERE.

Also published in 2012:

"Ghost Soup" in Gunslingers and Ghost Stories

"A Brother's Love" (aka "You Don't Know Jack") in Granite Island, Amber Sea

"A Misadventure to Call Your Own" (first professional sale, but second published) in Blood Lite III: Aftertaste

"How to Make A Monster" in Slices of Flesh

"The Elephant in the Room" in Zombie Kong: the Anthology

"The Biggin Hill Duel" (cover story) in Big Pulp

"Souls on Ice" in Winter Chills

"Solitary Man" in Morpheus Tales #15

I am grateful to all the respective editors for purchasing/selecting my work.


UPCOMING in 2013:

"Life and Limb" in Blood Rites

"Sweet Tea and MamaLady" in Dark Eclipse

"Granted Wishes" in Dark Light 2

I don't want to give too much away, but I currently have fourteen other stories under consideration by various anthologies, magazines and e-zines.

Thank you all for reading. I appreciate it.

New Anthologies Now Available

Gunslingers and Ghost Stories, which includes my entry, Ghost Soup, is now available! Ghost Soup is the first published story featuring Truman Bonner and his son, Isaac. Bonner and Son will be a series of Weird Western adventures. Eventually collected into a cohesive book... but I'm getting ahead of myself. 

Who-or what-is the abomination locked away in a cell in the deepest, darkest part of the Chinese laundry tunnels beneath Deadwood? And how can it assist Truman Bonner exorcise a vengeful spirit from a grizzled gold miner? Find out in Ghost Soup, available in Gunslingers and Ghost Stories.

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Granite Island, Amber Sea, which includes my entry, A Brother's Love, is now available! I served as master of ceremonies for a wonderful gala event and launch party for this anthology, edited by Black Hills Writers Group. Very exciting to see the likes of R.T. Lawton, Lori Armstrong, Sandra Brannon and C.J. Roberts in attendance. R.T. and Sandra both contributed to the anthology too! Featuring writings set in the Black Hills and western South Dakota, this collection has something for everyone.

A Brother's Love is a slightly revised version of You Don't Know Jack, from my collection Bedtime Stories for Carrion Beetles. Jack is on a quest to avenge his brother's death and put his memory to rest. An outcast Lakota warrior and an ancient Chinese man assist him in his endeavors. Jack winds up in Deadwood where he comes face to face with his brother's killer. Learn what happens in A Brother's Love, available in Granite Island, Amber Sea.

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Zombie Kong, which includes my story, The Elephant in the Room, is available. This anthology was released earlier in 2012 and I don't think it got the attention it deserves. The stories included are a mix of horror, mystery, humor, fantasy and action. Some are pulpy fun, others are more grim. All are excellent.

The Elephant in the Room starts with a dead gorilla at an old-fashioned traveling carnival and ends with tactical nuclear missile strikes on North America. How did things get so bad so fast? Maybe reader comments posted online will shed some light on the tragedy...

Zombie Kong is available now!