2013, so sad to see you go.

 
I've done 'year in review' posts before (the Justine Bateman/Arya Stark thing that got me thousands of hits) but I figured this year I'd keep it simple.

For a brief moment, I thought there'd be captions and reflections on each. Maybe it's best to let the images speak for themselves.

Linden Place, Summer 2013

Seton Hill University, June 2013

Preston Black promo, February 2013

Guggenheim Museum, April 2013

Magic Kingdom, July 2013

Paris, August 2013

Pennwriters, May 2013

Book launch for THE REVELATIONS OF PRESTON BLACK, June 2013

Nashville, July 2013

Paris, August 2013

Capclave, Washington DC, October 2013

Paris, August 2013

Baltimore Book Fest, September 2013

Share the Spirit, Uniontown, PA, December 2013

Paris, August 2013

Paris, August 2013

Mega-Author Signings in Uniontown!

Mega-Author Signings in Uniontown!

On Saturday, December 14 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM, Bradley's Books at the Uniontown Mall will host a book signing for 13 authors from Raw Dog Screaming Press and Dog Star Books, including Michael Arnzen, Jennifer Barnes, Matt Betts, Leland Pitts-Gonzalez, John Edward Lawson, Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Jack Miller, Diane Turnshek, Matthew Warner, Albert Wendland, D. Harlan Wilson, K. Ceres Wright, and Stephanie Wytovich.

The authors are also guests at Share the Spirit that evening at the State Theater Center for the Arts in downtown Uniontown. The Share the Spirit Author Mix and Mingle begins at 6:00 PM.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Hope to see you there!

COVER: Corpus Chrome, Inc. by S. Craig Zahler

COVERS

 

Who should be given a second chance at life? 

Decades in the future Corpus Chrome, Inc. develops a robotic body, dubbed a “mannequin,” that can revive, sustain and interface with a cryonically-preserved human brain. Like all new technology, it is copyrighted.

Hidden behind lawyers and a chrome facade, the inscrutable organization resurrects a variety of notable minds, pulling the deceased back from oblivion into a world of animated sculpture, foam rubber cars, dissolving waste and strange terrorism. Nobody knows how Corpus Chrome, Inc. determines which individuals should be given a second life, yet myriad people are affected. Among them are Lisanne Breutschen, the composer who invented sequentialism with her twin sister, and Champ Sappline, a garbage man who is entangled in a war between the third, fourth and fifth floors of a New York City apartment building.

In the Spring of 2058, Corpus Chrome, Inc. announces that they will revive Derek W.R. Dulande—a serial rapist and murderer who was executed thirty years ago for his crimes. The public is horrified by the decision, and before long, the company’s right to control the lone revolving door between life and death will be violently challenged….

Corpus Chrome, Inc by S. Craig Zahler

Cover Art by Bradley Sharp

Cyberpunk/Transhumanism novel  coming from Dog Star Books in January 2014

---

  

What They’re Saying About S. Craig Zahler

“Zahler’s a fabulous story teller whose style catapults his reader into the turn of the century West with a ferocious sense of authenticity.”
—Kurt Russell, star of Tombstone, Escape from New York, Dark Blue, and Death Proof

“If you’re looking for something similar to what you’ve read before, this ain’t it. If you want something comforting and predictable, this damn sure ain’t it.  But if you want something with storytelling guts and a weird point of view, an unforgettable voice, then you want what I want, and that is this.”
—Joe R. Lansdale author of Edge of Dark Water

#BOOKSBURGH!

 

http://rawdogscreaming.com/raw-dog-screaming-press-takes-pittsburgh/

 

Jason Jack Miller at Capclave 2013

      

Capclave Schedule

October 11-13, 2013 • Gaithersburg, MD

The Raw Dog gang will be at Capclave on panels, doing readings and taking pitches. We will also be launching a Dog Star Books release, Greenshift by Heidi Ruby Miller! More info can be found at the official Capclave site.
Friday Schedule

• 4:00p So You Want To Be A Writer? Matt Betts
• 5:00p
  -Saturday Morning Cartoons Matt Betts
  -Diversity In Fiction John Edward Lawson
  -New to Conventions? Start Here K. Ceres Wright
• 6:00p
  -Buy My Book Jennifer Barnes, John Edward Lawson
  -Space Marines and Goblin Troopers K. Ceres Wright
• 7:00p
  -Doctor Jerky and Mr. Hide: Private & Public Personas Jennifer Barnes
  -Are Prose Superheroes Still Novel? Matt Betts
  -New Media, New Markets, New Business Models K. Ceres Wright
• 8:00p
  -Perishing Publishers Jennifer Barnes, K. Ceres Wright
  -Grim or Grin? Jason Jack Miller
• 9:00p Amazon, Hero or Villain? John Edward Lawson
• 10:00p Nice Shoes Jason Jack Miller
• 11:00p Strange Adventures — The Sub-genres of Science Fiction Action Adventure Matt Betts (M), Heidi Ruby Miller, K. Ceres Wright

Saturday Schedule

• 9:00a
  -Reading Heidi Ruby Miller
  -Fire the Literary Canon? K. Ceres Wright
• 9:30a Reading: Jason Jack Miller
• 10:00a When the Dark (Fiction) Comes Rising Jason Jack Miller
• 12:00p Lightening Students’ Backpacks: Text Books in the Digital Age Heidi Ruby Miller
• 1:00p Kickstarter: The Pro’s and Con’s Jennifer Barnes
• 3:30p Reading K. Ceres Wright
• 6:00p Reading Matt Betts
• 7:30p Mass Signing Matt Betts, John Edward Lawson, Heidi Ruby Miller, Jason Jack Miller, K. Ceres Wright

Sunday Schedule

• 9:00a Author’s Table Matt Betts
• 11:00a Soon to Be a Major Motion Picture Matt Betts
• 12:00p Self Publishing and You / DIY Publishing Jennifer Barnes, Jason Jack Miller
• 12:30p Reading John Edward Lawson
• 1:00p Pitch Sessions Jennifer Barnes, John Edward Lawson, Heidi Ruby Miller

TRAILER: The Seventh Equinox

THE SEVENTH EQUINOX by Matthew Warner will debut on November 6th but the pre-order starts today and we're celebrating with the reveal of the book trailer:

“The best part of Warner’s easy-paced, almost pastoral tale is the friction between Bessie’s attraction to Robin, her longing to believe in magic, and her fear of trusting again—all of which run deep. This is a world-shattering crisis acted out in small scale, with a subtle appeal to romantic fantasy.”

—Publishers Weekly

From the Back:

Her recent divorce left Bessie Henderson on guard against being exploited by any man. When she escapes to Augusta, Virginia, she’s captivated by the small town’s charm, but also its quirks: her intrusive elderly neighbor, the secret labyrinth of caverns beneath her Victorian house — and the man hiding from the law in her root cellar.

But Robin Goodfellow is not just a criminal. He’s a fertility demigod called the Hunter. He’s been injured, and he needs Bessie’s life force to survive. By the spring equinox, he must complete the grand Hunt, an ancient ritual of environmental renewal, or the planet will slowly die.

 

As the equinox nears, the couple must reconcile their growing feelings for each other. Bessie may not be ready to trust and give to another man, especially one who takes so much from her. And Robin must choose between love and duty — a duty that means life for the planet but death for himself.

About the Author:

Matthew Warner’s publishing credits span a variety of formats, although readers mostly know him through his horror novels and short stories. Dramatic works include films from Darkstone Entertainment based on his screenplays, plus a radio play and stage play premiered by theaters in central Virginia. Warner lives with his wife, the artist Deena Warner, and sons, Owen and Thomas. Readers can visit him at matthewwarner.com.

Pre-order NOW for $2 off.

COVER: Kicking Against the Pricks

First century tillers used oxen to help them plow the land, and when the animal slowed or refused their commands, the tiller would use a prick to jab the animal and regain control. Sometimes the oxen would rebel and kick against the prick, and as a result, get stabbed even harder. It was a lesson of cause and consequence, of insurgence, of anarchy, both against their owners, and against God. Wilson takes this concept of rebellion and weaves it throughout his writing in such a way that his characters know how it feels to be both the tiller and the ox. His verse is sharp like a pointed spike, and his style awakens reader to the gray area in the black and white world of right and wrong, good and bad.

Wilson writes without fear and doesn’t shirk from the emotions that surface when he digs deeper, doesn’t hide from the shadows that creep in when he tills harder. The pieces in Kicking Against the Pricks bring an understanding to pain, suffering, and what it means to be conflicted. Wilson brilliantly shines the light on the darkness that hides within us all and envelopes his readers in a raw, emotional, and beautiful journey as noted in Stoker Award winner Linda D. Addison’s insightful introduction.

AUTHOR BIO:
Stephen M. Wilson was Poetry Editor for Abyss & Apex Magazine of Speculative Fiction and also edited the spec poetry Twitterzine microcosms (@microcosms) and San Joaquin Delta College’s literary magazine Artifact. Wilson spent 3+ years as Poetry Editor for Doorways Magazine and co editor of the Science Fiction Poetry Association’s annual Dwarf Stars Award anthology. He’s had several poems nominated for the Rhysling Award and a handful for the Dwarf Stars Award (including a win in 2011). His first book Dark Duet, a collaboration with multi-Bram Stoker Award winner Linda D. Addison, is available from Necon E-Books. Wilson lived in Stockton, CA with his partner and two dogs. More at: http://speceditor666.livejournal.com.

COVER ART by Steven Archer

PRE-ORDER THROUGH RDSP - http://rawdogscreaming.com/books/kicking-pricks

COVER: Hysteria

Asylums once used to confine those deemed mentally unfit to linger, forgotten behind trees or urban development, beautiful yet desolate in their decay. Within them festers something far more unnerving than unlit corners or unexplained noises: the case files left to moulder out of sight, out of conscience. Stephanie M. Wytovich forces your hands upon these crumbling, warped binders and exposes your mind to every taboo misfortune experienced by the outcast, exiled, misbegotten monsters and victims who have walked among us. The poetry contained in Hysteria performs internal body modification on its readers in an unrelenting fashion, employing broad-spectrum brutality treatment that spans the physical to the societal, as noted in Stoker Award winner Michael A. Arnzen's incisive introduction.

Hysteria by Stephanie Wytovich

Introduction by Michael A. Arnzen

Cover by Stephanie Wytovich

Pre-order this poetry collection from Raw Dog Screaming Press

AU REVOIR, 2012.

So, twelve months ago I did a 'year in review' post that generated thousands of hits for me because I included an image of Justine Bateman (removed for copyright purposes) that somebody on an IMDB GAME OF THRONES message board linked to. Thought she looked like Arya.

But I won't resort to such cheap tactics this time around.

Why?

Despite the loss of a gallbladder and having our car forced over a guardrail and smashed by a former student, things worked out pretty damn good for me this year. You can say what you want about The Second Law of Thermodynamics, but I think there's something to it (if John Edward Lawson is to be believed.)

For me, the last twelve months were about friendship, and being part of a team. Working with Jennifer and John from Raw Dog Screaming Press has been a damn-near perfect creative experience. Talking with them never fails to widen my field of view in new and exciting ways. Mike Arnzen always motivates and inspires me, even when he doesn't realize that's what he's doing. Maybe it's just his subversive nature, but Arnzen's Five Rules of Writing (or three, until we remember the last two) didn't write themselves. As for the remainder of the creative types--Tricky, Deanna, Stephanie, D. Harlan, Dustin, Lee... I consider myself lucky to be able to siphon off so much energy from you all. 

And Heidi, I can't imagine a life without a creative partner like you. Do I know how lucky I am to see you whenever I look up from my laptop with a question? You know it. Thank you for helping to make this such a wonderful year. And thank you for inspiring me. Big things ahead. 

Yeah, 2012 was a pretty amazing year. I think we can do better in 2013.

(And Katy, Preston, Pauly and Ben--see you in 2013. Going to be a hell of a year.) 

PRESTON BLACK'S OPENING ACT! Black Bear Burritos, Morgantown, WV, December 8, 2012.

I just wanted to do a real quick post to put up some pictures and thank everybody who helped make Saturday so amazing! You guys blow my mind. We had West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland and Pennsylvania represented, UHS peeps, SHU peeps (is this seriously the first time I ever noticed that?), Morgantown Poets, more Raw Dogs Screaming Press editors, authors, poets, and friends than you could shake a stick at, two toddlers, some cousins, brothers, sisters and moms, a wife and a whole bunch of new friends who showed up to get their hands on Preston (or Katy.)

First and foremost, I have to thank Heidi, for making everything seem so easy. Without you, this is just another job.  

I'd especially like to thank Jennifer and John from Raw Dog Screaming Press for being a writer's and reader's best friend, and give a special shout-out to their assistant Ripley, for making sure this event remained zombie-free.

I also have to give a special thank you to Tony from Abacus Jones for keeping the music flowing. (Joe and Jason, your thanks will come fifteen minutes later, just like you guys.) Seriously, you sounded amazing and kept folks smiling.

Last, and certainly not least, I want to thank the gang at Black Bear Burritos Downtown for their endless supply of awesomeness!! You're support and enthusiasm never cease to blow my mind. And the food... The (Ham)bender was 3.75lbs of savory deliciousness and I loved every bite!

Joe and Ayla, I can not even begin to tell you how amazing you've been over these last few weeks. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You are the best.        

Yinz should've been there.

If you weren't, here's what it looked like:
 

Worse than cold sores.

Sir John Edward of Lawson infected me (like I always knew he would,) and now it's my turn to spread the disease. Basically, it involves searching for the first  use of the word “look” in your work in progress, then pasting that paragraph, and those immediately before and after, into a blog post, after which you spread the disease to five other authors.   

 

This is from the very, very beginning of THE REVELATIONS OF PRESTON BLACK, a little alt newspaper article about an upcoming show. Kind of tells us a little about Katy and Preston since last we saw them.

     From the moment she walks across that stage, you know Katy Stefanic is the kind of girl you could fall in love with. Though romantically involved but not married, the pair play off of each other like they have been attached at the hip for no less than twenty years, instantaneously responding to frequent and impulsive key and tempo changes. Call me jaded, but watching Stefanic and Black work the aural space over the crowd mesmerized me in a way only more seasoned acts have been able to do in recent years. Except for the random, "Marry me, Katy," (or, "Call me, Preston,") the crowd remains stone silent during ballads and quiet instrumentals. Even more curious is the way audience responds to the mix of old time throw-down melodies and punk-fast tempos with fists in the air and good old-fashioned foot stomping. And when the lights came up for the first encore the frenzied crowd responded like Joe Strummer himself  was going to join them for a song or two.

     I had a chance to talk to Stefanic and Black after their show in D.C. last Saturday and asked them about their relationship and how it affected their musical development. Preston was more than content to let his beloved Katy do most of the talking. With a wide smile, she folded her  hands over her knee and explained, "Sharing music with somebody is a lot like sharing a bed. After a while you start to know when something's building, when things are going to sour, when the temperature's going to change with just a look."

     Preston added, "It's like yinz and y'all. Same language, just different ways of saying things. What the audience hears is where we meet in the middle."

---

Dog Con, Here We Come! Pink Floyd "Dogs"

You got to be crazy. You got to have a real need.
You got to sleep on your toes, and when you're on the street,
You got to be able to pick out the easy meat with your eyes closed…

Nobody wants to run alone. The need to be part of the pack is in our DNA as much as eye color. You know you need the pack as much as the pack needs you. 

I'm part of Raw Dog Screaming Press's pack now, and that's what I've been counting down. A celebration of this innovative publisher's ten years in the business. It's a chance to strengthen our bonds, to have a laugh, and to figure out how to make 2013 a year filled with moments just right for striking.

PINK FLOYD "DOGS"

Roger Waters "Dogs" Better quality, but Waters only plays bass, so not really 'Pink Floyd's' "Dogs."