I picked up (semi-) random assortment of novels from my TO BE READ pile today in a little exercise of curiosity. A truism for writing fiction nowadays is that the writer must grab the reader’s attention from the beginning.  If the reader (or acquisitions editor) isn’t hooked by the end of the first page, she’s likely to put the book down. So what I’ve compiled a few first lines that handful of my novels to be read.  These range from new authors to old hands and heavy-hitters. So tell me which of these you find the most compelling and why.Continue readingHook ‘Em With First Lines

*Insert Author Happy Dance here* Just got my author copy of Historical Lovecraft: Tales of Horror Through Time from Innsmouth Free Press. Since “An Idol for Emiko” is my first Lovecraftian tale, I’m mighty excited to see it in print.  The story places some of Lovecraft’s iconic baddies in a 17th-century Japanese fishing village. Bad things ensue.

I almost popped a rivet — in a good way — on Saturday when a package came in the mail from Library of Horror Press.  Malicious Deviance, a new anthology that includes a short story by yours truly.  The story is called, “Punishment.”  How far can human beings’ ability to become accustomed to pain and cruelty be pushed? Malicious Deviance: Stories about Bad People is available now on Amazon.

In the last month or so, my short story sales have kicked into high gear.  Look for these stories to appear in: “Legs” – Nocturnal Emissions Anthology – Library of Horror Press “Punishment” – Malicious Deviance Anthology – Library of Horror Press “Incident in a Small Town” – Pulp Empire Vol. III Anthology – Pulp Empire Press “The Song” – Runner-up in the British Fantasy Society Short Story Contest – Story to appear in either Dark Horizons or New Horizons – British Fantasy Society I was delighted last week when the Indonesian translation of Heart of the Ronin appeared inContinue readingRockin’ and Rollin’ the Short Story Sales… Plus a Leap across the Pacific

I am delighted to announce that my science-fiction novelette, “The Hammer”, appears this month in issue #24 of OG’s Speculative Fiction magazine. This is perhaps my favorite short piece thus far, and marks a turning point in my writing and life.  I so enjoyed Horace “the Hammer” Harkness that there’s a good chance he’ll show up in other stories someday, maybe even a novel.  So check it out and let me know what you think.