Shameless Self Promotion No. 12

Within the pages of the June 2009 issue of Aoife's Kiss is my short fantasy story "Three Coins and the Sword of Mingus."

Aoife's Kiss, edited by Tyree Campbell, is one of many excellent products crafted by Sam's Dot Publishing. This particular issue also features stories by David C. Kopaska-Merkel, Lawrence R. Dagstine and many others; as well more than a dozen poems, including works by Bruce Boston, Marge B. Simon and s.c. virtes.

For information about Aoife's Kiss and other magazines, anthologies and chapbooks, vist Sam's Dot Publishing.

Shameless Self Promotion No. 11

Since I am catching up on posting recent publications this evening, let me introduce you to Morpheus Tales, Issue 3, which includes a reprint of my short story "Alone in the Cataloochee Valley."

Based in London, Morpheus Tales is a magazine of horror, science fiction and fantasy, edited by Adam Bradley. Issue 3 was released in January and includes about 10 short stories including excellent tales by Ken Goldman and Joseph McGee. There also is an interview with Michael Laimo.

To order a copy of Morpheus Tales, visit the publication's website today!

Shameless Self Promotion No. 10

This issue of Strange Sorcery, edited by Steve Lines and John B. Ford, actually came out in the summer of 2008. I received my copy late due to a minor clerical error.

Included in this issue is "The High Priest of Turmiz," a short fantasy story I wrote years ago in the tradition of classic Weird Tales era pulp authors. It recounts the legend of necromancer Ak Khun Khan, and a reformer's attempt to exterminate his legacy.

Also featured in this issue are tales by Ron Shiflet and Scotch Carson, as well as poetry by Franklyn Searight.

This and other titles are available online from Rainfall Books.

Shameless Self Promotion No. 6

Barbara Custer, editor of Night to Dawn magazine, was kind enough to reprint my review of Octavia Butler's Fledgling recently. Appearing in Night to Dawn, Issue 14, the review is just one reason to check out this vampire-themed publication. Also appearing in the issue is fiction by Tom Johnson, Angeline Hawkes, Wayne Summers and Caroline Bernard-Smith; poetry by John Grey, William Blake Vogel III and Cathy Buburuz; and artwork by Buburuz, Marge Simon and Chris Friend.

I have long been a fan of Chris Friend's illustrations, incidentally. I probably first became acquainted with his work in the pages of magazines like Deathrealm, Black Petals and Dreams and Nightmares. To wonder at the weirdness of his work, visit his web gallery.

Shameless Self Promotion No. 5

Admittedly, some time has passed since my last post to this blog ... but I am committed to getting back on track. For starters, I have a short stack of publications I need to report. I don't just list these to fulfill an inner need to glorify myself, you know ... the idea is attract attention to these fine magazines and anthologies in hopes of increasing sales.

With that in mind, I submit for your approval Thrilling Tales of Fantastic Adventure, Issue 4, available through Rainfall Books. This issue contains three "uncanny, exciting and mysterious" stories including "The Garden Fortress" by David Conyers, "There Was a Rocket" by Pierre Comtois and my contribution, a short story called "Cracks" which happens to be the first piece of fiction I sold back in 1991, reprinted here for the first time since its debut in Nocturnal Lyric, Issue 28, 1992.

Submission Log 11/21/2008

I’ve been so busy producing content for my Tampa Bay Area site at About.com I haven’t had much time to keep up with my not-so-secret identity as a horror writer. I’ll be trying to get caught up by the end of the year, submitting dormant stories and, with any luck, completing some new tales along the way.

The following stories were submitted to various markets this week:

• “Closing the Deal,” 4,950 words, submitted 11/19/2008 to Shroud Magazine
• “An Unsolicited Lucidity,” 4,550 words, submitted 11/19/2008 to Shock Totem
• “Late for Dinner, 1,150 words, submitted 11/19/2008 to New Dawn Fades
• “Tattered Notes Found in a Cheap Motel Room,” 1,580 words, submitted 11/19/2008 to Not One of Us
• "Wild with Hunger," 4,220 words, submitted 11/19/2008 to Murky Depths
• “Their Minds How Darkened,” 4,360 words, submitted 11/19/2008 to Weird Tales
• “The Bane of Azrael,” 1,650 words, submitted 11/19/2008 to Sybil’s Garage
• “The Far Unlit Unknown,” 2,100 words, submitted 11/19/2008 to Space & Time

Shameless Self Promotion No. 3

My short story “Worm-sacks and Dirt-backs” appears in Shroud Publishing’s new anthology Abominations.

As their website so accurately claims, Abominations was “compiled from some of the most horrifying stories of creatures, mythical beasts, and murderous monsters …” and features “ … expertly-crafted tales, never before published, from the best voices in modern horror.”

Edited by Tim Deal, Abominations showcases work from writers such as Anna Lowther, William Vogel, Lon Prater and Gerard Houarner.

Abominations is available from Shroud Publishing.

Shameless Self Promotion No. 2

My poem "Margaritifer Chaos" appears in the current issue of Space and Time.

Space and Time, Issue 104, is now available and includes fiction by Harry Turtledove, Ruthanna Emrys and Chet Gottfried as well as poetry by Mike Allen, Marge Simon and Sonya Taaffe, among others.

A 41-year-old publication, Space and Time is one of those magazines that writers of speculative fiction and poetry put on their priority list from day one. As a fan of the genre, it's a great place to check out the best in "Strange and Unusual Fiction." As a writer, it's a market I've tried to conquer for years. I'm honored to see "Margaritifer Chaos" alongside the works of so many other gifted authors.