"They like me ... "

I was happily surprised recently to find a complimentary PDF copy of the July 2010 issue of Golden Visions Magazine, edited by Christine Lajoie Golden – particularly since I didn’t have any fiction appearing in the issue.

As it turns out, I received the copy because I was chosen by readers of the magazine as one of the top five favorite writers for 2009. Readers were asked to vote for their favorite authors whose work appeared in either the print or online version of Golden Visions Magazine in 2009. Following is a list of the top five authors, as printed in the magazine:

TM Hunter
Guy Belleranti
Fran Jacobs
Lee Clark Zumpe
Gustavo Bondoni

My short story “The Blacktide” appeared in Golden Visions Magazine, Issue 8, Oct.-Dec. 2009. It was my second appearance in GVM, preceded by the story “From Dark Shores,” Issue 2, 2008.

Authors don’t often get to hear applause. For me, satisfaction comes from completing a story, having a story accepted for publication, seeing a story in print and receiving payment for a story. Knowing that a number of readers, having read my work, took the time to show their approval by voting for it is infinitely more fulfilling.

I am grateful to those who participated in the voting and I am delighted my work was so well received by readers of Golden Visions Magazine.

Shameless Self Promotion No. 13

To read my story "Newfound Gap," check out the anthology Grants Pass, recently published by Morrigan Books.

Within, you'll find some excellent end-of-the-world fiction revolving around a central theme: In each of the tales, survivors struggle to reach Grants Pass, Oregon, rumored to be the last bastion of civilization. Grants Pass was edited by Jennifer Brozek and Amanda Pillar.

In addition to my contribution, this collection features the work of Kayley Allard, Scott Almes, Jennifer Brozek, Ivan Ewert, Ed Greenwood, Stephanie Gunn, Carole Johnstone, Pete Kempshall, Jay Lake, Martin Livings, Seanan McGuire, Shannon Page, Jeff Parish, Amanda Pillar, Cherie Priest, James M. Sullivan and KV Taylor.

In his review on HorrorScope, Chuck McKenzie calls Grants Pass "a remarkable, disturbing, and worthwhile read, and one that is likely to stay with the reader for some time to come."

In another review, posted on LiveJournal, the reviewer wrote "I’ve only held onto one anthology for more than a year in my entire life. Grants Pass will make it two."

Yet another LiveJournal reviewer wrote specifically about my story, "Newfound Gap," saying it "had me with hope, that desperate kind which pushes people forward. Sometimes that drive pays off and sometimes it doesn't. My need for Kleenex was based out of one of those two ends. I'll let you read the story and find out which."

There are several positive reviews posted on the Goodreads website, too.

Grants Pass may be purchased online at the Morrigan Books website.

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. 9

Edited by Thomas Brannon and John Sunseri, Cthulhu Unbound is now available from Permuted Press.

Cthulhu Unbound is the first volume in a two-volume set of anthologies focusing on genre-blending Cthulhu Mythos tales. My story, "The Hindenberg Manifesto," is presented in this fine collection. Set in 1937, the tale mixes historical events, sinister spies and secret societies as a clandestine American organization tries to recover crucial, encrypted information smuggled out of Germany by an opponent of Hitler's Nazi regime.

From the publisher's description of the book:

Welcome to a place where bleak noir cityscapes share a Technicolor sky with combat fighters, where you can find gunslingers from the Old West and a lost chapter from a literary classic, all with something in common: Lovecraft's Cthulhu Mythos. This is a place where the Crawling Chaos has to solve his own murder and the Old Ones come up against the Gods of Las Vegas, a place where the new player in London's underground isn't human and masked heroes go toe-to-tentacle with eldritch horrors.

Other authors included in this volume are Linda L. Donahue, Trent Roman, Kevin Lauderdale, Doug Goodman, Bennet Reilly, Dr. Kim Paffenroth, Steven Michael Graham, D.L. Snell, Lisa Hilton, Rick Moore, Ben Thomas, John Goodrich, John Claude Smith and C.J. Henderson.

That should serve to whet your appetite for what is being called one of the best Cthulhu Mythos collections in years. Visit the Book Store at Permuted Press or purchase a copy at Amazon.com, Horror Mall, Barnes & Noble, or Powell's 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.

Shameless Self Promotion No. 4

My short story “Starless and Bible Black” appears in Withersin’s Unkindness anthology, released on Oct. 31, 2008.

The first anthology from Withersin Magazine, the book collects “13 dark, different and pleasantly sinister tales with a twist.” The complete list of tales includes:

• “Inspiration” - Ken Goldman


• “An Unnatural Death” - Ben Duiverman


• “Complete Breakfast” - MP Johnson


• “Doddering Fools” - Gregory Story


• “Vanguard of Blood” - Patrick McCully


• “Medicated” - James Marcotullio


• “Starless and Bible Black” - Lee Clark Zumpe


• “Chemical Man” - Mike Norris


• “The Forgotten House” - Patrick Rutigliano


• “Goatman” - Robert Sullivan


• “Updating” - John Rosenman


• “Interruptions” - JG Faherty


• “Paint it Black” - Brian Schiavo

Also included is an interview with Graham Hancock.

Unkindness is available from Withersin Magazine.

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.