David Brian's Blog, page 3
July 1, 2015
Cover reveal: The Damnation Game.
This is the cover for my new novella, The Damnation Game. I'm in the process of finalizing some changes to my distribution channels, so I'll update you shortly with a definitive release date. Though both paperback and eBook will be released this month.
The Damnation Game is a novella length tale of the supernatural. The serial killer known as Catholic Jack is a man consumed with murderous intent. Meanwhile, Kate Stringer mourns for her own murdered husband, latest victim of the maniacal killer.
However, unknown to either predator or prey, there is another force now in play, something which lurks among the shadows.
Before the night is through, all involved are destined to learn the intricacies of the damnation game.
Footnote: The paper edition contains the bonus story 'Gloop!' formerly available only in eBook-format.
June 11, 2015
Farewell to The Count.
We learned today of the passing of a fine actor. It was announced that Christopher Frank Carandini Lee had died, on Sunday June 7, 2015. Christopher enjoyed a career which spanned more than five decades, and included 281 screen credits.
He will be fondly remembered for many different roles, but for Hammer stalwarts such as myself, who grew up enjoying Dracula movies, he will always be a seminal figure.
R.I.P. Sir Christopher Lee
June 1, 2015
Everything Happens For A Reason... Or does it? Inspired by an Extraordinary Gentleman!
Some folks are quick to tell you that everything in life happens for a reason, but does it really?
I guess we'll never know. But one thing I do believe; if you are lucky enough that events don't kill you, they can make you stronger.
Just before Christmas 2009, I was enjoying myself at a social function in Northampton. It was only my third night out for quite some time - for reasons I'll get to shortly - and it was to prove quite inspirational.
One of the other attendees was Alan Moore - author of V For Vendetta, Watchmen, and a multitude of other great works.
I walked into the kitchen to grab a coffee, and found Alan deep in conversation with a somewhat obsessive gentleman (who should have been old enough to know better!).
For the sake of this blog post I'll refer to the other guy as Pete. Anyhow, when I say they were having a conversation, what I actually mean is 'Pete' was telling Alan how they'd known each other for years, considered him a friend, and that this was the fourth time they'd actually had a conversation since meeting in the kitchen at Sue's back in ninety-seven.
I poured myself a black coffee, and grinned at Alan's desperate attempts to remove himself from the conversation. My grins turned to grimaces as Pete offered up a 'useful' suggestion to Alan Moore: "I think you should consider opening your own book shop. You wouldn't then need to rely on outlets such as Amazon. It's a great idea. You'd make loads more money!"
Wow! Even I squirmed. Though not as much as Alan.
Now, contrary to the reports of some media sources, Alan Moore is neither reclusive nor grumpy. He has strong opinions on a number of subjects, but generally I have only ever observed him being affable.
Anyhow, getting back to persistent Pete. Alan, noting my presence, used me as a prop to lever himself away from this overzealous admirer. He told Pete that he "needed to speak to me privately", and then added "maybe we'll get a chance to catch up later". They didn't.
I spent the next thirty minutes chatting with Alan, talking about all things Northampton, and never once touching on the written word - Like Alan, my mother was also a product of The Boroughs area of town - known as 'The Burrows' because of the rows of small terraced houses and narrow streets. I too was born in this area, and yet, thanks to the drive of parents who knew the meaning of 'tough times', by the time I was nine years old my family were mortgage free, and living in a two-hundred year old, detached cottage - this was some achievement, as my father hailed from Cotton End, another less than affluent part of town.
Perhaps strangely for a conversation not involving books, it was sharing a cup of coffee with Alan Moore convinced me that I needed to go for the dream.
He is that sort of a bloke. He'll convince you that if you want something it can be achieved.
And at this particular point I desperately needed to prove something to myself.
A few years prior to the events of that night, I was running my own electrical contracting business, my children were still young, though no longer babes in arms, and I had been mortgage free since nineteen ninety-seven. Life was looking very good.
And then the wheels fell off!
I was working on a new build estate towards the edge of town, and had just wrapped up the first-fixing in a cul-de-sac of executive homes. My cousin, who is a builder, happened to be working on the same site. He was a man down, and asked me if I'd mind helping board a ceiling so he could get away on time. I'd finished for the day, and so I agreed to help.
And that is when disaster struck.
The two of us were standing on a scaffold rig, and as we hoisted the board up to the ceiling, everything went weird.
I hit the ground with a considerable 'thump', but that was the least of my worries.
Have you ever woken up and found that you've been sleeping on your arm for hours; only then to find that the limb has become little more than a useless, limp thing, and irritated by unbearable pins and needles.
Imagine that scenario, and then imagine the pins and needles are a couple of hundred times worse than you've ever experienced before. Then imagine that the sensation isn't just confined to one limb, but instead it starts in your tongue and runs down through your neck, chest, arms, and on down through your legs to your toes.
Honestly, I thought I was on my way out.
It took several hours before the hospital confirmed their initial diagnosis. I had somehow managed to rupture two discs in my neck.
I was told that without surgery I would spend the rest of my days in a wheelchair. Even with surgery there was a seven percent chance of ending up paraplegic, or worse.
Seven percent, not bad odds, right?
Except it doesn't seem that way when you are actually faced with them.
I had always considered myself a fighter. I spent a dozen or so of my younger years doing my best for the local boxing club - my mother still claims years of punching peoples fists with my face helped to cause the problem in my neck. She may well be right, but, as well as giving me a face fit for radio, it also helped give me the resolve I needed right then.
Even after a mostly successful surgery, I was laid up for almost two years. For a while it would take two people to move me from the bed to a chair. It was tough on everyone.
But I have a great family, and a good circle of friends.
It took some hard work, but we got there in the end. It wasn't all good news. During the surgery they damaged my spinal chord, and this has left me with heavy legs and (what I can only describe as) an awful toothache sensation down the entire right side of my body. Neither can I make a fist with my left hand.
But, all in all, I'm a lucky boy!
If you met me today (and some of you have), you wouldn't even realize there had ever been a problem.
So, about that conversation with Alan Moore. I guess that, without even realizing it, I was looking for a new direction in my life. My days of running up and down ladders was over, and the paperwork side of the job was boring me to tears.
I had always enjoyed writing stories. I'd had a few minor things published, and his words of encouragement, about life in general, gave me the spur to try my hand at something I had only ever dabbled with before.
I had amassed a few tales down the years, and some of these early writings I later set in print as Dark Albion, and shortly after that Kaleen Rae. There are some good stories in those books, although I don't doubt my writing has improved since those early scriblings.
Just over a week ago The Cthulhu Child, and Carmilla: The Wolves of Styria, both topped charts on Amazon U.K. A large part of that success is down to the book lovers on Goodreads. Thank you for your support, it is always appreciated.
I've said it before, success is only ever relative, but given the road I have traveled in recent years, I honestly feel blessed. I am in a good place. Thank you, my friends.
I guess we'll never know. But one thing I do believe; if you are lucky enough that events don't kill you, they can make you stronger.
Just before Christmas 2009, I was enjoying myself at a social function in Northampton. It was only my third night out for quite some time - for reasons I'll get to shortly - and it was to prove quite inspirational.
One of the other attendees was Alan Moore - author of V For Vendetta, Watchmen, and a multitude of other great works.
I walked into the kitchen to grab a coffee, and found Alan deep in conversation with a somewhat obsessive gentleman (who should have been old enough to know better!).
For the sake of this blog post I'll refer to the other guy as Pete. Anyhow, when I say they were having a conversation, what I actually mean is 'Pete' was telling Alan how they'd known each other for years, considered him a friend, and that this was the fourth time they'd actually had a conversation since meeting in the kitchen at Sue's back in ninety-seven.
I poured myself a black coffee, and grinned at Alan's desperate attempts to remove himself from the conversation. My grins turned to grimaces as Pete offered up a 'useful' suggestion to Alan Moore: "I think you should consider opening your own book shop. You wouldn't then need to rely on outlets such as Amazon. It's a great idea. You'd make loads more money!"
Wow! Even I squirmed. Though not as much as Alan.
Now, contrary to the reports of some media sources, Alan Moore is neither reclusive nor grumpy. He has strong opinions on a number of subjects, but generally I have only ever observed him being affable.
Anyhow, getting back to persistent Pete. Alan, noting my presence, used me as a prop to lever himself away from this overzealous admirer. He told Pete that he "needed to speak to me privately", and then added "maybe we'll get a chance to catch up later". They didn't.
I spent the next thirty minutes chatting with Alan, talking about all things Northampton, and never once touching on the written word - Like Alan, my mother was also a product of The Boroughs area of town - known as 'The Burrows' because of the rows of small terraced houses and narrow streets. I too was born in this area, and yet, thanks to the drive of parents who knew the meaning of 'tough times', by the time I was nine years old my family were mortgage free, and living in a two-hundred year old, detached cottage - this was some achievement, as my father hailed from Cotton End, another less than affluent part of town.
Perhaps strangely for a conversation not involving books, it was sharing a cup of coffee with Alan Moore convinced me that I needed to go for the dream.
He is that sort of a bloke. He'll convince you that if you want something it can be achieved.
And at this particular point I desperately needed to prove something to myself.
A few years prior to the events of that night, I was running my own electrical contracting business, my children were still young, though no longer babes in arms, and I had been mortgage free since nineteen ninety-seven. Life was looking very good.
And then the wheels fell off!
I was working on a new build estate towards the edge of town, and had just wrapped up the first-fixing in a cul-de-sac of executive homes. My cousin, who is a builder, happened to be working on the same site. He was a man down, and asked me if I'd mind helping board a ceiling so he could get away on time. I'd finished for the day, and so I agreed to help.
And that is when disaster struck.
The two of us were standing on a scaffold rig, and as we hoisted the board up to the ceiling, everything went weird.
I hit the ground with a considerable 'thump', but that was the least of my worries.
Have you ever woken up and found that you've been sleeping on your arm for hours; only then to find that the limb has become little more than a useless, limp thing, and irritated by unbearable pins and needles.
Imagine that scenario, and then imagine the pins and needles are a couple of hundred times worse than you've ever experienced before. Then imagine that the sensation isn't just confined to one limb, but instead it starts in your tongue and runs down through your neck, chest, arms, and on down through your legs to your toes.
Honestly, I thought I was on my way out.
It took several hours before the hospital confirmed their initial diagnosis. I had somehow managed to rupture two discs in my neck.
I was told that without surgery I would spend the rest of my days in a wheelchair. Even with surgery there was a seven percent chance of ending up paraplegic, or worse.
Seven percent, not bad odds, right?
Except it doesn't seem that way when you are actually faced with them.
I had always considered myself a fighter. I spent a dozen or so of my younger years doing my best for the local boxing club - my mother still claims years of punching peoples fists with my face helped to cause the problem in my neck. She may well be right, but, as well as giving me a face fit for radio, it also helped give me the resolve I needed right then.
Even after a mostly successful surgery, I was laid up for almost two years. For a while it would take two people to move me from the bed to a chair. It was tough on everyone.
But I have a great family, and a good circle of friends.
It took some hard work, but we got there in the end. It wasn't all good news. During the surgery they damaged my spinal chord, and this has left me with heavy legs and (what I can only describe as) an awful toothache sensation down the entire right side of my body. Neither can I make a fist with my left hand.
But, all in all, I'm a lucky boy!
If you met me today (and some of you have), you wouldn't even realize there had ever been a problem.
So, about that conversation with Alan Moore. I guess that, without even realizing it, I was looking for a new direction in my life. My days of running up and down ladders was over, and the paperwork side of the job was boring me to tears.
I had always enjoyed writing stories. I'd had a few minor things published, and his words of encouragement, about life in general, gave me the spur to try my hand at something I had only ever dabbled with before.
I had amassed a few tales down the years, and some of these early writings I later set in print as Dark Albion, and shortly after that Kaleen Rae. There are some good stories in those books, although I don't doubt my writing has improved since those early scriblings.
Just over a week ago The Cthulhu Child, and Carmilla: The Wolves of Styria, both topped charts on Amazon U.K. A large part of that success is down to the book lovers on Goodreads. Thank you for your support, it is always appreciated.
I've said it before, success is only ever relative, but given the road I have traveled in recent years, I honestly feel blessed. I am in a good place. Thank you, my friends.
April 25, 2015
One Year On...
I've just reached something of a milestone: On April 19, 2014, the kindle edition of Carmilla: The Wolves of Styria attained top spot on the Amazon U.K. Gay & Lesbian > Fiction > Horror Chart:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carmilla-Wolv...
http://www.amazon.com/Carmilla-Wolves...
Twelve months on, there hasn't been a week that's passed where the book hasn't reached #1 on the U.K. site.
I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has read my interpretation of the Carmilla story. Seriously, folks, your continued support is very much appreciated.
February 20, 2015
Carmilla: A Dark Fugue (The Karnstein Chronicles)
Hello, fellow book-lovers. This is just a quick update for those of you who have been following my interpretation of all things Karnstein.
Carmilla: The Wolves of Styria, my re-imagining of J.S. Le Fanu's original novella, continues to garner interest in Europe and - at time of writing - still tops its Amazon U.K. categories.
A big 'thank you' to you guys (an' girls) for that!
As a treat to fang-fans everywhere, I have decided to reduce the price of Carmilla: A Dark Fugue. The eBook will now be available on Kindle for .99cents/.99pence/.99euro.
Carmilla: A Dark Fugue is a 'stand alone' short (approx six-thousand words), which runs parallel to events within the pages of the novel, Carmilla: The Wolves of Styria.
If you enjoy reading this book, then please consider leaving a review on Amazon & Goodreads.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
http://www.amazon.com/Carmilla-Dark-F...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carmilla-Dark...
January 15, 2015
Don't touch the Gloop!
Hi, Kindlings! Just a quick bout of shameless self-promotion to let you know about my new novelette, Gloop! It will be available on Amazon Kindle from January 19, 2015, and at the introductory offer price of .99 cents up until January 31, 2015.A family day out to visit the site of an old battlefield; a young girl scared and alone; her cries for assistance answered by something ancient. It has lain in the cold and dark of the bog, waiting patiently for a host to set it free. Now, for John Cluer and his family, nothing will ever be the same again.
A novelette of approximately 10,000 words.
December 29, 2014
Do you like eBooks for .99 cents? Then it's time to Stocking Your E-Reader! The sale is on!
The annual Stocking Your E-Reader sale (masterminded by Angela Kulig) begins today!
Running between December 29th - January 2nd, the sale has so far attracted input from more than sixty authors. A huge selection of books - covering a multitude of genres - will be available for various e-reader devices, and all for a miserly .99 cents (equivalent currency comparisons apply). A bargain!
This link will become active at 6:00 AM Central Standard Time, 12/29: http://bit.ly/1xr13fQ
And you can also find me here: http://www.amazon.com/David-Brian/e/B...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Brian/e...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Disclaimer: My own books are currently tied in to the KDP Select program, and therefore only available to users of Kindle devices.
Running between December 29th - January 2nd, the sale has so far attracted input from more than sixty authors. A huge selection of books - covering a multitude of genres - will be available for various e-reader devices, and all for a miserly .99 cents (equivalent currency comparisons apply). A bargain!
This link will become active at 6:00 AM Central Standard Time, 12/29: http://bit.ly/1xr13fQ
And you can also find me here: http://www.amazon.com/David-Brian/e/B...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/David-Brian/e...
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Disclaimer: My own books are currently tied in to the KDP Select program, and therefore only available to users of Kindle devices.
December 22, 2014
A Merry Christmas to one and all!
And, of course, a Happy New Year!
On a personal level, at least as far as my writing is concerned, this year has proven to be a bit of a roller coaster. I've managed to get through a desktop PC, and a laptop, and both replacements have since been in for repair. So, not great then. But these things are only minor given the greater scheme...
Many people around the world have suffered the heartbreak of losing loved ones. Others have watched as those close to them experience the trauma of serious illness, or life threatening injury. For these families Christmas will be a time to reflect and, for many, a time to mourn.
For the majority, the next few days will be a time of celebration and cheer (and likely a few beers too). So, here's wishing all of you a happy and safe holiday. And, as we sit down to enjoy time with our families, let us spare a moment to pause and reflect on those who have suffered over these last twelve months. I wish them well for the future!
Wishing everyone A Merry Christmas and a Happy (and safe) New Year!
On a personal level, at least as far as my writing is concerned, this year has proven to be a bit of a roller coaster. I've managed to get through a desktop PC, and a laptop, and both replacements have since been in for repair. So, not great then. But these things are only minor given the greater scheme...
Many people around the world have suffered the heartbreak of losing loved ones. Others have watched as those close to them experience the trauma of serious illness, or life threatening injury. For these families Christmas will be a time to reflect and, for many, a time to mourn.
For the majority, the next few days will be a time of celebration and cheer (and likely a few beers too). So, here's wishing all of you a happy and safe holiday. And, as we sit down to enjoy time with our families, let us spare a moment to pause and reflect on those who have suffered over these last twelve months. I wish them well for the future!
Wishing everyone A Merry Christmas and a Happy (and safe) New Year!
November 27, 2014
Black Friday: Fangs and Things!
So, Black Friday has once again rolled around, and everyone is out and about looking for that special bargain - or ten!Well then, here is a little heads up for anyone of a vampiric, or werewolfery (is that even a word? I doubt it.) persuasion.
The Amazon Kindle editions of Carmilla: The Wolves of Styria, and Carmilla: A Dark Fugue, are both available for a dollar each (Yes. One dollar. Wow! A bargain! So go grab yourself a copy, right?) over the course of Black Friday. Other currencies reduced accordingly.
This retelling of a timeless classic, which delves into the story of a young woman's sexual awakening - against a backdrop of growing terrors - has so far proven to be a popular read, and has consistently topped its categories on Amazon UK.
Links: Goodreads reviews:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Amazon:http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carmilla-Jose...
http://www.amazon.com/Carmilla-Joseph...
October 30, 2014
Alan Moore: Telling it how it is: The shame of Double Cross Street.
Please excuse me, but I need to vent:
The Spring Boroughs area of Northampton is one of the oldest areas of the county town. Actually, at one time, it was virtually the whole of the town. This is a fact then, that makes it all the more unseemly when you realize just how the residents of this area have been failed, and by many different administrations, down through the years.
The Boroughs, or 'Burrows', so called because of the narrow streets and tightly packed houses, is an area steeped in English history, both locally and nationally. Yet, rather than preserving and maintaining this historic part of the town, it as been allowed to exist as an area of growing destitution.
It is a disgrace for which Northampton Borough Council should be ashamed.
In 2012, Northampton Borough Council announced the 'temporary closure' of a two-storey block of flats in Little Cross Street, Spring Boroughs, Northampton. Over the following months families were moved out by the council, because it deemed the balconies and walkways unsafe.
Two years on, and the site is still boarded up with no date being offered by the council for the completion of the promised repairs.
This is just a further step in the denigration of this historic area of the town.
Alan Moore, one of Northampton's favorite sons, and himself a former resident of the Boroughs, overcame a serious case of man-flu to return to his roots for the 'mock' renaming ceremony.
Alan gave a fifteen minute speech, during which he was able to confirm the severity of this particularly virulent brand of 'more-than-man-flu'. Thankfully he remained well enough to complete the proceedings, which also included speeches by Tony Clark, former MP, Northampton South, and campaigner Norman Adams, of Northampton Defend Council Housing.
Mr Clark said that the residents of the Boroughs needed to 'band together', and continue to 'make themselves heard', as the current Councilors are 'puppets' who 'tell lies'. Mr Adams said that if he was 'to go down' then he would 'go down fighting'.
The proceedings culminated with Little Cross Street being renamed as Double Cross Street in reference to the Council's consistently (less than) sterling work.
As for Alan Moore, well, let's hope he's soon feeling better, because he has an awful lot of editing to get through over the next several months. Click on the link to see Alan Moore at The Boroughs: Northampton.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=...
The Spring Boroughs area of Northampton is one of the oldest areas of the county town. Actually, at one time, it was virtually the whole of the town. This is a fact then, that makes it all the more unseemly when you realize just how the residents of this area have been failed, and by many different administrations, down through the years.
The Boroughs, or 'Burrows', so called because of the narrow streets and tightly packed houses, is an area steeped in English history, both locally and nationally. Yet, rather than preserving and maintaining this historic part of the town, it as been allowed to exist as an area of growing destitution.
It is a disgrace for which Northampton Borough Council should be ashamed.
In 2012, Northampton Borough Council announced the 'temporary closure' of a two-storey block of flats in Little Cross Street, Spring Boroughs, Northampton. Over the following months families were moved out by the council, because it deemed the balconies and walkways unsafe.
Two years on, and the site is still boarded up with no date being offered by the council for the completion of the promised repairs.
This is just a further step in the denigration of this historic area of the town.
Alan Moore, one of Northampton's favorite sons, and himself a former resident of the Boroughs, overcame a serious case of man-flu to return to his roots for the 'mock' renaming ceremony.
Alan gave a fifteen minute speech, during which he was able to confirm the severity of this particularly virulent brand of 'more-than-man-flu'. Thankfully he remained well enough to complete the proceedings, which also included speeches by Tony Clark, former MP, Northampton South, and campaigner Norman Adams, of Northampton Defend Council Housing.
Mr Clark said that the residents of the Boroughs needed to 'band together', and continue to 'make themselves heard', as the current Councilors are 'puppets' who 'tell lies'. Mr Adams said that if he was 'to go down' then he would 'go down fighting'.
The proceedings culminated with Little Cross Street being renamed as Double Cross Street in reference to the Council's consistently (less than) sterling work.
As for Alan Moore, well, let's hope he's soon feeling better, because he has an awful lot of editing to get through over the next several months. Click on the link to see Alan Moore at The Boroughs: Northampton.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=...
