David Cranmer's Blog, page 101

BEAT to a PULP #158: Dyer by Richard Thomas

"Dyer" by Richard Thomas at BEAT to a PULP.

About the author: Richard was the winner of the 2009 "Enter the World of Filaria" contest at ChiZine. He has published over fifty stories online and in print, including the Shivers VI anthology (Cemetery Dance) with Stephen King and Peter Straub, Murky Depths, PANK, Gargoyle, Weird Fiction Review, Pear Noir!, Word Riot, 3:AM Magazine, Dogmatika, Vain and Opium.

Cash Laramie Returns

Gun Smoke Rises And Blood Spills...

In the town of Bear Pines, Mrs. Tolliver has announced she is running for the mayoral office. She's the first woman to run as a candidate which divides the residents and sets the town into a tailspin. U.S. Marshal Cash Laramie is sent in to maintain peace and order and to protect Tolliver and her family from powerful allies of the incumbent, Mayor Nolan. In a bid to force her to quit the race, things turn ugly ... and deadly. Surrounded by killers who will stop at nothing to make sure Mrs. Tolliver is not elected, Cash wires Cheyenne for assistance, but will help arrive in time?

The new Cash Laramie novel, Bullets for a Ballot, is available at Amazon.

You may notice that we tweaked the cover after considering all the great suggestions that came in. Hopefully what we came up with works better than the first pass.

Photo-Finish Friday -- Reflection in a Jeep Window

I took the pic through the Jeep window and if you look closely you can see my baby girl being strapped into her car seat for a ride to get some groceries. I still haven't found Denise in the shot, but she was in there.

 Leah J. Utas is the force behind Photo-Finish Friday.

Cathi Stoler

A big congratulations to Cathi Stoler and her Derringer nomination for"Fatal Flaw" that appeared in BEAT to a PULP. Thank you for making us look so darn good and congrats to all the nominees.

Sandra Seamans has the complete list here.

BEAT to a PULP: Round Two Cover

Here's the cover, folks. Once again, created by the masterful James O'Barr with graphic design from the talented John Bergin.

Contributors: Bill Pronzini, Vin Packer, Dave Zeltserman, Steve Weddle, Vicki Hendricks, Glenn Gray, Chris F. Holm, Charles Ardai, Garnett Elliott, Jodi MacArthur, Evan Lewis, Anthony Neil Smith, Wayne D. Dundee, Jake Hinkson, Matthew P. Mayo, Larry D. Sweazy, James Reasoner, Alec Cizak, Patricia Abbott, Hilary Davidson, Courtney Joyner, John D. Nesbitt, Keith Rawson, Howard Hopkins, Bill Crider, Nik Korpon, Matthew J. McBride, Sean Chercover, and Ed Gorman.

Foreword by Sophie Littlefield.

An essay on pulp art by Cullen Gallagher.

Dedicated to Howard Hopkins who passed away a few weeks ago.

BEAT to a PULP: ROUND TWO will be released in March 2012.

BTAP #157: Friction Ridge by David James Keaton

BEAT to a PULP returns for our fourth year. Here's Friction Ridge (or beguiling the bard in three acts) by David James Keaton.

The Wagon

My dad passed away in 2005 and only now am I considering going through his stuff. He had a stroke in 1998, so things have really stood still in our family homestead since before the millennium. A lot of it will be easy to toss but every once in awhile, something gives me pause. Like that old wagon in the picture. I remember how it was used every week of the year for things like hauling chopped-up wood for the stove, collecting pulled weeds from the garden, and removing washed out rocks from the ditch. I had a lot of fun as a young kid jumping in the back and going on adventures with dad. Now, the bottom is rotting away and the sides are completely gone. It's not good for anything anymore except fond old memories... and that's why I'll keep it around a little bit longer, if you know what I mean. Is there something you've had a hard time parting with for a similar reason?

BULLETS FOR A BALLOT Cover (New Cash Laramie Novel)

The latest Cash Laramie novel is BULLETS FOR A BALLOT, which will be released in a few days. Care to review the new eBook? Leave a comment here with your e-mail or drop me a note at paladin-1@hotmail.com.

New Western Webzine!

The new zine is Fires on the Plain and the story is "The Serpent Box" by Jake Hinkson. Please stop by and support this new site run by Cullen Gallagher.

*Cash Laramie will be at Fires on the Plain next Friday with a sample of BULLETS FOR A BALLOT.

Murder and Mayhem Lineup

Crimespree announced the lineup for Murder and Mayhem in Muskego 2012. Hat tip: Chris F. Holm