Lorina Stephens's Blog, page 48
October 2, 2013
New in November: Derryl Murphy's Wasps at the Speed of Sound
In 2005 Prime Publishing released a collection of short stories by Canadian author, Derryl Murphy, called Wasps at the Speed of Sound.
While the collection went on to receive positive critical and reader response, and hit academic required reading lists, Wasps eventually ended up unavailable and sidelined. Because of the visionary and edgy nature of Murphy's writing, we thought Murphy's stories worthy of rebirth.
So it is we're very proud to announce the return of Murphy's extraordinary collection, Wasps at the Speed of Sound, releasing November 1, 2013 in both trade paperback ($19.99) and eBook ($4.99), and will be available directly from Five Rivers, as well as online booksellers internationally.
Jeff Minkevics, Five Rivers' Art Director, wanted to give the collection a sharp, in-your-face cover to compliment Murphy's stories, and so chose a simple yellow and black presentation, with a wasp flying within staccato sound waves, overlaying a subtle, embossed ground using Morse Code notation. In fact, there's a message in the Morse Code. First person to figure it out and use the information to email us wins 10 free eBooks of their choice from Five Rivers' catalogue.
While the collection went on to receive positive critical and reader response, and hit academic required reading lists, Wasps eventually ended up unavailable and sidelined. Because of the visionary and edgy nature of Murphy's writing, we thought Murphy's stories worthy of rebirth.
So it is we're very proud to announce the return of Murphy's extraordinary collection, Wasps at the Speed of Sound, releasing November 1, 2013 in both trade paperback ($19.99) and eBook ($4.99), and will be available directly from Five Rivers, as well as online booksellers internationally.
Jeff Minkevics, Five Rivers' Art Director, wanted to give the collection a sharp, in-your-face cover to compliment Murphy's stories, and so chose a simple yellow and black presentation, with a wasp flying within staccato sound waves, overlaying a subtle, embossed ground using Morse Code notation. In fact, there's a message in the Morse Code. First person to figure it out and use the information to email us wins 10 free eBooks of their choice from Five Rivers' catalogue.
September 30, 2013
Why We Published: A Method to the Madness, edited by Michell Plested and Jeffrey Hite
There are times we all need a little silliness in our lives, something to take us out of ourselves, our work, the humdrum of the day-to-day. For some of us that escapism involves humour. Sometimes the more ridiculous the better.
It was that very basic concept that sold me on an idea Michell Plested (author of Mik Murdoch: Boy Superhero), and editor/writer Jeffrey Hite pitched to me one Saturday afternoon over a Skype conference.
I'd already seen the kind of work Plested could produce and knew him to be a consummate organizer. Jeffrey Hite was an unknown to me, but based upon Plested's recommendation I was willing to give Hite consideration.
What these two crazies proposed to me that afternoon wasn't so much an anthology of short stories, but rather a training manual, a series of essays, written by some of the world's leading super-villains (at least in the minds of these alter-egos.) It was madcap, ridiculous, quite serious in its methodology, and just plain crazy enough I thought, what the hell? Why not join the fun? This was a completely fresh approach to the whole super-villain theme.
Even better was I wouldn't have to be involved in the selection process or editing of the anthology. They even had a marketing scheme set-up whereby authors would set up websites or Facebook pages for their alter-egos, would Tweet under their assumed identies, stage kidnappings, take-overs and even broadcast mayhem over YouTube.
So, I gave Plested and Hite enough rope to either hang themselves or create some nifty macrame, and was delighted when a year later they delivered a cleverly-woven tapestry of essays, now known a A Method to the Madness: a guide to the super evil.
It was that very basic concept that sold me on an idea Michell Plested (author of Mik Murdoch: Boy Superhero), and editor/writer Jeffrey Hite pitched to me one Saturday afternoon over a Skype conference.
I'd already seen the kind of work Plested could produce and knew him to be a consummate organizer. Jeffrey Hite was an unknown to me, but based upon Plested's recommendation I was willing to give Hite consideration.
What these two crazies proposed to me that afternoon wasn't so much an anthology of short stories, but rather a training manual, a series of essays, written by some of the world's leading super-villains (at least in the minds of these alter-egos.) It was madcap, ridiculous, quite serious in its methodology, and just plain crazy enough I thought, what the hell? Why not join the fun? This was a completely fresh approach to the whole super-villain theme.
Even better was I wouldn't have to be involved in the selection process or editing of the anthology. They even had a marketing scheme set-up whereby authors would set up websites or Facebook pages for their alter-egos, would Tweet under their assumed identies, stage kidnappings, take-overs and even broadcast mayhem over YouTube.
So, I gave Plested and Hite enough rope to either hang themselves or create some nifty macrame, and was delighted when a year later they delivered a cleverly-woven tapestry of essays, now known a A Method to the Madness: a guide to the super evil.
September 27, 2013
Why We Published: Type, by Alicia Hendley
Alicia Hendley first made her publishing debut with A Subtle Thing in 2010.
Alicia Hendley (right)
with brother Nate Hendley (left)
at Q Space launch of Type.
In 2012 she presented Five Rivers with a YA novel based upon a society structured around the tenets of Jungian Myers-Briggs typology, gone horribly wrong. The concept was enough to pique my interest.
What followed in Hendley's first draft demonstrated a very strong narrative which only required minor revision and strengthening of her main character, a feisty girl by name of Sophie, and a few plugs in plot-holes (as compared to potholes). What was even better was Hendley planned for Type to be the first of two, perhaps three, novels, chronicling the struggle of students caught in the horrors of typing, and the adults who worked at establishment level to assist in the overthrow of governments regulated by renegade psychologists.
The resulting novel is a physical and psychological drama of terror, betrayal, unexpected friendship and alliances, wrapped around a coming-of-age story like no other.
The screenplay version of Hendley's Type, went on to win an award in the Canada International Film Festival in Vancouver this year.
Alicia Hendley (right)
with brother Nate Hendley (left)
at Q Space launch of Type.
In 2012 she presented Five Rivers with a YA novel based upon a society structured around the tenets of Jungian Myers-Briggs typology, gone horribly wrong. The concept was enough to pique my interest.
What followed in Hendley's first draft demonstrated a very strong narrative which only required minor revision and strengthening of her main character, a feisty girl by name of Sophie, and a few plugs in plot-holes (as compared to potholes). What was even better was Hendley planned for Type to be the first of two, perhaps three, novels, chronicling the struggle of students caught in the horrors of typing, and the adults who worked at establishment level to assist in the overthrow of governments regulated by renegade psychologists.
The resulting novel is a physical and psychological drama of terror, betrayal, unexpected friendship and alliances, wrapped around a coming-of-age story like no other.
The screenplay version of Hendley's Type, went on to win an award in the Canada International Film Festival in Vancouver this year.
September 25, 2013
Why we published: John Lennon, and Steven Truscott by Nate Hendley
I know what a lot of you are thinking: why publish yet another biography about John Lennon? There are easily 20 books already in print about the Beatles legend, some of them not much more than pamphlets, some veritable tomes. Lennon is the tragic pop rock icon who very likely has more words and paper devoted to him than any other rock star, perhaps with the exception of Elvis.
So, indeed, why?
The answer to that is really easy: because the book was written by Nate Hendley.
Nate Hendley
What's so special about Nate Hendley?
Well, the answer to that is also really easy: because Hendley has an ability to take massive information and distill it down to its essence, and still keep the material engaging. I'd already seen what Hendley had been able to do with the overwhelming information on Capone, and had watched that very slim book of 144 pages turn into one of our best-selling offerings.
I'd carefully studied reader reviews and found people enjoyed Hendley's approachable writing style; they'd appreciated the fact they were able to absorb an overview of a subject which they could later, if they chose, go on to read more in-depth.
So it struck me Hendley was on to a smart concept with his quick and informative biographies. Why not Lennon?
And later it turned out to be: Why not Truscott?
Just as with the Lennon biography, there had been massive amounts of ink splattered on the subject one of Canada's most egregious miscarriages of justice, that of Steven Truscott. And just as he had done with all his other subjects, Hendley distilled decades of information down to the most salient facts, and presented Truscott's story in a highly readable and intelligent book.
In fact, I have come to very much admire Hendley's work, in that he upholds an old journalist convention on which I'd been weaned: objectivity. Unlike so many authors and journalists today, Hendley still pays homage to a the journalistic integrity. There is no agenda on Hendley's pages. What you will find is facts presented in such a way as to retain reader interest -- a skill too often overlooked and forgotten in today's publishing world.
So, indeed, why?
The answer to that is really easy: because the book was written by Nate Hendley.
Nate Hendley
What's so special about Nate Hendley?
Well, the answer to that is also really easy: because Hendley has an ability to take massive information and distill it down to its essence, and still keep the material engaging. I'd already seen what Hendley had been able to do with the overwhelming information on Capone, and had watched that very slim book of 144 pages turn into one of our best-selling offerings.
I'd carefully studied reader reviews and found people enjoyed Hendley's approachable writing style; they'd appreciated the fact they were able to absorb an overview of a subject which they could later, if they chose, go on to read more in-depth.
So it struck me Hendley was on to a smart concept with his quick and informative biographies. Why not Lennon?
And later it turned out to be: Why not Truscott?
Just as with the Lennon biography, there had been massive amounts of ink splattered on the subject one of Canada's most egregious miscarriages of justice, that of Steven Truscott. And just as he had done with all his other subjects, Hendley distilled decades of information down to the most salient facts, and presented Truscott's story in a highly readable and intelligent book.
In fact, I have come to very much admire Hendley's work, in that he upholds an old journalist convention on which I'd been weaned: objectivity. Unlike so many authors and journalists today, Hendley still pays homage to a the journalistic integrity. There is no agenda on Hendley's pages. What you will find is facts presented in such a way as to retain reader interest -- a skill too often overlooked and forgotten in today's publishing world.
September 23, 2013
Book Launch X 3 at University of Lethbridge
Dr. John Poulsen, author of Shakespeare for Readers' Theatre, is featured at a University of Lethbridge celebration of learning. It is to be noted our own Dr. Robert Runte's short story, 'Split Decision', appears in one of the showcased books at this event: Reading Canada, Teaching Canadian Fiction in Secondary Schools.
Join us in celebration and learning as we present a book launch for three recently released books from U of L Faculty of Education members.
In their book Reading Canada, Teaching Canadian Fiction in Secondary Schools, Drs. Leah Fowler and Wendy Donawa offer an in-depth overview of current, critically acclaimed Canadian fiction for young adults. The book offers plot summaries, thoughtful analyses and contextualizing discussions of selected works, giving teachers and teacher-candidates essential information to introduce secondary-school students of all reading levels to outstanding Canadian works of fiction.
In his book entitled Shakespeare for Readers' Theatre, Dr. John Poulsen modifies three of Shakespeare’s works into a reader’s theatre format. These are especially aimed at students in middle and high school as a fun way to open the doors to Shakespeare’s classic works.
In his book Teaching Instrumental Music in Canadian Schools, Dr. Ed Wasiak challenges readers to build on past successes in instrumental music education while providing inspiration and practical guidance in going beyond the current paradigm to better meet the musical needs and interests of 21st century learners.
Each author will share portions of their book and then be available for questions. Bookstore staff will have these books available at the session for purchase and autographing if desired. Snacks and refreshments will be available during and after the presentations.
Join us if you can, on Thursday, September 26 from 3 – 5 pm in AH 100, for this informative presentation.
-----
For more information contact:
Darcy Novakowski, Communications Officer, Faculty of Education
(403) 332-4550
darcy.novakowski@uleth.ca
Turcotte Hall - T1H 417
Join us in celebration and learning as we present a book launch for three recently released books from U of L Faculty of Education members.
In their book Reading Canada, Teaching Canadian Fiction in Secondary Schools, Drs. Leah Fowler and Wendy Donawa offer an in-depth overview of current, critically acclaimed Canadian fiction for young adults. The book offers plot summaries, thoughtful analyses and contextualizing discussions of selected works, giving teachers and teacher-candidates essential information to introduce secondary-school students of all reading levels to outstanding Canadian works of fiction.
In his book entitled Shakespeare for Readers' Theatre, Dr. John Poulsen modifies three of Shakespeare’s works into a reader’s theatre format. These are especially aimed at students in middle and high school as a fun way to open the doors to Shakespeare’s classic works.
In his book Teaching Instrumental Music in Canadian Schools, Dr. Ed Wasiak challenges readers to build on past successes in instrumental music education while providing inspiration and practical guidance in going beyond the current paradigm to better meet the musical needs and interests of 21st century learners.
Each author will share portions of their book and then be available for questions. Bookstore staff will have these books available at the session for purchase and autographing if desired. Snacks and refreshments will be available during and after the presentations.
Join us if you can, on Thursday, September 26 from 3 – 5 pm in AH 100, for this informative presentation.
-----
For more information contact:
Darcy Novakowski, Communications Officer, Faculty of Education
(403) 332-4550
darcy.novakowski@uleth.ca
Turcotte Hall - T1H 417
September 20, 2013
Why we published: 88, by Michael R. Fletcher
It is one of the very rewarding joys of being a publisher, a least for me, to find a gem among the unsolicited queries and manuscripts that arrive in my email. That was the case with Michael R. Fletcher's 88.
Fletcher first approached Five Rivers in 2011 with a very raw, gritty near-future dystopia about an autistic boy who was sold for the ability of his brain. Not his body. Just his brain. And that was to be installed as the core of a bio-computer system for a business magnate with delusion of world domination.
Michael R. Fletcher
When I read the synopsis my reaction was not positive, I'm afraid. I thought: oh, please, not another attempt to knock off a Sawyer or Card or Gibson trope. However, because I'm also a writer, I'm too cognizant of the fact we often don't sell ourselves very well through synopses and cover letters (at least I never did), and so the real test would be to read the first three chapters and see if the writer actually has any talent, if there's enough of a story there to capture my interest (and I do tend to be a bit jaded and difficult to please).
Well, thank whatever deity you wish I did read on. Because what I discovered was a new writer, with some short fiction publication background, who understood the beauty and precision of language, the imperative of creating fully realized characters, and of weaving all that around a plot so tight and tense it sings.
We assigned an editor (Barb Geiger), and so it was the long journey of refining a story began. The character of 88 changed genders along the way. Abdul became more than a mouthpiece. Relationships were solidified and expanded, plot points addressed, extraneous descriptions and reliance on gimmicks (ellipses, em dashes, quotation marks or italics) eradicated.
To my delight we revealed an author very serious about honing his craft, about understanding good enough rarely is. What resulted from that crucible was both a writer and a story worth your attention.
I firmly believe the name of Michael R. Fletcher is one you need to watch, and whose work you need to read, because here is a definite science fiction rising star.
Fletcher first approached Five Rivers in 2011 with a very raw, gritty near-future dystopia about an autistic boy who was sold for the ability of his brain. Not his body. Just his brain. And that was to be installed as the core of a bio-computer system for a business magnate with delusion of world domination.
Michael R. Fletcher
When I read the synopsis my reaction was not positive, I'm afraid. I thought: oh, please, not another attempt to knock off a Sawyer or Card or Gibson trope. However, because I'm also a writer, I'm too cognizant of the fact we often don't sell ourselves very well through synopses and cover letters (at least I never did), and so the real test would be to read the first three chapters and see if the writer actually has any talent, if there's enough of a story there to capture my interest (and I do tend to be a bit jaded and difficult to please).
Well, thank whatever deity you wish I did read on. Because what I discovered was a new writer, with some short fiction publication background, who understood the beauty and precision of language, the imperative of creating fully realized characters, and of weaving all that around a plot so tight and tense it sings.
We assigned an editor (Barb Geiger), and so it was the long journey of refining a story began. The character of 88 changed genders along the way. Abdul became more than a mouthpiece. Relationships were solidified and expanded, plot points addressed, extraneous descriptions and reliance on gimmicks (ellipses, em dashes, quotation marks or italics) eradicated.
To my delight we revealed an author very serious about honing his craft, about understanding good enough rarely is. What resulted from that crucible was both a writer and a story worth your attention.
I firmly believe the name of Michael R. Fletcher is one you need to watch, and whose work you need to read, because here is a definite science fiction rising star.
September 18, 2013
Susan MacGregor readings and signing
Susan MacGregor
Susan MacGregor, author of The Tattooed Witch, has two events lined up this fall to promote her debut novel, first of a trilogy.
The first event occurs at the Glass Door Coffeehouse Series, hosted by Koffee Cafe, Edmonton, Alberta, on September 26, 7:00-9:00 p.m. MacGregor will be reading from The Tattooed Witch, as well as selling and signing copies of her novel. The event is free, and has an interesting lineup of authors as well as singer/songwriters, and an open mic.
Map to Koffee Cafe:
View Larger Map
The second event is on Sunday, October 27, 3:00-5:00 p.m. at Audrey's Books, 10702 Jasper Ave., NW, Edmonton, Alberta. Along with MacGregor's reading and signing of The Tattooed Witch, will be featured flamenco dancer Jane Ogilvie and flamenco guitarist Nyles Varughese, who is also the lead guitarist in up and coming band, Sugarkane. Cake and refreshments will be served.
Jane Ogilvie
Map to Audrey's:
View Larger Map
September 13, 2013
New YA fantasy from Dave Duncan
October 1, 2013 we're pleased to release a never-before published YA fantasy from Dave Duncan, The Runner and the Wizard.
This is to be the first of a series of novelettes about young Ivor, who dreams of being a swordsman like his nine older brothers, but until he can grow a beard he's limited to being a runner, carrying messages for their lord, Thane Carrak.
That's usually boring, but this time Carrak has sent him on a long journey to summon the mysterious Rorie of Ytter. Rorie is reputed to be a wizard—or an outlaw, or maybe a saint—but the truth is far stranger, and Ivor suddenly finds himself caught up in a twisted magical intrigue that threatens Thane Carrak and could leave Ivor himself very dead.
The amazing cover is designed by Five Rivers' Art Director, Jeff Minkevics, who wanted to create a cross-over between the fantasy paintings of the genre's covers, and something completely fresh and graphic.
Dave Duncan
Originally from Scotland, Dave Duncan has lived all his adult life in Western Canada, having enjoyed a long career as a petroleum geologist before taking up writing. Since discovering imaginary worlds are more satisfying than the real one, he has published more than 45 novels, mostly in the fantasy genre, but also young adult, science fiction, and historical. He has at times been Sarah B. Franklin (but only for literary purposes) and Ken Hood (which is short for “D’ye Ken Whodunit?”)
His most successful works have been fantasy series: The Seventh Sword, A Man of His Word and its sequel, A Handful of Men, and six books about The King’s Blades.
He and Janet were married in 1959. They have one son and two daughters, who in turn are responsible for a spinoff series of four grandchildren. Dave now lives in Victoria, BC. A detailed discussion of his work from Gale’s Dictionary of Literary Biography is available for download from Amazon.com
The second novelette of the Runner series, The Runner and the Saint, is already in editing.
The Runner and the Wizard releases October 1, 2013, and will be available in 6 x 9 trade paperback and eBook directly from Five Rivers, Dave Duncan, and major online booksellers worldwide, as well as through the Espresso Network.
Advance copies are now available for pre-order.
Format
Print $11.99 CAD
eBook $4.99 CAD
This is to be the first of a series of novelettes about young Ivor, who dreams of being a swordsman like his nine older brothers, but until he can grow a beard he's limited to being a runner, carrying messages for their lord, Thane Carrak.
That's usually boring, but this time Carrak has sent him on a long journey to summon the mysterious Rorie of Ytter. Rorie is reputed to be a wizard—or an outlaw, or maybe a saint—but the truth is far stranger, and Ivor suddenly finds himself caught up in a twisted magical intrigue that threatens Thane Carrak and could leave Ivor himself very dead.
The amazing cover is designed by Five Rivers' Art Director, Jeff Minkevics, who wanted to create a cross-over between the fantasy paintings of the genre's covers, and something completely fresh and graphic.
Dave Duncan
Originally from Scotland, Dave Duncan has lived all his adult life in Western Canada, having enjoyed a long career as a petroleum geologist before taking up writing. Since discovering imaginary worlds are more satisfying than the real one, he has published more than 45 novels, mostly in the fantasy genre, but also young adult, science fiction, and historical. He has at times been Sarah B. Franklin (but only for literary purposes) and Ken Hood (which is short for “D’ye Ken Whodunit?”)
His most successful works have been fantasy series: The Seventh Sword, A Man of His Word and its sequel, A Handful of Men, and six books about The King’s Blades.
He and Janet were married in 1959. They have one son and two daughters, who in turn are responsible for a spinoff series of four grandchildren. Dave now lives in Victoria, BC. A detailed discussion of his work from Gale’s Dictionary of Literary Biography is available for download from Amazon.com
The second novelette of the Runner series, The Runner and the Saint, is already in editing.
The Runner and the Wizard releases October 1, 2013, and will be available in 6 x 9 trade paperback and eBook directly from Five Rivers, Dave Duncan, and major online booksellers worldwide, as well as through the Espresso Network.
Advance copies are now available for pre-order.
Format
Print $11.99 CAD
eBook $4.99 CAD
September 11, 2013
Re-release of Candas Jane Dorsey's award-winning Black Wine
It gives us great pleasure to announce the re-release of Candas Jane Dorsey's award-winning debut novel, Black Wine, October 1, 2013.
Candas Jane Dorsey
photo courtesy of Vala Grenier
Blue Magic photography
The story revolves around an old woman hanging in a cage, countered by a young woman who slaves on a rich lord's estate and struggles to discover and assert her identity in a primeval, barbaric world. From slave dens to merchant cities and isolated mountains, Dorsey explores gender, identity and freedom in an elegantly phrased and emotionally shattering narrative.
Originally published in 1997 by Tor Books, Black Wine went on to win the James Tiptree Jr Award, the Crawford Award, and the Prix Aurora Award, and received wide critical acclaim. A few of those reviews were:
This new release is as a 6 x 9 trade paperback and eBook, with cover design by Jeff Minkevics. Minkevics drew inspiration for his composition from the 16th century Belgian artist Pieter Claesz, in particular the still life entitled Still Life with Wine Glass and Silver Bowl, adding in elements from Dorsey's story such as the opal abacus, the silver coin, glass-nibbed pen and of course the diary which underpins much of the narrative.
Black Wine is now available for pre-order in trade paperback until October 1, 2013, at a special discounted price of $15.00 (regularly $24.99). Black Wine will be available for purchase directly from Five Rivers, and online booksellers worldwide.
Format
Print $24.99 CAD
eBook $4.99 CAD
Candas Jane Dorsey
photo courtesy of Vala Grenier
Blue Magic photography
The story revolves around an old woman hanging in a cage, countered by a young woman who slaves on a rich lord's estate and struggles to discover and assert her identity in a primeval, barbaric world. From slave dens to merchant cities and isolated mountains, Dorsey explores gender, identity and freedom in an elegantly phrased and emotionally shattering narrative.
Originally published in 1997 by Tor Books, Black Wine went on to win the James Tiptree Jr Award, the Crawford Award, and the Prix Aurora Award, and received wide critical acclaim. A few of those reviews were:
Fantasy or a remote future, it doesn't really matter: the careful braiding of self, places, and times insidiously pulls you in, up to the point where you realize you don't know anything anymore, and then on the other side, you suddenly see the story, the words, and even the genres, more completely: inside out. That's Candas Jane Dorsey's rare gift as a writer. She makes you wiser, and never cheats.
Elisabeth Vonarburg
In terms of technique alone, Black Wine is one of the most sophisticated literary SF novels of the year....Black Wine lives in its passionate prose and startling imagery....A rewarding and moving novel.
Locus
As brilliant as William Gibson, as complex as Gene Wolfe, with a humanity and passion all her own. Candas Jane Dorsey isn't just a comer, she's a winner.
Ursula K. Le Guin
Dorsey's writing is unflinching and powerful, weaving a complex story about personal freedom and individuality. Fans of Joanna Russ and Ursula K. Le Guin, in particular, will find much to admire here.
Middlesex News (Framingham, Mass.)
Like its title, Black Wine is rare and darkly glowing with iridescence. A taut, spare, wonderful creation, it is justly deserving of consideration for the awards for which it will certainly be nominated.
The Edmonton Journal
This new release is as a 6 x 9 trade paperback and eBook, with cover design by Jeff Minkevics. Minkevics drew inspiration for his composition from the 16th century Belgian artist Pieter Claesz, in particular the still life entitled Still Life with Wine Glass and Silver Bowl, adding in elements from Dorsey's story such as the opal abacus, the silver coin, glass-nibbed pen and of course the diary which underpins much of the narrative.
Black Wine is now available for pre-order in trade paperback until October 1, 2013, at a special discounted price of $15.00 (regularly $24.99). Black Wine will be available for purchase directly from Five Rivers, and online booksellers worldwide.
Format
Print $24.99 CAD
eBook $4.99 CAD
September 9, 2013
Why we published: Things Falling Apart, by J.W. Schnarr
It was Robert Runte who introduced me, virtually, to J.W. Schnarr in 2011. Schnarr apparently had an armful of novels and short horror collections in which we might be interested, some of them self- or previously published, some debut.
J.W. Schnarr
in one of his classier moments
I have to admit I was a bit squeamish about considering a horror writer, having somewhat of an antipathy for the genre's penchant for gratuitous violence and gore, particularly aimed at women and minorities. If I'm going to look at horror, it's more in the vane of dark speculative fiction. Caitlin Sweet's, The Pattern Scars, comes to mind. But I also had to acknowledge the fact if I was going to build upon the successes Five Rivers had already achieved, I was going to have to make a press that wasn't just the Lorina's Favs Press.
So it was with a deeply embedded bias I finally agreed to even look at Schnarr's work. What I read was unlike anything I'd read before. Schnarr's writing cannot be called mild. Not by any stretch of the imagination. He gets right into the dirt and muck and mire of a situation and drags you along with him, and although there were many stories in the collection that simply made me gag, I also realized here was a writer unafraid to make his readers feel not just emotion, but extremes of emotion.
And didn't I want that kind of writer among the fellowship we were building here at Five Rivers? Didn't I hold dear the concept Five Rivers was willing to take on writers who dared to cross boundaries, redefine genre, and just tell really engaging stories? Yep. I said that. Me. So it looked like either I was going to live up to those very pretentious statements, or tuck tail and call myself a hypocrite.
And thus I agreed to publish J.W. Schnarr's collection, Things Falling Apart, which released August 2012. It's a decision I don't regret.
We're now about to release a second collection of Schnarr's, A Quiet Place, due for release December 1, 2013. I believe in this second collection you will see clearly how Schnarr has grown as a writer, how he has invested increasingly in his characters instead of the slap and crunch of rending flesh, how he now relies upon the surgical precision of psychological terror over physical.
J.W. Schnarr
in one of his classier moments
I have to admit I was a bit squeamish about considering a horror writer, having somewhat of an antipathy for the genre's penchant for gratuitous violence and gore, particularly aimed at women and minorities. If I'm going to look at horror, it's more in the vane of dark speculative fiction. Caitlin Sweet's, The Pattern Scars, comes to mind. But I also had to acknowledge the fact if I was going to build upon the successes Five Rivers had already achieved, I was going to have to make a press that wasn't just the Lorina's Favs Press.
So it was with a deeply embedded bias I finally agreed to even look at Schnarr's work. What I read was unlike anything I'd read before. Schnarr's writing cannot be called mild. Not by any stretch of the imagination. He gets right into the dirt and muck and mire of a situation and drags you along with him, and although there were many stories in the collection that simply made me gag, I also realized here was a writer unafraid to make his readers feel not just emotion, but extremes of emotion.
And didn't I want that kind of writer among the fellowship we were building here at Five Rivers? Didn't I hold dear the concept Five Rivers was willing to take on writers who dared to cross boundaries, redefine genre, and just tell really engaging stories? Yep. I said that. Me. So it looked like either I was going to live up to those very pretentious statements, or tuck tail and call myself a hypocrite.
And thus I agreed to publish J.W. Schnarr's collection, Things Falling Apart, which released August 2012. It's a decision I don't regret.
We're now about to release a second collection of Schnarr's, A Quiet Place, due for release December 1, 2013. I believe in this second collection you will see clearly how Schnarr has grown as a writer, how he has invested increasingly in his characters instead of the slap and crunch of rending flesh, how he now relies upon the surgical precision of psychological terror over physical.
