James Dorr's Blog, page 3

“Happy” News From Alien Buddha for April’s End

The pitch was sent Tuesday: ­Attached is an approximately 2700-word submission, “Mr. Happy Head,” about a man whose joy is in spreading evil to others, for THE ALIEN BUDDHA’S HOUSE OF HORRORS #8. It is a reprint with rights in my possession, originally published in WICKED MYSTIC, Spring 1996. I hope that you’ll be able to use it and, either way, will look forward to your report.

The thing is, the Alien Buddha works fast. Thus a slim day later, Wednesday as this is written, the reply: Thank you for your submission.

I am happy to include your story in the anthology and the contest.

There will be more info to come at the end of the summer.

And for the moment, that is that.

A Return to “Crime Scene” for Bloomington Writers Guild Last Sunday Poetry

I was back to the scene of the crime as it were (cf. April 26), that is Morgenstern Books, but this time for the Bloomington Writers Guild’s scheduled Last Sunday Poetry (cf. February 24, tornado warnings having precluded Last Sunday for March). The first featured reader was local Bloomington poet Joseph Kerschbaum with poems mostly from his new book, MIDNIGHT SUNRISE, much of inspired by growing up and living in a suburban context, driving Route 46 to Nashville, a more rural barn fire, and similar topics, punctuated by with remarks on writing itself, including poetic techniques.

He was followed by Indianapolis writer Tracy Mishkin with “mostly poems written about eight years ago,” some from her first full-length book, THE WAY THE SALT FALLS, starting with relatively harsh imagery and subject matter, but ending on a happier note including the title poem from her book. This then was followed by nine “Open Mic” offerings of which mine was fifth, “Spring Cleaning,” which can be read yourself in my previous entry.

Tombs Tops Saturday Sales at Morganstern Books

It was kind of strange. We were set at the entrance of local bookstore, Morgenstern Books, across from the cash register, yet if somebody wanted to buy a book from us they did so directly. That is, cash to us (or credit card for those who could accept payments that way, or with PayPal, checks, etc.), the five in all “local authors” there from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 26 April. The occasion: Independent Bookstore Day on which, as the email explained, [w]e want to thank you, Morgensternians, for supporting your local independent bookstore for your book, gift, and coffee needs. You are what keeps the indies alive.

So it was fun, a chance to wave the auctorial flag, and we got free cookies too plus a souvenir Morgenstern coffee cup. And in my case $43 (rounded up as it were from $42.85 because who thinks of bringing change) from sales of two copies of the original Elder Signs Press edition of TOMBS: A CHRONICLE OF LATTER-DAY TIMES OF EARTH and one of THE TEARS OF ISIS, two of which I autographed as well. So if one was to spend four hours indoors on a sunny, slightly unseasonably warm late April day, all in all it was a nice way to do it.

Third Sunday Poetry, Once Again Late

That’s late for me, of course, not the poetry. And technically what it’s called is the Bloomington Writers Guild’s “Third Sunday Write” (cf. November 24, et al. — yes, it’s been awhile) and, yes, it looks like I’ve missed a few months.

So it goes.

But in any event, let’s cut to the chase. These come from prompts posted on the month’s third Sunday (aha!) by Shana Riter, one of four usually, of which this time I picked the fourth: Spring Cleaning. And here you may be ahead of me already: Of course I found a way to pervert the premise. Thus:

SPRING CLEANING

The things that filter down
through a mattress —
unbelievable!
Bed bugs, of course, roaches,
fleas from the cat,
body lice (we don’t mention
these normally, only with friends,
and even then only when
comparing remedies),
and that’s just insects.
The cat herself once,
through a largish gap
she’d carved with her own claws
(and do not ask why).
Pajama buttons almost by
the bushel, plus cords from those
old-fashioned kinds of bottoms —
the ones that still close that way.
Lint from them too, both bottoms
and tops (that is lint from pajama
tops, but whole tops sometimes
when wearers are frisky — we
won’t go into that, or bottoms
either. Privacy still counts!).
But the thing is, these end up
in the box-spring, where coils
hold them fast, accumulating
as bed use continues,
night after night,
until it gets so heavy, the
whole spring that is, with its
accumulations, that
unless it’s cleaned sometimes it,
the mattress, and the two sleepers
(whatever it might be they’re doing above it),
could crash through the floor!

And that is that.

The Goth Cat Triana Wishes all a Happy Earth Day

(She celebrated herself by getting a new flea collar)

Doll Ballet, Circus of Dead Now in Ebook, Print

You remember (and if not, cf. April 2, not far below): We’re seeking stories that pull back the carnival canvas to unveil the horrors lurking beneath the sawdust and sequins. Whether your tale features murderous clowns, cursed carnival rides, supernatural sideshows or ancient circuses that never die, we want your most spine-tingling circus horror stories! Let your imagination skirt the realm where cotton candy turns to cobwebs and every innocent laughter and hearty applause echo with a bloodcurdling scream.

Such was the call, with my as-it-were answer, reprint tale “Ballet of the Dolls,” originally (ahem) seeing life in Lone Wolf’s CD ROM antho, CARNIVAL, in 2004 as well as in print in my second collection, DARKER LOVES: TALES OF MYSTERY AND REGRET (Dark Regions, 2007), accepted by Wicked Shadow Press for CIRCUS OF THE DEAD on March 31. And now, as quick as at least two bunnies, in Friday’s email: We are delighted to share with you that “Circus of the Dead” (edited by author Chad Anctil) is now available in both print and e-formats. Please find your complimentary print replica PDF of the book attached with this email.

And, if that weren’t enough, in a separate email: As editor I just wanted to extend my deepest thanks to each of you for your incredible contributions to Circus of the Dead, which has honestly been a dream project of mine. It was truly a fantastic experience working on this anthology, and I’m so proud of what we’ve created together.

Each of your stories brought something unique and unexpected to the table, from lycanthropic clowns to murderous sideshow mummies to cursed circuses full of monsters. The way you approached the theme of circus horror — twisting it into something eerie, imaginative, and unforgettable — was nothing short of brilliant. From the grotesque to the surreal, from the quietly unsettling to the all-out nightmarish, every tale added its own distinctive flavor to the tent.

This anthology wouldn’t be what it is without your creativity, your voices, and your willingness to dive into the strange and macabre world of circus horror. It’s been an absolute pleasure collaborating with you all, and I hope you’re as proud of this book as I am.

So what’s more to be said but, to see for oneself, one need only press here.

Speed Not Always Virtue in The Writing Life; Tornadoes (Sort Of) at Thurs. Spoken Word

So the time to acceptance was not bad at all. The story, a science fiction reprint, “Final Entry,” originally published in FANTASTIC COLLECTIBLES way back in February 1992, went out to Burial Books for a not-yet-titled science fiction anthology on March 22, with the acceptance zipping back only weeks later on April 8. We loved your story “Final Entry” and hope that it is still available for our anthology. However. . . .

The “however” was: [I]t is going to take a us a bit longer than anticipated to get enough stories for this science fiction anthology. Therefore, would you be willing to sign a contract and receive payment now knowing that the anthology will likely be next year (Fall of 2026) before it’s published? It looks like it will take that long to get enough quality stories. Would that work for you?

A worthy goal in any event! And besides, a wait of a year and a half for a book to be released is hardly a record, so back my reply went — in effect, Why not?

And then this evening (well, yesterday, probably, when this gets published — is there maybe a lesson here?) came the Bloomington Writers Guild’s “Second Thursday Spoken Word Series” (cf. March 14, et al.) with first featured reader, 2024 Speculative Play & Just Futurities Scholar-in-Residence and 2022 Frontier Poetry Global Poetry Prize finalist Thomas Kneeland, author as well of WE BE WALKIN’ BLACKLY IN THE DEEP, Founding Editor-In-Chief of THE ELEVATION REVIEW, and an armload of publication credits, presenting selections from “a manuscript looking for a home,” along with another still in progress on reminiscences and other takes on life, often with an Afro-Cuban perspective, on childhood memories, coming of age, his mother, and other such reminiscences.

He was followed by Indiana author of IN CELEBRATION OF THE DEATH OF FAERIES and THE GUY: PRIVATE EDITION, many-time published in poetry anthologies, and currently an editor of THE HOWLING OWL as well as Director on the Board for Indiana Writers Center, Marilyn Wolf, with readings from THE GUY, followed with CELEBRATIONS, in a somewhat less contemplative style, a bit brasher, louder — one even composed of short 1-line rhymes — with a faster, more “modern” tone, although with a feeling of wisdom as well.

Then after the break, including a musical interlude by guitarist/singer Jack Carl, it was “Open Mic” time with me fourth of nine readers with two shortish poems, the somewhat cheeky “Tornado Warning” (it’s a tough life out there, even for wind storms), itself from a recent Writers Guild “Third Sunday Write” prompt albeit one turned a bit on its head, and to be more serious (as well, I hope, more literary) an American sonnet with jazzy flavorings, “Erato in Shades.”

Doll Ballet Dances to Circus of Dead

So okay, okay, but you get the idea. Such was the call: The circus has come to town, and it’s dying to meet you…

Wicked Shadow Press invites authors to join our grandest, darkest show yet. Submit your original horror fiction to “Circus of the Dead”, to be edited by special guest editor Chad Anctil. (Tentative release: May 2025). The final date of submission is March 14, 2025.

We’re seeking stories that pull back the carnival canvas to unveil the horrors lurking beneath the sawdust and sequins. Whether your tale features murderous clowns, cursed carnival rides, supernatural sideshows or ancient circuses that never die, we want your most spine-tingling circus horror stories! Let your imagination skirt the realm where cotton candy turns to cobwebs and every innocent laughter and hearty applause echo with a bloodcurdling scream.

And you know the drill, including that while reprints might be accepted, such would be rare. But what was I to do? It happened I did have a reprint in the file, originally published in a book on CD ROM (this was quite a bit back, from Lone Wolf Publishing in 2004, and, yes, you ordered the thing and received a disk — such is the history of this writing game), CARNIVAL, which seemed like it might be just right. The story, “Ballet of the Dolls,” of a “dancing chickens” act at an if not strictly supernatural sideshow, pretty much the next best thing.

So, yes, you know the drill (and I DID think the story would be perfect for it), away the tale went at the beginning of March and, now on the very first day of April, came the reply: We hope this message finds you happy and healthy! We are extremely pleased to reach out to you today with some great news. We are delighted to inform you that your story “Ballet of the Dolls” has been accepted for inclusion in “Circus of the Dead”, edited by guest editor Chad Anctil.

Reading, Released Gods Here Sat. March 29

And it’s here! WHO LET THE GODS OUT?! with my story, “The Reading,” originally published in UNIVERSE HORRIBLIS by Third Flatiron Press in 2013 (see just below, March 20), has arrived Saturday afternoon, March 29, in its most recent incarnation. What’s more to be said?

Well perhaps, for the book’s own opening introduction: When stage fright meets cosmic horror, the results are horrifyingly hilarious. That pretty well covers it whereas, for more, as noted above see the post just below. With a cover picture too, no less. While for ordering, etc., again see just below.

Who Let The Gods Out, The Reading Rockets to Print

Wow, talk about fast!  The story was sent February 11, accepted exactly one month after on March 11.  And now, only nine days after that, from Wicked Shadow Press: We are delighted to share with you that both volumes of “Who let the Gods out?!” are now available in print and e-formats. Please find your complimentary print replica PDFs of both volumes attached with this email.

We wish to extend our deepest gratitude for your contributions to this anthology. Your unique voices have brought this idea of an anthology to life, and for that, all of us here at the WSP family are extremely grateful.

Our design team has poured their hearts into creating a layout and fashioning covers that aptly complements the diversity and expanse of your stories, and draws readers into its pages. We hope that our collective efforts meet your expectations and inspire you to share and promote this anthology within your readers, friends and family. . . .

So, okay, this then the sharing: The story in question is “The Reading,” a tale of Cthulhu (among others) on not his best day, a reprint that originally appeared in 2013 in UNIVERSE HORRIBLIS from Third Flatiron Publishing. The book is WHO LET THE GODS OUT?! (cf. March 12, below) or, more precisely Volume 1, subtitled COSMIC HUNGER (the second volume carries the subtitle DIVINE WRATH, though it’s only the first we’re interested in here). And what’s more to say?

Well, one thing anyway: for more information and perhaps to order, one may press here.