James Dorr's Blog, page 49

Calm, It Calls From The Forest 2 In Audio Format

Beware, these things within the forest will rip out your heart and devour your soul. You will tremble as they revel in your madness, taking everything from you and leaving you with nothing. Delve inside this anthology of what truly lurks within the shadows of the trees.

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Eerie River Publishing brings you another round of exceptional horror by award-winning authors from around the globe.

The story in question is my “The Calm,” of eldritch doings in the 18th century New York State mountains, as revealed in Eerie River Publishing’s IT CALLS FROM THE FOREST, VOLUME 2 (see November 14, June 25, et al.), originally published in 1999 in NEW MYTHOS LEGENDS. And now it can be listened to as well as read, according to this afternoon’s email: Great news, the Audiobook is officially live! Feel free to share those graphics and these links with your readers.

And so, thus sharing, for more information, ordering press here.

Prisoner, Flash 2-Week Kickstarter Up Right Now!

Remember FLASH IN A FLASH? “The Third Prisoner” (a.k.a. just “Prisoner” — cf. January 21, et al.)? A persistent sort, that pesky prisoner may be making a comeback!

The occasion is a kickstarter for the omnibus FLASH IN A FLASH print compendium from Editor/Publisher Jason Brick, titled WORTH 1,000 WORDS: A FLASH FICTION ANTHOLOGY. Or, quoting the blurb, 100 short stories by 100 authors. Flash fiction at its finest. We have authors from the USA, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Malaysia, China, and the Netherlands. It’s truly become a worldwide celebration of fiction, and we hope you’ll be a part of it. Also, it’s set to be ready for shipping on December 3 — that’s just two weeks from now — at which time the kickstarter will also have ended!

But first it needs to be funded, and that’s the point. For details, donations, one can press here. And there are prizes, including multiple copy opportunities (WORTH 1,000 WORDS is the latest of four separate flash anthologies, another of which, ITTY BITTY WRITING SPACE, cf. August 28 2019, et al., also has a story by me, of zombie addictions) to be found at the site by scrolling down the list at the right side. But, again, one must hurry: as noted above these special deals will be gone in just two weeks, at 12 a.m. (PST) Thursday, December 3.

(Not to mention a generous response could add to our, the authors’ pay.)

My part in the project is the tale of revolution and certain arts of a darker variety, “The Third Prisoner,” as noted above, originally published in LVWonline.org (as Honorable Mention, Ligonier Valley Writers 2008 Flash Fiction Contest, “Zombie Stories”, November 2008) as well as in Brazil in I ANTOLOGIA LUSIADAS (in Portuguese as “O Terceiro Prisioneiro,” Ediciones Lusiadas, 2009), along with a few other places in English. And under the truncated title of “Prisoner,” again noted above, on January 21 this year in FLASH IN A FLASH number 39.

Discordant Love Set For Valentines Day 2021?

This one’s almost a mystery. Last heard from two years ago in fall (see September 6 2019, et al.), the book’s full title would be DISCORDANT LOVE BEYOND DEATH, from Beyond Death Publishing. My tale within, one from ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S MYSTERY MAGAZINE in 1997, was “The Sending,” of lighthouses, ghost keepers, and soon-to-be lovers at the beginning of the Great Depression.

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Kickstarters were started, bookplates for authors to autograph were mailed around, and . . . pfft! It was gone.

But then in today’s email, the following missive from was-to-be Editor/Publisher Dickon Springate: For BDP, its writers and editors, it is fair to say that things haven’t gone according to plan, and deadlines and been revised and then re-revised, with only minimal progress to show for the passing of time.

The decision was made a few hours ago, that come hell or high water, the anthology needed to be published, and with it being a book about love, the most fitting day for the release date would be: 14th February 2021.

So . . . maybe? Of course, those of us who have been in discordant loves in the past know all about promises, but we’ll see.

We’ll see.

It Calls From The Forest, Vol. 2, Others In Eerie River Kindle Sale

The email was from Michelle Rivers of Eerie River Publishing: Hey, Sorry this is coming late.

We have a .99 sale on all the “It Calls From” Series going on for our 1 year Anniversary!

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If you are able I would love it if you could share on social media to all your readers. Have a great one.

The sale, apparently, will be through Wednesday, November 18, and the title of interest here is IT CALLS FROM THE FOREST, VOLUME 2 (see June 25, et al.), which can be found on the publisher’s site with other titles by pressing here. And the sale is for Kindle alone, although paperback copies can be bought as well.

My story in this one is titled “The Calm,” originally published in NEW MYTHOS LEGENDS in 1999, and refers to an incident in New York State’s Taconic Mountains during the French and Indian War with, perhaps, a tinge of Lovecraftian flavor.

For Friday the 13th: Thirteen Frightening TV Series To Stoke One’s Nostalgia

My Favorite:

There’s just something so wholesome yet unsettling about the “small town with a secret” motif. It has long worked wonders when implemented well, and the 1992 show EERIE, INDIANA, is a standout example of the ominous motif in action.

The series introduces viewers to Marshall Teller, a teenage boy who relocates to the titular town with his family. The Indiana town is small, quiet, and desolate, and what commences is nothing short of bizarre. We’re talking about a town that’s comprised of some weird people and phenomena. What kind of weird? How about extremely intelligent dogs planning world domination, a crazy tornado hunter, Bigfoot sightings, and Elvis Presley himself, alive and well. There are so many ideas at work in the show, it is a shame that it didn’t run for more than one season.

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Well, maybe or maybe not the absolute favorite, but lots of fun. Or more to the point, for an “unwholesome” Friday, this is one in THE-LINE-UP’s special listing of 13 SCARIEST TV SHOWS EVER MADE, by Michael J. Seidlinger. Or more accurately, TV series. And one thing more in EERIE’s favor (so maybe some others too), the frights were/are leavened in places with humor. Others include, for instance, TALES FROM THE CRYPT and KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER (remember these?). Or perhaps more serious, THE X-FILES, UNSOLVED MYSTERIES, and AMERICAN HORROR STORY, not all of which, necessarily, aren’t still being shown now. And one must not forget what some might consider the best (or at least, the “father”) of them all: THE TWILIGHT ZONE. (In days of yore, the student Science Fiction Society in my undergraduate college put out a mimeographed — who remembers “mimeo”? — newsletter called THE TWILIGHT ZINE. Yes, it’s that far back.)

And six more are included: BLACK MIRROR, CHANNEL ZERO, THE EXORCIST (these are three I’ve not even seen myself, though of course not all series may be/have been available in every region). ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK, GHOST HUNTERS. DEADSET — does that add up to the whole thirteen?

In any event to see the list in its entirety, including brief descriptions of all, just give a press here. And remember, Triana the Goth cat says, “A happy Friday the Thirteenth to all!”

Gudrin Edits Received For Black Hare Free Fantasy Antho

Please find attached the edited version of your story for the Black Hare Press #LOCKDOWN FREE FICTION anthologies, launching soon.

Please check that the title and author name are correct. Please review all suggested changes, and add any further amendments you require directly into the document. If you have a query about any of the suggestions, please make a note in your returning email.

PLEASE RESPOND, EVEN IF YOU ARE ACCEPTING ALL EDITS

Ah, now. The story in question: “The Blade of Gudrin” (see April 20), originally published in the Spring 1993 edition of SPACE AND TIME, a sword-and-sorceryish tale of derring-do in a desert kingdom, complete with knife fights and evil queens. And the occasion? From Black Hare Press, an acceptance (cf. April 20) for your submission to FANTASY (#LOCKDOWN FREE FICTION). We really enjoyed your story – The Blade of Gudrin – and would like to inform you that it has been accepted for inclusion in the publication.

The idea was this would be one of three anthologies, the others being horror and sf, to be offered free to readers during the coronavirus lockdown. A nice idea and, in that the lockdown seems to be continuing and/or being reimposed in much of the world this winter, even if perhaps a little later than first expected, still one that is welcome. Black Hare Press, incidentally, is the one also putting out a series of seven (non-free) anthologies based on the Seven Deadly Sins, in which I have a story of sweet lesbian vampire love, “A Cup Full of Tears,” for the one on LUST (see February 25, et al.).

Then back to “Gudrin,” the proof copy went back lateish this afternoon, with more to be here as it becomes known.

“Perpetual” Sale Price For The Tears Of Isis (Or At Least Until Monday)

Just a short post, but Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing appears to be happy with the recent election and is celebrating with a sale. As it happens one of my books is included, THE TEARS OF ISIS (cf. picture in the center column), so. . . .

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To quote PMMP: Look, it’s a very good weekend for the planet! Let’s celebrate. Starting now and ending Monday morning every book on our webstore is 20% off when you enter code GOODBYEBITCH during checkout. THE TEARS OF ISIS, I might add, is a 2013 Bram Stoker Award(R) finalist for fiction collection, so (if I may brag a little) it might be worth buying. For reading, perhaps, during duller Inaugural Day speeches, or maybe for just giving to friends for an early Christmas.

Or maybe even just reading oneself. In any event, the PMMP webstore page for it can be found here — with links from there to other books too, of course, but there’s no harm in checking mine out first!

Madame Gray Creeps Into Computer Cave Mailbox

And it is here!

MADAME GRAY’S CREEP SHOW that is (see October 28, et al.), landed in the Computer Cave mailbox earlyish this afternoon. We remember, don’t we, to be a book of (to quote the original call) well-written, spine-tingling tales of horror infused with black humor (gallows humor)?

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And my story in this, long a favorite of mine of sorts, but one which for some reason (poor taste, by any chance?) was doomed to languish for many years before Madame Gray finally agreed to take it in, a tale of a newly dead man titled “Wormbreath.” Or maybe not precisely unsold for that many years, it actually having been accepted on one of its earlyest trips out, but to a journal which promptly folded before it could be published. In other words, “The Writing Life,” right?

And thus an earlier story of mine, maybe a smidge crude in style, but one that at last can now be read! One of twenty-three stories in 408 pages (in paperback form) which, to see for oneself, may be checked out here.

Late But Not Forgotten? Auto Anthology Accepts Christmas Vulture

I’d sure forgotten it, yes, a story originally sent on May 26 . . . 2016! Yes, that’s four and a half years. But today the word came from Editor Jason Marchi.

This will come as a shock to you after all this time . . . but after many interruptions, long waits on a number of permissions, and factors beyond our control, the AUTOMOBILIA book is finally nearing completion and will be published in August 2021.

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We would like to include “The Christmas Vulture” in the anthology.

“The Christmas Vulture?” Originally published in Fall 2010 in UNTIED SHOELACES OF THE MIND, as well as elsewhere (cf. March 21 2012; December 23 2010), a tale of poor driving habits and an unexpected just-before-holiday rescue, this highway horror will now re-emerge in AUTOMOBILIA in, tentatively, August 2021. Other details were offered involving contracts and payment, to which I sent back my “yes” this evening.

As for AUTOMOBILIA, original guidelines having long been lost, I can still quote from THE GRINDER from way back when: as the title suggests an automobile should be such an integral part of the story that if removed the story collapses. While as for the rest, well, time will tell.

Sirens Call E-Zine Accepts Eudora For December Issue, Edits Received And Returned

She gets around, our Eudora does. Not so long ago featured in INDIANA HORROR REVIEW 2020 (see October 13, et al.), she paid a visit on THE SIRENS CALL and late Friday evening the answer came from Editor Gloria Bobrowicz. We’re delighted to let you know that we are accepting “Eudora” (with one time publication rights) for this issue. Attached was a slightly edited copy and, as of an hour ago of this writing, I sent back my okay of the final proof copy.

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The issue in question, the “Death of the Year” ending eZine for 2020, for which: We’re calling for pieces that pay tribute to the end of life in the most heinous ways possible. You may choose to honor death in dark fashion by horrifying with it, respecting it, or fighting it to the bitter end; and we do mean the bitter end as your piece should contain an unnatural death, mortal or otherwise. And what better fit, then, for “Eudora,” first appearing in 2013’s BLOOD TYPE: AN ANTHOLOGY OF VAMPIRE SF ON THE CUTTING EDGE from Nightscape Press, about a girl a bit on the Goth scene who just wants to have fun.

Or, quoting from the guidelines again, [y]our piece can be scary, sullen, emotive, freaky, elegant, bizarre, have a dark satirical edge to it, or be flat out creepy as hell! More on which will be found here as it becomes known.