Ethan Nahté's Blog, page 4

Book Signing, Children's stories and Novellas

The Friday the 13th book signing has come and gone...and quite honestly, I'm happy that it was my last event for the year because four weekends in a row is tiring. The signing was fun and the local press even came out to do a little coverage. They had it listed as my signing, but I was there with authors Tommy B. Smith and Jerry DeCastro. Still, I am grateful for the publicity and for the Fort Smith Public Library for having us. Diane Holowick was a wonderful person to work with in organizing the event.

We sold a few books, had many people (writers and aspiring writers) come up and ask about writing, and talked amongst ourselves, discussing more writing, conventions and other publicity opportunities.

One thing I have been aware of for quite some time is that I need some kid-friendly material on the table besides my dragon eggs. I have kids interested in my books because of the wonderful covers, but most of the books I have on the table are at least PG-13 and up. I have some unpublished material written, and one of my stories on the 4 Star Stories site is kid-friendly. So this winter I will work on getting some young adult material ready for next season. I'm still shopping a YA novel, so maybe that will come to fruition and find a home this winter.

I am also working on a few novellas that I should have out hopefully before the year is out, ranging from sci-fi to hard-boiled detective to an action story based on a character and comic book created by David Martinez. Then I'll return to working on the novel.

Finally, just an update on The Mad Visions of al-Hazred: I have no link and I haven't seen the cover, but the book is due out from Alban Lake Press on November 1, 2017. If you're a fan of Lovecraft and the Cthulhu mythos, then here's a book with several authors telling their tale ofthe poet al-Hazred meeting the Elder gods and what drove him insane enough to write what would become The Necronomicon. Hopefully, readers will enjoy my story in the anthology. I probably did more research for this story than any other short story I've ever written. For those of you familiar with my work, you probably know I throw a lot of historcial facts into my writing. In a few more weeks I'll see if it was all worth it.

Bigfoot & Book Signing

Back from camping in the beautiful Kiamichi Mountain area, a subrange of the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas and Oklahoma. The annual Honobia Bigfoot Festival, held outside of Honobia, OK, was interesting. I had quite a few sales (selling out of a couple of the titles I'm in) met a few people who we had mutual friends in common, and made some new friends. We listened to people tell tales of seeing bigfoot around a campfire and saw about every product you can think of stamped with a bigfoot image--or some portion of Bigfoot, such as just the foot.

Now I am hoping that my order of The Undead Ate My Head makes it to me in time for the book signing at the main Fort Smith Public Library on Friday the 13th (insert scary laughter). I'll be there signing from 3:30-5:30. If you've never been to this particular library, it is a nice facility and larger than I expected it to be the first time I visited. I can hardly wait, wishing it was already Friday. (I know, don't we all wish it was already Friday?)

I will have copies of my second short story collection Of Monsters & Madmen, as well as a few of the other anthologies I am in. I'll be joined by horror authors Tommy B. Smith and Jerry DeCastro. It's a perfect chance to get a great horror read for Halloween or as a present for someone who loves to read.

See you there...or I'll send out my shadow creatures to haunt your dreams all weekend.

Archon 2017 Follow-up

I'm back from Archon 41, a long 8-9 hour drive each way to an eastern suburb of St. Louis. I had a great time and some success in sales as well as participating in some full and interactive panels.

This was my second time to attend the event. In 2016, I was invited at the last minute. My name didn't appear in the program book, but I was placed on panels and made new friends. It was also too late to get a table, but, fortunately, one of my publishers (Yard Dog Press) allowed me a little space to sell my own non-YDP books, in addition to helping promote the many YDP titles available. This year, YDP was not at the show, but a couple of other of my YDP partners in crime were in attendance: Sherri Dean and Allison Stein.

This year I was set up on Bookseller's Row, had a half-dozen or so panels, and was surprised that I was the moderator of the panel on "Crafting the Dark Hero." Despite not being prepared to ask questions and moderate, I believe it went over quite well.

One thing about me and my long history in the entertainment industry is I can successfully pull off an interview with a panel, band or a single person and carry it for an hour. Many times I have been asked by conventions to come in and moderate panels with the Guest of Honor/Writer/Illustrator or whomever they need that can conduct an interesting and entertaining interview. (Hint: I'm available to be the Guest interviewer to interview your Guests.)

I was sold out of The Undead Ate My Head but I'm hoping to have them for the Honobia Bigfoot Festival this coming weekend. It's a FREE event, so if you're in the area, dodge Bigfoot and come on by.
CORRECTION: The Festival is free, but Seats for attending Conference Speakers sessions are

Adults 16 yrs and older $10 .00 per day.
13 to 15 years old $5.00 per day.
Under 12 yrs old FREE
Whole Family Special $25.00 per day.

If not, then I should have them for the Friday the 13th book signing in Fort Smith at the main library. I'll be there with Tommy B. Smith and Jerry Castro.

Meanwhile, I did get a much-needed new shipment in for Of Monsters & Madmen . We'll see how long those last, or how quickly they sell. The book sold well at Archon.

I also spoke with a few artists and authors about some collaborations. I'll keep that all mum at the moment, but if the projects come to fruition, they should be quite entertaining--and a couple of them will be very twisted.

Hope to see you soon. Happy reading.

FenCon 2017 Follow-Up

The trip to Dallas for FenCon went well. It was good to see my other author friends I haven't seen in a while, not to mention many of my friends and readers who came by the panels or the table to visit.

Every panel I participated in had quite a few audience members, even the noon panel on Friday. Generally, there aren't that many people at the conventions at that time on a work day, but we had a crowd.

Sales weren't over the top, but I came close to selling out of my collection Of Monsters & Madmen. Yard Dog Press, publisher of my zombie book The Undead Ate My Head and I'm in three other anthologies by them, came close to selling out of the zombie book. They had one left in stock as far as I know.

That being said, I had more copies of OMM on order, and I will have them with me at Archon, plus several other anthologies I'm in. I will not be restocked on TUAMH in time for the St. Louis convention this coming weekend. Hopefully, I Will have copies in time for the Honobia Bigfoot Festival the following weekend. So, if you're going to be at Achon, I'll take orders for the zombie book at Archon and mail the books out as soon as I have them in hand. Or, for the time being, you can order through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.com.

September's Sizzlin'

September into October is always a busy time of year for me. Typically it's the last conventions of the season before the holidays have everyone busy doing their thing. My calendar on my NahteWords.com site or my Amazon author page gives links and details for upcoming shows in Dallas, St. Louis, Honobia, OK and a book signing in Fort Worth alongside fellow horror authors Tommy B. Smith and Jerry DeCastro on Friday the 13th. What better time to get your horror fix as Halloween approaches? Visit the calendars to find out where it's all happening. There's something for everyone between horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and cryptozoology.

Of Monsters and Madmen has finally made it to Kindle. Due to various reasons, it has taken a little longer than I intended, but for only $2.99 you can enjoy the electronic version if you prefer that format over a book in hand. A big Thanx! to author Gabrielle S. Faust for her assistance.

I mentioned in my last blog that Lycan Valley Press had picked up one of my poems, "Death Rides by a Comanche Moon," for an anthology. They liked another poem of mine, "Torture of a Pirate," and will be including it in another anthology.

Due out at Halloween will be Alban Lake's next anthology of Cthulu/Lovecraftian tales as the authors look into what drove al-Hazred mad and prompted him to write The Necronomicon. I have a story in the collection.

I'm not certain about the release date because of the publisher having to push the date back for reasons unknown to me, but hopefully, another anthology based around a female version of The Three Musketeers will be coming out. I'll be alongside some big names in that anthology. More details on that later.

Meanwhile, three new stories have been written this month, a novella series started and a novel is in the works.

Speaking of, if you enjoy Sci-Fi/Romance, I'm seeking beta readers for a story that is Rebel Without a Cause meets Grease & American Graffiti. Shoot me a message if you're interested in a peek at the novella and willing to provide feedback.


Time to go find that helpful, yet always in hiding, little house elf and put him to work organizing all my materials in order and prepare for the long drives and entertaining shows. Swing by and say "hi" at the very least.

Writing the Unfamiliar

This morning, while checking e-mail, I discovered that Lycan Valley Press Publishing had accepted a poem for a dark poetry anthology entitled Untimely Frost. The poem is a bit historical, dealing with some realities on the frontier plains, entitled "Death Rides on a Comanche Moon." Is it a western? horror? non-fiction? action/adventure? It's a little bit of each as far as I'm concerned.

Most people who read my work or have seen me at conventions know I tend to write horror fiction more than anything else. I also write (and read) science fiction, fantasy, western, crime noir, tall tale, comedy, YA, and what some might just label pulp. As a journalist, I also write a lot of articles that cover a wide range, from the horror of terrible accidents to the horror of government. Basically, I refuse to paint myself into a corner and write in one genre only. I write what I feel like writing and I write for myself. I don't attempt to follow trends or write in a way that is currently popular to appease potential readers. I have to like it. This sometimes has me writing and finding a publisher interested in material that most of my readers might be unfamiliar with, from me, at least.

I wrote a kid-friendly fable with a moral entitled "The Forest of the Golden Acorn." It amazed me how many people who are familiar with my work commented that they were surprised I wrote a story where nothing died. I can do it when I want to. It's just rare. BTW, that fable and another of my stories are free to read at 4 Star Stories, as is all of the stories on their site.

I recently reviewed Richard Matheson's Journal of the Gun Years , and it was great. I expected no less of Matheson, but I had not realized he had written a western instead of the horror he is so well known for. I had never really looked at his bibliography and hunted down his works. If I am in a book store and come across a book of Matheson's I don't own, I'll generally pick it up. So finding this little gem, a nicely cut piece outside Matheson's general treasure trove of horror, it's a happy feeling. I'm glad the author tried his hand at something else--something unfamiliar.

The same can be said for another favorite author, Stephen King. He is known for horror, but have you ever read The Eyes of the Dragon ? It's a medieval fantasy tale he wrote for his daughter when she was young. I have met several people who have no clue the book exists and believe that King only does horror, which is a shame they are unfamiliar with his other works.

Robert E. Howard is known for his character Conan more than any other character, including Kull, Red Sonya (Red Sonja for Marvel fans), and Solomon Kane. If you aren't a diehard fan, you miss out on his gritty westerns, horror stories or his comedic Breckinridge Elkins stories (imagine L'il Abner or Jethro Bodean before either existed). He also wrote over 800 poems, which surprises some people for some odd reason.

A word of advice, best to steer clear of the pastiches of REH's work. Many are subpar or are non-Conan stories that have placed the barbarian's name in place of a different REH tale then changed up by another editor or author. That writing is unfamiliar, because very few of them could capture REH's voice and write his characters somewhat in the same vein.

Why do I mention all of this? I have new writers, or wanna-be writers, who get hung up about writing in one genre but don't know if they should write outside of their familiar comfort zone. It expands writing styles (and reading), possibilities and a writer might even discover that he/she is actually more talented at writing some other genre. It also helps with boredom, to strike out and do something new and unfamiliar.

Nahté Books in New Locations!

In case you missed it, Of Monsters & Madmen and The Undead Ate My Head are available at Books & Stuf in Mena, Ark. and now at Chapters on Main in Fort Smith, Ark. Both stores have a lot of inventory in a lot of genres. You can spend hours checking them out.

I hope to be doing a book signing before the end of the year at Chapters on Main. Stay tuned for more news on that. Things are also in the works to do a Friday the 13th Horror signing just in time for Halloween at the Fort Smith Public Library. Details are still being hatcheted out, but if it happens, I'll be there with a couple of other horror writers. Once again details TBA.

Although I'll ship my books anywhere legally allowed, if you happen to be in Arkansas and want to know about other great bookstores, here is The 10 Best Bookstores in Arkansas, at least according to one source. Chapters on Main is on the list!

"Dark Messiah" Accepted

It looks as though my story "Dark Messiah" has been accepted for the upcoming anthology The Mad Visions of al-Hazred (Alban Lake Publishing). I believe the anthology is due out around Halloween 2017 and slated to have 15 stories, all revolving around how H.P. Lovecraft's creation, the poet al-Hazred, went mad and eventually came up with the writings that became The Necronomicon. It should be interesting to see what manner of ways the various authors show al-Hazred's unfortunate and horrific voyage he undertook to only end up creating a book telling of the Elder Gods.

This will be my second story published by Alban Lake, and my third story pertaining to the Cthuhlu mythos. "The Judgment Chair" appears in Miskatonic Nightmares (Alban Lake Publishing). "The Love Call of Cthuhlu" appears in Of Monsters & Madmen (Beagle Mountain Press).

Illness & Creativity

Have you ever had one of those days when your mind is reeling with great concepts; Your creativity basket is overflowing with ideas that would make for a great story, poem, song, art piece, photograph, film? You concentrate on the idea and try to imagine the creative spark and what all it can become, hoping that your idea(s) will still be there when you can finally function...because chronic illness has beaten you down and the ability to work isn't feasible.

No, this blog isn't a pity-me story, or even meant to be a downer. It's simply meant to enlighten other creative types to let you know that you aren't alone. It might also inform those who enjoy reading, listening to music, going to a museum to view art, watch a film or enjoy some other creative endeavor.

Out of all the various conventions I have been a part of and attend, for some reason, writers seem to be more afflicted than other creative types. I'm not saying musicians, filmmakers and such are chronic illness free. Heck, I now share similar issues with guitar god Eric Clapton who may never make another album due to peripheral neuropathy. When an instrument is not only a part of your livelihood, but a way to emote, then you can't get your hands to respond properly, or even to hold the instrument, it's an extremely frustrating moment.

The percentage of writers I know, people who tend to sit a lot in front of a screen, typewriter or notebook, who have a chronic illness is much higher than all of the other artistic types I know--almost combined. Are writers prone to coming down with a chronic disease because of their more sedentary lifestyle or is it because of their illness that they spend more time reading and writing than those with a very active and healthier lifestyle? It would make for an interesting study.

I won't name names because many writers hide their disease (or attempt to) from the public, but many of my writing friends (and these are people who have sold many titles through major houses over the years) have issues writing, making it to conventions to meet fans, or even do daily routines such as bathing, making dinner, washing the dishes/laundry (but who really wants to do that?) due to illness.

Some have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), which doesn't sound like much. But when you are so exhausted that you can't lift your hands to type, or sit up for a long period because of aches, pains and simply being worn out, it's difficult to concentrate on writing.

Many have arthritis. Imagine trying to type with acute arthritis. Granted, their are programs that allow text to speech. Many aren't that accurate, it takes time to train the program, and if you aren't feeling well and even if it's a different time of day/night than when you trained the program, it doesn't always recognize the voice and is more trouble than it's worth sometimes. Some do a very good job, as is the case for author David Weber (Honor Harrington series). He is one author I will mention by name because he publicly tells people, such as an interview I conducted with him in front of a crowd, about an accident where he slipped on the ice and broke several bones in his hands and wrists. He uses a program and it does quite well for him.

Multiple Sclerosis and Muscular Dystrophy have affected some of my writing friends. Both diseases make it difficult to properly use the hands (and other body parts) properly.

Cancer, stroke and seizures take their toll on writers. Even writers who have survived and recovered somewhat from strokes and seizures have issues sometimes with remembering simple words (e.g. cup, pencil, book, etc.) much less more difficult words when they try to write or even try to speak in public. It becomes a form of aphasia.

Then there's Alzheimers, a scary disease for anyone, but especially for someone such as a writer. I'm paraphrasing, but when Terry Pratchett (Discworld series) was diagnosed, he basically said that one of the biggest issues was having a bad day and not remembering what he wrote the day before. When you have to spend your day going back and reading what you've written, it generally interferes with getting any writing done because the patient spends the day reading.

I have lupus, which is a wild and crazy illness. Every day is a field trip. With it I have several issues, including peripheral neuropathy and degenerative bone disease. Sitting, standing or laying in any position for any lengthy period of time is uncomfortable, if not downright painful and unbearable. There are days one or both hands are so swollen that I can't even find my knuckles. Or I can't get my feet into shoes because they swell and feel like I'm walking on broken shards of glass and thousands of needles. Or from the waist down I just wake up paralyzed and can't even get out of bed. And while I lay there, dozens of cool story or music ideas go through my head. It's frustrating not being able to get up and go create that idea where it's tangible. It's also frustrating not being able to get up to take meds or use the restroom. But it happens and there's nothing I can do about it until my lupus flareup subsides. It's just a part of life that I have to accept.

Plenty of the authors who have the conditions I previously mentioned, and some who have other issues I didn't bring up just to save space and not list every illness in the world, learn to just deal with it. It's frustrating and maddening. It can be the equivalent of one's creativity feeling trapped by one's own mind or body. That feeling can be worse than the pain at times and cause depression, which is another illness that affects many creative types.

So if you are a person with an illness:

Find friends you can speak to that actually understand what your problem may be, and not just someone who nods their head and truly has no experience with what you are dealing with.

Seek out alternative ways to express yourself and your creativity.

Learn ways to calm yourself and not stress, which is a big trigger for flareups with a lot of the illnesses.

Get plenty of rest and eat right.

If you sit a lot for your creative project, get up at least once an hour and stretch, move around do a little yoga or tai chi to help prevent blood clots, stiffness, cramps, etc. Sitting in one position for too long has been proven to be very detrimental.

Find things that make you happy, even if you can't work, be it nature, watching a movie or reading a book, listening to music, looking through old photos, playing a game.


Basically, keep your mind active on something besides your creativity and definitely to prevent getting down in the dumps about not feeling well and not getting things accomplished.

Did you know that you can help support a variety of causes such as those mentioned above with your purchase at Amazon. It's called AmazonSmile. It's definitely not much, but they donate .5% of your purchase to the cause. For my part, you can use the program to purchase my titles and anthologies I am in at my author page to help Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.

July 2017 Update

Here it is, July already, more than halfway through the year. I sit and await an answer on a YA novel I sent out. No matter how much I am aware that it takes a few weeks to a few months when sending to a big publisher, it still makes me antsy wondering if it's even gotten to their desk yet.

The same goes for a couple of stories that have gotten past the Slushpile, but still no final answer on whether they have been accepted it or not. Maybe it's the long hours at work and the heat making me impatient.

SoonerCon was fun. I am posting pictures to Facebook as I type this blog. I sold a few of the new books and developed a game plan with a couple of other authors for a Halloween project. I also was a part of some great panels, many of them very filled and accidentally went past the time limit and continued out the door of the panel rooms. People were interested in what we had to say, I suppose. I love it when they get so caught up that they keep asking questions instead of being bored and checking their watches in hopes that the time has passed and they can escape.

Yard Dog Press now has The Undead Ate My Head available for Kindle for only $4.99. And it's still available in perfect bound as well.

Meanwhile, a friend is working on converting Of Monsters & Madmen so it can be purchased as an eBook, too.

Of Monsters & Madmen and a few other books I am in are now available on my store. I think it's up and running. So everyone please rush over and purchase something to help me test it out. There are also T-Shirts available with art by David Martinez for the story "Devil's Den."

Back to writing.