Lee Thompson's Blog, page 23
March 19, 2012
Business cards and other things
Neat. My brother-in-law Dale made me some cool business cards for writing! I'll use them at book fairs, conventions, when talking to staff at the local Barnes and Noble, and when traveling, wherever "What do you do for a living?" comes up. Thanks, Dale!
And Douglas E. Wright sent me this cool link to a video that's awesome and you should watch it.
The first four chapters of my serial novel COLLECTED SONGS OF SONNELION are up on my publisher's website, with the fifth chapter going live this Friday. Feel free to leave feedback and spread the word if you know anybody who enjoys dark fiction hot off a writer's brain.
And my publisher was recently interviewed on The Crow's Caw. Very good stuff!
Tons of wonderful things going on. It's beautiful weather, rich with sunshine. I hope everybody is well!
March 16, 2012
Chapter 4 and Press Release for Live Event
This is a fun song to write to.
All right, the fourth chapter of COLLECTED SONGS OF SONNELION is going live today on my publisher's website. Give it a read, leave me some feedback, check out Delirium's novella club, go buy your wife flowers, give your kid a hug and listen to them, etc. As always, a huge thanks to my readers Shaun Ryan, Kevin Wallis, and Jen. And again to my publisher for putting so much faith in me and my work.
I also got the press release for my live event on Delirium/Darkfuse's website. I'm super pumped about it since it'll be my first time and I appreciate any who can spread the word and hope to see some of you there! Some of you are editors who have encouraged and helped me, some are writers who have been there and shared the struggle, some of you are readers and the reason I write, but we're all in the same boat. We all love stories.
So check it out and spread the word! A big thanks to those who have already shared: K. E. Bergdoll, Peter Schwotzer, Jennifer @ Book Den, Douglas E. Wright, Dave Thomas, Dark Eva, Gregory Fisher, Jim Mcleod, Rich Gott, Amy Grech, Scott Tyson, and Scary Ass Books! Plus anybody I'm not aware of who shared!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: DELIRIUM TO HOST LIVE ONLINE EVENT WITH AUTHOR LEE THOMPSON ON THURSDAY, MARCH 29 AT 9 P.M.
NORTH WEBSTER, INDIANA – DarkFuse Publications will be hosting a live online event with author Lee Thompson on Thursday, March 29 from 9 to 10 p.m. The event is open to the public and participants will be entered to win a one-year subscription to the Delirium Kindle Book Club—24 novellas total—as well as signed limited edition hardcover copies of Lee's novella IRON BUTTERFLIES RUST.
Lee will be answering questions from readers and discussing his influences, creative process, future projects, and his Division mythos.
About the author: Lee Thompson started selling work in early 2010. His novels NURSERY RHYMES 4 DEAD CHILDREN and THE DAMPNESS OF MOURNING, along with his novellas IRON BUTTERFLIES RUST and DOWN HERE IN THE DARK have all been published by Delirium Books. His free serial web novel COLLECTED SONGS OF SONNELION is currently being published in a weekly format.
You can find his short stories in Dark Discoveries, Sideshow Press, Shock Totem, Apex's Zombie Feed anthology, Tasmaniac Publications, and other neat places. He's worked a lot, sweated a lot, and continues to take up space the best he can. He interacts with his readers at his website.
About the publisher: Delirium Books is one of the leading specialty presses in the horror genre. Operating in the Midwest (Northern Indiana), Delirium Books has quickly gained the reputation of bringing to print and eBook formats the best new voices in horror fiction, including bestselling author Brian Keene. Delirium has also published established genre authors such as Brian Lumley, Greg F. Gifune, Douglas Clegg, Ramsey Campbell and Jack Ketchum.
Visit the official Delirium Books site.
Contact:
Dave Thomas
Online Marketing Director
DarkFuse Publications
Email: dave_thomas@darkfuse.com
Website: www.darkfuse.com
March 13, 2012
A Couple of Events
Rocking out here, and hope everybody is doing well. Just had a few things you should check out before the Hoodoo gets inside ya.
Join us on Goodreads June 1st-5th for the release of Tom Piccirilli's THE LAST KIND WORDS.
And join me March 29th from 9-10pm EST on Darkfuse's website for a live interview. I'll be taking questions, share things about the Division Mythos, plus my publisher is doing a great giveaway you don't want to miss!
Recent reads:
Grendel by John Gardner (Thanks, Rook! It is an awesome, funny and sad story.)
Only Child by Jack Ketchum (Brutal. Plus I'll have an interview on here with him soon as I get the photos from his publicist.)
Currently reading:
Handcopying Jack Cady's The Well to learn some more. About fifty pages in.
Brian Hodge's Falling Idols. About 80% done. Terrific collection.
Speaking of Hodge, go check this. He always has amazing insights for a writer to add to their arsenal.
And the first three chapters of "Collected Songs of Sonnelion" are up on Darkfuse. Chapter four will be up on Friday! Go spread the love. 
March 9, 2012
Chapter 3: Collected Songs of Sonnelion
The third chapter of my serial novel COLLECTED SONGS OF SONNELION is live on Darkfuse. Go read it, tell your friends, come back next Friday for some more! 
K.E. Bergdoll has done a great review of John Mantooth's Shoebox Train Wreck. Very neat. I'm looking forward to this collection! After you read the above chapter of Sonnelion, make sure you check it out.
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March 8, 2012
Five Things a Day to Help Your Writing Career
Quality over quantity and all that, but if you can knock out five things a day from this list (you can, I usually accomplish at least a dozen every day), you'll build momentum and always have more to follow-up on.
Success begets success, it's true, and it's based on a solid plan and hard, consistent work.
Print this list. Pick five things you want to do for yourself everyday. Then go do them. Simple.
1. Read…
Novels, novellas, short stories, poems, essays, poetry, articles. Just as long as it's something you love, that inspires you, makes you feel, makes you think.
2. Write…
Same as with reading… write what moves you, what you love, what you hate, write about characters that inspire you and scenes that make you feel alive, as if every second you get on Earth is precious.
3. Edit…
Hit big items first (overall story arc, character motivation, fact checking, etc), then hit the little stuff (spelling, grammar, syntax, etc).
4. Critique…
Helping somebody else is fun and a good way to learn.
5. Handcopy a favorite writer to learn more…
It's slow going, but that's the point. And it's well worth your time.
6. Research for your current project…
Just so you don't look lazy or stupid and can take more pride in the finished product, plus learn something in the process.
7. Thank someone…
There are always people we can thank. And those who have helped you like to hear it, just like you.
8. Send fan mail to the author of a book you just finished and loved…
You just got your money's worth, right? That's all a writer owes you. Let them know they did their job.
9. Query for interviews (you as interviewee)…
Interviews are fun and a good way to show who you are, what your work is all about, who your heroes are, what matters to you, and why you do this crazy gig.
10. Query for interviews (you as interviewer)…
I wouldn't suggest interviewing just anybody. Make it someone whose work has had a positive impact on your life, pick their brain, share it with the world.
11. Write a book review…
Wherever, on your blog, Goodreads, Amazon. Just be honest about what you liked and didn't like.
12. Let people in on what you're reading…
Goodreads is wonderful.
13. Share plans on your blog…
It's an opportunity to give other people ideas, have it out there in the world where people can hold you accountable.
14. Share news on your blog…
Your thirty-seven million tweets are gone in the blink of an eye.
15. Share pictures on your blog…
The last three are all a chance to share a part of yourself, your identity, your goals, your triumphs, who has helped you. Good times.
16. Send queries to authors you admire asking if they'd consider reading and blurbing your work…
I just recently started doing this because I felt like my pride was getting in my way. I wanted the work to stand on its own, but had the realization that no one will ever be aware of it if they're not aware of me. I don't want to short change my publisher. No. Being invisible is a bad thing. I want to give it my all all across the board. Better for everybody: my publisher, me, people who dig my work and have supported me.
17. Follow-up…
There are always a ton of things to follow-up on and following up is super important.
18. Touch base with your publisher…
Besides making sure you're on the same page with your career's direction, it's just fun as hell to chat with your publisher on the phone! You get to bounce ideas off of them, learn from them what they've learned the hard way, and speak to a professional who has both of your interests at heart (unless you were an author at Dorchester, from what I hear.)
19. Work on your promotion plan…
Cut out what doesn't work and double up on what does. I'm going through this now, making a chart of what works best for me and what doesn't. It wouldn't be the same for everybody. Discover what works for you, then direct your energy there.
20. Answer fan mail…
One of the most rewarding aspects of writing is hearing back from people. I mean, shit, we're doing it because we want to connect not because we expect to get rich. And hearing from some random stranger that you made their day better is bliss.
21. Work on the synopsis of your novel…
Yeah, that part sucks.
22. Read and approve a galley…
Oh! This part is a blast! I usually don't look at the story again until the publisher sends the galley, and normally I've written at least another couple books by then, so I get to read it nearly as a virgin reader. It's a very strange feeling, but wonderful.
23. Approve your book cover…
Another one of my favorite parts.
24. Work on jacket copy for your novel, novella or collection…
Meh. Like synopsis work, I don't find much fun in these, but they're useful I guess since they're a teaser to entice the reader to buy the book.
25. Brainstorm your next story…
Extremely fun. I look forward to this almost as much as the writing. It's like my pen touches paper and the whole story (character conflicts, pivotal moments, secrets, defeats) all jump out in vivid color.
26. Read your work aloud to practice for public readings…
This is something I'm going to incorporate more times each week. If you're like me and you're super confident about your writing but not your speaking voice, I'm guessing it's an essential part to practice. And hopefully we'll get better with practice.
27. Research conventions to see which are the best investment for you...
Meeting readers is awesome. Signing books for them, having them ask you questions, seeing them hand over their hard-earned money so you can go spend it on Scotch and prostitutes, it's all thrilling. Plus you can shake hands with your favorite writers and have them sign one of their books for you!
28. Live…
You're not going to ever be a great writer unless you allow yourself to live and feel. Emotions aren't a bad thing. They're part of being human. And they're the backbone of story, generated by conflict. Go live.
29. Write in your journal to discover experiences and emotions you can use in your fiction…
I do this pretty much every day. There are so many things from real life clinging to my work it's not funny. Kinda sad actually.
30. Take time to be still…
It's easy to get caught up in everything but I like to just relax, alone, even if it's only for a half hour before I start hitting the work again full force. It's important to give yourself a break and drop all the pressure and expectations that you and other people put on you. Go sit on your bed, eat ice cream, listen to the silence and your calm inner voice.
31. Deconstruct something you like…
I do it with old Twilight Zone episodes. I take notes on how characters and situations are introduced, what leads to the first doorway where things will never be the same again for the protagonist, the how, when, why, what leads to the second doorway and how the climax has grown organically from everything that came before it. It's a good way to learn structure, how to put skin on it, how to have more confidence in your own work.
32. Design your business cards…
My brother-in-law just made me some. Thanks Dale! Figure they'll be good to hand out at book fairs and conventions, to tuck away in copies of books by my favorite writers and slip in ladies bras at the bar.
33. Backup your work…
Good idea to do it every day, but at least every Sunday.
34. Meet with other writers…
At the library, over the phone, on Skype. To support, to be supported, to share ideas and keep that flame of passion burning.
35. Decide if you're a quitter and if you should be…
Some people aren't writers, they're something else just looking for a creative outlet. I was that way. I started playing music and writing songs and playing in Detroit but it wasn't my calling. I don't have stage presence in person. But when I stumbled into writing fiction I found I had stage presence on the page. I just had to learn then. Easy. Writing may be your calling. Or it might not be. If it's not, don't sweat it. Just keep searching for the way you can express yourself.
36. Follow Guidelines…
You want to be a professional, follow the guidelines when you submit.
37. Share something you learned…
That's what I just did. These things have helped me, especially doing at least five a day. We've only got so much time and energy. Invest it wisely.
March 5, 2012
My hero…
Tom Piccirilli just gave me a wonderful blurb! This guy has always been, and continues to be, an inspiration for me. Thanks a ton, Pic!
"Lee Thompson knows his horror-noir. He fuses both genres together in the turmoil of terror, tragedy, blood, guilt, and lost chances at redemption."–Tom Piccirilli, author of THE LAST KIND WORDS
Check out his upcoming release from Bantam while you're at it. Go see why Tom Piccirilli is one of the masters!
March 2, 2012
Remembering…
Working on this serial novel Collected Songs of Sonnelion for Darkfuse and I'm amazed at how many memories come rushing back from childhood. The good, the bad, the very bad. Found some old pictures at my mom's and realized that when I was little I didn't like to wear shirts very often. Haha.
I think all of those things (and stuff I'm not sharing with anybody) is the backbone of my Division mythos. I've seen division in families, friendships, jobs, myself, religion, everything. It's not chaos, its independence, which turns out to be pretty scary when at our roots we're all so selfish.
I remember how I used to have my brother shoot arrows at me so I could catch them when I was twelve-years-old. Pretty stupid, but I was good at it. It was only a thirty-pound compound bow though. Lol. When I was a kid anything was possible. I used to climb to the tops of trees and let go, trusting I could catch a branch near the bottom before I hit the ground. I was a little monkey.
I remember that first crush I had in the third grade, on Marti Lafonde, because she was hip and funny and cool.
I remember cruelty at home. Constantly hearing that I was fucking retarded, that I had no sense, that I dreamed too much and asked too many questions, and I remember starving a lot through childhood–for food, for attention, for love, for guidance.
And I remember some laughter. Some of it harsh, some good-natured.
I remember protecting weaker kids at school because bullies brought out the darkest parts of me. I enjoyed hurting them. I was very much Old Testament in principles. Haha.
I remember how I was barely a teen and my mom hurt herself. I had to drive her to the hospital and her car was a five speed. My brother and me were laughing and crying because it was exciting and scary as shit. My mom didn't think it was so exciting but she definitely thought it scary. But we survived.
I remember growing up at the end of this dead-end road in a little trailer that was much too cold in the harsh Michigan winters but a lot of fun in the summers. I remember the quicksand, the woods, the dark water of the swamp that seemed to stretch for miles behind our humble little home.
I remember riding my bike up to my grandpa's because he always had donuts and he painted and played guitar in this haunting hilly Virginia way.
I remember messing with snapping turtles and going hunting with my dad and getting bored and kicking down dead trees because I thought I was Bruce Lee. My dad got angry because I'd scared all the deer away and he held my head under water in the swamp until I couldn't breathe.
I just made that last part up.
Maybe.
I remember drowning once (my mom said I drowned twice but I must have blocked one of them out) and how helpless it felt. My brother said it scared him to death seeing me there, just thirteen, motionless and blue.
I remember the rock piles in the farmer's fields that we were supposed to stay away from because they had Michigan rattle snakes dens in there. And sometimes my uncles and grandpa would burn them out, which was kind of sad because the snakes didn't ever bother anybody.
I remember moving in with my uncle when I was seventeen, dropping out of school the first day of my senior year. He was only a few years older and got me a job with him as a logger. It was tough and honest work and I enjoyed the hell out of it. And I remember how he started a second job, bouncing at this strip club out in the middle of nowhere, and he'd take me in there with him before I was eighteen. My parents had never let me do much, but the world really opened up then, overloaded my senses with flesh and booze and drugs and the sheer cannibalistic nature of lost souls. Everybody was eating everybody for a few bucks, a quick orgasm, a fantasy they could take home and weave quietly into their normal lives. There was a small motel built onto the strip club, where we'd go with the dancers and some patrons after closing time. There were no rules. I was really just a kid still and it both disgusted and delighted me. I watched so many people use and lie. I felt like an alien there but for the most part it was a good experience and made me a very focused observer and an alcoholic.
I remember skipping school a lot and meeting a strange man in the woods who had a machete.
I remember being good at sports but never really caring to be part of any team.
I remember having to learn a lot of things the hard way. Fumbling that first kiss, mostly.
I remember being curious about everything and knowing I'd never have all the answers, and that frustrated me to no end.
I remember wanting to protect my little sister and my mom.
I remember a lot that feeds the fiction, planting kernels of truth in every other sentence, the misguided adventures and pain they brought, the glorious moments of honesty and warmth.
I remember my youth and sometimes I feel my age and weep for all the innocence and magic that have died.
Collected Songs of Sonnelion Chapter Two
The second chapter of my serial novel Collected Songs of Sonnelion is live on Darkfuse's website. Give it a read and feel free to share if you enjoy it.
You also have until 3/6 to check this out and win.
Thanks!
February 29, 2012
February 28, 2012
Free Tom Piccirilli novella
Tom Piccirilli's novella CLOWNS IN THE MOONLIGHT is free on Amazon (thanks to Charlene for pointing it out!). It also has some cool bonus material. Great way to sample his work and see why you should go buy some of it. He also critiqued my buddy Shaun's novel the last few days and man, oh man, did he do an awesome job.
In other news… sent the interview questions to Jack Ketchum! Really looking forward to his interview going live!
And I recently guest blogged on Katelyn Torrey's Tales of Books and Bands, sharing the joys of creating new worlds, info on the first book in the Division mythos, and we're giving away 10 Kindle copies. Super easy. Feel free to give it a read and leave a comment and share if you're capable.
So many good things going on that I'm trying to sort how to enjoy each one fully and independently.
Hope everybody is well!
