Thom Erb's Blog

Writing Update!

HOUSTON and BEYOND!


Howdy folks! It's almost the end of May and my July 1st deadline Heaven, Hell or Houston is looming over my head and I'm almost there!
This will be my first book of 5 with the great folks over at PERMUTED PRESS. I am very excited to be working with them and I know that together, we will bring you on heck of a zombie tale, sure to please all you, shambling, flesh-hungry readers out there.

Here is my mock-up of the cover. It has nothing to do with Permuted or the final product. This was all just for fun.



It's been a fun experience and HOUSTON has been a true blast to write. It's my subtle ode to some of my heroes like, Joe. R. Lansdale, Elmore Leonard, Joe McKinney and Jonathan Maberry. I did my damnedest to do those fellas proud. 
To give you all a head's up, this book is part of my ETERNAL FLAME trilogy. While it's a stand-alone story, it takes place the same day, year as the trilogy and has several ties to the other books to be published in the future.
So, with HOUSTON almost a wrap, I've been working on the collection of vignettes. PRELUDE to the Apocalypse, that will come out between HOUSTON and the first book in the ETERNAL FLAME trilogy, The LAST in LINE.It will give you a deep insight into the Sanctity Virus, the evil force behind it and the colorful main players in the trilogy.
There are many things going on here at Hell's 1/2 Acre, keeping me very busy. But, that's a good thing...idle hands and all.

So, that's where things stand at the moment. If you haven't signed up for my newsletter yet, please do so, it's on the home page to the RIGHT  Stay up to date on All things Erb and you never know what kind of fun and groovy giveaways I'll be throwing out there.

I shall post another update in June and this will be me, rockin' the keys.


Be safe my friends and enjoy the start of summer!


-Thom

THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE IS UPON US! STAY TUNED!!!

PLEASE BE PATIENT! Some pages are working just groovy, but please ignore any "mishaps." The crew is working night and, some days to get things perfect!!!!
COME BACK SOON, and OFTEN!!!

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: PERMUTED PRESS GETS SOME ERBAL ZOMBIE MOJO!!!

I'm very excited and proud to announce that I have signed a deal with the incredible apocalyptic, zombies and beyond publisher, 



What that means is, you will be getting my retro-weird western zombie tale,

HEAVEN, HELL, OR HOUSTON! in 2015!



(NOTE:  all book covers are mock ups I created for the fun of it and will be replaced by some major kick ass cover art by Permuted Press when the books are released.)





But wait...there's more! The gory, zombie goodness doesn't end there. my friends.  No!
A short story introduction into my retro-zombie apocalypse universe will be published as we


*Again, just my own design, mock up. NOT the official cover.
PRELUDE TO THE APOCALYPSE - An ETERNAL FLAME tale will prime you for the release of the full THE ETERNAL FLAME TRILOGY!

My zombie novel THE LAST IN LINE- The Eternal Flame Trilogy- Book One, will be crawling from the cold earth and into your hands.



*Again, just my own design, mock up. NOT the official cover.


Along with the follow up novels:

Heaven and Hell- 
The Eternal Flame Trilogy- Book Two.

To Hell with the Devil-
                      The Eternal Flame Trilogy- Book Three.


I am supremely honored to be working with the great folks at PERMUTED PRESS and I am even more excited to be sharing my zombie tales with you all!.

Stay tuned for future updates and learn when HEAVEN, HELL, OR HOUSTON will be hitting the shelves.

Until then...

Head on over to PERMUTED PRESS and check out all the amazing books they're publishing for all of us end-of-the world nuts!!!!

http://permutedpress.com/

Get along for the ride my friends.  The end is just the beginning!  


-TAE

WINTER SMINTER...TIME TO SPRING AHEAD!!!

Do you have the winter blues as bad as I do? Well, my friends.  







Exciting news is coming soon!!!

2014 IS THE YEAR OF THE NOVEL- SNOW BLACK- A MONSTER NOVEL.

HAPPY 2014 FOLKS!!!!
I'm focusing on this novel will all of my creative energy and have a deadline of April 7th.  Do you think I can make it happen friends?  Yeah, I knew you did.

Here's a mock-up cover I made for it.  This is something I do for all my projects.  It helps to get the Muse in the chair next to me and shouting commands.  





Once the first draft is completed, I will send it off to my amazing beta-readers and then, a second and final draft.
I will then shop it around to agents.  Yup, I'm going big in the new year.  No other way to play.
Stay tuned my friends.
TAE

A VERY MERRY ERBAL CHRISTMAS TO Y'ALL!!!

BE SAFE, BE MERRY AND HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!!!

SPENCER WEAVER GETS REBOOTED IN FRESH FEAR ANTHOLOGY! SHOCKING!!!

I'm very electrified to announce that my anti-bullying/teenage angst, mixed with technology gone wrong short story "SPENCER WEAVER GETS REBOOTED",  is among the out of this world stories in a brand new anthology from James Ward Kirk Publishing.



Edited and put together by the multi-talented, William Cook, the table of contents of the collection will knock your socks off!!!
Here's the official rap, check it out:
FRESH FEAR: Contem­porary Horror  is a collection of horror from some of the genre's best writers of dark fiction. This collection has no central theme other than the stories' ability to scare the hell out of the reader! Tales steeped in psychological horror sit alongside visions of strange worlds and inner landscapes drenched in blood. 'Quiet horror' sits comfortably next to more visceral portrayals of the monsters that lurk deep within the human heart. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, famously once said, "where there is no imagination there is no horror" - the horror expressed by the authors in Fresh Fear show that imagination is indeed tantamount to excellent story-telling. Prepare yourself for 28 tales of terror-inducing fiction that will have you checking the locks on every door and window of your abode!
 
·         Scathe meic Beorh 
·         Ramsey Campbell 
·         Lily Childs   
·         Lincoln Crisler   
·         Jack Dann   
·         Robert Dunbar   
·         Thomas A. Erb   
·         Brandon Ford   
·         Carole Gill   
·         Lindsey Beth Goddard   
·         J. F. Gonzalez   
·         Dane Hatchell   
·         E. A. Irwin   
·         Charlee Jacob   
·         K. Trap Jones   
·         Tim Jones   
·         Vada Katherine   
·         Roy C. Booth and Axel Kohagen   
·         Shane McKenzie   
·         Shaun Meeks   
·         Adam Millard   
·         Christine Morgan   
·         Billie Sue Mosiman   
·         D.F. Noble   
·         Chantal Noordeloos   
·         W. H. Pugmire   
·         William Todd Rose   
·         Anna Taborska
 
Fresh Fear  is an eclectic collection of the very best horror fiction from across the world. Dare you to read it! Switch the phone off, make yourself comfortable, and prepare for a trip to the darkest depths and most shadowed recesses of the human imagination.
 
I'm truly honored to be part of this fun anthology and to share pages with the other great writers.
You can download a KINDLE copy here:
http://www.amazon.com/Fresh-Fear-Contemporary-Ramsey-Campbell-ebook/dp/B00GMRDRU0/ref=la_B003PA513I_1_16?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1384562128&sr=1-16

ANTHOCON 2013- Reflections, Rock n Roll and the Introvert Demon Cometh!

ANTHOCON 2013 has come and gone, but it's strong impression remains.




It blows my mind that a year past as quickly as it did and now, the con is over and I'm sitting in my office writing this, while listening to the furnace kick on and the wind lightly whipping against the window.

Man, time doesn't fly, it teleports.

I'm going to be echoing exactly what everyone else who has attended last weekend's con, by saying that is was/is one of the best conventions evah!

The Four Horsemen: Tim Deal, Mark Wholley, Zjohnny Morse and the one and only Danny Evarts. They were once again masters at putting on a spectacular gathering that's well worth the seven hour drive from our backwoods home in upstate New York.

You guys ROCK beyond compare!!!

Anthocon has become not only great opportunity for me as a writer/artist to share my work and expand my platform, but also a family reunion.

I used to attend conventions alone. Michelle(Shelly) my wife, had little interest in the lame, boring worlds of conventions and especially writers cons  That was until she came along with me to Context in Ohio. There, she met the amazing guys from SHROUD and the other groovy folks that notoriously attended the infamous SHROUD PARTY.

They/we are all now great friends and we would never miss an ANTHOCON.  And I would be remiss if I didn't say say that it was Tim, Mark, Zjohnny and Danny who were instrumental in my writing career. (more on that later.)

It's really tough to encapsulate all four days into one blog. Some folks get bored quick (I blame technology, cell phones, the Internet, microwaves... oh get off my lawn!)

So, I'm going to share short, snippets of my memories and thoughts of ANTHOCON 2013.

I sat on two truly fun panels this year.

OVERALL VIBE:
 While I haven't attend the mother of all cons, I've been to my fair share and by far, AnthoCon really has a down to earth, yet professional vibe.  It was great to see so many old friends and equally groovy to make some new ones. (more on this later.)

The Four Horsemen seemed to have all the kinks worked out and this year ran like clockwork. There was plenty of things to do: panels and readings to attend. Incredibly cool art demonstrations, along with the kick ass art show.  We have some truly talented folks attending this con. (I vow to submit some of my art for next year!)

Friday and Saturday night offered great food to prep the con-goers for the evening of drinking and talking and laughter.  Mucho cool in the Erbman's book. You can never have enough friends and laughter.

The dealer room was full and the flow was pretty steady.  Always a good thing for a vendor or author hawking their wares.

Bottom line:  The vibe was immensely laid back but inspiring and conducive to both creators and readers alike.


PANELS:
   The panels are always strong and fun to attend and be part of.
   I was on two panels this year.
   There used to be a Moon: Exploring the Apocalypse in Fiction:   It was a great panel with an uber interactive crowd, which makes being on such a panel so damn fun and informative.
   A big shout out to Scott C. Carr for kicking mucho arse as moderator and conduit of groovy ideas. Another great Scott (see what I did there?)  Scott Goudsward and Trevor Firetog.
Great panel, great topic and great crowd!

 The other panel was The Convergence of Writing and Art in Video Games, RPGs and more.
   This was a fun panel on few levels.  First, it was an honor to share the panel with Nate Kenyon and Steven C. Gilberts, Scott. C. Carr and the Evil Moderator, Charles Day.
   The topic mixed a few of my biggest passions:  Art, writing and RPGs.  Thought provoking and inspiring at the future all of those genres have.

 I did manage to attend a couple panels and they rocked. Sadly, there's never enough time to catch all the events going on.  But I sure try.


READING:
 I had my second ever reading experience on Saturday and truly loved it.  I read along with fellow friends and authors: Charles Day and Scott C. Carr.  Great bunch of dudes.

 I read a snippet from my novella, TONES of HOME.  I felt it went well. The crowd seemed to dig it.  I look forward to my next chance to do a reading.

Scott and Charles both rocked their readings and I will be hunting their books down for sure.

A big shout out to Kevin Lucia who did one hell of a job orchestrating all of the cons readings.  It must have been a huge struggle, but you nailed it my friend.  Well done.


ANTHOJAM

Man...I cannot find the words that can truly express my feelings of joy and love for the AnthoJam.
I will admit I was a bit worried about jamming with folks (Besides TG Arsenault) I've never jammed with before on some songs I've never jammed before.

I was wrong.  It freaking rocked!!!!!  I forgot what is was like to play for folks and just how happy it made me to see them smile and get up and boogie.  It was a "Hell yeah, that's WHY I do it!"

Huge Erbal hugs out to Zjohnny Morse, Marianne Halberts, TG Arsenault, Frank Raymond Michaels, Scott Christian Carr, G. Elmer Munson.  You guys were rockin' the free world and much more!

Until next year!!!!!

PEOPLE:
I'm going to jot down a list of folks in no particular order because you all rock equally! (if I forget anyone, forgive me. Too little sleep and too much Sam Adams will do that!)

The 4-Horsemen.
Shelly Erb-  You make the con experience so much better!
Scott C. Carr
Charles Day
Tim TG Arsenault (who was kind enough to let me chill at his table and sell some books.)
Tony Tremblay. You're an amazing guy, I wished I'd gotten to know sooner.
Andrew Wolter
Jim Kavanaugh-  Sir, you just rock the hell out! Thanks for attending the reading and picking up TONES.  I hope you dig it.
David Bernstein- Great to chat with you and thanks so much for picking up TONES. Let me know what you think.  Cannot wait to get a copy of your work. (let's not wait another year to chat.)
Sandy Shelonchik- You're awesome. 'Nuff said.
Meghan Arcuri-Moran-  Great to see you again!
Catherine Mata- Always nifty to meet fellow Rochester area folks. Hope to be working with Twin Star Media in the near future.
Mandy DeGeit- So great to see ya doing so great!
Ron Dickie- What can I say about the Dickie.  Love hanging with ya sir.
Susan Scofield-  Good to see ya, even in the fleeting moments that are conventions.

There are tons of great folks and I could go on and on but just know you all kick moby ass.


Final Thoughts:   AnthoCon will continue to be a con Shelly and I will always attend as along as the 4-Horsemen put it on. Friends, family and writing, and now jamming....Yeah, Thom's good.

See you next year!

DISCLAIMER:  Below I'll be delving into some deep and personal thoughts and feelings on conventions and my own demons and such fun.  Just letting you know.   Read on knowing that you've been warned.

I promise this will be short. I feel a bit strange writing such personal information but after a bit of reflection, I feel that it truly belongs with my thoughts and feelings about attending a convention.

While I know many writers and creative-types are notorious introverts and shadow hogs, and I hate to be so cliche, but as I always say (much to many close to me,chagrin) It is what it is.

I've never been a big fan of large crowds or situations where the attention is on me. I watched this past weekend and was jealous and amazed at how many fellow writers excel in both scenarios.

I wish I could. I try and no matter what, I always fall short.
After last year, I told myself at the next AnthoCon, I would be more outgoing and step out in front of my table and shake hands and introduce myself and spread the Erbal Word.
Yay!  
No.... I didn't happen.
AnthoCon is the best place for me to step outside my comfort zone and despite my best efforts, I fell back into my old comfort zone and bad, shy habits.

I'm writing this for a few reasons. One, Shelly, (my wife) tells me that my face tells all and that I seem to always have a perma-scowl. Even when I try hard not to do so, I do.

I am not an angry, brooding, jerk, honest.  lol  If you got to know me, I'd be just the exact opposite. So I struggle with the marketing side of my writing career and there were so many great writers/people I wanted to talk to this past weekend.  It's tough and something I've always dealt with and hopefully, next year this demon will be slain.

And, we will share a book, a chat and a drink.

This has been a PSA from your friendly neighborhood Erbman.

Thanks for reading!

TAE

Tones for your ears!

TONES OF HOME is now available in AUDIOBOOK!!!!



I know the world is careening at breakneck speeds these days and finding time to sit down and read a good book is becoming more and more difficult. (You really should treat yourself to the well-deserved respite from the hustle & bustle. Take it from your Uncle Erbie.)

With that thought in mind, I am supremely excited and proud to announce the audio book release of my bloody, and visceral story for your listening pleasure.

Head on over to the following online stores and download a bit of Erbal magic.

Audible.com: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Tones-of-Home-Audiobook/B00FYWQ63O/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1382383065&sr=1-2

 iTunes


You can also pick up the old school paper back or groovy Kindle/eBook right here:

http://www.amazon.com/Tones-Home-Thomas-Erb/dp/0957648006/ref=la_B0049D761A_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1382382976&sr=1-1


Go on over and snag a copy.  It's a perfect read for your Halloween season.

Enjoy, my friends!

THANK YOU!!!

THANK YOU , MEMBERS OF THE ERBAL EMPIRE!!!


Hey my Erbal friends!


After my last, pretty deep and heavy blog post, I decided that I'd take a breath and just do something pretty quick and as equally as sincere. Many tangled thoughts have been brewing and wrestling around my rushing mind and I finally had to step away from the whole “writing, revising, and business” thing for a minute.


I think it's pretty easy to get so bogged down in the mire and pressure of “selling the big novel” or “getting and agent” that we sometimes lose focus on what we are trying to do.


That is, to tell a really tight, cool story. All the other extraneous crap will figure itself out.


I know you can't tell with all the gray that's infested by goatee but I am a mere babe-in-the-woods in the publishing world- just trying to find my own way. And I'm way good with that. But, sometimes, it gets a bit overwhelming. (maybe it has something to do with that last birthday I had and all the gray I mentioned. ) So, instead, I'm trying hard to not focus every second on all those “up-top” things. I'm just going to keep writing stories I'd love to read and I hop you crazy kids will tag along with me as I go.


After inspiring conversations with some really close and inspiring colleagues/friends, I've decided to put my zombie novel on the shelf. Now, I am throwing myself deeply into my middle/grade/YA novel and I'm really loving being back in the lakeside resort town of Shoalewater Cove.


I just wanted to take a moment out to sincerely thank each and every one of you who has taken the time out to support me in my/our adventure. Whether you've purchased one of my books, read my stories and passed it on, or just popped by my Facebook author page, main FB page or this website and clicked on like.


A humongous ERBAL THANK YOU to you ALL! I read every post, review and comment, so please keep them coming.


Hell, I'll be honest with ya, since it's just us, hanging here. In those dark moments that every creative person has, a simple note on Amazon or FB saying that you liked my story can chase all those foul demons of self-doubt scurrying into the shadows where they belong.


THANK YOU and PLEASE KEEP READING!!!!




-TAE