Thom Erb's Blog, page 4

Some ERBAL Summer Reading for You!!!

"THE UNFORTUNATE CASE OF CARLETON MEEKS"
My friends, I am very excited to announce that my short story (titled above) is in the latest issues of one of my favorite publications, SHROUD!  The Summer is the time to catch up on some great stories and SHROUD never fails to deliver the dark goods.
If you like a sad tale about a misguided young man lost in his own twisted world of false bravado and arrogance, only to be met with the appropriate karmic kick in the junk... this story is for you!!!
If you've never read an issue of this top notch publication and really appreciate high quality stories and product, well then, SHROUD is the magazine for you!
Those folks know what it takes to rock the horror and dark fiction world.  Please head on over now and pick up the latest issue with my nifty story in it.  Click the link to head on over:
http://www.shroudmagazine.com/shroud-magazine-issue-12-summe122012.html
As an important note, when I set out writing seriously, one of my writing goals was to be accepted into SHROUD magazine, so this marks a huge point in my career.  If you like my work, you will LOVE this story, and if you've never read a word of of my twisted thoughts.. first, what the hell is wrong with you?  LOL  Second,  it's time to join the ERBAL Revolution and "The Unfortunate Case of Carleton Meeks" is a pretty damn good start.
The issue is available for order NOW so get your booty on over to the SHROUD site and order a copy for yourself and another dozen for those you love.
I will also be having a contest in the future for all of my published works thus far so, stay tuned my good friends.
What are you still doing on my blog?  That's it for now... What's keeping you?  Click the link and go get yourself some dark Erb goodness!
Peace and positive vibes,
- Thomas A. Erb

Inspiration and Muse Division Now Hiring

HELP WANTED



The Erbal Revolution Coalition is currently hiring for its Inspiration and Muse Division.  We are manufacturer of dark ideas and a curator of deep imaginings. The Applicant must work full time, nights, weekends and all holidays. Overtime is mandatory and we will provide residence onsite.The ERC is an equal opportunity employer however, we reserve the right for immediate dismissal if you do not perform your duties and responsibilities to the extreme level we deem necessary for the corporations' success and progression.
Minimum Requirements:Twenty plus years of:Baby-sittingHandholdingBack pattingRejection ConsolingEgo-codlingIron will of reassurancePerfect attendance
The Applicant will be receiving the following benefits and compensation:Continual gratitudeLavish praise and showering of love and affectionDelicate and passionate attentionIrate and hasty admonishment if the said Applicant has not performed her duties as prescribed and will face harsh punishment.Snarky comments and nasty Facebook posts when the Applicant refuses to attend her shift.*The ERC has the right to Mulligan if the Applicant shows up late but provides superior service and angelic inspiration.Looking like ScarJo is a plus!

Please do not hesitate to send in your application and resume today!
Please send resume, beer recipes and references to:Musefood67@lastditchhope.com

As an early Christmas gift from your's Erbly, I am very e...

As an early Christmas gift from your's Erbly, I am very excited and honored to announce the table of contents for an anthology I am part of, available in early 2012!
Check out these amazing authors I am blessed to share pages with:

Cadence in Decay Anthology by Mansion House Books. 
  Table of Contents Ricochet by J.F. GonzalezWar of the Worlds Fever Dream by Weston OchseUnknown Caller by Michael WestCacophony by Adam P. LewisBreaking Up by Ramsey CampbellDead Cache by Mike OliveriPatience by Skip NovakWar Is Over by Gary BraunbeckDialing the Dead by James A. MooreCommunication Breakdown by Maurice BroaddusTerminal Point of Addiction by Ian R. FaulknerThe Christmas Caller by Jack KetchumSpencer Weaver Gets Rebooted by Thomas A. ErbTin Cans by Jeff StrandThe Talking Dead by Tim Waggoner
The link to the MHB Press Coming Soon: http://www.mhbpress.com/Coming_Soon_E7YV.html

ANTHOCON- 2011- Thoughts, reflections and thanks.

We pulled into Portsmouth feeling about half-passed dead…
Through the pouring rain and steely grey skies, a light appeared-- Shattering the clouds like a razor sharp katana through a rotted zombie's pus-filled head.We smiled as the light from the hotel stood out like a beacon saving us from the rain.Inside, we would find lodging; dry clothes and more amazing folks than you could shake an empty whisky bottle at.
            Anthology: Anthocon for short was our destination and we had arrived. And by the end of the long, but life changing five days, I truly felt that I had arrived. At least was well on my way.            I have been going to conventions of all kinds since I was a teen.  Back then, they were mostly comic book, Dungeons & Dragons (Role-playing), Science Fiction cons.  However, since I started my writing career almost five years ago, writing and horror conventions have been my usual haunts today.  And while I haven't been to tons of writer/horror cons, I will say hands down, that after this past weekend, ANTHOCON is the best by far.  And holy hell Batman, this was just their first year!  Can you imagine what the next five, 10 years will bring?  Pure unadulterated, awesomeness.  That's what!
            The Four Horsemen: Tim Deal, Danny Evarts, Mark Wholley and ZjOhnny Morse truly outdid themselves with this convention. From the minute you walked into the hotel conference area, these gentlemen were firing on all four cylinders.  Were there little things here and there, of course, even the "big" cons have issues. We are all human beings after all.             I purchased my first ever table and was extremely nervous and worried, but those guys went out of their way to make me feel (as well as Shelly, my wife/Publicist/Motivator/inspiration) like I/we were family.  Moreover, I am damn sure they did the same for every other single vendor/author/guest and attendee that came through those doors.  See, you are not just a number or dollar sign at ANTHCON.  No sir, you are a valued member of the Anthology family.  I have never felt like that at any other convention, whether it be a fiction or gaming con.
For me, the con started Thursday night and as I alluded to above, we drove through driving rain for the majority of the trip but we still made it in good time.            The night was spent with Danny Evarts, Scott Christian Carr, Will Prescott, Salena Bargsley, and some of our new favorite folks, Jackie and Dan Gamber.  Oh, and who the hell IS Dan Haggerty anyway?            I had my first scotch.  They say the stuff is high end and expensive.  All I know is that it kicked moby ass, the 12-year-old Jameson whiskey wasn't too shabby.             It was a relatively early night, as we all knew that the frivolity and shenanigans that were about to wreak havoc on our Anthocon buttocks.
            First day of the con and set up and registration were first on the list.  From my perspective, it went smooth and efficient.             One of the first writer pals I saw was one, Mr. Gord Rollo.  What a super guy and uber-talented writer.  Although, I will admit I was jealous, as he had an ice-cold beer in his hand.  Sonofa!!!!  No worries dear readers, this here Irish writer made right quick to remedy that unfortunate situation.
I found my table with my name on it and of course blushed and broke into my typical red Irish wide smile.  Shelly and I set up and spent thirty minutes getting the books, posters just right.  (Although, Dan Gamber would come along later and tell us were doing it all wrong. LOL)             As the dealer room opened, I sat there, behind my table, flooded with a sea of emotions. I was nervous, excited, freaked, beyond happy.  I sat and reflected, as I did a lot over the next three days, just how far I'd come as a writer and even more importantly, how far I needed to go.  But I dig that.  I will never "make it".  I don't want to ever be complacent.  My work, much like me as a person, is very much a work-in-progress.  Art doesn't have a destination.  You never "arrive".  You write a story, edit it, submit it, some get published some don't. Then you start the process over again, all the while, honing your craft with each project.  I have been extremely lucky in that I have found some great mentors and amazing writer/editor friends that have been kind enough to share their advice with me and point me in the right direction.  When my first novel is published, I have a list of all of those heaven-sent folks that I owe it all too. But for now, I will say that ANTHOCON was a yard marker for me.  Let me tell you how.            As I've already stated, I had my first author's table.  I sold my work and actually was asked to sign them. That moved me deeply. I had the chance to meet some amazingly friendly folks and some of my writing heroes.  I also learned many things about myself, not only as a writer, but also as a professional.  Here is lesson one folks: Know how to handle yourself with readers, other writers and publishers.  Do not ever bash, berate or put down other writers or publishers.  Not only is that bad karma my friends, it's also going to eventually bite your ass off. I also learned more about how to sell your work as well as yourself. (Mucho thanks to Dan Gamber on that one. The man is good.) All of those experience taught will be constant companions as I continued down the path of my writing career.
            I sat on my first panel and that was an inspirational experience as well.  The topic was on "The Importance of Art in Fiction" in the publishing industry.  As I have a Master's degree in art education and started out the first thirty plus years of my life wanting to be a comic book artist.  The other panelists were all fantastically talented guys: Michael Bailey, Joshua Andrew Belanger, Morbideus Goodell, Ogmios, Trevor Schubert and publisher Ian R. Strock.  Danny Evarts, who did a bang up job and is a supremely talented dude in his own right, moderated it.            I learned so much from that panel and I want to thank the artists for sharing their experiences with me.  As well, a thank you goes out to the audiences who attended and really seem to be into all of us blathering artist types. 
            The parties, both nights were off the flipping charts.  The Hiram Grange awards are a must see and sadly since a certain, Gregory Hall wasn't in attendance, the Big Boy Dance off did not happen.  Maybe, just maybe, if we can manage to get Greg up there next year, I might jump into the dance off.  Many factors will go into bringing me out of retirement, but I will at least say it's on the table.
            One of the highlights was to have finally met Jonathan Maberry in person. We had several impactful conversations, and will never forget them.  He is probably the most genuine, kind guy you'd ever want to meet.  A true inspiration on the writing, professional and person front indeed.  Let's hope some of his wisdom seeps into this thick skull.  I think I will do all right.
                       Late night parties happen at Con.  I accept this fact and embrace them. And at ANTHOCON, there were three nights in a row of astronomically, mind blowing bashes.            I will not divulge any of the zany activities that transpired at said parties, as I have signed a non-discloser agreement.  (However, if you see me at the next con and slip me a Jameson, I just might "slip" up.)                       I was going to do a blow-by-blow account of the con but that just didn't fit the vibe of the whole weekend.  It was the best time I have had in a very long time.            I had the chance to spend some quality time with old friends and made new ones that really, truly get who I am and what I am trying to do.  I will always be grateful to you all!!!  Much Love Gang. Huge Erbal hug goes out to the following terrific folks: (if your name isn't on here, I'm sorry. It wasn't on purpose and feel free to add your name at the bottom!)
-          Tim Deal-          Danny Evarts-          Mark Wholley-          Sheldon & Linda Higdon-          Jackie and Dan Gamber-          Scott Christian Carr-          Will Prescott-          Gord Rollo-          James Roy Daley-          Jonathan Maberry-          Andrew Wolter-          Michael Boatman-          Brian Keene-          Kevin Lucia-          Susan Scofield-          Jaasen Bailey-          Salena Bargsley-          Charles Day-          Victorya Chase-          (Fill in your name here.)

I have to thank Shelly for everything. She has been a rock for me, has supported, and pushed me and I can never thank her enough.  Now that my writing family has embraced her, my life is pretty damned golden. Thank you gang.  Thanks the 4 Horsemen, and all.We will see you next year. I aim to be bringing more Erbal Mojo with me next time and will take ANTHOCON to the next level and beyond.To the folks that didn't attend, GET YOUR BEHINDS HERE NEXT YEAR!  THIS IS GOING TO BE THEE CON TO ATTEND!!!
Have a great year all and let's stay in touch.I have writing to do so don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!
 Much love,-          TAE

Happy Haloween and N-stands for November and New Novel!

Happy Halloween all your little witches, pirates and zombies out there!  For all of us lovers of all things scary, dark and creepy crawly, this is our favorite time of year. So please be careful out there when out pandering for your sugar high on this fine, crisp all hallows eve.  Let's hope a little scare comes into your life and helps you to appreciate being alive.I could spot on and on about the amazing holiday but I have bigger bats to fry with this month's blog.  Yes my old friends both old and new.  I have some updates to share and a new novel to announce. So, grab a handful of candy corn and a cold Jolt cola and let me fill your jack-o-lantern trick or treat bag full of Erbal goodness.Death, Be Not Proud- a Zombie Anthology, that I had the delight to put together and edit for Dullahan Press/Dark Quest Books is out and available on Amazon and is THEE perfect (late) gift for Halloween or hey, Christmas is right around the corner.My latest segment of Shamblin' & Ramblin' is now up and ready for your zombie-lovin' perusal.  Check it out.I have submitted my short story, "The Cleansing" and hopefully the god's will be smiling on me and it will be part of the "Vampires don't sparkle" anthology coming out early next year.  I really dig this satirical, yet bloody tale of my true feelings on the slow decline and destruction of the true vampire mythos.  I will keep you all posted on the status of this story.
I am putting the final edits on a zombie short story I will be submitting to redneck zombie anthology coming out next year.  I will fill you all in on this project as it is completed and I decide on a title.  I've been having trouble nailing down a fitting title and that is very rare for me.  So stay tuned.
"The Last in Line" zombie novel is about to get an immense face-lift.  I am working closely with renowned editor Louise Bohmer I really love where the novel is headed and sincerely believe it will make all the difference in the world to making my first novel a really good one and one that will be picked up by and agent.
The big and exciting news is:November is the national novel writing month and that's just what I am planning on doing starting on the first.Here is a taste of what I am so excited about starting:

"One Last Job- A Miles Mazursky Novel"
OLJ is the first in a series of fast-paced action, thriller, and supernatural novels.  It's protagonist is Miles Mazursky, an aging, alcoholic assassin who is close to reaching his retirement goal for his bank account balance.  He only needs one last job to tip off the account so he can disappear to a secluded Caribbean Island and slip away to read his books, maybe even write one and where he can drink the demons from his past away This last job was supposed to be a simple, in and out affair and offered him an astronomical amount of cash for do accept it.  He couldn't turn it down.  And that's when things went sideways.
The hits was put on a young girl.  And Mile's has strict rules on killing people.   And not killing children is number one on the list.
Can sullen Marine Sniper overcome the demons of his past as well as the outside world's evil to save a very special young girl from certain death at the hands of the vile world of corporate greed and power-hungry medical, pharmaceutical corp-ocracies?And in the end, saving himself?I will keep the updates coming on the new novel and hope you all will really, really want to read it when it's completed.Thanks again for all the support and hope you have a great November!
-TAE

DEATH, BE NOT PROUD IS NOW AVAILABLE!!!!!

Check out the Official Book Trailer!!!!

I am very proud to announce the release of Death, Be Not Proud- A Zombie Anthology It's a dark collection of undead fiction featuring undead tales byGord RolloJoseph MulakJoe McKinneyGregory HallLucy SnyderRick HautalaSteven ShrewsburyScott Christian CarrDavid DunwoodySheldon HigdonSkip NovakDave BrockieJonathan Maberry
The walking dead challenge the Grim Reaper with every staggering step they take out the grave.Their reeking existence mocks and defies the master of the underworld and scoffs at his very existence.
Even the cold grasp of the grave cannot deny the undead of their taste for flesh and hatred for the living.In this collection of you will find tales that are dark, gory and satirical. They examine flesh-eating zombies from a fresh and sometimes humane perspective whole never losing their horrific instinctual undead nature.Their need to feed!Dark Quest Books is proud to announce the release of their first zombie anthology!Edited by Thomas A. Erb Is available now through:











I had an amazing time editing this great collection. I've been a lover of all things zombies and undead for many, many years and to have the great fortunate to work with some of my favorite writers was a great opportunity and an invaluable experience I'll value for a very long time.
So if you are into zombies you must head over to one of the above sites and order a copy or maybe two or five today!
I will be writing another blog where I will share my thoughts of being a first-time editor and of my experience of putting such a challenging project together.
You can also read more about DBNP on my Facebook Author page, my Zombie Feed column, "Shamblin' & Ramblin'.
This killer anthology is now available and waiting on your to bring it home today!Go on...do it.  It's a perfect gift for the Halloween season!

South Bound, Baby! (Well, only by 100 yards)

 I've been working on moving the writing/ digital portion of The Studio into a spare bedroom in our house for the winter and it's coming along nicely.It started a while back when I decided the old room needed to be gussied up so that my prickly Muse wouldn't blow me off until the Lilacs come back with their amazing colors and scent. So, my wife (who looks for any reason to repaint anything in the house) asks, with an anxious smile and wide eye, "So, what color?"Why, orange of course!" I replied with a nod.  After all it and green are my two favorite hues and good ol' green wood have made me write stories about deep jungles or ornery leprechauns. Oh, wait…that's a different story all together. ;o)So orange it was and off we ran to the local Big-Brother Super store.  Came home, popped the top and got to painting.See, now this is where most folks would go on about how hard they worked and what a pain in the tuchus it was but truth be told, Shelly did the painting.  And hey, who am I to stop her? I, hate painting walls and such and for some odd reason, that I haven't been able to figure out or glean from the source, LOOOOVES to paint.  She did a great job, as always.Now I have orange walls. 



Then came the bookshelves.  Oh how I love bookshelves and the promise of things to fill them with. I know damn well you're with me on the book thing.  Don't deny it. We all need a support group for a book addiction.
          The Studio South is all set up and ready for my Muse and me.  I even have a chair (it belonged to my Mother, who was a muse in her own right) for her to rest her impetuous arse in and do her job.  I have big things doing this fall, winter, and need all the magic she can muster.  I've been blessed so far, so let's hope she stays in a giving mood.

I figured I'd share some photos of my seasonal works space.  I dig it, thought you might too.I will be blogging more over the next few months and will update my works in progress.So, enjoy the rest of your summer folks and hope you dig the pics of THE Studio South.

The Horror Galore Contest!

Thomas A. Erb & Ty Schwamberger are proud to bring you the "Horror Galore" Contest!  There are three prize levels for this one, as detailed below.
1st Place
Adrian Ludens  IS THE WINNER!!!  
  
Autographed "Texas Chainsaw Massacre III" movie poster.  This poster comes with a Certificate of Authenticity and signed by: Joe Unger, Viggo Mortensen, Kate Hodge, Ken Force & William Butler.  The poster is valued at over $150 and was graciously donated by Himon @ allautograph.com.



FANGORIA #306 (September).  This item is valued at around $10 and was donated by Bekah McKendry @ FANGORIA.
  
2nd Place    

Brandon Grundling IS THE WINNER!


The mmpb of The Cellar by Richard Laymon.  This item is valued at around eight bones, and as always, graciously donated by the wonderful, Ann Laymon.
You'll also receive a copy of the aforementioned issue of FANGORIA.

3rd Place


Paul H Reynolds IS THE WINNER!
A single issue of FANGORIA #306.

How To Enter:The total value of this contest is around $200, so you'll have a little more to do to enter this badboy!  First, you need to leave a Comment under THIS post.  Then, you need to venture on over to the website of Ty Schwamberger and leave a comment under his "Horror Galore" Contest! post, as well.  That's it -- two comments and you're entered to win one of the above prize levels!  Both posts must be made by Midnight on Friday, September 2nd.  The random winners will 

Shamblin' & Ramblin' my way to The Zombie Feed!

            I am really happy to announce that I've been asked to participate in some yummy zombie goodness on the Zombie Feed site!  If you've never heard of The Zombie Feed, well hand it over!  Come on! Give me your Official Zombiephile Club Membership Card.  Oh, and go stand in the corner without your copy of The Rising.  Go on!  Seriously, TZF is an amazing small publisher of zombie anthologies and novels. And I am honored that they asked me to write a semi-annual column for them. And I will also be designing a book cover for one of their life-defying titles.  I accepted of course and the column is called:  ""SHAMBLIN' & RAMBLIN'" and the content will be random chomps and bites of all things zombie.So since you're already on this fancy schmancy internet thing, head on over the Zombie Feed site here: http://thezombiefeed.biz/  and bookmark the page and check back because I will be posting the first taste of flesh-drippin' goodness!

Twisted Tales from the Torchlight Inn eBook Sale and BONUS PDF!!!!

Twisted Tales from the Torchlight Inn, is a 3-novella collection by Thomas A. Erb, Dean Harrison & Ty Schwamberger.  It contains the novellas: 'Tones of Home' (Erb), 'Off Limits' (Harrison) & 'Last Night Out' (Schwamberger).  The Trade Paperback was released in February of this year, followed by the ebook (Kindle & Nook) a few months after.Tom, Dean & Ty are now happy to announce that the price of the ebooks for Kindle & Nook have been reduced to a reasonable $2.99.But, that's not all...

As a thank you to all of you that have already purchased the Trade Paperback or ebook Or are now going to with the price reduction, we're offering you some FREE fiction - Twisted Tales - Last Call.  This PDF contains the following stories: 'July 16, 1977 - The Death & Birth of the King (Erb) , 'Six Shots' (Harrison) & 'Bartender, Please' (Schwamberger).  Twisted Tales - Last Call is brought to you by 3 Twisted Hombre Studio, our new branding for future Twisted Tales works.How do you get the free fiction?  If you've purchased the paperback or ebook in the past or going foward, simply send an email to: 3twistedhombres @ gmail dot com.  One of us will then send you a free PDF of Twisted Tales - Last Call. 
You can stay up to date will all things Twisted here:


http://allthingstwisted.wordpress.com/

Enjoy!