Thom Erb's Blog, page 5

"Spencer Weaver gets Rebooted" in Limited Edition!

"Spencer Weaver Gets Rebooted" in Limited Edition HC!



I am so excited to announce that I've been invited to take part in a limited edition collection entitled Cadence In Decay .  My short story, "Spencer Weaver gets Rebooted", tells the sad tale of a high school loner, who discovers new and electrifying ways to deal with his brutal nemesis and bully.I am incredibly honored to be sharing pages with the following amazing contributors: Wrath James White, J.F. Gonzalez, Mike Oliveri, Tim Waggoner, Maurice Broaddus, Ian R. Faulkner, James A. Moore, Deborah LeBlanc, Skip Novak, Jeff Strand, Ramsey Campbell, Gary Braunbeck, Weston Ochse & Michael West.I am very proud to be part of such an outstanding project and in awe of the magically talented group of writers I find myself in.The book is slated for an early 2012 release and will be a signed limited edition hardcover.  You can find out more about Mansion House Press here: http://www.mhbpress.com/Home_Page.html

The Death Knell for Borders Books and what's next?

I have been aware of the deathbed issues concerning Border's Books as we all have.  Maybe it was my naivety or wishful thinking, but I figured that in the end, they would make it through the financial crisis and rebound.  Boy was I wrong.With the death sentence officially announced for September, it raises a plethora of questions, ranging from, holy hell, I can get some killer deals on books to how does this affect me, the new writer in my pursuit of "serious" publication?  It is enough to send my mind reeling and reaching for a handful of Dramamine.I've come to the publishing world later than most so that often adds a bit more pressure to succeed than I think it should. But its how my mind works.  The publishing world is shrinking and I struggle in developing a strategy for progressing.  The whirlwind of eBooks, small presses,  both high quality and the ones that are wanna-be hobbyists that would steal health care from the elderly and finally, self-publishing, yes or no?  The options are limitless and yet growing smaller by the day.So, with my favorite book store chain closing its doors, I lament their passing and morn for the thousands that will lose their jobs.  My strongest, most positive vibes go out to the employees who have busted their humps, schlepping books and providing the best of customer service.  You guys and gals rock!I was never a big fan of the "other" big chain.  It has a completely different vibe and "random" organizational strategy was enough to drive me bat-shit crazy.  But alas, that is all we will be left with.  There aren't many independent bookstores up here in upstate New York, but your bet your sweet patootie that I will be hunting them down come September.That still doesn't address the concerns I have as a new writer.  It was and still is my goal to see "Thomas A. Erb" staring at me from a bookstore shelf, so with Borders going the way of the Commodore 64, I (as well as many others) must find new and creative ways to reach that goal.  I'm not feeling defeated or throwing my arms up in despair.  Hell no!  I just need to keep my ass in chair and honing my writing and somehow, someway, I will get there.  All the while, reading, learning and keeping up with the new trends and staying ahead of the publishing curve.I still have my amazing used book store to shop in and I guess there's always online shopping, but being an old school comic book collector from the 70's and 80's, there is just something magical about the sight and smell of a comic or book store.  Maybe it's the overwhelming rush of possibilities the multitudes of books offer you.  Maybe it's the hour or so of just wandering, looking at covers and reading blurbs that take you away from the crappy day you've had.  For me, it may be the creative mojo that flows from all the magic and muse that the creators spent crafting their stories and to me. Creativity is akin to magic and I am always open to a little bit of magic in a world that seems to be losing its mojo by the Tweet or Facebook post.Rest in Peace Borders Books!  I will lament your passing and will miss the well-worn path I carved out on the carpet in front of the horror section.  I guess that is the one good thing about the other "chain", they spread their genres out so far apart, that they save a fortune on carpet.

READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!! My first ever public reading!!!

http://www.horrorfindweekend.com/
I am very happy to announce that I will be doing my first reading at this year's Horrofind Convention in Gettysburg, PA. You can read more about it on Brian Keene's page!

So, come on over and have a great weekend at one of the best horror cons ever and listen to some amazing writers read their work!