M.R. Gott's Blog, page 11
June 23, 2013
Horror for the Summer Season
While we usually think of horror emerging from the Shadows, it can take you on a beautiful day with the sun shining bright. With Summer officially upon us I wanted to make sure the horror aficionado had some seasonally appropriate scares.
Books;Castaways by Brian Keene and Slither by Edward Lee offer great summer settings with plenty of beach action.
Movies;Everybody knows and celebrates Jaws,
but what about Alexandre Aja’s incredibly fun Piranha from 2010? 
Game;
Dead Island, choose your survivor in a sandbox style game that takes place at a tropical hotel resort over run by the undead.
June 8, 2013
Guest blog by Mark Allan Gunnells On The Art of The Short Story
Please Welcome Mark Allan Gunnells to Cutis Anserina
I have a passion for short fiction. Since I was young and checked out a copy of King’s Night Shiftfrom the library, I’ve been hooked on short stories. Single author collections, anthologies, magazines...I just devour them. Not that I don’t appreciate and thoroughly enjoy novels and novellas, but I have a deep and special love for shorts.
As a writer, I feel a strong leaning toward them as well. I write novels and novellas, and I take pleasure in satisfaction in those forms…but short stories are my true love. I get a thrill each time a new book of mine is released, but the collections give me an extra special thrill.
GHOSTS IN THE ATTIC being a prime example.
This was my second short story collection, after TALES FROM THE MIDNIGHT SHIFT. TALES is now out of print, though a paperback and digital edition are in the works. I was proud of that one, but hoped it wouldn’t be my only collection while at the same time fearing it would be. I knew collections were a hard sell, both to the public and publishers.
So I decided I couldn’t just sit around and wait for the opportunity to do another collection to fall in my lap. I had to make it happen.
I looked around at the small press publishers I admired, and determined which ones were putting out single-author collections. Bad Moon Books was at the top of my list. I took a chance and emailed Roy Robbins, expressing my passion for the short form and inquiring if he might be willing to consider a collection by me.
To my delight, he told me to put together a manuscript and send it his way. No guarantees, of course, but it was definitely encouraging. I worked hard at selecting stories I thought would represent a strong but varied offering of my work, and I sent it in.
The response I got from Roy was better than I was expecting. The only problem was his schedule was so full he didn’t know when he might be able to fit the collection in. Which is why I suggested he make it a digital collection.
And that was how GHOSTS IN THE ATTIC was born. The stories contained in the collection are all special to me for one reason or another, and I worked very hard at making the pieces satisfying and complete.
Not to say that my novels and novellas aren’t special to me, but I have a passion for short stories.
GHOSTS IN THE ATTIC can be purchased here:http://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-in-the-Attic-ebook/dp/B00CUPZ4LS/ref=la_B005C18L7Q_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1370653381&sr=1-19
Mark Allan Gunnells has been writing since he was 10 years old. His first book, A LAYMON KIND OF NIGHT, was published by Sideshow Press in 2009. Since then he has put out three more books with Sideshow: the two-novella WHISONANT/CREATURES OF THE LIGHT combo, a short story collection entitled TALES FROM THE MIDNIGHT SHIFT VOL. I, and the Halloween themed DARK TREATS. He also has put out the novella ASYLUM with The Zombie Feed, and Bad Moon Books released a digital collection entitled GHOSTS IN THE ATTIC and the novella OCTOBER ROSES. He released his first published novel, THE QUARRY, with Evil Jester Press, and followed that up with SEQUEL from Gallow's Press and THE SUMMER OF WINTERS also from EVIL JESTER. His most recent book is the novel THE EXCHANGE STUDENT from Etopia Press. He lives in Greer, SC, with his partner Craig A. Metcalf.
I have a passion for short fiction. Since I was young and checked out a copy of King’s Night Shiftfrom the library, I’ve been hooked on short stories. Single author collections, anthologies, magazines...I just devour them. Not that I don’t appreciate and thoroughly enjoy novels and novellas, but I have a deep and special love for shorts.
As a writer, I feel a strong leaning toward them as well. I write novels and novellas, and I take pleasure in satisfaction in those forms…but short stories are my true love. I get a thrill each time a new book of mine is released, but the collections give me an extra special thrill.
GHOSTS IN THE ATTIC being a prime example.
This was my second short story collection, after TALES FROM THE MIDNIGHT SHIFT. TALES is now out of print, though a paperback and digital edition are in the works. I was proud of that one, but hoped it wouldn’t be my only collection while at the same time fearing it would be. I knew collections were a hard sell, both to the public and publishers.
So I decided I couldn’t just sit around and wait for the opportunity to do another collection to fall in my lap. I had to make it happen.
I looked around at the small press publishers I admired, and determined which ones were putting out single-author collections. Bad Moon Books was at the top of my list. I took a chance and emailed Roy Robbins, expressing my passion for the short form and inquiring if he might be willing to consider a collection by me.
To my delight, he told me to put together a manuscript and send it his way. No guarantees, of course, but it was definitely encouraging. I worked hard at selecting stories I thought would represent a strong but varied offering of my work, and I sent it in.
The response I got from Roy was better than I was expecting. The only problem was his schedule was so full he didn’t know when he might be able to fit the collection in. Which is why I suggested he make it a digital collection.
And that was how GHOSTS IN THE ATTIC was born. The stories contained in the collection are all special to me for one reason or another, and I worked very hard at making the pieces satisfying and complete.
Not to say that my novels and novellas aren’t special to me, but I have a passion for short stories.
GHOSTS IN THE ATTIC can be purchased here:http://www.amazon.com/Ghosts-in-the-Attic-ebook/dp/B00CUPZ4LS/ref=la_B005C18L7Q_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1370653381&sr=1-19
Mark Allan Gunnells has been writing since he was 10 years old. His first book, A LAYMON KIND OF NIGHT, was published by Sideshow Press in 2009. Since then he has put out three more books with Sideshow: the two-novella WHISONANT/CREATURES OF THE LIGHT combo, a short story collection entitled TALES FROM THE MIDNIGHT SHIFT VOL. I, and the Halloween themed DARK TREATS. He also has put out the novella ASYLUM with The Zombie Feed, and Bad Moon Books released a digital collection entitled GHOSTS IN THE ATTIC and the novella OCTOBER ROSES. He released his first published novel, THE QUARRY, with Evil Jester Press, and followed that up with SEQUEL from Gallow's Press and THE SUMMER OF WINTERS also from EVIL JESTER. His most recent book is the novel THE EXCHANGE STUDENT from Etopia Press. He lives in Greer, SC, with his partner Craig A. Metcalf.
June 6, 2013
Horror Authors’ Bookshelves: David Wellington
From the darkness has curiosity ever reached out and struck you? Has it caused you to wonder about your favorite genre writers and what’s on their bookshelves? It’s reached out and struck me. Do they have some classic pulp detective novels? What about graphic novel collections? Maybe the severed head of the poor unfortunate soul who sent them their first rejection letter.Like the person in a horror story that hears a strange noise, I ventured alone into the darkness to investigate. And here at Ravenous Monster I will bring you your favorite horror authors’ bookshelves and their personal thoughts on their collections, until the thing in the shadows finally reaches out and claims me….
Click below for a Tour of David Wellington's personal collection...
Click below for a Tour of David Wellington's personal collection...
June 3, 2013
John Carpenter’s Asylum issue #1 Review
John Carpenter’s Asylum written by Bruce Jones and illustrated by Leonardo MancoThe plot follows LT. Daniel Beckett, an Iraqi war veteran turned priest and suspect in a failed exorcism that resulted in a child’s death; teaming with Detective Jack Duran to hunt down the possessed who are committing ritual murders.
It sounds cool doesn’t it, but it’s not. While the artwork by Leonardo Manco is a gorgeous mix of comic sensibilities and painting it doesn’t mask the story’s poor pacing thinly drawn characters, bland dialogue, or uninspired plot progression. Jack Duran is a thinly drawn tough cop cliché and Beckett is boring from his introduction in a morning after sequence with a woman who he leaves without talking to, even as she tries to engage him, and walks to a church and is revealed to be a priest. This sequence sums up the book nicely, failed attempts to shock the audience and nothing else. Much of this revolves around nude women, who are often so for NO apparent reason. (Really she takes her shirt off to make a phone call?)
With the beautiful artwork and involvement from John Carpenter this book is a serious let down.
May 28, 2013
Top of the Heap Reviews Where the Dead Fear to Tread
"Action sequences were well written, there was gore and violence in all the right places, and there is even some scenes that kind of pull on the heart strings. The beginning was nothing sort of brilliant. M.R. Gott sets this book up nicely, and really gives you that sense of grit and grime that noire gives you. He draws you in very very quickly."
Click the image for the full review.
Click the image for the full review.
May 26, 2013
June Short Fiction Competition - Win a £50 Amazon Gift Card At the Cult of Me
Check out Michael Brookes new writing contest at the Cult of Me.
The winner's stories will be available here (and promoted across Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook and Stumbleupon and anywhere else I can) and you'll also have a link to your blog or website displayed alongside your story if you win. The winners will also receive an Amazon gift card:
First Prize is a £50 gift cardSecond prize is a £20 gift cardThird prize is a £10 gift cardFor more details on how you can enter click the image above.
The winner's stories will be available here (and promoted across Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook and Stumbleupon and anywhere else I can) and you'll also have a link to your blog or website displayed alongside your story if you win. The winners will also receive an Amazon gift card:First Prize is a £50 gift cardSecond prize is a £20 gift cardThird prize is a £10 gift cardFor more details on how you can enter click the image above.
May 24, 2013
Top 10 Alien Franchise Moments
Check out my favorite moments from the Alien Franchise, and no, Prometheus does not count. Click either link to jump over to Ravenous Monster for the list. 
Bad Ass Throw Down(s)
I was curious about Fast and the Furious Five, due to the throw down between Diesel and The Rock
as well as the surprisingly strong reviews. I enjoyed the flick quite a bit and know I will end up renting (or discount theater) seeing the new one for the Michelle Rodriguez and Gina Carano beat down. If you haven't seen Haywire, you should Carano will win you over in it.
as well as the surprisingly strong reviews. I enjoyed the flick quite a bit and know I will end up renting (or discount theater) seeing the new one for the Michelle Rodriguez and Gina Carano beat down. If you haven't seen Haywire, you should Carano will win you over in it.
May 18, 2013
House of Skin by Jonathan Janz
May 17, 2013
Hop Against Homophobia and Transphobia 2013
When I originally signed up to participate in this year’s hop against homophobia I was initially thinking of creating a piece similar to what I did last year. A simple fact based empirical piece about how homophobic action leads to indisputable harm to society. This however I believe is the wrong venue for such a piece. The people following this hop are already well aware of these inequities, and I see no point in reinforcing pre-existing understanding.
Instead I have based the following on the old story of the watermelon monster and the land of fools. This is a story about regardless of how correct or accurate you are, in order to get a person’s thought process to change, they must be allowed to arrive at the conclusion on their own. I have had much success in getting people to re-evalute their homophobic thoughts and actions by helping them to arrive at a conclusion on their own, rather than tell them where they should end up. In order to do this, I must bite my tongue and listen, I need to hear and understand how the person evaluates other concepts and ideas. And lastly I never tell, I ask questions, loaded questions but ones that I know they don’t want to answer. And if they refuse to answer I ask them why the clear answer makes them uncomfortable?
What follows are some of my go to lines;At what age did you choose to be straight? Was it a difficult decision? How are gay couples marrying in need of more regulation and government interference than fire arms purchases?How many gay marriage related fatalities are there compared to fire arm deaths? Why are you more comfortable with depictions of two men killing each other than kissing each other?How have the traditional marriages in X state changed since y date of same sex marriage legislation?Are homosexuals marrying and forming monogamous long term relationships truly more damaging to the sanctity of marriage than the bachelor or any of the other such programs? If this was truly about the sanctity of marriage wouldn’t as much effort be put in shutting down the marriage chapels all over Vegas?If you are basing your true objection to marriage equality on biblical scripture, isn’t then stating it is based upon other issues against the lying commandment?How do you justify not treating thou shalt not kill as strictly in interpretation as the Leviticus verse against men lying together? Note when using the bible I find it accomplishes more not to throw out other Leviticus verses. I rely heavily on the 10 commandments.
Finally a have spoken to a few people that object to being called homophobic because they are not scared of gay people. I welcome this statement, because it allows you agree with them and say they are in fact straight superior. They believe straight people are better than gay people, which is why discriminatory laws such as those that allow homosexuals to be fired for their sexuality are fine.The key to finding success with these questions is to allow the person you are speaking to a chance to answer. Don’t rush them, don’t be abrasive. I know this is incredibly difficult, but I am tired of an unending talking point battle. If a person wants to speak let them answer a few simple questions. Even when they refuse to answer, they are still thinking about it and I have to believe they are searching for an answer that will allow them to maintain their previous mindset.
