Sumiko Saulson's Blog, page 28
February 3, 2017
Women in Horror Month
[image error]February is Women in Horror Month. This blog was the proud ambassador of Women in Horror Month back in 2013. Since I have so many interviews by women in horror here and from the old Examiner.com Archive (now on Iconoclast Productions) I will be posting them throughout the month.
Here is a list of my old interviews from the past with links. If I interviewed you and your interview isn’t on this list, please let me know so I can update it.
I will re-post specific interviews throughout the month.
The Women in Horror Interview Series
Sumiko Saulson
I am proud to announce that my interview series on women horror writers has been approved for the 2013 Women in Horror Month seal. I am now considered a Women in Horror Month Ambassador which comes with specific responsibilities to maintain the integrity of the seal. The biggest component of this is remaining professional and represent WiHM and the underrepresented female artists with respect.
I would like to thank the Viscera Organization for this opportunity.
In order to honor Women in Horror, I will be applying the seal to and reposting interviews with Women in Horror from the past year, in addition to interviewing new women whenever possible. (If a name on the list doesn’t have a link yet that’s because it’s an upcoming interview that has already been scheduled).
The Interviews:
If you are interested in being interviewed, please see my Interviews page.
The Guest Blogs:
“Things That Go Bump In My Head” is featuring a series of Guest Blogs in honor of “Women in Horror” month:
Joslyn Corvis – On Bullying & Young Writers
Kateryna Fury – On Images of Disability in Horror
Hollis Jay – On Women and Gender Roles in Horror
David Watson – On LA Banks and Octavia Butler
Black Women in Horror Series:
20 Black Women in Horror Fiction (List 1)
21 More Black Women In Horror Fiction (List 2)
19 More Black Women in Horror Fiction (List 3)
I am working on an eBook alphabetically listing all 60 women. If you can think of anyone who should be on this list but is not, please leave it in the comments for either article or send me a tweet @sumikoska or – email me sumikoska@yahoo.com and let me know.
On LA Banks and Octavia Butler (Guest Blog)
The Interviews:
Women in Horror Month:
Anne Rice
You can find Women in Horror Month’s official website and connect with other activities associated with Women in Horror Month HERE:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Women-In-Horror-Recognition-Month/218331100557
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/wihmonth
Tumblr:
http://womeninhorrormonth.tumblr.com/
WiHM Interview Proposal:
Here is my project description:
Full Name: Sumiko Saulson
Primary Contact Email: sumikoska@yahoo.com
Hollis Jay
Introduce yourself, company, or organization: My name is Sumiko Saulson. I am an independently published horror writer. I am a woman of color. I blog about horror, and interview horror writers. Whenever possible I try to find and include as many women and women of color as possible.
Explain in detail about the event/project/media that the Seal will be used for:
I would like to be able to apply the Women in Horror Recognition seal to the interviews with female horror writers I have already completed. Many of them are women of color, which as a whole are under represented in horror. I would repost the interviews in February with the Women in Horror seal.
Cinearae S
Discuss how your proposal is in line with the WiHM mission:
It will recognize female authors in horror, both established and up and coming in the genre. It will recognize women of color, who are underrepresented as horror authors.
My interview page is here: https://sumikosaulson.com/interviews/ – I would simply like to highlight the female authors on the list.
URL connected to event/project/media: http://www.sumikosaulson.com
Women in Horror:
A.L. Peck
These interviews are being included in the 2013 Women in Horror Interview Series. Every February, Women in Horror Recognition Month (WiHM) assists underrepresented female genre artists in gaining opportunities, exposure, and education through altruistic events, printed material, articles, interviews, and online support. WiHM seeks to expose and break down social constructs and miscommunication between female professionals while simultaneously educating the public about discrimination and how they can assist the female gender in reaching equality.
January 14, 2017
Introduction to ‘Ghosts of Time’ by Flynn Keahi
After a three year break, the Moon Cried Blood series is finally back on track! “Ghosts in Time,” the sixth book in the Moon Cried Blood series, is slated for release on January 21, 2017. By way of apology for taking the series off track, Flynn Keahi, the star of the Somnalia Series that has occupied valuable real estate in this author’s mind since 2014 has volunteered to write the introduction to the long-awaited latest installment in the Leticia Gordon chronicles.
Introduction to “Ghosts in Time” by Flynn Keahi
[image error] In Charlotte’s Web, E.B. White’s character Wilbur says, “It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.” I’m not sure any character can be best friends with his author, but each of us is as dependent upon the skills of our own author for life as Wilbur was on the talents of his Charlotte. That makes it a very close relationship indeed, that of author to character.
In my first story, Happiness and Other Diseases, I had to rely upon my Charlotte, Charlotte Metaxas, a little lady called Happiness, to rescue me. By the time I got to the end of the book, I knew that I needed a different kind of Charlotte altogether – or, perhaps, not completely different, come to think of it. I needed our author Sumiko Saulson to pull me out of the mess I was in.
But how can we trust authors? They write us into horrible situations, just to pull us out of them later. If they wanted to, they could just write easy lives for us. I try to make sense of it all. I tell myself all of my trials and tribulations have purpose and meaning. Yet, I find myself resenting all of the terrible ordeals I’ve been through.
In The Moon Cried Blood series, thirteen year old Tisha Gordon is the protagonist. Like me, she is faced with supernatural perils she must confront and overcome to achieve anything like an ordinary life. Unlike me, she is a powerful witch armed with the tools she needs to battle evil on her own. I always have to call on someone more powerful like Charlotte for aide. It makes me feel like Wilbur sometimes – helpless and useless. It’s probably bad for my self-esteem, but what can I do? I was written this way.
I can’t relate to Tisha, but I can relate to her mother, Joy Gordon. Like me, Joy had a history of mental illness. Like me, she desperately wanted a family, but her bipolar disorder always got in the way. Like me, she has a daughter she absolutely adores. And like me, she seems to attract drama for no particular reason.
In Ghosts of Time, we learn a lot more about Joy Gordon, an adoptee who has finally been reunited with her birth family after many years. If you thought Joy was crazy, wait until you meet her batshit insane half-sister Alita.
Hold up. It gets weirder. Alita’s mother is Joy’s birthmother, Victoria… but, spoiler alert! Her dad is Joy’s ex-husband, Mark. That makes her Tisha’s auntie AND her half-sister. Alita is her own niece’s sister. What the actual hell is wrong with Mark Gordon anyway? Let’s not even get started.
[image error]
Me, Flynn Keahi… hanging out with Dooky/Boo and Sumiko Saulson.
Reading The Moon Cried Blood series is like watching a soap-opera about a teenage witch. Reading the series is like watching the Jerry Springer show – it makes me feel much better about my own dysfunctional, messed up life.
Is that wrong? Does it make me a bad person? I don’t know. Ask my writer. She seems to know everything. Just joking, and please don’t tell her I said that. I finally got her to let me chill out for a while, and I don’t want any more horrible things happening in my life.
As for Tisha, this is Young Adult fiction, not adult horror like Somnalia. She should be okay, right? Right?
Well, probably. Although you never know, young adult fiction is getting pretty brutal these days, what with the human sacrifices in the Hunger Games and all that kind of mess. Good thing for Tisha she lives in the 70s.
Flynn Keahi
Oakland, January 2017
Flynn Keahi is a fictional character who is the central protagonist in Happiness and Other Diseases and at the heart of the rest of the Somnali series.
January 13, 2017
James Goodridge, Author of The Passage of Time
Biography
Born and raised in the Bronx, New York James is new to writing speculative fiction. After ten years as an artist representative and paralegal James decided in 2013 to make a better commitment to writing. Currently writing a series of short Twilight Zone inspired stories from the world of art, (The Artwork) and a diesel/punkfunk saga (Madison Cavendish/Seneca Sue Mystic Detectives) with the goal of producing compelling stories.
Interview
Q. What’s your latest book called and what is it about?
A. I’m working on a collection of short stories in the occult detective genre to be published later this year or early next year by Fist City press. The working title is The Passage of Time.
Q. That’s exciting! Is this your first work in the occult detective genre? What kinds of supernatural characters are in it?
A. It’s funny because I’m a sci-fi fan, but find that I write paranormal/occult tales better as a writer. The short stories are my first in that genre. The main characters are Madison Cavendish and Seneca Sue. They’re immortals (he a vampire/ she a werewolf) who have been around since 1914. Madison is also biracial and Sue part Native American. I try to convey the racial changes that occur in this country from 1914 to the present.
Q. Does the characters’ immortality affect the way they view current and historical events in your stories?
A. Yes. While the two of them try to I would say “do the right thing” especially Madison, they also come to see life as one big gray area. I also use black historical characters who fly under the radar so to speak in some of the stories, for example Lt Samuel Battles(1st black NYPD officer, Rollo Ahmed (black occultist) and Philippa Schuyler (black classical pianist) The Passing of Time title also pertains to Madison having to pass early in the twentieth century.
Q. What are some of the major historical events that set the backdrop for your stories?
A. World War 1,The Roaring Twenties, The Red Scare of the fifties, New York City in the seventies. Later stories will be set in the sixties, the club scene in NYC in the eighties and the Bay area in the early sixties, because at one point the characters had to leave NYC.
Q. Does Madison stop trying to pass for white later in the twentieth century and how does that affect the character and the stories?
A. Where Madison takes me is, by the sixties he has to prove that he’s black, in some stories. I also will by 1973 have added to new characters Hulan Brown (werewolf) and Peaches Dawson (vampire); both African American. I also see more diverse characters coming into the stories.
Q. As you know, this is a horror blog. Are there any true horror moments in the story our readers might appreciate?
A. Ah let’s see. Of course, vampire feastings, werewolf chewings, sex with a headless corpse, demon possession and ghosts.
Q. Where can people find this and other works of yours online?
A. I also have a collection of Twilight Zone style stories related to the art world titled The Artwork you can find it in the winter 2015 issue #7 and reprinted in the winter 2016 issue of genesis science fiction magazine you can go to:
www.blacksciencefictiosociety.com
The Artwork 2 is part of an anthology book of erotic sci-fi: Scierogenus its at Amazon.com to order. The Artwork 5 can be found at http://www.horroraddicts.net and folks can check out my writer’s page Who gives you the write on Facebook or just friend request me. Thanks.
October 25, 2016
Submissions Call: Clockwork Wonderland
One week left!
LAST WEEK!!
Clockwork Wonderland
A Horror Anthology
This is an Alice in Wonderland, clockwork, Horror anthology.
Following the rabbit down the hole is the easy part. Battling time is what will kill you. Whether you’re trying to get back home or struggling to survive in Wonderland, your stories MUST be horrifying.
“You act as if time is on your side. He isn’t. He’s always on his own side.”
At the most basic, your story must have a clock involved. Clockpunk, clock engineering, and steampunk with clock elements is encouraged as well as the thought of time as an entity. Be creative, turn Wonderland on its ear. Twist it, tweak it, punk it.
Your story may star or co-star any of the characters in the original text by Lewis Carroll, as well as characters of your own creation. Feel free to “punk” any of the characters to fit your vision…
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October 9, 2016
Current Submission Calls
About us: HorrorAddicts.net is a podcast, blog, and publisher run by horror addicts, for horror addicts. Our main goal is to promote horror authors, musicians, artists, and entertainers for our lis…
Source: Current Submission Calls
September 15, 2016
Sumiko Saulson’s Black Women in Horror Writing #17: Octavia Butler
Another review of a book from the 60 Black Women in Horror series by Bryan Onion
Fledgling by Octavia Butler
Review by Bryan Cebulski (@BryanOnion)
Aside from Toni Morrison, this is the only author on this list who I was already familiar with before taking them on as a horror author. I’ve read a lot of Octavia Butler’s work already—all except for the Patternmaster series and Imago. I thought I might cover one of these already-read novels, but decided to wait before covering her until I read her most relevant-to-horror novel, Fledgling.
Full disclosure, I adore Octavia Butler. Her fiction is fantastic for so many goddamn reasons. Fledgling, while certain different in terms of scope and tone, nevertheless stands on its own two feet among Butler’s bibliography.
Some context: Fledgling was written for fun. While suffering writer’s block working on the third Parable novel, Butler started reading a lot of vampire fiction. Thinking she could add her own touch to the…
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Dreamworlds
After a breakups and a series of bad starts, author Sumiko Saulson is trying to heal. So is Flynn Keahi, one of her fictional characters. Her life changes completely when Flynn abandons the paranormal romance she’s cast him in, and demands that they both go to group therapy to fix their dysfunctional relationships. Once the two become intimately involved, Sumiko raises concerns their relationship it isn’t healthy. Flynn grows increasingly touchy about her assertion that he isn’t real. This is complicated further when Sumiko is flooded with requests from other imaginary personalities demanding to join in the conversation.
The dark fantasy/horror comic “Dreamworlds” is a spin-off of the dark fantasy/horror novel series “Somnalia”… in “Dreamworlds,” Flynn Keahi, the hero of “Happiness and Other Diseases” and the rest of the Somnalia series, approaches it’s author Sumiko Saulson in the wake of a failed long term relationship. He begins expressing concerns about the dynamic of his own relationship with Charlotte Metaxas, his love interest in Somnalia. Sumiko is more than a little impatient with him, because in order to communicate with her, he’s possessing her body.
Dreamworlds is a 60 page, black and white comic book, color cover (back and front covers featured above) with forward and back material written in character by Flynn and Sumiko, and include the award-winning essay “Character Flaws,” which took third place in the Carry the Light award for best blog post in 2016.
Pick up Dreamwords for only $7!
Upcoming Events for Sumiko Saulson
Serena Toxicat’s Multi-Poetry Book Launch
The Dark Entry
2589 Telegraph Ave,
Berkeley, CA 94704, USA
Come celebrate a multi-poetry book launch at Berkeley’s Dark Entry—2589 Telegraph ave—with Serena Toxicat on Sunday Sept. 25 from 1pm-6pm. She will be reading in front of the store. The books are all short, which is why they’re being launched simultaneously.
There’s ‘Consciousness Is a Catfish—stealthily grim, subtly spiritual poems’ about things current and things eternal: love, the cosmos, poverty and eviction, the fight for a free Tibet, dreams, nightmares and the surreal… Can we catch the catfish? No one knows the nature of consciousness…yet.
and
‘You Send Forth Constellations: Thirteen Timed Writing Exercises’
“What kind of writing experiment addresses the earth, the cosmos and the human condition? What manner of poetry employs rigorous timing, bibliomancy and divination? What rouses ghosts in a warehouse full of goth authors? Read one writer’s collection of literary curiosities and find out.”
‘Paper Wings’ is included in the festivities because it features new artwork.
Sumiko Saulson and deTraci Regula are scheduled to read from their works, and Baron Rubenbauer will be on the scene doing sound and playing guitar.
Stay tuned! There may be wine and cupcakes.
If it’s hot you may want to bring a parasol.
Please park at least a block away from the venue so the people who want to shop can access the store more easily.
Friday, September 30 – Sunday, October 2, 2016
Con-Volution 2016: The Age of Monsters
Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport
1333 Old Bayshore Hwy
Burlingame, CA 94010, USA
My Schedule at Convolution:
Monsters In the Mirror
Friday 21:00 – 22:30, SandPebble C (Hyatt Regency SFO)
Reflecting societal fears in genre fiction and media, and why it’s important to us.
Emerian Rich, Robyn Bennis, Margaret McGaffey Fisk (M), Sumiko Saulson, Setsu
Love is Love: Embracing our Diversity and Equality
Saturday 17:00 – 18:30, SandPebble C (Hyatt Regency SFO)
Discussion in the round, with a moderator, on ways in which our geeky, fannish culture con continue to move towards being better about inclusion and respect.
Shodan, Lance Moore (M), Gregg Castro t’rowt’raahl Salinan/rumsien Ohlone, Sumiko Saulson, Nita
Fear of The Other
Saturday 20:00 – 21:30, SandPebble B (Hyatt Regency SFO)
Horror from previous generations draws much of its power from the fear of the Other. In some cases the other is an unknowable being, a cosmic terror, but just as often it’s not, referencing instead more mundane distinctions between us and them. How problematic is the use of the Other to engender fear? Has fear of the Other led to some of the challenges genre faces today relative to inclusiveness and equality?
Lillian Csernica, Juliette Wade (M), Garrett Calcaterra, Gregg Castro t’rowt’raahl Salinan/rumsien Ohlone, Sumiko Saulson
Meet HorrorAddicts.net!
Sunday 10:00 – 11:30, SandPebble C (Hyatt Regency SFO)
Meet and chat with the authors who comprise HorrorAddicts.net, and find out more about their monster favorites!
Emerian Rich (M), J. Malcolm Stewart, Loren Rhoads, Laurel Anne Hill, Sumiko Saulson
How Far is Too Far? Introducing Change to Established Characters
Sunday 12:00 – 13:30, Parlor 2021 (Hyatt Regency SFO)
Just three words: Captain. America. Hydra. When does an evolving, long-time character get driven too far off it’s original basis, and is that a good thing, or ultimately bad, no matter what?
Ric Bretschneider (M), Julie Soskins, Sumiko Saulson, Chad Peterman
Here is the link to the overall schedule:
http://www.con-volution.com/2016/convention-details/program/
Friday. October 7 – Sunday, October 9, 2016
Art of Zines Exhibit
ANNO DOMINI Gallery
366 S 1st St,
San Jose, CA 95113, USA
I will have several zines included in the “Art of Zines” exhibit at
Anno Domini // the second coming of Art & Design in San Jose during South FIRST FRIDAYS Artwalk (OCT 7th, 2016 from 7–11pm for more information visit http://www.SouthFirstFridays.com). In addition to being part of the monthly art walk, this exhibit is also timed for the Alternative Press Expo that will be taking place a block away at the convention center (Oct. 8th & 9th) with panel talks at the gallery, so it’ll be a great crowd!
The zines I have included are Dreamworlds (the 30 page limited edition prerelease version), Living A Lie (written by Carolyn Saulson / illustrated by me), Pens, Swords, Beaus & Arrows, Little Book of Big Dreams, and Dooky.
September 11, 2016
Support Nalo Hopkinson on Patreon!
Please support Nalo Hopkinson’s Patreon campaign if you can.
One of my ongoing projects on this site, as you probably well know if you follow me, is Sumiko Saulson’s Black Women in Horror Writing list. It’s been a really fun experience, and I’m not even 1/3rd of the way through it. It’s connected me with authors (Crystal Connor, for instance, even sent me signed copies of two of her books) and brought a wide array of possibilities for SFF/horror to my attention. In reading marginalized authors like Tananarive Due, Nisi Shawl and L.A. Banks, you see how much can be brought to your experience of the genres if you only follow the similar but over-saturated works of Stephen King, Golden Age sci-fi authors and Jim Butcher.
Anyway, one of these authors is Nalo Hopkinson. I’ve enjoyed most of the books in this reading project, but Hopkinson is honestly kind of astonishing. Her work melds horror, dystopia, space opera…
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September 7, 2016
Press Release: Crystal Lake Publishing Presents: Tales From The Lake Volume 3
So excited about this!
Crystal Lake Publishing has just released Tales From The Lake Volume 3 and includes a story from Sumiko Saulson. Sumiko was the featured author on episode 109 of the horroraddicts.net podcast, she has also written various articles for the horror addicts blog and has an article in The Horror Addicts Guide To Life. Sumiko Saulson’s story is called Enclosures and you can find out more about her here:
The TALES FROM THE LAKE legend continues with volume 3 in this popular series.
Dive into the deep end of the lake with 19 tales of terror, selected by Monique Snyman.
Tales from the Lake Vol. 3 features ghosts, monsters, assassins, alternate dimensions, creatures from the deepest depths and the darkest parts of the universe.
Join “Maybelle” by Mere Joyce in a world where books become real enough to cause both pleasure and pain. Avoid the sounds of “The…
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