Glenn Rolfe's Blog, page 7
July 13, 2018
LAND OF BONES 99 cents! starting today.
Get you 99 cent copy here:
http://mybook.to/LandofBones
March 9, 2018
March 6, 2018
Stoker Con ’18: Lessons and Good Friends
I rejoined the Horror Writers Association in January. I made the decision to dive back in and see what I could learn and what I could possibly give. Stoker Con, held in Providence (a three-hour drive for me) was a no-brainer. I decided to bring my amazing wife with me, leave the kiddos with my parents, and looked forward to having a blast with friends, old and new.
We drove through the crazy rain and wind terrorizing the East Coast, but made it in safely around 5 pm on Friday evening. Got to catch up with one of my favorite people in the business, Brian Kirk. Love that dude! Also met Jason Parent for the first time. Another solid motherlover. Brian introduced me and Meghan to Chad Stroup. I think we’re gonna be buds for some time to come. See, and this is a huge part of any convention, meeting new, amazing people, and remembering why you love this community so much.
My wife and I split soon after the Final Frame short film thing started. We went back to our hotel, had beer and pizza, and enjoyed a night without distractions.
Saturday….well, that was a bit more complicated.
I started off at a panel on contracts, taxes, and such with Leslie Klinger (great info, great place to start, great job on Mr. Klinger’s part). I split from there for a beer and some catch-up time with my old editor, Don D’Auria. I am just so fucking proud of that man, and honored to be one of his friends. We talked Flame Tree Press and writers and Samhain. It was great.
After lunch with my wife, I caught up with some fellas I won’t mention. Good guys that seemed to come straight out of an 80’s movie (even though they aren’t quite old enough for that) the way they stuck together. After running into those fellas, I checked in with JG Faherty, went to Grady Hendrix’s Paperbacks From Hell presentation (that dude is jacked up on like 10 bottles of 5 Hour Energy, or just really, really energetic and young.)
I had to cut out of that presentation early to get to the Flame Tree Press Coffee Hour (not it’s official name, but whatever). This was the true Samhain Survivors Reunion. Don and his amazing wife welcomed my wife and I. Greg Faherty, Tim Waggoner, Brian Kirk, John Palisano, Frazer Lee (great dude that I finally got to meet), and also some new friends like Eric Guignard, and more. I could have hung with that crew for the rest of the night.
After that, we met up briefly with Trevor Firetog and his lovely lady. That led us to the bar… Chad Stroup, AlanBaxter, and Brian Kirk took up a table with the wife and I. Brian left for the Stoker Awards Banquet, but we were joined by Jason Parent, Morgan Sylvia, and some others for an impromptu panel moderated by my wife. So much fun.
Now, that’s where I probably should have said goodnight and went back to my hotel.
That didn’t happen.
Jason invited us upstairs, but there was also the Stoker After-Party.
Anyways, I remember hanging out with Greg Faherty, Don D’Auria, and Holli Moncreiff for a bit, the Chris Marrs showed me where the bathroom was, I came out and got caught up in conversation about loss and Land of Bones, I think, with Eric Guignard, tried to play a piano…and then I was back in the party room with Jason Parent, Morgan Sylvia, Bracken MacLeod, Brian Kirk, and many others.
So, I’d been drinking beer all day and night. Get to this room, and there’s no beer, but there is whiskey. Whiskey, a drink I’ve had maybe three time my whole life. I tend to steer clear of hard liquor for good reason.
While I won’t give details about what followed (due to the fact that I only know what my poor wife filled me in on), I was a mess and I feel sorry for the good people that had to help me out.
Long story short, I blacked out. I remember adding whiskey in a cup and then waking up at 11:30 in the morning in bed. Having never experienced a black-out before, I was shocked and frightened when I woke up and my wife explained the end of the night to me. It was jarring. I felt as though my body and mind had been hijacked. Probably the scariest thing that’s happened to me in a very, very long time.
As I said, I was lucky to have good people around me. Hearts of gold in that horror community. More reason to love them.
However, I just wanted to share this, not to glorify my madness, but to send a message to those of you attending your first con, or even you old pros that like to let loose at these fantastic gatherings. Drinking is fun and having a few brews or a couple mixed drinks with friends is awesome. Letting yourself slip over the edge and completely into a bottle is dangerous, careless, risky, and sad. I could have done more harm than I did. I’m grateful for my wife and the friends that stepped in and helped us out.
Anyone that knows me knows I like too have fun and get a little crazy at these events, but not like this.
I don’t want to extend the “legend” of Glenn the punk rock drunk guy. I want to have a good time with friends and be able to keep control of myself and remember every second of it.
I’ve promised myself to be more responsible with my drinking at these events. I suggest anyone skirting that edge do the same. You really don’t want to be like me.
I made mistakes, and I’m sorry to those that had to step in and save this fool from himself. I will be forever grateful to you lot. You know who you are, better than I do.
I love you guys.
February 27, 2018
DON’T MISS OUT: 99 cents for a few more days!
You have a couple more days to grab 99 cent copies of my novels, BECOMING and BLOOD AND RAIN.
BECOMING went out as my first Bookbub deal and brought me up into the Top 20 horror authors list (for a few hours). Thank you if you already grabbed a copy. If you haven’t, feel free to snag one tonight. 
February 25, 2018
99 cent Horror stories on sale this week!!
Click on the covers below to get your 99 cent copies!!!
February 23, 2018
Welcome to my Land of Bones
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Hard to believe it has been more than three years since the release of SLUSH (my first collection). I’ve wanted to put out another collection for more than a year, but I am glad that life got busy and made me wait. This collection is better for it.
I started off just selecting stories I loved for one reason or another, but after turning them over to my editor, she saw a theme…one of loss.
I knew I wanted to include the piece I wrote about my brother, “The Rooster”. I skipped it with SLUSH, but I knew it needed to be in here. My editor asked me to take another shot at the piece, so I did. And I cried. One of the new lines in there broke me. It was something I hadn’t admitted out loud, let alone to myself.
The original version of that story appeared in BLEED a cancer anthology from Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing.
It is still available and still helping kick cancer’s ass.
Grab a copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EYFPZW0/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
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Another story in here that sticks out for me is “Death Lights”
This one brings back one of my favorite characters from my novel, THE HAUNTED HALLS. Lee Buhl, my urban shaman. As this one unfolded, I discovered Lee had lost someone very close to him. It was something he felt responsible for. The battle this story involves him in brings Lee back to his calling. And I’m happy to announce, it also inspired me to start a new Lee Buhl novel. The novel will take place between THE HAUNTED HALLS and “Death Lights”
This story appears in NORTHERN FRIGHTS an anthology from Maine horror writers.
Get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/Northern-Frights-Anthology-Horror-Writers-ebook/dp/B071D7W7RF/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1519396807&sr=1-1&keywords=northern+frights
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“Simon”, “Charley Sings the World Away”, and “The Fixer” all deal with the loss of a child. “Little Bunny” with the loss of a sibling, “Avenging Kitten” the loss of a pet (a very Slush-like tale in its weirdness).
I also included a new novella, TOO MUCH OF A DEAD THING. This was inspired by a fake title I made up for Goodreads. Goodreads refused to take down my old serial versions of THE HAUNTED HALLS, so I changed the names on them. The cover to Volume 5 always made me want to write a story around the being that my artist (Jason Lynch) created. I love how it turned out.
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I think this collection will stick with people. I hope it does.
You can get your copy of LAND OF BONES here: http://mybook.to/LandofBones
Thanks for checking in with me. Happy reading!
-Glenn
February 21, 2018
Women in Horror
What does that mean to me? It started with Anne Rice. I, like many, fell in love with the saga of Lestat, especially the 2nd and 3rd novels in the Vampire Chronicles, THE VAMPIRE LESTAT and QUEEN OF THE DAMNED. Those two books pulled me under. At the time, I didn’t care whether it was written by a man or a woman, why should that matter? I loved the story and the characters and that’s all that mattered.
And that’s all that should matter.
It took me a few years to really get into reading, but about 14 years ago, I dove in head first. Since then, I’ve discovered a plethora of amazing writers. Among my favorites are super-talented ladies like Michelle Garza and Melissa Lason (the Sisters of Slaughter), Damien Angelica Walters, Mercedes M. Yardley, Somer Canon, C.W. LeSart, and most recently, Amber Fallon.
Whether its the mesmerizing prose of Walters or Yardley, the lustful creepiness of LeSart’s short stories, or the go for the throat hell-rides that await at the Sisters of Slaughter Gore Galore Fun Park, there is plenty of blood being spilled on the pages produced by these wonderful writers.
You need proof that the writers are amazing? Check out Somer Canon’s VICKI BEAUTIFUL or Amber Fallon’s THE WARBLERS.
As far as I’m concerned they don’t have to prove a damn thing.
Click on the covers below to order some of my favorite books!
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Stay tuned for more greatness from all these wonderful writers!
February 10, 2018
February 9, 2018
Antho-Palooza! The last few months have been busy.
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I got asked to contribute stories to a lot of anthologies last year. Here are the four i chose to give something to:
VS: X US vs. UK Extreme Horror eBook .99 Paperback $16.99
SPLATTERPUNK FIGHTING BACK eBook .99 paperback $9.99
THE BLACK ROOM MANUSCRIPTS Volume Three eBook (pre-order) $4.10
100 WORD HORRORS eBook $1.49 Paperback $6.55
Dawn Cano has done a fantastic job raising money for animal charities with her two VS. anthologies. I took part in both editions. I was more than happy to write a new story for the X and I was delighted to share the roster with Jack Ketchum and Wrath James White among many others. My contribution: “To Be Alive”
Jack Bantry and Kit Power put together a great roster with SPLATTERPUNK FIGHTING BACK, as well. The proceeds to this charity anthology are ALL going to help fight cancer. My brother passed away from his battle with this monster with no cure back in 2010. I was honored to be invited. I also dedicated my piece to Matt Molgaard (Horror Novel Reviews). Matt was one of my earliest supporters and offered up my first review ever. He passed away last year, leaving a major hole in the horror community. My contribution: “Molly”
Daniel Marc Chant approached me for a story for this one. THE BLACK ROOM MANUSCRIPTS always delivers a star-powered cast. I didn’t hesitate in jumping aboard. This one contains stories from Paul Tremblay, David Moody, Adam Nevill, and more. My contribution: “Orson’s Gas N’ Go”
I’ve been trying to find the time to work with Kevin Kennedy on one of his anthologies for quite a while. I’m glad we were finally able to make it happen. His horror drabbles (stories in exactly 100 words) anthology, 100 WORD HORRORS, is full of short goodies from Lisa Morton, Richard Chizmar, Gord Rollo, and many, many, many more. My contribution: “The Came for Me”
How much did I get paid for these stories? $0 Why do it? Because I love working with this great group of editors and writers, and the ones for charities are causes I believe in and support.
Two of the covers (VS: X and 100 WORD STORIES) were created by the multi-talented Michael Bray. Check out his website here: MichaelBray.com
My FIGHTING BACK compatriots and I were all blown away and honored to be nominated in a couple categories for the inaugural SPLATTERPUNK AWARDS taking place at this year’s KILLERCON in Texas. We’re up for Best Anthology, plus Matt Shaw, Bracken MacLeod, and myself, were each nominated in the Best Short Story category for our FIGHTING BACK contributions.
VS: X US vs. UK EXTREME HORROR is also nominated for Best Anthology. Congrats to Dawn and everyone else involved.
Check out the full list of categories and nominees here: SPLATTERPUNK AWARDS NOMINATION LIST
You can grab all four eBooks for less than $10. I hope you’ll consider it.
We all appreciate the support.
There is another fantastic collection I’m even more excited about on the way this June or July that we’re waiting to announce. You guys are going to love it.
Stay tuned!
February 2, 2018
(BOOK REVIEW) BROKEN SHELLS by Michael Patrick Hicks
“He could only watch as a pasty arm jabbed at his face. His back arched as he screamed, the spiked forelimb spearing his eye. Warm jelly oozed down his face as the orb exploded…”
BROKEN SHELLS (High Fever Books, 2017), the latest by author, Michael Patrick Hicks (REVOLVER, MASS HYSTERIA), is a wild underground creature-feature. The story follows Antoine DeWitt, a man that is slugging his way through a paycheck-to-paycheck life. Antoine has a screaming, crying baby at home with his lady, and is tired of it all. He’s just been fired from work when he receives a Money Carlo winning ticket promising him $5, 000, he reluctantly decides to check out the to-good-to-be-true deal. The dealership has something for Mr. DeWitt, but it’s not exactly what he was expecting.
This is a fun and nasty little novella from Hicks. He shows his love for creatures-features, brings the gore and the terror, and his show-stealing creations (the Ba’is) are fantastic. Joe Dangle, the owner of the dealership, and his family have been responsible for keeping the creatures locked away, feeding them (bodies, of course), and keeping it all secret. Evil bugs with sharp claws that will poke your eyes out or rip your mouth apart, the Ba’is rule this story.
“Her lips stretched, her skin blanching under the strain, and then the corners of her mouth split, the flesh unzipping into a gruesome and jagged smile as her cheeks ripped apart.”
Personally, I disliked both DeWitt (who numerous times considers walking away from the stress of his wife and kid) and Dangle (car salesman + murderer =cretin), but LOVED the Ba’is and all the carnage they unleash throughout.
If you’re a big creature-feature fan (digging on works like Adam Cesare’s VIDEO NIGHT or Hunter Shea’s THEY RISE) you’re going to love this book.
I give BROKEN SHELLS 4 stars!
Thanks to Nev at Confessions of a Reviewer for supplying me with an Advanced Reader Copy of the book.
BROKEN SHELLS is available now in Print and will be released in eBook on Feb 8th. Get yours HERE
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MICHAEL PATRICK HICKS is the author of a number of speculative fiction titles. His debut novel, Convergence, was an Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award 2013 Quarter-Finalist. His most recent work is the horror novel, Mass Hysteria.
He has written for the Audiobook Reviewer and Graphic Novel Reporter websites, in addition to working as a freelance journalist and news photographer.
In between compulsively buying books and adding titles that he does not have time for to his Netflix queue, he is hard at work on his next story.
To stay up to date on his latest releases, join his newsletter, memFeed: http://bit.ly/1H8slIg
Website: http://www.michaelpatrickhicks.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormichaelpatrickhicks
Twitter: @MikeH5856
