Philip Fracassi's Blog: PHILIP FRACASSI BLOG, page 2
December 21, 2022
2022 READING RECAP
DECEMBER 21, 2022
I only read 52 books this past year (I usually land around 80ish). Free time was simply not in huge supply for me. That said, I went on some wonderful adventures, got scared more than a few times, and loved finding new-to-me authors.
There are many books I've gotten partway through, and many books I'm dying to read but haven't found time.
Here are some recommendations from the pile:
This Thing Between Us - Gus Moreno
Dead Silence - S.A. Barnes
Cackle - Rachel Harrison
The Nightmare Man - J.H. Markert
Red Widow - Alma Katsu
Black Mouth - Ronald Malfi
Sundial - Catriona Ward
Curse of the Reaper - Brian McAuley
Black Tide - K.C. Jones
The Hollow Kind - Andy Davidson
Circe - Madeline Miller
Apartment 16 - Adam Nevill
Daphne - Josh Malerman
The Godfather - Mario Puzo
Survive the Night - Riley Sager
Sister, Maiden, Monster - Lucy A. Snyder
The Flock - J. Todd Scott
The Laws of the Skies - Gregoire Courtois
HIdden Pictures - Jason Rekulak
Fairy Tale - Stephen King
The Island - Adrian McKinty
Little Eve - Catriona Ward
The Trees Grew Because I Bled There - Eric LaRocca
The Poppy War - R.F. Kuang
Motherthing - Ainslie Hogarth
The Dismembered - Jonathan Janz
Theme Music - T. Marie Vandelly
Winter's Bone - Daniel Woodrell
The Warded Man - Peter V. Brett
The Book of Accidents - Chuck Wendig
(Image is my current TBR stack... er... stacks)
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
PF
December 19, 2022
2022 Writing / Publishing Recap
Hey folks!
Man, it’s been an INSANE year. Very, very busy. Lots of new releases. And so much more going on behind the scenes… it’s been really great but, being honest, it’s also been incredibly stressful. Lots of sleepless nights. Lots of struggles, and a very unhealthy day-to-day level of anxiety. And while it’s totally been worth it, I’m looking forward to slowing things down a smidge and trying to smell a flower or two as I go forward.
Complaining aside, it has been a great year. And overall, a lot of fun.
Many folks have asked me why I’ve grouped so many releases together, and the honest answer is it was one-hundred-percent NOT planned that way! I had a few books delayed, which then bumped into the other stuff that was already scheduled. And while I don’t want to have a lot of titles to promote at the same time, at this stage of my career its hard to say no to anyone who wants to publish my work. After all, that’s why I’m doing this crazy writing thing in the first place!
Regardless, I’m so proud of these books and I hope readers who find them will enjoy the stories. If I can bring just a tiny bit of joy to folks’ lives, then it’s all worth it.
SO, enough blabber. Below is a quick breakdown of what I’ve released in 2022.
(But first, a family photo!)
My 2022 Releases
I published three novels this year. Two of those books were limited editions, and one was my debut trade novel - a big deal for me!
GOTHIC, from Earthling Publications, was published in an edition of 235 copies (and sold out in about 20 minutes!). The good news is this book will be rereleased in a trade edition (Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook) on February 3, 2023 by Cemetery Dance Publications.
DON’T LET THEM GET YOU DOWN, a literary novel, was published by Zagava Press in a limited edition of 199 numbered copies. And while the hardcover editions are sold out, there is a brand new paperback edition just released! The paperback is only available through the Zagava website or Ziesings.com, their exclusive US distributor.
A CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS was my debut trade novel and came out in October from Talos Press, an imprint of Skyhorse. While this book had its complications during birth (to put it mildly) it’s finally out in the world and widely available in Hardcover and eBook. We are currently working hard on closing an Audiobook deal, so stay tuned! The early reviews have been amazing, and I couldn’t be more thrilled at the reception this story has been getting from readers.
In addition to the novels, I released a handful of stories as well, all of which can be found in print anthologies. Next year I’ll be in a couple more books, as well as some stories coming in Interzone magazine.
The stories released in 2022, and the books they can be found in, are:
“My Father’s Ashes” - a coming-of-age vampire story (Hybrid: Misfits, Monsters, and Other Phenomena)
“Serial Numbers” - a pulpy throwback horror tale (Dark Murmurs)
“The Resident” - a supernatural burglary story with a twist (Damnation Games)
“The Last Haunted House Story” - a haunted house possesses children (13 Haunted Houses)
“The Guardian” - a reprint of a previously released story (Revelations)
Missing from the photo above is a children’s book I wrote called THE BOY WITH THE BLUE ROSE HEART, and a very cool chapbook I did with artist Michael Bukwoski called HARBORING MONSTERS. This is a book of illustrations by Michael of monsters from my different stories. Includes a 2000 word original essay by me.
Image by Michael Bukowski - “Mother” - from Harboring Monsters
Lastly, there were a couple limited books that came out this year (both are sold out):
ALTAR - a deluxe edition of my short story (can be found in BEHOLD THE VOID) that includes an original essay by John Langan and an 8000-word bonus story called “The Fate of Nero”
THE FATE OF NERO - a limited edition chapbook I created primarily for members of my Facebook fan group - Fracassi Freaks. I self-published these in a signed and numbered edition of 250.
As always, i’m incredibly grateful to the talented artists and designers, and the hard work of the publishers who give my work life and get these stories into the hands of readers.
My other big 2022 accomplishment was the launch of two-seasons of THE DARK WORD, a podcast devoted to writing from some of the biggest writers in the business. While the show will likely not be continuing into the new year, I’m very proud of the 24 episodes that are out there and grateful to the amazing guests who came on and shared their experiences and advice.
While it’s been a busy year, 2023 is shaping up to be a lot of fun as well.
Books and Stories coming next year include:
“Murder by Proxy” - Interzone Magazine #294
“Quad” - Interzone Magazine (tbd)
“Fortune” Shakespeare Unlimited (anthology)
“Specter” Never Wake (anthology)
“Point Oh One” (tba)
“The Astral Key” (tba)
BEHOLD THE VOID - limited deluxe edition - Thunderstorm Books
BENEATH A PALE SKY - limited deluxe edition - Thunderstorm Books
GOTHIC - trade edition - Cemetery Dance
BOYS IN THE VALLEY - trade edition - Tor Nightfire / Orbit UK
NO ONE IS SAFE - my 3rd collection of stories - Lethe Press
Artwork from Interzone Magazine
Plus I’m working on a few more surprises. To stay in the loop, please consider joining my newsletter or my Facebook fan group to get the inside track on all my upcoming work.
Lastly, I want to say a quick THANK YOU to all my readers. You guys make what I do possible, and I just wouldn’t be here without your support. Means the world.
See you next year!
PF
PS - If you’d like to watch a WAY too long video roundup, you can visit my YouTube channel here.
October 31, 2022
Publication / Production Update on All Titles
Publication / Production Update (as of 10/31/2022):
For more details on the titles listed below, please visit my BOOKS page.
THE BOY WITH THE BLUE ROSE HEART:
All 100 limited edition hardcovers w/ signed bookplate are shipping now. If you have not received your copy, it's likely in the mail.
In December 2022, trade paperbacks will be available via Amazon and trade hardcovers will be exclusively available via the Hybrid Sequence Media website.
*
DON'T LET THEM GET YOU DOWN:
Numbered editions should begin shipping from Zagava by end of the year, assuming the new batch of books is error-free (first batch had misaligned cover art).
I do not have a timeline on Lettered editions.
The trade paperback edition, which will also be published by Zagava, will be available by December 1, 2022.
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A CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS:
My trade novel from Talos Press is currently showing as "backordered" for many retailers. For folks who ordered signed editions through VJ BOOKS, please know VJ only received a small portion of the books they ordered and are waiting on the rest. I hope you'll be patient as they wait on a new supply.
Many Amazon orders have also been delayed. Hopefully this is resolved soon.
I do not know why the book is so severely backordered. I have queried the publisher but have not received a response as of this posting.
*
GOTHIC and BOYS IN THE VALLEY preorders are now live. I do not foresee any issues with those titles being delivered on time.
My apologies to any readers who are frustrated with the delays regarding CHILD. I'm doing what I can.
October 25, 2022
PUBLICATION DAY FOR A CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS!
Pleased to announce the release of my debut trade novel, A CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS, now available wherever books are sold.
Today is the result of over 3 years of writing, rewriting, editing, shopping, promoting, and much handwringing.
This book has seen 3 agents. It's seen me write four novels, a screenplay, and a couple dozen short stories since the completion of its first draft - watching jealously from the corner as it bided its time, its birthdate being pushed once, then twice, then a third time.
But now it's here, and little Henry Thorne is in the world. I can't wait for you all to meet him. Thanks so much for the support and I hope you'll pick up a copy of this 600-page, crime/horror hybrid, old-school thrill ride of a novel.
For more info - including links to signed copies and signed bookplates - click HERE.
September 30, 2022
NEW COLLECTION - "NO ONE IS SAFE" - OCTOBER 2023
DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT:
Insanely thrilled to announce I'll be publishing a 3rd story collection in October 2023 with Lethe Press! NO ONE IS SAFE will feature 14 stories with a dark, pulpy flavor I hope folks will love.
The cover will be designed by Jim and Ruth Keegan, incredible artists who have done books for Centipede Press and Dark Horse Comics (among many others), and covers for such authors as Stephen King, Robert E. Howard, and Fritz Lieber.
NO ONE IS SAFE will follow my two previous collections, BEHOLD THE VOID (2017) and the Stoker-nominated BENEATH A PALE SKY (2021).
I look forward to sharing these stories with you all.
FINAL COVER TO BE REVEALED.
August 17, 2022
Deadline Announces Option & Screenplay Deal for "Death, My Old Friend"
On August 6th it was announced that I had optioned my short story, “Death, My Old Friend” to first-time feature director (and veteran commercial director) Christopher Riggert, to be produced by Jib Polhemus of Source Management and Brendan Deneen of Blackstone Publishing. I was also hired to write the screenplay for the film.
You can read the full Deadline announcement by clicking HERE.
July 25, 2022
GOTHIC LIVES!
Proud to announce that my newest horror novel, GOTHIC, is now LIVE for preorders at Cemetery Dance website, and the cracking front cover is revealed below:
Cover design by Kealan Patrick Burke / Elder Lemon
Thrilled to be publishing this novel with the amazing folks at the legendary Cemetery Dance, home of so many great authors such as Stephen King, Bentley Little, Clive Barker, and many, many more.
GOTHIC is, in my mind, a throwback novel - one that doesn’t mind getting its hands dirty. This is a story that is okay living in the shadows, is just fine and dandy leaving the lights off, welcoming in the dark.
SYNOPSIS:On his 59th birthday, Tyson Parks—a famous, but struggling, horror writer—receives an antique desk from his partner, Sarah, in the hopes it will rekindle his creative juices. Perhaps inspire him to write another best-selling novel and prove his best years aren’t behind him.
A continent away, a mysterious woman makes inquiries with her sources around the world, seeking the whereabouts of a certain artifact her family has been hunting for centuries. With the help of a New York City private detective, she finally finds what she’s been looking for.
It’s in the home of Tyson Parks.
Meanwhile, as Tyson begins to use his new desk, he begins acting... strange. Violent. His writing more disturbing than anything he’s done before. But publishers are paying top dollar, convinced his new work will be a hit, and Tyson will do whatever it takes to protect his newfound success. Even if it means the destruction of the ones he loves.
Even if it means his own sanity.
For more information on GOTHIC, please visit my BOOKS page.
To order GOTHIC, please visit Cemetery Dance. The book is available for preorder in hardcover and paperback, and an eBook will be available closer to its release date of February 3, 2023.
Full cover
My thanks to Kevin Lucia for acquiring the novel and shepherding its ghastly rise, to publisher Richard Chizmar for bringing me into the CD fold, to Kealan Patrick Burke / Elder Lemon for a wonderful cover and Gail Cross at Desert Isle for the interior design, and to my agent, Elizabeth Copps, for making the deal.
I hope readers enjoy Tyson’s story, and have fun reading about the meanest desk in history. Trust me folks — it’s nasty.
—PF
PREORDER GOTHICJuly 20, 2022
BOYS GOES GLOBAL -- ORBIT UK SIGNS ON FOR TWO NOVELS, INCLUDING BOYS IN THE VALLEY
I’m a country mile beyond thrilled to announce a brand new deal with Orbit UK (an imprint of Little Brown UK / Hachette) to distribute two of my upcoming novels. Next summer, Orbit will be teaming with North American publishers, Tor Nightfire, to bring my novel BOYS IN THE VALLEY to readers worldwide.
Making this deal with Orbit is one of the great thrills of my career. I can't tell you how amazing it was to be on a call with Orbit editor Nadia Saward and hear their marketing / PR plans for me and the book(s) over the next couple years.
Really hoping that more of my titles find a home with this outstanding publisher. While they're not traditionally known as a horror publisher in the UK, they have immense scale and are looking to break into horror in a big way, and will be using BOYS IN THE VALLEY as a major launching pad.
To be with the same publisher as Robert Jordan, Terry Brooks, Ann Leckie, N.K. Jemisin, Jim Butcher... is just crazy. But now it's time to bring the horror!
Full announcement from Orbit can be read HERE.
For UK customers, PREORDER is now live.
US preorders will be live soon, please subscribe to my newsletter to get all the updates.
Huge thank you’s to my agent, Elizabeth Copps; my Nightfire editor, Kristin Temple; Chris Scheina at Macmillan for making the deal, and Nadia Saward at Orbit UK for her enthusiasm and excitement regarding my work.
And thanks again to Paul Miller at Earthling for first publishing BOYS in a limited edition, and to Sadie Hartmann for bringing some very welcome attention to the novel.
As mentioned, this deal includes a 2nd novel to be released in 2024. Can’t wait for the next couple years and I hope folks everywhere enjoy the stories.
—PF
Click HERE for the Orbit press release.
To read the original Nightfire announcement, visit my blog post or the Tor Nightfire website.
March 8, 2022
TWO-BOOK DEAL WITH TOR NIGHTFIRE
A landmark day for my writing career.
I am beyond thrilled to have found a home at Tor Nightfire (an imprint of Macmillan). This has been a dream of mine since I first started writing stories in the 3rd grade, and a bright, lighthouse-sized goal since I published my first short story in 2015. And quite honestly, this could not be a more perfect situation for me and my work.
Working to become a published writer has been a helluva journey, and (as most writers can attest) there have been a million ups and downs to be weathered. Tragic moments where things fell apart. Times when I was this close to hanging up the writing gig forever. In the past, I’ve written extensively about my journey, in blog posts such as my five part series about the first five years of my professional career. I’ve also written about the need to write through depression, or anxiety. I’ve written about perseverance.
And now I get to write about breaking through. Which is amazing. Frankly, it’s surreal.
Of course, now one must prevail. Must continue to maintain. To fight, and work, and hopefully continue trending in the desired direction. Onward and upward, indeed.
Since the Nightfire agreement calls for two books, I’m happy to share that not only will readers worldwide finally be able to purchase Boys in the Valley (hardcover, eBook, audiobook) at some point during the summer of 2023, but that soon following—likely in early 2024—there will be a second novel “to-be-decided”. And yeah, there’s a few options floating around. A couple novels that are finished, and an idea or two that have been pitched, so I’m eager to find out which direction we travel. Personally, I’d love nothing more than to spend the next decade writing novels for Nightfire. Of course, that’s a lofty goal and, perhaps, even a bit naive. That said, it never hurts to dream, right?
So, this deal tops off a slate of books that are on the way, and hopefully more to come. As of this announcement, my current release schedule looks like this:
DON’T LET THEM GET YOU DOWN - April 2022 - Zagava Press
A CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS - August 2022 - Talos Press
GOTHIC - February 2023 - Cemetery Dance (+ a Limited Edition - 11/22 - Earthling)
BOYS IN THE VALLEY - Summer 2023 - Tor Nightfire
NOVEL (TBD) - 2024 - Tor Nightfire
More information on these titles is available on my books page.
In addition, it’s my aspiration to have a few more releases intermingled among those listed above. I’d love to put out another story collection in the next 2 years. I’d also like to release 2-3 deluxe limited editions of certain titles.
For those in the UK or other countries, there will hopefully be announcements forthcoming for non-US and translated editions in the upcoming months. If interested, you can join my newsletter, or follow me on social media, to make sure you’re getting the info.
Well, that’s it. I have no more update to offer. So, if it’s cool, I’d like to thank a few people who helped make this all happen.
First, a big thanks to Elizabeth Copps, my literary agent, for putting this deal together. Elizabeth is my third agent, and, like many things, it took some trial and error to find the right fit. E, you’re the best.
A HUGE thanks to Kristin Temple at Nightfire for believing in me, believing in my work, and for giving my books a home. I can’t wait to work with Kristin and the Nightfire team on these upcoming releases.
Thanks to my wife, Stephanie, for helping me navigate the rough waters of being a writer. Some smooth sailing will be nice for a while. Thanks to the all the folks in my Fracassi Freaks Facebook Group for the support, and for cheering me on as all this went a bit crazy. A warm, grateful thank you to Paul Miller at Earthling Publications, who originally published Boys in the Valley in a gorgeous limited edition. And a big hat-tip to Sadie Hartmann for her stellar review of Boys that caught the attention of Stephen King… a nice push in the right direction.
Lastly, thank you to all the readers and reviewers who have taken a chance on my work. I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you, and I promise that I’ll continue working hard to frighten, to thrill, to sometimes offend, and to touch your heart when you least expect it. I’ll do my best to keep you on your toes and, dare I hope, entertained.
PF
PS - If you’d like to read even more about this deal, please visit the Nightfire blog for their announcement on the publisher site. Thank you!
January 10, 2022
GOTHIC SELLS TO CEMETERY DANCE, EARTHLING PUBLICATIONS
In July 2016 I announced my first book deal. Posting about BEHOLD THE VOID coming out in an actual book from an actual publisher was one of the coolest things I’d ever done. A life-long writer’s dream come true.
In July 2021 I announced my first trade novel sale to Skyhorse / Talos Press (A CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS, coming August 2022).
And today I get to announce what—for me—is the most exciting news to date. Because I get to team with two amazing, legendary publishers to bring out a new novel I’m extremely proud of.
ANNOUNCING my newest novel, GOTHIC.
In November 2022, Earthling Publications will be publishing a very limited (250 copies or fewer) edition of the novel that will be a deluxe hardcover, numbered and signed. They will also produced a Lettered edition.
In February 2023, Cemetery Dance Publications will be publishing a trade edition of the novel (paperback and eBook) worldwide.
This novel, much like A CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS, is a throwback horror novel that I’m hopeful readers of my work (and authors in the vein of King, McCammon, Barker) will enjoy.
Pre-Order information for both publishers is pending, but if you join my newsletter (or the newsletters at Earthling or Cemetery Dance) you’ll have the information when it becomes available.
I want to thank my agent, Elizabeth Copps, for putting this amazing deal together. Huge thanks to Kevin Lucia, Brian Freeman, and Richard Chizmar at Cemetery Dance for taking on the novel. This was one of the first deals Kevin made for the new CD trade line, and I’m honored to be working with him and CD. Lastly, one more huge thanks to Paul Miller at Earthling for believing in me and the book. This is our second project together (after BOYS IN THE VALLEY) and he’s one of the best in the business.
I’m so thrilled to be bringing this news to you, and I hope you’ll enjoy Tyson’s journey into darkness as much as I enjoyed writing it.
BOOK SUMMARYOn his 59th birthday, Tyson Parks—a famous, but struggling, horror writer—receives an ornate antiquarian desk in the hopes it will rekindle his creative juices. Perhaps inspire him to write another best-selling book and prove his best years aren’t behind him…
As Tyson begins to use the new desk, he finds himself writing copy at an unfathomable speed, becomes so focused on writing that he binges on all-night, all-day sessions that take a serious physical and psychological toll.
Soon, Tyson begins acting strange. Violent.
Meanwhile, a mysterious woman, Diana Montresor, is making inquiries with her sources around the globe for the whereabouts of a certain artifact she, and her family, have been hunting for centuries.
As forces converge on Tyson’s world, he faces the hardest choice of his life: Does he let go of his new muse, allow it to be taken back to the void of history where it belongs? Or does he continue to live as the desk’s mouthpiece, not only regaining his glory days as a famous writer, but achieving levels of success he’s only dreamed of?
As the desk—and the force that lives inside it—grows stronger, he must choose.
Before it’s too late.
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