Philip Fracassi's Blog: PHILIP FRACASSI BLOG, page 5

Fracassi’s 2018 Recap / Bragger-Blog Post (subtitle: Making the Donuts)

2018 was a strange year, but – looking back – a blessed one.

On the personal side, I married my best friend, watched my only child graduate high school and start college, spent an incredible week in Paris and had some fun times at a couple horror cons I won’t soon forget.

Publishing-wise, in contrast to 2017 – during which I had a story collection come out along with a novella, a handful of stories in assorted anthologies, magazines and what-not – the past year has been much more about what went on behind-the-scenes. With very little new work hitting the marketplace, it makes for a somewhat dull 2018 show-and-tell.

Spinning it a bit more positively – it was a Year of Great Preparation.

While 2017 was “a lot of being published”, 2018 was simply “a lot of writing” and, if I can say it, a lot of starting over.

In the last year I’ve written 80,000+ words of a novel that may never see the light of day, a feature film script and a television pilot that might never get produced, two original stories (one skinny, one fat) for a couple anthologies that might (or might not) come out next year, a massive novella (over 44,000 words!) that is part of a new collection that, realistically, might not get sold, and a pretty crappy short story for kids that will never leave my hard drive. Hey, it happens.

And while that seems like a lot of work for very little short-term reward, it’s still WORK. And you can’t have a bakery if you don’t make the donuts, right?

So… donuts made. Who’s hungry?

In more backroom drama, I torpedoed an agent, split with a publisher and started fresh on both fronts. I signed with New Leaf Literary and Janet Reid, which pleases me greatly and will hopefully open some doors moving forward. Or at least some windows I can sneak through. The good news here is that I get yelled at a lot less these days, which is nice.

In real-world physical publishing news, a few good things did happen to author-me in 2018:

I published my first-ever book review in Black Static Magazine (with another due in January), and found a side-gig writing horror articles for a cool little website called Globe Book and Film. Non-fiction – who knew?

My story collection, BEHOLD THE VOID, was translated into two languages and released in Spain (as CONTEMPLAD EL VACIO) and the Czech Republic (as HLED, PRAZDNOTA). I’m so thankful to the publishers who took on the Herculean task of translating 100k+ words of my stories and created such beautiful new products from my debut assortment of horror.

 

 

I did have a few original pieces squirm out into the world this past year, and am grateful to Unnerving Press, Lovecraft eZine and Dark Discoveries for publishing, respectively, OVERNIGHT, SHILOH (which includes a bonus story: “Soda Jerk”) and my short story “Ateuchus“. I’m very proud of all three publications and I hope you’ll check them out.

 

 

In addition to the new work, I was insanely grateful to receive some very warm, and very generous, recognition. I was delighted that BEHOLD THE VOID was named “Short Story Collection of the Year” by This Is Horror, and also receive the Charles Dexter Award for “Favorite Collection” from the folks at Strange Aeons.

Further, it was an honor for my story “Fail-Safe” to be selected by Ellen Datlow for BEST HORROR OF THE YEAR VOLUME TEN. Being included in this publication, of which I am a long-time fan, was never – ever – something I thought possible. Such a thrill.

 

 

One last, year-end piece of excellent news was finding a new home for the English edition of BEHOLD THE VOID (working with my friends at Lovecraft eZine) and I am beyond thrilled with how the new book turned out. I think folks are going to really enjoy the look and feel of this edition, and I couldn’t be more thankful for all the hard work and belief that went into creating this newly illustrated, perfected version of my first book. As of this blog post, the book is at the printers and should be rolling out soon.

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As for 2019, the only thing I have penciled-in, at this time, is the release of a new novella, THE WHEEL, as part of Cemetery Dance’s Signature Series, hopefully hitting the streets next summer (with illustrations by the legendary Glenn Chadbourne!).

And so that’s my year in a nutshell. I want to thank all the readers and supporters, and I hope I’m able to share some of the donuts I’ve made this past year with all of you very soon. I’m grateful and humbled to do what I do, and to have a few people interested enough in the work to follow along is mind-blowing and heartwarming on a daily basis.

Lastly, I want to say what great fun it is to watch all my friends produce wonderful art and create such amazing things that go out into the world and bring such pleasure to so many people. Your paintings and music and poems and blogs and books and scripts and spoken records and films and designs and podcasts and illustrations and games… my god, it’s staggering to see the output. I’m humbled to be in your company.

I look forward to seeing you all – and all the great things you’ll do – in 2019.

God bless, and godspeed.

PF

New Reviews – Stephen King, Cody Goodfellow

It seems I’ve fallen into some non-fiction realms recently, and – to be honest – it’s been kind of fun!

I’ve been lucky enough to be asked for a couple December reviews – one for the new Cody Goodfellow novel, SLEAZELAND, and another for the new Stephen King novel (novella? short novel?), ELEVATION.

My SLEAZELAND review can be found only in the newest issue of the world’s greatest horror magazine, Black Static.

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My review of the new Stephen King story, ELEVATION, can be found online (free!) at the infamous Book and Film Globe website.

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To check out the SLEAZELAND review, purchase Black Static HERE.

To check out the ELEVATION review, visit Book and Film Globe HERE.

Enjoy!

BEHOLD THE VOID COVER REVEAL & PRE-ORDER!

The reissue edition of BEHOLD THE VOID has arrived!

This new edition is the author’s “perfected” text and includes 10 brand-new interior illustrations, a new cover design, a new Afterword and Story Notes.

The edition will be available early-December in paperback and eBook.

[image error] Cover art by Heather Landry, Design by Steve Santiago

I want to thank Mike Davis at Lovecraft eZine for publishing this gorgeous book, Kenneth W. Cain for the interior layout and design, Steve Santiago for the cover design, Heather Landry for the cover artwork and the amazing frontispiece illustration, and last but not least Dave Dick for the stunning story illustrations.

Some examples of the interior illustrations below:

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I hope you’ll enjoy this new edition of my debut, award-winning collection of horror stories. I, and everyone mentioned above, worked incredibly hard to make sure this was something unique and special. The book will be widely available (in paperback and ebook) in early December via Amazon and other outlets.

For those who purchased the original edition of this book:

Thank You SO MUCH for supporting me. This reissue was done from a place of need, not want, and as beautiful as this new book is, the true first edition (and those who purchased it, reviewed it, read it and enjoyed it) will always have a warm place in my heart.

Limited Edition Pre-Order

As a special promotion, the first 50 pre-orders will receive a copy of the book direct from the author that will include a LIMITED EDITION BOOKPLATE unique to this promotion. These signed, numbered bookplates will never be available again in any form. Check it out below:

[image error] The bookplates will be hand-numbered and signed in silver ink.

To pre-order one of only 50 copies of this limited bookmark edition, please pay $20 (includes shipping/handling) via the PayPal link below – be sure to include your email, full name and mailing address!

(Sorry – U.S. Residents Only)

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(If you would prefer to pay me direct, or if you live outside the U.S. and are interested in acquiring a copy, email me and we’ll work it out.)

PRAISE FOR BEHOLD THE VOID:

“SHORT STORY COLLECTION OF THE YEAR” — THIS IS HORROR

“SHORT STORY COLLECTION OF THE YEAR” — STRANGE AEONS

“…think vintage King at his best.” – Rue Morgue Magazine (“Dante’s Pick”)

“Fracassi makes terror read so damn beautifully. He uses horror to illuminate human character and as a result these stories hit you in the gut and the heart.Behold the Void is badass.” – Victor LaValle

“Fracassi…builds his horrific tales slowly and carefully…his powers
of description are formidable; and he’s especially skillful at creating,
and sustaining, suspense.” – The New York Times

“…masterful storytelling skill rarely seen in the genre…It’s like Shirley Jackson times 50.” — Becky Spratford, RA for All

“…recalls the work of writers such as McCammon, King, and Bradbury.” – John Langan, LOCUS Magazine

“This is horror fiction at its best.” — Brian Evenson

“Fracassi is the next big horror writer to blow your mind. If you’re a fan of the horror genre at all, then this guy is a must-read.” — Max Booth III, Lit Reactor

“These stories are scary, yes, but more than that, they’re haunting– they get inside you and they don’t go away.” — Ben Loory

“BEHOLD THE VOID is exceptional. It reminds me of the great short
works of King, but the book also harkens back to an older kind of horror
— the barely glimpsed mysteries and monsters of a more cosmic dark.” — Andy Davidson, author of In the Valley of the Sun

“Every story in here is golden…some of the best storytelling and characterizations I’ve seen in contemporary literary horror.” — Shane Douglas Keene, Hellnotes

“…an author we must surely now hail as a leading light in the dark field of horror fiction.” — Thomas Joyce, This Is Horror

“Philip Fracassi is a master craftsman of the dark tale… a rare talent, and this book is a marvel.” — Paul F. Olson, author of Whispered Echoes

“Fracassi’s BEHOLD THE VOID is the perfect read for horror fans who expect authors to raise the bar and redefine what horror fiction means.” — Ronald Malfi

“Fracassi confirms his genius for genre writing…BEHOLD THE VOID should be on the shelf of every horror reader. It’s that good.” — Ralph Robert  Moore, author of Behind You

“When you open this collection, you’re headed down a dark alley within the precincts of the Twilight Zone. It’s the kind of place where the wrong people get hurt; hazard is everywhere and it doesn’t play favorites. The complacent won’t find refuge here on the threshold of the void. Nobody is safe and nothing is sacred. Enjoy the ride.” — from the introduction by Laird Barron

Behold the Void wins 2017 “Charles Dexter Award” for Favorite Collection

Was thrilled to find out this past week that my story collection, BEHOLD THE VOID, was given the “Charles Dexter Award” from Strange Aeons Magazine – the award given in the categories of Favorite Chapbook, Favorite Anthology/Collection, Favorite Novel and Favorite Movie.

BEHOLD THE VOID was awarded “Favorite Anthology/Collection” of 2017.

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Other winners included Cody Goodfellow (Chapbook), S.P. Miskowksi (Novel) and Get Out (Movie).

Want to say thank you to Editor-In-Chief Rick Tillman and Executive Editor K.L. Young for the honor.

If you don’t have this issue (or any issue) of Strange Aeons Magazine, I’d highly recommend picking up this outstanding publication. Issue 23 includes stories from Brian Evenson, Alan Baxter and John C. Foster — three amazing writers.

 

Official Announcement for CONTEMPLAD EL VACIO, the Spanish edition of Behold the Void, coming Oct. 22, 2018

It’s been incredibly satisfying to have my stories from my debut collection, BEHOLD THE VOID, branching out into new languages and new territories. With the Czech release of HLED, PRAZDNOTA earlier this year, and now I can officially announce CONTEMPLAD EL VACIO, from Dilatando Mentes Editorial (Spain).

With stunning cover art by artist Hugo Giner Puchol, and beautiful interior illustrations from Juan Alberto Hernandez, this edition of BEHOLD THE VOID is as much a piece of art as it is a series of macabre stories.

Read the Official Announcement from the publisher, Dilatando Mentes Editorial.

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Limited to 300 copies, CONTEMPLAD EL VACIO is now available for pre-order from the publisher, and all pre-orders will receive a 5% discount and other limited goodies.

I’m very grateful to Jose Angel De Dios García for publishing / translating / editing this edition.

Official release date: October 22, 2018.

PRE-ORDER HERE

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Officially Signed with New Leaf Literary, agent Janet Reid

It’s been a dream of mine since I was a kid to one day publish stories.

To be a working author.

Part of that fantasy was to have a published book that people read (and hopefully enjoyed). Accompanying fanciful daydreams were to one day have a book reviewed in The New York Times, or to have my stories optioned for feature films and – why not? – to have my work represented by an honest-to-god literary agency; to find me one of those elusive “agents” I’d heard so many cool things about.

A lot of these insane fantasies have already, incredibly, come true these last couple years, and today I’m so thrilled to say another wonderful piece has fallen into place.

Now that I’ve signed, I can finally announce that I am officially represented by the amazing Janet Reid at New Leaf Literary & Media.

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I’m incredibly grateful to have Janet and the folks at New Leaf take a chance on me, and for bringing another one of us insane horror writers into their fold.

I look forward to the challenges ahead, and to continuing to create the very best work I can. Hopefully, working with Janet and the New Leaf team, we can get some new stories out there to entertain a broad new realm of readers.

There’s some cool stuff already in the works.

I can’t wait to show you guys what I’ve been up to.

Thank you for the support and, as always, for reading.

PF

Behold the Void is officially certifiable.

I want say things like “really pleased” or “thrilled” or “honored”… but frankly I can’t find the words to properly express what it means for my collection, Behold the Void, to have received the honor of Short Story Collection of the Year from the amazing horror flagship, THIS IS HORROR.

The official certificate came today and it got me emotional all over again (having been officially notified of the award a few months ago).

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Behold the Void is my debut collection, my debut book for the marketplace, and I couldn’t be happier about the reception it’s had from readers, reviewers, bloggers, tweeters and Facebook friends. Thank you ALL.

And although the collection is currently out-of-print, you can still get copies from Amazon.com and other online vendors, but please know that there will also be a brand-new reissue edition coming around Halloween of this year from Lovecraft eZine Press, which will feature ten brand-new interior illustrations, a beautiful new cover and extensive story notes. I hope you’ll wait for that edition, it’s gonna be a knock-out.

If you’d like an inscribed copy of the collection, I have a limited supply here at my horror headquarters, which I’m happy to inscribe and/or sign and sell direct. Just contact me.

Lastly, thanks to Michael David Wilson and Bob Pastorella and to all the THIS IS HORROR followers and listeners who voted for my collection – as I stated previously, words can’t really express the gratitude and honor. So I’ll simply say Thank You.

To see the full list of 2017 winners, visit the THIS IS HORROR website.

PF

BEHOLD THE VOID hits 200-review mark on Goodreads.

Small steps and all that, but it was satisfying to see BEHOLD THE VOID hit 200 reviews on Goodreads. This book’s journey has been tumultuous at best, and the captain has threatened to jump overboard multiple times, but we’re still here and chugging along.

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Since inception, BTV has won Best Collection of the Year (2017) from This Is Horror; one story (“Fail-Safe”) was selected for BEST HORROR OF THE YEAR VOL. 10; another story (“Mandala”) was named Story of the Year from Dark Musings; two stories have been optioned for film (“Fail-Safe”, “Mandala”); the Czech Republic edition came out last week, with the Spain edition coming in October; and a brand new reissue edition is coming later this year (fully illustrated! story notes! new cover!) from Lovecraft eZine Press.

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So, big thanks to everyone who has bought / read / reviewed the collection. It’s been a good journey and I sincerely appreciate the incredible support.

If you’d like to leave your review on Goodreads, click the button below.

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Czech edition of Behold the Void released!

Pleased to announce the Czech edition of BEHOLD THE VOID — released August 7, 2018 from / Pulp Robot, translated and edited by Jakub Nemecek, with cover art by Tomas Kucerovsky. Proud to be with the same publisher who has worked with a couple of my literary heroes, Laird Barron and Brian Evenson.

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Author copies!

I just received my author copies and couldn’t be more thrilled.

According to the publisher, interest has been high and it recently received and 80% rating from Databaseknih.cz.

This is my first translated edition, so it’s very special. I hope for many more to come (Spanish edition already announced — coming in October from Dilatando Mentes Editorial). It’s wonderful to see one’s work opening to new territories.

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Czech Advertisement

Lastly, I want to again thank Jakub Nemecek and his editors, who did a painstakingly thorough job with the translation, and even brought to light some edits I’ve applied to the future US reissue of the book. Great publisher, amazing editors!

If you’re in the Czech Republic, please pick up a copy!

Publication Day for OVERNIGHT — a new novella of supernatural revenge from Unnerving Press

Today is publication day for my new story, OVERNIGHT.

You can order the kindle ebook for $1.99 via Amazon, or you can purchase the limited edition hardcover direct from Unnerving Press. This is a novelette – about 68 pages. Hope you enjoy it.

To order ebook: https://amzn.to/2LvEHCL

To order limited HC: http://bit.ly/unovernight

OVERNIGHT takes place in the world of the film industry, and tells the story of a security guard’s struggle with his own morality when dealing with a tenacious (and possibly dangerous) stalker, who will do anything to get closer to the film’s lead actress.

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From OVERNIGHT:

The man smiled even more broadly, reached into the pocket of his camo pants and pulled out a thick fold of bills. Pete’s eyes tracked the money like a cat eyeballing a slow-moving mouse.

“I’ve got two hundred dollars here. Cash. It’s yours, if you’ll just hear me out and do one little thing for me.”

Pete found himself staring at the money. Debtors were flying through his head. Utility bills. Groceries. The failing brakes on the Honda. His edge was slipping…

He nodded. “Okay, dude. Let me hear it.”

 

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Early Reviews for OVERNIGHT:

“In Overnight, Fracassi finds a way to blend the tone of classic horror with a vibrant and timely setting.  Throw in strong characters that are both interesting, creepy, and morally conflicted and you get a great story that is yet another stellar addition to the growing body of work both for Philip Fracassi and the short genre fiction scene. (5 Stars)” — Signal Horizon

“…we truly see Fracassi’s talent for madness.” — The Ghastly Grimoire

 

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