Derrick Belanger's Blog: Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Ramblings of a Sherlockian - Posts Tagged "david-stuart-davies"

I've got quite a post for today as I now have not one but two Kickstarter campaigns which I am helping to promote. The first is, of course, the horror anthology My Peculiar Family which includes New York Times Bestselling authors besides emerging talent crafting the most original horror stories ever compiled into a single volume. Definitely check out the campaign. The second is the latest volume in the ever expanding MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories. This one is a self contained volume of 20 traditional Sherlock Holmes stories, and I'm proud to say that my story is the first one in the collection. More on that later in the blog posting, but first I'd like to turn to My Peculiar Family and author John Palisano who is the Vice President of the Horror Writers Association and has both an incredible story in My Peculiar Family and a new book out today, Ghost Heart, which has a wholly original take on vampires. I interviewed John Palisano about his new book, his peculiar story, and his campaign to get all bookstores to have a Horror section.

1. Your story for My Peculiar Family, "The Spaces Between," is told through the journal of a late Victorian era composer. What made you decide to use this format to tell your story?

With ‘The Space Between’ The idea was to try and capture the speech and voice of the era. I did a few pages with common contemporary fiction format, and it didn’t feel right. So I looked at other stories written around the same time, especially those by F. Marion Crawford, and wrote in that style as best as I could. It seemed to give an immediacy to the story, as well as tying into the ‘found object’ theme of the book. I thought that it would be cool if, along with the photo, someone found the actual composition pages, but with the story written in back by the pianist. It felt in character that he’d use anything available, considering he was not part of the elite.

2. What kind of research, if any, did you need to do in order to tell your tale?

Set in Whistleville, an idealized version of the town I grew up in, Norwalk, Connecticut, my mother used to take us to a huge place called the Factory Store. It was just as it sounds: it was a former hat factory, but they sold all sorts of stuff there—everything from clothes to toys and they even had a small food counter. I was always fascinated by its history. So I did some looking-into about what it would like for someone working in the hat factory. Especially how they would travel to the nearby shore. I love that kind of research.




3. Today marks the release of your latest novel, Ghost Heart. The novel takes the vampire story and, despite all the reworkings of the undead over the past decade from the Twilight series to The Passage series, finds a wholly original take on the creatures of the night. How did you create the unique concept for Ghost Heart?

When I set out to tell a story, I’m always interested in the details and the worst case scenario. I always want to go beyond what’s presented, and see what makes things work. So I thought about biology. There are many drugs and body modifications that make us operate way above average. Human Growth Hormone. Illegal stuff like Meth. And these things change people's appearance along with whatever benefit they give. I thought tying these into a new kind of modern vampirism would be interesting. Getting the Ghost Heart is more like getting Hepatitis. It’s transmitted sexually or with close, intrusive contact. It hurts. You look better because you can’t keep weight on. I added in gaining strength and a heightened sense—like being super high, yet functional. The flip side? Like any drug or disease, it takes its toll on the body eventually. Similar in a way of overclocking an engine or a computer.

As the bearer of the Ghost Heart begins to wind down, they’ve used so much of the body’s resources that it begins to eat itself in a way: even its own pigment. Their hair turns darker, and their skin loses so much color it becomes nearly clear and translucent, like a fish. Even the organs lose color as the pigment is drawn out and pools in their hair follicles. One can see a still beating, pale heart through their chest near the end—a sign that person is close to dying—and the stage that gives the disease its name.

I also wanted to reinvent fangs. I’d done so in an as-yet-unpublished book about an all female vampire cult in ancient Pompeii, The Forgotten City. To avoid discovery, those vampires had tongues with tips that would harden, where they could cut open the necks of their prey, but would escape scrutiny by Roman soldiers. I took that mythology into Ghost Heart so that the new clan are in fact descendants of the Pompeian Daughters of the Moon vampires.

4. You are the current Vice President of the Horror Writers Association. You have released a statement on your website where you say you are advocating for a separate Horror section in bookstores so that the Horror genre is not lumped in with general fiction. Why do you feel so strongly a separate horror section is necessary? There are quite a few excellent Sherlock Holmes horror collections which cross genres. Where would books like those fit?

Horror calls to people—people who need it. To mix it inside of general fiction is to bury many titles, in my opinion. You have to know what you want before going inside or online. Browsing is a powerful act of discovery, and yet, we are all creatures of habit. If someone enjoyed a Thomas Ligotti book, for example, and went to look for more in that style, where would they begin? Amongst everything?

To top it off, there are many genres that have their own sections. Steampunk immediately comes to mind. The other genres have predominant sections, so why should horror not? It should, and I believe it will.

5. What are your current projects?

There are several short stories coming out this year, as well as my very first short fiction collection, All That Withers, from Cycatrix press. Just this week, I’ve also sent in a third novel to Samhain, which I hope is accepted. Last, I’m hoping the novella I was asked to do goes through, and that a long-standing script I co-wrote finally goes into production.

6. Any last thoughts?

I would like to share something with both artists and readers. And it’s important that both know this: artists are very much responsible for their own success these days. A few still get big deals, and big promo budgets, whereas, the vast majority have nothing but their own fortitude.

Crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and GoFundMe play a vital role. They allow these books to be made, and for the artists to be paid for their hard work. This is important to realize. I think artists need to find a way to let people know about their work without being poor salesmen. While we’re on the subject, the Kickstarter for My Peculiar Family, which features ‘The Space Between’ has been kick-starting, but we could always use another nudge. So please check it out at:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...

Thanks to everyone for reading this, and if you’d like to seek me out, I’m easily found on Facebook and Twitter under my name, and there’s always my blog at: www.johnpalisano.com

GHOST HEART is available here:

http://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Heart-Joh...

Available at Samhain: https://www.samhainpublishing.com/boo...



MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories Part IV

We're back! After the smashing success of the three Volume MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories, David Marcum decided to make this an annual event. This year brings us Part IV: 2016 Annual. This really is not an extension of the prior volumes but its own self-contained group of traditional Sherlock Holmes stories. Here's what Mr. Marcum has to say about the collection:

"These accounts stretch from one of Holmes’s earliest cases, later recounted to Watson as they sit by the fire in the Baker Street sitting room, to an adventure just before Holmes’s retirement that affects both the ancient history and the very future of England. These and all the other excellent tales contained in this volume represent some of the finest new Holmesian storytelling to be found, and honor the man described by Watson as “the best and wisest . . . whom I have ever known.”

All royalties from this collection are being donated by the writers for the benefit of the preservation of Undershaw, one of the former homes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
“Part IV: 2016” Annual features contributions by: Derrick Belanger, Deanna Baran, Daniel D. Victor, Mark Mower, Craig Janacek, Jayantika Ganguly, Denis O. Smith, Matthew Booth, J.R. Campbell, Bonnie MacBird, Arthur Hall, Bob Byrne, Andrew Lane, Roger Johnson, Hugh Ashton, David Stuart Davies, Vincent W. Wright, Daniel McGachey, Nicholas Utechin, Jeremy Holstein, David Marcum, and Marcia Wilson."

Please check out the campaign on Kickstarter for MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories Part IV.

That's all for this entry. Look for another author interview and a Beyond Watson update coming soon!!

Derrick Belanger is the author of the #1 bestselling book Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Peculiar Provenance which was in the top 200 bestselling books on Amazon. He also is the author of the MacDougall Twins with Sherlock Holmes books, the latest of which is Curse of the Deadly Dinosaurand edited the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle horror anthology A Study in Terror: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Revolutionary Stories of Fear and the Supernatural. Mr. Belanger also is a frequent contributor to the blog I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere. Mr. Belanger resides in Colorado and continues compiling unpublished works by Dr. John H. Watson.

One of the incredible parts of living in the digital age is how easy it is to connect with others. If an author lives next door or half a world away, it does not matter. Through the internet, we are able to build connections and friendships with our readers and other authors.

I am excited to announce that Endeavour Press in partnership with The Historical Fictionist is running the Historical Festival. Here is a description from their website:

From April 18-22 2016, Endeavour Press are launching the first ever virtual historical fiction festival. As well as author interviews, live Q&As, and writing tips, we will be running competitions and giving free eBooks to everyone who participates.

I would love the opportunity to connect with my fans and discuss Sherlock Holmes, my writing, and my influences. Renowned Sherlockian David Stuart Davies will also be participating, so this is your chance to "meet" two Sherlock Holmes authors at one event.

For more information and to sign up to attend the festival, please visit the Historical Festical website at: https://historicalfestival.wordpress.....



I'd also like to take the opportunity to announce my latest Sherlock Holmes novella now available from Endeavour Press, Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure Of The Primal Man Here is the book's description plus some excellent reviews from notable Sherlockians:

London 1901.

The city is in the grip of 'Monkey Man Mania'.


Intrepid explorer, Drake Patterson has caused a media storm following his astonishing discovery of a frozen ancient man in the remote Himalayan mountains.

This 'Primal Man' has been triumphantly transported back to England as proof of the 'missing link' in evolutionary theory.

The upcoming auction of the specimen causes a stir amongst academics and the board of the British Museum.

Whilst many are excited about bidding for this 'yeti', or 'mi-go', there are some with a more sceptical viewpoint.

The story of the find just doesn't add up – neither does the fact that no one is prepared to insure the beast.

Enter the great detective Sherlock Holmes and his loyal friend Dr Watson.

Sherlock is in no doubt about the Primal Man's authenticity and takes great pleasure in enlisting the assistance of his cousin, Professor Ellington Dynamo to prove the case.

The fraud investigation takes a dark turn when it becomes one of murder, and Sherlock's powers of deduction and skill are once again put to the test in this exciting adventure.

Full of the skulduggery and surprises you would expect from a Sherlock story, and with the fearsome Professor Dynamo and his delightful inventions to boot, The Adventure of the Primal Man will not fail to please.

‘One thing is certain – nothing is as it seems, and Sherlock Holmes is the man to solve the case.’ David Marcum, author of The Papers of Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes and A Quantity of Debt, and Sherlock Holmes – Tangled Skeins

‘Noted Sherlock Holmes author, Derrick Belanger, has outdone himself again. … a creative tour de force full of mystery, murder, bullet-less guns and electric super-cars shaped like torpedoes.’ GC Rosenquist, author of Sherlock Holmes: The Pearl of Death and Other Early Stories.

‘This excellent read from Derrick Belanger is sure to delight and enthral, not only fans of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, but will also excite and entertain the enthusiasts of general science fiction and Steampunk.’ Chuck Davis, author of Phantoms of the Skies, and the Sherlock Holmes short story “The Adventure of the White Bird” in The MX Book of New Sherlock Holmes Stories.

‘Sherlock Holmes, Doctor Watson and Professor Dynamo are together in one thrilling adventure!’ Luke Kuhns, author of Sherlock Holmes and The Scarlet Thread of Murder and The Untold Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

I'll be happy to answer questions on my latest novella as well as my other Holmes writing at the Historical Festival. I hope to meet you there.

Sign up for the Historical Festival at: https://historicalfestival.wordpress....

Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure Of The Primal Man is available as an ebook at: http://www.amazon.com/Sherlock-Holmes...

Also my horror anthology featuring brand new, never released stories from NY Times bestselling authors Tracy Hickman, Christopher Golden, and James A Moore III is available for a limited time via Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/...


Derrick Belanger is the author of the #1 bestselling book Sherlock Holmes: The Adventure of the Peculiar Provenance which was in the top 200 bestselling books on Amazon. He also is the author of the MacDougall Twins with Sherlock Holmes books, the latest of which is Curse of the Deadly Dinosaurand edited the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle horror anthology A Study in Terror: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Revolutionary Stories of Fear and the Supernatural. Mr. Belanger also is a frequent contributor to the blog I Hear of Sherlock Everywhere. Mr. Belanger resides in Colorado and continues compiling unpublished works by Dr. John H. Watson.