Weston Ochse's Blog, page 48

From Local Press Release- Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Sierra Vista author Weston Ochse has won the inaugural Buffalo Screams Screenplay Competition for his screenplay Desert Dogs, announced last night at the closing ceremonies of the Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival in Buffalo, New York. Started by two independent film makers Greg Lamberson and Emil J. Novak to promote the visual arts in upper New York, the four day festival drew industry professionals from Europe, U.K., Asia and the U.S. 
Desert Dogs tells the tale of two X-gen soldiers fresh back from the war who spend all their time lost in video games rather than in the real world.  "I wanted to write about the dehumanization of war, but in a way that people would readily watch," says Weston. The soldiers' world changes when they encounter a pack of were-coyotes that give them the choice to become part of their pack and leave humanity forever, or stay human and deal with the consequences from which they have been running. The screenplay takes places in southern Arizona.
Weston Ochse has also won the International Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel and has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize for his short fiction. He can be contacted through his website, www.westonochse.com. 
PS: If anyone would like a copy of the screenplay, please feel free to contact me.

A Dodge Charger Bentley Burger in Beverly Hills

Sitting in a hotel room in Culver City right now watching Tremors. Can't help but appreciate the synchronicity in knowing that I'll be doing a book signing at the Poisoned Pen in Phoenix tomorrow alongside the guy who wrote the screenplay for it.

After leaving Maria Alexander's I drove up Cold Water Canyon as an homage to one of my favorite authors, Clive Barker. Then rolled down into Beverly Hills where the hired help drive Acuras. While on Santa Monica Blvd, I saw a Bently Azul. About the time I said to myself, "Look, there's a Bentley," two cop cars came screaming across the intersection. We slammed on our brakes. I almost ate the rear end of the Bentley. Then I watched as yet another Bentley skidded to a stop to a stop behind me, coming within an inch of my bumper. I imagined the in evitable conversation with my insurance agent and how I was going to explain how I had an accident with not one, but two $400,000 cars—A Dodge Charger Bentley Burger.

The signing last night went well. Traffic was murder, as you can imagine. I first parked on a side street, about 7 blocks away, then I found out I had assigned parking in back. Much better. Although it did give me a moment to pause in front of the Viper Room and wonder WTF River Phoenix was thinking right before he overdosed.

Book Soup is an amazing place. It has more books than a store that size should have. It reminded me in some ways of City Lights in San Fran. What I like best is that there are store comments on what seem like a good half of the books, giving me insight into who liked it and why. I bought a copy of Robert Mitchum's biography. He was a stud and reminds me a lot of my grandfather. Although I don't think my grandfather smoked as much pot as Bob, but then I might never know.

Although they had chairs and a sound system, I never used it. The people came in onesies and twosies. Instead of speechifying, I talked to them and we had a great time. Special shout out to Pete Giglio, Hal Bodner and Eugene, Cody Goodfellow, and Maria Alexander. Thanks also to Ted the Events Guy, a very interesting young man who worships at the foot of antiquarian books. Thanks also to Paige Garver, store manager for making me feel at home and not stressed out that I didn't sell all fifty books they had in stock; for recommending the Mitchum book to me; and for inviting me back.

In the end we sold about 30 copies of Empire of Salt. They kept the rest as store stock. I signed them, so as far as I know, Book Soup is now the only place in L.A. to get a signed copy of Empire of Salt. It's also probably the only store in L.A. that's carrying the book. After all, for those who have been following my blog, you know now that it is out of print in the U.S. So call Book Soup at 310.659.3110 and ask to reserve a copy today. In fact, with as many famous and (like me) infamous folks as they have signing at the store, the best idea is to look at their author events list and determine who you'd like to have a signed and inscribed book from, order that too, and get an awesome Christmas present  for someone. Truly, their list of authors is the who's who of pop culture, politics and modern American history.

So now I get to decompress for half a day. I have a BBQ at an old friend's house nearby. I haven't seen them in 13 years and am really looking forward to seeing them. Then it's back to the hotel, do some writing so my agent won't kick my ass next time I see him, and then up early the next morning to make the 7 hour drive back to Phoenix for the big book signing at 2 PM at the Poisoned Pen. Like Book Soup, Poisoned Pen has a who's who of authors. If you are in the Phoenix area and can't drag your sorry ass can't make it to the signing, call the store at (888) 560-9919 and reserve a signed and inscribed copy. That way you can come by and pick it up when you want.

That's all for now, I guess. Thanks again to Mike McCarty and Maria Alexander for hosting my. Muchos Gracias.

Oh yeah, in a weird addendum because I never thought I'd be giving a shout out to Sears, they have embraced much zombie goodness. You have to see this to believe it.

Join the Tour!

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I'm Back in Los Angeles!

And back in L.A. and she recognized me.

After spending an awesome night in Agua Dulce (best known for being the shooting location for many of the Star Trek Original Series episodes) with SFX artist and author Mike McCarty, I sped down the hill into L.A. My intention was to have lunch with old friends Cody Goodfellow and John Skipp. Eunice had introduced me to Cody years ago and we've been friends since. While I've also been friends with Skipp, I have to admit that I've always had a fan boy love for him and his work, especially after Splatterpunk, which sort of changed my whole idea of horror and what it could be back when I first started writing. 

Although getting near where Skipp lived was relatively simple thanks to light traffic and the GPS, that same GPS made it so that it took me 20 minutes to get the last 2000 feet. See, Skipp lives up on a hill in Eagle Rock, with more switchbacks than an Appalachian interstate highway.  The problem seemed to be that the margin of error for the GPS was greater than the warren of streets I was driving up and down. Even though I must have backtracked a dozen times,  with the same old lady walking a poodle giving me the stinkeye each time I passed like I was an ex-Mormon for Satan Drug Dealer, my GPS eventually came through. Soon I found myselt at Skipp's.

I won't share the address, but it had a great view of the canyons of L.A. and the downtown skyline. Skipp's writing space was about perfect, opening up onto a killer deck. Then I met Veronica Hart, the owner of the house. Beautiful and gracious, I didn't recognize her. Veronica was a big deal in the 1980s breaking men's hearts(she's still a big deal). She's since retired from her beginnings and moved on to other things. We were invited to a ceremony tomorrow where a friend of hers was to be married to the moon. Lots of booze, revelry and singing was to ensue. Only in L.A. I might just go because it sounds like fun.

Soon Cody arrived and we went down the hill to a local joint called The Bucket, where we met Rocket (Jesse). I guess she was on L.A. Ink last week (episode 9 Rock and Ink) with her twin sister getting tattoos. She's also a rock guitarist, drives a challenger, and gave me props for driving the evil red charger. We had a pitcher of Negro Modelo and burgers. At Skipp's urging, I had the mushroom burger and oh my god there can't be any more mushrooms left in the state of California. Just amazing.

So we talked for another hour or so, then had to head back. Our major concern was that we'd get stuck in traffic going to West L.A. Normally it isn't an issues with enough time, but the Prez was coming to Glendale later this afternoon and we didn't want to get caught in his wake. So, we all headed in our own directions.

Now I'm killing time at a Coffee Bean on the corner of Sunset and Argyle. I'm sharing the table with a homeless man who is staring intently at a list of winning lottery numbers and picking his teeth. Whoops. He just adjusted his junk. So nice. Thanks for sharing.

The signing is in three hours. Should be awesome. I feel fortunate to be signing at Book Soup. I can't wait.

More later.

My Public Apology to Nadine

Dear Nadine,

I am sorry that Empire of Salt scared you so badly it gave you nightmares. Not really. No seriously, I am. Not really. But seriously. I'm sorry you couldn't make it past chapter four. Not really. No seriously. I wish I would stop doing that. I really am sorry. Stop lying to her. No, I really am extremely sorry that I scared you so badly that you couldn't sleep through the night. No I'm not.

Sigh.

As you can see, part of me feels bad that I scared you. But the other part of me is pretty pleased that you were scared. After all, when I wrote this, I wanted to scare people. You see, Nadine, I'm so used to reading and writing horror that nothing much scares me anymore. To tell the truth, I didn't really think Empire of Salt was all that scary. But I suppose that it's all a matter of perception. I was too used to the scare to realize that it was still scary.

Nadine with Fear in her EyesKind of like using salt, I suppose. My friend Kimo salts everything including his Fruit Loops. I don't salt anything. His food looks the same as mine, but when I try and steal a bite it about kills me with the salt. I suppose horror is the same. I guess it takes people like you to remind of of that... normal people who don't spend their days thinking about hacked up bodies, monster guts and fangs.

Frankly, I forgot people like you were still out there.

I forgot that I am in the minority and you are in the majority.

So let's switch this apology letter to a thank you letter. Can we do that, please? Any comments from the Id, before I continue? Anything? Bueller? It seems that both parts of me are in agreement.

So...

Thank you, Nadine.

Thank you for being scared.

Thank you for NOT reading past chapter four.

Thank you for having the courage to try a book you don't ordinarily read.

Thank you for reminding me that I can still scare people.

Thank you for validating my horror sensibilities.

Your ever-loving horror author pal,
Weston (and his Id)

Screenplay is Finalist in Buffalo

Just got word that my screenplay, 'Desert Dogs,' is a finalist for the Buffalo Screams Horror Film Festival screenplay competition. That's pretty freaking awesome. I've had this screenplay for about a year, and recently reworked it to to add a few scenes I thought were missing. Nothing like a whole society of were-coyotes living in the desert that no one knows about to inspire coolness. Boy would I love to see this made into a movie. Someone who has directed movies for HBO said this as a comparison. "It's The Minus Man (Owen Wilson) meets Dog Soldiers." It does sort of have that disconnected feeling that The Minus Man has. Probably a reflection of the characters of the two X-Gen ex-army soldiers recently-returned from the war who spend all of their time playing First Person Shooters and are totally disconnected from society.

I think the contest winner is chosen on October 24th. I wish I could be there, but I have already committed to signings in L.A. and Phoenix for that weekend. I guess I just need to cross my fingers and hope for the best. It's probably very tough competition, but as someone who has produced and directed movies before said after reading 'Desert Dogs,' "The only reason this hasn't been bought by someone, Wes, is because you don't know the right folks in the industry." Maybe this is that first step in getting to know people. Let's hope.

If there is anyone who wants to take a look at this, just drop me a line. I'll send it no problem.

Weston Ochse
Mexican Border
Desert Grotto

Big Game Hunting in Tucson

Spent this past Saturday Big Game Hunting in Tucson. Yvonne and I had been invited to RINCON 10, which is one of the largest gaming conventions in Arizona. It was held in the Tucson Convention Center along with a Home Show.

Shout out to Lee and Nadine Whiteside for taking care of us.

Besides Magic and other card games, LARPS, and online FPSs, there was a huge amount of tables where folks were playing board games. Besides the occasionally scantily-clad Conan babe sashaying by, there was the usual cool assortment of people dressed as Ghostbusters, space raiders, Jedis, Storm Troopers, with a liberal sprinkling of Steampunkers to bring it into the 2010 (sic). Then of course there were those walking around carrying yard sticks and brooms who appeared to be just your average Jack and Jill. At first I thought they were dressing up as Zombie Victims, you know, the glassy-eyed neighbors who can't even tell if a comet is striking the Earth. Then I learned that they had actually taken a left turn at Albuquerque and were attending the Shriner's Home Show. Then I was certain they were dressed up as zombie fodder.


I can hear them now.

"MMMMmmmm.  Home owners."

"Taste like chicken."

"No. Tastes like Home Depot chicken."

The trip to Tucson for Yvonne and I was kind of stressful, though. We have a new blind Great Dane, which all the FOWs already know about. She's had some bathroom troubles and can't really be left alone for more than four hours. Well, we had planned to be gone for seven hours. It turned into ten. Thankfully, my father-in-law came over to take her out about three. Not thankfully he was unable to do it. Turns out that she didn't;t want to leave the house with a stranger (he'd only been there a few times). Good for her. Bad for us. He gave up and put her back in her crate.

But we were oblivious of this. We had a book signing. Thanks to the magnificent Maryelizabeth from Mysterious Galaxy, there were copies of Empire of Salt and Highborn. In fact, this was the first time Yvonne was able to lay hands on Highborn. It was pretty cool. Her book isn't even officially released yet, so if you want some follow the link and let them know.

But, with all the Zombie Fodder, I didn't sell a single book. I can count on one finger the number of times that has happened. But I did get to talk to Liz Danforth and Jeff Marriotte. I also got to get a copy of Jeff's Dark Sun AD&D novel.

OHMYGODHOWEFFINGCOOLISTHAT!

(Insert Ex Gamer Geek Giggle here). On an interesting note, the cover of the book online is not the actual cover of the book. It's the one the publishers used as a placeholder. This my friends, is the cover of the book. I know, because I just scanned it. But please, order a copy. Dark Sun is very cool.

Then we had two panels. This was the first year there was non-gamer tracks at the convention. Let me just say that the idea is still growing. Let me also say that the four people on each panel were able to give individualized attention.  Ahem.

But it was a lot of fun. I especially enjoyed listening to Marsheila Rockwell and Sam Sykes, whom I'd never before met, as well as Will Shetterly and Emma Bull, whom I've met and wish I could spend more time with. As you can see, I found a recent picture of them. We talked mainly about the writing process, and I never get tired of hearing about how other people do things. Emma is the GoH for LOSCon this year in L.A. Should be awesome fun.

After the convention, Yvonne and I walked outside and discovered that there was in International Food Festival. It was pretty awesome. I had some Jerk Chicken and some Somali rice. Excellent.

I also sat Gini Koch for all of ten minutes. But it was long enough to snap a picture and to have her yell to me across the room, "Winston!"  So cool.

But what about Ghoulie, You ask. What about the blind Great Dane? What kind of mess did she leave? Is that the only reason you read this far?

We got home about 7:30 P.M. Which means that she had not gone to the bathroom in more than nine hours. We pulled into the driveway. We kissed each other and promised not to get mad at the dog. Then we held our breath (There is nothing compared to the sheer amount of crap that can come out of a Great Dane, and then gets to ferment inside of a warm house.) We opened the door and waited for that tell-tale waft of Hell. And the air was clean.

Some how, some way, she was able to hold it. Ghoulie was the hero of the day and made sure that the day, ended well.

BTW, my shirt was a hit. I must have been stopped a dozen times by people wanting to take a picture of it. ZOMBIES - Eat Flesh.

Empire of Salt Sold Out in U.S.!

It is with both pleasure and a little depression that I announce that EMPIRE OF SALT has sold out its U.S. printing. (Note: at the end is a special note to all fans.)

 Empire of Salt is

Gone

Kaput

Nada

Nicht

Nine

Oopso!

On one hand, I'm thrilled that readers have been eager to read this title. From Buffalo, N.Y. to Los Angeles, CA From Vero Beach, FL, to Bonanza, OR I've had emails and pings from readers and sellers telling me how much they loved the book. Makes all those lonely nights sitting at the computer wondering if I knew what the hell I was doing all worth it.

Yep. Selling out is a dream.

But it's also scary. The world is in a tough economy. Everyone wants to move forward, not backward. We have a tendency to look for the next winner, rather than concentrate on the winner we have. So I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that Abaddon Books will do a second printing. After all, there are more places I want to sign. There are more places who want me to sign. Yvonne's new book Highborn is coming out at the end of the month and she wanted us to do a whole bunch of joint signings.

And here's the depressing part, and as all of you who have novels on bookstore shelves can attest, there's nothing like the feeling one gets when they go into a bookstore and see their paperback on the shelves. Selling out means no more Empire of Salt on the shelves. It means no more Weston in bookstores.

Now that's a sad thought.

But enough of that self-commiserating nonsense. Hey! MY BOOK SOLD OUT! How awesome is that? So let's focus on that awesomeness and give a shout out to Ben Smith, Abaddon's U.S. Distribution Coordinator; David Moore and Jenni Hill, editors; and Jon Oliver, Editor in Chief of Abaddon and Solaris. Thanks very much to you all for giving me a chance and letting me play in your books. It's been awesome so far. Hope we can continue having more fun together.

Now for the FANS! And this is pretty serious because I need your help. Do me a favor and drop a line to the folks over at Abaddon and let them know how much you appreciate Empire of Salt and how you want more books from Weston. It won't take but a second and it will make you feel good. You can either contact them on their blog here or on Facebook here.

Thanks everyone!

Weston Ochse
Mexican Border
Desert Grotto

Scary Rednecks for $2.99

New eBook from Crossroads.  Scary Rednecks came out in 1999 and exploded on the market. If you missed it, you missed readings filled with flying cheese balls, natty bo, and fishing boats. Here are some blurbs about it from the days of yore: Original Cover
     Regarding Scary Rednecks and Other Inbred Horrors: The more I read and re-read this collection, the more I am moved by the stories.  I really can't recommend this one enough.  I will say that it's more than its cover promises.  Several of the stories are as touching as they are chilling.  A few are hilarious.  Almost all of them are absorbing.  This is impressive.  Doug Clegg
·         Regarding Scary Rednecks and Other Inbred Horrors: This is better than the hype.  I don't want to go overboard, but stories in the book will remind many readers of the good stuff by Edward Lee and Joe Lansdale and probably Bill Faulkner.  There were times, reading some of them, when I was put in mind of Flannery O'Connor.  Richard Laymon
·         Regarding Scary Rednecks and Other Inbred Horrors: Once a year, the field of horror literature produces a short story, novel, anthology or collection that pushes the limits, breaks new ground and raises the genre to new heights. This is such a book. Their voice is unique, a mix of Edward Lee, Tom Piccirilli, Nietzsche, Sam Kinison, and Steinbeck. Place those ingredients in a blender, shake well, and the result is this book. Brian Keene
 Paperback copies are very expensive, running several hundred dollars for the first edition and at least $50 for the limited. But here you can get it for $2.99.
Presenting: Scary Rednecks & Other Inbred Horrors (THE eBOOK) [image error]
Scary Rednecks & Other Inbred Horrors

by David Whitman & Weston Ochse
SCARY REDNECKS collects twenty-three stories of horror, madness, and humor set in the rural south of America's heartland. The stories run the gauntlet from terror to outrageousness. Packed with everything from abusive parents, cannibals, deer hunters, demonic catfish, UFO abductions, voodoo priestesses, vampire moonshiners, and other Appalachian monstrosities; it will amuse you, disturb you, and leave you hungering for more.
This book is available in MOBI (Kindle) EPUB (Sony / Nook) PDF (Adobe) and PRC (Mobipocket) formats.

Order Here!

How to Walk a Blind Dog

I have a little experience with this. As many of you know, Yvonne and I made a mad 2000 mile dash across the country at the end of June to get Ghoulie from Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love. She was blind. She IS blind. And we figured how hard could it be?

Man oh man, if we'd only known. Not that it would have made us not get Ghoulie, but I would have become smarter, faster.

I can't tell you how many times I've put a leash on the poor dog and walked right out the door, forgetting that she doesn't know where the doorway is, much less what a doorway is. Next thing you know it, BLAM! She walks right into the wall beside the door.

Or when she's on the patio, and I holler for her to come inside. Sometimes I turn around and go about my business. Then comes the BLAM! as she slams into the side of the house.

Poor dog.

[image error] All I have to say is I am getting better. We walk her a mile a day and she does great. She navigates the yard well. Understands commands. Has the run of the house. And is a regular dog.

But it wasn't easy. So I convinced my buddy Jack Kitchens to write an article about How to Walk a Blind Dog. Do me a favor and check it out. If you have some friends who have a blind dog, please pass it along. The one thing I have learned is that there is never too much good advice.



Here is the article - HOW TO WALK A BLIND DOG


Chronological Pictures from the Operation Get Ghoulie