On David G. Barnett’s Passing
I started sending out fiction manuscripts circa 2005. Rejection followed rejection, until I eventually tried my hand at self-publishing (a webcomic from 2007 to 2008 and a prose collection in 2011). I never made much money, but I enjoyed myself nonetheless. Then I wrote a bizarre, malevolent novelette by the name of “Sacrificial Version.”
Novelettes, being too long for most ’zines and anthologies and too short to publish on their own, are generally tough sells. But I said, “Fuck it,” and sent it to Necro Publications anyway.
As expected, the Necro head honcho, David G. Barnett, informed me that he couldn’t publish it by itself. But, to my surprise, he suggested that I send it over to C. Dennis Moore for consideration for Necro’s Into the Darkness, even though the story exceeded the anthology’s desired word count. “Sacrificial Version” was accepted for the book in 2012 and published at the beginning of 2013.
Some months later, I was shopping around a novel manuscript, “Spectral Satellite Transmissions,” and sent it to Dave. He rejected it as it was, but suggested some changes (less formal dialogue and the removal of unnecessary scenes). If I implemented them, he’d give the narrative another chance.
Being quite touchy about my work, as many who fancy themselves to be artists are, I was initially hesitant to make those alterations. But, eventually, I gave the manuscript another read and realized that Dave was right. I trimmed it down from around 95,000 words to just over 73,000 and resubmitted it.
Boy, was I euphoric to read Dave’s acceptance email. Having consumed horror since my childhood, for me, it felt too good to be true to have real editors and a non-me cover artist bringing my work to fruition. Necro Publications released the novel, retitled The Phantom Cabinet, in 2014, and another five of my books since.
If not for Dave Barnett, I doubt that I’d have kept writing all these years. He never shamed me for poor sales or expressed anything less than enthusiasm for the books we released together. Dozens of other authors can say the same.
This morning, at around three a.m., I learned of Dave’s passing. It’s been a long time since a death hit me this hard. As usual, I find myself hoping that it’s bad information and he’ll announce his good health soon, but look, here I am writing this eulogy.
As for the six books I’ve put out with Necro Publications and the two I have contracted for release, I have no idea what their future holds. Part of me hopes for some hero to step in and take over Dave’s responsibilities with the company, as I’d hate to see it go away, but who the fuck could fill the man’s shoes?
Dave read manuscripts, edited, and designed covers for umpteen books, on top of DJing and writing fiction of his own. He did so much for so many people that I honestly wondered if the man slept.
Well, I guess that he can finally rest now.
Novelettes, being too long for most ’zines and anthologies and too short to publish on their own, are generally tough sells. But I said, “Fuck it,” and sent it to Necro Publications anyway.
As expected, the Necro head honcho, David G. Barnett, informed me that he couldn’t publish it by itself. But, to my surprise, he suggested that I send it over to C. Dennis Moore for consideration for Necro’s Into the Darkness, even though the story exceeded the anthology’s desired word count. “Sacrificial Version” was accepted for the book in 2012 and published at the beginning of 2013.
Some months later, I was shopping around a novel manuscript, “Spectral Satellite Transmissions,” and sent it to Dave. He rejected it as it was, but suggested some changes (less formal dialogue and the removal of unnecessary scenes). If I implemented them, he’d give the narrative another chance.
Being quite touchy about my work, as many who fancy themselves to be artists are, I was initially hesitant to make those alterations. But, eventually, I gave the manuscript another read and realized that Dave was right. I trimmed it down from around 95,000 words to just over 73,000 and resubmitted it.
Boy, was I euphoric to read Dave’s acceptance email. Having consumed horror since my childhood, for me, it felt too good to be true to have real editors and a non-me cover artist bringing my work to fruition. Necro Publications released the novel, retitled The Phantom Cabinet, in 2014, and another five of my books since.
If not for Dave Barnett, I doubt that I’d have kept writing all these years. He never shamed me for poor sales or expressed anything less than enthusiasm for the books we released together. Dozens of other authors can say the same.
This morning, at around three a.m., I learned of Dave’s passing. It’s been a long time since a death hit me this hard. As usual, I find myself hoping that it’s bad information and he’ll announce his good health soon, but look, here I am writing this eulogy.
As for the six books I’ve put out with Necro Publications and the two I have contracted for release, I have no idea what their future holds. Part of me hopes for some hero to step in and take over Dave’s responsibilities with the company, as I’d hate to see it go away, but who the fuck could fill the man’s shoes?
Dave read manuscripts, edited, and designed covers for umpteen books, on top of DJing and writing fiction of his own. He did so much for so many people that I honestly wondered if the man slept.
Well, I guess that he can finally rest now.
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