2012, My Year In Review
This is the time of the year, when you look back and reflect what the hell happened in 2012. And looking back on these twelve months with my books, I just have to sit back and smile. Artistically and commercial it was my most successful year as a book writer in the last decade I've been doing this crazy gig. So you, the ones who show up for my signings, buy my books at book stores or online. Thank you! Thank you and Thank you! And I hope you still buy my stuff in 2013 too.
My first book of 2012, was an ebook published by Noble Young Adult called I KISSED A GHOUL (Published in March). Here is the low down on it: I already did a column about this publication of an overweight high school student who tries to score with chicks but instead fights monsters instead. The October column had two positive reviews. There is a third one now, and it goes like this:
One of McCarty's Finest Works!! November 23, 2012
By Keith Milstead
Format:Kindle Edition
I finished I KISSED A GHOUL today and I have to tell you, I LOVED IT. In fact I think it is the best of Michael's works I've read (so far) and that is saying a lot. Michael McCarty says he met Richard Laymon only once, spoke a few times on the phone and e-mailed a few times. Dick was an inspiration to him. That must be why when Micheal wrote I KISSED A GHOUL he channeled the ghost of this incredible author that reads like a collaboration between two awesome authors. I loved Dick Laymon (considered him a friend) and Michael has done so much toward emulating his style but then adding his inimitable style and warped sense of humor. It is like Michael was listening to Dick saying "do this, add more breasts, a couple of hot and heavy petting scenes," but then Michael told him to "back off dude, I'm writing my stuff now," and then added his own style, sense of humor,irony and creativity but then turned around and embraced Richard again. As Gerard Houarner, said in the epilogue, "it was great to see a character that had a more screwed childhood than I did" but I can actually say I saw myself in Tommy Wharton's life too.
Tommy Wharton, the lead character, fights off all kind of creatures in the quest for losing his virginity, only to be cock-blocked again and again. Micheal gives his characters life with a hefty dose of strife and "man's inhumanity against man... and vampires, and werewolves and succubi). This novella reads like ANIMAL HOUSE meets ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN!! A must read for all ages. I must say, I wasn't really aware of YA (Young Adults) stories and what came to mind were those old Scholastic Book Club books I read in elementary school about perseverance and cuddly dogs and mean teachers. I must say that after a few chapters, I totally missed the mark on this genre. This book is McCarty at his best and I dare you to start reading it and put it down before finishing it.
After that, was LOST GIRL OF THE LAKE by Joe McKinney & Michael McCarty, a coming-of-age novella set in the early 1960s from Bad Moon Books. It was published as a trade paperback, ebook and hardcover book.
Lake Livingston: August, 1961. Mark Gaitlin is 15, the son of one of the wealthiest men in Texas, and on the most boring summer vacation of his life. His days are filled with the pomp and circumstance of country club life, while his nights are a parade of one embarrassment after another at the hands of giggling teenage girls. But the piney woods above Lake Livingston are dark at night, and hold many secrets for an impressionable youngster on the cusp of becoming a man. And one night, after skinny dipping in the lake with a mysterious local girl, Mark Gaitlin's life takes a crazy turn into the fire and brimstone religion of backwoods snake handlers and abandoned villages haunted by old family secrets. If he can survive the snakes and the ghosts and his own family's dark history, he just might make it out of the woods alive. And something else...he just might become a man.
LOST GIRL OF THE LAKE received 4 reviews, all very positive:
5.0 out of 5 stars Spine chilling horror October 4, 2012
By Keith Milstead
Format:Paperback
If you haven't read this this marvelous book, you need to put it on your bucket list at #1!! This duo have created a world of mysticism of horror and the joys associated with coming of age. Joe and Michael are the Batman and Robin of horror. This one will keep you up at night and will creep you out, the necessary components of a good horror story in a Texas environment. I highly advise you take the opportunity to read this tale of terror. I also believe if you haven't had the opportunity to check out the horror of Joe's and the solo and collaborative efforts by Michael. You won't be disappointed!!
5.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling Tale To Entertain Your Imagination August 29, 2012
By J. R. LaGreca
Format:Paperback
LOST GIRL OF THE LAKE is an unconventional "coming of age story" as only authors Joe McKinney and Michael McCarty could invent. It is an endearing, evocative saga filled with the familiar as well as the unexpected, infused with wonders of the heart and soul. A tale of dark seduction and innocence, told through a man's mind, recreated from his boyhood memory. I highly recommend this page turning novel and glimpse into both the past and future with unanswered mysteries lurking in the wings.
-Jody R. LaGreca, Author of five books including SUBURBAN WEIRD
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and Haunting!!!! August 1, 2012
By dbern77
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
When two great novelists team up, a tale like "Lost Girl of the Lake" can happen--and happen it did! Joe McKinney's and Michael McCarty's "Lost Girl of the Lake" is as wonderful as it is haunting. A really great coming of age tale about realizing those significant moments in life and how they change a person. Filled with human horror as well as the type of supernatural horror we all have come to love from these gentlemen! Brilliantly done and a must read!!!!
Shortly after that, still in the summer, still in June, NIGHT OF THE SCREAM QUEEN by Michael McCarty and Linnea Quigley was published from Dark Moon Books as a trade paperback and an ebook. It was a lot of fun doing this send up to b-movies and drive-in horror flicks.
Scream Queen Desiree Starr is tired of starring in one low budget horror movie after another, each passing film, her wardrobe becomes skimpier and skimpier. Private Martin Riley, a simple solider from Iowa is recruited for "Operation Reptilian", a dangerous experiment where he is suppose to become a "Solider of the Future"--but he becomes something else entirely different. Dr. Morrie Madden, a military "mad scientist" who has played God one too many times. Aging British actor Blake Smith, once a leading man in horror films, but that was
before his face started to deteriorate and now has to wear masks in public. All their lives become intersected and a hell breaks loose in the Devil Bayou swamplands. "With Night of the Scream Queen, Linnea Quigley and Michael McCarty have penned my favorite guilty pleasure novel of the year. This is over-the-top good fun, the way they used to make it down at the drive in. I loved it, and I bet you will too. Highly recommended!" --Joe McKinney, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Flesh Eaters and Dead City
The book received three reviews, all glowing:
Memories or mammaries? November 15, 2012
By Keith Milstead
Format:Paperback
Remember back in the old days when you would take your best guy or best girl to the drive-in to watch the shlock films where women with huge, uh, assets and creatures that were once people but now share the qualities of a number of animals ran around the screen turning people into gore and causing our favorite scream queens to scream until they nearly blew out a lung? Remember watching Linnea Quigley, the most beautiful and super talented scream queen who stole the scenes in 'RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD" or "NIGHT OF THE DEMONS" and wishing you could just jump on to the screen to pour out your undying love to her, except there were demons and zombies, and maybe you didn't care because, well she is Linnea. Now take her talents for the written word and add in the macabre and frighteningly scary and humorous Mr. Michael McCarty and then add in gators and Desiree Starr and a very odd SFX guy who adds a whole 'nother level to his craft and you have NIGHT OF THE SCREAM QUEEN: KISS OF THE GATOR GUY. You then have the novella version of those wonderful nights at the drive-in. The collaboration between Ms. Quigley and Mr. McCarty is nothing short of genius. Upon finishing this book, I kept wondering, when will there be a sequel, which I learned is in process. The characters are cartoonish but at the same time full and earthy. The story, each chapter separated by comments made by Desiree Starr from her memoirs as well as other characters adds to the realism of this...are we sure?...fictional work. This was a masterpiece and I highly recommend you jump out there and get a copy before word gets out and they are all gone. IT IS THAT GOOD! I love Michael McCarty's work, all of it so far, because like me, he is a bit warped and after learning he had Linnea available to consult thought the process 24/7, well, I am jealous too.
5.0 out of 5 stars B-Movie Energy!!! July 31, 2012
By Spencer
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read this bad boy in one sitting. Being a fan of b-movies in general, the story involving b-movie actors, b-movie filmmakers, and gator people, I ate this right up. You have to be okay with the ridiculous (and fun) premise, or else stick with straight-laced fiction. It's geared more towards humor, so if you're ready to laugh, pop open a cool one and enjoy.
Also, I really really enjoyed the snippets about Desiree Starr's movie experiences before each chapter. Fun, fun stuff!
5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic book! July 9, 2012
By Leo Zemke
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
this book is great! I love the cover art, its fantastic and whimsical. I am enjoying the book, its well written and was packaged well, also shipping was lightning fast. Every single aspect of this transaction was a joy to behold. Will buy all of Michael McCarty's books from now on.
That was followed by my vampire ebook BLOODLESS by Michael McCarty & Jody R. LaGreca published by Whiskey Creek Press. Daniel Peck is a modern-day vampire, over one hundred years old. He succumbs to
his transformation on the Lusitania when the beautiful and ancient Veronica, Queen of the Undead, beguiles him. Daniel survives the sinking of the Lusitania, and another disaster when the Hindenburg explodes. Years later Daniel is a middle school substitute teacher in Baltimore, Maryland. He feeds off the energy of four students and turns them into zombie-like creatures who subsist on human remains. Daniel kills people for his thralls to devour, but the students prove difficult to control.Meanwhile Daniel encounters and is charmed by Annie
Julliard, a lovely motel proprietor, and changes her into a white vampire. They marry and Daniel brings home the four thralls as his adopted children. From then on, things become very complicated…
The book received a couple great reviews so far:
4.0 out of 5 stars Strangely seductive, gruesome, and fun October 20, 2012
By Patricia J. Esposito
Format:Kindle Edition
"Michael McCarty and Jody LaGreca are masters at blending the macabre with the ordinary, the monster with the everyman in their vampire novel Bloodless. They can make a horrific killer seem quite affable, a dinner of barbecued human parts palatable, and a slit throat in lovemaking exquisitely erotic. McCarty and LaGreca write with inexplicably gruesome charm, evident in Bloodless."
5.0 out of 5 stars Vampires are Still Cool! October 18, 2012
By CulturalFastFood
Format:Kindle Edition
Every time I'm tempted to believe the vampire genre has been completely played out, somebody comes along and proves me wrong. In this case, two somebodies have done a fabulous job knocking me on the head with a literary hammer just to tell me, "Shut up, Rosser--there's a hell of a lot more to explore with the bloodsuckers." This is a great book with a fine storyline and lots of excitement and fun. I like the way the authors write.
That was followed by CONVERSATIONS WITH KRESKIN by The Amazing Kreskin and Michael McCarty published as a hardcover and ebook from Team Kreskin Inc. Because Kreskin appeared on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," "Fox & Friends" and other shows, the book has been selling well.
To learn more about my books, you can go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JS0L06
God bless and Godspeed, 2012
My first book of 2012, was an ebook published by Noble Young Adult called I KISSED A GHOUL (Published in March). Here is the low down on it: I already did a column about this publication of an overweight high school student who tries to score with chicks but instead fights monsters instead. The October column had two positive reviews. There is a third one now, and it goes like this:
One of McCarty's Finest Works!! November 23, 2012
By Keith Milstead
Format:Kindle Edition
I finished I KISSED A GHOUL today and I have to tell you, I LOVED IT. In fact I think it is the best of Michael's works I've read (so far) and that is saying a lot. Michael McCarty says he met Richard Laymon only once, spoke a few times on the phone and e-mailed a few times. Dick was an inspiration to him. That must be why when Micheal wrote I KISSED A GHOUL he channeled the ghost of this incredible author that reads like a collaboration between two awesome authors. I loved Dick Laymon (considered him a friend) and Michael has done so much toward emulating his style but then adding his inimitable style and warped sense of humor. It is like Michael was listening to Dick saying "do this, add more breasts, a couple of hot and heavy petting scenes," but then Michael told him to "back off dude, I'm writing my stuff now," and then added his own style, sense of humor,irony and creativity but then turned around and embraced Richard again. As Gerard Houarner, said in the epilogue, "it was great to see a character that had a more screwed childhood than I did" but I can actually say I saw myself in Tommy Wharton's life too.
Tommy Wharton, the lead character, fights off all kind of creatures in the quest for losing his virginity, only to be cock-blocked again and again. Micheal gives his characters life with a hefty dose of strife and "man's inhumanity against man... and vampires, and werewolves and succubi). This novella reads like ANIMAL HOUSE meets ABBOTT AND COSTELLO MEET FRANKENSTEIN!! A must read for all ages. I must say, I wasn't really aware of YA (Young Adults) stories and what came to mind were those old Scholastic Book Club books I read in elementary school about perseverance and cuddly dogs and mean teachers. I must say that after a few chapters, I totally missed the mark on this genre. This book is McCarty at his best and I dare you to start reading it and put it down before finishing it.
After that, was LOST GIRL OF THE LAKE by Joe McKinney & Michael McCarty, a coming-of-age novella set in the early 1960s from Bad Moon Books. It was published as a trade paperback, ebook and hardcover book.
Lake Livingston: August, 1961. Mark Gaitlin is 15, the son of one of the wealthiest men in Texas, and on the most boring summer vacation of his life. His days are filled with the pomp and circumstance of country club life, while his nights are a parade of one embarrassment after another at the hands of giggling teenage girls. But the piney woods above Lake Livingston are dark at night, and hold many secrets for an impressionable youngster on the cusp of becoming a man. And one night, after skinny dipping in the lake with a mysterious local girl, Mark Gaitlin's life takes a crazy turn into the fire and brimstone religion of backwoods snake handlers and abandoned villages haunted by old family secrets. If he can survive the snakes and the ghosts and his own family's dark history, he just might make it out of the woods alive. And something else...he just might become a man.
LOST GIRL OF THE LAKE received 4 reviews, all very positive:
5.0 out of 5 stars Spine chilling horror October 4, 2012
By Keith Milstead
Format:Paperback
If you haven't read this this marvelous book, you need to put it on your bucket list at #1!! This duo have created a world of mysticism of horror and the joys associated with coming of age. Joe and Michael are the Batman and Robin of horror. This one will keep you up at night and will creep you out, the necessary components of a good horror story in a Texas environment. I highly advise you take the opportunity to read this tale of terror. I also believe if you haven't had the opportunity to check out the horror of Joe's and the solo and collaborative efforts by Michael. You won't be disappointed!!
5.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling Tale To Entertain Your Imagination August 29, 2012
By J. R. LaGreca
Format:Paperback
LOST GIRL OF THE LAKE is an unconventional "coming of age story" as only authors Joe McKinney and Michael McCarty could invent. It is an endearing, evocative saga filled with the familiar as well as the unexpected, infused with wonders of the heart and soul. A tale of dark seduction and innocence, told through a man's mind, recreated from his boyhood memory. I highly recommend this page turning novel and glimpse into both the past and future with unanswered mysteries lurking in the wings.
-Jody R. LaGreca, Author of five books including SUBURBAN WEIRD
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant and Haunting!!!! August 1, 2012
By dbern77
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
When two great novelists team up, a tale like "Lost Girl of the Lake" can happen--and happen it did! Joe McKinney's and Michael McCarty's "Lost Girl of the Lake" is as wonderful as it is haunting. A really great coming of age tale about realizing those significant moments in life and how they change a person. Filled with human horror as well as the type of supernatural horror we all have come to love from these gentlemen! Brilliantly done and a must read!!!!
Shortly after that, still in the summer, still in June, NIGHT OF THE SCREAM QUEEN by Michael McCarty and Linnea Quigley was published from Dark Moon Books as a trade paperback and an ebook. It was a lot of fun doing this send up to b-movies and drive-in horror flicks.
Scream Queen Desiree Starr is tired of starring in one low budget horror movie after another, each passing film, her wardrobe becomes skimpier and skimpier. Private Martin Riley, a simple solider from Iowa is recruited for "Operation Reptilian", a dangerous experiment where he is suppose to become a "Solider of the Future"--but he becomes something else entirely different. Dr. Morrie Madden, a military "mad scientist" who has played God one too many times. Aging British actor Blake Smith, once a leading man in horror films, but that was
before his face started to deteriorate and now has to wear masks in public. All their lives become intersected and a hell breaks loose in the Devil Bayou swamplands. "With Night of the Scream Queen, Linnea Quigley and Michael McCarty have penned my favorite guilty pleasure novel of the year. This is over-the-top good fun, the way they used to make it down at the drive in. I loved it, and I bet you will too. Highly recommended!" --Joe McKinney, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Flesh Eaters and Dead City
The book received three reviews, all glowing:
Memories or mammaries? November 15, 2012
By Keith Milstead
Format:Paperback
Remember back in the old days when you would take your best guy or best girl to the drive-in to watch the shlock films where women with huge, uh, assets and creatures that were once people but now share the qualities of a number of animals ran around the screen turning people into gore and causing our favorite scream queens to scream until they nearly blew out a lung? Remember watching Linnea Quigley, the most beautiful and super talented scream queen who stole the scenes in 'RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD" or "NIGHT OF THE DEMONS" and wishing you could just jump on to the screen to pour out your undying love to her, except there were demons and zombies, and maybe you didn't care because, well she is Linnea. Now take her talents for the written word and add in the macabre and frighteningly scary and humorous Mr. Michael McCarty and then add in gators and Desiree Starr and a very odd SFX guy who adds a whole 'nother level to his craft and you have NIGHT OF THE SCREAM QUEEN: KISS OF THE GATOR GUY. You then have the novella version of those wonderful nights at the drive-in. The collaboration between Ms. Quigley and Mr. McCarty is nothing short of genius. Upon finishing this book, I kept wondering, when will there be a sequel, which I learned is in process. The characters are cartoonish but at the same time full and earthy. The story, each chapter separated by comments made by Desiree Starr from her memoirs as well as other characters adds to the realism of this...are we sure?...fictional work. This was a masterpiece and I highly recommend you jump out there and get a copy before word gets out and they are all gone. IT IS THAT GOOD! I love Michael McCarty's work, all of it so far, because like me, he is a bit warped and after learning he had Linnea available to consult thought the process 24/7, well, I am jealous too.
5.0 out of 5 stars B-Movie Energy!!! July 31, 2012
By Spencer
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I read this bad boy in one sitting. Being a fan of b-movies in general, the story involving b-movie actors, b-movie filmmakers, and gator people, I ate this right up. You have to be okay with the ridiculous (and fun) premise, or else stick with straight-laced fiction. It's geared more towards humor, so if you're ready to laugh, pop open a cool one and enjoy.
Also, I really really enjoyed the snippets about Desiree Starr's movie experiences before each chapter. Fun, fun stuff!
5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic book! July 9, 2012
By Leo Zemke
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
this book is great! I love the cover art, its fantastic and whimsical. I am enjoying the book, its well written and was packaged well, also shipping was lightning fast. Every single aspect of this transaction was a joy to behold. Will buy all of Michael McCarty's books from now on.
That was followed by my vampire ebook BLOODLESS by Michael McCarty & Jody R. LaGreca published by Whiskey Creek Press. Daniel Peck is a modern-day vampire, over one hundred years old. He succumbs to
his transformation on the Lusitania when the beautiful and ancient Veronica, Queen of the Undead, beguiles him. Daniel survives the sinking of the Lusitania, and another disaster when the Hindenburg explodes. Years later Daniel is a middle school substitute teacher in Baltimore, Maryland. He feeds off the energy of four students and turns them into zombie-like creatures who subsist on human remains. Daniel kills people for his thralls to devour, but the students prove difficult to control.Meanwhile Daniel encounters and is charmed by Annie
Julliard, a lovely motel proprietor, and changes her into a white vampire. They marry and Daniel brings home the four thralls as his adopted children. From then on, things become very complicated…
The book received a couple great reviews so far:
4.0 out of 5 stars Strangely seductive, gruesome, and fun October 20, 2012
By Patricia J. Esposito
Format:Kindle Edition
"Michael McCarty and Jody LaGreca are masters at blending the macabre with the ordinary, the monster with the everyman in their vampire novel Bloodless. They can make a horrific killer seem quite affable, a dinner of barbecued human parts palatable, and a slit throat in lovemaking exquisitely erotic. McCarty and LaGreca write with inexplicably gruesome charm, evident in Bloodless."
5.0 out of 5 stars Vampires are Still Cool! October 18, 2012
By CulturalFastFood
Format:Kindle Edition
Every time I'm tempted to believe the vampire genre has been completely played out, somebody comes along and proves me wrong. In this case, two somebodies have done a fabulous job knocking me on the head with a literary hammer just to tell me, "Shut up, Rosser--there's a hell of a lot more to explore with the bloodsuckers." This is a great book with a fine storyline and lots of excitement and fun. I like the way the authors write.
That was followed by CONVERSATIONS WITH KRESKIN by The Amazing Kreskin and Michael McCarty published as a hardcover and ebook from Team Kreskin Inc. Because Kreskin appeared on "Late Night With Jimmy Fallon," "Fox & Friends" and other shows, the book has been selling well.
To learn more about my books, you can go to:
http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001JS0L06
God bless and Godspeed, 2012

Published on December 16, 2012 19:48
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