Sunday, September 3, 2023

Part of BUZZ BOOK EXPO next Sunday, Sept. 10

Dark Moon Books (and myself) are thrilled to be part of Buzz Book Expo this year! We’ll speak briefly about the press and chat with a few authors who are part of it. We'll be online there on Sunday, September 10 at 9:30 a.m. PST.

Thanks to  Somer Canon,  Mary SanGiovanni, and  Matt Wildasin for having us!

https://www.buzzbookexpo.com/


#buzzbooksexpo #ericjguignard #ericguignard #darkmoonbooks #bookstagram #horror #darkfiction #Booksofericjguignard

 








Monday, August 28, 2023

September, 2023 Dark Fiction Short Story Markets

HWA L.A.: For September, 2023
New or Reopening Market Listings/ Notes
At Minimum Pro-Paying (5 cents+ per word)

Nightmare Diaries
https://www.moonstruck-books.com/submissions
Payment: 10 cents a word
Story Length: 500–10,000 words
Deadline: December 27, 2023
Reprints?: No
Response: unknown
Description: Non-themed Dark Fiction short stories.


Feisty Felines and Other Fantastical Familiars
https://wordfirewestern.moksha.io/publication/6
Payment: 6 cents a word
Story Length: up to 5,000 words
Deadline: Open between September 1 and October 15, 2023
Reprints?: No
Response: By December 31, 2023
Description: Magical animal familiars and their humans: Original feline and or familiar stories and poetry in the genres of fantasy, science fiction, horror, suspense, humor, and romance, appropriate for up to a “PG-13” audience. Felines and or familiars (of other types) must be central to the story.


Little Bastards: Too-Short Horror Stories Nobody Wants
https://www.hungryshadowpress.com/submissions-little-bastards
Payment: 8 cents a word
Story Length: 1,000–2,000 words
Deadline: Open between September 15 and September 30, 2023
Reprints?: No
Response: unknown
Description: Unthemed horror stories (including all sub-genres, as well as fantasy and dark literary).


The Midnight Labyrinth (Grendel Press)
https://grendelpress.com/anthology-submissions/
Payment: 5 cents a word
Story Length: 2,500–7,000 words
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Reprints?: No
Response: Generally within 2 months
Description: A tale delivered from a character who stepped through a door and found themselves someplace unexpected. On their journey, they will notice a book called Midnight Labyrinth. No requirement to read or interact with it; it just needs to appear. Genre-bending is welcome! Sci-fi, steampunk, horror, fantasy, etc.


Here There Be Dragons
https://www.hiraethsffh.com/here-there-be-dragons
Payment: 8 cents a word for the 1st 3,00 words and 3 cents a word thereafter
Story Length: 3,000–6,000 words
Deadline: Open between October 1 and January 1, 2024
Reprints?: No
Response: Two months
Description: Renderings of dragons in writing and art that capture the essence of these fascinating creatures.



***Non-PRO-Paying Market, but Eric J. Guignard’s “Pick of the Month”

Bourbon Penn (magazine)
https://www.bourbonpenn.com/submissions
Payment: 3 cents a word
Story Length: 2,000–7,500 words
Deadline: Intermittent. Reopens September 1, 2023
Reprints?: No
Response: up to 3 months
Description: Highly imaginative stories with a healthy dose of the odd. Odd characters, odd experiences, odd realities. We’re looking for genre / speculative stories and are quite partial to slipstream, cross-genre, magic realism, absurdist, and the surreal.


Weird Horror (Undertow Publications)
https://undertowpublications.com/weird-horror-magazine
Payment: 1.5 cents a word
Story Length: 500–6,000 words
Deadline: Open between September 2 and September 16, 2023
Reprints?: No
Response: Generally within 2 months
Description: Original (non-themed) horror and weird fiction short stories.


Underdog Press anthologies (3 separate markets, Similar guidelines)
https://theunderdogpress.com/pages/submission-guidelines

All 3 anthologies:

Payment:
3 cents a word
Story Length: 3,500–12,000 words
Reprints?: No
Response: Within 3 months

1. The Underdogs Rise Vol. 2
Deadline: August 31, 2023
Description: Science fiction or fantasy stories about underdogs that take fantastical worlds or places but want characters to be the focus.

2. The Way of Worlds
Deadline: December 31, 2023
Description: Stories about outer space exploration and colonization.

3. Nightmares Before Bed
Deadline: January 31, 2023
Description: Unthemed horror stories

Monday, August 14, 2023

I'm now on Bluesky!

Just set up my account on Bluesky (which is unfortunately still invite-only). But if you're there, let's connect! I'm: @ericjguignard

https://bsky.app/profile/ericjguignard.bsky.social





Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Official Book Release Day Today for HORROR LIBRARY, VOLUME 8!

New release today by Dark Moon Books!!

Presenting the NEW horror anthology:  +HORROR LIBRARY+ VOLUME 8


###

The +Horror Library+ anthologies are internationally praised as a groundbreaking source of contemporary horror short fiction stories—relevant to the moment and stunning in impact—from leading authors of the macabre and darkly imaginative.

Filled with Fears and Fantasy. Death and Dark Dreams. Monsters and Mayhem. Literary Vision and Wonder. Each volume of the +Horror Library+ series is packed with heart-pounding thrills and creepy contemplations as to what truly lurks among the shadows of the world(s) we live in.

Read Volume 8 in this ongoing anthology series, and then continue with the other volumes.

Shamble no longer through the banal humdrum of normalcy, but ENTER THE HORROR LIBRARY!

Volume 8 contains 31 all-original stories, including:

•   In Saving the World," a family feeds their captive devil the sorrows of neighbors.

•   In “We Can't Let Go," a welfare check by a child services worker proves that not all in life is as expected.

•   In “Only the Stones Will Hear You Scream," a man meets his nightmares while caving through narrow underground passages.

•   In “Broodmare," a teen girl yearns to be as free as her beloved horse while waiting to give birth to the savior-figure of her tribe.

•   . . . and more!

** Also including a special guest-artist's gallery of Jana Heidersdorf Jana Heidersdorf Illustration!

###

Title: +Horror Library+ Volume 8 (or, Horror Library, Volume 8)
Editor: Eric J. Guignard
Publisher: Dark Moon Books (Los Angeles, CA)
Format: Available in TRADE PAPERBACK and EBOOK
Number of pages: 338 pgs at 6” x 9” trim (109,000 words)
Date of publication: July 25, 2023

###

Praise for the +Horror Library+:

“Excellent stories of the highest caliber.” —Dread Central

“Uniformly well-crafted and original.” —Rue Morgue Magazine

“Impactful tales that throw the rules of both reality and genre fiction out the window.” —Fearnet (Chiller TV)

###

Full Table of Contents includes:

Introduction to +Horror Library+ Volume 8 by Eric J. Guignard
“Rides” by Eric Del Carlo
“Only the Stones Will Hear You Scream” by 
R.A. Busby
“Poor Mad Isaac” by 
Don Raymond
“Mr. Hunicutt” by 
Bentley Little
“Lise Meitner Speaks to the Living” by 
Octavia Cade
“Lines” by 
Lauren O’Donoghue
“Blockchain” by 
Dexter McLeod
“On the Corduroy Road” by 
Bryson Richard
“Under the Pale Mother Moon” by 
Garick Cooke
“Solace” by 
Anna Ziegelhof
“Saving the World” by 
Eric Nash
“The Old Tip Road” by 
C.M. Saunders
“Lullaby” by 
Lorne Dixon
“Story of Her Life” by 
Tom Johnstone
“H Is for the Hunt” by Steve Rasnic Tem
“Mazu—Goddess of the Sea” by 
Ai Jiang
“Hymns in the Dark” by 
Gordon Grice
“Holler Bridge” by 
J.L. Hoy
“The Rest Cure” by 
Shenoa Carroll-Bradd
“Zipper Back” by 
Thersa Matsuura
“Fishers of ___” by 
Frances Ogamba
“The Blind” by 
James Owens
“Unwind” by 
Christopher O’Halloran
“Girlskin” by 
Clara Madrigano
“A Dormant Concern” by 
Charles Wilkinson
“Clay” by 
Colin Leonard
“Broodmare” by 
Jo Kaplan
“In Fear as Dark as Coal” by 
Ron Perovich
“The Yearning Pool” by 
Thomas P. Balazs
“We Can’t Let Go” by 
Sheldon Higdon
“Fell Mill” by 
Charlie Hughes
+Horror Library+ Presents: Special Guest-Artist’s Gallery of Jana Heidersdorf
And with cover art by Magdalena Kaczan!

#HorrorLibrary
#ericjguignard #ericguignard #Booksofericjguignard #darkmoonbooks #horror #darkfantasy #darkfiction #anthology #horrorstories #horrorshortstories #shortstories #series #thehorrorlibrary

###

LINKS!

Publisher’s Page: http://www.darkmoonbooks.com/Horror_Library_8.html

Amazon (paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Horror-Library-8-Eric-Guignard/dp/194949151X/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/135967283-horror-library-volume-8

Also available on all other online distribution sites, including B&N, IndieBound (and bookshop.org), Kobo, etc.


Saturday, July 22, 2023

ComicCon 2023 Panel!

I love being part of Writers’ panels. I’ve spoken on them (40 or 50 by now?) over the past 8 or 9 years at events all over the country. Yesterday was the first time I’d ever spoken at ComicCon, and it was totally one of the most memorable. Normally I’m on the panel with other writers who are generally similar to me, in terms of their career and/or goals. Yesterday I was on a panel for Ghostwriting, and it was a wild mix of stars from all across the cosmos of creative endeavors.

• Hunter Jackson, one of the founding members of madhouse metal band GWAR as Techno Destructo (my brother would have been so envious!)

• Nicholas Cvjetkovich, WWE wrestling superstar and promotor under the name Sinn Bodhi (Bowdee)

• Horror film actor Pat Jankiewicz

• Hypnotherapist Grant Offenberger

• Renowned sci-fi author and mega-icon of self-publishing Hugh Howey (“THE” Hugh Howey, with WOOL coming to AMC and SILO to Apple TV)

• And moderated by filmmaker and comedian Tim Chizmar

It was hilarious, insightful, and a great time, and thanks to Tim for bringing us all together!

 


Me at ComicCon 2023!




(Top row, L:R): Sinn Bodhi, Grant Offenberger, Hunter Jackson (Techno Destructo), Hugh Howey, Tim Chizmar (Bottom Row, L:R): Pat Jankiewicz, Eric J. Guignard



And thanks to me ol' friend and roommate Erik Jansen for coming out


And same for old high school friend Jaime Kauffman-Palumbo


Thursday, July 20, 2023

I’ll be speaking at the Altadena Library on Monday, July 24!

Anyone in the greater-Pasadena/ Southern California area—I’ll be at the Altadena Library this coming Monday afternoon! I’ll be speaking, reading, selling books, as part of INDIE AUTHOR NIGHT with three other authors. Come down and say hi!


Monday, July 24, from 5-7 p.m. in the Altadena Main Library Community Room. Meet local authors:

• Carolina Rivera Escamilla
• Eric J. Guignard
• Willa C. Richards
• Cody Sisco

600 E. Mariposa St.
Altadena, CA 91001

Hear readings of our best and newest works; book sales will take place on-site!
📚

#book #books #author #authortalks #authors #indieauthors #altadenalibraries
#ericjguignard #ericguignard #shortstories #booklover #bookstagram #fantasy #darkfantasy #darkfiction #anthology #horrorstories #horrorshortstories #bookworm #horrorlife #horrorcommunity #horrorfanatics #horrorlovers #horrorgeeks #promotebooks #horrorfans #readmorebooks #amreading #amreadinghorror



Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Interviewed on podcast Visited by Voices!

What did I get up to last night? Oh not too much, just got to be interviewed on a cool lil' podcast called Visited by Voices. Thanks so much to Lorne Dixon and Sam Carlson for the great conversation on HORROR LIBRARY!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13jbD6Px6KI




 

Monday, July 17, 2023

New Author Photo!

 New author photo! I was told my last one looked too grim, so trying again.


July, 2023



Saturday, July 15, 2023

Speaking at ComicCon Next Week!

Everybody, everybody! I'll be a Panelist for the first time next week at ComicCon!

"Ghostwriters: The Spirits of Vengeance in Literature"

Fri., July 21, 8:00 p.m.

with Hugh Howey, Tim Chizmar, Pat Jankiewicz, Amber Hassler, and Grant Offenberger


https://comiccon2023.sched.com/event/1OXFn



#ComicCon

Thursday, July 13, 2023

Wonder and glory! I got HORROR LIBRARY, VOLUME 8 books over the weekend!! Prepping to send out for Contributors, Reviewers, and Direct Preorders!

Thanks to Dark Moon Books!

https://www.amazon.com/Horror-Library-8-Eric-Guignard/dp/194949151X/



Sunday, July 2, 2023

July, 2023 Dark Fiction Short Story Markets

HWA L.A.: For July, 2023
New or Reopening Market Listings/ Notes
At Minimum Pro-Paying (5 cents+ per word)

Monstrous Magazine (ed. James Aquilone)
https://monstrousbooks.com/submissions
Payment: 6 cents a word ($125 flat per comic)
Story Length: 1,000–2,000 words
Deadline: July 27, 2023
Reprints?: No
Response: unknown
Description: Comics, prose fiction, and articles; we do like monsters, pulp, and classic horror films. Focus should be on fast-paced entertaining stories.


Diabolical Plots ezine (ed. David Steffen)
https://www.diabolicalplots.com/guidelines/
Payment: 10 cents a word
Story Length: 3,500 or less
Deadline: Open between July 17– July 31, 2023
Reprints?: No
Response Time: One month after end of submission window
Description: Speculative fiction–science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Everything should have a speculative element–that includes horror. Feel free to mix in other genres at will–a fantasy mystery or a science fiction romance.


FANTASY Flash-Fiction for LIGHTSPEED MAGAZINE (ed. by John Joseph Adams)
https://adamant.moksha.io/publication/lightspeed
Payment: 8 cents a word
Story Length: up to 1,500 words
Deadline: July 1–July 7, 2023
Reprints?: No
Response: Generally two weeks or less.
Description: All types of fantasy are welcome—high fantasy, contemporary urban tales, surrealism, magical realism, science fantasy, folktales and anything and everything in between. Fantasy is entertainment for the intelligent genre reader — send us stories of the fantastic that make us think, and tell us what it is to be human while amazing us with your mastery of language and story elements. No subject should be considered off-limits, and we encourage writers to take chances with their fiction and push the envelope.


Solarpunk Magazine
https://solarpunkmagazine.com/submissions/
Payment: 8 cents a word
Story Length: 500–7,500 words
Deadline: Open between January 1–January 14, 2023
Reprints?: No
Response: unknown
Description: Stories that strive for a utopian ideal, that are set in futures where communities are optimistically struggling to solve or adapt to climate change, to create or maintain a world in which humanity, technology, and nature coexist in harmony rather than in conflict, etc. Also open to poetry and non-fiction.


Mysterion (ezine)
http://www.mysteriononline.com/p/submission-guidelines.html
Payment: 8 cents a word (4 cents for reprints)
Story Length: up to 9,000 words
Deadline: Open between July 1July 31, 2023
Reprints?: Yes
Response: Four months
Description: Christian-themed speculative stories and artwork—science fiction, fantasy, horror—with Christian themes, characters, or cosmology; science fiction and fantasy, good ghost stories, etc.; there's great fiction material hidden in the mysteries of Christian theology—cherubim, leviathan, nephilim, visions, prophecy, and more.


Apparition Lit—Flash Fiction
https://apparitionlit.com/submissions/
Payment: 5 cents a word
Story Length: up to 1,000 words
Deadline: July 1July 14, 2023
Reprints?: No
Response: by the 15th day of the following month after submissions close
Description: Month of July Theme = REALITY SHOW MADNESS. We’re looking for flash with a heavy addition of the speculative. Stories should be inspired by the genre/show type, but not fan fiction: Speculative stories in the vein of Eurovision/Singing and Talent Competitions.


Asimov’s Science Fiction (magazine)
http://www.asimovs.com/contact-us/writers-guidelines
Payment: 8 cents a word
Story Length: 1,000–20,000 words (generally less than 7,500 words)
Deadline: Intermittently open
Reprints?: No
Response: Five weeks
Description: Character-oriented Science Fiction stories that is serious, thoughtful, yet accessible (occasional humor), including borderline fantasy, slipstream, and surreal fiction (and some poetry).


***Non-PRO-Paying Market, but Eric J. Guignard’s “Pick of the Month”

Interzone Magazine (TTA Press)
https://interzone.press/submissions/
Payment: 1.5 euros a word
Story Length: 2,000–17,500 words
Deadline: ongoing
Reprints?: No
Response: usually within 5 weeks
Description: Fantastika fiction: non-themed, general audience, science fiction, fantasy, and horror.


Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet (Small Beers Press)
https://smallbeerpress.com/about/submission-guidelines/
Payment: 3 cents a word
Story Length: up to 6,000 words
Deadline: ongoing/ intermittent
Reprints?: No
Response: within 6 months
Description: NOTE: PAPER SUBMISSIONS ONLY (no email): Non-themed literary speculative fiction (no gore, sword and sorcery, or erotica), as well as non-fiction, poetry, and black and white art.

Wednesday, June 28, 2023

HORROR LIBRARY, VOLUME 8: PREORDERS UP, AND ANNOUNCING LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS!

The newest volume of HORROR LIBRARY is now available for pre-orders, and I couldn’t be more proud!!

This series has been ongoing since 2006, and I think this new volume #8 might be the best yet (with apologies to 2015’s “Best Of volume)!

More on the series here:
http://www.darkmoonbooks.com/horror_library.html

Now, announcing this year’s contributors and Table of Contents!!

Introduction to +Horror Library+ Volume 8 by Eric J. Guignard
“Rides” by Eric Del Carlo
“Only the Stones Will Hear You Scream” by
R.A. Busby
“Poor Mad Isaac” by
Don Raymond
“Mr. Hunicutt” by
Bentley Little
“Lise Meitner Speaks to the Living” by
Octavia Cade
“Lines” by
Lauren O’Donoghue
“Blockchain” by
Dexter McLeod
“On the Corduroy Road” by
Bryson Richard
“Under the Pale Mother Moon” by
Garick Cooke
“Solace” by
Anna Ziegelhof
“Saving the World” by
Eric Nash
“The Old Tip Road” by
C.M. Saunders
“Lullaby” by
Lorne Dixon
“Story of Her Life” by
Tom Johnstone
“H Is for the Hunt” by Steve Rasnic Tem
“Mazu—Goddess of the Sea” by
Ai Jiang
“Hymns in the Dark” by
Gordon Grice
“Holler Bridge” by
J.L. Hoy
“The Rest Cure” by
Shenoa Carroll-Bradd
“Zipper Back” by
Thersa Matsuura
“Fishers of ___” by
Frances Ogamba
“The Blind” by
James Owens
“Unwind” by
Christopher O’Halloran
“Girlskin” by
Clara Madrigano
“A Dormant Concern” by
Charles Wilkinson
“Clay” by
Colin Leonard
“Broodmare” by
Jo Kaplan
“In Fear as Dark as Coal” by
Ron Perovich
“The Yearning Pool” by
Thomas P. Balazs
“We Can’t Let Go” by
Sheldon Higdon
“Fell Mill” by
Charlie Hughes
+Horror Library+ Presents: Special Guest-Artist’s Gallery of Jana Heidersdorf


###

About:

The +Horror Library+ anthologies are internationally praised as a groundbreaking source of contemporary horror short fiction stories—relevant to the moment and stunning in impact—from leading authors of the macabre and darkly imaginative.


Filled with Fears and Fantasy. Death and Dark Dreams. Monsters and Mayhem. Literary Vision and Wonder. Each volume of the +Horror Library+ series is packed with heart-pounding thrills and creepy contemplations as to what truly lurks among the shadows of the world(s) we live in.

Read Volume 8 in this ongoing anthology series, and then continue with the other volumes.

Shamble no longer through the banal humdrum of normalcy, but ENTER THE HORROR LIBRARY!


Volume 8 contains 31 all-original stories, including:

•   In Saving the World," a family feeds their captive devil the sorrows of neighbors.

•   In “We Can't Let Go," a welfare check by a child services worker proves that not all in life is as expected.

•   In “Only the Stones Will Hear You Scream," a man meets his nightmares while caving through narrow underground passages.

•   In “Broodmare," a teen girl yearns to be as free as her beloved horse while waiting to give birth to the savior-figure of her tribe.

•   . . . and more!

**Also including a special guest-artist's gallery of 
Jana Heidersdorf!


###

Book Data

Title:
+Horror Library+ Volume 8 (alternate: Horror Library, Volume 8)

Editor: Eric J. Guignard

Price: $16.95 for print and $5.99 for electronic

Publisher: Dark Moon Books (Los Angeles, CA)

Publisher Web: www.darkmoonbooks.com

Format: Available in Trade Paperback and Electronic Media

Number of pages: 338 pgs at 6” x 9” trim (109,000 words)

13-digit ISBN (paperback): 978-1-949491-51-7

13-digit ISBN (e-book): 978-1-949491-52-4

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022930185

Date of publication: July 25, 2023


###

Praise for the +Horror Library+:

“Excellent stories of the highest caliber.” —Dread Central

“Uniformly well-crafted and original.” —Rue Morgue Magazine

“Impactful tales that throw the rules of both reality and genre fiction out the window.” —
Fearnet (Chiller TV)


###

Direct Preorder Book Links:

Publisher’s Page:
http://www.darkmoonbooks.com/Horror_Library_8.html

Amazon (paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Horror-Library-8-Eric-Guignard/dp/194949151X/

Amazon (ebook): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C9J6MP73/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/135967283-horror-library-volume-8

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/horror-library-volume-8-eric-j-guignard/1143375008

IndieBound (paperback): https://bookshop.org/p/books/horror-library-volume-8-eric-j-guignard/20011217?ean=9781949491517

Kobo (ebook): https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/horror-library-volume-8

Bookshop (paperback): https://bookshop.org/p/books/horror-library-volume-8-eric-j-guignard/20011217





#ericjguignard #ericguignard #Booksofericjguignard #darkmoonbooks #bookstagram #horror #darkfantasy #darkfiction #anthology #horrorstories #horrorshortstories #shortstories #series #HorrorLibrary #theHorrorLibrary

Friday, May 26, 2023

I'll be at StokerCon 2023 next month in Pittsburgh, PA

Looking forward to Horror Writers Association’s STOKERCON 2023 next month in Pittsburgh, PA (June 15–18)! I’m coming in a day early on Wednesday and beginning the laborious process of picking how best to fill my days from of an immense availability of programming being offered, including workshops, panels, readings, the Film Festival, concurrent day-cons for Ann Radcliffe Academic Conference and for Librarian’s Day, and so much more!

My committed schedule so far includes:

AS AN ATTENDEE:
Terror from the Vault: Exploring the Horror Studies Collection
University of Pittsburgh Library System Archives & Special Collections Reading Room, 320 Hillman Library, 3rd Floor with Ben Rubin
Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 4:00pm - 6:00pm EST

AS A PANELIST:
HWA Mentorship Panel
Friday, June 16, 10:00am - 10:50am EDT
JG Faherty • Linda D. Addison • Patrick Barb • Eric J. Guignard • Rena Mason • Sarah Read • Tim Waggoner

SIGNING BOOKS:
Mass Author Signing
Friday, June 16, 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Admiral Room, Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square

AS AN ATTENDEE:
HWA Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
Saturday, June 17, 8:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Hall of Fame Room, Sheraton Pittsburgh Hotel at Station Square

AS PANEL MODERATOR:
Different Paths into Darkness
Saturday, June 17, 1:00pm - 1:50pm EDT
Eric J. Guignard • Jaye Wells • Darcy Coates • Benjamin Farthing • Jessica Luke García • Zoje Stage

AS A PANELIST:
"I well remembered the words of my father": Fathers and Fatherhood In Horror
Saturday, June 17, 4:00pm - 4:50pm EDT
Bridget Keown • Eric J. Guignard • John Edward Lawson • Mark Matthews • Scott Johnson • Wrath James White

AS AN ATTENDEE:
the BRAM STOKER AWARDS’ Cocktails and Awards Presentation
Saturday, June 17, 6:00pm - 9:45pm EDT

###

And the remainder of my time, sitting in on panels, attending readings, room parties, and overall hobnobbing.

Looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones!

www.stokercon2023.com




Sunday, May 21, 2023

NICK by Michael Farris Smith

For those who cherish the beauty and gravity of written prose, you need to check out immediately NICK by Michael Farris Smith (2021), the prequel to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s THE GREAT GATSBY.

I’m about 1/3 through it, and this book is mesmerizing, a complex harmony between self-searching, of desire and regret, and shadows of what once were or could have been.

Besides the Gatsby correlation, it strikes me further as a cross between Nelson Algren’s A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE and William Faulkner’s AS I LAY DYING, and it’s one of my best reading experiences so far of the year.

See herein, an extracted passage from young Nick Carraway as he lies alone in the World War I-ravaged trenches of Europe:




Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Returning from SFWA’s 58th Nebula Awards Convention in Anaheim, CA


Got back late Sunday night from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association (SFWA)’s 58th Nebula Awards. I’ve been a SFWA member since 2014, but this was my first time attending the Nebulas Convention. It travels to a different venue each year, but since it was in the neighboring city of Anaheim this time around, I had to check it out and be part of the event, and I’m so happy I did—It was a great first experience!

The attendance was a little smaller than I’d expected (only about 200 people in-person, although there were more attendees virtually) and held at the Sheraton Park near to Disneyland.

I only knew a few people going in—
Kate Maruyama and Peter Blaisdell who I both see often, and KC Grifant and Arley Sorg, whom I’d met once each before, but have also corresponded with (and good to see again famed Scott Edelman!).


Myself with 
Mark Coker and KC Grifant

Myself with Kate Maruyama, Krista, and Jennifer R. Povey

(Photo by Kate Maruyama)


Myself with Kate MaruyamaFrancesca MymanKrista, and Jennifer R. Povey

(Photo by Kate Maruyama)


Myself with Kate MaruyamaKrista, and KC Grifant

(Photo by Kate Maruyama)


Best of all was meeting friends for the first time whom I’ve only ever communicated with online: Frances Lu-Pai Ippolito, Ai Jiang, and Anna Ziegelhof.

I was sorry to have missed meeting S. Qiouyi Lu who came by one night, and I only learned later that Laura Anne Gilman was in attendance, whom I would have loved to have met.

But I was also very pleased to meet many other attending writers, some of whom I only shared a few words of introduction, while others I chatted with for a long time:

###

While at the convention, I spoke on two panels:

For The Love of Short Fiction 2022

by: Arley Sorg, Eric J. Guignard, Peter Behravesh, Jane Pinckard, and LP Kindred

 

(Photo by Phong Quan @pqwrites)


Seeking a Writer for the End of the World

by: K. R. Monin, Eric J. Guignard, R.W.W. Greene, and John Murphy


###

And I attended a number of other panels, but only took pics of two:

 
How to Reach an Audience with a Niche Genre

by: Jasmine Gower, Zabé Ellor, Sarah Branson, and M. S. Ewing

 


Branding and Marketing: Finding That Return on Investment

by: L.S. Johnson, Jonathan Brazee, and Cerece Rennie Murphy

 


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Nice, memorable awards show, hosted by designer and actress Cheryl Platz.




Congratulations to the Winners and Finalists, listed here: https://nebulas.sfwa.org/58th-nebula-awards-finalists/



(Photo by SFWA)

Anyway, now marked on my to-do list is to attend the Nebulas again in the future!

Carry on, Airship Nebula!

#Nebulas2023