As one year ends, another begins, like the chapters of a book that you just can’t put down, eager to see what happens to all the characters on the next page. And let me tell you, faithful readers, there is a lot of exciting stuff coming on those next pages. But before we look ahead, let’s reflect a moment on the story so far…
2011 was one hell of a year! It was a rollercoaster ride of the highest highs and lowest lows. On the high end, I signed on with Seventh Star Press and saw a record number of works published in various magazines and anthologies.
“Sandwalkers” published in Fell Beasts
“Don’t Let the Bedbugs Bite” published in Shroud #11
“Masako’s Tale” published in The Beast Within 2: Predator & Prey
And last but not least, Cinema of Shadows.
The reaction from faithful readers and critics to Cinema has been especially rewarding, and I thank you all for your kind words and support.
And for the lows? Well, they were pretty damn low.
Sara J. Larson, a co-founder of Indiana Horror Writers, my harshest critic, my biggest fan, and one of my closest and dearest friends, has been battling breast cancer for over a year. There was a time, after her chemo and radiation treatments, when it looked like she would be with us for years to come, but in the fall, her condition took a turn for the worse. She is now in hospice, and her time is short. For those who have had a friend or family member fight a losing battle with this disease, you know my sadness and my total feeling of helplessness. She is in my thoughts and my prayers every minute of every day, as is her incredible husband, Bill. If you have never had a cancer screening, please do so. And give what you can to cancer research so that, someday, no one will have to go through this.
Which leads me to 2012…
One of the projects I am working on for the new year is an anthology of Vampire fiction for Naked Snake Press called Vampires Don’t Sparkle! The stories will be dark, and gritty, with vampires that do not mope or go to prom, and best of all…all proceeds from the sale of the anthology will be donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Sara J. Larson’s name. The stories are in, and I am reading and editing like crazy, so I hope to have a table of contents for you soon. If you are a fan of Horror, or you just want to help make a difference in the war on cancer, please buy or download a copy when it becomes available in the first half of 2012.
On a much lighter note…
Also coming in 2012 is the first novel in my Legacy of the Gods series, Poseidon’s Children. This epic, four book saga has been a project that I have been toying with off and on since 1989, and I am so happy that Seventh Star Press is giving me the opportunity to be able to finally share it with all of you. Look for the limited edition hardcover, paperback, and eBook versions of Poseidon’s Children to surface in March.
I also have three new short stories coming out in the next few months. “The Grove” will appear in Shroud Magazine, Issue #13, “For the River Is Wide and the Gods Are Hungry” will be released as a $0.99 eBook from Seventh Star Press, and “Unknown Caller” will be part of an amazing limited edition anthology from MHB Press called Cadence in Decay.
And last but not least, my next Harmony, Indiana novel, Spook House, will be released in September.
I will also be on the road quite a bit in the next 12 months, with appearances at Days of the Dead, HorrorHound Weekend, Fandom Fest, and Scarefest to name just a few. Check my schedule throughout the year, as it does change from time to time.
Yes indeed, 2012 promises to be another roller coaster of a year! Let’s hope there are more ups than downs for us all, and I look forward to meeting many of you in my travels. As always, thanks to you, my faithful readers. You are why I do this, and I hope to offer you more thrills and chills over the next 12 months and for many years to come.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
