New York Times: 50 States, 50 Scares
Art by Ross McDonald
My first novel was mentioned in last Sunday’s New York Times, which is a first for me. It was featured in an article called “50 states, 50 Scares” listing the most frightening books from each state. Mine was chosen for Arkansas and I am grateful to be listed among so many amazing writers and books. This is the very first time that my state has really been a boon to my writing career, rather than a detriment. So I got that going for me. Which is nice.
“Hair-raising, shiver-inducing . . . a phantom radio station broadcasts blues tunes that drive people to do terrible things.”
World Fantasy Award Nomination
Hey, here’s something! A Lush and Seething Hell has been nominated for a World Fantasy Award for Best Collection.
It has, as they say, a snowball’s chance in a lush and seething hell of winning. People have told me I’m being defeatist when I say this. However, unlike them, I have read Brian Evenson’s Song for the Unraveling of the World and I’m telling you, it’s an honor simply have my book in the same category as his.
And all the other folks too, though I’m ashamed to admit I have not read their works.
Anyway, very cool to be nominated. You can check out all the nominations right chere.
That is all.
Murder Ballads Final Cover and Other Horrific Details of Modern Life
The world has gone mad.
No.
The world hasn’t gone mad. The world’s madness has progressed enough that even myopic, privileged people like me can see it plainly. America is coming apart at the seams, we’re ruled by a kleptocratic death-cult of the Republican Party, and our petty, narcissistic president is the head of a crime-syndicate. A pandemic sweeps through the population without check from the corrupt government. Meanwhile, a well-equipped army occupies every city and town across the nation to quell revolt with extreme prejudice - the American police force. Black men and women are killed with impunity and without repercussion. Native Americans are subjugated by American armed forces, even to this day. And shrimp-dick, walking pieces of excrement white men are conniving and secretly planning a second civil war - the Boogaloo. Karens run rampant through Payless Shoe Stores, calling the cops if a black man steps out of line.
It all makes me sick.
Still.
The gears of life and death keep turning. Bills must get paid. I still must put in the hours at the day job (even if it’s from the spare bedroom). My oldest still has to go back to college.
And I still have a book coming out in July.
It seems such a small thing, in light of the rest of the movement of the world. I don’t know how much attention will be paid to it. But, it’s mine, a part of me and my oeuvre, and I love it and hope the best for it.
Anyway, there’s a full cover, now.
Once again, I am extremely grateful and honored to have Jeffrey Alan Love’s art gracing the cover.
You can order the paperback and you’ll also get a ebook version of it! Which is good news!
That is all.