Steam Works

The long awaited (at least for some of us) collection of Steampunk short stories Steam Works is live at Amazon, and I've to say, it's a fun collection of stories. Steampunk officially won a place in my heart about two years ago. Sure, I'd loved it before,without realizing it. I think I'm one of eight people still begging for dvds of the short lived The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne tv series (that's love, folks). Anyhow, back on point:

Steam Works is a short anthology of Steampunk published by Hydra Publications, but what it lacks in size is made up for in awesome. And I'm not just saying that because it contains one of my stories, "A Gun for Jebediah." No, I'm saying that because it also contains a story by my bff, and all around fan-friggin-tabulous writer, Patricia Puckett. I've read the unedited proof of the collection, and each story was enjoyable. I hope others enjoy the anthology just as much.

Evolution Vol. 1

Boys and girls, before we get into the epic-deep-breath that is a New Years Resolution post, I thought I'd share a few updates with you. Not much to say concerning "new news," though I'm happy to say I've been shortlisted at a few great places, but there have been a couple book releases since last we blogged.

First up, a December e-book release sure to please ya:

Evolution Vol. 1
Edited by talented Lane Diamond
Published by Evolved Publishing (check out their facebook page)
Current E-book Price: 4.99

Official Description:

A collection of 10 short stories resulting from Evolved Publishing's first-ever Short Story Contest. Stories cross over many genres, and range from 2,000-5,000 words each.

The GRAND PRIZE WINNER was "If I Should Die," by Amanda Papenfus. 6 other stories were chosen from the almost 200 submitted.

Additionally, stories are included from 3 of Evolved Publishing's regular stable of authors: Lane Diamond, D.T. Conklin and Ruby Standing Deer.

EVOLUTION: VOL. 1 is the first in an ongoing series of semi-annual anthologies planned by Evolved Publishing.

And, boy, are they not kidding when they say Evolution Vol. 1 ranges many genres. For example, the collection kicks off with its prize-winning tale by Amanda Papenfus, a deeply moving story I'd classify as literary fiction, and then the jumps into speculative fiction soon after.

My story, "Sirius Issues," for example, is comedic science fiction. I'd say 'deep space', but, truthfully, the human characters are still in the right galaxy, just stuck in their overpriced alien condos. What's "Sirius Issues" about? Well, taxes, rebellions, drunken sex, alien landlords...the usual stuff.

You can download a copy at Smashwords or Amazon.

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Also, amongst my newer releases is Pill Hill Press' Daily Frights 2012 (Leap Year Edition).


Official Description:

DAILY FRIGHTS 2012: 366 DAYS OF DARK FLASH FICTION (LEAP YEAR EDITION) is a 2012 flash fiction calendar anthology, with a 500 word or less short story featured for every day of the calendar year. Filled with 366 short stories, this is a fun and practical anthology designed for busy readers.

Can you honestly think of a better way to ring in the New Year? Come on! This is 366 tales, one snippet for every day--just enough to read over a cup of coffee in the morning or before you turn out the lights at night. And, at this moment, Amazon has it available for a swell 21.89 (normally, it runs 24.99). I'm not sure when the e-edition will be available, but I'll let you know as soon as it's released.

I only have one tiny contribution in this collection (though the antho is littered with so many great authors!), and it's called "Class Project." Kids, horror, Egyptian mythology: my name might as well be stamped all over that one... Oh, wait, it is. :D

Review: Idols & Cons by S.S. Michaels

I first noticed the cover to Idols & Cons while lurking around Omnium Gatherum's (the publisher's) blog. Come on, it's kind of hard to ignore, right? Also, I had no clue what the paintbrush was all about, so color me intrigued. (It now makes perfect sense, btw.) I was very happy to receive an ARC of the e-book. Officially, Idols & Cons is released on November 15th, but I believe the Kindle edition might have been released today, the 14th.

Idols & Cons
By S.S. Michaels
Published by Omnium Gatherum
Available on Amazon
Goodreads

Product Description (as listed on Amazon):

Jake Wolfram is the biggest, slickest, sickest pop star of our time. Drug-dealing voyeuristic punk, Jake, is yanked from poverty and into the white-hot spotlight after witnessing a crime committed by his neighbor, Damien Tungsten, front man for the boy band, In Dreams. Jake lives life on the run, hiding in the limelight, and resenting every single minute of it. He’s relentlessly pursued by his former friend, psychopathic visual artist, Patrick Salinger, who coerces Jake into helping him turn a grisly murder into a masterpiece. Seizing control of the power he craves, Jake disposes of Damien, confronts Patrick, and lives a bad-boy rock-and-roll lifestyle as he hijacks Damien's super-stardom. But Damien's not quite ready to let it go.

In her debut novel, Michaels uses biting wit and seething satire to bring the reader behind the scenes, to an explosive world where pop music grinds up against the cutting edge of art and drugs are the fuel that ignite it.

My Review:

To say that S.S. Michaels' Idols & Cons is about sex, drugs, and pop music is completely accurate, but this book is also about three very powerful motivators: desperation, fear, and ambition. Michaels creates a set of characters, led by Jake/John, and dangles stardom over their heads like chum on a string. In return, each has no choice but to play the part of the shark.

I'll skip the summary, as you can read the product description on your own, and cut straight into the meat. Idols & Cons is told through first person, in dated entries by different characters. The format is very easy to understand, and it makes for a quick reading. I gobbled it up over two days, and enjoyed the ride immensely. The characters aren't entirely sympathetic, or even likeable, but the pacing keeps you hooked.

When I first read the synopsis for the story, I instantly wanted to see where the writer took the idea. I contacted the author about an advanced copy and received one. I knew there would likely be an intriguing murder, a cover-up, and a few thrills awaiting me. I wasn't expecting the heavy dose of despicable horrors, but I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out the story was about more than one young man getting bribed into keeping quiet about a crime.

Human depravity outdoes itself when the prized "fifteen minutes of fame" is at stake, a fact S.S. Michaels thoroughly explores. Be warned (or intrigued): the pages are littered with adult language from not-so-adult mouths, extreme drug use, sick works of art, a boy band, and the corrupting of the not-so-innocent. I recommend it for anyone who wants a glimpse of teen idols at their worst.

Halloween Hell-o-ween Released

"The Gourd"

So, about a year ago, I wrote and sent off a short story called "The Gourd" about a young man who fulfills his grandmother's final wish and gets to see the other, not-so-human side of Halloween. Whortleberry's Halloween antho at the time was filled, though, so the lovely Jean M. Goldstrom asked to keep it for this year's release. Well, it's finally available, if you'd wish to give it a read.

Sure, Halloween is about a month and a half away, but with so many anthologies to choose from, let's get the reading season started with the new release by Whortleberry Press: Halloween Hell-O-Ween, available at lulu.com.

"A Halloween tour of the Underworld, conducted by authors who know what they're writing about!"

Hmm, maybe I should be worried about how well I know the Underworld...

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In Other News

I have a Kindle. Yes, ok, officially, it's a Christmas present, but I'm already using it--and loving it, by the way. Does this mean I'm an "all e-books" kinda girl now? Nope. I still love the smell of old books. And new ones. But being able to pick up an affordable copy of a new book, and try out new authors and publishers for only a couple bucks...so worth it.

Have an e-book over at Amazon you'd like me to look at? Well, advertise it in the comments. I'm always looking for new reading material.

Also, you might have noticed I haven't been as active with my short story subs as of late. That's because I've been working on a few novella projects.

Yes. I'm still working on those.

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Flash Fiction? Yes, Please

On another note, Patricia Puckett--yes, you know her by now--has a short flash fiction piece up at Columbus Creative Cooperative's Bland to Grand Flash Fiction Writing Contest. Her story is called "Piece Of" and if you enjoy it, you should lend her your vote. And if you don't enjoy it? Well, there are several other shorties awaiting a good read. Go check it out. Or, hey, enter it yourself--I hear you win a nifty Kindle.

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Other Recommended Reading

The Monster's Corner: Stories Through Inhuman Eyes by Christopher Golden

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I won an ARC of this anthology from the Goodreads' Giveaways, and I'm rather glad I did. The Monster's Corner was definitely a book I'd pick up in stores. This is an excellent selection of stories, though not necessarily what I was expecting when I cracked open the spine. There are a few stories I liked less than others, but, for the most part I felt all the contributing writers had something fresh to say. My favorite tales--and I do hate picking favorites because several of the stories featured characters I found entertaining--included "Torn Stitches, Shattered Glass" by Kevin J. Anderson (a must-read for fans of Frankenstein's monster), "Less of a Girl" by Chelsea Cain (short and...well, not so sweet--but that's the point, right?), "Rakshasi" by Kelley Armstrong, and "Breeding the Demons" by Nate Kenyon (how are demons made, anyhow?). Also, Simon R. Green's closing number gave me a laugh and helped round out the bunch.

All in all? Worth the read if you're a fan of the genre.



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