Category Publishing/Book news

Jan 3 2013

Author Publishes Rock ‘N’ Roll Vampire novel

Damnation Books recently published author Rose Mambert’s debut rock ‘n’ roll vampire novel, The Muses.9781615728220

According to Amazon, the book entails, “sex, blood, and rock n’ roll. When indie rock journalist, Nick Landry pursues the elusive singer of The Muses, a mysterious woman known only as Blue, he eventually uncovers the band’s dark secret: they are vampires. Recent fame, however, leads to other complications for the band. Dimitri, an ancient vampire from guitarist Christian’s past, returns to “play the game” again. If that wasn’t enough, there’s a new vampire hunter in town-hell bent on revenge. In the final showdown, who will emerge from the battle undead?”

The book is available for $14.99 at Amazon by clicking here or as an e-book for $5.95 by clicking here.

For more information about the author, check out her website by clicking here.

Dec 23 2012

Author Takes You ‘Behind the Wheel’

Author and New England Horror Writers’ member Erin Thorne’s latest book, Behind the Wheel, released last month features stories in the horror and fantasy genres. Here is a brief synopsis from the back cover of the different tales inside: A family discovers who’s really in charge when they buy a car that drives itself. The characters from a well-known fairy tale live on after their story is over. A docile species of farm animal transforms into a pack of ruthless creatures, bent on the destruction of humankind. A werewolf stalks a young girl’s backyard. Tiny pets, rescued from certain destruction, are not what they seem. Enter a land of fantasy, and learn more about the hidden side of the world you take for granted.

Click here if you would like to order the book through Amazon.

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Thorne will be appearing at Seek Books in West Roxbury, MA. on Jan. 12 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., at Tatnuck Bookseller in Westborough, MA. on Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and at Books & Boos located in Colchester, CT on Feb. 23 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. She will be reading from and signing Behind the Wheel.

For more information about Thorne, check out her Facebook page and Amazon author page.
Nov 13 2012

Anthocon 2012 Recap

Anthocon 2012

by Jason Harris

The second Anthocon presented by Shroud Publishing and the Four Horsemen happened in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, this past weekend. Once again, it was a good time. There were less attendees and vendors this year, but that didn’t impede the people who came to the convention from having a good time.

Once again, the Four Horsemen: Timothy Deal, Danny Evarts, Mark Wholley, and jOhnny Morse, put together a great convention. There were the usual panels and readings. This year brought some new program delights that included a film festival, art show, art demonstrations, and gaming.

The newest delight, which pleased a number of convention-goers, were the pitch sessions put on by Evil Jester Press and Post Mortem Press. A few New England Horror Writers’ members had a great response to their pitches.

Mark Wholley. Photo by Jason Harris.

The first Anthocon anthology, Anthology: Year One, debuted. Every author in this collection was at the first Anthocon. When Wholley announced the readings from this new anthology, he told everyone they would be able to submit to year two since they were attending the second Anthocon.

The after hour parties definitely had that Neconesque feel to them, which I know will make Deal happy since that is what he was hoping for when the Horsemen created Anthocon.
Hopefully, there will be many Anthocons to come.

Oct 2 2012

NEIBA Fall Conference Begins Tomorrow

The New England Independent Booksellers Association Fall Conference happens at the Rhode Island Convention Center at 1 Sabin Street in Providence, Rhode Island from Wednesday through Friday.

During the three-day conference, there will be exhibitors, lunch with booksellers, wholesalers and reps, panels, and plenty of other activities. You can check out the entire schedule by clicking here.

Some of the panels taking place during the conference include Best of Both Worlds: Understanding the Young Adult and Adult Crossover Market, Social Media 2.0: Beyond the Basics: Using Social Media to Drive Sales and Customer Engagement, Meeting the Literacy Needs in Your Community and ABA – E-book Solution.

There will also be autograph sessions with a number of authors inlcuding Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box), Nancy DiFabbio (Midnight Magic: Be Careful What You Wish For) and Kristy McKay (Undead) throughout the three-day event.

The 2012 Independent Spirit Awards will also be given out on Friday.

If you want to support NEIBA member stores in any of the New England states, click here.

Sep 27 2012

Massachusetts Native Talks about Writing and Hollywood

Massachusetts Native Talks about Writing and Hollywood

by Jason Harris

J.P. Ouellette

J.P. Ouellette has worked on a number of films in Boston such as The Box and The Fighter. Working in the city allowed him to “learn filmmaking from some of the best crews around” while being at home.

“The mix of local and Hollywood talent brought my knowledge of film to the next level,” Ouellette said. Being an assistant to great storytellers like Richard Kelly was better than grad school.”

Kelly was the writer and director of such movies as The Box and Donnie Darko.

Ouellette started working in Hollywood after taking a risk in order to pursue his writing career. He states that “Los Angeles is the best place to be for an emerging writer.”

“The whole city is dedicated to the film business, and there are endless opportunities here to build your resume.”

His latest film, Captured, which he produced, wrapped in June and is scheduled for release in October of 2013, which is “a perfect time” to release it, Ouellette said. It’s about a rock band that goes off to shoot a music video where an escaped convict becomes obsessed with them.

“It is a classic slasher flick with a lot of psychological twists. It blends genres, and is made for the true horror fan who is tired of the same old thing.”

Ouellette became involved with Captured when writer and director Joe Arias hired him to write new drafts of the script.

“It took us (a lucky) 13 drafts to get the shooting script ready. It was the hardest writing sessions either one of us has been apart of, but it was worth it, this story will blow your mind!”

Captured took three weeks to film, but it was in the works for two years since Arias came up with the film’s concept, Ouellette said. He is in the process of working on the sound editing, special effects, and the score now.

“It’s been quite a labor of love. It’s all very exciting to see something you help create come together.”

Along with finishing up Captured, he is producing another horror movie, Do Not Watch.

“Due to the high-concept of this project, the synopsis is being kept under wraps.”

Not only has Ouellette worked on more than 20 movies in his career, you can take a look at his Internet Movie Database profile, http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1965594/ to see everything that he has worked on, but he has also found the time to write a novel, 2501. His writing and this story’s style was inspired by Arthur C. Clarke and George Orwell. Its “hard science-fiction blended with political overtones is something everyone can get behind.” The e-book can be purchase on Amazon by clicking here.

It originally started out as a script idea, but “it was way too involved for the screen at that time.”

“I really had to dig into the characters and the science in order to find my story. Funny enough, the book now represents the outline for the proposed film version.”

He is still looking for the right Hollywood screenwriter to adapt 2501. He could adapt it himself, but he wants to step back and let someone else take care of it.

“The projected budget for this Blockbuster is over $50 million, and that is not in my price range … yet.”

He “would love Steven Spielberg to direct [2501] because of the Stanley Kubrick feel of the story.” If that happens he would love to be on-set, which he would consider “a dream project for sure.”

He does have an outline for another book, but his screenwriting schedule is keeping him from working on it.

“With 2501, I had to isolate myself while traveling in Mexico, writing the first draft freehand while sitting on the steps of the Mayan Ruins. It is the only way to get a novel done in this distracting day and age.”

Ouellette has a number of directors such as John Carpenter, J.J. Abrams, Duncan Jones, and Kelly, who has influenced him. He says that Kelly’s film, Donnie Darko, is the reason he went to film school, he said.

He has worked with many directors and actors, and wants to work with many more.

“They all have their own style to this art, and I love learning from them.”

He doesn’t have a dream project. All he wants to do is “to keep making great movies, and create opportunities to make more of them.”

Sep 19 2012

Shock Totem Publications to Release Short Story Collection

This Saturday Shock Totem will have on hand at its table at the fourth annual Killercon convention 50 paperback copies of Mercedes M. Yardley’s collection of 27 short stories, Beautiful Sorrows. This will be people’s chance to purchase a copy weeks before it’s official release.

Here is a description of the book from the Shock Totem website, “there is a place where sorrows pile up like snow and rest in your hair like cherry blossoms. Boys have wings, monsters fall in love, women fade into nothingness, and the bones of small children snap like twigs. Darkness will surely devour you—but it will be exquisitely lovely while doing so. Mercedes M. Yardley’s Beautiful Sorrows is an ephemeral collection encompassing twenty-seven short tales full of devastation, death, longing, and the shining ribbon of hope that binds them all together.”

The entire Shock Totem team, as well as some of their extended staff, will be on hand at the convention, and Yardley will be autographing and reading from her new collection.

According to Shock Totem’s editor K. Allen Wood, this Saturday will be nearly four years to the day that Yardley first submitted to the magazine. Since that day, Yardley has been a contributor to different issues of Shock Totem.

Killercon 4 happens in Las Vegas from Sept. 20 through 23.

If you can’t make it to Killercon, you can preorder the paperback version of Yardley’s collection on the Shock Totem website by clicking here. The site also states “it will be available in limited edition hardcover, paperback and e-book format.”

Sep 17 2012

Author’s First Novel to Debut at Killercon

Author and New England Horror Writer member L.L. Soares first novel, Life Rage, will debut at Killercon in Las Vegas, happening from September 20 through 23. The novel is being published by Nightscape Press.

From the publisher’s website, “Sam Wayne is a psychologist who specializes in anger management. He’s very good at his job. Almost too good. In fact, he considers himself something of a miracle worker. A mad man is on the loose, ripping people apart with his bare hands. The police have no clues. Those who see him and survive never seem to make out his face. All except for one … Colleen has led a wasted life, bringing home a new man to her bed every night. Until that night. Witnessing her friend torn to pieces right before her eyes, she sees the murderer’s face clearly. She manages to escape, traumatized by what she’s seen, and keeps running until she falls into the arms of Jeremy Rust. An ex Hollywood playboy, Jeremy now hides out in a secluded beach house with his mysterious roommate, Viv. Viv has an insatiable hunger. Like Colleen, Viv never stays long with one partner. Because those who sleep with Viv never manage to live very long, once she finds the key to their soul. The number of murders keeps growing, until an eruption of rage begins to spread like an epidemic. Everywhere, crowds of people mindlessly rip each other apart. An event that will tie all these characters together in a final showdown of supernatural forces. But not everyone will survive the explosive fury of Life Rage!”

Life Rage will be available in trade paperback, and as an e-book for Nook and Kindle.

Aug 25 2012

Author Releases First Novella

Author and New England Horror Writer member Bob Stearns recently released his first e-book novella, The Harvester, on Amazon. It’s a dark fantasy/horror/sci-fi adventure story and fully illustrated. 

Here is the novella’s description, “In the distant future, when man has learned to live in balance with the forces of the universe. When greed and corruption are but a memory and cooperation has defeated competition. A small boy goes missing and is presumed to have perished at the hands of an ancient evil. Unconvinced of this, the boy’s older brother sets out to find him and discovers the machinations of an unearthly horror”

Stearns is an artist and art teacher.

Click here to purchase the novella from Amazon.

Jul 29 2012

‘Monsters’ Have Been Released

Author and New England Horror Writer member Patrick Rahall is pleased to announce that Monsters in the Closet is available on Kindle for .99 and in paperback for $5. For Kindle version, click here and for the paperback, click here.

The collection was written by Rahall and Justin Graves. It was edited by Ashes Von Nitemare a.k.a. Ashleigh Homon.

According to Amazon, it’s “a collection of flash and short horror with a variety of subject matter. These stories range from a woman waking up to find her apartment on fire to an artistic serial killer to a cheating wife having to answer to her zombie husband. There is something for every horror fan in this unique collection.”

Jul 29 2012

NEHW Member in New Collection with Author Joe Hill

Author and NEHW member Rob Smales’ story, “Photo Finish,” is included in the anthology, The Ghost is the Machine. This collection is filled with steampunk inspired ghost stories and includes a story by author Joe Hill. The anthology was edited by Patrick Scalisi and will be released on Aug. 14.