A writer close to both of us lost her battle with cancer.

Sara Larson was a pain in the ass in the best possible way. Direct. Vivacious. Caring. Subversive.  She had a personality that could fill a room.  I miss her keen wit almost as much as her smiles and rants.

Mike decided to devote the book to her.  The writers followed his lead and donated their fees to cancer research.  Then Mike arranged to have the publisher donate a portion of the book’s proceeds.

Sarah always loved the apocalyptic stories I wrote.  My forthcoming novel, Breaking The World, wouldn’t exist without her strong desire to read it.  So I dumped the campy vampire tale and offered Mike a darker story.  “Vampire Nation” is an end of the world tale that mixes global pandemics with the politics of foreign aid and the price nations pay for dogged self-interest.  If you’re interested a little more behind-the-scenes info on the story, check out my visit to the Book Den.

Vampires Don’t Sparkle! is available through Amazon.com in print and kindle formats.  Here’s a peek at the table of contents:

Dark Faith Book Signing at BookMamas (Indianapolis)
Saturday, February 23

Mo*Con (Indianapolis)
May 3-5

GenCon (Indianapolis)
August 15-18

Context (Columbus, Ohio)
September 27-29

Click here to join the Apex Publications Goodreads group.

Invocations is available in digital ($4.99) and print formats ($15.95).

In addition to the Goodreads discussion, Apex is posting mini-interviews with each contributing writer as a way to offer additional insight into their work:

Jay Lake
Nick Mamatas
Lavie Tidhar
Matt Cardin
Alma Alexander
Richard Wright
Jennifer Pelland
Tim Pratt
Richard Dansky
Brian J. Hatcher
LaShawn M. Wanak
Lucy A. Snyder
Nisi Shawl
Michael Ehart
Douglas F. Warrick
Katerina Stoykova-Klemer

Headliners include Max Allan Collins, Mike Resnick, Jay Lake, Jennifer Pelland, Tom Piccirilli, Nisi Shawl, Jeffrey Ford, Lucy Snyder, Tim Pratt, and many more.

Order the Book in Paper or Electronic Form:

From Apex Publications:

From Amazon.com

From Barnes and Noble

Early Reviews Reviews and Interviews:

Fangoria Magazine

Rue Morgue

As Maurice likes to say, “You had me at free drinks.”

So grab a beverage, kick back, and listen to the show.  Our interview starts at the 18:20 mark if you’re feeling impatient.  Topics include:  Giant Budhas, Post Apocalyptic Futures, Using Genre to Talk About Social Issues, Why Thin Crust Pizza is Wrong, Mike Resnic, Max Allan Collins, Jay Lake, Nisi Shaw, and much more….  Enjoy!

FN, Episode 119

Anthologies:

Dark Faith 2 is headed down the home stretch.  On June 1st, we posted the tentative table of contents and a behind the scenes look.  Right now, the book is at the printers.  We had hoped for a WorldCon debut, but problems with the print layout have forced a short delay.  We’ll have a few signed ARCs (advance reader copies) to giveaway at WorldCon, but that’s it.  The preorder period has been extended 10 days.  You can go here to order the book.

Novellas:

I turned in the apocalyptic thriller, Breaking The World, to Apex at the end of March.  The book tells the story of a trio of atheist teenagers forced into adulthood by the end of the world.  Dragged to the armpit of Texas by their born-again parents, the teens struggle to survive a standoff between infamous cult leader David Koresh, an FBI gone mad, and the literal apocalypse.  Sound interesting?  My publisher called it “a real page turner” and plans to release the book in 2013.

Novels:

Severed Dreams needs some minor tweaking before it goes out to agents.  Once I recover from WorldCon, this will be a top priority.

Short Stories and Interviews:

“Ghost in the Machine” is now available in Shroud Magazine.  The issue also includes an interview.

“Vampire Nation” – Vampires Don’t Sparkle! – Spring 2013

Speculate! Interview – 2011 (10:00 mark – note the title of The Messiah Complex was later changed to Breaking The World.  Also, the interview was conducted on the last day of a GenCon 2011.  I attribute the all the “umms” to severe sleep deprevation)

A Slice of Darkness Interview – Spring 2012 (MG Ellington and I talk about all things Dark Faith - plenty of information for current and future submitters here)

Stage:

Despite my best efforts, I haven’t been able to squirrel away enough time to finish my interactive adaptation of Shakespeare’s greatest war story.  I’m leaving this here until it shames me into action.

This year’s Writer’s Symposium boasts over 75 hours of workshops and panels, put on by a dedicated cadre of 35 authors, editors, and publishers.

Panels are free to anyone with a paid GenCon registration. Check out my schedule below and go to www.genconwriters.com for more information.

And if you’re not up for panels but will be dropping by the main vendor hall, stop by the Apex Publications booth in Authors’ Avenue and say hi.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Thursday, August 16th:

Make ‘Em Laugh (2pm) Being funny is serious business! When should you inject humor into your manuscript? And how do you do it effectively? Our panelists teach you how to tickle your readers’ funny bones.

Make ‘Em Scream (3pm) Learn to craft terrifying tales that leave your readers hiding under the covers. In this panel, we discuss tried-and-true techniques that will let you turn out triumphant tales of terror. Whether you’re looking to probe the dark depths of the human psyche or send a chainsaw wielding maniac after your protagonist, our panelists tell you how to do it!

Friday, August 17th:

Inside The Writer’s Studio (8am) Lots of people want to write, but what does it mean to be a writer? Our panelists illuminate the writer’s life and discuss the differences between “writers” and “people who write.” From daily word counts to writer’s block, they explore the joys and challenges of the writer’s craft, and offer advice to help you achieve your dreams.

Writing - Art or Craft? (9am) Is writing all about art and inspiration? Or is it more perspiration than inspiration? Or is it something in-between? Our panelists debate this oft discussed topic to help you decide if you need a muse or a toolbox!

Sunday, August 19th:

Perfect Endings (9am) When a reader gets to the last page of your story, you need a better ending than ‘they lived happily ever after’ if you want them coming back for more. Our panelists discuss some of their favorite endings and offer tips for closing out your stories in ways that leave the reader both satisfied and wanting more!

“Ghost in the Machine” takes place in a near future where Democrats and Republicans are minority parties, and the Sons of Liberty control the White House and Congress. Third-party politics, torture bans, and a mysterious “Ghost Program” conspire to change the course of the nation.  Review (via 365 short stories):

“GHOST IN THE MACHINE by Jerry Gordon, from the Spring 2012 issue of Shroud magazine. This is my first experience reading a Jerry Gordon short story, and I’ll be back for more. (I’m more familiar with Jerry’s work as Maurice Broaddus’ co-editor on the DARK FAITH books.)  In “Ghost,” Jerry takes a shot at modern politics in what seems to be a slightly dystopian near-future. We don’t get many details of the world: somehow San Diego has been destroyed and in the aftermath, both Democrats and Republicans have fallen in favor to a new party, the Sons of Liberty. The public isn’t aware of the use of mind-reading spies to keep various politicians in line .. but our main character, John Wexler, knows just how well they work.  Especially once he becomes a target himself.  Gordon introduces the concept so subtly that at first I thought he was talking about regular spies (with lines like “well, let the ghosts do their work…”), until the realization hit that these are, in effect, psychic hit-men. I won’t give away the twist the story takes, but I will say it was highly satisfactory.”

The issue is also available directly from Shroud Publishing or Amazon and includes a hilarious story from my Dark Faith: Invocations co-editor, Maurice Broaddus, “The Cracker Trap.”

Enjoy!

Sublet an apartment inside God’s head.  Hunt giant Buddhas in a post-apocalyptic future.  Visit a city where an artist’s fantastic creations alter reality.  Discover the deep cosmic purpose behind your office vending machine.  Wield godlike powers and suffer the most heartbreaking of human limitations.

Join Max Allan Collins, Mike Resnick, Jay Lake, Jennifer Pelland, Laird Barron, Tom Piccirilli, Nisi Shawl, and a host of genre’s best writers for an exploration into the things we hold dear and the truths that shatter us.

You can pre-order Dark Faith: Invocations for $16.95 or bundle it with the first volume and get both for $25.

Table of Contents:

“Subletting God’s Head” by Tom Piccirilli
“The Cancer Catechism” by Jay Lake
“The Big Blue Peacock” by Nick Mamatas
“Kill the Buddha” by Elizabeth Twist
“Robotnik” by Lavie Tidhar
“Prometheus Possessed” by Matt Cardin
“Night Train” by Alma Alexander
“The Sandfather” by Richard Wright
“Sacrifice” by Jennifer Pelland
“Thou Art God” by Tim Waggoner
“Wishflowers” by Tim Pratt
“Coin Drop” by Richard Dansky
“Starter Kit” by R.J. Sullivan
“A Little Faith” by Max Allan Collins and Matthew Clemens
“The Revealed Truth” by Mike Resnick
“God’s Dig” by Kelly Eiro
“The Divinity Boutique” by Brian J. Hatcher
“The Birth of Pegasus” by K. Tempest Bradford
“All This Pure Light Leaking In” by LaShawn M. Wanak
“Fin De Siècle” by Gemma Files
“The Angel Seems” by Jeffrey Ford
“Magdala Amygdala” by Lucy A. Snyder
“A Strange Form of Life” by Laird Barron
“In Blood and Song” by Nisi Shawl and Michael Ehart
“Little Lies, Dear Leader” by Kyle S. Johnson
“I Inhale the City, the City Exhales Me” by Douglas F. Warrick