Brain Damage: The Blog of the Swands

The Devil Gave Me A Gun

2012-01-28T14:22:00.000-05:00

The Devil Gave Me A Gun is a short story that I wrote with fellow writer Keith Latch over the last few weeks. It's a story that I don't think either of us could have wrote by ourselves. It was a really fun experience and it won't be the last time we collaborate on a story, either. Right now it's 99 cents at amazon and we're enrolling it into the KDP Select program, because the free promotional days are just amazing. The reach I've been getting by sheer amount of downloads still boggles my mind, whether it will translate to increased sales or some sort of fan base I don't know, in the meantime it's just cool to watch those download numbers skyrocket through a promo day.

So far, my trying to write a new short story every month this year is working out. This will be my February story and will be available for free in February for at least two days. Next month's story is done and I just have to go back in and fix it up so it's fit for consumption. So, get used to more of these posts, but I'm not trying to get you to cough up 99 cents every time I write something. No, what I'd like is for everyone to download it on a free day and leave a review. A story in exchange for a few words expressing your thoughts on it is a great deal, I think.

But enough about that, I have to get back to lettering comics…

Muppet Sherlock Holmes

2012-01-26T09:52:00.000-05:00

Here's one of our Sketch Attack assignments--it was for any version of Sherlock Holmes, so I used Muppet Sherlock Holmes. The last assignment was Godzilla which was a ton of fun too. I chose Hedora, which you can now see here: http://sketchattack.tumblr.com/ our current assignment is Medieval related and the doors are wide open. I think I might do a dragon. Not sure just yet.

A World Most Broken FREE for Kindle!

2012-01-24T09:30:00.001-05:00

Just go here and download it for free: http://www.amazon.com/A-World-Most-Broken-ebook/dp/B006ZPRTU8

If anyone reads it, or has read it, I hate my product description on its amazon product page and would for someone or everyone to suggest a better one.

GODZILLA! GOJIRA! AND HIS MONSTER FRIENDS!

2012-01-23T14:37:00.000-05:00

This week's Sketch Attack assignment was to pick a Godzilla character from any of the movies and either do a stand alone character or a fight scene. I didn't have enough time to do a fight scene but I did do a sketch of Hedora (The Smog Monster). You can check out the sketch over there, or over here: http://sketchattack.tumblr.com/
Also check out everyone else's sketches as they are all pretty rockin'.

A World Most Broken

2012-01-21T00:52:00.000-05:00

So I've been writing a lot of short stories lately. At least little bits of one here and one there. And I decided to put out what one of my favorite short stories of my own has been on it's own as part of KDP Select. I'll be running a special promo on it soon and I'll let you all know when you can pick it up for free. For anyone who picked up Dark: A Horror Anthology, it was my story from there: A World Most Broken. It's a world I've been wanting to revisit and I think this will be the year to do so since as some of you may know I've set myself a goal of writing a NEW short story every month with the intention of releasing it via amazon's KDP Select program. The chance to be downloaded hundreds of times per day is fascinating to me. Even if it yields more shitty reviews than positive reviews. It's lighting a fire under my ass and making me excited to write and create new stories which is all I've ever really wanted to do. I made a quick cover for it--nothing great--but I think it's suitable and serves it's purpose.

If you want to pick it up for 99 cents, I won't stop you:
http://www.amazon.com/A-World-Most-Broken-ebook/dp/B006ZPRTU8
but I'd rather you pick it up for free and help me climb the charts and leave an honest review instead of shelling out the pennies.

Myctophobia Begins Fundraising And Preproduction

2012-01-16T20:56:00.000-05:00

Freakwolf Productions is happy to announce that their upcoming short film Myctophobia begins
production in February as part of the short film compilation The Collective Volume 4. The theme of
all the films on The Collective Volume 4 is emotions. Writer/Director Bryan Wolford was given Fear and
while researching different phobias Bryan settled on Myctophobia which is labeled as a Fear of Darkness. He then crafted a story about Kelly who has a fear of the dark and while at home by herself the lights go out. She soon finds herself bombarded by sights and sounds that only strengthen her fear of the dark. Is all of it really happening or only in her head? The Collective Volume 4 is scheduled to premiere at the Days Of The Dead convention (www.daysofthedead.net) on July 6th -July 8th in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The project is currently fund raising through Indie Go Go in the hopes of raising a small amount
of money to make sure the cast and crew gets a little pocket change out of the experience and to help
pay for some special effects for the film. All of the filming with be done over a weekend in late
February thus keeping the costs low. Anyone can donate to the project through the Indie Go Go page
and receive incentives like signed copies of The Collective Volume 4, an invite to the cast and crew
screening, and a cast and crew exclusive t-shirt. Info for donations can be found at IndieGoGo.Com/Myctophobia.

Even a little bit helps!

City of Ruin eBook for FREE

2012-01-09T08:08:00.002-05:00

Here it is, enjoying a promotional day, City of Ruin: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006UW9COM

City of Ruin eBook cover

2012-01-06T23:50:00.000-05:00

Here's an eBook cover for my latest short story, and one I'm very happy with. It's a sci-fi tale in the vein of Children of Men. I'll let you all know when it's available. I'm enrolling it in the KDP Select program and plan on using my promo days very quickly. So you can all pick up for free--which means you better leave me a damned review!

STAY DEAD: A Novel for $0.99!!

2012-01-04T09:23:00.000-05:00

http://www.amazon.com/Stay-Dead-A-Novel-ebook/dp/B004VB514O

I'm running a sale for the next few days on amazon.com putting STAY DEAD at 99 cents. If you haven't checked it out--now is the time. This will probably be the last time I drop the price for a few months. And if you've read it and haven't left a review--please do.

Sketch Attack Art Blog

2012-01-03T14:57:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I was asked to join a new Sketch blog by a friend of mine--Pat (who is also running the blog--and one helluva talent). Of course I said yes and so far haven't missed a deadline. All of two of them. Our first subject was a Star Wars character--I chose Bossk, as you can see here in this post and the next subject was Sherlock Holmes. I chose Gonzo from BOOM! Studios Muppet Sherlock Holmes' books and you can check it out here: http://sketchattack.tumblr.com/ when it's live of course, which will be sometime by the end of the day. Regardless you should go over there and check out the blog and follow it. It's going to rock. Each artists gets to choose a subject and I have a few ideas for when my turn comes up.

2011: GOOD RIDDANCE!

2012-01-02T23:26:00.000-05:00

Last year was a roller coaster of some very epic proportions for me--mostly career oriented, but anyone who has a career or even a job knows what that can mean. For most of the year I had no idea how I was going to pay my mortgage and what the hell that meant for my future, and more importantly my family's future. I've survived and things are getting better so I can't really complain anymore.
2012 is going to be a year of rebirth for me. I plan on getting off this roller coaster and then setting it on fire. 2012 is going to be a year of smarter moves. 2012 is going to be a year full of exciting projects, and the year I really start focusing on my personal projects. Things like Stay Dead 2, a convention sketchbook, t-shirts and new tattoos.
Also, as you can see, I tweaked the blog a bit. I like it and think I won't touch it again till 2013.

Xmass presents for you! Two FREE eBooks!

2011-12-26T15:20:00.000-05:00

Right now, holding the #9 spot out of the top 100 Free Kindle Best Sellers in Fiction Anthologies, Graveyard--my first Stay Dead collection of short stories. You can download it for free here:

http://www.amazon.com/Graveyard-short-story-collection-ebook/dp/B004VT4UWU

Horror Stories: A Macabre Collection has been in the top 100 Free Kindle Best Sellers in Horror for the last two days, and you can get it free here:

http://www.amazon.com/Horror-Stories-Macabre-Collection-ebook/dp/B004OL260I

All I ask is that you download them and hopefully read them. If you're compelled to review them I'd greatly appreciate it. You can email me a link to the review when it's live and I will email you an eBook of your choice.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-23T22:52:00.000-05:00

Here's a little card I whipped up just in time for the holidays. Have a good one--be safe, drink plenty of egg nog and screw a few elfs.

Horror Stories: A Macabre Collection

2011-12-15T09:56:00.000-05:00

Horror Stories: A Macabre Collection is now free on amazon till the end of the night. I enrolled a few of my titles in the KDP Select program and wanted to try out those promotional days they are offering as part of the exclusivity. I have to say it already looks like its working. Its not even 10:00 yet and I have 40 downloads. I'm really excited to see what the rest of the day will bring. If you have a kindle or a computer, please download it--its free!

Here's the link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OL260I

The Rinse #4 out now

2011-12-07T23:20:00.000-05:00

Issue 4 wraps up The Rinse--a neat little crime story by one of my new favorite companies (BOOM! Studios) to work for. If you haven't been picking these up then you are clearly a fool. Pick them up today, for four issues you get a ton of story, quality art, and okay lettering. Or you could wait till the trade comes out.

Mardock Scramble Volume 3

2011-12-02T23:10:00.000-05:00

So for those curios to know what I've been working on lately this post's for you. I started up a relationship with Random House over the last few months and my first project with them is a book called Mardock Scramble. I lettered Volume 3 and it should be out very soon. I'm really happy with how it came out. This is my first time lettering something that was initially published in Japanese and then translated for english markets. I developed a better understanding of Manga while working on it. It probably helped that it's a dark book with adult storylines and just all out craziness. Anyway, I'm rambling, borderline incoherent and tired as all hell. I've also done Volume 4, and am waiting to start Volume 5 any day now.

Justin Robinson author of The Dollmaker

2011-11-30T16:18:00.000-05:00

I urge you all to go check out an old buddy o'mines author's page over at MuseItUpPublishing. I worked with Justin on a comic book a few years ago (that still has yet to see the light of day--but rumor has it that it's finally slated to print) and he's a super-talented writer with a love of horror. His new book The Dollmaker sounds awesome and makes me wish I thought of it first. So go check out the page and give the synopsis a read. After that, I'm sure you'll want to read the book.

Here's the link: http://museituppublishing.com/musepub/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=268:author&catid=35:authors

Raise the roof!

2011-11-29T09:37:00.000-05:00

Ah, the sweet sound of roofers hard at work this morning. It's been a rough time getting the money up for my new roof but it needed it pretty badly. I had a few bad leaks and probably plenty of unseen water damage in places that will no doubt show up years from now. My studio was on hold mostly due to the roof, so once this is done than I can start putting time into my studio and get my shit out of what will eventually be my son's second room. I already have the grandiose plans for the space but as usual a strict budget will dictate the outcome.

Stay Dead 2

2011-11-26T09:30:00.000-05:00

So over the last few days I have begun writing Stay Dead 2--not sure what the actual title will be as of yet, but it has begun. If you've read the first one, or any of the short stories, I'd like to hear what you like/dislike about the series and what you might want to see in this one. Some goals I'm hoping to achieve with it are; greater character development, better syntax, more world building and some semblance of a mythos.

All is lost

2011-11-24T10:35:00.000-05:00

So, my hard drive crashed the other day. I lost all my shit. Lost a lot of work. Lost some personal projects--two of which are still killing me; one, Water Rats, my novel-length follow up to Tunnel Rats which was practically done. And a kids book that had a cover and 9 out of the 20 pages finished. So pretty shitty. I spent a year writing Water Rats and it's all gone. I'm going to start re-writing it, but its going to be hard. I also lost all of my beer reviews that I was going to post. But I'm not too concerned about that. Well enough of this crap--Happy Turkey Day.

Happy Halloween 2011

2011-10-31T10:06:00.000-04:00

Here's my Halloween card, HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat and Leinenkugel Oktoberfest!

2011-10-21T20:51:00.000-04:00

Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat is a rich amber colored ale full of cinnamon and nutmeg spice and the scent of pumpkin. The color and smell are just what I like to see in a festive beer for this season but the head needs a little more for my tastes. It’s fairly well carbonated, but not enough to make you feel full after a few of them. This is more of a sweet type of beer but had some toasty malty flavors and wasn’t bitter at all. I think this beer also has a high level of drinkability—not something I necessarily am looking for with my seasonal brews but if you’re having a few too many with your friends and you want to be festive you could do worse. I’ll probably pick this up again, if not I will certainly do so again next year.

The other beer I was alternating with was Leinenkugel Oktoberfest and in my opinion it’s the slightly better beer. It’s a clear copper color with a slightly whitish head and a taste of caramel and pumpkin. It has some bready flavor notes and a semi-sweet aftertaste. Much like the Shock Top noted above it has a high level of drinkability. The carbonation borders on fizzy and is a little on the high side.

If you have a store that lets you mix and match your six packs I think this is a good pairing of beers that will go down smoothly.

Next up: Brooklyn Octoberfest!

Magic Hat’s Night of the Living Dead variety pack dissected.

2011-10-14T17:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to another installment of “Kill My Liver, Please!” Today’s post is about Magic Hat’s frighteningly festive variety pack—Night of the Living Dead. What’s in the box? Glad you asked… #9, Hex, H.I.P.A., and Humble Patience. And all but 1 are pretty damn good.

#9 Not Quite Pale Ale is easily the most accessible beer in the box and is basically Magic Hat’s flagship beer. It’s a complex tasting beer with an unusual aftertaste. It has a dry taste and a dark, almost cloudy color. It’s not bitter, but if you’re mixing and matching drinks out of the box you might think it is. In some ways it reminds of an English ale more so than a pale ale, but who cares? It’s a good beer just drink it.

Hex (Oktoberfest) is by close decision my favorite beer in the box. I have a sweet tooth and this beer has a sweet caramel-ly taste with touches of cinnamon and nutmeg. It doesn’t scream pumpkin, but it’s certainly suited for fall. The aftertaste, and smell are a touch smoky and it has a nice deep cherry color, which really sets it apart from many of the beers I’ve been drinking lately.

Humble Patience is in the box and would be my number two. It’s a super-smooth tasting Irish Red Ale with a nice dark red/brown color and a contrasting white head. It has a tiny touch of sweet flavor to it. A little malty, a little coffee hint maybe. Certainly a good beer and certainly a good Irish Red.

Lastly, H.I.P.A., and I have to say I don’t like it. I’ve had it before and I’m sure I’ll have it again, but after close examination it’s just not good. It’s really bitter and leaves a bad taste in my mouth and it only seems to get worse as the bottle gets closer to empty. It has a good color, good smell, and plenty of hops, which leaves me wondering what the hell went wrong here. I love a hoppy beer, but Magic Hat just can’t seem to make a good one. I’ll take Victory’s Hop Wollop anytime.

All in all it’s a good pack. If you can get the beers in your area as 6 packs you might be better off doing it that way just to avoid the H.I.P.A. it sours the batch. Thankfully the other three make up for it. And if you drink like I do just drink all the others first so you can’t taste how bad H.I.P.A. is.

Magic Hat's website: http://www.magichat.net/variety/night_living_dead

Next up: Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat and Leinenkugel Oktoberfest!

Staydeadrev.com to be terminated

2011-10-03T16:40:00.000-04:00

Well, the time has come for me to terminate staydeadrev.com it has been a pain in the ass since day one and a complete money suck. The domain and site itself will be up till april of 2012 unless I can convince the hosting company to refund me the balance of my monies in the meantime. I can't afford it anymore. If you enjoyed it, when I was keeping it active, then just follow this blog and you'll get the same shit.

Wizard World Conventions I'll be attending.

2011-09-26T11:09:00.001-04:00

For those of you attending any Wizard World Conventions next year I'll be attending. I was asked to be a guest and I obliged. I'll be at Big Apple Con and Philadelphia. I do plan on having tshirts, sketchbooks, and some original art for sale. As the dates are solidified I'll let you know and if you're interested in me doing a commission in time to get at either con get it in now.

You can check out my bio page on the site which makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside: http://www.wizardworldcomiccon.com/stevewands.html