Gehenna

So I was working on my new novel, tentatively titled The Raven of Azazel, where my MC, James Devon comes across a man with ants crawling all over him (possibly a demon), an allusion to the weird behavior of ravens doing the same for reasons scientists have yet to discover. And then I was thinking about how cool this would be if minor demons were doing this to some great arch-devil in hell. Though I'm somebody who shoots for more realistic settings and events before using fantastical ones, a part of me really wanted to interject that scene.

How? I have no idea... Maybe in a vision? Nah, too boring. Looks like I have some thinking to do.

Jonathan Coulton

Jonathan Coulton. Freaking hilarious.

Life Suspended

20 Years ago a rash of murders in the Outskirt Woods
held a town in the grip of fear. The killer, known only
as the Hangman, stopped as suddenly as he started
after a brush with three of the town's children, an
encounter that forever altered their lives and their
friendship. Now the Hangman has come back, forcing
the community to relive the nightmare one body at a
time. The three estranged friends are reunited in a
twisted tale of murder and mysticism.

Friend of mine and author of the macabre, Mark E Deloy, wrote a story that has been anticipated by horror fans for about a year now. It's first release, hardback versions, was disseminated at the HWA convention, but its publisher, Dark Recesses Press, has finally released the book in paperback. I bought the book last night and once it gets here I'll give it a review. For now, think about picking up your own copy. It's only $12.95 (+$3 for shipping, USD).

(Click the Pic to Buy Now!)

Liquid Imagination

Folks over at Steel Moon Publishing have given my friend, John Arthur Miller, some space for his new e-zine, Liquid Imagination.

In his own words...

Every story is fantasy weaving truth into fiction. This ezine is
dedicated to the Fantasy Genre: modern day faerie tales where
mortals fall in love with Fey; sirens of the high seas whose songs
stir sailors’ hearts; mortals finding themselves becoming
vampires or werewolves, or finding themselves entering new
impossible worlds co-existing beside our own; worlds of fantastic
realities ripped open within characters’ minds. Intermingling
within Liquid Imagination is emotion with the target being awe—
and if we miss the target perhaps we may come close.

So far the team consists also of Kevin Wallis (another editor) and Chrissy Davis (poetry editor).

It looks to be fun. I am writing a story for it now, so, if you have the time, stop by and check it out!

Whistle of Death & Other News

So I read a lot of anthropology articles online, and recently came across this: Whistle of Death. It's creepy. I love it.

Well, tomorrow's the 4th of July, so I'm excited. It's actually about good memories for me. My dad might have been abusive and terrible, but his favorite holiday was the 4th of July. It was the one day where he'd be there with us, sharing the excitement. I'd go into more details, but suffice to say,even after his death, I still have these memories that makes this holiday very special for me.

Luckily, I'll be sharing them with Jennifer this year. More memories to take with me. It feels wonderful.

Jennifer Today

So, here's the thing . . . I met this incredible girl, who I've known since we were both very young children. Her mother's my mother's best friend from high school, if you can dig that. Of course, as kids, we used to have sort of crushers on one another and I tend to have very fond memories of her. She says I ignored her, and that might be partially be true. I mean, I was kind of shy toward girls in early junior high school. But I digress - I've recently run into her again and we've developed a very romantic life together so far.

Jennifer. Though she won't believe it, she was inspiration of Dr. James Devon's wife by the same name. Though Devon's wife dies (to her dismay), I wanted somebody who could really touch people before she went. Jennifer. That's who I chose.

Now I've chosen her as a friend, romantic and perhaps future . . . Well, we'll keep our secrets for now.

RECENT MOVIE

Stardust. ****1/2 The best film so far adapted by Neil Gaiman from his own work by the same name. Beautiful. Haunting. Pure Gaiman, at his best.

RECENT BOOK

I'm slowly making it through yet another textbook on archaeology. Can't help it.