Category Archives: authors

Freak Power Exhibit at Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History

9 political posters from the 1970s on an angled wall to lead visitors into the exhibit space. Facing the posters is an enlarged reprint of a newspaper page. The headline is at the ceiling and reads "Scurrilous Sheet Hits the Streets". There is a image of writer Hunter S. Thompson and another man holding a poster. Past all of these images is a portrait of Hunter S. Thompson that wraps onto the back wall leading into the rest of the exhibit space.
Selection of art from the Hunter S. Thompson’s run for Sheriff in

The Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History has a fantastic show of political posters from the Freak Power Party. The displays over several rooms tell the fascinating story of Hunter S. Thompson‘s run for Aspen Sheriff in 1970. It includes great background on the history of the time and all the ways people were working for a better and more just world. It resonates with what is happening now because the more things change the more they stay the same. I wish they had some of the political posters in the show as prints or stickers to being home since they voiced what I think now.

It runs until the end of the month and is definitely worth the trip. Darrin and I planned a whole weekend in Santa Cruz to see the show, and it was a great decision!

Toni Morrison

I’ve loved Toni Morrison‘s work since I got to read Beloved as a Junior AP English student in high school. It is a beautiful depiction of a horrific experience and shared the emotional impact of slavery in a way that only someone as gifted with storytelling and language use as Toni Morrison can. Her take on freedom and the way adults try to coerce children into conforming to the status quo in The Big Box is remains one of the best kids books that I’ve picked up.

And watching her on the Colbert Report was a spectacular treat in the show’s final days. She is as enchanting in the interview as her stories are to read. Do yourself a favor and watch the interview here: http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/9yc4ry/toni-morrison

Scott Sigler’s new short-story collection: Blood is Red

If you’ve read through much of this site, you’ll see that I love to read and have an obsession with authors. If you’ve missed that Scott Sigler is one of those authors, this post will bring you back into the loop.

Today, in honor of mothers, Scott Sigler released a new short story collection, Blood is Red. Filled with 8 short, horror stories, this new collection is a steal for less than $1 in the U.S. Amazon Kindle store.

Each story has a distinct voice and style. And each story in the collection reaches beyond the confines of horror into the heart of what makes a good story – some insight into life beyond the story. As with all of Scott Sigler’s other work, the depth and heart of the characters makes these stories.

Blood is Red also marks the first national/international publication I’ve edited. Reading the stories, and offering notes and suggestions was an interesting, and fun, experience. The most difficult part ended up being the frustrating lack of people to discuss the stories.

I’m most excited that now I can easily make everyone I know read “The Great Snipe Hunt.” Seriously, the story still kicks around in my head, making me jump whenever I’m walking down the alley behind work and papers rustle at the edge of my vision. (Thanks for that Scott)

Some of the stories are available in his podcast feed, if you want to check them out before you commit a dollar to him. But if you’re a fan of horror, Scott Sigler is a solid bet. Especially for less than a dollar.

Goblin Market

If you’ve been around this blog at all in the last year, chances are you’ve read at least something from me about Jennifer Hudock. I love her dark fantasy stories, and she has the added bonus of being a genuinely kind person.

Most of her work is available in electronic forms, so if you like podcasts and ebooks, there are numerous stories for you to check out.

If you prefer reading on dead trees, Jenny is releasing a limited number of print books for her novella The Goblin Market!

She released the first version as a podcast, which is great. Her story pulls on Christina Rossetti’s poem by the same name, but develops a path completely its own. Jenny’s creates emotionally resonant characters who often act in surprising ways.

I already ordered my copy, and my excitement pushed me to write all of this down. So go and buy your print copy. Or the ebook copy for whatever ereader you own. Or check out her podcast. Jenny’s captivating writing will have you searching through her archives to get more.

Hudock’s Dark Journeys: A Short Story Collection

You might recognize this title. You should recognize this author, she visited here a couple of months ago.

But this isn’t just another story. Nope. It’s ALL OF THEM!

Yep. Dark Journeys: A Short Story Collection has all of the Dark Journeys stories in one collection!

But you don’t just get all 11 stories that have been released earlier for $2.99.  You get a bonus story!

And that’s not the best thing. When you buy this collection you get to help out Jennifer and James. You should read their blogs for details (and because they’re good writers of interesting things).

So what are you waiting for? Go to Jenny’s blog and download your copy now!

Bookmark Hudock's Dark Journeys: A Short Story Collection

Opening prize 11 of 10

I mentioned that sometimes you end up in the video for Scott Sigler’s feed in my post about his LA stop for the Ancestor book tour. I didn’t end up in the video for my shining personality; I won the 11th prize in his 10 prize preorder give away.

Well the prize arrived on my doorstep sometime yesterday and I opened it this morning. It’s a great prize with some great books. And without further rambling, here’s the video!

Bookmark Opening prize 11 of 10

Scott Sigler stops by Los Angeles to talk Ancestor

Scott Sigler stopped by Book Soup in Los Angeles the other day. He read from his newly printed Ancestor, answered as many questions as we had, and signed a whole bunch of books for everyone who showed up.

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It’s always fun when Scott comes to visit, and if he’s headed to your town this time around, you really should go to the reading and the bar stop after. He’s very generous with his time and tells lots of funny stories.

My favorite moment from this stop was Scott’s joy as he showed off the cover for The Starter, which comes out close to the start of football season. It’s a really cool cover, but what makes me love it already is how proud and excited Scott and A (the other half of Dark Overlord Media) are for it.

Also, sometimes you get lucky and end up in the video podcast.

Bookmark Scott Sigler stops by Los Angeles to talk Ancestor

From the Dark Side Anthology

I’m extraordinarily excited for this anthology. Jennifer Hudock posted that she wanted to edit an anthology full of stories that look on the other side of the glass. And so she did. The proceeds go to the Letters and Light Organization.

It comes out soon. July 9! She’s already posting excerpts from the short stories, so you get an idea of what made the cut. The three that’s she’s posted so far have me scared and smiling.

These are some of my current favorite authors, which makes having them all in one place pretty fantastic. So check out the excerpts and be sure to leave your comments on Jenny’s site.

And don’t forget to buy the entire anthology on July 9!

Bookmark From the Dark Side Anthology

Scott Sigler’s Ancestor arrives!


Cat keeping the book

Originally uploaded by 3nglishN3rd

My copy of Scott Sigler‘s Ancestor arrived in the mail today!

After I stopped jumping up and down, I set the book down to get some water. Which is when the BlackandWhite cat made her move.

As you can see here, she’s stolen the book from me. She was more protective of her new book but never kept the pose when the camera came out.

I was prepared to fight her for my book, because I’ve been looking forward to this one for the last several months, but I remembered one important fact – She’s a cat.

So I waited her out. When she wandered away to get food (or take a bath, or plan the destruction of the FDO, or collude with aliens), I moved my book. And I’m thoroughly enjoying it!

Now I know not to leave The Starter anywhere near her when that shows up at the end of summer. There’s no way I’m sharing that one with her.

Bookmark Scott Sigler's Ancestor arrives!

Scott Sigler’s Ancestor

Have you heard that horror author Scott Sigler has a new book out in 3 days?! That’s right! June 22, 2010, you can pick up Ancestor another Scott Sigler book in the bookstores. You can even pre-order it now! It’s the third Sigler book Crown Publishing has released since 2008 and it is shaping up to be even better than the others.

Ancestor is all about genetics and greed and of course death and destruction. Sigler is a master of weaving together an intense, insane, and creepy plot for precisely developed characters to act in. I haven’t read or listened to the original Ancestor, but I’ve already pre-ordered my copy. I’ve really enjoyed everything else I’ve heard or read by him.

But if you’re not convinced by love, watch the book trailer here. Or you can always check his website for the original Ancestor feed as well as details on his other stories. You can even sign up for the new feed and get prequel stories before you get the novel. If it’s audio, it’s free. Print you have to buy, but what’s to complain about with so much good free stuff?

Oh, and Scott’s doing a book tour starting June 22. He’s posted his nationwide schedule here, so go and meet him if he’s anywhere near you! I’ll be catching his reading, sporting my Krakens shirt, and hanging out at the bar afterward when he hits Southern California. It’s always a fun time!

Bookmark Scott Sigler's Ancestor