Category Archives: New Releases

After Action Report: Philcon 81 & Book Launch

Despite a grueling drive from the Lehigh Valley, I arrived at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill, NJ only 30 minutes later than I’d planned on Friday evening. While in line to check in, I was greeted by the ever-cheerful Sharon VanBlarcom, Farpoint chairwoman. Minutes later, we were joined by the Wilson crew— Steve, Renee, Ethan, and Jessica Headlee. 

After a late dinner at Houlihan’s (thank you again, Sharon, for driving!) Steve presented me with a contributor copy of our double horror novel—a  thing of beauty if I say so myself. Immense gratitude to Ethan Wilson on his incredible design and formatting. We called it a night after that and regrouped for breakfast the following at the Westmont Diner. With a few hours to spare, we visited a few local shops, including HO Sattler’s Trains and Hobbies, Fat Jack’s Comicrypt, and House of Fun—a vintage toy shop in Oaklyn, NJ. 

By the time I returned to the hotel for my noon panel, I was struggling with mild nausea and a severe headache. I skipped the panel, took a moment to breathe, and strolled the dealer room where I managed to score a near mint condition autographed copy of Harlan Ellison’s 1987 graphic anthology, Night and the Enemy for $35. I also added several more vintage paperbacks to my collection from Isaac Asimov, Arthur C. Clarke, and A.E. Van Vogt. I stopped by the Shore Leave table to catch up with good friend and astronomer, Dr. Inge Heyer, who also happens to be Shore Leave’s co-chair and writer liaison. 

Although my nausea abated, I relented to the headache and took a nap in my room before celebrating the release of my latest novella, Like Mother, Like Daughters, part of a double horror offering along with Steven H. Wilson’s vampire tale, Freedom’s Blood. Our book launch was held in the convention suite with pizzas (thank you for making the run, Renee!), kiffles (fruit-filled pastries), and Hershey’s Kisses that I had brought with me. Con Suite coordinator Gene Olmstead served some of his home made birch beer. We sold a few books, gave copies to two of our Kickstarter donors, Sharon VanBlarcom and Ann Stolinsky, and enjoyed a fun but hectic hour. I stole away to chat with veteran author and graphic designer Aaron Rosenberg, who had kindly snagged for me a vintage ACE edition of A.E. Van Vogt’s The Weapon Makers from the free book table. Thanks again, Aaron! 

After cleaning up and heading out to dinner, Steve and I took time to sign all of the paperbacks necessary to fulfill Kickstarter rewards and “thank you” copies for our advance readers. A few hours later, I finally attended my first panel of the convention— a retrospective on the life and career of legendary writer, Harlan Ellison. I was honored to have been chosen as moderator and to be joined by writers Jay Smith, Darrell Schweitzer, and Mark Wolverton. Much of the panel was devoted to anecdotes of Harlan’s infamously intractable personality, but also to his blunt honesty and integrity in standing up for himself and his fellow writers. Some of us shared our personal interactions with Harlan and pondered whether many of his outrageous acts of revenge against publishers and television producers were truth or folklore. All in all, the panel capped off my Saturday night on a high note. 

On Sunday, I packed up the car and moderated my final panel of the con, What Your Body Language Says About You, with co-panelist Mary Spila. There was a great deal of audience participation as we discussed the signals we send with our posture and body language— especially on the topics of personal safety and flirtatious behavior— but also during job interviews and social interactions. We also touched on the topics of misreading body language, and the various interpretations of body language across diverse cultures.

After the panel, I sat with Sharon VanBlarcom at the Farpoint table for an hour or so to unwind before bringing to an end another marvelous Philcon.

Recap: A Plague of Shadows Book Launch

A marvelous time was had by all yesterday evening at the book launch party for A Plague of Shadows, the latest paranormal fiction anthology by Smart Rhino Publications. The launch was graciously hosted by the Newark Arts Alliance in Newark, DE.

A special thank you to editors Joanne M. Reinbold (Director of the Written Remains Writers Guild) and Weldon Burge (owner of Smart Rhino Publications) and to emcee and fellow contributor Maria Masington who kept the evening on track. Approximately half of the contributing authors were on hand and some read excerpts not only from their own stories, but from stories of contributors who could not attend.

I had a wonderful time reading my story, “Bottom of the Hour” and signing several copies of the book in addition to asking my fellow writers to do the same for my own copy and for some of my friends who donated to the Kickstarter that helped fund the publication. I now have a few books to hand deliver.

There were door prizes and yes, there was cake! Check out pictures from the event below. There were a few writers that I missed including Jacob Jones-Goldstein, Shannon Connor Winward, and Gail Husch (who also arranged all of the food and beverages for the launch).

Plague of Shadows Table
Plague of Shadows Table

Plague of Shadows Cake
And there was cake!

Plague of Shadows Cake
Close up of the cake.

Plague of Shadows Box of Books
My box of books!

Phil Giunta at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Some guy named Phil reading his story.

Weldon Burge at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Weldon Burge, editor and owner of Smart Rhino Publications.

J Gregory Smith at A Plague of Shadows book launch
Fellow contributor, J. Gregory Smith

Patrick Derrickson at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Fellow contributor Patrick Derrickson reads Billie Sue Mosiman’s story. He returned in the next session to read his own.

Maria Masington at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Maria Masington, our master of ceremonies, adorable punster, and fellow contributor to A Plague of Shadows.

Joanne Reinhold cuts the cake at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Joanne M. Reinbold prepares to cuts the cake at A Plague of Shadows book launch.

JM Reinbold at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Joanne M. Reinbold, editor and director of the Written Remains Writers Guild.

Jane Miller at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Jane Miller reads her poem from the anthology.

J Patrick Conlon at A Plague of Shadows Book Launch
Fellow contributor, J. Patrick Conlon.

Kickstarter Update: We Made It!

Steven H. Wilson and I are excited to announce that we exceeded our Kickstarter funding goal for Firebringer Take Two thanks to the following generous donors:

Lewis G. Aide
Michael Critzer
Tony Fucci
The Creative Fund
James Gallahan
Allyn Gibson
Jack Hillman
Madelyn Jackson
Heather Mikkelsen
Omar Padilla
Leeon Pezok
Susanna Reilly
Renfield
Ann Stolinsky
Sharon Miller VanBlarcom
Judith Waidlich
Howie Weinstein
Cindy Woods
Evon Zundel

We appreciate your generous support and will continue to keep everyone updated as the book nears completion and rewards are ready to ship (paperbacks) or claim online (ebooks).

Freedom's Blood Cover Art by Caio Cacau
Freedom’s Blood Cover Art by Caio Cacau.

 

Like Mother, Like Daughters cover
Like Mother, Like Daughters cover art by Laura Inglis. Title design by Chris Winner.

 

Firebringer Take Two Covers
Untouched cover art for double horror novel by Phil Giunta and Steven H. Wilson.

Kickstarter Updates – FREEDOM’S BLOOD and LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTERS

Steven H. Wilson and I are just over a week into our Kickstarter campaign to fund the publication of our double horror novella, which includes Steve’s vampire tale, FREEDOM’S BLOOD and my paranormal mystery, LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTERS featuring Miranda Lorensen (from my novels By Your Side and Testing the Prisoner).

The book will be formatted in the style of the classic ACE Doubles where you read one story, then flip the book over to read the other.

Each week during the campaign, we’ve posted excerpts from both novellas over on the Firebringer Press website. For the past two weeks, we presented the opening scenes from LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTERS. This week, we posted the same for FREEDOM’S BLOOD. More updates are forthcoming, including excerpts from some of the books we’re offering as rewards for your donations.

We hope you enjoy these story samples and will consider donating to our campaign so we can bring you this exciting new book!

Like Mother, Like Daughters Book Cover

Ghosts, Vampires, and American History…

Ghosts, Vampires, and American History… brought to you by Firebringer Press!

Writer and publisher Steven H. Wilson and I are excited to announce the upcoming combined release of Steve’s vampire novella FREEDOM’S BLOOD with my paranormal mystery, LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTERS in the format of the classic ACE doubles (read one story, flip the book over and read the other). Today, we launched a 30-day Kickstarter campaign to help bring this book to fruition by late November 2018.

LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTERS sees the return of psychic-medium Miranda Lorensen from my novels By Your Side and Testing the Prisoner while FREEDOM’S BLOOD introduces a vampire like none you’ve ever encountered.

Please click here to learn more. Our goal is only $750 to cover the cost of cover art, editing, set-up fees, etc. We’re offering several reward levels including ebooks, signed paperbacks (including backlist titles), story critiques, and a membership to the Farpoint SF convention in February.

Please spread the word to anyone who might be interested. Thank you for supporting small press authors!

Like Mother, Like Daughters Book Cover

Debut Novel: FROM THE DARKNESS by Dawn Sooy

I’d like to welcome Dawn Sooy, fellow member of the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group (GLVWG) and chair of the Write Stuff Writers Conferences in 2018 and 2019.

Dawn provides a personal glimpse into her terrible struggle with depression—the basis for her debut novel, From the Darkness, available right now on Amazon.  

What’s it about?

From the Darkness-Front CoverSome 15 million Americans struggle with depression, an illness that comes in many forms. This complex disorder interferes with concentration and motivation; disrupts sleep, causes fatigue and in some cases, leads to suicide. When a person has severe depression, they may have disturbing beliefs—hearing and seeing things others do not. From the Darkness is based on the true story of Lizbeth, a woman suffering from this silent disease. For some unknown reason, a happy family outing turns into a downward spiral for Lizbeth; alienating her husband and children, placing her in a black turmoil.

What inspired the story?

When I was a teenager, I started journaling. I found putting words, my thoughts, my feelings, on paper was comforting. A journal is a friend that never judges you, so I made one rule—never lie to the journal. And as a wild teenager, the journal had some pretty wild stories. I still journal to this day.

In 2004, I was diagnosed with depression. Bob, my husband, noticed changes in me that I could not see myself. He wanted me to seek help, which I ignored until the day I acted like a crazy person in the parking lot of a restaurant. My families reaction and my reaction to this episode forced me to seek professional help. I was diagnosed with depression and in my ignorance, thought of myself as a looney-tunes, psycho, etc. You get the picture. At this time, the medication prescribed was enough to bring me out of depression.

Years later, stress at work pushed the depression to resurface. It engulfed me. Blackness surrounded me every day of my life. The medication no longer worked. Crying spells popped up in the most inconvenient of times. I was self-destructive and my doctor had no choice but to put me in the hospital. My husband took over and initiated the paperwork that would place me on disability from work. And yet, throughout this time, I kept journaling.

The roughest period of depression began in 2012. This was the year I quit my job at a place I despised, but instead of feeling better, my depression dragged me into a black hole. 2012 was one of the worst periods of time where my illness consumed me until I felt I was no longer a person. I stopped eating and slept most of the day and night. I cared about nothing.

It wasn’t until 2014 that I started to join the everyday world. I read a book and when I finished I sat back and thought, I wish I had the talent to be a writer. During one of my therapy sessions, I mentioned this to my psychologist and she indicated one of her other patients belonged to a writers group. This lead me to join GLVWG, and I felt that I had arrived; I had somehow found I place I belonged.

During this time, I had a few short stories published and Nanowrimo rolled around. I decided to engage in this and wrote my novel during this month. I chose to write From the Darkness as in one of the lectures, the presenter stated, “write about something you know.” After spending 14 years with depression, this was definitely something I knew about. The more I wrote about my experiences, the better I felt. It was like a giant dump of information into a journal.

From the Darkness-Back CoverI took this rough draft of my novel and developed it into a novel. It was published and I ordered copies. When they arrived, I picked up one of the copies and started to cry. My husband asked, “Why are you crying?” and proceeded to hug me. After a few minutes of ruining his shirt with tears, I said, “I did it. I finished my novel.” As I held the book in my hands, I kept expecting it to disappear. I marveled that this goal I had turned into reality.

If you know of someone, family member or friend, who has depression, you need to realize that it’s not something they can just “get over”, or “pull themselves together.” Depression is an illness—a disease that afflicts millions of people—and like most diseases, doesn’t care if you are rich or poor.

In fact, depression does not discriminate at all.