If I’m coming to your town (or you’re coming to mine), drop me an email. I’d love to meet you.

IHW Writers Retreat (Indianapolis)
February 17-19

Mo*Con V (Indianapolis)
May 4-6

ReaderCon (Burlington, Massachusetts)
July 12-15

GenCon (Indianapolis)
August 16-19

WorldCon (Chicago, Illinois)
August 30-September 3

Anthologies:

Dark Faith 2 is well underway.  I’m about a third of the way through the 600 submissions we received in January, and I’m on schedule to get everyone an answer within 90 days of submission.  May 1st is the deadline for solicited manuscripts, and we’ll be making final decisions shortly after that.  The book will debut at WorldCon in Chicago (August 2012).

Novellas:

I’m nearing a first draft on Breaking The World.  The apocalyptic book follows three atheist teenagers trapped inside the Branch Davidian Church during David Koresh’s perilous standoff with the ATF and FBI.  I’m quite pleased with the way the story is shaping up.  So much so, it’s become the first book in a series.  Tentative release, Summer 2012.

Novels:

Severed Dreams needs some minor tweaking before it heads back out.

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.

Top Secret:

A pair of really cool pop culture projects that I signed away my ability to talk about (for the moment).

Slice of Darkness Interview:  Jerry Gordon

We’re looking for the story only you could write, something deeply personal and at the same time universal.  Everyone believes in something and we want you to put those beliefs to the test.  We’re looking for smart, literate stories that don’t proselytize or stereotype.  Stories that make you think, that comment on the human condition and the social order.  Stories that are rich in their use of language.

However, as much as we love social commentary, don’t forget to entertain us.  The best way to get a feel for what we’re looking for is to read Dark Faith.

Submissions will be accepted from 1/1/2012 until 1/31/2012.  Unsolicited stories received outside this timeframe will be deleted, unread.

Please include a cover letter with your submission–even if we know you.  Please send no more than one submission at a time.  No reprints.  Simultaneous submissions will be accepted as long as you tell us up front (and immediately withdraw the story if you sell it).

All submissions must be emailed as an RTF file to Maurice Broaddus and Jerry Gordon at darkfaithantho@gmail.com.

Visit the GenCon Writers Symposium website for more information and a full schedule.  I’ll be speaking on the following panels this year:

Fantastic Females

Dynamic women should rule the pages of your manuscript . . . not the mousy types waiting to be tied to a railroad track. Our panelists discuss how to avoid weak cliques and macho stereotypes, and how to craft strong, interesting ladies that advance your story.

When: Aug 4 2011 – 9:00am – 10:00am. Duration: 1hour

Selling Short Fiction

It can be a long road to selling short fiction, especially in a marketplace with decreasing print anthologies. But short fiction is still a writing art to pursue. Our panelists discuss markets, techniques, and how penning short stories can improve your chances of publishing novels.

When: Aug 4 2011 – 10:00am – 11:10am. Duration: 1hour

You Slay Me

Kill ‘em off. Hang ‘em. Poison ‘em. Blow ‘em up with a nuclear bomb. Slice ‘em up with a sword. Or maybe just run ‘em over with a train. But make it mean something. Make it interesting. And make your readers react. Our panelists discuss methods for killing characters–heroes and villains, how to time a death scene just right, what details to leave in and out, and how to decide which ones should “bite the dust.”

When:  Aug 4 2011 – 12:00pm – 1:00pm.  Duration:  1hour

Tackling Writer’s Block

Some authors claim there is no such thing as writer’s block . . . but there is some unseen force that prevents you from finishing your manuscript. Whatever label you care to give it–how do you tackle it? How can you defeat the force that keeps your fingers motionless on the keyboard and your brain in neutral. Our panelists have all faced this dreaded demon, and they’ve discovered how to best it. They’ll share their techniques.

When:  Aug 4 2011 – 1:00pm – 2:00pm.  Duration:  1hour

The Sword is Mightier

A rousing sword fight can get the reader churning through the pages of your book. But you better know how to make it feel real. Our master wordsmiths share their expertise in writing the good fight.

When:  Aug 5 2011 – 8:00am – 9:00am.  Duration:  1hour

Big on the Small Press

Writers can find big opportunities to break into publishing through the small press. Learn where to go, and what it takes, to make it big in small press. Our panelists include small press publishers, editors, and writers.

When:  Aug 5 2011 – 9:00am – 10:00am.  Duration:  1hour

Nothing But ‘Net

The Internet is a useful tool for research, finding writer’s resources, joining a writer’s group, and submitting internationally. But it’s also a great way to promote yourself and get your writing out there. We’ll tackle Facebook, Twitter, web pages, and software.

When:  Aug 7 2011 – 11:00am – 12:00pm.  Duration:  1hour

Ellen Datlow also compiles a yearly list of stories of significant note.  Dark Faith andLast Rites received a total of seven honorable mentions:

“Hush” – Kelly Barnhill
“For My Next Trick I’ll Need a Volunteer” – Gary A. Braunbeck
“Chimeras & Grotesques” – Matt Cardin
“Little Gods” – Sara Genge
“The Last Words of Dutch Schultz Jesus Christ” – Nick Mamatas
“You Dream” – Ekaterina Sedia
“The Taste of Memories” – Nate Southard

Many thanks to Paula and Ellen for their selections.

When you purchase Dark Faith directly from the publisher, you’ll receive Last Rites free!

After years of cheering on the work of friends nominated for this prestigous award, I’m speechless to be sharing their company.  Dark Faith was a joy to put together with Maurice Broaddus and Jason Sizemore.

I’m pleased to be sharing a ballot with friends.  Gary Braunbeck is twice nominated for To Each Their Darkness (if you’re a writer, or you want to be, you must read this book) and “Return to Mariabronn,” Lucy Snyder for the wonderfully witty debut novel, Spellbent, Wrath James White for Vicious Romantic, and Nick Mamatas for Haunted Legends. Good luck!

2010 Bram Stoker Nominees:

Superior Achievement in a Novel

• HORNS by Joe Hill (William Morrow)
• ROT AND RUIN by Jonathan Maberry (Simon & Schuster)
• DEAD LOVE by Linda Watanabe McFerrin (Stone Bridge Press)
• APOCALYPSE OF THE DEAD by Joe McKinney (Pinnacle)
• DWELLER by Jeff Strand (Leisure/Dark Regions Press)
• A DARK MATTER by Peter Straub (DoubleDay)

Superior Achievement in a First Novel

• BLACK AND ORANGE by Benjamin Kane Ethridge (Bad Moon Books)
• A BOOK OF TONGUES by Gemma Files (Chizine Publications)
• CASTLE OF LOS ANGELES by Lisa Morton (Gray Friar Press)
• SPELLBENT by Lucy Snyder (Del Rey)

Superior Achievement in Long Fiction

• THE PAINTED DARKNESS by Brian James Freeman (Cemetery Dance)
• DISSOLUTION by Lisa Mannetti (Deathwatch)
• MONSTERS AMONG US by Kirstyn McDermott (Macabre: A Journey through Australia’s Darkest Fears)
• THE SAMHANACH by Lisa Morton (Bad Moon Books)
• INVISIBLE FENCES by Norman Prentiss (Cemetery Dance)

Superior Achievement in Short Fiction

• RETURN TO MARIABRONN by Gary Braunbeck (Haunted Legends)
• THE FOLDING MAN by Joe R. Lansdale (Haunted Legends)
• 1925: A FALL RIVER HALLOWEEN by Lisa Mannetti (Shroud Magazine #10)
• IN THE MIDDLE OF POPLAR STREET by Nate Southard (Dead Set: A Zombie Anthology)
• FINAL DRAFT by Mark W. Worthen (Horror Library IV)

Superior Achievement in an Anthology

• DARK FAITH edited by Maurice Broaddus and Jerry Gordon (Apex Publications)
• HORROR LIBRARY IV edited by R.J. Cavender and, Boyd E. Harris (Cutting Block Press)
• MACABRE: A JOURNEY THROUGH AUSTRALIA’S DARKEST FEARS edited by Angela Challis and Marty Young (Brimstone Press)
• HAUNTED LEGENDS edited by Ellen Datlow and Nick Mamatas (Tor)
• THE NEW DEAD edited by Christopher Golden (St. Martin’s Griffin)

Superior Achievement in a Collection

• OCCULTATION by Laird Barron (Night Shade Books)
• BLOOD AND GRISTLE by Michael Louis Calvillo (Bad Moon Books)
• FULL DARK, NO STARS by Stephen King (Simon and Schuster)
• THE ONES THAT GOT AWAY by Stephen Graham Jones (Prime Books)
• A HOST OF SHADOWS by Harry Shannon (Dark Regions Press)

Superior Achievement in Nonfiction

• TO EACH THEIR DARKNESS by Gary A. Braunbeck (Apex Publications)
• THE CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE HUMAN RACE by Thomas Ligotti (Hippocampus Press)
• WANTED UNDEAD OR ALIVE by Jonathan Maberry and Janice Gable Bashman (Citadel)
• LISTEN TO THE ECHOES: THE RAY BRADBURY INTERVIEWS by Sam Weller (Melville House Publications)

Superior Achievement in a Poetry Collection

• DARK MATTERS by Bruce Boston (Bad Moon Books)
• WILD HUNT OF THE STARS by Ann K. Schwader (Sam’s Dot)
• DIARY OF A GENTLEMAN DIABOLIST by Robin Spriggs (Anomalous Books)
• VICIOUS ROMANTIC by Wrath James White (Needfire Poetry)

Apex Book Company has made “Ghosts of New York” available online for free, along with Catherynne Valente’s “Days of Flaming Motorcycles” (a preliminary ballot winner for the Bram Stoker award).

Check them out. And then pick up a copy of Dark Faith!

I got the news from my publisher late last night.  Dark Faith made the preliminary ballot for Superior Achievement in an Anthology.  In addition to that, Catherynne Valente’s story from Dark Faith, “The Days of Flaming Motorcycles,” also made the preliminary ballot for Superior Achievement in Short Fiction.

Jason Sizemore, the evil genius behind Apex Books, is making Dark Faith available to HWA members for final ballot consideration.  HWA members that would like a copy should email him at jason@apexbookcompany.com.

Congratulations to all the nominees:

Superior Achievement in an ANTHOLOGY

DARK FAITH edited by Maurice Broaddus and Jerry Gordon (Apex Publications)

HORROR LIBRARY IV edited by R.J. Cavender and, Boyd E. Harris (Cutting Block Press)

CTHULHU’S DARK CULTS edited by David Conyers (Chaosium)

HAUNTED LEGENDS edited by Ellen Datlow and Nick Mamatas (Tor)

THE NEW DEAD edited by Christopher Golden (St. Martin’s Griffin)

BLACK WINGS edited S.T. Joshi (PS Publishing)

EVOLVE: VAMPIRE STORIES OF THE NEW UNDEAD edited by Nancy Kilpatrick (Edge Science Fiction & Fantasy Publishing)

NULL IMMORTALIS edited by D.F. Lewis (Megazanthus Press)

DEAD SET: A ZOMBIE ANTHOLOGY edited by Michelle McCrary and Joe McKinney (23 House Publishing)

SCENES FROM THE SECOND STOREY by Amanda Pillar and Pete Kempshall (Morrigan Books)

I’d also like to congratulate Gary Braunbeck for his heartfelt exploration of the writing life, To Each Their Darkness (this book should be on the shelves of aspiring and veteran writers alike).  Lucy Snyder’s witty and wonderfully inventive Spellbent also received a well-deserved nod.  And Larry Connolly made the list in two categories with Vipers and This Way to Egress (couldn’t happen to a nicer guy).  Nick Mamatas for his editing work with Ellen Datlow on Haunted Legends.  And one last shout out to Greg Hall for his debut Church Street novel.  Good luck everyone!

The story follows a cult survivor and an unlikely prophet as they journey across post-apocalyptic America.  The book is available in print and electronic formats (I’ll even sign your Kindle).

Click on the cover to learn more…