Big Things Loom On The Horizon

Possibilities and permutations abound. All I know is that I haven't been this excited about reading or writing in ages.

"Santa Must Die" is up @Do Some Damage, and a cameo

Well, here is the last post for 2010, and...it's a different one.

For the Do Some Damage Christmas Fiction Challenge, I was going in one direction when I was writing the story, and I let the word count influence what direction it finally ended in. Either way, the working title was and is, "Santa Must Die." It's also the last Do Some Damage post of the year, so I might really have to move out of the country after this one (preferably to one without extradition).



In other news, over at Dark Valentine, Paul D. Brazill has the sixth day of Christmas covered, with Roman Dalton. I guarantee that he's a detective unlike any other that you've seen before. There's also a cameo by the biggest bastard that I've ever known, and he plays the bartender.

Christmas Isn't Over

Yeah, I relate to "Scrooged" just a little too much...

...mostly because when The Ghost of Christmas Present isn't jabbing my in the eyes, she's kneeing my groin.

"Oh, what is this, Cormac? Oh, oh look, Cormac! It's a toaster!"

Whaddya know, I fell for that, yet again. Well, just because December 25th has come and gone, doesn't mean that Christmas has to end. The folks over at The Do Some Damage Blog have a flash fiction Christmas Challenge still going strong. You already have Patti Abbott, John McFetridge, Richard Godwin, and Daniel B. O'Shea, as well as more strong crime authors still waiting to crawl down your chimney.

As they used to say on the old Ronco commercials, "but wait, that's not all!" The folks over at Dark Valentine Magazine have kicked off "The Twelve Days of Christmas."

That means a new Christmas story every day every day, until January 6th, 2011! You will get tales from Andrew Douglas, Kat Parrish, Nigel Bird, John Donald Carlucci, Christine Pope, Kaye George, and Paul D. Brazill.

Guess who got "Eight Maids-A-Milking?" No, not Danielle Steele. Guess again...no, not Michael Chabon.

Here's to Paul's 2nd Anniversary!

Please stop by Paul D. Brazill's blog and wish him a Happy Second Anniversary! It was wonderful to see your career at its inception, and here's to your continued success, Sir! Na zdrowia!

Get Plugged In #10

chuffed [chuhft]

–adjective British Informal.
delighted; pleased; satisfied.

"Chuffed?" That I am, but you'll have to get to the bottom of this post to see why.



Today? I have more plugs than The Hair Club For Men, and not only am I the President of Cormac Brown's Plugs For Writers, but I'm also a member!

Aldo Calcagno has scored a major coup for Darkest Before The Dawn, with the first three chapters of Hilary Davidson's new novel "The Damage Done!"

Richard Godwin has interviewed Pamila Payne and in it, she gives us some wonderful insights into the supernatural and goings on of The Bella Vista. Richard also can type out a mean tale, and "Nowhere Man" at A Twist of Noir, is no exception. He lights a fuse under some dynamite prose and I guarantee that after you read it, you won't look at the outside world the same way.

At Thrillers, Killers 'n' Chillers, Sandra Seamans can make a bright sunny day turn dark in ways that most of us can't imagine.

Nigel P Bird has taken all the spotlights out of Hollywood, and shifted them to the crime writing community, with his "Dancing With Myself" interviews.

He has noir great Kelli Stanley!

My fellow AAM alum, Chris Dabnor.

Paulie Decibels, who I will touch upon later on in this post.

The King of Crime Poetry, Gerald So.

The legendary Eric Beetner (where's JB?).

My crime writing Dad, Christopher Grant.

The Godmother of noir, Patti Abbott.

And with Steve Weddle, who was nice enough to plug me twice. Say even one semi-cross thing about the man and I won't eat your children, but I will make your ears look like some kind of odd hybrid between Evander Holyfield's and Vincent Van Gough's.

So what am I so proud of? Well, it's whom. A one Mister Paul D. Brazill has made it into the Premier League, with a story in The Mammoth Book of Best British Crime. It even made his hometown newspaper, The Hartlepool Mail.

Get Plugged In #9

Oh, I've got some great ones today...



Paulie Decibels has the fourth installment of Warsaw Moon up at Disenthralled Magazine.

Richard Godwin talks to Hilary Davidson and comes up with one of the most fascinating interviews of the year. Vegetarians, the darker side of the mind, and murder...oh, my.

Soon, we all will have the opportunity to vote for the finalists in the next The Clarity of Night Contest, but in the meantime? Check out the best entries of the past, with the E-Book "The Clarity of Night Contests Volume 1: 2006-2010" which includes Sandra Seaman's "Civic Duty."

Jason Duke debuts on Crimewav.com with "Phoenix Nightlife."

Last but certainly not least, Beat To A Pulp Magazine has scored a major coup! A certain artist will illustrate the anthology "Beat To A Pulp: Round One." Who? You have to click the purple to find out.

Get Plugged In #8

Certainly first and foremost, The Pop Eye Blog turned five. Out of all my friends who blog, Becky is the Atlas when it comes to blogging. She does it harder, longer, faster, Kanye, and she is my only reliable source of pop culture (i.e. she doesn't float half-truths like every other pop or gossip blog does, to draw in readers).

Next, Nora O'Sullivan brings the pain and the blood, courtesy of Chicago Reader.

Richard Godwin interviews-

Needle Magazine Creator/Editor Steve Weddle.

Iraq War Vet/Author Jason Duke.

Author Paul D. Brazill a.k.a. "Paulie Decibels."

As well as a compelling and surreal conversation with Christopher Grant.

Richard writes as well, and he paints a vivid picture at Michael Solender's You're Not From Around Here, Are You...with "The Iconoclast."

Speaking of "vivid," Patti Abbott types out a Renoir-worthy portrait at Beat To A Pulp, with "At The Cafe Sabarsky."

Last but not least, if you somehow missed Paul's interview with Brit Author Alan Griffiths in Pulp Metal Magazine, here it is again, with You Would Say That, Wouldn't You?

The Premiere Issue of Dark Valentine Magazine is here!

So here it is, the day that it all comes fruition. Here is a new venue for dark fiction, a new publication that will change the way that you read magazines.

Agatha-nominated Elizabeth Zelvin kicks things off with "The Silkie." Chad Rohrbacher brings us into a robotic near future with "Furious." Sandra Seamans offers up a surreal piece of noir with "What Doesn't Kill You" and it is accompanied by an equally amazing illustration by Jane Burson.

Paul D. Brazill turns horror on its ear and gives it a Michael Madsen, with "Drunk On The Moon." "Automancer" is a tale that gives a new twist to magic, by my friend author and editor, Katherine Tomlinson. I have a story in there called "His Hands, which is a tribute to the writing style of my friend Quin Browne. I chronicle a doomed relationship that takes unforeseen tragic conclusion.

The aforementioned isn't even half of the stories that are in this issue, and the art work is truly a feast for the eyes. There is horror, fantasy, noir, science fiction and all the dark things that are under the sun...and in the shadows.

Please, check out the Dark Valentine Magazine in PDF form, here.

Just a taste...

What do Sandra Seamans, Paul D. Brazill, Chad Rohrbacher and me, all have in common?

That's right, none of us are represented by this guy. Wait, what?

All will be revealed soon, but in the meantime? Here is a teaser. If you come back here at 10:30 AM, PST, it will make even more sense.

Get Plugged In #7

First, Peggy MacFarland has won Chad Rohrbacher's "Victor Gischler Giveaway."

David Cranmer's "7 Questions continue," with a certain Paul D. Brazill.

This is just one of the many reasons, that she is my favorite non-published author.

Last, but not least is Skyler Hobbs. The creation of Evan Lewis has made both Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine and he got a little review in Mystery Scene Magazine.

Needle Magazine is here!

Well, the big day has arrived and it came much sooner than expected. The Premiere Issue of Needle Magazine is here!

Steve Weddle, Scott D. Parker, Naomi Johnson, Daniel O'Shea and John Hornor Jacobs have covered the crime fiction and noir spectrum from A to Z, literally. From Patti Abbott, to David Zeltserman.

We're talking Sandra Seamans, Paul D. Brazill, Christopher Grant, Eric Beetner, Keith Rawson, Chad Rohrbacher, Kieran Shea, Hilary Davidson, Jedidiah Ayers, Eric Nusbaum, Nathan Singer, Kent Gowran and yours truly.

Needle Magazine will be offered in a print only version on Lulu. Please click here for the details and buy your copy today!

Whew, did you feel that? That chill going up and down your spine?

Why, it's Paul and Sandra being nominated for the Best Short Story On The Web!

And Alan Griffiths, too!

Not to mention, I understand that the magazine Beat To A Pulp (a.k.a. David Cranmer and Elaine Ash) has a bunch of nominations as well! Congratulations to all!

Howl Is Live!

Prepare to be scared!

Howl Magazine is here, thirty-three tales of terror, mayhem and horror! Not only that, you have Erin Cole, Jason Michel, Angel Zapata and the most terrifying author of them all, Paul D. Brazill!

New Magazine "The Journal" features an interview with Paul D. Brazill

There's a new magazine in town, and it's called "The Journal."

So if you're going to start a new magazine, it's better to feature a writer of note, to kick things off. Enter one Mr. Paul D. Brazill, and they interviewed him right here. A choice writer, and a choice interview.

Get Plugged In #6

Oh, I have links, but first comes a lecture. You see, you kids have so easy today. You have A Twist of Noir, Beat To A Pulp, Crime Factory, Pulp Metal, Thrillers Killers 'n' Chillers, Yellow Mama, (hopefully still) Astonishing Adventures, and many more places to submit your work to. In this sense, we are now living a golden age of crime fiction, where there are several venues for you to perfect your art and for you to have an audience.

Go all the way back to January 2007 and most of the magazines and sites mentioned above didn't exist. And the ones that did exist were expired, or on the verge of expiring. In stepped a man with a vision, Aldo Calcagno. He started Powder Burn Flash and the rest is history. So many of the writers in my links section and the aforementioned zines, have Aldo to thank for where we all are today.

Paul D. Brazil interviewed Aldo, and you really should read it. Not just because I say so, but also becuase it is an insight into the ever-changing world of crime fiction, and its existence on the Internet.

Katherine Tomlinson has updated her links and all of her works that can be accessed through the Internet, are at the top right of her page.

Last but certainly not least, while on holiday in Britain, Quin has met up with my favorite fiction couple, Margaret and Neville. Their latest tale has started off with a cliffhanger, and the next two weeks should get real interesting.

Pulp Metal Magazine Is Here!

Pulp Metal Magazine is here!

Jason Michel wants to bring modern art, movie essays, comics, fiction and oh, a regular column from Paul D. Brazill (called "I did say that, didn't I?") to you.

Go check Pulp Metal out!

"The Ballad of Paulie Decibels"

I've never been north of Frankfurt, Germany, but today? I get to go to Poland...at least via the Internet. Paul D. Brazill has been having other bloggers drop by and do some guest spots. We're talking authors and bloggers from America, Australia, Europe and the U.K. Undoubtedly he'll have someone from Asia and Africa before it's over, that will pay homage to once and future crime writing King of England.

Still, until then? Here is yours truly, with "The Ballad of Paulie Decibels."

Get Plugged In #3

Try this, you can buy that perfect gift and help out kids at the same time.

Wolfmont Press is giving you, "The Gift of Murder." Nineteen stories of mystery, thriller and crime fiction revolving around the winter holidays...including one by our own Sandra Seamans. Best of all, all proceeds go to Toys For Tots. Click the "TGOM" link and you have your choice of purchasing via Wolfmont, eBook or Amazon.

Speaking of Ebooks, Full of Crow Ebooks has the "Less Than Three Anthology." Tales of absurdest fiction under three paragraphs, featuring Paul D. Brazill's latest tale, "M." Click the Full of Crow site and then click the "less than" symbol next to the number three.

Finally, if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes, look no further than The Tainted Archive. Gary Dobbs has put together over thirty posts about the Great Detective over the weekend. Click here, here, here, and here. Whew, it's going to take a little more than a weekend to read all of them, Evelyn Wood.

Paulie Decibels types softly...

It is not a question of "if," as it is a just a question of "when" the British crime fiction wave will wash over our shores.

Over at the other side of the pond, they bring a fresh perspective to noir and quite frankly, it tends to have a little more depth than most (though, not all) of American crime fiction. It is my belief that among those writers to change things up over here, will be Paul D. Brazill. He shifts from the abyss, to humor, to poetry, and all with amazing ease.

I will give you an opportunity to see for yourselves, by giving you two links to some of his horror writing:

His story "This Old House" is up again at A Twist Of Noir, and let's just say Bob Villa wouldn't last a minute in that abode.

And part of Erin Cole's Thirteen Days of Horror, comes "The Friend Catcher."


Enjoy.

Get Plugged In #1

Walter Conley put together a beautiful online magazine called "Disenthralled," and it also happens to feature a story from my favorite unpublished author Quin Browne.

Pamila Payne brings nuance to crime writing, that's right, nuance. I'm not saying that other crime writers tell a story without it (big glass house, right here), I'm just saying she understands it perfectly...right before she hits you with the denouement.

Speaking of hitting you,Paulie Decibels sucks you in and then hits you with a sucker punch.

Keith Rawson finishes things up with whipped cream and a cherry, via an interview with Reed Farrel Coleman and Ken Bruen.