Posts tagged ‘horror’
THE GHOST OF E. A. POE
THE GHOST OF E. A. POE
My latest published short story, The Price of Success, was published this month by Yellow Mama. Accompanying the story was a drawing by April Lafleur which capture the essence of the story.
The Price of Success reveals the unexpected results a writer of horror has when collaborating with the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe. Accepting help from the ghost the struggling writer realizes, only too late, the consequences of his decision.
The primary location of this story is Baldwin’s Book Barn one of my favorite bookstores located in West Chester, PA. Home of one of the finest used bookstores in the country.
LITERARY AGENTS
MY QUEST FOR A LITERARY AGENT
I have a novel, The Beast Awaits, for which I am seeking a publisher. I have used Duotrope to compile a list of publishers but so far I have found none that I deem satisfactory. Therefore, I am now looking for a literary agent for which Duotrope also provides a listing.
For many publishers having an agent is the only way your work can be reviewed. The fact that you have an agent encourages publishers to look at your work for they know that the only way a REPUTIBLE agent makes a penny is if they sell your work.
I filled out a Duotrope questionnaire for agents and received a list of 124 agents. Daunting. But through my use of another website, I was able to reduce this to a list of seventeen agents I feel secure in pursuing.
In a future post will describe how I accomplished this.
WRITER’S FORUM
WEBSITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This is a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
Horror Writers Association
Horror.org
Has over 1,400 writers and supporters of ‘dark fiction’.
Publishes a blog and offers other material for booksellers, facilitates readings and signings for horror writers.
Organizes StokerCom annual convention.
Yearly membership range in prices.
WRITER’S FORUM
WEBSITES HELPFUL TO WRITERS
This is a series of posts which, I think, will be beneficial to writers.
But first, I would like to include my usual warning about using websites.
Whenever you check a website you are, in my opinion and I talk from experience, being put on a list for sale. So, expect the possibility of being bombarded by ads from companies you, perhaps, have never heard of and have no interest in.
By the same token, I feel that once you call a business for information you are also put on a list, for sale, of similar companies to the one you have called.
That’s just how it is in today’s society.
I hope you find the information offered in these posts helpful.
Anyone familiar with my blog is aware of the area, Writer’s Forum, which already offers a host of websites important for writers.
The Horror Tree
HorrorTree.com
Lists up-to-date publishing opportunities for horror writers.
Shares calls for submissions for fiction, nonfiction, novellas, and novels.
Provides information on compensation authors can expect.
EMMET ROBINSON AND THE POINT
In my previous post I shared a newsletter published by my good friend, Emmet Robinson, where he introduced my novel, The Beast Awaits, which is now looking for a home. In this post I want to reciprocate to that generous act.
In the course of a very interesting and productive life Emmet was manager of The Point. The Point was a coffee house which began business in 1964 outside of Philadelphia. This was a venue where today’s celebrities, in the music world, were on the road to success while they were still people. People you could easily approach. Think celebrities like Joni Mitchell and John Denver.
Emmet relates a story when on evening Jackson Brown was performing and in from the backdoor walks Bruce Springsteen and begins playing the piano. At that time no big deal.
Emmet has published a book describing this incident and many more just as interesting. The book’s title is Little Boy Found: One Man’s Search for Lost Self-Esteem. If you need something to read this summer, and who doesn’t, I suggest this book as a purchase. Here is a link for that purpose.
Little Boy Found: Robinson, Emmet: 9781984580368: Amazon.com: Books
EMMET ROBINSON
ANNOUNCES
THE BEAST AWAITS
Here is a newsletter published by a writer friend, Emmet Robinson, mentioning my upcoming novel, The Beast Awaits.
I am currently looking for an agent so hope to soon change upcoming to soon to be published.
Scribbles
By Emmet Robinson
Writer and Editor
Helping You Express Yourself More Effectively
610-647-4341
What’s New?
Science Fiction
Current editing assignments include a new novel by Walt Trizna. Walt’s wildly creative imagination makes him a treat to work with – every chapter is another surprise. The general theme of The Beast Awaits leads one to consider a real possibility as to the end of human society. Scary? Yup! Gross in spots, too! A great read!
In working with other writers’ creative efforts, the original work is carefully preserved, uncut. Suggestions are provided separately. Also carefully preserved are both the author’s original intent and voice.
Double the Fun
Jim McCusker’s newest novel, The Edge, is now published and available in hard copy and on line. At over 400 pages, it took me a while to go through it, adding my suggestions to each chapter as I received it. It was a special treat to receive an autographed copy with my name listed as editor.
When Jim decided to create the audiobook version, he was able to record the narrative on his own, then asked me to provide four different character voices. That put me back in the studio again as a voice actor, something I greatly enjoy.
His previous novel, New Jersey Nights, first appeared in print, then was recorded here as an audiobook where I provided all of the voices. The hardest part was keeping track of what voice went with which character. Fortunately, being a story about organized crime, there were frequent murders. Whenever a character was killed off, I could recycle the voice by using it with a new character in following chapters.
Endless Variety
In addition to my own creative efforts*, I enjoy helping other writers with theirs.
Over the years, the range of assignments has provided a broad variety of work that keeps my days interesting. From business cards and newsletters for area businesses to full-length novels and literally everything in between.
What are you working on now that could use a professional review?
Reach me at www.emmetsemail@aol.com.
Emmet Robinson
(See next page)
* Useful Articles: https://emmetrobinson.com/Reading-Room/
Books
Non-fiction
How to Prosper in Business Regardless of the Economy
Coping with Competition: How to Tilt the Playing Field in Your Favor
Little Boy Found: One Man’s Search for Lost Self-Esteem
Fiction – For publication this fall
The Adventures of Dave and Dani: A personal trainer and a florist find success and true love.
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS
COMPARING THE 1953 MOVIE TO THE NOVEL
Of the movies two movies made using
the novel as a guide in 1953 and 2005, my favorite is the movie made in 1953.
Yet that is the movie, of the two, which least resembles the book.
The premise of the movie is an
alien invasion from Mars. This nails down where the invasion originates, of
course, the title serves the same purpose. I say this premise follows the novel
for an alien invasion could come from any planet or any solar system.
One nice touch in the 2005 movie
was to include Gene Barry who plays Dr. Clayton Forrester and Ann Robinson who
plays Sylvia van Buren in the 1953 movie as the grandparents at the end of the
2005 movie.
To begin with, the Martians arrive at
what, at first, appears to be a meteorite. After a short period of time men
guarding the object detect a unscrewing at the top of the object and a device
appearing which destroys the men. What is never explained is how the Martian
machines make their exit with only the small aperture revealed.
In the published description of the
movie, it is said that heat rays are used to cause destruction. But if memory
serves, there were two types of rays. One was a heat ray which caused most of
the destruction and set fires. But initially a ray was used causing men and
vehicles to disappear and is described as a ray which destroys the energy which
joins molecules. Hence, the ray causes whatever it hits to fall apart.
Another difference between the book
to both movies is that the entire planet is under attack. In the novel only
England is involved, the home of H. G. Wells.
In the 1953 movie the machines
arrive already constructed whereas in the novel, upon arrival of the cylinders,
the machines must be firs constructed. Also, the machines in the movie do not
appear as described in the book. The machines in the novel walk on three
extended legs whereas the machines in the movie appear to hover with the theory
that they are manipulating gravity. The machines in the movie are protected by
a force-field. In the novel they can be destroyed.
In both movies and the novel there
is a scene where the characters are hiding in a farmhouse. In the 1953 movie
the characters escape with a rag soaked with Martian blood. In the novel and
the 2005 movie what occurs in the farmhouse is similar with the final result
being the death of a character.
The blood collected and analyzed
reveals that the Martians are anemic and have a poorly developed immune system
which leads to their demise. This failure for the Martians to survive is true
in both movies and the book.
Here is a link to the published version of the 1953 movie.
The War
of the Worlds (1953 film) – Wikipedia
ANNOTHER STORY ACCEPTED
A break from my The War of the Worlds posts.
I just recently learned that YELLOW MAMA has accepted my short story, The Price of Success, for publication. It will appear in issue #106 on October 15, 2024. This is a first for me for this story has been previously published.
I want to share with writers who follow my blog of some trends I have notice concerning publishers.
More and more publishers are considering and accepting previously published work from writers. If you own the rights. Also, many publishers now accept simultaneous submissions. In the past you would submit a work and sometimes wait nearly a year to be told whether it was accepted or rejected. From some publishers, you would never hear from them. Of course, this means rejection. But in the meantime, you sat on the work waiting for an answer. Now you can submit your work to multiple publishers at the same time which increases the odds of getting published and can serve to reduce the waiting time.
Finally, another recent trend is the existence of podcasts looking for stories.
I hope this discussion helps writers to find a home for their work.
I must mention that the setting for The Price of Success is Baldwin’s Book Barn. This was my second published short story which took place at this location. My next post will discuss this fantastic store of used books.
THE HORROR AT LAKE HARMONY: HORROR SHORT STORY, PART IX
HORROR AT LAKE HARMONY: HORROR SHORT STORY, PART THE IX
This story was published by Necrology Shorts in January 2010.
THE HORROR AT LAKE HARMONY
As I sat there waiting, I felt a strange fear creep into my bones as the waves gently caressed the shore. All was quiet; most of the campers were fast asleep. Would anything happen? Of course not, that is the stuff of movies!
The moon illuminated the water’s surface. I was tired, drowsy and falling asleep when I noticed a peculiar glow in the water. “The legend is not a legend!” A glow rose from the murky depths, two red-hot coals just below the water’s surface. Next, the unimaginable. The surface of the water parted and what greeted my eyes was unspeakable. The figure appeared a mockery of the human form. And the eyes, they appeared as two suns. I wanted to look away but couldn’t. Suddenly jets of flame exploded from those orbs of doom and blinded me. Entered my eyes, my brain.
I felt pain; I felt …
* * *
A local newspaper published an article telling of campers killed at Lake Harmony. After four years, the incident was only a vague memory, until …
THE END
THE HORROR AT LAKE HARMONY: HORROR STORY, PART VIII
This story was published by Necrology Shorts in January 2010.
THE HORROR AT LAKE HARMONY
I could not believe that circumstances were putting me in the one place I felt evil that evil might lurk. How could I tell my wife we should not go because of a legend I read in an old book? I admonished myself, “Get a grip. Too much Stephen King.”
We arrived at our campsite. It was a beautiful June day, yet I greeted our arrival with apprehension. We were camping with friends who occupied site 35. The next morning promised to be a day of adventure.
After a breakfast of blueberry pancakes with berries picked from bushes growing on the edge of the lake, we went boating. The afternoon was spent hiking along a trail surrounded by mountain laurel in full bloom. It had been a truly wonderful day. After a campfire, we said good night to our friends as they went to their tent. It was late and time to turn in. I told my wife to take our two girls and get ready for bed, that I would watch the embers of our dying fire.
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