REJECTED

Sometimes you write a story and you know it’s not your best. You can accept a rejection in such cases (if you should be so bold as to submit it to someone), and go on to revise or rewrite.

Sometimes you write a story and you know it’s pretty damned good. Yet, the story (or stories as the case may be) is rejected. That can be extremely disappointing to the point of devastation.

CASEBOOK OF THE BLACK WIDOWERS

Current reading material is Asimov’s CASEBOOK OF THE BLACK WIDOWERS. I’m also on the verge of finishing up Pronzini & Malzberg’s BUG-EYED MONSTERS. Once that’s finished, I’m picking up a re-read, Frank Edward’s STRANGER THAN SCIENCE, something I haven’t read or even thought about since the 1960s. The Edwards books (along with the Edgar Cayce and John Macklin books) were a fun read back in the day. Might eventually have to do some re-reading of the Macklin books too.

BOOKS & BOOKS & BOOKS

Okay, playing catch up here…finished the 2nd Callahan’s collection, ie, TIME TRAVELLERS STRICTLY CASH. Also finished a re-read of Zukav’s THE DANCING WU LI MASTERS about quantum physics. It has been decades since I read it. Nice to get acquainted with it again.

Currently, I’ve two that I’m currently reading. One a re-read, Clarke’s REACH FOR TOMORROW, again, decades since I read it last. The other is the anthology BUG-EYED MONSTERS edited by Barry Malzberg and Bill Pronzini.

THE SHE-CREATURE

For me, this film stands the test of time. Yeah, a bit cheeky these days, but still way cool fun.

THAT HIDEOUS THING and Other Updates

A few updates here…

1. Geoff Davies has agreed to do the cover art for my four volumes of repackaged Lovecraftian stories (example in photo). Many thanks Geoff!

2. The four volumes of my Lovecraftian stories are -

Gretchen’s Wood (2nd edition)
That Hideous Thing
The Coming of Winter, Story Arcs Volume 1
The Dia Tessaron, Story Arcs Volume 2

When these four volumes are released over the coming year or so, they will comprise my complete Lovecraftian canon…maybe. I do have a final Lovecraftian project that I may return to some time in the future. Otherwise, I’m done with this subgenre. It's long past time I moved on.

3. Repackaging my Lovecraft material has impacted my DREAM & NIGHTMARES horror/science fiction/fantasy collection. The Lovecraftian material that had originally appeared in D & N has been removed (to be included in THAT HIDEOUS THING) and replaced with other non-Lovecraftian material. Specifically -

Removed

That Hideous Thing
The Bayou
Scotch Hill
Dark Hollow
JP and the Nightgaunt
Turnabout Is Fair Prey
The Science and Philosophy of Azathoth
The Last Singularity
Voices

Replacements

Midnight Carnival
An Eye for an Eye
Feast of the Dead
Children of the light
The Ole ‘33

NOTE: This pertains only to the print version, not the e-version which will remain the same. The new print version will be released sometime early next year.

4. As noted before, I’ve left horror and science fiction behind for a (long) while with two new projects. Here I’m staying for the foreseeable future.

5. And another rejection. I'm getting good at it. Disappointing? Yeah.