Well, this was our most bountiful contest yet! With 3 prize packs up for grabs, it’s very exciting to announce the winners of the signed copies & ebooks of A Life Transparent by Todd Keisling. Our three winners are…
Tim Marquitz (@Marquitz – a Twitter winner!)
Lydia Peever (from Facebook)
Laura Catron (from Facebook)
Congratulations! Email me at bloodybookish[at]gmail[dot]com with your mailing info and I will pass it along to Todd so he can send your prizes. And many thanks go out to Todd for being so generous with his prizes. It was fantastic hosting you as our Bloodlight author!
Todd Keisling’s A Life Transparent explores the universal desire to make a mark and leave something tangible behind, but lead Donovan Candle is about to find out what happens when one does not live up to one’s potential.
In A Life Transparent, we find Donovan working in the call center of an identity protection service. What started out as a temporary job after college as a way to make ends meet while working to get his writing career on track, turns into a daily grind that saps the lead’s creativity and soon, starts to threaten his very existence.
“A person living a life transparent stands upon a threshold of decision: to vanish into obscurity, continuing on their self-destructive journey into a monochromatic version of the world devoid of life and warmth, ignored by those around them.”
Donovan discovers just how important one’s choices are when his indecision causes him to start “flickering” from existence, with no one taking much notice nor seeming to care.
His very world, himself included, begins to flicker between a grey, colorless realm and this one, where the mysterious Aleister Dullington sets the wheels in motion as a test to see whether Candle will choose to make his life more interesting or simply resign himself to “the grey”.
For Donovan, however, the sinking into the daily grind is about more than simply ignoring one’s dream – it’s about the the push and pull between what we feel we are supposed to do and what we are perhaps meant to do, and how, by simply going along with the grind can effect not only you but those around you, which is made clear when Donovan’s wife goes missing.
A true example of speculative fiction, Keisling deftly mixes the supernatural with the everyday, throwing in action, suspense and even a level of mystery which he teams up with his estranged brother to solve the strange phenomena and face down Dullington, the big bad in this tension-filled tale.
With great descriptions of Donovan’s inner turmoil, both out of fear for what is happening to him as well as his wife, and his discovery of the Monochrome, the “world behind the world”, A Life Transparent is especially strong when Donovan finally steps up and faces down his nemesis.
There are also minions, evil minions, and creepy evil minions at that, namely the Yawning, “scrawny albino things”, whose knuckles scrape the ground and who communicate through “loud, forlorn moans” and “low-pitched howls”, not to mention the Lilliputlian Cretins, tiny white creatures with rubbery flesh that speak with droning language and are visible only to those who have begin to “flicker”. ~Shudders~
Keisling showcases his talent by describing the affliction of those not living their life in full color — the turmoil between our dreams and society’s expectations; the desperation to live and not simply exist; the desire to not squander one’s life and to reach one’s full potential — universal themes that make this book something every reader can relate to, while still managing to remain fresh and entertaining.
A great read that I thoroughly enjoyed, and sets the stage for the follow-up book, The Liminal Man, which I hear the author is hard at work editing.
If you, too, want to take a trip into this dark, multi-layered work, don’t forget there are just a few hours left to enter for 1 of 3 signed copies of A Life Transparent. Head over to our contest page before time runs out!
Mistresses of the Macabre DEADLINE:June 30th, 2012
Dark Moon is looking for stories written by women for a special women’s only anthology. The type of story isn’t important (ghost, zombie, vampire, spider, ghoul, ex-husband) as long as it scares us.
Abbatoir Press Open Door Month (Novellas) DEADLINE:Thu 1 Mar – Sat 31 Mar 2012
We are looking for dark fiction between 20,000 and 30,000 words in length. When we say dark fiction, we mean fiction that is horror or has a horror “flavor” to it; dark crime is more than acceptable, as is mixed-genre fare.
There is no better way to close out our feature on female writers than with author, poet, journalist, and all around creative inspiration Liisa Ladouceur. With her interests spanning music, non-fiction, poetry & spoken word, it is a real treat to hear Liisa’s thoughts on the publishing world.
Can you start off by telling everyone about your background – when you first started writing and what you write.
I’m a writer of non-fiction and poetry, and have been doing this for my entire adult life (plus the embarrassing teenage goth poet phase.) I decided early on that my passion was in documenting, of rooting around the dark sides of culture and bringing compelling stories to light, and have been fortunate enough to do it for a living for many years now.
I am perhaps best known as a long-time arts journalist in Canada and for several years as the “Blood Spattered Guide” to music and the resident vampire lover at Rue Morgue Magazine, although I am equally proud of my spoken word poetry performing and my increasing work in film/TV.
Speculative fiction – including Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (and all their sub-genres) – are often seen as male-dominated genres. Do you think that stigma still exists?
Shirley Jackson. Mary Shelley. The Bronte Sisters. Anne Rice. Margaret Atwood. Chelsea Quinn Yarbro. Caitlin R. Kiernan. There has never been a shortage of exceptional, influential women working in genre writing. If the scene is considered male-dominated it’s only because most disciplines are. I think the greater misconception is about readers of sci-fi, fantasy and horror, that they are all boys, and geek boys at that. Of course we know that girls and ladies of all ages and persuasions love this material too, as you can see at any horror convention.
Do you think publishers or readers still act as though women writing these genres are a novelty?
When I walk into my local chain bookstore these days I bump into tables piled high with vampire and supernatural novels written by women that are selling very well to all kinds of readers. Granted, that’s a trend, but anyone who thinks female authors are a “novelty” shouldn’t be in the publishing business.
Have you ever felt any resistance from others stemming from the fact that you are a woman writing in a darker genre?
Nope! There are some creepily misogynistic readers out there that sometimes send in disturbing love/hate mail, but that happens to women who put themselves out into the public eye in all walks of life. I am delighted to report I’ve never encountered anyone who suggested writing about the dark is a man’s job. If anyone would like to try I have some sharp stilettos I’d be happy to shove into their throat.
What are your thoughts on Women in Horror Month? Do you feel it is an empowering movement or something that continues to draw a divide between artists, authors and creators?
This may be unpopular to say but it doesn’t mean a thing to me. I want to be judged as a writer, not as a female writer. I don’t think we’re some kind of charity that requires a special day or month to get people’s attention.
What would you say to other female writers out there looking to explore darker subjects in their art?
My advice for any writer is to say what you really think. If your thoughts turn to the dark side, if you are consumed with dreams of monsters, real or imagined, if you fantasize about doing disturbing, terrifying things to your characters, embrace that and run with it. It’s certainly not “unladylike.” If, like me, you like to interview other people who do those things, and to comment upon their work, be brave in expressing your opinions. Above all, don’t give a shit what anyone else thinks about what you’re doing. Just get down to work until you are satisfied with it.
Tell Bloody Bookish readers about your upcoming adventures.
My first book, Encyclopedia Gothica (a guide to goth from Absinthe to Zombies, illustrated by Gary Pullin) was recently released by ECW Press and is available worldwide. I am also hard at work on a documentary about Satan with Banger Films. And I continue to contribute to Rue Morgue and other publications that allow me to cover things that go bump in the night.
The best way to keep up with my projects is my own website, liisaladouceur.com. I also quite enjoy tweeting, so find me there @liisaladouceur. And whenever possible I like to get in the van and go read poetry aloud for you, so if you want to invite me to your living room, your café, your bookstore, please do get in touch. Until then…..
Our contest to win a copy of A Life Transparent by Todd Keisling is still going strong, and today, our February Bloodlight author has offered a sample of the book to entice you!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Who is Donovan Candle?
He is the consummate husband. Stable, hard-working, and dedicated to his wife, Donovan is a paragon of the Middle Class. Until now.
Strange visions of a monochromatic world. Bizarre sensations of physical transparency.
At first, Donovan fears he’s losing his grip on reality, but as the week wears on and the odd afflictions intensify, he wonders if he is truly fading from existence.
When his wife is abducted, his life goes from weird to terrifying. To get her back, Donovan must play by a stranger’s rules. Will he be in time to save her – and himself – from the dangers of A Life Transparent?
READ AN EXCERPT
Click the book cover to download a PDF sample of A Life Transparent.
Then head over to our contest page to enter for your chance to win both the eBook (Kindle or EPUB) and paperback versions of Todd’s book!
I am thoroughly convinced that if Rhiannon Frater and I lived in the same country/state/city, we would totally be goth bosom buddies.
But since I’m all the way up here in Canada, and Rhiannon is way down there in Texas (for which I have a particular fondness, as I have a lot of family in TX – what up, y’all?!), I can only enjoy her feisty spirit and darker sensibilities from afar.
Check out this little interview I did with the award-winning author of the As the World Dies trilogy.
Enjoy!
Can you start off by telling everyone about your writing background?
Well, for as long as I can remember I have been telling tales. Once I learned how to write, I started to write stories. So I am a natural born storyteller. Growing up I was terrified of vampires, zombies and things that go bump in the night. Strangely, I think that is why I now write about them. It’s a way to contain my fears. I consider myself to be a horror writer, but others sometimes define me as urban fantasy.
Speculative fiction – including Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (and all their sub-genres) – are oftenseen as male-dominated genres. Do you think that stigma still exists?
Absolutely. I am often asked why I don’t write paranormal romance instead of horror since I would still be writing about monsters. My response is that I like my monsters to be scary, not sexy. I have also noticed people try to avoid tagging my novels as horror. They will say I’m urban fantasy, chick lit with zombies, paranormal romance (even when the vampires are ripping people’s throats out) and all sorts of other classifications. I’m most popular for my zombie series, AS THE WORLD DIES, and I have had plenty of people tell me they were surprised that a woman could write horror and gore so effectively. I am well aware that I’m one of the few women making a mark in the zombie genre, but I am happy that the ranks are growing.
Do you think publishers or readers still act as though women writing these genres are a novelty?
They do still act that way in the horror genre even though our impact is growing. I am mostly concerned about reader bias. People pick up my vampire novels expecting something akin to Twilight, but end up with vampires who kill humans without mercy. They’re surprised by this and sometimes I’ll have a negative review because of it. But other readers find it refreshing to read something that isn’t tame, but dangerous. As I said before, I have had people tell me they didn’t expect my zombie novels to be all that scary, but those same people often tell me they end up sleeping with the lights on. I always take that as a huge compliment. I like the idea of scaring people so badly they don’t dare turn the lights off to sleep.
Have you ever felt any resistance from others stemming from the fact that you are a woman writing ina darker genre?
I am harshly judged for having elements of humor, romance, or any sort of sex in my zombie novels. Though Robert Kirkman can write about love triangles, sex, and romance in his THE WALKING DEAD comic series, if I have a hint of romance or even a very tame, non-descriptive sex scene such as in the one THE FIRST DAYS the book is tagged as a Harlequin novel with zombies. If I depict people in mourning over the loss of their loved ones, I get accused of being mushy. It’s a double standard that is difficult to understand. I feel those types of criticism are based more on my gender than the story.
Name some of the female spec-fic writers that you like.
I really, really love the Sirantha Jax series by Ann Aguirre. It’s tagged as Science Fiction Romance, but it is so much more. Again, I feel that because there is a romantic relationship in the story and it’s written by a woman it was automatically labeled as “romance.” I love Anne Rice. She’s been an enormous influence on me. Tanith Lee has written some of the more disturbing books that I just adored. I’ve been reading a lot of speculative fiction YA. Carrie Ryan, Suzanne Collins, Ally Condie, Amanda Hocking, and Susan Kaye Quinn are all amazing authors. But I still feel most of us are slotted into the romance category or urban fantasy. I was speaking with another author recently about Anne Rice and how today her books would be considered paranormal romance. That just seems wrong.
What would you say to other female writers out there looking to explore the darker side of fiction?
I would encourage them write what their heart desires. I honestly believe women have an intriguing and unique take on dark fiction. We tend to break away from the tropes and explore new terrain. And I believe the more women write in speculative fiction, the greater our acceptance will be.
Tell Bloody Bookish readers a bit about your upcoming adventures.
The third book in the AS THE WORLD DIES trilogy is coming out in April. It’s called SIEGE. I am already gearing up to promote the book and attend book signings. I’m also planning to self-publish the follow up books in two of my other series. PRETTY WHEN SHE KILLS is the next book in my vampire/ necromancer/zombie series set in modern day Austin, Texas. THE RISE OF THE VAMPIRE BRIDE is the next novel in my gothic horror VAMPIRE BRIDE series set in Buda, Hungary in the 1820’s. I’m also going to be putting out a small book of short stories and novellas in the AS THE WORLD DIES universe. It’s the second book in the AS THE WORLD DIES UNTOLD TALES series. I have a few more projects in the works, but nothing I can talk about right now.
As for parting words, I hope that people will continue to discover female genre writers like me and support our writing careers. It’s a thrill to hear from readers who are excited to have discovered my books. I hope to continue to write books that people enjoy while being scared.
If anyone has anything to say about Women in Horror Month, it’s K.V. Taylor!
With dabblings in dark spec-fic, urban fantasy, fantastical fiction, Katey does it all with her own brand of grrl power.
Check out what Katey had to say when she sat down to share her thoughts on the state of the publishing world and what it’s like to explore the female experience through her fiction.
Can you start off by telling everyone about your background – when you first started writing and what you write.
I first started writing to entertain my best friend and myself when I was just a kid. I never seriously considered I could write fiction for anyone else until I was about twenty, at which point I kind of went overboard with it. But here I am!
I write dark stuff, mostly. I consider myself a specialist in sex and death. My interests are simple.
Er, if those two things could ever be called simple. Maybe predictable is a better word…
Speculative fiction – including Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror (and all their sub-genres) – are often seen as male-dominated genres. Do you think that stigma still exists?
I do think it still exists, and it’s in evidence at a lot of fan conventions, comic shops, and that sort of thing. That said, there are many people of all gender identities who are fighting the good fight, and I feel like we’re making progress. Anywhere you find intelligent folk in the spec fic communities, you find people examining, dissecting, and oftentimes mocking those expectations and the kinds of situations and fiction they produce. That’s pretty awesome.
Do you think publishers or readers still act as though women writing these genres are a novelty?
I’ve never had a publisher act that way, but I do know I’ve been lucky. My first story went to Morrigan Books, with whom I’ve since become deeply involved, and they’re very, very into women in dark fiction of all stamps. My current publisher, Belfire, is run by the excellent Jodi Lee, who apart from being a woman herself is well known for supporting women writers. The company’s list bears that out.
I don’t think readers mind who writes their books, to be honest, so long as they’re good. I’m sure there are some people who’d scoff at a woman writing horror — we all know those people, even if it’s sometimes amazing they still exist. But people who are bothered about that kind of thing aren’t really worth your time, right?
Have you ever felt any resistance from others stemming from the fact that you are a woman writing in a darker genre?
No, not resistance. I’ve been met by surprise on occasion. I’m kind of small and round-faced, and I look a lot younger than I am, so when people ask me what I write and I say, “dark fantasy, horror, that kind of thing,” I sometimes get a little, “Seriously?” I’ve gotten laughter too. It’s been good-natured, but it is pretty indicative of a certain ingrained attitude. It doesn’t offend me, though. I’m glad I met them; maybe next time they won’t assume anything.
I’ve had some really good experiences too. I was once at a conference and found myself at a bar table full of a bunch of really popular indie horror authors, all men. And I looked around and realized it, and that they weren’t treating me any different either for being an unknown or a woman, and it was totally brilliant.
Name some of the female spec-fic writers that you like.
Just going with authors I’ve read recently, since otherwise this list will never end:
Anyone who knows me knows I’m going for Cate Gardner here. The thing about Cate is that her stuff isn’t typical horror at all — it’s beautiful and creepy and clings to you, comes back to haunt you.
I also really, really love Kaaron Warren. I got to work with Kaaron on Ishtar for Morrigan/Gilgamesh, and she was not only awesome to work with, but her story really got to the dark heart of the goddess like you wouldn’t believe. But when I read Slights last year… man. I am seriously in love with her fiction.
Right now I’m neck deep in House of Fallen Trees by Gina Ranalli. She’s a master at building up that panic feeling in your belly, even in her short fiction, and this book is just… man. I can’t put it down.
What would you say to other female writers out there looking to explore the darker side of fiction?
I think we’ve all got darkness in us, all human beings, and there’s just something about the female experience that lends it a certain depth and breadth that’s desperate to be explored. Crack that shit open and go to town. Something beautiful always happens.
Let our readers know about your upcoming adventures, places to find you, and any parting words you are itching to share.
My first novel, Scripped, came out from Belfire at the end of last year, and it’s pretty fun. Assuming you think faerie-napping and torture and Stockholm Syndrome (hey, there’s a love story too… sorta) are fun. There’s a whole list of places you can nab it on the official site: http://youcannevergoho.me.
My next planned novel is coming from Belfire, too. It’s called Liam, named after its, um, hero (if you like your heroes murderous), and it’s the first in a vampire series I’ve been working on for a long, long time. There are updates about the project at http://fiorenzafamily.com.
I have some short fiction coming up this month at Niteblade, and there’s a bunch of stuff that’s gone before, all of which can be found and tracked at kvtaylor.com. I’m on twitter as @hawthornetaylor, and my tumblr is pretty active, if inane: http://hawthornetaylor.tumblr.com. Also, I use goodreads obsessively
Thanks a lot for having me, Mary, and happy Women in Horror Month to everyone. It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
Remember, you HAVE to do all of the bonus tasks through the Rafflecopter form below OR leave a comment letting me know which ones you have completed. Otherwise, I may miss seeing your bonus entries!
If you already follow Bloody Bookish or Todd on Facebook or Twitter and would like to be entered into the contest, just post that in the comments too. Claim all your bonus entries for a better chance at winning one of these prize packs!
RULES:
Winners are chosen randomly through Rafflecopter.
Winners will be notified within 24 hours. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, another winner will be selected.
Have you been salivating over the thought of our next monthly spotlight?
Well, your blood lust is about to be satiated because we’ve got another fantastic author stepping into the Bloodlight!
One thing I’ve learned about Todd Keisling in the short time I’ve known him? He’s a crafty lad!
From his self-publishing efforts to his ambitious methods of promoting his works and getting the word out about his writing, Todd shows that one can make their own path in the book biz, if armed with determination and the willingness to partake in a few online misadventures in the name of one’s craft.
So without further ado, here’s more from our February featured author!
Can you start off by telling everyone about your background – when you first started writing and what you write.
I’ve been a writer for most of my life, growing up with a healthy diet of Bradbury, Koontz, King, Palahniuk, and Barker, but I really didn’t begin taking it seriously until high school. I wrote my first novel when I was 17. That novel took second place in my university’s fiction contest a year later. It was my first real validation as a writer and the first time someone paid me for my work. I’ve been at it ever since.
If I had to choose, I’d say my work could be vaguely classified as “speculative fiction.” Or maybe “slipstream fiction.” Once upon a time I wanted to be a horror writer like a younger Stephen King, but my work tends to take on the characteristics of multiple genres. A new reader will usually find elements of horror and the supernatural in my work, along with shades of thrillers and suspense. Maybe even a little mystery and romance. I try not to concern myself with genre, though. I just want to tell a good story.
How would you describe your particular style of writing?
Cerebral, minimal, introspective, and dark.
Why did you decide to go the self-publishing/POD route with your work instead ofsubmitting it to traditional publishers?
Three reasons:
1 – My stories usually defy genre classification. Publishers don’t like that. After playing the query-and-submit game for a few years with other novels, I knew that ALT would have a very slim chance of being picked up by a traditional publisher. At the same time, I knew the book would resonate well with readers. In the end, I decided to put it out there and let the readers decide for themselves.
2 – I’m a control freak when it comes to aspects of the creative process. I don’t like the idea of a publisher being able to change my title or commissioning cover art that has nothing to do with the story. I want to be in control of my own work.
3 – Someone I once respected told me I couldn’t do it. I disagreed, and the rest is history.
Tell Bloody Bookish readers about A LIFE TRANSPARENT. What is the book aboutand how long did it take you to write it?
In a single sentence, ALT is about a mundane fellow named Donovan Candle who wakes one morning and discovers he’s physically fading out of existence. On another level, the story is about identity, purpose, and the inherent dangers of mediocrity.
There’s a lot more to it, though. Here’s the jacket synopsis:
Who is Donovan Candle?
He is the consummate husband. Stable, hard-working, and dedicated to his wife, Donovan is a paragon of theMiddle Class. Until now.
Strange visions of a monochromatic world. Bizarre sensations of physical transparency.
At first, Donovan fears he’s losing his grip on reality, but as the week wears on and the odd afflictions intensify,he wonders if he is truly fading from existence.
When his wife is abducted, his life goes from weird to terrifying. To get her back, Donovan must play by astranger’s rules. Will he be in time to save her—and himself—from the dangers of A Life Transparent?
The first draft took about two and a half months to complete, and it went through a major revision in late 2010 for the second edition. From conception to completion, this book took about four years.
ALT was released in 2007. What has the feedback been like, and how do you keep thehype going?
The book is somewhat polarizing. When people like it, they really like it. And when they hate it, they want to hunt me down and disembowel me. That being said, feedback has been mostly positive, and I feel fortunate because of that.
When the book was originally released in ’07, I had no money to promote it. The Kindle store was a new thing, self-publishing was still frowned upon, and social media was still in its infancy. I had to rely on word of mouth, reaching one reader at a time—often in unexpected ways.
Since the book’s re-release, I’ve relied heavily on Facebook, Twitter, and my blog to promote it. Signings, blog tours, features, and interviews such as this one have also helped keep the hype train chugging along.
What can readers expect in THE LIMINAL MAN, book 2 in the Monochrome trilogy?
TLM is a heavier, more complex story. If ALT is about the dangers of mediocrity, TLM is about the dangers of fear and doubt. Readers can expect an expansion of the book’s universe and some of the Monochrome’s secrets will be revealed.
Oh, and Aleister Dullington won’t be the villain this time.
What is your writing process like? Are you a plotter? A pantser? A hybrid of the two? Or something completely different?
I actually had to look up what a “pantser” is. That’s a new one to me.
To answer your question, I used to be a pantser. When I wrote ALT, I had a basic idea and let
it grow from there. With its sequel, I had to take a more structured approach or else the first draft would’ve been incredibly long and unfocused.
I guess I’m a bit of a hybrid of the two? Before I start a story, I like to know how it begins and how it ends. The rest tends to develop on its own.
In terms of process, I can’t write if I don’t have music. I’ve accumulated a huge music library over the years because of this. I’ll usually find a song or instrumental piece that fits the mood and put it on repeat until I’m done. I must’ve listened to NIN’s “Every Day is Exactly the Same” a thousand times while working on ALT.
You’ve done a variety of promotional things to get the word out about ALT, such as the Kickstarter campaign, Pay With A Tweet, fReado, book signings and radio interviews.
What have you learned from these different promotional methods and which do you think gave you the best response?
Kickstarter was the best, but I don’t think that one should count. The Kickstarter campaign made ALT’s second edition possible. Without the folks who pledged to the project, we probably wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. I was pretty fortunate to get featured as the daily project on Kickstarter, and I don’t think that would have happened if I hadn’t had a wonderful book trailer.
The trailer was directed by my longtime friend Emma. She wrote the script, assembled a crew, shot, and edited the whole thing in just a couple of days. One of her cameramen, Dan, narrated it, and Travis composed the accompanying piano piece. Without that trailer, I doubt the project would’ve caught Kickstarter’s eye. I owe a lot to those folks, and I won’t forget that.
Regarding the other promo methods, I think the best one was the blog tour. I had the most fun with that one, and it allowed me to reach a lot of people. I had a week-long tour last year, and I hope to do a month-long tour once TLM is released.
I try to promote in different ways because it’s my least favorite aspect of the book business. If I can do something different, at least that will keep me interested. One thing I’m planning to do is a series of video blog posts. I think connecting with readers is the most important thing I can do, and the more ways I do that, the better.
What are your plans for the coming year? What goals do you hope to tackle and are thereany barriers you are determined to break through this year?
My number one priority is to finish TLM edits and prep it for publication. I started that book in January 2009 and I think it’s time I be done with it. I’m going to continue promoting ALT in the meantime, and I’d also like to get around to working on a collection of shorter works to fill the gap between TLM and the as-yet-untitled Book 3 (well, okay, it has a title but I’m not ready to announce it yet).
Lastly, let everyone know a bit about your upcoming adventures, places to find you, and any parting words you are itching to share.
I’m always up to some manner of online misadventures that usually involve the writing process or the hilarious comments my editor makes on my manuscripts. I can be found on my website, Twitter, and Facebook.
As for parting words, I’ll leave you with a challenge: Define yourself.
Want to know more about Todd? February’s Bloodlight will return with 3 more featured posts, including our review of A Life Transparent, as well as some special blogs by Todd himself!
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Facebook to stay updated on our latest posts!
Have you read Todd’s writing? How would you describe it? Which book was your favorite and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
It is with great excitement that I announce Bloody Bookish as the first stop on Anthony Rapino’sMoon Hill Blog Tour!
As you may know, I am a huge fan of Tony’s (just read my review of his chapbook, Uprooted).
I totally dig his slightly(okay more than slightly) insane approach to promoting his work. I love that he isn’t afraid to think outside the box and let his freak flag fly. Like in this guest post…take it away, Tony!
Thank you to Her Royal Horror-ness, Mary Rajotte for helping me celebrate the release of my new story collection, Welcome to Moon Hill.
Where would we be without a little weird in our lives? I often think it’d be somewhere between fly fishing and a dry toast symposium. But none of those Jesus toasts would be allowed, because that would make things just a smidge too interesting.
Weird is interesting because weird is different. The great villain of all strangeness in the world is acceptance. Think about it. Let’s take something like the Westminster Dog Show. Most people wouldn’t think twice about the dog show. It’s been going on for years, and it’s a largely accepted, televised event. But it didn’t start out that way.
Do you honestly believe parading a bunch of dogs in a circle while people judged their gait wasn’t freaking weird at some point? Really? And I suppose cupping a dog’s balls in front of a stadium of people has always been the height of normalcy as well? So you’re telling me you don’t think this is weird?
And this?
And this?
Okay, so maybe that one is also cute. But this is my point. Something as strange as the Westminster Dog Show has become normal due to acceptance. When that happens, our minds become clouded. We no longer see something for what it is. Instead we see it through the filter of social acceptance, the muddied waters of normalcy.
Reality television, scrotum-cupping dog judges, television shows about cake: weird. Flavored coffee, “going green,” blogging: weird. Life: reallyweird!
Make no mistake; this is just how I like it. Look closer at those things you’ve accepted. The next time you’re at the supermarket going through self-checkout, think about it. That was weird at one time.
Let’s make it weird again.
If you’d like to help me defeat all normalcy left in the universe, join my Schizo Squad.
Moon Hill is a forgotten place that few purposely visit, and even less leave. Once you arrive, the deep dark of the forest creeps into your mind and will not relent. Strange flowers that grow from deer carcasses, murderous lunatics, talking ravens, wriggling parasites that induce eruptive confessions, and demons of every variety: they all live here too.
Even so, the residents of Moon Hill can feel, beyond the fear and distress, that this land is special and they are lucky to live here. Most everyone feels that way right up until the day they come a little too close to the magic of this place. When dusk’s light leaks through their carefully locked doors and rips holes in their minds.
Then, they pray for release.
–Welcome to Moon Hill.
Be sure to check out the other stops on Tony’s Moon Hill Blog Tour!
March 17th, 2012 
bloodymary 
I am thoroughly convinced that if Rhiannon Frater and I lived in the same country/state/city, we would totally be goth bosom buddies.
If anyone has anything to say about Women in Horror Month, it’s K.V. Taylor!
