Friday, August 31, 2012

A Truly Horrific Day

is now drawing to a close. For those today who voiced their pleasure to my household, well what can I say? You are what you are, and I certainly can't say anything to shame you. The mere fact that you took it upon yourself to defeat inertia with the power of hate says more about what kind of society we live in than any pure discussion could. And while many more people are suffering worse hardships this hour than mine; from my experience today I am sure those innocent victims have their detractors as well. It is an awefully sad state of affairs that this culture has become so fractured.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Angelique LaFontaine “Gone Is The Last Drop”; “Finding The Lost”; “The Matriarch”; “The Divers Of The Lake”; “Darkness Will Find You”, Smashwords REVIEWED ON LURIDLIT

Hey on Luridlit we have reviews for Angelique LaFontaine's “Gone Is The Last Drop”; “Finding The Lost”; “The Matriarch”; “The Divers Of The Lake”; “Darkness Will Find You" as published on Smashwords.

Beneath The Surface: 13 Shocking Tales of Terror, Various Authors, Shroud Publishing, 2009, 160 pages REVIEWED ON LURID LIT

Marvelous anthology is now reviewed on Luridlit. Give it a read.

Book Reviews are Pendng.....

On Luridlit. I know the schedule is a bit off but two more are coming as well soem advanced copies of new books. Your patience though is necessary and we thank you for it. I promise you will be entertained and informed...

Monday, August 27, 2012

Neil Armstrong

Rest in Peace to true American Hero. To a true role model. To an inspiration. God Bless You Neil Armstrong and Thank You.

Another Reason NOT To Self Publish

This column is about books. The self-publishing of books. A major problem today. I read an article this evening on Yahoo! about a gentlemen whose income of more than $20,000.00 a month came from book reviews. He is now in some legal hot water for this and I will tell you why. Now, as we all know I am a critic from Luridlit. I don't make that kind of coin because unlike this gentlemen WE DO NOT CHARGE FOR A REVIEW. Sure a publisher may send me an advanced copy but that publisher knows I may trash it. Welcome to adulthood. No one should charge for a review, this is the clear unspoken truth of literary criticism and has been so since the day a dude burned his fingers picking up the first Gutenberg and gave it a thumbs up. Listen writers all -- you should not pay someone to read your book. It is that simple. $99.00 a review and sometimes $299.00 a read; his customers were primarily all self-published authors. People, there two problems here-- 1. Work your craft. Self-publishing may hold the fast satisfaction of a fixed product bound tightly and colorfully in your hands; once the sugar high passes that self-published book is not viewed the same as another book, maybe even of lesser quality, that has come to the shelf via a more traditional route. Pure and simple self-publishing is fraught with fees; many outlandish. If your writing is that good, deal with the rejection and revisions and find the proper home for your work. In the long run the satisfaction is deeper and more worthy. 2. Anytime you encounter a fee in connection to publish, or for a review, or to enter a contest --- look elsewhere. Rejection and revision make us better writers not someone paid to extol our virtues especially when that person praising us may have not even have read the book. Come on, writers all look for truth in their work. Wriers all look for that honest voice. Our culture has gotten to be lazy and result oriented. Work is viewed as something disgusting and for losers. Yeah, I listen to those people. So be careful for what you wish for and be careful for what you pay for. Self-publishing may be nice to impress your family and friends but in the long run it comes up short if your aim is to be true. You want to impress --- do it the right way. In the end it will pay bigger dividends.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

31 More Nights of Halloween is on the shelves!!!!

"31 More Nights of Halloween" has hit the bookshelves and the kindles. My story "Carbon Copy" is night 16 or rather Chapter 16 in this horror anthology. Available now on Amazon.com. Check out the table of contents. I'm there and I should have my paperback by the weekend or so they tell me. Check it out.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

I am now a reviewer for BLASTED HEATH

Thanks guys. I have just been appointed a reviewer for Blasted Heath, crime publisher from Scotland. We will be giving reviews to advance copies of their thrillers via Luridlit. Cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Friday, August 17, 2012

The 1965 Christmas Rebellion

Only at josephjpatchen.weebly.com. What a brat!

COOKIE WALK is in The Carnage Conservatory

Thank you Emily and The Carnage Conservatory for publishing my summer Christmas tale COOKIE WALK. Hey the holidays will be here before you know it. While only 129 days away; just look at the catalogues in the mail and the decorations in the stores... So celebrate with me and our host, Mr. Trout, for a celebration of family and the feast you will never forget.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

August 16th Amazing Day

I realize you can take any date off the calendar and hit the historic highlights in wow fashion, but today is more than just a simple wow. Today is wowie consider this. August 16, 1948 Babe Ruth dies. Today is the 35th anniversary of Elvis' death. AND today marks the 50th anniversary of Pete Best being fired from the Beatles. Wow. All three of those are huge.

Monday, August 13, 2012

RIP JOE KUBERT

The sensational and iconic artist of Sgt Rock and Hawkman has passed today. He not only brought enjoyment to generations of fans; he educated and mentored many artists through the efforts of his art school. My heart and thoughts go out to his family and friends. Joe Kubert was 85. While the man is gone, his art and talent will last forever.

Friday, August 10, 2012

'The Meeting' to be published by Insomnia Press

Thank you to Insomnia Press who will be publishing by flash fiction story 'The Meeting' in the upcoming issue #3 of their fine horror magazine. AS I DIE LYING will include my short tale of murder, vengeance and an unconventional resolution to a love triangle. Details will follow.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Luridlit Has My Review of DEAD BAIT from Severed Press

Check out Luridlit for my review of the first Dead Bait anthology; horror stories themed to fish and fishing. Does it smell? Check it out.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

TITLE GOES HERE: KILL THEM DEAD

It's there. My story of revenge, "KILL THEM DEAD" has been published in in issue 2.8 of the magazine TITLE GOES HERE. Go there and read it, please.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Lizzie Borden 120 Years Later

If you were not aware; today marks the 120th anniversary of the Borden murders in Fall River Massachusetts. 120 years later Lizzie Borden is still as popular a figure as she was in life. Did she do it? I don't know, a Court of law didn't think so, so probably not; but the speculation is still fascinating. Rest in peace to all.

Friday, August 3, 2012

We Will Be Going Live....

Oh yes, live readings are coming to a place near you. Details to follow.