The End of Summer

We have had a busy summer and a busy month. I hope September will see more posts and more good news. A lot is coming our way: Deadite Press just sent a load of books to be reviewed; I have written more short stories; and have two novels near completion.

Enjoy the rest of your summer. My plans are to sprint to the end of the year.

Gas Attack

I was involved in a gas attack today. I had a bad chimichanga at a taco stand. Does that mean I can go to Change.org and petition President Obama to help me?

"RIFLEMAN!" BY HOWIE CARR Reviewed on Lurid-lit.com NOW!!!!

We go to non-fiction on Lurid-lit. To real crime and look into the doings of the last of the classic mob bosses; WHITEY BULGER and his WINTER HILL GANG, into the terror and blood they spread throughout Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts before putting their show on the road to spread darkness about the land.

If you missed the trial in Boston don't fear, this is a great way to get up to speed.

This is about real crime; real corruption and worth more than just a mere look before the next trial  begins in Oklahoma by the end of the year.

Classic Book Review: THE DANCE OF DEATH by William Herman (Ambrose Bierce) 1877

Written with Thomas A. Harcourt under the pseudonym 'William Herman', this novella examines the concept of death as seen through historical, cultural, psychoanalytical and literary texts. This tome was far beyond its time. Not only does it allow the reader an ample glance of 19th century thought; it shows scholars and thinkers alike the genesis of and continued formation of philosophies still being argued today.

Elmore Leonard

Leonard was one of those writers who never seemed to make the conversation when discussing contemporary writers; which is a shame because he was better than the proclaimed 'best seller' group knocking around these days. For me Elmore Leonard was the last link to the classic detective, mystery, noir authors; and like them, he will be greatly missed.

Here's to Elmore Leonard, a writer whose lack of self promotion and flash is made up for with class and long lasting art.

ONE NIGHT Published in print in NIGHT TO DAWN MAGAZINE

My short story ONE NIGHT is out in print in the October issue. issue #24 of Night to Dawn Magazine available from www.bloodredshadow.com.

I LIKE MINE IN OIL to be published by SCHLOCK!WEBZINE UK

The September 8th issue will have my flash story of water, eels and horror. Details to follow.

RIFLEMAN: The Untold Story of Stevie Flemmi, Whitey Bulger's Partner by HOWIE CARR, 2013.

I am part way through. You want to read about crime --- this is real; very real for some of who actually lived in Massachusetts at the time. Phenomenal book.

OPEN LINES reviewed now on LURID-LIT.COM

Now, now, now. The debut novel from Jeremy Maddux is on Lurid-lit.com. Check it out.

The Saugus Halloween Ghost Story Contest is coming

For all ages. www.saugus.net for details. This is a juried and well established and well respect contest. Sharpen your horror and your wit.  

Gotham Writer's Workshop

I am happy to say we made the first cut to be an instructor. We under consideration, just found out today and I am so happy.

It's Been A Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG===No I don't write that way, but it has been a week. Part of the issue is my day job and part of the issue is my internet has been wonky. Well, we have a lot to get caught up on and I hope Cablevision of Connecticut takes my advice: Less paper and more flushing. Do that and maybe the entire system won't breakdown.

Two new reviews on Lurid-lit.com Now

"The Hard Cold Shoulder" and "Through A Shattered Lens, I Saw" by L. A. Sykes are featured. If you like Brit Grit; if you like noir ---- you'll like these.

Just submitted THE THING IN THE FLOOR

And now the wait and the crossing of a lot of anatomy. Here is to hoping.....

UPDATE: The Angels Are Still In The Outfield

Well it seems the Angel Priest is flesh and blood after all. But before anyone goes 'awe!!' we should all be happy. While it is always somewhat disappointing when a potential supernatural mystery is found to be natural; we should celebrate Rev. Patrick Dowling for doing his job with humility and anonymity, two Christian values that are sorely lacking in the world today.

Classic Book review: WHAT MASSIE KNEW by Henry James

Something a little different here. The trauma of divorce; of children of divorce and the strength exhibited in the human spirit. Written in 1897 this story was way ahead of its time.

The cover by the great Edward Gorey doesn't hurt either.

Classic Book Review: MORE GHOST STORIES by M. R. JAMES

What can be any better? The master of the Victorian ghost tale and more of them.

Bad Movie Review: NEW ALCATRAZ

This 2001 gem starring Dean Cain involves a high security prison for the most dangerous criminals and a giant snake. Make your own jokes --- snake --- big --- prison.

But the movie is no joke. It simply sucks.

Make your own jokes.

My only joke is this; 'The Terrornauts' has a better critical rating. 

Yeah I'm Square, I Believe

And maybe because deep down I want to. And maybe because it gives my frail existence on this marble some meaning. And maybe because I can rest easy that at the end of this Hell we live in, there will be a place where peace will truly reign.

There may be a simple explanation. There may be an identification made in flesh and blood. But the mystery surrounding the Angel Priest of Missouri is desperately intriguing. We live in a world where people are vile; people are manipulative and people intentionally inflict harm on their fellow man all to give their meaningless existences meaning.

Since he doesn't appear in any photographs from the accident scene, a police sketch was released today with a plea to the public for help. Many are saying he looks like Padre Pio, who himself is intriguing and to whom gave so many so much Hope.

To actually have Hope, not the fraudulent use of the word as perpetrated by the DNC, but actual ethereal Hope would be a considerable breakthrough in this time of strife. Perhaps that is why this story capturing this nation's imagination as well as mine.

I do hope there is no earthly explanation, and yet if there is a definite identification, it would be just as hopeful to know that if he is 'real', that someone out there is truly authentic and is truly selfless.

So this is all you can come up with for 400?

As I was running errands today I stopped at a Tag Sale. From time to time I do looking for other peoples' junk that I feel will enhance my junk. My big find today is a spittoon embossed with the name 'Lovecraft'.

Now I don't believe for an instant that this collector of saliva actually belonged to the king of horror, but with the name 'Lovecraft emblazoned on it well, it must be worth something right?

Yeah of course. This brass jewel is probably worth a couple of hundred or even a couple of thousand dollars to horror fans. Yeah, just think how fast I can turn this baby around on eBay.......

Yeah, if it existed.

My point is why are all H P Lovecraft books more expensive than other horror writers? Even his contemporaries/ Why do book dealers feel they have to pick the pocket of the literary class for the opportunity to view stories that are in the public domain?

Surely it has to do with the absolute reverence of the man and his writings; that collectors, much as they have done with Poe, believe that if they possess these volumes published long ago, in their offices and libraries, the 'mojo' will wear off  on their own keyboards.

Fine. But books were meant to be read; authors studied and their tales dissected for genius. When he cease to delve into the psyche of those who paved away and treat their volumes like religious artifacts we run the risk of devaluing their work making it akin to a spittoon and rendering ourselves functionally illiterate.

Happy 400 and hope to have 400 and more to come.

As we near post 400.....

As we near post 400, a number I didn't envision approaching, a number of things have come to mind. First, I never realized how difficult it is to come up with interesting material to post here. And it took me a long time to come up with those posts --- a long time. Second, I want to thank everyone who has come by here at least once, I hope you found something informative and fun. And to my regulars, I can't thank you enough.

So, why this for 399?

Well, I had nothing else.

No. I have something timely for 400. While it may be a bit personal it really is the only way for me to go.

Thanks.

Something's Doing at BLASTED HEATH

And me thinks its bundles. Drop by BLASTED HEATH and check out what may be an amazing sale for some amazing titles. Every writer and every publisher needs a shot in the arm from time to time to spread their work out wider. This may be a once in a lifetime opportunity as we enter the holiday season.

More original fiction on Lurid-lit.com THE PERFORMANCE BY E. F. SCHRAEDER

My exile from reviewing continues. And that is a good thing as we are able to bring you more original fiction. This week E. F. Schraeder and THE PERFORMANCE.

I SHOULD HAVE STAYED THERE published today on Microhorror!!

And I mean both the site and the size of the story. We are proud and happy to be published again on Microhorror!

 http://www.microhorror.com/microhorror/author/joseph-j-patchen/i-should-have-stayed-there/

FETID published today by The Carnage Conservatory

We are pleased to announce that my flash fiction story FETID has been published today by the Carnage Conservatory.

Link:

http://carnageconservatory.wordpress.com/