COLD has been published

By MICROHORROR http://www.microhorror.com/microhorror/author/joseph-j-patchen/cold/

Editor's Notes: Creative Writing, we don't need no stinking creative writing

My class has been suspended because of lack of interest. Okay no problem, but a gentleman recently contacted me stating that he decided against my class in favor of self-publishing. This concerned me.

We all know I have nothing against self-publishing but please people let's not rely on self-assessment solely to determine our voice.

Sounds ridiculous right? But let's be fair, the vast majority of anything is generally bad. And rejection is a great teacher. Do we want to be better or prolific?

I want to be both and I want to be pushed and critiqued.

I want to know my work exists because others like it rather than knowing I can afford $50.00 for a cookie cutter cover.

Dare to dream. Dare to fail.  

Editor's notes: Simplicity

I am always  amazed at the simplicity of the human mind. Or should I say the simple minded. Why do we need labels to determine what is good or bad or best?

A recent writers' group discussion that sucked me in had to do specifically with this issue. The vast majority of writers took the stance that if a story or author appeared in a 'best of' anthology well they are considered the best and damn the rest.

We all know that many best of anthologies are a poor man's award and awards are the arbiter of talent.

Just ask Cary Grant and Jerry Lee Lewis. And look at all those book awards that Lovecraft won.

We all like to win awards. They are nice. But arbitrary and certainly not the only measure. After all Kanye West has 21 Grammys and Pink Floyd 1. Does that mean Kanye is a more influential and greater music talent than the Floyd?

Ah, the new math.....

Website Update

josephjpatchen.weeblycom is not only updated it has breaking news of stories and articles coming out. Catch it!!!

I review THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF NEW HORROR!!!

And its the 25th Anniversary Edition to boot!!! All on www.lurid-lit.com NOW!!!!

Cut That Deal

It started with Robert Johnson at the Cross Roads and continued down that fine line driven by Jerry Lee Lewis. AC/DC then ran down that Highway....I've been told I have no soul so how can I make a deal?

From Harper' Weekly June 16, 1877 Fly Sweet Angel of Death Fly.....

Found this on Facebook. Amazing piece of art.

ONE TO THE OTHER to be published

In the anthology THE FALL OF CTHULHU from Horrified Press. Details to follow.

Thank you INKITT

of Germany for listing me as a writer to watch out for.....

Weebly website updated

josephjpatchen.weebly.com has been updated. Stop by. Thanks.

SCREAMING, MASTICATION AND DEATH is out

 in both paperback and e form. From Thirteen O'clock Press.

Book Review: Frankenstein REC by Costas Zapas, Column Books, 2014

Is on www.lurid-lit.com now!!!!

Offline for a week or so......

Life sometimes overwhelms and this has been the case to begin this month. We have been offline. My apologies. More will follow. We have a number of projects in the works and because of the hiatus a number of projects have left us behind. So it is back to the salt mines....