The Killing Parts

16 JUN 2019

Just some fun for today. A picture from a recent trip to San Antonio to help me get the word our about my latest short story release.

Calavera Catrina says, "Go buy The Killing Parts! It's fantastico y muy delicioso! Does this dress make me look fat?"

The Killing Parts is available for purchase!

09 JUN 2019

I did it again! I have a new short story for sale. This makes the fourth short story I've written and released on my own. I even made the cover too. My wife usually helps me out with those. Go and get it! It's less than a dollar! The story is a mix of small town feel, fantasy and horror. Think not quite Pet Sematary but close, with a more fantasy feel to it. 

Here is the link and the description:

The Killing Parts

A funeral in the small town of Pine Bend leads to a disturbing chain of events as a grieving father becomes obsessed with finding a cure, for Death! How far would you go to protect the ones you love from the Grim Reaper? Read what happens when Man mucks around with the primal forces of Life and Death.

An excerpt from The Killing Parts:
One door swung open and a wild mane of black hair popped out. “Hello, Cousin! Hello! No need for all that. Come in, come in! I’ve done it!” A frenzied look filled the pair of brown sunken eyes. “I’ve perfected every parent’s dream. Frigg’s Pledge!”

Early reviews are in:
“..,dramatic and petrifying!”
“There's nothing more I can say than ‘Wow’”
“A brilliant page-turner!”
"In The Killing Parts, one wonders where reality ends and fantasy takes over."
"I still have enough good sense to recognize talent when I see it. Welcome to an emule (imitator) of Stephen King."

For the picture from today, since I shared the cover yesterday, here is another picture from the same set of pictures that the cover came from: 

I believe this is the arch above the same church entrance pictured on the cover of The Killing Parts. I love abstract stuff and this picture hits that for me.

Go and buy my new short story!

Cover of The Killing Parts

09 JUN 2019

Now that some time has passed, I can share the sad news. Well not deeply sad, just an opportunity that did not pan out. We (Cheryl and I) had a few of our writings looked at for possible use by Scott Free Productions. Fantastic, uh? A major studio! It was a great opportunity brought into being by my awesome mother, who happens to talk to the brilliant and wonderfully creative Ridley Scott every once in a while. Yeah, crazy, uh? Truly a who-you-know sort of thing. Anyways, we talked with some of his people over at Scott Free productions, (all were super nice people by the way and impressive credentials in their own right) submitted some materials for their consideration, and then heard several months later that they were not interested. A defeat to be sure, but as part of the submission process I reworked two of my previously published pieces. I ran The Killing Parts through several editors (thanks in particular to my wife, Dave Owens, and Tomeka LaShay Manson) and it is being re-released in an expanded form for sale. I don't remember what the other story I submitted was, probably The Legacy, but I am happy with how The Killing Parts turned out. 

As part of my low-key, low-budget advertising campaign, here is the cover for my soon to be released story, The Killing Parts! Look for it on Amazon within the next few days.

Picture is detail from a church in Ghent, Belgium. 

Battle of Midway

04 JUNE 2018

Battle of Midway (3-7 June 1942)

This is the 77th anniversary of the Battle of Midway. Many sites out there give a great breakdown and analysis. I'll keep mine short and sweet after the link to an awesome video released by the US Navy:

US Navy video: Battle of Midway


The battle was a huge victory for the US. We had cracked Japanese communication codes and knew the attack was coming. Marines on Midway Island still had to hold out during the initial Japanese attack and they were up to the task. The island defenses held. The Japanese decided to attack again. 

We were ready for them though and took the fight to their carriers. Surprise! Mad props to the US torpedo bombers who flew in slow and low and drew Japanese fire on themselves while the real attack came from high above.

Losses on US side were 150 aircraft and 307 lives. 

Japan lost four aircraft carriers, one heavy cruiser, 275 aircraft and 4,800 fighters. All brave men, true leaders on both sides. 

We won the battle and turned the tide of the war in the Pacific.

If you are looking for more history from the military, particularly the US Navy, follow this link to the Naval History and Heritage Command website NHHC. They even have a specific section for veterans looking for information about their time in service. Memory a little hazy, can't remember exactly which ports you pulled in on a particular cruise? There's a link for that information along with a bunch of other cool stuff.

~*~

In writing news, I received some good feedback and helpful advice from some other writers. Some of the comments were: 

• Both stories were very well written
• Your tales are a bit on the wild side
• Your story was dramatic and petrifying!
• With a little polish on the character development and more brush of imagery to make it more vivid will make your story more intensifying! 
• There's nothing more I could say than "Wow" 
• A brilliant and page-turner story! 
• These short stories would do great in a collection written by the same author.

The final comment I really enjoyed because I am looking at gathering my short stories into a collection. 

I am still editing but feeling confident that the story will be well received once released. Beginning and middle are stronger, working on strengthening the ending now. Then cover, then finalizing the blurb and release on Amazon!

Picture for today:

Ramadan Mubarak for those who took part in Eid al-Fitr celebrations. I am not a muslim, but I have friends and students who are. 

Love to all. May your days on Earth be long and happy.