Because I’m such a tease, here’s the opening line from the prologue of my first novel “The Betrayed,” which I’m currently deep in the third draft edits of. Enjoy!
“On the cold banks of the Ohio River, a hand ruptured up from the dirt.”
(And no, it’s not a zombie novel.)
The Betrayed by Wesley Southard
Coming…eventually.
No, I’m not dead. I’m still here…sort of. As of right now I’m on a much needed vacation with my girlfriend, visiting with friends and family in Pennsylvania. You have no idea how bad I need this break from my home life. Work has been completely insane, the heat for the past two weeks has been over 105 degrees, and my general will to write has been nearly non-existent. I love to write, but the fact that I haven’t been able to produce much of anything in some time has nearly driven me insane. Which is the very reason I’m on this vacation. A mental and spiritual recharge is just what the doctor ordered. I realize that the rest of the year could be total shit lime the first half, but I plan to hit it with vengeance. I also plan to begin blogging more starting next week. I’ll be the first to admit I’m lazy as hell when it comes to blogging, but in order to keep interest in my writing, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to continue building a fan base and keep myself sane in the year of non-stop work.
But to tide you over, here are some pictures of my Indianapolis trip to the Days of the Dead con on the way to PA, where I finally got to meet Tom Savini, Traci Lords, and my guitar idol, Ace Frehley (unfortunately the website that uploaded my Ace picture is having trouble loading a full-sized shot, but I will post it as soon I can get it working). Enjoy!
Keep reminding yourself, it’s only a book…It’s only a book…It’s only a book…
From some of the best writers in the genre comes this all new collection of exciting, exploitative and downright nasty tale. From bug infestations to body mutilations, no stone is left unturned by these sick and twisted minds. Marvel, if you will, at the evil teddies; try to remain calm as the babysitter gets more than just free food and a nice tip; come out from behind the sofa and finish the tale about the flesh-eating clowns; regulate your breathing as the pole-dancer learns some new tricks. It’s all inside this terrifying anthology, and much, much more.
I’m very happy to annouce that Grindhouse, from Crowded Quarantine Publications, has officially been released! Not only does it contain “Home Invasion,” the novelette co-written by myself and Nikki McKenzie, but 16 other stories of madness and chaos from some of the best new writers in the genre. I think I speak for the both of us when I say this story was a blast to write and hopefully a blast to read.
Here’s the description: Luck is in short supply these days, and truck driver Justin Fisher would know. With a gambling addiction threatening his budding family, Fisher sets out to right himself…but what he and his work partner find on a Tennessee mountainside may have other plans…
Patience is also running on empty as his fiancee, Missy, finds her own problem back at home…the squirming, multi-legged type.
Rednecks…aliens…bugs…and lot lizards…
Keep your eyes open. Invaders come from high and low.
As of right now it’s only available on Kindle (Nook version coming soon), but as soon as it’s released in paperback (I’m told in mid-July) or any other format, I will let everyone know.
Happy reading!
In support for the upcoming release of the Grindhouse anthology, I did an interview with Adam Millard from Crowded Quarantine Publications. In it, we discuss current projects, my writing style, inspirations, and ice cream. Although this isn’t technically my first interview (the real first one was back in 2010 at Mo*Con when Kelli Owen unexpectedly threw me onto The Funky Werepig’s live podcast with Greg Hall), this is my first one with some story sales to back it up.
Read the entire interview here.
Well, it seems that Mr. Tony G. has not listened to the outcries of damn-near everyone in the publishing community over the last month. My guess is that he suffers terribly from In-One-Ear-And-Out-The-Other Syndrome. A few minutes ago I received an email from the now infamous Undead Press editor asking me if I’d like to re-publish my former Cavalcade of Terror story in a new anthology of his–complete with new name, new cover art, and all the Thanksgiving fixings. I took every ounce of strength to not write back, “Are you fucking high?” But since I strive to be a professional, I simply wrote:
Absolutely not.
–Wesley Southard
I’m asking everyone out there–whether you’re a writer or a fan–to please not fall for this man’s crap. It’s obvious he hasn’t learned a thing from this experience and will continue to do what he’s always done best: screwing authors. I urge everyone reading this to give Tony and his unsavory “publishing” ethics a wide berth, as I imagine what has already happened to several other authors will more than likely happen again. I don’t mean any disrespect to those who have published with him or will continue to publish with him, and I’m not asking anyone to write any more mean-spirited reviews on Amazon or emails to Mr. G. Just remember why this entire debacle started in the first place. (If you need a refresher, just read the post titled “Enough is Enough.”)
Just a friendly warning.
I’m happy to announce the publication of Cover of Darkness Magazine’s June 2012 issue, which contains my short story, “Between Those Walls,” can be purchased here. This is my first appearance in a quarterly fiction magazine, so I’m extremely excited, as I’m sure you can imagine.
“Between Those Walls” is actually one of my earliest attempts at short story writing and submitting, and contains one of my favorite characters to date, Warden Jerome Dempson (who I plan on revisiting eventually, maybe even several times). The original final draft came out to around 11,000 words, which I tried to sell as a two-parter to a magazine a few years ago. In a seven paragraph rejection letter (yes, SEVEN), the editor explained in fine detail why he had decided to pass. He went on to explain what he liked about the story, what he didn’t like, and why 11k was far too long for this particular story. He was right on every point. Yes, there are editors out there willing to help newbies and not just push them aside.
Over the course of a few years I slowly cut it down to the manageable 5900 words it currently sits at, and I’m very happy how it turned out. There was something about writing a prison break that was too hard to pass up.
Here’s the description: His wife is dying, and Doug Brett is determined to break from prison to see her one last time…even if something unseen is keeping him there. What exactly is Warden Dempson keeping between those walls?
I hope that you’ll give it a chance. Hell, it’s only $10 (plus shipping)!
Let me start off by saying that it has been a very long two weeks in my life. I’m tired most of the time, considering I haven’t had a day off of work in several weeks, my debit card was hacked and money was stolen by some faceless prick, my email was hacked and a virus email was sent to everyone in my contact list—and on top of all of that, a spiteful cat who’s decided to use the kitchen floor as their litter box instead of using their actual litter box. Did I say I was tired? Damn right.
But last week really topped the cake with shit-flavored frosting.
When I got the call from my good friend, Mandy DeGeit, telling me she finally got her copies of the recently released Cavalcade of Terror anthology–which not only featured her debut short story but one of my stories as well—my days of hell have only gotten longer.
What happened to her story was every author’s worst nightmare: It was completely rewritten.
The editor of the anthology, Anthony Giangregorio, without any of the authors’ permissions went about hacking and slashing like Jason Voorhees, doing whatever his little heart desired to the stories in his anthology, and Mandy got the worst of it. When she informed me what had happened, I was immediately sick to my stomach. It was happening again, this time to someone else. If you’re asking yourself what the hell I am talking about, I’ll tell you.
Last year this very thing happened to me, which you can read about here. Basically, my first short story was slated to appear in an anthology from a first-time editor looking for stories set in a certain state (blah, that’s a mouthful). My story was accepted to much praise from the editor, and nearly everyone who had read it at the time, but when the story was released for sale on Amazon I was horrified to discover my story had been completely rewritten by the editor, so much so that they actually made up words to use for medical terms that I had to spend time to research. The very tone I was going for in the story was severed, then replaced by what could only be described as a junior high student’s dirty joke only told in giggles and whispers. I was absolutely humiliated. Why didn’t I make it as public as Mandy did with her mangled story? Because after several apologetic emails from said editor, my story was quietly taken out the anthology, my name was removed from Amazon and the publisher’s website and any and all promotional aspects of the book. (By the way, if you’re wondering, that story has now gone on to a MUCH, MUCH better place.) The editor didn’t berate me. They didn’t laugh in my face. They didn’t write nasty emails informing me to talk to the hand, or tell it to someone who gave two shits. I was lucky.
Mandy was not so lucky.
I won’t go over every detail, as they have been said many times over already, but please take the time to read each of these blog entries to better understand the situation at hand:
Mandy’s initial entry on what had happened.
Books of the Dead’s interview with Mandy.
Their interview with the book’s editor Vincenzo Bilof.
A short entry about a terrifying message from Mr. Giangregorio himself.
And author Kelli Owen’s entry on the matter. (scroll down to the entry “Writers Beware)
Though my own story went about 99% unharmed (only a few punctuation changes which made me scratch my head), but I want to go on record by saying that I am NOT OK WITH WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. As an observer, what Mr. Giangregorio has done over the last two weeks has been completely unacceptable in many forms, and as a writer who is now a part of the mess, it saddens and disgusts me to know that someone who many, many people trusted with their work, their pride and joys, could so recklessly stomp on anyone’s dreams of becoming a published writer. I know what it feels like to open up that first box of books with your first published story in it…and I know the feeling of misery of finding out when someone crushed that dream under their boot heel. It’s a son-of-a-bitch.
Once again, let me state that my silence over the past two weeks was not an acceptance of what has happened. Far from it. I’m sickened by Mr. Giangregorio’s attitude toward the mess he created and how he’s gone about treating everyone involved. He’s a predator and should be treated as such.
(By the way, even after he emailed everyone saying that they had the rights back their stories and that the anthology had been cancelled, the book showed back up on Amazon the next day…with another story by Mr. G himself. I emailed him to ask WTF, but got a phone call instead. I didn’t answer the phone, but I did listen to the incredibly creepy message he left me. After not calling him back, he emailed me and told me he had no idea how the antho was back up for sale. Right…it sprung back up on it’s own with another story…Right…)
***
What was the lesson learned here, folks?
From a small scale perspective, you, the author, has rights. You have the right to be paid for your work, and most importantly you have the right to see your work shine in the best light possible. This means galleys, people. For insight from someone much wiser than myself, please visit Kelli Owen’s recent blog on the do’s and don’ts of a publishing newbie. I’m still a newbie. You may be too. We’re going to make mistakes, and that’s ok. If possible, please follow the advice of Ms. Owen or anyone higher on the publishing ladder than yourself. They didn’t get there by accident.
On a larger scale, we saw that one person really can make a difference. Mandy’s cries of outrage reached the ears—and computers—of thousands of people ready to lend a helping hand to the matter, even reaching up as far as Neil Gaiman and Ramsey Campbell. If anything it renewed my faith in the writing community, and not just the horror writers, but the fans, and the reviewers, and the select few who can call themselves REAL EDITORS. It was amazing to watch the feedback grow, and astonishing to witness the stories of prior encounters with Mr. Giangregorio and his haughty, kiss my ass, I’m the boss, fuck you attitude.
I’m proud to be in this industry, and I’m very fortunate to have the friends and mentors that I have, but what makes me most proud is how we pulled together to fight against the wrong doings of one of our own.
***
Now that that’s out of the way, here’s some good news. After finally having her story pulled from the now infamous anthology, Mandy DeGeit’s debut story can be read on Kindle. All proceeds are going to a good cause, which can be found on the product page on Amazon. Please consider buying a copy—they’re only $0.99!
***
Thanks, and have a good night.
I saw author/editor Jeff Burk post something similar today on his website, and seeing as how I love to see other people’s book collections, here’s mine:
Unfortunately, I’m not able to get out much to conventions as I’d like (blame the lack of vacation days at my day job), but when the opportunity strikes to not only leave town and road trip to somewhere I’ve never been to for a con, but see my friends who I only get to hang out with two, maybe three, times a year, I’m jumping at the chance.
I’ll admit I’ve only been to a couple of cons. In previous years I’ve only been able to make it to Indianapolis for Mo*Con (which I’m pissed that I’m missing this year), and last year I was fortunate enough to be an author guest at Horrorfind Weekend in Gettysburg, but I’ve yet to make it to Horrorhound.
Myself and three of my best friends from Pennsylvania drove out to Columbus, Ohio to spend the weekend catching up, having fun, and over-the-phone fighting with a pizza guy who decided to deliver our food to a hotel on the other side of town. I’ve never been the big picture taker, but here are the few I did manage to snap off:
The room before the rest of the group arrive.
Susan and Michele tasting the local flavor from my hometown.
The “Day of the Dead” cast reunion panel.
The “Creepshow” ashtray. (Watch the movie and try to spot it in every separate story.)
The lovely and super cool Lori Cardille. (Sarah from “Day of the Dead”)
And, of course, the highlight of the weekend: the legendary Pam Grier.
I had a great time at the Columbus Horrorhound, and I plan on trying to attend at least one of the days of Horrorhound Indianapolis in September.
Life is changing in Southwestern Indiana. That little guy to the left is only one of the eight–yes, eight–new members of my household, already joining myself and my frazzled cat. My girlfriend, after only a few scant months for dating me, decided to take the plunge and move nearly three states over, away from her family, friends, and apparently the “world’s most delicious Maple doughnuts,” to start a new chapter in her life with me.
I’ve been away from the site for a few weeks now–hell, ok, a month–but I’ve had good reason. February has been a long, strange, exciting month for me, and like most people finding themselves living with someone for the first time, it’s been an adjustment. We’re still working on the “mine’s” and steadily molding them into “ours,” but we’re getting there. All good things take time. And, thankfully, the animals are getting along well enough (although my cat still panics when her dog gets anywhere near him).
I’m a different person than I was even a month ago. I now get to wake up next to someone every morning. I get to come home from work to a smiling face every day. And I get to watch Quentin Tarantino movies every night snuggled up on my shitty leather couch with someone I love. For a young guy like me, it’s more than I could ever ask for.
***
On the publishing front, I’ve sold two stories this year so far. First, I’m proud to say that I have finally sold one of my earliest (and longest) written stories titled “Between Those Walls” to Cover of Darkness magazine, and it boasts one of my favorite characters, Warden Jerome Dempson. I’m extremely happy to have this be my first magazine appearance, but only sad part is that it won’t be out until November. It’ll be worth the wait, I promise.
And second, my story “A Promise Not Kept” found its way into Undead Press’s Cavalcade of Terror anthology (cover art below). Although I don’t have a release date on this yet, I’ve been told Spring of 2012 or sooner. I’m hoping for sooner myself.
If any of these projects sound appealing, please keep checking back to this site for up to date info on releases and new release giveaways, and as always you can check out the Biblio page for purchase links and synopsizes for all of my “sold” works of fiction.
***
As far as appearances go for 2012, I’m still working on that. Unfortunately I don’t get much vacation time at work, so my travel time is woefully limited. Although I’d like to be involved with Horrorfind again this year, I’m still not sure what exactly is going on with the festivities. Those who are usually involved with the scheduling are not taking part this year, so that trip still up in the air. But there is a local signing I plan to be involved in sometime later in the year. More info on that as it comes.
***
Oh, and I just thought I would throw this out there for the world: Please stop saying the world is going to end this year. I’m so over people refering to the fucking Mayan calandar for every bullshit thing that has happened this year, including tornados, storms, and that pimple on your ass cheek that refuses to leave. No, the world is not ending in December. I for one plan on being around for The Hobbit and Django Unchained. And if you’re one of those who truely believes, then go do yourself a favor and bury your head in the sand and wait for the end. At least save the rest of us from your babble. The rest of us have lives to live.
***
Until next time, you stay classy, Planet Earth.
Wesley Southard 