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"Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster... for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you." ~ Friedrich W. Nietzsche


Hello!

This site still receives a lotta traffic. Thank you for your continued interest.

I am still currently writing horror/suspense/pulp only in longer form. Visit my alter ego HERE for continued updates and current fiction. And please, you can call me Jodi or whatever you called me before I went all nom de plume.

Thanks for the years of loyal friendship and support.


Thursday, March 27, 2014

You Didn't Hear This From Me...


There is this writer girl I know (cough, sneeze, wink) who is experimenting with a psychological suspense e-Short at Amazon in preparation for her release of a novella and novel later this year. 


Her name is MAV SKYE (some of you may have heard of her before, heck, some of you may even know her by another name!) and her book is called THE UNDISTILLED SKY.


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Here's what folks are saying about THE UNDISTILLED SKY:


"Mav Skye's prose is filled to the brim with sinister and psychedelic imagery."
Jason Michel, Editor of Pulp Metal Magazine


"The Undistilled Sky is an intense, unsettling ride into the horror slipstream by an author skilled in showing the surreal subtext of everyday life. Mav weaves horror into the dialogue between what seems to be going on and what is really going on in a story that subverts certainties until the end."
Richard Godwin, Author of One Lost Summer

"A million bloodied stars to this short fantastical journey into mental illness."
Samantha Davis, Author of Sedona's Secret

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

February Femmes Fatales


Horror Queen Lily Childs is infamous for her yearly February Femmes Fatales series where she collects stories from women writers all over the globe and presents them on her website-- The Feardom.

This year, Lily has compiled a wicked collection of stories in an anthology from over 23 authors! It's a pretty big deal. The book will be released soon. 

It's out! You can purchase HERE.

To find out more head over to the February Femmes Fatales Facebook website and give it a like!

Coming soon: Over at Pulp Metal Magazine, Lily and I will have a chat about the February Femmes Fatales anthology, the authors, and about the elusive Femme Fatale persona in general.

Keep your eyes peeled.

Monday, March 4, 2013

2 New Stories

Howdy!

It's been awhile, yeah? I get emails occasionally asking if I'm alive and I assure you I am. My son has developed an illness that takes a lot of my time and energy. Also, I'm working on projects under another name which I may or may not reveal in the future.

Two new stories for you:



Pulp Modern: Number Four 


At the very cool Pulp Modern, I have an October story that came out in January. Hey, it's always halloween in our hearts, right?

In Smashing Roxy, Blondie throws off niceties and normalities, becoming the monster she truly is the one day of the year it is acceptable. When she hears dolls whispering about the Reaper from nearby bushes, she follows them to an empty house where she meets the unexpected.

I devoured the whole magazine, and let me assure you a story called "The Pity Monster" by Stanley Rutgers is reason alone to buy the latest issue.

A big thank you to editor Alec Cizak.


Pulp Metal Magazine


It's ladies night at Pulp Metal Magazine where you'll find the "Deadlier than the Male" issue up. My story "In the Pines" was inspired by Kurt Kobain's version of "Where Did You Sleep Last Night?". I was listening to it while driving, and immediately my fav femme fatale spoke to me, and another piece of the Rietta puzzle wrote itself out.

Thank you, as always, to the groovy Jason Michel.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Beat To A Pulp Round 2


David Cranmer and Matthew P Mayo present:



with some hella killa Pulp writing heroes including my personal favs: Bill Crider, Vicki Hendricks, Ed Gorman, Dave Zeltersman, Alec Cizak, Steve Weddle, Patricia Abbot, and Glenn Gray. Bang! 

In '10 when Round 1 came out, I won an extra copy in a raffle on Women of Mystery's website. I decided to gift it to one of my brothers.  He enjoyed the anthology which is cool because a) he is picky(!) and b) tends to take apart every story he reads piece by piece. I told him I'd send him the next "round". Little does he know big sister has a story in it! 

Really humbled and proud to be in this one.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

I interview Yelena Sabel at Pulp Metal Magazine




Script writer, film producer, and actress Yelena Sabel and I talk about how she pulls stories from the written word through a camera lens to a visual experience, the psychology behind Stockton's story The Lady or the Tiger, her film Sex, Blood and Fairy Tales,  and of course, imagination in the purest art and form. The lady's mind is sharp and believe me when I say she's going places.


Come and enjoy the fun chat at the always epic Pulp Metal Magazine.

Monday, March 19, 2012

"TAP" in 9 Days of Madness

Chris Allinotte presents stories of the unsettling and disturbing.Think of straight jackets & long hallways with white and black tiled floors. No doors or windows. No green exit signs. Only an axe in a glass display case to use in emergency. PA speakers repeat,"NINE DAYS OF MADNESS."

The madness began with Godwin. I continue it today with  


"Tap"




ps. This has to be one of my favorite series of the year. Chris does a great job. Last year's stories were spectacularly creepy & insane, as this year's promises to be.


UPDATE: Download a free E- book of the 9DOM! Click on pic below




Saturday, January 28, 2012

Ruby Hearts at Cast of Wonders

Pssst...Hey there, it's been awhile, as in like four months. Where have I been? If you figure that out let me know, I'd appreciate it. In the meanwhile, one of my oldest writing friends, Barry Northern, fantastic editor of two thriving podcasts (Cast Macabre and Cast of Wonders) has published and narrated my fantasy YA story,  


I am delighted and tickled with the way he has brought this story to life (and check out the cover art he created for the story- yay!). Amazing. Thank you, Barry! A special thanks to Cast of Wonders producer, Graeme Dunlop, as well.



*This story was originally accepted in Absolutely Kate's "Harbinger 33".



Saturday, November 5, 2011

Black, White and Red All Over at In Between Altered States


Santa Muerte takes us to Jerusalem in "Black, White, and Red All Over" at In Between Altered States. The theme this month is salvation, and its always neat to read all the contributions together. The collective subconscience is amazing when a group of people are asked to write on a similiar subject.


Sincere Thank You to editor, Aleathia Drehmer.



Also, special thank yous to Sean Monaghan, Angel Zapata, and Lori Titus for the write ups they've done for "Mantra" and "Free Mercury" this last month. And extra appreciation to Erin Cole & Chris Allinotte for their encouragement and to others for reviews on Pulp Ink & Laughing at the Death Grin! anthologies and my stories within.  I don't know what I'd do without the support of my writing family. 

Monday, October 31, 2011

"Free Mercury" at Beat to a Pulp





Horror.

Some think a Mantra can keep it from happening to them, others induce it into sick Halloween Games. It often bumps in the night casting shadows against the walls, hiding under your bed with a knife.  Sometimes, though, horror is a simple melt of our vulnerabilities over blistering hot lava.

The only hope is to "FREE MERCURY"




Thank you, as always, to the wonderful editor of Beat to a Pulp, David Cranmer.

Happy Halloween!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Pulp Metal Fiction Anthology ~ Laughing At The Death Grin

What goes through your mind when you think of PULP METAL MAGAZINE? It's like a ouja board of the dirty spirits of pulp, Slayer, bleeding scars, time balloons rising up up and way. And when the balloons pop, out frolic the likes of Melanie Browne, Ian Ayris, Chris Rhatigan,  Richard Godwin, UV Ray, Charlie Coleman, Frank Duffy, myself, and many others.

"Laughing At The Death Grin!" is one collection of classics you don't want to miss. Many thanks to PMM dictator and editor, Jason Michel. Purchase at $.99 for limited time.




Sunday, October 2, 2011

"Mantra" at All Due Respect



What do you do when their whispers build to screams? When they crawl from front to back asking the same questions over and over? The serpent knows, so does the old bird.


at All Due Respect

Many, many thanks to ADR founding Editor,
Alec Cizak, for publishing Mantra, his wonderful support, and lovely introduction.










P.s. Every October someone loses a head around my house, my fictional character's house, that is. This story is one of what I am beginning to call my 2 AM stories. The images and thoughts 'Mantra' stirred kept me awake til dawn, not writing it, but the mere disturbing nature of it all. I hope you find the story just as deliciously frightful. Sweet dreams. ~ J. Mac



Monday, September 26, 2011

'Decoding Tarantino' Grand Prize Winner




Thank you to all those who participated in the Decoding Tarantino PULP INK contest! 

Congrats to Grand Prize Winner 


You win a $25 Amazon card and tons of Bubblegum.

You know, I can't remember when I began to read Chris's stories, but when I did, I was hooked. What has always stood out for me is his unique way of looking at the world. His stories have a different twist than one expects. He also can flip flop from one genre to the next with the ease of a trapeze artist. I really admire that. Check out his works of the horror, speculative, and bizarre at his website.



THE Tarantino Quote revealed:


For those who missed it, PULP INK is full of fantastic pulp and noir stories. You can get just a taste of the work in the book by reading Ian Ayris's story "Surf Rider" here.

XXX

Also, stay tuned for two fresh stories due out this October. 
One will spin your head, the other twist your gut... just in time for the season.

XXX

Monday, September 19, 2011

Contest: Decode Tarantino and Win Gum!



The Deal

So, nothing has gone like it was supposed to this summer. I could give you big, fat, sucky, juicy details, but I’d rather give you Juicy Fruit and talk pulp—PULP INK, that is. Nigel Bird and Chris Rhatigan invited me to be apart of their inspired, demented project last spring and I jumped aboard. Each author was provided a soundtrack title from Tarantino’s movie “Pulp Fiction” and asked to take their own spin. I was given “Jack Rabbit Slims” and had a blast writing it.  I was tickled to pieces reading this entire collection, and not only reading, but giggling away like a mad woman on a wild word hunt BECAUSE:


The Decoding

I have a Tarantino movie quote for you to uncover using the hints provided below. You don’t have to purchase PULP INK to participate in this contest, but it would help! You can purchase PULP INK at Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords.



The Prize

The first five people to decode the quote will win a pack of Black Jack, Juicy Fruit, Big Red, and  Bubble Yum automatically! All entrees will be entered for a random drawing. The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $25 Amazon card along with the afore mentioned bubblegum-ages.


The Rules

1. Send your decoded entrees to my regular email address:  jessjo (at) gmail (dot) com  with the subject heading of  BUBBLE YUM.

2. I will reply with a “Yay, you got it!” or “Loser! Back to the drawing board!” quickly as I can.

3. Everyone is welcome to play. Send as many entrees as you wish. Of course, stop when you get it right.

4. Cheat as much as you want with two exceptions: A. Don’t ask a  friend who has figured out what the quote is -- Bad! Bad! B. Please don’t paste your decoding entree guess as a comment in this blog post, send to me in an email under the BUBBLE YUM subject line. I would love to hear your fav Tarantino quotes in the comment section, however.

5. You have until midnight next Sunday. Winner announced next day.


The Bubble

Why does bubble gum keep coming up? First, I really love the thought of all my fellow readers and writers blowing gigantic Bubble Yum bubbles while nurses with big butterfly nets chase us around the gardens, down the valleys, over the bridges, and through the woods to grandmother’s house we… scratch that. There’s another reason, but you have to read “The $5 Mil Hak” in PULP INK to decode that.



Enough chat, more action: GO



The Blankety Blank Blank Tarantino Quote




The Word Hits Hints


1. The first word of the thirteenth paragraph of
    The Wife of Gregory Bell by Patricia Abbott


2. The first two letters of the second word of the first sentence of the ninth paragraph of
    Your Mother Should Know by Allan Guthrie


3.  First letter of the second word of the first sentence of the first paragraph of
     Zed’s Dead, Baby by Eric Beetner

     Second letter of the first word of the first sentence of the third paragraph of
     You Never Can Tell by Matthew C. Funk

     Third letter of the second word of the first sentence the first paragraph of
     A Corpse by Any Other Name by Naomi Johnson


4.  First word of the first sentence of the third paragraph of
     If Love is a Red Dress – Hang Me in Rags by Michael J. Solender

5. Eight word of the second sentence of the second paragraph of
    The Creation of Ice by Sandra Seamans

6. The first three letters of the fourth word of the first sentence of the first paragraph of
    The October 17 Economic Development Committee Meeting by Chris Rhatigan

7. Eleventh word of the first sentence of the second paragraph of
    This Little Piggy by Hilary Davidson

8. Third word of the first sentence of the fourth paragraph of
    Jungle Boogie by Kate Horsely

9. Last six letters of the sixth word of the fifth sentence of the fourth paragraph of
    Jack Rabbit Slim’s Cellar
    The $5 Mil Hak by Jodi MacArthur


10. Third word of the first sentence of the sixth paragraph of
      A Corpse by Any Other Name by Naomi Johnson


11. First two letters of the second word of the fifth paragraph of
      A Whole Lotta Rosie by Nigel Bird

12. Third word of second sentence of second paragraph of
      Padre by AJ Hayes


13. The second and third letters in the sixth word of the first sentence of
      Threshold Woman by Richard Godwin


14. Fourth word of fifth paragraph of
      Comanche by Jason Duke


15. Eighteenth word of the fourth sentence of the fourth paragraph of
      Requiem for Spider by Reed Farrel Coleman

16. First word of the first sentence of the third paragraph of
      A Night at the Royale by Chris F. Holm



17.  The fifth word of the fifth sentence of the fifth paragraph of
       The Slicers’ Serenade of Steel by Gary Phillips


18. First word of the third sentence of the first paragraph of
      The Lady & The Gimp: A Peter Ord Investigation by Paul D. Brazill


19. Ninth word of the third sentence of first paragraph of
      Clouds in a Bunker by David Cranmer


20. First word of the sixth sentence of the third paragraph from the end of
      If Love is a Red Dress – Hang Me in Rags by Michael J. Solender
      Hint: the word is the same as in word 24



21. The first three letters of the fifteenth word of the second sentence of the first paragraph of
      Surf Rider by Ian Ayris

22. Fifth word of the first sentence of the seventeenth paragraph of
      Misirlou by Jimmy Callaway


23. Second word of the third paragraph of
      Zed’s Dead, Baby by Eric Beetner


24. Ninth word of the seventh sentence of third paragraph from the end of
      If Love is a Red Dress – Hang Me in Rags by Michael J. Solender
      Hint: the word is the same as in word 20


25. Tenth word of first sentence of eighth paragraph of 
      The Only One Who Could Ever Reach Me by Matt Lavin


26. Sixth word of the the eighth paragraph of
      You Never Can Tell by Matthew C. Funk


27. First letter of the fourth word of the first sentence of the first paragraph of
     Redlining by Jim Harrington

      Third letter of the fourth word of the first sentence of the first paragraph of
      Redlining by Jim Harrington

       The third and fourth letters of the seventh word of the first sentence of the first paragraph of
       Redlining by Jim Harrington 
        






Saturday, September 10, 2011

I'm BACK

I was buried alive this summer! And I'm digging my way out. Sorry for neglecting all of you, but shoveling out from six feet deep is no easy task (ha ha- I know, I know.) I'm hoping to be at 100% over the next few months. No more disappearances are planned.

So, the next few weeks I promise to catch up on emails, beta reads, blogs, social networking,  ect...

And I'm back in the game with stories coming out in all sorts of places where the sun rarely shines. In a few days, I'll be pimping an antho that has already been out a few weeks with a fun contest that includes prizes and bubble gum. Stay tuned!

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Trailer Snuff at 5x5 Fiction

Angel Zapata has created a fiction puzzle challenge! And he's done a monster mash up job editing:

Issue 2 of 5x5 Fiction: Secrets, Scuffles and Surprises

The reads are quick stabs of entertainment, but are writing them? Trailer Snuff  took me a couple weeks. When Angel first announced the zine six months back, I thought a complete (good) story in five words by five sentences would be easy enough. But... nah. Might as well tie my tooth to a string, the other end to a knob and slam the door.  On the other hand, I love a good challenge and reading others bites of creations are fun. After reading this (Crazy, Fun, Warped) issue, I challenge you to read the sub guidelines and work up a 5x5.

Big Thanks to Angel  for publishing my work.


XXX

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Durable Goods Issue 40 & Wicked Woman's Booty #8

 Have you heard of Durable Goods? Let me tell you about this gem. Editor Aleathia Drehmer invites two unknowing writers (or poets) to participate in a particular issue. She puts their work together (it reminds me of spin the bottle!) then writes a ribbon wrapping poem that unites the two pieces. When I recieved my microzines in the mail today, I couldn't wait to read which poem mine (called "Shiner") had been paired with.  "We Look Better In Ruins" is written by FD Marcel. I was simply amazed at our synchronicity. Powerful. Aleathia's addition "There Is More Than a Disconnect" is vivid and balancing. Just wow.

Isn't that a gorgeous cover?

To find out about submissions, invitations, or subscriptions (You know you want this months issue!) Go Here. Also, Aleathia slipped in my envelope a handwritten quote that quite touched my heart. Wonderful gal. Big thank you.











AND






WWB #8: The Skeleton Grave Digger


Can you figure out at which island The Wicked Woman's anchored? Rubies and Diamonds for the first respondarrrr!




Friday, May 20, 2011

SpinTop - Swan on the Rocks at Flashes in the Dark


your dark is my poetry 
mirrors break like sanity 
the shards, they echo 
they tell a story 
I listen


SpinTop - Swan on the Rocks



It's been awhile since I've written an absurd horror, so here's a little piece for you. I hope it touches a place deep down, because that's where it was written from.


Thank you, as always, to the wonderful Lori Titus of Flashes in the Dark.

Friday, April 29, 2011

Wicked Woman's Booty Reviewed!








AJ Hayes Reviews The Wicked Woman's Booty over at Chris Rhatigan's Death By Killing. Check it out here!

Thank you to both of you!















Creepy pic, huh? This and the one from the last blog I took at the border carnivals they have all the time down here. Way different than the ones they have up north.

XXX

Thursday, April 28, 2011

How I Came To Write This Story At Patti Abbott's & Pimpin' My HomeGirls!





Patti Abbott was very kind to invite me to write for her "How I Came To Write This Story" guest series on her blog. You can guess by the pic what story I chose. Hint: Garrrrr! Click Here to read.

Thank you, Patti! And sorry about the late posting of this. I must have confused the dates.






Pimpin' My HomeGirls, Yo
I've been missing my writerly girlfriends and gradually catching up on what they're up too (very sneakly) (I think) (maybe not) (whatever) AND just wanted to brag on them a bit. Enjoy:

~Carrie Clevenger's Crooked Fang releases their very song first demo and it rocks! Support their utter bad boy unsparkling awesomeness and buy me a shot of Wild Turkey. Wait. Buy their single!

~The brilliant Yelena Sable has written, produced, and directed a hilarious satiric short film! Watch it here.

~Lori Titus gives excellent advice on writing horror on her interview at The Chin Wag.

~Sandra Seamans has an excellent dark story at PMM called Death and Jelly Jars.
(Warning: she'll make you feel like a serial killer)

~May 1st, Erin Cole will be interviewing Spinetingler nominee Lily Childs on all sorts of dark horrors. Skeleton Candy for the soul! (Munch Yum Munch) Be sure to check it out.

Aleathia Drehmer's In Between Altered States celebrates its first year anniversary! Congrats to the wonderful creator, ezine and authors.

~Also, breaking news has it Romeo, from the Bella Vista hotel, has released Pamila Payne from the dank basement of his mind. She is actively lurking about on social networking worlds. First beware, then say hello.


XXX

Monday, April 18, 2011

Interview at Spinetingler Magazine


Spinetingler Magazine's Brian Lindenmuth was very kind and awesome to ask me for a Conversations with the Bookless interview. It's up today.  If you can stand one more of my interviews, check it out here.

A handful of you have noticed I've slipped out of existence recently. The good news is that I AM still in existence, but caring for a loved one who has been in the hospital and is going through a very troubled and trying time right now. The adjustment has been difficult, and you probably won't see me online until May or so.

Do know that I am still writing and that my muse has been feasting more than ever on new things I've been learning. So I hope you all are keeping up (ha ha).

Miss you all!

J. Mac





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XXX