Dog Days Of Summer Winners & Erin Cole's New Book

Michael Solender has announced the Dog Days Of Summer Winners! 

Congrats to Grand Prize Winner Sam Anderson for his fab piece of humorous summer hell. He's got one heck of an imagination. Happy to say my piece, Solistice, won a special Jury Award. It will be posted in the coming weeks at The Not or you can download the Dog Days Of Summer e-Chapbook Mike put together, accompanied by beautiful photography from the lovely Kristin Fouquet. Thanks for all you've done, Mike!

Just about peed my pants when I saw Erin Cole, my dear sister in horror, has published her first book "Grave Echoes". Wow! Those of you who've read her shorts know that  her work is 100% quality entertainment. Her writes are lovely and deadly, and I can't say enough good about this writer. You can order Grave Echoes on Amazon, or for a limited time, she's offering signed copies (which I will be purchasing). Go to her blog or brand spanking new website ErinColeWrites for more info. Congrats, Erin!

Sexy Hot Score @ The Not

What do you rate?

Sexy Hot Score

At Michael Solender's 

The Not

Thank you to MJS for letting me do literary at his site. I'm a proud Not Head.

My Resignation Letter

Dear Editors of The New Flesh,

Sadly, You accepted my story Adventures of My Little Carnivorous Pony based on the premise that this was a good story. Sadly, you’ve even included it in your Free New Ebook Collection of New Flesh’s first year. Sadly, I’ve come to realize that it ISN”T a very good story, because you see, I was mislead about what the conflict actually was. I thought My Little Carnivorous Pony was conflicted in the sense that if she remained true to herself, she wouldn’t blend into the ‘norm’ and wouldn’t have friends. If she gave up being herself, everyone would like and play with her. Unfortunately and apparently, this isn’t really what the story was about.

I’ve decided to stop writing. I’m a disgrace. A loser. A REJECT for crying out loud. I’m a mere Jungle Jane, not a Jungle George. The leotards were so tight that, apparently, sadly, and unfortunately, I can’t even UNDERSTAND my own stories, at least according to this reject letter below, which I received before The New Flesh editors accepted Adventures Of My Little Carnivorous Pony.

I will sit at my computer and cry. I will ask myself in the dead of night whether I truly am a writer, and keep Wishing. Wishing that I could be like the other awesome, cool, amazing, writers that made it into the awesome, cool, amazing New Flesh’s Free Ebook that anyone can download completely free by clicking Here. Here. And Here.

Thank you for the very kind, though, misguided words. And I’m sorry. Again.

Sincerely,
Jodi MacArthur

Ps. Got smurfs?

Ppss. Long Live The New Flesh!



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Dear Jodi MacArthur,

Thank for your submission to Xxxxx Xxx Xxxxxxx. I regret to inform you that we are unable to use it at this time. I like the concept, although the use of My Little Pony and Smurfs concern me a bit since those are trademarked characters. Of more concern, though, nothing is actually resolved during the course of the story -- the pony is carnivorous and sad because she has no friends, then she eats a smurf. A resolution to her friendless situation would be necessary for this piece to feel complete. -- Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx

We wish you good luck in placing the story elsewhere.  
Sincerely, All of us at Xxxxx Xxx Xxxxxx



Disclaimer: I am not dogging the magazine that sent me the reject (in fact, it was very kind of them to send me their personal thoughts). It's more about treasuring The New Flesh, because they give a home for stories that don't fit anywhere else.   

WildCard

There is you. Then there's the promise of who you could be. But what if you aren't who you think you are? Margo Gremmler bends the rules to get by. The only way to make an honest living is to be criminal. The draw back?
Guilt can be a bitch.

~ WildCard ~

A Margo Gremmler series

www.goodsneverbeensobad.blogspot.com

Margo Gremmler is a real life person. She has wild red hair and a personality that kicks arse I adore. She lives in Chicago and helped saved the Evanston Libraries. She enjoys jazz and is currently querying her YA dystopian novel, 30 Decibels. To the best of my knowledge, she’s never hired a hit man. This mini series pilot is for and dedicated to her. I auctioned the opportunity to be in one of my fiction stories, and Margo’s generous bid won. I’m so glad it did. More than she will ever know.

Paul Phillips owns a book store in the land Down Under. He writes horror and has a great sense of humor. He generously donated a good portion to the Evanston Library, and he fit the bill, so as a surprise, I wrote him in as the character Detective Phillips.(Please don't sue me!)

Big Thank You to the editing services of Karen Schindler who helped smooth out the choppiness and Sean Monaghan for reading and awesome feedback. There is an anonymous reader too, you know who you are, and you know how grateful I am.

Zombie Luv Contest Winners!

*This was already announced on Mari's Randomites, but I figured I'd blog it too*

First Place ~~Winner~~ :

"The Tale-Tell Beat"

 by Nishida C

Her story drew me in from the very beginning and just took my breath throughout. The judges were unanimous on this story.  Write more, Nishida. (Please) Congrats! Read her story at Flashes In The Dark today.

2nd place Winner:

 "Dead Flames"

By Angel Zapata

Angel Zapata? What can I say? He can scare your socks off and melt your heart in one breath. It was very worthy of creating a second place slot. Story will be featured at Flashes In The Dark July 26th.

Honorable mention:  

"For The Love Of Mike"

by Sam Adamson

Not only did he win the poll's vote, but he won mine and the other judges as well. His stories have this way of sticking with you for a long time afterward. He truly has the unique touch.

~~~~~~~~~~~

There are a good ten of you that impressed me with either quality, originality, pacing,  but I need to keep my mouth zipped for the sake of choosing stories for a Zombie Luv antho.

It was blast to work with the other judges Mari Juniper,  Lori Titus,  and Jim Bronyaur. Great people, great stories and lots of zombie luv to go around. Thanks for the fun everyone!

Undead WildCard Poetic Teaser

A poetic teaser for Margo Gremmler's library auction bid-winner story, WildCard, is posted at


Undead Poets Society



Story will be posted here THIS Friday. I'm hoping it rocks your socks.

Wicked Woman's Booty 2

Wicked Woman's Booty heats up, walks the plank, and ships out with Episode 2:

G hits the Spot

Pulp Metal Magazine has morphed into lighter hues and polkadots, but the appeal is all the same. Be sure to check out the new site and reads this week. As always, a big thank you to Jason Michel.





Sean Monaghan's novel is serialized over at Infinite Windows! The Rotated jumps straight into action with kidnappings, cults, sci fi devices, motorcycles, and love triangles. Read his first episode HERE.