Happy Holidays, everyone! I wanted to jot down a quick entry for you before staying off the internets for a few days to enjoy some time with family and friends. I’ve got a few writing-related updates to share, about some new projects and even a few award nominations, whoo-hoo!
First, the new stuff I’m working on. In addition to an amazing new idea for a horror novel that I’ve started to outline over the last few weeks, I’ve been contracted with New Line Press to write a novelette as a stand-alone eBook that they will produce and market. Those of you who follow me on Facebook probably already know a little bit about this: yes, the story will be “horror erotica.” The publishing editor at New Line asked me to write a story to fit a pre-existing artworked cover and title that they had, so my writing process will be a little different than normal, since this project will require me to fit my story within the confines of the title and some of the imagery presented on the cover.
You’re dying to know what the cover art and story title are, aren’t you? Well, if you insist, I’ll share. The cover represents a cloaked figure holding aloft a blue orb, and the figure is surrounded by two reanimated skeletons in a cemetery setting. You think that’s interesting? You haven’t heard anything yet: the title of the story is – hold on to your hats – “Cemetery Ménage.” That’s right, Ménage…as in ménage a trois. I didn’t know until the editor and I spoke at length (and even then I did some research afterwards), but “Ménage” as a sub-genre of Romance Literature is actually one of the fastest-growing areas being written about right now, so why not at least give it a go myself, eh? While I don’t exactly see myself becoming a dedicated Ménage storyteller, I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge, and I’m looking forward to seeing what I can do with the story.
In other writing-related news, I’m humbled to report that my writings have been honored with not one but two different award nominations in the last few weeks! The anthology novel “Zombiality: A Queer Bent on the Undead,” in which I have a short story, “Accepting Death,” was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. The Lambdas are a prominent award given to literature and art that focuses primarily on gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgendered themes. It’s a true honor to be nominated for an award from such a progressive group. Also, just this past week my novella “The Eagle Has Reanimated” was nominated for The Nebula Award. The Nebulas are given out by the Science Fiction Writers Association, and are, quite honestly, a pretty big deal! I’m really excited about this nomination. “The Eagle Has Reanimated” was first published as part of the anthology novel “Dead History,” and I will be re-publishing the story as a stand-alone eBook in mid-January to help it gain wider exposure to potential audiences. More news to come on this one soon.
Okay, I shall bid you farewell for now. As Krusty the Klown from “The Simpsons” says, “Have a Merry Christmas, a Happy Chanukah, a crazy Kwanzaa, a tip-tot Tet, and a solemn, dignified Ramadan.” I can’t believe he left out Robonukah! What a jag!
Until next time…!
Currently listening to: Cee Lo Green "The Lady Killer" (2010)
