Marketing & Promotion Archives » Page 23 of 27

Broken Clocks but a fully functioning new issue of Colored Chalk

June 1, 2009

Extree, extree! The new issue of Colored Chalk sits ready for consumption amid worthy virtual newsstands/host servers! Also, corruption within the Govna's office! Read all about it! Will I ever be disappointed with an issue of Colored Chalk? No. No, is the answer to that question. How best to describe the issue 8 theme, Broken Clocks? How about a some text from the minds behind the pages: It's the human condition to lick the wounds of our mistakes and pick at scabs of regret. from the original theme by Alex J. Martin Be it misery or reverie, we mutate with our memories, traversing private histories, with critical eyes, and an editor's pen. issue 8 editor, Jason M. Heim Issue 8 contains fine work from Nik Korpon, Justin Holt, Derek Ivan Webster, Richard Thomas, Elizabeth Kate Switaj, Carol Stone, Stephen Graham Jones, Rebecca Gaffron, Alan Frackelton, Linda G. White, Tait McKenzie…

Waits and Bukowski Fistfight on eBay

May 28, 2009

With all the talk of dwindling advances, shrinking sales, and too many scribblers willing to saturate the bookshelves with crap, Writers (with the admittedly douchey capital "W") must become more creative in monetizing their efforts. I anticipate the recent Amazon Kindle decision to open its interface to the blogosphere at large will ultimately impact blog-structured web zines like Literary Saloon and The Elegant Variation, acting in much the same way traditional door delivery currently works. But until a collective schism happens, what are those of us who produce longer, less blog-friendly works supposed to do? Jeremy C. Shipp, author of Vacation, Sheep and Wolves, and the forthcoming Cursed (Raw Dog Screaming Press) recently adopted the subscription model for some of his own short fiction, a venture dubbed Bizarro Bytes. Quite simply, a subscription to Bizarro Bytes guarantees 12 previously unpublished short stories, delivered one per month. Interesting idea, to say…

Colored Chalk: Issue 7 – MacGuffins for Hire

April 1, 2009

Colored Chalk issue 7, MacGuffins for Hire, is now live. This thing keeps getting better. First time editor Colin McKay Miller, with the design help of Jason Heim, has delivered a stellar collection of fiction and poetry. Each day my pride as a parent swells. This issue features poetry by Michael S. Harper, Meg Kearney, and Howie Good, with fiction by Mary Jo Campbell, Michael Paul Gonzalez, Nicholas Merlin Karpuk, Nik Korpon, M. Kilbain Lazer, Alex J. Martin, K. Curran Mayer, Devin Strauch, and Axel Taiari. Also, Melanie Gillman contributed an unofficial web comic supplement As always, we promote legal theft as a downloadable and distributable .pdf file. Go to the Issue 7 page for details, printing instructions, and visual over-stimulation.

The Cherry will die too

March 17, 2009

My story, “The Word Will Die Too” is now live at Cherry Bleeds. I have long been a fan of Cherry Bleeds, as they consistently deliver the most visceral, oft-grotesque fiction around. It’s an honor to be a part of that legacy, though fodder for my own self-criticism as well (“Am I really that disturbed?”). Author’s Note: This is by far the most depressing thing I have written to date. It is said that silver lining can be found in even the filthiest Goodwill coat, but when shit like this story comes out of me, I wonder. Also included: perhaps the most disturbing image I’ve ever written (challenged only by an abortion scene in Stranger Will – which you haven’t read, because it hasn’t been published yet).

Ego stroked at the Cat O’Nine Tails: an interview

March 14, 2009

When a person takes interest in my work, I squeal. If you heard a hi-pitched shriek last night, I might be to blame. Craig Wallwork contacted me with a request to ask a few questions about my work and its ethic. Great conversation ensued, supported, I'm certain, not only by Craig's excellent provocative queries, but by the fictional Cat O'Nine Tails ambiance. You can learn: My thoughts on academia and creative writing The importance of online publishing TV/VCR Repair Computer Programming Bookkeeping The origin of my The Velvet username, ThirstyGerbil The best piece of writing advice I've ever received Or you can major in Business Management or Accounting Stick around after the interview and take in a few pieces of Craig's writing. You won't be disappointed. I recommend starting with The Crocodile, if only because any image of a kid pressing his ass against a floor to prevent shitting himself,…

New issue of 1000th Monkey, out now

March 12, 2009

Grab the kids, alert the authorities, and tune the banjos: the new issue of 1000th Monkey has arrived! Featuring: An interview with OWC’s Naked Opinion generating machine, Tim Hall, with mentions of his forthcoming delicacy, F-Hole Poetry from Jason Michel and Cheryl Townsend An interview with Crystal Folz and from the honorable Caleb J Ross, fake reviews of fake books Author's notes: My pieces, Reviews: Caroline Meyer’s Hidden Cigarette Butt, Joel Reynolds’s Dried Bar of Soap, are an experiment, really. I've often wondered how much can be told of an author by reivews of his books. These peices are character sketches, disguised as reviews. The fun part: the zine itself doesn't address this point. It would be interesting to see how many people try to search out the fake books. Print it, staple it, tuck it away in public places. Email it to heads of state. Breathe its fire! Go…

Hard-boiled fruit!

February 19, 2009

Pear Noir! Issue #1 is now out (and proud) (unless it is being persecuted for its sexual orientation) (Sorry for outing you, Mr. Noir). With a editor named Daniel Casebeer, does it really matter that the content surpasses much of what I've read in lit magazines lately? Does it really matter that every single story (yes, every single story; even my comparatively lame attempt) touches on brilliance? Does it matter that this new mag has the word 'Noir' in its title, but is colored unabashedly pastel shades of green and pink? It doesn't. I've rarely picked up first issues of lit mags with great expectations (the last being Colored Chalk #1, but only because Master Caleb J. Ross edited the thing - but will, from now on, be called Caleb J. Barrelwhiskey when assuming the editor's role). Author's note to my story, "The Camel of Morocco": Vein Letting is a…