Video Games are Real

Category: Publication Announcements

  • Girl Found Alive at Bottom of Swimming Pool. Seeks Vengeance.

    Girl Found Alive at Bottom of Swimming Pool. Seeks Vengeance.

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    I haven’t been writing much lately (aside from general outlines in prep for YouTube video making…but I wouldn’t count that). So when fellow Write Club alum Gayle Towell approached me about contributing a story to her new Microfiction Monday Magazine project, I hesitated. But then, I figured 100 words (the limit for stories to appear on the site) wouldn’t be too difficult to squeeze out. And while that ended up being partially true, I also very much experienced how rusty I had become even in the short few months since I’ve last written any fiction of substance.

    Well, my effort–a story about a man and woman being scared of their child–which I am pretty proud of, went live today. Click over to Microfiction Monday Magazine to read my story “When Susan’s Daughter Sank.” It’s visceral, dark, and language heavy, just like I like ’em.

  • The first glimpse at the novel in-progress, live at The Dying Goose

    The first glimpse at the novel in-progress, live at The Dying Goose

    The Dying Goose with Caleb J. Ross

    Damn, just when I was sitting down to do some honest writing on this novel that I’m way far behind on (on my admittedly self-appointed deadline), I get the news that my story “We’ll Learn Together” is now live in the new issue of The Dying Goose, meaning I’ve got to announce the publication to the world. #egoproblems.  Be sure to read the rest of the stories, too, especially “Commute” by my fellow The Velvet Born Chris Deal.

    I suppose it’s fitting though that if time is being robbed by this publication announcement post that it would be for “We’ll Learn Together” as the story will likely make its way into the very novel that I’m not currently writing. So, I guess you faithful readers out there can consider this story the first glimpse at what will become my first novel in 3 years (minimum; it’s impossible to say how long the novel will take to write, let alone actually get published).

    The story focuses on a single encounter between Michael, a reporter; Iola, a source for a book Michael is writing; and a professor from Michael’s University days. But this is no casual encounter. Michael, having just learned that his book project may be responsible for sending a man to his death, turns to his professor for some ethical guidance. The professor, unfortunately for Michael, isn’t very helpful. Also, Iola just minutes prior, stabbed a guy and left him to die on her front porch.

    I’m excited by the novel. I swear, I think this will be my masterpiece.

  • Organ donation as a front for petty theft: Three Days Ahead, new fiction in Thuglit issue 8

    Organ donation as a front for petty theft: Three Days Ahead, new fiction in Thuglit issue 8

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    My story, “Three Days Ahead,” has been published in the recently released issue 8 of Thuglit. I’ve been reading Thuglit fairly consistently since Nik Korpon’s entry (issue 2, I believe), and have come to really like it for it’s straight-forward, no nonsense approach to crime fiction. That being said, I don’t actually write straight-forward, no nonsense crime fiction. Actually, I’ve never really considered myself a crime fiction writer at all. Many (maybe most) of my stories do contain crime elements, but as actual crime writers will probably attest, crime alone does not a crime story make.

    But I had an opportunity. I originally wrote a similarly themed story that ended up being a bit of a mess. So, during a rewrite of that story I ended up with “Three Days Ahead,” which by comparison to the early version is much more focused, much more emotional, and a lot less flashy-for-the-sake-of-flashy. In other words, it was a Caleb J. Ross story. I was proud of it. The story is about a man who convinces the victim of a car wreck to portray her minor scars as proof of organ donation reception. The two then find family members of organ donators in hopes of grifting a few dollars on the emotional ruse.

    Apparently Todd Robinson over at Thuglit thought it was pride-worthy as well. Many thanks to him.

    Click over to Amazon to buy an ebook or paperback version of Thuglit, issue 8, containing all of the following stories:

    • MCFERRIN AND BLACK by Buster Willoughby
    • THE RIGHTFUL KING OF WRESTLING by Chad Dundas
    • EXTRAS by Mark Pruett
    • THE HIGHER THE HEELS by Patti Abbott
    • COCAINE STARLIGHT by Isaac Kirkman
    • THREE DAYS AHEAD by Caleb J. Ross
    • NOTHING TO LOSE by David A. Summers
    • NOT EVEN A MOUSE by Nolan Knight
  • “Caleb J. Ross is a disturbing fellow.” – Sean Ferguson on “The Removal Kind”

    “Caleb J. Ross is a disturbing fellow.” – Sean Ferguson on “The Removal Kind”

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    Many thanks to Sean P. Ferguson for his write up about my story “The Removal Kind,” which appears in the fantastic The Booked. Anthology.

    Sean says:

    Ross doesn’t exactly ever do normal. His characters are flawed in ways that everyone really is, but he puts a little extra stank on those flaws. And he addresses those flaws with a blunt honesty that makes the reader just a little more uncomfortable. Like a lover that just won’t quit, when you think you’ve found some equilibrium with his particular brand of weird, he twists the knife just once more.

    and

    Yes. That’s a Caleb J Ross story. He’s a weird little man and I love him for it. His stories don’t always fit, but they’re good, in that sore thumb sort of way. Always. He’ll never be Jonathan Franzen, all literary and boring in some classically trained New Yorker bullshit manner, and I appreciate that. That’s what I want, the weird and the circus sideshows, the fantastic and brilliant.

    Also, I love that he included #FCJR as a post tag.

    Definitely buy The Booked. Anthology. Steal pennies from a wino, if you have to. But at least read the wino a story from the book. I recommend “The Removal Kind.”

  • A collection of stories by some of the most talented new and established writers. You need to buy this one.

    A collection of stories by some of the most talented new and established writers. You need to buy this one.

    Booked Anthology Caleb J. Ross

    July 22nd, the release of the long awaited The Booked. Anthology, compiled by the minds behind The Booked Podcast. Consider this collection a primer for the names you’ll need to know if you plan on being cool at any dark, alt-literature party. Also, if you know of any dark, alt-lit parties happening let me know. As far as I know they are Sasquatch-level myth.

    We’re talking stories from Chris Deal, Christopher J. Dwyer, Michael Paul Gonzalez, Amanda Gowin, Seth Harwood, Gordon Highland, David James Keaton, Nik Korpon, Axel Taiari, Paul Tremblay, Fred Venturini, Craig Wallwork, and many more . And even more amazing, ALL of these stories are NEVER BEFORE SEEN. That’s right. Nothing previously published. You’re getting the new shit this time.

    Click over to the The Booked. Anthology page for a full list of contributors along with a variety of purchase options. Or, go straight to Amazon, because let’s face it, that’s where you’re going anyway.

    And because you’re reading this from my blog, chances are you’re at least partially interested in my story in the collection, “The Removal Kind.” It’s a story about an illegal transaction gone wrong. And like most of my typical domestic grotesque stories it involves a family and something really, really creepy. Also, it’s probably going to be a chapter in a longer novella or novel sometime, so read it now and be extra hipster cool at those fictitious dark, alt-lit parties.

  • Just Tell a Goddamn Story

    Just Tell a Goddamn Story

    I once again grace the liternet over at Slothrop.com with an article whose title might just be more compelling than the content.

    No, really, you should read it though. Realize that you have to just tell a goddamn story.

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  • FREE copy of my “new” novel, Stranger Will, to willing readers

    FREE copy of my “new” novel, Stranger Will, to willing readers

    Click the image above to view the video
    Click the image above to view the video

    My first novel, Stranger Will, is being re-released this January 25th, 2013 through Perfect Edge Books. However, I have a stack of unedited proof copies from the previous publication that I need to get rid of. Here’s where you come in.

    I will send a free copy (until my limited supply runs out) to anyone willing to read the book and provide a video review. The review doesn’t even have to be positive. Just provide your honest response.

    What’s the catch? No catch. I’ll even pay for shipping the book to you.

    Because the book will be released on January 25th, 2013, I’m hoping for reviews to be uploaded as soon as possible. However, if you can’t meet the 25th deadline, anytime soon after is quite cool by me.

    If you have questions, just ask in the comments at the YouTube video page.