Believe me, I’m not trying to sound crude.
If you want to read something about how powerful the written word can still be, click here.
Now on Facebook!
Yup, that’s right. I’ve joined the drones of people and have joined Facebook. I have contemplated whether or not to join for some time now, but yesterday night decided to ‘go for it’ and ‘see what happens’. At this point, I’m not sure how long the page will be online, though I suppose that all depends on YOU. So, if you want to add me to your existing or new Facebook page, go ahead. You’ll more than likely get a more personal look into my life…whether that’s a good or bad thing…that’s for you to decide.
Click here to visit my Facebook page.
Enjoy and Happy 4th of July. Be Safe!
Book Review Published
My book review of The Mad Cook of Pymatuning by Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, has been published by Withersin Magazine.
Click here to read the review.
Beer Repels Zombies!
Still don’t believe me?! Click here to start protecting yourself today!
Settled & Ready to Write, again
I finally have all my things here in the suburb of Toledo, OH, where I’ll be living for the time being. This was after 5 round trips back and forth from Cleveland to Toledo. Needless to say, that’s alot of miles and gas money for a 7 day period.
Now it’s time to finish putting my crap away and start working (writing), again.
The top three things on my ‘To Do’ list are as follows:
- Edit the novella that I finished writing about a week ago.
- Continue talks with a magazine (I can’t tell you which one quite yet) about writing a serialized story for them, which would appear in parts in 2 or 3 issues in a row (this is a print magazine).
- Start working again on my ‘novel-in-progress’ (currently at 25k words) about a ‘monster’.
Just the above items should keep me busy for awhile. Besides what I just stated above, there is also the ‘Cake Batter’ film, which is in the works, as well.
Busy, busy, busy…but that’s the way it should be!
The End Is Near…
Finally finished the novella tonight that I started in the middle of May. In fact, I think it turned out pretty well.
I’ve also, of course, have been moving to Toledo this week. Made three round trips (1 1/2 hours each way) so far, but the next one should be my last. I also have an interview for a ‘day job’ on Tuesday, as well – so I guess you could say things are finally starting to look up.
Now it’s time to relax after a long week of moving and celebrate the completion of the novella by, how else, going to the bar for a cold brew.
Hope ya’ll are enjoying your weekends…I’ll be seeing ya again in a few days after I’m settled in Toledo.
Now back to your regular scheduled web-surfing.
Short Story Optioned for Film
My yet-to-be-published short story (part of my short story collection that is being considered by a publisher), ‘Cake Batter’, has been optioned for a short film by Shadetree Films. This is the same film company that made the Night School Book Trailer. You can view Shadetree’s work by checking out their You Tube and Vimeo sites.
The already finished screenplay (I’ve read it and it turned out great) was written by Warren Provencal, Owner and Director of Shadetree.
Though, Warren has yet to inform me on how long the film will be, I would imagine it will run around 10 to 15 minutes. The film will be posted online and will be shown at various independent film festivals. Warren also plans on making the film available for purchase on DVD, as well.
As I mentioned, the screenplay has been completed and the film is officially in Pre-Production. Casting will begin soon for the three roles (a husband, wife and secretary).
You might be wondering what ‘Cake Batter’ is all about. Since this short story is really short (only 2,100 words – definitely the shortest of all my stories), I can’t give much away, only to tell you that it is about a ‘cheating husband’.
I’ll update you as the project moves forward.
Book reviewed by contest winner
Gef Fox (better known as Rabid Fox in Comments), the winner of the first book in the Richard Laymon Book Contest, has reviewed one of the novels in the double-book. Click here to check out his site and the review.
The move to T-Town and some updates
I rarely, if ever, mention personal stuff on here, though I feel like making an exception this time. Well, that and some other stuff.
As you know, I currently live in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Though, in one week from now I will be moving a hour and a half west to T-Town or better known as Toledo, Ohio – The Glass City. This is not only because I have yet to find a ‘day job’ after being downsized in February after being with the company for 5 1/2 years, but also for personal reasons, that I won’t be mentioning here.
With the move looming, I find myself looking back at the last nine years here in Cleveland, after graduating college in 2000. The city and people have provided me with some good and not so good times. I often wonder how things would have turned out if I wouldn’t have moved here after college. Not that I had much choice. Ya gotta go where the job takes you, ya know!? Which is why I moved here to begin with. The best thing to come out of living in Cleveland, of course, was the birth of my youngest daughter. She rocks!
Anyway, at this point I am pretty much starting over. Starting at the bottom and working my way back up, again. Not that there is anything wrong with having to do that. Ultimately it may build my character. That or it will just kick my ass and leave me lying in the gutter. Either way, I am pretty much exhausted at this point in more ways than one. It IS time for a fresh start. Either way, I plan on continuing to pursue my writing career.
There is one thing currently in the works (that I haven’t officially announced, but if you cruise the page you’ll see what it is already) and I am still awaiting word from a publisher on my short story collection that I sent out for consideration. In addition, I am about 2,500 words away from finishing the novella that I mentioned here. Though, there has been a little bump in the road with one of the authors I mentioned disappearing on us. So, at this point, I have contacted another author and inquired if he would be interested in the project. Then, after my novella is completed, I will be moving onto the ‘novel-in-progress’ that I had to put aside when Night School was published. Currently, I’m at 25K words and my goal is to have it completed at the end of this summer and then sent out for consideration. After that, I’m going to be switching gears a bit and venture into writing something else besides horror (don’t worry, I’ll come right back to it), that someone suggested I give a try. I’m not going to mention what genre it’s in yet, though you can see quite a bit of ‘it’ in Night School.
That’s it. Some random thoughts and some updates to tide you over until the 2nd (2 of 2. The first being the hardcover edition of Night School coming out) major annoucement that I mentioned was coming a week or two ago, finally gets made official.
With that, I’ve got the SUV packed up and ready for a drive to T-Town tomorrow, er, today! Time to get some rest and hit the road bright and early.
New Links Added
As you are probably aware, I met quite a few authors at Hypericon 5. Besides getting to spend quite a bit of time hanging out with Brian Keene, I got to meet the following authors: Maurice Broaddus, PS Gifford and Steven (Shrews) Shrewsbury. I got to meet several others, as well, but these were the ones I spent the most time with. All these guys were kind as can be and a joy to be around.
Their websites have also been added to Links on the right hand side of the page.
I highly suggest checking out their sites and work.
Ty Schwamberger 