I have a “weird fiction” story in the current print edition of Aoife’s Kiss. June 2009 — Issue #29. 8th Anniversary Edition. Published quarterly by Sam’s Dot Publishing. Other talented muses include Mercurio D. Rivera, Karen L. Newman, Bruce Boston and Marge Simon. Be sure to pick up a copy; it’s a pretty thick issue. Good stories, too. Available through The Genre Mall and various cons.
Fiction and Poetry by: Carol Hightshoe, Luvia Swanson, Matthew Keville, Michael John Grist, Selina Rosen, Matthew Johnson, Lawrence R. Dagstine, Melissa Mead, Michael Swaim, Mark Allan Gunnells, Mercurio D. Rivera, Jason Palmer, Lee Clark Zumpe, David Kopaska-Merkel, Elissa Malcohn, Jason D. Wittman, Bruce Boston, Marge Simon, Karen L. Newman, Shelly Bryant, Neal Wilgus, Sarah Wagner, Scott Virtes, Angel Favazza, Viridion Girl, Lubov, and Garrett Dechellis.
I’m pretty new at this, and since I’ll be soliciting a few more reviews over the course of the year, I decided to number them accordingly. I also felt that would be easier. For example, Fresh Blood Reviews 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. Today we have Nick Cato, reviewer, long-time horror fan and reader, and author of the soon-to-be released zombie-mafia crossover DON OF THE DEAD (www.coscomentertainment.com).
Fresh Blood in a nutshell: “SciFi and Horror meet… DRUGS!”
Dagstine’s writing is quick and to the point, and the stories flow quite well despite the genre jumping. A solid, entertaining collection – Nick Cato, author DON OF THE DEAD.
Author’s Note: Fresh Blood is published by Sam’s Dot Publishing. This review will also premiere in June’s HORROR FICTION REVIEW.
To kick off the FRESH BLOOD summer 2009 tour, this post goes out to Sam’s Dot Publishing’s graphic artist, Mitchell Bentley (www.atomicflystudios.com), who did the cover for the book you see below, along with many other great Sam’s Dot authors: Lawrence R. Dagstine, Joel Arnold, Rick Novy, Armand Rosamilia, Tyree Campbell, Edward Cox, John Lance, Maggie Bonham, and MORE!
Love zombies and space stations? Whether it’s a coffee mug, a T-shirt, a tote bag or a hat, or who knows, maybe even a skateboard, Mitchell Bentley will design it for you… And he’ll do it to perfection! You can also view some of his artwork at the same link.
Cowboy Logic Press’s 400+ page post-apocalyptic, scifi blockbuster of an anthology, featuring such talented writers as Steven J. Dines, Bill Housley, Jason K. Chapman, Roger Haller, Gary Cuba, Mike Philbin, Lawrence Dagstine, and various others have been nominated for an IPPY award. Stay tuned and keep your fingers crossed.
Satirica Anthology
Published by Cowboy Logic Press; Edited by Roy Dudgeon
Do you like science fiction related to the planet Jupiter and its four moons? Good. Nova Scifi will be publishing me for a Fifth and Sixth time in their print venue between this year and next. They’ve been around for a number of years and are very popular in smaller press/religious Scifi circles. NOVA SF is edited by Wesley Kawato. They DO NOT accept email subs, but they will look at snail mail. If you want to break into this market, it is recommended you have some kind of background in science or follow the guidelines to a tee. If you get the cover and headline story, you get more. They love religious SF, Hard SF, and themes related to Time Travel. Religious there, too.
On another note, I’m going to miss print. Now that everything is becoming digital… Oh yeah, did I forget to mention the Next Generation Genre Magazine? Stay tuned… There’s a LOT in the pipeline. From editing opportunities to a second collection to the magazine of the future!
There are some good science fiction webzines out there. Then there are some fine ones. ATOMJACK is by far one of the better ones, and it’s proven rightly so with their material and lineups over the past four years. This would be my 3rd appearance with them. Published by Susurrus Press, Atomjack is edited by Adicus Ray Garton.
And for you Prolific “yet-to-bes” out there, take a look at this picture below. Some of you may recognize it from a particular handbook that comes out once per year…
Look Mom, I'm Famous!
It’s a little blurry, but do you recognize the name in the picture? Yay! To think I gave up career opportunities in art, pharmacy, neuroscience, and the science of publishing for this. It’s gotta be worth at least a Big Mac. Still, check out Atomjack. They’ve got the goods.
“Lawrence Dagstine has a wonderfully fertile imagination and he has crafted many wonderful, original stories.” – David Lee Summers, Editor, Tales of the Talisman and author, Heirs of the New Earth.
“Lawrence Dagstine never ceases to amaze me with his abundant talent. His short stories are incredibly imaginative, exceptionally well written, and thoroughly captivating.” – P.S. Gifford, Author, The Curious Accounts of the Imaginary Friend.
“Dagstineinjects some much-needed freshness into his monsters; he endows them with complex qualities both human and inhuman, which somehow makes them all the more disturbing.” – Ben Thomas, Editor, The Willows Magazine.
This comes a little bit late, but Sam’s Dot Publishing books and magazines will be available at the conventions just below. Aoife’s Kiss, Beyond Centauri, Sounds of the Night, Champagne Shivers, and more! I would say once the April conventions hit, you can ask for FRESH BLOOD (my latest collection). It should be available then. They publish a whole array of wonderful periodicals, novellas, and other genre fare.
As for myself, due to the recent woes of the U.S. economy, I probably won’t be leaving the Northeast anytime soon. But I will be walking the floor of this year’s FANGORIA Weekend of Horrors. If you see me, stop me. Say hi. I’ll be representing a bunch of publishers and handing out free merch! Also, now that the weather is getting nicer, I’ll be attending book fairs and book festivals, and hopefully the odd reading or two.
New Monsters! It’s about time… Hmm, am I making any sense? I don’t know, I might not make any sense ever again. Fanboy-ism aside, and as a science fiction writer to boot, I’m here today to declare my love yet again for one of the longest running shows in TV history. That’s right — Doctor Who! Torchwood would probably come in second or third for me. And, as we all know, David Tennant regenerates after this year and becomes The Eleventh Doctor. This role will go to the then 27-year old Matt Smith.
Now I will admit, at first I wasn’t too keen on the idea of Smith taking over the role; I had fingers crossed for Paterson Joseph, Adrian Lester, or even Colin Salmon. But I guess it’s only right that we give the boy a chance. After all, Stephen Moffat is a remarkable writer and it’s as if he were born to lead such a fantastic show. Also, Matt Smith promises to bring a lot to the role as the Doctor — retracing the 70’s show model, Matt and Stephen? — and you know these newbies, one night they’re nobody, the next they’re a guaranteed success and eating the pie from the Actor’s Guild. Matt Smith you have my attention. I will give you a chance, I promise. But what adversaries will you face? What monsters will you go up against? What surprises does Moffat have in store for us in 2010?
I know the one monster I don’t want to see anymore is The Daleks — NO MORE! They’ve been done to death. Russell T. Davies abused them enough, I think. I love the Cybermen, don’t get me wrong… but please exit right. And it’s safe to bet that the Sontarans were just a “one-time” gig. I want monsters that harken back to the Baker years. Or they should be, at the very least, considered.
I have read rumors (and they are only that), that the “Weeping Angels” will be making their return. I’ve seen The Sea Devils being tossed about the Net. The Troclafane were mentioned on one “source” forum, but I hope they weren’t serious. And like the Sea Devils, my money is on the Ice Warriors all the way! I wouldn’t be surprised if they are a major villain in Series Five.
There are so many monsters that haven’t returned, that should. I mean, what about the Nimon? These were Minotaur-like monsters who could shoot you down with their horns. In the insect department, you have the Wirrn, who are most memorable from Baker’s second story, The Ark in Space. A Horror of Fang Rock-like story involving the Rutans would be kind of interesting. Or how about using CGI to remake The Gravis and a new sort of Tractator? Perhaps The Zarbi? No, even better, how about the Rani?
As I get ready for PLANET OF THE DEAD, I wonder what surprises are in store for Matt Smith. And us…
What monsters do YOU want to see return to Doctor Who? Would you like to cast a vote?
Come, take a Doctor Who poll with me…
For another Matt Smith/Doctor Who related poll, go here:
Aoife’s Kiss, published by Sam’s Dot Publishing and now going into its 28th quarterly issue, is bigger than ever. They offer a print version and an online version. However, starting June 2009, they will become a straight-on print only venue. I can be found this month, March 2009, in their Web edition. Would you like to order a copy of the print version? Links provided below. And remember to vote for your favorite story by your favorite author, as these get chosen for future Wondrous Web World anthologies.
A Collection of Science Fiction & Horror: ISBN: 978-0-9819696-2-6
Sam’s Dot has come a long way in the last ten years, its authors being nominated for such awards as the Nebula, the Hugo, and the Bram Stoker. Many a famous name have made a guest appearance there. Most important, if you are a new writer, I am living proof that you can slowly work your way up the ladder and get a “book deal” or “payment” or things such as an “advance” or “publicist” for your efforts (bear with me, there’s a lot in the pipeline, and there are only twenty-four hours in a day).
I think this month’s“tuppence” column by SF award-nominated editor Tyree Campbell will be overlooked, and it’s such a terrible shame. Especially for new talent. Please, I urge you to read it and follow it with all your heart:
You can now find a heavily researched, post-apocalyptic tale about plagues, the death of the human race, and an alien species trying to save what’s left of mankind in… The current issue of THE FIFTH DI. March 2009, to be exact. The narrative is first-person, and comes from the perspective of an extraterrestrial doctor/coroner. The Andromeda Strain was very much an inspiration here, but I wanted to change it up a bit and make my story otherworldly. If you like 28 Days Later, you might also like this tale. The Fifth Di is edited by J. Alan Erwine, and published by Sam’s Dot Publishing. They’ve been around for years, and I’ve appeared there on up to almost 20 other occasions.
THE FIFTH DI… Edition No. 11, Issue #1
March 2009; Edited by J. Alan Erwine
Cover Art: "After the Fall" by Mitchell Davidson Bentley
Hope aboard and read “The Plague Planet”. Click below:
Fiction & Poetry by: Lawrence R. Dagstine, Robert E. Porter, Rick Novy, Joshua Allen, Eric Penner Haury, Scott Virtes, Shelly Bryant, Jaime Lee Moyer, G.O. Clark, and John Nichols
The second issue of M-BRANE SF has just hit the Internet with a March edition to die for. It’s a fast-growing venue with a positive future ahead of it. Some decent writers have already submitted to it, like Rick Novy and Cat Rambo. I have a story in Issue #2, and not only is the magazine well-formatted and very affordable for this economy, but I believe it is available in a few formats. I recommend trying it out. The PDF is only $12.00 for a whole year! For twelve issues, how can you beat that price? Christopher Fletcher gives his personal summations, too, on who’s who and what’s what involving the genre. Not just Hard Science Fiction. Love the retro 60’s feel!
CIRCULATION FOR 1st ISSUE – OVER 2000 HITS, EXPECTED TO RISE!
Featuring Work by: David McGillveray, Michael Griffiths, Lawrence Dagstine, Tim Mulcahy, Abby ‘Merc’ Rustard, Lawrence Barker, Jannett Grady, James Hartley, and Jeffrey Sims. Edited by Christopher Fletcher.
A print version should be available on or around March 15th, 2009.
Ten to fifteen years ago, a new technology was developed called print-on-demand (POD).Publishers and small authors alike who didn’t know any better explored it as a means to getting their works into print.The Web, fairly new by publishing standards, helped become a vehicle for this phenomenon.Back in those days you didn’t have to worry about garages or basements filled with over 500 or more titles not being sold.No, you could order two or three at a time without having to sweat.Vanity presses took the most advantage of this, but now anyone and their mother can become a writer-turned-printer-turned-publisher (if you get the gist). Still, no matter how far POD has come, no matter how much it has been utilized and what it is capable of, media in the form of a virtual entity will eventually – no, I’m sorry, inevitably – reign supreme.
So toward the end of February 2009, Amazon’s new eReading gadget, KINDLE 2 makes its stunning debut.You can go and preorder it now for a mere $359.00 – kind of steep, if you ask me – or you could wait five to ten years until every book, magazine, and news periodical known to man makes the switch regardless.And that goes for the unknown or semi-popular ones, too. Think about it: saving trees and saving money, even saving shelf space unlike ever before, while being able to listen to music, read your favorite blogs, and go wireless on buses and subways or the road.Amazon and Sony know what they’re doing.In these tough times, where publishing companies are laying off hundreds if not thousands, where pro and non-pro magazines are folding left and right or going on hiatus, companies like Amazon are taking small steps through the cracks into what I call the ‘future of written word-related media’.
E-publications are more cost-effective than print.So get with the program now, before it’s too late. I’ll miss hardcovers and paperbacks like every other reader or writer from my generation.But if we don’t assimilate now, we may be missing out on a mighty fine resurgence.Only in a different format.
What do you think of the Kindle 2, or eBooks and eReaders in general?
Never expected this, but here is what turned out to be a very interesting discourse over at SHOCKLINES (www.shocklines.com). If you’re into horror, you can always depend on meeting some cool people in the business or getting your jollies off there. The subject matter is something I’d been meaning to ask, something I’d been pondering for quite some time. A few of the answers actually surprised me; some even got me thinking. For me, writing is very much an addiction — yeah, sometimes the buck ain’t so bad either — and at the same time that addiction can also be very therapeutic. It’s kind of like a drug. Depending on the strength of the addiction, sometimes it leads to better opportunities, other times it doesn’t. It’s something you need to get out of your system; nevermind the withdrawal symptoms I call “Writer’s Block”.
Now I don’t blog too much, because I don’t really understand the full concept of it. I merely self-promote and give plugs. But like any drug writing is something which is hard to quit. Still, I’m living in the “here and now”. Many an author’s work do cease to exist. Even the way our society is adapting, revolving, just generally changing, and at such a rapid pace, paper may soon disappear and reading as we know it may switch formats and cease to exist too!
My friend once said, “Have fun with this. See where it takes you. See who you meet. But don’t ever make something big of it.” Then he went on how I’d be looking back at this moment in twenty years time, perhaps the victim of diabetes, stroke, or a heart attack. What would I really think about writing for immortality or money then, when I’m old and gray with age? Something to consider…
Didn’t catch my Sci-Fi love story, A Virtual Affair, the first time around…? Well, you can always read it again before it goes into retirement. Below in the January 2009 issue of SURPRISING STORIES. Edited by John and Eric Thiel. This well-received story would be one of the final 30 hobbyist venues which will feature work of mine over the next twelve months.
Featuring Work by: Steve Sneyd, David Zeldis, Lawrence Dagstine, Jamie Meyers, Herbert Jerry Baker, Gerald F. Heyder, Rose Gordy, Bob Bolin, Joanne Tolson, Albert J. Manachino, Anne M. Valley, Paul Truttman, Gary Every, and John Thiel. Reviews by Elmwood Kraemer. Art by Ramos Fumes and Peter Zenger.
My New Years Resolution was to retire from many a small venue, with 350 publishing credits as rocket fuel, and see where I can take these crazy horror stories and science fiction-cluttered thoughts of mine. And while I will still be an integral part of the Small Press, I’ve decided to take a leave of absence from the hobby press to search for a little more. As I invest over four hours per day into a new novella with “true” emotion and real, identifiable characters, make up marketing materials and get ready for the premiere of my first short story collection, and outline fresh ideas for a hopefully pro-paying anthology, I really can’t wait to see what this year off from shorter work brings. In the meantime, please, enjoy what the publication above has to offer.
With Arkham Tales, Atomjack, and Necrography just around the corner, I would have to say that this will probably be my last story acceptance for the year 2008. I’ll have about 30 stories coming out over the next 12 months to some very fine and familiar publications. However, there’s a new magazine that will be available in print and PDF format come February. It’s a monthly. The pay isn’t big, but with subscriptions and good authors that could change. A very likable venue, too. Simple looking. It’s called M-BRANE SF. It looks very promising, and Christopher Fletcher is an extremely nice editor. He also does reviews and SF analysis, too.
I don’t know who the first two issues consist of yet, but since I could not find a banner, I thought this public domain pic of a space shuttle entering the atmosphere would be cool. In other news…
FRESH BLOOD, my collection from Sam’s Dot Publishing, has currently surpassed the 60,000+ word mark (making it novel-length). Also, writers have been emailing me in regards to my hiatus rumors. Other than Sam’s Dot… YES, where smaller genre publications are concerned, 350 publishing credits will mark a form of retirement for me, and 2009 will not only be a year off… but a year of book promotions, outlining projects, direction, new ideas, and most important, change…
There are some good science fiction webzines out there. Then there are some fine ones. ATOMJACK is by far one of the better ones, and it’s proven rightly so with their material and lineups over the past four years. This would be my 3rd acceptance with them. Published by Susurrus Press, Atomjack is edited by Adicus Ray Garton.
Previous authors have included Bruce Boston, Carmelo Rafala, Kristine Ong Muslim, Rick Novy, Lou Antonelli, Gary Cuba, Cory Doctorow, James Maddox, and more.
First, I hope everybody had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I also hope you braved the Black Friday crowds better than I did. Next, I’ll have a BRAND NEW story coming to the September 2009 issue — I know, a good ways off — of Aoife’s Kiss (Sam’s Dot Publishing). This would be my 10th print acceptance to their magazines; I’ve probably published in the area of thirty with them over the years if you include online. Actually, I’ll have a new story for you in almost every quarterly issue of Aoife’s for some time to come. Including, to my knowledge, the “special” winter issue.
You can view previous issues of Sam’s Dot magazines by clicking below:
Next, Tiptree-nominated writer-editor Tyree Campbell and Sam’s Dot will ALSO be releasing my debut collection, which has a couple of blurbs at the moment, and is going by the title FRESH BLOOD. This will be a collection of stories new and old (a lot of new) in the genres of horror and science fiction. This book has taken over a year of edits, building momentum, and to just carefully compile. At the moment, I’m clueless as to how many stories will appear in it – it should be around a minimum of 50,000+ words. But you’ll get a lot of nice variety here, including the kitchen sink.
I’ll have a story appearing soon in a new and interesting ezine called THE RANDOM EYE. Published Annually, they seem to accept work which is dark and speculative, but borders on the alternative, parallel (like universes), and the overall bizarre. More than just “weird fiction”. Be sure to check them out.
From their homepage:The Random Eye is a yearly anthology of horror and speculative fiction that focuses on the possibilities of parallel universes. Have you ever wondered what would happen if Rob Zombie became president, or if the Titanic was used for space travel, or if television was invented for communicating with the dead rather than entertainment? The Random Eye takes a simple theme for each anthology and encourages authors to imagine an existence far removed from our own, where a myriad alternate universes reside and where these strange possibilities exist.
Lawrence Dagstine: Author 
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