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September 26th, 2014

9/26/2014

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© 2014 PUBIENNE TUEUR DE CHEVEUX Essel Pratt
© 2014 DEATHERZ Alex S. Johnson
© 2014 SPIDER MAN Mathias Jansson
© 2014 PACHYDERM Jeremy Maddux
© 2014 STANKPIT Dr. Reverend Lance Carbuncle
© 2014 DONT HANG YOURSELF (WHERE'S THE FUN IN THAT?) Toneye Eyenot
© 2014 THE OBELISK OF SOULS Lisa Dabrowski
© 2014 THE YEAR OF THE CAT Mark Woods
© 2014 ALL THAT REMAINS Amanda Lyons
© 2014 THE PERFECT WOMAN Kerry G.S. Lipp
© 2014 LUST AMONG THE REEFS Matthew Arkham.
© 2014 WHERE HERE SORROW RUNS TO WHEN IT MUST HIDE Christopher Ropes
© 2014 ALL MANNER OF SIN Toneye Eyenot
© 2014 GRAILITH Susan Simone
© 2014 RENDEVOUS Stuart Keane
© 2014 OUT OF DARKNESS COMES LIFE Michael Fisher
© 2014 THERE GOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD Jim Goforth
© 2014 DRIFT Todd Misura
© 2014 TERATOMA Dr. Reverend Lance Carbuncle
© 2014 DR. SADISTIC Lisa Dabrowski
© 2014 VENGEFUL GAMES OF FORCED CONSUMPTION Jason Hughes
© 2014 BETTER TO HAVE LOVED? Dona Fox
© 2014 A MESSAGE OF FLESH Kevin J MacLeod
The book comes with warnings of explicit sex, violence, gore, and objectionable content. These are brutal stories but each has a special reason for being in the book. The writers dared something. Mr. Pratt has a lead female character that readers will never forget, Ms Lyons runs with a lesbian main character who is heart-wrenching, and Mr. Arkham lets a female character go wild. I think that is interesting, to see how the writers dared something new for females in literature. Mr Johnson and Ms Dabroski are sarcastic and witty, and Mr Woods delivers a story that is funny and horrific at the same time. If a reader enjoys a little dark poetry, Mr. Eyenot, Ms. Fox, and Mr Jansson are chillingly brilliant. Pachyderm is the most bizarre piece and haunting. Ms Simone, Mr Fisher, Mr Misura, and Mr. Lipp are simply astounding in their prose; their stories are not what they seem to be! Mr. Keane and Mr. Carbunkle contribute  pieces that  have to be read twice to get the underlying messages and both write with strong imagery. Mr Goforth entertains...there is not a single dull moment. I often brag on Mr Ropes because he took a difficult idea, one that could go wrong easily, and carefully controlled it...no, he manipulated it into an ending that is almost too intense. Mr. Hughes adds a story that should be rejected. It should be hidden and never read, because, sadly it is much too real, and it will bother readers terribly. It upset me; that's why it had to be here. It carries a strong message. Finally, The Editor's Choice was by Mr MacLeod and was one of the most professional, unusual stories I have ever read. I thought about stopping several times as I read. I couldn't believe he dared to write as he did but the end is perfect and it all comes together in a cacophony of emotion. Yes, I was shocked at most of these. I was nervous about accepting them, I was surprised at how smart the works were, and I was stunned by the talent. If nothing else, the bravery of these writers is to be applauded. Is it for everyone? No!  Are the stories glorified violence and sex?  No/ I think Mr. Lipp's story gave me direction. It was very brutal, but I think it is real. Maybe we don't all want to know these are the things that go on at the fringes of the world. We don't want to know this is real life and that we are under censorship and never hear about these atrocities. Not a one glorifies anything evil; in fact. each author makes it clear, in underlying tones, that these things are repulsive and not good. If anything, these are warning of what dangers lurk and what is out there; we can be thankful we read about these things and not experience them.
Above all, while these writer write mainstream horror as well, this was their chance to be a little wild and break rules. Some readers will never finish this book. They may not make it 1/2 way. I get that. I think some will get the messages and understand that the world is scary. I  hope some will be so scared they never sleep again...but then...isn't that was extreme horror is all about?

You can stop reading now. If you wish to understand why I wanted to do this book...read on. The below is the forward I wrote for RFC1

Forward

Devils, Details, and Tequila
I have to share something, so bear with me.
When I was young, I was sick a lot and so I read. In a few years, I was finished with classics, so I started on modern fiction. My mom would take me shopping and leave me in the book section  (it was safe then) and I would pick a book to buy. One time, I found my book and the title escapes me, but I happened to see this book by a new writer named Dean Koontz and I began reading. Wow. I was hooked. I also felt that Mom wouldn’t let me read such a book, so it took several trips back to the store before I finished the book.
Each time, I found what I wanted to buy and then escaped into the scary stuff, and yes, I ear-marked the pages, and no one bought “my” copy.
About this same time, several things happened. One was that my aunt shared her books with me and they were short stories that were “Presented by” Alfred Hitchcock. It was a gold mine of horror by new names (to me). At the same time, my mother belonged to The Book of the Month Club, and she ordered what was trendy; I doubt she read half of those books, but she allowed me them all. I read The Graduate, Flowers for Algernon ,Valley of the Dolls, Midnight Cowboy, and Rose Mary’s Baby.
First, I was young, and I didn’t understand everything in those books, but I understood that within the non-horror ones, there was absolute horror! This was why Mom didn’t censor my reading; I really got that there was scary stuff in the world.
About this same time, a book came out that was said to be “horrifying,” “perverted,” “scandalous,” and worse.  That was The Exorcist. I read it and a light went on in my young head. I took the sum of all my reading and understood that there was scary writing all over the place but there were levels. I liked all levels. And like a reader possessed, I didn’t stop with the devil in Blatty’s book but forged on, reading all of the horror that I could find.
A note here: My mom knew I was reading Mr. Koontz’s book but she was so glad she had a reader that she didn’t force a battle. I did eventually buy the book so we are all ethical here.
Those are the details. And they are the devil.
Fast forward.
I have written horror for about thirty-five years now. I read all I can find. I also work with many horror writers as friends and as part of J Ellington Ashton Press. We talk often about authors and books we love. We say the same names often: King, Barker, Laymon, Lovecraft, Shelley, McCammon, and more. Moreover, to me, as rowdy as these can be, they are our steak and potato dinners.  Not fancy? Have you never had a perfectly cooked, rare steak and a loaded baked Potato? Nectar of the gods, I say. In fact, that is such a classic dinner, that it’s a gold standard, and that is what those authors I just listed are: classic writers of horror.
Occasionally, it’s nice to add a perfect Caesar salad to the dinner. I love authors’ books that add a little more spice but are still classic and brilliant. We all know those stories with a bit ‘o the devil in them; we read and re-read them.
There are also times, when we like something extra. I don’t mean the truffle pudding with glittering bits that don’t scare us. We are readers and we’ve passed that stage of being a little kid who hides in the book section and gets chills (ok, and nightmares) from passages. Occasionally, we want a shot of straight tequila to knock back. To finish the good meal.
That was how Rejected: For Content happened. A round table of authors and artists were talking with me about extreme horror and those writers we read for that bit of shock, and the same names came up several times. That is our tequila shot: and we love it. We love that taste of bitter truth, nightmarish images, and of the feelings of anguish. We like being disturbed and bothered.
In secret, a few of us like something else, although we can’t explain why. Compare it again to the fine meal. It’s taking that shot of tequila and snorting it right up our noses!
I know. I already said I don’t know why we like that. Most cannot admit they do this secretly.
In Rejected for Content, we are offering that shot of booze right up in the sinuses where it hurts so good. Many readers and writers won’t get the collection. Good, because that makes me feel a little better about the world, but some will not only get why we are delivering it, but will love it. For those, we offer several shots.
Some of these are actually rejected, and all of them should be! They were rejected because they are just too over-the-top. We know that. We know how barf-a-rama they are, how vomitrocious, how revolting, but we also have no problems pouring the shots a reader knocks back, by nose or mouth.
You have the details of how this all came to be. Like so many years ago, I’m daring the forbidden and I can only say, the devil made me do it.
The devil is in the details, in the tequila, and in the stories, my friend.
I am all over the horror writing scene as a writer, an editor, opinion-giver, and more. I watch trends and try to predict them, but at no time have there ever been so many variables.  Some may feel we are zombie/vamp swamped, but while those are still favorite topics, there are so many more sub-genres than ever before.  It reminds me of the 60s-70s influx of new horror.
There is some badly written material, I agree, but there is just as much badly written horror from those who are with huge presses as those who self-publish.  I don’t see the difference except for the ones who are getting paid enormous sums for schlock.  I also don’t want to talk about the B-horror/ commercial writing (that many of us have done to support the other writing we wish to do).  I want to talk about the rest.  I want to talk about the ones that are tequila-up-the nose good.
I prefer these, actually.  Why? Again, some are bad, some are B-list, and so on, but I like those that are spot-on, well written, and brutal.  They get a bad reputation because they often contain explicit sex (and sex is so bad, right?), and because they have gore, and because of the unconventional, profane themes.
That is the real kicker.  The other elements, we can set aside, and maybe complain about, but the themes are what bother us.  Extreme horror magnifies the themes.  I love the subtlety of The Lottery or in Frankenstein; I get the social and personal over tones, but sometimes… there are times I want to snort the tequila.
Several other presses have rejected these that I am offering.  Why? Oh, the theme mainly, if the publisher is perceptive.  If the one who read it was not as deep thinking, then the stories were tossed back for the content (sex, gore, language).  I get amused; I get scared.  That is, I get amused and scared when I read the stories and when I consider the fact that I am going to release them.
Some won’t get there.  A few will get it, and they will love these pieces.  They will get the message behind the horror.
 I get it.  I really get it.  Get the devil and the tequila both.  I know what the author is truly saying.  I get the real message of sheer terror that is hidden in gossamer layers and tied with silken bows.  These stories really scare me.  They really are, at times, like snorting that tequila.  They hurt.
I like the trend, but not everyone does or will.  It’s way too much for some.  Unfortunately, some very smart readers will refuse to read this type of story when the pieces are secretly written for the most intelligent of readers.  It’s a subgenre that kicks those that it is aimed at, but isn’t that the idea? Kick and hit? Gut-punch and eviscerate?
Horror will always be fun and have the B-list, commercial fun stuff; it will always deliver the books that are excellent, classic, and literary, but there is room for a new sub-genre.  There is a place for the intelligently profane.  It may take a while to be recognized for brilliancy, but it is strong in a (fitting, very apt) hidden subculture of writers and readers.  It’s the Jimi Hendrix, the Kurt Cobain, Elvis, Jim Morrison, and the Janis Joplin of the literary world.  They were once considered “dangerous to the youth” and only admired by a few.  Today, they are viewed as revolutionary.  Motown was once thought to be a bad influence.  None of those musical giants harmed music; they changed it for the better.
I feel the intellectual profane horror will do the same.  It will take a while, but in time, names we may not know now (Goforth, Misura, Fisher, Johnson, Dabrowski, Woods, Pratt, and more) will be whispered about.  They will be called revolutionary or so emulated that they may be forgotten, but I am thrilled to say I was there.  No, I didn’t get to see Hendrix play live at Woodstock, but I am getting to see a few as they begin the revolution, and to me, brother, that is big time.
Horror is a’changin’.
And the best part, is, I get it.  And I am there this time.
Give me the tequila.  It’s time for a snort.

(catt 2014)


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Blood Suckers and more....

9/15/2014

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Amanda Lyons:  Grab the first book because there are sequels about to be released. Join the epic journey into Lyons' poetic, dark world.

William Bove:  A fresh, intelligent take on vampires; no sparkles here, but  instead, find the harsh realities of the blood sucking life.

catt dahman: Vampires in the old west battle Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and more legends. OR  Helen of Sparta and Troy was beautiful, and enslaved by an ancient curse of blood desires.

Ed Cardillo: See why he is a leading author of horror in Feral Hearts, a smart, sexy take that is unique. Ed edits and leads in a book with six odd, memorable characters on a singles trip, that find the vampires are after them! catt dahman, Amanda Lyons, Ed Cardillo, Michael Fisher, Jim Goforth, and Mark Woods join to provide six terrifying endings. Pick your poison!
Purchase
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Christopher St. John Sampayo is originally from Louisiana and currently lives in San Antonio, Texas. In 2005 his first play "Passing Through Sam's" was performed by the Renaissance Guild of San Antonio. Since then his plays "Last Son of the South," "Paper Heroes," and "The Artistic Merits of Crayons," have all been performed for the stage as well as many others. "Children of Rosehaven" is his first novel.

Essel Pratt is from Mishawka, Indiana, a North Central town near the Michigan Border. His prolific writings have graced the pages of multiple anthologies, a couple self-published works, as well as his own creations.

As a husband, a father, and a pet owner, Essel's responsibilities never end. Other than a family man, he works a full time job an hour from his home, he is a writer for the Inquisitr, a full time student on his journey to a degree - while maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and is also the Chief of Acquisitions and Executive Assistant for J. Ellington Ashton Press. His means of relieving stress and relaxing equate to sitting in front of his dual screens and writing the tales within the recesses of his mind.

Inspired by C.S. Lewis, Clive Barker, Stephen King, Harper Lee, William Golding, and many more, Essel doesn't restrain his writings to straight horror. His first Novel, Final Reverie is more Fantasy/Adventure, but does include elements of Horror. His first zombie book, The ABC's of Zombie Friendship, attacks the zombie genre from an alternate perspective. Future books, that are in progress and yet to be imagined, will explore the blurred boundaries of horror within its competing genres, mixing the elements into a literary stew.

You can follow Essel at the following:

www.facebook.com/esselprattwriting

Esselpratt.blogspot.com

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Ideas for Reading

8/12/2014

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What to read? Maybe a new catt dahman book...it's a weird western...Doc Holliday and the boys fight blood suckers when they aren't involved in gun fights. Try Wild Boys.  Maybe you want a top seller like Mark Woods' Fish story. Missing zombies? Get After and entertain yourself until the return of THE WALKING DEAD. Oh a chill is what you like? Try Amanda's book and you will feel haunted.

How about some Fantasies? These have great reviews and  will thrill!
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6 Authors. 6 Characters. 6 Endings. Get the ending that YOU want! It's a sexy, scary, unusual book.
"This review is from: Feral Hearts (Kindle Edition) Scary and bloody and with some crazy vampire erotica through out.... this is a pretty cool story and I love how each author contributes an initial character sketch and background. Fabulous. The endings were awesome, too. I enjoyed each one. I am hard pressed to pick my favorite. Another winner by Mr. Cardillo and the other writers! Great job!"


Have a look at our books and use the handy catalog or go to Amazon.com for ebooks an print! 
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Buy Some Books....

7/29/2014

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     We see it all. No one could make up some of what presses see. I have seen plagiarism, rude people, and unreal expectations. It becomes frustrating at times. I have enough pressure that I put on myself to deal with some things. My self imposed pressure is to sell books. No, I can't make people BUY, but it still is something we all, at JEA, take seriously. We truly want each author to sell as many books as possible. When we see sales, we get excited!
     What sells a good book? I don't know, even after all this time. There is a lot of junk out there, and maybe that prevents sales. There is a lot of good writing out, and of course, that prevents sales. But what caused sales? Is it author branding? Maybe. Is it word-of-mouth? You bet. reviews? Sometimes. It's a lot of elements. 
     When you read a book and love it, tell others. That  is all a press can ask. Let the author know. Fan letters are what fuel authors to write. If you haven't tried anything, here are a few books for fun. I can say this. Despite all of the above, we aim for good covers and some fantastic writing. IF a story isn't great to us, then we don't share it with you. Come on, make an author's day, get a book, and tell that author. It never gets old.
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Try a Pete Clark book
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Ida Moreno had a good life. Head Curator of the New York Public Library, lots of friends and acquaintances among her co-workers, a nice, cozy apartment close to her work and the simple company of her cat, Tansy. 
All that changes in one horrifying moment. 

Raped and murdered by someone in the middle of the night, Ida’s soul discorporates from her body at the time of death and witnesses the final moments. She’s angry, and her emotional anger ties her to the killer. It’s now up to her to figure out how to use her ‘new spirit body’ to find out who he is and bring him to justice.
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Zombie fun

7/28/2014

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Grab it as an ebook for fun and then as a print for your collection.

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This is a children's book supposedly, and there is no bad language and it is about children...BUT. It's also a book for anyone who loves colorful print books. Zombie  fans should have this on the shelf. it's about friendship, and sorrow, a love for friendly animals, and about...ZOMBIES. Ages 2-102 will love this one. The prose are sweet and the illustrations are vibrant.

We will allow only page 1 to be used, with the cover, as review images.

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Please leave a review for this so Essel Pratt can see that you enjoyed his work!
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Covering Covers...got that covered?

7/19/2014

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     Each book that we present, we do so as best we can. I never get tired of seeing exciting new covers and seeing new books go into the world, knowing that someone will be thrilled.
     What is difficult to explain to many is this, and maybe it will help writers who are buying or designing their own covers. Books are shown as small images (called thumbnails) and are on white backgrounds. Those two issues make artists have to struggle. I like white covers, but because of the limitations, that can't be. Even off-white covers don't show well.
     Because a cover must look good as a small image, sometimes, we can't have all the wording on the front, and we can't overload details. If we do that, they become muddy. Fonts (the wording style) must be clear, eye-catching, but not so strange as to distract. Many great fonts have been over-used.
     In one tiny picture, an artist must capture the book's theme, interest a reader, give all valid information, but never been "busy". It's a tough balance. Some art looks wonderful until it is reduced in size.
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     Let's look at these three. The first says "fresh, spooky, modern", the second says "old-fashioned, fantasy, dreamy" and the third says "scary, wild, shocking". That is what each should convey. The details are there, but are crisp and look good enlarged, but when these images are small, the colors contrast and balance. The titles can be seen.
     Sometime a cover will draw a reader to a book, but for sure, a cover can kill a sale if they book either isn't seen or looks weak. It isn't easy to have a cover that works well. An artist must decide about colors, the font, and even how large the author's name should be as compared to the title. And a cover isn't a simple copy and paste. There are layers and some parts are faded in and then shadows are added, lighting is changed, colors are altered, and a host of other changes.
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This is a cover I like. Originally, there was a place (in this case a field with trees). The tent? See the bloody handprint? That was added. It doesn't show when the image is small, but it's there, and it matters. The clock. That was over 6 hours of work to hand draw (by layering textures into circles and adding numbers and the hands as separate layers) The entire thing had to be layered in. There is also a face that was put in to fit the background. All of that work was only to imply the book was about time and something that might be a part of camping. We know it isn't a happy book, but a scary one. The colors are precise: lime and purplish blue. The Font could have been white or  any color, but to have contrast, red-orange was used.
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     Look at it as a thumbnail. The title shows. The face shows more, and the clock is clear. The tent falls to the background.
     Sometimes beautiful images fail as covers because they don't survive the small size. Sometimes, people want far too much wording on a cover and none can be read.
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THESE LOOK GOOD AT A SMALL SIZE.
For covers, if you can, hire a pro. No matter what, ask these questions:
  1. Are  images documented as legal to use?
  2. Is the cover the correct size and resolution?
  3. Does it look good as a thumbnail?
  4. Is the title clear?
  5. Does it engage?
  6. Does it avoid "cookie-cutter, cliche, and cutsie"?
  7. Is it commercial?
  8. Is it "less is more"?
Cover artists may follow these very well, but unless the artists understands #7, your book will suffer. That one point can ruin a cover even if all the rest are checked. With covers ranging from $100-$500...you can get all of this. Never skimp on edits or covers.
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Celebrating a little bit of art, music, and writing....

6/27/2014

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(from catt) Hi! I never click videos but I did this once, and found a unique sound. I want to share this little song with our followers because I love the message of "All for One". The management graciously told us we could share this with everyone, and I really love seeing new, fresh artists in any area. Gangstagrass is bluegrass (fiddles and banjos) with a fun rap added.
Click their icon (to the left) to hear and see the video. 

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Purchase Final Reverie
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JEA artists use several programs and we purchase image rights, but David must deal with sizing, balance, hue, saturation, light, and blending, just to name a few elements. JEA is honored to employ a man as talented as McG, who loves the work and puts himself out there. See more of his work here:
Mcg's Art
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David McGlumphy 

is a free lance artist and also on staff at JEA Press as a cover-designer and artist. As a designer, he had to first intern before he could work with the authors fully. Under the direction of Executive Editor and Art Director, Susan Simone, David learned how JEA listens to writers, considers commercial appeal, and then locates (legal!) images, or hand-draws the covers. After his internship, David was hired as an artist. (We look at talent, ethics, and ability to work within our strange company). When working on a cover, artists are very hands-on; after many meetings with the author, David sets up the images and then designs the font so the title looks good in thumbnail images. He must please the author and show their view of the book (and what it is about), balance images, chose and alter colors for contrast, and then get the font perfect so it looks good in a large view, but also when it is the size of a postage stamp! It's a challenge, but McG (as we call him) always stays on the job until the author is pleased, and Susan accepts the cover. 
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Sam Reese
Immolation

You never know when darkness is going to cross your path.  Lydia Allison Cantrell was a beautiful child from a seemingly loving family when all hell broke loose. The person who was supposed to love her and protect her from the evils of the world betrayed her in the worst way possible.  For years Lydia endured the horrors of her father’s abuse, finding her only solace in her beloved books, and a pure affection from her friend Michael. Until a day came when something, a small flame of a thing began to wake within her. Now, as the flame grows, it threatens to consume not only her but those around her as well, both innocent and guilty. Lydia must choose vengeance or mercy, realizing that both come with a cost that might be too much to pay for a girl so young.
new Interview
Purchase Immolation
Cover art by Michael "Fish" Fisher

Final Reverie

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Many years after the downfall of technology, magic has reclaimed its position within Earth’s ecosystem. Over time, the delicate balance of between good and evil has weighed heavily toward the malevolent side, despite attempts at stabilizing the equilibrium. Two heroes, Franklyn – an adolescent boy, and Chij – his wolf brother, travel the land with a sole purpose of helping those that cannot defend themselves from the creatures that lurk and feed upon the weak. Their carefree travels are unexpectedly given a larger purpose when they are tasked to search for, and destroy, the nefarious being known as Nafets – who was imprisoned many years prior but teeters on the edge of reemergence. 
Franklyn and Chij endure an emotional journey filled with blood, tears, and self-discovery as they encounter the unexpected and become entangled in a expedition that will test their abilities and emotions. 

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Summertime Books

6/24/2014

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News

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Information:  click here
Accepting work for this anthology until July  31. Gore, body fluids, bizarre ideas...check. Be as weird as you wish and if you have been rejected for content, we are very interested!

Some exciting reads....
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Click to purchase book

Sam Reese
Immolation

You never know when darkness is going to cross your path.  Lydia Allison Cantrell was a beautiful child from a seemingly loving family when all hell broke loose. The person who was supposed to love her and protect her, betrayed her in the worst way possible. For years Lydia endured her father’s abuse, finding her only solace in books. A flame began to wake within her, and  as the flame grows, it threatens to consume not only her but those around her as well, both innocent and guilty. Lydia must choose vengeance or mercy, realizing that both come with a cost that might be too much to pay for a girl so young.

Samantha Gregory

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Click to Purchase this book
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What is After about? 
On the surface it is an action story about a young girl struggling to survive in a harsh world after her father 's apparent death. I think underneath the story deals with a sense of loneliness and what it is like to be a teenager and feel like an outcast and the search for someone who understands that. 
What inspired this? 
I think it is a universal theme that we have all felt at one time or another. For some people this can make or break them. 

Keith Milstead

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coming soon
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Fish to Die For 
has won literary awards and an award for cover art. 
"I was born and raised in the great State of Texas. Currently I am a displaced Texan since my wife Rhonda of 16 years asked that we move to Colorado. We bought a home in the mountains and now live with the wildlife and our rescue dachshund Baxter. If I could move the weather from Colorado down to Texas, it would be awesome but then it wouldn’t be Texas then, would it?"  (Keith)
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Special treats!

6/16/2014

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Long awaited....

It's an epic poem...it's a picture book...it's...you'll have to order it and see! Last Haven is the book we have bee awaiting for two years! With illustrations by Susan Simone, this this a must have.

Wrath carried him onward. For thousands of years, War rode upon his back, battle after battle, until the last stand. Until the Last Haven.
Buy now (print only)
Sneak peek...cover and part of an interview with Mr. Pratt (and a picture of him!) Exclusive to JEA...get to know this prolific writer!
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Essel Pratt

What genre(s) do you write in and why?

                My normal genre of choice is horror.  However, I do dabble in fantasy/adventure and sci-fi.  For me, horror is a fantastic outlet to vent the frustrations of life.  It can symbolize a negative aspect of my life, community happenings, or even the world within a character’s actions, as well as his or her demise.  The same applies to fantasy/adventure and sci-fi.  

What is FINAL REVERIE about both on the surface and down deep?

                On the surface, FINAL REVERIE is about the bond between friends and desire to seek out adventure in many forms.  Down deep, FINAL REVERIE is about the hardships we are dealt in life, and the need to work together to succeed rather than experience defeat.  It also shows us that we must sometimes make sacrifices in order to be victorious in our ventures.  It also tells us that there may have been mistakes in the past, but we should not let them define who we will be, instead we are in control of our futures.

What inspired this?

                Originally, I was inspired by the bond between a child and his or her pet.  We tend to treat our pets as though they are human, both in the way we talk to them and treat them.  One of the strongest bonds we have is with our pets.  The story was floating around in my mind for a while, without an actual plot to give it form.  However, an open call with an anthology focused on the Hero’s Best friend, instead of the hero himself.  I took the opportunity to submit to the anthology and my short story was accepted.  With the blessing of the publisher, I worked diligently for over a year to reform the short story into a full novel.  In the process, the story went through many changes.  The characters took on different names and personalities, the world in which they live was expanded beyond the glimpse that was given in the short story, and the overall theme was changed as well.  In the end, the short story took on a life of its own and became what it is today.

Who is the main character?

                There are actually two main characters within the novel.  The first is Franklyn, a human adolescent that loves to journey the land and assist those that are threatened by those that use magic for evil.  He is skilled in swordsmanship, and is mature beyond his years, although he still likes to joke around every once in a while. 

                The second main character is Franklyn’s closest friend, Chij (pronounced: Chee).  Chij is a wolf with the blessing of speech.  Since magic has made a return to the world, Chij’s family has been blessed with the gift, as have many animals.  He met Franklyn when they were both babies and have been side by side ever since.  They think of themselves as brothers, instead of master and pet.  

What was difficult about penning this?

                The most difficult thing about penning this novel was finding the time to write.  I outlined the entire novel as part of an assignment with the Institute of Children’s Literature, where I graduated with a diploma.  As part of my last assignment, I wrote the first three chapters of the book.  However, it was nearly a year before I was able to collect enough time to actually finish the book, then another few months to go back through and work on initial edits.  Since then, I have developed a routine with my writing, working it into my weekly schedule to ensure I do not lose touch with the projects I am working on.

What is difficult for you as a writer?

                Other than finding time, I find outlining to be the most difficult.  Not that it is hard to do, but I tend to put too much thought into it, so I put it off.  The outline for FINAL REVERIE took me a record three days to finish.  However, a couple other books that I am attempting to outline have taken me months just to start because I want it to be as detailed as possible, even though I rarely stick to the details I put into it.  The outline for FINAL REVERIE, that I used daily, is now covered in doodles, coffee stains, and notes.  I find that I need to force myself to complete the outlines, or I will put it off far too long.
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