Sunday, December 31, 2017

2017: A Year of Change

For me, 2017 was a year marked by change. Some significant chapters in my life closed over the past year, while new ones began. It was a year where I accomplished a lot, but also failed to meet many of my goals. It was a year that gave me more to reflect on than any year in the past decade.

In 2017, Matt Herring and I ended a twelve-year run of the Secret Identity podcast. When we started the show in March of 2006, most people didn't know what a podcast was. Since then, we've created 2000 hours of programming, interviewed hundreds of comic creators and made some of the best friends we will ever make in our lives. Without Secret Identity, I would never have been a game journalist or a writer, and I would not have the job I have today.

Which brings me to the second major change of 2017--I got a new job. I had been with the same organization for seventeen years until I left this year, and it was a job I could have retired in. But I wanted to do something that provided me an opportunity to make a positive impact, as well as use my creative skills, and so I left my old job for a new adventure. While it's only been two months since I changed careers, I know with all my heart it was the right decision.

There were other changes in my life as well, and it often felt like my life over the past year was in flux. That may have been one of the reasons that I did not meet my creative goals for the year. The two projects that I really wanted to get out in 2017 were the second book in the Woodsview Murders series (Haunted) and the fourth book in the Parted Veil series (Lovecraft's Trial). Both of those books top my priority list for 2018, though there are several other projects that could also see release in the upcoming year.

I did make stuff this past year, though!

On the writing front, I released the second edition of my podcasting book Making Ear Candy,


I released a new entry in the Parted Veil series--a novella called Chasing the King in Yellow. 


I had a short story published in the A Pizza My Heart anthology, which features a character in the upcoming Orchard Pointe series I'm writing with Jolene Haley.


I also wrote a short story for Jolene's Summer of Screams event called "The Boathouse," and it's one of my favorite short stories I've written to date. You can read "The Boathouse" for free right here.


And on the podcasting front, Matt Herring and I launched a brand new show called the Power Chords Podcast. As the name implies, this is a music-focused show, where Matt and I discuss our love of 80s rock and metal on a twice-monthly basis. We just released our "Best of 2017" show, which you can listen to in the player below.


I also co-host the Thrash It Out podcast with Antony Johnston, and we just posted our latest episode of that show as well, featuring the 2012 Huntress Album, Spell Eater.


So, while I did not meet all of my creative goals for 2017, I did have a productive year, all things considered. I'm extremely excited about jumping int 2018, because I finally have my feet back under me, and I can start establishing my creative routines again. In addition to getting the Parted Veil and Woodsview Murders books out in 2018, I plan on returning to the See Brian Write podcast as well.  

Happy New Year! Here's to 2018!

Sunday, November 26, 2017

The End of an Era


On Friday, Matt Herring and I recorded and posted the final episode of the Secret Identity podcast. It was our 800th officially numbered episode, though we have closer to 1000 overall. We started Secret Identity in March of 2006, and for the better part of 12 years, have put out a new show (or two) just about every week. All told, we have roughly 2000 hours of podcasts featuring thousands of comics, movies, TV show and game reviews, as well as hundreds of interviews with creators.

To say that I am proud of what we've accomplished would be the understatement of the century. My life would not be what it is right now if not for that show. Some of my best friends are in my life because of that show. I am a writer today because of that show. The list goes on.

I'll have much more to say about the legacy of Secret Identity in the coming months (and years), but for right now, I just want to reflect on and appreciate what we've done. You can listen to the final episode of Secret Identity in the player below. And for all of those people who tuned in--whether it was one time or every week--THANK YOU.
 

Saturday, October 28, 2017

Come See Me at Bing Comic Con Today (10/28)!


If you are in the MA/CT area today, head over to Trinity Church in Springfield MA for Bing Comic Con! from 11-5 I'll be there with a bunch of great artists, writers, crafters and more, hanging out and selling books.


I'll have print copies of all the Parted Veil books, as well as my book of short stories, Intrusive Thoughts.


The show runs from 11-5 today, and admission is only $5. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Listen to Amber Love and I Talk Horror on the Vodka O'Clock Halloween Spooktacular!

My friend and fellow writer Amber love was gracious enough to invite me on her podcast again to talk about two of my favorite things--horror and NaNoWriMo!

In the Vodka O'Clock Halloween Spooktacular, Amber and I discuss some of our favorite horror books, movies and more. I also talk a bit about some of my experiences with horror as I child that made me a fan of the genre.


You can listen to the episode at the link above, or get it on iTunes and Stitcher. Please also go and check out Amber's Patreon, where you can get early access to podcasts and her writing projects as well. AND, Amber just released a Halloween murder mystery called Misty Murder that you can get on Amazon for $0.99 now.



Thanks again to Amber for inviting me on the show, and you can expect to hear her on a future episode of the SBW podcast as well.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Get COURTING THE KING IN YELLOW for 70% Off in Drive Thru's Halloween Bundle!

drivethrufiction.com banner

Drive Thru Fiction is having some amazing sales to celebrate Halloween, and I'm a part of one. My first book Courting the King in Yellow is part of the Cthulhu Tales bundle, were you can get almost $30 of books for $7.95. That means you're getting Courting the King in Yellow for a measly thirty-five cents!

Courting the King in Yellow Book Cover


Not only that, but you also get some great anthology series as well, featuring stories inspired by H.P. Lovecraft.

Now is the perfect time to grab Courting the King in Yellow, as its sequel was just released last week! So when you go to grab the bundle, you can pick up Chasing the King in Yellow at Drive Thru as well, and you'll still have spent under $10! So go grab some Halloween reads and celebrate October with some spooky stories.

chasing the king in yellow book cover

Friday, October 13, 2017

CHASING THE KING IN YELLOW Is Now Available!

Chasing the King in Yellow Cover

Happy Friday the 13th!! It's an especially happy day for me, because Chasing the King in Yellow is now available on Amazon and Drive Thru Fiction! You can grab the kindle version on Amazon, and over at Drive Thru, you can get the book in Epub, PDf and print versions as well.

Get Chasing the King in Yellow on Amazon!!

Get Chasing the King in Yellow on Drive Thru Fiction!!

Back cover blurb:

Evil Doesn’t Die—It Adapts

Three years ago, Samantha Cane and Frank Carter’s lives were destroyed as their city became the staging ground for a cult dedicated to the King in Yellow. When the cult enacted a plan to throw the city into chaos, Frank and Sam stopped them with the help of a group called the Parted Veil. But the victory came at a high cost, and it was short-lived. The followers of the King in Yellow are persistent, and their operation in Springfield was just one of many.

Now members of the Parted Veil themselves, Sam and Frank continue to follow the cult's activities and thwart them whenever they can. A rash of disappearances has led them to a small town in Tennessee, where an old mining operation may be the cult’s latest workshop of horrors.

Each step they take toward discovering the scope of the cult’s plan costs them another piece of themselves. And some questions are better left unanswered.

Friday, October 6, 2017

Bustle Recommends IT Fans Take a Trip to the DARK CARNIVAL

In just under four weeks, the newest film adaptation of Stephen King's IT has made over $293 million at the U.S. box office alone. As you might imagine, a lot of people who are encountering the property for the first time have gone and picked up the original book as well, as the 1986 book was recently back to appearing on bestselling lists. And like any great read, finishing IT leaves people wanting another scary story to jump into.

Charlotte Ahlin over at Bustle recently put together a list of books she recommends for anyone who enjoyed IT and was looking for more clown and carnival-related horror. And it just so happens that one of the books she recommended has a story of mine in it.

Dark Carnival is an anthology that started as a writer and illustrator showcase over the Pen and Muse website, which was run by my writing partner Jolene Haley and Kristen Jett.


If you want to dip your toe in before investing that dollar, you can read my entry from Dark Carnival ("Exposure") for free.


There are so many talented people who have entries in that anthology that there's definitely something for all horror fans. Jolene, Kristen and Jessi Shakarian did an amazing job of pulling that collection together and I'm so glad to see people still enjoying it and recommending it. Thanks again to Charlotte for showing our book some love!

Friday, September 22, 2017

Say Goodbye to Summer and Welcome the Fall with Two Free Horror Stories!

Fall is my absolute favorite time of year, especially as a New Englander. The crispness of the air, the changing of the colors--I love it. And let's not forget the greatest holiday of the year is coming up--Halloween.

But I know some of you are summer people--you miss the eighty-degree weather, trips to the beach and backyard barbecues.

Or maybe you're a fan of both season, and you're feeling little torn right now on this first day of fall.

Well it just so happens I have a horror story for every season, and today I thought I'd share two of them with you. They are both free, and you can read them right now!



"The Boathouse" is a summer camp-themed nightmare about what lurks in the waters of a campside lake. I wrote it as part of the Summer of Screams showcase my writing partner Jolene Haley put together last month.



For you fans of fall, I present "Harvest Moon," a pumpkin-spiced tale of terror I brewed up for another of Jolene's showcases (Night Harvest) a couple of years ago. This tale very loosely ties into my Parted Veil series, so if you dig it, you might want to check out that series, starting with Courting the King in Yellow.

So, enjoy these seasonal frights and let's start the countdown to Halloween!

Dreams Really Do Come True at CT HorrorFest

Remember a couple weeks ago, when I said how excited I was about CT HorrorFest this year because two of my all-time favorite actors--Adrienne Barbeau and Tom Atkins--were going to be there?

Do you also remember when I told you that the character of Ray Atkins in the Woodsview Murders series was inspired by Tom Atkins' character from Night of the Creeps?

Do you?!!

You guys.

Look:

 

I don't think you understand how much meeting these two meant to me.

I adore Adrienne Barbeau, as she was in two of my favorite movies of all time, The Fog and Escape From New York, as well as Creepshow, Swamp Thing and the awesome TV show Maude. My favorite role of hers was Stevie Wayne, the local radio DJ in The Fog, though I’ve loved her in everything she’s been in.

Tom Atkins is a horror legend to me. He’s a Carpenter veteran, having done Escape From New York, The Fog and Halloween III for my favorite director/writer/producer. He was also in Creepshow, Maniac Cop, Two Evil Eyes, My Bloody Valentine 3D, and the amazing Night of the Creeps. Our Detective Ray Atkins is a love letter to Tom’s character Ray Cameron.

And Saturday I got to tell him that.

My morning began with meeting Tom and giving him my print proof of Harrowed after explaining how he inspired one of the main characters. He was amazingly gracious and said he couldn’t wait to read it, even asking me when we were going to make a movie out of it. I was so happy I almost cried.

But it gets better.

I went back later in the day and bought a Night of the Creeps poster from Tom, which he signed to Jolene and I. And then he took a picture with me as he held our book (which you can see above).

I don’t even have words for how happy this made me. When I stumbled away in a daze, he called me back to his table to make sure he had my email address so he could tell me what he thought of the book. And he also asked me to say hi to Jolene for him. I was almost in tears. In my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined any of that. He was amazing and I am an even bigger fan of his than I was before. What an awesome guy.

I then has the good fortune to meet Adrienne Barbeau and get a picture with her as well. Just being able to tell her how much I’ve loved her work and how I’ve grown up with her was so great. And she was absolutely lovely. 

I...don't even know what to say. It's been a week and I am still walking around in a fog (get it, because they were both in--never mind).

I have said this many times before, but I will keep saying it--CT HorrorFest is my favorite show of the year. Rob and Christine Caprilozzi are two amazing human beings, and their love of horror is so evident when you come to this show. Go support their Horror News Network site because they deserve it and it's awesome.

Saturday was a day I will remember for the rest of my life. Not only did I get to meet two legends, but I got to give one of my stories to a guy who has entertained me with his stories for over thirty years.

Friday, September 15, 2017

Cover Reveal: CHASING THE KING IN YELLOW

It's cover reveal day!

I'm super excited to share the cover for my new novella Chasing the King in Yellow with you! The cover was designed by my good friend Jeff Rodgers, who has done all of the covers for my Parted Veil series. Here it is!


Chasing the King in Yellow is in many ways a sequel to the first book in the Parted Veil series, Courting the King in Yellow. After that first book, that story of Frank and Sam continued in the background, as Lovecraft's Curse and Lovecraft's Pupil featured new characters. This book gives readers a window into what's been happening with Frank and Sam, and helps set the stage for the next novel in the Parted Veil series. As far as the cover design, Jeff and I wanted this cover to be distinctive, but clearly evoke the feel of the first cover. I think Jeff nailed it.

Here's the back cover blurb:


Evil Doesn’t Die—It Adapts


Three years ago, Samantha Cane and Frank Carter’s lives were destroyed as their city became the staging ground for a cult dedicated to the King in Yellow. When the cult enacted a plan to throw the city into chaos, Frank and Sam stopped them with the help of a group called the Parted Veil. But the victory came at a high cost, and it was short-lived. The followers of the King in Yellow are persistent, and their operation in Springfield was just one of many.

Now members of the Parted Veil themselves, Sam and Frank continue to follow the cult's activities and thwart them whenever they can. A rash of disappearances has led them to a small town in Tennessee, where an old mining operation may be the cult’s latest workshop of horrors.

Each step they take toward discovering the scope of the cult’s plan costs them another piece of themselves. And some questions are better left unanswered.

Chasing the King in Yellow will be released on Friday, October 13th. You'll be able to grab it digitally on both Amazon and Drive Thru Fiction, and print copies will also be available over at Drive Thru.

And speaking of print copies, if you are coming to CT Horror Fest in Danbury tomorrow (9/16), I will have a limited number of print copies of Chasing the King in Yellow available! This is your chance to grab the book almost a month before anyone else can!

Stay tuned for more news as we get closer to the release date!

Monday, September 4, 2017

Read a Free Pizza, Help Those Who Need It


More than one million people were displaced by the destruction Hurricane Harvey caused. It will be quite some time before Texas can recover from the record-setting rainfall, and they will need every bit of help they can get.

Earlier this year, I was lucky enough to be part of a fantastic anthology project called A Pizza My Heart. Edited by my good friend and writing partner Jolene Haley, the anthology was a collection of stories that crossed all genres, but had one thing in common--pizza. Because pizza is wonderful.

And now, were hoping to use our anthology to inspire people to help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. From September 6th through the 8th, A Pizza My Heart will be free on Amazon. Go download it and enjoy it, like a slice of your favorite pizza. All we ask is that you make a donation of any size to a charity benefiting the victims of Hurricane Harvey. It could be the amount of a slice or a party-size pizza--whatever you can afford to give.

You can find more details over at Jolene's website, including a list of charities you could make a donation to. We'll be letting people know about the event on Twitter under the hashtag #PizzaForTexas.

So enjoy the free pizza, and thanks for helping out!

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Come See Me at CT Horror Fest on 9/16!!


It's my favorite time of year again!

On Saturday September 16th, I'll be heading down the the Danbury Arena in Connecticut for my favorite horror show of the year, CT Horror Fest! Every year Rob, Christine and the rest of the crew at the Horror News Network put on an amazing show that celebrates horror and the people who create it.

There are two big reasons I'm super excited for this year's show:

 

Adrienne Barbeau has starred in some of my all-time favorite movies--Escape From New York, Creepshow and The Fog. And I am such a huge fan of Tom Atkins (Halloween III, The Fog, Night of the Creeps) that I actually based the character of Ray Atkins in Harrowed on his character of Ray Cameron from Night of the Creeps. I cannot wait to meet these two and tell them how much their work has meant to me.


I will have a table at the show and I'll be selling my Parted Veil books, including a brand new novella that is a sequel to my first book, Courting the King in Yellow (more on that next week). I'll also have copies of my short story collection Intrusive Thoughts as well, so there will be a little something for everyone.


So, if you're in the New England Area and you're a horror fan, you should definitely come down to CT Horror Fest and say hi. We can hang out and talk horror all day. I hope to see you there!

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Read My New Short Story "The Boathouse" In The Summer of Screams Showcase!


I'm really excited to share this one with you guys.

My good friend and writing partner Jolene Haley puts together these amazing showcases of writers and artists at least once a year. Each showcase has a theme, and this summer's showcase (Summer of Screams) had a summer camp horror theme. Anyone that knows me knows I'm am a ginormous fan of the Friday the 13th series, and '70s and '80s horror in general.


So for my story, I dug into my mental bag of favorite scenes and put together a story that is not only an homage to Friday the 13th, but to a handful of other fun flicks as well.

The story is called "The Boathouse," and you can read it right now for free on Jolene's site. I hope you enjoy it, and when you're done, check out all of the other great stories that have gone up so far. The rest will be going up throughout the month.


Oh, and stop by here on Monday for my Easter egg post that will reveal some of the influences behind my story!


Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Come See Me at TerrifiCon This Weekend!

If you're in the MA/CT area, I'll be at Mohegan Sun for TerrifiCon all weekend (Aug 18-20) selling books, hosting panels and hanging out!


Matt and I have a table at the show, and we'll be promoting the Secret Identity and Power Chords podcasts. I'll have a limited number of copies of the new edition of my podcasting book Making Ear Candy for sale, as well as some of my Parted Veil horror novels.

I'm also hosting three panels this weekend:

Podcasting 101 (with Matt Herring and I): Friday 3:00-3:45 in Panel Room 1

Behind the Panels: KRAVEN'S LAST HUNT (with Mike Zeck and Bob McLeod): Saturday  2:45-3:30 in panel Room 2



THE PUNISHER Reunion (with Steven Grant, Mike Zeck and John Beatty): Saturday 4:15 to 5:00 in Panel Room 1


Anyone who knows me knows I'm a diehard Spidey and Punisher fan, so these panels will be a blast. And when I'm not hosting panels, I'll be at the table hanging out and chatting with whoever stops by. Hope to see you there!


Monday, August 14, 2017

MAKING EAR CANDY (2nd Edition) is Now Available!


I am very excited to announce that the newly updated edition of my podcasting book Making Ear Candy is now available! You can get the digital version on both Drive Thru Fiction and Amazon, while Drive Thru Fiction has the print version as well.

Get Making Ear Candy on Amazon

Get Making Ear Candy on Drive Thru Fiction

When I originally wrote this book four years ago, my goal was to provide anyone interested in starting a podcast with a simple and inexpensive path to getting their show off the ground. This updated edition includes new tools and resources, as well as a whole new chapter on video. And it features an amazing new cover from my friend and super talented artist Chris Giarrusso. I feel like this new edition is a more complete version of the original book, and I'm very proud of it.

Here's the back cover blurb:

Are you interested in launching your own podcast?

The world of podcasting is more accessible than ever, but when you’re just starting out, the options available in terms of recording, editing and delivering your podcast can be overwhelming.

Making Ear Candy: The Audio Confectioner’s Guide to Podcasting provides a complete list of ingredients you'll need to cook up your own podcast. From choosing your subject matter all the way to getting the word out about your show, this guide is aimed at providing simple answers and helpful advice from a podcaster with eleven years of experience producing podcasts about pop culture, music, writing, design and small business administration. 

If you’re interested in starting your own podcast, Making Ear Candy can help you get your new show off the ground and create your own recipe for success.

Friday, August 11, 2017

A Busy (But Productive) Summer

As I write this, we are almost halfway through August, which is bonkers. My last substantial writing update was at the end of June, and I'm happy to say that I have been very productive in the past month and a half. Without further ado:



Right now, the cover is being finalized for my upcoming novella, Chasing the King in Yellow. It's a sequel to my first novel, Courting the King in Yellow, and it catches up with the cast of that book, who have been in the background during the events of the last two Parted Veil novels. If all goes according to plan, I'll have a cover reveal next week, and the book will be out sometime in September. the symbol above is my version of the Yellow Sign, which features prominently in the book and the series as a whole.

I have finished revising and updating my podcasting book, Making Ear Candy, and I'll be posting about the print and digital versions being available next week. I'm super proud of this book.

Jolene and I are also working on edits for Haunted, the second novel in the Woodsview Murders series. Our goal is to have this one out in time for Halloween, and I think you'll agree it was worth the wait. I am so excited for people to see what Jolene and I have done with the sequel. This series continues to be one long love letter to '80s slasher films. You'll need to bring your baskets, because like the first one, there are so many Easter eggs for horror fans.

Oh! I almost forgot--I wrote a brand new short story, that you will be reading soon for free! Jolene has put together another amazing writer and artist showcase--the Summer of Screams--and my story will be going up sometime in the next week or two. The theme for this showcase is summer camp, and since Friday the 13th is my favorite horror series of all time, you can imagine how excited I was to be a part of this showcase. You can read all of the stories and see some great artwork at jolenehaley.com.


I'll be back next week with more updates!

Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Come See Me at Plastic City Comic Con This Saturday (7/29)!


This Saturday I'll be in Fitchburg, Massachusetts for the second annual Plastic City Comic Con! The show will be held in the Wallace Civic Center from 10-6. Admission for adults is only $2, and kids 12 and under get in for free!

I'll be there selling books and hanging out with my Secret Identity co-host Matt Herring and a bunch of other writers, artists and more.

You can check out plasticcitycomiccon.com for the full guest list, directions and more info on the show. Hope to see you there!

Our group pic from last year's Plastic City Comic Con

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Winger Just Keeps Getting Better With Age

The last time I saw Winger in concert was fifteen years ago, when they toured in 2002 with Poison, Cinderella and Faster Pussycat. I distinctly remember that show, because even though Poison were the headliners, Winger blew all three other bands off the stage that night. They were amazing live, sounding every bit as good as their studio albums, and bringing an energy that was just infectious.

Fast forward to Saturday night at the Mohegan Sun Wolf Den in Uncasville, CT, where Winger proved they haven't lost a step in the past fifteen years. In fact, they might actually be better.

Winger opened with the uptempo "Midnight Driver of a Love Machine" off the Better Days Comin' album, and they never slowed down. They played a great mix of older and newer songs, as well as my all-time favorite, "Hungry."

Joining Kip Winger, Reb Beach and Rod Morgenstein for the Mohegan Sun show was guitarist Donnie Wayne Smith, who has been filling in for John Roth from time to time since 2014. Paul Taylor wasn't there, so Kip took keyboard duties for the few songs that featured them. I was super impressed with Donnie Wayne Smith. Not only did he nail every song on rhythm and occasional lead, but his backing vocals were right there with Reb Beach's, which if you know Winger, is saying a lot. Kip himself sounded absolutely amazing, and I felt like his range might actually be better than the last time I saw them.
From start to finish, Winger put on a stellar show, and reaffirmed they are one of the best live acts out there today. If you get a chance to see them, take it.

Here's the full setlist from the show:

Midnight Driver of a Love Machine
Easy Come Easy Go
Hungry
Pull Me Under
Down Incognito
Deal With the Devil
Stone Cold Killer
Guitar Solo
Rat Race
Drum Solo
Miles Away
Headed for a Heartbreak
Can't Get Enuff
So Long China
Madalaine
Seventeen

Encore:
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love (Van Halen cover)

Friday, July 21, 2017

Iron Maiden and Ghost Rocked Mansfield on 7/19!

The Xfinity Center in Mansfield had been known as Great Woods for years around here (and always will be), and it was always a place I'd wanted to catch a show. So when I found out that Mansfield was the closest Iron Maiden was coming to me this summer, I grabbed tickets. I couldn't have imagined a better show for my first experience there. And I'm super glad I got to share it with my son, and my good buddy Matt.

I hadn't seen Iron Maiden since Ozzfest 2005, and they have not lost a step at all. Bruce Dickinson is still an energetic frontman who never stops flying around the stage. The band sounded absolutely amazing, and although I am not the biggest fan of Maiden's BOOK OF SOULS album, the six songs they did play from it gave me a greater appreciation for them. Here's Maiden's setlist from the show:

If Eternity Should Fail
Speed of Light
Wrathchild
Children of the Damned
Death or Glory
The Red and the Black
The Trooper
Powerslave
The Great Unknown
The Book of Souls
Fear of the Dark
Iron Maiden

Encore:
The Number of the Beast
Blood Brothers
Wasted Years
The surprise of the night however was Ghost. I'm guessing a lot of Maiden fans weren't super familiar with them, and Ghost impressed from their first tune to their last. They played songs from all of their studio release, and Papa Emeritus sounded fantastic. The costumes and the theatrics just added to the experience. I was glad they sounded as good live as they do on their albums. Here's Ghost's setlist from the show:

Square Hammer
From the Pinnacle to the Pit
Ritual
Cirice
Year Zero
Absolution
Mummy Dust
Monstrance Clock

All in all, the concert was fantastic, and the setup of the amphitheater really made you feel like you were almost on stage with the band. I would definitely check out a show in at Great Woods again.

Monday, June 26, 2017

Listen to Me on Amber Love's VODKA O'CLOCK Podcast!

My friend and fellow writer Amber Love was kind enough to invite me on her podcast Vodka O' Clock for the second time recently, and it was a blast! We talked about being a writer in your forties and some of the challenges that come along with it.  You can grab the episode on iTunes or Stitcher, or listen right on Amber's site here.

You should also check out Amber's Patreon, which helps support the show.

AND, Amber just released the third book in her Farrah Wethers series, Miscarriage of Justice. The book is available on Amazon right now and you can get it here.


Monday, June 19, 2017

Spring Cleaning in Preparation for Camp NaNo

Camp NaNoWriMo starts in less than two weeks, and boy do I need it. I have really struggled to get any momentum going with my writing lately.

This past year has been a challenge for me, for a variety of reasons. And I've spent more time thinking about writing than actually writing in the past few months. And despite the factors in my personal and work life that have affected my writing time, my current lack of production is a problem of my own making.

See, I've allowed my writing life to become too cluttered. Quite simply, I have too many book projects in various stages of production. I got away from the creative process that had worked for me in the past, which was very simple. I never focused on more than two book projects at a time, and I never focused on more than one during the drafting stage. When I moved into final edits for the first project, I could start digging more into the creative process for the second project. But when it came to the initial writing, I stayed in the headspace of one project at a time.


Currently, I have three books and a novella written and in various stages of edits and rewrites. A fourth book is about a third of the way drafted, and a handful of other projects are in the outlining and planning stages. On the one hand, that's a positive, because I have lots of exciting things to work on for the next year or two. But for me personally, splitting my focus between too many book projects has resulted in me not making headway on any of them. And so I have been doing some spring cleaning as far as my writing. I am bringing my focus back to where it belongs--on getting the books I have already written polished and released.

So, my focus for the remainder of 2017 is on getting two book projects that are already in the editing stages finished and out the door.

The first is Haunted, the second book in the Woodsview Murders series that I co-write with my good friend Jolene Haley. We are deep into edits on this book, and I am beyond excited to share it. Jolene and I love this series.


The second project I'll be focusing on until its release is Chasing the King in Yellow, a Parted Veil series novella. This book follows the cast of Courting the King in Yellow, and shows what they've been up to during the events of Lovecraft's Curse and Lovecraft's Pupil. I am in the early stages of revisions now on this one.


So, those two projects are what I'm focusing on until they are released. Specifically for Camp NaNo I'll be working on edits and rewrites for Chasing the King in Yellow.

As far as non-book projects, I've still got Secret Identity, Co-Op Critics, Thrash it Out and the See Brian Write sites and podcasts to keep me busy. And I'll be sharing big news about one of those in the very near future. I also have a couple posts a month over at the Midnight Society (my most recent one was about Creepshow). I'll be posting weekly here as well, and next week's post will be about reclaiming my writing time, which is something the past year has wreaked havoc with.

Monday, June 12, 2017

Mr. Big Rocked the Mohegan Sun Wolf Den on 6/9


I went to see Mr. Big at the Mohegan Sun Wolf Den on Friday night and they were fantastic. Seeing Billy Sheehan and Paul Gilbert play live was so great.


Their original drummer Pat Torpey has Parkinson's Disease and cannot fully play anymore, but he is still very involved with the band and helped create their new album. On Friday night, Pat joined the band on stage for most of the set, playing tambourine, singing background vocals and even taking the kit for a couple songs.


It was awesome. Here's the setlist:

Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy (The Electric Drill Song)
Undertow
Alive and Kickin'
Temperamental
Just Take My Heart
Take Cover
Green-Tinted Sixties Mind
Everybody Needs a Little Trouble
Price You Gotta Pay
Guitar Solo (Paul Gilbert)
Take a Walk
Wild World (Cat Stevens cover)
Around the World
Bass Solo (Billy Sheehan)
Addicted to That Rush
To Be With You
1992
Colorado Bulldog