Category Archives: News
Come join me and the NEHW at the East Coast Craft Fair this Sunday!
I’ll be joining New England Horror Writers Kimberly Dalton, Stacey Longo, Kasey Shoemaker, Rob Watts, and Nathan Wrann at the East Coast Craft Fair in New Haven, CT, this Sunday for signings and readings! Get a glimpse of what you won’t want to miss in this post by Jason Harris over at the NEHW blog below:
http://nehwnews.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/nehw-at-new-haven-craft-show-sunday/
Writer T.W. Fendley on Write What You Know
T.W. Fendley writes historical fantasy and science fiction with a Mesoamerican twist for adults and young adults. Her debut historical fantasy novel, ZERO TIME, was voted Best Science Fiction/Fantasy Novel in the 2011 P&E Readers Poll. Her short stories took second place in the 2011 Writers’ Digest Horror Competition and won the 9th NASFiC 2007 contest. Teresa belongs to the St. Louis Writer’s Guild, the Missouri Writers’ Guild, SCBWI and Broad Universe.
In Fendley’s book ZERO TIME, Philadelphia science writer Keihla Benton joins an archeological team at Machu Picchu and learns the Andean prophesies about 2012 have special meaning for her—only she can end the cycle of Darkness that endangers Earth at the end of the Mayan calendar.
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For many years, I read a lot of horror. I eagerly awaited the next books by Stephen King and Dean Koontz. The draw of the macabre and the twist of the unexpected kept me hooked since I first read Edgar Allan Poe in my youth.
So I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me when an agent said the first novel I wrote was horror, not mystery. (Sadly, in the late 1990s, horror wasn’t selling if you weren’t King or Koontz.) My novel, Little Sisters, was about a murderess who telepathically controlled black widow spiders. In one scene, spiders flowed out of a car’s air vents and swept over their victim. I had trouble getting into my car for months!
You see, I don’t turn my imagination off when I log off the computer, and even one spider is frightening to me. At that time, I was still in my “spider-attractor” phase. For whatever reason, I’d wake up and a spider would be on my pillow, or I’d be outside and feel something crawling in my hair–a spider. There are many, many more examples, but you get the picture. It was terrifying for me.
Which brings me to the point of my ramblings. A familiar piece of advice for writers is to “write what you know.” If you write speculative fiction, you can’t take that literally (for instance, I haven’t been to the Pleiades lately like the characters in my novel Zero Time). But when it comes to emotions and sensory details, I think it’s especially good advice. So if you’re scared of spiders, use it!
Another time this technique worked for me (and turned a sci-fi story into horror) involved migraines. I started having them when I was 25, in the days before any of the new drugs were available that can take the edge off the pain. I generally spent six to eight days each month in agony. That very real pain fed into a scene in my story, “Origins of the Species.”
Take what you know and create something different from it. Use it to fuel your imagination. That’s exactly what some of the new horror writers are doing. Yes, in the past year, I’ve started reading horror again. I just finished ARCANE, an anthology edited by Nathan Shumate with “thirty weird and unsettling stories.” Indeed they are! In one of my favorites, “God of the Kiln” by Eric Francis, the god reveals to all who dare pass what a priest’s “humble pride” wrought. Another, “Lady of the Crossroads” by Christine Lucas, shows how only a village woman’s mutterings can spare the men of Samothrace from the ravages of war. I also highly recommend Bram Stoker Award-finalist Fran Friel’s MAMA’S BOY AND OTHER DARK TALES. After reading her creepy collection of fourteen short stories, you’ll never look at dust bunnies and mashed potatoes the same way again.
While I think it’s important for writers to get in touch with their emotions and senses, I’d like to encourage you–as readers–to also be bold. Try a genre you never thought you’d like, and see if there isn’t something that resonates. To get you started, if you’d like to check out a sci-fi story about longevity pioneers, The Fourth Treatment is available free on my website. It’s the prequel to that award-winning horror story I mentioned–”Origins of the Species.”
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To celebrate the release of Zero Time, T.W. Fendley is giving away a Maya-Aztec astrology report, a Mayan Winds CD, Zero Time tote bag and fun 13.0.0.0.0. buttons. If you’re interested, you can enter below—deadline is April 30, 2012.
3 ways to enter
1) Leave a comment on any of the PARTY POSTS listed on the book’s Virtual Release Party Page here: http://twfendley.com/?page_id=510
2) Tweet about the Virtual Party or any of the PARTY POSTS (with tag #ZEROTIME2012)
3) Facebook (tag @T.W. Fendley) about the Virtual Party. (NOTE: tag must have periods to work)
You can find ZERO TIME at:
Ebook $4.99
- Amazon Kindle
- AllRomance/OmniLit
- Fictionwise (multiformat)
- Nook
Paperback $16.95
- Amazon
- Barnes and Noble
- Main Street Books (St. Charles, Mo.)
- Garden District Book Shop (New Orleans)
- Octavia Books (New Orleans)
Overwhelmed? Reprint of “Pulverize Pressure” in Latest Issue of The BroadSheet
If your life’s been anything like mine lately, you might be feeling overwhelmed with too much to do to the point at which you’re facing—or are already in—burnout.
March’s issue of The BroadSheet—the journal of Broad Universe, a national organization that promotes science fiction, fantasy and horror written by women—features my article “Building Better Balance: How to Pulverize Pressure and Plus Productivity,” which was originally printed in writer Tamara Linse’s blog on March 4, 2010. To read the article, visit here: http://www.broaduniverse.org/broadsheet-archive/building-better-balance-how-to-pulverize-pressure-and-plus-productivity-march-2012-bs-c
The BroadSheet’s March issue has articles and information that may be helpful if you’re a writer looking for advice on craft, marketing and other topics. You can check it out here: http://www.broaduniverse.org/the-broadsheet-magazine/broadsheet-march-2012
If you’re a woman who writes science fiction, fantasy or horror and is interested in becoming a member of Broad Universe, visit here: http://www.broaduniverse.org/join-renew/join-renew.
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Need something clever to bring to Easter dinner? Join me at Stratford Spring Showcase of Crafts this weekend!
Need a host or hostess gift for Easter? You might find one at the Stratford Spring Showcase of Crafts in Stratford, CT this Saturday, April 7. I’ll be at the New England Horror Writers table with writers Rob Watts (Huldufolk) and Stacey Longo (Hell Hath No Fury). I’ll have copies of Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole—Tales from Haunted Disney World, In Poe’s Shadow, Love Notes, and Wake the Witch on hand. The event runs from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Ramada Hotel at 225 Lordship Blvd. in Stratford, CT. Admission is free. If you’re in the area, come say hello!
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On NYC Schools and ‘loaded words’: Enough, Let’s Just Go Mute
See how calm my cat is? That’s because he doesn’t have to worry about watching his language.
Over ten years ago, my friend Manzino said, “I really think that animals already went through a talking phase and they figured out it doesn’t make any difference. It only adds to confusion. So they decided not to talk anymore. They figured they were better off. So they run around naked with their tongues hanging out all day. But if you look at their faces and into their eyes they have a real Old World look about them, like they’re very wise.”
I thought this was funny. In fact, it inspired my short story “How I Learned to Stop Complaining and Love the Bunny,” about a man in a troubled marriage who essentially figures out his best companion is an inanimate plastic light-up Easter Bunny lawn ornament.
Recently, I read the article “New York city schools want to ban ‘loaded words’ from tests,” by CNN’s Brian Vitagliano. http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/28/new-york-city-schools-ban-loaded-words-from-tests/?hpt=hp_c2 The word “dinosaur” is on this year’s list of banned words. Yes, you read correctly: “Dinosaur”; it might be offensive to creationists. Other words on the list include “birthday” because this might offend Jehovah’s Witnesses; “Halloween” because it implies paganism and “divorce” because it could spark emotional damage in children whose parents are in the middle of one.
If that’s not enough, there’s an “avoid” list as well. According to the article: “And not good news for Italians: the Department of Education also advised avoiding references to types of food, such as pepperoni, products they said ‘persons of some religions or cultures may not indulge in.’” Also on the “avoid” list: “Rock ‘n’ Roll,” although in the article it isn’t disclosed whom it might disturb (I bet it’s those damn Sticks ‘n’ Stones).
Seriously? At what point do we stop? At what point will we have only two words we can use without “hurting people?” I thought for awhile, and solved the problem: Perhaps the only word we’ll get around to using is “Yes.” Think about it: “No” could be hurtful to others. If we only had one word to use, it should be “yes.” We can “yes” each other all our lives. We can “yes” each other to death!
Then I realized my “yes” theory really won’t work. After all, to use the word “yes” and convey any emotion would require extensive training, and some inflections may become offensive over time as well.
This is when I remembered Manzino’s comment from all those years ago. It made total sense…one never hears about animals hurting each other’s feelings. I theorized about how it might have happened: After animals stopped talking, perhaps they went to sign language—for a little while, until virtually all of their gestures became offensive; then they had to bag that, too. Eventually, they became mute, and now they only express themselves with their eyes.
I encourage you to read the article and form your own opinion, but I’m with Manzino: Let’s just stop talking now and get it over with.
To purchase “How I Learned to Stop Complaining and Love the Bunny,” visit here:
http://www.anthologybuilder.com/viewstory.php?story_id=593
A plastic Easter decoration similar to the one I had in mind when I wrote “How I Learned to Stop Complaining and Love the Bunny.”
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I’ll be at the Spring Craft Fair in Hanover, MA this weekend with the NEHW!
I’ll be at the New England Horror Writers Table at the Spring Craft Fair to Benefit the Hanover1st Congregational Church Food Pantry in Hanover, MA on Saturday, March 31; joining me are writers Stacey Longo, David Price, and Rob Watts. I’ll have copies of Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole—Tales from Haunted Disney World, In Poe’s Shadow, Love Notes, and Wake the Witch on hand. The event runs from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at17 Silver Street (off Route 139 and Main Street) in Hanover and admission is $1 or free with a donation to the food pantry. If you’re up that way, come on by and say hello!
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I’ll be at the 39th Heritage Craft Fair in Framingham, MA March 24!
I’ll be at the New England Horror Writers Table at the 39th Heritage Craft Fair at the Joseph P. Keefe Technical School at 750 Winter Street in Framingham, MA on Saturday, March 24. I’ll have copies of Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole—Tales from Haunted Disney World, In Poe’s Shadow, Love Notes, and Wake the Witch on hand. The event runs from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. If you’re up that way, come on by and say hello!
For complete details, visit the fair’s website at http://www.heritagefair.org/
This weekend: it’s POE FOREVERMORE! We’re off to Baltimore!
Poe’s Memorial at the 200th Birthday Event in 2009.
It’s been a tradition in our house for several years: we head to Baltimore, usually in January, for the annual Poe Birthday Celebration at Westminster Hall. We started going in 2004, and truth be told, we haven’t been every year, but we’ve been at least five times since then.
Me, the Saturday afternoon of the 2004 event.
This year, the celebration is being held this weekend, Saturday, March 3, at 7 p.m….and we’re there. The program will feature John Astin reading Poe, greetings from the usual gang of baddies (the drunken Fortunado, freaky Madeline Usher and a few more, I’m sure), performances by the Baltimore Men’s Chorus, and of course by a few others familiar to the Poe Celebration-goers, John Spitzer, Tony Tsendeas, and Mark Redfield. All kinds of great Poe stuff, including Gaia’s Raven prints, will be available for sale, and a display of rare Poe artifacts – including Poe and Virginia’s locks of hair – will be on display (I’ve seen them, wow, they’re creepy in a great way). And even though the Poe Toaster didn’t show up…there will be a toast. There always is!
Me and Mark Redfield, Producer/Director/Writer of the film The Death of Poe, at the 2007 event.
Poe’s birthday cake at the 2007 event.
Originally, the program was a séance, and since we purchased our tickets the day they went on sale, we were guaranteed seats despite the program change. Tickets are now only available at the door beginning at 6 p.m. March 3 (the day of the performance) and are $30.
We also plan to visit the Poe House, which will be open from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 3, and hit the awesome Annabel Lee Tavern for dinner before the show. That’ll be special for me, because a pivotal scene in my short story “Skeletons in the Swimmin’ Hole”—yes, the book’s title piece—takes place in the tarvern, and it was my meal there in 2009 which inspired that whole story.
We’re very excited!
Me and John Astin at the 2009 event.
If you’re in the Baltimore area this weekend, please consider joining us. I’ve had many a magical weekend in my life, and all of the ones I’ve spent at the Baltimore Poe Celebration rank high. There’s just nothing like being in a concert hall full of Poe fans when you’re one yourself. It’s like…well, it’s like being in a very special club.
For complete details on the event, visit here: http://www.poebicentennial.com/events.html
I’ll be posting plenty of photos when I return. We are not allowed to flash photograph or videotape the performance, but as always, there are many interesting things to see before and after the show.
Annabel Lee Tavern owner Kurt Bragunier, left, me, and Nathan at the tavern in 2009.
The following videos (thirty-five seconds each; they were on a very old digital camera and that was its limit) were shot at the Annabel Lee Tavern in 2009 – it was a treat to find these; I’d forgotten they even existed, because I’m pretty sure I filmed them and then never watched them. They’re not the greatest visually, but you can get a sense of the vibrancy of the place and the energy we had the night we ate there. The owner, Kurt Bragunier, and patrons at other tables all joined in some great Poe-related conversation. We already can’t wait for dinner Saturday night!
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Craziness, cosplay and creativity at Queen City Kamikaze Con!
The New England Horror Writers had a blast up at the Queen City Kamikaze Anime and Video Game Convention at Manchester Memorial High School Saturday, February 18, in Manchester, NH. While none of us participated in cosplay, there was certainly plenty of it around (and lots of teenagers hopped up on sugar). We had a great time, and I think most of us agreed: man, we wish we’d had something like this in high school.
Originally I was going to post all these pictures with captions I spent at least an hour writing. But then, on the way home today, I heard this song on the radio for the first time and loved it, and I decided instead to subject you all to one of my usual slideshows…comment here, Peter Dudar…enjoy, all!
(Note: if you’d like high-rez of any of these photos, please contact me and I’ll get them to you.)
The admission wristband.
Stacey Longo, co-author of the upcoming Screams of Autumn: Stories from Creepy Connecticut, setting up.
Jason Harris, publicity for NEHW, taping down.
I don’t know who brought this, but thank God. The eggs at the Comfort Inn at which Nathan and I stayed tasted like soap, so I’d had no breakfast except some soggy bacon.
Sugar! Sugar! And more sugar!
It’s a little too early for occult specialist Nathan Schoonover.
Tracey Carbone, author of The Soul Collector, and Scott Goudsward, co-author of Shadows Over New England.
Nathan, preparing his video feed.
K. Allen Wood of Shock Totem and me. I believe we were discussing the drop in submissions to magazines due to the single short story Kindle self-publishing boom.
Here’s a virtual tour of our tables.
I was a Star Wars kid…it was really nice to see characters I recognized! They seemed surprised everyone was taking their photos—mostly adults. I don’t think they realized that most of the adults there were in the same boat.
There were movies playing all day in this area, many of them horror films. I didn’t see many people there during the morning, but in the afternoon, the chairs were filled.
A colorful cosplay sea.
Talk about talent! Alyssa Trinidad of Manchester, left, agreed to let me have my photo taken with her. Her zombie make-up is amazing…it’s no surprise her dream is to become a professional effects artist. As well she should.
Nathan and Rob Watts, author of Huldufolk, chat it up.
Rob Watts.
It’s the infamous photo of Ken and Stacey talking! There’s one from every Con. We don’t want to break the record!
Tracey, left, with Sci Fi Saturday Night’s The Dome, center, and The Dead Redhead.
Me with Sci Fi Saturday Night’s The Dome and Drusilla.
Sci Fi Saturday Night’s The Dead Redhead and me.
Scott. I like the “So Good It’s Scary” next to the Reeses Peanut Butter Cups. I’d say that’s about accurate.
Sci Fi Saturday Night’s Illustrator X and a giant squirrel.
Stacey gets ready to pull the name of our raffle to benefit MS winner.
Our raffle winner!
The NEHW presented two panels at the Con.
The auditorium's schedule for the day!
The Women in Horror panel: from left, Stacey Longo, me, horror writer Alyn Day, and Tracey Carbone.
Trends in Horror: from the Apocalypse to Zombies panel. Left to right, Jason Harris, Stacey Longo, Rob Watts, Nathan Schoonover, and K. Allen Wood.
Jason Harris speaks at the Trends in Horror panel.
K. Allen Wood at the Trends in Horror panel.
Nathan at the Trends in Horror panel.
Stacey Longo and Rob Watts at the Trends in Horror panel.
K. Allen Wood and Nathan. I know they’re getting all squatchy (????)
Video Excerpts from NEHW Panels
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Women in Horror: Nancy vs. Laurie
Women in Horror: Sookie got a shot
Trends in Horror: For possession, I get double
Trends in Horror: People relate to found footage
Trends in Horror: Things move in cycles
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Get horrified, play old Atari at the Queen City Kamikaze Anime & Video Game Convention this weekend!
Nathan and I will be at the New England Horror Writers table at the Queen City Kamikaze Anime & Gaming Convention this Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Manchester Memorial High School in Manchester, New Hampshire.
There are lots of interesting activities slated throughout the day; according to an interview with the presenters I heard recently on the Sci-Fi Saturday Night podcast, there will be television screens playing movies (rumor is the NEHW table will have horror movies running all day nearby), gaming consoles available for play (there’s going to be an attempt at beating Jimmy Fallon’s 9 consoles in under a minute record–although someone named Ryan Sullivan logged in at 13: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2399510,00.asp), music, and other interactive areas.
New England Horror Writers will also be presenting two panels: “Women in Horror,” which will start at 4 p.m. and be moderated by writer Stacey Longo. Panelists will be me and writers Tracy Carbone and Alyn Day. At 4:50 p.m., Jason Harris will moderate “From the Apocalypse to Zombies: Where’s Horror Heading?” Panelists will be writers K. Allen Wood, Rob Watts, Stacey Longo, and occult specialist Nathan Schoonover.
I’m looking forward to seeing some of my NEHW peeps again—there’s always a bit of a break once Anthocon, in November, ends, usually until late winter or early spring. This is going to be a great weekend, so please join us!
For everything you need to know about Kamikaze Con, visit here: http://queencitykamikaze.com/
As a bonus, Sci-Fi Saturday Night podcast talks with the convention’s organizers on TalkCast 120. Give it a listen by clicking the link here: http://www.scifisaturdaynight.com/?p=5534
