A Rage of Angel

Trestle Press Copyright Infringement Allegations

2012-02-02T06:56:00.003-05:00

Many of you are probably aware there’s been a buzz regarding artistic copyright infringements by Trestle Press. I don’t have the time or the energy to list the growing list of links. It’s out there if you feel like spending the time Googling away.

My decision based on the evidence was to sever ties with my publisher. What follows is the exact e-mail I sent to publisher, Giovanni Gelati:

“Wow, I've been reading all the posts regarding Trestle. I've also read your posts regarding the facts. It's definitely disappointing and I'm sorry this has happened regardless of intent. I was really looking forward to working with you. At this point, I've had way too many bad experiences with copyright infringements and plagiarism, and don't want to be part of a heartbreak to anyone's creation. Sadly, and I do mean sadly, I will need to sever our relationship. I have nothing personal against you, but I've made up my mind.

Please remove my series, The Man of Shadows from the Trestle Press catalogue, provide me sales figures, and send all royalties owed to my Paypal acct.

I hate this has happened.

Angel Zapata”

And his response:

“sure thing, thanks.”

Oh, well. I guess that fuckin’ sums it up.

Buy One Get One FREE at Trestle Press

2012-01-19T07:05:00.006-05:00

NOW through Sunday, January 22, 2012, Trestle Press has a BUY ONE TITLE GET ONE TITLE FREE SALE !!

All of our titles are part of this sale. All of our authors will be participating in it. AND all you have to do is purchase one of our stories, send us the proof of purchase, and we will be happy to send you the title of your choice that is of equal value.

You can send the proof of purchase by email to one of the following:

-the authors of the titles you purchased and get your free titles directly from them.

-Trestle Press: trestlepress@gmail.com

-Giovanni Gelati: gelati.giovanni@gmail.com

We have a wealth of talented authors at Trestle Press and there are many great stories to discover and read. As the week goes on there will be a few surprises thrown into this sale, so please stay tuned to our website or your favorite authors’ websites or blogs.

Feel free to follow us for all the upcoming news and events surrounding all of the Trestle Press authors as they create more Best-Selling novels, novellas, short stories and series for you to follow and enjoy.

We hope that you will join us and our authors as we make our journey and try to blaze a new trail in this wide open world of publishing. Without you all is for naught; for everything we do, we do for you the reader!

Have fun and happy reading!!

Of course I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this includes Volume One and Volume Two of my horror short story series THE MAN OF SHADOWS. Volume Three is coming soon!

Shirt City Blues at The Flash Fiction Offensive

2012-01-12T06:46:00.003-05:00

My latest story, Shirt City Blues has been published at that seething cauldron of crime/noir, The Flash Fiction Offensive. The entire piece is nothing but dialogue between an abusive father and his cunning son.

Writer/editor David Barber has put together a dynamite e-zine of gritty and sometimes downright nasty works from a slew of talented writers. Spend some time at TFFO; you won't regret it.

And just in case you missed it, back in December my story, Dead Giveaway also appeared on The Flash Fiction Offensive. This tale is about a guy who, after spending twenty-five years in prison, returns to the old neighborhood. Gone are the pool halls and strip joints and in are the Walmart shopping centers and Disney souvenir shops. Things do not go well for him.

My Interview at the Flash Fiction Chronicles

2012-01-06T09:39:00.002-05:00

Rumjhum Biswas interviews me over at the Flash Fiction Chronicles. We talk about the writing life, short-short stories, and the challenges of penning a 5x5 Fiction piece.

Thank you, Rumjhum! I really had a wonderful time.

http://www.everydayfiction.com/flashfictionblog

Nailpolish Stories: a Tiny and Colorful Literary Journal

2011-12-12T10:04:00.005-05:00

I have three pieces up today at Nailpolish Stories: a Tiny and Colorful Literary Journal. Editor, writer, and creator, Nicole Monaghan, has taken micro fiction to the next level. I'll let her explain: "I had this idea a while back that stories should be made of the flashy names of nailpolish colors. I think the seed for this was planted when I was old enough to paint my nails. As a little girl, I remember thinking, Whose job is it to make up nailpolish color names? I was aware, on some level, of all the possible stories each one suggested."

Full guidelines can be found here, but the bare basics are:

Use a nailpolish color as the title.

Stories should be exactly 25 words, title not included.

I was amazed at just how original and fun nail polish names can be: Fuchsia Fever, Hot for Chocolate, and the aptly named Endless Possibilities.

Stop by, read my stories Emerald City, Cherries in the Snow, Don't Feed the Hand Models, and the fantastic work of many other talented writers.

Huge thanks to Nicole Monaghan!

The Man of Shadows, Volume Two available now!

2011-12-12T08:27:00.005-05:00

Hopefully, you've read volume one and have been eagerly awaiting the next installment. Well it's available now! The Man of Shadows: Volume Two.

CONTENTS:

Cheese, The Bridge, A Woman of Taste, Surrogate Fruit, Whipping Boy, Summer of Crows, Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia, Deep Within the Heart of Thieves, Initiation, Detour, Death Reversal

THE MAN OF SHADOWS: Synopsis of Volume Two

In “Cheese,” Anthony Creel’s mother does her best to convince him the Boogeyman doesn’t exist, but that belief is short-lived.

“The Bridge” pits the superstitious and neurotically-challenged, Benson against the very real presence of a modern-day troll.

Darlene is out to prove to her reluctant guests that she truly is “A Woman of Taste.”

An outdoor produce market offers Rojelia the “Surrogate Fruit” of witchcraft.

Jonas is just another religious cult “Whipping Boy” until a would-be rescuer arrives.

A “Summer of Crows” finds seven year-old, Monica spending her time burying dead birds on her family’s land, but a sudden, infectious outbreak may have the ability to raise them from the grave.

We all have fears, but Jim’s having a devil of a time convincing his buddy of his nearly unpronounceable “Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.”

It was supposed to be an easy bank job for Kenny and his crew, but no one took into account the entity that sees “Deep Within the Heart of Thieves.”

The anxiety of going through a zombie “Initiation” has Blake feeling the all too familiar sting of peer pressure.

An inadvertent “Detour” finds a young boy stranded on a foreign planet.

“Death Reversal” depicts a grief-stricken wife attempting to resurrect the husband she murdered by making a long distance call… to hell.

My Interview at Gelati's Scoop GZone Radio Show

2011-11-17T07:08:00.005-05:00

Victoria Watson, fellow Trestle Press author of I Should Have Seen it Coming, and I will be guest authors on Giovanni Gelati’s GZone radio show today at 4:30pm E.S.T. We’ll be discussing Victoria's book, my short story series The Man of Shadows, writing, and… hmmm, stop by and find out.

Gelati’s Scoop Gzone.

ADDENDUM:
You can now find thus stated interview by scrolling down the right hand coulmn of this page. Enjoy!

Why Liking the ‘Like’ Button Sometimes Scares Me

2011-11-16T15:11:00.003-05:00

As most of you are aware, a ‘Like’ button can been found on almost every personal blog, social and business site. Hell, there’s one right above this post. I’ve read countless articles on the power of the ‘Like’ button. It’s a great tool that provides an opportunity for you to stay connected to your target audience. It also grants you exposure in newsfeeds which may in fact generate a more “viral” traffic to your site or page and possibly increase the sales and/or recognition of your specific product or service.

Important? Yes, I think so. But that’s not what I’m leading to here.

When someone ‘Likes’ your page, what exactly are they ‘Liking’? Is it the overall design of the page? Is it the product(s) you’re offering? Is it sweet, wonderful you? Is it an addiction to clicking buttons?

I’ve heard women speaking with each other about men they’re dating.

“I like him,” Woman #1 says to Woman #2. “But I don’t ‘like him’ like him.”

You see, it can become so complicated. And the answers to these questions are still not what I really want to talk about. My actual focus is on ‘Liking’ the books of authors whose work we haven’t read. That’s right, books we have not opened and read. Yet because they ask us to, we click ‘Like’. Like a favor. Like somewhat of a… lie.

It’s one thing to ‘Like’ an author’s page, but to say we ‘Like’ the book they wrote, but haven’t read seems quite misleading. Would you ever say you ‘Like’ the food at a restaurant you’ve never dined in?

Let’s face it, as a writer my main objective is to be read. After that, I want to know the reader enjoyed what he or she read. I want to know if they ‘Liked’ it. I want to know if they hated it. Okay, I really want to hear them say they ‘Loved’ it, but I don’t know if that button exists yet.

In truth, I worry that my desire to get my books ‘out there’ will lead me to only look at the numbers (i.e. # of books sold, income earned, sales ranking, etc.) and not on the satisfaction of my reader. I worry that fishing for “Likes’ will ultimately override the honesty of reader feedback I receive. And I’m starting to see that from other writers. I don’t want it to appear I’m judging or bad-mouthing any writers. We all want success and follow different roads there. I do my upmost to help the writers around me achieve success too. And I want success as much as the next guy, but for me, I don’t want people clicking the ‘Like’ button for my book unless they read it and truly ‘Like’ it.

I mean, are eight million ‘Likes’ worth more than the genuine joy one reader feels about your words?

Well, is it?

Birthright: a new poem up at Every Day Poets

2011-11-16T06:58:00.003-05:00

I have a poem up today at Every Day Poets. It's called Birthright. It's about a father holding his newborn son for the first time. Of course, this joyful moment does have a bit of a shock...

Angel Zapata live tonight! on Flashes in the Dark Radio

2011-11-06T15:38:00.004-05:00

Horror writers and blog talk radio hosts, Lori Titus and Tonia Brown interview me tonight live on Flashes in the Dark Radio at 6pm EST. We'll be yakking about horror, The Man of Shadows, and 5x5 Fiction.

Join us on Blog Talk Radio here.

ADDENDUM:

If you missed it, you can listen to the interview by clicking play in the Blog Talk Radio link in the right hand column of this page.

-Angel

Trestle Press releases Volume One of The Man of Shadows

2011-11-04T10:10:00.005-04:00

Trestle Press has just released Volume One of my horror short story series, The Man of Shadows. It contains the following creepy tales:

“The Mouth of Babes,” is a visceral tale of streetwalkers and addicts, morbid voyeurs, cannibalistic tattoos, and witchcraft. Jimmy only wants another photograph for his online website, Death Images. But when his good friend, Steve calls him down to the morgue to see a body with a strange tattoo of a mouth on her abdomen, he learns that sometimes the dead have incurable appetites.

In “Yours and Mine,” the classic game of show me yours and I’ll show you mine has never been as dangerous. Brian got a good look at what the girls wanted to show him, but he’s having second thoughts about exposing himself.

Larry receives an anonymous package in the mail, and the crystal ball inside has some frightening things to show him in the fortuitous tale, “An Inverted View of Wives.”

“Fingered” is a reunion of the dead kind.

Demonic activity at the Nale residence has Lucy quitting her job as at-home nurse in “Tooth and Nale.”

It’s “Halloween, 2032” and the future has become an intangible world for Rachel and her family.

“Wishbone” proves wishes do come true for innocent, little boys.

Mike is stuck having to “Feed It Some More” in this paternal nightmare.

Purchase The Man of Shadows for your Kindle for only .99¢ at Amazon. You can preview it here.

New Online Fiction Recommendations: Jodi MacArthur and Chris Allinotte

2011-11-03T11:23:00.003-04:00

There’s a slew of awesome new fiction available from two very talented writers, Jodi MacArthur and Chris Allinotte. Don’t ask me how they pump out this much quality stuff. My guess is these two maniacs never sleep. Anyway, I wanna make sure you haven’t missed any of it. So get to clicking the links.

JODI MACARTHUR
This Texas-dwelling chick is all teeth and nails. She knows the flavor of your skin. Her words have sharp points and she’s not afraid to stab you in the face with them. I’m still wiping away blood and stitching myself up.

I’ve been reading Jodi’s work for over three years and she never disappoints. She’s able to transport the reader to whatever insane world she’s living in at the time. Mark my words, one day she’s gonna be sipping a hot cup of blood beside Stephen King himself. Besides the links below, you can find more of her work here at the cauldron of evil she calls a blog.

MANTRA at All Due Respect, Issue #16

BLACK, WHITE AND RED ALL OVER at In Between Altered States

FREE MERCURY at Beat to a Pulp

CHRIS ALLINOTTE
Chipping away at the frozen tundra in Toronto, Chris slowly inserts splinters of ice under the reader’s fingernails. I, for one, am grateful for the pain. In addition to penning stories about hellfire pie and sewer-dwelling, man-eating creatures, he is also editor of the anthology, Eight Days of Madness. It happens to be a free anthology you can download here.

You can read all about the Canadian creator himself and his work at his blog, The Leaky Pencil. I’ve often wondered exactly what was seeping out of that Leaky Pencil of his. Now I know. It’s blood.

PICK YOUR OWN PUMPKIN at Thrillers, Killers ‘n Chillers

MONKEYFISH at MicroHorror

SEX AND BEER at the Flash Fiction Offensive

TEMPTING MORSELS at Lily Childs’ Feardom

New Poetry and Micro Fiction up at Cavalcade of Stars

2011-11-01T08:10:00.007-04:00

I have a series of brand new poems and micro fiction up at Jeanette Cheezum's Cavalcade of Stars. In Jeanette's own words, the Cavalcade is "A place to read fiction and poetry from some of your favorite online writers. Don't be surprised if you see some of mine sprinkled here and there."

Each week, The Cavalcade offers a platform for writers to share their words. Today, it's my turn. You can find my poems, Taffy and Labor, and my micro fiction, Other and I Don't Care if We Ever Do Laundry Again here.

You can find Jeanette Cheezum's work at Hampton Road Writers and at Six Sentences.

Jeanette, you're a gifted writer and a lovely woman. Thank you for printing these works!

Trestle Press Author, McDroll talks about her crime fiction book, Kick It!

2011-10-30T10:29:00.010-04:00

It's been a long while since I've featured a writer here at A Rage. Having recently joined the Trestle Press family myself, it is my pleasure to have fellow Trestle Press short story writer, McDroll stop by and provide you all with the lowdown on her crime collection, Kick It. McDroll is quite obviously excited by this publication and shares with us, "To have a book published is a magical experience that very few people ever get to achieve, but thanks to TRESTLE PRESS and their amazing outlook on the revolution of digital publishing which is about to hit readers around the world like a literary tsunami, more amazing writers will be able to get their writing out there to an ever increasing digital audience.

My first collection of short stories, KICK IT has just been published this week and my goodness, I certainly did get a kick from seeing my book up there for sale on Amazon. KICK IT is a collection of 5 short noir / crime stories with a little twist of Scottish humour thrown into the mix.

Three of the stories have my favourite character, DC Gemma Dixon, strutting her stuff around the crime scene of Glasgow. New to CID, Gemma has to learn very quickly to stand up for herself in male dominated environments where as the newbie she gets some of the roughest assignments on offer.

I love having fun with Gemma as she banters with her fellow officers, making sure that she asserts herself and doesn’t take any of their cheek.

My other two stories deal with our perceptions of people and I attempt to show how far off the mark we can be when we don’t take the time to dig a bit deeper into ‘hidden stories;’ the secrets that people keep close to their chests as they go about their daily lives. So much can be going on beneath a person’s outward shell and I try to uncover some of these tales.

So I hope you check out my first ever e-Book and please let me know what you think!"
Let's get to know a bit more about the mysterious McDroll (aka. Fiona Grace), shall we?
1. Who is McDroll?

To begin with, going back about three years; McDroll was the silly name I came up with when I started tweeting. I wanted a name that would combine the fact that I am proud to be Scottish and indicate that my tweets would contain a certain amount of ‘tongue in cheek’ humour. Like most nicknames it kind of stuck and now that’s how most people on-line know me.

I think it’s quite memorable and a bit different so perhaps it will help me to get noticed!

When I’m not writing / reviewing, I teach and have been a primary school head teacher for the past 23 years, I know, I don’t look old enough! Cough

I live in Argyll, Scotland which is easily one of the most beautiful places in the world, steeped in history from prehistoric standing stones to Celtic crosses and castles and countless lochs and glens.

I sit at night, laptop on knees and write about murders…well, what else would I do?

2. Why crime writing?
I’ve always wanted to write as far back as I can remember and over the years I’ve had various disastrous attempts that just didn’t work. My writing was boring, bland and twee. I had come to the conclusion that I just didn’t have what it takes.

Then I joined Twitter and quickly discovered that there were lots of writers around the world tweeting about their writing. They would discuss their difficulties, the characters they wrote about and the struggle to get published.

Slowly I crept into this circle of talented people and as I have always been a rabid reader of crime fiction, I thought that if I couldn’t write then at least I could review and be a little help to those with talent struggling to get noticed.

Eventually some very kind people asked if I wrote. After the initial, ‘no, no, no,’ I decided to give the writing lark another go but this time try to write within the crime genre….and that’s all it took. My years of reading crime have somehow helped me understand how to write the type of story that people seem to get a lot of fun out of reading.

3. Who do you read?
I’ve really enjoyed reading No One To Hear You Scream by Julia Madeleine, another Trestle author. She takes you on a trip to a beautiful house in the remote countryside, the most beautiful spot imaginable and in this amazing setting creates the home to die for. If you love browsing through House and Home magazine then you'll pretty much have seen the type of house she creates. What more could anyone ask for? Oh yeah...the owner murders his girlfriend and buries her body in the woods at the back and he’s built the house on the back of his drugs money. He's one of those Irish guys that (WARNING) women, don’t ever go near because he's got a twinkle in his eye, he can soft soap the pants off you and then he'll garrote you when he's bored and toss your body aside. And he's gorgeous (I was thinking Patrick Dempsey with an Irish accent and a couple of days' stubble.)

Anyway, twists of fortune and all that, Rory Madden (that's the Patrick Dempsey guy) ends up in jail and loses all his money and his house that he loves more than anything in the world gets sold from under his feet and Rory vows to get it back come hell or high water. Pity the family who bought it and my, do they have their own troubles!

I love Julia’s ability to weave a wonderful story that just doesn’t allow me to put down from start to finish.

4. What’s next?
I’m hoping to have another collection of short stories KICK IT AGAIN out soon and then move onto a serialization of a novella that I’ve been working on for some time. More ‘Gemma’ stories are in the pipeline and you will be able to meet Gemma again in BRIT GRIT TOO, soon to be published by TRESTLE.

Many thanks to McDroll for making the time to be here with us. It's been a true pleasure!

You can visit McDroll at her blog site here, and for .99 cents you can purchase Kick It for your Kindle on Amazon. You can also follow her Twitter tweets @McDroll.

The Man of Shadows Joins the Trestle Press Family

2011-10-20T07:32:00.003-04:00

Yep, it's happened... The Man of Shadow lives! Trestle Press came knocking and I happily answered. Publisher, Giovanni Gelati has made the announcement on his blog, Gelati’s Scoop. My short story collection will be released as an ebook series. This has allowed me to expand The Man of Shadows with brand new stories exclusive to this release! The following is the Trestle Press announcement:

Here is low down on what you can expect from this new horror series hosted by Trestle Press: Volume One of THE MAN OF SHADOWS:

“The Mouth of Babes,” is a visceral tale of streetwalkers and addicts, morbid voyeurs, cannibalistic tattoos, and witchcraft. Jimmy only wants another photograph for his online Death Images website. But when his good friend, Steve calls him down to the morgue to see a body with a strange tattoo of a mouth on her abdomen, he learns that sometimes the dead have incurable appetites.

In “Yours and Mine,” the classic game of show me yours and I’ll show you mine has never been as dangerous. Brian got a good look at what the girls wanted to show him, but he’s having second thoughts about exposing himself.

Larry receives an anonymous package in the mail, and the crystal ball inside has some frightening things to show him in the fortuitous tale, “An Inverted View of Wives.”

“Fingered” is a reunion of the dead kind.

Demonic activity at the Nale residence has Lucy quitting her job as at-home nurse in “Tooth and Nale.”

It’s “Halloween, 2032” and the future has become an intangible world for Rachel and her family.

“Wishbone” proves wishes do come true for innocent, little boys.

Mike is stuck having to “Feed It Some More” in this paternal nightmare.

I really appreciate all the encouragement each and every one of you fellow writers have given to me. It’s helped me to remain focused on my ultimate goal: to share my nightmares with the world.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy My Book

2011-10-18T11:06:00.001-04:00

In the advent of my publisher, Panic Press suddenly calling it quits, there are some unresolved issues. For one thing, my book, The Man of Shadows is still available in certain markets. If you purchase the print and/or the Kindle version, I won’t receive any compensation for it. Translation: At this time, please don’t buy my book in print or e-pub form from anywhere or anyone. Secondly, there are a lot of angry writers from the Panic Press line who are battling for reimbursement of unfulfilled orders and unseen royalties, so I can easily feel my rage beginning to froth at the surface again, and I’m trying to remain moderately professional about the entire ordeal.

The small press is a wonderful resource for aspiring authors to see their work published, but if you’re not careful it can also turn and bite you on the ass. As I still retain all rights to my work, my hope is to have another publisher pick my book up, dust it off, and make it available on their shelves. Yes, I know I can self-publish, but it just won’t feel the same to me… you know what I’m saying?

In general, and this is cumulative to this situation and my growing weariness with publications, I feel a bit like a home in need of a makeover. Maybe I’ve reached a crossroads. There are definitive choices to be made. Either way, The Man of Shadows will be slipping back into the darkness for awhile.

-Angel

5x5 Fiction ISSUE THREE: Avoidance, Allowance, and Animosity is live!

2011-09-25T18:39:00.004-04:00

5x5 Fiction ISSUE THREE is live!

ISSUE THREE: Avoidance, Allowance, and Animosity.

A.A. 1998 (a poem)

2011-09-19T07:00:00.003-04:00

1.
It’s awful this morning. The windows are gray,
air pinpricks skin with cactus familiarity.
I do not recognize the disease.
The mattress is torn and the gods of love
are nervous. I cannot sleep here.
You left me huddled between pillows,
soaked in liquid thoughts.
These aren’t notes I dare sing.
I’m typing this far from the wagon’s table.
The coffee is tepid in the mug,
your lipstick still smeared red on the rim.

2.
My fingers strum the aluminum can
of an imaginary beer. This is the melancholy
of poets, balancing bar stools
on the tips of our noses, clowns
packed into Volkswagens
twelve to a case.

3.
The greeting card would say, I miss you.
Blake would ask, Did He who made
the Lamb make thee?
I just need to know
where you hid the keys
to my car.

Copyright ©1998, Angel Zapata

9/11: One Possible Future (a poem)

2011-09-09T06:30:00.004-04:00

It’s no longer the cosmic shock
so much like late frost kills early buds;
but rather acceptable sadness,
the realization all leaves fall.

It’s no longer the rhythmic flag sway
(America this, that, or them),
the extravagance of anger
became a cross, a mosque, a scar.

It’s no longer about people—
twin towers are labeled: Data, Debris;
ashes in barrels and potpourri bowls,
such casual causalities.

The ground went from zero to sixty;
clock hands hid seconds, seized time,
shook sand over sleep-swollen eyes—
now nothing more than holiday.

It’s a calendar X, a movie, game—
that’s the cold, hard reality;
check this box to initiate pain
and pilot those ill-fated planes.

Copyright ©2011, Angel Zapata

This poem was inspired by the Poetry Matters Celebration word prompts: Reality check, pain, sadness, shock, anger.

Panic Press and House of Horror are Kaput

2011-08-23T07:52:00.002-04:00

In this here this moment and gone the next publishing world we live in, another horror publisher bites the dust. Editor, Sam E. Cox, the woman behind both Panic Press and House of Horror, has announced on a Facebook thread that, “…no more books will be going on to Amazon. Panic Press and HoH have gone into liquidation. I’m sorry but there’s nothing I can do, but everyone who has ordered from me will get their books…”

Sam was recently hospitalized for undisclosed health concerns. Upon her return, she faced a slew of technical problems. “I’ve had issues with both Paypal and Lulu,” she wrote on her Facebook wall, “and my e-mail was hacked. Basically what happened is I got into debt with Paypal spending more than what I had…”

It’s incredibly sad news for all of the supportive readers and the authors in the Panic Press and HoH family. Sam also states, “…of course I will be canceling all the books on Lulu and turning them over to the authors, but can’t until I’m done ordering and sending out books.”

Author and Rainstorm Press editor, Lyle Perez has offered to help. “If Sammi is willing,” he announced on Facebook, “I can take over the anthologies that never saw print and release them with my publishing company, Rainstorm Press. I’d hate to see these anthos not see print because of funding issues.”

Panic Press and House of Horror has been the catalyst for many newbie writers entering the publishing world and its absence will definitely leave a hole in our horror community. Sam has been a wonderfully gracious editor and friend. I wish her all the best.

As most of you know, my book, The Man of Shadows is part of the Panic Press line. I’m not sure what this means for its future availability, but I’m hoping it gets picked up by another publishing house. Only time will tell.

-Angel Zapata
8.23.11

Putrid Poetry and Sickening Sketches (Volume 2), Available Now!

2011-08-10T12:27:00.004-04:00

I'm delighted to say the paperback, Collaboration of the Dead Presents Putrid Poetry & Sickening Sketches (Volume 2), is now available for purchase on Amazon and Createspace.

Product description:
"Poetry and Zombies... Art and the Undead... Terms that may not seem to go together, but after seeing what the living dead poets have placed on these virtual pages with their rotted hands, you just might think again. What you hold in your hands is a fan-freaking-tastic collection of zombie-themed poetry and art some names you probably know as well as some new writers you may not know. Either way, you are in for a treat! Bon appetite! See, it rhymes... Featuring Putrid Poetry by Angel Zapata, Carey Burns, D.G. Sutter, Gerald Rice, Jamal K. Luckett, Jeffrey Angus, Karime Limon, Matt Nord, Michael C. Dick, Mike Mitchell, R.M. Cochran, Rebecca Besser, Reina Sobin, Rich Boorman,Scott Emerson, Suzanne Robb, Trevor Smith, William Cook and William R.D. Wood Featuring Sickening Sketches by Christopher Bonnette, Dennis Bower, Matt Nord, Rich Boorman, Rob Sacchetto, Rodrigo Obon and William Cook, who also offered up to sick cover illustration!"

Editor, Matt Nord has produced a stunning anthology of excellent poetry and absolutely spectacular artwork! If you're a zombie enthusiast, this is the book for you. Plus, you'll get to read my poem, "The Zombie Creed."

Also, be sure to pick up Matt Nord’s Tainted Tales & Rotten Rhymes for your Kindle, only .99 cents!

Product description:
“This anthology is chock full of stories with zombies, cannibals, zombies, killer birds, zombies, homicidal clones, zombies, evil ghosts, zombies, serial killers, zombies, murderous mermaids and, you got it, more zombies! … Oh yeah, and poems…”

Poetry Resurrection: The Immaculate Conceptionally

2011-08-05T08:31:00.003-04:00

I’ve recently returned to writing poetry. My goal is to complete a chapbook in the next few weeks or so. I’ve also gone digging in the attic for some of my older work. There was one box up there stuffed with old notebooks, napkins, cereal box tops, and utility bills— all loaded down with my scrawl. This is when I still used pencil, ink, and a Brother typewriter versus the plastic letters of my keyboard. Some of them are unbelievably awful, but there are others that continue to sing. In the next few weeks, I’m thinking I may share some with you. The following small work was written twenty years ago.

The Immaculate Conceptionally

The soft wood,
then a fracture in your dark.
Light footfalls on broken toes;
thickets lean against grassy slivers
of silver moonlit bone.

Soon the thrush
takes flight with the swallow
beneath the gold shelter of skin.
The flurried feathers of thick lashes
thumb and thrust.

Copyright © 1991 Angel Zapata

Absolutely- Kate Pilarcik comes to Georgia!

2011-07-23T07:53:00.006-04:00

That's right, the woman behind the veil is no other than Harbinger 33's indomitable force, Absolutely- Kate Pilarcik. She lowered her sails and docked here alongside my home in the peach state. Last night, I had the pleasure to sit down with her and share coffee in the lobby of her hotel.

It's always wild to meet someone you've only corresponded with in the virtual world. You really don't know what to expect. Gotta say, I was impressed.

Our encounter began with a warm hug and a somewhat spiritual assessment of each other's unique energy frequencies. A showdown of wills, so to speak.

I gave her my best hypnotic horror stare and she easily slipped into a jazz note look of surprise. Yes, I know, a bit odd. But our common goal as writers is to bring the weird back… and I think we achieved that. Anywho, this concentrated vibe spawned not only the makings of inspiration, but also a super-critical caffeine crave.

Hell, she even managed to whip out packets of sweetener (Sweet 'n Low, Splenda and Equal) and incorporate them into an improvised pyramid chart of sorts. I got the (Sweet 'n) lowdown on Harbinger 33, discussed up-and-coming writer conferences she'll be attending, and booked a seat on a future Amtrak, mobile writer's symposium. The woman has a wealth of ideas.

I'm so glad I got to meet her and her sweetheart, Matt.

Oh, and in the middle of our conversation her cell phone rings. She answers it, and then says, “Angel, it’s for you.” I was like, “Huh?” Turns out, on the other end of that line was no other than central Florida writer, Harry B. Sanderford himself. How cool is that?

For those of you wanting to learn more about Kate, you can find her lurking in the projectionist’s booth At The Bijou.

Kate, you’re an amazing woman. Maybe next time we’ll meet up at the Waffle House and have ourselves some hashbrowns, smothered and scattered.

My interview at 1st Author Interview

2011-07-15T16:33:00.004-04:00

1st Author Interview is a dynamite site that allows the author to promote their book and create their own personal interview.

Per their website, K. J. Robinson states, "1st Author Interviews is a unique website that allows you a chance to personally promote your book and allows your reading audience a chance to get to know you! You'll attract more readers, giving them the opportunity to get to know you and your work better. You get your material out there in front of readers, literary agents, publishers and development executives from films, cable and TV. 1st Author Interviews is your first stop to getting your book promoted to that vast online audience. We offer this outlet to any traditional or self-published author, whether in e-book or print formats."

Head over to their site, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page. BTW, it's offered to authors FREE! My interview can be found here.

The Man of Shadows reviewed at Darkeva's Dark Delights

2011-07-08T23:29:00.003-04:00

Darkeva has done a wonderfully thorough and honest review of my book, The Man of Shadows. Check it out here at Darkeva's Dark Delights.

Author, Richard Godwin interviews me over at Chin Wag

2011-06-26T12:43:00.005-04:00

Recently I was interviewed by author, Richard Godwin. We had a wonderful time discussing Blake, Wordsworth, Michel Foucault, and cannibals (yes, I was feeling a bit peckish). You can read all about it on his blog Chin Wag at the Slaughterhouse.

Not only is Mr. Godwin a true gentleman, but he’s also author of Apostle Rising, a novel author, Vincent Zandri says is “…a noir tour-de-force that will leave you breathless and teary-eyed…” and Crimetime Magazine calls, “…an arresting and cleverly plotted police procedural married to gothic horror and the aesthetics of the slasher genre.”

I am so grateful to have had the privilege of sitting down with this incredible writer. Thanks, Richard!

You can purchase Mr. Godwin’s Apostle Rising here on Amazon.

Moon Pie featured at The New Flesh

2011-06-19T14:29:00.003-04:00

It's been awhile since I've had anything published over at The New Flesh. This time, I give soft sci-fi a try. The story is called Moon Pie.

It begins, "Glen Horn believed his mother was a portal for interstellar travel..."

Stop by and support this publisher of all things weird.

Thanks to editor, William Pauley III.

5x5 Fiction presents ISSUE TWO: Secrets, Scuffles and Surprises

2011-06-10T20:55:00.001-04:00

ISSUE TWO is out! 5x5 Fiction.

My story, Keeners wins First Place for The Lost on the Rock Contest!

2011-05-23T08:40:00.006-04:00

I’m very happy to say my story, Keeners has won first place for The Lost on the Rock Contest! It’s a departure from my usual supernatural horror, and deals more with the reality of death. It was hosted on Laurita Miller’s Calling Shotgun and Alan W. Davidson’s Conversations From Land’s Edge. They also feature an interview with me here.

There were several winners and honorable mentions, so please make sure to read them all as they are posted over the next few days.

1st Place
Keeners by Angel Zapata

2nd Place
Lost by Denise Covey

3rd Place
Oubliette by Susan Harding

4th Place
Where is Esther? by Mike Jackson

Honourable Mentions
Simply Lost by John Wiswell
Numbers by Gerard Smith

Upcoming schedule at Calling Shotgun:

Monday - 1st Place story Keeners by Angel Zapata
Tuesday - Interview with writer Denise Covey
Wednesday - Interview with writer Susan Harding
Thursday - 4th Place story Where is Esther? by Mike Jackson
Friday - Honourable Mention story Simply Lost by John Wiswell

Upcoming schedule at Conversations from Land's Edge:

Monday - Interview with contest winner, writer Angel Zapata
Tuesday - 2nd place story "Lost" by Denise Covey
Wednesday - 3rd place story "Oubliette" by Susan Harding
Thursday - Interview with 4th place writer Mike Jackson
Friday - Honourable mention story "Numbers" by Gerard Smith

Thank you Laurita and Alan!

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia is up at Flashes in the Dark

2011-05-16T07:04:00.003-04:00

It’s been awhile, but I have a new flash piece up at Flashes in the Dark.

Jim’s little phobia has a very long name. Drop by and read Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.

Many thanks to editors, Lori Titus and Robert Eccles.

BTW, Lori has a couple of dynamite books, Green Water Lullaby and Lazarus, both available at Amazon. I’m sure she won’t mind you buying them.

And Bob was just nominated for a Parsec award. He provided voice for a podcast over at Cast Macabre. Swing by his blog, Tiny Terrors and wish him luck.

Book Review: Grave Echoes by Erin Cole

2011-05-09T15:47:00.006-04:00

Some of you may not know Erin Cole. She's a dynamite writer from the west coast, a writer I very much admire. She's also the author of the mystery novel, Grave Echoes. Here's my take on why you should buy and read it:

Kate Waters is a woman of science, a geologist who suffers from narcoleptic visions. The sudden death of her sister, Jev catapults her into unfamiliar ground, ground that seems to be steadily crumbling beneath her feet. Now she’s seeing the ghost of a little girl in her home, and even worse, suspects a very real stalker may be after her for the key she acquired from her dead sister’s belongings. And to top it all off, it seems Jev may have been a practicing witch.

I think mystery, horror, thriller, and paranormal junkies will find this book quite delicious. There’s a wonderful balance of ghostly happenings and witchcraft with concrete, by-the-book police procedurals and scientific fact. Erin shows great skill at creating creepy atmosphere and nail-biting suspense. And her characters are people we can relate to, void of clichés or one-dimensional caricature studies.

It’s always the small things that win me over. Early on in the book, the lead investigator attends an autopsy, and, in order to mask the smell of death, he chews on a piece of peppermint. Most readers would skim right by this. But as a person who’s actually attended autopsies, the use of something as mundane as peppermint validates this novel for me. It shows me an author who pays meticulous attention to detail.

You can classify Grave Echoes as a paranormal mystery, but at its core, it’s really about transitions and transformations. Kate Waters is at a crossroads. On the one side, she must remain true to how she's defined by her vocation, standing firm on rock. But on the other side, she must deal with her grief by stepping off the cliff of her emotions and trusting in unseen forces. Erin Cole has done an outstanding job at scripting a very believable parallel between Kate’s emotional turmoil and the seismic rumblings of Mt. Hood’s volcanic activity happening all around her.

Erin Cole’s Grave Echoes does just that; it resonates perfection. I anxiously await the sequel.

Learn more about Erin Cole and her writing at her blog here. You can purchase Grave Echoes on Amazon here.

Social Networking: How Do I Know My Net’s Working? or Yep, I Totally Suck at This

2011-03-31T11:05:00.003-04:00

Author, Anne R. Allen recently posed an intriguing question on her blog. The post heading:

Does Social Networking Make You Feel like Your Back in High School?

Read it. How much of it do you agree and/or disagree with it?

Many of you reading this are fantastic social networkers. You cast your net and draw out a boat full of fish. You’re well-spoken (I guess, well-typed in this instance), leave thoughtful feedback, and engage other writers with genuine relationship building skills and carefully presented self-promotion. You’ve got tons of Twitter, Facebook, and blog followers.

Me, I’m terrible at small talk and self-promotion. And don’t get me started on my net-flinging skills.

I often ponder; how social does a writer have to be? Personally, I’m not a social butterfly. For that matter, I’m not even a social caterpillar. In fact, truthfully, I write so I don’t have to speak aloud. I understand that as a writer, I have to take responsibility in promoting myself via all available media outlets. And I know this may include public readings, mingling with like-minded individuals, and general social schmoozing. I know this…yet, I remain hesitant to participate. Why? I think Ms. Allen’s right; to me, in a lot of ways, social networking is like high school all over again. There are the cool kids, and then there are the rest of us. Sadly (although there’s the hint of a smile as I type this), my high school no longer exists. The building was torn down. Terrible, I know. But I don’t have many fond memories. Of course (and please feel free to refer to my psychologist for further details), this may be due to my own self-induced ostracism.

Anyway, I do spend time lurking the halls of Twitter; waste time in front of my Facebook locker, nervously pretending to search for a textbook that doesn’t exist, willing myself to turn invisible. Is this something innate in me? Can a non-social person/writer flip the coin and change? I’m not shy; I’m just somewhat…disconnected, disconcerted.

Anne speaks of feeling ignored on social networks. I partake in conversations, add my two cents when opportunity presents itself, but the drive to engage individuals, who may or may not be who they portray (especially online), usually leaves something to be desired. And selfishly I think, man, I should be using this time to create.

I’d like to build stronger relationships with writers. I’d like to see more folk read my book, The Man of Shadows (like how I worked in a hyperlink to Amazon here?), AND have it increase in sales. But how do I successfully balance between writing and networking?

And with that question (yes, and now my sad attempt to throw my net out and gather ye little fishes up), I leave the mike open for social commentary.

Evil Inspirations: The books that made us want to write horror

2011-03-20T12:48:00.012-04:00

On occasion, I’ve been asked, What horror authors have inspired you?

I’d be remiss if I failed to mention there’s no doubt Stephen King, by reputation (and sales) alone, is master of the horror genre. I’ve read, enjoyed, been in awe of many of his novels and short stories. I admit that. BUT, as fantastic as his work may be, he never reached in and touched that vulnerable, terrified chamber of my heart in the way the following five gentlemen have.

Make no mistake; these five books are for the hardcore horror fans. If you liken Edward the vampire as your perfect cup of tea, then these authors would be like drinking a bottle of Absinthe on an empty stomach.

I highly recommend them as must reads for lovers of dark horror fiction.

Greely’s Cove by John Gideon

It’s a story about miracles, dark miracles in a town plagued by ghosts, necrophilia, resurrections of the dead and black magic. It’s fast, ugly and graphically mind-blowing.

Grimm Memorials by R. Patrick Gates

It’s tales of the brothers Grimm spun by an evil, modern-day witch. There’s also a healthy dose of necrophilia along with other awful sexual deviancies, child torture, and violence to the Nth degree.

They Thirst by Robert R. McCammon

No romantic and/or rock-star vampires here. These bloodsuckers want to eat you and play with your blood. It’s chock-full-of disgusting death and charged with an apocalyptic climax threatening the entire west coast.

Dominion by Bentley Little

Take’s dorm life by the balls, Greek mythology-style. Blood, guts and lots and lots of sex. If you like your stories over-the-top, this one will leave you gasping.

Creekers by Edward Lee

All I can say is strippers with three breasts, in-bred rednecks, demons, witchcraft, mutilations and B-movie dialogue. Fast-paced and relentless to the shocking end.

So tell me, What are some of your favorite horror books and authors?

Is Plagiarism the only form of word theft?

2011-03-16T11:05:00.006-04:00

Can we really trust fellow participants in our writing groups not to steal our ideas?

Writer, and creator of Crooked Fang, Carrie Clevenger has some sad and scary news. A character she created seems to have been “borrowed” by a former writing companion. A close variation of that character is now the title of that writing companion’s book!

Go to her site Mindspeak and speak your mind.

UPDATE:
The perpetrator has been unmasked at Christina Vincent’s site Naps in the Library. Read all about her unforgivable behavior here.

UPDATE (3.18.11):
I've gone ahead and disabled the links for this post. This is done to respect the wishes of Carrie Clevenger. She has dealt with the issue and would like to return to doing what we all share in common here...writing.

Thanks for coming to a writer's aid. No further comments to this post are required.

My story, Mad Dash appears at Chris Allinotte’s Madness in March

2011-03-15T07:00:00.001-04:00

Stop on by and join the insanity. Chris Allinotte’s hosting a week of mad fiction featuring a different patient every day. I happen to be patient #110315.

Get your daily dose here. My story, Mad Dash is posted today.

My thanks to Chris for keeping it crazy.

5x5 Fiction presents ISSUE ONE: Murder, Monsters and Misfortune

2011-03-12T19:54:00.001-05:00

At long last, it is my honor to present the premier issue of 5x5 Fiction, Stories Told Loud and Clear.

ISSUE ONE: Murder, Monsters and Misfortune

View and/or download your free copy now!

AJ Brown at Type AJ Negative interviews me about writing, horrors, and 5x5 Fiction

2011-03-10T12:09:00.006-05:00

I recently sat down with the awesomely talented writer, AJ Brown of Type AJ Negative and chatted about writing, plagiarism, The Man of Shadows, and the upcoming issue of the brand new 5x5 Fiction.

Pull up a chair and join us here.

I had a lot of fun, AJ. Thanks! And may your computer live a long, long life...

Panic Press Kindle/mobi books for only .99 cents!

2011-03-07T07:03:00.002-05:00

Panic Press is offering their Kindle/mobi books for only .99 cents. That includes my book, The Man of Shadows. Here’s your chance to own all of their releases for less than $1 each!
Per their site:
Click on your chosen title(s), pay 99 cents and have your chosen title(s) sent straight to your email address. If it is different to the email on your paypal order, then please add the address you wish to have it sent to in the buyers instructions section.
All books are 99 cents. No more, no less!
The Man of Shadows by Angel Zapata
Ashes in her Eyes by Alan Spencer
Scream For Me by Brian Rosenberger
Sins and Tragedies by The Dark Fiction Spotlight
Sustenance by Nate D. Burleigh
Tales from the Dark Path by S.E.COX
Werehouse by Ryan Hunter
Without Notice by Jason Hughes
DEADication Anthology
Mind Rotting Tales by Ken and Kevin L. Jones
Revolution City by Darren James
Pantomime by Robert Essig

She's Nothing like a Feather When She Falls at In Between Altered States

2011-03-02T07:08:00.001-05:00

Episode 10 of Aleathia Drehmer’s In Between Altered States is now live. It features work from Timothy Gager, Len Kuntz, Jeffrey Miller, Mike Whitney, Shawn Misener, Alexandra Brunel, and Justis Mills.

You can also find my flash piece, She’s Nothing like a Feather When She Falls.

They are currently open for subs for Episode 12 based on the prompt: Junkie Nightmares and Hustler Fiends. General guidelines can be found here.

Thanks, Aleathia!

Who holds the pen— you or your characters?

2011-02-06T19:13:00.001-05:00

Something that’s intrigued me as writer is: how much control do I have during the creation process? When I sit down to write, I usually have a brief outline either generated in ink or, at the very least, well defined in my brain. I usually know where I want to begin and have a ballpark estimate of how and where my story should end. The middle, or meat and potato portions of my tales usually dwell in very murky waters.

But…

…usually…

…my characters dictate their own direction. How so?

Let’s try a writing exercise.

I see a woman. Her name is Wendy. She’s tall and beautiful. She has brown hair and blue eyes. She loves the theater and Italian food. She loves her boyfriend, Max and has never cheated on him. She practices witchcraft and eats babies. Whoa! What happened there? She was almost perfect until I found out she loves the theater…

Just kidding.

The witchcraft and eating of babies just came out of nowhere. Or did it? How does the brain birth a person of our own devise? Is it our own devise?

Sometimes I get stuck in the middle of what I consider a strong story. Everything is going splendidly until I hit “the wall.” You writers know what I mean. There’s no way to get around it either, so I try breaking it down. I try going over it. I try going under it. Every attempt ends in failure. I look back and I can see Wendy with her arms crossed. She’s tapping her foot with a smug look of “I know what your problem is…you’re simply not listening to me.”

I get worried. Do other writers have conversations with figments of their imagination? Is it schizophrenia? Is there a bit of insanity in store for me? Is there any harm in listening to what Wendy has to say?

Maybe not. Okay…here goes.

Hey, Wendy. Uh, I think I’ve been a jerk. I probably haven’t been paying enough attention to you.

You haven’t.

I know. Sorry. But I’m willing to listen now. What should do? I’m stuck here in front of this wall, and I really don’t know what to do.

Angel, Angel, Angel…first of all, the main problem is my name isn’t Wendy.

It ain’t.

No. It’s actually Frank. And I’m short. And I hate the theater. And I cheat on my wife all the time.

Wow. No wonder I can’t get through this wall. I’m really sorry, Frankie.

Excuse me, it’s Frank.

Oh. Sorry, Frank. What now?

I need you to trust me.

How so?

I need you to give me that.

Give you what?

That pen in your hand.

Why?

Because that wall isn’t a wall at all.

It isn’t?

No. It’s a door. Watch. Give me the pen and I’ll show you.

* * *

Okay, a bit theatrical, but this is how it works for me sometimes. I have to hand over the reins to my characters. I have to give them control. I have to listen to them. It’s not enough to create this person from out of the thin air. I may have given Wendy…er, Frank his first breath, but I have to realize he longs to breathe on his own.

Okay, enough about me.

What’s it like for you and your creations?

New story, "Chewing the Fat" up at Pulp Metal Magazine

2011-02-05T11:00:00.002-05:00

I got a brand new story, Chewing the Fat up at Pulp Metal Magazine. Many thanks to Editor, Jason Michel – The Dictator.

Excerpt:
Millie had her first baby the day after her eighteenth birthday. Although “had” would imply “given birth to” when in fact “had” in this particular case denotes “ate.” And she’d have no problem telling you that that Antichrist infant tasted nothing like chicken.

“It really didn’t,” she’d admit with a wink...

Read the entire story here.

Author CK Webb Reviews The Man of Shadows!

2011-02-04T21:11:00.006-05:00

The Deepening is a fantastic resource for book enthusiasts. Editor-in-Chief, Clayton Bye and his staff offer insightfully honest book and novel reviews. One of his staff members, Author CK Webb, has just posted a review of my book, The Man of Shadows, published by Panic Press. She says, "I absolutely loved The Man of Shadows. The writer’s tales give a new spin to old stories, and he does it with a style unlike any other. Angel Zapata will have you questioning everything that you believe as an adult and wanting, more than anything, to pull the covers up tight when you crawl into bed at night…"

Read the entire review here.

You can pick yourself up a copy of The Man of Shadows through Amazon here.

I really appreciate CK taking the time to read and review my work. Thanks so much, CK!

CK Webb is author of Cruelty To Innocents & Collecting Innocents which she co-wrote with her mother, DJ Weaver. You can find out more about her work at the site, WebbWeaver.

The Man of Shadows FREE Giveaway on Goodreads

2011-01-22T09:48:00.002-05:00

My book, The Man of Shadows has been listed on Goodreads. Stop by and enter the FREE giveaway for a signed copy here!

The winner will receive a signed copy of my book, The Man of Shadows.

Panic Press presents, The Man of Shadows, a dark collection of twenty-five short horror stories by Angel Zapata. Edited by S.E.Cox and illustrated by Darren James.

It begins with “The Mouth of Babes,” a visceral tale of streetwalkers and addicts, morbid voyeurs, cannibalistic tattoos, and witchcraft. Jimmy only wants another photograph for his online Death Images website. But when his good friend, Steve calls him down to the morgue to see a body with a strange tattoo of a mouth on her abdomen, he learns that sometimes the dead have incurable appetites.

“In Death Reversal,” a grief-stricken wife hopes to resurrect the husband she murdered by making a long distance call to hell.

“The Bridge” pits the superstitious beliefs of the neurotically-challenged, Benson against the very real presence of a modern-day troll.

“Dead Flames” paints us a brief love story between the walking dead.

From the wicked predilections of children to the varied manifestations of evil personified, The Man of Shadows will have you running for the light.

Anatomy Fidelity and The Hole Truth at The Glass Coin

2011-01-18T08:54:00.000-05:00

The Glass Coin has published a couple of my poems for their Open Minds, Duplicity themed issue. My works “consider the external/physical human body and dig deeper into its internal/spiritual significance.” Explore Anatomy Fidelity and The Hole Truth.

My sincere thanks to editors, Sairah Saddal and JM Prescott.

The Man of Shadows available for Kindle on Amazon.com

2011-01-10T22:21:00.003-05:00

Don't have a Kindle? Hmmm...you may need to buy one so you can download yourself a copy of The Man of Shadows for only $4.99 on Amazon.com. If you prefer, the print version can be purchased through Panic Press using the link on the right of this page. Of course you can always order both...

I'm saving my pennies now so I can get my own Kindle. Hell, I just realized my Rage of Angel header still says I'm an unpaid writer...I may have to change that...;-)

Hey, and if you enjoy my book, please feel free to leave a review over on Amazon.

Sonar4 Landing Dock reviews my book, The Man of Shadows

2010-12-29T17:15:00.003-05:00

Sonar4 Landing Dock reviews my book, The Man of Shadows from Panic Press. Yeah, they did call me a chick, but the review is great, so I easily forgive them ;-)

You can order yourself a copy of my book on this very page, or thru House of Horror or Panic Press.

Ebook version is also available for $4.99 at Smashwords. Smashwords also provides you with the first 30 pages of my book to read prior to purchase. Check it out!

Tweet Me a Story & The Undead Submachine Gun call for submissions

2010-12-28T12:05:00.003-05:00

Tweet Me a Story Contest

Register for the Tweet Me a Story contest. It's free! You’ll have to write an entire story in 140 characters (which includes spaces). They send you the prompt for Round One on January 13th and you’ll have 5 hours to write and submit your story on the same night. $100 prize.

Visit NYC Midnight’s Tweet Me a Story Contest to register.

The Undead Submachine Gun

J. Darko is hosting a writing contest based on your choice of five prompts. Per her blog,
HERE’S WHAT TO DO:
1. Pick a prompt
2. Email me (at darko_undead@hotmail.com) to inform me of your intent to participate
3. Write me a killer fuck’n horror story!
4. Email your polished final-draft as an attachment

Prompt 1: It’s the apocalypse, baby. Yes, your end-of-the-world event must include zombies. However, there’s a catch. The zombies must take a back seat to another pressing horror that your main character(s) will face while also having to deal with the undead horde in the backdrop. This “other horror” must be something tangible and assail your character(s) at some point in your story. How and if your character(s) prevail in the end is up to you.

Prompt 2: A horror story inspired by music.

Prompt 3: Hell on Earth.

Prompt 4: Fan-fiction…“The Walking Dead” inspired narratives.

Prompt 5: Fan-fiction…vigilante horror.

Deadline: Midnight, February 31st, 2011.

Visit The Undead Submachine Gun for all the gory details on specific prompt requirements, rules and prize info.

I'll be writing something based on prompt #1. C'mon and join me on any one of the 5 choices.

She’s got some really great prizes, so get writing!!

5x5 Fiction: Stories Told Loud and Clear now accepting submissions

2010-12-22T16:54:00.002-05:00

5 by 5 Fiction: Stories Told Loud and Clear is a quarterly flash fiction e-zine.

I’m looking for exceptional stories to shout from rooftops. Complete stories (not rantings or poems) must be exactly 25 words long, told in exactly 5 sentences, with each sentence comprised of exactly 5 words.

Any variation from these short, sweet, strict guidelines won’t even be considered. All genres are welcome. Write it, proofread it, and send it in the body of your e-mail to loudandclearfiction (at) yahoo (dot) com. Subject line should read: 5x5_Story Title_Author's Name.

I only ask for one time publishing rights. Otherwise, all rights remain with the author. And don’t even think about plagiarizing, ‘cause you will be found out and prosecuted to the full extent of the claw. That’s right, I said “claw.” As in having your eyes clawed out. I’m deadly serious. For reals.

I have no money, so won’t be giving any away as payment. Sorry, wish I did have money for you. Hell, I wish I had money for me.

But how do I style my work, Angel?

As you would any story. I don’t want to see your work broken into poetic verses. I love poetry, but don’t want to have any submitted for this venue. Yeah, really. For God’s sake, didn’t you read the bit about the claw?

Should I provide a bio?

Yes. Make it exactly 5 words (and yeah, that includes your name). You can provide a link to your website or blog and I’ll hyperlink it to your name, so it doesn’t count toward your 5 words.

Okay.

Am I making myself loud and clear?

Then get going.

-Angel Zapata, editor
December 11, 2010

The Man of Shadows available as Ebook at Smashwords

2010-12-14T18:47:00.003-05:00

Panic Press has just listed the ebook version of my book on Smashwords.
You can find your FREE 30 page download sample here. The entire ebook can be purchased for $4.99.

Panic Press needs you editors, publishers & bloggers

2010-12-10T06:17:00.005-05:00

House of Horror and Panic Press editor, Sammi Cox is "looking for editors/publishers/bloggers, etc to review PDF books from Panic Press and House of Horror and also interview our authors. If interested, please email her at panicpressbooks@houseofhorror.org.uk or horrorhouse.editor@yahoo.com."

El Dia de los Reyes published at The Glass Coin

2010-12-06T17:11:00.003-05:00

The Glass Coin has reprinted a Christmas Holiday story of mine, El Dia de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings).

The concept of The Glass Coin is “every story has two sides.” Per their site, “Each issue we’ll examine two sides of an idea; two themes that are irrevocably connected. These themes may reflect each other, each helping us see the other more clearly. They may be as opposite as heads and tails or be as connected as two sides of the same coin. Every issue, it’s our hope to shatter your perceptions, make you think and make you feel something.”

Visit their Guidelines and Upcoming Themes pages for more info.

Many thanks to editors, JM Prescott & Sairah Saddal.

The Bus Stop @ Not From Here, Are You?

2010-12-01T18:29:00.002-05:00

Michael Solender, over at The Not, features my Feast of Flash honorable mention entry. Get on down to The Bus Stop and read what’s going on.

The Man of Shadows: Available now!

2010-11-18T19:23:00.013-05:00

Yep, it's the front cover of my book. Neat, huh? Available at Panic Press and House of Horror. You can pre-order it now via the provided links or in the right column for only £7.99 (shipping has been added into price according to location). Cheap, I know. That's like, uh, you know, uh, let's see, carry the one and subtract or add something or other...in American dollars. Okay, it's actually about $12 plus shipping (thanks, Sam).

Product Description:

The Man of Shadows is a dark collection of twenty-five short horror stories.

It begins with “The Mouth of Babes,” a visceral tale of streetwalkers and addicts, morbid voyeurs, cannibalistic tattoos, and witchcraft. Jimmy only wants another photograph for his online Death Images website. But when his good friend, Steve calls him down to the morgue to see a body with a strange tattoo of a mouth on her abdomen, he learns that sometimes the dead have incurable appetites.

In “Death Reversal,” a grief-stricken wife hopes to resurrect the husband she murdered by making a long distance call to hell.

“The Bridge” pits the superstitious beliefs of the neurotically-challenged, Benson against the very real presence of a modern-day troll.

“Dead Flames” paints us a brief love story between the walking dead.

From the wicked predilections of children to the varied manifestations of evil personified, The Man of Shadows will have you running for the light.

Breathing Space up at MicroHorror

2010-11-16T18:41:00.001-05:00

Editor, Nathan Rosen has been kind enough to post my MicroHorror contest entry, Breathing Space. You can find it here.

Recently, Nathan had his appendix removed; horror of the real kind. Keep getting better, buddy.

The Exoneration at Bolts of Silk

2010-11-13T12:19:00.002-05:00

A more feminine side to my writing is up for your viewing pleasure at Bolts of Silk. Poem’s called, The Exoneration.

My thanks to editor, Juliet Wilson.

The Popularity Resurrection at Carcinogenic Poetry

2010-11-10T20:56:00.001-05:00

If you haven’t submitted any of your poems to Carcinogenic Poetry…what are you waiting for?

While you’re there, check out my latest work, The Popularity Resurrection.

My thanks to editor, Michael Aaron Casares.

-Ang

Jewel Thief: Guest Spot at The Not

2010-11-01T12:22:00.001-04:00

I got the guest spot today over at Michael Solender’s site, Not From Here, Are You? It’s a tiny piece of flash called, Jewel Thief.

Peace!

Panic Press is publishing my Short Story Collection

2010-10-28T20:30:00.002-04:00

That’s right, my horror short story collection, The Man of Shadows has been accepted for publication by House of Horror’s new publishing venture, Panic Press. It features twenty-five of my stories. Most have appeared on e-zines and in print magazines and anthologies over the past couple of years. It also includes two brand new stories: A Depiction of Devils and Compass. The release date is scheduled for January 2011.

On the Panic Press website, Editor S.E. Cox says, “Panic Press is a new Small Press Publishing venture in association with House of Horror ezine.”

Per their submissions guidelines page, “We are currently seeking submissions of novels, novellas, chapbooks and short story/poetry collections. You can submit at anytime but our reading periods are September, December, March and June.”

Their First Official Panic Press Books include:
Tales from the Dark Side by S.E.COX (Short Story Collection)
The Man of Shadows by Angel Zapata (Short Story Collection)
Revolution City by Darren James (Novel)
Ashes in her Eyes by Alan Spencer (Novel)

Be sure to visit their submissions page, and their newly created forum, The Panic Room for general information and up-to-date announcements.

Many, many thanks to S.E. Cox for this wonderful privilege.

Plagiarists are afoot...Let's be the boot in their ass

2010-10-26T18:08:00.004-04:00

Writers/editors/fans of the written word,

It’s been over a year since I learned a story I wrote was stolen by a plagiarist and published under his name. Thankfully, the writing community came to bat for me and the unity we all felt was truly unbelievable. We learned a lot. We fought back. And although we couldn’t undo what was done, there was a feeling of triumph in exposing him as a fraud.

But sadly, plagiarism will never go away. Thieves will continue to steal. The best things we can do is support and encourage those victimized by these word thieves, and to keep the community active in spotting these wolves in sheep’s clothing.

There have been some recent cases. I implore each and every one of you to offer your support. Follow the links below.

Thanks,
Angel Zapata

AJ Brown
Plagiarism… It Effects the Family

Ramblings of a Tattooed Head
Plagiarism

The Writer and the White Cat
Help Pin the Tail on this Plagiarist

Aaron Polson
On Plagiarists, Fake Names and Other Random Things

ADDENDUM:
Michael Solender over at Not From Here, Are You has provided a link for those interested in protecting your stories through copyright (and it's FREE):

My Free Copyright

I also found a great article on protecting your website articles:

Copyright Website Articles— How to Protect your Work against Plagiarism

If anyone else has any other sites to help protect against plagiarism, please provide that info to me here in the comments section, and I’ll gladly create a link for all to use.

Thanks!

Copyright © 2010 by Angel Zapata

The Devil's Carriage

2010-10-23T11:02:00.006-04:00

Halloween is just about a week away. Ghouls and ghosts, witches and goblins are a-comin'. But strangely, my writing has been anything but horror lately. I seem to be writing poetry about birds and love and such. What's that all about? Thought I'd get inspired by checking out some of my favorite horror comics. And Mexico brings us some of the darkest (and raunchiest) art and stories available. Allow me to share some covers with you of one of my favorite titles, El Carruaje Diabolico (The Devil's Carriage). These are Tales from the Crypt type of yarns where just about every issue's final moments have the lead antagonist boarding Satan's horse and carriage to hell.

Zombies and Tears

2010-09-08T20:09:00.000-04:00

Hello. I’m gonna be short and sweet. Got two new pieces up today.

My flash fiction piece, Feed It Some More appears on Nothing To Say for xTx’s brilliant Zombie Summer.

And my poem, The Noise of Her Tears can be found at Every Day Poets.

Calls for Submissions: Echoes, Eyeballs, and Ire

2010-08-31T18:56:00.004-04:00

Hello all! It’s been awhile since my last blog, but I’ve been busy writing and revising, so I’m sure you understand. I’d like to make you aware of a few active calls for submissions. These are perfect if you need to be inspired by a topic.

SPECTRA MAGAZINE is hosting a Flash Fiction contest. Per their guidelines, “All you need to do is visit the Spectra Magazine forums and start a new thread in the Flash Fiction section, completing a science fiction, horror or fantasy story in 60 words or less that begins with the sentence: A sudden echo from the corridor said this place wasn’t deserted after all.”

THE NEW FLESH just announced they’re going to war. That’s right, a flash fiction war. Editors, William Pauley III and Brian Barnett are looking for 1,000 words or less on the theme: ...and that's why I keep my eye in a pickle jar.

This should prove quite interesting. All details can be found here.

HOUSE OF HORRORS is open for submissions to their latest anthology, Tales of a Woman Scorned. Per their guidelines, “This anthology will be a collection of all those stories of what women will do to get what they want. From bunny boilers, to black widows, we want to read your darkest stories about these psychotic women. We are looking for stories of between 2000-5000 words. Reprints are welcome as long as you have permission to sell your story again.”

The very cool thing about House of Horror’s anthology is that you get paid. Yep, paid. Paid for your story and for royalties on sales when buyers mention your name (and yes, this will slightly quell the rage of this particular angel).

Editor, S.E. Cox is a wonderful writer and a huge support for fellow writers. Read all about it here.

Clarity of Night: Diamond in the Rough

2010-07-26T18:29:00.001-04:00

My Clarity of Night Contest entry, Diamond in the Rough has been posted by contest host, Jason Evans. Feel free to read and leave comments.

There’s still time to view the picture prompt and create a 250 word flash piece for submission. The deadline is 10:00pm, this Wednesday, July 28th. There are seven place prizes including a $100.00 Amazon Gift Card.

Entries can be found here and contest rules here.

Flashes in the Dark: The Hired Hand

2010-07-06T06:13:00.003-04:00

My entry, The Hired Hand for the Flashes in the Dark Resurrection Contest can be found here. Use the Authors drop down bar (select category) and select Resurrection for all the entries submitted for this contest. There have been some brilliant stories created by many talented writers.

My continued gratitude to editors Lori Titus and Robert Eccles.

Every Day Poets: Flight Attendant

2010-07-03T12:11:00.003-04:00

New poem up today at Every Day Poets. If you get a chance, do a fly by and take a gander at my Flight Attendant.

Have a safe 4th of July weekend!

Zombie Luv Flash Fic Contest: Dead Flames

2010-06-27T21:21:00.008-04:00

Dead Flames

Eventually, as was bound to happen, the last two zombies walked the earth. She was frail and missing an ear. He was tall and infested with flies. They saw each other from a great distance, through the rubble of a fallen city.

It was no longer clear what drove them forward, starvation or curiosity. On the eastern bank of a dry river bed, she waited. He shambled over bones and glass, approached her with dead, glassy eyes.

The sound of voices had almost been forgotten.

"Pain," he rasped, either statement or question was unknown.

She snarled, bit down on her own tongue.

They faced each other, the Adam and Eve of an apocalyptic garden, and felt the promise of fruit. He stared at her torn blouse, the colorless nipples of her exposed breasts, and slowly reached for her hand. She let him touch her, feel her cold skin.

"Pain," he said again and brought her fingers to his ruined face. She ignored the unyielding ache of her own hunger and allowed him this slight comfort. He looked up, pointed to the west, and began to lead her in that direction.

They walked like that for days with the sun roasting their flesh. They searched, but there was no one left to eat.

One night, she stumbled on loose stones and collapsed in a heap. One of his knees snapped when he bent to lift her from the ground. She caught him in her arms. Breathless, he nuzzled his teeth on her neck. They held each other in the dirt until dawn, without sleep or the sweet scent of blood to console them.

After three cities, a gray canyon, and the apex of two frozen mountains, they arrived at the end of the world. The crumbling ravine before them overlooked a sea of fire.

In a brief discharge of dormant synapses, she remembered the ocean had once roared against this raging, desolate shore. She examined her own desiccated body, and, for the first time since death, yearned for any sign of life.

He watched the inferno burn and cast orange light on his companion’s withered face. Somewhere in his spine, a decayed vertebra broke free and he was consequently bent forward. She regarded it as a gesture of supplication and pressed him to her. Their tattered clothes began to smoke and smolder.

“Pain,” she spoke at last, and it was the echo of snapping firewood in her throat.

They stood there, two lost candles waiting for the flames to validate their love.

Copyright © 2010, Angel Zapata
_________________________________
Guidelines:

Word count: maximum 1.000

The story must be a romance between two zombies. Make it as horrific as you like. ;)

Stories containing animal cruelty, torture, graphic sex or violence, any form of exaltation of violence, racism or other forms of prejudice will be immediately disqualified.

Post your entry on your own blog, with a title resembling this:
Zombie Luv Flash Fic Contest: Story Title

Leave your story title and a link to the story entry post as a comment at Mari's Randomities.

Copy and paste the contest logo and the guidelines at the end of your entry post.

New Poems at Boston Literary Magazine & Every Day Poets

2010-06-17T06:05:00.002-04:00

Editor, Robin Stratton of Boston Literary Magazine has published my poem, The Paramedic Student Memoirs in the Summer 2010 issue. Robin offered a sound critique to my original submission, and I’m thrilled with the final product. Read it here.

Oonah V. Joslin and the staff at Every Day Poets feature my poem, We Will Not Speak of Stones. They always provide great personal feedback on the selection process of submissions. Drop by and read my work here.

Flashes in the Dark: Detour

2010-06-07T18:56:00.002-04:00

My story, Detour is featured today at one of my favorite horror e-zines, Flashes in the Dark. A slightly different version was originally published in the print publication, Twisted Tongue, Issue 13.

Go and read the latest version here.

Soft Whispers: Still Life with Rooster

2010-06-03T19:57:00.005-04:00

Issue 5 of Soft Whispers has been released. My story, Still Life with Rooster, based on a photo prompt, can be found in its pages. Many thanks to editor, Jim Wisneski.

Download your very own copy here.

Resurrecting The Seashell House

2010-06-02T20:10:00.003-04:00

My writing buddies, Erin Cole and Michael Solender have resurrected old six sentence stories based on a picture prompt, The Seashell House and have posted it on their blogs here and here. Thought I'd join them...

The Seashell House

A Mexican couple on the verge of divorce paid an architect to design their old home into a perfect replica of a seashell. Eight months later, they moved back in and discovered they could no longer hear each other speak. The surf of the ocean was too loud an echo. She cried silently for weeks, until the taste of her quiet tears became the salt of his earth. He eventually stopped wiping away her wet kisses, and instead let them dry slowly on his cheeks. They’ve never been happier.

Zombie Summer, Resurrection, Stitched Up

2010-05-30T11:35:00.003-04:00

There are several active calls for submissions you should be aware of. Let’s get to it!

ZOMBIE SUMMER

Last year, xTx hosted Elephant Summer over at Nothing To Say. Participants were encouraged to scribe all things elephant. You can download the PDF here. This year, submissions will be accepted for Zombie Summer. The announcement reads, “Anything goes as long as it has a zombie innit!! Zombie Haikus or zombie interviews or zombie drawings, anything you want to send me. 10 words to 2,000! It’s up to you!” Learn more here. Use those brains before they’re eaten.

FLASHES IN THE DARK: RESURRECTION CONTEST

Yep, Lori Titus and Robert Eccles are hosting another exciting contest at their daily fiction site. Submissions are being accepted until June 25, 2010. They are asking for stories “about things that are dead–or undead—that come back. Ghosts, zombies, demons, vampires, or anything that you can dream of that isn’t supposed to be on this side of the ground. We love old monsters with new twists, new monsters with old sensibilities, and anything in between.” Read all submission guidelines here.

HOUSE OF HORROR: STITCHED UP

Editor, S.E. Cox has announced open submissions for a brand new anthology, Stitched Up. She states, “This time round we are lending our eyes towards the Zombie/Frankenstein theme. It doesn’t just have to stay with these monsters – this is an anthology of stitched up flesh, so think about that when writing your story.” All submission guidelines can be found here.

Blackberry Lady

2010-05-07T20:15:00.002-04:00

This week, I received an e-mail from a concerned writer requesting verification of my continued existence. Indeed I write, therefore I live. It may seem I don’t get around much anymore, but I am still active in the writing community. I do read many of your works you’ve posted on blogs and/or provided links for, but I haven’t been able to consistently leave feedback. Alas, a positional change at my place of employment has left a significant strain.

Somehow I’ve managed to complete several pieces of poetry. I share one with you.

Blackberry Lady

The moon breaks like a mirror.
The Blackberry Lady flashes her teeth
and a sundial turns its nose up toward the sky.
It is an art of light to cut yourself in two.

She is oil and vulnerable,
paint on the nails of canvas, parchment.
Her crimson dress is torn at the hem,
Cimmerian legs push through as stalactites.

I perch below the cavern of her expression.
She smiles like a river dries,
slips off bittersweet sandals.
Toes wiggle frantic as earthworms.

This is the Blackberry Lady, the bramble of youth.
I take her by her narrow waist and squeeze.
She drinks the sun from a muddy skull,
points a finger in my direction.

It is not love, but I crave this dark fruit.
She offers me a rose to knead.
Thorns are nipples on her breasts.
Our blouse stains with indignation.

The moon breaks like a mirror.
I catch our reflection in a shard of glass.
Her eyes drip sugar without the aid of light,
yet fail to sweeten mine.

Copyright 2010, Angel Zapata, all rights reserved.

Grand Prize Winner at Not From Here, Are You?

2010-03-29T05:07:00.002-04:00

My story, The Careful Seal of Her Song was selected as the Spring has Sprung grand prize winner over at Michael Solender’s happening spot, Not From Here, Are You?

Not From Here, Are You? The Careful Seal of Her Song

Besides the privilege of publication, I was also given the opportunity to sit down with his neighbor’s dog, MacDuff for a most delightfully irreverent interview.

Many thanks to Michael and MacDuff.

Writing Habits—Dawn of the Gummy Bear

2010-03-19T08:06:00.002-04:00

I probably talk more about my sex life, than I do about my own writing. Okay, not really. But do I have your attention?

Just as there’s this remarkably intimate connection during sex, the bond between the writer and his or her Muse transcends all other personal relationships. For me, when I sit down and face that glowing screen, I know I’m not alone. The fear of writer’s block or a lack of inspiration dissipates into the sweet sound of her voice. I don’t let inspiration become the driving force of my creativity. That's like sitting in a car without gas and expecting to arrive at my destination on time. I write and I write some more, until the words fuse into perfect beads of pearl. When I run out of words, I walk away and find some more.

Now, on to gummy bears. God help me; please don’t start calling me one. I like to eat them while I write. The orange one is my favorite flavor. During my creative process, I don’t drink coffee, consume alcohol, use recreational drugs (prescription drugs is another story). I don’t listen to music. I don’t need absolute silence, and in fact, I enjoy the vibrant echoes of ambient noise. I take notes on napkins, clothing, candy wrappers, the back of my hand; you name it. I use a dictionary, a thesaurus, printed encyclopedias, newspapers, comic books, Playboy, Google; pretty much anything I can reference. I churn out brief story outlines that constantly morph into thirty-five different directions. I don’t slip into mantras, but I do pray to perform at my best. I don’t have a particular time of day or night. I write whenever I can for as long as possible.

I’ll stop now. This is sounding way too much like a personals ad.

In truth, I have no writer friends in the real world. In cyberspace, I have all of you talented and highly regarded writers at my fingertips. We encourage one another, provide feedback, and voice concern when a member of our community seemingly disappears from the virtual world.

You matter to me.

Everyone has their own habits, their own special way of communicating with their Muse.

What’s yours?

Flashes in the Dark: Food Drive

2010-03-09T06:56:00.001-05:00

Editors Lori Titus and Bob Eccles have been gracious enough to publish my latest horror tale.

Flashes in the Dark: Food Drive

I know I've been missing from the blogosphere community lately. It’s because I’ve been hiding in a very dark basement. Yes, the night critters here can be frightening, but that's how I like it sometimes. Don’t you?

Plagiarism Rears Its Ugly Head…Again

2010-02-09T20:06:00.002-05:00

But this time it didn’t happen to me.

As I’ve heard it said, "If it happens to one of us, it happens to all of us." To any writer, no truer statement can be made about the crime of plagiarism. Fellow writer, Greta Igl blogs about yet another recent incident. A friend of hers was shocked to find one of her poems published under a Facebook pal's name. From where do these monsters crawl out of? Do any of you also worry that one day we won't be able to publish anything online again for fear our words will be stolen?

Get over to Greta's site, For Write or Wrong and show her we writers stick together and won't tolerate such behavior.

Greta Igl’s For Write or Wrong: Stop! Thief!

Let’s give that Facebook bastard a piece of our minds.

-Angel

BTW, if you missed reading about my terrible case of plagiarism, I’ve provided links:

A Rage of Angel: I’ve Been Plagiarized and I’m Not Alone

A Rage of Angel: Plagiarized…Three Days Later

Paula Ray: Writer Spotlight

2010-01-23T14:52:00.006-05:00

My recommended writer/poet/musician of the week is the ever-melodious, Paula Ray. Her work is an amalgam of playful rhythm and muted rage. “Sometimes I want to be smothered. I want to feed my screams to someone else…” from Break Me.

I’ve never heard her create magic on a saxophone, but the inflection of her aptly labeled Musical Pencil cries out to be heard:
“Why did I chose the sax?
Because it spoke to me and said,
“press your lips against my grain,
cradle me against your womb,
release the wind within your mind
and I will send your screams, sorrows,
and sighs star-ward
until the sunburned sky
showers you with blues.”
from Horn of the Devil Sounds Sweet.

She can tease our senses with evocative verse:
“I was one of working girls,
taking innocents into my private room,
teaching them fingering and tonguing tricks,
how to blow soft, make it scream loud,
get high, and growl. It was all about diaphragm,
rhythm, flow, and letting go.” from Sax Lessons.

And then, turn our world upside down in thirteen perfect words:
“You shake me up to watch,
my mind fall in flakes,
your amusement.” from Inside the Snowglobe.

It would be an injustice not to mention her outstanding flash fiction, composed with the same stunning, muse-inspired instrument. “She took the pen in her hand, it was still warm and sweaty from his palm, she could feel his pulse thumping beneath the engraved gold plating.” from Abigail’s Song.

Do yourself a favor and become a fan.

Works of interest include:

Shoots and Vines: Inside the Snowglobe

Everyday Weirdness: Abigail’s Song

Word Riot: Break Me

Strange Road: Sax Lessons and Horn of the Devil Sounds Sweet

Visit Paula’s blog “Musical Pencil” and be prepared to sing:

Paula Ray: Musical Pencil

The Clarity of Night: Forgotten Ornithology

2010-01-13T08:34:00.004-05:00

Jason Evans, attorney, writer, and twilightkeeper, has been hosting a Silhouette Short Fiction Contest on his bustling blog, The Clarity of Night. The challenge was to scribe a flash of 250 words or less on a provided image. My story, Forgotten Ornithology is entry #142.

The Clarity of Night: Forgotten Ornithology

Writers came out of the woodwork for this one. Many of my favorite writing friends have submitted their stories:

David Barber: Nature Is Cruel

Lee Hughes: The Mending of the Broken

Michael A. Kechula: Terrible News

Jodi MacArthur: Midnight Feathers

Michael J. Solender: Jumper

John Wiswell: No Sam For You

Jeffrey S. Callico: Window Seat

Go to the index link below for a full directory of all writers entered in the contest:

The Clarity of Night

Preditors and Editors: Surrogate Fruit

2010-01-12T08:16:00.001-05:00

In case you’re in the voting mood, my story Surrogate Fruit seems to have been nominated in the Horror Short Story category over at the Preditors and Editors site.

Preditors and Editors: Surrogate Fruit

Of course, I’m not alone. Fellow writers Robert C. Eccles, Brian Barnett, Jonathan Pinnock and Graeme Reynolds can be found there as well. So vote for your favorite.

The Poem Factory: Defrost & The Supper Table

2010-01-06T07:18:00.003-05:00

I’m finally back to this blogging thing. I hope everyone’s holiday was magical. Yes, the day job is zapping all my energy and leaving very little room for writing. But I’m not gonna let them beat me. Anyway…

Author and editor, Salvatore Buttaci has been kind enough to publish two poems of mine, Defrost and The Supper Table in the Winter 2010 Issue of The Poem Factory.

The Poem Factory: Winter 2010 Issue

He’s featured some great work by some gifted writers. An author that should be familiar to you all, Jeanette Cheezum has a very heart-felt piece, Hope featured as well. Enjoy!

At the Bijou: El Dia de los Reyes

2009-12-22T07:03:00.006-05:00

Just in time for the holiday season, my story, El Dia de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings) is featured along side Ian Rochford's very cool tale, A Room at the Star down At the Bijou.

At the Bijou: El Dia de los Reyes, Angel Zapata

At the Bijou: A Room at the Star, Ian Rochford

Creator/editor/wordsmith/Harbinger 33 champion, Absolute Kate Pilarcik continues to inspire and publish writers every Tuesday and Thursday on her virtual theater blog. She’s a truly lovely woman with a remarkably giving heart. Thanks, Kate.

NYC Midnight Tweet me a Story: The Semi-Finals

2009-12-17T07:14:00.003-05:00

I registered for the NYC Midnight Tweet me a Story Contest a few hours before the deadline last week. Basically, at 7pm the next evening they provided a key word (my word assignment was Produce) and every writer had until 11:59pm the same night to enter up to three, 140-character stories. They would then narrow down the entries to the Top 25 and put them up for reader vote. Both my stories made it into the Top 25 of my category, which puts me as a contender for the finals.

My request is to stop by, and if you like either or both, please vote for me. My stories begin, “She squeezed the tomato” and “His experimental pesticides had worked.”

The NYC Midnight Tweet me a Story Contest

Thanks in advance, fellow writers and readers.

Every Day Poets: Family Portrait

2009-12-15T18:55:00.001-05:00

Got my poem, Family Portrait up on Every Day Poets.

Every Day Poets: Family Portrait

Once again, my sincere thanks to all the good people of this amazing poetry site.

I know I haven’t spent much time blogging in the cyberworld lately. You know us writer-types. I’ll try not to be such a hermit.

Flashshot: Howl

2009-12-08T11:14:00.002-05:00

My new micro-horror piece, Howl is up on G.W. Thomas’ Flashshot. As always, if you miss reading it today, it’ll be available on the Last Ten Flashshots page.

Flashshot: Howl

Not From Here Are You? The Ash Blossoms

2009-12-03T09:47:00.002-05:00

Michael Solender, blog meister of Not From Here Are You? has included my honorable mention story The Ash Blossoms in his remarkable Feast of Flash series.

Not From Here Are You? The Ash Blossoms

And Daniel Stine’s gratifying flash, Thanks Giving.

Not From Here Are You? Thanks Giving

Go have yourself a gander.

Thank you, Michael!

Negative Suck: The Animals Want to Drive…

2009-12-01T17:30:00.003-05:00

Writer, and now editor extraordinaire, Jeffrey Callico (aka wiredwriter) has the virgin issue of Negative Suck up for your viewing pleasure. You can find my poem The Animals Want to Drive, but I Can’t Find my Keys wandering about its non-sucking pages.

Negative Suck: The Animals Want to Drive, but I Can’t Find my Keys

A huge congrats to Mr. Callico! After sinking your teeth into his negative suck-fest, drop by his blog:

What is but may not be

And a shout out to my pal, Jodi MacArthur whose art is also featured.

Flashshot: Front Lawn Nativity

2009-11-27T11:07:00.001-05:00

Just in time for the holiday season, my micro piece Front Lawn Nativity is featured today on Flashshot. As always, thanks goes to editors G.W. Thomas and Guy Koehler.

Flashshot: Front Lawn Nativity

And don’t forget, if you miss reading it today, it’ll be available for the next ten days on the Last Ten Flashshots page.

Last Ten Flashshots

The Legendary: Three Poems

2009-11-21T09:43:00.001-05:00

Huge thanks to editors Jim Parks and Katie Moore over at The Legendary where my poems Lost Communication, Walls of Air and Remarry appear in their November Issue #11. They publish amazing poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Drop by, read, and submit your work.

The Legendary: Three Poems

Said No to NaNo? Here are Two Tiny Alternatives

2009-11-19T11:27:00.004-05:00

Okay, I admit it; I dodged the NaNo bullet this year. It’s not like I’ve stopped writing, I just don’t have 50,000 consecutive words in me at this time. The good news is I’ve been busy scribing flash and poetry all month long. So there. (Submit pic of defiant tongue here).

Recently, I found a couple of fun sites to wet the end of your quills and get those juices flowing (hmm…that came out dirtier-sounding than I intended) and wanted to share them with you.

THE ONE-MINUTE WRITER
Daily prompts that challenge you to pen a masterpiece…in 60 seconds! Writer, C. Beth has kindly provided a timer to jitter your nerves while you write. Basically you read the prompt, press play on the clock, and go!

THE ONE-MINUTE WRITER

BTW, she’s a limerick genius and you can view some of her brilliant five-liners at my next recommendation:

SEVEN DAYS, SEVEN ANSWERS
Daily prompts inspired by a variety of cues. Per the blog, “Read the cue, react to the cue. There's no right answer, no research required. I cite sources where applicable but it's all about coming up with creative answers. Winners are picked in a week.” It’s a challenge, so you get to compete with your peers. Win a coveted winner’s button to sport on your blog. And you have an opportunity to win one for every day of the week.

SEVEN DAYS, SEVEN ANSWERS

Have fun!

The New Flesh: Evolution

2009-11-14T09:25:00.002-05:00

Editor, William Pauley III has published my tale of the Octopi. Stop by The New Flesh and find out what happens when sea creatures fall from the sky.

The New Flesh: Evolution

Thanks III!

FLASHES IN THE DARK: DEATH REVERSAL

2009-11-09T07:45:00.000-05:00

My entry for The Worst of Love Contest is featured today on Flashes in the Dark.

Flashes in the Dark: Death Reversal

Per the contest guidelines, What we’re looking for: Dark stories that tell us what happens when love goes awry. This could be romantic love, or love between family or friends. Throw in a paranormal twist to this premise, and we want to see your story! 1,000 words is the limit. Please visit the FITD News page for further details. You have until November 30th to submit…so hurry!

Flashes in the Dark: The Worst of Love Contest

Editors Lori Titus and Bob Eccles have my gratitude.

ILLUSTRATOR SPOTLIGHT: MARK ANTHONY CRITTENDEN

2009-11-01T19:41:00.009-05:00

A Rage of Angel is proud to host a feature interview with an exceptionally gifted horror illustrator. For those of you unfamiliar with Mark Anthony Crittenden’s work, you are in for a mind-blowing treat. Some of his published and forthcoming illustrations can be appreciated on his blog, “Vision Primordial” and in the pages and covers of Graveyard Tales, Champagne Shivers, Twisted Dreams, Morpheus Tales, and Sideshow 2: Tales of the Big Top and the Bizarre.

I’m quite excited to announce that Mark has also allowed us the exclusive privilege to witness the evolution of one of his art creations, "Lucy's Wolf" by rewinding the clock from finished product to initial concept through the four step-by-step images showcased here. If you’ve always been curious to learn how an idea becomes a jaw-dropping reality…now’s your chance.

It’s a great pleasure to introduce you to Mark Anthony Crittenden.

RAGE: In one sentence, describe everything there is to know about your illustrations.
MAC: It's anything full of teeth, and psychosomatic illness, and just a touch of charm.

RAGE: Tell us your latest news.
MAC: The magazine Graveyard Tales will feature a reprint of one of my stories and an illustration. I was very pleased to make the debut issue of this magazine (which is available for purchase now, by the way). That occasion was a first for me.

RAGE: In order to clarify, should we address you as an artist or illustrator? Is there a distinction?
MAC: Oh yes, there is a big distinction. The artist often just talks about it, the illustrator actually does it. I am the latter.

RAGE: What defines you as an illustrator? Was there one significant moment in your life? Who are your biggest inspirations?
MAC: I am defined by the long hours that I have spent in a transformative process, and by all those who said I couldn't do it, bless them all. All the people out there who struggle and get knocked down and just keep getting back up…they are my inspiration, and I will never stop cheering them on.

RAGE: I know you sometimes employ models for specific projects, and as each illustrator has a unique creative process, please explain yours.
MAC: That would require a very long answer. I can tell you that there is a definite formula for selecting the right model for a composition. It's all about finding the personality of the image and then working in reverse, establishing a mood in my own singular style. I enjoy the challenge of also doing photo-manipulation and trying to maintain a level of illustration within the piece. In every case I try to produce something exquisite, even if it takes everything out of me. I will easily spend 40-60 hours on a cover illustration, and I won't stop until it meets my standards.

RAGE: You post many links to music videos on your blog. How much does music influence your work? What other passions drive you to create?
MAC: Music is definitely the tie that binds us to our creativity. Whenever we are composing we are creating music. That is to say, everything is lyrical and literal and symbolic. We are all of us conduits and tiny firestorms.

RAGE: You are also a published writer. Your fiction and poetry has appeared on your blog, Micro 100 and Champagne Shivers. Does your artwork inspire your fiction or vice versa? Where else are you published? New stories in the works?
MAC: I will say this: Everything I do is visual to some degree. I am trying to transport the viewer somewhere and paint a picture-either with a stylus or with words. Unfortunately because I am living between two worlds, that of an illustrator and a writer, I sometimes spread myself thin and it is hard to get my writing out to all the markets I would hope for. There is a flash fiction special in the form of a free pdf download now available from Morpheus Tales:

Morpheus Tales Special

that features one of my new stories. One could start there. A new story will also appear in Champagne Shivers Jan 2010 issue, which I was also lucky enough to land the cover art for.

RAGE: If a publisher or writer wants to commission you for work, what’s the best means to contact you?
MAC: Well, I have always gone to them originally, but I am hoping that changes. Just like the subjects we write about –we don't always choose them. Sometimes they choose us. My email is at the top of my blog:

Vision Primordial

and I encourage anyone to drop me a line. I am always excited to hear from new writers, or about any new projects happening out there.

RAGE: What advice can you give to up-and-coming illustrators wanting to see their work published?
MAC: Be willing to give everything for what you do. Be concise and sure-footed and tenacious, and if that doesn't work pole vault yourself into the opposition. Be a lightning bolt. Don't be afraid to refine your techniques. Always be changing.

RAGE: Final thoughts?
MAC: I just want to thank you, Angel, for this interview and the chance to rant for a while. I also want to thank all of the writers out there who are doing everything in their power to be heard, to make their mark. I raise my glass to you and salute you. You are in many ways the voice of today. Keep rising to new heights. I will be watching out for you!

Thank you, Mark!

Please visit Mark’s work:

Vision Primordial

Micro 100: Health Care Denied

Micro 100: Alive

Champagne Shivers: The Shock Value of Bad Magic

Morpheus Tales Special

Old Mother Hubbard Goes Before the Parole Board

2009-10-27T09:46:00.001-04:00

Yep, the TRUE story finally revealed. Go read all about it on The New Flesh. I’ve transcribed it from Old Mother Hubbard’s very own words.

The New Flesh: Old Mother Hubbard Goes Before the Parole Board

My thanks to editor, William Pauley III.

13 Days of Horror Begins!

2009-10-19T07:04:00.001-04:00

Erin Cole’s blog, Listen to the Voices will be hosting 13 DAYS OF HORROR beginning today and running through Halloween. Each morning, a new story or poem will be featured by a guest writer. Click the link below and enter into darkness…

Erin Cole’s Listen to the Voices: 13 Days of Horror

Summer Chiller Contest Winners

2009-10-14T10:43:00.002-04:00

My flash story, Surrogate Fruit has placed first in the Flashes in the Dark, Summer Chiller Contest. The summertime theme, per the guidelines, was to create a story that turned “the regular trappings of the warmest part of the year into something dark and scary” in 1,200 words or less.

There were first through third place winners and two honorable mentions from writers Graeme Reynolds, Jessica Brown, Jodi MacArthur, and Shane McKenzie. Please read the announcement here:

Flashes in the Dark: News Page

Please visit each writer’s story in the Summer Chillers Archives and feel free to leave congratulatory comments in the feedback field:

Flashes in the Dark: Summer Chillers Archives

Sincere thanks goes to editors, Lori Titus and Bob Eccles who are not only kind people, but also some of the best horror writers around.

55 A Day, Nanofiction for Nanopeople: Love Story

2009-10-11T22:10:00.003-04:00

I got the guest spot up on 55 A Day: Nanofiction for Nanopeople. It's called "Love Story." Editor, Ari Collins has compiled some great micro fiction (what he considers nanofiction). Please stop by, read and support this gem of a site.

55 A Day: Love Story

And for those wondering where I’ve been…yes, I’ve been hiding in my cave.

Sideshow 2: Tales of the Big Top and the Bizarre

2009-10-05T17:51:00.005-04:00

Horror illustrator and artist extraordinaire, Mark Anthony Crittenden (who happens to be the cover artist) has asked me to pass on the word that Sam's Dot Publishing is still open to submissions for Sideshow 2: Tales of the Big Top and the Bizarre.

Per their guidelines, “We want unique stories about side shows, freak shows, travelling shows, carnivals, circuses, and fairs. Stories may fall into one or more of three genres: horror, fantasy, and science fiction (although typically we do not expect many science fiction stories). Although we are looking for original stories, we will consider reprints, but probably will accept no more than two--we really want original work. Story length should be somewhere between 1,500 and 5,000 words.”

They pay $12 for Original Stories & $7 for Reprints.

For those unfamiliar with Sam’s Dot, they offer a wide range of fantastic publications from managing editor, Tyree Campbell. Titles include Champagne Shivers, edited by Cathy Buburuz, The Drabble, edited by Terrie Leigh Relf and many, many more.

Please visit their newsletter for full submission guidelines:

Sideshow 2: Tales of the Big Top and the Bizarre

For general publication info:

Sam's Dot Publishing

BTW, in the very near future, A Rage of Angel will be featuring an Artist Spotlight with Mark Anthony Crittenden. The horror community should pay special attention to his work as he may be illustrating YOUR work very soon. Please stop by and view some of his effin’ amazing artwork currently on display at his blog:

Vision Primordial: The works of Mark Anthony Crittenden

House of Horror Call for Submissions

2009-10-04T16:44:00.007-04:00

For those of you unaware, at the UK’s House of Horror magazine “There is always something happening in every room of this horror house. Join us for horror stories and poems in the basement, book reviews and interviews in the lounge, macabre models and horrific art in the studio, and bloody romance in the master bedroom.”

I, for one, read their magazine and find the quality of work submitted to be of the highest caliber. They are currently open to submissions for their online magazine:

House of Horrors

AND editor, S.E. Cox has just announced open submissions for their latest anthology, RUTHLESS: An Extreme Shock Horror Collection. From Within These Walls, the HOH blog site:

“We are looking for stories that will shock the reader, make them feel uncomfortable as they read. Give us your sickest, weirdest, craziest stories. The gorier and stranger, the better. That being said, the story still has to be strong. Gore for gores sake will not cut it, but a great story full of gory details is what we are looking for”

For more details, submission guidelines, and other pertinent links, please visit:

Within These Walls: House of Horror blog

House of Horror continues to donate to the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, so please support not only the horror community, but a worthy cause as well. House of Horror anthologies and special print editions and can be purchased at their bookstore:

House of Horrors Book Store

10 Flash Quarterly: Deep Within the Heart of Thieves

2009-10-02T22:01:00.004-04:00

My latest flash is up on editor, K.C. Ball's genre fiction e-zine, 10 Flash Quarterly. Every issue features 10 writers showcasing their interpretation of the presented theme. The October 2009 theme was "two men, one of them wounded, flee pursuit following a botched bank-robbery."

Issue 2 writers include D. J. Barber, Alexander Burns, Laura Eno, Jude-Marie Green, Oonah V. Joslin, John Jasper Owens, Stephen D. Rogers, Tanya L. Schofield, Robert Swartwood, me, and a bonus tale by Gay Degani.

10 Flash Quarterly: Deep Within the Heart of Thieves

Plagiarized...Three Days Later

2009-10-01T18:31:00.006-04:00