Hello, faithful readers! 
2011 sure got off to a quick start here at West Manor! I was so busy with projects new and old that the month of January went by in the blink of an eye. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. I do love to stay busy (sure beats the alternative!).
So, here is a quick recap / status update…
The Wide Game
My first novel, The Wide Game, will be released on February 15th by Graveside Tales Books. Last week, you all got the first look at Bob Freeman’s amazing cover art (see above). What you didn’t see, however, was what gets wrapped inside that cover. I got my first look at the formatted manuscript, and let me tell you, the good people at Graveside have put together a beautiful little package here. Writers’ works are like their children, and we all want the best for our children, don’t we? Well, with this edition of Wide Game, I got the best.
The other Wide Game-related project that has kept me busy over the last month has been the book trailer. You know me, Horror movie buff that I am, I can’t just have a simple book trailer that shows the cover art, a few blurbs, and the ordering info. No, no, no. It has to be cinematic! And to that end, Darkrider Studios and I have been trying to put together something very special. I can’t wait for you to see it!
Look for both the book and the trailer in the very near future. 
Vampires Don’t Sparkle!
This month, Dark Quest Books launched Ambrotos Press, a highly selective Horror Imprint, who’s mission is to publish only the highest quality fiction in the horror genre from some of today’s most well-known authors. They also named me as the editor on a collection of gritty, horrific vampire fiction titled Vampires Don’t Sparkle! This invitation only anthology is due out in March, 2012.
That sounds like a long time off, doesn’t it? Well, it’s not! Like I said, January went by in the blink of an eye, so the release will be here before you know it. Luckily, stories have already started coming in from some of the most exciting writers working in Horror today, so I’ve got some reading to do!
January saw the announcement that the Master of Horror, John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog, The Thing, Big Trouble in Little China, etc.) will be joining me as a guest at FandomFest this July.
I could not be more excited! Really looking forward to this show and I hope to see many of you there!
I also added a stop at Fear Fair in April. Indiana’s Scariest Haunted House is hosting Scream Break on Saturday, April 30th, and I will be there with copies of The Wide Game and other works for signing. Fear Fair served as the setting for part of our Wide Game trailer shoot, so it seems only fitting. Hope you will brave the chainsaws and come see me! 
But first up on my busy 2011 schedule is a radio show and a bookstore signing.
I will be the guest of The Funky Werepig on Saturday, February 12th at 2pm. We will chat about The Wide Game, my other projects, and who knows what else. It’s the Werepig folks. Anything can happen!
And last, but certainly not least, I will be signing The Wide Game and other works at the IUPUI Campus Center Barnes & Noble (420 University Boulevard Indianapolis, IN 46202 / Store telephone: (317)278-2665) on Thursday, February 24 from 11 am-1 pm. This is my first local bookstore signing, so I hope all my faithful readers in Indianapolis will help make it an event to remember! 
Fell Beasts
Finally, you may remember that my short story “Sandwalkers” is featured in the upcoming Fell Beasts anthology. The book was originally due out in December, but had to be delayed due to technical issues. Well, the book is now at the printers and should be ready for ordering soon. Don’t worry, as soon as I have more info, I will post it. 
Well, that’s about it for January 2011. A busy, busy month. And from the looks of it, February will be just as exciting!
Stay tuned, faithful readers, we’re just getting started…
