Archive for July, 2011

Unleash The Beast Within!

 Graveside Tales Books has released its second Beast Within anthology, Predator & Prey, featuring my short story “Masako’s Tale.” 

Predator and prey. Hunter and hunted.
These aren’t your usual shapeshifter stories.  These are the stories of bears, tigers, spiders, birds and more. Werewolves in steampunk England.  Werespiders in Japan.  Werepelicans in Louisiana. Wereferrets in New York.
 
This is an anthology that shifts the normal perceptions of who is the predator and who is the prey. Come take a walk on the wild side with the most unusual of guides and enjoy Beast Within 2.
 
Beast Within 2: Predator & Prey features stories by Erik Scott de Bie, Dylan Birtolo, Michael West, Kerrie Hughes, James L. Sutter and more…
 
 
PREDATOR
 
Solitary Instincts by Wendy N. Wagner
The Strange Affair of the Viennese Mathematician by Joshua Reynolds
The Adventure of the Missing Trophy by Mark W. Coulter
Blood Will Tell by JG Faherty
Vanessa McAvoy’s Statement by Kelly Swails
Ties of Silver by James L. Sutter
The Long Road to Sanctum by Richard Farnsworth
Masako’s Tale by Michael West
 
PREY
 
Help Wanted by Lydia Ondrusek
Act Natural by Tyler Hayes
Desperate Housewolves by Erik Scott de Bie
Life Decisions by Dylan Birtolo
Papa Pirana by Angel McCoy
Deserter by Gabrielle Harbowy and Marie Bilodeau
Corvidae by Kerrie L. Hughes
In One Stride Comes the Dark by Kenneth Mark Hoover
 
“A collection of provocative and primal stories about transformation. From the whimsical to the deeply affecting, the tales in Beast Within 2 makes one think about the dance between predator and prey, human and the animal mind.”  – J. Damask, author of Wolf at the Door
 
 

Schedule for FandomFest / Fright Night Film Fest

Where has this year gone?  FandomFest / Fright Night Film Fest is just two weeks away!   With guests like legendary director John Carpenter, and two sold out hotels, this is going to be one of the largest conventions anywhere this year!  I will have a table all weekend where faithful readers can buy my works and have them signed, including my new novel Cinema of Shadows, which will not be available to the rest of the public until August 7!  In fact, there will be a huge book launch party for the novel on Saturday night, so I hope to see everyone there!  When I’m not at my table, or meeting with John Carpenter and the other guests, here are the panels and events where you can find me over the weekend:

Friday, July 22

Fiction Readings, 8pm in Panel Room C.  Featuring:

Michael West

Allan Gilbreath

Jimmy Gillentine

Horror Writing-Realistic Character Development and Other Considerations:   There are some definite considerations to keep in mind when writing in the horror genre.  Developing realistic characters in a horror novel has its own hurdles due to the genre itself.  If you are a horror writer or just curious about the genre, this panel will explore the unique genre considerations.

Friday, 9pm in Panel Room B.  Featuring:

Brady Allen
Michael West
Andy Deane
Elizadeth Hetherington
Bonnie Stewart
Mari Adkins


Saturday, July 23
 

Writer’s Groups:  Writer’s Groups can really damage an aspiring writer, or they can be incredibly helpful.  This panel will help you evaluate whether you are in a Writer’s Group that will be beneficial to you.  What do you look for in a good writer’s group?  What are some red flags to look out for?

Saturday, 11am in Panel Room B.  Featuring:

Bethany Halle
Ruth Souther
Mari Adkins
Peggy DeKay
Gary Wedlund
Michael West 

Small Press-Pro’s and Con’s:  This panel will give you a nice overview of small press publishers, including the good, the bad, and the ugly.  What are the strengths of small press?  What are its weaknesses?  Where do small press publishers fit in within the publishing world of 2011?  You might be very surprised to find out just how important small press publishers are becoming!

Saturday, 1pm in Panel Room B.  Featuring:

Jason Sizemore
Michael West
Jimmy Gillentine
Bobby Nash
Jackie Gamber
Mike D’Ambrosio

Crafting a Series or Franchise Character:  Whether you are writing a dedicated series, or perhaps a group of books featuring a heroic, franchise-type character, there are some extra things to ponder as you go about your work.  This panel features authors of both kinds, who will explore the additional things that need to be kept in mind when writing several books that have a core connection.

Saturday, 7pm in Panel Room B.  Featuring:

Eric Wilson
Elizabeth Donald
Michael West
Jackie Gamber
D.A. Adams
Steven Shrewsbury

Seventh Star Press Book Launch:  Saturday, 9pm in Panel Room A.  

Join horror author Michael West as he launches his new novel Cinema of Shadows.  Get ready to find out why Harmony, Indiana is going to soon become one of the most popular, and dreaded, locations in horror! 

And that’s about it.  Hope to see everyone at the event July 22-24!

Cinema of Shadows Trailer

Matt Perry Gives ‘Cinema’ Collectors Something to Scream About!

Artist Matthew Perry has created some striking full-page illustrations for Cinema of Shadows, the upcoming Seventh Star Press release by critically-acclaimed Horror author Michael West.   The special limited edition hardcover features an exclusive Matthew Perry illustration not found in the regular editions (see above).  This limited edition is also clearly designated, numbered, and has a unique ISBN.  Signed by author Michael West, artist Matthew Perry, and editor Amanda DeBord, and limited to a printing of only 75 copies, this beautifully crafted collectible will have Horror fans screaming for joy!

In addition to the illustration above, the signed limited edition package contains all of the following:

-set of 4 5X7 glossy art cards with the Matthew Perry cover art and illustrations from Cinema of Shadows.

Cinema of Shadows Bookmarks

-Collectible magnet

-2 collectible buttons from Cinema of Shadows

-14X20 Poster with artwork from Cinema of Shadows

Pre-order now from Seventh Star Press for shipment on August 1, 2011.