Matters of Darkness: What's new?

It's been awhile since I've blogged, so I thought I talk a bit about what's up. Ongoing projects, upcoming projects, general musings and all that...

BUGS: Tales that Slither, Creep and Crawl 

I am just putting the finishing touches on a new book cover for Great Old Ones Publishing. This is a new anthology for this small press of which I have  the honor of being included. 

     My tale, will end up somewhere in the book, and as an added surprise my wife Karen has found her way onto the cover. 

     Imagine that? My wife agreed to pose on the cover of a book dedicated to creepy crawly things that slither and bite. And she hates bugs folks! I mean she really hates bugs! Beautiful and adventurous. What can I say. She's a keeper folks. 

     This upcoming anthology will again be chock full of talented folks who will lead us down the spider hole, injecting us with venomous tales sure to make your skin crawl and raise the hairs on the back of our necks. 

     I don't know all the names, but I've seen public announcements that Melissa Gates, Sydney Lee, Charles Day and Kristi Petersen Schoonover are just a few of the names that will be spinning a year.

      It is my understanding that the anthology is going through the editing process as we speak, so it shouldn't be too long before the big reveal.

      Check out the Great Old Ones Publishing for more details.

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ATTACK OF THE SKENTOPHYTE!

I can happily report that I am almost finished the first draft of my latest novel: ACADIA EVENT. I know, I know, I said it would be done in 2013, but I've been hard at it and finally, I'm looking at killing this monster and flinging it out into the public somewhere into 2014. 

     As an added bonus, the cover art is done and I expect within the next few weeks so will the first draft of the manuscript. Then I start down the road of polishing and editing. It hasn't been officially picked up by a publishing house, but I expect to bring it to the public in 2014 no matter what. Stay tuned.

     Oh yeah, as a shout out to Eric Webster of Dark Discussions and Askancity notoriety. I commented that I need subjects (other than myself) to do horrible things to when I dabble in the dark arts for inspiration. I tried to track down the exact post, but Facebook doesn't make it easy. Anyway, Eric volunteered to allow me to do all sorts of horrible things to his face and then, quite smartly,  retracted the original offer and clarified exactly what he would allow. Thanks Eric, you're a sport man and you made me laugh. 

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SUPPORTING THE CRAFT

I have also been asked to write a foreword to a book by another author. There are some in the writing community who subscribe to the philosophy that we writers are in constant competition and giving someone else a kudos is unwise. I personally don't subscribe to this mindset and believe in lending my support to other authors. That is why you will find me endorsing writers like Gord Rollo or Robert R McCammon, because these are talented folks who need be read.  

     So with that in mind. Hey! Fellow writers, support your craft and get behind the up and comers. To quote the Sam Roberts Band. "We're all in this together." 

     For now I'll keep it under wraps who the author is until I've finished the manuscript and had a chance to pen a foreword. Keep watching.

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MORE MAYHEM TO COME!

Once I put Acadia Event to bed, my next  priority will be my next novel: 4. 

     This new book is a straight up psychological thriller. The book has already been started, as you know if you're a regular reader of this blog, and I plan to get right down to after I wrap up with Acadia. I have always been a huge fan of the Police Procedural: Thomas Harris, Michael Connelly, and John Sandford. Anyhow, that is what I envision in 4. 

     It will be a straight thriller...  Okay who am I kidding? Of course it will be horrific, but the monsters in this book are very real. And they walk among us every day.

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MY PALS AT DARK DISCUSSIONS

I had the pleasure of sitting in on two recordings of Dark

Discussions. The first was kind of interesting, because I was completely ignorant to the content. I speak of course of Hannibal, the new series that is making waves on television. The boys, Phil, Eric, Mike and Abe, discussed the show while I asked questions. That was sort of cool and unformatted. If anyone actually enjoyed this episode, give a shout out to Phil and see if he wants to try that again. 
     Luck would have it that I was able to sit down with Phil and the boys for their review of the 'listener requested episode' on the 1978 film: IT'S ALIVE. The episode hasn't aired so I won't delve into any specifics, but I will tell you that from a tech point of view it was a real pain in the ass to record.  I don't know if it was the Skype or New Hampshire weather, but we were dogged by blackouts, loss of sound and poor Phil had to jack us up for acting like a bunch of clowns, something guys are apt to do when things go horribly awry.  Anyway, after two separate sessions we got the episode recorded and now leave it with Phil to do his magic. I can't wait and neither should you. Check out Dark Discussions,

And that about sums things up for me, other than to say that I am doing what I want to do and for that I am very happy.

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Visit: MJ Preston's Official Webpage

MJ Preston is the Author of the Horror Novel: THE EQUINOX

His new novel ACADIA EVENT is forecasted for release in late 2013
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