Category: Articles

Martin L. Shoemaker: His program for writing

Martin L. Shoemaker: His program for writing

By Angelique Fawns

 

Martin L. Shoemaker has more than 30 years of experience in programming, writing, and teaching. He’s a popular mentor in the speculative fiction world, and has stories in Analog, Galaxy’s Edge, Writers of the Future Volume 31, and Clarkesworld. I met Shoemaker when I took his Fyrecon short story masterclass, “Tools Not Rules.”

He is a prolific creator and has some great advice for writers looking to learn story structure. Last year, he released a book called Making Story Models: Tools for Visualizing Your Story, and he has a salient bit of advice that stuck out for me.

“There is no One True Path. There’s no rule of writing that someone hasn’t successfully broken, save for one: You must write.”

Shoemaker was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to chat with us.

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Eda Easter – Leading the Way in Horror!

Image donated by Sara. C./center>

Eda Easter – Leading the Way in Horror!

By Angelique Fawns

 

Eda Easter is no stranger to the world of horror. A panel expert on extreme horror at the San Antonio Ghoulish Book Festival happening from March 15-17, Eda is creating her own brand.

She is the creator of the indie feminist horror zine “Last Girl’s Club”, and author of the fun splatterpunk book, Killer RV, which you can find on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Killer-RV-H-Obey/dp/B0BMSKBPFV

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Indie Bookshelf Releases 03/15/2024

Got a book to launch, an event to promote, a kickstarter or seeking extra work/support as a result of being hit economically by life in general?

Get in touch and we’ll promote you here. The post is prepared each Thursday for publication on Friday. Contact us via Horror Tree’s contact address or connect via Twitter or Facebook.

Click on the book covers for more information. Remember to scroll down to the bottom of the page – there’s all sorts lurking in the deep.

 

Before you scroll down through the books however, please could you consider checking out the ‘Creatives in Crisis’ section. This has been added to help those who need additional support at this time. Please note I keep these up as long as they’re either running or have hit their targets. The two still showing, Claire Fitzpatrick and Bill Spangler continue to need support. Thank you!

 

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From Shadows to Manuscripts: Craft Your Horror Masterpiece in 8 Weeks With This Awesome Limited Course!

Stephen King once wrote, “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” But what if that moment could be the beginning of an unforgettable journey? Welcome to Crystal Lake Entertainment’s newest challenge: “Unleash Your Horror Novella in Just 8 Weeks,” a course designed not only to ignite the dark spark of creativity but to fan it into a blazing inferno.

Under the watchful eye of Joe Mynhardt, founder and CEO of Crystal Lake Publishing, you’re not merely signing up for a workshop; you’re enlisting in an expedition. With Joe and a team of professional editors as your guides, you’ll delve into the abyss, transforming the nebulous shadows of your imagination into a horror novella capable of chilling the very marrow of your readers.

Each week, you’ll gather around the virtual campfire for expert-led Zoom presentations, illuminating the dark arts of plot development, character creation, and more, all through the prism of horror writing. These sessions aren’t just about learning; they’re about applying, doing, and evolving. Seth Godin tells us, “The best way to complain is to make things,” and here, you’ll make something that whispers, screams, and lurks in the night.

Yet, what truly elevates this experience is the professional editing phase. It really is something you don’t see a lot of courses offer and is a unique selling point that really ups what Crystal Lake Publishing is bringing to life.

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The Horror Tree Presents: Author Interview – Kristopher Triana

The Horror Tree Presents: Author Interview – Kristopher Triana

By Lionel Ray Green

 

Since the advent of the Splatterpunk Awards in 2018, Kristopher Triana has been one of the most celebrated authors of the extreme horror subgenre.

With eight nominations since 2019, Triana has won two Splatterpunk Awards for his novels Full Brutal and The Night Stockers, which he co-wrote with four-time Splatterpunk Award-winning author Ryan Harding.

In February, Bad Dream Books released Triana’s novel, The Old Lady. The story is about Tracey, the daughter of a traumatized Vietnam War veteran, who returns to the remote cabin of her youth only to face a new danger that launches her into survivalist mode when a stranger needs help rescuing her friends from a compound run by extremists.

Triana is perhaps best known for his Splatterpunk Award-nominated novels Gone to See the River Man and its sequel Along the River of Flesh. Gone to See the River Man has garnered almost 16,000 ratings on Goodreads and earned the Best of #BookTok banner on Amazon.

Triana agreed to an exclusive email interview with Lionel Ray Green for The Horror Tree about the Splatterpunk Awards, the success of his Gone to See the River Man series, and why The Old Lady Tracey is one of his favorite protagonists.

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Keeping Secrets

Writing Prompt Wednesdays: Found Footage

Welcome to “Writing Prompt Wednesdays,” a haven where your imagination can roam free in the realms of speculative fiction. As we embark on this weekly journey, it’s thrilling to think about the untold stories waiting to be penned in the domains of horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Whether you’re a seasoned author or a budding wordsmith, these prompts are your gateway to unexplored worlds and untapped potentials.

Every Wednesday, we’ll serve up a fresh, thought-provoking prompt designed to ignite your creative spark and challenge your storytelling prowess. Think of these prompts as a key, unlocking the doors to uncharted territories where your creativity is the only limit. From eerie, shadow-laden corridors of Gothic horror to the farthest reaches of interstellar space, and the mystical depths of high fantasy, our prompts are a kaleidoscope of possibilities.

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to approach these prompts. They are mere stepping stones, guiding you towards the vast landscapes of your imagination. Use them to break free from writer’s block, to experiment with new ideas, or simply as a fun exercise to keep your writing skills sharp.

This week’s writing prompt:

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Bruce Bethke & Stupefying Stories

Bruce Bethke & Stupefying Stories

by Angelique Fawns

 

Ever wonder where the term “cyberpunk” comes from? Bruce Bethke is the creator. The term was born when his story story “Cyberpunk” appeared in Amazing Stories in November of 2023. But that’s not all this influential author (and musician!) is known for. He wrote the award-winning novel Headcrash and created Stupefying Stories, an online and print magazine run under his Rampant Loon Press imprint.

 

I met Bruce Bethke when he purchased my short story “Graveside Dining” which you can read for free here:  https://stupefyingstories.blogspot.com/2023/10/graveside-dining-by-angelique-fawns.html

I love this market so much, another of my strange stories goes live on Saturday, March 9th:
https://stupefyingstories.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-hangover-and-hag-by-angelique-fawns.html

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Epeolatry Book Review: There’s Something Here from Somewhere Else by Jonathon T. Cross

Disclosure:

Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.

Title: There’s Something Here from Somewhere Else
Author: Jonathon T. Cross
Genre: Cosmic Horror
Release Date: 8th February, 2024

Synopsis: When 10-year-old Lydia received a mysterious doll on her stoop, she never dreamed it would become the catalyst for a perilous adventure.
Although new to town, and shunned by the locals, she can’t dispel their whispers of an ancient creature dwelling beneath the still waters.
Some dismiss the creature’s existence, while others insist that the very fabric of their town, from its flora to its fauna, is under the influence of the Lurker.
Faced with tragedy, Lydia’s doll becomes a beacon of hope. But who gifted it, and can it protect her from the town’s oldest resident?
As Lydia grapples with the enigma of her doll and the dark forces that surround her, she forms an alliance with Jaxson, a cursed boy whose own destiny is entwined with the town’s secrets.
Together, they embark on a journey to resist the otherworldly influence of the Lurker. Can Lydia and Jaxson defy the odds and unravel the mystery before succumbing to the sinister will of this ancient entity?

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