Monday, December 7, 2009

New Story at Sniplits


Sniplits produced my story "Collections" and its now available for download. Its my second story by the pay per download site and just like the first one "Fear Factor" they did a terrific job.

Friday, October 23, 2009

A Little Bit of Success

Started reading Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol, and tell me if you disagree, but the first 70 pages reads exactly like the first 70 pages of the Da Vinci Code. All the plot points and characters are there, he just changed their sex, age, race, locations and so forth. I assume the story will divert from the Code at some point, maybe that is what he’s doing, making us think we ….. oh, hell if I was Dan Brown and had written one of the most successful thrillers of all time, I’d just rewrite it too.

The Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine has accepted a short story of mine titled, "The Day Hypnotism Died." Its one I've been tinkering with for a couple of years. Originally it was suppose to be a horror piece but it kept gravitating towards dark fantasy, which is probably a better description. Anyway, not sure when it will be podcasted but looking forward to it. Rish and Big always do a great job with their material, and they have assembled a really outstanding ensemble cast of voice talent and producers. So should be good.

Sniplits purchased another story of mine (my second with them). It’s a little twisted Zombie piece called, "Collections." Not sure when this one will be produced but based on the top-notch job they did on my fantasy story, "Fear Factor," I'm really looking forward to this one.

The Young Literature Review is holding a story of mine for a 2nd read. They said they'd let me know by the end of October and if they accept it will be my first published Children’s Story! Anyway, talons crossed.

The live Halloween show from FinalRune Productions and WMPG have put out a promo for the show. Give it a listen at: http://www.radiodramarevival.com/promos/hallo-promo-09.mp3

….and just a reminder you will be able to listen to the show live at: http://www.wmpg.org/include/listenlive.htm

If you are in Maine and want to be a part of the Live Studio audience tickets are available at: http://www.finalrune.com/live-halloween-show-2009

Not sure this will happened but there is a chance that the show may be Video casted as well. Really looking forward to this one.

Have a spooctacular Halloween

Sunday, October 11, 2009

DUMBEST SHOW EVER!!!

DUMBEST SHOW EVER!!!!

In order to enjoy the SciFi Channel’s Ghost Hunters, you must first, put your critical thinking, reasoning, skepticism, heck, just give yourself an intelligence lobotomy, and maybe this show will do it for you. But even a lobotomized troglodyte would still stare blankly at the screen and mumble, “What the hell?”

Imagine taking a couple of characters from that reality show in which they sit in a garage all day and build motorcycles, take two of those guys, give them some night vision cameras and a convoy of jet black SUVs (Just like the Evil storm chasers had in Twister) and tell them to go hunt ghosts.

So we have a show where the Skipper and his Little buddy (The Ghost Hunters) have spooky conversations like- “Dude, I totally saw something over there.”
“No, way.”
“Way.”
Does the audience ever get to see what they see? No, all they show us is these two yahoos reacting to all this stuff they claim they are seeing. This isn’t Reality TV, its Remedial TV. The SciFi network should be completely embarrassed putting out this crap. And I’m sure they are,… all the way to the bank.

I don’t know whether or not ghosts exist, but I have to imagine that somewhere out there we have better qualified, educated, and more articulate people on the job looking into it, than Scooby and Shaggy here.
To Recap:
DUMBEST SHOW EVER!!!!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

I'm on the Dunesteef

The Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine is running an episode with 3 stories this week for their Broken Mirror Event. Its the first of two Broken Mirror episodes and my story/poem/limerick, not sure what it is, kicks it off. Its called The Return, and at 73 words long its by far the shortest piece I've ever had published. The Dunesteef folks really outdid themselves with the production, all three stories sound great. They've also put up the text, should anyone care to read:



Personally I'd rather listen to the episode then read The Return. Over the last two years listing to my stuff on Psuedopod, Drabblecast, Well Told Tales, Sniplits, etc, I've come to the very honest conclusion that I think my stuff sounds much better than it reads. And besides, its harder seeing all my typos when you're listening.

My ZomCom Novel - I've got 90% of my first round reader's comments back and I'm overwhelmed, with how insightful, and unbelievably positive they are. My group of readers are by far the most diverse group I've ever had and the response has been, well the best response I've had to anything I've written. Many in the group are not fans of horror or genre fiction but all seem to extremely enjoy the book. It's such a silly premise, but I'm beginning to wonder if it might have mass market appeal.

LIVE Halloween Show - I mentioned it before, and I'll probably mention it a million more times but my story Third Shift will be one of four performed LIVE this Halloween, in front of a live audience and broadcast, LIVE, on WMPG in Maine. The event is a fundraiser for WMPG and if you are in Maine on Halloween with nothing better to do, you can read more and get tickets by going to: http://halloween09.eventbrite.com/
But no mater where you are it will be available LIVE via the Internet, on the WMPG site, and later as an episode of Radio Drama Revival.
Happy Halloween

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Murky Depths

Finally heard back from Murky Depths, after seven months and two follow up emails. Rejection. Oh, well.

...and having a strangely difficult time rejoining the HWA (Horror Writers Association). No answer to emails but they took my application fee just fine. I've never known them to be this unresponsive.

Getting a weird feeling.

Monday, August 24, 2009

THE END

Finally, finally - THE END-

After sitting down to write what I assumed was a novella, a fast 20,000 word story that I'd have done in about 3-6 months, I was dismayed to learn that my fast easy little zombie project was a novel. So almost a year after typing the opening sentence, 300 pages, and 62 thousand words later I was finally able to type the words THE END. Draft number one is in the can, and after some clean up, I'll be sending it off to my beta readers. I had hoped that it would be fun summer reading for my reading volunteers, but the kids are back in school and it feels like summer is pretty much gone. But hey, it's a big planet, I'm sure it's summer somewhere.

In other short story news, one of my short tales (written back in 2004) will be apart of a live 2 hour Halloween radio show, broadcast this Halloween. Here is the blurb from the producer:

FinalRune Announces Live Halloween Radio Drama
This Halloween, FinalRune Productions teams up with WMPG and members from the Mad Horse Theater Company for a live spooktravanganza at the University of Southern Maine.The 2-hr live radio event will feature original work from writers Fred Greenhalgh, Mark LaFlamme, Kevin Anderson, and Roger Gregg. The stories range from the darkly funny to the terrifically dark: a city couple moves to a country mansion to find that all is not as it seems, a man finds himself doomed to fall in love with the same cursed woman, ice fisherman in Maine get an unexpected chill one winter's night, and a company will rent you laborers at a firesale price... just don't send any of the living too close to their work.The show will be held from 7-9PM EST on Halloween and is being performed as a benefit for WMPG's PowerUP! Campaign, which seeks to raise $250,000 for a new radio transmitter. The show will be performed before a live audience, and simultaneously broadcast and offered as a live internet stream. The show will also be archived in podcast format on Radio Drama Revival, http://www.radiodramarevival.com/.


I know its only August, but I'm already jazzed about Halloween!

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Featured Story

My fantasy tale Fear Factor is one of five others in the featured story spot over at Sniplits, for the week of 7/26/09. It was produced last year, voiced by Malcolm Rothman, who did one of the best readings of any of my stories. It's available year round but this week its up on the Sniplits home page so I'm hoping it gets more notice. It's not my usual kind of story but its definitely one of my favorites.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Hate Mail


I guess it was bound to happen. I just received my first bit of hate mail in regards to writing. This came in today about noon.

Date: July 15 2009 12:28 pm

You are a terrible obvious writer with clearly a very limited imagination. Please stop writing. You are an embarassment to writers everywhere.

Wes Yoakam

I don't mind saying that I was stunned. Somebody actually read my stuff. And they think I am well known enough to be an embarrassment to other writers. Wow. But on the down side, he was being pretty harsh about my writing skills, so that's kind of negative. I wondered if I should write the guy back, find out what he really meant by "Please stop writing," which seemed a very sincere request, not to mention polite. He did say please.

So I wrote back

Date: July 15, 2009 1:43 pm

Very sorry that you feel this way Mr. Yoakam. May I ask, was there a particular piece that made you feel this way?

He then responded

Date: Wed, Jul 15, 2009 3:47 pm

Well I will say I'm impressed by a personal reply. I bought "the edge of the world" (or something close, I don't have it with me)because I was entrigued by the title, as I wrote a song with a similar title a few years ago, and I love Sci Fi and a good adventure story. But I must say it just seemed like really lazy writing. There were the Christians, Muslims, and the Jews Fighting it out in Jerusalem (I mean the Tierrans, Urabans, and the Saedreans fighting it out in "ishsalem". I mean really, with the creativity you show in parts of the story, I'm sure you could be a little more creative in the names)The real story of Jerusalem is facinating enough, so do the research and write that amazing story! Keeping the stereotypes with barely disguised name changes just felt so contrived and really ruined the story for me. So there it is...but you still got the money, so here's to good marketing! Good luck and continued success.

Wes Yoakam
My response

Date: Wed, Jul 15, 2009 7:58 pm
Dear Mr. Yoakam

Thank you for your last response. It has relieved my confusion. I understand you are dissatisfied with The Edge of the Earth, and I am pleased to announce, that I did not write it. I am Kevin Anderson, a writer of short stories, mostly horror. The author deserving of your comments is Kevin J Anderson, Sci-Fi novelist.

You can reach him at his website at
www.wordfire.com,
or email him at
anderzone@wordfire.com.

He receives fan mail via snail mail at:
AnderZone PO Box 767Monument, CO 80132

You can comment on his novel on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Edge-World-Terra-Incognita/dp/0316004189

I hate hearing that anyone has had a bad reading experience, and I am sorry for that, and I apologize for any confusion my name may have caused. As for your opinions on Mr. Kevin J Anderson’s talent I can neither confirm or deny them, as I have not read any of his novels.

On a side note, I had the pleasure of listening to some of your music this afternoon. Brilliant, Fantastic. I particularly enjoyed, In Space, A Postcard, and One Second – with In Space being my favorite. You have a new fan.

I sincerely wish you good luck in all your creative, artistic, and musical endeavors.

Take Care
Kevin Anderson

Monday, July 13, 2009

Missed my own Deadline

Well I missed my self imposed deadline for my Zom-Com novella, which is on its way to becoming a Novel. Most definitions cut off the word count for a novella at 40,00 and I'm already at 46,000. Novel or Novella I wanted to have draft number one done by the end of June, but its looking more like first of August. For my beta readers who signed on to read in June, I apologize, and I hope you can still read in August. If not I understand.

My wife is doing a brilliant job of reading as I write, adding input that is definitely making it stronger. I feel pretty good in my ability to write action, dialogue, and keep a story moving, but sometimes I get way to focused on those things and I forget to develop the characters. My wife is a MFT, therapist, and can easily spot when a character is not acting true to life, not exhibiting the appropriate emotional response, or just plain turning into a robot.

On the short story front I recently sold a short story to a new magazine coming out in August. It's a reprint, so I'm kind of excited about it but not ecstatic. It's the only thing I've sold in 2009 so far and none of my new stuff is getting picked up. Withersin Magazine held a story of mine for a second read, but in the end it did not make the cut. In the last month I've gotten rejections from Podcastle, Psuedopod, Flash Me Mag, Nossa Morte, Fantasy Magazine, and I've had stories with Brutarian and Murky Depths since the beginning of the year and neither are responding to queries. Anybody know if those last two are still kicking?

When not writing I read, and I recently finished Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking. Very funny, extremely blunt, and full of odd trivia - Did you know Cary Grant took LSD? Currently I'm reading William Shatner's Get a Life. Its a kind of history of Star Trek conventions and his journey to get to know and understand Trekkies, and or Trekkers. I'm about halfway through and really enjoying the read, and I'm beginning to come to terms with the fact that I'm a bigger Trekkie than I ever realized. But that's okay, becouse it would seem, as luck would have it, that I am married to one. My wife and I recently had a heated discussion about who is the best Captain in Star Fleet. I'm on the Kirk side of the argument, she is for Jean Luc Picard, all the way. I see her points, but my problem with Picard is that Patrick Stewart is just to fine an actor. He just dosen't have any Shatnerness.

Oh well, when not writing or reading, I've been re-watching my favorite Zom-Coms for inspiration - Dead and Breakfast, Boy Eats Girl, Undead or Alive, Fido, Dead Meat, Black Sheep, Return of the Living Dead I and II, Dance of the Dead, Night of the Living Dorks - I've pretty much seen them all, but if you have any recommendations please send them on over.

That's it for now. Take care, and remember to aim for the head.


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The Youthful Face of Unemployment

Today's Press Enterprise (main newspaper in the Inland Empire, Ca) is running my essay (Op-Ed piece) in the opinion section. Originally titled The Youthful Face of Unemployment, the editors changed it to Tattoos Torpedo Job Interviews. The new title is more to the point, which is what an opinion piece needs to be, and I guess its the fiction writer in me that keeps trying to create mystery with titles, the exact opposite of what a newspaper whats to do. Its hard to switch gears sometimes. But I was a bit curious why they removed a paragraph with statistics from a source that gave support to my position. I can only conclude that an opinion editorial needs to be just that, opinion, not facts. Too many facts and it sounds to much like a news story.

Not sure if this is something to worry about, but the subjects of my essays, may indicate that I am in danger of becoming (or I am already) a grumpy old man. My last essay, Put down the phone and be a parent criticized young parents for being over involved in cell technology and ignoring their children. Kind of a grumpy old man point of view. Oh, well. Change happens. We grow, we learn, we age, and some of us become grumpy in the process.

Both essays are available online in Text and Audio

  1. Tattoos torpedo job interviews May 27, 2009 - ... Tattoos torpedo job interviews. Download story podcast. 10:10 PM PDT on Tuesday,May 26, 2009. By KEVIN ANDERSON. ... Kevin Anderson is a resident of Menifee. ...
  2. Put down the phone and be a parent Feb 14, 2009 - ... parent. Download story podcast. 09:06 PM PST on Saturday, February 14, 2009.By KEVIN ANDERSON. ... it. Kevin Anderson is a resident of Menifee. ...

There is a typo in this mornings Tattoo essay (first person to catch it gets a cookie) Even professional Copy Editors are human. And here is the missing paragraph from the Tattoo piece. Still not sure why they cut it.

But it is reversible, and when done, has measurable results. Clinic Officials at a North Hollywood Medical Clinic, offering laser tattoo removal, recently reported that 80% of those that have tattoos removed were able to get better jobs and were more likely to receive promotions at current jobs.

I think I found a topic for my next piece. Pet Piercing - pros vs. cons.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Popping Kernels

I got some nice news this morning in an email from Withersin Magazine. My Flash Fiction story - its about 1600 words - is being held for a second read. Not a home run, but I'm on base, and looking to steal. WM will make their final decision by mid June, and if I make it in, it will be my second appearance in the magazine. They ran my story "Liberation," in 2008, with some outstanding, and creepy artwork by B.A. Bosaiya. If you haven't picked up a copy of WM, its worth checking out. It's one of the most intelligent Speculative Fiction magazines in the small press today.

In other news - I've recently tried to increase the amount of my submissions. I think I've been putting all my eggs in to few baskets of late, so I'm going back to the philosophy I utilized when I first started writing, that of having as many kernels in the frying pan as I can. The theory being that eventually, one will pop.

Currently I have submissions in at: Flash Me Magazine, Brutarian, Murkey Depths, Sinister Tales, Withersin, Uncharted Sky, and Pseudopod. And I hope to send out at least two to three more this weekend. Something has got to pop.

Another interesting thing that has happened recently, is an invitation to submit some stories to a company that produces some edgy audio drama. I don't want to give out to much here in case it doesn't go anywhere, but if something I send them pops, with them, I'll definitely blog about it. It does sound interesting and I'm very intrigued at the possibility of having a full cast audio production of some of my stuff.

I'm still plucking away at my novella and hope to have the first draft done by the end of June. I'm really considering producing this one, or having it produced, as a podcast novel. But first, before I get ahead of myself, I need to finish the damn thing. Then off to the beta readers. Speaking of Beta readers - I need some. Anyone interested please let me know. I need people that have an appreciation for Zom-Com, or at the very least, have a sense of humor.

If you enjoyed Blood, Gridlock, and PEZ, Fear Factor, or Framing and Mounting Fairies, then I could very much use your thoughts on the new novella this summer.

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Award from Preditors & Editors

This evening I got an e-mail from Dave Kuzminski, Editor at Preditors & Editors, informing me that my web site AudioMarketList.com was nominated and later selected as the latest recipient of the Preditors & Editors' Truly Useful Site Award.

My sincere thanks to person who nominated the site - whoever you are.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

In the last two weeks I've gotten rejections from Strange Horizon, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, and Intergalactic Medical Show. No biggy. Still working on my Zom-Com Novella. Hoping to finish first draft by May, or at least before the Zombie trend goes the way of the housing market.

In the meantime I've put up a Market List of audio markets that other writers might find useful. I spoke via email with Ralan about a month ago regarding the need for an Market List exclusively of Audio Markets, and it was something he wanted to do over at Ralan.com, but for a variety of reasons it just wasn't feasible at the moment. So, I went ahead and made one. If you come across any Audio Market News, please send it on over.


Thursday, March 26, 2009

Halloween in July

The Dunesteef Audio Fiction Magazine has just released my short story, Halloween in July. It's an unintentional prequel to the story Pumpkinseeds, which was produced in audio by the Drabblecast in October of 2007. The story was written in a rush as was the requirement - the Dunesteef was selecting scary stories that were written entirely in the month of October - calling this promotion / contest, The October Scary Story Event. I think they selected four from all the submissions, mine being one. So far I've been impressed with their production, and I can honestly say, I don't think there is another podcast like it. With detailed commentary, sometimes longer than the story, and author's notes which reviel some of the inspiration and thoughts behind the fiction. They don't have the audience size of a Drabblecast or an Escape Artist podcast, but I have no doubt, that they soon will.

They did a great job a few months back producing my dark and experimental piece, Framing and Mounting Fairies. Not being a straight narrative it was a tricky story to bring to audio, but they did an outstanding job. This latest episodes has some very entertaining outtakes, something I think they should make a bigger part of the show. Anyway, take a listen, let me know what you think.

...and you have until Monday to listen to Fear Factor over at Sniplits for Free. After Monday it goes back up to 98 cents.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Fear Factor


This week I am the featured author at Sniplits. For one week (beginning today) my story Fear Factor will be available, as an audio download (MP3), for free.

Brought to life by character voice actor Malcolm Rothman, it is simply the best reading I've ever heard of any of my stories. His reading, which is really a performance, reminds me of Jim Dale's recordings of the Harry Potter novels. He brings the characters to life with their own distinct voices, while selling the jokes with professional comic timing.

Here is Sniplits' summary:

Fear Factor By Kevin Anderson When Nog the dragon tries to put his destructive ways behind him, the Guild of Magical Creatures is not amused.

It runs about 24 minutes - http://www.sniplits.com/

Sunday, March 15, 2009

2nd Place

Got this one yesterday on my son's birthday.

Good evening Kevin,

We here at 2M Magazine have read over your story and have decided to pass. This one was discussed more than any of our other submissions, debated for quite a while before we came to a conclusion....
...it really came down to one simple deciding factor: If we have to convince ourselves we should take it then we shouldn't. The story should convince us, not each other. Thank you for submitting to 2M Magazine and feel free to do so again.

Sincerely,
AJ

Ah, the sweet smell of second place. A swing and a miss. I remember from my years in motor sports marketing that drag racing has this great slogan about second place. Second place is the first Loser! I don't really feel bad, the rejections are personal, but they just seem to be coming in clumps. That's okay, I feel a first place finish coming soon.

That's my old friend Jim Epler back in 2001 at the Sears Craftsman Nationals in Madison, Illinois. He got some bad burns, hands, chest, neck, but he survived this second place finish.



Monday, March 9, 2009

More Rejection

The rejections just keep coming. I received two this Sunday; one from Chizine the leading online horror magazine, and one from Fantasy Magazine. They were both personal rejections which is good, but in the end, they were rejections.

I don't think I've sold anything this year yet and we are already in March. Oh, well. Tomorrow is another day.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Low Impact Parenting


I got a really constructive rejection from Pseudopod on Friday. Two paragraphs of suggestions and some very encouraging words from the assistant editor, Shawn Garrett. Made my day.


On Sunday I had an (Op-Ed) editorial published in the Inland Empire's main newspaper, The Press Enterprise. I originally called the piece Low Impact Parenting, but they changed it to Put Down the Phone and Be a Parent. A little wordy, but probably works better. You can read or listen to it online at: Put Down the Phone an Be a Parent.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Rejection

Everybody hates rejection. When someone tells me I have fallen short, I can't help but ask the question - am I good enough? I ask myself every time I see that line - Thank you for thinking of (such and such publication.) Unfortunately we are going to pass.

Form letters are the worst. They mean one of two things. 1) the publisher was to busy (to many submissions) to respond individually or 2) your submission didn't merit anything more than a formulated response. Either way, no rejection feels as empty as a form letter.

But a more personalized rejection can sometimes leave you scratching your head. I got one a few years back from a leading (pro-rate) online horror zine, that said they were rejecting my submission because it was to much like what they publish.

Anyway - I got two rejections this week, the first was a form rejection for a short story for Comet Press's new horror anthology. But the second was from Fantasy Magazine, and Fiction Editor Cat Rambo wrote some encouraging words, saying my submission came very close and I should definitely try them again. A rejection letter like that will probably keep me going for the next six month.

Monday, January 19, 2009

On The Brighter Side - Mounting Fairies


A text version of my story Framing and Mounting Fairies, (first released in audio 11/2008 at the Dunsteef Audio Fiction Magazine) has just been released in the 3rd and final issue of On The Brighter Side. This is an online downloadable PDF publication, that had a very short life, but just one of many small press zines to bite the dust in this dismal economy.

Of the three issue the editors did manage to get out before its demise, I think the 3rd is by far the best. It is, or was, a publication dedicated to the genre of humor, a first for me, as most of my stuff finds its way into speculative anthologies and magazines. The R.I.P issue is available from their web site - On The Brighter Side.

Or download it directly by clicking HERE