The Pulps and the Mythic

I have been toying with the idea of publishing my novels in a different format. Currently, I’m using a smaller but still standard paperback size for my two novels Shoot the Devil and Monsterly (a novella). It may be a surprise to some, but I’m not selling many copies of either book. To mix things up and maybe spur some traffic, I may republish them in a mass market paperback size, with new covers that more resemble those of the classic pulps era. I figure I can brand myself this way, as I am a fan of such pulps as The Shadow, Doc Savage, and various horror book covers of that era. It would also be at a cheaper price point, which may sell more copies. Of course, I may change my mind, but its a thought. It also depends on how affordable I find an artist that specializes in that particular style of illustration. It also hinges on if I want to publish my next (in progress) novel in that style or not.

I have also been running a campaign for the new hex crawl role playing game Mythic Bastionland. It’s setting is a mythic Britannia type, with knights, myths, omens, and strangeness. I’m liking it so far. It has just the right amount of prep and seat of your pants play, providing plenty of tools to do both. I added some of my own dark and gothic strangeness as well, because I’ve got a reputation to uphold after all.

On the goth dark wave front, I have found a few new bands that I have added into my usual rotation. Ash Code and Vioflesh are excellent bands, each having that dark, deep, mood vibe of a hidden basement vampire club, which I am fond of for reasons (specially Vioflesh). With a different vibe altogether, I’m also loving the band Night Chill with instrumental songs that cross, rock, surf music, and goth, with the added bonus of a theremin. They have produced several EPs and singles so far, and I eagerly await a full album of their material.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Vandal Moon’s new concept album. Give it a spin if your into a goth, cyberpunk, dance vibe. It’s a bit different then their last two excellent albums, but creative and excellent in its own way as well, you just need to be in the right mood.

That’s all for now ladies and gents. Keep it spooky.

Larkwynn and Ravenblack

The start of another quarter crept up behind me with the point of a blade to my throat, telling me to complete what I have begun. I do my best to comply. I have reached close to the middle point of the dark fantasy novel I am writing.

I don’t like to talk about what I’m writing during the process, but I will divulge a bit. When I created the world for my story, I came up with the name Atios for it. However, by the time I had reached around the fourth chapter, I found that name had been used by someone else. Searching the web, it was difficult to tell how known Atios was to others, but in my despair, I felt the need to change it anyway. My replacement was the name Larkwynn. This time it is chiseled into stone, no matter what may come.

I received the proofs for my Kairo short story River of the Blue Carmina for Weirdbook Magazine #49. Look for it to be on virtual news stands soon.

Lastly, I recently discovered a murder of goth and goth adjacent bands that are now in heavy listening rotation (lest I give the wrong impression, I’m pretty goth adjacent myself, with a dark leathery wing overlap). The favorite discovery is probably Mono Inc. from Germany. Their album Ravenblack is simply delicious, and they have a new album coming out this year. Sirenia and Ancient Myth are great more metal sounding bands. Rounding out the parade are darkwave bands Feyleux, The Birthday Massacre and Harsh Symmetry.

May your all April showers bring melancholy gray clouds and black eyeliner tears.