New bizarro website Bizarro Central!
Current mood: sore

Last blog was in March.  Guess that totally corresponds with the super-crazy (at times hellish) spring quarter I had--taught 23 credits!!! (contract requires 15) 

In the meantime, while life was at such a fast pace, we got two new books out:  Better Ways of Being Dead (Christian TeBordo) and 13 Thorns (Gina Ranalli & Gus Fink)!  This most recent one was our 13th book!!! Scary!!!  It must mean something although I don't know what.

Along the way, I broke my wrist.  Well, certainly something--my primary care doc, the radiologist, and the hand specialist all disagree. Maybe a contusion?  Maybe arthritis in my thumb joint? Needless to say I spent about 2 weeks in a cast, and now am splinted up for at least another 3 weeks.  Argh!  Typing is a pain, and using a mouse even worse!! 

Enough whining--the best news of the week is the opening of Bizarro Central www.bizarrocentral.com !!  You'll find our books there, as well as Eraserhead Press books and the bizarro titles from Raw Dog Screaming Press.  Super cool!  We also have a great new forum to discuss all things bizarro, as well as articles, news, and author profiles.  Check it out!  See the banner ad on my profile. 

Okay, well I can't type any more right now.  Go over and see the new site, and I'll keep you posted on the new titles ready to spring out from the very bowels of Afterbirth soon!

Take care & be bizarro,

Karen

Currently reading : Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) By J. K. Rowling Release date: 21 July, 2007

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Not Quite One of the Boys...and All Encompassing Trip!
Current mood: hopeful

I can't believe how long it has been since I have written a blog...I figure it must be time to update everyone (who is interested, that is) on my life.  Things have been wild here the past 3 or 4 months.  A death in the family caused a lot of delays in our printing schedule.  As an editor, I hate to miss deadlines, and to feel like I'm not producing as fast as I would like to.  However, I'm getting back on track!

In fact, I am announcing two new books out now:  Not Quite One of the Boys by Vincent W. Sakowski, and All Encompassing Trip by Nicole Del Sesto.  Both are now available, on shocklines.com, at Amazon, and on our website (www.afterbirthbooks.com).  You'll find both authors here on MySpace as well.  Hooray!

Once you get a chance to read them (one, or of course, both!) please help us out by posting your review, at Amazon.com, here, or on other message boards or websites you frequent.  As I always say, what keeps us going in small press is word of mouth--you tell others about our books, they tell someone else, they tell even more people...you get the picture.

Well, that's it from the editor's desk for the moment.  Gotta get back to a couple other books in progress.  I'll try to keep up with the posting so you're not left in the dark!

Take care, and speak Bizarro--

Karen

Currently reading : 13 Thorns By Gina Ranalli and Gus Fink Release date: 01 March, 2007

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Tales from the Vinegar Wasteland Delivered!
Current mood: satisfied

The boxes are here!  Hooray!  I will release back orders today, for those who have been waiting.  Also, we're going to send some signed copies over to Shocklines (well, after Ray gets a chance to sign them!).  This is one bizarro book, that is for sure.  I love the man who is losing his face.  It is very difficult to hold a conversation with him, as you might imagine.  In fact, our main character pours a little of his tea out of his cup, just so it will seem like he is drinking some.  Hmmm.  Anyway, check it out, from our website or the usual sources (amazon, shocklines, genre mall, project pulp), or ask your local library or bookstore to order it. It's up in the Books in Print, so any of them can access it if you ask.  Onward into the bizarro realm!

Oh, on a personal note, I FINALLY finished the last of the Dark Tower series.  What a committment.  Overall good, but a few things that were a little annoying.  So, I started a book that was highly recommended, in a whole different genre!  See below.

Currently reading : The Alchemist: A Fable About Following Your Dream By Paulo Coelho Release date: 10 May, 1995

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Suicide Girls in the Afterlife
Current mood: sleepy

Wow!  One week goes by, and not only have we accepted the proof for Tales from the Vinegar Wasteland and put in our first order, but I just got Suicide Girls in the Afterlife off as well!  A very productive week, to be sure. Of course, Suicide Girls is novella-sized, which sure didn't hurt. 

With that, plus the newly-designed website, plus the cover contest for All Encompassing Trip, there is definitely a lot going on here in Afterbirthland.  However, as is always the case, one of my computers is trying to die an untimely death.   This is testiment to the reason to never run a publishing company (no matter how small) on just one computer! 

Well, this exhausted chick is gonna hit the sack...maybe you should, too!

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TALES FROM THE VINEGAR WASTELAND
Current mood: indescribable

I am incredibly excited to say that I got Tales from the Vinegar Wasteland off to press!  We'll be getting the proof in our office soon.  This is one book that will totally make your mind warp, as one impossible thing after another happens.  It is described as a grown-up Alice in Wonderland, and you certainly might agree.  Anyway, I'll keep everyone updated on when the actual books are sitting here next to my desk and ready to be sold to you, your friends, or even your enemies. 

Of course, the life of an editor rarely slows down.  There's always something in formatting, something back with authors who are doing last-minute revisions, and other stuff a ways off but still bouncing around inside my head.  In fact, you'd probably be scared if you got a peek inside my head!  Those of you who wish you had the "glamorous" life of an editor, just plug in for a little bit...you'll be lining up for some meds!

The next several books I've got on the list are really terrific.  I can't wait to jump further into Not Quite One of the Boys by Vincent Sakowski.  This author from Saskatoon, Canada has written an intriguing and funny look at life and death from quite the unusual perspective.  And the rest of the fall releases are just as engaging. 

But first, we'll have Gina Ranalli's novella, Suicide Girls in the Afterlife, which Brian Keene (author of  The Rising and The Conqueror Worms) read and enjoyed--so it's gotta be good! 

Also, thanks again to all who wrote with positive messages for us around the illness of a family member.  She is still waiting to go into the hospital for some treatment, and continuing positive thoughts are appreciated.

Take care, all, and keep bizarro!

Currently watching : Dead and Breakfast (Unrated Edition) Release date: 06 September, 2005

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Deity has arrived!
Current mood: rejuvenated

As promised, our latest book, Deity by Vic Mudd has arrived!  Anyone who wants to read bizarro with a totally humorous and absurd slant will want to check this one out.  I'm not sure where Vic gets his ideas...of course, I'm rarely sure where ANY of the Afterbirth authors get their ideas!...but this is a wild ride.  When God comes to visit Earth, he takes quite a tour, starting with a supposedly "typical" family, traveling to the moon and under the sea, and even off to see Elvis's hometown.  You can get it at the usual places, Amazon, shocklines, genre mall, project pulp, and our website, to name a few. 

Of course, the thing about being an editor is that by the time we get to this place with one book, I'm deep into the next!  But, there's always lots to keep my attention--no boredom here, that is for sure.  In our next book, there is a man who has lost his face.  And a room that isn't really there.  Hmmm.  Can you say "Bizarro"?

Happy summer solstice to all! Find a way to greet the summer this week!

Currently watching : One Missed Call Release date: 13 September, 2005

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What happened to May?
Current mood: enthralled

So, I totally can't believe it is June.  All I can really remember from May is World Horror...although that WAS a highlight and if I have to remember one thing, I'll go with that.  I'm pretty sure I've posted our activities in other venues, so don't want to repeat myself...but in case you didn't catch it, it involved a killer party (with home-made Bizarro beer), lots of ethnic food with the bizarro group, Starbucks coffee runs (where I had to train them to my Seattle order, lol), hanging off a trolley with the gang, and meeting a bunch of great people.  In specific, I got the chance to meet our author Nicole Del Sesto, and also Cameron Pierce, Mitch Maraude, Collette Phair, and OF COURSE, the famous Kevin Donihe! 

But, I can't tell you much else about May.  In any case, June has brought me back down to reality.  I can't tell you how many submissions and queries have built up, but I CAN tell you that I was able to read and respond to about a third of them, with a little help (hmmm, a LOT of help) on this end.  Planting flowers in the pots on my deck had to take a back seat to Afterbirth work.  And I got Deity, Vic Mudd's book, off to the printer, and am waiting for the proof now.  Now for diving into three summer books, to send back to the authors for any revisions they want to make, and setting up Tales from the Vinegar Wasteland (from Ray Fracalossy) and Suicide Girls in the Afterlife (from Gina Ranalli).  Also watch for an upcoming cover contest for All Encompassing Trip, our fall book by Nicole Del Sesto (previously mentioned as a California author I met last month!). 

Ok, gotta go for now--more submissions to read!  Do something Bizarro today!

Currently watching : Death to Smoochy (Widescreen Edition) Release date: 17 September, 2002

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Chemical Gardens is here!!!
Current mood: rushed

Hooray!  I am totally excited to tell you all that we've received shipment of Chemical Gardens by Gina Ranalli! I've said over and over how beautiful the cover is, but I can't stop saying it.  Gus Fink is amazing.  You should check out his other work at gusfink.com or over on ebay.  He also has a comic out that you can find on Amazon, The Trouble with Igor with Chris Reilly.  AND Gina has a novella in the Bizarro Starter Kit, just out as a collaboration of Afterbirth, Eraserhead, and Raw Dog Screaming Press.  Her novella will also be released separately later this year---it's called Suicide Girls in the Afterlife so watch for it.  Gina & Gus also have their own collaboration, 13 Thorns, which will go to press this year as well!  A prolific duo to be sure.

The Afterbirth authors have also been out there doing their job, and we've got several other books coming up, but I can't even list what's up right now---because I'm busy getting ready for WORLD HORROR!!! We leave next week on May 11, and this is going to be so cool!  We'll be in the dealer's room sharing table space (Bizarros Rule!) with Eraserhead's Carlton Mellick III and Rose O'Keefe, as well as author Jeremy Robert Johnson.  Rumor has it we'll have a visit from our author Nicole Del Sesto as well--a California writer whose work we'll publish this fall (All Encompassing Trip)--and maybe even Vic Mudd, whose book Deity (The Almighty's Adventures on Earth and Beyond) will release very soon.  And of course Gina will be there, and will even sign your copy of Chemical Gardens if you're really good.  She told me something about eyeballs as bonus gifts, but I really can't verify that...you'll have to come and see for yourself.

Ahhhh!  So much to do!!  I haven't read a single submission in at least a month.  :-(  so please be patient if you've sent something.  I hope my life goes back to relative normality after WHC!  Remember that the eyeball rules, as does the Autumn Eggplant of the Underground Zero!

Currently watching : Two Evil Eyes Release date: 29 April, 2003

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A week later
Current mood: chipper

I can't believe it is a week later!  I am happy to announce that Chemical Gardens went to press!  We'll get the final proof monday.  The cover is just beautiful--I can't say enough about the art--about ALL our artists, really!  We have such a great, diverse group who have been working on our covers.  AND of course, you're going to love Chemical Gardens for its story: think of The Wizard of Oz.  Now think of a punk rock band.  Add in an earthquake and you've pretty much got the idea.  Gina Ranalli's first novel will definitely entertain you!  And she's got a novella and a story collection following up in the near future.

I am also happy to announce that MY EMAIL IS NOW WORKING!  You can send me an email at editor@afterbirthbooks.com, and not only can I read it, I can actually reply to you.  What a concept.  Thanks for your patience if you've been trying to reach me.

We got some cool promo stuff for World Horror next month.  We've had fun playing with it--but I won't tell you what it is--you'll have to stop by our booth! 

Ok, that's about it.  Seattle weather report:  variable, but no hail recently, lol. Pollen: argh! A lot of it!  Those nasty bushes are blooming on the freeway.  I heard that some former president's wife thought it would be a great idea to beautiful up the interstate freeway system.  Apparently she forgot to check to see how many people are allergic to goldenrod. But despite sneezing, can't complain too much!

Currently listening : Four Ring Circus By Mighty Mohawk Man Release date: 04 April, 2006

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The Spring Crunch
Current mood: cranky

It is spring here in the Pacific Northwest! I can tell because the rain is a little warmer!  Also the weather is weird--maybe even bizarro--I was out walking the dog, and it started to hail!  The ground got covered with the while pellets, not to mention that the dog and I were trying unsuccessfully to dodge!  But, minutes later, they had all melted, and people probably thought I was making it all up.  (Maybe I was?...) 

Besides the weather, it's crunch time!  It's less than 30 days to World Horror.  I'm still trying to get a book out, and we're busy doing promo stuff.  Rose from Eraserhead is brewing up some beer for our joint party there!  You never know what unusual things you might find at our booth, too. 

Speaking of trying to work, I can't seem to reply to anyone on my afterbirth email.  I can READ anything you send, but can't write back to tell you I've read it!  For now, you can email me here, and I'll post when it's back up.  Or just be patient and know that you are being heard!  Computers: can't live with them and can't live with them.

My ability to read submissions has come to a standstill right now.  Probably won't be able to read anything else until after WHC now, just FYI to everyone. 

Well, enough whining!  Take a breath, drink a beer if you like 'em, and toast in the weekend!

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