New Anthology: BRIMSTONE TURNPIKE

"Each story features high-quality characterization and plotting. All are so well attuned to the theme that the book reads more seamlessly than many novels."
— Booklist

Brimstone Turnpike edited by Kealan Patrick Burke

Each of us chooses a path through life without knowing where it will lead. There may come good fortune, or misery, joy, or death. It is not for us to know.

But sometimes we are handed an opportunity to alter our destiny, though we may not recognize it when it's there before us. It might be a lottery ticket, or an ad in the newspaper. It might also be an old man named Johnny Divine, and the treasures he keeps in a battered red leather suitcase at the Brimstone Turnpike.

On a lonesome stretch of deserted highway, amid the ruins of a gas station with a tragic past, Johnny waits in the searing sun for those who have found their way off the beaten path, off the map, and into a place where dreams can come true and nightmares become real, depending on the choices made.

Welcome to the Brimstone Turnpike, where the choice is yours.

Join wayward travelers Thomas F. Monteleone, Scott Nicholson, Tim Waggoner, Harry Shannon and Mike Oliveri, as we take a trip into the heart of darkness, where a gift from a silver-toothed old man can mean the difference between life and death.

Reviews & Praise:
"This eerie collection includes five chilling tales with a common motif—a deserted highway with a ruined gas station where an old black man gives a traveler a special gift that could change his or her destiny. From Thomas F. Monteleone's story of a reporter's collision with the truth ("The Prime Time of Spenser Golding") to Harry Shannon's depiction of a detective's journey into darkness ("Behold the Child"), these tales delve into the realm of nightmare and wish fulfillment. Contributions by Scott Nicholson, Tim Waggoner, and Mike Oliveri, together with a narrative thread by editor Burke, round out this anthology; for larger horror collections."
— Library Journal

"Life as a highway is an archetype: we may know from whence we come, but we know not whither we go. We frequently get lost, but sometimes we are given a chance, a guide, an opportunity to change direction. In these five stories, the guide is Johnny Divine, an old man with a tragic past, sitting in the ruins of a gas station on Brimstone Turnpike. His battered suitcase holds treasures for those who dare to accept them. Thomas Monteleone's hard-nosed journalist receives a pair of spectacles ("Dey . . . hep ya see real good"); Harry Shannon's alcoholic LAPD detective, a child's toys; Scott Nicholson's protagonist, pieces of very special pie; the unhappy wife going camping to repair her marriage in Michael Oliveri's contribution, a necklace; and the dutiful young woman Tim Waggoner presents, bound to see the grandmother she fears, a rock and a hard-to-open jewelry box. Each story features high-quality characterization and plotting. All are so well attuned to the theme that the book reads more seamlessly than many novels."
— Booklist

Available in two states:
Limited Edition of 600 copies signed by the authors and the editor ($40)
Traycased Lettered Edition of 26 signed and lettered copies bound in leather with a satin ribbon page marker and additional artwork ($175)

In Stock & Shipping Now! Order yours here!

12:59 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

New Novel: MASTER OF THE MOORS
Category: Writing and Poetry

Some of you may remember an e-serial I wrote back in 2002, entitled MASTER OF THE MOORS, a kind of a cross between THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES and THE FOG. Driven by the frustration of being unable to complete a full-length novel, I decided the best way to keep the momentum going and actually get the damn thing finished was by ensuring there was enough pressure on my shoulders to do so. And what better way than to have a couple of hundred readers following its progress week to week. The e-serial proved popular, contained introductory essays by some of the genre's luminaries, and featured weekly prizes courtesy of Subterranean Press.

And of course, though it took somewhere in the region of 22 weeks, I managed to complete the novel.

Then I promptly shelved it. In the intervening years, one of the more common questions I was asked was: "Are you ever going to publish MASTER OF THE MOORS as a print title?"

My memories of the book dissuaded this, as I believed, like many first novels, it was riddled with clumsy writing and silly errors. Plus, considering the e-serial's forward momentum, I hadn't been able to go back and change anything, so surely there were contradictions and plot holes galore.

And when I took it out and reread it, I discovered I was right.

But...

I also found the book immensely enjoyable and not nearly as bad as I thought. So I went through it, cut, edited, rewrote, spitshined and polished it, then once again stuck it in a drawer and forgot about it, preoccupied with other projects-in-progress.

Until one night, Don Koish at NEP asked me if I had any plans to do anything with the book.

I'm proud to share with you now the result of that lengthy phone conversation:

A new novel from Kealan Patrick Burke to be released this fall which will feature new cover and interior art by Steve Gilberts.

Limited edition:   $45 US 
Lettered edition: $250 US -SOLD OUT

Sixteen-year-old Jane Mansfield and her blind brother Neil live in a manor on the edge of the Brent Prior moors. It is a dreary place populated by the dispirited and the disillusioned, where the young nurture desperate dreams of escape. And Jane is no different. But her plans to run away to the city are crushed one very ordinary morning when the quiet in Brent Prior is shattered by an inexplicable act of violence.

In the wake of the tragedy, Jane's beloved father is stricken by a strange illness, and she and her brother fall under the care of the manor's caretaker and maid.

Then, as if attuned to the melancholy that has stricken Mansfield House, a fog rolls in. Villagers begin to vanish. Lithe fleeting shadows are glimpsed in the mist, and a disfigured man arrives in Brent Prior.

A man who has come back to settle an old score.

A man who calls himself the Master of the Moors.

* * *

450 Limited numbered hardcovers signed by Kealan Patrick Burke.

26 Lettered deluxe hardcovers with a metal traycase signed by Kealan Patrick Burke and Steven Gilberts.

(Each lettered copy will come with a page from the draft of the story signed by Kealan Patrick Burke)

For ordering information, click here.

* * *

7:11 AM - 5 Comments - 12 Kudos - Add Comment

THE LIVING: Free Web Novel
Category: Writing and Poetry

Hey all,

Given the price of most of the books we love to read and do our best to support, I thought it would be nice to do something people can read for free. Not only that, but you get to participate in it, in much the same way as those cherished choose-your-own-adventure books of yesteryear.

Underland Press, run by former Dark Horse Comics editor, Victoria Blake, have just launched their new website. You can see their forthcoming titles there and in addition, read Chapter One of my new, and 100% free online novel, THE LIVING.

Check it out of you're so inclined!

http://www.underlandpress.com

Kealan

10:02 AM - 4 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Dear Editor
Category: Writing and Poetry

jyore77@earthlink.net..:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Dear Mr. Linder,

Just a quick note to check on the status of my submission, "Peaches & Kareem", which I submitted to your magazine on 10/10/06. I haven't heard from you, so I thought I'd check to ensure it didn't get lost in cyberspace.

Yours,

Jeremy Yore

------------------------

ed@mastersofmoire.com

3/13/07 2:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Dear Mr. Yore,

Thank you for your query. We did indeed receive your submission. According to my files, you submitted it when the reading period had closed, so it was, unfortunately, shelved until we reopened to submissions the following February. Rest assured, we will get to it in due course.

Kind Regards,

Ed L.

_____________________

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Dear Ed,

Thanks for the reply, though I'm not sure what you mean by saying I submitted the story "when the reading period had closed". According to your guidelines, the reading period is from August 1st to October 31st. I sent you my story on the 10th of October, and as a result, had expected a response long before now!!! Surely, six months is long enough to wait for a verdict? ;-)

Yours,

Jeremy

-------------------------------

ed@mastersofmoire.com

3/13/07 2:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Dear Jeremy,

We will be in touch soon about your submission. Thank you for your patience.

-Ed.

-------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Uh, no offense, but that wasn't an answer. When did you receive my submission?

Jeremy

-------------------------------

ed@mastersofmoire.com

3/13/07 2:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Dear Jeremy,

I'm not sure where you learned your Inter-netiquette, but it's generally considered impolite to dog an editor.

-Ed

-------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

And I don't know why you won't just answer my question!!?!! You basically implied that it took you this long to get back to me because I submitted my story during your off season, which I know is not the case!!!!

Jeremy

-------------------------------

ed@mastersofmoire.com

3/13/07 2:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Dear Jeremy,

I'll get to it tonight, ok???

Ed

-------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Ed--

Awesome.

Jeremy.

-------------------------------

ed@mastersofmoire.com

3/13/07 2:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Dear Jeremy,

Thank you for your submission "Peaches and Kareem", which we found very entertaining, but ultimately not a good fit for us. You clearly have talent though, so I expect it's only a matter of time before it finds a home.

All the best,

Ed L.

-------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Dear Ed,

Go fuck yourself, shithead.

J

-------------------------------

ed@mastersofmoire.com

3/13/07 2:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

I beg your pardon?

-------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Yeah, you should beg, you fuck. Who the hell do you think you are? Did you even read the cocksucking story or are you just bouncing it because I had the gall to wonder what was taking so goddamn long?

-------------------------------

ed@mastersofmoire.com

3/13/07 2:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Jeremy,

Rejection is never easy to deal with, and you shouldn't take it personally. Resorting to name-calling isn't helping either. We read the story, and it wasn't for us. That doesn't mean it won't be the right fit for someone else. Not everything works for everyone. That's a lesson you'll need to learn if you expect to get anywhere in this business.

Ed.

-------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

How do you know I haven't already gotten somewhere in this business? Who the fuck are you? Do you know me or something? You didn't even bother to tell me why you didn't like the story. So? Why didn't you? And who's WE? And dopn't talk down to me. I'm not some dumb kid. I've taken writing classes taught by pros. PROS, you know, unlike YOU.

-------------------------------

ed@mastersofmoire.com

3/13/07 2:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Jeremy,

I'm afraid I'm not willing to continue this exchange with you as long as you feel compelled to be abusive.

Ed

-------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Hey Ed,

Guess what? Your address is on your magazine. Only six hours drive from here according to Mapquest. Fancy that? What hours do you work? I can take a dfay off work if need be.

Shithead.

-------------------------------

ed@mastersofmoire.com

3/13/07 2:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Is that a threat?

--------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

No. Just chatting. See you soon.

-------------------------------

ed@mastersofmoire.com

3/13/07 2:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

I've forwarded your emails to the local police.

-------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

I know.

Know how I know?

I AM the local police...ha-ha! Or am I? cya soon. Want to hear a funny story?

-------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Want to hear a funny story, Ed?

Never mind, I can tell you in person.

-------------------------------

ed@mastersofmoire.com

3/13/07 2:02:01 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Kindly desist in sending these emails, or we'll be forced to take legal action.

-------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

I thought you already did? Or were you bluffing? Anyway, go right ahead, and whyn'tchoo track my ISP address while you're at it. See where the emails are coming from...You might be surprised.

-------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

Oh, and incidentally dumbass, I know you were lying about reading my story.

You had to be.

I never sent you one.

----------------------------------

jyore77@earthlink.net

3/11/07 4:31:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

By the way...

I like your tie.

-------------------------------

"Dear Editor" copyright (c) 2008 by Kealan Patrick Burke

Previously published in Subterranean Daily

7:03 AM - 14 Comments - 20 Kudos - Add Comment

Last Day for the Reader Gallery Competition
Category: Art and Photography

Today is the last day we're accepting entires for the KealanPatrickBurke.com Reader's Gallery Photo Competition. Tomorrow we'll be sending the gallery link to Christa Campbell, so she can select the winning entry.

If you've been procrastinating, we're down to the wire now, so get those pictures to us!

To read the rules and regulations, click here.

To view the gallery, click here.

Kealan

7:13 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

THE TURTLE BOY: To Reprint or Not to Reprint?
Category: Writing and Poetry

One of my most popular books has been THE TURTLE BOY. It's also currently the hardest to find unless you're willing to pay close to a hundred bucks for it. How then would you feel about another, cheaper edition?

Let me know here.

Kealan

7:21 AM - 5 Comments - 7 Kudos - Add Comment

What is a "Wovel"?
Category: Writing and Poetry

Find Out here:

"A Wovel Idea"

and to learn why I'm bringing this up in the first place, read:

"Underland Press Unveils Debut List"

Kealan

6:47 AM - 16 Comments - 16 Kudos - Add Comment

Reader Gallery Competition Update
Category: Art and Photography

We’re delighted to be able to announce that our special guest celebrity judge for this year’s KealanPatrickBurke.com Reader Gallery Competition is none other than the lovely Christa Campbell.

From the IMDB:

Christa Campbell made her mark as the legendary Bettie Page in "From Pinup to Sex Queen: Bettie Page: The E! True Hollywood Story." Her television credits are numerous, including appearances on programs that include "Summerland," "The X Show," "Unhappily Ever After" and The Jamie Kennedy Experiment. Her stunning presence has made her an international phenomenon as the host of the boxing sport show, ’Thunderbox’, seen globally.

Christa’s far-ranging roles include the TV movie sci-Fi mystery "Deadly Water", the action-thriller "End Game" with Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Woods, and "Lonely Hearts," in which she co-starred alongside John Travolta, James Gandolfini and Salma Hayek. She shared the screen with Nicholas Cage in the remake of the classic "The Wicker Man." Her captivating performance in "2001 Maniacs" can be seen on the film’s DVD release.

She also knows a thing or two about photography, having appeared in a number of magazines, including Playboy, Maxim, and Esquire.

* * *

Here are the details about the Reader Gallery Competition:

Some of you might recall last year we asked readers to take pictures of themselves with a copy of my book(s) and send them in for my website Reader Gallery.

To see last year’s entries, please visit the website and click on the Reader Gallery link.

We ended up getting some terrific entries last time around and the winner was chosen by our special guest judge, Lin Shaye (Snakes On A Plane, Kingpin, A Nightmare On Elm Street, 2001 Maniacs, Detroit Rock City). Lin was even kind enough to contribute signed photographs from her movies to all participants, which was a nice addition to the grand prize of any book the winner didn’t have from my backlist of titles.

This year the prize is even bigger!

The winning entrant will win:

*A signed copy of the PEEKERS DVD (a special unreleased promotional copy)

*A signed copy of my forthcoming hardcover collection THE NUMBER 121 TO PENNSYLVANIA & OTHERS

*A signed copy of my new novel, as yet unannounced, due for release this summer

and lastly,

*A signed copy of my forthcoming chapbook, SELDOM SEEN IN AUGUST!

We may add more prizes as the competitions goes on, but that’s quite a sweet package to start with!

To enter, take a picture of yourself with any title of mine. You can enter as many times as you wish. All entries will be added to the Reader Gallery (with your permission, of course), and at the end of April, we’ll have our Special Guest Judge, Christa Campbell choose the winner.

Please send your pictures as JPEG attachments to kealan@kealanpatrickburke.com.

Thank you and good luck!

Kealan

5:40 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Second Annual Reader Gallery Competition!
Category: Art and Photography

Hey All,

It’s that time of year again for the Kealan Patrick Burke.com Reader Gallery Photo Competition. Some of you might recall last year we asked readers to take pictures of themselves with a copy of my book(s) and send them in for the website Reader Gallery. To see last year’s entries, please visit the website and click on the Reader Gallery link.

We ended up getting some terrific entries and the winner was chosen by our special guest judge, actress Lin Shaye (Snakes On A Plane, Kingpin, A Nightmare On Elm Street, 2001 Maniacs, Detroit Rock City). Lin was even kind enough to contribute signed photographs from her movies to all participants, which was a nice addition to the grand prize of any book the winner didn’t have from my backlist of titles.

This year the prize is even bigger!

The winning entrant will win:

*A signed copy of the PEEKERS DVD (a special unreleased promotional copy)

A signed copy of my forthcoming hardcover collection THE NUMBER 121 TO PENNSYLVANIA & OTHERS

*A signed copy of my new novel, as yet unannounced, due for release this summer

We may add more prizes as the competitions goes on, but that’s quite a sweet package to start with!

To enter, take a picture of yourself with any title of mine. You can enter as many times as you wish. All entries will be added to the Reader Gallery (with your permission, of course), and at the end of April, we’ll have our Special Guest Judge choose the winner.

Please send your pictures as JPEG attachments to kealan@kealanpatrickburke.com.

Thank you and good luck!

Kealan

8:42 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Copies of NIGHT VISIONS 12 for Sale!
Category: Writing and Poetry

Hey All,

I’m clearing some office space here and have quite a few copies of NIGHT VISIONS 12 to part with if anyone’s interested. I’m letting these go for $9.99 plus $4.00 shipping. Email me and I’ll take care of ya!

Here’s some info about the book:

Night Visions 12
Edited by Kealan Patrick Burke

For nearly two decades, the Night Visions anthologies have provided a forum for some of the finest dark fantasists of the modern era, including Stephen King, Ramsey Campbell, Dan Simmons, Clive Barker, and many more. Subterranean Press proudly continues the tradition with the twelfth installment of this landmark series.

Edited and introduced by Bram Stoker Award winner and International Horror Guild Award nominee Kealan Patrick Burke (Taverns of the Dead, Quietly Now), Night Visions 12 features short stories and novellas by Simon Clark (Blood Crazy, Night of the Triffids), Mark Morris (Nowhere Near an Angel, The Immaculate), and P.D. Cacek (Night Players, The Wind Caller).

Simon Clark:
-- A screenwriter’s marshland retreat becomes a place of unutterable terror in "My God, My God", a gleefully wicked homage to the works of William Hope Hodgson.
-- An experiment in lucid dreaming leads a man into a sinking house where he encounters the titular trio of famous literary figures, and something much worse, in "Poe, Lovecraft, Jackson."
-- The concept of humankind as the true evil rises to the fore in "Frankenstein, Victor", an alternate world sequel to Mary Shelley’s seminal classic.

Mark Morris:
-- "Feeding Frenzy" follows the surreal and nightmarish journey of an average bookstore employee in the wake of a series of murders seemingly inspired by pulp-horror novels.
-- The Rod Serling-esque setup of a man awaking to find himself alone in a town takes a hellish and horrifying turn in "What Nature Abhors."
-- In "The Story of April And Her Colours", a very unique boy finds himself embroiled in an equally unique situation when he meets a woman with lights beneath her skin.

P.D. Cacek:
-- An egotistical psychotherapist falls for his patient--a woman with five other personalities, all of whom are very much aware of each other, and quite possibly a secret sixth--in the chilling supernatural thriller "Forced Perspective."
-- "Campfire Story" is the story of one dark summer, and the haunted well from which horror springs eternal...

These are the tellers, dear reader, and here are their tales, submitted for your approval on this darkest of nights...

Limited: 250 numbered copies signed by all contributors
Trade: Deluxe cloth bound edition

From Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)

"The latest installment in the venerable Night Visions series, edited by relative newcomer Burke (Hides), matches the talent included in previous volumes with eight horror stories from three British writers. Simon Clark honors past masters of the genre with his three pieces; the best of which--"Frankenstein, Victor"--reimagines Mary Shelley’s classic and exemplifies Clark’s political commentary, vivid imagery and incisive characterization. Mark Morris’s contributions stand out in the volume, particularly "The Story of April and Her Colours," narrated with eerie sweetness by the autistic protagonist, and the nightmarish "What Nature Abhors," about one man’s descent into a very personal hell. P.D. Cacek rounds out this excellent anthology with "Forced Perspective," a novella about a psychiatrist’s romances with his patient’s multiple personalities, and "Campfire Story," about a boy who’d do almost anything for his best friend."

From the St. Louis Post Dispatch:

"In past years, stories by Clive Barker, Dan Simmons, George R.R. Martin and Lucius Shepard have stolen the limelight. This year, even though the lead stories by British author Clark--which are open tributes to the fiction of icons such as Shirley Jackson and Edgar Allen Poe--are thoroughly engaging, and the pieces by fellow Brit Morris (such as ’Feeding Frenzy’) raise the hackles, Midwestern author Cacek takes the honors hands-down.

"Cacek’s ’Campfire Story’--which closes the anthology--is unsettling enough, with its strange twist on the traditional ghost story. But ’Forced Perspective,’ involving a psychotherapist who carries on affairs with the multiple personalities of a patient, is nothing short of astonishing and more proof that Cacek is one of the genre’s overlooked, top-notch talents."

From the Rocky Mountain News:

"Final word: Featuring the best horror writers of recent years, it would be hard to find a better series to own, read or collect."

* * *

6:55 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment