Dispatches from the Flying M

Big News Day: Horror-, Western-, and Thriller-related

So much news today, it's hard to know where to begin.

No, on second thought, I guess it's not. The biggest news of the day has to be the release of my novel The Slab.

I wrote this one years ago--I'd actually started it before 9/11, inspired in part by the experience of a couple of relatives, including my father, coping with Alzheimer's Disease. Then 9/11 happened, and it twisted in whole new directions, and helped me process both how I felt about the event and its aftermath. The book is set during that aftermath, and it's horror on an epic scale, all set amidst the weirdness of California's Slab City and Salton Sea environs.

Here are some quotes from a few reviews, upon its original publication:

"Mariotte manages both thought-provoking juxtaposition and lizard-brain satisfaction as he plays out the large cast of characters across this hard and relentless landscape. His serial killers are just original enough to catch readers by surprise and he neatly ties together the threads of random magic, post-traumatic stress syndrome, a subtle supernatural invasion and an upper-class attack on a lower class landscape." -- Rick Kleffel at Trashotron.com

"The Slab is one of those books that transports back to a time when you first started to fall in love the genre. It reminds of some of the great horror novels of the '80's. That's not to say the novel feels dated, not by any means. What I'm trying to say, remember those books that had a a roller-coaster fun heart, with a huge cast of characters, that kept you turning each page under the covers long after your parents told you to go to sleep." -- Ginger Nuts of Horror

"This novel is so jam packed with action, morality plays, and diversity, that in lesser hands than Mariotte's it could have easily become confusing. If you have ever read and enjoyed those epic horror novels from the 70's and 80's (think Dan Simmons's work) where you were immersed in a sprawling world of rich characterization, smart plotting, and enough sub-plotting where the horror was deliberately episodic and horrifying, The Slab will be the perfect read for you." -- TT Zuma, Horror World.org

It's been around for a while, but even if you've read it before, you haven't read it like this! WordFire Press is putting out five of my favorite novels in new, uniform editions, in celebration of my 20th year as a novelist. To that end, I've gone through each book and revised and re-edited, so these are truly the author's preferred texts. The Slab is now available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook. Here are some links to buy:

WordFire
Baen Books (free sample here, just click on the cover)
Books2Read.com
Barnes & Noble
Amazon
And for some reason, Amazon has the hardcover separate from the other formats, here.

As for the other news? Well, a while back I mentioned that my western novella "Byrd's Luck," from the anthology The Untamed West, was a finalist for the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America. Now I've learned that it's also nominated for the Peacemaker Award from the Western Fictioneers. The Untamed West was published by Western Fictioneers--it's what they do instead of charging authors dues, so I was proud to contribute to it and to see it lead off the book. I'm doubly proud to have it recognized and honored by the two most prestigious awards in the field of western fiction.

Because it's the first story in the book, you can use the "Look Inside" feature at the book's Amazon page and read the first several chapters of "Byrd's Luck" for free.

Finally--because three's a charm--my Italian publisher, La Corte Editore, launched their Italian translation of my novel Narcos: The Jaguar's Claw in a big way, at the International Salon of Books in Turin, Italy. Just check out these photos from the event!

Of course, if you read English better than Italian, you can pick it up here, via US/UK publisher Titan Books. Incidentally, it's also nominated for an award--the prestigious Scribe Award from the International Association of Media Tie-in Writers!

20 Years of #Horror Novels!

My first novel, GEN13: NETHERWAR--a horror novel written with my pal Christopher Golden--was a horror novel disguised as a superhero novel. It was released in 1999.

In 2019, in celebration of my 20th year as a novelist, WordFire Press (publishers of my thriller EMPTY ROOMS) is bringing out brand new editions of some of my favorite horror/supernatural thriller novels between now and the end of the year. More details when a schedule is set, but what I can tell you is that I have been back over every single line of these books, so you can consider these the "Author's Preferred" editions. Even if you've read them, you haven't read them like this. They'll be available in every format: paperback, hardcover, ebook, and audio.

The first one up, THE SLAB, has never been reprinted since the original edition from IDW Publishing back in 2003, so it's possible some of you have never even seen a copy. Jim McLeod at Ginger Nuts of Horror said, "“The Slab is one of those books that transports you back to a time when you first started to fall in love with the genre.” And at HorrorWorld.org, TT Zuma wrote, "If you have ever read and enjoyed those epic horror novels from the 70s and 80s (think Dan Simmons’s work) where you were immersed in a sprawling world of rich characterization, smart plotting, and enough subplotting where the horror was deliberately episodic and horrifying, The Slab will be the perfect read for you."

After that comes MISSING WHITE GIRL (I'm posting in what I believe will be the order of release).

This book was originally published long before Gillian Flynn started the fad of "Girl" titles, proving that I'm once again ahead of my time. And the subject matter is more relevant than ever, considering the drama going on around our southern border and the politics involved.

The newspaper ofthe border city of Douglas, AZ--where much of the book is set--said, "Missing White Girl offers a gripping supernatural thriller while weaving an insightful commentary about race and class on the U.S./Mexico border."

As with the other books in this set, I went over every word of this one, so you've never read it quite like this. And as the others, it'll be issued in multiple formats as part of this uniform 20th-anniversary celebratory series.

 

RIVER RUNS RED earned praise from masters of suspense and horror like Don Winslow (The Border), David Morrell (Rambo's creator, among other accolades, Christopher Golden (Ararat), and more.

Considering Morrell's career output, I'm especially fond of his line: "River Runs Red is a fascinating blend of espionage and the occult with several jaw-dropping plot twists and one of the best action sequences I've read in a long time." But I kinda like Don's, too: "Mariotte can flat out write. This is a smart, fast, terrific read. This river runs."

This one and THE SLAB are my two works of epic horror, and I pretty much love both of them. I hope you will, too.

 

COLD BLACK HEARTS comes next. I originally sold MISSING WHITE GIRL to Penguin's Jove imprint, then offered them RIVER RUNS RED. They bought that plus an unwritten third book that I hadn't even started thinking about yet. That was when I realized that both previous books had three-word titles containing a color--it literally had not occurred to me before I had to figure out what the third book would be.

For the first time ever, a publisher has actually gone to the trouble of making the cover of each book predominantly the color mentioned in the title (if you missed the other two, scroll down on my page for them). That's a minor thing, but it's nice to have some thought put into it.

 

Last, but definitely not least, is SEASON OF THE WOLF. Once again, this is essentially a new book, since it's been rewritten and re-edited. It was originally a concept for a graphic novel, but when I started work on it, it gravitated toward this form instead. I'm glad it did. If this cover doesn't catch your eye, nothing will. At The Arched Doorway, Rebecca Lovatt wrote, "Season of the Wolf is a quick read, but it’s one that imparts an important message about the delicate balance between our actions and nature. Mariotte turns the tables, and shows us what it’s like to be among the hunted, not one of the hunters — having our safe havens invaded and taken away, friends and family killed and shown no mercy.  It’s a great read, and while it doesn’t fit into my usual genre, I believe that any reader, whether they enjoy mystery, thrillers, fantasy or just fiction in general will find something in Season of the Wolf that will draw them in.

Overdue Tucson Festival of Books Wrapup

It's mid-late-March now, or late-mid-March, but in the early part of the month, Marcy and I were at the Tucson Festival of Books (for the 11th year straight, for me). We had a great time, as always. We sold and signed a bunch of books, saw lots of friends, and generally enjoyed spending the weekend with 150,000 or so fellow book lovers.

The weekend started out with a bang when I found out that my novella "Byrd's Luck," published in the anthology The Untamed West--a benefit for the organization Western Fictioneers--was a finalist for the Western Writers of America's Spur Awards. It's that group's equivalent of the Edgar Awards for mystery, the Stoker Awards for horror, the World Fantasy Awards for fantasy, or the Hugo Awards for science fiction. Out of 98 stories judged, there one winner and two finalists were chosen. At the WWA convention in June (conveniently in Tucson this year), I'll be presented with a certificate of some kind. It's really an honor. The full list of winners and finalists is here.

Because my story leads off the book, if you want a good long taste of it, you can visit the book's Amazon page and use the "Look Inside" feature to read the first several chapters for free.

Also at the June WWA convention, I'll be on a panel with my friend David Morrell, talking about comics. That'll be a can't-miss event. More as we get closer.

At the festival, Marcy and I had two events. The first was a workshop on collaboration, at which we discussed the pros and cons and working methods authors use to write together. Then we put the audience to work, collaborating on their own quick story ideas and writing a paragraph together. They responded enthusiastically and came up with some really terrific work, and everybody had a good time. We're hoping we can do similar workshops at other events.

The next day, we were on a V-Wars panel. Jonathan Maberry, the creator of V-Wars (a book and comic series headed for TV) was supposed to be on it with us, but was sidelined with injuries, so we did it with Yvonne Navarro and Weston Ochse (who, like us, have had stories in V-Wars anthologies) and moderator Linda Addison. Jonathan was missed, but we had fun, and talked about him behind his back.

Here's Marcy at our table:

At the festival, I got to introduce Marcy to writer pals Joe R. Lansdale, Thomas Perry, and Jo Perry. A grand time was had by all. Here's a picture Jo took of us:

Tucson Festival of Books, and Some New Covers

Next weekend, March 2 & 3, is the 11th annual Tucson Festival of Books. This newspaper story (from the Tucson Daily Star, the festival's main sponsor) describes one of the important factors about this year:

"Are you a faithful follower of the Tucson Festival of Books? Have you attended every year since the first one in 2009? What about the authors? Have any of them been as faithful? Four authors have presented every single year since the Tucson Festival of Books began. They are J.A. Jance, Jeffrey Mariotte, Thomas Perry and Luis Alberto Urrea. All are scheduled again this year. We can’t fault others for not being at the festival every year. Presenting authors are nominated — they may nominate themselves — and invited to the festival. More are nominated than invited."

As usual, my wife and writing partner, the brilliant Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell, will be there with me. Most of the time, you can find us in booth #155, right near the Student Union building. We'll have a bunch of books for sale, old and new--at discount prices, and of course, autographs are always free! But we also have a couple of panels:

Workshop: Writing Collaboratively

Writing partners Jeffrey Mariotte and Marsheila Rockwell will discuss how to write collaboratively.

Where: Integrated Learning Center, Room 125
When: Sat., March 2, 2:30-3:30 pm
Signing Area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)

 

V-Wars: Chronicles of the Vampire Wars

Jonathan Maberry created the shared world anthology of V-Wars, a world where the plague is vampires, not zombies. And now V-Wars will be coming to Netflix! Find out about the V-Wars, and shared world anthologies with some of the writers who imagined it. The panelists are Jonathan Maberry, Jeffrey J. Mariotte, Marsheila Rockwell, Yvonne Navarro, and Weston Ochse.

Where: Integrated Learning Center, Room 141 (wheelchair accessible)
When: Sun., March 3, 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Signing Area: Sales & Signing Area - Integrated Learning Center (following presentation)

Hope we see you there!

In other news, covers for a couple of fall books have been released. First, in early September, we'll see this--a brand-new edition of my teen horror series that has been titled Witch Season and Dark Vengeance. The second of the four books was nominated for a Stoker Award by the Horror Writers Association, and the series is my bestselling work of fiction. Now, publisher Simon & Schuster has combined into one economical volume called Year of the Wicked, with an amazing cover!

October will see the release of this weird western anthology from Baen Books, featuring all original stories. I have a story called "Sunlight and Silver," and Marcy has a great tale called "Dreamcatcher." But there are lots of other terrific writers in it, too, including Charlaine Harris, Mike Resnick, Mario Acevedo, Shane Hensley, Jane Linskold, and more.

A New #Podcast!

I'm an old-school guy. When podcasts came on the scene, I was living on the ranch in the middle of nowhere, with dial-up internet, then satellite--neither of which were conducive to streaming video or audio. As a result, I never got onboard the podcast train. Now that I'm able to stream, I still rarely do--when I'm working, I listen to music, and when I'm not working I'm usually spending time with the family, cooking, or reading.

That said, I know podcasts are incredibly popular these days. I understand the appeal, but just don't partake.

But occasionally, when asked by somebody who I think has something worthwhile to offer, I'll take part in one. I did that this week with my friend Scott Haskin, a multi-talented writer/composer/musician/producer (who, incidentally, produced the audiobooks of my novels Cold Black Hearts and The Devil's Bait, both read by actress/producer Tamara McDaniel). Scott knows a ton of creative people, and lives in Las Vegas--which, for all its bad reputation, is really one of the creative powerhouse cities of the U.S., right up there with NYC, LA, and Nashville. Each week he interviews a different creative individual, and his podcast is really catching fire.

Here are some links, so wherever you listen, you should be able to find this episode. And of course, keep checking back for more of Scott's work!

Scott's Website:
http://www.scotthaskin.com
Then click the podcast link in the upper right corner.
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/3hr9NNZSe6Q9tFOjD5bX8j?si=Tqme3XQXQXq8Qo4EDE2rjw
https://open.spotify.com/show/3hr9NNZSe6Q9tFOjD5bX8j
iTunes
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/haskincast-podcast/id1437772872?mt=2

KJZZ Holiday Storyfest and Author's Showcase

Next Saturday, December 1, Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell and I will be presenting authors at the KJZZ Holiday Storyfest and Author's Showcase! All the deets are at the link. We'll be speaking from 4:45-5:15, but we'll be there from the time the doors open at 2 until they close at 7. We'll have a table with a buncha books to sell and sign--and of course, if you bring your own books from home, we'll sign those, too. Whether we wrote 'em or not!

KJZZ is Phoenix's great public radio station (the #2 button in the car I drive most often). The event is a fundraiser for Sun Sounds of Arizona, a not-for-profit service that creatively applies technology and talent to make sure that every person with a print disability can access the current and local information they need to live a self-directed, productive life. Broadcast via the subcarrier waves of public radio stations, Sun Sounds boasts a team of volunteers who read local and national newspapers, magazines, and local ads.

Tickets are only $10, unless you're a public radio member, in which case they're $5. Kids under 12 are free. There's storytelling for kids, and Santa, and character appearances. And of course, we're not the only authors--the day is packed with them. Our friends from Bonny Books will be selling books, in addition to whichever authors are selling their own.

Here's where to find it:

Glendale Civic Center

5750 W Glenn Dr, Glendale, AZ 85301

 

We'll have copies of 7 SYKOS and NARCOS: THE JAGUAR'S CLAW and lots of other goodies! Hope to see everyone there!

 

TusCon Update and Tucson Comic-Con Wrap-up

So, even though last week I wrote that we'd be at TusCon this week, we're not, and we won't make it (and we're bummed not to see our old pal, the great Joe R. Lansdale his own self). Turns out Tucson Comic-Con took more out of us than anticipated, and we're just not up to another weekend on the road and con fun so soon. Two in a row is hard to do these days.

TCC was a blast, though. We saw lots of old friends, made some new ones, discussed some cool projects, and had some terrific panels. There are a few pictures below.

In other news, my newest novel--the last for 2018--officially went on sale this week. Published by Titan Books, it's the first official tie-in novel to the hit Netflix series NARCOS. If you like the show, or you just like thrillers with nonstop action and suspense, give it a try!

TCC Pics:

Tucson Comic-Con

Because Tucson Comic-Con is the only comic convention Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell and I always attend, early November, not summer, is "con season" for us. The week after TCC is TusCon, about which more next week. Then early December brings a new event for us, the KJZZ Holiday Storyfest & Author's Showcase, about which more in a few weeks. But for now, we're here to talk about Tucson Comic-Con.

Having been to the enormous San Diego Comic-Con for 30 years straight--since before it was enormous--and having been to cons around the country (and out of the country), large and small, for me, TCC is just the right size. It's big enough to attract fantastic guests like Denny O'Neil, Carl Potts, James Owen, Brian Pulido, and many more, and small enough that you can actually meet and talk to those people. Plus there are great programs, gaming, costumes, movies, and loads of vendors.

The con runs from November 2-4, and is always out in time for Tucson's moving and memorable All Soul's Procession on Sunday evening. When the rest of the country is getting chilly, Tucson is warm and welcoming.

Marcy and I will be at tables AA65 and AA80--next to each other, despite the numbering scheme, on the end of an aisle. And as a special treat, our son David Mariotte--an editor for IDW Publishing and writer of the Hanazuki comics from IDW--will also be a special guest this year, though not situated by us.

We're also doing panels--including David, on one of them--so when we're not at the tables you'll find us here:

Sat, Nov 3
Does Creativity Run in Families?
Writers Stephen King and Tabitha King are the parents of writers Joe Hill and Owen King. In comics, everyone knows John Romita and JR jr, and husband-and-wife Arthur Adams and Joyce Chin. Are creative people drawn to each other? Do they pass those traits down to their kids? Our panelists--a married couple, parents and son, all writers and editors--will explore the family ties of creative life.
4:30 - 5:20
Marsheila Rockwell, Jeff Mariotte, David Mariotte

Sat, Nov 3
The Horror Culture
Creating horror in art and art writing. The new appreciation of the genre in pop culture. Telling stories to get the blood racing. Why horror? What is the appeal? Horror trivia, past and present.
5:30 - 6:20
Marsheila Rockwell, Jeff Mariotte, Jenn Corella, Cynthia Gerriets

Sun, Nov 4
Playing in Favorite Sandboxes
D&D: Eberron. CSI. Xena. Mafia III. Narcos. Buffy. Spider-Man. Conan. Star Trek. What do these well-known properties have in common? Marsheila Rockwell and Jeff Mariotte have worked on all of them, and more, as editors, writers, or both. They'll share the joys and the pitfalls of working on tie-in books and comics, and tell you how you can do it, too!
2:30 - 3:20
Marsheila Rockwell, Jeff Mariotte, David Mariotte

 

 

 

CoKoCon Schedule

CoKoCon is koming--er, coming! It'll be held August 31-September 3 in Phoenix, AZ. If you're there, wish me a happy early birthday (I like chocolate cake).

Here's my panel schedule:

Sunday, Sept. 2:

11-noon

Not Dead Yet

Jeff Mariotte, Harry Turtledove, David VanDyke, Thomas Watson

Print is dead! No, e-books are dead! Traditional publishing houses are dead! No, self-publishing is dead! Bookstores are dead, except indies of course! And now pundits are declaring the death of the library. But folks are still reading, so it seems like the publishing industry isn’t ready to go on Monty Python’s proverbial cart any time soon.

6 PM

Signing (with my wonderful wife and writing partner, Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell).

Monday, Sept. 3:

12:30-1:30

Making Monsters

Making Monsters

Canyon 3, 12:30pm - 1:30pm

Tags: Books & Authors

Bruce Davis, Tom Leveen, Jeff Mariotte, Marsheila Rockwell

What makes a great monster? And from what twisted mind do they come from? Our panelists delve into the darkest recesses of their minds and conjure forth terrifying creations. And they share their Frankenstein-esque secrets with you.

3:30-4:30

Childhood Favorites

Beth Cato, Tom Leveen, Jeff Mariotte, Marsheila Rockwell

What books inspired you to become a writer? What are the cherished stories and beloved authors that provided the muse for our panelists? They will reminisce about their favorites and maybe discuss a few current favorites as well.

 Full programming deets are here. Here's Marcy's panel schedule.

We'll have a few books on sale at Duncan's Books and More in the dealer's room, but if there's any book of mine you want to pick up, leave me a comment or drop me an email and I'll make sure to bring it along. Hope to see you there!

Do You Know the Way to San Jose?

I do.

After graduating from high school in Germany, I moved to San Jose, CA for college, eons ago. San Jose was where I had my first piece of writing published (an interview with ex-Monkee Michael Nesmith), won my first literary award (a Phelan Award, 3rd place, for a short story), attended my first con and worked on my first con committee (the Fantasy Symposium), worked my first job in comics (night clerk at a comic shop), and my first bookstore job (Books Inc.). I stayed in San Jose for 10 years and built friendships that remain strong.

Eventually that bookstore job sent me to San Diego. I did more writing, worked in comics some more, moved to Arizona, married Marsheila (Marcy) Rockwell... if you read this blog you probably know all that. Point is, San Jose was formative for me in a lot of ways, including in my various professional lives.

In a couple of weeks, Marcy and I will be in San Jose, for our first visit together. We're officially going for WorldCon 76, the world science fiction convention (and home of the Hugo Awards), and most of our time will be spent there. But we'll try to check out some of my old haunts, as well. We signed up pretty late, so don't appear to have been added to any programming [but there's been a bit of a brouhaha over programming, which may or may not (but probably won't) result in us getting added]. If that changes, I'll update.

Over Labor Day weekend, we'll be at CoKoCon 2018, here in Phoenix. Programming hasn't been finalized yet, but I'm sure we'll end up on something. Again, I'll post an update when I know.

 

Suggested musical accompaniment to this post.