Check Out My Friend's ETSY Site...And Support A Good Cause

I've blogged about Nathan before. He's another friend who's wicked talented. Not only does he write amazing stories and novels, but he also edits anthologies and runs websites with original comics and commentary on bad book covers.

And if that's not enough, they guy's an amazing artist.

Because Nathan's also a great dad, he's using his artistic talents to help out his daughter who has been given an incredible opportunity--an internship on Broadway.

Check out Nate's ETSY website: HERE. Each drawing, each original work of art is unique. I know art is subjective, but even if you don't like the subject, you've got to appreciate the artistic skill involved.

Supporting artists and creatives types helps in many ways. It helps the creator and their family. It helps those who buy the art because they have something tangible in return. If you get a chance, check out his site and the art. If nothing else, you'll see something you've never seen before, and if you do choose to support the family, you'll be doing a good thing.

The Many Talents Of Nate Shumate...

Nathan Shumate is a local author, editor, sculptor, and artist who helped out a friend yesterday by selling some pictures he drew then donating the profits to a great cause. He chronicled his participation in the fundraiser on his blog. You can read more about it: HERE. 

I, without permission from him, copied a couple of the pictures he drew yesterday and included them here. I think they're pretty amazing. I think you'll agree.

I've written about Nate in this blog before. He's a man of many, many talents. When you look at these pictures, you might think that he's first and foremost an illustrator. It's obvious the man can sketch. I don't know if he looked at something while he drew these, or if they grew from just his imagination. I suppose it doesn't matter--they're good either way. But when I think of Nate, I think of him primarily as an author. He's written several books and short stories. He's also an editor and was kind enough to include one of my short stories in his latest edition, Redneck Eldritch. 

Even though he is many things, he also is a caring soul who gave up his time for another. I don't know Sal personally, but I know many who do. They pitched in to help while he confronts serious health issues. Sal has a GoFundMe page set up and you can access it: HERE. 

I'm amazed at the talents we've all been given. Some are visible, but many are not. It's also a talent to give of yourself for others. So, Mr. Shumate has that talent, too.

Signed And Sent Back A Contract...Kind Of A Dream Come True

I've been at this writing thing for many years, but have only taken it seriously for the past couple. I remember when I first began attending writing conventions and comic cons, I met many authors and saw the books they were selling. I noticed many of my new friends had short stories in a couple of anthologies, Space Eldritch, and Space Eldritch II. 

One thing that I noticed about these anthologies in particular is they sold. People bought these books. I came to realize the reason they sold so well is because of the names on the covers and who wrote the stories inside. I know that's a very basic principle in marketing books--second nature stuff, really. 

But as I've gone to more and more of these events where books are sold, I know that fans of a particular author are loyal. If they like the author, they'll buy anything that person has written and when they see an anthology that they never knew existed, to quote Field of Dreams, "They'll pass over the money over without even thinking about it."

I hoped one day to be in one of Nathan Shumate's Eldritch anthologies.

Faster forward a few years and it looks like that hope, that desire has come to pass. I signed and sent in my contract as a contributor to the most recent Eldritch project. My name will be included with so many incredible writers and people might not buy the book because I'm in there necessarily, but if past is prologue, they will buy it.

It's kind of a dream come true--something I hoped would happen one day, and I can't wait to get a copy of this sucker and check it out! I'll keep you updated.

"Redneck Eldritch"...Coming Soon!

So, this was e-mailed to me the other day.

Isn't it awesome?!

Yes, would be the correct answer.

This is the cover to Redneck Eldritch, a horror anthology that is coming soon. My little story was chosen to be part of this Lovecraftian collection. I'm honored to be included with such amazing authors. It's something I wanted to do ever since I first heard of the Space Eldritch anthologies.

Thanks to Nathan Shumate for asking me to participate, and thanks for the Hugo-nominated genius of Carter Reid for the fantastic artwork! I will have more details when more is known about when this great collection is available.

POLAIK, The Next...Nathan Shumate

When you attend a local literary symposium or convention, you're bound to meet people with many varied skills. Sometimes, you may run into someone who has several of those varied skills themselves. My next POLAIK (Profile Of Local Author/Artists I Know...) is Nathan Shumate. He's one of those people.

Like many of these POLAIKs, I first met Nathan at a convention. I believe it was at either the first Salt Lake Comic Con or the second. But during the past few years, Nathan and I have shared many a crowded table, trying to sell books and snacking on whatever tasty treats someone else (usually one of the Butler clan...) brought to the party.

Nathan is an author, but he's also an editor. Because he's such a people person, many of the works he's edited contain stories from some of the biggest and most successful local authors in the area. Some may argue that many of these authors wrote stories for Nathan's anthologies before they got big, but I believe they'd write for him no matter how successful they become. He's always willing to help someone out, no matter where they are in their literary or artistic career.

Besides being an author and editor (and book publisher...), he's also a gifted artist. You can check out several of his sketches on his website: HERE. And, if that's not enough, he also builds works of art. At one conference he asked if I wanted to attend a panel where the topic was creative physical art out of garbage. Okay, I'm sure that wasn't the name of the panel, and that it wasn't garbage from which they made art. But, Nathan sat with several artists and showed off his creations. I do remember him saying that he was excited when he found a dead bird in his yard because he wanted to use various parts of the bird--specifically the skeleton--in the pursuit of his next project. I think I asked about that particular project at another con. Turns out bird skeleton and certain chemicals don't mix--or they mix all too well.

Yes, Nathan will "Novel For Food," and apparently, will do other things as well. If you're at a convention or symposium and you happen to run into Mr. Shumate, let him tell you a little about what he does. You might be there a while.

Westercon 67...Moments Preserved In Pictures

A few days ago I posted pictures of the first ever FantasyCon. It was held in Salt Lake. They had thousands of visitors, impressive guests, and out-of-the-park displays.

A few of those patrons knew that right across the street there was another con going on, Westercon. We had visitors, impressive guests, and displays.

I was a panelist at both events. And even though Westercon didn't have the glitz, we had amazingly talented people, and the best part--no lines, so you could just walk right up and talk to them.

Thanks everyone for your support, your kind words, your inspiring personalities, for old friends and new, and especially, for making it a great time! Bring on the next con!

D.J. Butler's, Crecheling...A Book Review

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A few weeks ago I attended a literary conference and had the opportunity to spend time with my friend and fellow author Dave Butler. As the conference came to a close, He took a book from the many stacks of his books he was selling (illustrated by another friend, Nathan Shumate...) and grabbed a pen. He opened it, he signed it, and he gave it to me. I tried to pay for the book--he declined payment. I tried selling him a book which contained my short story. He took it, but he insisted on buying it.

Dave's a good friend, and classy like that.

I began reading the book he gave me, Crecheling, but I stopped after the first chapter--not because it wasn't good--it was, but because I have not set aside time to read into my daily schedule.

Until now, that is.

This week I grabbed the book and read it while going back and forth to work on the train. Tonight I finished it. Here's what I thought.

In the Crecheling world in order for youths to come of age, they must complete a ritual which involved the murder of system members. This information is only made known to Dyan, the story's main character, and her friends the evening before the ritual is to take place.

But, as it sometimes happens in dystopian stories, things don't go as planned and Dyan finds herself captured by those who should have died. We now find ourselves following Dyan as she must choose between the life she's always known and the uncertainty of a future on the run. 

I especially liked the way Butler set up his world. As the story progressed, I learned more about the situation. Some dystopian stories feel a need to front-load a story with explanation. I learned of the fictional reality as I read and it surprised me, pleasantly surprised me. It also allowed my imagination to wonder as to where the story could lead. I like that in a book, too.

Butler writes a story that's light on profanity, but not so light on gore. However, the gore helps express the seriousness of the situation and the harsh realities of the cruel world in which they live. In short, I liked it a lot. And I hope to be reading more of this author's books in the future.

* Photo used without permission from: https://www.goodreads.com/book/photo/19134017-crecheling