Stargazers

Pro Se Press has published my tale of science fiction and horror, STARGAZERS, in the November issue of Pro Se Presents #4.  The magazine features tales by Nancy Hansen, Andrew Salmon, and CW Russette.  The direct link to the magazine is here:  https://www.createspace.com/3736562.  The magazine will eventually be available on Barnes and Noble.com also.

"Cardiac Arrest" Update

My science-fiction/fantasy novel, "Cardiac Arrest", is 90 percent complete.  I'm editing the rough draft of the novel to smooth out the dialogue, correct mistakes, and make the chapters flow better.  The second book in the trilogy, "The Mask of Beelzebub", is underway.  I've changed the name of the third and final book, which was originally titled "Sarcophagus".  Due to various plot twists, it will be called "The Plague of Corruption" instead.

Cross-Over Element in "Cardiac Arrest"

The final chapters of my fantasy/sci-fi novel, "Cardiac Arrest", will feature a crossover element from my short story, "Citadel of the New Moon", which was published in Fantasy and Fear 3 from Pro Se Press in January 2011.  An important component of "Citadel" will affect the outcome of the novel's climax.  The crossover element will create a bridge to the second novel in the trilogy, which will be called "The Mask of Beelzebub".

Writer's Block

I've succumbed to every writer's worst fear:  the inability to put words on the page (or computer screen).  As I cope with my condition, I'm forced to push back my projects.  Hopefully this affliction will go away soon and I can pick up where I left off and get my projects finished.

Updates on Current Projects

Here are the current projects I'm working on and how close they are to being finished:

1.  "Cardiac Arrest" (Novel)
My science-fiction/fantasy novel continues to evolve and change.  While writing the final chapters, I came up with plot twists which required extensive tweaking during the 1st draft.  The novel will be finished in September.

2. "Claustrophobia" (Short Story)
This is a very long, fast-paced story about a boy's fear of being trapped in tight spaces.  It's a dark, Gothic tale which progresses into his adolescence and adulthood.  I hope to have the story finished by mid-October.

3. "The Mask of Beelzebub" (Novel)
This novel is the sequel to "Cardiac Arrest" and the second book of a planned trilogy.  I've already completed the prologue and most of the first chapter.  It will be darker and more violent than "Cardiac Arrest".  The estimated completion date is May 2012.

4. "Sunstroke" (Short Story)
This is another long, fast-paced story, which deals with an albino man's relationship with the sun.  It involves a chain reaction of tragic events which culminate with the man's reaction to a solar eclipse.  I hope to have the story finished by the middle of November.

5.  "The Emperor of Nibiru" (Novel)
This novel is in the planning stages.  It is a follow-up to my short story, "Citadel of the New Moon", which was published in the January 2011 issue of "Fantasy and Fear #3" from Pro Se Press.  Several characters from the short story will return in the novel, which takes place two years after the end of the story.

I'll post updates about these projects as they near completion.

"Cardiac Arrest" Pushed Back; Prologue of Its Sequel Complete

The final chapters of my science-fiction/fantasy novel, "Cardiac Arrest", have required extensive tweaking that will postpone the completion of the novel until September.  I've completed the prologue for the second book in the trilogy, which will be called "The Mask of Beelzebub".  I'm smoothing out the end of "Cardiac Arrest" so that it will flow seamlessly into the beginning of "Beelzebub".  Plot twists and a cliffhanger will be incorporated into the closing chapters of "Cardiac Arrest" to generate interest in "Beelzebub" and the last book of the trilogy, which will be called "Sarcophagus".

Short Story Collection Underway

As work on my novel, "Cardiac Arrest", comes to an end, I'm planning to construct a short story collection, which is untitled at this time.  I will blend new, unpublished work with previous stories.  I hope to have the collection finished and ready to submit by the end of December 2011.