Be sure to check out the latest fantastic review of CATACOMBS AND PHOTOGRAPHS at Niteblade! Read what Rhonda Parrish has to say about Brandy Schwan’s collection of poetry: 

“The pieces in Catacombs and Photographs alternate between being darkly erotic and eerily child-like. I know that sounds like it could make for a creepy combination, and it does, but only in the best possible way. My favorite poems, were I to chose, would be “Mary Jane” and “Illness of Alice”. ”

Read the rest of the review at www.niteblade.com!

And be sure to reserve your copy of CATACOMBS AND PHOTOGRAPHS before it’s released tomorrow, October 31! 

Here is a taste of the truly tantalizing book review of MAMA’S BOY AND OTHER DARK TALES by cursed Fey, Adhemar le Fey (also known to the mortal world as John Miller):

“Of all the stories, The Sea Orphan may be my favorite.  It reminded me of life itself, of reality hidden within dark fantasy.  Poor Will Pennycock, an orphan at sea among pirates.  He has special… advantages.  Remember Alfred Hitchcock?  Think of all those seagulls hovering on warming currents above the seas, and you still haven’t touched the depths of horror nor the heights of emotion within this story guaranteed to satisfy all. 

With all the flooding happening across the land, authors have begun to depict floods in stories. Orange and Golden is such a story about a man and his dog in a flood, but the only danger for the reader will be a flood of tears from reading the short-short.“

Here is another excerpt:

“Fine Print made me think of the countless “Faust” stories, of making a deal with the devil, but it is MUCH MORE than that.  Fran sucked me down into her soul, showed me what true love was as the main character, Donovan, sacrifices for his family while enduring extreme loneliness because he is forced to live apart from them.  Fran revealed cold calculating evil that shows no remorse, and she showed me the potential of the human spirit, of a father’s undying love for his family, especially for his daughter.  It is so much more than a contract with the devil; it is perfection in motion through words, showing both the heart of darkness and the heart of love, a true treasure like Sea Orphan. 

Mama’s Boy, for which Fran Friel became a Bram Stoker Finalist, took my mind to places it had never been before, and serious horror enthusiasts will cringe in both horror and shock, as a psychiatrist is taken for the ride of her life via the mind of the deranged and severely psychotic Mama’s Boy.  This story will do what a good number of writers claim but can’t accomplish; it will scare and shock you.” 

Read the whole review by purchasing (for a small price) Issue #38 of The World of Myth Magazine (pdf), at the World of Myth website!

And don’t forget to check out MAMA’S BOY AND OTHER DARK TALES!

Read what Alan Kistler of ComicMix has to say about Michael A. Burstein’s upcoming collection, I REMEMBER THE FUTURE: THE AWARD-NOMINATED STORIES OF MICHAEL A. BURSTEIN:

“These stories are all heartfelt and entertaining and each one appeals to a different taste and preference. If you enjoy science fiction, pick it up. If you don’t normally go for sci-fi, hey, still pick this up. These stories are, at their core, about people and the world we all deal with. And who can’t find something to enjoy about that?”

Read the rest of this smashing review at ComicMix! 

And make sure to stake your claim on I REMEMBER THE FUTURE!

Jay Lake has made his decisions.

WINNER:
“Plebiscite AV3X” by Jason Fischer

RUNNER UP:
“Shaded Streams Run Clearest” by Geoffrey W. Cole

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
“Julie, the Spirit of Laws” by Jason Heller
“Life by Numbers” by Erin Cashier

The winner and runner up stories will be published November 4th (Election Day, yay!). Congratulations to Jason Fischer and Geoffrey W. Cole for beating out a large (150 entries total) and tough crowd.

While Erin Cashier and Jason Heller didn’t make the top two, Jay did want to bring attention to their finely crafted tales.

Apex Editor Deb Taber has a brilliant essay up on the Nebula Awards Blog which you should definitely give a read! Learn a little more about the importance and influence of Dark SF in the Modern World. 

Also check out Highlander’s review of Brandy Schwan’s CATACOMBS AND PHOTOGRAPHS, due out this Halloween, and reserve your copy before they go! (Don’t forget, there are FREE poem samples available for your dark viewing pleasure!)

Literary Agent Jenny Rappaport has featured BEAUTY AND DYNAMITE, Alethea Kontis’ collection of non-fiction and poetry, on her blog. See what she has to say, and read the essay by Ms. Kontis that is sure to delight all of her current and future fans.

We here at Apex Publications always get a little over-excited for the haunting season. To celebrate this witching season, we’re using our own special blend of hocus pocus to brew up a spectacular Halloween Sale!

Until Halloween night at midnight, all Apex paperback books are on sale for only $10*! Don’t miss out on this horrifyingly good deal. Snatch up what you can until the clock tolls twelve and the to-die-for savings are put back in to rest in their wormy beds. Visit our store to place your order today!

* Does not include I Remember the Future

Just a reminder that tonight at midnight is the deadline for pre-ordering signed copies of Michael A. Burstein’s upcoming collection I REMEMBER THE FUTURE. Pre-orders of the unsigned book will continue, but if you want Mr. Burstein’s signed copy, it’s important to act fast!

Also, if you are planning to enter this year’s Halloween Short Story Contest, with the suitable theme of Election Horror, make sure to get your entry in by the time the clock tolls midnight! Any entries recieved after that will not be entered in the contest. Good luck to all the contestants!

Michael A. Burstein discusses I REMEMBER THE FUTURE with Francis Ma from Wicked Local. Read what they have to say about science fiction, Burstein’s writing, and the book:  Check out the whole article!  

And Jennifer Pelland’s UNWELCOME BODIES is reviewed by Strange Horizons! “Unwelcome Bodies is aptly titled, with each story exploring a different aspect of the human condition: sex, death, the mind/body dichotomy, our personal futures and the future of humanity. The collection showcases Pelland’s progress as a writer, and her increasing facility with the short story form. I’m eager to read future work as she refines her art and discovers more fascinating fears.” Read the whole detailed review here!

Brandy Schwan’s latest book of poetry, CATACOMBS AND PHOTOGRAPHS, has been receiving some excellent reviews!

Michael Laimo said: “…what a talent Brandy is! She knows it, clearly, and now we all do as well. I urge any enthusiast of dark verse to relish in the beauties of CATACOMBS AND PHOTOGRAPHS.” Read the rest of the review on Brandy’s MySpace blog.

Michele Lee wrote: “Featuring some of the best genre poetry available today Catacombs and Photographs is well worth the price and its visions are well worth the time readers will spend swept away.” Read the rest of the review on Michele Lee’s Book Love.

Absin​the,​ one of the membe​rs of the Leagu​e of Tana Tea Drink​ers,​ has put up her detai​led revie​w of CATAC​OMBS AND PHOTO​GRAPH​S.​ She says, “Definitely recommended, perfectly spooky and dark reading for this time of season.” Read the rest of the review here.

And don’​t forge​t to pre-​order​ your copy of CATAC​OMBS AND PHOTO​GRAPH​S!​ There​ are only a hundr​ed,​ and they’​re going​ fast.​ Don’​t miss out on this one-​time oppor​tunit​y!​