Sam Knight's Blog, page 3

 

 

I am so excited to once again be a part of an anthology created by the Publishing graduate students at Western Colorado University!

The last time I appeared in one of their anthologies, MONSTERS, MOVIES & MAYHEM, my story was mentioned in a Publishers Weekly’s starred review of the anthology (https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-68057-107-3)and the anthology went on to win the Colorado Humanities & Center for the Book Colorado Book Award in the anthology category! (https://coloradohumanities.org/prog…/colorado-book-awards/)

Needless to say, I am excited about what may happen next!

My story in this, “Jarjacha Engaño,” is a look at the dark side of a myth/legend in Peru.  Don’t expect it to leave a smile on your face…

 

A mirror is far more than meets the eye. When you gaze into the gilded glass, what do you see—and what looks back at you?

A beautiful woman hiding an ugly secret?
A malevolent king who delivers a fate worse than death?
An urban legend who will becomes an unlikely ally?
An alien gladiator with reflective armor?
A monster to the rescue?
A goddess?
A distorted version of yourself?

Dare to gaze into these 24 original tales of sweet deceptions and cursed truths by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jonathan Maberry, Alan Dean Foster, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Michaelbrent Collings, and more.

Edited by international bestseller Kevin J. Anderson and Allyson Longueira and their Publishing graduate students at Western Colorado University, Gilded Glass: Twisted Myths and Shattered Fairy Tales offers stories with diverse roots, characters, and cultures, from frightening to funny, from once upon a time to far-flung futures and back to the modern day.

Deals are made and wishes granted. Friendships forged and enemies vanquished. You’ll love this anthology of modern myths, lore, and fairy tales, because everyone enjoys a happily ever after…

…or do they?

Stare deep into the gilded glass.
What you find might haunt you.

 

The ebook is available for pre-order now. Print will be following soon!

Here is the Universal Book Link from Books2Read.

Or, here is an Amazon Affiliate link:

 

It’s taken me a while, but I finally got it updated with even more great tips!

Plus I added in a bunch of other information. Nearly 40,000 words more of information.

That’s like a whole novel’s worth.

If you’re a new writer, or even one who’s been a few laps around the printer trying to fix errors that make no sense, there’s something in here for you. Whether you’re out to find out or just looking for a refresher, you will learn new things, find things you’ve forgotten, and understand things that didn’t make any sense to you before.

This is a crash course in all the things a new writer needs to know, but for some reason only seems to find out in drips and the day after it would have made a difference.

For now, only the e-book is out, and only on Amazon, but I expect the print edition to be available by the end of the month.

 

Blood from Your Own Pen: Revised and Updated 2nd Edition

It’s more than just red ink in that editing pen, and you know it.

You will never find anyone in the writing world whose blood is less precious, less expensive, or more invested in your writing than your own. It behooves you to learn to make the most you can with what precious little you have, and then you will be able to better make use of what others can offer.

From simple punctuation to Pro-Tips on writing, this guide is a compilation of tips and concepts for beginning authors to keep in mind when they sit down to write or self-edit, before they self-publish or submit something for consideration.

This revised and updated 2nd Edition has more of everything, including an all-new section on self-publishing.

Now available in e-book format on Amazon Kindle and, for a short time, in Kindle Unlimited.

***edited to add this from Kevin J. Anderson’s tweet: “Because amazon adds such a surcharge for color printing, you will save $20 per copy if you order direct”https://wordfirepress.com/product/jeff-sturgeons-last-cities-of-earth/I am so excited this is finally out!I have a story in here, Following Icarus Down, co-authored with Kevin J. Anderson, and there are so many other great authors involved, including Cat Rambo, David Gerrold, Steven L. Sears, Peter J. Wacks, Jim Wright, Mark Teppo, Raven Oak, Brenda Cooper, Steve Perry, Todd Lockwood, Mike Resnick, Andrea Stewart, Jody Lynn Nye, Danielle Ackley-McPhail, and, of course, Jeff Sturgeon!“World building aficionados will be eager for additional creative works set in this fascinating future.”—Booklist2091—The Year the Earth ChangedAs Yellowstone erupts, sending humankind into an extinction level event, countries, cities, the elite, and the privileged race to the skies in order to survive the coming ice age. As some scientists focus on floating cities, undersea colonies, and space exploration, others delve into the darkness of genetic modification and new evolutions of humanity.It is now YE 210 and over two centuries have passed since the day that changed the world and many global trade routes have resumed. More and more floating cities have become connected and many wait to be re-discovered by brave airship captains and crews. Dangers lurk in the skies as well as the ruins scattered around the world like half-forgotten memories of a time that has become myth.

Here is my Amazon affiliate link, if you’d like to use it to go to their website: https://amzn.to/3GjYlyi

or you can order it direct from WordFire Press here https://wordfirepress.com/…/jeff-sturgeons-last-cities…/

I’ve been a little busy lately.

You may have spotted this on my Facebook or Twitter feed.

After a successful trial run with Particular Passages,

Knight Writing Press, has opened up submissions for three anthologies. (We are not currently accepting novel/novelette submissions.)

This may make Knight Writing Press sound new, but I have been using it to publish for over a decade.

 

If you are an aspiring writer, or even an established one, I encourage you to consider submitting a story to one of our anthologies. Here is what is currently open to submissions:

Something to be aware of: These anthologies pay in royalty share only, and in order to participate in the royalty share, you must have a Draft2Digital account. Please feel free to use our affiliate link, but don’t feel obligated to do so: https://www.draft2digital.com/knightwritingpress (our affiliate link)

General Submission Guidelines can be found here: https://knightwritingpress.com/submission-guidelines/

Don’t forget to read over the sample contracts and get an idea of what you are getting into before you submit!

 

 

 

 

 

For the Spooky Week, the Colorado Springs Chapter of the Horror Writers Association has put up a Spooky Showcase of seven stories, including me!

You can find them here on the HWA Colorado Springs Blog.

DEAREST by Shannon Lawrence

THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE by Angela Sylvaine

SERPENT’S REST by J. A. Campbell

TED E. HAMSTER by Sam Knight

CEREMONY by Saytchyn Maddux-Creech

THE STAGES OF MONSTER GRIEF by Carina Bissett

BONES OF CHANGE by Travis Heermann

 

 

“The Darkest Thoughts” is live on Love Letters to Poe’s website and you can read it now, for free!

You can also hear the author, yours truly, read “The Darkest Thoughts” on the Love Letters to Poe podcast. Also Free!

“The Darkest Thoughts” is also in Love Letters to Poe: Volume 1, Issue 12 and in Love Letters to Poe, Volume 1: A Toast to Edgar Allan Poe

You may remember a little while back that I announced I had been fortunate enough to participate in BIFF! BAM! EEE-YOW! The Subterranean Blue Grotto Essays on Batman ’66 – Season TwoYou may also remember that the book, unfortunately, “went away”.Well… IT’S BACK!Mostly.Artwork had been changed in an agreement reached with Warner Bros, but the essays remain.If you are a fan of the Batman ’66 TV series, this book, and its previous volume, are for you, Bat Chum!

My essay, “Come Closer and Pay Attention” is regarding the episodes “Black Widow Strikes Again” and “Caught in the Spider’s Den.”

You can find my original post on this here: https://samknight.com/?p=3493

As the artwork I did for this is not in the publication, I thought I would share it here:

https://amzn.to/3zaq6Fb

 

I am excited to announce my short story “The Darkest Thoughts” will be in Love Letters to Poe: Volume 1, Issue 12 and the Love Letters to Poe Podcast  for September 30th, 2021.

Just in case you wonder… yes, that’s me reading my story on the podcast.

The story will also be in Love Letters to Poe, Volume 1: A Toast to Edgar Allan Poe, set to be released on September 20th, 2021.

Obviously, if you look at the publication, this story is not popsicles and unicorns! I had a lot of fun with this one. It was pretty different for me and I am excited to be a part of this!

It took a bit longer than hoped for, but Particular Passages is finally out!

15 Stories, 15 Authors

Down a forgotten hallway lie rooms no one has entered.

Each room contains a world waiting to be explored.

Some beautiful and full of wonder, other dark and full of terrors.

You won’t know which until you step inside.

So take a deep breath, and open the door…

Featuring stories by Elmdea Adams, Jen Bair, David Boop, J.T. Evans, Todd Fahnestock, Arlen Feldman, Shannon Fox, Jessica Guernsey, Sam Knight, Chris Mandeville, Kim May, John D. Payne, Wayland Smith, Stephannie Tallent, and Marie Whittaker

My story, Taking the World by the Horn, was originally written in 2015 for an anthology requesting “red unicorn” stories, it was never submitted. In fact, up until preparation for this anthology, I had never shown it to anyone. Instead, I wrote two more and submitted the third story for that anthology. It wasn’t accepted, rightfully so, as the editor felt it was more like part of a much larger story. And so it was. I may get around to that someday. If you are curious, that story is called “Pure as the Driven Snow,” and is available as a stand-alone e-book.

Why didn’t I submit this story? I honestly can’t say, other than it didn’t “feel” right. In truth, this one probably stood a better chance at being accepted for that anthology.
In the six years since it was written, “Taking the World by the Horn” never really felt like a good fit for other anthologies, but it finally felt right for this one.

While this was not the first anthology of other people’s stories I’ve edited (6th, I think), nor the first book I’ve published on my own (31st, I think), this is the first anthology of other people’s stories (and one of my own) that I have edited AND published. (It is published through Knight Writing Press. )

It’s a special moment for me! Yay!

(And as long as I am throwing out numbers, just in case anyone else is counting, after working for a couple publishing companies, I stopped counting how many books I was somehow involved in publishing (like editing, uploading, formatting, cover design, etc.) after 400. I’m probably closer to 450 now. I try not to think about that too much.)

I’m proud to announce I have a story in the StokerCon 2021 Souvenir Anthology: The Phantom Denver Edition.

The anthology is a companion piece to this year’s StokerCon, a virtual event May 20th to 23rd, put on  by the Horror Writers Association. (That’s where the Bram Stoker Awards are from!)

My story is “The Curse of the Dreamcatcher.” Standing watch over Denver International Airport, the giant Blue Mustang locally known as Blucifer acts as a dreamcatcher, helping people forget their troubles as they journey out into the world. But what happens to those captured dreams, those nightmare troubles? What if they were whispered back … into your ear?

The cover and interior art is amazing!

Here is the art for my story, done by Aaron Lovett:

You can see more artwork and read more about it here: https://www.birdymagazine.com/text/st...

StokerCon 2021: CO’s Annual Horror Lit Fest Interview with John Palisano and Joshua Viola

Here is the blurb for the anthology:

“You’re about to discover a state of horror and suspense, where ancient evils lurk in the Rocky Mountains and a classic novel inspired by a certain Colorado hotel continues to scare and thrill. Where the towering statue of a cobalt blue mustang with demonic red eyes rears back and dares you to cross its path. Its name is Blucifer, and it demands a sacrifice.What secrets does it guard? What omen does it portend? What dark stories does it inspire?

This souvenir book delves into the mystery, offering original tales and poetry about the sinister statue written by some of the best horror talent in the state. You’ll also find essays and anecdotes offering introductions to Colorado’s horror community and insight into the writing and publishing process. Dive deeper into these dark pages and discover author interviews, Lifetime Achievement Award winners, the 2020 Bram Stoker Awards® Final Ballot, and, of course, our Guests of Honor, whose names have been scrawled in blood:Maurice Broaddus • Joe R. Lansdale • Seanan McGuire • Silvia Moreno-Garcia • Lisa Morton • Steve Rasnic Tem

With Contributions byMario Acevedo • Meghan Arcuri • Carina Bissett • Michele Brittany • James Chambers • JoAnn Chaney • Denver Horror Collective • Nicholas Diak • Hillary Dodge • Kirk DouPonce • Sean Eads • Alec Ferrell • Warren Hammond • Travis Heermann • Jason Heller • Angie Hodapp • Stephen Graham Jones • Sam Knight • Jonathan Lees • Aaron Lovett • Jonathan Maberry • Brian W. Matthews • John Palisano • Bret Smith • Jeanni Smith • Jeanne C. Stein • Becky Spratford • Molly Tanzer • Joshua Viola • John Wenzel • Jeamus Wilkes • Carter Wilson • Dean Wyant • Alvaro Zinos-Amaro”