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Greetings!
Happy holidays and New Year to everyone. Seems almost premature but the next time I write this will find us at the beginning of 2013. I'm already feeling a little nostalgic thinking of how long JournalStone has been kicking around, from a fledgling idea to where we stand today. Wow, what a ride the last few years has been. I will try to hold my emotional outburst to the next newsletter though, and just focus on business for now.
After fighting for the last five weeks with Lightning Source on the Dark Discoveries issue #21, I decided to just have it printed somewhere else. They flat out can't figure out how to print it and I just don't want to delay the issue any longer. Sorry to all of our subscribers for the delay, it honestly wasn't our fault, but you won't be waiting much longer. The new issue is shipping this week and should be in your hands at the latest by the end of the next. We are still attempting to get Lightning Source to print the magazine ongoing but will update you on our progress next month. Cross your fingers that Issue #22 doesn't have any glitches, it should be a wonderful edition as we focus on Rock-n-Roll in the horror industry. What a great idea for a tie-in.
If you do have any questions next week, don't e-mail me. I will be in Hawaii on my honeymoon. Yes, I did get married in August of 2012, but we actually never took a honeymoon. Now that is delayed shipping. My wife and I will be headed to Hawaii, for the first time in both of our lives, so my response time will be delayed. She won't allow me to work that much while on vacation. For me the thrill will be seeing Pearl Harbor, and spending time with my amazing wife of course. I have never visited the historic site and with my military background I can't wait to see it and take in the history it brings. What an experience.
I normally lead into a teaser at this stage of the newsletter but let me just be open this month. In December we will be announcing a few new author signings, drum roll please, Joe McKinney and Weston Ochse have both signed contracts with us for books to be released in 2014 and we have finalized our line-up for Limbus II. I can't tell you the authors set in place for Limbus II, damn - I can't pass on the teaser part can I - but let's just say it will blow your mind away. I'm still rolling in the floor thinking about the authors that we are getting to work with. What an incredible treat. Don't tell anyone about Weston and Joe just yet, please wait for the press releases, which are coming soon, I promise.
Our $2,000 in 2013 writing contest is kicking into high gear as we continue to offer publishing opportunities to new authors as well. If you haven't told your friends and family, do so now. We are seeing a very nice turn out so far and want to keep those submissions rolling in. Our judges love reading all the fresh new material so let's not give them a break over the holidays. Flood the gates and give them something to do as they sit on the couch stuffed with pumpkin pie!
As expected, our revenue dipped from the highs of October, but November was still our third best month in sales. Not bad for a holiday that focused on Turkey and football. I guess some of us are still reading horror books even then. We have some high hopes for December though, so make sure you are going out and purchasing our newest release.
Vale of Stars is hitting the shelves in December and I promise you it is an amazingly thoughtful Science Fiction book that will surprise you with every page turned. Sean O'Brien is extremely talented and a very deserving author, so support his debut and BUY his book, Vale of Stars, today!
Now, for all of you who have actually read this far, yes we will be sending out a holiday present to all of our faithful subscribers. I probably won't get to it before I leave on vacation, but one never knows. Make sure you open our mid-month mailing and you can expect a nice free treat from your friends at JournalStone Publishing.
Again, happy holidays to everyone and we will talk to you again next year!
Christopher C. Payne
President
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NEW RELEASES
FOR DECEMBER
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Jene Halfner awaits the end of a hundred-year-long, deep-space colonization journey begun by her ancestors generations before. She has spent her life preparing for planetfall on Epsilon Eridani III, taking care of the growing number of victims of interstellar radiation aboard Ship.
What she will find upon arrival will change her perspective on life, and she and her descendants will live to face the incredible challenges their new world holds.
As generations pass, the women of the Halfner line uncover stunning secrets about their original mission, their new home on Epsilon Eridani III, and the future of the human race. Secrets that will challenge what they believe in, who they trust, and their perception of the ones they love.
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Inheritance
Joe McKinney
Evil Jester Press
November 2012
Review by Michael R. Collings
Thinking back over the horror novels that I have particularly enjoyed, I've decided that they divide relatively neatly into two large categories. For lack of better terminology I've chosen Narrow and Broad. These are not necessarily qualitative terms; a Narrow novel may be powerful, evocative, even great. A Broad novel may be thin, superficial, formulaic. But in some senses the two words suggest my responses to the storytelling each attempts.
Narrow horror novels concentrate on the horror, the monster. They are about a creature, in some cases more than they are about the humans that interact with it. For readers intrigued by the darkness, the monstrous, these may be ideal. The story begins with intimations of evil; expands through revelations of the extent, focus, and purposes of the evil; and concludes with the destruction (permanently or temporarily) of the evil. To a degree, perhaps the most famous monster book of all, Bram Stoker's brilliant Dracula, is a Narrow novel. Even though he does not feature in the book for some time, Dracula overshadows everything else, and when he is gone, there is nothing more to say.
To read the rest of the review, click on the title link above.
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Red Town Lost
John Shupeck Jr.
Necro Publications, 2012
Paperback, 198 Pages
Review by Matthew Tait
Necro Publications continues its Fresh Flesh experiment with a debut novel from John Shupeck Jr. Here the author has woven a tale of four very different stories containing interlocking characters and situations. Like converging train lines that ultimately intercept at the same terminal, each story has the same analogous outcome.
We begin in nowhere, Pennsylvania - and Dan Suppers is looking for civilization after breaking down in his car. Soon he stumbles upon the still-smoking and charred aftermath of a large fire, the remnants of an entire small town's populace. With no survivors to tell the tale, Dan is left to piece together the mystery of Kecksgille's final moments ... and how an entire municipality ended in a baptism of blood.
To read the rest of the review, click on the title link above.
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JS 2012/2013 Publishing Schedule - Subject to additions/changes.
Sean O'Brien - Vale of Stars - 12/14/2012 JG Faherty - The Burning Time - 1/18/2013 Anne C. Petty - The Cornerstone - 1/25/2013
Carole Weeks - Dead Reflections - 2/8/2013
Brian Matthews - Forever Man - 2/15/2013 Brian Knight - Phoenix Girls I - 3/8/2013 Jaleta Clegg - Poisoned Pawn - 4/19/2013 Multiple Authors - Limbus, Inc., A Shared World Anthology - 4/26/2013 Joseph Nassise - The Fall of Night - 5/10/2013 Benjamin Kane Ethridge - Nightmare Ballad - 5/17/2013 Gord Rollo and Rena Mason - Double Down I - 6/7/2013 Jeffrey Wilson - Fade to Black - 6/14/2013 Brett J. Talley - That Which Should Not Be II - 6/21/2013 Patrick Freivald - Special Dead - 7/12/2013 Douglas Wynne - Steel Breeze - 7/19/2013 Allyson Bird - Bull Running for Girls - 8/9/2013 Kristina Meister - The One We Find - 8.16/2013 Lisa Morton and Eric Guignard - Double Down II - 9/6/2013 Lisa Morton - Summer's End - 10/4/2013 Joe McKinney and Sanford Allen - Double Down III - 12/6/2013 |
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About Us
JournalStone is a small press publishing company, focusing on horror, fantasy and science fiction in both the adult and young adult markets.
We are members of & actively support:
HWA - Horror Writers Association
WNBA - Women's Nat'l Book Assn.
IBPA - Independent Book Publishing Assn.
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SAN FRANCISCO, November 12, 2012 -JournalStone Publishing (JSP) President, Christopher C. Payne and Dark Discoveries Magazine Managing Editor, James Beach, are pleased to announce that beginning with the imminent release of Issue #21,Dark Discoveries Magazine will be available for channel distribution through Ingram and Baker & Taylor as well as other major distribution channels. The magazine will also now be available for purchase on Amazon and other online retailer sites.
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JournalStone Publishing (JSP) President, Christopher C. Payne is pleased to announce the commencement of its third annual Horror Writing Contest. The contest is open to all authors.
Submission Requirements: Submissions must be at least 75,000 words or more in length (no exceptions) and must be sent in a Microsoft Word document in Times New Roman 11-point font, single line spacing to joel@journalstone.com. In the subject line you must put 'JournalStone's $2,000 Advance in 2013'. You must include your name, address and e-mall address with the submission. Take credit for your work-please don't force us to investigate who you are or what entry goes with some cryptic e-mail address. If you use a pen name, please also include your actual name as well (it will be kept confidential if you so request it.)
To read the full article, click on the title link above.
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JournalStone Publishing President, Christopher C. Payne and Dark Discoveries Magazine Managing Editor, James Beach, are pleased to announce that the magazine is again open to short fiction submissions until June 1, 2013. The magazine will be paying Pro Rates of five cents ($0.05) per word for all accepted fiction stories. Full Submission Guidelines can be found at http://darkdiscoveries.com/submission-guidelines/.
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The International Thriller Writers is pleased to announce its 2013 Thriller Awards Competition. Categories include:
Best Hardcover Novel - This award honors the best hardcover thriller novel of the year.
Best First Novel - This award honors our debut thriller novelists. Eligibility covers an author's first novel, whether under the author's name or a pseudonym, regardless of publication format. ALL FIRST NOVELS MUST BE ENTERED INTO THE BEST FIRST NOVEL CATEGORY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF YOUNG ADULT DEBUT NOVELS, WHICH ARE TO BE ENTERED INTO THE YOUNG ADULT NOVEL CATEGORY.
Best Paperback Original Novel - This award honors the best paperback original thriller novel of the year.
Best Short Story - This award honors the best thriller short story (up to 35,000 words, to enable novellas to participate) of the year.
And two new categories:
Best Young Adult Novel - This award honors the best young adult thriller novel (aimed at ages 12 - 18) of the year.
Best E-Book Original Novel - This award honors the best e-book original thriller novel of the year. E-book original is defined as a book that first appeared in electronic format during 2011-2012. E-books that have been previously published in any format are ineligible.
To get the full details for the Thriller Awards, click on the title link above.
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Time to put a stake in the heart of 2012 and welcome in the New Year with Horror Realm, Pittsburgh's modern horror convention and event producer, celebrating its fifth anniversary in 2013.
New Year's Undead Eve features a DJ, cash bar, door prizes and raffle to benefit Scares That Care, a 501c3 charity that provides money, toys and other items to help sick children. Admission also includes complimentary snacks, nachos bar and champagne toast at midnight.
The party takes place at the Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South in Bethel Park (164 Fort Couch Road, 15241) on December 31 from 10 PM to 2 AM.
Come dressed in your most ghoulish semi-formal attire (think Carnival of Souls dance or The Shining's July 4th ball). Prize will be awarded to the Best Dressed Undead.
The party is open to individuals 21 and over. Valid ID is required. Tickets are $25 per person or $45 per couple and may be purchased through Showclix.
To learn more about this ghoulishly fun way to ring in the new year, click on the title link above.
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JournalStone is proud to be a sponsor of this amazing event hosted by the Horror Writers Association June 13-16, 2013!
The Bram Stoker Awards® Weekend 2013 incorporating the World Horror Convention will take place at the beautiful (and haunted) Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, located in the historic French Quarter.
To learn more about this exciting weekend, click on the title link above.
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Most children give up their imaginary friends well before adolescence. Any reasonable psychologist would be alarmed to meet a fully grown adult who has not one but scores of imaginary friends.
It's a good thing I don't see a psychologist.
I meet up with my imaginary friends as often as I can: when I can't be with them, I feel I am letting them down. I am not always sure, however, they are glad to see me. I put them in stressful situations; give them companionship only to take it away again, sometimes in unutterably cruel ways; strand them on planets, space stations, prisons, asylums; and set them against one another all the time.
I suppose the proper label for my imaginary friends is characters-at least, that's what the textbooks call them. While I don't like each one of them, I understand them all.
Science fiction allows me to create the largest and most fascinating playground possible for my friends. I can place them in outer space, in the depths of the ocean, on an alien planet, or on a spacecraft of my own design. I can move them into the future to whatever time I wish. The universe is theirs, as long as I can create it properly.
To read the full article, click on the title link above.
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