Daily Flash 2012 - Leap Year Edition

Pill Hill Press has published their most recent edition in the annual "daily flash" anthology series. This one, 'Daily Flash 2012: 366 Days of Flash Fiction' is available on Amazon.

My story, "Charcoal Planet" can be located on the page marked April 25th. Interestingly enough, that just so happens to be my mother's birthday. So, happy birthday mom, you have a dark sci-fi story published for your birthday!

One down, several to go...

Well, I finally finished my first round of edits on my novella Graveyard Scavenger Hunt and sent them back to the editor at Twenty or Less Press. Hopefully soon I'll get to round the edges a bit more.

That's right... in the next several months the first in the Nightscares series will be published with (hopefully) many more to follow.

Death Rattle Magazine

Well you win some and you lose some. It appears as if Death Rattle Magazine has gone belly-up. I posted some time ago that according to the Death Rattle site, their 2nd magazine was close to being finished.

That was SOME time ago.

The status has not been updated in months, and after trying to contact the publisher at Evil Cat Press, it appears as if the email is no longer active. So, it is with regret that I have to announce that my poem "If You Only Knew" will be delayed until I can find another venue to publish it. Forlorn. But no worries. I will certainly dust it off and resubmit it elsewhere.

Upcoming Interview

March 3 will be a good day to be me. Most importantly it will be my youngest son, Sebastian's, first birthday. But secondly, I was informed this morning that my interview with Vagabondage Press (who produced The Battered Suitcase) will be posted on their blog.

Three Line Poetry Issue #6 in print

As with Three Line Poetry's previous five issues, issue six is coming to print. There is some more good news regarding this issue. If you order now, you can get a pre-order discount! If you'll remember from a month or so ago, Issue Six includes my haiku "No Delivery for the Wendigo".

Here are the details:

Three Line Poetry is now taking orders for issue #6. The per-release price is $4.00 off the retail price for the issue.

This offer is not on the Three Line Poetry site. To purchase this issue at the discounted rate, please visit: http://poetryquarterly.com/store (Click the Three Line Poetry Link)

We accept PayPal and Checks/Money Orders.

This is a limited time offer. The special price will disappear soon. Be sure to order your copy at the special discounted rate today!

Issue #6 features Three Line Poems by: 5.06" x 7.81" (12.852 x 19.837 cm)
Black & White on White paper
56 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1466432765
ISBN-10: 1466432764
BISAC: Poetry / General

Three Line Poetry Issue #6 - featuring works by:

Ambos, Emma
Antebi, Debbi
Barnett, Brian
Blankenship, Wendy
Boone, Randy
Clarke, Lauren
Earl, Chanel
Ferdon, Joel
Greenwood, Alix
Harris, Bruce
Hayes, Thomas
Howard, Christina
Jacobs, Simon
Koji, William F.
Krafton, Ash
Lindsey, Samuel
Marsom-richmond, Rachel
Murphy, Christina
Murphy, Mickey
Ngo, Deborah
Paradowski, Devrie
Phillips, Glenn Allen
Ragg, Edward
Ratcliffe, Michael
Romano, Frances
Rose, Devon
Showalter, Shawn
Soto, Kantre
Taft, Muriel
Taylor Horn, L.m.
Truncale, Joseph
Von Nordheim, Chuck

The Battered Suitcase

The final, yes FINAL, issue of The Battered Suitcase has hit the printers and...uh...e-printers. That means my two new poems "Old Man, Zombie Slayer" and "Boom! Headshot, Hollywood" are available to read.

Where can you find the 194-page magazine? Well, right here, of course. When you get a moment and get a hankering for good stories, poetry and artwork, cruise on over to Vagabondage Press and check out The Battered Suitcase Vol. 4, Issue 2.

Among Kentucky's Top Blogs

I was informed via email this morning that my blog was selected to be among other "top Kentucky blogs". Perhaps I shouldn't be so excited, since the title of my blog has "Kentucky" in it and it was probably very easily found with a simple search, but I am.

This means that whenever I post anything new, a whole new audience will be exposed to my mindless drivel and random - sometimes bizarre - thoughts.

Welcome fellow Kentuckians. I hope you stay a while. I've got a book coming out soon, maybe you'll be interested.

The Battered Suitcase

I've had the opportunity to read the proof copy of the Autumn Issue of Battered Suitcase and it looks great!

The release date is right around the corner meaning "Boom! Headshot, Hollywood" and "Old Man, Zombie Slayer" will be published along with lots of other great stories and poems.

Blood Moon Rising

Two more poems to be published. "Zombie Gums" and "Zombie Tongue" will be published in Blood Moon Rising's Issue #49. The publishing date is due July 2012, so hang in there...they'll be here before you know it.

Long Live The New Flesh: Year Two

Hello folks,

Something else I dropped the ball on: Since August 8th, on the second anniversary of The New Flesh, the anthology commemorating the event was released.

Long Live The New Flesh: Year Two is available for FREE on Goodreads. You can download it here.

That's right, you can read the 49 most scary, funny, and downright bizarre stories that were published during the second year of The New Flesh for absolutely free. If you aren't reading it for free, you've done something wrong when downloading it.

So please make up for my ignorance. Go out and download it now. Download two of them, I don't care, it is free after all.

Twenty or Less Press

Recently I submitted a middle-school-age novella to Twenty or Less Press with little hope or concern for it to be published. I've been told several times that the story is good, but a "little too young" for the audience of whichever publisher I've sent it to in the past.

However, after a few weeks I got a response and an acceptance!

I've completed the contract and am looking forward to doing a series of edits. Stay close by and watch for updates. Soon "Graveyard Scavenger Hunt" will be gracing ebook shelves everywhere.

Spaceports & Spidersilk Vol. 4, No. 3

I'm also late posting this news:

My poem "An Apology" has been published in the September "Spooky" Issue of Spaceports & Spidersilk. Here is the link.

A funny note about publishing this specific poem at Spaceports & Spidersilk... I sent three poems, two were rejected as they were not quite speculative enough in nature. I was told that the third (An Apology) "came scarily close to being too dark for their audience (S&S is a children's ezine), but it was just too good to pass up".

Needless to say, that compliment was even better than being published.

Static Movement, September 2011 Issue

Though I am late posting this, my poem "Stars Cry for the End" has been published. And as previously promised, here is the link.

Static Movement, September Issue

More good news.

My new haiku "Stars Cry for the End" will be published in the September Issue of Static Movement.

You may recall that the August issue contains my poem "Follow Me". It seems as if I've hit another string of good luck with them.

I will post a link when it becomes available.

Spaceports & Spidersilk

The September issue of Spaceports & Spidersilk is coming soon. That means my poem "An Apology" is due to be published.

Spaceports & Spidersilk is for young audiences, children through early teens, yet my poem came "scarrily close to being too dark" for their scope. However, I was told that it was "too good to pass up". Hooray for some good luck.

Stay tuned for the September "Spooky Issue" of Spaceports & Spidersilk!

Another Anthology

Well, it seems as if I've hit a streak of good luck lately.

My story "Charcoal Planet" has been accepted for the "Daily Flash 2012: 366 Days of Flash Fiction" anthology. It is my understanding that it will be published in late 2011, perhaps in November.

The last "Daily Flash" anthology (the 2011 version) went over quite well. It is a mammoth book of over 600 pages. This is by far the largest book that I will be included in to date. Be sure to check them out over at Daily Flash Publications. They are an imprint of Pill Hill Press.

Another Day, Another Poem

The August issue of Static Movement is up. My poem, "Follow Me", is published there. Be sure to check it out along with the other stories and poems. The talented Oonah V Joslin has a story in this issue as well.

New Poems

In the past several days, I've gained two new publication credits.

First, "Werewolf Date" has been accepted by the great haiku site "Scifaikuest". They specialize in speculative Japanese-form poems. I'm not sure I've ever felt more at home. My haiku will be published November 2012. But in the mean time be sure to check the other ones out. They are fast reads and a lot of fun.

Second, "No Delivery for the Wendigo" is in the current issue (Issue 6) of "Three Line Poetry". Go check it out. Be sure to read their past issue too. If you enjoy them well enough, keep in mind that they sell each issue in paperback!

William Pauley III Speaks!!

Recently I interviewed Author/Editor/Weird Guy William Pauley III. If you are unfamiliar with his work, find it and buy it now. If you are familiar with Pauley, below you will find out what inspires him. You will find out whether or not he will name his future child "Horace". You will also get a sense of what is going on inside his head without having to physically go there...for now.

Brian Barnett: So, I’ve heard The New Flesh has gone to print?

William Pauley III: Yes, sir! The Library of Bizarro Horror (an imprint of Library of the Living Dead Press) approached me with a killer idea. I chatted with Jonathan Moon on the phone, we discussed ideas and decided to bring the online monster into the world of print. The first book will be out later this year and features the best of the best in weird fiction.

BB: What is on the horizon for William Pauley III? Any big projects coming up?

III: So much... I am working on the sequels to DOOM MAGNETIC! LegumeMan Books will be releasing all three of the books in a single volume either late this year or early next year. Library of Bizarro Horror is releasing a 'double feature' book that will contain a novel from Jordan Krall and myself. I'm very excited about this project, as Jordan Krall is one of my good friends and an inspiration of mine. My novel is called DEMOLITION YA-YA and is basically Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD, but with Battle Bots. I also recently became an editor over at BizarroCentral.com





BB: Do you have an opinion on the importance of overweight children in coming-of-age movies in the 80s? Think Vern Tessio from “Stand By Me”, Lawrence “Chunk” Cohen from “The Goonies” or Horace a.k.a. Fat Kid from “The Monster Squad”.

III: I enjoyed all of those guys. I think the fat kid is just as important as the science kid or the cool jock kid. And the 80's was the most important thing that ever happened to the world and I anxiously await its return. Now... let's TRUFFLE SHUFFLE!

BB: Speaking of children… If you were to have another son, would you name him Horace? I think it’s a name that has lost luster over the years, but perhaps a celebrity such as yourself could bring back its popularity by giving it to one of your sons.

III: Celebrity? Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! Oh, and to answer your question: NO.



BB: Ghostbusters 3 is a real possibility. Any thoughts?

III: I will follow Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd till the day I die. I'm really bummed about Rick Moranis not being a part of it though. Damn.

BB: Bizarro fiction has made major strides in recent years. Do you have any tips for new writers who want to dabble in the crazy world that is bizarro?

III: Don't hold back. Dive deep into your imagination and explore unknown territories. Just don't be weird for the sake of being weird. Be entertaining, but don't forget that you're telling a story.

BB: If someone approached you and said “I’m lying to you”, is he or she lying or telling the truth?

III: I uppercut anyone who comes within 5 feet of me.

BB: Your top 5s: What are your favorite books, movies, bands and songs….GO!

III: At the moment (and in no particular order)...

Books - 1. FREEZER BURN by Joe Lansdale, 2. BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE APOCALYPSE DONKEYS by Jordan Krall, 3. LET'S PLAY WHITE by Chesya Burke, 4. WACKTARDS OF THE APOCALYPSE by Jonathan Moon and Tim Long, 5. KARAOKE DEATH SQUAD by Eric Mays

Movies - 1. THE TAINT, 2. RUBBER, 3. FREEJACK, 4. REPO MAN, 5. HARDWARE

Bands - 1. TOM WAITS, 2. DAVID BOWIE, 3. NICK CAVE, 4. DAX RIGGS, 5. OINGO BOINGO

Songs - 1. SOUND AND VISION by David Bowie, 2. O CHILDREN by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, 3. YOU WERE BORN TO BE MY GALLOWS by Dax Riggs, 4. BLUE JEAN by David Bowie, 5. NASTY HABITS by Oingo Boingo

BB: If the Doom Magnetic universe was ever brought to film, who would you want to direct the franchise? Who would be your choices for actors/actresses for the lead rolls? What would the soundtrack be like?

III: Of course, I would want to direct it, but if I HAD to choose someone else, then I would say maybe Jon Favreau. He directed a really great movie called THE BIG EMPTY that makes me think he'd do a good job with my little universe. I have absolutely no idea who I would cast in the lead roles, other than David Bowie, of course. Even if they have to CGI it like they did with AH-NOLD in TERMINATOR 4. That was believable enough. The soundtrack would be a bunch of Bowie and a few Oingo Boingo songs.

BB: If someone was able to somehow mutate his or herself and he or she found a way to walk around in your thoughts…would they be terrified or would they discover the true functionality of the universe…or both?

III: They would probably feel a lot like I do most of the time: confused and kind of hungry.

BB: Say someone is truly inspired by your work and they want to follow in your footsteps. What would they need to know to keep the flame burning? What music, movies or books inspire you the most? Do you model your work off of anyone or are they all strictly Pauley originals?

III: It's strange, the things that interest me. I don't really know how to explain it. I can tell you that I am a child of the 80s and I've carried my 80s influences with me all of my life. I love music, even though I hate most of everything I hear. I love film. I love reading. Joe Lansdale is the greatest writer living on this godforsaken planet. I adore all of his works and they influence me in so many ways. All of my stories are definitely original, but I do have several "masters" that I've learned a few tricks from. A lot of my favorite writers are good friends of mine.

BB: Qoser will return, right?

III: He is in all three of the DOOM MAGNETIC! books, yes.

BB: Any parting words for the readers out there?

III: Beware the Haima Pulmonata!

Well, there you have it. Both Mr. Pauley and I have a very similar stance on both Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray's work. Also it seems, we both have a heavy fondness of the 80s. One thing I disagree with though, Mr. Pauley is certainly becoming a celebrity. If you have a taste for the bizarre, be sure to check him out. You will NOT be disappointed.

Top 5 Children's Horror

Here I am again with one of my "top 5" lists. This one is important to me considering these movies sparked my interest in horror when I was a wee lad. Remember 1 is the best and 5 is the...5th best.

My top 5:

1. The Monster Squad


2. The Ghost and Mr. Chicken


3. Ghostbusters


4. Daffy Duck's Quackbusters


5. Gremlins 2: The New Batch

My reasons for each:

1. The Monster Squad may be a little intense for some children, but I remember watching it right around the age of 5 or 6. After seeing it for the first time, I begged my parents (practically) every other weekend or so to rent it again. To me, this movie is important to lay the groundwork for proper horror for children (ha!). It's The Goonies meets Our Gang meets The Universal Monsters. Though it can be scary from time to time, it never forgets to lighten it up with a bit of humor throughout. "Wolfman's got nards!" If you want your kiddos to respect the great classics such as the Universal Monsters, let them see them in a more modern light. Perhaps then they will have a better appreciation later on for the black and white originals.

2. The Ghost and Mr. Chicken is one of my favorite movies, let alone favorite comedy-horror movies. Think of it as if the Andy Griffith Show had a haunted house that Barney had to investigate. Considering several fringe cast members from the show appear in the movie, it's not that far of a stretch of the imagination. There are no major scares other than seeing the "haunted house" come alive for the first time. Don Knotts, as always, is great as the bumbling hero with the occassional over-swelled ego. This is a truly fun family classic.

3. Ghostbusters is an absolute classic in every sense of the word. It is one of the funniest movies ever made; the special effects (created in the early 80s) still stands up; and if your kids are like I was, you'd sell your soul for a proton pack. Some of the scense may be a little much for the little ones. Again, I was very young when I first saw Ghostbusters, but I can understand demonic hands busting through a chair, demon dogs, and the library ghost boo-scare can be a spooky. But again, Ghostbusters has a great mix of humor for adults and children, and it keeps it light enough for anyone to enjoy.

4. Daffy Duck's Quackbusters is finally on DVD! I have been looking for this for years after originally seeing it on HBO. I'd watch it any time it was on. Now I watch it any time I'm bored! The kiddos will love it. Daffy Duck, Porky Pig and Bugs Bunny busting ghosts, vampires, and monsters. Like the other Looney Tunes movies, it is a mix of original material spliced with several of the original shorts. This one is my favorite.

5. Gremlins 2: The New Batch is a fun movie. Yes, the first is great too, but it's much, much darker than this one. Your kids will get all the benefits of seeing Gizmo and the nasty green gremlins in this one without dark subject matter of the first. This one, at times, is very cartoonish and there is a wide variety (thanks to a laboratory) of gremlins. A bat-gremlin, an intellectual gremlin, a spider-gremlin, a vegetable-gremlin (who constantly burps - I always laughed), an electric gremlin... Take my word for it. Watch Gremlins for yourself and then show your kids Gremlins 2.

Again, the top of the list was very easy, but the last entry was tough. I left off a lot of great semi-spooky movies including Ernest Scared Stupid (probably 5b on my list), Ghostbusters 2, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice, Casper, Hocus Pocus, The Addams Family, Addams Family Values, Halloweentown, Double Double Toil and Trouble, Monster Makers, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and so on.

If you have any suggestions, you know where to put them. I'd love to hear your favorite childhood scary movies.