Pagpag released in Apex Magazine #89

Pagpag was the third, though far from last, story I wrote inspired by Filipino folklore and urban legends. The antagonists in this are based on the aswang, though unlike my previous story "Servant of the Aswang," I've taken some liberties with the folklore to give readers a little something new. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Apex #89

The issue features original fiction by Kristi DeMeester and me, as well as a reprint by Adam Roberts. You can purchase a Kindle version of the issue at Amazon.

Reprint Sale: So Praise Him

Digital Horror Fiction has acquired the reprint rights to "So Praise Him," my H. P. Lovecraft meets Pentecostals horror short. It's one of my favorites and I'll be glad to get more eyes on it. No word yet on when it will be published but, as always, I'll be sure to update when the time comes.

Smart Money reprint LIVE!

A slightly repolished version of Smart Money is now live at Evil Girlfriend media! If you haven't read it before, now's your chance. It's an oldie but goodie.

Sales and releases from January to March, 2016

I've been a bit slow on the update, but I plan to fix that now. First, sales:

Pseudopod Podcast accepted a second story from me, this one a slighter piece entitled, "A Thing in All My Things." It originally appeared in Urban Fantasy Magazine. Really looking forward to hearing this one read, but we'll have to wait until at least 2017 for that.

Apex Magazine picked up my story, "Pagpag." This is the third of three stories I wrote that were inspired by Filipino folklore and urban legend and I couldn't be more pleased! The first, "Servant of the Aswang," originally appeared in Penumbra eMag and was recently released on audio by Pseudopod. The second, "Multo, originally appeared in Apex Magazine, was reprinted in The Best of Apex Magazine Vol. 1, was voted Apex Story of the Year for 2015, and was released on audio by The Overcast. No word, yet, when "Pagpag" will be released, but the contract has been signed. Can't wait to see what people think!

Guardbridge Books has accepted my story "The Last Great Failing of the Light," a dark second world fantasy, for their Myriad Lands anthology. Contract signed and already working on edits!

Releases:

The Best of Apex Magazine Vol. 1, including my story "Multo."

Pseudopod #480, featuring my story "Servant of the Aswang."

Shock Totem #10, including my story, "Winter Fever."

The Audio Version of "Multo" is Now Live!

The Overcast and J. S. Arquin just released an audio version of my story "Multo" on mp3, iTunes and Stitcher. Check it out at The Overcast's website!

("Multo" first appeared in Apex Magazine #68, January 2015).

Reprint Sale: Multo

The Overcast Podcast just accepted my story, "Multo," a Filipino ghost story. If everything goes as expected, they plan to release it in time for Halloween! I'm always excited to sell a story, but reprint podcasts hold a special place in my heart. Really looking forward to this one!

2014 Award Eligibility

This is my last year of eligibility for the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer. In the two years I've been eligible, I've:
1. Sold a total of 15 stories, all to pro or semi-pro markets, including: Apex Magazine, Intergalactic Medicine Show, Shock Totem, Ares Magazine, and Penumbra eMag.
2. Had four stories appear on the 2013 and 2014 Tangent Recommended Reading List.
3. Had a darn good time and wouldn't at all mind a nomination!

The following works, all published in 2014, are eligible to be nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy Award, et al, ad infinitum.

"The Burden of Triumph" - OSC's Intergalactic Medicine Show, November 2014
- Chosen as the audio production of the issue, read by Stuart Jaffe
- Appeared in the Tangent Online 2014 Recommended Reading List
- Author David Farland called it, "Thoroughly engrossing and icky."

"Bittersweet Bedlam" - A Darke Phantastique, Cycatrix Press (2014)

"So Praise Him" - That Ain't Right Anthology (2014)

"The (Zeroes and) Ones We Love" - Ares Magazine #1, July 2014
- Author David Farland called it, "Effective" and "quite touching."

"Splotch of Red" - Darkfuse Anthology #2 (2014)

"Shock" - Bastion Science Fiction Magazine #1, April 2014

"Servant of the Aswang" - Penumbra eMag Vol. 3, #6, March 2014
- Appeared on the Tangent Online 2014 Recommended Reading List

"Stanley P. Strauss, Destroyer of the Universe" - Stupefying Stories Showcase #14, February 2014

Reprint Sale: Burning Men

Pretty excited to announce that my story, "Burning Men," has been accepted by Sci Phi Journal!

Sci Phi Journal is a fledgling magazine with a special focus. Each story featured is speculative fiction with a philosophical bent, and is followed by a brief "Food For Thought" section which explores the "big idea/s" behind each work. Not sure what issue my story is slated for, but I'll be sure to post more information when it comes. In the meantime, feel free to check out their first three issues at amazon.com, both Kindle and in print.

"Multo" released in Apex Magazine #68

Issue #68 of Apex Magazine just dropped and it includes my Filipino ghost story, "Multo." I'm absolutely thrilled to have it find a home as prestigious as Apex. Hope you love it!

Special thanks to Aunt Joy for providing new Tagalog translations and for correcting and/or verifying my own sad attempts. This story wouldn't even be half as good without her!

Tangent Online 2014 Recommended Reading List

Two of my stories made the Tangent Online 2014 Recommended Reading List. They are: "Servant of the Aswang" (Penumbra eMag Vol. 3, #6, March 2014), and "The Burden of Triumph" (Intergalactic Medicine Show #42, November 2014). I'm really proud of both stories, so it's nice to see them get a bit of recognition.

Sale: "A Ship to Heaven"

Excited to announce that my story, "A Ship to Heaven," was purchased by Stupefying Stories. Unlike my usual fare, this one is a rare breed of sci-fi and fantasy, with a dash of humor. Not sure when it'll drop, but expect to see it in ebook and in print!

Sale: "Multo"

A while back I posted about a huge sale to an SFWA qualified market. Well, I finally signed the contract and had it counter-signed, and I'm ready to open up. That market was Apex Magazine! Yesterday and today I've been working with the staff (Lesley and Jason) to get the story ready for publication. The copy edits have been approved, my bio and pic are subbed, my payment preference noted. All things a go for January, 2015.

"Multo" was the first story I wrote that incorporated aspects of Filipino folklore and superstition. It may surprise some to know that, despite the Italian last name, I'm half Filipino and it means a lot that this story found a home at a great place like Apex!

My "A Darke Phantastique" Contributor's Copy!

Cycatrix Press, headed by Jason V Brock and his wife Sunni, is a publisher to watch. I purchased a book from them before (The Devil's Coattails) and was floored by the quality of the publication and the stories. Needless to say, to actually be IN one of their releases would be an event to crow about. Enter A Darke Phantastique, which includes my story, "Bittersweet Bedlam."

For this one, I traveled up to Washington State to take part in the official signing party at the University Temple United Methodist Church, a venue of the University of Seattle. Throughout the night I had a chance to meet and greet all of the other contributors, including Sunni and Jason Brock, Wade German, Andrew S. Fuller, Nickolas Furr, William F. Nolan, Greg Bear, S. T. Joshi and W. H. Pugmire.

The two monoliths of genre fiction sat together.

Greg Bear made a point to come down the signing line and shake everyone's hand when he first arrived, and to say goodbye before he left. That's just a singular example of how great everyone was. I'll admit it: as dyed-in-the-wool introvert, I was a worried about being in the company of strangers. But with all of us united by the love of writing, I didn't feel at all out of place.

Special thanks to Olivia, who came to support me and take pictures, and to Chloe who--armed only with an Amber Brown book--did a darn fine job of letting me live the author's dream without a single word of complaint.

Sale: "Winter Fever"

I'm ecstatic to announce my story, "Winter Fever," sold to Shock Totem! I've been told to expect it out in issue #10 sometime next year. Shock Totem is one of the few markets I've been following since I started writing, before I ever even sold my first story. It's an absolute thrill and honor to have been selected, especially considering the caliber of stories that have been published by them before.

Sale: "The Burden of Triumph"

Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show has accepted my story, "The Burden of Triumph." I'm told it will appear in the November issue as both text and an audio story. This marks my second SFWA qualifying story sale. Needless to say, I'm excited!

Free fiction from Penumbra eMag!

Musa Publishing has released all Volume 2 issues of Penumbra for FREE! Here's a list of issues that include my stories:

Ray Bradbury issue - "A House in the Woods" (fantasy)

Zombie Apocalypse issue - "Midnight Visitors" (dark fantasy)

H.G. Wells issue - "Burning Men" (science fiction)

"Splotch of Red" released by Darkfuse

I'm pleased to announce that Darkfuse #2 is now available on Kindle. Here's the TOC, including my story "Splotch of Red":

“Nether Goole” by Richard Farren Barber
“Imago” by F. Charles Murdock
“The Betting Man” by Michael A. Pignatella
“Splotch of Red” by Samuel Marzioli
“Pink Denim” by Brady Golden
“The Eldritch Eye” by Tim Curran

A limited edition HB will be released on August 26th. They are only going to print enough to cover pre-orders so don't wait if you plan to own one! Darkfuse is a class act so the HB is bound to be a thing of beauty! Pre-orders can be made here.

Sale: "The Feast of Father Gorger"

I'm pleased to announce my story, "The Feast of Father Gorger," will appear in Postscripts to Darkness #6. The anthology is due out in the first half of 2015. I'll post more information as it comes.

Sale: "So Praise Him"

On Mother's Day, I made a sale that I decided to keep mum about until the deal was finalized. Well, today, I signed the contract so I'm opening the floodgates of information! My story, "So Praise Him," a Lovecraft inspired horror short set in Arkham Massachusetts, sold to That Ain't Right anthology. It'll be available as a limited edition paperback and e-book.

From their Kickstarter description: "That Ain't Right: Historical Accounts of the Miskatonic Valley will collect letters, anecdotes, newspaper articles, and other narratives from the very people who live in this sinister little corner of Massachusetts. From the bustling college town of Arkham to the rickety piers of Innsmouth."

New Cover for Ares Magazine #1

Ares unveiled their newest cover for their debut, and it's a beautiful thing. My story is second on the left side. According to their Facebook, the issue was late to print, so there will be a delay in shipping out the first issue.