September 9, 2008

Hi, everyone. Sorry, been, what, eight months since my last newsletter? Been posting on the blog (http://dankeohane.blogspot.com) but have been
remiss in this...

What's inside:

* Wheels and Heels Against MS walk this weekend
* Solomon's Grave coming out next year in English
* Plague of Darkness coming out in Germany in January
* "True Fashion" now appearing in Jack Haringa Must Die!
* "Box" coming to Coach's Midnight Diner 2 this Fall and currently in Relief Journal 2.2
* "Family at Dinner" recently sold to Shroud Magazine
* Miscellany

First off, the event which finally got me to send this out
=======================================
Wheels and Heels Against MS - annual 30 mile MS walk.
=======================================
Each year, my brother Paul and sister Anne are joined by other family members and friends in a 3-Day, 50-mile walk on Cape Cod to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Over the years their team, called Wheels and Heels Against MS, has raised over $50,000!! They're doing it again this weekend, SEPTEMBER 5 - 7. A number of people ask me about this each year, so I wanted to get the word out, a bit belated this time around (my apologies). Obviously, we're in the midst of difficult economic times and resources are being stretched extremely thin, but if you'd like to make a donation (never too late, of course) you can either log onto their team fundraising site:
http://www.wheelsandheelsagainstms.com/ and make an online pledge.
or mail a check the old fashioned way, payable to The National MS Society, to either Anne or Paul at:
Paul Keohane / 2 Jillian Rose Dr / Oxford, MA 01540
Anne Murphy / 16 Kenneth Lane / Tewksbury MA 01876

Good luck this weekend, everyone!
--------------------------------------------------------
Now, to the writing....

========================================================
Solomon's Grave to be published by Edge/Dragon Moon press next year in English
========================================================
After seeing print in Italian and German (and almost Russian), my novel Solomon's Grave will be published next year in English by Edge/Dragon Moon Press. They're a small/mid-sized press out of Canada who also distributes to the US. Yea, I seem to be taking the ICBM missile course to US publishing, starting in Europe, moving over the pole into Canada.... They haven't pegged a final release date yet, but early plans are for the Spring of 2009. More as I know it....

=========================================
Plague of Darkness to be released in Germany January 2009
=========================================
Otherworld Verlag, the German/Austrian publisher who published Solomon's Grave in its gorgeous German edition (as Das Grab des Salomon), has acquired another of my novels, Plague of Darkness, for publication in German, as Plage der Finsternis. The cover's done (once I get an official image I'll share it with you, but early looks were pretty cool), translation's almost done, and the book is scheduled for release in January 2009. This will be Plague's worldwide debut and I'm pretty excited about it.

======================================
"True Fashion" now appearing in Jack Haringa Must Die!
======================================
Not sure if many of you know or remember back in March (depends if you follow my blog) when I killed off one of my fellow Central Massachusetts writers in the world's first official "Kill Jack Haringa on Your Blog Day"? Well, a number of these entries, mine included, have been collected in a small paperback (104 pp) edited by writer Nick Kaufmann, called "Jack Haringa Must Die! 28 Original Tales of Madness, Terror and Strictly Grammatical Murder." They did this, aside from the It-Would-Be-A-Hoot reason, to raise funds for the newly established Shirley Jackson Award for work in the horror genre. Though the book is currently available from Amazon, if you order directly from the Awards website (http://www.darkfantasy.org/shirleyjacksonawards/sja_jhmd.htm)
they keep a much higher percentage of the $10 sticker price for the fund-raiser. You can also see the full table of contents, which includes some pretty major names (hey, I'm in there after all, ).

==================================================================
Short story, "Box" coming to Coach's Midnight Diner 2 this Fall and currently in Relief Journal 2.2
==================================================================
Fellow writer Michelle Pendergrass, co-editing a sequel anthology to last year's successful Coach's Midnight Diner, invited me to write a story for #2. CMD is an interesting mix of Christian themes with dark horror, nothing sanitized, which deals in some way with faith. The story I ended up writing is rather grim, but I have to admit it's one of the best stories (I think) I've written in a long time. Special thanks to Holly Wang, who works with my wife Janet, who got me phonetic translations of dialogue from English to Mandarin Chinese. The anthology is due out sometime this fall, but in the meantime, they also publish a literary magazine called Relief Journal, and in the most recent issue, Relief 2.2, they've published the story as a promotional tool for the upcoming anthology. Relief is an incredible magazine, with essays, poetry and fiction. Since there's no website yet for the Diner anthology, here's a link to the lit magazine that has the story (and it's on sale for $10 currently, just found out):
http://www.reliefjournal.com/component/page,shop.product_details/category_id,1/flypage,flypage.tpl/product_id,7/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,135
/vmcchk,1/ (or you can just go to http://www.reliefjournal.com and look for issue 2.2 along the bottom right)

===================================
"Family at Dinner" coming soon to Shroud Magazine
===================================
After spending years, literally, on the maybe list of two major magazines (one ended up folding, I finally pulled it from the other), my surreal story "Family at Dinner" has been accepted for publication in the new horror magazine Shroud (http://www.shroudmagazine.com). This is a slick horror mag (print, not web) which has been gaining quite a reputation. The story is slated for issue 6 at this point, sometime later this year, early next.

=======
Miscellany
=======
No word yet which specific issue of Cemetery Dance Magazine "Living by the Highway" will appear in. Likely the next one (after the one due out any day now...). More as I know it.

For those who do not know, way back in January this year my novel Margaret's Ark was a semi-finalist in a contest run by Penguin/Amazon. Didn't get any further than that, but we walked away with a nice Publisher's Weekly review and those very cool Amazon reviews, so a gain all around. Thanks to everyone who participated.

OK, that's it. Again, sorry for the delay. I'll try to do better next time...
Dan

January 16, 2008

We writer/novelists are always hoping for those Big Chances. Maybe this one's it. If so, I'm going to need your help. To the point:

A couple of months back, I learned about a novel contest co-sponsored by Amazon.com and Penguin Books. It's called the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. There were 5,000 entries of completed, unpublished novels (plus an excerpt with the opening chapters). Of these, up to 1,000 Semi-Finalists would be chosen. The excerpts for these 1,000 would be posted on Amazon.com - AND each receive a full Publisher's Weekly review of the entire manuscript. Base on these PW reviews, and customer reviews of the posted excerpts, the top 100 Semi-Finalists will be chosen by Penguin editors. Of these, 10 Finalists will be chosen. The final prize: a $25,000 book deal with Penguin for the winning entry. Still with me, or have I bored you to tears yet? Hang on...

After discussing this with my agent, we decided it was worth a shot. The timeline for judging is relatively short, and the prize: a contract with Penguin, one of the largest publishers in the world, was worth it.

So last Fall I submitted my novel Margaret's Ark.

I got word this morning that it has made the first cut, and is now a Semi-Finalist along with 836 other entries. The excerpt is currently posted... and here's where you can help: The excerpts are posted in order to garner as many customer reviews as possible. These will have some bearing on which is selected for the top 100 entries (how much, who knows? Maybe just to see how well the author can pimp... I mean promote him/herself, but they definitely can't hurt). The excerpts can be read online, downloaded, all FREE.

My entry, Margaret's Ark can be found at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00121WE32

Read the excerpt if you have a moment, and let me know what you think. Seriously, don't leave a glowing review if you didn't like it (or, I suppose, if your last name is "Keohane", lol). But if you do like what you've read and are so inclined, you can post a short review blurb for it.

If nothing else, this contest is giving me and my fellow Semi-Finalists something writers don't usually get - a chance at some public feedback for a work - before it's published. That, and (of course) a review from Publisher's Weekly - which is going to be posted soon with the excerpt (PW reviews the entire book, FYI). I'm waiting for this with "terrified excitement." I hope they liked it.... so many factors, individual tastes, bad gas, can dampen a review. Penguin Books is also using the PW reviews as the primary selection criteria for the Finalists.

The General ABNA (the abbreviation for the contest) site is http://www.amazon.com/abna - from here you can click on the various genre categories, read and rate all of the other Semi-Finalists. Amazon is also running a side-contest for reviewers - customers who give the most reviews are eligible for some cool prizes (listed on the main page).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In other news: Speaking of Margaret's Ark: the original short story on which the novel was based, "Lavish", is soon going to be appearing in a Hungarian anthology of stories (translated into Hungarian and published overseas). I'll let you know when I learn more on this one.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hear that Apex #11 is being reviewed in the most recent Locus Magazine. I can't find Locus in any of my local stores: if anyone subscribes and finds the review, I'd love to hear how it went.

Thanks!
Dan

November 8, 2007

Hi, everyone. Just a quick note to say my new short story, "Ray Gun" has just been released in issue #11 of the extremely cool magazine Apex Science Fiction & Horror Digest. Ordering information can be found at http://www.apexbookcompany.com/products/apex-digest-issue-11. Can't beat the price, especially for what you get.

Here's the news release from editor Jason Sizemore:

Thanks to everyone for another knockout issue! It's amazing the amount of work that goes into making a 128 page magazine, from the writers & artists to the editors and publisher.

Fiction:

"Blackboard Sky" – Gary A. Braunbeck
"Spinnetje" – Stefani Nellen
"Ray Gun" – Dan Keohane
"Uncanny" – Samuel Tinianow
"The Moldy Dead" – Sara King
"Cain Xp11 (Part 3): Sorry About All the Blood" – Geoffrey Girard
"What to Expect When Expectorating" – Jennifer Pelland

Non-Fiction:

Interview with Gary A. Braunbeck
Interview with Bryan Smith
"Curses of Nature" – Essay by Alethea Kontis

Cover art by Nigel Sade
128 pages

OK, Dan again. The editor is also have a subscription drive this month, so if you like what you see, why not subscribe for a year?

That's it. Check out the magazine, I promise you'll enjoy it (and, I hope, my story).

As usual, check out my news/blog http://dankeohane.blogspot.com/ for regular updates and to get the first word on what's going on.

Thanks
Dan

July 7, 2007

What's Inside:
* New story sold to Cemetery Dance
* First story sale to Apex Science Fiction & Horror Digest
* Das Grab Des Salomon cover art and release date
* Fear and Trembling interview
* New Horror Novel

Hi, everyone. Sorry, it's been a long time since I sent any updates. Whenever I have any quick news blurbs, I've been jotting them down on my blog and have neglected sending this out. I also try and post to the blog weekly to give updates on my works in progress (to keep me on my writing toes). Not that there has been a heck of a lot to report until recently. So, as I get ready to head down to Rhode Island in a couple of weeks for the Necon conference, here's what's been happening:

* My short story, "Living by the Highway", has been sold to Cemetery Dance Magazine. This will be my third story with them, and needless to say I'm thrilled. It's not due to come out until the end of the year, at the earliest, perhaps early 2008. More as I know it. This story got an Honorable Mention last year in the Chizine short story contest (but never published), so I'm glad it's found such a good home. Funny thing about this story is the title: years (and years) ago I'd written another story with the same name, but it was an early piece of work and wasn't all that great, but I loved the title and had long planned on penning a new story to go underneath it. When the story comes out, if you've spent any time in Worcester MA I'm guessing you'll recognize the location where it takes place (though I did take a few liberties).

* I also happy to report another story, "Ray Gun" has been accepted for a future issue of the esteemed magazine Apex Science Fiction & Horror Digest also due out later this year, early-next. As I know better I'll let you know. Apex is an amazing magazine, part science fiction, part horror (which also describes my story, couldn't ask for a better fit ).

* We have a release date for the German edition of Solomon's Grave: November 2007, from Otherworld Verlag, under the title Das Grab Des Salomon. The cover art is done and looks gorgeous! Check it out at my website (and click on the cover for a larger image). Looking forward to this one. Editor Michael Krug seems to really be getting behind the book and is excited about the release, so I am, too.

* I was recently tracked down by the folks at a new website Fear and Trembling, who did a nice interview with me. It's online now, at http://www.fearandtremblingmag.com/, even though I explained I wasn't writing Christian novels these days. They didn't seem to care, so neither did I. :-)

* Speaking of novels, I've been working on a new one, straight forward horror this time. I started it in April, typed THE END on my birthday (June 8th), and am about a third of the way through the second draft. A new record, the fastest I've ever written one of these buggers. This time through, I outlined the plot all the way through before I typed a single sentence, then proceeded to break every plot point I'd planned - sort of. About halfway through the book everything twists around, then again. If it ever sees the light of the bookstore day, you'll see what I mean. And I brought back the two main characters from the above-mentioned story "Ray Gun" ("back" as in I used the same characters, the book and story are not at all related), Hank Cowles and a cute little dog named Nurse Charles. In the new book (no title yet), however, unlike in the story, these two are very, very bad "people". Anyway, cranking through this one quickly, with Janet waiting on the other end with her handy-dandy proof-reader's pen. Can't disappoint. :-)

OK, anything else? Don't think so. Keep an eye on the blog above if you want to keep up with what's going on week by week, and I promise not to take so long between sending these updates out. I haven't given away any prizes lately. OK, tell you what - after I send this out, I'll do one of my random drawings, and whoever I choose will have the usual choice of whatever old VHS sci-fi moves I have left, OR a free signed copy of my old short story collection Christmas Trees & Monkeys. (I'd give away a copy of the Italian edition of Solomon's Grave, il Segreto Di Salomone, but I don't have any extras left).

Thanks for reading
Dan 

December 19, 2006

OK, I know, I know, it's been a long time since the last update, but to be honest, that's because it's been a long time since anything worth mentioning has happened. That's the thing with writing, you spend a good (or bad) deal of your time waiting. You put together the best story you can, send it out, and it sits collecting dust on the desk, or in a box, of an editor who has a hundred other things to do. Who now and then looks down at it and laughs, "You want me to read you, little story? Hah! Keep dreaming..." at which time he or she throws the remnants of a peanut butter and goat cheese sandwich on top of it (muttering, "Here, hold this for a couple of days and I'll consider it") and heads outside to find a puppy to kick. ...Sigh.... Anyhow, stuff's slowly starting to happen now, so on with what's up:

* The Italian edition of Solomon's Grave, titled il Segreto di Salomone, has just been released by the publisher Edizioni il Punto d'Incontro out of Milan. I got my author copies and it looks great. Hardcover with front-to-back illustration. Nice job. I can't read a word of it, but it's nice to look at. :-) A couple of people have asked if they can get a copy, but the publisher has yet to tell me how I can get more. When I learn, I'll let you know. I have noticed lately that the book's starting to appear in the online bookstores in Italy (Google is the writer's friend) - there's no Amazon, though. Again, I've got the cover on my website if you haven't seen it.

* One country down.... one more coming up. German language rights for Solomon's Grave have just been purchased by Germany's Otherworld Verlag! No word yet on when the book will come out, but it'll take time to translate, etc. Late next year at the earliest, probably. More as I know it.

* Now, as I say up top, better late than never. A movie was recently released on video I wanted to let you all know about (at least those who don't already know) - The Legend of Lucy Keyes. Written and directed by my neighbor John Stimpson, filmed almost entirely in my hometown, it's a horror flick based on an old Scare The Kids Because We Were Scared As Kids local legend about a girl who disappeared 300 years ago. Some faces you might recognize from other bigger budget movies, and some others you'd only recognize if you lived in town. :-) No, we're not in it, sorry. But if you want a tour of my town, and get creeped out at the same time, or just want a fun, scary movie to watch on Christmas, give the movie a buy or rent. It's rated R but that's ONLY because John got screwed over by the ratings board. It's BARELY PG-13, probably closer to PG. We don't have it in our house, unfortunately, because when we watched it in the theaters (at a film festival), it took our 9 year old daughter 8 months to finally sleep through the night in her own bed again (doesn't help that the events take place just a stone's throw through our back woods).

* Various updates?.... I must have had something in mind... Well, I have a few short stories written and sent out (and waiting.. waiting...). Finishing up a short story right now called "Ray Gun" - it's coming along nicely. My rewrite of Plague of Darkness was finished a few weeks ago. Done, done, done. Finally. I haven't started a new novel yet - three out in the market looking for a home at one time is enough for now - besides, there are about 10 short stories I've been itching to write for years and I need to get at least a few of them freed from the prison of my soul before I go mad (or madder). But I'll be starting a new novel soon enough.

* OK, so the VHS movies are stacking up too high in my armoire, and I need to unload them. So, I'm about to randomly (thanks to Excel's random # thingie) pick 10 names, and give away 10 Sparkling Used, Slightly Dusty VHS Sci-Fi / Horror Movies. I have a list of the movies and will give said list after the list of winning names. If your name is picked, let me know your top 3 choices (in case someone who replies before you picks your first choices). Check for your name and reply soon! 

The winners are (and note: if you've won in the past, so what, you win again!): Nick Kaufmann, Linda Gunn, Ron Breznay, DrMindful@ (OK, I'm completely blanking who this is... but you WON!), Willy Earle, Kevin McCarthy (hah! now you HAVE to call/email me to claim your movie!), Deb "Valerie F de Daulles" Reilly, Janet keohane.. wait, since my wife already lives here and can watch the DVDs, let's pick another... Paul Shaw, Alton Gansky and... drum roll as I click the cell...: John Kokotiuk!

And your choices of movies are: The Birds, Terminator 2, Gamera The Invincible! (exclamation point part of title - and this one's a DVD), King Kong (the original and STILL the best!), The Invisible Man, Raiders of the Lost Ark, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Creepshow 2, The Corpse Vanishes (starring Bela Lugosi), Spooks Run Wild (starring the ever popular - in the early 30's Sunday Matinees - Bowery Boys!), Them! Christine, and The Wolf Man! (that last exclamation point mine....)

* OK, enough rambling and giving away. Well, not quite - since Christmas is coming. I hope it's a fun, warm happy time for you and your family. It's what's the most important, in the end, anyway. Keep sight of that, and everything else is gravy.
...mm, gravy.....

Dan

August 18, 2006

Hi. Just a quick update with a couple of items during lunch break.

* It's that time of year again. My brother Paul is heading up a team for the 50 mile MS Challenge Walk from Hyannis to Brewster on Cape Cod from September 8th - 10th. Their team, which includes my sister Anne Murphy (who uses a suped up wheelchair gotten especially for these annual events) and brother-in-law Gene Murphy, and many more walkers, is called Wheels and Heels Against MS. If anyone's interested in making a donation / sponsoring, they now have their own website (hooked in with the Multiple Sclerosis site):
you can go to http://www.wheelsandheelsagainstms.com/ Best of luck, everyone!

Ok, as for writing:

* My story "Living by the Highway" was a finalist for the annual Chiaroscuro story contest (www.chizine.com) recently. I know, that and a cup of coffee, etc.. but considering it was out of 350 entries and judged by the likes of Ellen Datlow and Neil Gaiman, not too bad a thing. A long, long time ago I'd written another story (long filed away from the light of day) with the same title. I always liked the title, so I set out to write a brand new story around it. Came out pretty good I think. Anyway, time to find a new place to sell it to. After vacation, though...

* The prospects are starting to dim regarding the Russian edition of Solomon's Grave. The publisher Alfaret (www.alfaret.com) seems to have changed direction to historical Russian-specific nonfiction. No word yet on what they plan to do with the book, since they've already translated it and even paid me an advance (non-refundable, sorry). I'll let you know if hear anything new.

* On the good news side, the Italian edition of Solomon's Grave (which they renamed to "il Segreto de Solomone" (The Secret of Solomon" - I guess it sounds better in Italian) is moving full steam ahead - slated for publication in October by Edizioni il Punto d'Incontro (http://www.edizionilpuntodincontro.it/ - click on "Novita 2006" ("New for 2006") and scroll down to Ottobre 2006 (October 2006) and you'll see it. I have a bigger image of the cover on my website.

* Finally, not writing related, though: my 14-year old son Andrew has inherited my slightly skewed sense of humor (and surpassed it, I'm afraid). He now has an online store through Café Press where he's selling mugs , shirts, etc, with his own original artwork. They're very cool. Check it out at http://www.cafepress.com/ligertrap

Ok, that's it for now. Have to get ready for vacation...
Dan

July 7, 2006

Hi, everyone. Just a couple of quick notes as I head into work (aka "the day job").

I'm going to be a guest again on our old friend Gardner Goldsmith's talk radio show "Against the Grain" TODAY at 12:30 pm, on WNTK Talk Radio which can be found on two dials if you live in New Hampshire: 1010 AM, and 99.7 FM. They also - I believe - have streaming on the web at http://www.wntk.com/

I have the covers of the Russian and Italian version of SOLOMON'S GRAVE on my website (www.dankeohane.com). I haven't got a bigger picture of the Russian one but click on the Italian (for which the title's been changed slightly) for a larger image.

OK, have to run. I promise a more robust dispatch next time, but wanted to get the WNTK note out there....

Dan Keohane

March 1st, 2006

Hi, everyone. I know, it's been a long time since I last wrote any update onthe writing world. Sorry about that. A lot has been going on, with the writing, but nothing I could report as official until recently. Big news, too, just a little different than I'd imagined it would happen. Still, good news is something the world needs, especially these days, so without further ado:

My novel SOLOMON'S GRAVE will soon be published. Over the past few months, I've gotten an agent - located in Milan, Italy, and two offers from publishers (both contracts signed, just waiting for some final paper-moving between the publisher and agent). There is one catch - you'll still have to wait a while before you can actually read it. The reason: one publisher - Alpharet Publishing, out of St. Petersburg, Russia, will be publishing the novel in their country sometime this year, possibly by summer, translated into Russian. The second, Edizioni Il Punto d'Incontro out of Vicenza, Italy, will be publishing Solomon's Grave in Italy, again translated but this time into Italian, later this year or early 2007. My agent netted this latter deal and negotiated the contract for me with Alpharet, and has done an incredible job with both. So, the good news that I'm soon to be an international author. :-) The catch is unless you read Russian or Italian, you won't be able to curl up at night with the puppy and actually read it. Not yet.... Still, it's very cool that the book will be finding an audience.We're now working with a co-agent in the United States who is marketing the book to US publishers. If things happen on that front (the "home front," I guess you could call it), I'll let you know. Still, two countries down, quite a few to go!

A special hello to everyone I saw, or missed, at Boskone a couple of weeks ago. Thanks to Priscilla Olsen and company for extending an invitation to me to be a guest.

And a special (belated) thanks to Gard Goldsmith who had me back on his radio program "Against the Grain" at his new station WNTK (99.7 FM / 1020 AM) out of New Hampshire at the end of 2005. It was a last minute visit so I missed the chance to get a quick bullet out to you on this. Sorry about that.

We've also been working full steam ahead on finishing the basement. Most of the framing is done, and now we're trying to track down an electrician. I've been slowly posting photos on the website (www.dankeohane.com) - click on "Basement".

On a personal note, so many close friends and family have been struggling with illness, lately. If you have any extra prayers you could send out for Jim Kokernak, Gale Torgersen, Roger Blain, Jeanette Gunn, Pat Gilbert, Barbara Jones and Matthew Passarella, it would be greatly appreciated, and for anyone else I might have missed.

Thanks. I promise I'll try to stay in touch more often.
Dan Keohane

October 28, 2005

Hi, everyone. Quick note:

--------
Gard Goldsmith, the very cool talk show dude and Dan News mailing list member, who interviewed me a couple of times last year, wants to do it again. He begins his new show next week on a new station:

WNTK 1020 AM / 99.7 FM

out of NH and VT. (visit http://www.wntk.com/ for more info) This station might be a bit far north for some of us. Might want to check the tuner and see.

Gard and I will be chatting on Halloween, Monday October 31st, at 2:45 pm. Should be fun. Tune in if you can!

----------

And, since this is a new newsletter, I had to scramble to pick a new winner for a brand new (once) movie. Our new winner is Sandy Nunez! I sent the note a bit late yesterday so at this time our prize patrol does not know which fine video Mrs. Nunez shall choose. But choose - she will!

----------
Now, a special thanks to Judi Rohrig, editor of HELLNOTES NEWSLETTER( www.hellnotes.com), after my next newsletter we'll be adding an amazing prize to the mix: a FREE 6-month subscription to Hellnotes, the definitive weekly newsletter on/about/for the horror industry. Thanks, Judi!

Peace, and have a great Halloween folks! 

September 9, 2005

Hi, Everyone. Just a quick follow-up to my story "I Am The Ocean" mentioned in the newsletter sent on September 1st (note: a few of you never got it, so I'm including the original note below with as many spammable words funked up with so that it might get through. The best way to make sure these get through is to add my email address to your allowable addresses list -- however you might do that).

Where was I? Oh, yea. The short story "I Am The Ocean" written with Stephen Dorato is now posted at Feral Fiction (www.feralfiction.com). There's a formatting issue we're trying to work through with them, but in the meantime if you see words underlined just pretend they're italics. :-) Anyhow, I'm pretty proud of this piece, Steve and I went back and forth quite a lot. You'll notice it takes place also at Ogunquit Beach, like in "Marginal Way". True. Both were written right around the same time. Enjoy!

Oh, and technically this is a new newsletter, so I'll have to draw a new winner for the VHS video con-test. Congratulations to our still-fresh-from-the-oven winner Jim Hicks! Jim has wisely chosen to take home with his the classic FRANKENSTEIN, the original B&W masterpiece.

OK, gotta run. Thanks for listening.
Dan

September 1, 2005

Hi, folks. Things are progressing nicely on the writing front, though nothing overly concrete to report at the moment. But some... plus the fact it's been a long time since the last note. Also, the annual MS walk is always an impetus for me to send one of these out....

So, what's inside today:

1. Annual MS 50 mile Walk
2. Matthew's Miles
3. Plague of Darkness and other news
4. Coffee Mugs and Light Switch Covers
5. Winners of the World

========================================
Annual Keohane MS Walk September 9th
========================================

Every year some folks from my family form a team to do the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) 50-mile walk, in honor of our sister Anne. A number of folks ask me each year if this is going to happen, so I thought I'd send this note out and give you an update. Beginning Friday September 9th, and lasting the entire weekend, Paul and his team will do it again. This year, he's joined (possibly) by Anne herself! Unfortunately, my sister was injured in a bad fall recently, but she's pushing to do at least part of the course regardless (MS or not, she's always been a lot stronger than me, that's for sure), seated on a special wheelchair which Paul has been practicing extra hard to be able to push it the distance if need-be (because of his training, he's been spending a lot of time looking at his muscles in the mirror - if he doesn't turn to stone, I think he'll do OK). In the meantime, if anyone is interesting in sponsoring the team, the link is

https://www.nationalmssociety.org/MAM/personal/my_team.asp?pa=43389013&pd=MAM0EMSC20050909COD

(you may have to cut/paste the string into your browser if that last COD is
not part of the hyperlink)

or you can contact Paul or Anne directly at (email links modified to prevent spam spiders, FYI) keohane_paul at emc dot com or
murphy851 at comcast dot net, respectively.

============================
Matthew's Miles October 8th
============================

Another call to arms I'd like to note is horror author and friend John "Jack" Passarella's fund for brain tumor research called Matthew's Miles (www.matthewsmiles.org), named in honor of his son who has been battling a stubborn brain tumor since his initial diagnosis (and two major surgeries) since 2001. October 8th marks the 3rd Annual Matthew's Miles Walk For a Brain Tumor Cure. There is also a big auction with items donated from some major celebrities across the world. Please check out the site listed above, as I know I won't do it justice trying to describe it here. There's a ton of information and a way to make a pledge.

=====================================
The Plague is Finished and Out There
=====================================

Hmm. Rather ominous title, but eye catching. What it means is that PLAGUE OF DARKNESS, my latest novel, is done, finished, perfecto, has been sent to the publisher who has been waiting patiently to read it for the past few months. I should hear a yay or nay or maybe sometime in September, per the editor.

While I wait, I'm stepping into the Way Back Machine to two novels earlier, and giving a once-over to Margaret's Ark, my Great Flood novel originally written and finished in late 2001, then revamped a bit hastily into a Christian novel on '02. It's based on the story "Lavish" written way, way back in 1998. Now that I've gotten my hands around a lot of things, time to readdress this beloved book, smooth out the wrinkles and get it to where it should be.

Once that's done, I have a very cool (in my own mind), novel series called WAILS & GNASHING - one I'd started for a brief time on the website but which I think could be a very fun Dark Shadows Meets The Guiding Light Meets This Present Darkness, with an evil clown thrown in for good measure.... but one thing at a time. One thing at a time....

On the Short Story front, now that PLAGUE is finished I promised myself I'd finish a couple of shorts started a while back. Also, "I Am The Ocean" written with Steve Dorato will be posted at Feral Fiction (www.feralfiction.com) sometime later this year. I'll let y'all know when that happens.

=========================
CT&M products on website
=========================

Oh, that's right... not that you have to buy anything, but I've been using this cool site called Café Press to make products with the Christmas Treesand Monkeys cover on them, used as Christmas gifts, etc. Anyhow, I decided to open this "store" up from the website if anyone wants to buy anything. There are mouse pads, shirts, mugs, and even a light switch cover. Go to www.dankeohane.com and select "Dan's Store ", or go straight to http://www.cafepress.com/dankeohane/ . Not all the images are the CT&M cover. Now and then I throw in one of my paintings as well. There's currently an "Uncle Dan Is Watching Mug" (a self portrait I made for my niece Taryn). This is purely for fun. No sales pressure, but there are a ton of other stores at Cafe Press, some pretty creative, that are worth checking out...

==============
Video winners
==============
OK, it's getting late and I really have to get going to work. Big Congrats to the following THREE newsletter list folks who each won a horror/sci-fi video from my secret treasure vault! Russ Lewis screamed and cried when he held THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL in his tear-dampened hands, Marilyn Keohane (aka "Mom") danced among the flowers in the field of her dreams with WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE, and Fran Bellerive laughed in a slightly-psychotic manner, eyes glazed and head thrown back in seizure-like joy when presented with ALTERED STATES!

Wow, that was a long sentence. Nice job you guys! OK, since this newsletter's going out, that means someone else, maybe even you, will win. Win! WIN! Yes! Yes! Yes!!!! (That last statement pretty much guarantees this email will get eaten by the spam blockers for half of you).

Gotta run. So do you. Go with God, and be nice to people.

Dan Keohane

March 25, 2005

Wow. It's been a while hasn't it? What's on the plate today...

1. THE END
2. "Marginal Way"
3. Attack of the Clampires?
4. The Best Book You're Not Reading
5. Winner, Winner, Who's the Latest Winner?

================================
1. THE END
================================
A couple of weeks ago I type THE END on the new novel, PLAGUE OF DARKNESS. I
love that moment, knowing the story is finally down on paper (at least, it
would be once I hit PRINT). I'm still thinking of changing the name to
DARKNESS, but that's not something I need to decide just yet. I have a long
way to go, still, with all the revisions. I tend to write the first draft
straight out, without looking back at all the Plot Holes and Misspellings,
Funky Grammar, etc. Just get the story out. Now comes the long process of
redrafting, but I'm hoping this will be done and ready for my Beloved
Proofreaders by the end of next month. I like this story a really whole lot.
The previous sentence is an example of what I mean by "First Draft". :-)

No word yet on PLAGUE's predecessor (aka the last book I finished -- no
relation between the two) SOLOMON'S GRAVE. It's been sitting on the desk of
the editor of a major publisher since June. She hasn't said she wants it
yet, but I suppose she hasn't sent it back covered in spit. If any of this
is good or bad depends on if you're a half-full or half-empty Glass Person.

================================
2. "Marginal Way"
================================
I have a dwindling repository of stories left looking for a home, and 2 and
a half have found one. "Marginal Way" is a story I thought of years ago when
Janet and I were in Ogunquit strolling along the cliff walk, which happens
to be the title of the story ("Marginal Way" I mean, not "Cliff Walk"). It's
now appearing in a webzine called "Dawn Sky" - you can find it, and read my
story, at www.dawnsky.com . On the menu, click "Holograph" and you'll find
"Marginal Way" about half-way down. The stories are in individual PDF files,
which means when you click on it Adobe Acrobat will get launched. Don't
panic, standard stuff for browsers these days.

Let me know what you think. And after reading it you'll probably say, "Hey,
Joe Christian, what's with this reincarnation stuff?" I personally don't
believe in reincarnation (documented past life experiences are nothing more
than a connection people make with racial memories encoded in their DNA, a
recorded history of all of our ancestors' memories up until the moment of
conception) but the Hindi concept of reincarnation worked better with oceans
and souls and, well, stuff. To be honest, I kind of lost my train of thought
just now. Better move on to...

================================
3. Attack of the Clampires?
================================
Another very cool story I'm glad to see has quite possibly found a home
maybe is the story "I Am The Ocean", written by me and the uber-talented
Stephen Dorato. It's been accepted for publication in another webzine called
Feral Fiction (www.feralfiction.com) Not Yet though, just accepted. Not
officially-official yet, no contract or anything yet. I'll let you know when
it's official and up on the site.

On to... what? Oh, sorry. Clampires, in the title of this bullet, refer
to... well, when the story comes out you'll see for yourself.

================================
4. The Best Book You're Not Reading
================================
The title above was used by Stephen King recently in his Entertainment
Weekly column, discussing a book he liked which had not yet found a print
publisher (it was only an audio book). Said book quickly became the Next Big
Thing in the publishing world. The recommendation I'm about to give you --
and this is going to be a VERY RARE event -- is likely going to achieve for
the book the same level of fame. Well, maybe not QUITE the same level,
but...

The point is, there are some books that only 3 people in the world know
about, and in the case of FOOT ART IS GOOD ART, that's really too bad.
Because this is a wicked fun, cool, hip novel that doesn't care one iota
about self-restraint or political correctness. And it's very funny. It's
self published, put out by a woman I work with who's one funky chick. She's
permanently stuck somewhere between the Fabulous 70's and serious mental
illness (and I mean that with all affection, Deb ). Her pen name is
Valerie F. De Daulles, and as mentioned above the book is titled FOOT ART IS
GOOD ART. And no, this isn't something I wrote and just pretending to
promote, I'm not that creative.

I had the pleasure of reading a post-pub copy. I find it pretty rare to
laugh out loud when reading anything (except my U-Promise credit card
statement), but I did so reading this. She's got a very unique and
approachable style of writing. Writing that screams, "I'm having a ball
writing this sentence. And this one! Ooh, and this..." I think the best way
to describe the book is from the Amazon review I did for it way back:

"Valerie F. de Daulles is One Groovy Chick. She seems like someone who
swings through the world with mischief in her eye and sass at the edge of
her grin. Ms. DeDaulles' novel Foot Art Is Good Art is a bizarre and
humorous romp through a 70's ... at least a 70's which *might* have happened
had the world become obsessed with feet and twins aren't necessarily limited
to two, as in the case of the main character Thelma and her twin sister
Velma and her other twin Selma. Filled with the most amazing and off-beat
characters I've ever come across in a novel, from a woman with Soft Drink
Tourette Syndrome, cross-dressers, Fookers, Sammy Davis Jr and even a
sexless (or sex-ambiguous) swinger, Foot Art had me cracking me up (in all
senses of the word) from beginning to end. On top of all this, there's a
murder mystery to be solved before the day of the Big Dance Number. Valerie
has a hip, catchy writing style. You'll find yourself eagerly letting her
take you along one of the most left-field but enjoyable takes on a "Swingin'
70's which could have been" in a long time."

If you're tired of reading the same old/same old, get a copy of FOOT ART IS
GOOD ART from your favorite online bookstore. Trust me... truuust me.

================================
5. Winner, Winner, Who's the Latest Winner?
================================
A BIG HEYDIE HO to our Most Recent Winner of a deluxe, spinny and twirly VHS
wonder - Mark Lowell! Mark walked away with the classic Heston flic, SOYLENT
GREEN. Fine choice, Mark!

And yes, this newsletter arriving at your virtual doorstep means I'll be
making a new drawing soon. Now that Christmas has come and gone, I'm left
with quite an overstock on upgraded-to-DVD movies, so this time I'll be
picking THREE winners! That's right. THR3E! Keep your eyes peeled to this
screen, because one of them... might... be... YOU! or YOU!

or YOU.

PoCBWY,

Dan Keohane

October 26th, 2004

1. On the radio again, this Friday!
2. And in the Boston Phoenix newspaper...
3. The winner is....

======================
On the radio... again!
======================
Yep, that's right. Gard Goldsmith invited me back for a return visit to his Manchester NH studios this Friday, October 29th, during the 5:00 pm hour (likely sometime between 5:00 and 5:30 like last time). As before, I'll be phoning in. Not like last time, I'll have company. At least one other (and one much more esteemed than me) guest will be joining us – novelist Christopher Golden. Chris has dozens of original novels and Buffy / Angel novelizations under his belt. Not to mention he's a very cool guy. Gard's also recruiting a couple more, but as of this writing they aren't confirmed. So, if you're in the car or home after 5:00 pm, tune in to AM 610 talk radio, the Gardner Goldsmith show, and listen to me mumble amid the static again.

================================
Boston Phoenix Article this week
================================
I was interviewed recently by Boston Phoenix (that's a weekly newspaper for you non-New Englanders) staff writer Camille Dodero as part of an overall article on local New England horror authors. She did a fantastic job interviewing, so much so I'm *really* not sure what I told her, exactly. I know we covered quite a lot of ground, from my short stories, to my novel in progress, and the fact that the novels are in the Christian horror/suspense vein, we even talked about my lovely wife Janet (I hope I got her name right). Of course, the half-hour-plus interview will probably end up as only one or two lines, but that would still be very cool. I mean, we're talking The Boston Phoenix here, not the Penny Saver (...heh, there's a Way Back Machine name for you...). Especially if she spells my name correctly. So go out and get a copy (and get one for me! We only get the Worcester Phoenix in my neck of the woods, and that deals mostly with the plight of salamanders).

[10/29 note: the article can be seen at http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/news_features/other_stories/multi_3/documents/04224656.asp]

====================
And the Winner is...
====================
The most recent winner of an illustrious new-at-some-point VHS Sci-Fi film, who will take home – or have it delivered to his home – the classic film WAR OF THE WORLDS, is none other than MISTER Lon Prater! He's currently sobbing in delight backstage, otherwise I'd have him come up and take a bow.

And, yes, since we have yet another Dan News Thingy, we have even MORE PRIZES to give away. FREE! I'm so excited I can just spit! In fact... pphhlltt.... hang on while I wipe my chin.

=========
Closing
=========
OK, that's it. "Keep it short," the guy staring at me all the time from the corner of my closet likes to say. More news as it happens. Oh, Small Bites (see previous news note) IS available at Amazon, after all, including an e-version. I believe I had said otherwise.

Go Red Sox.

Dan 

October 5th, 2004

Hi, everyone. A few timely notes:

* On The Radio Again - This Thursday!
* Small Bites anthology now available
* Walkathon Report
* New England Horror Authors in Worcester this weekend
* Latest Prize Winner
* Closing

===============
On The Radio Again
===============

A late-breaking news flash. I'll be a guest of Gardner Goldsmith on AM 610
talk radio out of Manchester NH THIS THURSDAY at 5:00 pm (or sometime
between 5:00 and 5:30). I met Gard last summer ('03) at the annual Necon
writer's conference. One particular story in my collection, Christmas Trees
and Monkeys, caught his attention: "The Monkey On the Towers" takes place at
the radio towers in Manchester NH, which just happens to be the location of
AM 610's radio station. Gard thought it would be a kick to have me on, so if
you can tune in AM 610 on your radio, tune us in this Thursday!

=================
Small Bites now available
=================

I've been wanting to send this notice out for a while, now. My apologies.
Editors Garrett Peck and Keith Gouveia have put together a tremendous
anthology of short-short stories by over 100 authors, including names like
Scott Nicholson, Ed Lee, Matt Costello, Simon Clark, Dan Keohane, Graham
Masterson, Tim Lebbon, Rick Hautala, Christopher Golden, James A Moore, and
many, many more, too many to list all of them here (though you noticed I
slipped my name in the list, undeservedly so maybe, but it's my
announcement, nya nya). This is a charity anthology, but I'll let the
editors explain the goal of the book:

"All authors contributed their time and talent [and] do not see a dime from
the sales of this book. 90% of Net proceeds go to [legendary horror author]
Charles Grant, helping him to rise above COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease) and the financial challenges this illness has imposed upon him, and
bring him back behind the writing desk where he belongs. The remaining 10%
provides Coscom Entertainment with the means to further market and
distribute the work, in the hopes of bringing more readers together to help
keep a legend alive."

Charlie Grant and his wife author Kathy Ptacek have no health insurance, so
the proceeds for this project will go a long way to helping them out.

The price tag of $18.95 might seem a bit steep to some, but considering it's
going directly to the Grants, it's worth it. It's not available at Amazon,
et al, but it is available at the Shocklines bookseller at:
http://store.yahoo.com/shocklines/smbibeanbchl.html

My story, "Leopards In Winter" is 300 words long and appears in the Animals
Attack section (almost ALL stories are 300 words or less.. that comes to
about 2 pages each!), more than 200 stories, I believe.

For more information click on the Shocklines line above or visit my website
at www.dankeohane.com

==============================
Paul and Ellen Keohane Walkathon Report
==============================

Hi, folks. My brother and Sister would like to thank their many, many
sponsors for their recent MS Walkathon. The total amount they raised was
$7,260!!

=======================================
New England Horror Authors in Worcester this weekend
=======================================

If you're in Worcester this weekend, and are thinking of attending the first
annual WAAF Rock and Shock weekend at the Centrum, be sure to check out the
tables devoted to local New England horror authors. I won't be able to
attend myself, but as of this writing the tables will be occupied this
weekend by: Michael Arruda, Jeanne Cavelos, Corinne DeWinter, Jack Haringa,
John Harvey, Paul McMahon, Jon Merz, Thomas Monteleone, Kurt Newton, and
Paul Tremblay. Say hi for me if you run into them. Just reading stuff by
these folks is worth the price of admission alone.

==========
Latest Winner
==========

Congratulations to Sarah Jordan, who was the most recent winner of the Dan
News Wicked Cool VHS giveaway - however through a strange series of
modernization attempts Ms. Jordan only owns ultra-modern equipment, and thus
she owns NO VCR (frightened hush through the crowd). Not to be deterred, we
at the Dan News Network made sure she walked away with a DVD! Boy, is this
big time or what?

Newest winner will be chosen very soon, after I send this bugger out. I
know, the anticipation is probably going to be too much to handle....

======
Closing
======

OK, that's about it. Been busy. Back to working on Plague of Darkness after
a too-long hiatus. No word yet on Solomon's Grave. Our twice-yearly hosting
the Interfaith Hospitality Network families at the two churches in our town
begins this Sunday. Prayers all around would be great, especially for these
people who are trying very hard to get back on their feet and into a home.
And also for the program itself, which has been suffering financially
lately.

Thanks. Oh, and remind me next time to tell you about the dream I had last
night about a talking baby with Gigantism in the barber shop. Very surreal
to say the least.

Dan

April 23, 2004

Hi, everyone. Long time no talk. Here's what we'll be briefly covering here today (pay attention, class):

1. Important note (If you want to continue getting these news thingies)
2. "Selection" now appearing in Cemetery Dance, issue # 48
3. Andrew Keohane MS Walkathon
4. Christmas Trees & Monkeys - total $ to MS
5. Most Recent Valuable Prize Winner
6. Novel Update....

=====================================================
1. IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE getting these....

I'm going to do something a little different... it's time to give folks a chance to stop receiving these notices (perfectly understandable, considering the plethora of emails these days). Pay attention now... you're not paying attention... that's better: IF YOU WANT to CONTINUE receiving these little updates from me, please REPLY to this email. No need to write anything in the letter, just click "reply" then "send". I'll be rebuilding my mailing list from this new list. If you'd rather not, no problem whatsoever. I get enough emails myself I can understand. But if you DO wish
to continue getting these, you need to reply to let me know (do it now, though, before you forget, then come back in here and keep reading.)

=====================================================
2. SELECTION in Cemetery Dance this month....

My short story, "Selection", which originally appeared in the e-book "of Flesh and Hunger" last year, is now featured in the new issue of Cemetery Dance magazine, available at most major bookstores (might take a week or so, since I just got my contributor copies yesterday). You can also order a copy online at www.cemeterydance.com . The illustration for "Selection" is FANTASTIC, by the talented artist Michael Apice. The artwork is worth the price of admission alone.

=====================================================
3. ANDREW Walking in Worcester Wegardless of Weather...

My son, Andrew, is doing the Worcester Multiple Sclerosis Walk next month with my wife Janet and other family members. Anyone interested in sponsoring him, you can make an online donation, via the MS website:

https://www.nationalmssociety.org/MAM/home/

Once there, you click on "Epledge" (located on the left-hand sidebar menu about 3/4 of the way down). Enter the last name (Keohane), then first name (Andrew) then click "submit to continue" button. The rest should be self-explanatory (I hope). Their online pledging can be sluggish at times, so be patient. Thanks in advance!

=====================================================
4. CT&M's Running Total for MS....

Speaking of the MS Society, I recently wrote another check to them from the proceeds of the last few months of sales of my story collection Christmas Trees and Monkeys. The total amount paid to MS to date is now $743.74.
Thanks again to everyone who purchased a copy over the last year and a half. It's been a lot of fun.

=====================================================
5. Valuable Prizes....

Congrats to TIM LEBBON who walked away (or SWAM in this case, since he lives all the way across the "Big Blue Wet Thing") after the last Dan update, with the original Godzilla: King of the Monsters! (The exclamation point is part of the title, I believe). I've recently added more sparkling ultra-modern VHS tapes to the list of DVD-replaced titles for the NEXT WINNER, who will be chosen soon after I send this letter out.

=====================================================
6. Solomon's Grave....

...is finished, and off to a bunch of publishers (I have to use an interesting clearing house approach to reach most of the Christian Publishing houses these days, long story...). Hopefully one of publishers who'll get the proposal this month will be so wow'd by it they'll give it a second look. Many thanks to folks who helped me out over the sometimes arduous (and in this case, looong) course of getting this baby down: as always, my much-better-half Janet (aka "Herself"), Mark Lowell, Fran Bellerive, Alton Gansky, Rev. Dave Switzer and Estonia's own Mario Kivistik for his translation prowess at the 11th hour, my little 'uns Andrew, Amanda and Audrey for they sometimes embarrassing enthusiasm for Dad's little dream. And the Lord, of course, for all of the above. I have a feeling I missed someone, but I can't find my list (gulp). My apologies, if so. More as I know anything on this bugger.

That's it. Thanks for reading down this far. Now go read something interesting. And go to church. You never know what might happen.

Dan

October 24, 2003

Hi, folks. Some cool stuff going on so I figured it's time for another quick news flash.

================================================================
What's inside:
* "Mermaids" now appearing in Cemetery Dance #46
* Review of Christmas Trees and Monkeys in Cemetery Dance #45
* WBZ-AM 1030 with Jordan Rich on Halloween Night with Yours Truly
* Christmas Trees and Monkeys - Clearance Sale!
* First Contest Winner
* Final Note or, Something To Think About

================================================================
"Mermaids" now appearing in Cemetery Dance #46

"Mermaids", a short story written by myself and L.L. Soares (www.llsoares.com) is now appearing in the newest issue of Cemetery Dance, issue # 46! As I mentioned a while back, this is one of those magazines those of us who write horror stories strive to get our name into. It's a great feeling seeing it at last in the pages. This is CD's first all-fiction issue (there's usually a mix of fiction and articles), and we're in with some great company.

You should be able to find the magazine in most Borders and Barnes & Noble stores, in the periodicals sections. Might take a little poking around to find it. Note: it JUST came out, so if it's not in the stores today, it will be by next week. You can also order a single copy via CD's website at www.cemeterydance.com, click on "Magazines". As of last night the new issue (#46) was not listed. Like the stores, simply wait a few days and it'll be there. Lauran and I got our copies early since we're subscribers, I guess.

My story "Selection" will also be appearing in a future issue, likely #48 or so, after the new year. More as I know it.

================================================================

Christmas Trees and Monkeys reviewed in CD #45

Speaking of Cemetery Dance, my collection Christmas Trees and Monkeys got a good review by Garrett Peck (Thanks again, Garrett!) in the previous issue of CD (#45). I have a longer excerpt at my website at www.dankeohane.com (click on the cover), but the short blurb is:

"This sampling of his wares indicates he is a serious storyteller with big ambitions. No longer an apprentice, he's become a journeyman of his craft. This book reveals Keohane as a writer on the rise. We've only begun to see what he's going to be capable of."

================================================================

WBZ-AM 1030 with Jordan Rich Halloween Night

As part of the New England Horror Writers Association (www.horror.org/ne/) Fall Tour, I'm going to be a guest on the Jordan Rich show, on WBZ radio AM-1030, Halloween Night beginning at Midnight, and probably continuing until 4 AM. (FYI, that's Friday into Saturday). With me will be new Hampshire author Michael Arruda and Boston novelist (and organizer of the event) Jon Merz (www.zrem.com). Each of us will read a short story written for the event, field call-in questions, and generally have a ball (I hope). I'll try not to mumble.

Anyone have a good tape deck maybe we can get this recorded for posterity? Should be fun.

================================================================

Christmas Trees and Monkeys Pre-Christmas Clearance

Well, we're coming to the year-mark of the original release of CT&M. It's been a lot of fun, and I hope you've enjoyed reading it as much I did putting it all together. As would be expected atr this point, sales are winding down. However, I'd like to get one more significant check written out to the MS Society and since I have some extra copies of the book in the closet, I want to find some good homes for them.

While supplies last, I'm selling copies, signed and personalized, at my cost of $10.99, and shipping is free. Think in terms of Christmas Presents! Oh, and the first person to ask, I have one copy with has a teeny coffee stain along the side of the book, not bad but no longer Brand New quality, which is available for just $5.99. Again, can be signed & personalized.

CT&M is still also available at Amazon.com, BN.com and www.shocklines.com, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. And as always, as long is it's out there, all royalties go to the New England MS Society.

================================================================

Our First Contest Winner!

As I mentioned in the last thingy I sent out, every time I do this I'll pick a Lucky Winner to receive a Valuable Prize from the list of newsletter recipients.

Last time, our winner was the esteemed Kevin Fallon! Kevin took home the Amazing, Horrifying, Reality-Altering Classic Film: Day of the Triffids. Congrats, Kevin!

I'll pick the new winner after sending this out, and notify him/her and let them pick the NEXT Valuable Prize.

================================================================

Final Note or, Something To Think About

Our church, Prince of Peace, and the Congregational parish next door participate in a program that houses homeless families for a week. These men and woman, all of whom have young children, have found themselves either
priced out of their apartments, out of a job, what have you, and while they look for new housing/employment, this program takes them in, alternating every week which church they will sleep in. This week there are four families in Princeton, all with a Mom & Dad (other times there are only single-parents) and most still holding jobs during the day. They return to the Congregational church at night. People in town take turns coming in to cook, supply food or stay overnight.

I stayed with them Tuesday night, and in ALL honesty a nicer bunch of people you won't meet anywhere. They have to pack up every Sunday, shuttle to another town and another church with their children in tow, and unpack all over again. What they have is what they can carry. You would think they'd be angry & bitter for being so uprooted in their lives. Instead they were friendly, laughing, and great to be around. One couple, who have been in the program about 4 weeks with their eight year old daughter, were excited about a lead they recently got on a house from someone at their church. Again you'd think being in this situation would spoil their views on God, but most were very devout Christians, and because of that they never lost hope, trusting they'll be taken care of soon. One man said to me -- and this sort of statement has been heard (and misused) by the media before but it takes on a whole new meaning when spoken from someone actually in the situation - that he knew there were folks who got into this situation for one reason or another, but he never thought in a million years it would happen to his family. Then he smiled, and we talked about something else.

Anyhow, the reason I mention this is simply that this sort of thing goes on every day, people are suddenly priced out of their homes, and unlike those few you come across on the sidewalks of cities, whose eyes are empty of any hope, the majority of these people are no different than any of us, except in regards to their wallets. They're good parents, good friends, and try hard to get themselves out of the situation. The reason I'm saying this is so maybe next time you see someone collecting for the homeless, or have an opportunity to put some small time in to a shelter or food pantry, knowing these people are out there and need your help, your love, if only for a short time, might make you stop and think. And get the kids involved. Planting the seed now will only help them as they grow up. To want a better world for ourselves means to make it a better world for others, and to serve Christ (or to serve in whatever our religious background might be) means to serve everyone around us, whether we want to hear that or not.

OK, I'll stop before I start having everyone come up the aisle and slap your forehead. :-)

================================================================

Ok, that's it. A little sermon thrown in for good measure, how about them apples?

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Dan Keohane

August 21.. or 22, too lazy to turn around and look, 2003

Hi, everyone. Some quick bullets on my sporadic, manic-depressive writing world. Only this time, I'm giving away STUFF!

The bullets:

* Book Signing at Tatnuck Booksellers September 13th
* Artist for "Mermaids"
* "Selection" soon to see print in...
* Honorable mention
* Shocklines
* and the start of the VALUABLE PRIZES giveaway...

========================================
Book Signing at Tatnuck Booksellers, Worcester MA
========================================
On Saturday, September 13th, I'm going to need to sneak away from the Blain family reunion just a wee bit early to attend a panel/signing for the New England Horror Writers Association (www.horror.org/ne/) at 3:00 PM in the afternoon. Not sure how long it runs, I believe it's 3:00 - 5:00 but could go later. Along with me, other authors attending are: John D. Harvey ("The Cleansing"), Jon Merz (Lawson Vampire Series), Jeffrey Thomas ("Letters From Hades", "Monstrocity"), Stanley Wiater ("The Stephen King Universe", "Dark Thoughts on Writing"), Morven Westfield ("Darksome Thirst"), Victor Infante ("Learning to Speak"), Michael Arruda ("Be Very Afraid!", "The Darkest Thirst") and Sandy Deluca ("Settling in Nazareth"). There will be a panel discussion to open, moderated by Stanley, then all authors will begin signing their work. Special thanks to Morven Westfield for organizing this event.

The NE HWA is on tour this summer into Fall, with a signing in Portland ME this weekend and about a dozen (at least) slated for October alone. Check out the website above to find out the who's and where's of it all.

================================
Glenn Chadbourne is artist for "Mermaids"
================================

I recently returned (in July) from my annual jaunt to Necon, a horror writers conference in RI. Always a great time, and a bunch of us took the Audience Appreciation award for our Sleepy Hollow Jug Band during the talent show (too long a story for here, though it was a blast ). Anyhow... got talking with Glenn Chadbourne, a tremendous guy and one of the leading illustrators and cover artists in the industry. Come to find out, he is the artist for the illustration of "Mermaids", L.L. Soares' and my story appearing in the October Cemetery Dance. I haven't seen it yet, but this is wicked cool news. This is one thrill a writer doesn't experience often enough - seeing an artist's interpretation of something the author has seen ONLY in their head until that moment. It's like seeing into someone else's mind for a moment.... and if you know Glenn, that's a scary thought. (Just kidding, sir... )

======================================
"Selection" will be seeing print in Cemetery Dance
======================================
Yep, you read write. Just coming off the high of selling Mermaids to CD, editor Bob Morrish has accepted "Selection" for early next year. "Selection" is currently appearing in the e-anthology Of Flesh and Hunger. "Selection" is a Science Fiction Horror Cannibalism story. Something for everyone. :-)

=========================================================
"Redemption" receives Honorable Mention in Year's Best Fantasy & Horror
=========================================================
Everyone in the industry always runs to the bookstores in August to grab the newest Year's Best Fantasy And Horror. It's a huge tome which re-publishes what -- according to horror editor Ellen Datlow -- are the best horror stories of the past year. As well, there is summation of who published what, and a list of Honorable Mentions - stories which did not make the actual book but with Ellen liked enough to mention. Anyhow, my hapless story "Redemption" from Christmas Trees and Monkeys received one of those. Always nice, though if you read the story's introduction in CT&M you'll know why I assume this particular nod is more tongue and cheek on Ellen's part than anything else.

==========================
CT&M now available at Shocklines
==========================
Just a quick note to let you know that Matt Schwartz over at the blazingly-popular online horror bookstore Shocklines is now carrying Christmas Trees and Monkeys. So if you're there and have stuff in your cart, consider dropping a CT&M in beside the Corn Flakes. Shocklines is at www.shocklines.com (they also sell artwork, magazines, etc. Shipping is 5.00 regardless of order size)

============
Valuable Prizes!
============
What's this?? Valuable Prizes? Tell me more!

Yep, I'm going to begin giving fascinating and wonderful gifts to those of you who are putting up with my little news thing. Every time I send a note like this out, I will grab a name (actually an email, so I might not know the name!) and that person will win... as they like to say at Necon... a VALUABLE PRIZE.

OK, so basically I've been upgrading my video collection little by little to DVD, and I have these videos, see, and like I'm not DOING anything with them, and so, well, here we are.

Today's Prize: You're choice of any movies from a list I will provide (once I write the titles down) on Sparkling VHS! I'll pick the name, contact that person, and if they reply the Sparkling VHS Science Fiction Movie is all theirs. If not, I'll try another.

=======
That's it.
=======

Well, that's about it. Thanks for following along. Solomon's Grave is coming along nicely, in rewrite mode now. Should be ready to start making its rounds to the publishers by this Fall. No word yet on Margaret's Ark (I assume Barbour Books is Christian Publishing's version of Leisure Books, response time-wise ). This might be a good thing, though, because I already have a rough map in my head of two sequels to Solomon's Grave, the final being tentatively called Solomon's Ark... that being the case, I might want to think of another name for M's Ark (which would be it's 4th title). I can't win. :-)

Thanks
Dan Keohane

July 8, 2003

Hi, everyone. Well, it's been quite a while since I sent the last update.
Sorry about that. Things tend to get pretty busy this itme of year.
Anyhow, a few things going on, so let's get to it. I promise to be brief!

1. Cemetery Dance
2. Bram Stoker Awards
3. Fidelity's Horrormeister & New England HWA website (somewhat belated)
4. MS Society Walk

===================================
"Mermaids" coming soon to Cemetery Dance
===================================

Some good news to start off with. "Mermaids", a short story co-written by
L.L. Soares and myself, will be appearing this Autumn in Cemetery Dance
magazine. For those who might not know, CD is one of those Big Markets
everyone writing this scary stuff hopes to appear in some day, I know I
have. As I mention on my website, think of it as The New Yorker with fangs.
I'll send out word to the list when I know it's in the stores, as this
particular magazine can be found in most bookstores that have a good
magazine selection. Borders, and some of the bigger Barnes and Noble's. More
as I know it.

Speaking of Cemetery Dance, CHRISTMAS TREES AND MONKEYS will be getting a
pretty favorable review by Garrett Peck sometime soon. It might even be
appearing in the next issue coming out pretty soon, unless they decide to
hold it off until the fall. Thanks again, Garrett!

================
Bram Stoker Awards
================

Yea, yea. I know I got y'all excited about the Stoker awards last update.
Alas, CT&M and "White Wave of Mercy" didn't make the final cut. Even so,
losing out to the likes of Ray Bradbury is kind of nice, sort of. :-) Along
with Mr. Bradbury, some amazing writers walked away with the prize,
including someone on this very mailing list. Congrats to Brian Hopkins for
his.. what is it, Brian, 4th Stoker award in a row? Nice job again, sir!
Also a nod to another Dan-list member Judi Rohrig, who I know had a big hand
in helping put together Steve and Melanie Tem's award winning collection
IMAGINATION BOX, another winner for Lone Wolf Publications.

The official winners of the award, presented June 7th, were:

NOVEL: The Night Class by Tom Piccirilli
FIRST NOVEL: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
LONG FICTION: (Tie) "El Dia De Los Muertos" by Brian A. Hopkins and "My Work
Is Not Yet Done" by Thomas Ligotti
SHORT FICTION: "The Misfit Child Grows Fat on Despair" by Tom Piccirilli
COLLECTION: One More for the Road by Ray Bradbury
ANTHOLOGY: The Darker Side edited by John Pelan
NONFICTION: Ramsey Campbell, Probably by Ramsey Campbell
ILLUSTRATED FICTION: Nightside (Issues 1-4) by Robert Weinberg
SCREENPLAY: Frailty by Brent Hanley
WORK FOR YOUNG READERS: Coraline by Neil Gaiman
POETRY: The Gossamer Eye by Mark McLaughlin, Rain Graves, and David Niall
Wilson
ALTERNATIVE FORMS: Imagination Box (multimedia CD) by Steve and Melanie Tem
Lifetime Achievement Award winners were Stephen King and J.N. Williamson.

========================================
I Made the Paper and They Spelled My Name Right!
========================================

So it's not the New York Times, but in this month's Fidelity newspaper, The
Exchange, has a big, half-page spread on yours truly and CT&M, written by my
friend and co-worker Deb Reilly. The headline reads "Dan Keohane, Nice Guy
and Horrormeister of FITSCo" (FITSCo being the division of Fidelity we work
at). It's a great article, and maybe a copy or two of CT&M might sell as a
result. Time will tell. My Amazon sales rank has been getting steadily
better, so maybe that's a good sign. Thanks again, Deb!!!

Speaking of free publicity, though I'm a bit tardy with another bit of news,
but I was recently the Featured Author at our New England HWA site
(www.horror.org/ne/). Webmaster John D. Harvey rotates the featured author
every month or two, so I'm no longer featured (the new FA is the lovely and
talented Holly Newstein, who will also be sharing the pages of Cemetery
Dance with Logan Soares and myself!). Check out the site, it has some great
features on local authors, with news on events and signings, and a lot more.

==========================
Paul Keohane Doing the MS Walk
==========================

As most of you know, our family has become quite active in fund-raising
activities for MS. My brother Paul Keohane will be participating in the "MS
CHALLENGE WALK" the weekend of Sept. 12, 13 and 14th. He'll walk 50 miles,
in all, from Hyannis to Brewster (on Cape Cod) with thousands of other
people to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis. His goal is to raise $3,000
before August 26th.

Paul says, "As you are all well aware, Multiple Sclerosis strikes an
extremely personal cord with our family. My sister Anne has been battling
this crippling disease for some time now and, as a result, we have seen
first-hand the physical and emotional toll that it can bring. Being a wife
and mother of two is an ever-evolving challenge for even the most able of
souls, but when the hustle and bustle of everyday life brings with it a
constant physical pain and discomfort, the emotional stress can often times
seem unbearable. Being her steps have slowed, I choose to walk on her
behalf. I walk these 50 miles so that, one day soon, she will walk this
event right along beside me. The cure is out there and the generous funds
from people like you will one day allow scientists the means to unlock that
door to bring relief and joy to millions of people currently suffering with
this terrible disease."

If you'd would like to help Paul reach his goal, you can contact him at
phkeohane@charter.net and he can send you a donation form, or you could make
an on line donation at:
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/MAM/home/epledge_search_1.asp
From there, just type in KEOHANE and you'll be brought to a page where you
can sponsor Paul, if you so choose.

======
Closing
======

Well, that's about it. I promise to be better about getting news out to
folks sooner! SOLOMON'S GRAVE is just about done (early draft, at least), so
I've got to send this out and get to the point where I can type THE END,
hopefully that'll be today barring any natural disasters. I'll be attending
the annual NECON conference next weekend, so I'll look forward to seeing
some of you there again.

Don't Forget, a signed copy of CHRISTMAS TREES AND MONKEYS makes a great
Bundesfeier Day gift, and the German holiday is coming up fast!

Dan

February 27, 2003

Hi, everyone, just a quickie with some good news:

1. "White Wave of Mercy" and CHRISTMAS TREES and MONKEYS on Stoker Prelim
Ballot
2. Reading tomorrow night at the Lizard Lounge
3. OF FLESH AND HUNGER anthology coming out next month

========================================
Bram Stoker Preliminary Ballot Announced
========================================

The Horror Writers Association have announced the Bram Stoker Award
preliminary ballot for works published in 2002. This is the horror
industry's equivalent of the Nebula Award, or the Hugo, for those of you who
might know those names better. And... yours truly has gotten in there twice!
Whoo hoo!

Under the Short Fiction category: "White Wave of Mercy", originally
published in Extremes 4: Darkest Africa (which is also on the ballot under
Anthology), and my recent collection CHRISTMAS TREES AND MONKEYS. This
latter was somewhat of a surprise, considering how late in the year it came
out, but it's been picking up a lot of steam lately.

The full preliminary ballot can be viewed here:
http://www.horror.org/stokerballots.htm

Now, there's three steps left. All voting members of the HWA will receive
the ballot and cast their weighted votes for their top 3 choices in each
category. The top 4 from each category, after all voting has been done, will
then be put on the FINAL ballot (and can then officially say they have been
NOMINATED). This ballot will then go back out to the voting members and they
do it again. The winner will be announced the night of June 7th (and the eve
of my 40th birthday... a sign? ) in New York. So, a long way to go, but
an honor.

Best of luck to everyone on my humble mailing list who are also on the
ballot (I started to list you all here but it was getting way too long and I
started getting paranoid I was missing someone ). Check out the ballot,
and you'll see quickly that I'm in incredible company.

To learn more about the collection, or to read "White Wave of Mercy" if
you're a voting HWA member and would like to consider it, check out my page
at:

http://www.sff.net/people/keohane/ctm.htm

I'm offering CT&M at my cost to any voting HWA member if you're interest. As
they say on TV, this is for a Limited Time Only! :-) And check out some
wicked killer quotes I've received on the book so far while you're in there.

As well, I have a couple of extra copies of Lone Wolf's EXTREMES 4: DARKEST
AFRICA, a CD-ROM anthology and the ONLY place you can see the incredible
artwork by M.W. Anderson for the story itself. Yep, there is an illustration
(and it's really cool), and the CD contains a video introduction to the
story my me. You also have well over a dozen more incredible stories but
some fantastic authors, all illustrated, printable, etc.

Anyhow, if anyone wants Extremes 4: Darkest Africa, the few I have are
available at my deep author discount of $11!! Supplies very limited...

===========================================
Reading tomorrow night at the Lizard Lounge
===========================================

Tomorrow night I'll be reading from CT&M at the Writers With Drinks series
at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge MA. Rather than repeat the spiel here,
I'll let you check out their website for all the stuff. Should be
interesting, there's quite an eclectic group of stories being read. I'll let
you know how it goes!

http://www.writerswithdrinks.com

=============================
of Flesh and Hunger anthology
=============================

The upcoming anthology "of Flesh and Hunger", edited by John Lawson, will be
coming out at the end of next month as an e-book from Double Dragon
publishing (http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/). It's an incredible
line-up of stories, all with Cannibalism as the overall these. I know... but
I've read a couple, and I'm serious when I say these are - bizarre at times,
yes - but a fantastic bunch of tales. My story, "Selection", is a science
fiction / cannibalism story. That description should be enough to get you
excited! :-) Not sure when it'll be available for pre-order, soon, I'd
wager.

===
Bye
===
OK, that's it. A fun time all around, lately. No word on the novels, yet,
but something's brewing - I know, I've said that before. You never know
in this business. You need a lot of patience and even more prayer.

Until next time....
Dan Keohane
http://www.dankeohane.com/
Who used the word "eclectic" in sentence in this email, did you notice? I'm
a cultured guy....

February 27, 2003

Hi, everyone, just a quickie with some good news:

1. "White Wave of Mercy" and CHRISTMAS TREES and MONKEYS on Stoker Prelim
Ballot
2. Reading tomorrow night at the Lizard Lounge
3. OF FLESH AND HUNGER anthology coming out next month

========================================
Bram Stoker Preliminary Ballot Announced
========================================

The Horror Writers Association have announced the Bram Stoker Award
preliminary ballot for works published in 2002. This is the horror
industry's equivalent of the Nebula Award, or the Hugo, for those of you who
might know those names better. And... yours truly has gotten in there twice!
Whoo hoo!

Under the Short Fiction category: "White Wave of Mercy", originally
published in Extremes 4: Darkest Africa (which is also on the ballot under
Anthology), and my recent collection CHRISTMAS TREES AND MONKEYS. This
latter was somewhat of a surprise, considering how late in the year it came
out, but it's been picking up a lot of steam lately.

The full preliminary ballot can be viewed here:
http://www.horror.org/stokerballots.htm

Now, there's three steps left. All voting members of the HWA will receive
the ballot and cast their weighted votes for their top 3 choices in each
category. The top 4 from each category, after all voting has been done, will
then be put on the FINAL ballot (and can then officially say they have been
NOMINATED). This ballot will then go back out to the voting members and they
do it again. The winner will be announced the night of June 7th (and the eve
of my 40th birthday... a sign? ) in New York. So, a long way to go, but
an honor.

Best of luck to everyone on my humble mailing list who are also on the
ballot (I started to list you all here but it was getting way too long and I
started getting paranoid I was missing someone ). Check out the ballot,
and you'll see quickly that I'm in incredible company.

To learn more about the collection, or to read "White Wave of Mercy" if
you're a voting HWA member and would like to consider it, check out my page
at:

http://www.sff.net/people/keohane/ctm.htm

I'm offering CT&M at my cost to any voting HWA member if you're interest. As
they say on TV, this is for a Limited Time Only! :-) And check out some
wicked killer quotes I've received on the book so far while you're in there.

As well, I have a couple of extra copies of Lone Wolf's EXTREMES 4: DARKEST
AFRICA, a CD-ROM anthology and the ONLY place you can see the incredible
artwork by M.W. Anderson for the story itself. Yep, there is an illustration
(and it's really cool), and the CD contains a video introduction to the
story my me. You also have well over a dozen more incredible stories but
some fantastic authors, all illustrated, printable, etc.

Anyhow, if anyone wants Extremes 4: Darkest Africa, the few I have are
available at my deep author discount of $11!! Supplies very limited...

===========================================
Reading tomorrow night at the Lizard Lounge
===========================================

Tomorrow night I'll be reading from CT&M at the Writers With Drinks series
at the Lizard Lounge in Cambridge MA. Rather than repeat the spiel here,
I'll let you check out their website for all the stuff. Should be
interesting, there's quite an eclectic group of stories being read. I'll let
you know how it goes!

http://www.writerswithdrinks.com

=============================
of Flesh and Hunger anthology
=============================

The upcoming anthology "of Flesh and Hunger", edited by John Lawson, will be
coming out at the end of next month as an e-book from Double Dragon
publishing (http://www.double-dragon-ebooks.com/). It's an incredible
line-up of stories, all with Cannibalism as the overall these. I know... but
I've read a couple, and I'm serious when I say these are - bizarre at times,
yes - but a fantastic bunch of tales. My story, "Selection", is a science
fiction / cannibalism story. That description should be enough to get you
excited! :-) Not sure when it'll be available for pre-order, soon, I'd
wager.

===
Bye
===
OK, that's it. A fun time all around, lately. No word on the novels, yet,
but something's brewing - I know, I've said that before. You never know
in this business. You need a lot of patience and even more prayer.

Until next time....
Dan Keohane
http://www.dankeohane.com/
Who used the word "eclectic" in sentence in this email, did you notice? I'm
a cultured guy....

January 20, 2003

Hi, all. Just a few quick things:

1. Reading / Signing in Princeton (MA) Thursday 1/23
2. Reading in Cambridge 2/28
3. Final CT&M tally for first MS check (updated)

=========================================================
Reading / Signing this Thursday at Princeton (MA) library
=========================================================

Just a reminder, I'll be at the Goodnow Memorial Library in my hometown of Princeton, MA, this Thursday, January 23, from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. I'll be reading from the collection, probably from "Tanner's Bomb" and if time allows "White Wave of Mercy". I'll be signing / selling copies that night. Should be fun.

================================================================
Reading at The Lizard Lounge, Cambridge MA, Friday February 28th
================================================================

Now this is pretty cool. I was invited to participate in the Spoken Word series "Writers With Drinks" at a place called the Lizard Lounge, 1667 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge MA, on Friday February 28th. This is a popular monthly reading series which features a wide variety of authors and their works. They've had some major names read in the past, along with newcomers like yours truly. The event runs from 7:00 - 9:00 PM, and has sold out every time its been held. Doors open at 6:30 and the admission price ranges from only $3 - $5.

For more information check out their website at: http://www.writerswithdrinks.com

===============================
Final number for first MS check
===============================

I had a few more people purchase copies of Christmas Trees and Monkeys recently (thanks!), so the first check going out to the NE MS society tomorrow is going to be: $301.18. This figure is only from copies I've sold myself, not any sales via book stores, Amazon, etc. Those figures won't be available for a little while yet. It'll be a good feeling to finally write the first check and send it out. Thank you, everyone, for the support. It means a lot.

=========================
That's about it. Just wanted to get word out on the new venue, etc. The website's gone through a bit of a facelift lately (even a couple of new images for the art gallery ). Check it out if you have a chance (see below).

I added a few more of you to the mailing list, hope that's OK. Let me know if you'd rather not get these periodic notices, I'll take your email off no problem.

Thanks
Dan
www.dankeohane.com

January 2, 2003

Hi, everyone. I hope the holidays were kind to you all. Now that they're
done, maybe we can get some rest!

Some Dan Ditties:

====================================================
Signing at Borders Books this Saturday, January 4th.
====================================================

Yea, I know. NOW I tell you. Sorry. See above-mentioned holiday unrest for my excuse. Anyhow, the New England HWA is sponsoring another group signing, this time at the Borders Books in Providence RI this Saturday, 1/4/03, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM. I will be signing copies of my collection CHRISTMAS TREES and MONKEYS, alongside Michael Arruda, Don D'Ammassa, Kurt Newton, Sandy DeLuca, Jon "Fixer" Merz and the event's organizer John D. Harvey. Should be a good time. The Borders is part of the new Providence Place Mall. For directions, etc, click here:
http://www.bordersstores.com/stores/store_pg.jsp?storeID=382

The group (sans Yours Truly, unfortunately) is also signing the following Saturday, 1/11/03, at the neighboring Borders in Cranston RI.

=====================================================
Signing & Reading at Princeton (MA) Public Library, January 23rd
=====================================================

For those of you from Princeton, note the change in date. I was originally slated for the 9th, but because of a town meeting about some Kong-sized windmills, Wendy Pape, from the library, and I decided to push out the event to avoid any conflicts.

So: on Thursday evening, January 23, 2003, from 7:00 - 8:00, I'll be reading from CHRISTMAS TREES and MONKEYS and selling / signing copies of the book. I'll make sure whatever I read is PG-rated in case there are kids there. Maybe something from "Tanner's Bomb" given the holiday season just behind us.

=======
Royalties
=======

Speaking of CT&M, as you know any royalties I make go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. I'll be writing my first check to them this week. Though I will not know any royalties earned from sales via Amazon, or other retailers until later on this month, I have made sales on my own via this email list, my website, and Mom. Of these, I've earned just over $200.00 in profits (I earn about $3 - $4 / book when I sell them this way). THANKS to everyone who's gotten a copy (or who is still planning to! hint hint ).

I've begun some goofy guerilla marketing for the book. I've got some CT&M business cards, and whenever I'm in a bookstore I stick them into all the Stephen King books I happen across (at least the more recent titles). Bad, naughty Dan. :-)

=================
Short Story Sales
=================

A couple of short story sales to report:

"Selection": my science fiction / cannibal story (yea, John A., after this summer I felt that I needed to write something sci-fi to prove I could do it! ) will be appearing in the upcoming e-anthology titled: OF FLESH AND HUNGER, edited by John Lawson and published by Double Dragon press. The "e-" part means it will be in electronic form, not print. The advantage of this is a) it'll be a lot cheaper to purchase than a printed antho, and b) you can still print out stories via your computer to read (I generally prefer doing that than reading from a screen). There are some great writers with whom I'll be sharing space in this one, including Paul Tremblay, Jeff Thomas, Scott Thomas, Kurt Newton and a lot of others whom I'd better stop listing or I'll hit my email size limit. For a full TOC, click here:
http://www.angelfire.com/zine2/thedreampeople/ofah/buffet.html

Speaking of Paul Tremblay, our co-written story "Shattered" is slated to appear soon at Fangoria's Frightful Fiction (http://www.fangoria.com/fearful_features.php (select Frightful Fiction at bottom left corner), the fiction / news website of Fangoria magazine. This one was a hoot to write, and went through quite a bit of revision as we worked out exactly how to go about the story. Unfortunately, the version we finally sold does NOT contain any samurai children in bathrobes. Ah well, such is the editing process.

I'll let y'all know when it comes out.

=======
Closing
=======

OK, I'll let you go. Thanks for your interest. No word yet on the novel, newly titled MARGARET'S ARK. But things are moving ahead, not to worry. Any news and I'll let you know. In the meantime, I'm a quarter of the way through my new one, SOLOMON'S GRAVE. Huh? Cool title, or what? ...OK, who just said, "What"?.... :-(

Here's to a BIG 2003....

Dan
http:\\www.dankeohane.com\