Here's the lovely cover
and the contents can be seen here: https://fossillake.wordpress.com/2014/11/21/table-of-contents-for-fossil-lake-ii-the-refossiling/
There's a whole bunch of talented folk involved (and me) and one of them, Ken Goldman, has dropped by to introduce himself.
Ken Goldman, former Philadelphia
teacher of English and Film Studies, is an affiliate member of the Horror
Writers Association. He has homes on the Main Line in Pennsylvania and at the
Jersey shore. His stories have appeared in over 740 independent press
publications in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia with over
thirty due for publication in 2015. Since 1993 Ken’s tales have received seven
honorable mentions in The Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror. He has written five
books : three anthologies of short stories, YOU HAD ME AT ARRGH!! (Sam's Dot
Publishers), DONNY DOESN’T LIVE HERE ANYMORE (A/A Productions) and STAR-CROSSED
(Vampires 2); and a novella, DESIREE, (Damnation Books). OF A FEATHER is
his first novel.
***
BRSBKBLOG asked Ken to say a bit about writing and Horror and about his latest book -
***
I used to be an English teacher about
a million years ago, and creative writing was an important focus of my
course. There is a distinct difference between writing correctly and
writing well. Creativity can be acquired, of course, but it’s damned
difficult to teach. What can be your inspiration? EVERYTHING! And
about getting down to it, my advice is always to be your own worst
critic. Writing is rewriting, and it’s important to know when your
writing needs revision. (The answer to that is always.)
I also taught courses on
Horror and Science Fiction in Film & Literature. (Yeah, I know,
jack of all trades, etc. etc.) What scares me won’t necessarily
scare you. People during the 1930’s fainted at showings of FRANKENSTEIN and
DRACULA. Today’s kids would probably see these films as somewhat
laughable. Film is a different medium that the printed page; being visual
it can shock much more readily. As a writer, you’re not going to have your
reader scream as he turns the page, but you certainly can take him out of his
comfort zone, maybe make him squirm a little. It’s subjective, but those
things that go bump in the night can do the trick.
A little about OF A FEATHER :
Ken Goldman’s OF A FEATHER is
available in paperback and Kindle at : http://www.amazon.com/Of-A-Feather-Ken-Goldman/dp/0957010362
More of Ken Goldman’s work is
available here :
Socrates Singer, at age six, while attending a
Wellington County mall opening during an exotic bird show, is
selected by an ancient Oglala Indian, Black Eagle, whose
parrot, Jasmine, has chosen him from the crowd. Socrates is
permitted to touch the sacred tribal mask of Wakinyan, thereby setting
into motion an ability the boy will have in his later years--the power to
control birds of every species. It is a power Socrates will discover has
its uses, but it also has serious consequences if it is misused.
The horror (and the story’s tone) is
not so dark that there isn’t room for some humor. Socrates Singer is
keenly aware of his status among his peers and is equally aware of the
absurdity that comes with his new found power. His sister, Dorie, has the kind
of ‘potty mouth’ one would expect more from a longshoreman than a thirteen year
old girl. But she also has a keen insight into what is happening to her
brother, and her constant little-sister sarcasm doesn’t mask the love she feels
for him.
There is a psychological element to
the story also. (This is getting heavy, isn’t it?) The Great Circle (as
explained at various points by the old Indian, Black Eagle) represents the two
sides of human nature as seen in the two headed bird mask symbolizing
Wikanyan’s dual spirit ... both the sparrow and the hawk. The circle
theme shows up at various points in the story.
"They fly in circles. There’s
something in that,” Socrates notices. He’s so right.
OF A FEATHER is published by Graeme
Reynolds’ Horrific Tales Publications. For some other great novels check
out ANGEL MANOR, LUCKYS’ GIRL, THE WHISPER TRILOGY, and the
upcoming BOTTLED ABYSS.
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