May
2
Lawrence R. Dagstine is a writer of short fiction and non-fiction since 1996. He has almost 300+ stories published or forthcoming in paying, print, and online genre magazines or speculative anthologies. Sam’s Dot Publishing is releasing his first short story collection in 2008, and he is the author of a western novel, called “Allegiance to Arms”. Some of his short story credits include: “Aoife’s Kiss”, “Atomjack”, “Black Ink Horror”, “Beyond Centauri”, “Down in the Cellar”, “The Fifth Di”, “The Martian Wave”, “OG’s Speculative Fiction”, “Jupiter SF”, “Nova SF”, “Sinister Tales”, “Mount Zion Speculative Fiction Review”, “Whispering Spirits”, “Whispers of Wickedness”, “Tales of the Talisman”, “The Willows”, “Written Word Online Magazine”, “The Sword Review”, “Escape Velocity”, “Purpleverse”, and many more just like it.
Here’s an excerpt from his short story The Ghost Painter, which will be published in the upcoming issue of The Ashen Eye:
“Thank you. Are you a good cook?”
”As a matter of fact, I am. I love good food. I love all the good things in life.” His tone was dry. “I mean to get them, too.”
“Oh, you will. You’re so young.” Thirty, she thought; I hope he says thirty.
He gave her a long, level glance. Then he said: “Twenty-eight. Why? Do I look like that much of a growing boy to you?” He gave a playful sneer.
Only seven years apart; she felt a sudden pang.
Again she had a sense of titillation. It was amazing how he could make that man-woman contact in a moment; it was as basic, as uncomplicated, as a quick thrust of an electrical plug into a socket, instantly turning on the current. But it was shocking, too. She must say something now, something that would reflect an amusement at his confidence, the kind of “now-now-I’m-a-good-girl-around-people-I-don’t-know” remark that would let him know that she didn’t let strange men look and talk to her like that.
But as she opened her mouth to say the words, they stopped in her throat. Some instinct told her that they would be a mistake, dull her shine in his eyes, reduce her in his mind to just another ordinary, conventional woman. He probably expected something far different from her.
She said slowly, staring into his face: “No. You look like a man.”
He didn’t say anything. Again they sat looking at each other as the seconds went by. This is crazy, Olivia thought, this can’t be happening―not this fast. It’s as if we were in bed together this morning and he’s doing marvelous things to me. And I’m letting him do them.
Abruptly, he said, “I don’t seem to be getting much eating done. You’re a very distracting female.” He began buttering a piece of his roll. “Do you live in the city?”
“Oh, yes,” she said, relieved that he had begun to eat, that he wasn’t looking at her. “About seven blocks from here.” Finally, she could breathe again.
“I’m even closer than that,” he said. “I live practically around the corner on 49th Street.”
“Really? Are there apartments there?” She always remembered the area as being commercial.
“Art studios. I rent out one of the galleries over the restaurants. Top floor.” He shook his head. “It’s an offbeat place but it has its charms. I sublet it from a curator friend. Oh, I’m Oscar, by the way. Oscar Harris.” He finally extended a hand.
“You’re an artist?” She was impressed. “I’m Olivia Maynard. I work in advertising.”
“I’m a painter. I have murals all over my walls.” He glanced up at her. “Come up and see my murals?”
“Um, well, I’m not sure… But what do you paint?”
“Ghosts, the afterlife, the beauty of the supernatural. Dark and brooding, yes, but with some watercolor and expressionism I give it new meaning and substance.” He was eating again, his gaze lowered to his plate. “You might as well tell me you don’t go home with strangers. I saw your face.”
She was startled but felt bad. “Doesn’t my being cautious mean something to you?”
“About as much as your green eyes. It would never get in my way.”
For more information, please visit www.lawrencedagstine.com
Apr
18
Charlotte Emma Gledson has only been writing short stories seriously for seven months, though she has a collection of poetry based on her life experiences called "Turbulent Emotions". Four short stories and three of her poems have been published in the acclaimed "Darkened Horizons" horror anthologies. Other works have been published in the Word Weavers horror anthology “Requiem for the Damned” and “The World of Myth” e-zine. Other poems have been published in the Word Weavers “Reverence of Rune – A collection of Verse”.
Residing in the coastal town of Gosport UK, she currently divides her time as a busy Mum to four gregarious children, eighteen ventriloquist dummies, and a scruffy mutt called Reg, whilst writing a supernatural/dark novel entitled “Bluebells For My Baby.”
Other works in progress include the Edward Ballister Project. A new initiative where a collaboration of esteemed and up and coming authors write a single chapter each, in order to create the ultimate horror novel.
Charlotte’s short story The Boys Night Out will be published in the upcoming premiere issue of The Ashen Eye. Here’s a brief excerpt:
Finally, huddled against a damp wall under a viaduct, a victim was found. Debris and neglect engulfed the figure. A roaring train whistled overhead, drowning any evidence of the approaching men.
“Oi mate! Fancy a ciggie?”
Max focused on the hooded figure, forcing a warm inviting smile.
“I feel for you mate. Cold this time of year isn’t it. Not the best way to spend your evenings is it?”
Whist flicking the lighter repeatedly, Max handed out a cigarette. The beggar rose from his dwelling. Unshaven and odorous, his hair covered the majority of his features. His clothes so soiled, it was hard to differentiate between any two colours.
Abruptly, Greg kicked the man forcefully on the back of his knees, watching him buckle. Max swiftly turned around to see if anyone was near. Satisfied, he stamped on the man’s knee, cracking the patella with a harsh snap under his Gucci heel.
Don’t forget to visit Charlotte’s website or MySpace page.
Apr
15
As the release date of the premiere issue creeps ever closer, we thought it was time to share the complete list of the contributions that will grace its many pages. Here’s what you can expect to find in the first issue of The Ashen Eye (in no particular order):
Fiction
Warm Milk – Barry Wood
A Town Built on Dreams – David Price
Petrifaction – David Byron
Karma – Nickolas Cook
Insomnium – Jeffrey Buford
Emily and the City – Wayne Blackhurst
Family Matters – Troy Barnes
Puppeteer – Andrew Wolter
King James Version (Abridged) – Lorne Dixon
The Boys Night Out – Charlotte Emma Gledson
A Fire Goeth Before Him – Debra Leigh Scott
Sex and Rot in the Afterlife – Jim Kelley
The Ghost Painter – Lawrence R. Dagstine
Patience – Ben Eads
Sticky Floor – William Couper
Poetry
Crescent City/Ode to my Beloved New Orleans – Aquilla Rage
Ancient Cults of Vice – Alexis Child
Curtains – Phillip Stecco
The Eater – Greg Schwartz
The Faces – Richard H. Fay
His Legend Secure – Mark Mihalko
Bones and Letters – Misty Lackey
Artwork
Caleb Morgan – Cover artwork & in-depth article
Apr
11
A former laboratory technician turned home educator, Richard H. Fay now spends his days juggling various writing and art projects. He resides in Upstate New York with his wife, daughter, two cats, and a rather confused shepherd-chow mix. History, myth, legend, folklore, and personal experiences with the uncanny and bizarre all serve as inspiration for Richard’s creative endeavors. Many of the fruits of his labor have appeared in various e-zines and print magazines, including “Niteblade”, “Hungur”, “The Fifth Di…”, and “Champagne Shivers”.
The premiere issue of The Ashen Eye will feature some of Richard’s poetry. As an introduction to his work, here is another one of his poems titled The Phantom Dimension.
The Phantom Dimension
by Richard H. Fay
Things little known to scholars and sages
Live outside the bounds of normality,
Slipping in and out of the mundane world
Like pallid spectres and fleeting shadows.
Determined to seek the ultimate truth,
I delve into forsaken ancient tomes
And construct many arcane devices
To uncover dark, forbidden secrets.
Glimmering power surges through the air
As I recite a cabalistic spell.
My fell machines pulse with electric life
As a portal opens between the planes.
A grey mist streaked with gold envelops me.
Spectral streams flow through the eldritch ether.
Strange creatures float past on rainbow currents
As I drift aimlessly through that weird realm.
Disturbed by my odd alien presence,
Dreadful ebon forms gather around me.
Amorphous limbs brush against my body;
Their algid touch courses right through my soul.
Then the wraiths flee in a frightful flurry
As a bloated beast rears up from the murk.
A pale, wretched face wreathed in tentacles
Fixes its fiery red eyes upon me.
Its lips part in a parody of speech.
A serpentine tongue lolls out of its maw.
The heaving horror spits sulphurous spume
As it seeks to extinguish my life force.
I fly from the gaze of that monstrous fiend,
But my flight is slowed by a clutching mire.
I struggle across the glowing threshold
And narrowly escape madness and death.
Other examples of his artwork and writing can be seen at his web site, Azure Lion Productions.
Apr
4
“Hey man, look, you know I’m asking out of concern. How are the new meds working?”
“Great actually! Yeah, I’m actually very impressed. The physical ticks have almost disappeared.”
“Good man, I’m glad to hear it. I noticed you were doing a lot better recently. Like I said John, I, out of concern, you know,” Nick said pulling the whole ‘I’m a co worker and I care, but actually I’m just extracting information’ routine.
“I really appreciate it Nick. It’s good to know people are noticing,” John said, returning the same fake smile.
Nick patted him on the shoulder, totally violating the rules. Oh God, John thought, now I’ll be late, I’ll have to count my primes again, then do my threes again, then….
“You alright buddy? You look pale,” Nick inquired.
“Yeah! Just thinking about the day ahead, the meeting with accounting, and I have Sarah to meet with also, to discuss the budget,” John replied.
“Oh yeah? Sarah can be a real ball buster John! I don’t envy you my friend, take it easy ok?” Nick said and left.
“Yes she can Nick… Yes she can,” John said in return. Nick waved in affirmation.
John would deal with Nick’s transgression in time; what mattered now were prime numbers, three’s, and some finger clicks. Sarah as well, the issue of her in general would be addressed soon. He gave it, at the most, another day or two. John walked over to the sink and washed his hands. The itching of his balls was almost unbearable. A small price to pay, in another day or two it will all be over.
You have just read an excerpt from the disturbing short story Patience, written by Ben Eads. The full story is scheduled to appear in the first issue of The Ashen Eye.
Ben Eads lives in Florida and works in the Information Technology field. Aside from reading and writing dark fiction, he enjoys martial arts, philosophy, and finding the secrets to the universe.
He started his own podcast, called “The Dark Fiction Spotlight”, which focuses on up and coming writers and the presses that publish them. Its goal is to spread the word to as many people as possible.
Ben’s work has recently appeared in “Black Petals”, issue #43, and the March/May issue of “NVH Magazine”.
Don’t forget to visit Ben’s MySpace page, home of “The Dark Fiction Spotlight”, and add him as a friend.
Apr
2
The final decisions have been made on the premiere issue of The Ashen Eye and all submitters have, as of today, received a reaction from our side. We had an absolute blast reading and reviewing the many excellent submissions that passed through our hands. All slots have been filled and, once all agreements have been correctly processed, we will release the definitive list of contributors and the titles of their respective works. In the coming period we’ll keep updating our website with information about them as we have done up to now.
Writing rejection letters was hard and we tried to be as constructive as possible. Also, since we couldn’t bare to outright reject some works due to space issues, some works have been given a second chance and will be considered for the second issue.
So, what’s next?
The reading period for issue two has started yesterday, the first day of April, and will continue until the last day of June this year. We’ve decided to use a full quarter per reading/publication period. That way we can accept submissions all year round, and can provide a dependable reading/publication schedule for our readers and contributors. The following decision has been made regarding reading periods and publication dates:
January – March 2008: Reading period issue #1
April – June 2008: Reading issue #2.
End of June 2008: Publication issue #1.
July – September 2008: Reading issue #3.
End of September 2008: Publication issue #2
October – December 2008: Reading issue #4
End of December 2008: Publication issue #3
January – March 2009: Reading period issue #5
End of March 2009: Publication issue #4
and so on and so forth…
And with that, we’ve already given away the final release date for the premiere issue. Unlike the initially projected early quarter three, or end of July, the very first issue of The Ashen Eye will be released at the end of June 2008. A full month earlier! We know it’s still a long wait, but at least we’ve all got something to look forward to.
We would once again like to thank everyone who submitted their work to us and/or helped to spread the word about The Ashen Eye. We hope that submissions will be as plentiful during the next reading period and that everyone will remain as supportive and enthusiastic as they have been during the past three months. We are indebted to you all.
Mar
28
Jim Kelley is a full-time carpenter in the great state of Ohio, where he co-owns a small exterior deck & siding company. He’s a former semi-pro football player for the Columbus Sharks, Swarm, and Phantoms, and is happily married. Jim shares his house with his wife, six cats, and a hyper rot/beagle mix dog.
His short story, titled Sex and Rot in the Afterlife, will appear in the first issue of The Ashen Eye. The following is a short excerpt taken from it:
On a stack of elbow macaroni boxes, I saw Tina laying on her back. Her blouse was open and her milky white breasts almost glowed in the dimness. Her skirt—the denim number she teased me with earlier—was hiked up around her thighs. Worst of all, her knees draped across someone’s shoulders, and her hands pulled feverishly at the somebody’s hair.
“Tina,” I cried.
She snapped her head up; a look of horror crossed her face when she met my stare.
“Tom,” she tried to pull her blouse closed with one hand and push the guy’s head away with the other. She wasn’t successful with either, one tit still showed and the guy wasn’t giving up the head job.
“What’s going on?”
She only stared at me with her shocked and horrified look.
A million emotions raged through my mind, but chief among them were jealousy and betrayal. Tina and I weren’t an item, but we had dated on occasion. Nothing ever serious because she claimed she wasn’t emotionally available or ready for physical relationships again. Yet, here she was, sprawled out on a box of macaroni with a guy eating her out.
I added fury to my new found emotions.
My first thought was Brian Huffman hadn’t been in an accident after all. Maybe Tina decided to rob the cradle. But when the guy turned his face toward me and met my eyes with his one dull eye, my heart sank.
“Evan!”
Evan only scowled at me with blood on his lips and chin.
“My god, did he hurt you?” I started toward Evan, unsure exactly what I intended to do.
“No, he didn’t hurt me.” Tina’s sheepish voice stopped me.
Evan grinned as he spit what I thought was gum out on the floor.
My eyes followed the wad down and when it landed with a small splat, the white string told me what it was, a tampon.
“Puuussssyyyy,” Evan grinned.
I wanted to rip his rotting head off his shoulders, but I only stood there. Some semblance of reason crept back into my head as I realized what it was that stood in front of me. Zombies were twice as strong as living men and I’d seen them when they were enraged.
Evan would rip me limb from limb if I attacked him.
Some of Jim Kelley’s short stories have appeared in “+The Horror Library+” and “The World of Myth” ezines under the pen name Kelly James. Also, he’s the book review columnist for The World of Myth.
To visit Jim Kelley’s MySpace page, please click here.
Mar
24
Ben Eads, whose Dark Fiction Spotlight podcast has been mentioned here before, has been kind enough to mention us in an episode of his podcast. It’s solely devoted to presses that publish dark fiction. The highly informative episode features a treasure-trove of information for readers and writers alike. So, if you’re looking for a good read or a place to submit your fiction, have a listen.
You can find the podcast on Ben’s MySpace page or download the mp3 directly right here.
Mar
14
Poet Greg Schwartz fixes copiers by day and writes horror by night. His poetry has appeared in publications such as Talebones, Black Petals, The Magazine of Speculative Poetry, and Tales of the Talisman. A chapbook of his horror poetry, titled “Bits and Pieces”, was released last summer by Spec House of Poetry. Whenever he has the time, Greg reviews books and magazines for Whispers of Wickedness, and he’s also the staff cartoonist for Shadow Poetry’s SP Quill Magazine.
One of Greg’s works will be featured in upcoming premiere issue of The Ashen Eye. To provide you with a taste of his work beforehand, here’s a poem titled Bats.
Bats
by Greg Schwartz
alone
at your desk
blank sheet of paper
taunting you
while thoughts
swirl around your head
like bats
too quick for you to grab
until one gets careless
flies too close
and you snatch it
clutch it with both hands
squeeze out its lifeblood
onto the paper
not letting go
until every last drop
is spilled from the thing
and it falls to the floor
a dried empty husk
now you’re staring at the paper
soggy and red
scattered clumps of tissue
like islands
and once you clean it up
organize the mess
pick out stray bone fragments
you just might have
a poem.
Mar
7
Lorne Dixon lives and writes somewhere off an Exit of Route 78 in residential New Jersey. He grew up on a diet of yellow-spined paperbacks, black and white monster movies, and the thunder lizard backbeat of rock n’ roll.
The following is an excerpt from Lorne’s short story titled King James Version (Abridged), which is scheduled to be published in the upcoming issue of The Ashen Eye.
Lucy The Waitress looked up from the game of solitaire spread out on the table closest to the bar. She pulled her cigarette out of her mouth and blew out a plume of thick smoke. She stared at Matthias, transfixed.
He slowly realized the old man’s blood had speckled his face and clothes. He craned back his head and pinched his nose. He approached Lucy and asked in a nasal voice, "Paper towels? Nosebleed."
She clearly knew better. The cigarette dropped from her fingertips to the jack of hearts. Matthias let go of his nose and straightened up. Standing completely straight, he topped six foot five. She met his eyes with hers, clouded with alcohol, nicotine, and probably something stronger than either. She broke the stare to glance down at the cell phone she wore on her belt.
It only took a quick motion. Both collar bones crushed inwards, fragmenting and cutting through flesh and muscle until they met in her throat, cutting off her oxygen supply. Easy work for two strong thumbs. She spun off the table, trying to gasp, hands wrapped around her neck, failing to pry her bones out of her throat.
Lorne’s short fiction has appeared, or is scheduled to appear, in, “+The Horror Library+ Volume 2” (Cutting Block Press), “Bad-Ass Faeries” (Marietta), “The Book Of Dark Wisdom” Magazine (2008, Elder Signs), “Strange Stories Of Sand And Sea” (2008, Fine Tooth Press), “Traps” (2008, DarkHart Press), “Lilith Unbound” (2008, Popcorn Press), “Dark Distortions” (2008, Scotopia), “Bound For Evil: Curious Tales Of Books Gone Bad” (2008, Dead Letters Press), “Tales Of Moreauvia” Magazine, “Bad-Ass Faeries 2: Just Plain Bad” (2008, Marietta), and “Darkness On The Edge: Dark Stories Inspired By The Music Of Bruce Springsteen” (early 2009, PS Press UK).
Visit Lorne Dixon’s blog
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