Is it Thursday already?
Last time out, we talked anthologies.
They’ve been on my mind a lot lately because…
a) Devilish Dave Schrader and I are sold out of NIGHTMARE THEATER volume 1. We got our hands on a few copies to sell at Monsterpalooza last weekend…where we promptly sold out again! (We’ll have to do something about that soon…);
and
b) I have a new story in Nathan Lueth’s latest anthology, CONCRETE ARCANUM: LIVING WITH MONSTERS.
The call for submissions read like this:
Concrete Arcanum takes place in a modern world where the knowledge that magic and monsters exist has become mainstream. Some monsters are obvious, like the neighbor who’s half-ogre, or the woman at the office with eyes that flicker like wildfire. Others are more insidious, hiding their true nature beneath human masks. They could be family, friends, or even the person staring back at you in the mirror. Some monsters protect, some manipulate, and others simply survive. All demand to be reckoned with.
Explore themes of trust, fear, love, and betrayal in a world where monsters aren’t just threats to fight—they’re part of the family, part of the system, and sometimes, they are the system.
Stories of all scopes and tone are welcome. Cute, funny, satirical, dark, thematic, personal, epic... it's all on the table. And it doesn't have to be strictly fantasy either. Ghosts, ghouls, werewolves, and other tales of the supernatural are welcome, as well. The only two things your story must have are 1. Be set in the modern world. 2. Include some fantastical or supernatural element.
I’ve been wanting to work with Peter Taylor for a while, so I came up with a few pitches to send his way to see what he’d like to draw.
He responded enthusiastically to a riff on Dante’s INFERNO that I call “DMV,” so that’s what I pitched Nathan. One quick thumbs up later, and we were off to the races.
And with the addition of D. Forrest Fox on colors, I think we made a pretty great team. But I’m biased.
You can see for yourself below, because thanks to Nathan, I have permission to share our story in full.
Happy reading!
Thanks for reading!
If you’d like to get a print copy, or read some of the other great stories in the book…
CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT CONCRETE ARCANUM
OK! That’s all for now. Back to figuring out what we’re going to do about NIGHTMARE THEATER Volume 1 being out of print…
-Clay
PS/Parting Shot: If you’re looking for some ear candy…
Comic veteran Karl Kerschl (Death Transit Magpie) and I recently joined host Tyler James to give Kickstarter advice to first-time crowdfunders Justin Dunn & Eric Tomeo (Ballad of Dust & Blood).
Peter's amazing, that will be awesome!
This pitch made me laugh when I read it. So naturally it was a shoe in!