More fun news for me and perhaps you

***Been very busy. Surprised? My first novel just sold to Delirium Books!

It's still all very surreal and I think I need a few days to let it sink in while I work more on the next book. I have 20 handwritten pages to type, a novella to proofread before submitting the revisions, crits to work on for some friends, studying, house work to do, reading time, relaxing time, loving, and back to realizing that this isn't all a dream. Haha.

Also sold a story to Dark Discoveries issue 21 and couldn't be happier because they are a fantastic mag! James Beach has been supportive since before I sold my first story and he's helped me with feedback on other work. I can't say enough nice things about the guy.

My new novel is fun. I need to make some more time for it.

Also have to set aside a day each week to read subs for Horror Library volume 5. Can't wait to be surprised by some submissions.

Had a great review from Bob Freeman on Page Horrific. Here's what he said:

AS I EMBRACE MY JAGGED EDGES by Lee Thompson

To call this novella impressive is an understatement. Lee Thompson's prose is electric, captivating, and at times poetic. The reader is invited into a vivid world, fully realized, that's populated by characters both believable and sympathetic. The author deftly constructs a story that gains momentum throughout, leaving one on the verge of breathlessness by story's end, but what really makes AS I EMBRACE MY JAGGED EDGES tick is the masterful use of Jewish mythology as the vehicle behind the story's raison d'etre that puts one in mind of Steve Stern's Yiddish folklore stories.

Young Boaz is a terrific protagonist, flawed and self-doubting, but charged with a responsibility to guard and protect an ancient relic. As he struggles with his inner demons--the weight of his homosexuality and how it's instructed his family dynamic--he is forced to confront outer demons as well and Thompson shines in playing off the subtleties and subtext while producing a complex and original thriller.

AS I EMBRACE MY JAGGED EDGES (Sideshow Press) is a brilliant tale that I cannot recommend highly enough.

--BOB FREEMAN

Thanks, Bob! Seems lots of people are enjoying it. You can pick it up over HERE

Thanks to everyone who has already purchased a copy. The deluxe hardcover with bonus fiction is coming out next month! Thrilled!

Enjoy yourselves people. Work hard. Play hard. All that jazz. :D

Thanks for the support!

Lee

Fun times! Things of note!

I hope that everyone is doing great! 2011 is off to a fantastic start. In February I should have 3 books with my work in them (the deluxe hardcover of my novelette AS I EMBRACE MY JAGGED EDGES from Sideshow Press; Apex's The Zombie Feed anthology volume 1; and Delirium Book's Horrorwired anthology.)

I also have two novels (yes two!) under consideration with one of my favorite publishers. It's a bit exciting (okay, REALLY exciting, but also REALLY frightening.) No matter what said publisher decides on either book, I can dance because he enjoys my work, right? His faith and support mean a lot and spur me on to keep improving and telling Lee Thompson tales. (Note: I'm really hoping for a solid "I love them both and want to publish them and you'll be sharing space with some of your heroes at one of the best publishers around..." emails, or phone calls.) Time's agonna tell. Wish me luck!

My novelette AS I EMBRACE MY JAGGED EDGES is getting some great feedback and I'm glad because I'm very proud of that story. Here's a book review (I'll also be guest blogging there early next week! My first time! Yay!):The Bookhound's Den reviews my snazzy little book

Bob Freeman also rated it recently, which was neat: Almost a Neil Gaiman

If you haven't picked it up, you can help me buy more coffee (and books) by doing so here: Well worth three dollars (even if I am biased)

I expect more reviews on it soon and will gladly share them even if it is a bit nerve-wracking.

If you're a reviewer and you'd like a PDF copy to check it out, you can send me an email: perpetual_voodoo (at) yahoo (dot) com.

My Red Piccirilli novella (Within This Garden Weeping) is getting edited by my buddy Kevin Wallis, and will then get shipped to my other buddy Shaun Ryan. It's a powerful little book and much darker than the first book (Before Leonora Wakes.) I don't think I'll have any problem selling it. I like Red, he's really me when I was a kid (don't tell anyone.) The first book is more for teens but I think anyone can enjoy it, plus it's the 'roots' book about Red. Not too long, coming in at 42 K, and it's available for under two bucks on Smashwords. I'd love to hear your thoughts (mostly to see if I was a fucked up kid. It's better than therapy. *Smiley face*) Thanks to those who have already purchased Before Leonora Wakes

The new novel (The Dampness of Mourning) is going great, although slowly because I've been writing some short fiction (We Run Races with Goblin Troopers) for an antho I was invited to. There are some of my favorite writers going to be in this and I can't wait until it's announced! I have so many things that make me want to dance.

Other things of note:

Shock Totem issue 3 is available now! Lots of great writers in this. I'll have a story (Beneath the Weeping Willow) in issue 4, coming in July this year. They're a great group of people and a classy mag. I'm proud to know 'em. Give 'em a read. :D

Tasmaniac has Brett McBean's Concrete Jungle up for preorder (also features bonus fiction by Nate Kenyon and Tim Kroenert. They're a great deal and Tasmaniac doesn't disappoint. Check it out
here.

Recent fun reads: Gary Braunbeck's To Each Their Darkness (Apex); Tim Lebbon's A Whisper of Southern Lights (Necessary Evil Press); Christopher Fulbright's The Bone Tree (Bad Moon); Mark Allan Gunnell's Asylum (Apex's Zombie Feed imprint).

Oh, almost forgot. I'm doing book reviews for The Bag and The Crow with some other talented people! (I'm probably forgetting lots of other stuff too. Damn it.) Anyway, check 'em out if you're curious! The Bag and The Crow is good beans. *Click me, fool*

Take care of yourselves. Work for what you love, defend it, fight for it.