Howard Hopkins
It is with sadness that I write about the unexpected death of my friend and fellow Maine writer, Howard Hopkins, gone too young at 50. He was a prolific author of more than 60 books, including horror, Westerns (under his own name and the pen-name Lance Howard), YA, and so much more. He was also a highly respected editor of a number of anthologies, a couple of which he kindly invited me to contribute to. I was excited to be able to reciprocate–his story in the forthcoming Beat to a Pulp: Round 2 will be a high-point of the book.
If you’re curious about Howard’s work–you can’t go wrong with any of his books–I recommend the upcoming The Lone Ranger: Vendetta. I was fortunate enough to read an early draft and it is one of the best-written, action-packed novels I’ve ever read. He was justifiably proud of it and excited about its upcoming release.
I only wish I was able to know Howard for years to come. He was a kind man, encouraging, humorous, and freely giving of his time. He will be missed–but thankfully his words will be around for a long time for us all to enjoy.
While we’re busy whipping up a batch of cocoa and cookies for Santa, and looking forward to a fine new year, I take a moment to thank readers and other friends for their support this year. It’s been a full one, and next year promises to be even busier.
And if anyone is still looking for a last-minute gift, why not consider an e-version of the nifty new Christmas Campfire Companion (available immediately for download….).
See you in 2012!
(Click on cover for larger image)
Christmas Campfire Companion! Yes, sireebob, this is the jolliest jingle-iest collection of Western-themed short stories to gallop down the trail since (well, since this summer’s blockbuster doorstop anthology from Western Fictioneers, The Traditional West, which, at the special Holiday blowout price of $3.99 for the ebook, is a-holymoly-mazing! Don’t wait!)….
Where was I? Ah yes, this collection, Christmas Campfire Companion, published by Port Yonder Press, is available in paperback, ebook, and hardcover formats. It’s a Christmas-themed anthology of 14 heartwarming stories by some of the biggest names in the Western fiction world, including L.J. Washburn, Troy D. Smith, Frank Roderus, Tim Champlin, Larry D. Sweazy, Robert Vaughan, Douglas Hirt, Dusty Richards, Kerry Newcomb, Robert Randisi, Rod Miller, James Reasoner, Terry Burns, and … me!
I’m honored to have my writing included in the book with so many fine writers whose work I’ve long admired. My story, featuring my old friend, the crusty-but-kindly mountain man, Maple Jack, unspools his first meeting in what becomes a longtime association with a young man he names “Roamer.” Roamer’s unique life story develops in its own direction. (He’s already starred in my 2008 novel, Wrong Town, soon to be rereleased in ebook and paperback formats, and will follow that up with the lead role in his own series. Stay tuned!). And if that weren’t enough, his mentor, Maple Jack, is the head honcho in his own series of stories, thus far in a variety of anthologies, but rumor has it that a Maple Jack collection is in the works. Boy howdy….
But back to Christmas Campfire Companion! Folks, this is good, honest, Christmastime heartwarming storytelling for the whole family. There’s not a selection here that wouldn’t be suitable for reading aloud to the family on a snowy Christmas eve. Ho ho ho!
in Newport, Vermont, at the fine bookstore, Twice Told Tales, in fact. So if you find yourself up north in the Green Mountain State, do stop in and support this fine independent bookstore (189 E. Main Street, Suite A, Newport, VT; 802-334-5506; twicetoldtales1@myfairpoint.net).
(Special thanks to Mom for the pic!)
Earlier in the year I had the good fortune to have a Jane Austen parody I’d written accepted for inclusion in the new anthology, Bad Austen: The Worst Stories Jane Never Wrote, by Adams Media. Well, it’s out now and my story, “The Horrors of Expectation,” is but one of many Bad Jane tales included.
Here’s what the publisher says of the book: “Imagine Mansfield Park set on the Jersey Shore. Or Mr. Darcy heading up the Starship Enterprise. Or Emma Woodhouse traveling through time to indulge her matchmaking. In the tradition of the Bad Hemingway and Bad Faulkner contests comes a new collection of hilarious efforts to write the worst excerpt from the novel Jane Austen never wrote.”
If you’re ready to unleash your inner Jane, click here to order your very own copy.
I was recently interviewed on behalf of the anthology, How the West Was Weird 2, by the groovy site Atomic Anxiety for its “Weird West Wednesday.” (I’m a few days late in posting this….).
The newest issue of Down East: The Magazine of Maine contains a review of Maine Icons, and we’re pleased to report they love it. Reviewer Julia Spencer-Fleming doles out ample words of praise, in part:
“Part travel guide, part food journal, part history: Like many Mainers, Maine Icons wears more than one hat. It’s the kind of book to keep in the summer camp for day-trip ideas, or to have on the lunch counter, where the old salts can argue whether Moody’s Diner really does have the best pies. It will be a welcome gift to the couple making their very first visit to the Pine Tree State, and, perhaps most importantly, the perfect bedside read for all those not lucky enough to live here year round.”
For the rest, click here. And the print version of the magazine offers a variety of color photos from the book. And while you’re at it, might as well buy the book, too!
The Traditional West:
A Western Fictioneers Anthology
From the dusty plains of Texas to the sweeping vistas of Montana and beyond, the classic American Western returns in this collection of 24 brand-new stories by members of Western Fictioneers, the only writers’ organization devoted solely to traditional Western fiction. Contributors to this, the biggest original Western anthology ever published, include some of the top Western writers in the world today: Robert J. Randisi, Dusty Richards, James Reasoner, Larry D. Sweazy, L.J. Washburn, Jackson Lowry, Larry Jay Martin, Kerry Newcomb, Matthew P. Mayo, and many other amazing storytellers.
Available now in Kindle and Nook formats, and soon as a paperback.
(Click on cover for larger image)
As part of our MAINE ICONS-apaloozablowouttourfest, we’ll be attending several upcoming events. Be sure to stop by, snap up a copy or six of MAINE ICONS, and we’ll be more than happy to sign them!
July 9:
Books in Boothbay: Maine’s Summer Book Fair
12:30 to 3:30
The old 1844 Boothbay Town Hall
The Boothbay Railway Village
586 Wiscasset Road/Route 27
Boothbay, Maine
Dozens of Maine authors will be there!
July 30:
Belfast Bound: Belfast’s Book Festival
July 29-31
We’ll be signing at Bella Books & Antiques on Saturday, July 30, from 2 to 4 p.m.
September 27:
Belfast Free Library
6:30 p.m.
We’ll talk about how we put the book together, and have a Q & A session, too.
