timwburke

Hello Burkers,

Smother anyone lately?

“Saints of Flesh” has launched, adding to the story of Olivia Cormier Spalding and to the shelves of readily available work by Yours Truly. “The Flesh Sutra” is available, giving you the origin story of Olivia and Alecsi. It also provided the title quote, from my co-worker at my day job. I’m surrounded by horror fans at my job; such a cheery place, who would have guessed?

Yesterday, I attended CapClave in Rockville, Maryland. Old friends attended, including Dr. Lawrence Schoen whose cancers are in remission. It was such a relief to see him better. This was my second convention attended while in “business mode”, and again I put out some postcards, and again I did not have a plan or goals. It’s best to have a plan (Meet so-and-so, ask editors if they have upcoming projects), but I’m being patient with myself as I learn. Only my second convention, after all.

Meanwhile, I look forward to World Fantasy Con in Kansas City at the end of October. My next book “Fazgood and the Obstreperous Moosecrab Caper” launches there, and I’ll have plenty of support from friends and publisher.

This fantasy book “Fazgood etc” is pretty zany compared to my other books. Keep in mind that my aesthetic sense is based on ’70s humor, including “Monty Python”. So mutations and silly walks have a similar basis for me.

Jordan Peele recently said that the difference between horror and humor is the soundtrack, and generally, yes, I agree. There are many examples where the statement is stretching past the breaking point, but hey, that’s Rhetoric.

Now. What am I working on? I’ve got a couple of short stories in front of beta readers. Just got a rejection from Pseudopod, but no biggee, that story is off to Bourbon Penn. I’m playing around with more Olivia, have a surrealist novel idea, and am just appreciating my life. I’m figuring out how to afford a new vehicle (Toyota RAV4?).

Recently went with my oldest friend to see The Psychedelic Furs and Squeeze at the Philadelphia Met. I know their hits, but had no idea Squeeze had four musicians on string and two percussionists. Both bands were great, but Squeeze made my jaw drop.