My good friend Clint Krause is an excellent independent game publisher and owner of Red Moon Medicine Show. His next big RPG hit is Don't Walk in Winter Wood and I was asked to provide a story/fable to contribute to the material in the latest edition. I dug up an old tale from college that was inspired by Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown" (shortened to Clint's 1,000 word specifications of course). I had to rewrite it and give it a harsher ending....if I can dig up an e-copy from somewhere (original was actually written on a typewriter and much longer) I'll post it sometime soon as well. But for now, here's a nice little piece of short fiction to help you get ready for the coming Fall season!
Mr. Buglesude or The Devil of Winter Wood
Don’t go near the cursed place of Ol’ Grandfather Hughes!
It was one of those irredeemable autumn twilights when young Mr. Sydney Tedlock decided to take a privy stroll into Winter Wood. Ol’ Grandfather Hughes had warned him, bellowing through purple, toothless gums: “Don’ be lally-gag’n ‘round yonder wood back there now! Tis wild country ou’ there! Liable tu git yerself inna heap o’ trouble!” Young Sydney was lackadaisical, innocently oblivious to caution. Grabbing his favorite stick by the old shed, he took flight down the hill and into the wood.
Young Sydney swiped a path through the thick brush with his trustworthy oak rod, forging his own path through the suffocating growth of nature. The moon was rising slyly through spaces between the trees. He sang an old victory song, a battle-chant from many wars ago: “I pounce the stately wicked…to break the evil thicket…of conquering marauders…that spit on God the Father…I know I’ll be in heaven…when I kill seventy-seven…” He continued to roar his triumph until he was interrupted by a subtle sonance deep in the woods. He paused to inquire, the sound rose gradually in volume, like deep tubas wailing underwater. Soon, the entire area was filled with such hoarse baritones that Sydney felt goose bumps rise on his neck.
Then, it stopped. Before young Sydney had a chance to excuse the occurrence as his imagination gone awry, he heard his name called.
“Mr. Tedlock, what brings such a fine selection of gaiety to my neck of the woods?”
The man was barely over half of Sydney’s size. His resplendent grin was outlined by an intricately curled mustache and charcoal lips. His top hat and coat were made of maroon suede, with gold trim. Like a stately aristocrat, he was propped against a walking stick resembling a candy cane. Young Sydney licked his lips at the overwhelming scent of peppermint. He would have carried on the conversation had he not noticed small flashes of movement catching the corner of his eye. He whipped around to find only empty brush; it seemed as if there were unseen things scurrying all around him.
“I asked you a question, Mr. Tedlock,” the little man grew impatient by the boy’s inability to focus. “I do expect an answer! Am I being just, or just plain rude! I will give you my name…..Mr. Buglesuede, it is!”
“I’m sorry, sir,” young Sydney began. “I…I haven’t been out here before. I didn’t know anyone lived out here. I thought Grandfather Hughes owned all the land.”
“So one thinks,” Buglesuede threw his hands in the air. “Always forget I’m hiding in the weeds to spoil the crop, do they? But this is our business! There is a tax to pay, Mr. Tedlock, for crossing paths on my territory!”
“But…but I have no money to pay a tax, Mr. Buglesuede!”
“I am no dictator, for Saturn’s sake,” Mr. Buglesuede hissed. “I just want what’s mine, like anyone else! And you, boy, take note: Young Tedlock, age of 10 years, 10 months, 5 days, and a few hours, is cited for Involuntary Trespassing: tree bark fudge and pollen cakes!” He tapped his cane twice on a slab of rock. In a magically swift motion, followed by a trail of nauseous pollen, Mr. Buglesuede drew a roll of parchment from his maroon sleeve and unraveled it before the daunted young Sydney.
Young Sydney began to read it: “This covenant (i.e. –treaty, i.e.-transaction) is in the interests and associations of one young Mr. Sydney H. Tedlock, age 10 years, 10 months . . . under the allegations and accusations . . . Trespassing (tree bark fudge and pollen cakes) . . . by elongated ward and predecessor of Elysium Sniffleborks and Chopsticks, Mr. Buglesuede (meritorious and merited of the Ménage) . . . the defendant shall hereby acknowledge said accusations and carry out the given sentence . . . shall embark upon himself the privilege and rite of giving upon the Ménage one soul within the confines of one speculum jar . . .”
Young Sydney’s jaw dropped, “Wait . . . I’ve already signed this?”
“My, my,” Mr. Buglesuede peered curiously over young Syndey’s shoulder. “It appears you have! How eager of you!”
“Oh dear,” poor young Sydney wailed. “What am I to tell Grandfather? He’ll rightly be furious with me this time! I’m sure to be getting another beating . . . for giving up my soul of all things!”
With a snap of his fingers, the parchment rolled itself up and slid into Mr. Buglesuede’s coat sleeve. “Now, young Mr. Tedlock, the contract merely states a soul. Yours specifically does not need to adhere to the said regulations. You could . . . steal somebody else’s, if need be.”
Young Sydney speculated about the many ins and outs of such a conundrum: if Grandfather Hughes were to know that young Syndey had fallen into this quagmire, surely he would be beaten once again. If, however, he were to give up another soul in place of his, he could do as his Mum used to say before she died: plow two fields with one horse!
“You have until tomorrow evening, my young sprout,” Mr. Buglesuede bowed a deep and gentlemanly bow. He lifted his head, and with a wink vanished as soon as blink. Just like that, he was gone.
It was the next day when young Sydney Tedlock had come into the village to report the passing of Ol’ Grandfather Hughes to the proper authorities. The coroner had determined the cause of young Sydney Tedlock’s elder passing was (he coined nervously) “unnatural.” Young Sydney was too young to live alone on the farm and was sent away to a distant aunt. It is said he grew dismal and wretched in the coming years and eventually became retarded in his intelligence. “Possessed of devils,” the reverends say. To this day nobody dare goes to Ol’ Grandfather Hughes’ farm, which sits desolate and dilapidated. Its fields are depreciated, parched, and wrought with famine. It’s only neighbor . . . the dark and somber trees of Winter Wood.
RED MASS has an advertisement in the latest issue of Evolving Magazine, as the first attempt to officially market the book! Hopefully, this will generate a little more revenue and I can start focusing on bolstering my marketing campaign! A big THANK YOU to Connie "Crash" Humiston, Jill Dutton, and all the other folks at Evolving!
The ad can be found on page 12 of the Septmeber 2011 issue of Evolving, Volume III, Issue 7. You can see an online version of Evolving here: http://www.evolvingmagazine.
The ad can be found on page 12 of the Septmeber 2011 issue of Evolving, Volume III, Issue 7. You can see an online version of Evolving here: http://www.evolvingmagazine.
RED MASS just became available on Amazon.com:
If you have an account on Amazon, feel free to swing by and purchase the next addition to your personal library: http://www.amazon.com/RED-Mass-Agency-Novel/dp/0615512925/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313441499&sr=8-1
RED MASS is available for purchase on the CreateSpace eStore! Click on the link and add it to your cart!
https://www.createspace.com/3623977
https://www.createspace.com/3623977
I got my proof back from CreateSpace last week. I hated the way the cover looked when actually printed out (which is why the option of ordering a proof is top-notch). So, I realigned some things, used a new photo of the same design, changed the tint (CreateSpace tint comes out a little darker) and resubmitted. I just got back proof #2 today and I am gasping with joy! This ... is ... it! This is my book! Three years of blood, sweat, and tears!
Look very soon for the RED MASS release! As in, a day or two....
(Happy jumps!)
Just recently, I embarked upon my paqowachu, the vision quest to encapsulate my Pachakuti Mesa apprenticeship. I will not go into details about my vision, I am sure that will manifest in who I am and how I express myself over time. I will, however, post some photos of the areas and logistics.
I went to the Great Sand Dunes area in Southern Colorado, the Sangre de Cristo range. Below is a pick of the Dunes, looking to the North/Northwest. The Sangre de Cristo arch around from the North to the Eastern side fo the Dunes, forming a peninsula of fourteeners. The jagged peaks to the left are Crestone. It was Crestone Peak that originally called me to the area, though is not my primary apu (mountain lord).
This is Mount Herard. I had some questing there to do before I set off for Blanca, my primary apu. Herard called for my blood and sweat and toil. Go Herard...
Then I set off for Blanca Peak, in the Eastern peninsula, the Southern most section fo the Sangre de Cristo, and the Eastern Gate of the Dine (Navajo) Nation. Blanca is said to be fastened to the Earth by lightening.
Blanca is the left, though just looks smaller because the range to the right is closer. I have no idea what the peak on the right is called, so I just called her Mount Moraya, after my new medicine kitten at home.
I went far up the mountain. Here was my view when I settled. You can barely see Blanca on the left.
Better shot...this was my view of Moraya the whole time, facing East. Moraya was my beacon to Blanca, because Blanca is much too high and treacherous to get any closer to.
When I turned to the West, this was my view of San Luis Valley (though my direct view was a little more to the South, didn't get a great pic at the time....was busy questing).
There were many wonderful confirmations throughout the trip. Here was a random hovel in the rocks on the side of the road leaving San Luis Valley. Perfect resonance with my experience.
And Garden of the Gods on the way out through Colorado Springs. Ancestors are heavy there...a lot of good medicine when the tourists aren't around.
Overall, a perfect trip. Again, can't really go in to it, but maybe I'll do a painting soon that speaks more the essence of the journey. Llankay munay yuyay yachay hunuy...
I went to the Great Sand Dunes area in Southern Colorado, the Sangre de Cristo range. Below is a pick of the Dunes, looking to the North/Northwest. The Sangre de Cristo arch around from the North to the Eastern side fo the Dunes, forming a peninsula of fourteeners. The jagged peaks to the left are Crestone. It was Crestone Peak that originally called me to the area, though is not my primary apu (mountain lord).
This is Mount Herard. I had some questing there to do before I set off for Blanca, my primary apu. Herard called for my blood and sweat and toil. Go Herard...
Then I set off for Blanca Peak, in the Eastern peninsula, the Southern most section fo the Sangre de Cristo, and the Eastern Gate of the Dine (Navajo) Nation. Blanca is said to be fastened to the Earth by lightening.
Blanca is the left, though just looks smaller because the range to the right is closer. I have no idea what the peak on the right is called, so I just called her Mount Moraya, after my new medicine kitten at home.
I went far up the mountain. Here was my view when I settled. You can barely see Blanca on the left.
Better shot...this was my view of Moraya the whole time, facing East. Moraya was my beacon to Blanca, because Blanca is much too high and treacherous to get any closer to.
When I turned to the West, this was my view of San Luis Valley (though my direct view was a little more to the South, didn't get a great pic at the time....was busy questing).
There were many wonderful confirmations throughout the trip. Here was a random hovel in the rocks on the side of the road leaving San Luis Valley. Perfect resonance with my experience.
And Garden of the Gods on the way out through Colorado Springs. Ancestors are heavy there...a lot of good medicine when the tourists aren't around.
Overall, a perfect trip. Again, can't really go in to it, but maybe I'll do a painting soon that speaks more the essence of the journey. Llankay munay yuyay yachay hunuy...
My manuscript and cover submission to CreateSpace is complete and accepted! The great thing about CreateSpace is that you can do it all yourself (costs way less, practically for free). The hard thing about CreateSpace is that you can do it all yourself (formatting can be a bitch). I would like to thank especially Genevieve Margherio at Red Lemon Creative (www.redlemoncreative.com) for assisting me with the cover formatting! I could not have done it without your generous expertise, Genevieve!
All in all, so far in my self-publishing process I do recommend CreateSpace as they are very easy to use and provide a ton of options for all types of creative projects: books, comics, music, films, etc. There is alot of debate about it either way in the self-publishing community, but I gathered in my research that it is overall best to purchase your own ISBN. Mick Rooney, author of To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish? had this to say in an on-line forum on the subject of ISBNs:" The publisher of the book is the person/company whose name the ISBN's are registered in. So, you would need to buy and use your own ISBN's to properly self-publish - in effect, only an author can actually self-publish. Even creating your own internal and cover files and listing your own imprint on the title pages and back cover will still result in database and online stores listing the book as published by CreateSpace, once a CreateSpace ISBN is used." So, that's what I did. It's a bit extra money, but worth it.
The other benefits of using CreateSpace is the venues of distribution. My book will be on Amazon, the largest book distributor in the world. But, they also give you a free webpage to promote your book. I actually get more proceeds if people purchase the book through that web page, but that's fine. I can send people there first through my marketing material, but Amazon is fine too. Either way, whatever gets it out there. Here is a screen-shot of the webpage provided....authors can modify slughtly with their own banners and changing the text coloring, and background if needed:
I will send the link out once the book is completely ready. CreateSpace is printing the first copy now and sending it to me for proofing. I have a chance to look at it in its final form and make any last minute changes if necessary. Can't wait to see it! Over all, I'm enjoying the CreateSpace experience and would recommend it to anyone.
Stay tuned for the Red Mass release. There will be a book signing/release party at Aquarius Bookstore in Kansas City soon....will get that date out there as soon we get it pegged down! Cheers!
All in all, so far in my self-publishing process I do recommend CreateSpace as they are very easy to use and provide a ton of options for all types of creative projects: books, comics, music, films, etc. There is alot of debate about it either way in the self-publishing community, but I gathered in my research that it is overall best to purchase your own ISBN. Mick Rooney, author of To Self-Publish or Not to Self-Publish? had this to say in an on-line forum on the subject of ISBNs:" The publisher of the book is the person/company whose name the ISBN's are registered in. So, you would need to buy and use your own ISBN's to properly self-publish - in effect, only an author can actually self-publish. Even creating your own internal and cover files and listing your own imprint on the title pages and back cover will still result in database and online stores listing the book as published by CreateSpace, once a CreateSpace ISBN is used." So, that's what I did. It's a bit extra money, but worth it.
The other benefits of using CreateSpace is the venues of distribution. My book will be on Amazon, the largest book distributor in the world. But, they also give you a free webpage to promote your book. I actually get more proceeds if people purchase the book through that web page, but that's fine. I can send people there first through my marketing material, but Amazon is fine too. Either way, whatever gets it out there. Here is a screen-shot of the webpage provided....authors can modify slughtly with their own banners and changing the text coloring, and background if needed:
I will send the link out once the book is completely ready. CreateSpace is printing the first copy now and sending it to me for proofing. I have a chance to look at it in its final form and make any last minute changes if necessary. Can't wait to see it! Over all, I'm enjoying the CreateSpace experience and would recommend it to anyone.
Stay tuned for the Red Mass release. There will be a book signing/release party at Aquarius Bookstore in Kansas City soon....will get that date out there as soon we get it pegged down! Cheers!
Final book cover is about one day from being done! Working on a few more last-minute edits to the text. Have already started a series of marketing collateral. Here is a first version of a book mark for advertising.....may tweak the actual image, but I like the idea.
After a year of sending off queries to literary agents and big-time publishers, I figured out how many hoops I would have to jump through in order to get someone to even consider looking at my submission. I promised myself I would give it a year...not to get a "Hey, I'll publish you!" response, but to at least get a non-templated response with some actual feedback or criticism. I got none. Even talking to some agents (the Book Doctors from Pitchapalooza) they explained the game of agentry in which I would have to go out of my way, devoted full-time to kissing some stranger's ass to even get them to think about looking at my work. I work full-time. I'm a full-time parent. Plus, I have a life I'm not willing to give up to hit the "big time." So, I said forget it.
After much research I'm going to go with CreateSpace as a self-publisher. It is by the far the cheapest option (if you do the formatting and cover yourself, which I am) and you get automatic distribution on Amazon (the largest in the biz). Its only fallback seems to be Amazon's buy-over of recyclable ISBNs, which prevent one from moving to other distribution channels and can cause all sorts of headaches. So, I purchased my own ISBN (thank you Mom and Dad) and Red Mass is already registered as a book in the database.Of course, as with most self-publishing, I will be responsible for the marketing.
I've spent the past week formatting the text to CreateSpace's uploading specifications (a major bitch) and now working on the final formatting specs of the cover (even more of a bitch). But I think within a week or so the product will be fully loaded into CreateSpace. They will take a few weeks (or maybe months) to review and make sure it's not pronography or anything, then send me a draft copy for my own review. After that I send whatever changes I do or do not have and then.... TA DA!!! I'll have a book!
I'm in discussions to have another distribution channel through Shaman's Market (http://www.shamansmarket.com) which will be a perfect audience for Red Mass. Also, the owner of Aquarius Books (http://www.aquariusbooks.com) Barbara Criswell has talked with me about doing my first book-signing/release party. Much in the works.
Will keep updating when I can. In the meantime, here is a preview of the back cover. Cheers!
After much research I'm going to go with CreateSpace as a self-publisher. It is by the far the cheapest option (if you do the formatting and cover yourself, which I am) and you get automatic distribution on Amazon (the largest in the biz). Its only fallback seems to be Amazon's buy-over of recyclable ISBNs, which prevent one from moving to other distribution channels and can cause all sorts of headaches. So, I purchased my own ISBN (thank you Mom and Dad) and Red Mass is already registered as a book in the database.Of course, as with most self-publishing, I will be responsible for the marketing.
I've spent the past week formatting the text to CreateSpace's uploading specifications (a major bitch) and now working on the final formatting specs of the cover (even more of a bitch). But I think within a week or so the product will be fully loaded into CreateSpace. They will take a few weeks (or maybe months) to review and make sure it's not pronography or anything, then send me a draft copy for my own review. After that I send whatever changes I do or do not have and then.... TA DA!!! I'll have a book!
I'm in discussions to have another distribution channel through Shaman's Market (http://www.shamansmarket.com) which will be a perfect audience for Red Mass. Also, the owner of Aquarius Books (http://www.aquariusbooks.com) Barbara Criswell has talked with me about doing my first book-signing/release party. Much in the works.
Will keep updating when I can. In the meantime, here is a preview of the back cover. Cheers!
