Showing posts with label Apex Publications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Apex Publications. Show all posts

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Throne of the Bastards by Brian Keene and Steven L. Shrewsbury

Apex Publications
Contact: Lesley Conner, Managing Editor
lesley@apexbookcompany.com

Throne of the Bastards by Brian Keene and Steven L. Shrewsbury

Apex Publications is proud to announce the release of Throne of the Bastards by Brian Keene and Steven L. Shrewsbury. Sword and sorcery collides with horror once again in this sequel to the award-winning King of the Bastards!

Synopsis:
Learning that his family is in danger, Rogan returns to his former kingdom, now under siege from foreign invaders and supernatural forces led by his bastard son. With time running out, the aging barbarian and his trusted companions, Javan and Akibeel, must forge an alliance of new friends and old foes, mustering an army to retake the kingdom. Surrounded by savages, soldiers, demons, and dark magic, it will take all of their cunning, skill, ruthlessness, and courage to survive the slaughter and determine once and for all who shall sit upon the Throne of the Bastards.

Available direct through Apex or through one of our many online retailers.

Title: Throne of the Bastards by Brian Keene and Steven L. Shrewsbury
Release date: August 22nd, 2017
Price: $14.95, print. $6.99, digital.
ISBN: 978-1-937009-60-1

STEVEN L. SHREWSBURY lives, works, and writes in rural Illinois. Over three hundred and sixty of his short stories have been published in print or electronically, along with over one hundred poems. His novels include Godforsaken, Overkill, Thrall, Bedlam Unleashed, Hawg, Tormentor, Stronger Than Death, Hell Billy, Bag Magick, and many more—all running the gamut from sword and sorcery to historical fantasy to horror. A husband and father, he loves books, British television programs, guns, movies, politics, sports, and hanging out with his family. He looks for brightness wherever it may hide.

BRIAN KEENE writes novels, comic books, short fiction, and occasional journalism for money. He is the author of over fifty books, mostly in the horror, crime, and dark fantasy genres. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is often credited with inspiring pop culture’s current interest in zombies. He has won numerous awards and honors, including the 2014 World Horror Grandmaster Award, 2001 Bram Stoker Award for Nonfiction, 2003 Bram Stoker Award for First Novel, 2004 Shocker Award for Book of the Year, and Honors from United States Army International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) 509th Logistics Fuels Flight. The father of two sons, Keene lives in rural Pennsylvania.

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

Apex Magazine’s New Reprints Editor

Apex Publications
Contact: Lesley Conner, Managing Editor
lesley@apex-magazine.com

Apex Publications is proud to announce that author/editor Maurice Broaddus has taken on the role of reprints editor for Apex Magazine. Apex Magazine publishes one reprint in each issue. Maurice will be responsible for finding those reprints beginning with issue 98, July 2017.

Maurice Broaddus and Apex Publications have a long history together going back 10 years. He has been published in several of our anthologies, including most recently in Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling edited by Monica Vallentinelli and Jaym Gates. He has also had several books published through Apex, including Orgy of Souls (co-written by Wrath James White), I Can Transform You, and the anthologies Dark Faith and Dark Faith: Invocations which he co-edited with Jerry Gordon. Most recently, Maurice Broaddus guest edited an issue of Apex Magazine—issue 95 (http://www.apex-magazine.com/issue-95-april-2017/), which included original fiction by Walter Mosley, Chesya Burke, Sheree Renee Thomas, and Kendra Fortmeyer, poetry by Linda D. Addison and LH Moore, and nonfiction by Tanya C. DePass.

We are extremely excited to see what reprints he will bring to the magazine each and every month, and to have Maurice be part of the Apex Magazine team.

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Friday, December 23, 2016

Give the gift of books this holiday season!

Books make the best gifts, and here are a few brand new ones you should consider giving as part of your holiday celebration!

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CHALICE MOON
By Pat Sawtelle

Better the Vampire You Know

A seemingly random attack exposes Kimie and her best friend to a part of the world the girls never knew existed. A world where vampires and shape shifters shifters not only exist, but are people they know. However, when another attack nearly kills Kimie, her friends must find out why some of the magical beings are after her.

Could this simple human girl be the legendary Chalice mentioned in that old tale they found? The story said the Chalice is bound to the delicate balance between the forces of good and evil. While the part of taking from evil and giving to good didn't sound too bad to Kimie, it never said so many people would want to see her dead.

Buy it here!

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MOONLIGHT SONATA
By Elizabeth McDonald

All that can kill you is what you carry with you.

Imagine a haunted church, where the ground has turned sour and something walks in the shadows at night to the mournful hymns.

A silent covered bridge that no one dare cross, and the couple lost on the other side.

Angry spirits crying out beneath the ground of a cemetery that will not lie still.

An ageless man bound in love to a mortal woman, forever moving, forever haunted.

A police officer chasing a suspect into the woods - and suspects they are no longer alone.

A woman preparing to leave her husband, with watchful eyes in the corner of the room.

A voice that can speak only through a radio, a voice from beyond death itself.

A man haunted by an ageless face that brings tragedy to his life whenever it appears.

A girl whose imagination carries her beyond the point of no return in a future where dreams become reality - and so do nightmares.

These are the dark, ethereal songs of Moonlight Sonata, stories bound to disturb your sleep and chill your heart. A new collection from the award-winning author of Setting Suns and Nocturne Infernum, Elizabeth Donald has been called “a storytelling ability to rival that of Stephen King.”

Buy it here!

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SNOW
by Bobby Nash

“Sometimes half an inch is all that stands between life and death.”

BEN Books is pleased to announce that it has acquired the rights to award-winning author Bobby Nash’s crime/adventure series, SNOW. SNOW follows the novella-length adventures of former government agent turned do-gooder, Abraham Snow. The first story, SNOW FALLS will be re-released January, 2017. New adventures begin in 2017 with the eagerly anticipated SNOW STORM in February, followed by even more adventures in ebook and print.

“I am extremely excited to re-launch the SNOW series in 2017,” says Nash of his creation. “This cast of characters in SNOW FALLS has become quite dear to me and readers since the original release. The question I get asked most often is, ‘when’s the next Snow coming out?’ Now, we finally have an answer.”

SNOW FALLS was originally released in March 2014 by Jeffrey Weber’s The Stark Raving Group and featured a beautiful cover is illustrated by Dennis Calero with the title and author treatment handled by Bob Wynne, and edits by Gary Phillips. “I am extremely grateful to Jeff and the crew at Stark Raving for launching Abraham Snow’s adventures and introducing audiences to Snow Falls,” says Nash of the series’ origin. “Snow was created for that market originally. Without them, we might not be making this announcement today. Thank you for getting this Snow Ball rolling.”

Artist Dennis Calero’s cover art for Snow Falls will continue to grace the covers to the series.

Buy it here!


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WINGS OF THE GOLDEN DRAGON
by Barbara Doran

Airship 27 Productions is thrilled to present a brand new fantasy adventure novel that is actually the prequel to Ms Doran’s first book, “Claws of the Golden Dragon.”

“We met Barbara Doran at Pulp Fest a few years ago,” recounts Airship 27 Productions Managing Editor, Ron Fortier.  “She was interested in writing New Pulp and we passed along our Submission Guidelines to her.  A few months later we received the manuscript to ‘Claws of the Golden Dragon,’ a terrific book we were only too happy to publish.”

After the success of that initial book, Doran opted to try something different for her second novel.  “Most of the first book takes place in a fictional city on the West Coast,” Fortier continues. “And is populated by some truly wonderful characters, both real and magical. This time Barbara thought it might be fun to go back in time and explore some of their origins.  Thus the inspiration for her new prequel book.”

1930s Shanghai was a place of excitement and intrigue... and magic. It is an international hotspot where foreign agents from around the world ply their trade. Brought to Shanghai to investigate a powerful new aircraft engine, young Conall McLeod becomes embroiled in a high-stakes game between gangs, spies and immortal beings. Together with his beloved Mudan Chang and hot-shot Chinese pilot, Feng Zhanchi, Conall must navigate the dangerous waters of the city's criminal undercurrents and help free a lost immortal from the clutches of evil.

Writer Barbara Doran spins a fantastic tale of action and mystery filled with some of the most memorable characters ever conceived.  Artist Gary Kato returns to offer up nine interior illustrations and Art Director Rob Davis provides the cover to this fast paced fantasy thriller. Whether deep within the cities maze of dark alleys or high atop an ancient castle of evil, no one will be able to escape from The Wings of the Golden Dragon!

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

Buy it here!

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UPSIDE DOWN: INVERTED TROPES IN STORYTELLING
By Various Authors

Apex Publications is happy to announce the release of Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling edited by Jaym Gates and Monica Valentinelli. Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling is an anthology of short stories, poems, and essays that highlights the long-standing tradition of writers who identify tropes in science fiction, fantasy, and horror and twist them into something new and interesting. The anthology was successfully funded through Kickstarter earlier this year.
"Speculative fiction fans tired of clichés will want to grab this expectation-subverting anthology."
--Publishers Weekly, starred review

Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling is an anthology of short stories, poetry, and essays edited by Monica Valentinelli and Jaym Gates. Over two dozen authors, ranging from NYT-bestsellers and award winners to debut writers, chose a tired trope or cliche to challenge and surprise readers through their work.

Read stories inspired by tropes such as the Chainmaille Bikini, Love at First Sight, Damsels in Distress, Yellow Peril, The Black Man Dies First, The Villain Had a Crappy Childhood, The Singularity Will Cause the Apocalypse, and many more ... then discover what these tropes mean to each author to find out what inspired them.

Join Maurice Broaddus, Adam Troy-Castro, Delilah S. Dawson, Shanna Germain, Sara M. Harvey, John Hornor Jacobs, Rahul Kanakia, Alethea Kontis, Valya Dudycz Lupescu, Haralambi Markov, Kat Richardson, Nisi Shawl, Ferrett Steinmetz, Anton Strout, Michael Underwood, Alyssa Wong and many other authors as they take well-worn tropes and clichés and flip them upside down.
ISBN: 978-1-937009-44-1
Release date: December 13th, 2016
Cost: $18.95 (trade paperback)
365 pages

Upside Down is editor Jaym Gates’s (War Stories) second anthology with Apex Book Company, and it is the first for editor Monica Valentinelli. The two have put together an anthology with a strong mix of fiction and essays that is sure to both entertain and educate readers on tropes and how they are used by writers.

Buy it here!

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THE STONE COLLECTOR
By M. R. Williamson

War and Horror and Home tangle into a chilling tale from Pro Se Productions in THE STONE COLLECTOR by M. R. Williamson, the author of THE ANGEL OF HOLLOWAY, the first volume in this loosely connected digest novel series.

Billy Joe Willis had spent most of his young life trying to find the normality others seemed to enjoy. Being a Native American raised in a Catholic orphanage did little to help the young Shoshone in that direction. Upon his eighteenth birthday, however, he found a place to fit in- The United States Army. And then came Vietnam.

But this young man never knew ‘normality’ could have so many faces. After a serious wound left him dependent on a painkiller, he turned to Lin Son, the girl he fell in love with at Camp Holloway. With the Son family’s help, the addiction was overcome. But the Viet Kong were a more deadly threat. The raids on Lin’s little fishing village claimed her, her grandfather, and several of the other villagers.

BJ’s wound earned him an honorable discharge enabling him to return to Tipton County, Tennessee and purchase an old country home. Working feverishly, he was finally able to send for Lin’s parents. With them, however, came another--one that could not be seen, An Son.

Being a Shaman, An Son had the power to move between the world of the dead and the one BJ lived in. Saving and helping lost souls to move on was the grandfather’s business now, but he needed help, one who was living. Little did BJ know that he was about to fight again. But this time, the enemy was much more powerful than the Communists.

Featuring a haunting cover and logo design by Percival Constantine and cover design and print formatting by Marzia Marina, THE STONE COLLECTOR is available now at Amazon at and Pro Se’s own store for 10.00.

Buy it here!

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PROJECT ALPHA-PROVING GROUND
By Lee Houston, Jr.

Lee Houston, Jr. showed that sometimes being a super hero isn’t a choice and is most definitely not easy in his first superhero novel PROJECT ALPHA.  Now that hero returns to show that he has what it takes to fight the good fight, even when that means protecting people who don’t trust him.  Lee Houston, Jr.’s PROJECT ALPHA-PROVING GROUND is now available in print and digital formats from Pro Se Productions.

Adrift in space, Alpha eventually awakens to the memory of his emotionally devastating defeat at the hands of Conalaric and the destruction of the planet Shambala. With his genetically enhanced capabilities, the fledgling guardian sworn to protect all who are peaceful and vulnerable in the universe flies off to find himself a new proving ground.

A hospitable planet teeming with life is dominated by a race of humanoids less technologically developed than his adopted home world was, but Alpha decides here he can be of great assistance.

However not all the people of Earth feel the same way about him.

To some Alpha is an angel of hope in a world full of danger and discord. To others he is a potential weapon of mass destruction sent by some unknown entity, and must be stopped at all cost.

Unfortunately his unusual abilities attract the attention of both governmental agencies that seek to capture and control him, and a terrorist group willing to do whatever it takes to advance their own ideals. Can Alpha find some way to fit into this very polarized world, or will he always be an outcast even amongst those he wishes to serve for the better of all? Lee Houston Junior’s PROJECT ALPHA-PROVING GROUND. From Pro Se Productions.

With a fantastic cover by Michael Hegedus and print formatting by Antonino Lo Iacono, PROJECT ALPHA-PROVING GROUND is available now at Amazon and Pro Se’s own store.

Buy it here!

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ORIGINS & ENDINGS VOLUME ONE
By Various Authors

A cutting edge Publisher of Genre Fiction and New Pulp, Pro Se Productions is known for publishing works that take a particular concept and push it to its limits. The latest release from Pro Se is no different, focusing on two of the most popular stories in any character’s canon-the first and the last. ORIGINS AND ENDINGS VOLUME ONE is now available in print and digital formats.

“Everybody loves a good origin story,” says Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions. “Probably equally, we all like a well done finale too, an appropriate ending to a character’s history, even if it’s the first time we see said character. ORIGINS & ENDINGS is an anthology that is a mixed bag of both. We get the birth of several stories and we get the curtain falling on others. The collection itself illustrates an interesting dynamic, showing of course the differences, but also amazingly the similarities in both types of tales. Origins and endings share a lot of thematic ties and the authors in this two volume collection show that extremely well.”

Every Story Has A Start and Finish. And, for every story, those are two different tales. One of Origin, of birth and promise. Of beginning something and the beauty of the path it will follow. And One of Ending, of finality and completion. Of laying to rest all that had been before one last time.

ORIGINS & ENDINGS VOLUME ONE set of such stories as written by some of today’s best Genre Fiction authors, including Joe Hilliard, Raymond F. Masters, James Weakley, Rob Rogers, and John Meszaros. Some tales are the opening of a great salvo, of action and adventure yet to come and others are the last note, the ringing knell of legends and secrets passing away.

Watch heroes and villains discover themselves while adventurers and explorers give their all to be who they are. ORIGINS & ENDINGS VOLUME ONE. From Pro Se Productions.

With an excellent cover by Larry Nadolsky and logo design and print formatting by Antonino Lo Iacono and Marzia Marina, ORIGINS & ENDINGS VOLUME ONE is available now at Amazon and Pro Se’s own store for 10.00.

Buy it here!

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LABOURS OF HERCULES
By I.A. Watson

Greek myth's greatest hero faces his greatest tragedy.

Blessed and cursed by the gods, Hercules faces twelve impossible tasks that will take him past the ends of the world, pit him against monsters from beyond imagination, and force him to defy even the deities of Olympus to save those who loved.

Classical legend meets modern adventure from I.A. WATSON, the author of WOMEN OF MYTH and ST GEORGE AND THE DRAGON Books One and Two.

Award-winning writer I.A. WATSON has delved back into the original classical sources to weave this tale of legend's greatest hero. Hercules, the archetypal monster-fighting warrior, great is passion and in wrath, is portrayed in all his flawed glory in a world where legend is giving way to history and the gods are slowly giving way to the rise of humanity.

Publication Date: Dec 16 2016
ISBN/EAN13: 1518884695 / 9781518884696
Page Count: 220
Language: English
Color: Black and White
Related Categories: Fiction / Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

Other publications from I.A. Watson are listed at I.A. Watson's Author Page: http://www.chillwater.org.uk/writing/iawatsonhome.htm

Buy it here!

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FLARE-THE ANTHOLOGY
By Various Authors

Pro Se Productions, through arrangement with Heroic Publishing, brings one of independent comics’ brightest stars to life in prose.  FLARE-THE ANTHOLOGY is now available in print and digital formats.

“Flare is here,” says Tommy Hancock, Editor in Chief of Pro Se Productions, “and Pro Se is definitely pleased to have her.  Not only is this anthology due to the work of author Barry Reese bringing Heroic and Pro Se together and his stellar LIBERTY GIRL novel, but it is also the second book in the Heroic/Pro Se imprint, but in no way the last. FLARE is one of our last books of 2016, but heralds 2017 in as the year where multiple Heroic properties will find new life in prose, and who better to lead the way than three fantastic authors writing about The Shining Goddess of Light!””

From the four color pages of Heroic Publishing, The Shining Goddess of Light flies into all new Pulp Adventures! FLARE features three stories starring the most dazzling and powerful two fisted beauty ever to grace a comic book page. Born as a result of an evil experiment, the electrifying Terri Feran takes to street and sky and beyond as Flare, protecting justice and carrying on a legacy of heroism dating back to World War II. Authors Lou Mougin, Brendan Jones, and M. Hadley take Flare from the comic page and thrust her into New Pulp! Enemies that threaten the entire universe! Secrets and ghosts from her past threatening the future of all! Darkness gathering to quench the light! And only FLARE stands in the way! FLARE, an anthology from Pro Se Productions in conjunction with Heroic Publishing.

Featuring a dazzling cover and  design by Jeffrey Hayes and print formatting by Antonino Lo Iacono and Marzia Marina, FLARE is available now at Amazon and Pro Se’s own store.

Buy it here!

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QUATERMAIN – THE NEW ADVENTURES Vol. 2
Various Authors

Airship 27 Productions announces the release of their latest title featuring a beloved action adventure protagonist. H. Rider Haggard’s classic hero, Alan Quatermain, returns in three brand new adventures all set on the Dark Continent.  Thomas Kent Miller’s novella has the big-game hunter traveling to Ethiopia to search for the fabled Library of Alexandria.  Erik Franlin pits him against an ancient cult of assassins while Alan J. Porter has the skilled tracker stuck in the middle of the Boer War trying to find the source of a diamond smuggling operation.

“This is a fun series for us,” declares Airship 27 Productions’ Managing Editor, Ron Fortier. “The response to volume one was so overwhelmingly positive. It has already been done as an audio book from Radio Archives and demand for more stories hasn’t stopped since we released that first book.”

Artist Graham Hill provides the cover to this second anthology while Clayton Hinkle, who provided interior illustrations for Vol 1 returns to add another dozen great pieces.  All under the supervision of Art Director Rob Davis.  Fortier adds, “We trusts our readers will welcome this new collection. In regards to this series, believe me, we’re just getting warmed up.”

Now it is time to enjoy three fast paced, original tales that capture the mystery and adventure of a wild, untamed land and the man who loved it above all else.  Journey with him and embrace the magic that was and remains Africa.

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTIONS – PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

Buy it here!

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Apex Publication announces Kentucky Kaiju!

Apex Publications has joined forces with Justin Stewart, Tressina Bowling, and Shawn Pryor to bring you a book unlike anything we have done before.

Coming this October, Kentucky Kaiju!

Kentucky Kaiju is part art book, part monster manual; combining the two to create the ultimate field guide to the kaiju of the bluegrass state. From 29 foot beavers roaming the forests of Black Gold, KY, to thunderous trees walking Thousandsticks, to a gigantic robot that fell from another galaxy to Future City, KY, this book has it all. Though photographic evidence of kaiju is rare, each one presented in this guide has been artistically rendered by Justin Stewart and Tressina Bowling, with descriptions of their creation, location, and proclivity to violence penned by Shawn Pryor.

Kentucky Kaiju lets you travel deep into the hills of Kentucky and uncover all of its monsters without ever leaving the safety of your home.

Whether you’re a diehard Apex fan, love monster manuals that fill your imagination with new kaiju, or enjoy stellar artwork, this is a book you will want on your bookshelf. Lucky for you, you can preorder your copy now (http://www.apexbookcompany.com/collections/all-books/products/kentucky-kaiju) and get in on an amazing deal!

Retail price: $14.95 (paperback)
Preorder price: $11.95
ISBN: 978-1-937009-45-8
104 pages

In addition to saving $3 off the MSRP, all preorders are eligible for free domestic shipping and will include a limited edition postcard featuring a kaiju by Chloe Teets that is not available in the book.

You can preorder your copy of Kentucky Kaiju at
http://www.apexbookcompany.com/collections/all-books/products/kentucky-kaij

"Kentucky Kaiju will make you want to leap right inside your favorite armored robot exoskeleton and go on a moster-jammed southern gothic safari."
—Matt Wallace, ENVY OF ANGELS, RENCOR: LIFE IN GRUDGE CITY

"Kentucky Kaiju is what happens when imagination is allowed to run totally amok! You'll love every minute spent poring over the glorious artwork and meeting monsters with insanely clever names like Komodo Supremis! A new favorite on every page!"
—Brandon Thomas, HORIZON, THE MANY ADVENTURES OF MIRANDA MERCURY

"Kentucky Kaiju is an awesome cross between The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, 'Godzilla' flicks and Shadow of the Colossus! It's a must have for prospective monster hunters, crypto-zoologists and Dungeon Masters everywhere!"
—Ted Lange, WARP ZONE

"Beautifully illustrated and hilariously inventive, Kentucky Kaiju takes you back to a childhood spent wandering around in the woods looking for monsters. Just be glad you found them in this book and not out there."
—Kenny Keil, MAD MAGAZINE, STAY AT HOME SCARFACE

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Apex Publications
Contact: Lesley Conner, Managing Editor
lesley@apexbookcompany.com

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Apex Publications announces first communions

Apex Publications
Contact: Lesley Conner, Managing Editor
lesley@apexbookcompany.com

Apex Publications is proud to announce the release of first communions by Geoffrey Girard. Geoffrey Girard first appeared in Writers of the Future and has since written and sold more than sixty short stories of dark fantasy, science fiction, and horror. Collected here, for the first time, are sixteen of his best, and darkest, tales.

The man who collects chips of bone from his willing victims... A legendary evil is adopted by a small, and thankful, village... The doomed girl invited to take part in a deliberate tragedy... A horrific church choir assembled after the zombie apocalypse... The boy who harvests spiders for a shadowy woman of magic... A fearsome town where the children’s nightmares are all real... The pain, price and beauty of blood and first loves...

From the curse of ancient evils to futuristic retirement homes where the dead still rule, haunted graveyards, planets of torture where all are equal, hockey-playing demon hunters, dark sorcerers battling in Algeria, and even voodoo-cursed pirates. Explore the darkest, and most majestic, extremes of us all in sixteen unique tales that will entertain, horrify and keep you thinking long after the last page is turned.

Let the communion begin…

first communions is available direct from Apex (http://www.apexbookcompany.com/products/first-communions) or from one of our online retailers.

Release date: April 12th, 2016
$14.95 (print edition)
ISBN: 978-1-937009-41-0
268 pages
Cover art by Anjo Matko

GEOFFREY GIRARD writes thrillers, young adult novels, and short speculative fiction. First appearing in WRITERS OF THE FUTURE in 2003, Geoffrey has since sold more than sixty short stories, including the TALES OF… series, a collection of original tales based on U.S. history and folklore. His novels include Cain’s Blood, a techno thriller, and the Stoker-nominated Project Cain, a YA companion novel, both published by Simon & Schuster. Geoffrey graduated from Washington College with a literature degree and has an MA in creative writing from Miami University. He is the Department Chair of English at a private boys’ school in Cincinnati where he teaches literature, horror, and creative writing; and a frequent lecturer and workshop instructor at schools, universities and writers' conferences. For more information, visit www.GeoffreyGirard.com.

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Apex Publications
Contact: Lesley Conner, Managing Editor
lesley@apex-magazine.com


Apex Magazine Issue 83
Apex Publications is proud to announce the release of issue 83 of our science fiction, fantasy, and horror zine Apex Magazine. This month we have two pieces of original short fiction: “The Laura Ingalls Experience” by Andrew Gray and “The Teratologist’s Brother” by Brandon H. Bell. Our poetry selections are by John Yu Branscum, Michael VanCalbergh, Jeremy Paden, and Craig Finlay. Andrea Johnson interviewed Andrew Gray about writing “The Laura Ingalls Experience,” as well as its themes, and they also talked about his work as a program coordinator at a Canadian university. Russell Dickerson sits down with our cover artist Sarah Zar to discuss art and her beautiful piece “Hurricane Woman” which is the cover of this month’s issue. We bring you two reprints this month: Catherynne M. Valente’s “The Quidnunx” and “Collecting James” by Geoffrey Girard.

The entire issue will be released over the month on the Apex Magazine website (http://www.apex-magazine.com/issue-83-april-2016/) or the entire issue can be purchased for only $2.99 as a nicely formatted eBook. Subscriptions are also available direct from Apex, Weightless Books, and Amazon.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Editorial
Words from the Editor-in-Chief—Jason Sizemore

Fiction
The Laura Ingalls Experience — Andrew Neil Gray
The Teratologist's Brother — Brandon H. Bell
The Quidnunx — Catherynne M. Valente
Collecting James — Geoffrey Girard
Nonfiction
Interview with Author Andrew Neil Gray — Andrea Johnson
Interview with Sarah Zar, Cover Artist — Russell Dickerson

Poetry
Fertility — Craig Finlay
The Farmer's Milk — John Yu Branscum
Myth of the Mud God — Michael VanCalbergh
Song of the Encantado — Jeremy Paden

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Announcing Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling Kickstarter

Apex Publications
Lesley Conner, Managing Editor
lesley@apexbookcompany.com

Announcing Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling Kickstarter

Today, Hugo-nominated Apex Book Company is pleased to announce the launch of a Kickstarter Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling. The anthology’s concept highlights the long-standing tradition of writers who tackle tired tropes or clichés prevalent in popular media and twist them to tell fresh and interesting stories.

Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling is edited by Monica Valentinelli and Jaym Gates. Each author in this collection has examined a specific trope or cliché that includes: Chainmaille Bikini, The Black Man Dies First, Superhero Had a Crappy Childhood, Yellow Peril, and The Chosen One.

The anthology features cover art by award-winning artist Galen Dara, and includes speculative stories from Maurice Broaddus, Anton Strout, Shanna Germain, Sara Harvey, Delilah Dawson, John Hornor Jacobs, Rahul Kanakia, Alethea Kontis, Haralambi Markov, Sunil Patel, Kat Richardson, Nisi Shawl, Alyssa Wong, and many others.

In addition to fiction, planned stretch goals will further enhance the collection’s theme and presentation by adding essays about tropes and clichés. Backers may also add additional books and a subscription to Apex Magazine to further support Apex Book Company and ensure the success of this unique collection.

To find out more about Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling, be sure to watch for milestone-related updates from the editors on the Kickstarter at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/apexpublications/upside-down-inverted-tropes-in-storytelling-anthol or on the Apex Book Company website at www.apexbookcompany.com.

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Apex Publications Acquires Yours to Tell: Dialogues on the Art & Practice of Writing

Apex Publications is happy to announce the acquisition of Yours to Tell: Dialogues on the Art & Practice of Writing by Steve Rasnic Tem and Melanie Tem. Yours to Tell is a writers guide to fiction based on Steve and Melanie’s writing processes and experiences they’ve had teaching fiction, including two stints at the annual Odyssey Writing Workshop in New Hampshire.

About Yours to Tell, Steve says, “The book consists of a series of dialogues in which we discuss a number of topics on the writing of fiction, a method which we developed while teaching and continued to use for various articles and columns on both genre and non-genre writing. This is a unique approach for a writing guide, and has the advantage of presenting two different, but complimentary points of view for the basic issues of craft and encouragement which face all writers, whatever their level of skill and experience. We made this guidebook dense with practical information, empowering for new writers desiring a path for learning the craft, and inspiring even for those with more experience but wanting a fresh and encouraging view of the fiction writing process.”

Yours to Tell: Dialogues on the Art & Practice of Writing by Steve Rasnic Tem and Melanie Tem is slated to be released in early 2017 by Apex Book Company.

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Apex Publications
Lesley Conner, Managing Editor
Contact: lesley@apexbookcompany.com

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Newly Released: Apex Magazine #81

Apex Publications
Contact: Lesley Conner, Managing Editor
lesley@apex-magazine.com

Apex Magazine Issue 81

Apex Publications is happy to announce the release 81st issue of our science fiction, fantasy, and horror zine Apex Magazine. This month we have original fiction by Benjanun Sriduangkaew, Daniel Rosen, and Betsy Phillips. Our poetry is by Heather Morris, Mike Jewett, Crystal Lynn Hilbert, and Laurel Dixon.

Andrea Johnson interviewed Benjanun Sriduangkaew about her story and writing, and Russell Dickerson talked with our cover artist David Demaret about his work. Also in the issue is a reprint of Nick Mamatas's novelette "On the Occasion of My Retirement."

Over the course of the month we will release all of the content from Apex Magazine Issue 81 online where it can be read for free. Today we released the editorial by our editor-in-chief Jason Sizemore and Benjanun Sriduangkaew's story "The Beast at the End of Time."

To read the entire issue now, purchase a digital copy in PDF, ePub, or mobi formats direct from Apex or through one of our online retailers.

Subscriptions are also available. 12-month subscriptions are available through Apex and Weightless Books. Monthly subscriptions are available for your Kindle through Amazon.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Editorial
Words from the Editor-in-Chief—Jason Sizemore

Fiction
The Beast at the End of Time — Benjanun Sriduangkaew
The Four Gardens of Fate — Betsy Phillips
Anabaptist — Daniel Rosen
On the Occasion of My Retirement — Nick Mamatas
Glitch Rain (Novel Excerpt) — Alex Livingston

Nonfiction
Interview with Author Benjanun Sriduangkaew — Andrea Johnson
Interview with David Demaret, Cover Artist — Russell Dickerson

Poetry
Calabash — Mike Jewett
Arrhythmia — Heather Morris
Little and Red — Crystal Lynn Hilbert
Paper Unicorn — Laurel Dixon

APEX PUBLICATIONS is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Apex Publications Opens the Doors to Fiction Submissions!

Apex Publications is kicking off 2016 by reopening Apex Magazine to short fiction submissions. Poetry submissions will remained closed at this time. Our full submission guidelines and the link to our online submissions form, can be found at http://www.apex-magazine.com/submission-guidelines/.

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Apex’s Christmas Invasion

Apex Publications
Contact: Lesley Conner, Managing Editor
lesley@apex-magazine.com

Apex’s Christmas Invasion

It’s time for Apex Publications’ annual flash fiction contest. This year our theme is Apex’s Christmas Invasion.

That’s right. This year our flash fiction contest is all about Christmas invasions. Whether your invaders are robots, aliens, or sentient Christmas ornaments is completely up to you, but if you want to win, you must write us a story no longer than 250 words that deals with an invasion and Christmas.

If writing a short tale about a Christmas invasion isn't enough for you, then you are in luck! As an early Christmas gift from us at Apex to all of you, everyone who enters will receive a free issue of Apex Magazine. All you need to do is let us know which issue you would like to receive and we will send you a download link.

But what about winners? It is a contest, so there has to be a winner. From all of the submissions, we will select not one, but three winners. The winning stories will be featured in the December issue of Apex Magazine, and the authors will be paid 6 cents per word. In addition to being published in Apex Magazine, they will also win 3 Apex books of their choice. Check out our full catalog of titles here.

The nitty, gritty:

  • Submissions open on 12:01am EST, October 15th and close at 11:59pm EST, November 16th.
  • Stories must be 250 words or fewer. If a story is longer than that, it will be deleted unread.
  • You may submit up to 3 times, but please submit each entry in a separate email.
  • Submissions should include a brief cover letter, including which issue of Apex Magazine you’d like to receive, as well as the story.
  • Stories should be in the body of the email. Do NOT send attachments.
  • Send all submissions to apexwritingcontest@gmail.com.

If you have any questions or would like to query about the status of your submission, email our managing editor Lesley Conner at lesley@apex-magazine.com.

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

King of the Bastards Preorders Available Now!


Apex Publications
Contact: Lesley Conner, managing editor
lesley@apexbookcompany.com


King of the Bastards Preorders

Apex Publications is happy to announce that preorders for our next release, King of the Bastards by Brian Keene and Steven Shrewsbury, are now open. King of the Bastards is a sword and sorcery/horror novel that brings together characters and mythos from both Shrewsbury and Keene’s popular novels. All preorders receive an exclusive 40 percent off discount code for another Apex product, and free shipping on all domestic orders. The expected release date is July 21st.

King of the Bastards can be preordered on the Apex Publications website.

Synopsis:

Rogan has been many things in his life as an adventurer — a barbarian, a thief, a buccaneer, a rogue, a lover, a reaver, and most recently, a king. Now, this prehistoric bane of wizards and tyrants finds himself without a kingdom, lost in a terrifying new world, and fighting for his life against pirates, zombies, and the demonic entity known as Meeble. And even if he defeats his foes, Rogan must still find a way to return home, regain his throne, save his loved ones, and remind everyone why he's the King of the Bastards.

Title: King of the Bastards by Brian Keene and Steven Shrewsbury
Preorder dates: June 22, 2015 to July 20, 2015
Release date: July 21, 2015
Price: $15.95 (trade paperback)

BRIAN KEENE is the Bram Stoker and Grand Master award-winning, bestselling author of over forty books, including Darkness on the Edge of Town, Take the Long Way Home, Urban Gothic, Castaways, Kill Whitey, Dark Hollow, Dead Sea, and The Rising trilogy. He’s also written comic books such as The Last Zombie, Doom Patrol, and Dead of Night: Devil Slayer. His work has been translated into many foreign languages. Several of his novels and stories have been developed for film, including Ghoul and The Ties That Bind. In addition to writing, Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions via Thunderstorm Books. Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine. Keene lives in Pennsylvania. You can communicate with him online at www.briankeene.com or on Twitter at @BrianKeene.

STEVEN L. SHREWSBURY lives, works, and writes one day at a time. Over 365 of his short stories have been published in print or digital media since the late 80s along with over 100 of his poems. He writes in the realms of horror and sword & sorcery. His novels include Within, Philistine,Overkill, Hell Billy, Blood & Steel, Thrall, Stronger than Death, Hawg, Thoroughbred, Tormentor, Godforsaken, and the just released Born of Swords.

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Saturday, June 6, 2015

For Exposure: The Life and Times of a Small Press Publisher

Apex Publications
Contact: Lesley Conner, Managing Editor
lesley@apexbookcompany.com

For Exposure: The Life and Times of a Small Press Publisher

Apex Publications is happy to announce our next release, For Exposure: The Life and Times of a Small Press Publisher by Jason Sizemore. For Exposure will be released on June 20th at an event hosted by Apex Publications at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, KY (https://www.facebook.com/events/364986863693946/). The event will feature a panel with Apex editors and authors about small press publishing, a reading from For Exposure, and a group signing.

For Exposure is a creative nonfiction book in which Jason Sizemore chronicles his journey over the last ten years in the publishing industry and the events that set him on that path, along with rebuttal essays from key people who helped mold Apex into the publishing house it is today.

Synopsis: What does it take to become a Hugo and Stoker Award-nominated editor and publisher? Follow Jason Sizemore's unconventional professional path as it winds through a tiny, overheated Baptist church deep within the coal fields of Appalachia, Kentucky, past a busted printer and a self-serving boss that triggered an early mid-life crisis and the epiphany that he should open a magazine spreading the gospel of science fiction to the masses, all the way to WorldCon 2012 and his first Hugo Awards ceremony.

In this collection of semi-true and sometimes humorous essays, Jason exposes the parties, people, and triumphs that shaped him into the Apex Overlord. He also lays bare the hardships and failures that have threatened to take it all away. Meet Thong Girl, heed the warning about the ham, receive rest stop bathroom wisdom, and visit an emergency room straight out of a horror movie in this extraordinary account of life as a publisher and editor.

With rebuttal essays from Maurice Broaddus, Monica Valentinelli, Lesley Conner, and more, For Exposure tells Jason’s story with insight from key players along his road to success. It is a comprehensive and frank look at what Apex and the genre publishing business is about. Take a shot with the publisher, dance the night away, and become a legend. And do it all For Exposure.

Preorders for For Exposure are currently open (http://www.apexbookcompany.com/collections/preorders/products/for-exposure-the-life-and-times-of-a-small-press-publisher-preorder). Preordered trade paperback and hardcover editions will be signed by Jason Sizemore and several of the rebuttal contributors at the Apex Publications 10th Anniversary Celebration on June 20th. Full details of this preorder deal can be found here: http://www.apexbookcompany.com/blogs/frontpage/30515393-dont-miss-the-amazing-preorder-deal-for-for-exposure-by-jason-sizemore.

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Apex Announces Upside Down: Inverted Trops in Storytelling

Apex Publications
Contact: Lesley Conner, Editor
lesley@apexbookcompany.com

Announcing Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling
Anthology Slated for Fall/Winter 2015 Release


Apex Publications is pleased to announce the addition of a new anthology to its 2015 release schedule. Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling is an anthology of short stories and poems that will highlight the long-standing tradition of writers who identify tropes in science fiction, fantasy, and horror and twist them into something new and interesting.

Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling will include original contributions from Maurice Broaddus, Shanna Germain, Laura Anne Gilman, Sara Harvey, John Jacob Hornor, Rahul Kanakia, Haralambi Markov, Sunil Patel, Kat Richardson, Nisi Shawl, Lucien Soulban, Wrath James White, Alyssa Wong, and many others.

“I am excited to be working with two fantastic, smart, and gifted editors like Jaym Gates and Monica Valentinelli,” says Jason Sizemore, the publisher of Apex Book Company. “They should only enhance the Apex reputation as one of the genre's leading anthology publishers with the release of Upside Down.”

Edited by Jaym Gates (War Stories) and Monica Valentinelli (Haunted: 11 Tales of Ghostly Horrors), the anthology will debut in Fall/Winter 2015 in both digital and print. The anthology will be Gates’s second collection with Apex Book Company and Valentinelli’s first. A Kickstarter and open submissions period are also planned for this fall.

To find out more about Upside Down: Inverted Tropes in Storytelling, be sure to watch for milestone-related updates from the editors on the Apex Book Company website at www.apexbookcompany.com.

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Friday, February 6, 2015

Apex Publications Announces...


The Apex Book of World SF 4

Apex Publications is proud to announce the fourth volume in their popular and critically-acclaimed The Apex Book of World SF series. Taking over as editor from Lavie Tidhar will be Mahvesh Murad from Karachi, Pakistan. Murad, a long-time genre fan, hosted 89 Chapter, Pakistan’s only radio book show, for seven years, and currently hosts the podcast Midnight in Karachi for Tor.com. She is a prolific reviewer for online and print publications.

Lavie Tidhar, who edited the first three volumes, will remain as overall Series Editor. Tidhar said, “I’m delighted to hand over the reins to Mahvesh, who is able to bring a fresh perspective and incredible enthusiasm to the next volume. I can’t wait to see her selections!”

The anthology series started as an idea between editor Lavie Tidhar and Apex Publications owner Jason Sizemore, with the first volume published in 2009. Designed as a showcase of speculative fiction from around the world, the series has produced three previous volumes and the popular World SF Blog, a World Fantasy Award nominee and winner of both a BSFA Award and a Kitschies. The anthologies have since become required reading on several university courses, and the third volume appeared recently on NPR’s list of 100 Best Books of 2014.

A diverse range of talent has been featured in the anthologies, including: S.P. Somtow, Kaaron Warren, Aliette de Bodard, Zoran Živković, Lauren Beukes, Hannu Rajaniemi, Nnedi Okorafor, Andrzej Sapkowski, Karin Tidbeck, and more.

Publication Date: 4th Quarter, 2015
Trade paperback ($16.95) eBook ($4.99)

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

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Apex Publications announces King of the Bastards!

Previously only available in a limited edition hardcover through Thunderstorm Books, Apex Publications is thrilled to announce that they will be releasing King of the Bastards by Brian Keene and Steven Shrewsbury in both trade paperback and eBook editions in summer of 2015.

Synopsis:

Rogan has been many things in his life as an adventurer — a barbarian, a thief, a buccaneer, a rogue, a lover, a reaver, and most recently, a king. Now, this prehistoric bane of wizards and tyrants finds himself without a kingdom, lost in a terrifying new world, and fighting for his life against pirates, zombies, and the demonic entity known as Meeble. And even if he defeats his foes, Rogan must still find a way to return home, regain his throne, save his loved ones, and remind everyone why he's the KING OF THE BASTARDS.

About the Authors:

BRIAN KEENE writes novels, comic books, short fiction, and occasional journalism for money. He is the author of over forty books, mostly in the horror, crime, and dark fantasy genres. His 2003 novel, The Rising, is often credited (along with Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead comic and Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later film) with inspiring pop culture's current interest in zombies. In addition to his own original work, Keene has written for media properties such as Doctor Who, The X-Files, Hellboy, Masters of the Universe, and Superman.

Several of Keene's novels have been developed for film, including Ghoul, The Ties That Bind, and Fast Zombies Suck. Several more are in-development or under option. Keene also serves as Executive Producer for the independent film studio Drunken Tentacle Productions. Keene also oversees Maelstrom, his own small press publishing imprint specializing in collectible limited editions, via Thunderstorm Books.

Keene’s work has been praised in such diverse places as The New York Times, The History Channel, The Howard Stern Show, CNN.com, Publisher’s Weekly, Media Bistro, Fangoria Magazine, and Rue Morgue Magazine.

He has won numerous awards and honors, including the World Horror Grand Master award, two Bram Stoker awards, and a recognition from Whiteman A.F.B. (home of the B-2 Stealth Bomber) for his outreach to U.S. troops serving both overseas and abroad.

STEVEN SHREWSBURY is a fantasy and horror author who has well over 300 tales published online or in print.  He is the creator of  creator of Dack Shannon and the Majestic Universe, as well as the novels Tormentor (Lachesis Publishing), Hawg (Graveside Tales) and Stronger Than Death (Snuff Books).

He has appeared in many anthologies, most recently Harlan County Horrors from Apex Publications.  Other anthologies include Deathgrip: Legacy of Terror from Hellbound books; Blackest Death-Vol I from BDB; the high fantasy epic Grimoire De Solace from iUniverse, the hardback Cemetery Poets, Scary, Atrocitas Aqua from DDP.

For more information on Steven L. Shrewsbury, please visit his website at www.stevenshrewsbury.com.

APEX PUBLICATIONS (www.apexbookcompany.com) is a small press dedicated to publishing exemplary works of science fiction, fantasy, and horror. Owned and operated by Jason B. Sizemore, Apex publishes the thrice Hugo Award-nominated Apex Magazine. The Apex catalog contains books by genre luminaries such as Damien Angelica Walters, Catherynne M. Valente, and Brian Keene.

Apex Publications
Contact: Lesley Conner, Editor
lesley@apexbookcompany.com