Upcoming Release Highlight
Hell’s Belles (and other stories)
I feel like when it comes to October releases, I haven’t given Hell’s Belles nearly as much press as Abernathy. Which is a shame, because I really have enjoyed writing Hell’s Belles and I think that it is a lot of fun. I don’t think that, commercially, it stands the strongest on its own (because it truly is the most enjoyable when you have some context about Bee and the role he consistently plays), so I think that has really influenced its marketing campaign (which has been largely geared towards existing readers more so than new ones, whereas Abernathy has had a much larger pull with appealing to newer readers).
Anyway, look, I love it. And like I said, it’s a lot of fun. I think one of my favorite stories centers around Ozias (if you read House of Sinners, that name might ring familiar), who is Bee’s serial killer ex-boyfriend. Now, that being said, if you intend to read HB then you have an important job to do. I need you to tell me whether Ozias needs his own fully-formed book or if the short story is good enough. I’ve already got some unrelated serial killer novella plans for this year, but you know, I can never quite resist plotting out some more.
Hell’s Belles and Other Stories features 10 stories based around the Hell’s Belles casino run by the devil in the middle of nowhere, Texas. The casino’s more permanent residents are the souls that Bee has collected over time, and each of the major players has their own dedicated story.
WIP’s, Talks, and Updates
The Devil Owns Primetime (film)
I think I mentioned in the last newsletter, very briefly, that this is something I’m working on. So far, my goal is to have the camera and starter mics by Christmastime. I’m going back and forth on whether I want to buy the camera used (face it, I probably will, it’s a good ~$400 cheaper), but I’m a little scared about that because I don’t know enough about cameras to know whether I’m getting a bad deal on a used or refurbished one. So I’ve been doing a ton of research on filmmaker Reddit and we’re going to see how this goes. (I don’t want to use my phone, like I will if I have to, but I want like, footage that’s just one tiny step up from an iPhone. I promise it’s for actual reasons and I’m not being hard to get along with). The mics I want are wired for individuals and then a shotgun boom mic for the camera. I think with those materials I can really start pulling this together. And of course, finding people who are interested in playing the roles, which is going to be the hardest part.
Not only do I need people who can commit to the project, but I’m so bad at selling myself with confidence. Like, “hi, I’m working on a film, and no, we don’t have a budget at all. This may not go anywhere but I’m obsessed. Are you free every Saturday afternoon for a month straight?”
I’ll workshop it.
Outside of writing I’ve been doing a lot of work…writing.
After months of having no work, I finally landed a ghostwriting contract that I’ve been thrilled to work on. Having a project that brings in money that I can funnel back into the press does enormous things for my personal motivation. It makes it feel at least a tiny bit less harrowing as we weather through the spiral and crash of the current economy.
Events, Events, Events
There are at least 3 events in October. We’re doing Abernathy’s signing, and then there’s a market in Durham and a market in Carteret county. I’ll probably fling out a bonus newsletter update or send it from the LMH side of things when I refresh myself on those dates. The Durham market is pretty soon, like, October 4th I’m pretty sure. But DON’T QUOTE ME ON THAT, lol. These things get way lost in my emails until I add them to my planner (and guess whose planner loses itself more often than a fickle deck of Tarot cards).
BONUS CONTENT
Check out these illustrations for Abernathy!
I absolutely could not go this entire newsletter without showing off the illustrations for Abernathy. The illustrations are by Shrike / @shrikebait on Instagram. Who you need to go and follow like, yesterday.
You may recognize them as the visionary who illustrated A Great + Terrible Revival. And I have to say I’m super obsessed with their ink work in an enormous way. Crossing every finger and toe I have for future collaborations! Next year is a toss-up between Company Man and On Air with the Devil. I have to decide which one gets the illustrations and I am so bad at choosing.
EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW
Company Man: A Count of Monte Cristo Retelling
Please, please, please take a look at this amazing WIP sketch for the cover of Company Man! Which is gearing up to be another elite creation from Vic Nuckowska / @plastic.lamb (again, head over to Instagram and follow right this instant).
You may recognize Vic’s work from Blackjack + Moonshine, House of Sinners, and The Devil Owns Primetime. I really love their style and I think that it suits The Dread South so well.
I’m still waffling on Company Man’s release date (it depends on whether it gets awarded the grant I applied for, so cross all your fingers and toes).
Next newsletter: preview of the sketch for On Air with the Devil (and more news about that), plus an update and some pictures from Abernathy’s release party.
