tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-191998192024-03-23T13:48:36.066-04:00OOGIE BOOGIE CENTRAL - Featuring Steve's VentStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-91506555537090347682013-10-27T11:25:00.000-04:002013-10-27T11:25:47.885-04:00Simulacrum . . .A few days ago, while scrolling through Facebook, I happened across
one of those anonymous memes, cutesy script on a purple background,
extolling the virtues of what the unknown author -and by extension, the
poster- claimed were the province of a "real woman."
In
less words than are used to describe a pasta entree at the local
franchised Italian restaurant, the nameless meme-maven stated Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-5799664447954866752012-07-24T22:17:00.001-04:002012-07-24T22:17:45.129-04:006 Reasons You Should Read Legerdemain . . .
5) Regardless of your e-reader of choice, the price of Legerdemain is about the same as the price of a gallon of gas, and while Legerdemain won't get you from Point A to Point B, you'll enjoy the ride with Philip Ducalion a lot more.4) You've always wanted to read something of mine (that's right, I'm talking to you), but you have a hard time with the scary. Relax. Even though it features two Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-40872889338729897662012-06-05T17:53:00.000-04:002012-06-05T17:53:45.033-04:00Requiem . . .My brother Mikey's eulogy:
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mso-style-parent:""Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-21038356466624486112012-03-20T23:07:00.001-04:002012-03-20T23:07:49.124-04:00Two Seasons of SportsNight . . .. . . devoured in less than a seven-day span. I think we all know what that means.
Well, at least I know what it means, or-more specifically-what it means for Keith Pridemore.
Narrative thread? Yup, finally doing it right.
But Then Again, You'll Have This . . .Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-16313335260803540132011-12-24T23:04:00.000-05:002011-12-24T23:04:43.974-05:00If Santa Brings You a New Kindle or NOOK . . .And you need to start filling it, you might want to try either here for Amazon or here for Barnes & Noble.
If you already have one, then what the hell have you been waiting for?
And by the way, Merry Christmas to all (and if you know me at all, you know that this is the first time I've said this in three decades without a sneer, or a sudden need to hurl).
But Then Again, You'll Have This .Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-26311731890395274162011-09-11T15:02:00.000-04:002011-09-11T15:02:11.868-04:00Designius Abyssia . . .This short story hasn't seen the light of day since 2003's The Fear Within, but I always liked it. Short and Scary Stories is hosting it, and it's pulled in a few positive reviews already.
You should check it out here.
But Then Again, You'll Have This . . .Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-37995614053884989762011-08-11T19:16:00.000-04:002011-08-11T19:16:10.407-04:00What Exactly Is Oogie Boogie Central?
I probably should have thought about answering this question ten years ago.
The simple answer is this: Oogie Boogie Central is the title of my first novel, and the de facto title of the series of books that follows it. However, the problem with simple answers is that-usually-the simple answer is really no answer at all. So, let’s examine the complicated response.
I’ve always been fascinated Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-49376954581260308802011-07-26T20:33:00.000-04:002011-07-26T20:33:15.150-04:00Molly, Anansi & Me . . .
If it weren't for Molly (our 4 year-old Lab, St. Bernard, shelter-dog mix), I probably wouldn't spend any more time outside than it takes to get from the house to the car and back again.
Except for the occasional smoke.
During daytime hours, we hit the back porch together, and when Molly runs off into the yard to TCB, I usually light up and ruminate about life. Now, I'm a pacer from way back, Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-5727264006276491302011-04-08T14:56:00.001-04:002011-04-08T15:00:18.577-04:00The Magic Equation . . .I do not consider myself mechanically inclined, but I tinker. I'm not a handyman, but I can research and apply like nobody's business.
In short, I know just enough to get myself in trouble. I was blessed with a father who can do -and has done- nearly anything. I know every son says that about their father, but usually, such pronouncements stop about the time a child reaches legal drinking age.
I Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-86304441349707571232011-04-03T15:39:00.000-04:002011-04-03T15:39:03.064-04:00Because I forgot to Mention it Earlier . . .If you're craving Vents you haven't read, you can always head over to Horror World and click on the Column link. There's a new one from me: Eulogy in Absentia . . . .
Check out the Archives while you're at it. I think there's 3 years of Vents lurking in the cyber-stacks. You may get a laugh or two you weren't expecting, and that's always a good thing.
But Then Again, You'll Have This . . .Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-58974370338634148122011-03-28T21:30:00.002-04:002011-03-29T11:26:26.220-04:00The Near Return of the Prodigal . . .It's been a while, hasn't it?
There's so much to tell, but those tales will have to wait. So much to explain, but explanations aren't on the menu this evening. Endings and beginnings. Trials and tribulations. Tragedy and triumph . . . well, maybe not so much on the triumph front.
But maybe that's getting ready to change.
In the coming days, we'll talk about Kindles and Nooks. Borders and Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-90236536371367139672009-10-10T19:21:00.003-04:002011-03-12T12:29:02.955-05:00Final Chapter – Thrombosis Summer . . .Venter’s Note:
Do I really have to say it? If you’re reading Final Chapter without reading the preceding three parts, then you should scroll down. Or perhaps you’ve arrived here accidentally, after Googling “sound of neurons firing” or John Spencer.
Either way, enjoy.
Thrombosis Hostage Crisis, Day 3.
I haven’t mentioned my hospital roommate, a man about my age with severe abdominal discomfortStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-81335300463994988052009-09-01T23:40:00.003-04:002011-03-12T12:32:25.126-05:00Thrombosis Summer 3Venter’s Note:
If you haven’t read Thrombosis Summer Part One or Thrombosis Summer, Part Deux, I’d recommend scrolling down a bit or clicking here to get caught up.
My third visitor in the ER treatment room arrived pushing a sonogram machine, a piece of equipment I recognized from my wives’ pregnancies. At first, I was confused, but once the technician lathered enough KY on my affected leg to Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-72242593487261700032009-08-15T00:04:00.005-04:002011-03-12T12:42:48.099-05:00Thrombosis Summer, Part Deux . . .Venter’s Note: If you haven’t read Thrombosis Summer Part One, I’d recommend scrolling down a bit or clicking here to get caught up.
The night after my doctor’s appointment, I went to bed more relaxed than I had been in a while. There was something comforting about all my tests coming back positive. For the first time in years, I went to sleep without the niggling fear that I might Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-77380293076525757712009-08-02T15:14:00.003-04:002009-08-02T15:15:42.976-04:00It's August . . .So there's a new Vent at Horror World.So, get to clickin'.But Then Again, You'll Have This . . .Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-5505971132245746302009-07-29T14:59:00.000-04:002009-07-29T15:00:55.288-04:00Thrombosis Summer, Part One . . .It started with a cramp.No, no, no. That’s not true. It actually started much earlier.It started with a kidnapping.Every year, my parents avail themselves of the Multiphasic Blood Screening sponsored by the local Rotary Club. What this entails is twelve hours of Friday night fasting, followed by an early Saturday morning wake-up call. Then, a pilgrimage to the Methodist Church basement, whereStevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-29970839876607818742009-07-22T12:38:00.002-04:002009-07-22T12:40:37.441-04:00If you're still on the fence . . .About picking up Oogie Boogie Central and Oogie Boogie Bounce, then Delirium has a deal for you.Head to Horror Mall for a Buy One, Get One Free sale, and buy both!Well?Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-30320234347370924862009-04-01T15:43:00.001-04:002009-04-01T15:45:18.333-04:00It's April . . .. . . so there's a new Vent on Horror World.Go here for a peek.But Then Again, You'll Have This . . .Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-26878030519986630082009-02-14T23:55:00.002-05:002009-02-15T00:07:30.150-05:00For February 12th . . .I almost forgot.Of course, I never do. It’s not the kind of thing you ever forget. You put it away. You wall it off. You get on with the business of living, occasionally allowing yourself to wonder about the road not taken.Or, the road closed.Stephen King did it in Pet Semetary, and for me, it’s the most poignant section of prose I’ve ever encountered. Gage graduates high school. Gage wins Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-90285499868061069882009-01-29T17:57:00.019-05:002011-03-12T13:15:05.476-05:00The Heinlein Principle . . .Before we start, allow me a brief, Science Fiction fan digression.
Many authors create coherent universes in the course of their novels. Stephen King has tied nearly every piece of his fiction into the Dark Tower Mythos, even if it was done as an afterthought through some very creative, retroactive continuity tinkering. Brian Keene has done this as well; his Magnum Opus will be the Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-16417989558350805792008-08-01T14:13:00.002-04:002008-08-01T14:16:02.465-04:00Secrets & Lies . . .Where? Where are the Secrets & Lies?They're here, at Horror World, as is the the Vent from April.Finally, a professional venue for Venting.But Then Again, You'll Have This . . .Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-66035787451566187582008-02-03T17:36:00.000-05:002008-02-03T17:53:21.192-05:00Saturday Surprise. . .For absolutely no reason, yesterday I checked our in-store ordering system to see the Not-Yet-Available status on Central & Bounce. February 2 is a long way from Delirium's February 26th on-sale date for both books- but I figured "What the hell?"Boy, was I happy I did.The new edition of Oogie Boogie Central and the new Oogie Boogie Bounce are both live, which means they're available from Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-74707565241050799382008-01-23T12:07:00.001-05:002008-07-10T17:39:49.895-04:00Early Reviews. . .True to his word, Shane Staley of Delirium Books sent out a slew of Advance Readers Copies of both Oogie Boogie Central and Oogie Boogie Bounce, and two reviews have already been posted.First, Don D'Ammassa at Critical Mass weighed in. You can check it out here.Then, last night Google Alert pointed me to FearZone.com and Norman L. Rubenstein's review, available here.I know that good reviews Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-80771079245112586562007-10-31T00:12:00.000-04:002007-10-31T00:16:31.193-04:00Been a Long Time Coming . . .I am happy to report that after five years of waiting (I don’t know about anyone else, but I’ve been waiting for five years) OOGIE BOOGIE BOUNCE, the sequel to OOGIE BOOGIE CENTRAL, will be released at the end of February 2008 by Delirium Books.This $16.95 trade paperback features an phenomenal, original cover by Alan M. Clark:Pretty nifty, huh?But what if you haven’t read OOGIE BOOGIE CENTRAL? Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19199819.post-47693912373024602722007-09-23T00:43:00.000-04:002007-10-31T00:17:05.646-04:00Something Is Coming . . .Bouncing your way soon:An old favorite and a new installment. Details coming soon.But Then Again, You'll Have This . . .In February 2008.Stevehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13893269935961897831noreply@blogger.com0