The Twenty-First Delusion

New audiobook, Baby Fights book cover reveal, my 2023 event schedule, and A Bouquet of Viscera!

I have been ordering books for Scares that Care AuthorCon 2. I really don’t know how many to bring, but I have heard the sales numbers from several other authors from last year. I figure too many is better than not enough. I always bring too many books to an event, but this one seems more special than the other cons I attend each year. I already have people telling me they’re going to buy Broth House there. That’s . . . well, that’s pretty damn cool. There’s this anticipation for AuthorCon 2 that is palpable. I’m doing five events so far this year, and this one is the most important as far as I’m concerned. The event is March 31 - April 2 in Williamsburg, Virginia. If you’re in the area, drop on by! If you plan on attending, please stop by my booth and say hi.

Welcome to the twenty-first edition of Confusions, Delusions, and Formidable Impressions.

News

The Tweaker Creatures audiobook is out now! I’ve already gotten some feedback and people seem to like it. This story is drug-fueled, bonkers hardcore horror with some laughs thrown in, which is kind of unusual for my bleak inclinations. I really think this book has a bigger audience out there. I just wish they’d find it.

Broth House is out now! The response to this one has been pretty damn good. The reviews have been great. Reader feedback has been great. Interestingly, almost every review mentions trigger warnings. I have never considered putting a warning in my books, but I’m seeing more of this. Really, I just didn’t realize that I was writing stuff that required a warning to readers. My next book (cover reveal below) might be the first that I put a warning in.

I have opened up an online bookstore where you can buy signed copies of my books. All orders come with a sticker and bookmark. I also have a Robert Essig starter pack at a discounted price if you haven’t read any of my books yet. That starter pack is pictured above on the right.

Recent reads from Hell

I’m reading Plastic Monsters by Daniel Volpe. Great read so far. I’m reading it on my Kindle, which means I’m reading on my lunch breaks at work . . . when I’m not on social media on my lunch breaks at work. Also reading The Forgotten by Tamara Thorne. Great so far.

I recently finished…

A Bouquet of Viscera by Bridgett Nelson

What a fantastic debut collection! I have no idea how long Bridgett has been writing, but I am jealous of her skill. She writes fleshed out shorts that live and breathe with characters plucked directly from reality, throws them into some bizarre situations, and then twists the knife by way of visceral violence. It is no wonder this book is up for a Splatterpunk Award this year. Well deserved!

I strongly suggest buying a copy, and if you do, spring for a physical copy. The packaging is outstanding. The cover art, done by Lynne Hanson, is amazing, particularly when examined close-up. But add to that the interior . . . I’m not even going to tell you about the interior. Go buy a copy and see for yourself.

Baby Fights Book Cover Reveal

I will have a novella out sometime just before Scares That Care AuthorCon 2 called Baby Fights. I’d hoped to have the book available at the convention, but I just don’t see that happening. I’m not going to rush things and risk making vital errors in judgement. It is yet another Infected Voices title. I’d originally intended for this to be a teaser, but what the hell. Here’s the cover.

Art by Anton Rosovsky. Cover design by Chad Lutzke.

A world in which sick individuals pay to watch babies fight to the death. How do you get babies to fight to the death? I guess you’ll have to read the book to find out. I don’t have a tentative release date, but probably sometime in March. If it isn’t out by the end of March, I will wait until May or June, because I have a novel with D&T Publishing coming out in April. More info on Baby Fights in the next newsletter.

Horror Bookworm Reviews Interview

I did a five-question interview with Horror Bookworm Reviews. Check it out HERE.

In Closing

I’d intended on posting my 2023 event schedule today, but this newsletter is already loaded to the gills. I will be at Scare That Care AuthorCon at the end of March, as I mentioned before, so if you’re going to be there, please stop by my table, say hi, chat, and buy a book or three if you feel so inclined. I’m looking forward to meeting readers and writers alike.

Next newsletter will have my full 2023 schedule.

Enjoy something truly horrific and then tell the world about it!

Until next time…