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Current Mischief – Sept 11th, 2024

Survived the Lost Soul Ultra last weekend. And when I say survived, I mean I finished without having a heat stroke or being crippled or dying or some such adjacent horror.

It’s a tough race in the coulees along the Oldman River in Lethbridge, made especially brutal this year due to extreme heat. My poor feet were still suffering from previous races, but held up as well as they could. So that’s a bonus.

I went in with the goal of just finishing, honestly, so it was nice to snag a cool finishers rock.

Writing

Folks might not know, but I’m the VP of Alexandra Writers’ Centre Society (AWCS) and the society took over the When Words Collide (WWC) literary festival in Calgary, Alberta this year. I was the co-chair of the festival and we held our inaugural edition in mid August, to great acclaim. Such a fabulous time. In addition to helping out, I was on a few panels including one on Prairie Gothic, which was well attended.

Current projects:

  • Completed a draft of a co-written (with Sarah L. Pratt) Trace and Solomon novella titled “Charlemagne’s Ring” for inclusion in our forthcoming On the Road with Trace and Solomon book.
  • Completed a little flash bit called “To the Bone.”
  • Currently working on a story set in the Badlands of Drumheller.
  • MANY other projects. Too many…

Next publications:

  • My cosmic horror novel A Queen in Amber should be out late fall or winter, wee!
  • A short story titled ‘Eden’ coming out in the Spring of 2025 in the Prairie Devil anthology.

Running

Race season is over, so time for recovery and cross-training for a few months. Next race will be the Frozen Ass Fifty in February.

What I’m Watching – TV

Love Island USA (Season 6) – After Season 5 I’m still not sure why we continue to watch this. Oh, the humanity!

Futurama Season 10. Episodes thus far are a bit uneven, but even lesser Futurama is still great fun.

What I’m Watching – Movies

Deadpool and Wolverine – Not fine art, but bloody entertaining.

What I’m Reading

We Used to Live here by Marcus Kliewer. I liked this book, though it had a few issues that prevented me from loving it. I do need more stories about Old House.

The Worm in Every Heart by Gemma Files. Listening to the audio book, which is well done.

Skull Slime Tentacle Witch War by Rick Claypool – Not sure exactly what the hell this was… but it was bonkers.

What I’m Listening To

The Crafwork Podcast (Mike Thorn and Miriam Richer)

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Wild God

Jim Jackson – Alsetius Blues

The Handsome Family

Darkest of the Hillside Thickets

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Current Mischief – July 27th, 2024

Had the pleasure (and pain) to run the Devils Ladder Ultra two weeks ago. Beautiful fifty-two km course in the mountains west of Cumberland, British Columbia with, I’ll admit, the most technical trails I’ve run in some time. It was brutally hot and my poor achilles were destroyed, so definitely type-2 fun – but there was a fantastic beer garden to recover in.

After the race we slacked around in the Comox Valley for a few days, strolling beaches and investigating cool brew pubs and distilleries. I’d highly recommend Gladstone Brewing, Fern + Cedar, and Wayward Distillery.

Writing

My short story titled “The Loveseat” is officially out in the Necronomi-RomCom Dark anthology (and in the omnibus of the Light and Dark volumes). The books look fantastic and I’m happy to see my weird little tale included.

Current projects:

  • A new Trace and Solomon novella titled “Charlemagne’s Ring” for inclusion in our forthcoming On the Road with Trace and Solomon book.
  • A Ligotti’sh short story called “Obfuscation.”
  • A little flash bit called “To the Bone.”
  • Continuing to chip away at the sequel to A Queen in Amber titled A Priest in Rags.

Next publications:

  • A short story titled ‘Eden’ coming out in the Spring of 2025 in the Prairie Devil anthology.

Running

As described above, ran Devil’s Ladder Ultra in Cumberland, British Columbia in July. Next up, The Lost Soul Ultra in Lethbridge, Alberta in September. My feets are in poor shape though, so I may have to sit this one out and volunteer instead.

What I’m Watching – TV

Love Island USA (Season 5) – Not exactly sure why I’m watching this (I totally blame Sarah…) but now that we’re in, we’re committed… (or should be).

What I’m Watching – Movies

Something in the Dirt – Another entertaining Benson and Moorhead movie filmed during the Pandemic confined to a couple of locations. It’s about two neighbors, John and Levi who discover a piece of carved quartz that floats in Levi’s apartment and decide to make a documentary of the surrounding supernatural phenomenon. Two Thumbs up.

The First Omen – Wasn’t sure about this one to start, but it was well done and a good prelude to the Omen series. One Thumb up.

V/H/S Viral – Watched this specifically for the Bonestorm short by Benson and Moorhead. Every short was entertaining, its own way, and the connective tissue weirdly disturbing. I especially enjoyed Bonestorm and Parallel Monsters. Two Thumbs up.

What I’m Reading

An Unkindness of Shadows by John Linwood Grant. I absolutely adored this book wherein art collector and appraiser Justin Margrave traverses seventies England, encountering strange people and stranger situations. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Elric of Melnibone (The Elric Saga, Vol. 2) by Michael Moorcock. Listening to the audio book, which is well done.

Haunted Scotland by William Meikle – Just getting into it, but excellent thus far.

Skull Slime Tentacle Witch War by Rick Claypool – Just started.

What I’m Listening To

The Crafwork Podcast (Mike Thorn and Miriam Richer)

Petty Country – A Country Music Celebration Of Tom Petty

Nash the Slash – Reckless Use of Electricity

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Current Mischief – June 11th, 2024

View from the top of Cypress Hills during last weekend’s Hidden Oasis Ultra. Fun, smallish (by ultra standards) local race with around a hundred runners on all sorts of trails and paths through some beautiful scenery. The race was officially 53km, though it ended up being 55km for me since I managed to take a wrong turn somehow and ended up an additional mountain!

Writing

The final draft of my King in Yellow/cosmic pulp horror novel titled A Queen in Amber is complete. Letting it rest for now.

Started on the sequel titled A Priest in Rags as well as working on some new short stories.

Next publications:

  • A short story titled ‘The Loveseat’ coming out in the Summer in the Necronomi-RomCom Dark anthology.
  • A short story titled ‘Eden’ coming out in the Fall in the Prairie Devil anthology.

Running

As described above, ran the Hidden Oasis Ultra race in Cypress Hills on June 8th. Next up is Devil’s Ladder Ultra in Cumberland, British Columbia in July.

Life

New hardwood in the living room looks and feels amazing. Good to have all the brown shag out of here. Next up, painting! The garden is all in and growing like crazy. I’ll get some pictures for my next update.

Work is still over the top never ending busy…

What I’m Watching – TV

Star Trek Discovery (Season 5) – Just need to watch the final episode when I get the chance.

Letterkenny (Season 6 rewatch) – endlessly entertaining.

What I’m Watching – Movies

Synchronic – Not as solid as the other Benson and Moorhead movies I’ve watched and thoroughly enjoyed (Resolution, Spring, The Endless). Mostly decent, even with the gaping plot holes. I’d give it a one thumbs up.

Stop Motion – Okay, this was rather terrifying. A bit more body horror than I wanted and damn creepy. Honestly not sure what to think of it.

What I’m Reading

What Feasts at Night (Sworn Soldier, #2) by T. Kingfisher. Just started, but a nice continuation of the story and characters.

Elric of Melnibone (The Elric Saga, Vol. 1) by Michael Moorcock. Listening to the audio book, which is well done. Love any and all Elric!

The Atrocity Engine by Tim Waggoneer (finished) – A fun pulpy romp, I’ll definitely be reading the sequels.

John the Balladeer by Manly Wade Wellman (finished) – A classic!

What I’m Listening To

The Crafwork Podcast (Mike Thorn and Miriam Richer)

Jed Whedon and The Willing – History of Forgotten Things

Bauhaus – The Bela Session

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The Trees Melt Like Candles

By Peter Gutiérrez

How far would you go to eliminate evil if you discovered the metaphysical and physical aspects of evil could in fact be understood, mapped, and constrained? Would you dabble, brushing against the fringes as a scholar, or, as the narrator to this treatise, throw yourself wholly into the eternal struggle, certain that the ends justifies the means?

I believe it does, and we are carried along as the narrator plunges headfirst, sparing with the greatest of all adversaries – both within and without – in a fascinating journey that makes for a wild, slippery, and yes, totally weird ride.

Two Thumbs Up – Worth a Read

Peter Gutiérrez is a writer and poet who lives in New Jersey. His collection of macabre stories, From Bad to Worse, is available now from Anxiety Press.

Publisher: Translucent Eye Press

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Current Mischief – May 5th, 2024

Knock on wood, but it may possibly be Spring here in Okotoks. Birds are back in force, squirrels are squirrely, the grass is turning green, and I managed a run today in shorts and t-shirt. Which is definitely the kicker. Damn tired of tights and coats and all that.

Writing

Still finishing a hopefully, cross my fingers, final draft of my King in Yellow/Lovecraftian novel titled A Queen in Amber. It ended up needing ‘more’ stuff at all levels. It’s a lot better now at least – better, stronger, faster. Just doing a polishing pass to make sure the additional material is clean, but with luck it will be totally complete this week. Hallelujah.

Once that’s done I’ll get back to a couple of short stories I started a few months ago. Then do an outline for the sequel to Queen.

Running

Spent a week in Victoria (British Columbia) trailing running with my best bud Steve. Lots of mountains, lots of trails, lots of recovery cocktails. Of course, while out there I picked up a cold which sucked, so training sucked, but did get a serious vert/climbing run in last weekend.

The Hidden Oasis Ultra race in Cyprus Hills in June is only a month away!

Life

The new/old house now has new carpet, which really helps brighten it up. Next up, hardwood for the front entry area. By Wednesday all the hideous brown shag will be a thing so the past.

Work is still, frankly, insane. I’ll be hitting my 22nd anniversary at the company this week and I think it’s been insane the entire time. Or maybe it’s just me…

What I’m Watching – TV

From (Season 1) – bit slow in parts but so intriguing. Loving the endless mysteries. Jumping into season 2 shortly.

Star Trek Discovery (Season 5) – Bit of a different season, it being more of a treasure hunt/quest story arc, but I’m digging it so far after five episodes.

Letterkenny (rewatch) – lol

What I’m Watching – Movies

Late Night with the Devil – Loved the aesthetic and the characters (especially the magician/skeptic). Didn’t really stick the ending, but still enjoyable.

What I’m Reading

Lord Of The Feast by Tim Waggoner

Elric of Melnibone (The Elric Saga, Vol. 1) by Michael Moorcock

What I’m Listening To

Darkest of the Hillside Thickets – Cthulhu Strikes Back

The Best of New Order – New Order

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Current Mischief – April 3rd, 2024

I may be on a roll for once with this damn blog. Not that life is terribly interesting, with Fimbulwinter conditions here in Southern Alberta, but Spring is around the corner.

Writing

I can finally talk about the second story I’ve sold this year. It’s called ‘Eden’ and it’s a more literary kind of Prairie Gothic sort of story and will be appearing in Prairie Devil, edited by the dazzling Stacey Kondla and published by Gentleman Jim Jackson and Prairie Soul Press.

In yet another draft of my King in Yellow/Lovecraftian novel called A Queen in Amber after receiving some excellent feedback from my favourite, brutally honest, beta reader. The pain is real. But, whatever makes the story better. It’s getting there!

Not working on much else until that’s complete.

Running

Training, so much training. Slogged out a solid 40km training last week and still feeling it. Planning on some serious vert/climbing training starting next week.

This next race will be the Hidden Oasis Ultra in Cyprus Hills in June.

Life

Getting quotes for putting in hardwood and carpet in the new house to replace the absolutely nasty brown shag and tile. House will look completely different when that’s in.

Work is… work. So much work.

I’m still the VP on the board of Alexandra Writers’ Center Society (AWCS) and helping out there, especially with planning this summer’s When Word’s Collide (WWC).

What I’m Watching – TV

True Detective – Season 4 was fantastic

Letterkenny (rewatch) – so fun

What I’m Watching – Movies

Brightwood – “A couple’s marriage is troubled. So when they find themselves trapped in a time warp around their local pond, they’re forced to face the monsters both within and without.” – Not a perfect film (the acting was… hmm) but thought provoking.

Insumasu o ouu Kage (Japanese adaption of Lovecraft’s Shadow over Insmouth from 1992). Damn strange but I kinda loved it.

What I’m Reading

The Trees Melt like Candles by Peter Gutiérrez

The Black Maybe: Liminal Tales by Attila Veres

The Miskatonic University Spiritualism Club by Pete Rawlik

Of Saints and Sinners by Christopher Golden (Complete – enjoyable vampires and world building. I guess I’ll have to read the other… six books in this series now)

CVLT of CTHXS by Bam Barrows (Complete – see my review here)

Among the Living by Tim Lebbon (Complete – enjoyable and disturbing)

What I’m Listening To

Darkest of the Hillside Thickets – The Dukes of Alhazred

Bad Lip Reading

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CVLT of CTHXS

By Bam Barrow

Bam Barrow’s follow up to Arcanum Fabulas has two of my favourite elements – a series of interconnected stories and a tightly integrated cosmic horror mythos that’s both familiar yet horribly original. I loved how various characters and places reappear both in the past and future, intertwined in strange and wondrous ways. There is a nice variety of story structures, with always tantalizing chapter introductions, and prose that brings to mind Robert E. Howard and Lovecraft, with shades of Ligotti in some and Laird Barron in others.

Not every story hits it out of the park, but overall it’s a solid work with stories like A Calamity at Croxton, The Eldritch Six, Outbreak at the Outpost, Black Maggots of the Urchin Church and Lady Void standing out for me.

Two Thumbs Up – Worth a Read

Bam Barrow is an East Anglian based writer of occult fiction with an unquenchable thirst for the dark, mysterious and extremes of human behaviour. Co-editor for Black Shadow Lit, Bam is also known for his photography, filmmaking and as a musician. His band Raining Colour have released their first album Realms available to download from all major streaming outlets.

Publisher: Translucent Eye Press

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Current Mischief – March 3rd, 2024

Another day, another week, another year – and I’m still not doing a great job keeping my site up. Shrug.

But… 2024. Let’s talk about that!

Writing

Sold a couple of short stories. Can’t talk about one of them yet, but the next one out is going to be in NECRONOMI-ROMCOM (Romance. Laughter. Tentacles… Welcome to where Mythos Meets Cute). It’s a story called “The Loveseat” and I had a lot of fun writing it.

I’ve also completed (after many, many revisions) a King in Yellow/Lovecraftian novel called A Queen in Amber. Once I get some feedback on it I’ll figure out what the hell I can do with it.

Beyond that, I’m in the midst of more short stories and I’m going to jump back into my occult detective novel I’ve chipping away at for years.

Running

Lots of races planned for 2024.

Frozen Ass 50 – Did this one a few weeks past on a thankfully not freezing ass day.

Hidden Oasis Ultra – New’ish race in Cyprus Hills in June, should be fun.

Devil’s Ladder Ultra – Another new’ish race, this one on Vancouver Island in July.

Lost Soul 100 – Done this race half a dozen times now and it’s always (well, almost always) amazing. Last time I did it it poured rain and the race turned into a loop race of terrible mud and pavement, ugh. Looking forward to returning to the old stomping grounds in Lethbridge in September.

Life

Settled into the new house. It’s lovely place out in Okotoks right off the river. After the last few decades in Calgary, it’s nice and quiet and has tons of room for all my books.

What I’m Watching

True Detective – Season 4. Really enjoying it

What I’m Reading

Pre-Approved for Haunting by Patrick Barb

Blood From The Air by Gemma Files

Among the Living by Tim Lebbon

What I’m Listening To

Darkest of the Hillside Thickets

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Current Mischief – September 27th, 2023

September 27th, 2023

Well, that was a rather exciting and action packed summer. Loads of adventures including a road trip around Southern Alberta for story research, a trip to Victoria for cocktails and general and specific mayhem, and a scorching and challenging fifty kilometer trail ultramarathon in Kalamalka Lake Park (Vernon, B.C.).

On the publishing side, The Seventh Terrace published two novellas – Someone Else’s Story by Laird Ryan States and 30 to 50 Feral Hogs by Dayna Ingram. We’re also finishing up the next entry in our Purgatorio series, this one a flash holiday anthology titled Solstice in Purgatory. It’s looking fabulous and will be out in November.

On the writing side, I recently sold a short story called The Loveseat. More details on this once I can share! I’m also working on a pile of prairie gothic related stories including a novel. Pretty stoked about this project.

In more professional news, I’m now the VP of AWCS (Alexandra Writers’ Centre) for the next year. That should prove interesting.

And I’m co-hosting the October Connections Brewing (Calgary) event next Monday. Come on down!

Connections Brewing (Calgary)
Monday, October 2nd, 2023, 6pm – 9pm MST
Prairie Dog Brewing
105D 58th Ave SE, Calgary
Come ready to mingle and network with the Calgary literary community. Our October event will feature Monsters & Villains trivia.

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Current Mischief – February 13th, 2023

February 13th, 2023

Last week was rather fun, if I do say so myself. Had the pleasure of being interviewed by the amazing Steve Stred for his 3Q series. Check it out here!

And if that wasn’t enough, on February 9th, we celebrated the recent launching of the latest Seventh Terrace anthology, Penitent’s Gold. Great party, with fabulous readings and literary camaraderie.

What I watched: Skinamarink (not sure what the hell I watched there), Dave made a Maze (fun) and Head of the House (weird).

What I read: When the Sky Comes Looking for You: Short Trips Down the Thunder Road by Chadwick Ginther (some entertaining short stories – the raven’s need their own book).