Summer will be over in a couple weeks, which means it's time to go back home because things will start happen again everywhere on the planet. It's called the back-to-school period because Summer vacation is over for kids, but it's back-to-whatever-you've-been-doing really, including writing books. There are dozens and dozens of great books slated for publication this fall and here are a couple of selections that got my attention while I was browsing the web.
Stealing Propeller Hats From The Dead, by David James Keaton, October 1st
A Perpetual Motion Machine Publishing release
David James Keaton is like that really smart felon whom everybody thought could've become president of a high profile company or a skilled politician of some sort, if he didn't choose a life of crime. Fortunately for us, Keaton's craft is writing and his choice is genre fiction. Now, I'm neither a short story enthusiast of a zombie story fan, but if anybody can pull it off, it's Keaton. He's one of the only authors I'd bother reading a short story collection by because he's insane. The good kind of literary insane.
Wonderland, by Jennifer Hillier, October 5th
A Simon & Schuster release
The queen of the serial killer novel is back with a new, exciting novel. Wonderland seems to be a departure from the domestic settings she got us used to in the past. It seems broader, more ambitious and it involves a freakin' theme park! What is creepier than a theme park when shit hits the fan? I do not know, but I'm really giddy to find out what Jennifer Hillier's take on humanity's collective nightmare might be. Only a couple weeks under we find out and pre-orders are $1,99 until then. So why not find out for yourselves?
Warpath, by Ryan Sayles, October 15
No Pre-Order Available Yet
A Down & Out Books release
The most exciting new PI in the 21st century is finally back for another round of brutality. If you don't know who Richard Dean Buckner, you still have time to make up for your sins by reading the terrific (and recently re-released) The Subtle Art of Brutality. By the time you're done, Ryan Sayles' writing will have spoken for itself and you WILL order Warpath because you'll be jonesing for some more RDB action. I have to admit, I was privileged to read a very early version of that novel and I can't wait to see what the final product's like.
Zero Saints, by Gabino Iglesias, October 31st
No Pre-Order Available Yet
A Broken River Books release
Author/critic Gabino Iglesias has published a couple novels already, but somehow this feels like his Big Leagues debut. Not all that much is known about his upcoming novel Zero Saints and I feel like it's just the way his publisher, the always interesting and dynamic Broken River Books, wants it. There is an aura of mystery about Zero Saints, but just the fact that a die hard, no bullshit press like Broken River Books decided to publish it, I'm sure it'll live up to that bizarre, underground hype it's been gathering for close to a year now.
Nevada Thunder, by Chris Leek, end of October
No Pre-Order Available Yet
A Double Life Press release
The world has been waiting for this one for so long, it was believe to be an urban legend at some point. Chris Leek is one of the best storytellers that hasn't gotten his breakthrough yet. His only feature release was a Western, which was tremendous, but appealed to such a niche audience, it didn't do justice to his immense talent. Nevada Thunder is going make some noise this fall. I'm expecting a young, up-and-coming press like Double Life to give Chris Leek the spotlight he deserves
Nine Toes in the Grave, by Eric Beetner, November 1st
No Pre-Order Available Yet
An All Due Respect Books release
All of you guys like to be ''in the know'' about cool underground authors. Eric Beetner might be the most underrated of them all. Fortunately for us, the guy has been firing on all cylinders lately and Nine Toes in the Grave will be his third publication in 2015. It's time for you to get on the Beetnerwagon already and get your dose of the twisted, violent and upbeat blend of hardboiled fiction Eric Beetner has to offer. Beetner is the real deal and it's a good thing for hardboiled fiction that his work keeps popping all over the place.
The Pleasure Merchant, by Molly Tanzer, November
No Pre-Order Available Yet
A Lazy Fascist Press release
I'm not going to lie, this one is all buzz and hype to me. I've been hearing about Molly Tanzer for a some time now, and I'm dying to check out her fiction. Her latest novel VERMILLION has been making a lot of noise, this year. I found out while discussing with Lazy Fascist Press' editor Cameron Pierce that she was releasing a new novel with them this November, so it might be time for me to hop on the Tanzertrain. Lazy Fascist only bothers with the most talented and ambitious writers there is in the business, so you know what they say: where there is smoke....
The Night Charter, by Sam Hawken, December 8
A Mulholland Books release
I was given a first taste of the adventure of Camaro Espinoza last spring and I've quite enjoyed it. A female action hero that's not a walking male fantasy is a luxury to have for us readers in this day and age, and Camaro is as gritty and down-to-earth as it gets. It's crazy how what is a cliché trope with a male character (wandering army vet dishing street justice) takes a whole new life of its own if you just change the character's gender. I have the ARC of The Night Charter in the TBR pile already and if you keep up with this blog in the next few week, you should have a full review of this bad boy.
The Innsmouth Ladies Book of Household Management, by L.T Patridge, end of 2015
No Pre-Order Available Yet
A Kraken Press release
Another quite mysterious release, slated for the end of this year. Kraken Press has gotten us used to the darkest, most nightmare-inducing fiction over the last two years and this one seems to be a great fit in their legacy. From what I could gather, it's a retelling of H.P Lovecraft's THE SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH from the perspective of three women. If you've ever read that story, I'm sure you understand why Patridge's upcoming novel is utterly terrifying. I have a history of terrifying myself out of sleep and it seems like I have another date with insomnia planned for December.
Hard-Boiled Heart, by Will Viharo, end of 2015
No Pre-Order Available Yet
A Gutter Books release
Will Viharo is another one of these authors I've been meaning to read forever and this might be my gateway into his strange and imaginative hardboiled sotries. Viharo is a connoisseur of the genre and quite the character. He's been extremely active this year, I think it's his fourth novel published in 2015. It means there is a high demand for what he does. If you can't wait to get on with the Viharo-mania, you can check out his Thrillville Collection, published by Double Life Press earlier this year.