Results tagged “douglas clegg”

Let me begin by saying, “Woo-hoo!” And with that out of the way, we’ll proceed.

I’ve written before about Douglas Clegg, one of the best horror fiction writers on the market today, and how he’s been using the internet as a way to reach and reward audiences since his fingers first launched him down the information superhighway. I told you about the opportunity to read his book, Afterlife free online and about how he hooked me with his extended sample of Goat Dance (a novel I still consider a must read for horror fans). So Douglas Clegg is, I hope, not a new name for you*.

Earlier this year, Mr. Clegg announced that he’d be releasing an original work via email called The Locust. This release is a thank you and a celebration all rolled up into one. It’s a thank you in that Douglas promised to release this book to his fans if they, in turn, promised to spread the word about his download offer for Afterlife (if you missed it, you can still read an extended preview of the novel on Scribd). The campaign was a success. In addition to this, the release celebrates the 20th anniversary of the publication of Goat Dance, Clegg’s first novel, and the 10th anniversary of Naomi, the first sponsored e-serial novel.

Well, today’s the day! I read my sample on the train this morning and I can assure you, it’s every bit as good as, well, everything else Mr. Clegg has written. If you aren’t subscribed to Douglas’s newsletter, you’ll need to be to receive the installments. You can sign up here: Douglas Clegg’s Newsletter. And don’t worry, he won’t flood your inbox.

Here’s the blurb about the email serial from Douglas’s website:

Meet Myra Coates You let her into your home. You let her into your heart.

She will dig deep inside your mind to discover the secrets and fears you’ve held back for so long.

What is she?
Is she just a little girl in a coat and cap who arrives one day in need of a place to stay…

Or is she a creature who will turn everything and everyone you know inside out, leaving mankind to survive the ravages of…

THE LOCUST
Will you open the door to her?

The NEW Serial from Douglas Clegg, author of The Hour Before Dark, The Priest of Blood, and upcoming in the fall of 2009 in hardcover in bookstores everywhere: Isis.

So I’ll leave you to it and strongly urge you to go check this out. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed and, hey, it’s not like it’s costing anything. So go and discover! Your weekend reading was just delivered to your inbox.

Bestselling author Douglas Clegg made digital history a decade ago when his novel Naomi became the Internet’s first publisher-sponsored e-serial.

In that tradition, last year, Clegg made a deal with his fans: If they spread the word and got enough people to check out the free online version of his acclaimed novel Afterlife, he would reward them with a brand new free serial this summer.

Well, they did. And he will. Earlier today the widget below surfaced on the web, counting down to the release of a brand new free email serial. And given the description (click on the widget to get details) we can’t wait.

This is going to be killer.

I’m back with the latest batch of free online horror fiction. Full short stories, and even an unpublished novel. And it costs you nada:

Joe Schreiber, author of the terrifying novels Chasing the Dead and Eat the Dark is serializing an entire unpublished novel at his blog called Stillwater which he describes as “Ordinary People” meets “Jaws.” Start at the beginning here and the click the “newer post” link at the bottom to catch up.

Then head on over to Kealan Patrick Burke’s site. One of the most acclaimed writers (and anthology editors) of dark fiction in the small press, Burke is on the verge of breaking out big-time. Trust me. His Free Fiction area will give you a sampling of a couple of his short stories. Be able to say “I was reading him when….”

And last but not least, Douglas Clegg has posted his acclaimed short story “Becoming Men” over at his website. It’s a killer coming-of-age pitch-black tale. Don’t miss it.

Some of horror fiction’s most brilliant talents use their websites to give you free short stories, often incredible tales that may be out of print or hard to find. Some of the authors whose sites you should keep an eye on:

Douglas Clegg (The Priest of Blood, Neverland) offers a new short story each month. Currently up is a particularly nasty tale, “Fries With That” that anyone who’s ever hated high school can relate to.

Robert McCammon (Boy’s Life, Speaks the Nightbird) gives you a slew of amazing short fiction on his site, many hard to find. Of the ones to choose from, my favorites are “Something Passed By,” “Nightcrawlers” and the hard-to-find “The Deep End.”

The legendary Joe R. Lansdale (The Drive-In, Two-Bear Mambo) also gives you a new tale each month from his impressive backlist. Right now it’s the chilling “In the Cold Dark Time” but watch for a new tale this Thursday.

Norman Partridge (Slippin’ Into Darkness, Dark Harvest) offers both free fiction and nonfiction on his site. Right now it’s “The Mojave Two-Step” and also ten tips about writing from his must have Mr. Fox collection.

Check back for more links to great free horror short stories on the web. Or post links to some of your favorites in the comments box. Spread the love!