Shroud a Global Pandemic--like a Swine with SARS!

Although a good number of Shroud's titles have been available for order in the UK, we are happy to announce that ALL of Shroud's books and magazines are available through Amazon's International sites. That means you can get MAMA FISH in Canada, FEAST in Japan, NORTHERN HAUNTS in Germany, PECKINPAH in Austria, and Shroud Magazine in New Jersey... er...well, you could already get Shroud Magazine in New Jersey, but you get the point.

You can even get HIRAM GRANGE in England for less than five quid! I AIN'T TELLIN' PORKIES HERE!

Unfortunately, China is only holdout, but I am looking for a few Shroud Diplomats to pave the way! ;)

Hiram Grange: Incomparable and Incontinent, er I mean Intercontinental!

Hopefully you are following the Hiram Grange updates over at his blog. I've been trying to make it the go-to-destination for all things Hiram. In the latest update, I mention that Hiram is developing some friends in high places, like none other than Troma's Lloyd Kaufman. Take a second and fly over there to see what's what!

Did you know that Hiram is available in Europe and Canada?

Get Hiram Grange Right now!

Barnes & Noble

Amazon (US) (CAN) (UK) (GE) (FR)

Shroud Publishing

Rio Youers' MAMA FISH book review

Wonderful and comprehensive book review here:

Rio Youers' MAMA FISH book review

R. Michael Burns Featured in Shroud 7

So I wanted to give props to R. Michael Burns the author of the WONDERFULLY-written "ANIMAL ACT" In Shroud 7. I had intended to place his name on the cover, but I completely and utterly dropped the ball on it and R. Michael Burns was relegated to the "and much more" section. My apologies. Check out ANIMAL ACT, and please spread the word.

R. Michael Burns Writers' Group profile

Shroud 7 at Shroud Publishing

Shroud 7 at Amazon

Hiram Grange Launches on BLACK FRIDAY!!!

You can get Hiram Grange on Amazon TODAY!

Click here to get Hiram right now.

Join the Scandalous Misadventure today!

Advance Praise for Hiram Grange and the Village of the Damned

The first installment of the Hiram Grange series has begun to receive glowing praise from a number of writers and reviewers in the dark fiction genre.

Due out in late November, 2009, Hiram Grange and the Village of the Damned offers readers their first glimpse of the scurrilous boozer and malcontent in 125 pages of darkly-humorous horror fiction. There will be five installments in the first series, each penned by different authors. More information can be found here.

ADVANCE PRAISE FOR HIRAM GRANGE

"With 'Hiram Grange', Jake Burrows has created a weird, disturbed, deeply troubled and darkly funny hero. VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED is quirky and creepy and way too much sick fun. Highly recommended." -Jonathan Maberry, multiple Bram Stoker Award-winning author of THE WOLFMAN and THE DRAGON FACTORY

"Stunning and startlingly original...a must read!" --Nate Kenyon, author of THE BONE FACTORY and SPARROW ROCK

"Twisted, thrilling, and thoroughly enjoyable. Pure pulp, in the best possible way."-- Matthew Dow Smith, artist for DOCTOR WHO, SUPERNATURAL:ORIGINS, and THE KEEP

"A seamless blend of wickedly dark humour and full-throttle horror, the series begins with great promise." -- Dave Jeffrey, THE RISEN, BEATRICE BEACHAM, and FINDING JERICHO

"There is no methadone for Hiram Grange, it will hook you from the first page and leave you jonesing for your next fix." -- R. Scott McCoy, author of FEAST and publisher of Necrotic Tissue.

"...utterly engrossing opium-laced adventure with just the right amount of dark, disturbing wit and a fascinating history." -- Jessica Lynn Gardner, Dark fiction author/Public Relations Specialist

"This is the most balmy brilliant novella I've read this century and lucky me there is more to come." -- Peter Mark May, the novelblog.com

"Hiram is intelligent but an unlikely hero, his adventure is action packed and unpredictable." -- Tammy Kane, Macabre Cadaver

Shroud Poetry Anthology Contributors Announced

Kevin Lucia has been hard at work editing Shroud's first poetry anthology. The author list follows. Congratulations to the talented poets that will have their work featured in this volume!

Synopsis:

When the snows fell hard this past year, the entire Northeast buckled down for a long, cold winter. Among the states affected most was Massachusetts, and one of the places that suffered the worst was a town located in the northeast of Massachusetts - a small hamlet called Miskatonic Falls. Situated inside the Miskatonic Valley Region, there's only one way in and out. Both were blocked off by the snow.

With little in the way of cultural significance and ten miles either way from the nearest town, with power and telephone lines down, Miskatonic Falls had been effectively cut off from the outside world for more than a month when the Miskatonic County Police Department received a garbled call from a pay phone at the town's only diner. The call consists of bursts of static, whistles and unearthly cries...

Investigators arrive to find an empty town. There are signs of violence, mayhem...even bloodshed....but all the townspeople have vanished without a trace. The mystery deepens when repeated references to the "long man" reoccur, in abandoned diaries, recovered emails and texts, and in a smattering of graffitti on walls that read:

BEHOLD! THE LONG MAN COMETH!

Author list:

Roy C. Booth

Scott Christian Carr

Jenna Conduit

Andrei Guruianu

Rachel Saltzman

Mercedes M. Yardley

Casey Quinn

Robert Brouhard

Mark Steensland

Kurt Newton

Dylan Patrick

Michael Clifton

Michael Arnzen

Patrick Rutigliano

John Weagley

Amy Thomas

Anthony Klancar

Adam Whitlatch

Sheldon Higdon

Jenna Conduit

Brian Rosenberger

John Weagley

Isaac Espriu

Bill Durfy

Sean O'Connor

Brandon Layng

Casey Quinn

Erik W. Pepper

Gail Peterson

Steve Vernon

Stephanie Layng

Rich Ristow

Katherine Sanger

Nancy O. Green

Stephanie Layng

Brian Hardin II

Nancy O. Green

Ryan B. Clark

Carol C. Ward

Brian Hatcher

Peggy Christie

Ginger Nielson

Michael Clifton

Glen R. Krisch

Barry Napier

Bill Durfy

Justin Seeds

Robert Brouhard

Daniel Pyle

Jonathan Pinnock

Mark A. Mihalko

Kim Alfano

Mark A. Mihalko

Gene Stewart

Craig D. B. Patton

Michael Clifton

Katherine Sanger

Julie Fletcher

Ryan B. Clark

Brian Rosenberger

Rich Ristow

Adam Huber

Shroud Goes Quarterly...

I would like to announce that there will be a minor change to Shroud. After our national launch, the Shroud crew quickly realized that managing a professional bimonthly nationally-distributed magazine was a bit more ambitious than we had first thought. Now, I become deeply annoyed when ambition collides with reality, but I also realize that managing a periodical means managing expectations as well.

I recognize that not only do we have a readership to serve, but a community of writers artists and advertisers as well. To that point, we have decided to make Shroud a quarterly magazine instead of a bimonthly. This will have no impact on the amount of issues that go out to existing subscribers, but you will likely see some changes in the very near future to new subscriptions.

Fiction does not have a shelf life. It’s timeless. A quarterly distribution plan will allow Shroud to remain on the shelves longer, which will provide greater opportunities for authors to be read and for advertisers get more bang for their buck. We look forward to being around for a long time, and feel the wew distribution schedule will help us do just that.

Thank you all for your ongoing support.

-Tim

Flash Fiction #7 Finalists and Winner Announced!

After a very difficult process, Shroud Magazine has announced the five finalists and the winner of our Flash Fiction #7 writing contest. Authors were challenged with writing an original piece of flash fiction based on a true news story about a stolen Humpty Dumpty and Cheshire Cat costume in New Hampshire.

The winner of the contest will receive paid publication in Issue 7 of Shroud Magazine. The five runners up will receive the option to have their stories featured in the same issue. There were a record number of entries in this contest--the bulk of which were extremely entertaining and well-crafted. Thank you all for participating!

The Winner:

PEGGY MCFARLAND

Runners Up:

Mary Daley

Brian J. Hatcher

Anthony Klancar

Laura Langford

Justin Pilon

Shroud Flash Fiction Contest #7 Semifinalists Announced

I sincerely apologize for the delay in getting these results out. Among a number of other competing issues, this contest had a record number of entrants, the preponderance of which were thoroughly entertaining. There were a few entries that, although well-written, did not meet the submission guidelines.

I want to thank you all for taking the time to write such imaginative pieces for this contest. The following stories resonated with me a little bit more than the others. This is not to say that those not mentioned here lacked quality. Many submission were very similar and I had weed out some to avoid repetition.

Shroud Flash Fiction Contest #7 Semifinalists, in no particular order:

Sarah Adams

Emily Leverett

Robert Swartwood

Laura Langford

Andrew Wolter

Carrie Harris

Anthony Klancar

Mary Daley

Peggy McFarland

Jamie Eyberg

Juston Pilon

Brian Hatcher

Gay Degani

I hope to have final results by Monday!

Thank you and congratulations.

Can Indie publishers take on the giants?

Can an independent publisher survive in an environment seemingly dominated by massive corporate publishing houses? I believe so. Not only can independent publishers survive, they can thrive. In a research report published by BML data, independent publishers gained overall market share from their larger competitors by five percentage points over the last five years, increasing sales through all channels except the internet, which was essentially flat. The report revealed that Independent publisher market share had grown from 26% in 2004 to 31% in 2008. Furthermore, independent publishers saw purchases through independent booksellers grow from 38% of the total to 49%.

Two-day Pre-Context Specials!

I am going to run this deal for the next 48 hours only as we gear up for Context!

Shroud Charter Special!

Shroud Magazine Charter Membership Now only $89.00 for the next 48 hours!

For only $89.99 (US and Canada) charter subscribers will receive:

A renewing Shroud Magazine subscription for the life of the magazine, and; 2 free shroud publishing book titles, (not including limited editions) and; A half page ad for the non-profit charity of your choice.

Shroud Limited Edition Proof Grab Bags!

Now $10.00 off and upgrade to priority Mail (Must order TODAY for shipment tomorrow!

Over the past few years, I have accumulated a handful of printers' "proofs" on several of Shroud's titles. These are uncorrected and possess some interesting anomalies. Some range from simple spelling errors, others have strange and bizarre layouts, and others look almost perfect. I had planned to keep these close as a record of Shroud's progression over the years, but after getting a few inquiries, I have instead decided to take a few, have them signed, and then sell them. These grab bags will included three different titles, packaged and ready to ship today priority mail. First come first served. Only 4 grab bags available!

Heading to Context!

The Shroud crew is heading to Context in the morning. We will be co-hosting the Saturday night party with our good friends at Stygian and Meadowhawk Press!

Come see us on the Dealer floor!

HORROR #4 HAS BEEN FOUND!!!!

We are very happy to announce our first winner of the "FIND THE HORROR!!!"

#4 has been found. No additional treasure will be awarded for #4 :(

As with all of these treasures, the FIRST to find is the only person eligible.

FIVE MORE TO GO!

Thank you!!

The Horror

Oh the HORROR!

The clues have been posted.

You will be rewarded for your efforts.

If you discover the treasure, simply email me.

Find The Horror #6

Find The Horror #6

Designation: STOKER

N 43 16.782'

W 070 55.697'

Elev. 335 ft

Hint: under the old blackwalls

Find The Horror #5

Find The Horror #5

Designation: Poe

N 43 26.378

W 071 02.363

Elevation: 830 feet.

Hint: Just off a road named for the layers of stone, this location is within site of a type of structure renown for cradling our 16th President.

Find The Horror #4

Find The Horror #4

Designation: Crowley

N 36 10.439

W 079 50.160

Hint: Lucifer was a ______ angel.

Additional clues available by email.

Find The Horror #3

Find The Horror #3

Designation: Derleth

N 45 24.030

W 092 39.046

elevation 733'

Find the Horror #2

Find the Horror #2

Designation: Romero

N 43°12.703’

W 070° 48.702’

Elevation 96 ft.

Find The Horror #1

Site: "Lovecraft"

N 42° 43.788’

W 071° 10.273’

Elevation 230

Shroud entering reading/administrative period...

As of July 13, 2009, Shroud Publishing will spend the next 30 days focused on the following tasks:

1. Reading submissions;
2. Filling orders;
3. Processing invoices;
4. Editing and layout.

In addition to this, I will be starting grad school in a couple of weeks, which will launch with a ten-day intensive workshop.

As a result, my email response times will be slower than usual.

I apologize for this, but Shroud maintains only a skeleton crew of (largely) volunteers and it is important that we clean house a bit and bring things up to date.

Thank you!

Tim

Brian Keene to pen "SEMINAL SCREAMS" for Shroud

Tim Deal and Shroud Magazine are THRILLED to announce the launch of a new column in Shroud Magazine from one of the indisputable new MASTERS of the genre:  Bram Stoker-winning BRIAN KEENE, author of THE RISING, CASTAWAYS, GHOSTWALK, and several other wildly successful novels and short story collections.   Beginning with Issue #7 in July, Keene will be penning an original article for the readers of SHROUD in every issue!

In Brian Keene's SEMINAL SCREAMS, he will examine a classic horror novel that everyone, be they writer or fan, should read at least once in their lives.

Brian Keene joins other talented voices of the Genre to write regularly for Shroud, including Steve Vernon, Michael Knost, Norman Rubenstein, Kevin Lucia, D.L. Snell, I.E. Lester, and more!

SHROUD MAGAZINE NEWS OF THE WEIRD FLASH FICTION CONTEST

SHROUD MAGAZINE NEWS OF THE WEIRD FLASH FICTION CONTEST!

For issue #7. Simply write 500 words or less on the below linked strange news story. It must fit our genre categories (horror, noir, dark fiction, fantasy or bizarro), it must be original and not a reprint, and must arrive by Friday June 12th. 

1st Place: Paid publication in Issue #7 (nationally distributed), and a pitch session for longer works for 2010!

5 runners up will be published as well. No entry fee (obviously), let's see your work! send them to editor@shroudmagazine.com with a subject line of "flash fiction contest #7".

NH thief has great gall: Humpty Dumpty get-up gone

Shroud Retail Penetration

Here's the official Breakout for Shroud's distribution:

Chain Description	Total Stores	Store Penetration	Draws	Avg. Draw
Barnes&Noble Superstores	735	255	1,273	4.99
Folletts College Stores	86	13	45	3.46
Hastings Books & Records	156	150	299	1.99
HOUSE ACCOUNT - INVENTORY	14	3	14	4.67
Independent Bkstrs.	668	3	10	3.33
Newsstands/Tobacco Shops	94	2	6	3.00
Totals	1,753	426	1,647

NEW SHROUD CONTEST: STALK A STORE FOR SHROUD

NEW SHROUD CONTEST: STALK A STORE FOR SHROUD

The wonderful and supportive Sheldon S. Higdon gave me this idea. He emailed me to let me know that he was calling his local B&N to find out if Shroud were on the shelves yet.

WHO are a better marketeer of a magazine than the people that actually sell them? What if we began a calling campaign to all of the stores that carry Shroud and began asking them if they had Shroud Magazine in stock?

Do you think that it would at the very least create a bit of name recognition?

ME TOO!

So here's the contest:

1. Go to the UNABRIDGED STORE LIST posted here:

http://shroudpublishing.freeforums.org/the-unabridged-store-list-for-6-t187.html

2. Find the store or stores closest to you (does NOT have to be B&N) and obtain their telephone number.

3. Call the store directly and simply ask:

"Do you have any copies of Shroud Magazine in stock?"

If "yes" then respond with something to the effect of: "Oh excellent, thank you for the information,"

If "no" then respond with "Oh that's too bad. Do you know when you will have issues of Shroud Magazine in stock?" etc.

4. THEN respond to this post with a log of the date and time and store that you called.

Post is here:

http://shroudpublishing.freeforums.org/new-contest-stalk-a-store-for-shroud-t188.html#1753

5. This is the honor system.

• The first place prize will be a LIFETIME SUBSCRIPTION to Shroud Magazine and a full set of available novellas;
  
• Second Prize will be a FULL SET of novellas;
  
• Third Prize will be any novella of your choice;
  

ALL participants that log a call will get a 25% coupon off of anything in the Shroud store.

Remember, OVERLAP is good!

This could really help Shroud get sold. Thank you so much for the help!

THE CONTEST BEGINS NOW!

CONTEST LINK HERE:

http://shroudpublishing.freeforums.org/new-contest-stalk-a-store-for-shroud-t188.html#1753

Shroud 5 Begins Shipping this weekend... Shroud 6 heads to distributor... Shroud 7 open to advertisers.

We'll begin working against our backlog of orders for Shroud # 5 this weekend, and Shroud #6 has left the printers and will begin arriving at the distributor by tomorrow.

Shroud #7 (July) has advertising space open right now:

http://www.shroudmagazine.com/shroud-publishing-platinum-sponsorship.html

Follow Hiram Grange on Twitter!

http://twitter.com/HiramGrange

We can't get this guy to shut up!

Shroud Magazine up For British Fantasy Award

We are very honored and proud to announce that Shroud has made the long list for the prestigious British Fantasy Award.

The British Fantasy Awards are administered annually by the British Fantasy Society and were first awarded in 1971. The membership of the BFS vote to determine recommendations, short-lists and winners of the awards.

Shroud was recommended for the award under the category of "Best Magazine" among such heavyweights as Cemetery Dance and Interzone.

We could not be happier to have at least made it this far in the process.

The Trees Ran Red, Joel Sutherland, Northern Haunts Full version

This was one of my favorite tales from Northern Haunts, but unfortunately a few lines in the middle were truncated as a result of a layout error.  I wanted to make sure that this wonderful and creepy little tale was available in its entirety. 

The Trees Ran Red

By Joel A. Sutherland

     It’s been over ten years since that day, and I still haven’t forgotten the smell of boiling blood. Don’t think I ever will.

     The previous night my truck had run out of gas and I coasted home on fumes. It didn’t bother me much, since I lived close to my sugar shack and I kept plenty of filled gas canisters there for the equipment, but it meant a walk to work the next morning. I set out before the sun was up, completely unaware of the horrors that awaited me in the bush.

     I was a little late by the time I got there. A beat-up 1989 Ford Ranger was parked next to the sugar shack. It was Derrick’s, the Irishman I had hired the month before. I poked my head in the shack but it was empty. I assumed Derrick must be out in the bush, so I set out to join him and begin the day’s work.

     I strolled leisurely through the black maples on my Vermont property, trailing frosty clouds of breath as my feet crunched through the snow. I stopped and inhaled deeply, reveling in the clean smells of the winter woods as my lungs burned from the frigid air. Something odd dawned on me. Other than the sound of the wind, the forest was perfectly silent. I checked my watch: 5:35. The woods should’ve been teeming with animal life. My heart sped up and my breathing suddenly sounded very loud in my ears, but I shook it off and focused on my work.

     I neared the section of maples Derrick and I had tapped the day before. The air smelled vaguely of copper. A chill shot through me and my skin prickled with gooseflesh. There was still no sign of life.

     I removed the metal bucket from the nearest tree, turned around and dropped it with a curse. Instead of maple syrup, it was filled with blood. It coursed over the white snow, melting it with a crackle. I stepped back involuntarily and bumped into the tree. It seemed to bulge upon contact. Blood still dripped from the tap, forming a small red circle below like a pox.

     Desperate to keep a grip on my sanity, I paced around the maple. Its back bore an irregular crease unlike anything I had seen before. It ran from top to bottom and looked like two lips pressed firmly together.

     In a daze I prodded back to the shack, grabbed an ax, and returned to the bleeding tree.

     If I had paused I think I would have lost my nerve, so I swung the ax over my head and landed it in the middle of the crease. The tree groaned with the sound of wood being split. I wrenched the ax head free and raised it again, then hesitated. Blood gushed from the cut in torrents. I don’t know why, but I laughed and swung the ax again and again, spraying myself with blood and wood chips.

     Flinging the ax to the ground, I stared into the gash I had made, terrified I’d see a wooden heart pumping blood through the tree. But the maple hadn’t produced the blood that had filled the syrup bucket. It came from the creatures the tree had fed on. Inside the trunk were two raccoons, a rabbit and a dray of squirrels, all in various states of digestion. Blood seeped from every pore of the animals, good God, so much blood...

     I checked the other buckets. They were all brimming with blood as well. The other trees had similar creases, some with fur, tails, or antlers sticking out. My head spun and I didn’t know what was real anymore. I had no idea what to do.

     And then I saw Derrick’s hand, identifiable by the Claddagh ring on his bone-white finger, sticking out from one of the trees.

     Suddenly all became clear. I knew what had to be done.

     I walked to the shack as if in a dream. Picking up a gas canister in each hand, I set out back into the woods, ready to burn down my livelihood.

     Ready to boil some blood.

Read more of Joel's work in Issue #7, and find him online on his Website.

 

A Night of Bizarro Fiction Featuring Shroud Author D. Harlan Wilson

FROM:  Quimby's Books

A Night of Bizarro Fiction

Join four authors from the Bizarro fiction movement: D.Harlan Wilson, Andersen Prunty, Eckhard Gerdes and Garrett Cook as they read from and sign their books. The material is sometimes profane, sometimes funny, but always weird and engaging.

D. Harlan Wilson is an award-winning novelist, short story writer, literary critic, screenwriter, and assistant professor of English at Wright State University-Lake Campus.  His recent books include a novel, Blankety Blank: A Memoir of Vulgaria (Raw Dog Screaming Press 2008), a novella, Peckinpah: An Ultraviolent Romance (Shroud 2009), and a book of cultural theory, Technologized Desire: Selfhood & the Body in Postcapitalist Science Fiction (Guide Dog Books 2009).  Visit him online at www.dharlanwilson.com

D. will read from his upcoming Shroud novella, PECKINPAH

Get the scoop here.

Sim Subs? No. Please help us help you...

I just wanted to politely remind writers that we prefer that you do NOT simultaneously submit material to us and another publisher... particularly with novels.

We do this in order to make best use of reading periods.  In the last week, two authors have yanked material from under us because they had been accepted elsewhere.  While that is wonderful news for the author, it does not allow us to make best use of the limited time we have. Why should we spend time reading a submission if it is only going to be withdrawn?

Here is a little reminder of our submission policy:

Simultaneous submissions are NOT okay. Please do not send us multiple submissions -- please only send us one story at a time and do not send your next submission until we give you a reply to the first. Reprints are OK, but discouraged. If you submit a reprint, we will look at it provided it has not been published within twelve months and the author currently bears the copyright. A short bio would be nice, including any awards or published credits, however your story will stand on its own merit.

If you absolutely, positively MUST send a sim-sub PLEASE just tell us.

Thanks!

Shroud #5 Available for Pre-Order

An introduction to the scandalous and scurrilous Hiram Grange, reluctant hero against the unseen terrors of the earth! Novella excerpts from the upcoming Hiram Grange series, featuring authors Richard Wright, Kevin Lucia, Scott C. Carr, Robert Davies, and Jake Burrows, fiction from Kim Paffenroth, Michael West, John Bruni, Norman A. Rubin, an interview with Ronald Damien Malfi, columns from Michael Knost, Steve Vernon, Norman Rubenstein, and DL Snell, the Webley revolver, and real life confluences!

AT THE PRINTER... AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW.

http://www.shroudmagazine.com/shroud-magazine-issue-5-winter52008.html

Mama Fish, By Rio Youers, Coming Soon!

At Harlequin High School In 1986, Kelvin Fish was the oddball, the weird one that nobody would talk to, except for Patrick Beauchamp who was determined to learn more about this strange kid. When Patrick's curiosity about Kelvin leads him into a bizarre and tragic series of events, Patrick gets much more than he bargained for.

The latest novel from Rio Youers!

Peter Straub has described Rio Youers as " ... one the the most vital, most exciting young talents to come along in this decade." He is the author of End Times and Everdead, as well as numerous short stories published in magazines and anthologies. Rio lives in Canada with his wife Emily.
 
COMING SOON From Shroud Publishing

95 Pages
Paperback

Helpful hints for your submissions.

During our open period, we have received well over 300 submissions. Many of these are simply outstanding. However, i just want to take a moment and make some friendly suggestions that will help your submission find a home:

1. Please make sure you send only .rtf or .doc files. Please check your file extension. If it is .docx we cannot open it.
2. I am finding it difficult to place many 4000+ word stories. We have only limited space, so the shorter your story, the more opportunities for publication it creates for us. This is not to say we do not want nor enjoy longer tales, just that we can only publish a few of them.
3. We love flash fiction and microfiction. I was a bit skeptical at first, but over the past year, short short fiction has really grown on us, PLUS it's easy to find room for (see #2 above).
4. Short bios and short synopses are a plus. We will read your story without them, but we like them.
5. It is helpful if you at least tell us what sub-genre the story falls into (noir, crime, creature horror, etc.)
6. Should we publish poetry? We do not currently publish poetry, but if you want it, we will provide it.
7. We still prefer monsters over vampires, ghosts over serial killers, and atmosphere over gore.
8. Include your title in your subject line please, and be creative with your title. It's the first word(s) of your story anyone will read;
9. Please do not send your first, unedited and unseen draft. Pass that baby around to your writer buddies and get some feedback. Carve it down to its essential elements. Proofread it please.
10. About #9. A good story may still contain a few errors. We run all of our stories through a copyeditor anyway. However if the errors are so egregious s to distract from the content and quality of the tale, we will probably send it back your way.

Thanks for reading. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Tim

Update on our Advertising Drive.

While we have slots left open for our $30 quarter page ad promotion, i wanted to take a moment and thank the folks that have taken advantage of this offer so far. There are many of you, and I cannot list you all, but please know that I appreciate the support.

A big thanks to our sponsors:

Dorchester Publishing (Leisure Books)

Cemetery Dance

Apex Books

Necrotic Tissue

Novello Publishing

Kim Paffenroth

D. Harlan Wilson

Ken Wood and Shock Totem

Eric Ott and the band Mercuryhat

Kevin Lucia

Scott Christian Carr

Maria Cavicchioli

Elizabeth Donald

Rhonda Smith

Sarah Mitchell

Ellen Million

Mark Steensland


I know there are more of you and I apologize for not listing you here. I will get you during the next update.

Thank you al so much.

Still room left!

Details here:

http://www.shroudmagazine.com/quarter-page-advertising-special.html

International Bestselling Author Rick Hautala To Be Featured in Issue 6

Shroud's first national retail issue, #6 will feature a fantastic line up of talented authors (cover above) and I will be sure to post the specifics very very soon. However, I wanted to take a moment and share the fact that a rare unpublished short story from Rick Hautala will be in Issue #6.

Rick has written and published over 90 novels and short stories since the early 1980s. Many of his books have been translated to other languages and sold internationally. His third novel, 1986's Night Stone, became an international best-seller, selling well over one million copies. His short story collection, Bedbugs (1999) was selected by Barnes and Noble as one of the most distinguished horror publications of the year 2000.

Rick Hautala also writes screenplays. His most recent 2008 adaptation of award winning author Kealan Patrick Burke's "Peepers" is currently on the film festival circuit. He also wrote the screenplay for the 2007 short film Dead@17 based on Josh Howard's graphic novel series of the same name.

Learn more about Rick on his Website

Rick Hautala

Shroud in Barnes & Noble... Store list here!

It's official. I received the order list from Ingram this morning. Beginning with Issue #6, Shroud will be sold through Barnes & Noble's retail stores across the country.

There is no better time to take advantage of our 30 buck quarter-page ad program (not to mention our other deep discounts for ads.)

Order now, and I'll slip your ad into TWO issues at no additional charge! (Issues 5&6)

http://www.shroudmagazine.com/quarter-page-advertising-special.html

Here's a partial list of our orders:

Barnes & Noble #1847 Marina Del Rey CA
Barnes & Noble #1898 Norwalk CT
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Thank you all for your support!

-Tim
http://www.shroudmagazine.com/quarter-page-advertising-special.html

Shroud Conquers North America; Join Us in this Odyssey

QUARTER PAGE ADS 30 BUCKS: GET NATIONAL EXPOSURE.

Hello all! I have some amazing news. Many of you know that we had previously signed a deal with Ingram periodicals to get Shroud distributed to major retailers across North America... WELLLLL... Ingram has submitted their first order amounting to 1,400 copies of Issue #6!

YES!

So in addition to a number of online retailers and national independent book stores, Shroud will be available across major retailers in the US and Canada beginning in MAY!

This is a fantastic opportunity for independent authors, publishers, artists, designers, photographers, and musicians to gain the exposure they need to sell their work.

In an effort to provide cost-friendly exposure to my creative brethren, AND to fund this print run, i am slashing my quarter-page ad rates for Issue #6 by 40%.

This means a $50 ad will now be available for $30.

You can find our rate card and advertising information here:

http://www.shroudmag.com/advertising

Feel free to contact me with your questions at Shroud's primary email address (posted on our site).

These special ads will be sold on a first come basis as only 100 slots are available at this price.

Additional discounts available for multi-issue ads.

Once again QUARTER PAGE ADS 30 BUCKS: GET NATIONAL EXPOSURE.

http://www.shroudmag.com/advertising
http://www.shroudmagazine.com

We can also help you design your ad as well at no additional charge.

RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE NOW

Tim Deal Proud to be Named Member of the NEHW Committee

Today I was notified officially by the New England Horror Writers (an affiliate group of the HWA) that I have been named as the "Publications Chair" for the NEHW Committee. I am absolutely honored to be part of this organization and look forward to working with this talented group of writers.

I will be working alongside of TJ May, Morven Westfield, LL Soares and Dan Keohane.

My gratitude goes to the NEHW for bestowing this honor.

http://www.horror.org/ne/

Shroud Book Reviews by Kevin Lucia

Get the latest scoop on some of the best horror circulating the bookshelves with Kevin Lucia's Book Reviews for Shroud here:

http://shroudmagazinebookreviews.blogspot.com/

Start following the blog in order to receive a chance to win rare advance copies!

Hiram Grange and the 12 Little Hitlers

Another book trailer from the upcoming Shroud Publishing series: The Scandalous Misadventures of Hiram Grange. This trailer, by Kevin Lucia, previews the 2nd in the series by Scott Christian Carr.

Shipping Update! Yayyy!

Hello all! I just wanted to update you on shipping etc.

1. We are 95% complete shipping to our huge backlog of Issue #4. I know that there are a few of you still waiting, but trust me, it IS coming. Thank you so much for your patience. If you have any questions or concerns please get in touch with me and I will make things right.

2. We are about 50% complete shipping to our huge backlog in Northern Haunts Trade paperback. Another shipment is going out today, and I am additionally waiting on more priority mail boxes so that I can ship multiple orders quickly.

3. The Northern Haunts Jacketed hardcover proof is on its way to me. My printer had an issue with the In Design file, fonts, and graphics that caused a slight delay in the proof. That delay is fixed and once the proof is approved it will be shipping very quickly.

4. Northern Haunts TPB as well as 99% of the Shroud catalog is now available on Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/Shroud-Publishing-Releases/lm/R3SIAC1QK9ERTF/ref=cm_lmt_srch_f_2_rsrsrs2

If you have a copy of a Shroud publication, particularly Northern Haunts, I would sincerely appreciate you posting a review or a discussion on Amazon. Because Amazon has the staff and infrastructure necessary to move items fast, they can ship in-stock items very quickly. I do my best to make sure the printer keeps Amazon in-stock.

5. I have about 3 or 4 copies of Tom Piccirilli's WONDERFUL limited edition hardcover novella, ALL YOU DESPISE, available for immediate shipping. The reviews have been amazing! All orders of AYD will receive a free shipping upgrade to priority mail.

Many exciting things to come this year! The novellas from Rio Youers, R. Scott McCoy, D. Harlan Wilson, Maurice Broaddus, Tim Waggoner, and of course the SCANDALOUS MISADVENTURES OF HIRAM GRANGE!

Thank you all!

Update for Issue #4, Northern Haunts, and more!

Hello all,

let me start by saying that you all rock. I sincerely appreciate the supportive emails, the kind words, and the all around enthusiasm about Shroud. You have been wonderful and patient and I would love to take you all home with me and bake you a nice BIG BUNDT CAKE! (LOL ala Greg Hall).

Here's a quick update, but as always you are welcome to contact me with specific questions and I will get back to you as soon as I am able.

1. Issue #4 IS shipping and MANY people have received their copies. There are a few of you that have not yet and I know this. I also know that it's late, and I further know that it being late is completely and totally MY responsibility. However, please know that it is our best issue yet at well over 100 pages, and includes some outstanding fiction.

2. Tom Piccirilli's exclusive Shroud Novella, ALL YOU DESPISE is shipping, with just afew copies left. All of our US customers have received their copies, but our International friends will receive theirs' soon. I am told that it was worth the wait as Tom's story is gripping, heartbreaking, and absolutely THRILLING all in one. All domestic orders will get a free upgrade in regular shipping to priority mail while supplies last.

3. NORTHERN HAUNTS! Whew! This guy clocked in at 366 pages! I am absolutely in love with this collection of homegrown ghost stories and campfire tales. It has been a joy putting it together. So, well... after MUCH delay, the trade paperback final proof has been reviewed and approved. I KNOW we were almost at this point before, but a power outage screwed up the whole process. But now, I am simply waiting on the printer to do its print run and ship them to me for distribution. In the next week or so I will have the hardcover ready for printing as well. I know you all have waited long for this, but given the fact that the profits of NH will go to the American Cancer Society, I wanted to make sure I out it together right. I really feel like it's a project we can be proud of. I also needed to change the dedication to honor two very special horror writers and friends of Shroud that passed way recently: Phil Kuhlman and Joe McGee. I miss these guys and Phil was the big inspiration for NH.

4. Lastly, I'd like to thank you all for recommending Shroud for Bram Stoker awards. It is amazing to be in our first year of publishing and me recommended for two anthology awards and 4 short story awards. Thank you thank you! Please remember that you can get all of our current pubs (with the exception of AYD) through Amazon immediately. If you need something giftwrapped or want to take advantage of Amazon's deals, simply go to:

ORDER SHROUD THROUGH AMAZON!

Thank you all and keep feeding your dark beast within!

Tim

ISSUE #4



Heart-pounding tales of darkness and fear by Tim Waggoner, J.F. Gonzalez, Robert Canipe, Lauren Salkin, Ernesto Burden, Gerard Houarner, Sara King, William Veselik, Michael DeLuca, John Mantooth, Kurt Bachard, an article on Peter Medak of "The Changeling," Steve Vernon's "Hauntings Freaks, and Mysteries," MySpace Flash Fiction #3, and the mind-bending dark art (and wonderful cover) by MARTIN BLANCO!

New Hiram Grange Trailer

Many thanks to Kevin Lucia for producing this... COMING SOON!

GET SHROUD'S ENTIRE COLLECTION AT AMAZON.COM




Something wicked walks the streets of the picturesque New Hampshire village of Great Bay--something that has inexplicably risen from the grave to wreak a horrifying vengeance. Only one man can stop it--provided he can sober up long enough to answer the call!

This man is Hiram Grange, a clandestine operative for the Office of Independent Research and Analysis. With an unhealthy predilection for absinthe, opium, and sex, Hiram Grange stumbles his way through one supernatural and scandalous misadventure after another.


The first of a five part series. Cover and illustrations by Malcolm McClinton

Trailer by Kevin Lucia

COMING SOON!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JAKE BURROWS the author of more than 100 articles, stories, and essays published in a variety of mediums and publications spanning the globe, under various pen names. He is a former Police Constable from West Clare, Ireland and a former Intelligence Specialist with the Irish Defence Forces Directorate of Intelligence, also known as G2. In his spare time he enjoys traveling. Jake spends about half of his time in the United States where he owns a small cottage overlooking Great Bay New Hampshire. He is also quite fond of reading, hiking, music, art, history, and single malt whiskeys.

All You Despise gets a rave review!

From Bookgasm:

"Very few authors working today put pain on the page with the skill that Piccirilli does. From the narrator to Danny to the innocent people that become embroiled in their bitter lives, Piccirilli packs DESPISE with a living, breathing cast that comes alive and embeds itself in your brain in a scant 78 pages. Shroud is only publishing 500 copies of this devastating novella, so do yourself a favor and snap one up. —Blu Gilliand"

Read the entire review here:

http://www.bookgasm.com/reviews/horror/all-you-despise/#more-6224