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TABLE OF CONTENTS, PART 2

Rumors have been floating around about the possibility of Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails appearing in Chiral Mad 2. Yes, having Trent in the Table of Contents was in the works (and it was damn close), but, on behalf of the publishers of each of the compositions on the chirality discussion table, his legal representation respectfully passed on this opportunity. After much discussion with lawyerly folks, and in turn with his various publishers, he will unfortunately not be a part of Chiral Mad 2; he will instead be apart. Perhaps volume 3?

The last blog post teased at a story from the “scariest guy in America,” Jack Ketchum. The anthology is now slated to start with a new short story by Jack called “The Right Thing,” which is short, powerful, and the proper way to start this book.

Submission word count is reaching three million. Hundreds of rejection letters (350+). Seven more acceptances. And the maybe pile is growing. There are enough brilliant stories collected thus far to fill three anthologies (I’m toying with starting Pellucid Lunacy 2 and an unnamed horror/sci-fi project), and they are coming in from all over the world.

Since the last post covered the previous seven acceptances, as well as the Jack Ketchum teaser, below you will find information on the next seven acceptances (after a quick recap, and in no particular order):

1. “TIGHT PARTNERS” by GENE O’NEILL
2. “THE CHUTE” by GARY McMAHON
3. “WELCOME HOME, ALL YOU UNINVITED” by ERIK T. JOHNSON
4. “INTERFERENCE” by ANDREW HOOK
5. “THE WORD” by RAMSEY CAMPBELL
6. “THE COUNSELOR” by MORT CASTLE
7. “ORANGE IS FOR ANGUISH, BLUE FOR INSANITY” by DAVID MORRELL
8. “THE RIGHT THING” by JACK KETCHUM

9. “FLOWERS BLOOMING IN THE SEASON OF ATROPHY” by MAX BOOTH III

School shootings are touchy subjects, but, when a story of such controversy is formed by beautiful words and pieced together masterfully by someone who really knows what he’s doing, like this Max Booth III character, it somehow works. “Flowers Blooming in the Season of Atrophy,” as the title hints, is a multi-POV work of art told through passion/suffering.

Max is the author liar of speculative fiction, so states his blog, and responsible for a few novels in the works: Toxicity (Post Mortem Press, March 2014), The Mind is a Razorblade (Kraken Press, September 2014), and The Catch-Lie People. If you’re like me and can’t wait, I recommend starting with his short fiction collection, True Stories Told by a Liar.

10. “ANOTHER MAN’S BONES” by MASON IAN BUNDSCHUH

This guy taught me three chords on the ukulele at the latest KillerCon in Las Vegas, and together we jammed. He can play a rather impressive rendition of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails, which you can check out here (with John Palisano from Chiral Mad fame playing the wall in lieu of drums, and Mercedes Yardley playing a red Solo cup filled with chocolate chips, and various others making noises). Before all that, however, he sent me a marvelous story about a man and his many reflections.

Find more of his short fiction in anthologies such as Whispers from the Abyss (forthcoming, 2013), Historical Lovecraft, Strange Tales of Horror, and The Immortal Art of the Deal. And hopefully look for musical recordings soon.

11. “WHITECHAPEL” by P. GARDNER GOLDSMITH

This story is Gard at his finest. I’ve known this guy for a few years now, and every time I read one of his stories, or hear him reading from one of his stories, I’m mesmerized. He has an unforgettable voice (literary and vocal) that moves the reader through “Whitechapel” until the breathless last page. P. Gardner Goldsmith’s “Sigil” appeared in the first Chiral Mad. This guy’s awesome. What more can be said?

“Bite,” his novella from Pendragon Press, is now available. As Brian Keene states, and I tend to agree, “Gard Goldsmith’s prose is like the edge of a knife. Definitely a writer to watch!” I will be watching this guy for the rest of my life.

12. “PLAYING WITH FIRE” by RICHARD THOMAS

Richard Thomas sent three submissions for Chiral Mad 2 consideration, and all were wonderful. I’d publish every one of them. But I passed on all three. Why? Because anthologies are pieced together like jigsaw puzzles. Some pieces fit; some don’t. This is a great example for writers that not every story is the right for an anthology, although quite possibly brilliant, such as with Richard’s work. His persistence at wanting to be in this anthology led him to send a fourth story, “Playing with Fire,” and he nailed it. Just the right piece. No hammer necessary. As stated on his blog, “expect wolves, fireflies, waking up in a field, a lost love, a hut on a hill—you know, the usual.”

Richard is the author of the neo-noir thriller Transubstantiate (Otherworld Publications, 2010). His short fiction can be found in Shivers VI alongside Stephen King and Peter Straub, as well as Warmed and Bound, ChiZine and many other places. Seek him out. Perhaps someday he’ll connect me with Chuck Palahniuk, whose schedule was too busy this year for Chiral Mad 2 (another near miss).

13. “A GUIDE TO ETIQUETTE AND COMPORTMENT FOR THE SISTERS OF HENLEY HOUSE” by EMILY CATANEO

I received an email from Dallas Mayr, who more-often goes by the name Jack Ketchum. He simply questioned, “Are you open to contributions from good new writers?” My answer was, “Always.” The first Chiral Mad had four previously unpublished writers, such as Meghan Arcuri, Patrick Lacey, Amanda Ottino, and Julie Stipes. “I strictly judge contributions by their quality and look forward to discovering new voices,” I emailed back. “Do you have someone in mind?” He referred me to Emily Cataneo, who recently took the Odyssey Writing Workshop where Dallas was guest-lecturing. He remembered her story, “A Guide to Etiquette and Comportment for the Sisters of Henley House” and instantly thought of Chiral Mad. Well, the rest is history. New voices. I love finding them and introducing them to the world.

Outside of writing remarkable fiction, Emily has freelanced for Bay Windows, the Cambridge Chronicles, the Needham Times, the South End News, and has served as the staff reporter for Gatehouse Media’s Watertown TAB. 

14. “EMPATHY” by JOHN SKIPP

What can I say about yer pal, Skipp? (I’ve linked the Wikipedia page to his name above until johnskipp.com goes live). John is a splatterpunk horror and fantasy author, editor, songwriter, screenwriter, film director and film producer. He does it all. This guy helped me out with Psychotropic Dragon a while back when I hit some speed-bumps, and we’ve kept in contact since. When Chiral Mad 2 rolled around, he sent me “Empathy,” which is right up the chirality alley.

You may know him from his collaboration on Book of the Dead (featuring Stephen King, Robert R. McCammon and Ramsey Campbell), or perhaps from his Bram Stoker Award winning Demons: Encounters with the Devil and His Minions, Fallen Angels, and the Possessed for Superior Achievement in an Anthology, from which “Empathy” originates. Or perhaps you remember him from the Nightmare on Elm Street sequel he doesn’t like to talk about.

15. “MNEMONICIDE” by JAMES CHAMBERS

James Chambers blew me away with his submission for Chiral Mad 2. “Mnemonicide” is a word I couldn’t pronounce until I realized the first M was silent. A mnemonic is a learning technique that aids information retention, while -icide or -cide is the act of killing. And there you go… This guy knows what I like.

James and I first met at the Borderlands Press Boot Camp many, many years ago, and I’ve silently stalked him ever since. He most recently received the Richard Laymon Award from the Horror Writers Association for his dedication in helping the horror community. He has some books out as well: Corpse Fauna, a series of four novellas: The Dead Bear Witness, Tears of Blood, The Dead in Their Masses, and The Word of the Dead.

Fifteen beautiful stories so far in this incredible Table of Contents. How many more? Probably eleven, twelve, maybe thirteen. Look for more announcements soon (big, exciting announcements) on the various social media outlets.

Once another chunk of acceptances rolls around, I’ll post a TABLE OF CONTENTS, PART 3. Who knows, you may see something soon for Pellucid Lunacy 2, and that unnamed horror/sci-fi anthology.

Until then…