- What Does Not Kill Me -

Heaven and Hell

I’m very excited to post this up. Such a great group of writers. Thanks Jason Heim for all of the web work, and to Mark Wilkinson for his beautiful cover (http://www.the-masque.com/)

I just wanted to take one moment to talk about the fantastic writers involved:

Zsa Zsa – she was a very misunderstood soul and will be sorely missed

Vincent Louis Carrella – such a great voice, and his novel Serpent Box has been getting some great reviews http://www.amazon.com/Serpent-Box-Vincent-Louis-Carrella/dp/0061126268

Beth Mathison – she’s a new voice to me, but her story really tugged at me emotionally

Craig Wallwork – I published a story in my last issue #6, and thought it was one of the best of that issue, and his story this time is equally powerful

Karen Brown – When I first read her story “Galatea” in the 2008 Best American Short Stories I was blown away. I thought it was one of the best in that collection. We are lucky to have her contribution for CC#9, a gripping tale

Shaindel Beers – I know her poetry, and have read with her, such a sweet woman, so I was a bit shocked by her micro fiction for this issue. It will surprise you. She has a collection of poetry out here http://www.saltpublishing.com/books/smp/9781844715053.htm

Christopher Dwyer – my brother from another mother, one of my kindred spirit dark writers, I am never disappointed by his work. He’s also the “writer-in-residence” at Dogmatika, with a column called Dark Matter. Here’s one called “Crackle” that I love http://dogmatika.wordpress.com/2009/05/08/crackle/

M. Kilbain Lazer – an elusive, reclusive twisted soul, his work is never predictable and always a blast to read

Paul Mallaghan – another new voice to me, his story was one that I HOPED to get on the heaven side (although that could be debated) but one that was visceral and vivid, a great read

Michael Paul Gonzalez – a short intense story his work runs the gamut and this story is a wild ride as well

Valerie Geary – I was glad to get a lot of female voices in this issue, and Valerie’s story just floored me, so heavy and yet human

Kara Kilgore – another wild ride that really spoke to me, so glad to get Kara’s work out here – done several intensives with her at the Cult and she is unique and very compelling with her writing

Gayle Towell – what a powerful up and coming writer – I’ve been reading her novel Optimism at the Cult workshop and if I had a press, I’d publish it myself – great writer

Gavin Pate – his was a slightly different interpretation of theme and that’s why I wanted it included – his book The Way to Get Here is available at Bootstroap Press http://www.bootstrapproductions.org/catalog/books/theway.html

Nik Korpon – another dark writer, his story went against his usual writing but still held on to the intensity of his words, heaven in many forms

THANKS again everyone,
Peace,
Richard