I’ve landed in New Mexico, and, while there’s been some emotional ups and downs, I’m here, I’m working, and I’m staying on top of things (mostly). I’ve got a lot to catch up on, but I’m hoping to be trickling back into blog reading and interactions and whatnot, but it’ll still take time (and the holiday/winter season madness is already almost upon us).
I’m still hoping for a holiday miracle to come through today for a certain situation because time’s running out, so all my peeps with magical powers, put them out there for a wonderful resolution for ones that are close to my heart right now. It’s sorely needed, and I’m wishing on stars and 11:11 and crossing fingers for an impossible miracle too!
My new novel, The Wretched Bones: A Ben Shivers Mystery, has just been released on Midnight Machinations, an imprint of Grinning Skull Press. Though written as a standalone, it’s the first in a planned series following PI (Paranormal Investigator) Ben Shivers as he drives around the country in a vintage camper van solving mysteries with his cat, Mr. Trimble, for company. Just to clarify, in the book Mr. Trimble doesn’t do much other than prance around with his tail sticking in the air lording it over his human and yelling for food. Sorry to disappoint. He can’t talk or do tricks or anything. I thought about giving him the power of speech, but that would’ve just been too weird. Even for me. Besides, the only ‘voice’ I think would fit this particular cat would be a spoiled little bastard with an emperor complex. Because, let’s face it, most cats are. I’m not sure where the name Mr. Trimble came from. I just thought it suited him. The only ‘Trimble’ I’ve ever known in real-life was a jovial Irish barman I once worked a bar with when I was a student.
Ben Shivers is a complex individual. People say we paint our characters as a reflection of ourselves and the people we know, which always makes me think of God creating man ‘in his own image.’ The analogy works because writers are the gods of the worlds they create. They have complete control over every thought, action, and reaction. In a world that’s slipping away from us, that’s reassuring. Ben used to be a journalist on a rock magazine in London, before relocating to the Hampshire countryside with his wife Louise and daughter Amy. Without giving too much away, the idyllic existence doesn’t last, and Ben soon finds himself divorced and living in a camper van. He spends his time looking for meaning in a world he increasingly feels ostracized from.
I started writing the book in 2019, when I lived in Guangzhou, China. That spring was a weird time for me. One of my friends from home committed suicide, and at the time I was dating a girl who had manic depression. She talked about ending it a lot, and was on all kinds of medication. I was haunted by what had happened with my friend. He talked about suicide a lot, too. Nobody thought he would ever go through with it. Until he did. I always think I could have done more. To try to make amends I tried my utmost to help this girl I was dating any way I could, but you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped. Our relationship was toxic, and destructive in a lot of ways. Predictably enough we broke up after a few months. The only saving grace was that she didn’t care enough about me for a little thing like that to push her over the edge. Four years on, she’s still here.
A few days after our relationship imploded, I was walking through the city centre contemplating how fucked my life was when I heard a noise in the bushes next to the road. I investigated, and found a tiny kitten which had been abandoned. It was so weak it could barely walk. Not knowing what else to do, I took it to the nearest vet. After an examination, they said the kitten was dangerously dehydrated and malnourished. Not only that, but had contracted pneumonia, a nasty eye infection, and a bad case of fleas. All things considered, the prognosis wasn’t good and the vet gave it a mere 30% chance of survival. I paid for a week’s treatment thinking that if it was going to die, at least it could spend its last days in relative comfort. However, defying all the odds, the kitten got better and a week later, I was able to take it home. I wasn’t expecting that. I named it Dian Dian, Mandarin for ‘Little Little.’
In the years since I have come to appreciate the role cats play in the lives of many, many writers. On a daily basis, my social media feed is full of people talking about either their books, horror movies, or their cats. Occasionally I get an ad for a dating app or something, but generally speaking that’s it. They often say cats choose their humans rather than vice versa, and I firmly believe the universe sent Dian Dian to me for a reason. He brought balance to my life, gave me something to care about apart from myself, and taught me how to be more responsible. I wasn’t able to help my friend, or my ex, but I could help this little ball of fur, and I did. For his part, he provided the inspiration for Mr. Trimble, and I transplanted his origin story into The Wretched Bones.
The Wretched Bones: A Ben Shivers Mystery is out now on Midnight Machinations, an imprint of Grinning Skull Press.
I’m down to the last couple of weeks for my first class in my MPS program.
I’m down to the last couple of weeks of moving/relocation prep.
I’m down to the last handful of content pieces I’m writing for Horror Tree.
Am I weary?
Yep!
So, yeah, I don’t think I’ll even be able to be on here even sporadically to read blogs and such for the next couple of weeks.
But I’ve got some good book reviews coming up at Horror Tree…and don’t forget to check out my October horrorscopes and my tarot card reading. (Please?)
I hope you have lots of fun pillaging…or rum drinking…tomorrow!
I’m still caught up in moving and taking care of the cat horde and school and more school (in a different program)…so, yep, going for two degrees! Ack!…and trying to find work and so much more!
Sorry-not-sorry for all the exclamation points!
But I am sorry that I haven’t had the time I usually do to read all your great blogs, but I hope you stick around during this time, as I’m trying my best to keep up with yours.
And, if you want, check out my reviews over at Horror Tree. I especially liked reading The Citadel of Bureaucracy–speaking of nonconformists. Well, depending on the roll of your dice, that is!
Even if you’re not actually going back to school, you can make believe you’ll be in attendance with the best and the brightest…or the most evil and depraved!
Learn what your fate will be at the posh private academy of your dreams…
One of the most difficult parts of living in small-town Kansas is dealing with the overall attitudes here towards the nonhuman animals we share our world with.
I have been trying to help animals since I moved here, and every day is a new level of heartbreak and agony.
It hurts me more than I can possibly describe to bear witness to the things that go on here.
I used to think I was pretty resilient, but most days I worry about even getting through the day. I keep trying to fight for the animals here, especially the cats. But to say things are rough going is an understatement. It feels like a living hell–for animals and the people that care about them and their welfare. And I say that even after my experience in working with animals and animal rescue back in my hometown, and getting up close and personal with the ways people mistreat animals.
My experience residing in my current locale has definitely the stuff of “real-life horror” where animals are concerned, I tell ya.
This weekend was especially hard in regards to local animals, so I’m still not as present in the blogsphere as I usually try to be.
I did start a citizens’ advocacy discussion group for animals, and I got interviewed by the local paper (it should be coming out soon, and maybe if I feel brave enough, I’ll post the link in the comments), and I’m attempting to get an item on the agenda at the local city commission meeting. I’d like to help my fellow animal advocates that have joined the group start a nonprofit to have an official platform from which to launch the ideas we’ve been discussing, but that’s a little ways off.
In other, lighter news, August’s horrorscopes and the tarot reading for writing inspiration are up over at Horror Tree.
And I’m still taking a stab at writing reviews over there…hopefully they aren’t too horrifying!
In other news, I’ve started doing book reviews for The Horror Tree. Simply search the HT website for “Epeolatry Book Review” to access tons of great book reviews from myself and others–a perfect opportunity to find your next summer (or midwinter) read!
Lastly, I may be more of a ghost around the WordPress world, at least while I transition into a new schedule (and, perhaps, even after that).
I’ll be working full time, going back to school full time, and making sure my kitties get enough attention (not that they’d let me forget!), and I’m trying to organize a concerned citizen advocacy group here to act on behalf of nonhuman animals here in small-town Kansas–with the hope it will turn into a nonprofit someday. Because this place has an abysmal track record when it comes to animals and animal welfare–as some of you may remember from the heartbreaking owl incident.
So, yes, apologies in advance if I’m not as active over the coming months on here as I should be.
