Blogging is weird. I just can't seem to commit. I have never been one short on words; I can rant with the best of them and discuss the more inane aspects of life with conviction. So why can't I blog?
Because it's like walking into an empty room save for a recorder, pressing RECORD, and then talking to yourself with the hopes that someone comes along someday and listens.
And that's weird.
But I'm going to give it a good go. (I've said this before, of course.) I read friends' blogs, and they talk about all kinds of nonsense. And I enjoy it. So we'll see...
That said, let me wax a little something on Shock Totem. I've done a lot of things in my life and done them well, but there's a different kind of pride involved when you do something that feels so right; there's a sense of satisfaction that isn't found elsewhere. And I'm feeling that sort of thing now.
No, Shock Totem isn't about my fiction, nor is it a project I can solely take the credit for, but it is something I've found deeply satisfying on a more altruistic and personal level. A contradiction, I know; but it's like, "Finally! This is where I want to be. Let's party!" With Shock Totem, I get to support other writers who will in turn, hopefully, someday support me and my writing. At the same time, maybe we can inspire some new upstart publications like Apex Digest and Black Gate inspired us.
Necrotic Tissue has just made the unthinkable leap from e-zine to print publication. I received the first print issue yesterday, and while I haven't read more than a few flash fiction pieces, the entire product looks fantastic—all fiction in a glossy-covered, digest-sized magazine that bears the mark of dedication and care.
Inspiring.
And this is a so-called dying field. Says who? Shock Totem has been out for two months now, and we've sold/given away over 400 copies. I have nothing to compare that number to, but I think that's a pretty good number for a new publication. We've gotten nothing but outstanding reviews, and even heavy-hitters like John Skipp have given us nothing but praise. It's a good feeling. So while we grow, hopefully others will grow with us.
You can read the reviews below:
The Poisoned Apple (review by Cate Gardner)
The Future Fire (review by Steven Pirie)
Amazon.com (review by Robert J. Duperre)
Brain Tremors (review by Adam Blomquist)
Fatally Yours (review by Sarah Jahier)
Hellnotes (review by Sheila Merritt)
Horror World (review by Brian Sammons)
The Black Glove (review by Nickolas Cook)
Not bad, eh? Have you bought a copy yet? You should, right? Right! I once said the following on Twitter: "If you like something, support the hell out of it." Wise words, from a dummy.
Website: http://www.shocktotem.com
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shocktotem
Twitter: http://twitter.com/shocktotem
So, will I blog more often? Ha! Don't hold your breasts.
Wait a minute...
2 comments:
Yeah, I've never seen you at loss for words. But you also have an outlet at the ST forum. Perhaps you should direct people there and label it "Ken's Blog". ;)
Wouldn't that be more like Ken's playhouse? We could get Barbie and... well, never mind. ;)
Hi Ken. *waves* Like the blog--very nice. You should post more. But then again, so should I. My blog is lucky to see me every two weeks, heh.
See ya at STF.
~Effie
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