Deep in the Darkness

DEEP IN THE DARKNESS PUBLISHED IN POLAND

2009-06-24T09:25:00.001-07:00

2009-06-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

ORDER YOUR COPY NOW!!!

"A good story connects to the reader on both an emotional and intellectual level. In the case of horror, the emotional and intellectual level is somewhere in the dark recesses of the heart and mind." -- Elizabeth Massie

Congratulations. You have discovered the ultimate book for writers who earnestly want to improve their own abilities. Writers Workshop of Horror includes an unparalleled list of teachers, all experts in their fields of endeavor. Woodland Press assembled a dream team of writers, editors and professionals for this special project, then brought in author Michael Knost as editor. The result is nothing short of spectacular.

It focuses solely on honing the craft of writing. You won't find anything in the pages of this volume on marketing, promotions, or submission tips. That's another book for another time. What you will find is solid advice--from professionals of every publishing level--on how to improve your writing.

Although this project is centered on writing horror and/or dark fiction, the principles and advice inside this book will transcend all genres and all forms of writing. It doesn't matter if you write romance, science fiction, western, mysteries, fantasy, or memoirs, you will richly benefit from the information, ultimately improving your craft by bringing polished elements of horror, fear, anxiety, or dread to your work when needed.

Here's to creating better nightmares.

"I have to admit, in spite of my involvement, this is one of the best writing books I have ever read. It is 100% focused on the craft itself ." -- Michael Knost, editor

1-800-SUICIDE NOW ONLINE

2009-05-12T06:40:00.000-07:00

1-800-SUICIDE, the film, is now online. Written and directed by Jeven Dovey, it's a short film based on my short story of the same name. Enjoy:

1-800-SUICIDE

ROOM 412 AUDIO PODCAST

2009-04-01T06:50:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Wanted to let you know that my short story ROOM 412 (one of my personal faves), a story which has been published 11 times, is now available as a downloadable audio 'book'.

The reader did a fantsatic job.

Check it out here:

fearondemand.com

Enjoy!

Michael

UPDATES...

2008-11-03T07:08:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Yes, it's been a while since my last update, so I thought I'd send along word about what's been going on.

First and foremost, for now I will not be moving forward with my publisher Leisure Books. I've published five novels with them: ATMOSPHERE, DEEP IN THE DARKNESS, THE DEMONOLOGIST, DEAD SOULS, and FIRES RISING. I've written a sequel to my best selling DEEP IN THE DARKNESS, entitled RETURN TO DARKNESS, or ISOLATION. Not certain which title to use yet. That all depends on the publisher that picks it up. Of course I'd like to see my books in the stores, and really want to get RTD/ISOLATION into your hands. But...I also need to make some money for all my hard work. I've been doing this for 15 years now, and it's no longer simply 'fun'. It's a second job, career, and it needs to put food on the table. I'm hoping that soon I'll have news about a beautiful small press release for RTD/ISOLATION.

In other writing news, I'm currently writing an urban dark-fantasy novel with a Bram Stoker Award winning author, who for now shall remain nameless. It's a fantastic novel, full of suspense, horror, and a bit of humor. We're pitching this as a series of novels, and if it gets picked up, it should keep me busy for a few years. This is a project I have a lot of faith in, and look forward to updating you all to its progress.

As well, I've begun work on my first non-horror novel. Entitled MISSED CONNECTION, the novel is a thriller with elements of humor. Think Harlan Coben meets James Patterson meets Chuck Palahniuk, and you'll have missed connection. I am really exciting about this book, and am going to start pitching it to the major publishers soon. Wish me luck.

Want a free magazine mailed to your home? My story SNAKES, which appeared in my collection DARK RIDE, has been published in the November issue of LONG ISLAND PULSE magazine. Go to www.lipulse.com and click on the FREE ISSUE tab. Make sure you request November, 2008. Also…BorderlandsPress.com still has copies of DARK RIDE available. If you do not have a copy, head on over to the Borderlands website and check it out.

Looking for a good horror magazine to read? Check out SHROUD magazine at www.shroudmagazine.com

That's about it for now. If you have any questions, feel free to fire away!

Michael

DOUGLAS PRESTON BLURBS DEAD SOULS!

2008-07-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

Dead Souls is creepy, atmospheric, and explosive -- keep a light on and a gun loaded when you crack this baby. Another outstanding thriller from Michael Laimo.

Douglas Preston, author of The Monster of Florence.

PENNY BLOOD MAGAZINE--FIVE PAGE FEATURE

2008-06-30T07:11:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone,

The Summer issue of Penny Blood Magazine is now out, and contains a beautiful lead-in feature interview with me. The interview is five pages long, and is by far the most in-depth interview I've done. As well, there are scans of many of my book covers, and lots of information I've never talked about in prior interviews. The magazine also contains an interview with George A. Romero, and tons of other horror articles and reviews.

Penny Blood Magazine is available on newstands everywhere, including Barnes & Noble, Borders, Hastings, and many other bookstores. Get your copy now!!!

DIRECTOR JEVEN DOVEY TO PRODUCE "1-800-SUICIDE"

2008-06-16T07:22:00.000-07:00

DIRECTOR JEVEN DOVEY TO PRODUCE MICHAEL LAIMO'S "1-800-SUICIDE".

Horror Adaptation to Begin Production this Fall.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday June 16, 2008

New York and Los Angeles - Bram Stoker Award Nominated Author Michael Laimo and horror filmmaker Jeven Dovey have announced that pre-production has begun on a short film adaptation of Laimo's short story 1-800-SUICIDE.

Dovey has written the screenplay adaptation, and will direct the film based on Laimo's work.

Jeven Dovey is a writer, director, and cinematographer. He has shot many short films including "Falling" which took first place at the Oxy Film Festival. He has worked alongside many talented directors and cinematographers including, Broderick Fox, Clay Westervelt, and Kevin Graves. This past year he worked as a DP on a number of projects, as well as finishing his own film "Watching the World Die." He recently finished working for Discovery Channel's new hit show, "Smash Lab." He plans to start shooting 1-800-SUICIDE this fall.

In addition, Dovey has optioned Stephen King's Cain Rose Up, as a part of King's Dollar Babies program. All the information about 'Cain Rose Up' can be found on http://www.cainroseupmovie.com/

Michael Laimo is the author of seven novels and over 100 short stories in the horror genre. He has been twice nominated for the Bram Stoker Award.

Contact info:

jevendovey@yahoo.com

michael@laimo.com

FIRES RISING to be published in Germany

2008-04-01T06:57:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Hope everyone is doing well, and is gearing up for Spring. I know I am. And with this, there's lots going on.

Firstly, my novel FIRES RISING, a Leisure Books paperback, is out in stores and is getting fabulous reviews. It's a fun romp of a book, and my readers have been letting me know about it. I truly urge you to check out FIRES RISING, as this will help pave the way for my next novel RETURN TO DARKNESS, the long-awaited sequel to DEEP IN THE DARKNESS. I cannot stress the importance of your support for FIRES RISING. As writing is a business, this book must do well in order for RETURN TO DARKNESS see print. But you know that already. So go on out and get a copy of FIRES RISING now!

Hey, if it's good enough for Germany, then it's good enough for you! That's right. FIRES RISING has been picked up by German publisher Otherworld Verlag, and will be published in hardback in Germany in 2009. So for all my fans in Germany, expect the book to be hitting the shelves there in 2009.

As mentioned in an earlier announcement, my new short story collection DARK RIDE is now available from Borderlands Press, and can be ordered through the BorderlandsPress.com website. There are only 500 copies, all signed and numbered, containing 23 stories, and a groovy introduction by Brian Keene. I have my copies, and it is a GORGEOUS book. Buy one now and make me happy. It'll make publisher Tom Monteleone happy too.

I've been working on a number of short stories, and plan to do some more. I've enjoyed this bit of time between books to work on some odd projects. And when Summer rolls around, I'll be getting to work on my psychological horror novel PANIC.

Thanks for listening, and please, pick up a copy of FIRES RISING today.

Michael

DARK RIDE IS HERE

2008-03-25T08:33:00.000-07:00

My new collection DARK RIDE is here, and will be shipping this week. For those of you who ordered a copy, be on the lookout for it.

If you still do not have a copy, be cool and groovy like everyone else and get one now!

Get it at www.borderlandspress.com

Thanks!

DARK RIDE shipping March 25th

2008-03-13T17:57:00.000-07:00

Just a quick notice to let you know that my new hardcover short story collection, DARK RIDE, will be shipping from Borderlands Press on March 25th.

For those of you who already ordered, expect your copy(and a signed cover flat for FIRES RISING) to arrive soon thereafter.

For those of you who are waiting to get your orders in, do so now. The run is about halfway sold out. And, if you get your order in at the Borderlands website by this Sunday, you'll also get the signed cover flat.

Visit www.borderlandspress.com to place your order now.

Dark Ride, my third shorts collection, is my biggest collection to date--bigger than my first and second together. 23 stories, 90 thousand words. Plus, creepy artwork from Alan Clark. All signed and numbered, limited to 500 copies. Thanks for your continued support, and keep the Fires Rising!

Hear me read from FIRES RISING at DREADCENTRAL.COM

2008-02-27T05:58:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,

I'm the featured reader this month at Dread Central's Dreadtime Stories, where I read from my new novel FIRES RISING.

Check it out here:

http://www.dreadcentral.com/node/26270

Hope you enjoy it!

Michael

FIRES RISING NOW SHIPPING FROM AMAZON.COM

2008-02-14T06:13:00.000-08:00

Well...the time has come. At least for those of you who preordered my new novel FIRES RISING. AMAZON.COM is now reporting that FIRES RISING is in stock and available and shipping. That means that for those of you who preordered, it's probably on the way--a cool two weeks early. Now's the time to head on over and get your order in if you haven't yet. Of course, your local bookseller will have them on the selling floor in a couple of weeks. That's where you can buy your second copy ;-)

There's a cool review for FIRES RISING up at Horror-Mall.com. I'll post that later. In the meantime, get your copy of the brutally horrific, scary, nasty, FIRES RISING now!

Lots happening right now with the release of the book, which I'll report on very soon. The interview requests are pouring in, so if I'm slow in getting back to you, it's simply because I have a load of interviews to take care of, most notably in the prestigious PENNY BLOOD magazine.

More to come SOON...

NEW SHORT STORY COLLECTION DARK RIDE NOW UP FOR PREORDER

2008-01-02T18:26:00.000-08:00

Hey folks,

My new short story collection, DARK RIDE, will be released in March from Tom and Elizabeth Monteleone's BORDERLANDS PRESS. Check out the fantastic cover from Alan M Clarke:

DARK RIDE features 23 stories, over 90,000 words of short horror fiction, personal introductions to each story, and a special introduction by horror novelist Brian Keene.

DARK RIDE will be signed by myself and Brian Keene, and numbered--a gorgeous limited edition hardcover of 450 copies. Price is $45.00. If anyone orders before January 18th, they get free shipping within the USA. To get free shipping, either call 800-528-3310 or send paypal payment to sales@borderlandspress.com. Get your orders in NOW for free shipping, as this book is bound to sell out quickly!

A PLEA TO READERS AND FRIENDS

2007-10-31T08:19:00.000-07:00

In a few short months, my new novel FIRES RISING will be in stores, at the end of February to be exact.

I need to reach out to you: my fans, my friends, my family, my readers, and ask of you to do your part to help support me and my work.

I am VERY pleased with FIRES RISING. I think it is my best work to date. My editor, and the few critics who've read it agree, which allows me to say this with conviction. So what's it about? It is a horror story set in modern day Manhattan, at the onset of Apocalypse. There's something here for every horror fan: demons and zombies and religious desecration. It is the most visceral book I've ever written. It's a horror novel, in every sense of the word, with monsters and action in nearly every chapter.

For those of you who've asked, it is a stand-alone novel. It is the perfect book for someone who has never read something by me. It is also the perfect book for those who are familiar with my work, as there are tons of inside references to my novels and my friends.

What can you do to help?

If you frequent a particular message board, talk about Fires Rising there. Recommend it to your fellow board members and include links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Deep Discount, BAMM, or wherever else the book is sold. After the book's release, go to your local bookstore (or grocery store, etc.). Find Fires Rising. Face the copies out. This means turning the books around on the shelf so that the front cover is facing out towards the customer, rather than the spine. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. Faced-out books drive sales better than anything else.

I'm a big believer in the power of Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com reviews, and I encourage you to leave one there. Also make sure you TAG Fires Rising on amazon. This helps bring up the book when folks do searches for their favorite kind of horror.

NOW HERE'S THE BIG ONE: Buy extra copies of the book. Give them to your friends, your family, send them to soldiers, or send me one and I'll sign it for you. Leave them on the train, the bus, in malls, airplanes, airport lounges, Starbucks, and anywhere else folks gather. Someone will pick it up, and I'll have a new reader.

PLEASE: preorder a copy of FIRES RISING now, online, and then when the book comes out, buy another one at your bookstore.

As always, I appreciate your support. It means as much to me now as it did with my very first novel. As long as you keep reading, I'll be able to keep writing.

Thank you,

Michael Laimo

LONG ISLAND BOOKSIGNING

2007-09-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

LONG ISLAND BOOKSIGNING

Saturday Oct 27, 2007 at 2:00 PM

Borders Books

5151 Sunrise Highway

Bohemia, NY 11716

Scars Magazine

2007-09-13T07:50:00.000-07:00

Check out the next issue of SCARS MAGAZINE, which will be out this Fall. There will be a feature interview with me, amongst other horrific goodies.

NEW NOVEL(S); NEW SHORT STORY COLLECTION

2007-09-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

Just to keep everyone abreast of things, I have a few items of interest to report.

Firstly, as you can see, the cover for my new novel FIRES RISING has been released, and is posted on the front of my MYSPACE page. I'm quite pleased with it, as it absolutely conveys an imagery and mood that is on par with the story in the book. This book is another religious horror story, on par with THE DEMONOLOGIST, but with a pacing like that found in DEEP IN THE DARKNESS. It takes place in New York City, during the onset of apocalypse. Very visceral, and gory.

I'm also pleased to announce that I've signed contracts for a new short story collection. I cannot release the name of the publisher right now, but it is a very well known and respected publisher in the field. The book will be entitled DARK RIDE, and will contain 23 previously uncollected short stories, nearly 90,000 words of fiction. It will be in a Limited Edition hardcover format, and will be up for preorder soon. Keep your eyes and ears here for details.

Many of you have been asking what I'm working on now. Yes, the rumor is true: I am writing a sequel to DEEP IN THE DARKNESS. I've got about 100 pages done, and have a long way to go, but I will say this about REURN TO DARKNESS: it is different than any book I've ever written. It is dark, creepy, intense, and I guarantee you the pages will whip by you faster than a January wind—which there are plenty of in this book. No spoilers—but I can tell you that this book will pick up right where the last one left off. Now...you won't have to read DEEP IN THE DARKNESS to enjoy its sequel, but it will help to be familiar with Dr. Michael Cayle and the Isolates.

That's about it for now. Thanks as always for your continued support.

Michael

PREPARE FOR HELL ON EARTH

2007-08-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

FIRES RISING--COMING MARCH 2008

SUMMER UPDATES

2007-06-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

Okay...where have I been and what have I been doing? Well, I'm here, and I haven't been doing much, really. Well...not much in my writing life, but plenty in my personal life. I've been busy. My day job (yep, I work a day job) has been going well, and since that's how I put food on the table, I have been making sure that I get the most out of my paychecks as I can.

Plus, it's summer time. After nine months of cold weather here in NY, the days have been glorious. I've been spending as much time outside as I can, and have been enjoying it. And, since I'm between books, the pressure is off for now for me to make a deadline. But I do have some things to report, so here it goes:

First word from my publisher tells me the DEAD SOULS is doing well and is continuing to do well. So a huge THANK YOU to everyone who's picked up a copy. This enables me to look forward and consider how to promote my next book, FIRES RISING. I'm happy to report that it has been delivered to my publisher, and it's tentatively scheduled for a March 2008 release. This will be the shortest amount of time between books for me. 13 months. Not too bad for a part-timer.

In this time between books, I've read a bunch, worked a bit on the promotion for my first movie ANXIETY, and am working on a new short story for a new magazine to debut in January 2008. I've put together a new and quite large short story collection tentatively entitled DARK RIDE, and have some specialty presses interested in this. I'm also still working on getting SLEEPWALKER out in the mass market, but as of now there are no new developments I can discuss. DESECRATION, the novella forthcoming from BLOODLETTING PRESS should be here any day now. Any day...

I'll be taking a few more weeks off from writing, after which I'll begin work on the sequel to DEEP IN THE DARKNESS, tentatively titled RETURN TO DARKNESS.

That's about it. So, if I have not answered your e-mails of late, don't take it personally. I'm giving my mind a break from it all, and am enjoying the summer.

Stay dark,

Michael

COMING 2008

2007-06-19T12:00:00.001-07:00

Fan Mail

2007-03-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

Since the release of DEAD SOULS, I've been getting a great many e-mails and letters from fans who read it, loved, and took the time to tell me about it. Every letter has been such a joy for me to read. I put a lot of hard work into DEAD SOULS, and the payoff is your feedback. Thanks so much for all your correspondence.

Recently, a note came in from a reader that was so detailed (and pretty well-written too!), that I had to share. This, my friends, is what it's all about. Pleasing the reader.

Hi Michael,

I could tell that you put lots of sweat into DEAD SOULS. Your hard work really permeated through the pages and I could tell right away that I was not only reading an author that wrote out of enjoyment but that seemed to want to really write for his fans. So thank you for your hard efforts. I reveled in them as much as a pig enjoys rolling in the mud. Thank you for getting me dirty, making me hold my breath, making me sweat, making me cringe, at times, making me laugh and for making me flip the pages in complete awe of your hard work. It seemed like you put just as much effort meticulously plotting out the novel as you did actually writing it.

Sometimes, the effort of plotting with such complex details tends to leave the story a bit forced when put on paper. Not with you though my friend. DEAD SOULS was as free flowing as a breath of fresh air on the first morning of Spring. You designed images one stroke at a time, holding back just enough to keeping my reading engines revving in high octane. However, you still complemented them with enough doses of bloody violence to satisfy the hunger of every horror reader.

I like the way you divided your story into really short chapters. I think it worked well and accented the urgency of the story. The same goes with alternating the time periods in every chapter. Not many stories have pinned me down like it was a 350lb wrestler in quite a while (OFFSEASON by Ketchum was the last one to do it). I have read a few stories where the alternating chapter/character technique was used, but usually there is one lead story and one supporting story. One of the stories is typically much more interesting than the other, where it has me trying to read the duller story crazily to get to the good story (the chocolate filling shall we say?).

With DEAD SOULS, this was far from the case. Both stories were really good and fleshed out. There was plenty of action and I cared about all the characters within both of the stories. The theme of this novel was also a terrifying one for me. I was raised as a Roman Catholic, so the whole premises of the book had me on edge.

Ohhh, and before I forget. There is a technique that you used, that I can't remember being used since I read Edgar A. Poe. Like when you put in a particular word and keep resonating it throughout the novel when you least expect it and under different connotations. I don't want to really mention the words used here in fear of ruining the book, but you know what I am referring to right?

Anyway, really good stuff and your writing really hits a special note with me. You also have a talent for knowing on how to finish chapters smartly. With a clever remark, or left really hanging. Tim Waggoner is really clever at doing this too. I really enjoy that in a book. The finality of chapters just gives me that extra "umpff".Thanks again and please keep them coming.

A proud fan,

Paulo

Thanks Paulo, for taking the time to write such a great letter.

Michael

LONG ISLAND BOOKSIGNING EVENT

2007-03-05T06:39:00.000-08:00

In support of my new novel DEAD SOULS, I will be speaking/reading/signing at my hometown BARNES & NOBLE on Thursday, April 12th, at 7:30 PM. The event will last about an hour.

Please stop by if you can:

Barnes & Noble Booksellers--Huntington
Walt Whitman
380 Walt Whitman Road
Huntington Station, NY 11746
631-421-9886

Please help support DEAD SOULS

2007-02-20T13:45:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

A writer is only as good as his latest sales figures. It's a shame really, as many GREAT writers have stopped writing and publishing because their figures weren't up to their publisher's par. It's like this for everyone in this crazy business. My first book ATMOSPHERE did as well as could be expected for a first book. DEEP IN THE DARKNESS has done great, and continues to sell well. THE DEMONOLOGIST, although faring decent numbers, did not live up to the monster sales of DITD. Now that DEAD SOULS is out, it only stands to reason that I have to make some serious numbers to keep my title of horror author. So far, there's been a nice buzz about the book. I've got a lot of interviews coming up. Frankly, I've been working my butt off to make certain I keep on writing for you--my readers.

Some of you have written asking what you could do to help make DEAD SOULS one of 2007's best selling horror novels. Well...here's a few tips:

If you frequent a particular message board, talk about DEAD SOULS. Start a thread and keep it alive. Include links to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or wherever else the book is sold. And it does not have to be a horror board. I tell my friends on the prog boards I frequent all about DEAD SOULS. As well, blog about the book. Tell others what you think about it. Every bit of exposure counts!

Go to your local bookstore and face-out DEAD SOULS. In other words, turn the books around on the shelf so that the front cover is facing out towards the customer, rather than the spine.

Become a reviewer on the online booksellers. I'm a big believer in the power of Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.com reviews.

Loan your copy of DEAD SOULS out after you've finished reading it. Two readers for every book sold is golden. You may have just turned on a new fan of my work, who'll go back and pick up something else of mine.

As always, thank you so much for your never-ending support. It means as much to me now as it did with the first book, and I am forever grateful. As long as you keep reading, I'll keep writing.

Michael

Win a copy of my Hardcover novel SLEEPWALKER

2007-02-02T03:32:00.000-08:00

DEAD SOULS CONTEST!!

Hi everyone,

Here's a chance for you to win a rare out-of-print copy of my Limited Edition hardcover novel SLEEPWALKER. This contest will run through a May 1st deadline. Here's what you have to do:

Get your hands on a copy of DEAD SOULS. You can buy one, borrow one, steal one from your best friend, etc., and answer these questions:

1) What is the name of the non-fiction author I mention in the acknowledgments, whose book I used for research?

2) What Egyptian God was Benjamin Conroy so obsessed with?

3) What is the name of the Drug Store on Main Street in Wellfield?

4) What is Mary Petrie's maiden name?

5) DEAD SOULS is divided into two 'parts'. What are the titles of 'Part 1' and 'Part Two'

Once you have it all figured out, e-mail your answers to DEADSOULSNOVEL@HOTMAIL.COM.

This contest will be open to everyone. A winner will be chosen at randon on MAY 1st 2007
Thanks again for all your support...hope you enjoy reading DEAD SOULS!