Jared Sandman

Here are a couple of infographics that caught my attention recently.  The first breaks down the ongoing digital revolution and separates indie publishing from trade publishing.  I don’t agree with some of the numbers specified, but overall it’s a great overview for someone outside the industry who wants to know what’s going on in the publishing field right now.

The other graphic comes from Publishers Weekly.  It perfectly showcases the complexity of modern publishing and pokes fun at the frustration that comes with it.  There’s more truth to this than most insiders would like to admit. 

For comparison, I mocked up a similar (albeit very crude) flowchart for e-book publishing.  Notice any differences? 

Last year the CDC made news when they used a satirical zombie apocalypse to instuct the public on how to prepare for any widespread emergency.  They even put together an entertaining, instructional comic book, which you can read here.

Last week their tongue-in-cheek zombie invasion kinda backfired, and now they’re downplaying the existence of the living dead.  Yes, you heard that right — the Centers for Disease Control wants you to know that zombies aren’t real.  This comes on the heels of an outbreak of drug-fueled cannibalism and several overhyped cases of flesh-eating bacteria.  My, the world can be strange.

Now I would like to stress that it’s important to have an emergency plan in place for anything from floods to earthquakes.  I live in Florida, for example, where every year at this time hurricanes become a threat to the Sunshine State.  And each summer Floridians prepare for the worst, because it’s better to have an evacuation kit and not need it than need it and not have one.

So take a deep breath and tell yourself that zombies aren’t going to bring about the end of the world.  That’s just silly talk.  After all, everybody knows it’s the inevitable robot uprising that will doom mankind instead.

The e-book for Blackstone will be available by the end of May; the print version goes on sale early next month.  I’m currently taking preorders for Blackstone (which you can find in THE SHOP).  Paperbacks are sold for fifteen dollars, but preorders will be discounted by 20 percent.  That knocks the price down to twelve bucks, or works out to free shipping.  Follow the normal checkout process through Paypal (you don’t need to be signed up with Paypal to use their services). 

I’m happy to flat-sign all preorders, of course.  If you want a personalized inscription, that can be arranged too.  Just email me at jaredsandman@writeme.com and tell me to whom you’d like the book autographed. 

Keep in mind, you can snag any of my novels at any time from www.jaredsandman.com.  I include extra goodies for any orders I personally ship, and I keep stock on hand so I never run out.  

As always, thanks for your interest in my work.

Cover Art by Sidharth Chaturvedi

WELCOME TO BLACKSTONE

 Designed by a madman, built with inmate labor and home to the nation’s worst criminals, Blackstone Penitentiary was considered the Alcatraz of the Midwest.  But across a one-hundred-year history it amassed a far more odious distinction:  the most haunted location in America.

PAROLE WILL BE GRANTED

No longer in operation and left abandoned, it awaits renovation for inclusion to the National Register of Historic Places.  Spearheading the ambitious restoration project is Anthony Creighton, a caretaker seeking to unlock the reformatory’s long-buried secrets.  He enlists four strangers to help in that mission, individuals who possess extraordinary psychic abilities.  Along with a skeptical scientist, the group embarks on the first full-scale paranormal investigation of the notorious prison.  Their goal, to confirm the existence of life after death.

TO ANYONE WHO SURVIVES THE NIGHT

Six guests.  Ten thousand ghosts.  And all of them fighting to escape.

A year ago author Kristine Rusch wrote about discrepancies in royalty statements.  I’d link to that initial post, though her website has been hacked (presumably as retribution for what she has to say).  She’s now posted a follow up, which has some great advice about potential minefields to avoid.  Click here to read.

After reading that, no doubt you’re angry and disheartened.  So I leave you this to brighten your spirits:

Not only is this Saturday Cinco de Mayo, it’s also Free Comic Book Day.  There are a couple of local retailers, Colossal Comics and Yancy St. Comics, that you should drop by and support.  Oh, and feel free to dress like a Wookie.  Y’know, if that’s your thing.

I’ll also direct your attention to a great interview from Wired Magazine with Avengers director Joss Whedon.  Any time Joss opens his mouth, it’s entertaining.  He talks writing, filmmaking and fandom.

Gilbert Cruz at Vulture released his ranking of Stephen King’s entire oeuvre.  I spent my junior high years devouring most of King’s backlist; while I haven’t read all his books, I have read the majority of them.  My personal top ten novels (in order):

10)  Duma Key

9)  Pet Sematary

8)  Lisey’s Story

7)  The Talisman (with Peter Straub)

6)  The Green Mile

5)  Salem’s Lot

4)  The Stand

3)  Needful Things

2)  The Shining

1) IT

As for his short story collections, I think Nightmares & Dreamscapes is his best, followed closely by Skeleton Crew.  “The Reach” may be his most anthologized story, though my personal favorite is “The Man in the Black Suit.”

I’m putting the finishing touches on Blackstone, for the manuscript goes off to my proofreader later this week.  The book will be on sale next month, and the cover art is being drawn as we speak.  It’s all coming together, and right on schedule.  I created a timeline for myself back in September that I’ve stuck with ever since.

In local news, a zombie walk will be held this weekend in my town.  I may or may not be able to make it, depending on my schedule.  If you live in the tri-county area and love zombies, Zombiefest is for you.  Be made up to look like the undead, then shamble your way to Cinema 6 theater for a zombie movie marathon.

Complex recently released its list of the top twenty-five horror novels published in the 21st century.  Matt Barone put together a pretty solid collection of books.  I’ve read a majority (but not all) of them, and I don’t agree with a few of the selections.  That’s to be expected, though.

Plus The Guardian’s Damien Walter asks, Should science fiction and fantasy do more than entertain?  I think speculative fiction should first and foremost entertain; anything beyond that is extra, and it’s largely dependent on reader tastes.

It’s Friday the 13th again, and to celebrate you’ll notice all my novels in The Shop are on sale.  Prices have been sliced and diced worse than horny teens at Camp Crystal Lake.  One day only, forty percent off.  Pick up a fifteen dollar trade paperback for only nine bucks.  Oh, and you don’t need to be a Paypal member to use the checkout cart.  There were some questions about that last time.

In other news, make sure to tune in to Chiller tonight at 9PM for the world premiere of Brian Keene’s Ghoul.  I liked the book quite a bit, so I’m looking forward to see how well it was adapted for the screen.  And follow #GhoulonChiller during the movie to tweet with fellow fans.

Tonight also marks the opening weekend of Joss Whedon’s new movie, Cabin in the Woods.  I’ve only heard great things about this mind-bender of a film.  I don’t know why the studio didn’t release this until after The Avengers  came out, as then they’d be able to cash in on the Whedon feeding frenzy that will soon ensue.  After holding it back three years, the studio couldn’t wait another month?  Anyway, go see this one too.