DECEMBER 19, 2020
Hey folks!
Boy oh boy, it’s been an INSANE year. Very, very busy. Lots of new releases. And so much more going on behind the scenes… it’s been really great but, being honest, it’s also been incredibly stressful. Lots of sleepless nights. Lots of struggles, and a very unhealthy day-to-day level of anxiety. And while it’s totally been worth it, I’m looking forward to slowing things down a smidge and trying to smell a flower or two as I go forward.
Complaining aside, it has been a great year. And overall, a lot of fun.
To start, 2022 has been a career year for me as it pertains to publishing deals.
In January I closed a deal with Cemetery Dance to publish the trade edition of my novel, GOTHIC, which is coming out February 3, 2024. In addition, I sold a couple books to Thunderstorm Books for the deluxe treatment.
In February, after a glorious review by Sadie Hartmann and an even more glorious retweet by Stephen King himself, I was able to close a 2-book deal with Tor Nightfire (and subsequently to Orbit UK). The first book, BOYS IN THE VALLEY, will release on July 7, 2023. The second book, which I’m feverishly writing, will likely release June 2024, assuming I hit my deadlines.
Lastly, I recently signed with Lethe Press for a 3rd story collection. NO ONE IS SAFE will release late next year.
There’s also been lots of movement on the film / tv adaptation side of things - so overall very productive! I feel incredibly lucky.
Many folks have asked me why I’ve grouped so many releases together, and the honest answer is it was one-hundred-percent NOT planned that way! I had a few books delayed, which then bumped into the other stuff that was already scheduled. And while I don’t want to have a lot of titles to promote at the same time, at this stage of my career its hard to say no to anyone who wants to publish my work. After all, that’s why I’m doing this crazy writing thing in the first place.
Regardless, I’m so proud of these books and I hope readers who find them will enjoy the stories. If I can bring just a tiny bit of joy to folks’ lives, then it’s all worth it.
SO, enough blabber. Below is a quick breakdown of what I’ve released in 2022.
(But first, a family photo!)
My 2022 Releases
I published three novels this year. Two of those books were limited editions, and one was my debut trade novel - a big deal for me!
GOTHIC, from Earthling Publications, was published in an edition of 235 copies (and sold out in about 20 minutes!). The good news is this book will be rereleased in a trade edition (Hardcover, Paperback, eBook, Audiobook) on February 3, 2023 by Cemetery Dance Publications.
DON’T LET THEM GET YOU DOWN, a literary novel, was published by Zagava Press in a limited edition of 199 numbered copies. And while the hardcover editions are sold out, there is a brand new paperback edition just released! The paperback is only available through the Zagava website or Ziesings.com, their exclusive US distributor.
A CHILD ALONE WITH STRANGERS was my debut trade novel and came out in October from Talos Press, an imprint of Skyhorse. While this book had its complications during birth (to put it mildly) it’s finally out in the world and widely available in Hardcover and eBook. We are currently working hard on closing an Audiobook deal, so stay tuned! The early reviews have been amazing, and I couldn’t be more thrilled at the reception this story has been getting from readers.
In addition to the novels, I released a handful of stories as well, all of which can be found in print anthologies. Next year I’ll be in a couple more books, as well as some stories coming in Interzone magazine.
The stories released in 2022, and the books they can be found in, are:
“My Father’s Ashes” - a coming-of-age vampire story (Hybrid: Misfits, Monsters, and Other Phenomena)
“Serial Numbers” - a pulpy throwback horror tale (Dark Murmurs)
“The Resident” - a supernatural burglary story with a twist (Damnation Games)
“The Last Haunted House Story” - a haunted house possesses children (13 Haunted Houses)
“The Guardian” - a reprint of a previously released story (Revelations)
Missing from the photo above is a children’s book I wrote called THE BOY WITH THE BLUE ROSE HEART, and a very cool chapbook I did with artist Michael Bukwoski called HARBORING MONSTERS. This is a book of illustrations by Michael of monsters from my different stories. Includes a 2000 word original essay by me.
Image by Michael Bukowski - “Mother” - from Harboring Monsters
Lastly, there were a couple limited books that came out this year (both are sold out):
ALTAR - a deluxe edition of my short story (can be found in BEHOLD THE VOID) that includes an original essay by John Langan and an 8000-word bonus story called “The Fate of Nero”
THE FATE OF NERO - a limited edition chapbook I created primarily for members of my Facebook fan group - Fracassi Freaks. I self-published these in a signed and numbered edition of 250.
As always, i’m incredibly grateful to the talented artists and designers, and the hard work of the publishers who give my work life and get these stories into the hands of readers.
My other big 2022 accomplishment was the launch of two-seasons of THE DARK WORD, a podcast devoted to writing from some of the biggest writers in the business. While the show will likely not be continuing into the new year, I’m very proud of the 24 episodes that are out there and grateful to the amazing guests who came on and shared their experiences and advice.
While it’s been a busy year, 2023 is shaping up to be a lot of fun as well.
Books and Stories coming next year include:
“Murder by Proxy” - Interzone Magazine #294
“Quad” - Interzone Magazine (tbd)
“Fortune” Shakespeare Unlimited (anthology)
“Specter” Never Wake (anthology)
“Point Oh One” (tba)
“The Astral Key” (tba)
BEHOLD THE VOID - limited deluxe edition - Thunderstorm Books
BENEATH A PALE SKY - limited deluxe edition - Thunderstorm Books
GOTHIC - trade edition - Cemetery Dance
BOYS IN THE VALLEY - trade edition - Tor Nightfire / Orbit UK
NO ONE IS SAFE - my 3rd collection of stories - Lethe Press
Artwork from Interzone Magazine
Plus I’m working on a few more surprises. To stay in the loop, please consider joining my newsletter or my Facebook fan group to get the inside track on all my upcoming work.
Lastly, I want to say a quick THANK YOU to all my readers. You guys make what I do possible, and I just wouldn’t be here without your support. Means the world.
See you next year!
PF
PS - If you’d like to watch a WAY too long video roundup, you can visit my YouTube channel here.