Folks: as you've heard so many times before, sorry I haven't been on the board much lately. (I'm in MD 2 weeks a month now, tending to a family member, then in FL the other 2 months busting my old ass on deadlines.) However, I just wanted to drop a note to let you know I'm close to finishing another Lovecraft pastiche novella, working title PAGES TORN FROM A TRAVEL JOURNAL. (Guessing whose travel journal shouldn't be too tough.) So far it's been a blast. After that, I'll begin HEADER 3. Gotta run now; I'll be in touch, and thanks very much for your support.

Best,

Edward Lee

Know you are busy and hope things are going well up in Maryland. Thanks for the updates. We do appreciate them. Bob

Sorry to hear about the family member Ed. Thanks for taking the time to keep your fans updated. It is really appreciated.

Sorry to hear about your family member. I know how tough it is to think of anything else when life's real problems happen. I wish the best for you and yours.
I completely loved TROLLEY 1852. Your command of the language and tone took me in and never let me go. The scenes where the hero has to perform to maintain his undercover status at the 1852 club were incredibly funny. What a gas. Congrats.
I am looking forward to PAGES TORN.
And of course, HEADER II.
And GOING MONSTERING.
and CYESOLAGNIAC. Of which hardcover copy letter "U" is sitting by my left hand. Aaaah. Perhaps I will read it now. Yes now.........

Sorry to hear Ed. Hope everything goes well for you and your family.

I swear this is your year. So much has came out from you and there's so much more in the works. All I can say is, you write em' and I'll buy em'. Any word on when Header 2 goes up for pre-order? Or what about the CD hardcover of Brides of the Impaler?

_________________
"The Living Dead and the dying living are all the same. Cut from the same cloth. But disposing of dead people is a public service, whereas you're in all sorts of trouble if you kill someone while they're still alive."

Believe me, I NEED this to be my year! As for your questions I'm afraid I must confess tits on a bull. Don't know when HEADER 2 will be up for pre-order, but I'll try to find out. And as for Brides fo the Impaler hc (and also The Innswich Horror novella, also by CD) I couldn't guess in a million years what's up with those books. I can imagine how pissed off some folks might be how preordered them. Needles to say, when I hear anything, I'll let you all know. Thanks and take care!

Edward Lee

I can pretty much guess what the hold up is with Brides and Innswich. I hate to be negative and I don't like to down publishers and I'm sure one in particular has gotten a lot of heat from customers over the years, but I'll give them a bit more, anyway. I'm referring to, of course, Cemetery Dance. Don't get me wrong... I love the books they put out, but it gets a bit tiresome waiting for a release 2 years after it's been announced, especially when they keep making excuses such as it's coming soon or it's at the printer now!

Prime example: I preordered In Laymon's Terms(among several other titles) four and one half years ago from Cemetery Dance. What do I have in return so far? Nothing(Not even the other three I preordered with it). I mean seriously, does it take that long to publish a book(s)? They've had my $100(actually more like $250 with the other books included) tied up for that long and so far no dice. If I'd known that I wouldn't have preordered it(or the others). I tried to get my money back but they said they couldn't refund it and didn't give a reason why. Needless to say, I don't preorder books from them any more. Oh, and the earliest we can expect In Laymon's Terms... summer 2010. They're waiting for space to open up at the printer... honestly, does it take that long for space to open up? Inquiring minds want to know...

The problem: Richard Chizmar has way to many irons in the fire, so to speak! Books, movies, writing... what's next video games or maybe bodybuilding equipment and supplements? It's really sad to say, but I wouldn't be expecting Brides of the Impaler or The Innswich Horror from them anytime soon. Shoot for late 2010/early 2011 and you might be in the ball park.

One last gripe I have: I know Stephen King is a great writer(one of my favorite writers of all time) and all and he is a BIG money making machine, but I think Cemetery Dance has gone so completely apeshit over him that they can't focus on any of their other books THAT NEED TO BE PUBLISHED! It seems everytime I get an update from CD it's something about Stephen King. I apologize if all this ranting has pissed anyone off... All this has to be frustrating not just for the readers, but for the authors, as well.

I also know authors like Ed have to be civilized with these publishers(not just CD) even if it is taking a long time to get their work out to the fans because the bottom line is bread and butter(money). One of the best all around publishers I can think of is Leisure. Small press... Delirium and Permuted Press are tops!

Peace,
Travis

Travis, there are many boards out there that deal with the 'Cemetery Dance' issue, so you are not alone. I have been a loyal customer for about 15 years now, and I too pre-ordered 'In Laymon's Terms' when it was first announced. I love their books, but their publishing schedule has been a mess for as long as I can remember. Their Bi-monthly CD magazine is shipped about 3 times a year, and they end up publishing books that were announced more recently than the ones promised years ago. I don't know what goes on there, but they have promised a couple of times to right the ship here recently - to no avail as of yet. I know Lee works with Rich a lot and I believe he is in the dark as much as we are as to publication dates. Bob

I've had a couple of books from CD I've been waiting on for about 2 years now. I'm anxious to read them but the wait doesn't bother me too badly. What has gotten annoying is the constant King emails Travis mentioned. I agree they probably keep people updated on him because he's so popular and will likely bring CD more cash than some other titles, but I came to CD because of their more underground authors. And those are the ones I'd rather hear updates about.

You know, I am a Necro Publications kind of guy. For a while I thought Delirium was gonna do it for me but....it's Necro. I appreciate Cemetery Dance for the Laymon stuff as well as many titles from that Ed Lee guy, but, most of CD's stuff is pretty lame. Now Necro on the other hand, not much lame shit gets through Dave Barnett's bullshit detector!!

Now that I think of it Bloodletting Press is really stepping up to the plate also. Thank you Larry Roberts!

I have to agree about Necro. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be them. I've got a sizable number of Dave's books and while not every single one I'd call a favorite, I've at least been entertained as hell while I read it.

With Delirium, I've enjoyed some, and thought some were awful, so hit or miss there. I think I've only got 3 or 4 Bloodletting books. I came to them late and it seems like their print numbers are smaller than the other publishers but I maybe wrong. It's always a treat though when Leisure decides to pick one of them up for reissue!

I actually just had lunch with Dave on Dec 14. and got to see the "You Are My Everything" chapbook (and signed 500 of them, to boot.) Necro really is a dynamite house. Later!

Edward Lee