Bechtel’s Buckshot Blog: Getting Stoked

You never forget your first.  As such, this article is dedicated to two tremendously talented writers, each of whom we’re honored to say, were “firsts” for your friendly neighborhood e-book company.

The premiere title in our first library of books, Necon Classic Horror #1, was Rick Hautala’s Winter Wake.  In fact, Rick participated on the panel at Necon XXX at which Bob Booth announced the founding of our company, and Rick’s novel was our first project announced that day.  The reason (beyond the fact that Rick Hautala is a pillar of the horror writing community, a master craftsman, and should be required reading for all fans of the genre)?  Rick was the first author to sign on the proverbial dotted line with us, who agreed to dive into this brave new world of digital publishing, and as such gave our fledging company the immediate weight and credibility of  his name attached to our brand.

Remember all those nice things I just wrote about Rick?  Yeah, that wasn’t me just blowing smoke about one of our contracted talents.  It turns out we’re not the only people who appreciate Rick Hautala the way we do … apparently, none less than the Horror Writer’s Association agrees with us, because they just bestowed their Lifetime Achievement Award upon Rick at the 2011 Bram Stoker Awards Banquet:

The achievement of a lifetime: Rick Hautala accepting his honor.

Rick, from the bottom of our hearts, congratulations!  Simply put, this honor could not have gone to a more worthy author.  This recognition was well-earned, and we sincerely hope that YOU, personally, recognize that fact as well.

To celebrate his Lifetime Achievement Award, we proudly published TWO new Rick Hautala titles this week.  The first is Dead Voices, his classic horror novel first published in 1990 (available for purchase HERE).   The second is his brand-new mainstream offering, Rough Winds (available HERE).  We’re particularly proud to offer Rough Winds; in fact, Bob considers this tale of the real Coastal Maine “the best novel Rick has ever written” (and that’s some statement, considering he just won the Lifetime Achievement Award!).   So why did it take so long for this gem to see the light of day?  Because, no matter how good they all agreed it was, agent after agent told Rick it couldn’t be sold.  We sincerely hope, and believe, that Rough Winds will prove to be another “first” for us — the first amazing novel which, when finally given the chance thanks to being freed of the shackles of the print industry business model, will find its audience and receive its due acclaim.

But, as it turned out, Rick wasn’t the only Necon E-Books author who had a good night in Salt Lake City.

For those who don’t know her, Linda Addison is truly one of a kind; in fact, she is as unique, vibrant, and quirky as the prose and verse she pens.  Moreover, I don’t know a single person who doesn’t love and respect Linda as both a writer and a person; she is truly one of the special people I’ve been blessed to know.

Naturally, we were thrilled when Linda agreed to let us publish her latest collection of poetry and short fiction, How To Recognize A Demon Has Become Your Friend (available HERE).  As all who follow our company know, the majority of our titles are classic re-editions we’ve brought into the digital age.  Linda’s collection was one of our first new titles … and as such, was nominated for the 2011 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Poetry Collection.

You know how all the losers on Oscar night always say, “I’m just honored to be nominated?”  Yeah, I always thought they were full of it, too … until Linda’s collection was put up for this award.  It really didn’t surprise me at all that Linda was nominated; in fact, continuing with this Oscars theme, I tend to think of Linda like Meryl Streep (i.e. she warrants a nomination every time she deems to share her talent with us).  But there was a genuine disconnect in my brain that we were involved with it.  It honestly boggled my mind to think that one of OUR books was up for a Stoker; after all, if Necon E-Books was a baby we’d literally still be in diapers!  This just isn’t supposed to happen for a publishing company that’s barely a year old, right?  Right?

Then again, most fledging publishing companies don’t have a talent on their roster like Linda Addison.  And we got to ride her coat tails all the way up to the podium.

Linda Addison, with her Bram Stoker Award in hand, giving special thanks to her mother.

Winning this award actually wasn’t a “first” for Linda; in fact, she received the same distinction in 2001 for Consumed, Reduced to Beautiful Grey Ashes (when she was the first African-American to ever do so).  But it most certainly was a first for our company, and it’s a BIG first — our first ever Bram Stoker Award.  Delivered, and fittingly so, by Linda Addison, a unique star in the horror galaxy and, not coincidentally, one of our very favorite people.  Linda, we are all SO proud of you, and SO proud to have played a role in your richly-deserved achievement.  Thank you for making us look good, and for allowing us the honor of publishing your award-winning collection.

To celebrate Linda’s achievement, we decided to put her to work!  April is National Poetry Month, so we adapted our monthly Flash Fiction Contest into a verse poem competition … and we enlisted Linda as the sole Guest Celebrity Judge!  Think you’ve got the chops to have your poetry judged by a two-time Bram Stoker Award Winning Poet?  Then just click HERE to read the rules and enter your submission!

Like I wrote at the top, you never forget your first … any of them.  Rick and Linda, again, we are so proud of you; congratulations, and thank you both again for being a part of the Necon E-Books family.

 * * * * *

 Since this blog wouldn’t be “buckshot” without at least a few random thoughts —

•  As we come to the end of this television season, I’d like to get something on the record (so I can brag about this in a year or two when the big reveal happens and I’m right) — for all fans of the CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother,” I know who “the mother” is.  I have never read this theory anywhere else online, I don’t believe in reading spoilers, and I actually came up with this about two years ago.  Okay, so here it is — Ted is going to wind up marrying Barney’s half-sister.  Remember the episode when we met John Lithgow as Barney’s long lost father?  He showed Barney a picture of his family, and told him, “That’s my son, and that’s my daughter, who’s in grad school.”  We know Ted meets “the mom” at Barney’s wedding, so it makes sense that A) Barney’s half sister would be there; and B) that Ted wouldn’t have met her yet.  Plus, it then explains why SO much of this seven-years-and-counting story of how Ted met the mother of his kids has centered around Barney and Robin (assuming the two of them wind up together, which I’m still betting on), because Ted will wind up meeting his kids’ mom at their wedding.  Not to mention, it also means the show’s writers have hidden the truth in plain sight all along.  Remember all the times Ted has called them “Uncle Barney and Aunt Robin?”  Yeah, they’d actually be the kids’ aunt and uncle if their mom is Barney’s sister!  It just all fits.

• Speaking of parents, one of the best ones I’ve ever known needs your support.

 THE JOHN MCILVEEN LEGAL FUND

Our great friend, John McIlveen — one of the best-loved members of our writing community — is involved in legal proceedings that may endanger his custodial rights as a parent. John is one of the most loving, giving fathers we know, and for the sake of his whole family, his friends have put together the John McIlveen Legal Fund to aid him in his efforts. Without our help, John simply can’t afford legal representation. He needs someone who knows the law and the Massachusetts court system. For legal reasons and for the sake of the family, we’re keeping the details to a minimum, but let me be clear — John is not accused of any misconduct. He’s a fantastic dad involved in a fight that is dramatically lopsided where dollars are concerned.

There are several ways that you can help. If you’re an author, you could donate signed books for auction. When those auctions begin to be posted, readers can bid on them to help John and his family out. To everyone else who’d like to help, the best and fastest way is to donate directly to the PayPal account that has been set up specifically for this purpose. An anonymous donor has already pledged to match the first $1000!!! This challenge will cost thousands — possibly many thousands — so anything you can contribute would be deeply appreciated.

The other thing that you can do is spread the word. Share this on your own Facebook page or on Twitter or your blog. (Note from Matt: We’re doing our part; please feel free to copy this announcement and share it on your own social networking sites!) And if you know John personally, please comment here and let everyone else who might be considering a donation know what a wonderful guy and father he is! Thanks so much!

The PayPal email for the John McIlveen Legal Fund is JMcLF@comcast.net